Ka'u News Briefs Dec. 17, 2011

NANI KAHUKU `AINA RESORT’S Draft Environmental Impact Statement for hotels, condominiums, golf course, estates and commercial centers on 16,000 acres between South Point and Ocean View, makai of  Hwy 11 and extending to the Ka`u Coast, has drawn comment from the county planning director. 

Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd

     Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd asks the developers to discuss how the resort would fulfill the county General Plan’s objectives and policies, which include the following: discourage intensive development in areas of high volcanic hazard; encourage urban development within existing zoned areas already served by basic infrastructure, or close to such areas instead of scattered development; and that lands currently designated Resort should be utilized before new resorts are allowed in undeveloped coastal areas.
     To proceed at Nani Kahuku `Aina, developers would need land use classification changes, including taking land out of Conservation near the coast.
     The planning director wrote that the Draft EIS “lacks sufficient detail to assess impacts” regarding its proposed Hawaiian Heritage Center, its Mauka Community Facilities Reserve, its Mixed-Use Village and related infrastructure and ancillary improvements.
     The Planning Department asks the developer to address a number of issues before submitting its Final EIS. 

Nani Kahuku `Aina developer Katherine Peroff
with Heritage Center planner Herb Lee

     A PROMISE TO OPERATE A NONPROFIT organization for cultural and environmental purposes needs more detail, the county says.
     Writes the planning director, “While we appreciate the applicant’s offer to donate a portion of sales and operations revenues to the Kahuku Hawaiian Heritage Center, because the KHHC is so central to the project’s marketability, success, and management of natural and cultural resources, much more detail about building the KHHC’s long-term capacity and viability is needed.”
     County planners also ask about a proposed Integrated Natural and Cultural Resources Management Plan, saying it is “referenced multiple times in the Draft EIS as a measure to protect natural and cultural resources and to mitigate impacts of development and public use on coastal and marine resources, ponds, flora and fauna.” The planning director asks for specific protection and mitigation measures to be included in the Final EIS.
     PROTECTING THE SHORELINE CONSERVATION ZONE is another subject that needs more explanation from the developer, the planning director says.
     She also calls for a more detailed survey of the Ka`u and Hawai`i Island communities to determine the cultural significance of the site, “including sacred associations with open space and the physical landscape as well as contemporary cultural activities at the site, including Native Hawaiian spiritual, cultural and recreational practices.”
     The planning director asks for an analysis of impacts on public facilities and services and how they will be mitigated “above and beyond simply donating land.”
     She also asks for written documentation from the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs describing the facility that the developers promise will be built for vets.

Nani Kahuku `Aina project
manager Aaron Eberhardt

     EVACUATION DURING DISASTERS is another concern of the Planning Department, particularly should there be lava inundation. County planners note that communities in Florida establish population density caps based on evacuation clearance rates in high hazard areas. If development is proposed resulting in density greater than the caps, mitigation is required, either in improving evacuation routes and/or keeping the population below the cap. The planning director asks the developer to define the evacuation clearance rate for the area, propose an appropriate density limit for the proposed Nani Kahuku resort site and identify related mitigation strategies.
     She also asks about traffic impacts of the proposed resort, plans to generate power, and analysis of hazards related to the adjacent Pakini bombing range and possible unexploded ordnance.
     HAWAIIAN TRAILS need analysis, the planning department says, asking for a legal and ownership analysis, mapping of the existing and proposed trail system, and a timeline for developing a shoreline access plan, parking, and proposed hours the access would be open to the public.
     Numerous public comments have been submitted concerning the draft EIS, which can be read on the state Department of Health’s website under the Office of Environmental Quality Control. 

     THE DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS on the Kawa Drainage Project is Friday, Dec. 23. Comments are being taken on the Environmental Assessment to raise Hwy 11 some ten feet above grade to 46 feet above sea level. An 84-foot-wide culvert, eight feet high, would be placed beneath the highway.
     Comments can be sent to the state Department of Transportation’s Hawai`i District Office, 50 Makaala Street, Hilo, HI 96720.
     The draft EA is available at Pahala and Na`alehu public libraries, and online at http://hawaii.gov/ health/environmental/oeqc/index.html.

THE KEIKI CHRISTMAS PARTY at Ocean View Community Center begins at 11 a.m. this morning. Everyone is invited to this free event, which includes food, music, gifts for every child under 12 and a visit from Santa.

A CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR and swap meet takes place tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ka`u Castle between mile markers 67 and 68 on Hwy 11.

THE LIGHTED CHRISTMAS TREE on Kamani Street is the site of Christmas in Pahala tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. Donations are being taken for needy families who otherwise might not be able to afford a happy Christmas. Canned foods, turkeys, toys, gift certificates and beverages can be donated by calling Keala Kailiawa at 928-0500 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811, or dropping donations by KAHU community radio station on Maile Street.

Proposed location for the disaster shelter and gym is the open field at the entrance to Ka`u High. Photo by Julia Neal

DESIGN OF THE SHELTER AND GYM at Ka`u High School is the topic of the charrette this Monday and Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the school cafeteria. The public is invited to see current plans and offer input for this multi-million dollar project to be built next year.

Ka'u News Briefs Dec. 16, 2011

A public meeting on the design of a disaster shelter and gym to be built on open space next to Ka`u High School
will be held Monday and Tuesday at the school cafeteria from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. Photo by Julia Neal

THE REGIONAL DISASTER SHELTER, soon to be built in Pahala as a community center and gymnasium for Ka`u High School, is the subject of a public input meeting called a charrette this coming Monday and Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the school cafeteria. Comments are already coming in. Rep. Bob Herkes sent in testimony reviewing the history of the legislation that he championed and restating the purpose of the facility. “The need for the disaster shelter was obvious due to the size of Ka`u and no other such facilities. The Ka`u school complex was selected due to its central location and the daily population of the school on a normal school day,” he writes.
     Herkes asks, “Is this to be a ‘disaster shelter’ or a safe gathering place for natural disasters in Ka`u such as a fire that threatened residential areas in Ka`u, a lava flow that imperiled areas such as Ocean View or a similar event where impacted citizens could be safe and a place to stay? The concept was to have a section of the building secured to contain a 24/7 communication facility, an emergency generation facility, and storage for cots, medical supplies, water, MREs and other such amenities for Civil Defense purposes.
     “The remainder of the facility would normally be used as a gymnasium and for various community gatherings.” 

Bob Herkes

     Herkes suggests, “If time and funding permits, it would be useful to have an analysis of any natural disaster that might impact the site for the purpose of building hardening. Scientists should do this analysis based upon their ability to map natural disasters for intensity and frequency.”
     Other suggestions about the facility include keeping a green area around the shelter gym for a buffer to the adjoining residential housing and for overflow parking rather than covering the grounds with pavement, parking stalls and light poles. Preserving the night skies of Ka`u with little or low impact lighting for the parking lot and grounds is another suggestion.
     Other ideas from the community include designing the building with the ability to clean the air in the gym during bad vog days; providing photovoltaic panels so that power would be available if cut off from the electric company; providing a stage for community events; including a certified kitchen for community groups, students and to help feed people who may be sheltered there; and designing the building to fit in with the historic nature of the community.

REP. BOB HERKES said yesterday that he will work hard at the state Legislature which opens in January to modify the state building code to make it easier for people to have homes. “I don’t want people living in cars, vans and tents,” he said. “I want them to have four walls and a roof over their heads.” He said the building code makes construction too expensive for many people. He pointed to the hardening of buildings for hurricanes on this island, when there have been no hurricanes hitting here in recent history.
     “I’m going to blow up the building code,” Herkes said.

QUIRINO ANTONIO will become the new manager and chief engineer of the county Department of Water Supply when Milton Pavao retires at the end of the year. The Board of Water Supply voted to appoint Antonio at last night’s meeting. He is currently the deputy director of the Water Department.

Melanie Bondera

THE KA`U AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT hui met yesterday with Laulima Center’s Melanie Bondera, a Rural Cooperative Development Specialist. Laulima, under the Kohala Center, is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Cooperative Development grant and the Ulupono Initiative. Laulima serves all sectors of the rural community and is managed by The Kohala Center. 

     Bondera offered her services to help organize cooperatives or similar organizations to help manage the water resources. Farmers and ranchers have been meeting for five years to plan and fund restoration and improvement of old plantation water systems that were built, some of them more than 100 years ago, by the sugar companies that wound up business here more than 15 years ago.
     Bondera said she could help reach out to all farmers and ranchers and other possible non-residential users of old plantation water systems that are being restored in the mountains between Kapapala Ranch and Wai`ohinu. Water users in each of the areas are organizing to manage the water resources and ensure that everyone has access. It is important for everyone to participate so they are included, she said. Anyone interested in participating can call Jeff McCall at 928-6456.

Suzanne Marinelli gave a workshop last night showing
how easy it is to submit testimony and follow progress
of legislation. Photo by Julia Neal

SUBMITTING TESTIMONY and following the state Legislature in action next session will be much easier on the Internet. Public Access coordinator Suzanne Marinelli led a workshop last night at Na`alehu Elementary School cafeteria. The website makes it easy to look up any subject to find out what legislation is proposed and how it is succeeding or failing with the lawmakers. Citizens can read all the testimony from lobbyists and the public that is sent to the legislators and follow the voting by senators and representatives. Testimony is easy to submit on any bill online. Marinelli said that Hawai`i is one of the few states where the public can testify by email. The workshop is also available online at http://hawaii.gov/lrb/par. 

     See the new legislative website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

Kilauea can be an explosive volcano for long
periods of time. Illustration from USGS

IF KILAUEA’S CAULDERA should begin to sink, it may be time to watch out for an explosive eruption. Such eruptions could last for a short time or for centuries, according to Don Swanson, a scientist with the U.S. Geological Survey, who has been studying carbon samples dating back 2,500 years to track the history of the volcano. An explosive eruption killed hundreds of Hawaiians in 1790 as they were walking across the Ka`u desert. Another explosive eruption happened in 1924, killing one person. These were minor, however, compared to continuous eruptions that lasted for hundreds and perhaps thousands of years at a time before people occupied Volcano and the surrounding area, he cautioned. Swanson’s research has been making news, with reports today on Hawai`i News Now and others as far ranging as Hawai`i Magazine, National Geographic, Our Amazing Planet and Global Post. 

A 3.7 EARTHQUAKE rumbled through Ka`u yesterday with an epicenter southeast of `Ainapo and makai of Hwy 11. It followed a 2.6 earthquake just north, five minutes earlier.

THE ENTIRE FAMILY IS INVITED to Ka`u `Ohana Day at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Planned activities include making feather kahili and playing makahiki games like `ulu maika, konane and moa pahe`e. Participants should bring water, sunscreen and a ball cap.

ALSO AT THE KAHUKU UNIT tomorrow, hikers can explore Kipuka`akihi, an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest. To register for the hike and for more information on Ka`u `Ohana Day, call 985-6011.

KAHULA `O NAWAHINE NOHO PU`UKAPU, with kumu hula Ana Nawahine Kaho`opi`i, perform at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Hands-on cultural demonstrations are scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the gallery porch. Park entrance fees apply.

Keiki at Na`alehu Gym ramped up in festive holiday spirit for Winterfest
yesterday affternoon. Photo by Nalani Parlin

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S keiki Christmas party is tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the community center. Everyone is invited to this free event, which includes food, music, gifts for every child under 12 and a visit from Santa. 

     For all donations of time, money and gifts, call 939-7033.

CHRISTMAS IN PAHALA takes place Sunday at 5:30 p.m. around the lighted Christmas tree on Kamani Street. Donations are being taken for needy families who otherwise might not be able to afford a happy Christmas. Canned foods, turkeys, toys, gift certificates and beverages can be donated by calling Keala Kailiawa at 928-0500 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811, or dropping donations by KAHU community radio station on Maile Street.

Ka'u News Briefs Dec. 15, 2011

Pahala School students of Keoki Kahumoku share their Hawaiian music and `ukulele skills at yesterday's
Christmas program.  Photo by Julia Neal

ALL OF THE OCEAN VIEW WELL major components and infrastructure are complete except for the HELCO electrical power supply, the county reported at its public meeting last night. HELCO is making adjustments to several Ocean View commercial and residential transformers in an effort to “balance” the voltage regulation required to run the sensitive high-voltage pumping equipment located 2,000 feet below the surface.
     Council member Brittany Smart moderated the community meeting in Ocean View last night with representatives of the Department of Water Supply talking to the public. DWS retiring manager and chief engineer Milton Pavao and engineer Kurt Inaba explained the unforeseen delays at the HOVE well pumping station. 

New water station location is off Lehua lane just off
Hwy 11 in Ocean View.

     The Ocean View well is the deepest well on the island that is managed by the DWS. The powerful three-phase submersible pump must push 100 gallons of water per minute up a 12-inch pipe nearly a half-mile to the 300,000-gallon reservoir. The entire pumping system must be thoroughly flushed before a quality water sample is taken and sent to the Department of Health and other corresponding agencies to ensure the water is safe for consumption. The testing process takes approximately two to three months.
     DWS representatives said they expect HELCO to complete the electrical adjustments by mid-January, enabling the contractor to bring water to the surface for testing. Once the pumping system is operational, applications for the 10 commercial meters will be announced in the newspapers, on the DWS website and at a future community meeting. The residential spigots are expected to be operational by March or April and are intended to provide residents access to potable drinking water.

“LAY YOUR SPEARS DOWN and embrace with aloha,” was the message of the address as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs held its annual ceremony yesterday. Robert Lindsey, who represents this area, attended the State of Hawaiian Homes delivery of the message at St. Andrews Cathedral on O`ahu.
     The address was delivered by OHA chair Colette Machado, who said, “We must always be protective of the open space along the shoreline.” She noted that Gov. Neil Abercrombie has proposed turning over 25 acres of shoreline on O`ahu at Kaka`ako. This would be part of the settlement with Native Hawaiians over ceded lands, which were acquired by the state from the territory which took it from the Kingdom of Hawai`i.
     She said she would favor public access to the shoreline “to gather as `ohana and to use that area to fish and also to bodysurf.”
     In addition to the land settlement, Machado said that OHA plans to continue to work on its effort to create a list of native Hawaiians for its roll call for self-determination.
     Former Governor John Waihe`e, who chairs the Roll Call Commission, said the goal is to “re-unify the sovereign entity of native Hawaiians one by one, by the thousands.”

West Ka`ili`ili entry is now open for viewing by hikers from the end of
Chain of Craters Road. Photo from USGS

HIKING TO THE LAVA FLOW from the end of Chain of Craters Drive is once again allowed by Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Lava from Kilauea’s remote Pu`u `O`o vent has reached the ocean within park boundaries, and scientists have named the spot the West Ka`ili`ili ocean entry. The hike is approximately four miles one-way across an uneven flow field. 

     Several streams of lava are pouring into the ocean, providing dramatic views. Visitors who stay after dark can also see channels of lava flowing down the pali and across the flow field, but conditions can change at any time.
     Hikers need to heed all warning signs and ranger advisories, and be aware of earth cracks and crevices, sharp terrain and rain-slick pahoehoe lava and other hazards. Steam plumes produced by lava entering the sea contain fine lava fragments and acid droplets that can be harmful. Scientists also confirmed that a lava delta is being formed at the base of a sea cliff at West Ka`ili`ili, and are monitoring the area closely. Lava deltas can collapse with little warning, produce hot rock falls inland, and generate large local waves.
     “Hikers must be adequately prepared with plenty of drinking water, dressed for rain or sunshine, wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes, carry a flashlight and spare batteries, and be in good physical shape for this hike,” said park superintendent Cindy Orlando.
     Visitors who do not want to hike out to the ocean entry can observe the wispy plume of the ocean entry from the end of Chain of Craters Road, near the ranger station. After sunset, flowing lava from Pu`u `O`o has been visible from the turnout on the hairpin curve on Chain of Craters Road, weather permitting.

HAWAI`I JOURNAL OF MEDICINE & PUBLIC HEALTH carries a story this month blaming chronic vog for runny eyes and red bumps on the inside of eyelids. The diagnosis is important because it is not an infectious disease of the eyelid. This vog-induced conjunctivitis is sometimes misdiagnosed for pink eye, says opthalmologist Jorge Camera, author of the study.
     He said it is important to identify vog conjunctivitis and to treat it early and effectively. All the patients in the study complained of itchiness and feeling a foreign object in the eye. Excessive tearing and burning was also reported in more than half the study group. The eye doctor said he plans to continue his study to find out why some people are affected and others are not. Also in question is the relationship between SO2 and conjunctivitis and particulates and conjunctivitis. Hawai`i Journal of Medicine & Public Health is available online at www.hjmph.org. 

Volunteers served more than 500 people at Hana Hou's annual keiki Christmas party yesterday. Photo by Tamryn Fyvie

IT WAS MERRY CHRISTMAS and a hearty meal for more than 500 people who turned up at Hana Hou Restaurant yesterday for the annual keiki Christmas party. Owner Drake Fujimoto said that approximately 300 keiki received gifts, with 42 bikes given away along with stuffed animals and even boxes of baby wipes for infants.

Shakas from Santa and keiki at Hana Hou Restaurant's
keiki Christmas party last night. Photo by Tamryn Fyvie

     Kids had photo opportunities with Santa, the Grinch and Gingerbread Boy. Keoki Kahumoku played music, and the rain held off for the outdoor celebration. Fujimoto thanked all the volunteers who served up food, helped set up and gave donations.

A FREE WORKSHOP to demystify the state legislative lawmaking process and introduce services available takes place today at 6 p.m. at Na`alehu School Cafeteria. Everyone is welcome, with no registration or prior experience required. Topics include an overview of the recently re-designed website, how to deliver effective testimony, and making sense of the calendar and deadlines. The workshop is sponsored by the Public Access Room, a division of the state’s non-partisan legislative Reference Bureau. For more information or to arrange individual tutorials or group workshops, call 974-4000, ext. 70478, or email par@capitol.hawaii.gov. 

Ka`u High School junior Leilani Desmond (r), of Green Sands, shows
 her display about using GigaPan photography to document the trash
and the cleaning of Kamilo Beach. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL held its science fair last night. Winners will go to the East Hawai`i division, and winners from there will go to the state competition. Students interacted with the public, gaining experience in putting the science into language understandable to everyone as they showcased their projects. 

NA`ALEHU SCHOOL holds its Winterfest today at 12:30 p.m. Principal Darlene Javar will perform a dance routine as a reward for students selling 1,000 bags of cookies to raise money for prizes for the kids.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK and Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center are calling kids of all ages to Ka`u `Ohana Day at the park’s Kahuku Unit on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will experience the medicinal values of Hawaiian plants as Ka`ohu Monfort shares her knowledge about la`au lapa`au. Other activities will include making feather kahili and playing makahiki games like `ulu maika, konane and moa pahe`e. Bring water, sunscreen and a ball cap. The entire `ohana is welcome.

ALSO AT THE KAHUKU UNIT on Saturday, hikers can explore Kipuka`akihi, an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest. To register for the hike and for more information on Ka`u `Ohana Day, call 985-6011.

THE KEIKI CHRISTMAS PARTY at Ocean View Community Center is on Saturday at 11 a.m. Everyone is invited to this free event, which includes food, music, gifts for every child under 12 and a visit from Santa.
     OVCA asks for donations of new, unwrapped gifts for the keiki. Residents can take ornaments off of Gift trees set up at merchants around Ocean View and buy gifts for children of age groups noted.
     For all donations of time, money and gifts, call 939-7033.

THE CHRISTMAS IN PAHALA celebration takes place Sunday at 5:30 p.m. around a lighted Christmas tree on Kamani Street. Donations are being taken for needy families who otherwise might not be able to afford a happy Christmas. Canned foods, turkeys, toys, gift certificates and beverages can be donated by calling Keala Kailiawa at 928-0500 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811, or dropping donations by KAHU community radio station on Maile Street.