Ka'u News Briefs Dec. 18, 2011

Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president Gloria Camba (l) and coffee grower Lorie Obra dance for the co-op's
Christmas party last night. Photo by Julia Neal

NO GERRYMANDERING OCCURRED, members of the County Council Redistricting Commission stated on Friday, according to a story in the Hawai`i Tribune Herald. County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi had asked the Commission to convene to explain its process. This followed perceptions that the Commission may have moved boundaries of a draft redistricting map to make sure that incumbents and political allies J Yoshimoto and Dennis Onishi would not have to run against each other in the election next year. The change in the draft plan came after Onishi sent out 40 to 50 emails noting that the draft map could pit them against one another in the next election. After the emails were sent, the Commission changed the map to separate their districts. According to the Jason Armstrong story, commissioner Mike Middlesworth stated that the purpose was to move lines “a little bit to eliminate that tail” forming the area mauka of the Kupulau Road-Ainaola Drive intersection in Hilo.
     The final map does leave incumbent council members Brittany Smart and Brenda Ford in a position where they would have to face each other should they both decide to run again for the District 6 Council seat which includes all of Ka`u.

Sen. Dan Inouye and Gov. Neil Abercrombie work on
federal recognition for Hawaiian. Photo by Julia Neal

A LAST-DITCH EFFORT FOR FEDERAL RECOGNITION OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS was rejected by the U.S. Senate last week. The House had earlier jettisoned the Akaka Bill, which is widely known as the proposal to recognize Hawaiians. After the rejection, Inouye put his own version into a Department of Interior funding measure, but the House added on “a variety of devastating anti-environmental riders, which, if the Senate accepted, would have set back our nation’s air and water protections for many years to come,” Inouye said.
     “The Hawaiian recognition provision embraced the excellent work of the state Legislature in beginning the process of Native Hawaiian self-determination and recognition,” Inouye said in his statement.
     “I will continue to fight for federal recognition for Native Hawaiians, and I will work with the other members of the Hawai`i delegation to plan our next move,” Inouye said.

SCHOOL BUS PROVIDERS may be changing in Ka`u as new companies have been bidding against each other for contracts around the state, according to a report in Civil Beat this weekend. Hawaiian Discovery, which is based on the Big Island, and Wasatch Transportation, Inc., which is based in Utah, won some of the routes traditionally held by Roberts and other local companies. Akita Enterprises beat out Roberts on some East Hawai`i routes, and Hawaiian Discovery won some West Hawai`i routes, according to Civil Beat, which has been investigating lack of competition and the runaway cost of school bus services.

Dennis Kamakahi's music is featured on the soundtrack of The Descendants,
which is up for five Golden Globe awards. Photo by Julia Neal

THE DESCENDANTS, a film set in Hawai`i with a soundtrack featuring Hawaiian singers and slack key players very familiar to Ka`u residents, has won five Golden Globe nominations. It features music by Dennis Kamakahi, who teaches at workshops in Pahala and plans to move to Na`alehu within a year. Also on the soundtrack are Cyril Pahinui and the late Gabby Pahinui. The Descendants is nominated for Best Motion Picture - Drama, Best Actor for George Clooney, Best Supporting Actress for Shalene Woodley and Best Screenplay and Best Director for Alexander Payne. The film has also won numerous critics awards. 

      The Descendants is about a land baron faced with the decision on whether to sell off some of the last undeveloped coastal land in Hawai`i that was handed down within his family from the early missionaries. 

One Journey, the Brown Bags to Stardom winner, played for the Ka`u Coffee
co-op with singer Eunice Longakit, who plans to major in music in college
and Moses Espaniola III, who teaches `ukulele free each Sunday at the
Old Pahala Clubhouse. Photo by Julia Neal 

THE KA`U COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE celebrated a year of success yesterday at its annual Christmas Party. Co-op president Gloria Camba encouraged farmers to keep up the good quality that has given them top awards in the state and the nation and such markets as high-end gourmet buyers and Starbucks. Chris Manfredi, who manages the land where many of the farmers grow their coffee, reviewed the marketing success. The award-winning One Journey band performed, courtesy of Ka`u Coffee Mill, kupuna offered up hula and keiki sang and danced. Many local businesses donated gifts for the event. 

THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I is currently in the process of soliciting grant applications from qualified nonprofit organizations for fiscal year 2012-2013, which begins July 1, 2012. Each year Hawai`i County designates a minimum of $900,00 to be allocated to qualified organizations. Applications and all supporting documentation must be received by the Department of Finance’s administration by January 31, 2012. 

     For more information on qualifications and how to apply, visit the Nonprofit Grant Form page at www.hawaiicounty.gov/fn-nonprofit-grant-forms or contact Karen Eoff at 323-4280 or 323-4264.


     Additionally, the County of Hawai`i is able to offer free access to its Grants Network subscription to community groups that are located and serve within Hawai`i County. This educational service helps nonprofits find grants and offers other educational support on tracking and reporting grants. For more information, contact the county Department of Research and Development at 961-8366. 

Christmas in Pahala will be held
tonight at 5:30 p.m. on Kamani
St. around the lighted Christmas
tree. Photo by Julia Neal

CHRISTMAS IN PAHALA is this evening at 5:30 p.m. on Kamani Street next to the lighted tree with caroling, gifts and refreshments. Gifts for families who would not otherwise be able to afford a Merry Christmas are being accepted to be distributed this evening through lucky number drawings. Gifts include some bikes, wagons, a grill, Ka`u Coffee and many locally made products as well as gift certificates for food. Everyone is invited.

THE NEW REGIONAL DISASTER SHELTER and gymnasium for the community and schools in Pahala is open for design questions and suggestions from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the school cafeteria tomorrow and Tuesday. More than $16 million has been approved for the county to develop the project on the school campus. Questions include whether the gym will be set up to clean the air from vog, and whether there will be amenities such as a stage, workout room, and disaster communications center. Will the project pave then entire green field around the proposed gym site, and will any parking lot lighting protect the night skies and stargazing in Ka`u? A wooden floor for the gym and a design that fits in with the historic nature of the village have also been suggested by community members.

JOHN AND HOPE KEAWE ring in the holidays with their music, hula and aloha spirit at After Dark in the Park this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Donations of two dollars support park programs. Park entrance fees apply.

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.