Ka'u News Briefs Jan. 10, 2012

Protect Ka`u's night skies, where people come to witness celestial events like the recent lunar eclipse, writes Pahala
homeowner and attorney Teresa Tico. Photo sequence by Peter Anderson

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE for comments for the initial writing of the Environmental Assessment for the new gym and regional disaster shelter to be built in Pahala and funded with more than $17 million. Attorney and filmmaker Teresa Tico, who owns a house in Pahala, wrote to PBR, the company in Honolulu hired by the county to write the EA. “This is an enormous building and will require considerable parking. As long as the architecture reflects the plantation style of Pahala and the building is painted a neutral color that blends into the environment, I have no problem with the gym,” she said.
     She wrote that she hopes that the gym will serve as a shelter during vog alerts. She asked that the parking lot be minimized, “as it will compromise the rural character of the school and community.”
     She asked the planners to remember the old Joni Mitchell song, They Paved Paradise and Put up a Parking Lot and stated, “once a large area is paved for parking, it will never go back to its original rural look, so let’s make sure the parking lot is not obtrusive.” The attorney said her biggest concern is with lighting. “Many astronomers come to Pahala to observe meteor showers and other celestial phenomena. It would be inexcusable if the lights for this new structure do not incorporate the new green technology for lighting streets and towns, such as “cut-off” lights that direct the light downward, to the ground, where you actually need it, rather than up into the sky where it will disrupt the sleep of nearby residents, pollute the night sky,” and cost government and taxpayers a lot of money to operate. “The new green lighting technology is safe, sound, cost-effective, and proven to work as well as, if not better than, our wasteful stadium lights that light up the sky. Please consider the alternatives. They will help preserve and protect Pahala’s unique, historic, and rural character,” wrote Tico.
     Comments can be addressed to tkapali@pbrhawaii.com or PBR Hawai`i, Tammy Kapali, 1001 Bishop Street, Suite 650, Honolulu, HI 96813-3484.

Linda Lingle with Tenari Maafala, at microphone,
and other SHOPO representatives.

SHOPO ENDORSES LINDA LINGLE for the U.S. Senate. State of Hawai`i Organization of Police Officers Union president Tenari Maafala said Lingle, a Republican, “has always had our police officers in her heart, and she advocated for us in every leadership position she has held – from Maui’s mayor to Hawai`i’s governor. We know she will represent Hawai`i’s police officers and our brethren across the country well when we elect her to serve in Washington, D.C.,” Maafala said. “This is not just an endorsement. It is a full-on commitment from us to play a major role in Gov. Lingle’s campaign for the next 10 months.”

     Lingle stated that “having the backing and support of ‘Hawai`i’s Finest’ has been a true honor for me since SHOPO’s first endorsement of my campaigns in 2002. As governor, my top priority for the state was the safety of the public. I could always count on our outstanding uniformed officers, who put their lives on the line every single day, to share the same commitment to keeping all the people of Hawai`i safe. The SHOPO members and their families have always been, and will continue to be, part of my extended `ohana,” said Lingle. SHOPO previously endorsed Lingle in her gubernatorial campaign in 2002 and her re-election campaign in 2006.
     To personally express her appreciation to the union members for their support, Lingle will travel across the state to visit with police officers at all of the SHOPO chapters including Maui, Hawai`i Island and Kaua`i.
     Lingle announced her campaign after Sen. Daniel Akaka said he would retire after serving since May of 1990, following the death of Sparky Matsunaga. So far, Lingle competes with John Carroll in the Republican primary. The declared Democratic primary candidates are former U.S. congressman Ed Case and current member of Congress Mazie Hirono. 

Tom Vilsack

THE RURAL DEVELOPMENT office in Hilo is on the USDA’s list of offices to be closed as a cost-cutting measure. “The USDA, like families and businesses across the country, cannot continue to operate like we did 50 years ago,” Department of Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said. “We must innovate, modernize and be better stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars.”

     The USDA will close 259 domestic offices, facilities and labs across the country, as well as seven foreign offices. The closures are based on a department-wide review of operations conducted as part of the Campaign to Cut Waste launched by President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE Tom Vilsack was in Hawai`i yesterday, vowing to farmers and ranchers that the U.S. Department of agriculture will listen to them before finalizing any new rules and regulations. He talked about the importance of agriculture to the country and in every American’s life. He stressed the importance of helping young people return to the farm and the growing need to promote and talk about agriculture with consumers. He also addressed the reality of a farm bill that will focus on catastrophic losses and low commodity prices. The secretary of Agriculture was addressing the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual meeting, which was held in Honolulu.

Kuahiwi Ranch beef from Ka`u is featured by Chef Noguchi
at his He`eia Kea Pier General Store and Deli.

     Representing Ka`u at the convention were Ka`u Farm Bureau president Chris Manfredi and Aikane Plantation Coffee farmers Merle and Phil Becker, who gave away thousands of sample cups of Ka`u Coffee. Representatives from Paradise Meadows, Megan Collins and Scott Buske, also provided samples of Ka`u Coffee. Becker said the trade show was a “tidal wave of people,” and “a lot of them heard about Ka`u.” 

     During the trade show, Kuahiwi Beef from Ka`u was represented by Michelle Galimba. Chef Mark “Gooch” Noguchi, of He`eia Kea Pier General Store & Deli, created a special recipe with eggplant puree and Ka`u free-range beef, using the “short plate,” which is known to be a difficult cut of beef to prepare. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s national newspaper described the display as “Farm to Table, Aloha-Style” with rancher Galimba talking about her operation and how she works with local chefs and restaurants. Food samples were provided.  

THE FOURTH ANNUAL Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive at Punalu`u is coming up this Saturday. Early registration is advised, with forms available in Pahala at Mizuno Superette and Pahala Gas Station, in Na`alehu at B&E Union 76 gas station and Ace Hardware, and in Ocean View at Kahuku Mini-Mart and Ace Hardware. Sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, the event is a benefit for the Ka`u Family Center. Call 937-4990 or 217-2253 for more information.

This near-vertical view shows the lava lake at
Halama`uma`u. Photo from USGS/HVO 

THE TOPIC AT AFTER DARK IN THE PARK tonight is what’s happening in Halema`uma`u Crater. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Matt Patrick presents an overview of Kilauea’s summit eruption, including a survey of the volcanic processes occurring within the vent, beginning at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. $2 donation supports park programs, and park entrance fees may apply.

Ka'u News Briefs Jan. 9, 2012

Ka`u Farm Bureau members Merle and Phil Becker at their Aikane Plantation coffee farm.

RANCHERS AND FARMERS are more productive than ever and providing a solid economic foundation for the country, American Farm Bureau Federation president Bob Stallman said yesterday. 

     He was addressing the national organization at its annual meeting in Honolulu, where 7,000 members have gathered. Convention attendees include at least one Ka`u farm, Aikane Plantation Coffee Company, whose owners Phil and Merle Becker are promoting Ka`u Coffee at the Farm Bureau trade show this week. 

     In his opening address, the Farm Bureau president called farmers and ranchers “the one percent that is producing food and fiber for the other 99 percent.” Farm and ranch families are growing more food with fewer resources than ever before, Stallman said. Through better management, yields are up, soil loss fallen, and water use down in all major crops, he said. Stallman also extolled the record-breaking growth in U.S. agricultural exports over the past year.

CATCHING UP WITH DEFERRED MAINTENANCE in public infrastructure is a way to put construction workers back on the job, according to state senators and the governor, who are proposing large capital improvement budgets. Materials costs are low, interest rates are low, and the state has the ability to float bonds to pay for it, they say. Carl Bonham, executive director of the University of Hawai`i Economic Research Organization, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser: “We have underspent on infrastructure, just like the rest of the country, for decades and decades. And so there’s things that need to be done. You need your roads fixed. You need your schools not to be falling apart. So it’s not a real tough decision, and at the moment we still have very aggressively low interest rates.”
     Ron Taketa, executive secretary and treasurer of the Hawai`i Regional Council of Carpenters, told the Star-Advertiser that half of the union’s 6,500 workers have been unemployed for several years during the economic slump. He called public sector construction to fix Hawai`i’s infrastructure “an important part of trying to kick-start the economy again.” During “a slowdown like now when private investments are down, we really count on government to try and pick up some of the slack, to try and keep people working,” Takata told the newspaper in a story by Derrick DePledge.
     Gov. Neil Abercrombie has proposed $300 million in projects, and the Legislature is looking at $500 million, but the two budgets could be combined during the upcoming 2012 state Legislature.

More than $17 million will be spent on the disaster shelter and gym between the tennis courts and
Ka`u High and & Pahala Elementary Schools. Photo by Julia Neal

THE $17 MILLION FEMA DISASTER SHELTER and Ka`u High School gymnasium Environmental Assessment process is accepting comments from the public through Tuesday. PBR Hawai`i, of Honolulu, has the contract to write the EA for the 40,000-square-foot facility. Subjects under discussion are the extent of required, paved parking; parking lot lighting; photovoltaics and design of the gym to fit in with the town. Planners are considering an NCAA-sized basketball court plus a smaller court that can be converted into multiple volleyball courts. The facility could also be used for major community events. Comments can be addressed to tkapali@pbrhawaii.com or PBR Hawai`i, Tammy Kapali, 1001 Bishop Street, Suite 650, Honolulu, HI 96813-3484. 

Marie Burns

MARIE BURNS is running for County Council again, she told The Ka`u Calendar yesterday. Burns, who is involved with a group of people in Ocean View who are tracking and suggesting action projects for the Ka`u Community Development Plan, is a arborist and tree trimmer. She also has a degree in Hawaiian studies from University of Hawai`i in Hilo. She lives in Ocean View. Other candidates who have announced are Lee McIntosh, of Discovery Harbour, and three-time councilwoman Brenda Ford, whose South Kona District moved north, leaving her home with the voters from Kainaliu to Fern Forest. 

     Burns has questioned the proposed hotel, condominium and golf course resort at Nani Kahuku `Aina and called for preserving historic sites and planting more native trees in Ka`u. She has supported expanding the public park at Punalu`u and other initiatives to preserve the Ka`u Coast.
     Burns ran in the last County Council election in 2010. Brittany Smart, who won that race, has announced she would not run this time for personal reasons.  

FIVE-YEAR MULTIPLE ENTRY TOURISM VISAS for the Chinese and longer stays for Canadian retirees could bring in an additional 300,000 visitors a year to Hawai`i, says congresswoman Mazie Hirono.
     Reaching across party lines, she has co-introduced the Visit USA Act with Republican congressman David Drier, of California. 

    Visas for Canadian retirees would be extended from three-month stays to eight-month stays.

Mike McCartney, Mazie Hirono and Roy Yamaguchi

     Chinese visitors currently receive multiple entry visas good for a year, and it takes about 48 days to get them. Hirono’s proposal calls for faster processing, paid for by extra fees. Lower fees could attract more visitors during the off-season. Hirono has also asked for a video-conferencing pilot program when interviewing visa applicants to speed up visa approvals. Hirono predicted that easing the visas will “infuse a lot of money into our economy.”
     Hawai`i Tourism Authority president and CEO Mike McCartney said that easier visas could lead to 6,000 jobs and $55 million in state tax revenue. Roy Yamaguchi, a Brand USA board member, supported the legislation in the face of other countries that “are aggressively pooling their national resources and staking a larger claim in the international tourism industry.”

RENEWING DRIVER'S LICENSES as well as applying for the first time will soon require a whole lot of papala. The Legal Presence Act goes into effect March 5 and requires everyone to prove they are U.S. ciizens or otherwise legally authorized to be in the United States. The law was passed by the 2010 Hawai`i Legislature. The Legal Presence Act also allows the state to issue drivers licenses only for the length of time a person is allowed in the United States. The law also applies to those seeking a learner’s permit and permit holders passing road tests to obtain driver’s licenses. Legal presence also applies to anyone who has just moved to Hawai`i from another state or country, and anyone renewing their Hawai`i driver’s licenses or permits, including those whose licenses expired or were revoked or suspended. The announcement was made by state Department of Transportation spokesman Dan Meisenzahl yesterday. He said that Hawai`i is only complying with Real ID federal security law. “Tell your friends, tell your family,” Meisenzahl said. “It kicks in in two months, but will be impacting people for years.” He explained that the federal law requires states to replace their driver’s licenses and ID cards with more secure documents, which the federal government will also require before allowing people to board airline flights and enter federal buildings. Applicants will have to provide a Social Security card and at least one of several other documents, such as a birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport. Married women who have changed their last names will also have to provide a valid or certified copy of their marriage licenses.

USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY geologist Matt Patrick will present an overview of Kilauea’s summit eruption, including a survey of the volcanic processes occurring within the vent in Halema`uma`u Crater, at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. $2 donation supports park programs, and park entrance fees may apply.

Ka'u News Briefs Jan. 8, 2012

Throwaway economies are fast-growing across the planet, leading to a plastic ocean.
Photo from hipmomsgogreen.com

PLASTICS IN THE OCEAN are more widely dispersed and doing more damage to the food chain than most people could imagine, according to Capt. Charles Moore, in Volcano this weekend to spread his message. Moore and colleagues have been visiting the Pacific Garbage Patch and other locations in all the oceans of the world where currents concentrate trash flowing from rivers and shores and humans use the sea as a garbage dump.

Trash circulates in all the major oceans, a threat to life on the planet,
says Capt. Charles Moore. Photo from hipmomsgogreen.com

     He talked about fish found in the most remote parts of the Pacific with their digestive tracts full of tiny pieces of plastic. He talked about how some plastics break down into such small fragments that fish absorb them into the blood stream. The uptake of plastics into small fish, large fish and by humans who eat them is a danger to the health of the planet and all living beings, he said. Moore pointed to fast-growing economies consuming plastics in a throwaway culture of consumption. He also cited mariculture and fishing practices, where plastic floats, buoys, nets and crates are lost or thrown away into the ocean. Moore, who discovered the Pacific Garbage Patch when sailing between Hawai`i and California, said that plastics are much more than ugly litter on the shore replacing the sand from coral. Plastics are a threat to life on the planet, he said. In addition to helping to clean the plastics from the oceans, said Moore, people must change the way they live.
     Megan Lamson, of Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, joined Moore in his presentation at Volcano Art Center and reviewed her organization’s efforts at Kamilo and other places along the Ka`u Coast. She said the next volunteer events will be this coming Saturday, Jan. 14 and Saturday, March 10. To sign up, contact her at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com. 

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS may be an additional way that the county helps conserve natural resources and open space. The Hawai`i Islands Land Trust will present the idea to the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission at its meeting tomorrow at West Hawai`i Civic Center at 10 a.m. Easements could be donated for tax benefits or sold to the county. Easements could be used to create access to public lands, or to keep lands in agriculture or open space, preservation of historic sites and conservation of natural resources such as watersheds. The easement would likely have to provide a public benefit rather than just a tax benefit to the owners. The county attorneys are also studying what kind of easements would be allowable under law. 

EYES OF THE REEF is looking for local volunteers to help keep track of the health of the reefs on all islands. Coral is dying in many places in Hawai`i, and people who frequent the nearshore waters can keep track of coral health and report problems. See www.reefcheckhawaii.org/eyesofthereef.htm. 

TUESDAY IS THE DEADLINE for a request from PBR Hawai`i for the public to submit comments on the new gym and regional disaster shelter to be built on state land makai of the Ka`u High School office building. The approximately 40,000-square-foot building is being designed by Honolulu architectural and engineering firm Mitsunaga & Associates with a plantation style roof and space for many athletic and community events indoors, as well as serving as the regional FEMA-certified shelter.
     Some suggestions of residents include low impact lighting to conserve Ka`u’s night skies, photovoltaics in case the shelter is cut off from the electric company during a disaster, and the ability to clean the air in the gym from vog during bad air days. Conserving the grassy area around the gym with a variance from paved parking stalls for some of the parking is another suggestion discussed by county planners, the engineers and the public.
     Comments can be sent to tkapali@pbrhawaii.com or PBR Hawai`i, Tammy Kapali, 1001 Bishop Street, Suite 650, Honolulu, HI 96813-3484. 

Chris Manfredi

THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU is in Honolulu with its annual national convention. Ka`u Farm Bureau president Chris Manfredi is there and said this morning: “I think its important for Hawai`i and Ka`u to be actively engaged with AFBF. We need to educate those constituents about issues, challenges and opportunities that are unique to Hawai`i. The American Farm Bureau Federation, with its more that six million members, has considerable resources that can be utilized to strengthen ag in Hawai`i and Ka`u. Building relationships with fellow AFBF members, states, counties, and leadership is important as we transition from a plantation monocrop system to a diversified agricultural model. There is much we can learn by sharing experiences with our brothers and sisters in agriculture.”

 

Clyde Namuo

CLYDE NAMUO is the new executive director of the Native Hawaiian Roll Call Commission. The former executive director of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs has experience in advancing Native Hawaiian self-determination, said commissioner and former Hawai`i Governor John Waihee. 

     Namuo is assisted by Raynette Suganuma-Carlson, who helped with the Hawaiian Sovereignty Elections Council and worked with the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation. The Native Hawaiian Roll Call Commission was established by the 2011 Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
     Other commissioners are Na`alehu Anthony for O`ahu; Lei Kihoi for this island; Robin Danner for Kaua`i and Mahealani Wendt for Maui.

PIPES, THE PACIFIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FOR EXPLORING SCIENCE, is taking applications for the May 29 through Aug. 10 session. The University of Hawai`i – Hilo program is open to undergraduate students of Native Hawaiian ancestry, other kama`aina, under-represented minorities and first-generation college students. The PIPES opportunity is for three types of paid summer positions: the UH-Hilo Hawaiian Internship Program, the Research Experience for Undergraduates, and the Micronesian & American Samoa Student Internship Program. 

PIPES offers students onsite paid internships in
resource management. Photo from PIPES

     The three programs target students from different majors, with common interests in conservation sciences, resource management, and environmental education and outreach. Students work side-by-side with host agency mentors on an identified experiential project. Interns also participate in the annual Hawai`i Conservation Conference to network with researchers, land managers, Hawai`i-based conservation and environmental professionals.
     Since its founding, PIPES programs have connected over 300 undergraduate students to internship experiences throughout Hawai`i and the Pacific. Previous participants have gone on to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees. Online applications are being accepted at the PIPES website, www.hilo.hawaii.edu/uhintern, and are due Friday, Feb. 10.
     For more information, contact Ulu Ching at moanac@hawaii.edu, Noelani Puniwai at npuniwai@hawaii.edu or call the PIPES office at 808-933-0705.

THE TOPIC AT AFTER DARK IN THE PARK on Tuesday, Jan. 10 is what’s happening in Halema`uma`u Crater. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Matt Patrick will present an overview of Kilauea’s summit eruption, including a survey of the volcanic processes occurring within the vent beginning, at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. $2 donation supports park programs, and park entrance fees may apply.