Ka`u News Briefs April 10, 2012

Top U.S. winners in Coffees of the Year, Bull Kailiawa in 2011 and Willie Tabios in 2012, join a large contingent from
Ka`u at the Specialty Coffee Association of America international convention in Portland next week.
Photo by Julia Neal 

NO BACKYARD BURNING or face as much as $10,000 a day in fines, says the state Department of Health. It amended its rules to make illegal open fires to heat water for bathing, burning trash and fires for anything but cooking. Fires in backyards have been banned on O`ahu since 1973 but are commonly seen throughout villages in Ka`u. The Department of Health says such fires give off air pollution with possible health effects and create fire hazards.

      Farmers and ranchers can burn green waste with an Agricultural Burning Permit from the Department of Health. The rules are available at http://gen.doh.hawaii.gov/sites/har/AdmRules1/11-60-1.pdf. See more on clean air at http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/air/cab/index.html.

Brandy Shibuya is Miss Aloha Hawai`i after
winning Miss Ka`u Coffee and will vie for
Miss Hawai`i. Photo from Miss Hawai`i

KA`U COFFEE GROWERS, Miss Ka`u Coffee and local coffee marketers are headed for Portland, Oregon next week to celebrate three local coffees winning top ten spots in the international Roasters Guild Coffees of the Year competition at the Specialty Coffees of America annual convention. Veteran winner Willie Tabios, whose coffee scored top in Hawai`i, with Lorie Obra and Trini Marques, who celebrate their first Coffees of the Year awards, will represent Ka`u.

      Others attending from Ka`u include Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya, who also earned the Miss Aloha Hawai`i title and is headed for the Miss Hawai`i official competition for the Miss America Pageant. Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president Gloria Camba; Ka`u Coffee Festival chair Chris Manfredi, of Ka`u Farm & Ranch; Phil Becker, of Aikane Coffee; Joan Obra and Ralph Gaston, of Rusty’s 100% Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee; U.S. Barista champion Pete Licata, who now lives at Punalu`u; Malian Lahey, of Ka`u Specialty Coffees; John Cross, Lee Segawa, Richard Loero and Edmund Olson, of Ka`u Coffee Mill; and Bull Kailiawa, who placed in the top ten internationally at SCAA in 2011, will represent Ka`u in this largest international coffee convention on the planet.

GROWN IN HAWAI`I TEA may get extra protection from false labeling. The state Senate committees on Agriculture, Economic Development and Technology are requesting passage of Resolution SR42 to establish the Hawai`i-Grown Tea Working Group to come up with labeling rules and regulations for camellia sinensis, the species commonly used to make true beverage tea. The University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture would lead the committee of eight and assist in marketing Hawai`i-grown tea. Ka`u has tea growers in Wood Valley, Volcano and other areas of the district.

Tea Hawai`i supports protection of labeling for Hawai`i-
grown teas. Photo by Jack Wolford

      Among the supporters of the resolution are former Ka`u County Council members Bob and Julie Jacobson, who own Hawai`i Rainforest Tea; Eva Lee, owner of Tea Hawai`i & Co. in Volcano; and Sen. Gil Kahele, who co-sponsored the resolution. The resolution says that the global tea market is a multi-billion dollar industry and that the specialty tea market is projected to double in the next five years. “Making tea a specialty crop for the state would mean increased employment and revenue for the state at a time when both are sorely needed…. It is important to ensure that tea grown in Hawai`i is properly identified and protected by strict labeling requirements, just as coffee made from coffee beans grown in Hawai`i is properly identified and protected by strict labeling requirements.” 

THE HAWAII WILDLIFE CONSERVATION STAMP and Hawai`i Game Bird stamp art contest is open for entries through May 7. The state Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry & Wildlife hosts the competition. Art will be used on the Wildlife Conservation Stamp required to validate Hawai`i State hunting licenses and the Game Bird Stamp required to hunt game birds. Productions of the stamps will be available to wildlife stamp collectors. See www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw for entry form and rules. DOFAW encourages submission of paintings that depict the species of each category in the setting of its typical Hawai`i habitat or within its range of habitat.

The state bird illustrated the conservation stamp
back in 1996-1997.

      Winner will receive a maximum stipend of $1,000.
      Funds from sales of the Hawai`i Wildlife Conservation Stamps go into the state Wildlife Revolving Fund to support game animal populations and habitat, and to manage hunting in the state.
      Activities and projects supported by this fund have included surveys of game bird and mammal populations, land leasing for hunting, predator control, and maintenance of wildlife watering units. Planting native shrubs and trees, controlled burns, removal of invasive plants, and other wildlife habitat improvement and restoration projects are supported by the funds. Questions regarding the contest can be emailed to Edwin.D.Johnson@hawaii.gov or directed to 808-587-4185.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN update will be held tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The public is invited. For more information, contact Ron Whitmore at 961-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.

ERUPTION CYCLES AT KILAUEA are discussed at After Dark In The Park this evening at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Geologist Don Swanson explains how Kilauea’s eruptive cycles were recently recognized, what they mean in terms of how the volcano works and hazards implied by long explosive periods. The program begins Two-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

Ranger Adrian Boone demonstrates the bamboo nose flute.
Photo from NPS

`IKE HANA NO`EAU cultural programs are scheduled this week from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center. Tomorrow, Sam and Edna Baldado discuss the cultural uses of kalo, the taro plant. Ka`ohu Monfort teaches how plants and Hawaiian culture are used to heal and nourish. Ranger Adrian Boone and volunteer Ed Shiinoki demonstrate and make traditional three-holed bamboo nose flutes, and praise and worship leader Rupert Tripp, Jr. shares his love for music. 

      On Thursday, Boone and Shiinoki again demonstrate nose flutes. The Makuakane `Ohana celebrates Merrie Monarch, sharing the arts and music of Hawaiian culture on Thursday as well as Friday.
      The programs are free, and park entrance fees apply.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs April 9, 2012

The fingers do the talking with the art of ancient Hawaiian string figures illustrating the history of the islands at
the opening of Merrie Monarch. Photo from Unukupukupu/Hawai`i Community College

MERRIE MONARCH WEEK kicked off yesterday with Lori Lei Shirakawa and her Wai`ohinu Hula Studio representing Ka`u at the opening celebration. Merrie Monarch, the world’s most prestigious hula event, continues all week with cultural displays and hula competition in Hilo. Lori Lei’s keiki and kupuna performed Kona Kai`opua, Holoholo Ka`a, Noho Nani Mai, Lil`u e, Hiliawe and Sophisticated Hula. After their final song, Majesty, they offered blessings and aloha to the audience by giving out leis. Lori Lei’s students perform every year at Merrie Monarch.

Kupuna and keiki from Lori Lei's Wai`ohinu Hula Studio open up the
Merrie Monarch Festival yesterday.

      The Hawai`i Community College halau, Unukupukupu, led by Kekuhi Kanahele, Taupouri Tangaroa and Manalakalani Kalua, opened the celebration. The group chanted, moving their hands and fingers to create string figures to illustrate creation of the islands and Kanaloa, the god of the ocean. After opening rituals they shared hula, including Ka Uluwehi O Kei Kai, by the late Edith Kanaka`ole. The dancers distributed salt and awa to the audience. The group from HCC comes to Pahala several times a year to retreat and prepare for their outreach. Halau from Japan will stay in Pahala during Merrie Monarch Week.

Kupuna from Ka`u ready to perform.
Photos by Johnny Waller

MERRIE MONARCH CONTINUES today with performances at noon at Hawai`i Naniloa Volcanoes Resort and at 1 p.m. at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. The Arts and Crafts Fair opens Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium and features numerous Ka`u artists and crafters Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 4 p.m. Wednesday is the free Ho`ike at Edith Kanaka`ole beginning at 6 p.m., an international event with hula. The competitive events are sold out but televised each evening on KFVE television and live-streamed on www.kfve.com.
       Thursday is Miss Aloha, Friday is the Group Hula Kahiko for ancient dance and Saturday is the Group Hula `Auana for modern dance, followed by awards ceremonies.
      From Ka`u, Thy Word Ministries and the Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, along with KAHU Radio, will participate with floats and marching groups in the annual Merrie Monarch parade this Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo.

Lori Lei keiki yesterday at Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER PAUL DOLAN will run for Hawai`i County prosecuting attorney in the primary election in August. Dolan is an Ocean View resident, with decades of experience as a defense trial lawyer in Hawai`i. After serving as a public defender in Los Angeles County, he passed the Hawai`i Bar exam and moved to Maui in 1984. He also lived and practiced law in Honolulu. 

      Dolan said he wants to serve as prosecuting attorney to bring justice to the court system. He said he is the best candidate because of his vast experience in court, as opposed to candidates that may have spent most of their careers in more administrative matters. As county prosecuting attorney it would be his duty to make sure the agency and prosecutors act within the values of “beyond a reasonable doubt” and “presumption of innocence.” He said the courts are clogged with too many cases where people are assumed guilty before trial. He also called for more preventive work by prosecutors and police.

Paul Dolan

      However, he said he has no tolerance for drug pushers and would want them sentenced to permanent ban from this island for the rest of their lives, in and out of jail. Dolan, himself, lost a daughter to the Hollywood club and drug scene that exploits innocent young women, he said.

      Dolan is married to Kahea Aipia, of the Mokuhali`i family, with roots as traditional canoe builders in Ka`u. They have six children who all attend school in Ka`u. Kahea is an announcer at KAHU Radio. Both Kaeha and Paul Dolan work on the community campaign for public access to Pohue Bay.
      Before becoming an attorney, Dolan earned a degree in criminal justice administration, which, he said, makes him most qualified to run the prosecuting attorney’s office. He said he would lobby the state to reopen the courthouse in Na`alehu. It is poor planning to make people drive all the way to Kona from Ka`u when modern technology allows interactive courtrooms, said Dolan.
      Dolan is running against Lincoln Ashida and Mitch Roth, who both work at the county prosecutor’s office.

Volunteers celebrate the cleaning of invasive plants from
 the pond at Punalu`u.      Photo by Katherine Okamura

MORE THAN 80 NON-NATIVE SPECIES, previously unrecorded, have been identified by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, which traveled along 3,000 miles of Hawai`i Island roadways, collecting samples. A report in West Hawai`i Today quotes botanist Jimmy Parker as saying, “The invasive plants, which push out native species, have long been considered a detriment to the state’s ecosystem.” About a dozen of the newly discovered non-natives have been identified as invasive, he said. After gathering data for four years, the committee plans to target those plants considered most potentially damaging to the island. Program manager Jan Schipper told West Hawai`i Today reporter Tom Callis, “We need every property owner on board.” Permission is needed from owners to allow the removal of invasive species.

SIXTY VOLUNTEERS AT PUNALU`U on Saturday helped clean invasive species from the pond at Black Sand Beach. `O Ka`u Kakou, Pacific Quest and Southside Volleyball joined in to corral the floating plants and drag them on to shore for removal. About half of the pond was cleared.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN’S Steering Committee meets tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Planner Ron Whitmore gives a project update. Contact him at 961-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Rupert Tripp, Jr.

TOMORROW’S AFTER DARK IN THE PARK topic is Eruption Cycles at Kilauea. Geologist Don Swanson explains how Kilauea’s eruptive cycles were recently recognized, what they mean in terms of how the volcano works and hazards implied by long explosive periods. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply. 

`IKE HANA NO`EAU cultural programs are scheduled Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center. Sam and Edna Baldado discuss the cultural uses of the kalo, the taro plant. Ka`ohu Monfort teaches how plants and Hawaiian culture are used to heal and nourish. Ranger Adrian Boone and volunteer Ed Shiinoki demonstrate and make traditional three-holed bamboo nose flutes, and praise and worship leader Rupert Tripp, Jr. shares his love for music. The programs are free, and park entrance fees apply.

SEE OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM
AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs April 8, 2012

Volcanologist Don Swanson presents his Big Island research Tuesday at After Dark in the Park. Photo from Geo M I

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING could be the way to fill vacant teaching jobs and build a teacher corps for Hawai`i schools, particularly in such remote places as Ka`u. Both University of Hawai`i and Teach America are planning to provide more teachers throughout the statewide school system this fall. The program, funded by more than $2 million from the federal Race to the Top Initiative, allows educators to earn their Hawai`i teaching credentials through working in the schools.
      Another incentive under consideration would waive course requirements for longtime private school teachers who want to move into the public school system. According to a story in this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser, this plan could be approved by the state school board this fall. Reporter Mary Vorsino wrote that Teach for America will provide Hawai`i schools with about 100 unlicensed teachers this fall, and University of Hawai`i will provide about 80. Many are recent college graduates, but some are mid-career professionals seeking to move into teaching, the story says.

Donald Ikeda Photo from
Big Island Video News

Gil Kahele Photo
by Julia Neal

DONALD IKEDA CHALLENGES GIL KAHELE in the race for the newly created District 1 seat in the state Senate. Ikeda, a four-time County Council member, is restricted from running for Council again under term limitations. He was first elected to public office in 2004 and has served as the South Hilo councilman for four consecutive terms. He also served as county clerk and as an administrative assistant with the County Council. The Kaumana resident grew up in Hilo, earned a degree in accounting from University of California and returned to start a business in Hilo. Ikeda is considered a member of the minority in the Council, which includes J Yoshimoto and Dennis “Fresh” Onishi.
       Kahele currently serves Ka`u as state senator, but the recent reapportionment puts his Hilo residence in the District 1. Ka`u will be divided. District 2 which runs from Punalu`u into Puna, is sought by Rep. Bob Herkes, Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a, Russell Ruderman, Gary Safarik and Steve Hirakami. Herke’s House seat is sought by current Ka`u Council member Brittany Smart, Marlene Hapai and Fred Fogel.
      Ka`u’s District 3, running from Honu`apo to Kona airport, is sought by incumbent senator Josh Green, a physician who worked at Ka`u Hospital and lived at Punalu`u during his early years on the island. Others running for the seat are Michael Last and John Totten.

Volcano Farmers Market promotes a farm-to-table
lifestyle. Photo by Julia Neal

FARMERS MARKETS can apply for new grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The 2012 Farmers Market Promotion Program is offering a total of $10 million nationwide to popularize community-supported agriculture, roadside stands, farmers markets and similar operations. The grants aim to increase the availability of local agricultural products in communities throughout the country and with farmer-to-consumer marketing efforts.
      “These grants will put resources into rural and urban economies and help strengthen efforts to provide access to nutritious and affordable foods,” said Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan. “This program not only supports the health and well-being of local communities but also the economic health of their farms and businesses.”
      Projects that expand healthy food choices in what are called “food deserts” or low-income areas (where the percentage of the population living in poverty is 20 percent or above) will receive additional consideration.
      See the application and rules to apply at www.ams.usda.gov/FMPP. Applications are due May 21.

Brad Hirata has been a judge at Ka`u Coffee Festival Recipe
Contest each year since it began. Photo by Julia Neal 

CHEF BRAD HIRATA will be a judge at the Ka`u Coffee Festival’s recipe contest. Hirata, once a chef at the Mauna Lani Hotel on the Kohala Coast, now runs the food service for Ka`u Hospital and lives in Volcano. He has been a judge for the Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest since its inception. This year the recipe contest is sponsored by and will be held at Ka`u Coffee Mill Sunday afternoon, May 6. It is called the Triple C Recipe Contest for Cookies, Candies and Crackers. For an entry form see kaucoffeefest.com or kaucoffeemill.com. The event, which is free to enter and free to attend, also features coffee tasting, music and tours of the mill and farms at its grand opening.

KALAEKILOHANA Bed & Breakfast on South Point Road presents Ka`u Farmers’ Table: A Feast for the Senses on Saturday, May 5. The Ka`u Coffee Festival event features dinner by Chef Morgan Starr of Mi’s Italian Bistro and an evening of music with Robert Cazimero. Tickets are $100 and call be purchased by calling 939-8052.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN’S Steering Committee meets on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Planner Ron Whitmore will give a project update. Contact him at 961-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.

DON SWANSON, A GEOLOGIST with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, is the speaker at After Dark in the Park this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Swanson explains how Kilauea’s eruptive cycles were recently recognized, what they mean in terms of how the volcano works and hazards implied by long explosive periods. Two-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.