Ka`u News Briefs April 17, 2012

Deadline for vendors to sign up for spaces at May 12 Ka`u Coffee Festival has been extended to Monday, April 23.

KA`U COFFEE FARMERS received news last night that coffee farmers who take good care of their farms can come back from the devastation of coffee berry borer infestation. Those who don’t clean their farms and use at least one of several non-toxic treatments to push back the pest not only risk losing their coffee income, but put their neighboring farmers in dire straits. If more isn’t done to stave off the coffee berry borer, suggested Dr. Elsie Burbano, of the University of Hawa`i, Kona might look for a new crop to replace its century-old coffee industry.

Dr. Elsie Burbano

      Talking during a workshop for coffee farmers sponsored by U.H., the Department of Agriculture and Hawai`i County, Burbano also warned that the spread of the coffee berry borer to places like Kaua`i, where mechanical harvesting is used, would be devastating as the pest would be much harder to control there.
      The Ka`u Coffee industry is in a much better situation than Kona with fewer farms infested and farmers taking care of the problem right away. Visiting agribusiness student Karla Casco, from Honduras, presented findings from farms in Ka`u using the fungus Beauveria bassiana that kills the coffee berry borer. “It is working,” she said. Any farm with more than two percent infestation will find that treating the coffee trees is cost effective, said Casco, presenting a chart showing the point at which farmers start saving their coffee and their income by spending money on treatment and prevention. During her 15-week stay in Ka`u, Casco located coffee berry borers on farms where the growers were unaware of their presence. She also experimented with several prevention and abatement programs.

Karla Casco, a university student from Honduras, gives her
final report to Ka`u Coffee farmers. Photo by Julia Neal

      Another possible deterrent to the coffee berry borer was presented by Burbano. Kaolin spray is made of a fine clay that coats coffee berries like Christmas tree flocking and deters infestation by borers. Kaolin also can protect the cherries from sunburn and does not affect the taste of the coffee, Burbano said.
      Other experiments include various ground covers, an attempt to force the coffee trees to bloom at one time to shorten the season for coffee berry borer reproduction, and various handmade and commercially available traps.

GARBAGE FROM PAHALA, WAI`OHINU AND OCEAN VIEW is trucked to the West Hawai`i landfill, and according to a Nancy Cook Lauer story, more garbage is headed west. She reports in today’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald that “78.8 percent of garbage from transfer stations countywide was dumped at the West Hawai`i landfill in Pu`uanahulu in March, compared to 52.8 percent in 2011.” In February, 70.4 percent was sent to Pu`uanahulu.

East Hawai`i landfill is filling up, and the county is making test runs with
garbage sent to the other side of the island. Photo from University of
Hawai`i Environmental Studies Department

      The pilot program is expected to end this month, the story says, quoting county Environmental Management spokesman Hunter Bishop as saying the purpose is to test a consultant study that concluded that it would be less expensive to truck garbage across the island than to expand Hilo landfill. Mayor Billy Kenoi told the public and the media that no decision has been made on whether to make the trucking permanent.

THE DEADLINE FOR VENDORS to sign up for the Ka`u Coffee Festival has been extended to next Monday, April 23. For information and applications, visit www.kaucoffeefest.com or call Brenda Iokepa-Moses at 928-0550.

JESSICA LANDAU demonstrates the glass blowing process of lampworking, or torch work, tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-7565 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org for more information.

Pomai Longakit

POMAI LONGAKIT performs original songs and her latest hit, Another Rainbow, tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The concert is free; park entrance fees apply. 

VOLUNTEERS PLANT NATIVE SEEDLINGS at Mauna Loa strip to help regenerate the forest during Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Forest Restoration Project Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. To register, call 985-7373 or email forest@fhvnp.org.

COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6 and Prosecuting Attorney candidates meet the public this Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Candidates for the Council seat are Marie Burns, Maile David, Brenda Ford, Lee McIntosh and Bradley Westervelt. Candidates for Prosecuting Attorney are Lincoln Ashida, Paul Dolan and Mitch Roth. For more information, call 929-7236 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION hosts a fundraising Grand Re-opening BBQ and Open House on Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. This is the first of regular barbeques on the third Saturday of each month, replacing previously held monthly pancake breakfasts. “Come and see all the recent improvements to the building,” said association member Madalyn McWhite-Lamson. “This new event gives you an opportunity to enjoy good food, socialize, and enjoy a sense of fellowship and camaraderie.” Call 939-7033 with any questions.

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

Ka`u News Briefs April 16, 2012

Alili tunnel flume, left over from plantation days, is one water source that may be restored for modern-day agriculture.
Photo courtesy of Olson Trust

OLD PLANTATION TUNNELS between Kapapala and Wai`ohinu, some of them built more than a century ago, could transfer from the state to the quasi-state Agricultural Development Corp. within a few months. Deputy director of the state Department of Agriculture Scott Enright brought the news last week to members of the Ka`u Agricultural Water Cooperative District who want to use the water for irrigation and livestock. Twenty-four members and guests attended the session which included representatives of the ag department, Kamehameha Schools, Hawai`i County Research & Development and the county Department of Water Supply. Enright addressed a $700,000 appropriation by the state Legislature released by Gov. Neil Abercrombie for planning. Funding must be encumbered and consultants hired by June 30, he said.
      Jeff McCall, of the Water Co-op, said members are asking each region, including Kapapala, Moa`ula, Keaiwa, Wood Valley, Alili, Ha`ao and Mountain House to produce a priority list by the May 17 meeting for such water projects as tunnel restoration; determination of flow and output, easements across state land and private property, safety and liability, and water delivery and storage.

Historic photo of Noguchi tunnel carrying
water to Wood Valley. Photo courtesy
of Olson Trust

      Moa`ula water co-op has bylaws and articles of incorporation, and Kohala Center will help fund a legal review. The documents could serve as templates for other regions. Anyone interested in this effort to restore water to agriculture in Ka`u can contact McCall at 928-6456 or mccalljeffreyw@gmail.com.

AVERAGE RETAIL GASOLINE PRICES in Hawai`i dropped more dramatically than on the mainland last week, plunging 9.1 cents a gallon compared to 1.4 cents per gallon. Yesterday prices statewide averaged $4.52 per gallon. Mainland prices were still much lower at $3.89 per gallon, according to HawaiiGasPrices.com.
      Hawai`i prices yesterday were still 4.9 cents higher than the same day in 2011 and 6.8 cents higher than a month ago. Nationally, the average price increased 9.1 cents per gallon during the last month and is 9.3 cents per gallon higher than a year ago.
      “The only thing I remain sure of with gasoline prices is that things will remain quite volatile the next four to six weeks,” said GasBuddy.com senior petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan. He said that “spot prices, a leading factor in retail gasoline prices, continue to swing wildly from region to region.” Such events as last week’s refinery fire on the West Coast can drive up prices instantaneously, DeHaan said.
      Prices in Ka`u this morning were $4.80 per gallon at Ka`u Gas in Pahala and the 76 station in Na`alehu, $4.72 at Kahala Gas and Ocean View Market. The lowest price in all of Ka`u is $4.66 at Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View.

FEDERAL TAX DEADLINE DAY IS TUESDAY. Postmasters throughout Ka`u advise that last minute mailing of taxes and forms to the IRS will show tomorrow’s postmark only if they arrive before each post office closes. Pahala and Volcano close at 3:30 p.m., Ocean View at 4 p.m. and Na`alehu at 4:15 p.m. The main post offices at Hilo Airport, downtown Kailua-Kona and Kamuela will postmark envelopes headed for the IRS until midnight.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE invites residents to meet candidates for County Council District 6 and Prosecuting Attorney this Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Candidates for the Council seat are Marie Burns, Maile David, Brenda Ford, Lee McIntosh and Bradley Westervelt. Candidates for Prosecuting Attorney are Lincoln Ashida, Paul Dolan and Mitch Roth. For more information, call 929-7236 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.

Volunteers pound mamane seeds.
Photo by Carol Johnson

PLANTING NATIVE SEEDLINGS will be the effort of volunteers during Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Forest Restoration Project Friday, April 20, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will plant at Mauna Loa strip to help regenerate the forest, said Forest Restoration Committee co-chair Mark Johnson. 

      The group plans to establish 600 seedlings from nine species in an open area surrounded by native forest. “We’ll also learn about the park’s native forest restoration program,” he said. Volunteers should be 12 years and older, able to hike a mile over uneven terrain through brush on moderate slope. Sturdy walking shoes and long pants are required. Bring gear for variable weather conditions in sun and rain - hat, raincoat, sunscreen, along with drinking water and a bag lunch.
      The goal is a crew of 14 people, and pre-registration is required. All participants will need to sign a Friends release form and a park volunteer form. For those under 18, an adult will need to co-sign.
      “Also imperative is scrubbing the soles of one’s shoes prior to arrival on site in order to ensure outside dirt and invasive species seeds aren’t tracked in,” Johnson stated.
      To register call the Friends at 985-7373 or email forest@fhvnp.org. Instructions on where to meet will be provided upon registration. Additional details available at www.fhvnp.org.

Halema`uma`u Photo by Jay Robinson/NPS

TODAY IS THE DEADLINE to submit entries for Images from the Edge, a photo contest sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Anyone with an original photograph taken in the park within the last three years can enter. Photos may be color or black and white and can cover any subject matter. For full contest rules and to enter, visit fhvnp.org. 

JESSICA LANDAU demonstrates the glass blowing process of lampworking, or torch work, on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the front porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-7565 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org for more information.

POMAI LONGAKIT SHARES her original songs and her latest hit, Another Rainbow, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The concert is free;  park entrance fees apply.

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

Ka`u News Briefs April 15, 2012

Thy Word Ministries-Ka`u played music, marched and celebrated Freedom, Jesus and Aloha Kekua at Merrie Monarch.
Photo by Pam Taylor

HIGH TECH AEROSPACE PROJECTS would likely be attracted to the Big Island under a bill co-sponsored by Rep. Bob Herkes that passed the state Senate last week and the House of Representatives earlier in March. Tax breaks and additional incentives are scheduled for negotiations between House and Senate.

Lowell Kalapa, of the Tax
Foundation of Hawai`i

      The committee report says that “development of an aerospace high technology district on the island of Hawai`i will create an environment where major aerospace and lunar transportation companies will want to come for research, to test equipment and technologies, and to work collaboratively with the University of Hawai`i to engage in clean, high technology research and development. The development of and investment in the aerospace industry offers great potential for sustainable long-term economic growth that will help bring investment to Hawai`i and create high paying, sustainable, high technology jobs.” The aerospace district would be located within or near Hilo. The head of military affairs for the Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce, the University of Hawai`i and others wrote letters of support. 

      Lowell Kalapa, of the Tax Foundation of Hawai`i, had another view. His testimony: “While it appears that it is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the development of aerospace high technology businesses, singling out businesses for preferential treatment merely confers preferences for those businesses at the expense of all other taxpayers. Concurrent efforts must be made to improve Hawai`i’s business climate to enhance the economic prospects for all businesses. The creation of such districts is merely an abdication of government’s responsibility to create a nurturing and supportive business climate so that all businesses can thrive in Hawai`i and provide the jobs the people of Hawai`i need.”

Prabu Segaran counsels a patient on
her medications.

GAMMA THETA CHAPTER of Phi Delta Chi at UH-Hilo’s School of Pharmacy hosted more than 70 people at its second annual Miloli`i health fair on Saturday, April 7. Students offered free cholesterol and diabetes screenings as well as blood pressure monitoring. Attendees had an opportunity to speak with a pharmacist one-on-one about their results and any medications they may be taking. In addition to the health fair, activities for children included an Easter egg hunt, egg decorating and an opportunity for them to make things to take home. Live entertainment by the band Hi-Town added to the festive atmosphere. The free event included lunch and raffle prizes. “We are very excited to have been able to bring our services to Miloli`i and look forward to continuing our relationship with their community,” said organizer Matthew Sasaki.

Ka`u Hospital Emergency Department has a new
Ambulatory Treatment Area. Photo by Julia Neal

A NEW SERVICE AT KA`U HOSPITAL is the Emergency Department Ambulatory Treatment Area, where patients can get scheduled care for things like IV therapy, tube changes and special medication administration. The area keeps patients from having to travel to Hilo or Kona. “It is a very long drive from Ka`u and a hard one if you aren’t feeling well,” said Nona Wilson, Ka`u Hospital’s director of nursing. To get treatment, a patient’s outside physician makes a referral call to the hospital’s Emergency Department physician. Once the treatment has been approved, the ED nurse calls the patient to schedule the appointment. “EDATA services at the hospital have become really important to many people in our community who have serious health conditions,” said hospital director Merilyn Harris. The service is even being used by visitors calling to schedule appointments for medication delivery while here. For more information, call 932-4200.

Brandy Shibuya  Photo by Pam Taylor

COFFEE BERRY BORER RESEARCH from experiments in Kona and Ka`u is presented at Pahala Community Center tomorrow at 6 p.m. Dr. Elsie Burbano discusses Kaolin powder, a new preventive treatment against the CBB, and the efficacy of different trapping methods available in Hawai`i. Visiting agribusiness student Karla Casco, from Zamorano University in Honduras, discusses potential economic losses and costs and benefits of the fungal treatment Beauveria bassiana. Andrea Kawabata, coffee and orchard crops extension agent from University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, gives updates on the next Hawai`i Local & Immigrant Farmer Education/Risk Management Hawai`i event on June 9. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more, contact Didi at 808-887-6183 or mddiaz@hawaii.edu.

THE MERRIE MONARCH PARADE in Hilo yesterday saw Ka`u Coffee Growers Co-op marching with its floats. Three of the Ka`u Coffee farmers are headed to Portland, Oregon this week to accept awards for being named three of the top ten coffees in the world by the Coffees of the Year competition at the annual Specialty Coffees Association of America convention. They are Willie Tabios, Lorie Obra and Trini Marques. Also going to Portland is Brandy Shibuya, who won the latest Miss Ka`u Coffee title, Ka`u Coffee Farmers Cooperative president Gloria Camba, Ka`u Coffee marketer and land manager Chris Manfredi and a crew from Ka`u Coffee Mill.

Lorie Obra, Trini Marques, her granddaughter Calaysa and
Gloria Camba celebrated Ka`u Coffee at Merrie Monarch.

ONE OF THE LARGEST GROUPS at Merrie Monarch yesterday was Thy Word Ministries - Ka`u, which makes it a tradition to march and celebrate Aloha Ke Kua, Jesus and Freedom. The church, with the largest congregation in Ka`u, is based in Na`alehu under the leadership of Pastor Bob Tominaga.

KAHU RADIO marched in the Merrie Monarch Parade yesterday with a float of musicians, announcers and supporters including Demetrius Oliveira and members of his band, along with Bobby and Phoebe Gomes. KAHU Radio founder Wendell Kaehuaea said he and staff are celebrating the expansion of the reach of KAHU into Ocean View. Kaehuaea, however, said he is stepping down from broadcasting on the radio station until the upcoming election season is over, as he is running for state Senate against Rep. Bob Herkes and others.

KAHU Radio announcers and musicians entertained the
crowds at Merrie Monarch Festival yesterday.
Photo by Pam Taylor

CONTEMPORARY NA HOKU HANOHANO award-winning singer, songwriter and recording artist Pomai Longakit shares her original songs and her latest hit, Another Rainbow, Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The concert is free, and park entrance fees apply. 

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