Ka`u News Briefs May 13, 2012

Local band Hands of Time wrapped up the Ka`u Coffee Festival as coffee farmers packed up to go home.
Photos by Julia Neal

KA`U COFFEE FARMER SUCCESS reached a new high yesterday, as farmers celebrated the demand for Ka`u Coffee that has grown to nearly outstrip supply. The farmers sold almost all the coffee on hand at the fourth annual Ka`u Coffee Festival in Pahala attended by hundreds of local residents, visitors and coffee enthusiasts. Many took tours of Ka`u Coffee farms and Ka`u Coffee Mill. They also enjoyed the Ka`u Coffee Experience, where baristas, including national champion Pete Licata, used their skills to make the best Ka`u Coffee possible.

Willie Tabios, 2012 U.S. winner at SCAA, enjoys the Ka`u Coffee
Experience with U.S. barista champion Pete Licata serving.

      Willie Tabios, who took first place for the United States in the recent international Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Coffees of the Year competition, said that his success is for all the coffee farmers. Tabios is known for sharing his planting, harvesting and processing practices with all the farmers, which has helped lead to a regional excellence. Coffee farmers working on farms within a mile of each other have been winning top ten in the world SCAA awards year after year.
      The day featured an unusual and culturally rich free concert by such legendary musicians as Cyril Pahinui, Moses and Keoki Kahumoku, Bruddah Waltah, hula dancer Sammi Fo and kumu hula Debbie Ryder. Demetrius Oliveira brought his band Keaiwa to the stage along with many more musicians. Miss Peaberry Court, under the direction of Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative president Gloria Camba, performed the Bamboo & Water Dances. Music lasted all day and even accompanied the farmers as they packed up and went home and emcee Skylark stayed until the end with all of the local knowledge and aloha.

Pahala members of Halau Hula O Leionalani
Photos by Julia Neal

Miss Ka`u Peaberry 2010 Karlee
Fukunaga-Camba and
 Jennifer Abalos

      Debbie Ryder, of Halau Hula O Leionalani, said organizers of the Ka`u Coffee Festival have helped create a new attachment between the remote communities of Lana`i and Ka`u. In 2009, Bull Kailiawa, himself an award-winning Ka`u Coffee grower, joined Dane Galiza in traveling to Lana`i to help with Ho`okupu Hula No Lana`i Cultural Festival and to look at coffee-growing possibilities on the small island. They invited Ryder and her halau to the Ka`u Coffee Festival in 2011. With Ryder bringing her halau to the Ka`u Coffee  Festival,  travel between Pahala and Lana`i has increased. Local dancers performing at the Ka`u Coffee Festival yesterday already plan fundraisers to go to the next Lana`i Festival. Ryder said she will teach in Pahala more often, as her halau has expanded to include native Hawaiian dancers from such local families as Kailiawa, Kaleohano, Ka`apana-Wroblewsky, Kailiawa-George, Keohuloa-Initan and Ho`opi`i-Kailiawa. 

Debbie Ryder, of Lana`i, has expanded
her halau to Pahala and is leading a
cultural exchange between the two
remote communities.

      Today, coffee farmers are going to school at Pahala Community Center with presentations by representatives of Starbucks and other coffee experts.

ESTHER KIA`AINA, candidate for Hawai`i’s second U.S. Congressional District seat, visited Ka`u recently. In Pahala, she discussed her candidacy with The Ka`u Calendar.
      Kia`aina has nearly 20 years of Congressional experience working with both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Among her appointments were chief of staff for Hawai`i Congressman Ed Case, chief of staff and legislative director for Guam Congressman Robert Underwood, legislative assistant for Senator Daniel Akaka and Intern for Senator Daniel Inouye.
      Kia`aina said she considers recognition for native Hawaiians an issue “of utmost importance.” She said she is an “impactful voice” who will continue to work for passage of the Akaka Bill. She was involved in adoption of the Apology Resolution during the Clinton presidency. She said the Akaka Bill requires continuing work on the legislation as well as looking for administrative options. If elected, she said she would designate someone to meet with state officials and residents regarding the bill.

Esther Kia`aina

      Another issue Kia`aina discussed was higher education. She said she wants to tap into federal funds to make college affordable with programs including Stafford Loans, Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Opportunity grants and College tax credits.
      She said she is concerned about the condition of rural health care, noting the large turnover of doctors throughout the state. She said she wants to seek solutions to reduce the cost of health care for underserved populations and seniors.
      Regarding preservation of Ka`u lands, Kia`aina suggested working collaboratively with University of Hawai`i on a feasibility study. She mentioned successes she has had in other projects including the Hawaiian Homelands Recovery Act and getting funding for the Kalaupapa Memorial.
      Kia`aina said she wants to “look at ways to move things forward.” She said she knows how to get the wide-based support that is needed for local issues. “I want to fight for what’s right,” she said. She said her strengths are collaboration and knowing how to re-adjust to accomplish goals.
      Kia`aina also held talk stories in Miloli`i during her visit.

Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu ma Kilauea
Photo by J. Robinson

HALAU HULA Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu ma Kilauea, under the direction of kumu hula Ab Kawainohoikala`i Valencia, presents an Evening of Hula and Hawaiian Music Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This Na Leo Manu, or Heavenly Voices, presentation is free, and park entrance fees apply. 

DEADLINE IS TOMORROW to sign up for Kahuku Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Activities at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park include `oli, GPS, compass, pacing, mo`olelo of Ka`u and the string game hei. Open to children of all ages and their `ohana. Call 985-6019.

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

Ka`u News Briefs May 12, 2012

Jose and Berta Miranda are two of the many Ka`u Coffee farmers offering coffee to taste and to buy at the
Ka`u Coffee Festival all day today at Pahala Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal

FISHERMAN CAN AVOID HOOKING MONK SEALS with their hooks and lines, according to the Department of Land & Natural Resources. The agency reported this week that over the last decade there were 77 incidents. Eight occurred this year. The DLNR issued a statement to “remind fishermen that monk seal deaths and injuries from fishing interactions can often be prevented, and adverse impacts to fishermen and seals can be reduced through early reporting of incidents. “Monk seals are a vital part of Hawai`i’s marine and cultural environment,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairman. “While DLNR and NOAA seek to address all adverse impacts on Hawaiian monk seals, we want to acknowledge the cooperation of Hawai`i fishermen and emphasize that we do not consider fishing interactions in the main Hawaiian Islands to currently pose a major threat to monk seal recovery.”

DLNR is partnering with fishermen to reduce monk seal hookings.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Aila said that while two hookings have been deemed the likely cause of seal deaths, “we want to partner with the fishermen to further reduce impacts. Following the guidelines and reporting hookings can help make a relatively small impact become even smaller.” Hawaiian Monk Seals & Fishing Interactions: Guidelines for Prevention, Safety and Reporting describes actions fishermen can take to avoid seal hookings and entanglement, and to reduce fishing gear and bait loss. The guidelines also stress the importance of reporting all fishing interactions. See them at www.fpir.noaa.gov/Library/PRD. 

      The toll-free, 24/7 reporting hotline for all fishing interactions and other marine mammal incidents is 1-888-256-9840. NOAA and DLNR urge all fishermen and other ocean users to write down this hotline and/or save it in their mobile phones for timely use whenever a seal is hooked or entangled.

DEADLINE FOR BIDDING TO CONSTRUCT THE NEW GYM & COMMUNITY SHELTER in Pahala is coming up in late May and has been open to contractors and subcontractors since April 18, according to the county Department of Public Works. Details of the architectural and engineering plans are available from the Public Works Department in Hilo on a computer disc. The plans include building a gym between the school cafeteria and tennis courts. The $19 million project calls for more than 42,000 square feet. Variances have been requested for height and parking. The final Environmental Assessment can be read at hawaii.gov/health/environmental/oeqc/index.html. Click on current issue. 

      The facility will be operated by the county Department of Parks & Recreation in cooperation with Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School.

JOBIE MASAGATANI is the new director of the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. She replaces Alapaki Nahale-a, who recently resigned. Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced the appointment yesterday. Masagatani is no stranger to Hawaiian issues. She was deputy director of DHHL from 1995 to 2000 and recently Office of Hawaiian Affairs assistant to the CEO.

THE NEW PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR for the State of Hawai`i is Ted Sakai, assuming the position he held from 1998 to 2002. Sakai was appointed yesterday by the governor, replacing Jodie Maesaka-Hirata, who moves to the position of deputy director of Corrections. Maesaka-Hirata is a social worker who has spent much of her career working in the prison system.
      The governor said his new team will help with the Justice Reinvestment Initiative aimed at returning inmates from being held on the mainland to correctional centers here. The campus at Kulani Correctional Facility between Volcano and Hilo is considered one of the locations for housing the prisoners.

Phil and Merle Becker, of Aikane Plantation Coffee, have operated the information booth at Ka`u Coffee Festival for
years. The free event goes until 4:30 p.m. today at Pahala Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U HOSPITAL received much praise in an article by Erin Miller in today’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald newspaper. The story covers the experience of an Ocean View resident who chooses Ka`u over other hospitals on the island complimenting its friendly, clean environment and caring staff, including chief of staff Dexter Hayes and new activities coordinator Jessica Camba-Penera. “The only thing I could say is they could use more money. They are doing a wonderful job,” says Earl Laver in the Tribune Herald story. 

      The story reports that Ka`u Hospital has gross annual revenues of about $8 million. The hospital costs about $6 million a year to operate and takes in about $5 million in revenues and $1.4 million in subsidies, the story reports administrator Merilyn Harris saying. The hospital is also bolstered by community volunteerism and fundraising for such equipment as touchscreen monitors in the Emergency Room, the story points out. An Emergency Room cart with equipment and directions for use on children of different sizes and ages was also acquired with community help. Custom cabinets in the lunchroom were made by staff volunteers. The story points to nearly $5 million that will fund new doors, windows, ceiling and air conditioning, parking lot improvements and other renovations beginning in August. The administrator praised Rep. Bob Herkes and the community for supporting the funding at the state Legislature.

The Orcino Ka`u Coffee-growing family is
selling Mother's Day gifts at the Ka`u Coffee
Festival all day today. Photo by Julia Neal

THE KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL is on today, and here is the entertainment lineup: 

9:00 Emcee Skylark, Opening & Pule
9:10 Ka`u `Ukulele Band
9:45 Keoki & Moses Kahumoku
10:20 Ben Kaili
10:55 Kaneala Aukahi Pride
11:30 One Journey
12 Presentation of Awards
12:10 The Bamboo & Water Dance of the Miss Peaberry Court
12:30 Cyril Pahinui & Moses Espaniola
1:05 Halau Hula O Leionalani
1:40 Keaiwa with Demetrius Oliveira
2:15 Bruddah Waltah & Sammi Fo
2:50 Riki Masaoka
3:35 Pomai Longakit
4:00 Hands of Time
      Also on tap is the Ka`u Coffee Experience, where for five dollars attendees can sample a wide variety of brewing methods and talk with 2011 U.S. Barista Champion Pete Licata.
      Farm tours, which also go to Ka`u Coffee Mill, are available throughout the day for $15 per person, which includes the Ka`u Coffee Experience. 

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

Ka`u News Briefs May 11, 2012

The status of honu is discussed in Honolulu today. Photo from Conservation Council for Hawai`i

MAY 12 HAS BEEN PROCLAIMED KA`U COFFEE DAY by Mayor Billy Kenoi. The proclamation says Ka`u Coffee Festival “highlights the unique combination of people and place that help make Ka`u Coffee a favorite across the globe.” 

       It also mentions several awards won by Ka`u Coffees in recent years and calls attention to the 2012 Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Top 10 Coffees of the Year awards. Three of the top ten growers are from Ka`u: Will and Grace Tabios, Lorie Obra and Francis and Trinidad Marques. Within the proclamation, the Mayor encourages “all citizens to celebrate the worldwide recognition that the district of Ka`u has brought to our state and our island as a premium coffee growing region.” 

VOLCANO VILLAGE POST OFFICE won’t shut down entirely but its hours could be cut back severely, according to an announcement from the U.S. Postal Service. 

Volcano Post office hours could be cut back.
Photo from ravenmide on flickr

     The agency reported yesterday that it suffered a $3.2 billion loss on income of $16.2 billion nationwide during the first quarter of this year. The agency pointed to Congress, saying that lawmakers obstructed its cost-cutting plans and its efforts to address exploding costs in future health benefits for retirees.

      The U.S.P.S wants congress to approve elimination of Saturday mail right away, but the Senate decided to delay it for two years. The state House is debating over other changes that Post Master General Patrick Donaho says are necessary. He reported that the number of items mailed dropped 4 percent the first quarter of this year from the same quarter last year but productivity of postal workers is higher than ever. The U.S. Postal Service still carries twice the mail as FedEx and UPS. Reducing hours at rural post offices like Volcano could save the postal service $500 million a year, the postal service said. 

A PETITION FOR DELISTING HONU, a species currently listed as endangered, has been received by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and is on the agenda for a Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Sea Turtle Advisory Committee meeting in Honolulu today and May 23-24. Also on the agenda are whales, migratory birds and coral.

AHCC President Soulee Stroud signs the petition before
sending it to NOAA.  Photo from aohcc.org

      The 28-page petition, submitted by the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, asks the Secretaries of Commerce and the Interior to classify the Hawaiian green sea turtle as a separate population – formally known as a discrete population segment – and then remove it from the Endangered Species Act. This would allow the State of Hawai`i to manage the species and to determine rules of engagement. Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs President Soulee Stroud said, “this would be wonderful, to bring the management of this important cultural animal back to the people of Hawai`i.”

     Terri Shore, program director for Turtle Island Restoration Network Program – a nonprofit environmental organization based in California that carries out initiatives to protect marine ecosystems, submitted a public comment on behalf of the organizations 60,000 members. In the letter, Shore states that the organization “opposes any action to de-list or allow hunting of the honu,” for three main reasons: “the Hawaiian green sea turtle has not met recovery goals under the U.S. Endangered Species Act; threats to the survival and recovery of Hawaiian green sea turtles from human activities are increasing, not decreasing; and any action by the committee or council is premature.”
     For further information about the meetings, contact Kitty Simonds at (808) 522-8220. 

During the Ka`u Coffee Experience,
visitors are invited to chat with 2011
 top U.S. Barista Pete Licata.
Photo of Pete Licata and Lorie Obra
by Geneveve Fyvie

THE KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL HO`OLAULE`A is tomorrow with free music and entertainment at the Pahala Community Center. Visitors are encouraged to come celebrate the success of Ka`u Coffee and talk-story with the esteemed growers. Local businesses, organizations and individuals will present information and sell food, coffee, and arts and crafts at booths during the festival. Coffee tastings will be available to guests indoors at the Ka`u Coffee Experience for $5 each from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with an hour break at noon. For $15 per person, visitors can tour local coffee farms and the Ka`u Coffee Mill and receive free entry to the Ka`u Coffee Experience. Free shuttles to the festival are available from Hilo Hattie; see kaucoffeefest.com or call 929-9550 for more.

HAPA IN CONCERT is tomorrow night, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Kilauea Theater at Kilauea Military Camp in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The concert, organized by Volcano Art Center, is a celebration of Lo`ea Hula honoring Charles Kauhi Ka`upu. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at either Volcano Art Center locations or online at volcanoartcenter.org. Call 967-8222 or email concerts@volcanoartcenter.org for more. 

     Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café hosts a special dinner before the concert, which is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

Cheryl Gansecki.
Photo from fhvnp.org

SATURDAY WALK IN THE PARK, offered by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, happens this weekend from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cheryl Gansecki leads the 4-mile hike exploring Kilauea Iki Crater. The guided hike is free to Friends members and non-members are welcome to join in order to attend. Park entrance fees apply. Call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org. 

ATLAS RECYCLING, at South Point U-Cart in Ocean View, accepts recyclables tomorrow from 9a.m. to 1 p.m.