Kau News Briefs July 11, 2012

Theresa Alderdyce (pointing to the fundraiser check) ran Ka`u Family Center in Na`alehu for more then 20 years, helping with food banks and many projects and services for women, children and fathers. It shuts down on Friday.

FAMILY SUPPORT HAWAI`I is unable to keep Ka`u Family Center in Na`alehu open despite a grant of $30,000 from Hawai`i County for next fiscal year. The majority of funding for Family Support comes from state of Hawai`i contracts and federal money. It also receives grants from United Way, which has been able to fund all its programs, said Charmaine Shigemura, a United Way board member and staff member in Mayor Billy Kenoi’s office. Shigemura said such programs are high on the mayor’s list of priorities, that he has helped get funding for such programs. “We’re happy we’ve been able to sustain the program for so long. It’s really hard in these times of working with less.” she said. 

      The shutdown is planned for Friday and longtime employee Theresa Alderdyce is set to lose her job. Petitions have gone out to the mayor, governor and other public officials.

MONEY APPROVED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO FIGHT COFFEE BERRY BORER was vetoed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie who said it could have taken $196,000 away from a revolving loan for farmers seeking financing for agricultural endeavors. Instead, the governor said, $200,000 will become available for coffee berry eradication from a barrel tax and will be administered by the state Department of Agriculture, under the leadership of Russell Kokubun.

Coffee berry borer ravaged Hawai`i Island, most likely after
being imported in coffee used to blend with Kona.
Photo from the International Coffee Organization

GRADE AND ORIGIN OF HAWAI`I-GROWN COFFEE no longer require state inspection and certification before shipping. However, the new law makes false labeling a third-degree felony. Gov. Neil Abercrombie yesterday let the bill become law without his signature, following protests from the Kona Coffee Farmers Association, which wanted the bill vetoed. The association claimed that blenders and brokers wanted the inspection requirement removed in order to ease government regulations and oversight. They also said that inspections protected their regional brand names on which they depend for their high-end market. The organization posted on its website: “Very sad day. Our Governor of Hawai`i allowed HB280 to become law today. Processors may now self-certify for origin and quality. The integrity of Kona Coffee is allowed to be compromised by big $$ interests.”
      The Hawai`i Coffee Association and several other groups, largely comprised of mills and wholesalers, contended that a lack of inspectors was holding up coffee going to market. Chris Manfredi, who represents the owners of the land where much of the award winning Ka`u Coffee grows, supported the elimination of the required inspections for origin and quality.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie parades along Big Island roads. Photo by William Neal

The governor stated that the bill “marks the beginning for the Department of Agriculture to work with stakeholders and develop the framework for what is necessary to protect our state products.” The bill that ends the required inspections is one of six that became law yesterday without the governor’s signature. Others include:

A BOOST FOR AG TOURISM is a new law that allows vacation rentals on agricultural land – starting with Maui county. The governor allowed the bill to become law without signing it but asked that all the counties review their laws in anticipation of the Maui experiment succeeding and becoming a possibility for other islands. 

LOCAL CONTACTS FOR owners of vacation rentals are required under the new law. This bill originally started with a mandate that each vacation rental owner living off island engage an on island realtor for each transaction. The state wants to make sure it receives transient accommodations taxes due from out of state owners but settled for an on-island contact rather than a realtor. All advertising, including internet sites, must also show the transient accommodations license number for the accommodations.

IGNITION INTERLOCK to prevent drunken driving is on its way to becoming available in Hawai`i, as the governor allowed the bill to pass without his signature. Repeat intoxicated drivers would be allowed to drive again with ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. The driver must breathe into the device to measure alcohol level. If it is high, the car won’t start. 

The Ignition Interlock will prevent a vehicle from starting if
 the driver'sbreath registers an illegal alcohol level.
Photo from safedriveschools.org

SMOKING IN PUBLIC HOUSING will still be allowed as Gov. Neil Abercrombie vetoed a bill that would have prohibited smoking outside of designated areas. Abercrombie said that he would like smoking to be reduced over time and eventually establish a ban. Supporters argued that the state is liable for the health of children and adults living in its public housing.

BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW include measures that add penalties for negligent homicide in the first and second degrees and negligent injury in the first degree when the incident involves a vulnerable highway user such as a bicyclist; a new traffic law requiring drivers to move over when passing a stationary emergency vehicle on a highway; and a ban on aerial luminaries, including ignition, possession and selling them. The lanterns that float into the sky are considered a fire hazard. Another new law requires the state Department of Education to create a Safe Routes to School program.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE for the Aug. 11 primary election is tomorrow, July 12. Those who can register to vote must be a citizen of the United States of America; a legal resident of Hawai`i; and at least 16 years of age (pre-registration is allowed at age 16, however all must be 18 years old by election day to vote).

     Convicted and confined felons and those declared mentally incompetent are not eligible. Those who have changed their names or moved residence are also required to register.
     To download the Wikiwiki voter registration form, go to
http://hawaii.gov/elections/forms/voter_application.pdf

KITV CHANNEL 4 remained off the air this morning with no word on when a dispute between Time Warner cable and content company Hearst Television would be resolved. Hearst said that Time Warner cable was tripling the cost it charges Hearst to carry its broadcast in a market where more than 95 percent of viewers depend on cable and satellite. KITV is still available online and through DISH Network and DirecTV satellite service. Also off the air are affiliate stations Me TV; its HD signals; analog Channel 4 and the ABC programming scheduled for Primetime on Demand. Hawai`i joins other television markets where ABC is off cable during the dispute: Kansas City, Louisville, Cincinnati and Pittsuburgh; as well as Plattsburgh New York; Hartford, Vermont; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Lincoln, Nebraska and Portland, Maine. 

Daniel will pass south of Hawai`i this weekend and Hurricane Emilia is expected to weaken before reaching here.
Image from National Weather Service.

DANIEL, the former hurricane, now downgraded to a depression, is already sending high surf to South Point and the eastern shores of Ka`u. The National Weather Services issued a high surf warning at midnight, extending it through 6 p.m. Friday, as high waves from the east are expected to keep building today and reach a peak on Thursday and Friday. Ocean and beachgoers are advised to use caution to avoid rip currents and beach erosion by surf. Daniel may also bring some rain relief to Ka`u. Hurricane Emilia is following Daniel and also expected to weaken.

High surf advisory through Friday, courtesy of Daniel.
Light purple is the small craft advisory areas.
Image from Nation Weather Service

HA`AO/SOUTH POINT AG WATER CO-OP meets tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. The group plans to work on bylaws and assembling a board of directors. Contact Alison Yahna at beeoracle@hotmail.com.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND needs volunteers with four-wheel-drive vehicles for the Saturday Ka`u beach cleanup. Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park and should be back by 3 p.m. Sign up with Megan Lamson. There is currently room for a dozen more volunteers who don’t have four wheel drive. Contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629. HWF will also sponsor an anchialine pool workday on July 25.

A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER meeting will be held tomorrow at HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office at 7 p.m. It is for all those interested in volunteering and taking Red Cross training. Call Hannah Uribes 929-9953.

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

Ka`u News Briefs July 10, 2012

First container from Pasha lands in Honolulu. Photo from Pasha

EMILIA IS A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE moving west-northwest toward Hawai`i. This morning, winds were clocked at 130 mph with higher gusts. Emilia is expected, however, to weaken before it reaches Hawaiian waters and may be just a tropical storm or depression when passing by. Daniel, meanwhile, is now a tropical storm and could pass farther south of the Big Island toward the end of this week than earlier expected. Daniel is expected to bring hazardous coastline conditions for boaters, shore fishermen, opihi pickers, snorkelers, divers and surfers later this week.

Mayor Billy Kenoi and his County of Hawai`i contingent
in a Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

MAYORAL CANDIDATES DIFFERED on trash, land preservation and funding retiree health care during a forum held in Kona last night as the Aug. 11 primary election approaches. A report by Chelsea Jensen in this morning’s West Hawai`i Today says the “three leading candidates butted heads.”

Harry Kim

      Regarding health care, County Council chair Dominic Yagong has been trying to get the administration to pay ahead on health insurance payment for county retirees and pushed the point during the forum. Mayor Billy Kenoi has said the payments are on time but not ahead during this time of county fiscal restraint. Yagong has argued that advance payments are made to help cover shortfalls with possible rising prices in the future. West Hawai`i Today reports him saying last night: “My father always told me, ‘Never leave the problem to the next man. You do what you can today even if it’s only a portion.’ Making some kind of payment is something we should be doing as a government.” Former Mayor Harry Kim, who is running to win his seat again after serving the maximum allowable consecutive terms, said, “It should be paid,” the story reported him saying.

Dominic Yagong greeted residents watching a Fourth of
July Parade. Photo by William Neal

      Regarding the 532 tons of trash generated by island residents and visitors each day, the Jensen story reported the former mayor saying, “I firmly believe the worst thing we can do is continuing land-filling.” Yagong said that new technology should be adopted to defer trash from landfills but said Hilo landfill should be expanded temporarily to give the county time to solve the problem. Kenoi said that Hilo International Airport is too close to the landfill to allow expansion and that the leaching of substances from the trash is a problem, the story reported.

      Regarding land preservation, the West Hawai`i Today story reported that Kim said he’d like to see the coastline open for the people, but was sad the state Land Use Commission turned down a recent development that would benefit Kona and the island. Regarding 300 acres at O`oma site near Kona, Yagong said he supports development mauka and open space on the coast. Kenoi, while saying conservation land should be protected, said there is potential for commercial development fronting Queen Kaahumanu Highway, the Jensen story reported.

CHANNEL FOUR, KITV was dropped by Oceanic Cable TV as a result of a contract dispute between Hearst Television and Time Warner Cable. “The ownership of KITV has forced us to stop carrying this channel. “Visit www.twcconversations.com/local,” says the message from the cable company on the blackened screen. The agreement between Time Warner and KITV owners apparently ended at midnight. KITV.com continued to operate this morning online.

PASHA HAWAI`I is heating up competition in the ocean shipping business by adding containers to its offerings on routes between Hilo, Kahului, Honolulu and Nawiliwili and San Diego, Los Angeles and Northern California. The next Hilo arrival dates are July 20, Aug. 2 and Aug. 16. The company previously handled cars, motorcycles and boats but refitted the MV Jean Anne ship to take on up to fifty 40-foot containers each way, plus the vehicles. Pasha serves San Diego, while Matson, Inc. serves Long Beach, Oakland, Portland and Seattle. Pasha is also a major shipper for the military. See more at pashahawaii.com.

FALLING OIL PRICES have brought a slight reduction in electric bills, but the average price per household statewide is over $200 a month. On the Big Island, rates for homes dropped to 41.4 cents a kilowatt-hour. The rate last month was 42 cents. The average bill remained at $258.68, higher than rates on Kaua`i, Maui and O`ahu.
      While rates fell this month statewide, they are still higher than last year and remain highest in the country. On the mainland, the average residential rate was 12 cents per kilowatt-hour in April. In Hawai`i the rate was 37.5 cents.

HAWAI`I’S BIRD POLLINATORS: A LOVE STORY is the title of tonight’s program at After Dark in the Park. UH-Hilo professor Jonathan Price explains the connection between Hawai`i’s native endemic birds and ancient flowers 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.

Volunteers remove derelict nets during a previous
Ka`u beach cleanup. Photo from HWF

HA`AO/SOUTH POINT AG WATER CO-OP holds a meeting Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. The group will discuss bylaws and begin to assemble a board of directors. Contact Alison Yahna at beeoracle@hotmail.com.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND is looking for volunteers with four-wheel-drive vehicles for this Saturday’s Ka`u beach cleanup. Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. The group should be back at the park by 3 p.m. To be sure of a ride to the remote site, sign up with Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629. HWF also sponsors anchialine pool workdays tomorrow and again on July 25.

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

Ka`u News Briefs July 9, 2012

The 34th annual Fourth of July Rodeo saw action all day Saturday and Sunday. Photo by William Neal

A PETITION TO SAVE THE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES branch in Na`alehu is circulating throughout the community. Losing her job is Teresa Alderdyce, the staff person covering Ka`u for more than 20 years who helps with such programs as the Emergency Food Pantry, prenatal counseling, youth development, parent education, family counseling, the Fatherhood Initiative and home visits to families with children from birth to age five. The facility has been scheduled for closing this Friday, July 13, according to Kepi Davis, who is helping to organize the petition drive. A petition with signatures collected to date is being sent to the governor and mayor today. For more, contact Davis at kepimilton52@gmail.com or 929-8215 or Anthony Rendon, the islandwide director, at 323-228-2188.    

Hurricane Daniel is one of two hurricanes that could bring rain, wind
and surf. Image from NOAA

TWO HURRICANES ARE EAST of the Big Island, and both are expected to pass south of Ka`u as tropical storms, depressions or remnant lows, perhaps bringing much needed rain to the drought-stricken region. Daniel is a Category One hurricane with maximum winds of 85 mph and is expected to weaken and pass some 250 miles south of South Point Friday or Saturday, spinning off some heavy rains, winds and waves to the Big Island. Emilia, following behind Daniel, strengthened to a Category Two this morning with maximum winds at 100 mph and is expected to become a Category Four before weakening. See more at National Hurricane Center’s website at www.nhc.noaa.gov. 

NO MORE THAN $10 PER PERSON is being taken for his mayoral campaign, said candidate and former Hawai`i County mayor Harry Kim, who is running in the Aug. 11 primary.  Kim reported to the campaign spending commission that he raised $1,420 through June. 30. Kim

Harry Kim, riding a bike as he campaigns
for Mayor. Photo by David Howard Donald

Kim also reported that he loaned himself $5,000 for the campaign and spent under $5,000. Opponents Mayor Billy Kenoi and Council chairman Dominic Yagong are expected to file campaign spending reports by July 12.

BIGISLANDRADAR.COM takes complaints about dangerous drivers and poor road conditions. Its crew uses radar to document speeding, makes videos of speeding cars and trucks and posts them online. The organization calls up offenders and employers to complain, works with police officers and state and county highway officials to solve problems, and posts issues and lists of offenders online. Its slogan is Safe Driving, Community Awareness.

      A story in West Hawai`i Today this morning by Carolyn Lucas-Zenk quotes deputy prosecuting attorney Dale Ross praising the work of two brothers, Jon and Wilson Pepper, who founded BigIslandRadar.com. It “helps the community in remaining vigilant in communicating and reporting concerns,” said Ross. 

      A recent example of a BigIslandRadar.com community concern focused on commercial trucking:
      “Wow, just read your worst offenders list for the Kawaihae Road, and you have confirmed my suspicions – those logging trucks are out of control, and we must take our road back for the safety of all. There is no excuse for professional drivers to exceed the speed limit by such a large margin. We are not supposed to be in a rush living in Hawai`i. These drivers are going to get somebody killed.

   “We live just up from the Anna Ranch, and we are sick and tired of the engine braking noise! Our kids walk up to the Waimea Park, and every day I fear for their safety because of these speeding trucks. One of our neighbors is a policeman, and I am directing him to your website tonight. If my family can help your organization in any way, please let us know. We must do something about these truck drivers.”
      The website notes that drivers are disqualified from operating commercial motor vehicles for not less than 60 days if they commit two serious traffic violations in three years or for not less than 120 days if they commit three serious traffic violations in three years. Serious includes exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph and reckless driving.
      BigIslandRadar.com also issues praise. Jon Pepper posted: “Our hat’s off to some really good drivers at Kona Trans! They do ‘set the standard’ of ‘driving safety excellence’ on the Big Island, by a commercial operator.” 

      See more at www.westhawaiitoday.com and at www.BigIslandRadar.com.

Teams rope ahnd tackle steers at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena. Photo by William Neal

WINNERS FOR THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE have been announced by organizer Lee McIntosh and his family. Ka`u Auto Repair won the category for most unique, earning a $100 gift certificate from Wiki-Wiki Mart #7 in Na`alehu and an Avon gift basket of bug spray from Crystal McIntosh. Robert Williams won the category for most patriotic. He earned a $100 gift certificate from Island Market in Na`alehu, two $5 gift certificates from Coffee Grinds in Ocean View and an Avon gift basket of bug spray from Crystal McIntosh.

RODEO RESULTS ARE IN for the two-day event held at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena over the weekend. 

Cloe Velez, Rodeo Queen for Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

· Open Dally - Kevin Aguiar and Braiden Malicki
· Team 90s - Chad Serion and Hugh Hill
· Double Mugging - Kevin Aguiar and Bronson Branco
· Ranch Mugging - Greg Menino and Bronson Branco and Kevin Aguiar
· Wahine Mugging - Chelsea Branco and Shannon Carmichael
· Rescue Race - Braiden and Jyrus Malicki
· Wahine Breakaway - Chelsea Branco
· Chute Dogging - Kevin Hill
· Po`o Wai U - Keola Loando
· Tie Down Roping - Kevin Hill
· Dummy Roping - (four years of age and under) Darsen Nobriga
· Dummy Roping (five to eight) Kale Onaka
· Goat Undecorating (four years of age and under) Nainoa Kahele
· Goat Undecorating (five to eight) Blayk Hanoa
· Mutton Busting - Nainoa Kahele
· Junior Bulls - Westin Joseph
· Bulls - Kaukane Waiwaiole
      The rodeo queen was Cloe Velez.

Professor Jonathan Price
Photo from UH-Hilo

UH-HILO PROFESSOR Jonathan Price discusses the connection between Hawai`i’s native endemic birds and the ancient flowers they pollinate at After Dark in the Park tomorrow 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. 

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND sponsors cleanup events in Ka`u throughout this month. Anchialine pool workdays take place this Wednesday and again on July 25. A beach cleanup is scheduled this Saturday, July 14. Volunteers for the events meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool to the remote sites. Sign up with Megan Lamson at meghwf@gmail.com or 769-7629.

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