Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 31, 2012

Early whale sightings in Miloli`i and Kona usher in an early season for the humpback whales' annual trip to winter in Hawaiian waters. Photo from NOAA

THE EARLIEST HUMPBACK WHALE SIGHTINGS recorded for the annual arrival of the giant marine mammals to Hawai`i are in. Justin Viezbicke, coordinator for the National Marine Sanctuary on this island, said an unconfirmed report came in from Miloli`i Wednesday evening followed by a confirmed report with photographs Thursday morning from Honokohau Harbor. He said the early sighting could simply mean that summer arrivals haven’t been recorded in the past, since whales spend much of their time under water.

This humpback whale was seen yesterday at Honokohau Harbor.
Photo by Deron Verbeck/iamaquatic.com

      Ocean users are reminded to keep a safe distance from these visitors to the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Endangered humpback whales are protected in Hawai`i, and federal regulations prohibit approaching within 100 yards of whales when on the water. Anyone seeing a marine mammal in distress, entangled or being harassed can call Viezbicke at 987-0765.

FLAGS FLY AT HALF MAST today honoring Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, who died at the age of 82. Armstrong and other scientists and engineers studying the moon and other planets like Mars have come to the Ka`u desert to study the terrain, which in some ways is similar.

Quake near the Philippine city of Legaspi may lead to strong currents
and unusual waters off the coast of Ka`u this afternoon.
Photo by George de Jesus, Philippines Coast Guard

COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE has issued an advisory stemming from a 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck off the Philippines this morning, triggering a tsunami watch for Hawai`i and other Pacific locations. While the tsunami watch has been cancelled, county Civil Defense said there could be small changes in coastal waters and strong currents beginning around 12:30 p.m. today and lasting for several hours. 

AG TOURISM rules and regulations are drawing testimony to the County Council, which will tweak new legislation already passed by both Planning Commissions on the Island. Deborah Ward, owner of Laiku Organic Farm and Special Ti Nursery, wrote to the Council that major agri-tourism operations that would bring in up to 30,000 visitors a year should be required to submit a plan for review and approval to the County Planning Department. She also suggested that operations calling themselves agritourism should be required to prove at least 50 percent of revenue coming from the agriculture part of the business. She also suggested requiring neighbors be notified of pending agritourism operations, the site inspected, legal road access demonstrated and legal handling of solid waste confirmed for both major and minor agritourism operations. She said she is also concerned that operations defined as minor agricultural tourism “would have no oversight” and could “effectively inject into the rural agricultural setting the potential for high traffic, poor road access, no required signage, no provision for sewage disposal, no security for neighboring operations, with up to 15,000 private vehicles or 1,300 tour vans per year.”
      A public hearing on the issue will be held in County Council chambers in Hilo next Monday.

Tulsi Gabbard

TULSI GABBARD, who won the Democratic Primary to replace the vacated District 2 seat of Mazie Hirono in Congress, will be a speaker at the Democratic Party Convention to be held next week in North Carolina. She is scheduled for a presentation to be led by U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi entitled Women in Congress. She will stand beside six  Democratic Congresswomen and one other candidate. When starting her campaign, Gabbard came to Ka`u and spoke about her support for the military and such local issues as preserving agricultural land for food production. 

THE ELECTRIC BILL for Hawai`i County may be discussed during the Public Utility Commission proceedings on the `Aina Koa Pono case. Hawaiian Electric Light Co. wrote to the PUC this week saying the utility has no objection to the county participating in the case as long as the county does not delay the proceedings, sticks to the case and follows the rules. The county asked to participate, with Mayor Billy Kenoi stating that the county is looking for less expensive renewable energy rather than more renewable energy and that the county will oppose the proposal for HELCO to purchase electricity through a 20-year contract from `Aina Koa Pono if the contract will lead to increases in electrical rates. The county says it paid HELCO $30 million last year and expects to pay $40 million this year. The `Aina Koa Pono and HELCO plan would involve construction of a refinery above Pahala using trees, brush and grasses to make pellets which would be made into biofuel which would be transported to the HELCO power plant near Kona airport. See more on the PUC website at puc.hawaii.gov.

KMC Chapel will be decommissioned on Oct. 1 by
the U.S. Army. Photo from KMC

KMC’S CHAPEL will be decommissioned on Oct.1, its management to be turned over to the Hale Koa Hotel, the overseer of Kilauea Military Camp’s visitor accommodations. The chapel is used by Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network and St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. 

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES has applied for direct flights from Haneda, near Tokyo, to Kona. The daily flights would begin next spring. The opportunity comes with the cancellation of a direct flight between Haneda and Detroit this November. Japan Airlines operated the Kona flight from 1996 until October 2010. Hawaiian is likely to compete with other airlines with proposed flights from other places to land in Haneda. Hawaiian Airline spokesman Keoni Wagner called the route an opportunity to help the Big Island economy, which was hurt by the cancellation of the JAL flights two years ago.

Free vision and other health screenings come to Ka`u tomorrow.

WE … A HUI FOR HEALTH’S mobile health van comes to Ka`u tomorrow. Health screenings include retinal, lung function, glucose, blood pressure, take-home kidney function, women’s health, hepatitis and hearing. Counseling regarding learning disabilities, smoking cessation, family caregiving, organ donating and more is also available. Screenings are on a walk-in basis. The van will be at Ocean View farmers market from 8 a.m. to noon and at Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center in Pahala from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more, contact Annie at 808-282-2265 or annie@projectvisionhawaii.com.

Ka Hula by Kathy Long

KATHY LONG TEACHES DRAWING BASICS at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Long shares techniques to bring depth and life to participants’ drawings. Participation is $60 for the general public and $54 for members. The cost includes supplies and a print from the artist. Pre-registration required. For more, call 967-8222. 

SHIZUNO NASU TEACHES CREATIVE FLOW AND DANCE to all levels tomorrow from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Nasu uses warm-up and expressive dance movements based on Hara Tanden chi energy. Advanced registration advised. General admission is $45; members pay $40. For more, call 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

KA`U TROJANS PLAY THEIR FIRST HOME GAME of the season tomorrow vs. HPA beginning at 6 p.m. Also on Saturday is volleyball at Kealakehe at 10 a.m., cross country at HPA at 10 a.m., air riflery at Kamehameha Schools at 10 a.m. and bowling at Hilo Lanes at 9 a.m. vs. Kea`au and at 1 p.m. vs. Waiakea.

Volcano Art Center presents an evening of
comedy tomorrow.

LOL, LADIES OUT LOUD, takes place tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The evening of comedy includes performances by Ki MiChele, Kathleen Butler, Shena Jungle Queen, Katie Schuerch and Karen Blue, Angie Libadisos, Jenny Chin, Jennifer Wharton, Tanya Aynessazian and Sherri Carden; $10 admission. For more information, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

THE SEPTEMBER KA`U CALENDAR is now online at www.kaucalendar.com and can be downloaded to read and print out. The print run each month is 7,500, with more than 5,300 mailed to readers. The September edition features stories on the upcoming County Council runoff, upcoming hearings on the `Aina Koa Pono proposal, thousands of acres along the Ka`u Coast slated for preservation, a call for artists to join The Directory cover contest and sports and community stories and calendars.

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

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND YOUTUBE.COM/KAUNEWS.

Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 30, 2012

Sen. Dan Inouye, U.S. Mint Denver Plant Manager David Croft and Hawai`i Volcanoes Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando roll out the new quarters from ipu. Photo by Jay Robinson, National Park Service

U.S. MINT QUARTERS HONORING HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK rolled into circulation yesterday at the Kahua Hula, which looks out over Halema`uma`u Crater.

HFS Federal Credit Union exchanged about
$35,000 in cash for rolls of the new 

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park quarters. 

Photo by Jay Robinson, National Park Service

The new Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
quarter on the ceremonial imu platter. 

Photo by Jay Robinson, National Park Service

     The ceremonial circulation began as Hawai`i Volcanoes Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando, Sen. Daniel Inouye and U.S. Mint Denver manager David Croft poured $500 in quarters from two calabashes onto a koa platter. The U.S. Mint plans to print 64 million of the Volcano quarters at its Denver and Philadelphia coin making plants. Yesterday, HFS Federal Credit Union exchanged $35,000 in quarters for cash brought to the celebration by collectors. The credit union plans to offer the quarters at all branches starting today until they run out.
     Inouye called the legendary volcano goddess Madame Pele “our mother,” and said, “This is where Hawai`i was born.” He told the large crowd the quarter will help the world know more about Hawai`i and the volcano.

United States Mint Denver Plant Manager David Croft gives island keiki a free
quarter. Photo by Jay Robinson, National Park Service

      Orlando said: “We are honored to have been selected as the park that represents the State of Hawai`i in the America the Beautiful Quarters Program. It’s exciting to think that our quarter will circulate across the nation starting today, and that it will be possible for almost anyone to pull a coin from their pocket and be reminded of such an extraordinary destination and national park. This quarter could inspire more people to visit the Island of Hawai`i, and to visit and support the mission of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This amazing quarter is worth far more than its face value of 25 cents; it is vital to the economic well-being of both our island and state economies. To the national park, and to the state, it is truly priceless.”
      She noted that Volcanoes became a national park in 1916 – the same year the National Park Service itself was founded and that Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980 and an UNESCO World Heritage Site in November of 1987. “How appropriate that our new park quarter, our 25 cent piece, is released the same year we celebrate our 25th anniversary of World Heritage status,” said Orlando. 

HOW BIG SHOULD AGRI-TOURISM BE? This is a discussion before the County Council as it completes rulemaking for agri-tourism businesses on agriculturally zoned lands. New rules were already passed by both county Planning Commissions. 

Under new rules, small farms could host visitors to learn about Hawaiian agriculture.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

      A public hearing is set for next Tuesday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. in the Hilo County Council Chambers. The public can also testify from Pahoa, Kona and Waimea council offices through videoconferencing and by writing the County Council. According to a Nancy Cook Lauer story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, County Council chair Dominc Yagong, who called for the hearing, said “There were some concerns about the number of vehicles that would be visiting rural areas. On the other hand, it would be a way to stimulate the economy and provide opportunities for farmers to expand their portfolios.”

      The legislation before the council would allow minor agri-tourism businesses that annually accommodate fewer than 15,000 visitors and a weekly maximum of 350 visitors, who would be limited to arriving to the site by vehicles with 15 passengers or less. A major agri-tourism business would be allowed annually to host no more than 30,000 visitors and tour buses would be allowed.
      Once the rules are in place, they will go into effect immediately. Agri-tourism businesses on ag zoned land will be required to submit a plan for approval, which will be reviewed within 30 days by the county Planning Department. 

LEASING OUT STATE LANDS for businesses and development has drawn mostly criticism at public meetings around the state in recent weeks. According to a Sophie Cocke story in Civil Beat this morning, some testifiers are asking for the new Public Land Development Corporation law to allow more aggressive development of state lands be overturned by the 2013 legislature. 

      At last night’s meeting in Honolulu, several dozen opponents belonging to the Unite Here, Local 5 hotel workers union, carried signs saying “Public Land, Public Input, Don’t Sell Off Our `Aina.” Its treasurer, Eric Gill, said, “It’s not about the rules, it’s about the legislation itself. This PLDC issue brought the union and environmentalists together because we all fear that the government is giving too much power and too much influence to banks and developer and not us,” Civil Beat reported.
      Civil Beat also reported on former Board of Land and Natural Resources chair Laura Theilen saying the new program will run counter to the Department of Land & Natural Resources mission to protect public lands and opened “the door for sweetheart deals that may generate revenue, but not for the DLNR.”
      Those testifying about the rules for the new PLDC included Robert Harris, Sierra Club Executive Director, who contended that proposed PLCC rules lacked sufficient environmental controls, Civil Beat reported.

      Mililani Trask, a native Hawaiian and attorney on a proposal for a geothermal project that could involve state lands, says she could work with the PLDC, but not for “the state practice of allowing private sector and foreign companies to develop our resources.”
      Supporting the PLDC was the General Contractors Association and the developers group Land Use Research Foundation.  See more at www.civilbeat.com.

KA`U COMMUNITY MEMBERS and others from Hawai`i Island are encouraged to join the Big Island Community Coalition. The organization states their top priority as making "Big Island electricity rates the lowest in the state by emphasizing the use of local resources.” Michelle Galimba, a member of the organizations steering committee, says "Our island community needs a voice in talking about our energy future with HECO/HELCO. The more names we have together the stronger the voice." To join or for more information, visit bigislandcommunitycoalition.com.

Hester's Farm is again selling their Pahala grown vegetables in front of
Ace Hardware on Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to noon. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

ACE HARDWARE IN NA`ALEHU is hosting local farmers and merchants again, some of whom have split from the Ka`u Farmers' Market to continue selling at their former location. The vendors at Ace include Hester's Farm (Wednesdays only, from 7 a.m. to noon) with a wide variety of locally grown vegetables; Island Valley Delights with locally made jams, jellies and breads; LeiMona with handmade body creams and soaps; and Pacific Quest with a selection of organic locally grown fruits and vegetables. These vendors and others now operate under the name Na`alehu Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To join the market email richwitt1@hotmail.com.

KA`U FARMERS' MARKET, managed by Na`alehu Main Street, is still operating on the grounds of Shaka's Restaurant & Bar on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. For more about the Ka`u Farmers' Market call 339-1032 or 345-9374.

OCEAN VIEW DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets tonight at 5:30 p.m. at the community center.

Kathy Long teaches a drawing class in Volcano Saturday.
Image from Kathy Long

UPCOMING SPORTS lineup for this Saturday for Ka`u High includes the first home game for the Trojan football team. Trojans play HPA beginning at 6 p.m. Also on Saturday is Volleyball at Kealakehe at 10 a.m.; Cross Country at HPA at 10 a.m.; Air-Rifery at Kamehameha Schools at 10 a.m.; Bowling at Hilo Lanes at 9 a.m. vs. Kea`au and at 1 p.m. vs. Waiakea.

DRAWING BASICS, taught by Kathy Long at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, is held this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. Long shares techniques to bring depth and life to participants’ drawings. Participation is $60 for the general public and $54 for members - the cost includes supplies and a print from the artist. Pre-registration required. For more, call 967-8222.

DANCING ON THE EARTH is hosted Saturday, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Shizuno Nasu teaches creative flow and dance to all levels using warm-up and expressive dance movements based on Hara Tanden chi energy. Advanced registration advised. General admission is $45, members pay $40. For more, call 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

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

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND YOUTUBE.COM/KAUNEWS.

Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 29, 2012

The new Volcano Quarter can be acquired after today's ceremonies and online.  See www.govmint.com. Image from U.S. Mint

THE U.S. MINT and Sen. Daniel Inouye come to Volcano today for the  release of the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park quarter. Activities will be from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the park’s Kahua Hula, with a ceremony and an opportunity for the public to exchange for $10 rolls of the commemorative quarters. 

Sen. Dan Inouye.
Photo by Frank Chow

      The new quarter is part of the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarters Program. The coin features an engraved image of an eruption on Kilauea’s East Rift Zone on its tails side and inscriptions that read HAWAII VOLCANOES, HAWAII 2012 and E PLURIBUS UNUM.
      It was designed and sculpted by U.S. Mint Sculptor-Engraver Charles L. Vickers.  The Hawai`i Volcanoes’ quarter is the fourth quarter to be launched in 2012, and the 14th in a series of 56 circulating America the Beautiful Quarters.
      Designs are symbolic of a national park or other national site in each state, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories.

Charles Vickers, of the U.S. Mint,
designed the new quarter, honoring
Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from U.S. Mint

     All coins in the program feature a portrait of George Washington and the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and QUARTER DOLLAR, on the heads side.
      “This highly collectible quarter is a significant milestone for Hawai`i
 Volcanoes National Park, for the residents of Hawai`i, and for the Hawai`i Island destination. Now everyone can carry a reminder of Hawai`i’s first World Heritage Site in their pocket,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
      County of Hawai`i Tourism Specialist Stephanie Donoho will serve as master of ceremonies, and representatives from the U.S. Mint, the governor’s office, and the state delegation will participate.
The ceremony will take place at the park’s Kahua Hula, south of Kilauea Visitor Center, on Crater Rim Drive. The event is free, but park entrance fees apply.

SOLICITING RENEWABLE ENERGIES to power public schools is a goal of the state Department of Education, which is looking for companies to execute a plan to reach renewable energy goals of 90 percent sustainability by 2040. According to a Duane Shimogawa report in Pacific Business News, the state will issue a request for proposals by the year’s end, asking that renewable-energy developers come up with power-purchase agreements that carry no upfront costs to the DOE.

Russell Ruderman, running for state Senate to represent
residents from Punalu`u through Volcano and Puna.
Photo from Russell Ruderman

     “If successful, it would lower the state’s largest single expense – education – which accounts for roughly one-fourth of the more than $5.5 billion general fund,” says the story in PBN.

      Russell Ruderman, who won the primary election for the state Senate seat that runs from Punalu`u through Volcano and Puna, said that "now would be the time" to make sure that solar voltaics will be installed on the rooftops of the new $20 million Ka`u shelter and gym complex in Pahala that breaks ground this fall. Whether the photo voltaics are funded by private enterprise, the county or the state, “it makes sense to set up voltaics as the complex is built,” said Ruderman. He also said that photo voltaics should be designed for the shelter in order to stand alone during emergency situations when HELCO could be cut off from the community. “It is important that this renewable energy instalation will have the ability to operate independently of the grid.”
      One of Ruderman’s campaign promises is to take down barriers to solar power becoming a major contributor to creating electricity in Hawai`i.

FREE FARM AND MILL TOURS begin seven days a week, this weekend at Ka`u Coffee. The tours take visitors through the processing from pulping to drying, husking and roasting. The Ka`u Coffee Mill Visitor Center, on Wood Valley Road, also hosts a collection of original art by Kathleen Kam, including murals that depict the wildlife, volcanoes, seascape and agricultural history of Ka`u. The visitor center also provides Ka`u Coffee tasting, a Ka`u Coffee Wall of Fame, featuring Ka`u’s famed coffee farmers. and a store with coffee, macadamia, logo wear and gift sales. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

At last years event a sugar truck was decorated in flowers, ti leaves and cane to open Ka`u Plantation Days.
Photo by Michael Neal

THE KA`U PLANTATION DAYS event is set for Saturday, Oct. 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Manager’s House, also known as Pahala Plantation House, on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. Hawaiian, Japanese, Portuguese, Filipino and Chinese family members will offer displays and storytelling about the multiethnic evolution of the local community. Ethnic dance and food, historic photos of ranches, villages and the sugar can era will go on display. Poi pounding and an `ukulele jam are on the schedule. A parade with pa`u riders and sugar cane trucks begins at 9 a.m. following a pule. The event was originally set for Oct. 13, but moved to Oct. 6. Entrance and activities are free. For information call 928-0303.

KA`U LADIES VARSITY VOLLEYBALL team beat the Waiakea Warriors at Ka`u High School gymnasium, 25-23, 25-12, 25-18. “The whole team worked together for a great victory last night,” head coach Joshua Ortega said. This is the first time that Ka`u Ladies have outscored Waiakea in the memory of fans who attended the game, said Ortega.

DEPT. OF WATER SUPPLY INVITES THE PUBLIC to meet with representatives tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center to discuss Ocean View’s well and distribution of water. According to DWS, the meeting is in response to “increased reports of incorrect information in the community.” A report with answers to frequently asked questions is available online at hawaii.dws.org.

OCEAN VIEW DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. at the community center. 

Free health screenings, including retinal scans, are offered in Ka`u this
Saturday. Photo from projectvisionhawaii.com

FREE MOBILE HEALTH-SCREENINGS are offered this Saturday in Ka`u by WE … A Hui For Health. The mobile health van will be at Ocean View farmers market from 8 a.m. to noon and at Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center in Pahala from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Health screenings include retinal, lung function, glucose, blood pressure, take-home kidney function, women’s health, hepatitis and hearing. Counseling regarding learning disabilities, smoking cessation, family caregiving, organ donating and more is also available. Screenings are on a walk-in basis. For more, contact Annie at 808-282-2265 or annie@projectvisionhawaii.com.

AN EVENING OF COMEDY - LOL, Ladies Out Loud - is hosted Saturday at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Scheduled to perform are Ki MiChele, Kathleen Butler, Shena Jungle Queen, Katie Schuerch and Karen Blue, Angie Libadisos, Jenny Chin, Jennifer Wharton, Tanya Aynessazian and Sherri Carden; $10 admission. For more information, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND YOUTUBE.COM/KAUNEWS.