Ka`u News Briefs July 3, 2013

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park rangers rappelled nearly 200 feet into this remote pit crater to "rescue" seeds and
cutting from four extremely rare plants. NPS Photo by Mark Wasser

IT’S NOT ALWAYS LOST OR INJURED HIKERS who get rescued by park rangers. 

      Rangers from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park rappelled nearly 200 feet into a remote pit crater last week to “rescue” seeds and cuttings from four extremely rare Hawaiian plants in the national park. The park will use the seeds and cuttings to help re-establish these species.

      During the mission, seeds and cuttings from haha, Cyanea stictophylla, a federally endangered shrub found only on Hawai`i Island, were carefully collected. This plant is extremely rare, and in 1996, only 20 plants were estimated to survive in the wild.

Ranger Jon Maka`ike collects seeds from haha.
Photo from NPS

      Seeds and cuttings from other rare species collected included a species related to haha, Cyanea pilosa, an odorless Hawaiian mint, Phyllostegia sp., and a native shrub in the African violet family, ha`iwale, Cyrtandra lysiosepala.
      Although 4,000-foot elevation and steep, sheer walls of the forested pit crater aid in protecting its ecology, those conditions make it challenging to retrieve cuttings and seeds. Two specialized teams from the national park, the Natural Resources Management rappel team and the Search and Rescue team, descended into the crater, retrieved the seeds and cuttings, and returned safely to the surface – a 12-hour mission.
      Joining rangers were members of Hawai`i County Fire Department and Pohakuloa Training Area’s fire management team. This enabled the project ample contingency resources in the event of an incident, and fostered interagency cooperation that will be seeds in themselves for future mutual assistance.

AS A RESULT OF CONTINUED MODERATION of bunker fuel prices, Matson has announced it is lowering its fuel surcharge for its Hawai`i service by two percentage points, from 36.5 percent to 34.5 percent, effective this Sunday.
      “This marks the third consecutive decrease in 2013 of our Hawai`i fuel surcharge,” said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president of ocean services. “For most customers, this downward adjustment represents a reduction in shipping costs ranging from $45 to $80 per container. We continue to be encouraged by the recent moderation in bunker fuel prices, and remain focused on diligently exploring ways in which we can maximize fuel efficiency for our fleet. Matson has made a practice of giving 30 days notice for upward rate adjustments, but passes on downward adjustments to our customers as soon as possible. We will continue to monitor fuel costs and adjust the surcharge accordingly.”
      Matson’s last adjustment to its fuel surcharge was a decrease of 3.5 percentage points effective April 28.  See more at 
matson.com.

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS SIGNED one bill relating to tax deductions resulting from donations to charitable organizations and two bills related to law enforcement.
      HB430 exempts charitable deductions from the itemized state income tax deduction caps.
      “With the state economy and revenue picture greatly improved since I took office, we now have an opportunity to further support nonprofit and charitable organizations in their efforts for the greater good,” Abercrombie said. “The measure is a result of a partnership between charitable organizations, the Legislature and the Administration.”
      SB69 closes a loophole regarding fingerprint, photograph and background checks for those bringing firearms into Hawai`i, providing consistency with firearms obtained locally.
      SB2 amends the offenses of terroristic threatening in the first degree and robbery in the first degree to include the use of simulated firearms.  “These bills assist law enforcement in their duty to serve the public and keep people safe,” Abercrombie said.

Sen. Mazie Hirono is profiled at www.makers.com.

IN A VIDEO ON A WEBSITE CALLED MAKERS.COM, Hawai`i’s U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono shares her story “of immigrating to America with her single mother from Japan, learning English and discovering her knack for politics, first as a campaign manager and eventually as the first Asian-American woman elected to the Senate.”

      The website also gives a biography of Hirono:
      “Hirono was born in the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan and spent her early years on her grandparents’ rice farm. She immigrated to Hawai`i with her mother at the age of eight, without knowing a word of English. 

      “Hirono eventually put herself through the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, earning a B.A. in psychology, then law school at Georgetown University. 

      “Hirono is the first Asian-American woman, the first Buddhist and the first woman from Hawai`i to be elected to the United States Senate. 

      “After ten years of running other people’s campaigns, Hirono decided it was time to run for office herself. She served in the Hawai`i House of Representatives from 1981 to 1995 and as lieutenant governor of Hawai`i from 1994 to 2002. In 2006, Hirono won the U.S. House of Representative seat for Hawai`I’s 2nd congressional district, which she re-won for three terms. 

      “In May 2011, Hirono announced her candidacy for open Hawai`i U.S. Senate seat. With 63 percent of the vote, Hirono became the first Asian-born immigrant elected to the Senate.”  

      Others featured on the website include Nobel Prize-winning biologist Elizabeth Blackburn, Author and activist Rita Mae Brown, Star Trek actress and NASA recruiter Nichelle Nichols and vice-presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro.

Miss Ka`u Coffee Tiare-Lee Shibuya rode in Na`alehu's parade last Saturday and will also ride in Volcano Village's Fourth of July
Parade tomorrow. Photo by Julia Neal

MISS KA`U COFFEE TIARE-LEE SHIBUYA will represent the Ka`u coffee industry tomorrow at the Fourth of July parade in Volcano. She will be riding in the Corvette convertible donated by Aikane Plantation Coffee. The driver will be police officer Duane Shibuya, the father of Miss Ka`u Coffee. The coffee queen rode in the Na`alehu Independence Day parade last weekend and has been visiting churches and community groups as Miss Ka`u Coffee. She plans to be at the starting line of the Volcano Rain Forest Runs on Aug 17. Other venues include Kamehameha School and the Heart Walk. Last weekend Dexter Lee, of Pahala, drove her in his classic 50s Corvette convertible. The Volcano Fourth of July Parade starts at 9 a.m. and is followed by festivities at Cooper Center on Wright Road. 

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S CRATER RIM CAFÉ in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers a Fourth of July buffet tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu includes local-style fried chicken, barbecue pork ribs, buttered corn on the cob, salad bar, rice, homemade biscuits and honey, ice cream and coffee, tea or a fountain drink. Price is $16.50 for adults $16.50 and $8.50 for children 6 – 11. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests, and park entrance fees apply. 967-8356

VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN Stewardship at the Summit Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to cut invasive Kahili ginger along park trails. Call 985-6172 for more information.

Fourth of July Rodeo happens this weekend in Na`alehu.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DANCE PARTY takes place for Friday at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Liz Miller, Cookie, Michael Miller, Peggy Stanton and Maj Balej offer a night of fun. Tickets are $10 or $9 for VAC members. For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222. 

KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION’S Fourth of July Rodeo will be held at Na`alehu Arena this Saturday and Sunday. Events include Open Dally, Kane-Wahine Dally, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Ribbon Mugging, Wahine Mugging, Rescue Race, where riders race to the other end of the arena and pick up a partner who rides behind them, Po Y U, Tie Down Roping, Wahine Barrels, Youth Barrels, Senior Dummy Roping, Dummy Roping for the Keiki, Goat Undecorating, Mutton Busting and Junior Bulls.
      There will be a food booth, and tickets are $6. Rodeo Queens are selling tickets. Slack roping begins at 8 a.m. Sunday finals are at 11 a.m.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs July 2, 2013

Ka`u residents gathered signatures on a message of thanks for our troops during Na`alehu's Independence Day
celebration. From left are Robert Williams, Peter Anderson, Roy Kochis, Art Cecil, Donna Cecil, Judith Ball,
Audrey Anderson and Richard Ball. Photo courtesy of Peter Anderson

RESCUED SWIMMER JACOB SELMAN has issued a mahalo to the people who recently saved his life at South Point. The Montana man wrote on The Ka`u Calendar facebook page, “Thank you so very much to all the people that helped to save my life. Especially, thank you, Jackie (Kailiawa). I don’t think I would have made it much longer. I’m doing much better now, and I’m forever indebted to Jackie and all the local folks who cared and risked their own safety to save my life. I’m sorry for all the trouble.”

Jacob Selman, sitting on the rocks, has sent a message
thanking those who helped rescue him, including
Jackie Kailiawa, with boogie board.
 Photo by U`i Makuakane

      Selman was swept out to sea at South Point, and waterman  Kailiawa, who grew up in Pahala and now lives in Volcano, dove in and rescued him in dangerous conditions. 

      Messages from Ka`u and beyond call Kailiawa a hero. Kau`i Makuakane-Gouveia wrote, “What an amazing individual!” Thomas Pasquale wrote, “A true Hero!” Chris Kawaauhau wrote, “Awesome job Jackie.” Ronnie Akaka said, “No kidding, Good job.” Valerie and Roger Leong posted “Awesome cousin!” Jade Ah Ho wrote, “God sent these wonderful Samaritans!” Tom Young, of VolcanoPC, offered Kailiawa a free computer tune-up and said, “Thanks for being there in a time of need.” See more on the June 25 Ka`u Calendar facebook page and kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com postings.
      There are many heroes in Ka`u. Please send the stories of local heroes to mahalo@aloha.net to be published in The Ka`u Calendar newspaper and in the daily Ka`u News Briefs.

Ka`u Coffee Stands Tall is the headline of
Hawai`i Business magazine's SmallBiz
section this month.

KA`U COFFEE EARNED THE FRONT PAGE of the SmallBiz section of Hawai`i Business magazine for July. One headline is Ka`u Coffee Stands Tall and sports a full-page photo of Chris Manfredi riding a horse in Ka`u, the caption describing him as managing partner at Ka`u Farm & Ranch Co. and president of Ka`u Local Products and noting that he “brokered a 2011 deal that placed Ka`u coffee in 250 Starbucks outlets in the U.S., Canada and Japan that sell the ultra-pemium Starbucks Reserve coffees.” 

      The other headline calls Ka`u the Cinderella of Hawai`i Coffee and notes that Ka`u coffee’s success took almost two decades of hard work. The article focuses mainly on Lorie and Rusty Obra, describing them as “unlikely coffee farmers. They had emigrated from the Philippines to New Jersey in 1972 to begin their careers, Rusty as a chemist and Lorie as a medical technologist.” The article tells of their success and Lorie continuing the building of the Ka`u coffee brand after Rusty’s death.
      Writer John Stickler details the history of C. Brewer shutting down its sugar company and investors coming in, with businessman and philanthropist Edmund C. Olson and a separate group, to which Manfredi belonged, buying thousands of acres of land here. The story talks about Olson building Ka`u Coffee Mill. The story also mentions award-winning Ka`u coffee farmers Willie Tabios, Marlon Biason, Manuel Marques, Bull and Jamie Kailiawa and Trini and Francis Marques as well as Lee Segawa, roaster at Ka`u Coffee Mill. See more business stories at hawaiibusiness.com.

“SUBJECT TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION’S approval of the `Aina Koa Pono biofuel contract, generating units at Keahole Power Plant will be converted to firing biodiesel,” states Hawaiian Electric Companies’ 2013 Integrated Resource Planning Report and Action Plan, released Friday. “Biofuels are an integral part of HELCO’s renewable energy strategy to actively seek and incorporate a diverse portfolio of new renewable resources” to meet or exceed Renewable Portfolio Standards.

      The report says, “Biofuels, produced from local energy crops, have the following benefits: creates new jobs in Hawai`i, retains the billions of dollars that are spent on imported oil in the state, increases Hawai`i’s energy security, invigorates Hawai`i’s agriculture industry, supports the state’s goal of diversifying Hawai`i’s economy by encouraging the development of local agriculture, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and provides a local fuel alternative for marine, land, and aviation transportation.
      “Another important consideration is that biofuels can be used to generate renewable energy for existing conventional generating units which provide essential grid services, including load following, frequency response, voltage control, and on-line operating and spinning reserves.”
     HELCO expects the Keahole Power Plant to begin burning biofuels in 2018 in several select runs, according to the report.
      The entire report is available at hawaiianelectric.com.

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS ENACTED LEGISLATION that strengthens laws protecting the rights of women and children throughout Hawai`i.


      “I commend the Hawai`i Women’s Legislative Caucus, Commission on the Status of Women, and women’s advocates for their dedicated efforts in support of these measures, which address a wide variety of issues ranging from protections for domestic workers, to human trafficking, to recognition of the societal and health benefits of breastfeeding,” Abercrombie said. “Many of these bills, now enacted as law, are the result of members of the community getting involved in the legislative process to protect the rights and safety of women and children.”

 The governor also signed bills that extend the voluntary foster care age to 21 as well as keep keiki safe from a parent who has been convicted of a sexual assault.

 “SB529 not only shields the child from a convicted sex offender, it also protects the survivor from being further victimized,” Abercrombie said. “Through SB1340, which extends the voluntary foster care age to 21, we are sending a message to former foster youth that we will continue to support their transition to adulthood, independence and self-sufficiency. Doing so lays the foundation for long-term positive outcomes for youth when they leave foster care. It will also result in substantial cost savings in future government services.”

Donna and Art Cecil sign the message of thanks that
is to be delivered to troops at PTA.
Photo by Peter Anderson

NINETY-FIVE PEOPLE SHOWED THEIR support of U.S. military troops by signing a message of thanks during Na`alehu’s Independence Day celebration. Organizer Peter Anderson said he and other Ka`u residents gathered the signatures at a booth and by circulating the message through the crowd. The message read, “ We appreciate your service and the support your family has given to make your service possible. As a sign of gratitude, we have placed our signatures in this binder.” 

      The message will be delivered to troops at Pohakuloa Training Center, Anderson said.
      See more coverage of Na`alehu’s Independence Day celebration in this week’s Ka`u News Briefs.

KEN CHARON TEACHES HOW TO GAIN inspiration from the natural environment of Kilauea tomorrow and each Wednesday during July at 10:30 a.m. Participants meet on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The 1.5-hour classes are open to park visitors and island residents over eight years of age. Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the class. They are free, and park entrance fees apply.
      For more information, call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.

VOLCANO VILLAGE’S FOURTH OF JULY celebration takes place Thursday, with the parade starting at 9 a.m. The parade begins at the post office and goes to Cooper Center on Wright Road, where festivities continue with craft and food booths, entertainment, a silent auction and games for children.

Paul and Jane Field removing invasive Kahili ginger.
NPS Photo from Jessica Ferracane

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S CRATER RIM CAFÉ in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park offers a Fourth of July buffet Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu includes local-style fried chicken, barbecue pork ribs, buttered corn on the cob, salad bar, rice, homemade biscuits and honey, ice cream and coffee, tea or a fountain drink. Price is $16.50 for adults $16.50 and $8.50 for children 6 – 11. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests, and park entrance fees apply. 967-8356 

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT takes place Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to cut invasive Kahili ginger along park trails. Call 985-6172 for more information.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DANCE PARTY is set for Friday at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Liz Miller, Cookie, Michael Miller, Peggy Stanton and Maj Balej offer a night of fun. Tickets are $10 or $9 for VAC members. For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs July 1, 2013

John Masters of Ka`u Auto Repair won Most Patriotic in the parade competition for Independence Day last weekend.
Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U AUTO REPAIR won the Most Patriotic category at Na`alehu Fourth of July Parade on Saturday. They won a $20 gift certificate to Punalu`u Bake Shop, a $25 gift certificate from Kahala Gas Ocean View, a bag of coffee from Ka`u Coffee Mill, a bag of Paradise Meadows Macadamia Nuts, a bag of Miranda Coffee from Lee McIntosh and two Bug Gard sprays from Crystal McIntosh of Avon. See more results in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.

Girl Scouts rode in the Kama`aina Choo-Coo during Na`alehu's
Independence Day Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

TEAMS FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT are being implemented by Hawai`i Department of Education as a new approach to raise performance levels of students. Instead of spending money on management consultants, the DOE is moving toward using teams of specialists with specific knowledge of local schools. 

      During the upcoming school year, the program will begin its pre-implementation phase, DOE deputy superintendent Ronn Nozoe told Alia Wong, of Civil Beat. During this phase, consultants will still be used, as they have been since 2005.
      The change is part of DOE’s application for partial exemption from No Child Left Behind law.
      To comply with NCLB and receive federal funding, DOE has been contracting with consultants “with a demonstrated record of effectiveness to operate the school,” but Hawai`i student performance has continued to trail behind the national average, the Civil Beat story says. “The key to our success is internal capacity,” Nozoe told Wong.
      See more at civilbeat.com.

Robert Williams shared his patriotism during the
parade in Na`alehu. Photo by Peter Anderson

SEVERAL NEW LAWS GO INTO EFFECT TODAY. A car safety law prohibits use of hand-held cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. Hands-free devices can still be used, except by drivers under 18 years of age. 

      With updates to Hula Mae Single Family Mortgage Loan Program, more homebuyers can now qualify for below-market interest rates. They also add down payment, closing cost and other assistance as program features and make various housekeeping and conforming amendments.
      Another law raises film tax credits from 20 percent to 25 percent on Hawai`i Island and other Neighbor Islands. It also extends the credits to 2019 in order to broaden the state’s economy from tourism and the military.

BUS FARES IN HAWAI`I COUNTY increase today. General fare is $2 per ride. Students through college with current I.D., senior citizens 60 years and above with a valid I.D. and disabled persons with disability pass I.D. or pass issued by County Mass Transit Department pay $1 per ride. Children under age 5 ride for free.
      Discounts are available to general riders by buying a sheet of 10 tickets for $15 or a monthly pass for $60. Qualifying students, seniors and disabled individuals pay $7.50 for 10 tickets or $45 for monthly passes.
      For more information, call 961-8744 or see heleon.org/bus-fare-information.

A SPECIAL MEETING ABOUT PROHIBITING GMOs is scheduled by Hawai`i County Public Safety and Mass Transit Committee tomorrow at 9 a.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. The committee considers a bill prohibiting the propagation, cultivation, raising, growing, sale or distribution of transgenic organisms.
      The bill grants exemptions to GMO crops already growing in Hawai`i County, including papaya and corn, while setting up a system of registration, signage, and buffer zones for all GMO crops given the exemption.
      The bill also specifies penalties for those who knowingly violate the article. Fines would be $1,000 for each location in violation and $500 per day for those who do not timely obey any order of violation, such as confiscation or removal. Administrative and abatement costs would also be the responsibility of the violator.
      The entire text of the bill is available at hawaiicounty.gov.
      Ka`u residents can participate and offer testimony at Ocean View Community Center’s videoconferencing facility.

Southside Volleyball teams are competing in Reno, Nevada. Photo by Katherine Okamura

SOUTHSIDE VOLLEYBALL 14-year-old boys won 14 straight games and today earned the gold medal in the 2013 Boys Junior National Championship in Reno, Nevada. Southside defeated Pennsylvania in the championship match. Southside beat teams from places like Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Outrigger from Honolulu with names like the Panthers, AZ Fear and Team Rockstar. 

      The tournament runs through July 3. Southside is a Ka`u-based volleyball training and competition group. Members of the team of 14-year-olds are Addie Enriques, Avery Enriques, Nai`ia Makuakane and Kameron Moses. Members of the 16s team are Brian Gascon, Emmett Enriques and Kai Enriques. Head coach is Guy Enriques. The 16-year-olds were also undefeated as of this morning and are still aiming for the championship.

Ken Charon offers drawing classes this month. Photo by Marsha Hee

ARTIST KEN CHARON TEACHES how to gain inspiration from the natural environment of Kilauea in a series of free instructional outings this month. The offerings are scheduled on Wednesdays, July 3, 10, 17 and 24. The 1.5-hour classes meet on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. They are open to park visitors and island residents over eight years of age. 

      Charon covers basic drawing techniques and other helpful tips before leading participants to a scenic location around the caldera to witness the creative forces of Kilauea and develop the ability to capture its unique natural beauty. Charon invites those who have attended this popular offering in the past to return for a new and enriching experience. He likes to switch locations to keep things exciting and inspiring.
      Charon is one of the founding members East Hawai`i’s artist cooperative, Stairway to ART, above Reuben’s Mexican Restaurant in downtown Hilo. The venue displays work of their cooperating members promoting freedom of artistic expression as well as private art lessons and mentoring for art students of all ages.
      Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the class; arrival prior to the 10:30 a.m. start time is suggested. Participants bring a sketchpad, pencils, eraser, sharpener and a folding chair or mat for sitting, if necessary, and dress for both warm sun and chilly rain, as the weather is unpredictable. This offering is free; park entrance fees apply.
      For more information, call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.

A silent auction hosted by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
Thursday benefits three organizations. Photo from FHVNP

VOLCANO VILLAGE’S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE starts at 9 a.m. Thursday at the post office and continues down Old Volcano Road, where it turns left on Wright Road and heads to Cooper Center. To join the parade, contact Jim Mitchell at 253-441-0863 or Sher Glass at 967-8553. 

      Festivities continue at Cooper Center with craft and food booths, entertainment, a silent auction and games for children.
      For craft or food booths, contact Barbara Toles at 769-3903 or Donna Stickel at 985-7140.
      To sign up to perform during the festivities, call Kathy Baybayan at 982-7387.
      Volunteers who would like to help with the keiki games can contact Mary Brewer at 985-9595.

A SILENT AUCTION TAKES PLACE THURSDAY, July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. after Volcano Village’s Fourth of July parade. Held at Cooper Center on Wright Road, the auction benefits Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Volcano Community Association and Cooper Center.
      This year, the auction has over 200 items up for bid including fine art, vacation packages, jewelry, helicopter tours and much more.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.