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| Bradley Westervelt's Navel of Ka`u - Lua O Palahemo II is one of 120 photographs on display at Wailoa Center in Hilo as part of the 15th Annual Hawai`i Photo Expo. |
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| `Ohana Ho`opakele calls for a therapeutic environment as part of a successful rehabilitation plan for those in prison. Photo from ohanahoopakele.org |
According to `Ohana Hoopakele, an environmental assessment that cleared the way for the prison to reopen was inadequate. The group had requested a more comprehensive environmental impact study.
According to Colin M. Stewart, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, Hara said `Ohana Ho`opakele “had failed to highlight any irregularities or insufficiencies in relation to the final environmental assessment.”
The judge set a hearing regarding the preliminary injunction for 2 p.m. on Monday, June 30.
GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS SIGNED INTO LAW energy-related measures that address solar energy device warranties or guarantees, the energy systems development fund, the Public Utilities Commission and modernization of the electric grid.
“We spend billions of dollars a year on imported oil,” Abercrombie said. “Let’s keep our money within the state by investing in clean, renewable energy development that will reduce carbon emissions in the process, helping to mitigate climate change. These bills are critical to Hawai`i’s future and demonstrate our commitment to a more sustainable state for our residents.”
THE 15TH ANNUAL HAWAI`I PHOTO EXPO continues weekdays through Wednesday, June 25. Ka`u resident Peter Anderson had a wide landscape image entitled Red Caldera – Halema`uma`u selected for the show. Bradley Westervelt shared a view from Ka Lae to Mauna Loa with his image Navel of Ka`u - Lua O Palahemo II. In all, 120 images selected by master photographer juror John Upton are on display.
JIM WILSON, HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL District Six candidate, offers a talk story tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, email jimwilsoncouncil@gmail.com.
PEOPLE AND LANDS OF KAHUKU, a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain, takes place tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. Free.
KA`U FARM BUREAU HOLDS A MEETING Monday at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For more information, email President Ralph Gaston at ralph@rustyshawaiian.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
According to Colin M. Stewart, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, Hara said `Ohana Ho`opakele “had failed to highlight any irregularities or insufficiencies in relation to the final environmental assessment.”
The judge set a hearing regarding the preliminary injunction for 2 p.m. on Monday, June 30.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS SIGNED INTO LAW energy-related measures that address solar energy device warranties or guarantees, the energy systems development fund, the Public Utilities Commission and modernization of the electric grid.
“We spend billions of dollars a year on imported oil,” Abercrombie said. “Let’s keep our money within the state by investing in clean, renewable energy development that will reduce carbon emissions in the process, helping to mitigate climate change. These bills are critical to Hawai`i’s future and demonstrate our commitment to a more sustainable state for our residents.”
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| New regulations increase protection of consumers who install rooftop solar systems. Photo by Julia Neal |
Senate Bill 2657 requires contractors installing solar energy devices to notify private entities that installation may void roofing warranties or guarantees and to obtain written approval and follow written instructions for waterproofing roof penetrations from the roof manufacturer, unless the private entity forgoes the roofing warranty or guarantee. The measure also requires a roofing contractor that waterproofs roof penetrations related to the installation of a solar energy device to honor the roof warranty or guarantee.
Senate Bill 2196 reestablishes the energy systems development special fund that was repealed on June 30, 2013. The measure also extends the allocation of revenues collected from the environmental response, energy and food security tax, also known as the “barrel tax,” to various special funds from 2015 to 2030.
Senate Bill 2948 transfers administrative placement of the Public Utilities Commission from the Department of Budget and Finance to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and clarifies its authority concerning standard administrative practices, including operational expenditures and hiring personnel. The measure also enables the commission chair to appoint, employ and dismiss an executive, fiscal and personnel officer.
Senate Bill 2196 reestablishes the energy systems development special fund that was repealed on June 30, 2013. The measure also extends the allocation of revenues collected from the environmental response, energy and food security tax, also known as the “barrel tax,” to various special funds from 2015 to 2030.
Senate Bill 2948 transfers administrative placement of the Public Utilities Commission from the Department of Budget and Finance to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and clarifies its authority concerning standard administrative practices, including operational expenditures and hiring personnel. The measure also enables the commission chair to appoint, employ and dismiss an executive, fiscal and personnel officer.
House Bill 1943 amends the Public Utilities Commission principles regarding the modernization of the electric grid. It calls for the PUC to balance technical, economic, environmental, and cultural considerations associated with modernization of the electric grid, based on principles that include enabling a diverse portfolio of renewable energy resources, expanding options for customers to manage their energy use, maximizing interconnection of distributed generation to the state’s electric grids on a cost-effective basis at non-discriminatory terms and at just and reasonable rates, determining fair compensation for electric grid services and other benefits provided to customers and maintaining or enhancing grid reliability and safety through modernization of the state’s electric grids.
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| Sen. Brian Schatz |
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
THE U.S. SENATE ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE has advanced the SECURE Water Amendments Act, legislation introduced by Sen. Brian Schatz and co-sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono. The act would increase grant funding for water conservation and drought projects, provide resources for better data collection and analysis of water supply and use and make Hawai`i water conservation projects eligible for WaterSMART grants from the Bureau of Reclamation.
“Recent droughts in Hawai`i and across the country show that we need a better approach to water efficiency and conservation,” Schatz said. “The SECURE Water Amendments Act will give local water authorities the resources to conserve and use water more efficiently.”
“Recent droughts in Hawai`i and across the country show that we need a better approach to water efficiency and conservation,” Schatz said. “The SECURE Water Amendments Act will give local water authorities the resources to conserve and use water more efficiently.”
To conserve water and promote sustainability, the bill increases funding for WaterSMART grants, which support local water management projects that conserve and use water more efficiently, increase the use of renewable energy, protect endangered species and facilitate water markets.
The bill would also provide resources to plan for and combat drought by making projects that prepare for and respond to droughts eligible for funding under the WaterSMART grant program.
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| Rep. Colleen Hanabusa |
Schatz’s bill would also provide resources for states to gather and analyze water supply and use information to help develop a uniform national assessment of water availability.
The bill is supported by numerous groups including the Alliance for Water Efficiency, the American Planning Association, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, the Western States Water Council, the Global Water Policy Project, the National Association of Water Companies and the Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN MEET U.S. SENATE candidates Brian Schatz and Colleen Hanabusa at a forum in Hilo on Wednesday, July 2, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sangha Hall, 424 Kilauea Ave. Hawai`i Public Radio reporter Sherry Bracken will pose questions to each candidate.
HAWAI`I COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL continues its help with electric bills through the end of the month. The Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program is available at Ocean View Community Center Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through June 30. Low-income families can sign up in Pahala next Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Those wanting help with electric and gas bills must bring photo ID for all adults, Social Security cards for all house residents, citizenship verification, birth certificate or state ID or passport, HELCO or gas bill, income verification, pay stubs, affidavit, proof of physical residence, tax bill or other bill with street address. Applications are open to all, but applicants must qualify based on their income.
Those wanting help with electric and gas bills must bring photo ID for all adults, Social Security cards for all house residents, citizenship verification, birth certificate or state ID or passport, HELCO or gas bill, income verification, pay stubs, affidavit, proof of physical residence, tax bill or other bill with street address. Applications are open to all, but applicants must qualify based on their income.
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| Punalu`u Black Sand Beach is cleaner thanks to the efforts of thirty Ocean View Summer Fun participants. Photo from Megan Lamson |
For more information for Pahala, call 936-8396. For Ocean View, call 936-9296. Na`alehu and other Ka`u residents can go to either location.
NOHEA KA`AWA, WITH THREE MOUNTAIN ALLLIANCE and the state Department of Forestry and Wildlife, and Megan Lamson, with Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, lead a Mauka-to-Makai talk story and mini beach cleanup yesterday at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach with keiki from the county’s Summer Fun Program in Ocean View. Kahuku Park Recreation Technician Teresa Anderson led the excursion. In total, 30 youth and five adults cleaned up over 465 pieces of rubbish including a fishing net, hair clip, balloon, a snorkel and hundreds of cigarette butts.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
THE 15TH ANNUAL HAWAI`I PHOTO EXPO continues weekdays through Wednesday, June 25. Ka`u resident Peter Anderson had a wide landscape image entitled Red Caldera – Halema`uma`u selected for the show. Bradley Westervelt shared a view from Ka Lae to Mauna Loa with his image Navel of Ka`u - Lua O Palahemo II. In all, 120 images selected by master photographer juror John Upton are on display.
JIM WILSON, HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL District Six candidate, offers a talk story tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Refreshments will be served.
For more information, email jimwilsoncouncil@gmail.com.
PEOPLE AND LANDS OF KAHUKU, a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain, takes place tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. Free.
KA`U FARM BUREAU HOLDS A MEETING Monday at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For more information, email President Ralph Gaston at ralph@rustyshawaiian.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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