Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Aug. 28, 2014

Fuzzy table coral, one of the Hawai`i species left off the threatened list. Photo from NOAA

NONE OF THE HAWAIIAN CORALS in the finals for endangered and threatened species status made the list, according to the announcement yesterday from the federal government. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration named 20 new species worldwide to the threatened list, which had previously protected only two corals, the elkhorn and staghorn which were named in 2006.
    NOAA defines threatened as those “likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” NOAA concluded that the Hawaiian species are not in danger of extinction.
    The candidates proposed to be listed in Hawai`i included Montiporal corals, the blue rice – flabellate, the dilitata and turgenscens. The blue rice is the coral that has been dying off on Kaua`i but is found in nearshore waters of all the Hawaiian Islands,  through French Polynesia and on the other side of the globe in the Red Sea.  Montipora flabellate, dilatata and turgescens are encrusting corals with lobelike growths. They are blue, but can photograph pink. They can also be brown or purple. They are found in most reef environments.

Spreading or sandpaper rice coral that did not make the threatened list. 
Photo from NOAA

     The NOAA report said it declined to include blue rice and its relatives because there are “tens of millions of colonies.” However, the report did note that it is possible that the risk of extinction could increase in the future.
     The Montipora patula and verrilli, which were also cut from the proposed list for Hawai`i, are called spreading or sandpaper rice coral. The colonies are tan with purple polyps and grow flat or in tiers of overlapping plates in shallow reef environments with wave action.
   Another coral in Hawai`i that did not make the cut was Acropora paniculata, the fuzzy table coral. Colonies are cream, grey or blue and are found on upper reef slopes, just below the low tide mark, close to shore.
   Four of the corals from the Pacific that are now officially named threatened are from Guam, the first time that Guam coral has been protected by NOAA. Eight of the newly listed species are in waters of American Samoa.
    The Center for Biological Diversity filed the petition to list 83 corals as threatened, including those from Hawai`i. A statement from the non-profit based in San Francisco said: “The world’s coral reefs are in crisis from global warming and acidifying oceans.” The organization refers to coral reefs as rainforest of the ocean that enhance marine diversity, protect the shoreline and support fisheries, tourism and local economies. “This is a wakeup call that our amazing coral reefs are dying an dneed federal protection, but there’s hope for saving corals.” The organization recommends making cuts in greehouse gas pollution to stop global warming and ocean acidification.”

Montipora verilli, an encrusting coral left off the list. Photo from NOAA

     Through a press release, the assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, Eileen Sobeck, stated that “Protecting and conserving these biologically rich ecosystems is essential, and the Endangered Species Act gives us the tools to conserve and recover those corals most in need of protection.”
    NOAA also acknowledged that global warming and ocean acidification are being taken into consideration when placing species on the endangered and threatened lists.
     See more at www.fisheries.noaa.gov and www.biologicaldiversity.org.

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EVERYONE IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE in upcoming free events and hikes at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’ Kahuku Unit beginning this Sunday.
      Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. A guided hike of Palm Trail is offered Sunday, Aug. 31 and Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
      During Kahuku: Born from a Hotspot, participants learn about the birth of the islands from the Hawaiian hotspot and about the past eruptions that impacted Kahuku. Visitors will be able to identify various pu`u (hills) and other volcanic features and learn about their formation. Kahuku: Born from a Hotspot is offered Monday, Sept. (Labor Day) from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Palm Trail Hike affords expansive views of the Ka`u Coast. 

Photo from NPS

     During the `Ohi`a Lehua program, participants learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a tree and the lehua flower. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this easy, one-mile or less walk. The`Ohi`a Lehua program is offered Sunday, Sept. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
      People and Land of Kahuku is a moderate two-mile, three-hour guided hike that loops through varied landscapes to explore the human history of Kahuku. Participants learn about the powerful natural forces at work here and how people have adapted to, shaped and restored this land. The guided hike is offered Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
        During Hi`iaka & Pele, participants discover two Hawaiian goddesses, sisters Pele and Hi`iaka, and the natural phenomena they represent. Visitors experience the sisters coming alive through the epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku on this easy 1.7-mile walk on the main road in Kahuku. The Hi`iaka and Pele program is offered on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
            For all programs, enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection and a snack are recommended.

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Post-Iselle paving and bridge building on Wood Valley Road.
Photo by Julia Neal

RECONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE UP WOOD VALLEY ROAD is going quickly with Hawai`i County Department of Public Works pouring concrete and cleaning out the stream bed. The bridge was undermined Aug. 8 by floodwaters of Tropical Storm Iselle. The road was reduced to one lane with buckled pavement. Repaving of Wood Valley Road, which was underway before the storm has resumed.

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FARMERS AND RANCHERS have until Dec. 31 to apply for Tropical Storm Iselle emergency state loans of up to $100,000 at a 3 percent interest rate. Loans applications for $50,000 or less will not require credit denials from financial institutions. The state Board of Agriculture also waived a three-year residency requirement for the emergency loans. Collateral requirements, on case-by-case basis, were also waived. Ka`u farmers can call 933-9975 or 933-9977. Also see http://hdoa.hawai.gov/agl.

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VOLUNTEERS MEET AT KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014

Hawai`i County is heavily trimming a large ficus shade tree at the county parking lot next to the athletic field in Pahala to prevent its
roots from further intruding into a drainage system. Photo by Julia Neal

TRIMMING TREES ACROSS THE ISLAND has become a priority for county and private tree trimmers in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Iselle, which felled trees across roads and power lines and onto some houses. The tree trimming today on county Department of Parks & Recreation land at the parking lot of Ka`u High School, however, was previously scheduled. Being cut back is a huge rubber tree that shaded the parking lot below the athletic field. However, it will not be completely removed, said area parks maintenance manager Dennis Riordan. He said the ficus needs to be trimmed to prevent its roots from further intruding on a drainage ditch that services the school grounds and drainage coming through Pahala from above the village. The ficus is also impeding on power lines, and a branch fell on an adjacent house lot.
      The county’s liability is always at stake when neighbors complain about trees, said Riordan. A row of large shade trees was cut down at Pahala Community Center several years ago after complaints from an adjacent church.

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The state Board of Agriculture has approved an Emergency Loan Program
for farmers and ranchers who suffered tropical storm damage.
Photo by John Cross

THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE HAS APPROVED an Emergency Loan Program for farmers and ranchers who suffered damage due to Tropical Storm Iselle, according to board member and Big Island farmer Richard Ha.
      Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s declaration of the entire state of Hawai`i as a disaster area due to Iselle authorizes expenditure of state monies for disaster relief.
      The main elements of the Board of Agriculture’s emergency loan program are: 

• Maximum loan amount: $100,000; 
• Terms to be determined on a case-by-case basis as needed. Consideration will be given to applicants based on prior performance and projected cash flow based on reasonable assumptions of revenue and expenses; 
• Interest rate: three percent (Federal loan program may have a lower interest rate.); 
• The credit-elsewhere requirement shall be waived for loans of $50,000 or less; 
• The three-year residency requirement for U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens shall not apply; 
• Collateral requirements may be modified or waived, as necessary, on a case-by-case basis. 

      Applications can be accepted until Dec. 31, 2014.
      For more information, see hdoa.hawaii.gov/agl/home/emergency-loan-program or call 933-9975.

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FOLLOWING REJECTION OF THEIR Integrated Resource Planning Report in April by the state Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric Companies, which include HECO, Maui Electric and Hawai`i Electric Light Co., have proposed plans for Hawai`i’s energy future that they say will lower electric bills and give customers more service options. They say they plan to nearly triple the amount of distributed solar while achieving the highest level of renewable energy in the nation by 2030. 

      The PUC directed each of the HECO companies to file Power Supply Improvement Plans to address critical power supply resource planning issues. In its order, the PUC said, “The PSIPs are to include actionable strategies and implementation plans to expeditiously retire older, less-efficient fossil generation, reduce must-run generation, increase generation flexibility and adopt new technologies such as demand response and energy storage for ancillary services, and institute operational practice changes, as appropriate, to enable integration of a diverse portfolio of additional low cost renewable energy resources, reduction of energy costs and improvements in generation operational efficiencies.” 

      “Our energy environment is changing rapidly, and we must change with it to meet our customers’ evolving needs,” said Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric vice president of corporate planning and business development. “These plans are about delivering services that our customers value. That means lower costs, better protection of our environment and more options to lower their energy costs, including rooftop solar.”

HECO president and CEO Dick Rosenblum

      According to HECO, the companies will support sustainable growth of rooftop solar and plan to almost triple the amount of distributed solar by 2030. They will issue a clear, open planning process that will let customers and solar contractors know how much more solar can be added each year. Grid enhancements will make possible increased integration of solar power, and optimized control settings for solar equipment will improve safety and reduce the risk of power outages.
      As part of the PUC’s recently opened distributed generation docket, the companies will support policies that ensure fairness to all customers. This includes fair pricing both for customers who generate power but who also rely on the company for additional electricity and/or backup, as well as those who remain “full-service” utility customers.
      The companies will also expand use of energy storage systems, including batteries, increasing the ability to add renewables by addressing potential disruptions on electric grids caused by variable solar and wind power.
      The companies will develop smart grids to help customers monitor and control energy use, enable more customer service options, make service more reliable and improve integration of renewable energy. HELCO proposes to complete installation of smart grids on Hawai`i Island by the end of 2017.
      The companies plan to offer new products and services to customers. Community solar and microgrids will give customers new options for taking advantage of lower-cost renewable energy, and voluntary demand response programs will provide customers financial incentives for helping manage the flow of energy on the grid.
      The companies will switch from high-priced oil to lower-cost liquefied natural gas. Energy needs not met by renewables will largely be met with cleaner and less expensive LNG. Most existing oil-fired generating units will be converted to run on LNG. Older generating units will be deactivated by 2030 as new, more efficient, quick-starting LNG fueled generators come online.

      “Achieving this transformation requires significant upfront investment by the utilities and unaffiliated companies to build the necessary flexible, smart, and renewable energy infrastructure to continue to provide reliable service to customers,” HECO stated.

According to the company, customer bills are expected to decline, with some fluctuations, by an estimated 20 percent by 2030.

      “This plan sets us on a path to a future with more affordable, clean, renewable energy,” said Dick Rosenblum, HECO president and CEO. “It’s the start of a conversation that all of us – utilities, regulators and other policymakers, the solar industry, customers and other stakeholders – need to be a part of as we work together to achieve the energy future we all want for Hawai`i.”

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THE INAUGURAL KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN around and above the Ka`u Coffee Mill along Wood Valley Road will also feature an `Ohana Day on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with kids activities, entertainment, games, silent and live auctions, food, crafts and more events. In addition to a Half Marathon, 10K and 5K trail runs, `O Ka`u Kakou, which is organizing the event, is offering a Kendama Tournament. 

      Registration is online at race360.com/21357. The races will take competitors through “breathtaking landscapes and panoramic views of the Ka`u coastline and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Run through macadamia and coffee fields, eucalyptus and `ohi`a tree forests and cattle grazing pastures. Prepare yourself to negotiate various terrains and moderately challenging grades up to the summit at 3,100-ft. elevation,” says a statement announcing the race.
      Competitors are expected from around Hawai`i and the mainland as well as Japan.
      Sponsors are the county, Ka`u Coffee Mill, Edmund C. Olson Trust II and OKK.

      Runs and walks start at 7:30 a.m., beginning at the coffee mill at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road.
      To sign up for food, arts & crafts, retail and information booths, contact Gay Polido at 808-638-1831 or gay.polido@yahoo.com.

VOLUNTEERS MEET AT KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2014

Halau Hula O Leionalani's Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, with `ukulele, has announced dates for the Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u Cultural Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

EARTHJUSTICE IS HOPING THE GMO ISSUE will go to a higher court, according statements made last night to Earth Island Journal. Following a federal judge’s ruling yesterday that sets aside Kaua`i’s new GMO and pesticide regulation calling for more disclosure from biotechnology companies, Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff told Maureen Nandini Mitra, “Obviously, I would have preferred a different ruling. … I will recommend to my client that we appeal to a higher court.”

Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff

      In his decision, U.S. District Court Judge Barry M. Kurren said, “The court concludes that (Kaua`i County’s) Ordinance 960 is preempted by state law and is therefore invalid. This decision in no way diminishes the health and environmental concerns of the people of Kaua`i. The court’s ruling simply recognizes that the state of Hawai`i has established a comprehensive framework for addressing the application of restricted use pesticides and the planting of GMO crops, which presently precludes local regulation by the county.”
      Achitoff told Mitra that the ruling allows the state to enact a new law in the future that would better protect the public from pesticide exposure.
      Earthjustice intervened to defend the GMO law on Kaua`i and is doing the same with a different law recently enacted for Hawai`i County.
      State Board of Agriculture member and Hawai`i Island farmer Richard Ha said, “Hopefully, the judge sees things the same way on Bill 113, the Big Island’s anti-GMO bill. We Big Island farmers brought a similar lawsuit only because we want clarity and fairness. Farmers don’t normally sue anybody. That bill has caused us to spend way too much time in meetings and hearings. We farmers just want to go back to farming.
      “All farmers need to come together to help achieve food security for future generations. And we must do it in the spirit of aloha.”

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Halau Hula O Leonalani traveled to Lana`i last year for the cultural festival which
comes to Pahala Oct. 24 and 25. Photo from Halau Hula O Leonalani

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U CULTURAL FESTIVAL has announced events for Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25 in Pahala. Chair is Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, who said there will be music, hula, cultural demonstrations, cultural practitioners, food and crafts. Organizers welcome artisans, crafters and informational displays. 

       The festival started in 2009 on the island of Lana`i and resulted in a cultural exchange between Pahala and Lana`i residents. Volunteers from Pahala, including Dane Galiza, Bull and Jamie Kailiawa, Jarrett Pestana, Harry Evengelista and Robert Ahia, along with Bobby Tucker, Pahala Plantation Cottages and Olson Trust, helped with the event. Halau Hula O Leonalani, under the direction of Ryder, traveled to Lana`i for the 2013 festival.
      This year, Ryder and her family moved to Pahala and brought the festival with them.
      Entertainment will be free to the public on both Friday and Saturday on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House with emcee Skylark. Opening festivities will be at 4 p.m. with pule by Auntie Verlie-Ann Molina Wright.
     Ho`okupu – presentations by halau and community organizations – are welcome, said Ryder. Music and hula presenters will include Ernest Kalani & Friends; Southside Serenaders; Hands of Time; Cyril Pahinui, Demetrius Oliveira, Gene Boy Beck and Keaiwa; Halau Hula O Leonalani; halau from Okinawa, O`ahu, Lana`i and Kona; Keoni Jennings; Keoki Kahumoku; and Kamuela Himalaya.
     Workshops on Saturday, Oct. 25 will be at the Old Pahala Clubhouse:

• 8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Hula with Debbie Ryder – no fee; 
• 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Lei making – donation; 
• 11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. lauhala weaving with Linda Saffery Tua – $25 supplies fee; 
• 12:45 p.m. – 2 p.m. `Ukulele Workshop with Keoki Kahumoku. Bring your `ukulele. $25; 
• 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Slack Key workshop with Cyril Pahinui. Bring your guitar. $25. 

      Cultural presentations will include La`au Lapa`au with Isaiah Kealoha and master coconut weavers from Lana`i Bully and Irene Davis.
      To sign up, call 808-315-7032.

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Members of Na`alehu School staff help `O Ka`u Kakou members deliver school
supplies to lower elementary classrooms prior to the start of school.
Photo from Nalani Parlin

PAHALA AND NA`ALEHU ELEMENTARY PRE-SCHOOL, kindergarten and first-grade students received new school supplies thanks to donations from `O Ka`u Kakou and Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center. The two organizations worked together to purchase everything the combined 242 students in these grades needed to start school. This included 556 composition tablets, 791 folders and over 400 glue sticks and erasers. 

      Hundreds of pencils, watercolor paints, crayons, pens as well as dozens of binders, pencil sharpeners and other supplies lined OKK project organizer Carol Massey’s hallways as she diligently collected, counted and sorted all of the supplies prior to drop-off. Similarly, Leina`ala Enos, who coordinated the partnership donation for QLCC, stacked her garage full as she organized cases of paper towels, tissues, varying sizes of Ziploc bags, baby wipes and gallons of hand soap.
      OKK representatives dropped off the supplies to the schools just prior to the first day of school, relieving pressure on families of having to deal with the back-to-school rush and requisite supplies list.

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THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS SEEKING educators, parents, business and community leaders to review test questions aligned to Hawai`i Common Core standards and help recommend achievement levels for grade-level proficiency.
      Beginning spring 2015, public school students in grades 3 – 8 and 11 will take new Smarter Balanced assessments in English language arts and math. These assessments will replace the Hawai`i State Assessment in reading and math and measure how well students are learning Hawai`i Common Core – a set of consistent learning expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade to graduate ready for college and careers.
      The Smarter Balanced Online Panel for Achievement Level Setting provides an opportunity for educators and the public to give feedback and help ensure assessment results are based on challenging yet fair expectations for students.
      Registered participants will provide input between Oct. 6 and 17 for up to three hours during a two-day window through a secure website.
      Participants will be expected to recommend an achievement level score that determines how much students should know and be able to do to be considered proficient at the grade-level standards.
      Participants may use any computing device that connects to the Internet, including tablets. Cell phones are not recommended because of screen-size limitations.
      For more information and to register, see SmarterBalanced.measinc.com/EventCode/100614. The deadline to apply is Sept. 19.

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Sen. Brian Schatz is calling for a major federal disaster declaration due to
tropical storm damage in Hawai`i. Photo from Office of Sen. Schatz

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ HAS WRITTEN LETTERS to President Barack Obama and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate supporting the state of Hawai`i’s request for a major disaster declaration due to damages caused by Tropical Storm Iselle. 

      “Tropical Storm Iselle caused strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, high surf, storm surge, and lightning, which resulted in damages reported across all four counties in the state of Hawai`i,” Schatz wrote. “Hawai`i County has a majority of the damages where it experienced loss of power and a lack of access to water. Hawai`i County also has widespread debris that made it difficult for residents to access emergency services. Furthermore, preliminary damage assessments estimate that the total loss and damage to the island of Hawai`i in agriculture and commodities is $66 million. With all available state and local level resources being used, federal assistance is needed to support our communities’ recovery.”

Teana Kahoohanohano

      Schatz also expressed his support for the state’s request for Individual Assistance for Hawai`i County, statewide Hazard Mitigation and Small Business Administration loan assistance programs to help with the recovery.

      Since Iselle made landfall, Schatz’s office has been in close contact with the White House to discuss the impact of the storm and how the federal government can help residents and communities rebuild.

      Last week, Schatz traveled to Puna and met with Hawai`i County Mayor Billy Kenoi’s cabinet, HELCO, state Sen. Russell Ruderman, Director of Civil Defense Darryl Oliveira, representatives from the Big Island Invasive Species Council and the U.S. Forest Service to begin the process of developing a hazard mitigation plan for albizia trees, which damaged infrastructure and caused widespread debris on Hawai`i Island.

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TEANA KAHOOHANOHANO DEMONSTRATES how `ohe (bamboo) are carved into designs and how they are used tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

FOR STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT this Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteers meet at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kilauea Visitor Center to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.