Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, March 4, 2016

More severe drought conditions like these in 2012 may come to Ka`u, which is currently in a moderate drought,
according to the National Weather Service, which released its report yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

THE DROUGHT IS BACK, the National Weather Service announced yesterday, declaring a “severe drought” in some places on the Big Island and Maui and “moderate drought” in Ka`u. On grazing lands near South Point in Ka`u, ranchers “have been reporting very poor pasture conditions,” the report said. Kapapala ranchers told The Ka`u Calendar newspaper that rainfall has been low in their pastures between Pahala and Volcano.
     The report mentioned that coffee farmers, mainly in the Kona area, have reported “a largely dormant crop due to the lack of rainfall.” It also noted recent brush fires on the island, which are more frequent during times of drought.

The tan area that includes Ka`u
is in moderate drought, the darker
areas in severe drought.
Map from National Weather Service

     The National Weather Service stated, “residents on water catchment systems have been hauling water, either themselves or by hiring a hauling service to fill their tanks for basic needs.”
     Kevin Kodama, hydrologist for the regional office of the National Weather Service, predicted that drought will spread and worsen through summer. He pointed to a strong El Nino event leading to dry weather, following a period of wet weather. A record low of rainfall was set in January, with most places experiencing less than 50 percent of the normal precipitation, some areas receiving less than 10 percent of normal. The National Weather Service is predicting lower than median rainfall through spring and above median temperatures attained this summer. Kodama said to look toward October for relief of dry and hotter weather conditions.
     “El Nino will likely weaken and transition to enso-neutral conditions during the spring or early summer of 2016 with a possible transition to La Nina conditions in the fall,” the report stated.
      To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE TERM LIMIT BILL BY SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN in the state Legislature was shelved yesterday. The senator said Tuesday at a public meeting in Pahala that it could take many years for such a bill to pass, but he keeps pushing for term limits for the Legislature where career politicians accumulate a lot of favors and “walk around with votes in their pocket.” Ruderman said that he recently attended a conference on leadership on the mainland where attendees discussed the success of term limits, which are in place for most state Legislatures around the country. They also discussed referendum, which allows citizens to bring their own initiatives to the ballot box. He said that it became clear that both of these would help Hawai`i move toward a more democratic Legislature where voters, rather than lobbyists and long-term legislators have more say. 

Sen. Ruseell Ruderman, who marched in Na`alehu's Independence Day Parade,
supports 12-year term limits for state legislators. Photo by Peter Anderson

     The state Senator who shelved the bill in Hawai`i was Gilbert Keith-Agaran, chair of the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee. Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported this morning that Keith-Agaran said that term limits are unnecessary since “we already have term limits in the sense that we have elections every two years (for members of the state House of Representatives) and every four years (for state senators) and there’s been fair turnover… . If the public and the voters are unhappy with their representatives, they have the option of voting them out.” Ruderman’s bill would have set the term limits to 12 years, longer than in many states.
     During his Ka`u meeting, Ruderman said that once legislators are in office they often hold the position for many years. He said that political action committees and lobbyists are a “severe corruption to our democracy,” in particular influencing longtime legislators. “It is sort of a rigged deal. Once you are in there, you can stay there. The situation becomes calcified, people getting their way forever.” Several members of the public attending the Ka`u meeting said they would submit online testimony in favor of the term limits. Ka`u High School students weighed in on their desire to participate in government.
     Ruderman, himself a businessman with a chain of food stores, said that in states where there are term limits, they don't have legislators who are career politicians -  “aside from citizens.” He said legislators should be from the community, “take a term and go back into the community."
      To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

FORMER MAYOR HARRY KIM will run again after sitting out for four years and then losing to his protégé and current Mayor Billy Kenoi by less than 1,500 votes. As mayor for two terms beginning the year 2000, Kim was known for his refusal to take any favors, going as far as declining to dine at a credit union dinner where he was speaking. He earned the nickname “Honest Harry.” Before

Mayoral candidate Harry Kim, again.
Photo from Harry Kim campaign

becoming mayor, Kim was Civil Defense director for Hawai`i County for 16 years. His voice was famous for his radio updates on lava flows, storms, fires, floods and other natural disaster threats.
     In his 2000 run for mayor, Kim limited donations to his campaign to $10.
     Kim was born in Kea`au, educated at `Ola`a and Hilo High Schools. He attended college at University of Hawai`i-Hilo and Southern Oregon University, where he graduated. He served as a medic in the U.S. Army and taught school and coached on this island.
     Other candidates are Jefferson Gourley; former Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann; videographer and founder of the former KAHU community radio station in Pahala, Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a; former County Managing Director Wally Lau; Shannon McCandless; and Eric Weinhert.
      To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Randy Kurohara

NEW COUNTY MANAGING DIRECTOR is Randy Kurohara, following the resignation of Wally Lau, who announced his candidacy for mayor. Kurohara, 53, served as head of the county Department of Research & Development from 2000 to 2012 when he became deputy managing directory for Hawai`i County after being appointed by Mayor Billy Kenoi who also appointed him for the new job. Yesterday, the County Council approved the new position with praise for his work.

      Kurohara graduated from University of Hawai`i at Manoa with a degree in marketing. His business and community achievements are many, including owner of graphic arts and custom apparel company Creative Arts Hawai`i, and owner of Parker Ranch Store and Aloha Grown. He has served as a board member of Hilo Medical Center and East Hawai`i Regional board for Hawai`i Health System Corp., board member and past president of Rotary Club of South Hilo, director and past president of Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Hawai`i, board member of Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce and board member of Hawai`i Island United Way.
      To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELING QUILT Exhibit opens today at Volcano House Great Room in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Quilts created by Fiber Works, a group of textile artists from the Lincoln-Omaha, Nebraska area will be on display through Sunday, March 27.

One quilt celebrating Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be gifted to park after the traveling exhibits final stop. Free; park entrance fees apply. See nps.gov/havo.

ZEKE ISRAEL DEMONSTRATES hand building with clay on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The demo is in association with the gallery’s currentSightlines exhibit of works by members of Volcano Village Artists Hui.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

PARTICIPANTS DISCOVER HAWAIIAN goddesses Hi`iaka and Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate, one-mile walk. Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers the free program Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

ALTOGETHER: WE ARE ONE will be Tuesday, March 8 at Hawai`i Nature Retreat in Wood Valley. The website describes the event as “a journey of exploration, expansion and focus of the energy that flows through us all, creating a golden grid of love and light across the island of Hawai`i to usher in a new age of civilization.”  See altogetherweareone.com or facebook.com/events/142146472838551.

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

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, March 3, 2016

Beginning tomorrow, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will display 13 colorful art quilts created to celebrate National Park Service's centennial anniversary. See more below. Image from NPS 

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS met with their state senator Tuesday night and expressed hopes and concerns for education and the community. Among issues discussed with Sen. Russell Ruderman, who represents Honu`apo through Pahala and Volcano into Puna, was shutdown of the carpentry and building program at Ka`u High School. At the meeting held at Pahala Plantation House, student Sheri Freitas said she was looking to a career in the building trades, and suddenly the program that prepared youth for jobs in this community was gone. She also talked about Advanced Placement classes being unavailable when the minimum number of students in the small high school is unavailable to take them. Ruderman commended the students for becoming vocal about such issues. Regarding AP classes, he encouraged students to organize as many students as possible to sign up for them. Regarding the building trades program, he said he wants to learn more.

Ka`u High students met with state Sen. Russell Ruderman Tuesday.
Photo by Julia Neal

      The students revealed that they are well on their way to coming up with their own solutions for a number of their challenges. Chloe Gan and Tina Sanchez talked about working with the Boys & Girls Club to offer sports coach training. They are advocating for the return of music to the school, working on the soccer program and providing opportunities for art and dance.

      Ruderman said, “If it was up to me, we would put twice as much money into education, and it wouldn’t go to people sitting in offices in Honolulu.” He encouraged the students to form or work with nonprofit organizations and get ready for next year’s Legislature where a grant-in-aid could be a possibility to help meet their objectives.
      Regarding other topics, students weighed in on Ka`u Coffee farming and asked whether the land could be sold off, putting farmers at risk. They had questions on an initiative at the Legislature to grow hemp for livestock food, fiber, biofuel and other non-drug uses, asking whether science supports these uses.
      They also talked about changing campaign spending laws. Ruderman said political action committees can put up large money and influence politicians more than constituents. He talked about the power of lobbyists at the state Legislature. “The whole game of money and politics has gone too far,” said the senator, calling for term limits like those already in place for mayor, County Council and governor.
      Ruderman told the students that even if they are under the voting age, their opinions count. He urged them to use the Internet to testify on issues of their concern by logging onto capitol.hawaii.gov.

      Among the other students participating were Jenny Mauricio and Kun Mongkeya. Their teacher Kevin Sun offers a participation in democracy class at the high school. Assisting in their efforts is Pahala Middle School teacher Sandy Tran.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Civil Defense Chief Darryl Oliveira updates
County Council about dengue fever.
Image from Hawai`i County

HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE hopes to organize a cleanup event to remove more than 1,000 tires from an Ocean View property in order to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. The resident told Hawai`i County Civil Defense that he is physically unable to remove the tires by himself. Chief Darryl Oliveira said the National Guard may be called in to help with the cleanup.

      At a special Hawai`i County Council meeting yesterday for an update on the island’s dengue fever outbreak, Oliveira said the county has so far collected more than 9,000 tires through a program that allows residents to take tires to transfer stations.
      Oliveira said that while state statutes allow tires to be landfilled as long as they’re cut up, county ordinance prohibits it. He said stockpiling tires could create a health hazard, and he wants to come up with options to prevent such a situation.
      Oliveira said he is close to asking for help with projects to clean up more dump sites that could contribute to the spread of dengue fever, such as one Ka`u County Council member Maile David said she recently visited that is also on private property.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HO`OMALU KA`U’S DRYLAND PLANTS workshop held last Saturday in Discovery Harbour attracted 36 people. Lehua Lopez Mau said the audience was interested in Rapid `Ohi`a Death, which is killing thousands of trees on Hawai`i Island, and that workshop organizers were able to let people know not to do burn the wood or take to the dump.
      The last dryland plants workshop is scheduled for Sunday, June 5 in Pahala.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TUTU & ME BRINGS FREE vision screening to Ka`u this month. Keiki and adults can have their eyes checked Monday, March 14 at Na`alehu Community Center and Tuesday, March 15 at Pahala Community Center. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Free sunglasses will be offered to keiki, and free reading glasses will be offered to adults if needed.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE WARNING the public about an ongoing lottery scam involving a letter that claims the recipient has won a substantial amount of money but must pay a processing fee before the prize is dispersed. Included in the mailing is an authentic-looking check, which typically exceeds the stated processing fee. The letter instructs recipients to call a number on the letter and directs them to mail the sender a personal check. Victims of this scam later discover that the check they received for processing fees is bogus.
      Efforts to contact the supposed lottery company usually result in discovering that the phone number has been disconnected.
      The public is advised not to respond to any claim of lottery winnings in contests they never entered. Furthermore, legitimate lotteries do not ask winners to pay a processing fee before they can collect a prize.

      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY Association offers workshops this month. Free Grant Writing I & II workshops are filling up fast. Seats are limited for the classes on Saturday, March 12. 

      CPR and First Aide Certification Training is scheduled for Saturday, March 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center in Pahala. Registration is limited to eight participants on a first come, first served basis. Fee is $90, or $75 for KRHCAI members.

      For more information, call 928-0101.

Midway by Caren Loebel-Fried
Image from VAC

THE MAGIC OF MIDWAY takes place today from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Artist Caren Loebel-Fried shares her Midway experience, and Rob Shallenberger, former Refuge Manager, presents photos of historical Midway and a year in the life of an albatross. Free; $5 donations are appreciated.

      Loebel-Fried offers a free block printing demonstration on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery. Park entrance fees apply.
      Call 967-8222 for more information.

NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELING QUILT Exhibit opens tomorrow at Volcano House Great Room in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Quilts created by Fiber Works, a group of textile artists from the Lincoln-Omaha, Nebraska area will be on display through Sunday, March 27.

      One quilt celebrating Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will be gifted to park after the traveling exhibits final stop.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.
      See nps.gov/havo.

WES AWANA SHARES HIS LOVE of Hawaiian music by giving family-friendly `ukulele lessons tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

ZEKE ISRAEL DEMONSTRATES hand building with clay on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The demo is in association with the gallery’s current Sightlines exhibit of works by members of Volcano Village Artists Hui.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

PARTICIPANTS DISCOVER HAWAIIAN goddesses Hi`iaka and Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate, one-mile walk. Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers the free program Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

ALTOGETHER: WE ARE ONE holds its inaugural event on Tuesday, March 8 at Hawai`i Nature Retreat in Wood Valley. Its website describes the event as “a journey of exploration, expansion and focus of the energy that flows through us all, creating a golden grid of love and light across the island of Hawai`i to usher in a new age of civilization.”

      This first event will deal with exercises, meditation, education and the clearing and opening of Root and Sacral chakras. Participants join their collective consciousness and powers of manifestation to work through their bodies’ chakras, ending in celebration with dancing and music into the night.
      For more information, see altogetherweareone.com or facebook.com/events/142146472838551.

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

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_March2016.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Ka`u High School students met with state Sen. Russell Ruderman last night and asked for help with school and community issues. Ruderman, who represents the district from Honu`apo through Pahala and Volcano into Puna, held a community gathering at Pahala Plantation House, and students of Ka`u High teacher Kevin Sun and Pahala Middle School teacher Sandy Tran attended. See their story in tomorrow's Ka`u Calendar News Briefs. Photo by Julia Neal

STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN encouraged his Ka`u constituents to participate in the legislative process at his talk story last night at Pahala Plantation House. He said testimony provided on bills under consideration is worth 1,000 times more than comments made when the Legislature is not in session. Residents of any age can offer their views at capitol.hawaii.gov.

Sen. Russell Ruderman wants to continue funding research
of rapid `ohi`a death. Photo from UH-CTAHR

      Several bills introduced by Ruderman are still alive this session and available for public comment. Many relate to environment issues. Senate Bill 2271 would continue funding research of rapid `ohi`a death, which continues to ravage Hawai`i Island’s forests. 

      SB 2516 funds education efforts to prevent rat lungworm disease, which Ruderman said is more dangerous than dengue fever. Slugs spread the disease when they come into contact with vegetables. Ruderman said all vegetables eaten raw need to be washed thoroughly as a preventive measure. The disease is also associated with catchment water.

Macadamia felted coccid threatens Ka`u's
orchards. Photo from Ag Department

      Ka`u’s commercial macadamia nut orchards could benefit from SB2988, which would appropriate funds to research and develop methods for prevention and treatment of macadamia felted coccid, an invasive species that reduces crop production and can kill trees. 

      Community food forests, where residents could grow non-for-profit food crops on state land, would provide sources of low- or no-cost food to residents. SB2967 states that “food production in populated areas may contribute significantly to community sustainability by providing locally produced, healthy food to those who cannot otherwise afford it.”
      SB2515 would require more electric vehicle charging stations in parking lots. Currently, only lots containing more than 100 spaces must have charging stations. Ruderman, who drives a Nissan Leaf on O`ahu, wants EV owners to be able to charge their vehicles at various locations so they can drive around each island. He said this would promote more use of EVs and less use of fossil fuels.
      An industrial hemp bill, not Ruderman’s but the same as one he introduced last year, would establish a pilot program to allow cultivation of industrial hemp and distribution of its seed. Ruderman said the crop has many uses, including feed for animals and enrichment of soil. He said it is a good crop for marginal lands and is drought resistant.

      Track these and other bills at capitol.hawaii.gov.
      See more in tomorrow’s Ka`u Calendar News Briefs.

OCEAN VIEW RESIDENTS CONCERNED about abandoned, hungry and mistreated dogs are encouraged to voice their thoughts at a meeting on March 24 at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Iolani Hawk, a longtime Ocean View resident, is spearheading an effort to unite the Police Department and Hawai`i Humane Society to solve problems.

      “Our community must hold some sort of world record for the percentage of dogs in cars and trucks,” Hawk said. “Most of us truly love our dogs and are even proud of them. Unfortunately, there are some people that do not hold these great creatures in high regard. Some poor dogs get chained to the same place for most of their lives – ignored once they’ve lost that puppy cuteness. And some dogs live out their lives as thin as skeletons, starved from lack of attention and complete irresponsibility.

      “In Ocean View, too many dogs are abandoned for a variety of reasons and left to roam the neighborhoods, eating trash, howling and barking all night long, fighting or searching for pets or farm stock to kill. People are frustrated, experiencing sleepless nights and at odds with neighbors who do not control their barking animals. Police and the Humane Society are called to settle the domestic disputes.”

      Hawk will have free baggies of dog food available once a month at Ka`u Food Pantry at St. Jude’s Church, as well as at the free dinner held at the community center.

      Over the last few years, quite a few concerned residents have created a network of recovery and rescue operations. For instance, the organization K.A.R.E.S. (808-328-8455) provides free spay/neuter service for dogs, and Hawai`i Humane Society offers free spay/neuter coupons at the beginning of every month, but there is a cap on that amount until the next month. 

      On Feb. 18, a small group met with the Humane Society at Ocean View Community Center to discuss their next move. Unfortunately, the Police Department could not make this meeting, but we look forward to their future participation.
      The Humane Society expressed their willingness to come to Ocean View twice a week without charging the $25 fee to pick up puppies or dogs. They will not pick up loose puppies or dogs; dogs must be tied up or contained upon the officer’s arrival. Humane Society pamphlets outlining the three-step remedy of noisy, barking dog situations are available.
      Hawk and others now look forward to some real enforcement of these guidelines with help from the Police Department.
      “This is the beginning of a large, conscious effort to make a significant difference in the quality of life for dogs in the home we all call Ocean View,” Hawk said.

Patsy Mink Photo from Patsy T. Mink Foundation

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD HONORED Hawai`i trailblazer Patsy Mink as a life-long advocate for civil rights and equal opportunity during Women’s History Month.

      “After graduating from Maui High in 1944 as class president and valedictorian, and attending college with dreams of becoming a doctor, Patsy Mink had over a dozen medical schools slam the door shut simply because she was a woman,” Gabbard said. “Rather than quit, she took action. She attended law school, becoming the first Japanese-American female attorney in Hawai`i and was elected as the first Asian-American woman ever to Congress in 1965. 

      “Through her 12 terms in the House of Representatives, serving Hawai`i’s Second District, which I’m honored to represent today, she was a true champion for equal rights and opportunity. In 1972, her landmark bill, Title IX, was signed in to law, legislation that has since allowed young women all across the country the very same opportunities to jump high, run fast, hit hard and go the extra mile, same as their male counterparts.
      “As we kick off Women’s History Month, let us recognize and celebrate Patsy Mink and the countless other women throughout our nation’s history who blazed trails before us and broke down barriers for a better future for our next generation.”

Caren Loebel-Fried sketches an albatross with egg on Midway.
VAC Photo by Dan Clark

FRIENDS OF MIDWAY ATOLL National Wildlife Refuge present the Magic of Midway, a charity auction and conversation about a raucous seabird colony and World War II monument, tomorrow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Artist Caren Loebel-Fried shares her Midway experience, and Rob Shallenberger, former Refuge Manager, presents photos of historical Midway and a year in the life of an albatross. 

      A limited edition print of Loebel-Fried’s Midway and other art merchandise will be available for purchase to support FOMA and wildlife on Midway Atoll.
Free; $5 donations appreciated.

      Call 967-8222 for more information.

NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELING QUILT Exhibit opens Friday at Volcano House Great Room in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Quilts created by Fiber Works, a group of textile artists from the Lincoln-Omaha, Nebraska area will be on display through Sunday, March 27.
      See nps.gov/havo.

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

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_March2016.pdf.