Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016

Incoming Mayor Harry Kim, who begins his term on Dec. 1, yesterday in Pahala greeted students
and thanked constituents for voting for him. Above, he shakes hands
with Ka`u High teacher David Brooks. Photo by Julia Neal

AN INTERAGENCY BIOSECURITY PLAN has been formed to protect Hawai`i’s environment, agriculture, economy and health.

      According to Hawai`i Departments of Agriculture and Land & Natural Resources, Hawai`i is at an invasive species crossroads: the islands are home to more endangered species than any other state. Between 80 to 90 percent of all food is imported, and there are more than eight million visitors annually, with hundreds of arriving flights and ships carrying cargo.
      As invasive species continue to arrive in Hawai`i and spread through the islands, the environment, agriculture, economy and even human health are at risk. Coqui frogs, fire ants, albizia and mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue fever and Zika virus provide recent examples of impacts to Hawai`i.

Ag inspectors are at the front line of biosecurity.
Photo from state DOA & DLNR

      The state of Hawai`i developed its first comprehensive, interagency approach to biosecurity through the 2017-2027 Hawai`i Interagency Biosecurity Plan. The intended scope of the plan is to address all three biosecurity areas (pre-border, border, and post-border) and to strategically coordinate actions across a wide range of agencies and partners. The planning process, led by HDOA, has joined the efforts of industry representatives and state, federal and county agencies to identify policy, process and infrastructure needs over the next decade. The plan is currently in draft form and awaits public review and input at a series of meetings across the state in early October.

      “My administration has focused on doing the right thing the right way,” Gov. David Ige said. “Protecting Hawai`i from the impacts of invasive species will require agencies and industries to work together to build a better biosecurity system. Our actions now will result in a more robust agriculture industry, protect our natural resources, our economy and our unique way of life here in Hawai`i.”
      “The state’s first line of defense against invasive species has always been the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, but in the 21st century, we need partners,” said Scott Enright, chair of the Hawai`i’s Board of Agriculture. “The threat of potential invasive species goes beyond HDOA’s mandate, and this new interagency biosecurity plan will help the state focus on important priorities that will protect the environment and agriculture in Hawai`i now and in the future.”
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INCOMING MAYOR HARRY KIM waved a big mahalo sign yesterday afternoon as students departed the Pahala school campus, meeting with constituents near the Pahala bus stop.
      Kim said, “It’s good to be out with the people. I just love this town.”
      Kim talked about economic development for the area and noted that the proposed water bottling plant on Maile Street could be good for jobs.
      Residents and teachers stopped their vehicles to talk with Kim. Among them was Ka`u High teacher David Brooks.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Injury Prevention Program, Prevent Suicide Hawai`i Task Force and Hawai`i Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention are holding community events in recognition of National Suicide Prevention Month. Each year, events are held to increase awareness about suicide prevention and resources available to support families. This year’s national theme is Strong Alone; Stronger Together.
      Suicide is a significant public health problem in Hawai`i. It is estimated that one person dies by suicide in Hawai`i every two days. Suicide was the most common cause of fatal injuries among Hawai`i residents over the five-year period 2010-2015, accounting for nearly one-quarter of all fatal injuries. Suicide is the leading cause of death in Hawai`i for those ages 15-34, surpassing deaths from cancer, heart disease and other types of injuries.

September is Suicide Prevention Month. Image from
Hawai`i Department of Health 

      “The impact suicide has on the lives of family members, friends, co-workers and the community is devastating,” said Eric Tash, chair of the Hawai`i Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. “The loss of human potential is enormous. Fortunately, there is hope; most suicides are preventable.”

      Out of the Darkness walks honor loved ones who died by suicide. The public is encouraged to participate in Kona on Sept. 17 at 9 a.m. Meet at West Hawai`i Today parking lot at 75-5580 Kuakini Hwy. Contact Nancy Sallee at 333-8988 or email orchid_isle_psychotherapy@yahoo.com. Sallee is also the contact for a Suicide Survivor Vigil at King Kamehameha Beach Hotel tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
      Another walk takes place on Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Lili`uokalani Gardens in Hilo. Contact Saydee Gabriel-Souza at 339-1794 or bigislandootdw@gmail.com.
      On Sept. 14 at 5 p.m., a Survivors of Suicide Loss Memorial at Hospice of Hilo is scheduled. For information, email cathyh@hospiceofhilo.org.
      Sign waving is being arranged by East Hawai`i Suicide Prevention Task Force. Contact Yolisa Duley at 932-7462 for schedule and details.
      For more information or resources on suicide prevention, see http://health.hawaii.gov/injuryprevention/home/suicide-prevention/thinking-about-suicide/ or AFSP Hawaii website at https://afsp.org/chapter/afsp-hawaii/.

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USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory conducts flight operations
at Kilauea's summit to assess volcanic activity and
maintain instrumentation. Photo from USGS/HVO

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK this month uses aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities.

      On Sept. 15 and 16 between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m., helicopter training takes place in the Kahuku Unit between 2,500- and 6,000-ft. elevation.
      On Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., aircraft will inspect and fly near the summit of Kilauea.

      On Sept. 22, crews will haul out old fence material from Mauna Loa along the boundary of Kapapala and Ka`u Forest Reserve.
      In addition, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kilauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
      Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
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An event next month celebrates Hawai`i Wildlife Fund's
20th anniversary.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to help Hawai`i Wildlife Fund celebrate 20 years of conservation, research and education projects in Hawai`i. HWF holds a special fun-filled event at Mokupapapa Discovery Center, 76 Kamehameha Ave. in Hilo on Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

      The ho`olaule`a will include heavy pupus from various local caterers, live music by Adam Kay, Kona Brew Company beer, select wines, HI Kombucha tea, as well as a silent auction with numerous donations from local artists, eco-tourism vendors, bed & breakfasts and restaurants.
      “HWF team members, volunteers and community partners have worked together for 20 years to conserve native wildlife in Hawai`i.” HWF President and Co-founder Bill Gilmartin said. “We are grateful to come together on Oct. 15 to recognize and to celebrate our collective accomplishments, and we look forward to the next 20 years.”
      More information about HWF projects, partnerships and accomplishments over the past two decades can be found at wildhawaii.org or by searching on their Facebook and Instagram accounts (@wildhawaii.org).

      Adult tickets are $30 each or two for $50 and can be purchased on the HWF website in advance. Tickets will be $35 at the door.

      For more details regarding the celebration or to make a donation to the silent auction, contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or meg.HWF@gmail.com. 

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Ka`u residents can attend Hawai`i Department of Agriculture's
workshop in Captain Cook today. Image from HDOA

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE is holding an open house event for growers, stakeholders and the public today until 3 p.m. at the state office building in Captain Cook near to the police and fire station. Visit educational booths and talk story with folks from the plant quarantine department, the bee program, coffee berry borer subsidy program and more.

ARTISTS GAIN CONFIDENCE and learn new skills in Vicki Penney Rohner’s two-day oil painting workshop this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village.
      Call 967-8222 for more information.

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

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

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Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016

Pahala Town Square & Hawaiian Springs Facility is proposed for the former Ka`u Sugar mill site.
Images from Hawai`i County Planning Department

A WATER BOTTLING PLANT with giant fountain and round-about, parking for buses, vans and cars and 10,000 square feet of retail space are planned makai of Maile Street in Pahala on old sugar mill land. Pahala Town Square & Hawaiian Springs Facility is up for plan approval, any day, by county Planning Director Duane Kanuha.

"Commercial facilities should be designed to fit into the locale

with minimal intrusion," according to Hawai`i County

General Plan.

      Pahala Town Square & Hawaiian Springs Facility would be located on industrial-zoned land from the old metal sugar warehouse toward the former KAHU-FM radio station – the historic building and vault, once a branch of Bank of Hilo. Retail operations would be allowed for sale of water bottled on the industrial site, as well as related items. The land also has a macadamia orchard.

      According to submissions to Hawai`i County Planning Department, PMK Capital Partners, LLC, led by Al Kam, is asking for approval of a natural water bottling facility to include accessory retail sales, warehouse buildings, offices, parking lots, landscaping and related structures designed by DRA Architecture, LLC, of Honolulu. One warehouse would be 81,250 square feet; the old warehouse is 12,000 square feet. Another processing building would be 33,000 square feet. For parking fronting Maile Street, there would be 104 stalls for passenger vehicles, five for buses and two for tour vans. A huge fountain would welcome the tour buses, vans and cars to the retail area near the bottling plant. Open space with trees and other landscaping would be preserved between the site and Pahala Plantation House, a buffer to the residential area along Maile Street.
      Water for the bottling facility would apparently come from a well that Ka`u Sugar developed for its mill. The opening of the tunnel that leads to the well via a now defunct funicular railroad is located on the PMK property. The shaft extends some 1,500 feet going under Maile Street. The well hasn’t been used since the sugar company shut down 20 years ago.

New warehouse and processing buildings dwarf the existing
warehouse on sugar mill land.

      According to Hawai`i County Department of Water Supply, the operation would be restricted from using county water for bottling and retail sales. The small scale of the county water system in Pahala, with its well above the town, also places limits on development of housing for the community.

      For plan approvals for the new facilities, the planning director is allowed closer inspection of certain types of development in certain zones to ensure conformance with the General Plan, the Zoning Code and conditions of previous approvals related to the development.
      General Plan policy 14.3.3(f) reads: “The development of commercial facilities should be designed to fit into the locale with minimal intrusion while providing the desired services. Appropriate infrastructure and design concerns shall be incorporated into the review of such developments.”
      The Planning director may issue plan approval subject to conditions or changes in the proposal which, in the director’s opinion, are necessary to carry out and further the purposes of the Zoning Code.
      The planning director considers the proposed structure, development or use in relation to the surrounding property, improvements, streets, traffic, community characteristics and natural features and may require conditions or changes to assure proper siting is provided for; proper landscaping is provided that is commensurate with the structure, development or use and its surroundings; unsightly areas are properly screened or eliminated; and within reasonable limits, any natural and man-made features of community value are preserved. The director shall require any conditions or changes in the proposal which, in the director’s opinion, are necessary to carry out these purposes.

      Comments on the plan can be sent to planning@hawaiicounty.gov, susan.gagorik@hawaiicounty.gov and larry.nakayama@hawaiicounty.gov.
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Activity at Kilauea's lava lake last night included spattering
and upheaval of chunks of crust. Photo by Ron Johnson

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY AT KILAUEA’S summit continued to wow onlookers at Jaggar Museum Observation Deck in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park yesterday.

      The lava lake within Halema`uma`u Overlook vent was active and at a relatively high level, with its surface easily visible. Lava spattering 40 feet or so high and chunks of the lake’s crust heaving upward mesmerized viewers last night. This morning, the lake surface was still visible at a height of 52 feet below the adjacent floor of Halema`uma`u crater.
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KTA PUAINAKO IN HILO IS BLUE ZONES Project’s first approved grocery store in East Hawai`i. The supermarket will host a celebration from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 10. The event is open to the public, and guests are welcome to enjoy free food samples and natural movement activities.
      “We’ve partnered with Blue Zones Project to make healthy choices easier for our customers,” said Puainako Store Director, Sanford Toma. “That means highlighting healthy food items throughout the store and even creating a new Blue Zones Project checkout lane that makes healthy food easier to find for you and your `ohana. Together, we can live a longer, healthier and happier life.” 

KTA Puainako is a Blue Zone Project-approved grocery store.
Photo from KTA

      The Blue Zones Project checkout lane is one of several actions that KTA Puainako completed to become Blue Zones Project approved. Rather than candy bars and sugar-laden beverages typically seen in checkout lanes, the Blue Zones Project checkout lane displays healthy grab-and-go snacks like fresh fruit, nuts and granola bars, and healthier drink options.

      The grocery store also added signage to highlight locally grown produce and foods that meet the Blue Zones Food Guidelines. They also now provide half sandwiches in the deli and label the number of serving sizes for fresh cut fruit and salads. The store also started a popular “Quick & Ono” lunch special every Wednesday with Blue Zones inspired recipes, and installed parking signs that encourage patrons to park farther from the store and walk, in order to incorporate more natural movement in their day.
      Brought to Hawaii through a sponsorship by HMSA in collaboration with Healthways, Inc. and Blue Zones, LLC, Blue Zones Project is a community-by-community well-being improvement initiative designed to enable community members to live longer, happier lives with lower rates of chronic diseases and a higher quality of life.
      To learn more, email BlueZonesProjectHawaii@healthways.com, or see bluezonesproject.com.

MEALANI’S 21ST TASTE of the Hawaiian Range Gala takes place Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hilton Waikoloa Village. 

      Participants meet the people who produce many local products from around Hawai`i Island. Kuahiwi Ranch, of Ka`u, will be on hand with their pork and beef products. Kahua Ranch, of South Kona, is providing mutton and lamb.
      A cornucopia of fresh island fruit, veggies, honey, spices and beverages will also be available.

      Tickets are available at tasteofthehawaiirange.com.
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Hidden Valley by Patrick Ching Image from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER presents Patrick Ching’s Inspirations of a Hawai`i Wildlife Artist on Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Niaulani Campus’ Great Room in Volcano Village. Ching is a renowned Hawaiian conservationist and wildlife artist, author and ornithological illustrator who has garnered international recognition for his realistic renderings of nature. Hawai`i’s native birds, insects, plants and ferns come alive through his art.

      Call 967-8222 for more information.

HAWAI`I COUNTY FINANCE COMMITTEE conducts a workshop to discuss the county’s Dedicated and Nondedicated Agricultural Real Property Tax Programs tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. Ka`u residents can participate via teleconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.
      Testimony from the public will be taken at the beginning. “Healthy and structured interaction between stakeholders, committee members and members of the public” will be encouraged during the workshop, according to the announcement.
      The workshop will be streamed live at hawaii.county.gov.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2016

After rising steadily yesterday, Kilauea's summit lava lake offered visible volcanic activity this morning.
Photo from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

AN EARTHQUAKE OCCURRED underneath Moku`aweoweo, Mauna Loa’s summit caldera, this morning. U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded the magnitude-4.0 earthquake at a depth of 0.74 miles at 4:25 a.m.

A magnitude-4.0 earthquake struck at Mauna Loa's
summit this morning. Map from USGS-HVO

      The USGS "Did you feel it?" website (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi/) received only one felt report within an hour of the earthquake. This report described light shaking (Intensity III). At that intensity, damage to buildings or structures is not expected. The lack of felt reports is consistent with the remote location and shallow depth of the earthquake.

      The earthquake appears to be isolated. As of 6:30 a.m., no aftershocks had been observed. HVO’s deformation monitoring instruments registered the earthquake but show no significant change in deformation rates or patterns that would indicate increased volcanic hazard at this time.
      Magnitude-4.0 or greater earthquakes occurred in the summit of Mauna Loa six to seven months prior to the volcano’s two most recent eruptions in 1975 and 1984. However, today’s isolated earthquake does not represent a significant departure from the seismic activity rate for the past year, so the Volcano Alert Level for Mauna Loa remains at Advisory.
      According to HVOs Scientist-in-Charge Christina Neal, the earthquake had no apparent effect on Kilauea Volcano’s ongoing eruptions. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center determined that no damaging tsunami was generated (http://ptwc.weather.gov/?region=2).

      HVO reported this morning that Kilauea’s summit lava lake level has risen to 62 feet below the adjacent floor of Halema`uma`u crater, bringing volcanic activity into view once again.
      For information on recent earthquakes in Hawai`i and eruption updates, see USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s website at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
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ELEVEN OF THE WORLD’S leading conservation organizations will partner to identify, map, monitor and conserve Key Biodiversity Areas – places that include vital habitats for threatened species – with more than $15 million committed over the next five years. The announcement was made at the IUCN World Conservation Congress currently taking place on O`ahu.

      Through the KBA Partnership, resources and expertise will be mobilized to further identify and map Key Biodiversity Areas worldwide. Monitoring of these sites will enable detection of potential threats and identification of appropriate conservation actions. The Partnership will also advise national governments in expanding their protected areas network and will work with private companies to ensure they minimize and mitigate their impact on nature.

      “This is a vitally important initiative for our planet’s biodiversity,” said Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. “This partnership will enhance global conservation efforts by highlighting internationally important sites in need of urgent conservation action. It will also help us reach the targets in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and allow national governments and conservation organizations to ensure that scarce resources are directed to the most important places for nature.”
      The International Union for Conservation of Nature has engaged with hundreds of experts and decision-makers to develop a Global Standard for the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas. The standard was launched during the World Conservation Congress, on Monday.

Porites pukoensis is a critically endangered coral found
in Molokai's marine area. Photo from Corals of the World

      “Our planet is at the crossroads, and we need to take urgent action if we want to secure its ability to support us,” said Inger Andersen, Director General of IUCN. “Information about where and why a site is considered key for the survival of threatened species underpins all sustainable development and will be critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.”

      In particular, knowledge about Key Biodiversity Areas will contribute to achievement of goals on conservation and sustainable use oceans and to manage forests, combat desertification and halt land degradation.
      The KBA Partnership builds on the partners’ established track record in site identification, monitoring and conservation. Over the past four decades, BirdLife International has identified more than 13,000 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas on land and at sea in every region of the world through its 120 national partners and others, while the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund has supported identification of 6,000 Key Biodiversity Areas within global biodiversity hotspots.
      To date, more than 18,000 global and regional Key Biodiversity Areas have been identified and mapped. These include Molokai Island marine area, home to the Critically Endangered coral Porites pukoensis, known only to occur in the shallow waters of this site.
      The new Partnership will unite these efforts under a single KBA umbrella. It will expand the KBA network to cover other species and ecosystems using the global KBA standard. These data will guide decision-makers on areas that require safeguarding and will help a range of end users to define their conservation priorities, achieve their international commitments, and comply with their environmental policies.
      KBA Partners are the Amphibian Survival Alliance, BirdLife International, Conservation International, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, Global Environment Facility, Global Wildlife Conservation, IUCN, NatureServe, RSPB, Wildlife Conservation Society and the World Wildlife Fund.

      “Advancing and implementing successful conservation solutions depends on clearly identified global strategies,” said Naoko Ishii, Global Environment Facility CEO. “In this regard, we are proud to be one of the founding members of this exciting new partnership to help map and protect some of the planet's most valuable biodiversity.”

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Brennen Nishimura
Photo by Coach Erin Cole

Kyle Calumpit at HPA
Photo by Coach Erin Cole

KA`U HIGH CROSS COUNTRY team has started its season. Two runners participated in the race on Aug. 27 at HPA. It was warm and sunny in Waimea on the first race of the season, which makes the hill at HPA extra challenging, reports coach Erin Cole. The race changed this year from three miles to 5K (5K is 3.1 miles). 

      Brennen Nishimura came in with a time of 26:32 – #101 out of 177. Kyle Calumpit ran a time of 27:32 – #118 out of 177.

      The Trojans have several more runners that have been training and will be running in future races this season. The race scheduled for Sept. 3 at Kealakehe was cancelled due to the storm. Next race is at Kamehameha School on Sept. 10 at 2 p.m.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS meetings this week. Tomorrow, the full council meets at 9 a.m. Public Safety & Mass Transit Committee meets at 1 p.m.; Finance, 1:15 p.m.; Planning, 1:30 p.m.; Public Works & Parks & Recreation, 2 p.m.; and Governmental Relations & Economic Development, 2:45 p.m.
      The Committee on Finance conducts a workshop to discuss the county’s Dedicated and Nondedicated Agricultural Real Property Tax Programs on Thursday at 9 a.m.
      Testimony from the public will be taken at the beginning. “Healthy and structured interaction between stakeholders, committee members and members of the public” will be encouraged during the workshop, according to the announcement.
      All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Agendas and live-streaming are available athawaii.county.gov.
      Ka`u residents can participate via teleconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.

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

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See kaucalendar.com

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
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