The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Friday, April 15, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, April 15, 2022

Lohi Goodwin is running to serve Kaʻū into Kona in the state House of Representatives.
Photo from Lohi Goodwin

LOHI GOODWIN PULLED PAPERS TO RUN FOR STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, District 5. The Ocean View resident has lived for 11 years on Hawai'i Island and served in in the U.S. Air Force for 15 years. He home schools his children and describes himself as a "constitutionalist, pro-freedom" candidate, running as "a conservative Republican."
"I am not afraid of anything except for leaving my children behind in an unfree tyrannical world," said Goodwin, who proclaimed, "I just love Kaʻū. I've been everywhere on this island and I just love this place." He said he thanks Kaʻū people "for accepting us and allowing us to be part pf this community."
He said "I just feel that since the pandemic has hit, a lot of our civil rights have been trampled upon. The government has become very invasive into our medical histories, personal lives and our families." He said he decided to run for office "because our current Representative sent a letter to Gov David Ige requesting the state to enforce Covid vaccinations without parental consent. I believe that the government has no authority to try to co-parent with me or any other parent. When I was a kid you couldn't even get an aspirin from the school health nurse."

The Goodwin family supporting Lohi Goodwin's candidacy for state House.
Photo from Lohi Goodwin

Goodwin is 46 years of age. He is married to Lani Goodwin and they have three children 18, 13 and seven. Their son graduated in 2021 from Kamehameha School in Kea'au. He noted that "the population of Ocean View is exploding. I would push to get our own school. With 8,000 to 9000 people living here we are the largest town in Kaʻū. Our children deserve to have their own school here, instead of wasting time and money to bus kids in junior high and high school down to Pāhala. His son Zion Kaleo'onaona'okelaniki'eki'etook a bus from Ocean View to Kamehameha School in Kea'au every school day leaving at 5 a.m. and returning at 5 p.m. His 13 year old daughter Moanikeala and the seven-year old Jamesyn Alohakeakua are both home-schooled.
Goodwin owns a screen printing business that he started when he decided to home school his kids. His wife works at Sea Mountain at Punalu'u condominiums front desk.
He described Kaʻū as "so diverse. I grow apples and peaches at 4,000 feet. People with other elevations,

different soils and rainfall, can grow different foods, from the mountain to the sea. The meaning of Kaʻū is breast - like your mom's breast which really can sustain you."
He said that he is concerned about Kaʻū farm lands being sold off to foreign entities. "I hope it doesn't become a trend in which land that supports people's livelihoods is lost. I believe that we need to make land available to more people who will farm. I believe Kaʻū can become sustainable foodwise, if land remains affordable."
Goodwin said that when he decided to run for state House of Representatives, "I knew from my military background that you never go to battle by yourself. So I've been trying to recruit other candidates into other House and Senate districts, candidates of like minds and with the same love of Hawai'i and our country."
Goodwin and his family will participate with other candidates to host an event this Saturday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Honu`apo, Whittington Beach Park. Lunch and refreshments are provided, along with an Easter Egg Hunt for the kids. See LohiForFreedom.com. Also see Lohi Goodwin on facebook. See Lohi_Goodwin_4_Freedom on Instagram.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.

TWO EARTHQUAKES SHOOK KAʻŪ FRIDAY MORNING. U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory recorded a magnitude-4.3 earthquake on Friday, April 15, at 01:58:25 a.m., followed eight seconds later by a magnitude-4.6 earthquake at 01:58:33 a.m.. Both were located northeast of Pāhala.
The magnitude-4.3 earthquake was centered about 8 km (5 miles) northeast of Pāhala, at a depth of 34 km (21 miles). The magnitude-4.6 earthquake was centered about 9 km (6 miles) northeast of Pāhala, at a depth of 32 km (20 miles) slightly to the southeast of the first earthquake. A map showing the location is posted on the HVO website at http://usgs.gov/hvo. More details are available at the National Earthquake Information Center website at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72984557 (M4.3) and https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72984552 (M4.6).

Strong shaking, with maximum Intensity of VI on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, was reported across parts of the Island of Hawai‘i. At that intensity, significant damage to buildings or structures was not expected. The USGS "Did you feel it?" service (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/) received over 400 felt reports within the first hour of the earthquakes.
According to HVO geophysicist Jefferson Chang, these earthquakes had no apparent effect on Kīlauea or Mauna Loa volcanoes. “This earthquake appears to be part of the seismic swarm under the Pāhala area, which has been going on since 2019. Earthquakes in this region have been observed at least as far back as the 1960s. We see no detectable changes in activity at the summits or along the rift zones of Mauna Loa or Kīlauea as a result of these earthquakes. Please be advised that aftershocks are occurring and some of these may be large enough to be felt.” HVO continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.

For more on the Pāhala swarm, see https://www.usgs.gov/news/volcano-watch-why-do-so-many-deep-earthquakes-happen-around-pahala.
For information on recent earthquakes in Hawai'i and eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website at  http://usgs.gov/hvo/.

MORE COMMENTS ON PARKING RESTRICTIONS AT PUNALU'U BLACK SAND BEACH are coming in from readers and people on the street.

Ernie Kalani, a veteran and well-known Ka'u musician, said that after he came back from Viet Nam, he lived at Punalu'u at a house in the area where the now-abandoned restaurant and museum were constructed. He said that over the years the beach and parking near the shore were always open to all the locals - to everyone for fishing, boating, diving and going to the beach.

He said that with the new boulders along the roadway and signage preventing the traditional parking, he hopes the county is involved in making sure that the local interests are served and that the boulders are not on the public right of way.

A companion of Kalani talking story in front of Mizuno Superette in Pahala this morning said that local people are concerned about change in the area because past developers were never held accountable for major changes they made in land and water. He said the sugar plantation rerouted waterways up mauka that ended up causing beaches to become full of boulders and rocks at such places as Kawa. He noted that there used to be more freshwater ponds at Punalu'u before the sugar plantation began developing the resort. He said that the plantation left without being held accountable for damages. Both talked about the challenge of preserving local lifestyles and preserving access to the ocean for fishing and the mountains for hunting as lands are sold off.

On The Ka'u Calendar facebook, Lonnie McDowall wrote about pulling public parking off Punalu'u Black Sand Beach and directing it to the restored parking lot, where any fees would go to a stewardship group. "I’m thinking this is the first of private beaches. All ya gotta do is say you're going to give some money to charity and boom you own a beach."

Are the boulders on both public and private property? The question came in from several
readers. Photo by Bob Martin

Henry Boothe wrote, "I'm confused. isn't it a good thing there's less parking on the literal sand of this beach? Because one can't drive on the literal sand of this beach it becomes the first private beach? This makes no logical sense."

Lovelyn Hokulani Alapai wrote, "All the sand is making her way back. I remember when the road ran straight thru the beach. Now she claiming back what was always hers Punalu'u."

Referring to the few vehicles still parked on the beach belonging to lei stand workers, lifeguards and for handicapped parking, Kalanz Strong said, "What about their vehicle oils - that just makes no sense."

Maria Hart wrote, "Save Ka'u's shoreline... the last bit of Hawaian ahupua'a."

Joe Kunkel wrote: "The paved county parking lot adjoins the beach and is still there. The large parking lot by the ruins of the restaurant and cultural center, covered for decades be debris and fallen trees, is restored to a useable status. Both parking lots are very close to the beach."

Felix Tallon asked about enforcement of the parking rules. "Whose rules are these?" He said it used to be first come, first served for the parking at the beach. "But beach goeers/tourist now that's going to be a problem who's enforcing these now so called rules, some non-local outsider probably that like bulldozer all around Punalu'u."

Chris Kapa asked, "Who owns the land the the boulders are on?"

See The Ka'u Calendar April edition at
www.kaucalendar.com,
on newsstands and in the mail.

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, April 14, 2022

Only the handicapped, lei stand vendors, lifeguards and emergency vehicles are allowed on
the sandy parking at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. Photo by Bob Martin

NO PARKING ON THE BEACH AT PUNALU'U became a community topic of discussion on Wednesday and Thursday, as visitors and kama'aina were directed to a parking lot mauka of the shoreline.
With everyone accustomed to parking on the sand adjacent to the beach and along the adjacent roadside,
the new boulders and signage that block parking drew numerous comments to The Kaʻū Calendar and other area facebook pages.
It also drew questions exchanged verbally among Kaʻū residents, including: Is this the beginning of a new round of preparing for commercial development near the shore? What will happen to the area being cleaned up? Will it be a park or commercial enterprise, or both? Does the exemption from the Special Management Area permit for cleaning up and making repairs allow all the work being done without additional permits?
What about the lei stands at the beach? Will the lei stand families who have depended on their beachfront enterprise for generations be allowed to stay? Will their their volunteer lifeguards, who for generations were the only lifeguards at Punalu'u and still do make rescues after county lifeguard hours - Will they be able to keep their presence at the beach?

Boulders block roadside parking near Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.
Photo by Bob Martin

What about the boat ramp? Will locals head for the boat ramp to park, overwhelming that area? Will the boat ramp area eventually be blocked from parking, camping and picnicking as well?
Will everyone be charged at the parking lot or kama'aina get a discount or a pass?
Here are some of the comments posted on The Kaʻū Calendar and other area facebook pages:
Kelly Clark said the developer is "trying to push this development through on a 1980 Environmental Impact Study," and pointed to other developments on the Hawai'i Island coast, such as the Four Seasons and at Pine Trees "just to name a few." Clark predicted that the resources and turtles will be exploited "for financial gain."
A couple called Ray N Christy on their facebook page posted that pulling the parking off the beach and nearby roadside - "That's actually a good thing. But check out Punalu'u community page and see what's really brewing," referring to development plans that have been presented to the community over the last six months.
Emmet Enriques wrote, "Sad that locals not only just lost access but also will be charged in the future… and didn’t even get the opportunity for input." Curtis Sharp replied, "Hapuna Beach charges but not if you're a resident (hi. driers license). Enriques replied, "Exactly. Punalu'u is turning into another Hapuna."
Echo Love wrote, "A well managed parking lot is what’s essential to ensure safety and convenience for both the locals and visitors coming to the beach. Parking fee is not a big deal in my humble opinion, especially it goes towards a non profit."

Newly painted parking stalls and curbs at the old parking lot where beachgoers
are directed to leave their vehicles at Punalu'u. Photo by Bob Martin

Alberto Benovia said, "Kanaka wale no." Kawai Kanawaliwali wrote, "Pushing out the kanakas."
Laura Wong wrote, "Time to initiate Traditional Access To Coast protections..To ensure that public pathways to the coast are protected. Check out the evolution of private land owners slowly but surely blocking all public access to shoreline on O'ahu and on Maui.
"The police are routinely called to disputes and physical altercation between property owners and swimmers at a place known as ‘Portlock’ on O'ahu. I grew up surfing swimming and hiking on that shoreline in the 1970’s.
"Prior to that land privatization, first Hawaiian and then over the years other local people too - went

The old path from parking lot to the beach
has been uncovered. Photo by Bob Martin

fishing and swimming and surfing there. Now the owners of the land fronting that coastline have gated and walled off all access to the shore that fronts their private property. The owners of that land touching public shoreline claim that the public may not access the shore over their property- the county failed to protect access to that shoreline by not upholding the traditional access points used by pedestrians for hundreds of years."
Manu Kane posted: "Another Cheap Shot at Punalu'u Beach.. Apparently the foreign investors have blocked areas where we used to park and are now funneling locals and tourists to a lot where you're going to have to pay."
Sophia Hanoa posted, "The people of Ka'ū. No parking signs at Punaluʻu lei stand area are for the safety of everyone. Alternate parking areas are provided. Emergency vehicles and Handicap parking will have access to the area. With an influx of tourists, something had to be done. So please help to support the safety of all, especially our children and elderly."
Timothy Totten said, "Expansion of the County Beach parking would seem appropriate at this juncture."
Larry Cush said, "I'm happy to see a parking lot. However, I cringed to hear they are going add a fee for parking. The big boulders seem heavy handed to me. Couldn't there be a way that is more welcoming? Perhaps add fees for commercial bus and tour parking only. Please remember this is about showing caring and inclusive change for the community not just commercial interest!"
Deborah Ward wrote, "The turtles laying eggs were impacted by the vehicles and disrupted access to the ocean. I think will be an improvement long time coming."

Volcano Students talking about Farm in a Box kits are Kalia Andrade,
Lahela Hanoa, Aliyah Gayacan, of Na'alehu. Photo by Barbara Sarbin

VOLCANO SCHOOL OF THE ARTS & SCIENCES GAVE FREE FARM IN A BOX KITS at ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's Nāʻālehu Market on Wednesday. Volcano School 's eighth grade Permaculture and Civics students prepared the kits. Fifty resident families were were treated to packages of organic soil, fertilizer, pea, lettuce, and beet seeds, and a large pot, all sourced from McCall’s Farm in Volcano. Students also supplied instructions to successfully plant and grow the veggies at home.
This initiative was the culminating event for the students’ studies of Food Justice, which taught the importance of equal access to healthy food in the community. The students visited local farms and ranches to learn about sustainable agriculture and small-scale backyard family farming, including McCall’s Farm in Volcano, Punachicks Farm in Kurtistown, Mana’o Farm and Kuahiwi Ranch in Nāʻālehu.
As part of this project, students researched the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, gave presentations on each one to inform their classmates about solutions to these global issues, and participated in a UNICEF Hunger Banquet to bring alive the real situation of World Hunger.

Volcano School students assembling Farm in a Box kits are Kamaehu Guerpo-Craft

of Pāhala, Raedyn Breihaupt-Louis, Lahela Hanoa, Mackenzie DeCoito, of Nāʻālehu.

Photo by Barbara Sarbin

The eighth graders also engaged in the Global Run Project, wearing pedometers throughout the school day to try to collect as many steps and miles as possible. A nonprofit charitable organization, Something Good in the World, donated $1 for each mile that the students walked, ran, jumped, and danced. Students said they really enjoyed seeing how many steps and miles they could get each day, and ended up with over 200 miles, raising enough funding to create the 50 Farm-in-a-Box kits.
The eighth graders worked hard to package the soil and fertilizer. They sorted seeds, decorated labels and instructions, and were excited to spend more than five hours at the Farmer’s Market in Nāʻālehu. Residents approached their booth to ask questions and receive the free kits to support food security by growing their own organic, healthy vegetables at home.
Many adults commented to the youth about the importance of their community service project and said they were impressed with the students' knowledge of food justice at such a young age. “You are the future,” said one resident who supported their work with a donation towards the project. Their teacher Barbara Sarbin said the students "are the future…now."

U.N. Sustainable Development Goals studied by Volcano School of Arts & Sciences students.

See The Ka'u Calendar April edition at
www.kaucalendar.com,
on newsstands and in the mail.

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Boulders were dropped along the roadsides near Punalu'u Black Sand Beach on Tuesday, to direct
motorists to a mauka parking lot. No-Parking signs were installed on the black sand beach where
visitors and locals have parked for generations. Photo by Bob Martin

THE LANDSCAPE AROUND PUNALU'U BEACH CHANGED ON WEDNESDAY with the arrival of boulders and no-parking signs to direct people away from driving vehicles onto the black sand and onto the shoulders of adjacent county and private roads. The boulders along Ninole Loop start at the private parking lot belonging to Eva Liu on her 445 acres at Punalu'u below Hwy 11. The boulder lines run on both sides of the county and private roads past Jeanette Howard's house and the Dahlberg House. They stop where the pavement ends and the black sand begins.

No-Parking Anytime signs advise drivers not to leave their cars on the beach. Along the pavement closest to the beach, the boulders make it impossible for people to park on the roadside. As a result, the parking lot, which formerly served the Black Sands restaurant and museum, drew motorists who parked and walked to the beach on Tuesday. In the parking lot, lines delineating stalls have been painted white, while yellow paint covers the curbs.

Yellow curbs and a cleaned-up parking lot drew visitors who faced boulders
blocking parking along the roads next to Punalu'u Black Sand Beach, with
no-parking signs at the beach. Photo by Bob Martin

Liu said that eventually there will be a charge for parking but for now it's free. In the future, any money collected for parking will go to a nonprofit stewarding the place, Liu said. Remnants of a paved path from the parking lot to the beach were recently cleared of overgrowth and will become a safe walkway once a small bridge is built over a gully running through it, said Liu.
County Council Chair Maile David stated she supports "not having vehicles on the beach and redirecting all parking to the newly created parking lot." She said it would "protect this significant cultural resource against adverse environmental impacts from fluids from cars parked on the sandy beach areas." She noted that she will work with county Department of Public Works "to have signage installed directing motorists to the public beach parking lot area."
Left with parking on the sand are workers at the vendor stand, the lifeguards and those with disabilities. Candice Kaawa, who works for Liu, said she will put up handicapped parking signs next week. She also said that without the cars parking on the beach, the lifeguards who take their vehicles in and out of the area, "said they could actually go in and reverse, and not have any problem." She also said, "It's safer. People can walk now without cars just zoomin' in."

Path to the beach from the parking lot at Punalu'u.
Photo by Bob Martin

Sea Mountain at Punalu'u condominium owner Matt Baker pointed to the open space from the road to the beach and said, "This is no longer a parking lot to the beach. It's a road to the beach. People won't be parking everywhere anymore. There's a nice pathway to go up to the parking lot. This whole area was so congested. It was so dangerous and now people can park safely, have an experience and start taking in the beach before they even get here, hear the birds and walk into this beautiful area. This is wonderful."
Concerning no parking on the black sand, Baker said, "We're not making new black sand. It's only a one time deal, from what I understand. Now that people aren't parking on the beach, they won't be driving away with sands, which is a limited, precious, black sands. So that won't be happening anymore."
Additional cleaning of the area, including lands around the old restaurant and museum will be the goal of a volunteer cleanup this Saturday, led by O Ka'u Kakou, said Liu.

BEING A CITIZEN ADVOCATE AT THE HAWAI'I LEGISLATURE at the end of session presents some challenges. The Public Access Room points out that this is a time of conference meetings between House of Representative and Senate members: "Conference is often marked by long periods of waiting, interrupted by whirlwinds of activity, and it’s all hard to follow! Much of the action takes place between

legislators away from the conference meetings. As an advocate, what can you do to make your voice heard? While no public testimony is accepted, you can certainly contact those members named to the conference committee, especially the chairs. Refine your message to be clear on any aspects of the bill you find absolutely necessary (or unacceptable). Don’t forget to also let your own legislators, as well as others with whom you’ve developed a relationship, know your view — you never know when they may be helpful."
On the Legislature’s website (capitol.hawaii.gov), use the “Conference Committee” bar on the Reports and Lists page for assistance in following the action. "Remember, if your bill has any fiscal implications, or has been referred to FIN or WAM, it’ll need the money committee’s blessing. The deadline for bills to emerge with a conference draft is Thursday, April 28th, for non-fiscal bills and Friday, April 29th, for fiscal bills." Learn more about being involved with the Hawai'i Legislature at https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/

See The Ka'u Calendar April edition at
www.kaucalendar.com,
on newsstands and in the mail.

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, April 15, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, April 15, 2022

Thursday, April 14, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, April 14, 2022

Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 13, 2022