Ka`u News Briefs June 14, 2011

Learn about Tracking Nene by Satellite tonight at After Dark in the Park.  Photo by Julia Neal

WITNESSES OR ANYONE with information pertaining to an accident between Pahala and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning is asked to contact the Park at 985-6001. The single-vehicle accident in which the driver lost control and the vehicle veered off the highway into lava within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park claimed the life of 20-year-old Bryson Areola from Kea`au. His companion, 19-year-old Julien Quiocho, from Hilo, was flown to Queen’s Medical Center on O`ahu in critical condition with head and spinal injuries. 

     National Park Service rangers said that speed and alcohol may have contributed to the accident, and an investigation is underway. The accident happened around the 35-mile marker. Chief Ranger Talmadge Magno said he would like to thank Hawai`i County Fire and Police personnel for their assistance in the medical treatment of the victims and investigation of the accident.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will hold its next meeting this Thursday at 5 p.m. at the Na`ohulelua historic garden on Kama`oa Road. The Chamber will be accepting applications from potential board members, especially from people who own or operate businesses in Ka`u.

Plant and Seed Exchange at
Na`ohulelua Garden.

SCENIC HIGHWAYS HAWAI`I recently presented the Na`ohulelua historic garden with the Betty Crocker Landscape Award, the first time the Big Island has been honored in this contest. The garden will host a workshop on container plants and herbs in the garden on Sunday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. The garden will be open from noon to 3 p.m. It will also include a plant and seed exchange as well as tours of the garden, which can be reached by turning makai from Hwy 11 onto Kama`oa Road and traveling 1.6 miles. It is on the right side of the road and also is home to the ruins of the 1864 Sacred Hearts church. 929-7236. 

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION has approved the nomination of the Ka`u Scenic Byway program, which could lead to designation as a Hawai`i Scenic Byway. The byway would be along Hwy 11 with side trips identified by signage, possible turnouts, restrooms and educational signage.

SUMI-E CLASSES, which teach Japanese brush painting and calligraphy, will continue at Na`alehu Hongwanji on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The class was being taught by the Rev. Earl Ikeda, whose service to the hongwanji community in Ka`u was celebrated yesterday along with an Obon service in Na`alehu.
     David Fujimoto is the new Buddhist minister who will be moving to the Big Island to guide the Kea`au, Pahala and Na`alehu Hongwanjis.

NENE IN THE SPACE AGE is the topic at After Dark in the Park tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Wildlife biologist Steven Hess discusses the use of satellite telemetry to track the state bird across Hawai`i Island.

Kenneth Makuakane performs tomorrow at
Kilauea Visitor Center.

ALSO AT KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER, twelve-time Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning singer, songwriter and producer Kenneth Makuakane shares songs from his latest albums tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon on the lanai and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the auditorium. 

THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT airs on Na Leo O Hawai`i Community Television this month on channel 54. It will air tomorrow at 6 p.m.; Friday, June 17 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, June 19 at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday, June 22 at 6 p.m.

Ka`u News Briefs June 13, 2011

Lani Cran directs cattle from the branding corral to the eucalyptus forest, which is also crossed by hunters who cooperate with Kapapala Ranch.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION is determining whether public hearings should be held regarding a proposal that would allow Hawaiian Electric companies on Maui, O`ahu and the Big Island to raise rates to help pay for the proposed $350 million `Aina Koa Pono Refinery between Pāhala and Wood Valley and biodiesel crop farm between Pāhala and Na`alehu.
     The PUC previously turned down the request from HECO and `Aina Koa Pono to increase rates across the customer base for the initial higher cost of producing the biofuel, ruling that Hawai`i law disallows Maui and O`ahu customers to be charged for biofuel that would be used only on the Big Island. HECO and `Aina Koa Pono, however, went to the Legislature to change the law. They argued that in order to balance the electric company’s alternative energy portfolio and develop new energy sources, rate hikes could be appropriate for all customers since they could eventually be using the new energy. They also said that the biofuel, though initially costing more than fossil fuel, would eventually be less expensive than traditional petroleum.
     The Legislature passed the law, and it was recently signed by the governor.

Hawai`i Renewable Energy
Alliance logo

     Life of the Land and the Hawai`i Renewable Energy Alliance both asked the PUC to intervene in the contract proposal between the electric company and `Aina Koa Pono, but were turned down by the PUC. Life of the Land has intervened in earlier rate cases and takes credit for stopping a HECO plan to import large quantities of biofuel in the form of palm oil from Asia, where rainforests are taken down to plant palm trees for biofuel. The Energy Alliance, which represents the company that owns the windmills at South Point, said its members are concerned that HECO would be deterred from buying more wind and other alternative energies, should the `Aina Koa Pono contract be approved.
     The County of Hawai`i also attempted to intervene in the `Aina Koa Pono discussion at the PUC, stating that the county is Hawai`i Electric Light Company’s largest customer and wants to discuss the energy alternatives available to the island. The PUC said the county was too late to enter the discussion.
     The PUC has asked the electric company to submit briefs by this Friday regarding whether public hearings are required and where they should be held, regarding Act 69. This is the new law that could allow the electric company automatic rate increases for the cost of producing the biofuel, should it be higher than using fossil fuel.
     The PUC is posting various letters regarding the issue in the dockets section of its website under `Aina Koa Pono in the documents file.

Paul Chow helps to process cattle after an easing of years
of drought and problems of vog.  Photo by Julia Neal

HUNTERS AND RANCHERS are now getting along well, according to Kapapala Ranch manager Lani Cran. She said a new call-in line for hunters that coordinated their trek through Kapapala ranch to mauka hunting grounds is working out. The hunters go through a eucalyptus grove where ranchers sometimes keep their cattle. The hunters call in for the day they want to hunt and are provided the combination for the gate on the road that leads to the hunting grounds. The locks are changed often, and hunters must provide their contact information.

KAPAPALA RANCH posted 4.9 inches of rain in May, well above its average rainfall of 2.7 inches for the month. Other Ka`u rain gauges showed lower than normal rainfall, with 3.21 inches versus the normal 3.8 inches. South Point received 1.02 inches versus the normal 2 inches. Kahuku Ranch received 2.06 inches of rain in May; normally it receives 5.1 inches. With the rain, Kapapala had a successful branding over the weekend, as it makes a recovery from the recent drought and the heavy vog that took a toll on the cattle, especially the young calves. Vog is still affecting the ranch, though less often than in recent years, Cran said.

Satellites are a new way to track Hawai`i's
 state endangered bird, the Nene goose.

NENE IN THE SPACE AGE is the topic at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Wildlife biologist Steven Hess discusses the use of satellite telemetry to track the state bird across Hawai`i Island.

THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT airs on Na Leo O Hawai`i Community Television this month on channel 54. It will air on Wednesday, June 15 at 6 p.m.; Friday, June 17 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, June 19 at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday, June 22 at 6 p.m.

Ka`u News Briefs June 12, 2011

The Hawai`i County Band, alive and well, performed at the Ka`u Family Fun Fest. Photo by Misaki Takabayashi

THE FIRST KA`U FAMILY FUN FEST, sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, was a big success for raising money for a new medical building for Bay Clinic in Na`alehu. While the final figures are not tallied, up to $30,000 has been committed to Bay Clinic from the event and a fundraising challenge by the Edmund C. Olson Trust. 

Women's Hunters' Obstacle
Course winner "Anna
 Banana" Photo by Nalani Parlin

Overall 5K female winner
11-year-old Kiyena Beatty
Photo by Nalani Parlin

     The Fun Fest began with early morning running races and drew 22 runners in a half marathon, 20 in the 10K, and 51 in the 5K. A large crowd gathered for a day of fun at Na`alehu Park. Entertainment, food and public service and product booths kept the crowd going along with the many competitive games. 

     The half marathon was taken by Michael Sullivan for the men and Merceda Rivera for the women. In the 5K, male overall winner was Lyman Perry, and overall female winner was Kiyena Beatty. In the 10K, overall male winner was Daniel Johnson, and overall female winner was Sasha Gusarchuk. 

     The Hunters’ Obstacle Course saw Jordan Cabreras winning the male division and “Anna Banana” winning the female division. 

Dunking booth draws the keiki, who love to see adults take
 a splash. Photo by Misaki Takabayashi

Men's Hunters' Obstacle
course winner Jordan Cabreros
Photo by Nalani Parlin

            Portuguese Horseshoes saw team John Masters and Elijah Duncan winning first, Brian Burgos and Russell Salmo winning second and Grant Fukunaga and Chris Chun-Hoon winning third. The overall Jan Ken Po Winner was Jeanette Howard. 

Mayor Billy Kenoi and Tanya Aynessazian, of Volcano Art
Center, conducted a live auction. Photo by Misaki Takabayashi

 

    THE HAWAI`I COUNTY BAND, which is funded and carrying out a full schedule into the future, performed at the Ka`u Family Fun Fest yesterday in Na`alehu. It plays every month in Hilo and is expected to be back in Ka`u on July 2 for the annual Independence Day Parade. 

VOLCANO ART CENTER hosts the third annual Volcano Pottery Sale at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eight Big Island potters showcase a large assortment of pottery and ceramic sculpture at the sale. 

NENE IN THE SPACE AGE is the topic at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Wildlife biologist Steven Hess discusses the use of satellite telemetry to track the state bird across Hawai`i Island. 

In 1914, Thomas Jaggar (r) Frank Perret
study a cone on Kilauea's southwest rift.

Thomas Jaggar

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY is approaching its 100th anniversary, and the journey began without a ribbon-cutting ceremony or grand opening, HVO reports in its recent Volcano Watch. In April of 1909, Thomas A. Jaggar, Jr. was traveling to Japan to learn how its scientists monitor volcanoes. On the way, he stopped in Honolulu and gave a speech calling for systematic study of volcanoes, saying that “no better place could be found for it than ... close to the crater of Kilauea.” He also extolled the accomplishments of American scientist Frank A. Perret, so successful at studying Italian volcanoes and forecasting their behavior that the Crown of Italy decorated him “for his splendid service to science and humanity.” Perret arrived at the edge of Kilauea caldera on July 2, 1911 and began observing the lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater, stretching a 1,200-foot cable across the crater, and constructing a hut for observers and instruments at the eastern edge of the crater. Jaggar arrived at Volcano House hotel on Jan. 17, 1912 and took up Perret’s observations and documentation. Jaggar received his first paycheck on July 1, 1912. This began the continuous record of volcanic activity and the establishment of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. 

THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT airs on Na Leo O Hawai`i Community Television this month on channel 54. It will air on Wednesday, June 15 at 6 p.m.; Friday, June 17 at 2 p.m.; Sunday, June 19 at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesday, June 22 at 6 p.m.