Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 26, 2011

The county operates a Hele-On Doubledecker bus and has raised the bus fair to $1 per ride with exemptions for students, seniors and the handicapped.

THE KA`U DISTRICT served by the County Council should be reduced by 1,512 people or more, according to population statistics being used by the county Redistricting Commission. One plan calls for all of Volcano to be placed in the Puna County Council district, removing it from Ka`u.
      The Reapportionment Commission plans to take comments and suggested maps until Sept. 15 and take chosen ones for consideration to public hearings in October. The approximate population to be represented by each council member is 20,564. County law requires the commission to attempt to avoid cutting communities in two - with part served by one council member and the rest of the residents by another. It also requires, however, that each councilperson represent about the same number of people.

Michael Kaleikini

A HOMEGROWN ENERGY FORUM from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. will bring together experts and leaders at the Aupuni Center conference room in Hilo tomorrow. Speakers will comment and answer questions on the benefits and drawbacks and viability of biomass and geothermal energy.
     Speakers include manager of Puna Geothermal Venture Michael Kaleikini; co-chairs of the County’s Geothermal Working Group, Richard Ha of Hamakua Springs Country Farms and Wally Ishibashi of ILWU Local 142; Director of the Center for the Study of Active Volcanoes at UH in Hilo Don Thomas, HELCO president Jay Ignacio and others. The event is open and free to the public.

A friendly Hele-On bus driver, photo by Julia Neal

RIDERSHIP OF HELE-ON BUSES decreased 7.7 percent last month from the number of riders a year ago. This comes after the County mandated a $1 bus fare in the beginning of July, possibly suggesting that the fare is discouraging ridership. According to a Stephens Media article by Jason Armstrong, Mass Transit administrator Tom Brown points to a summer trend of lower ridership as the cause of the decline rather than the effect of the fare. Manager of the Hilo Downtown Improvement Association Office Georgia Pinsky said she has not noted a decline in ridership, and that “In fact, there may be more [riders] because we have people coming in to buy bus tickets, which we didn't have before.”

CONSTRUCTION SLUMP harms economic recovery in the Big Island, says economist Leroy Laney. In a Pacific Business News article, Laney cites increase in foreclosures as one of the reasons why fewer homes are being constructed. “The prices of existing homes,” he says, “have fallen so far that one can get a better deal on a resale than a new home, so developers just aren’t building new product. Foreclosures and short sales are an overhang on the market that will continue to put downward pressure on prices.”
     The Big Island saw a 19 percent rise in foreclosures between April 1 and June 30 this year as compared to last year, and foreclosures accounted for 27 percent of county home sales. This was higher than the state average rise in foreclosed homes – 4 percent – and the percent of sales that are foreclosed homes – 21 percent, according to Pacific Business News.

Senator Gil Kahele,
photo by Julia Neal

SEN. GIL KAHELE’S first in a series of community forums will be held next Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Cooper Center in Volcano from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. He said the series of community forums will allow local residents to voice concerns and to prepare him for the 2012 state Legislature. Participants may email questions or concerns prior to the meeting to senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov.

THE OCEAN VIEW FOOD BASKET is this Tuesday, Aug. 30, from noon to 2:30pm at the Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7000 for more information.

ELENA WELCH PRESENTS an evening of Chicago Jazz on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Tickets are $15 in advance.

Ka`u News Briefs August 25, 2011

`Aina Koa Pono hosts a public meeting on Monday, Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.

JEFFREY ONO, THE STATE CONSUMER ADVOCATE, has recommended that the proposed contract between the HECO companies and `Aina Koa Pono, as well as the Biofuel Surcharge Provision – the rate hike – be approved by the Public Utilities Commission with some modifications. “The provisions of the Supply Contract appear to be fair and reasonable and in the best interest of the HECO Companies and its ratepayers,” Ono said in his statement released yesterday. The Consumer Advocate further states that he does not object to recovery of the costs of biodiesel, transportation, and related taxes incurred as a result of the supply contract up to the amount it would cost for HELCO to procure, transport, and use an equivalent amount of petroleum fuel in its operations.

     As part of its consideration, the Consumer Advocate took note of the state administration’s support for the proposed project, saying that “the concept of the project ostensibly serves a number of principles that are set forth in the comprehensive plan that embodies the ‘New Day’ initiatives. For instance, relying on fuel deemed to be renewable that is grown in Hawai‘i not only serves the objective of reducing reliance on fossil fuels, it also reduces the current reliance on imported fuels, thereby increasing Hawai`i’s self-sustainability. The proposed contract will provide support for the local economy by productively utilizing land that had been laying unused and also providing additional job opportunities for residents in the immediate vicinity.”
     The Consumer Advocate’s primary concern is whether recovery of the contract costs from only HELCO ratepayers will make the rate impact of the contract too burdensome for the contract to be approved by the Commission. While he states that the biofuel surcharge is reasonable, he recommends that recovery of the costs be applied to O`ahu customers only. In his recommended plan, Hawai`i Electric Light Co. customers would not see a hike in electric rates; only those on O`ahu would see a rate hike. The impact on HELCO and Maui Electric Co. ratepayers (Maui rate increases have already been dropped for the proposal) would be eliminated since both of these systems already provide a significant contribution to the ability of the HECO Companies to meet state Renewable Portfolio Standards and “such contributions are already reflected in the rates that are experienced by the customers on the HELCO and MECO systems,” the statement says.
     While Ono suggests that HECO customers bear the rate increase, he points out that HELCO customers “should be found responsible for the costs of the fuel required to run the units that will be producing the energy consumed by HELCO’s ratepayers.” He suggests that, instead of raising rates, HELCO could recover costs by billing HECO, which would be getting increased revenue from its customers.
     The Consumer Advocate’s statement can be read at puc.hawaii.gov/dockets.

`Aina Koa Pono's proposed biofuel refinery would be
built on Meyer Camp Road.  Photo by Julia Neal 

`AINA KOA PONO WILL HOST a public meeting at Pahala Community Center on Monday, Sept. 19 at 6:30 p.m. according to the Office of Councilmember Brittany Smart. The company plans a question-and-answer session and to update the public on its plans for a refinery between Pahala and Wood Valley and a biofuel farm on 13,000 acres near the refinery and along the old sugar cane haul road between Pahala and Na`alehu. The company promised to hold monthly meetings with the community; the last one was held on Feb. 21 in Pahala. 

THE BIG ISLAND WAS NAMED the top Hawaiian island by the annual Travel and Leisure Magazine World’s Best Awards for 2011. Among other islands around the world, the Big Island was ranked seventh, Kaua`i eighth and Maui ninth. In 2010, Kaua`i was ranked second, Maui was ranked eighth and the Big Island was ranked tenth.
     Who did the ranking? From December 15, 2010, to March 31, 2011, Travel and Leisure Magazine readers were asked to complete a survey with five characteristics about the islands to rank them on: natural attractions, activities/sights, restaurants/food, people and value. To protect the integrity of the data, after March 31, 2011 Travel and Leisure screened respondents and eliminated any identified travel industry professionals who completed the survey from the final tally. Hotels, destination spas, hotel spas, cities, cruise lines, tour operators and safari outfitters, airlines, rental-car agencies and golf resorts were also ranked in this survey. Visit travelandleisure.com/worldsbest to find out more.

COMMENTS ON OPTIONS FOR HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park’s future are being taken through September following three meetings this week where the plans were explained to the public through presentations by national park staff and consultants. The plans can be seen on the national park website. Local meetings wrapped up last night in Na`alehu.

Bluegrass teachers including Auntie Belle from Alaska
taught and performed in Ka`u this week and are inviting
enthusiasts to Kona this weekend. Photo by Julia Neal

THE TROUPE OF BLUEGRASS MUSICIANS who performed at Ka`u High School this week is inviting local youth and adults to follow them to Kona for teaching sessions at Queen Emma Community Center on the grounds of the Episcopal Church just below Konawaena High School. The musicians from Nashville, San Francisco and Alaska will teach singing, guitar, mandolin, fiddle and stand up bass with registration on Friday beginning at 3 p.m. The weekend camp will last through Sunday. Cost is $100 for the entire camp. Call 960-8385. 

THE KA`U FARM BUREAU ANNUAL MEETING will be held Thursday, Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Guest speakers will be state Sen. Gil Kahele and County Council member Brittany Smart. There will be an election of the board and officers. The event is potluck, and anyone interested in the future of Ka`u agriculture is invited to attend. For more information, call 929-9550.

COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER BRITTANY SMART, state Office of Aging executive director Wes Lum and Hawai`i County Office of Aging executive Alan Parker are hosting meetings on needs of senior citizens today at 10:30 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center and 2 p.m. at Pahala Senior Center. Another meeting takes place in Mt. View Community Center tomorrow at 10 a.m.

Elena Welch

PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN STRATEGIES to protect homes and families against wildfires during a Wildfire Preparedness Workshop tonight at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. For more information, call Carolyn Stewart at 885-6354. 

ELENA WELCH PRESENTS an evening of Chicago Jazz on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on Saturday. Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

Ka`u News Briefs August 24, 2011

More hiking and vehicular trails could be established in the Kahuku section of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

THE NA`ALEHU MEETING for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s public input on options for its new General Management Plan will be held tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Options for the future of the park include more trails, camping, activities and facilities at Kahuku, as well as connecting Kahuku with upland trails across Mauna Loa to Volcano. Another option is limiting vehicular access around Halema`uma`u Crater. The proposed options can be read on the park’s website. The park hopes to gather community comments by Sept. 30. They can be sent in by email through the park website or by mail to Cindy Orlando, P.O. Box 52, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718. Comments will also be taken this evening at the Na`alehu meeting.

The drilling is long finished for the new
Ocean View well.  Photo from
bigislandliving.blogspot.com

WORK ON THE WELLS at Ocean View to provide potable water to residents and businesses could be delayed, according to county Department of Water manager Milton Pavao. Ocean View residents Don Nitsche, Mike Dubois and Allan Stafford asked to see a plan that would show more clearly how water will be loaded into water hauling trucks. They also said they need to understand how individual residents will pick up small quantities of water. 

     According to Stephens Media, Pavao said, “We have a right to stop a contractor, and if there is this much concern, we have to stop it,” Pavao said. “I'm not going to go ahead with this after hearing the concerns,” declared the water manager.
     Completion of the project was scheduled for September, and the water would be available at the spigots in October.
     Pavao plans to visit the site soon.

WATER BILLS GO UP AGAIN on Sept. 1, this time by eight cents for every thousand gallons. The increase is called a power cost charge and is blamed on the rising cost of electricity. It was approved by a unanimous vote of the county board of water yesterday. The power cost charge has been steadily increasing. Back in February, it was $1.75 per 1,000 gallons. In March it went to $1.80, and June it went to $2.23. In September it goes to $2.31.
     No one testified on the bill hike at a public hearing called before the meeting. The Board of Water is allowed to change the power charge to customers every two months. 

FORMER COUNTY MANAGING DIRECTOR Barry T. Mizuno, who is also a geothermal energy expert and a Certified Public Accountant, will sit on the University of Hawai`i Board of Regents. He starts immediately, but his volunteer task won’t be permanent until confirmation by the state Senate when it convenes in January. Mizuno, from Hilo, was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill the vacant East Hawai`i seat formerly held by Harvey Tajiri.
     The Regents oversee the three University of Hawai`i campuses and seven community colleges.

THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT for Nani Kahuku `Aina’s proposed resort development between South Point and Ocean View along the coast states that the project “will change the character of developed portions of the site from open space to a rural community character.” It contends that most highway travellers would not notice the changes, because there is already little development present. It further claims that development would make the coast more accessible as there is little present infrastructure. A 300-foot conservation zone along the coast would minimize effects on the shoreline. The plan calls for a hotel, golf course, golf estate, condominium and commercial development and would require changing land along the coast from conservation to urban and resort. 

     Traffic would increase, says the Draft EIS, as part of a general trend on Mamalahoa Hwy with or without the development of Kahuku Village. Nani Kahuku `Aina would implement road improvements to minimize increased traffic.
     Construction and operation of Kahuku Village would inevitably produce solid waste. Green waste from construction, like shrubs, the Draft EIS says, would be turned into mulch for the site or recycled. All unrecyclable waste would be dumped at the county landfill. At the village’s completion, there would be 21 solid waste transport station sites and the option for some residents to hire private waste disposal companies.
     The Draft EIS says Nani Kahuku `Aina would consider lowering energy consumption with renewable energy sources like solar. The resort may also have access to wind-powered electricity from Kamaoa Wind Farm. However, the decision on whether to connect to the wind farm or HECO’s facilities would “be made based upon factors such as reliability of power supply, construction and operational costs, and the availability of easements or access rights for transmission lines,” says the Draft EIS. 

Nani Kahuku `Aina resort developers
promise to protect hawksbills, which
nest at Pohue Bay.

     Adverse effects on air quality could be unavoidable during construction when dust could be released into the air. In the long-term, the Draft EIS says, the impact of dust and traffic in Kahuku Village on air quality would be below State and Federal standards “even during worst-case conditions,” says the Draft EIS. During construction, the greatest noise impacts would most likely come from bulldozers and diesel trucks, but will fall under state and federal regulations.
     Adverse environment effects from Nani Kahuku `Aina’s Kahuku Village resort development would be offset by the benefits it would offer, claims the draft EIS. The county would expect to collect about $10 million more in net revenues through taxes collected from the resort development. The Draft EIS claims the development would add 393 temporary full-time jobs during construction, and 1,509 permanent full-time jobs upon completion. Wages of these workers would also benefit the economy, the EIS says.
     According to the Draft EIS, Kahuku Village would implement a Natural Resources and Cultural Management Plan to help preserve the land’s natural and cultural resources. A Hawaiian Heritage Center would help preserve archaeological and cultural resources. The development would dedicate 100 acres to the county and state for civic facilities as well as offer affordable housing. However, the construction and environmental assessments of the civic facilities would be up to the county and state.
     Comments on Nani Kahuku `Aina are due Sept. 21 through the state Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Quality Control. The entire document can be downloaded from the state health department website under the OEQC.

SEN. GIL KAHELE’S first in a series of community forums will be held a week from today, next Wednesday, Aug. 31 at Cooper Center in Volcano from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. He said a series of community forums will allow local residents to voice their concerns and to prepare him for the 2012 state Legislature. Participants may email questions or concerns prior to the meeting to senkahele@capitol.hawaii.gov.

COUNTY COUNCILMEMBER BRITTANY SMART, state Office of Aging executive director Wes Lum and Hawai`i County Office of Aging executive Alan Parker are hosting meetings on needs of senior citizens tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center and 2 p.m. at Pahala Senior Center. Another meeting takes place in Mt. View on Friday at 10 a.m.

PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN STRATEGIES to protect homes and families against wildfires during a Wildfire Preparedness Workshop tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. For more information, call Carolyn Stewart at 885-6354.