Ka`u News Briefs September 29, 2011

Humpback whales are returning to Hawaiian waters.  Photo courtesy of NOAA

IT’S EARLY, but it may be time to start looking for humpback whales in waters off Ka`u. The first reports of seeing humpbacks off the coast of the Big Island were turned in this week. Popular humpback sighting places in Ka`u are South Point, Punalu`u and Honu`apo. The first whales were seen in Kona.
     The staff of the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary reminds boaters and other ocean users to keep a safe distance from the humpback whales. The whales travel annually to Hawaiian waters to give birth to their young and spend the winter before heading north to Alaskan and Canadian waters where they spend the summer feeding.
     According to NOAA, federal regulations prohibit all ocean users - vessel operators, kayakers, paddle boarders, windsurfers, swimmers and divers throughout the Hawaiian Islands – from approaching within 100 yards of whales when on the water, and 1,000 feet when operating an aircraft. Humpback season generally runs from November to May, when up to 12,000 whales each year migrate to Hawaiian waters.
     “It’s important for everyone to be extra vigilant during whale season, for their own safety and the protection of these magnificent animals,” said Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary operations coordinator Paul Wong.
     People are also being called to report distressed animals. “By locating distressed animals, reporting and providing the initial documentation and assessment on the animal, ocean users are the foundation of our conservation efforts,” says marine mammal response manager for the sanctuary Ed Lyman.
     Anyone who comes across an injured or entangled marine mammal is asked to maintain the required safe distance and call the NOAA Marine Mammal Hotline at 1-888-256-9840 or the U.S. Coast Guard on channel 16. Reports of a suspected approach zone violation are asked to call NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964. Additional guidelines and safety tips can be found at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

LETTERS FROM THE PUBLIC omitted from the online publication of the Nani Kahuku `Aina Draft Environmental Impact Statement are now posted.

RICK WARSHAUER, of Volcano, asked, “Is it fiscally responsible for government officials and commission members to recommend and grant land use approvals when there is a good chance that the development might not progress, but the county still be required to provide services implied by such approvals?”
     Warshauer described a situation in Puna, where he says “over 50,000 house lots were approved over a short period of time, but the county has not kept up with expected public improvements in the area.”
     Resort planner Dean Minakami responded, “Please be aware that all our infrastructure associated with Kahuku Village, including roadways, sewer, water, and drainage systems, will be privately constructed and maintained at no cost to the county.”
     Minakami claims that the development would have a net fiscal benefit for the county by bringing in increased tax revenues.

RICK BENNETT, chairman of the Kona chapter of the Surfrider Foundation, outlined what he says should be covered by the EIS, including the impact on ground water, marine water, anchialine ponds, and agriculture potential. Bennett also recommended that the statement include considerations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration. 

     PBR Hawai`i planner Dean Minakami replied to the letter, saying, “An agricultural feasibility study has not been prepared as the property is not suitable for most agricultural pursuits.” He described the majority of the property as “barren lava fields with pockets of vegetation in shallow topsoil. The property’s limited agricultural potential is reflected in its Land Study Bureau agricultural productivity rating of an “E” (the lowest rating), and its unclassified status on the Agricultural Lands of Importance to the State of Hawai`i (ALISH) map.”

ROB SHALLENBERGER wrote as a director of The Nature Conservancy Hawai`i Island. He asked for more detail on a proposed ahupua`a stewardship program. “I hope that the DEIS will provide substantially more data regarding agricultural uses of the property, including the opportunity for bioenergy projects.”
     Minakami replied that planners considered agriculture and growth of feedstock on the land for a bio-energy facility, but that the agricultural potential there is “very limited.” 

     The PBR Hawai`i planner said the potential impact of development on archaeological sites, ground and marine water, shoreline, air quality, and other issues raised by Bennett, Shallenberger, and in other letters are covered by the DEIS.

     The previously omitted letters and responses are attached at the end of the DEIS, which can be read under the state Department of Health website under Office of Environmental Quality Control at
http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/EA_and_EIS_Online_Library/Hawaii/2010s/2011-09-23-DEIS-Kahuku-Village-Vol1.pdf.

A MEETING ON THE Nani Kahuku `Aina development will be held at Miloli`i tomorrow, sponsored by Pa`a Pono Miloli`i at 2:30 p.m. at the Halau - the Miloli`i Pavilion. The organization is calling for more community involvement in reviewing the plan to change land to Urban designation from Conservation along the coast between South Point and Ocean View Ranchos to create a development called Kahuku Village. The meeting will be followed by a presentation by Conservation International and Pa`a Pono Miloli`i on a marine conservation program.

INNOVATIONS DEVELOPMENT GROUP, the Native-to-Native company working on geothermal in New Zealand, is holding a meeting today regarding potential locations for additional geothermal to make electricity for this island. The meeting will feature Mililani Trask, an attorney and principal in the hui; Bob Lindsey, trustee for the Big Island for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Wally Ishibashi, of ILWU Local 142 and member of the Geothermal Working Group; and Richard Ha, co-chair of the Geothermal Working Group. Today’s meeting is at 6 p.m. at Kealakehe High School in Kona.

Manila Extract  is celebrating National Coffee Day.
Photo by Tanya Kearns

THIS IS NATIONAL COFFEE DAY. Ka`u Coffee Mill giveaways are part of the Manila Extract celebration on Facebook. Among the giveaways are Ka`u Coffee Mill bags of coffee and Ka`u Coffee Mill coffee bags. Check out Manila Extract on Facebook. 

VOLUNTEERS ARE STILL NEEDED at Ka`u Hospital to help train and certify Emergency Department doctors with a new ultrasound machine. The training will be on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 3 and 4. Volunteers are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to the two-hour volunteer shifts, which are scheduled at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Volunteers must be over 18 years of age. To find out more about requirements or to sign up call assistant administrator Nona Wilson at 928-2050 or email nowilson@hhsc.org. 

VOTING CONTINUES THROUGH Saturday morning at Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu for the cover art for the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce’s Directory 2012. The End of Show celebration takes place Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. The Directory is Ka`u’s phone book and resource publication. Deadline to submit listings and advertising is Oct. 31. Applications are online at kauchamber.org or call 928-6471.

THIS IS SPIRIT WEEK FOR KA`U HIGH. On Monday, each class wore different colored clothes; Tuesday was Paniolo Day; yesterday was Nerd Day; today is Trojan Wear Day and Flashback Friday features kids wearing clothes from different eras. The Homecoming Dance is Friday night, and the Homecoming Parade is Saturday throughout Pahala Village preceding the homecoming game which kicks off at 6 p.m. on the Ka`u High ball field against Kohala. 

TONIGHT THE KA`U HIGH girls Varsity volleyball will play St. Joseph's at 6 p.m. at the Ka`u high gym. The game, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, was moved to today. There is no JV game.

Ka'u News Briefs Sept. 28, 2011

Native-to-Native company, Innovations Development, is working on geothermal resources in New Zealand and Hawai'i.

INNOVATIONS DEVELOPMENT GROUP, the Native-to-Native company working on geothermal in New Zealand, is holding meetings today in Waimea and one tomorrow in Kailua-Kona regarding potential locations for additional geothermal to make electricity for this island. The meetings will feature Mililani Trask, an attorney and principal in the hui; Bob Lindsey, trustee for the Big Island for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Wally Ishibashi, of ILWU Local 142; and member of the Geothermal Working Group; and Richard Ha, co-chair of the Geothermal Working Group. Government maps of places with geothermal potential include the Ka`u desert. Today’s meeting is at 5 p.m. at Kanu o ka`Aina New Public Charter School in Kamuela. Tomorrow’s meeting is at Kealakehe High School in Kona at 6 p.m.

Potential geothermal sites in Ka'u extend from Mauna Loa slope to
South Point and Ka'u Desert Coast. Map from U.S. Dept. of Energy

NANI KAHUKU `AINA'S PLAN for hotel, golf course, condominums, estates and commercial centers between South Point and Ranchos is subject of a public meeting at Miloli`i this Friday. The meeting, sponsored by Pa`a Pono Miloli`i, will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Halau - the Miloli`i Pavilion. The organization is calling for more community involvement in reviewing the plan to change land to Urban designation from Conservation along the coast to create a development called Kahuku Village. The meeting will be followed by a presentation by Conservation international and Pa`a Pono Miloli`i on a marine conservation program.

INTERISLAND SHIPPING EXPENSES should be dropping slightly as both Pasha Hawai`i Transport lines and Matson Navigation Co. lowered their fuel surcharges, with the drop in fuel prices. Horizon has yet to decide whether to lower its surcharge.

ALAN PARKER, from the County Office of Aging, will be the speaker at District 6 Matters, sponsored by County Council member Brittany Smart Thursday at 9:45 a.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano Village. Rural issues for seniors will be discussed. Call 961-8536 for more.

Keoki Kahumoku at Honu'apo 0ct. 9.

KA`OHANA O HONU`APO celebrates another year of its stewardship of Honu‘apo Park with a Sunday afternoon of Hawaiian music and ono food on Oct. 9 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Whittington Beach Park. Ka ‘Ohana encourages everyone to bring their acoustic music instruments to this free family event and jam with Keoki Kahumoku, Jr. Along with the music, Ka ‘Ohana offers $5 chili and rice bowls, drinks and baked goods to raise funds to help improve Honu‘apo Park. 

     During the event, board members Ken Sugai, Wendy Vance, Megan Lamson, Michelle Galimba, Chris Manfredi and Sue Barnett answer questions about Ka ‘Ohana’s new plan to restore native bird habitat in Honu‘apo’s wetlands. “We’d like everybody to come and have a good time in the park during the long holiday weekend,” announced Ka ‘Ohana’s executive director Lehua Lopez-Mau. “Keoki has done a terrific job teaching some of our keiki how to make and play the ‘ukulele, and now they have an opportunity to play their ‘ukulele along with their uncles, aunties, grandparents and the rest of the family.”
     For more information or to donate baked goods, call 929-9891.

VOTING continues today at Ka`u Federal Credit Union for the cover art for The Directory, Ka`u’s phone book and community and business resource guide put out annually by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce. Voting is open all week at the credit union in Na`alehu. Deadline to sign up for listings and advertising in The Directory is the end of this month. Download an application at kaucreditunion.org or call 928-6471.

FEMA CERTIFICATION classes will be offered and the deadline to sign up for the free emergency preparedness course is this Monday, Oct. 3. Classes are sponsored by the Pacific Regional Disaster Preparedness Center and cover community preparation and response to terrorism, tsunamis and other hazards. The classes will take place Oct.11-14 at the Hawai`i Innovation Center in Hilo at 117 Keawe St., and at Bougainvillea Plaza in Kona. For more information and registration, visit the website, prdpc.org, call 933-2439 or email course-registration@prdpc.org. 

This years homecoming parade through Pahala is Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

HOMECOMING CELEBRATIONS are all this week at Ka`u High School and this is called Spirit Week. On Monday, each class wore different colored clothes, yesterday was Paniolo Day, today is Nerd Day, Thursday is Trojan Wear Day and Flashback Friday features kids wearing clothes from different eras. The Homecoming Dance is Friday night and the Homecoming Parade is Saturday throughout Pahala Village preceding the homecoming game which kicks off at 6 p.m. on the Ka`u High ball field against Kohala.

PIERRE OMIDYAR, the founder of Civil Beat, the award-winning news gathering organization in Hawai`i, is the only Hawai`i resident on the Forbes 2011 list of the wealthiest Americans. He is founder of Ebay and moved to O`ahu a couple of years ago. Omidyar’s Civil Beat editor John Temple will be at the University of Hawai`i’s Media Symposium this weekend in Hilo.

Ka`u News Briefs September 27, 2011

A proposed reapportionment map would split Ka`u for the state House of Representatives.

REDISTRICTING MAPS that would cut Ka`u in half and put Rep. Bob Herkes in a district more aligned with Puna are going to be challenged, according to the Hawai`i Island Democratic Party. The Democrats and several other groups, including one led by Sen. Malama Solomon, are planning an appeal to the state Supreme Court. 

     The statewide reapportionment commission voted to approve the new districts last night on O`ahu. The basis of the suit, however, is to exclude non-residents, such as the military, from the census used for the reapportionment. Excluding non-residents, which are concentrated on O`ahu, would likely give the Big Island a fourth Senate seat. The deadline to file the suit is 45 days from yesterday’s vote.

STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE member Richard Ha is warning policy makers about the downside of accepting energy solutions that fail to reduce the cost of electricity. He says it threatens food security, as many agricultural operations require electricity. Ha’s opinion piece is published in this morning’s Civil Beat. Ha is working with a hui to buy Hawaiian Electric Company in order to develop more geothermal and other alternatives that he says could make Hawai`i a growing economy that uses cheap energy. 

     Writes Ha: “Expensive electricity throttles Hawai`i's food self-sufficiency, too. People may not immediately think of maintaining the cold chain – a temperature-controlled supply chain – as a place where a significant cost of getting food to their plate occurs. The cooling costs on a farm, at a wholesaler, at a retailer and in the home refrigerator are all affected by electricity costs.

Richard Ha

“The higher electricity rates become, the higher the costs of growing food in Hawai`i become. These costs must be paid by Hawai`i's farmers and in many cases cannot be passed on to the consumer.
     “As fossil or biofuel oil costs rise, and our farmers’ cost of production also rises, farmers are unable to pass on the increased costs,” Ha writes. See civilbeat.com for more stories on energy and agriculture in Hawai`i.

SIDEWALK TO NOWHERE is what Chris Manfredi is calling the state proposed sidewalk that could threaten large shade trees and rock walls along Hwy 11. Manfredi, a land manager who lives in a house along the proposed sidewalk path, told National Public Radio-Hawai`i in a story broadcast yesterday, that he knew of no stakeholders in Ka`u who asked the state to build the sidewalk. A state Department of Transportation plan listed the sidewalk as the highest priority on the Big Island. According to the NPR story, it was placed in the plan to improve “connectivity and accessibility,” but was neither funded nor scheduled. There is already a sidewalk on the makai side of the highway.
     Marge Elwell, secretary of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce and a leader in the Scenic Byways movement, noted that one of the rationales for the scenic byways designation is the beautiful drive along the tree-lined highway through Na`alehu. Friday is the deadline to comment on the plan.
     The plan can be read, and comments can be made, at hawaiipedplan.com or 808-587-6395.

A meeting on Nani Kahuku `Aina resort plans will be held at the Miloli`i
Halau this Friday. Photo by Julia Neal

NANI KAHUKU `AINA'S PLAN for a resort between South Point and Ranchos is subject of a public meeting at Miloli`i this Friday. The meeting, sponsored by Pa`a Pono Miloli`i, will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Halau - the Miloli`i Pavilion. The organization is calling for more community involvement in reviewing the plan to change land to Urban designation from Conservation along the coast. It will be followed by a presentation by Conservation international and Pa`a Pono Miloli`i on a marine conservation program.

POSTAL SERVICE EMPLOYEES are rallying in Honolulu this morning. Across the country the employees are launching campaigns to help keep more funding in the USPS with some national television ads saying that much of the post office fees for stamps and sending packages are kept by the federal government for unrelated services. While thousands of post offices across the country are threatened with closure, none of Ka`u’s post offices are on the list.

THE DEADLINE to sign up for free emergency preparedness classes being offered for FEMA certification is next Monday, Oct. 3. Classes are sponsored by the Pacific Regional Disaster Preparedness Center. They cover community preparation and response to terrorism, tsunamis and other hazards. They will take place Oct.11-14 at the Hawai`i Innovation Center in Hilo at 117 Keawe St., and at Bougainvillea Plaza in Kona. For more information and registration, visit the website, prdpc.org, call 933-2439 or email course-registration@prdpc.org.

More cruise ships expected in Hilo with visitors traveling to Ka`u
 in first week of October. Photo by Julia Neal

MORE CRUISE SHIP VISITORS could be seen at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and as far as Punalu`u Black Sand Beach, as nearly 10,000 visitors will be landing in Hilo on five cruise ships. According to a Stephens Media report, the cruise ship visitor count has been slowly growing over the last few years, following a crash in the business that cut the passenger landings in half.

THE CHINA NATIONAL TOURISM ASSOCIATION sent its top official to the Big Island, and he spoke to the U.S. Travel Association, promising more visitors, particularly if visa restrictions are eased. Hawai`i is receiving fewer Chinese visitors than such places as France because of the difficulty in getting visas, even though Hawai`i represents a dream vacation for many, Chinese visiting officials said.

MANA I KA LEO: THE POWER OF THE VOICE will be shown at After Dark in the Park tonight at 7 p.m. The documentary film examines the cultural importance of oli, the Hawaiian tradition of chant. It won the Audience Award for Favorite Short Film at the 2010 Hawai`i International Film Festival. After Dark is held in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center Auditorium. A small donation is requested.

COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART holds a District 6 Matters meeting at Cooper Center in Volcano Village on Thursday at 9:45 a.m. Alan Parker, from the Office of Aging, will discuss rural issues with the public. Call 961-8536 for more information.