Ka`u News Briefs May 17, 2012

Road to the Sea accesses more than 3,000 acres on the Ka`u Coast that will be preserved.

LEGACY LAND FUNDING TO PRESERVE more than 3,000 acres on the Ka`u Coast passed the state Board of Land & Natural Resources without opposition last week. The money will be matched by funds from the county’s Public Access, Open Land and Natural Resources Preservation fund, also known as the Two-Percent. Ownership will be with Hawai`i County.

Ka`u Coast at the end of Road to the Sea.

       The land surrounding the Road to the Sea in Kahuku will cost the public $388 per acre to purchase. The Sierra Club stated that the low price makes it “by far the most cost effective purchase the Legacy Land Conservation could make, and would secure a prized recreational and natural resource for the residents of the Big Island, where recreational resources are generally access-restricted by private land owners.

      “The site contains many high-quality natural and cultural resources, including anchialine ponds, nesting sites for the endangered Hawksbill turtle, prominent geologic features, one of the state’s largest petroglyph fields, a highly complex cave system with endemic organisms and unique archaeological features. Over 3,127 acres of land, including miles of coastline, are relatively unchanged since pre-western contact in the late 1700s,” says the Sierra Club testimony.

One of the state's largest petroglyph fields is
within the lands to be preserved.

      Numerous other organizations and individuals supported the measure, including Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, which hosts regular clean-ups of the Ka`u Coast, and such community members as Jamie Kawauchi and Councilmember Brittany Smart.
      The Sierra Club also testified that preserving these Kahuku lands will “insure public access to an important fishing and cultural resource.”

A FOOD SELF-SUFFICIENCY baseline study was released this morning by Mayor Billy Kenoi and the County Department of Research & Development. It reports the current state of food production on Hawai`i Island. The report was prepared by Jeffrey Melrose and Dr. Donna Delparte, of the University of Hawai`i at Hilo’s Geography and Environmental Studies Department, in response to recommendations contained in the 2010 County Agricultural Development Plan.
         The report provides a summary of the island’s food demand and compares that to food types produced locally. The study also conducted a detailed mapping effort to locate existing agricultural activity on the island as a 2012 baseline to document what crops we grow where and what resources and factors support farm activities around the island.
         It also summarizes food- and farm-related factors to help gauge the status of local food self-reliance and to monitor changes. The report names 100 Things to Do to Make a Difference to support increased food self-sufficiency.
         The report is the first of its kind in Hawai`i and provides a template for other counties to consider the current state of their local food production capacity.

Under Bill 3003, geothermal exploration will still require
some environmental review for drilling and building roads.
Photo from Puna Geothermal Venture

COMMUNITY FUNDING FROM GEOTHERMAL energy income should be used in part to study the health and environmental effects of the industry, according to County Council member Brenda Ford, who is running for the new Ka`u District in August. A measure to direct funds from geothermal to the studies was introduced by Council chair Dominic Yagong and passed first reading yesterday. Angel Pilago was absent, and the bill passed with aye votes from Yagong, Ford, Brittany Smart and Pete Hoffmann. J Yoshimoto voted kanalua - yes, with reservations - twice. The bill was opposed by Fred Blas, Donald Ikeda and Dennis Onishi. Ford said wanting to studying the effects of geothermal on health and environment does not translate into automatic opposition to geothermal, as one of the components of an alternative energy future for the island.

ALLOWING GEOTHERMAL on state lands, with reduced permitting and analysis, passed the 2012 Legislature this year with amendments, after Sierra Club and other organizations weighed in.
      The state Office of Environmental Quality Control initially opposed Bill 3003, saying that while “geothermal resources exploration as defined seems relatively unobtrusive, the location in which this exploration is conducted is a factor, ingress and egress to those locations may be a consideration, and the total scale of the exploration and operation are factors.” OEQC also testified that “an action that is normally insignificant in its impact of the environment may be significant in a particularly sensitive environment.” This is especially important when drilling and roads are built in Conservation districts, said Sierra Club chair for the Big Island Debbie Ward.
      Before passage and being signed into law by the governor, the bill was amended to require an environmental review by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Any geothermal exploration will also require a mining permit.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park asks Junior Ranger
Day participants to pre-register to be included in lunch.

JUNIOR RANGER DAY this Saturday is still accepting registration. The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Activities include `oli, GPS, compass, pacing, mo`olelo of Ka`u and the string game hei. Open to children of all ages and their `ohana. Call 985-6019 to pre-register and be included in lunch. 

NATIONAL KIDS TO PARKS DAY is Saturday, and Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Volunteer Forest Restoration Project this month is a kid- and family-friendly event set for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea summit area near Kilauea Visitor Center. Participants plant native tree seedlings and remove invasive ginger. Volunteers can be any age, and children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. After visiting the park on Saturday, kids are encouraged to submit photos of their adventures to Buddy@BuddyBison.org for possible inclusion in National Park Trust’s national map commemorating the day. Pre-registration is required. Call 985-7373 or email forest@fhvnp.org.

KILAKILA O KA`U, a Tribute to Hawai`i Stars, celebrates the lunar eclipse and Venus transiting the sun next month. The mystical event at Aikala Ranch on South Point Road is set for June 2 through 4 with entertainment and a Hawaiian Language Scrabble Tournament. Vendor spaces are available for astrology, palmistry, tarot cards, psychics, crafters and food sales. Call 968-1781 to reserve.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs May 16, 2012

Pahala Hongwanji school building has been saved with a new re-roofing project. Photo by Julia Neal

ANOTHER HISTORIC BUILDING has been saved in Pahala. The Pahala Hongwanji Japanese school, after years of rain pouring into the building that threatened to take the structure down, has been re-roofed. The effort began about seven years ago, with Pahala Plantation Cottages, which owns adjacent land, supporting the survival of the hongwanji and caring for its historic buildings with some $36,000 in rental fees for its parsonage over five years. The federal VISTA program donated a crew of volunteers, through the Boys & Girls Club, for a cleanup, and the Edmund C. Olson Trust committed more than $9,200 in re-roofing materials. `O Ka`u Kakou president Wayne Kawachi, who grew up in the hongwanji community, led the volunteer effort to put on the new roof, which was completed yesterday. He said the volunteers plan to fix broken windows, repair and sand wooden floors, repair plumbing and paint the building and its restroom facilities inside and out. He said that several community groups have already asked to use the building. After the Japanese school closed, it was used as a Judo hall, a lab for a University of Hawai`i archaeology project, and an art studio for Sandra Lei Johnson, who taught at Ka`u High School.

Mike Duminski, who lives in Discovery Harbour and Portland, Oregon,
helps `O Ka`u Kakou president Wayne Kawachi put some of the last
roofing sheets on the restroom of the old school and Judo hall, soon to
be repainted and have windows repaired, wooden floor refinished and
open for community use. Photo by Julia Neal

      Volunteers for the roofing project included: Kawachi, Irv Massey, Douglas Castro, Ron Ebert, Walter Wong Yuen, Mike Duminski, Bradley Westervelt, John Enriques, Rodney Kuahiwinui, Bob Kovach and Rodney Saragosa. Nadine Ebert, Carol Massey and Jeanette Howard provided food. OKK plans to help with another roof in Pahala and with repairing the broadcast stand on the campus of Ka`u High School, Kawachi said.

KA`U’S SENATOR GIL KAHELE has come out with a statement declaring the 2012 state Legislature “extremely productive for Hawai`i Island.” He helped bring home $35 million and credited the House and Senate Big Island legislative team for helping to “improve the quality of life for our Hawai`i Island families.” Kahele said he looks forward to working with “the executive administration and our governor to ensure that these funds are released so work can begin on these critical projects.”

Sen. Gil Kahele promotes Ka`u Coffee.

      Among Kahele initiatives approved:
* Ka`u Irrigation System Upgrade – $1.5 million for plans, design and construction for improvements to the transmission ditch and flume system of the old plantation water system.
* Ka`u High School – Softball field improvements – $400,000
* Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary – Science Facility Upgrades
* Friends of Volcano School of Arts & Sciences – $618,000 for plans and design to relocate Volcano School of Arts & Sciences to Keakealani School in Volcano Village.
*Volcano Road – $4 million for widening from Kea`au to Pa`ahana, with signs, pavement markings, drainage, guardrails.
* University of Hawai`i-Hilo College of AG, Forest & Natural Resource Management– $25,000 for plans, design, construction for beehive research facility.
* Miloli`i Wharf and Small Harbor Pier Renovation – $500,000 for plans, design and construction.
*Transpacific Cable Project– $2.2 million for plans to create privately managed, shared open access submarine fiber optic cable land stations statewide.
      Successful legislation for which Kahele was primary introducer:

* 2648 –Authorizes use of campaign funds for scholarships to full-time students in higher education or vocational schools.
* 2337 – Authorizes state Department of Transportation to extend term of any airport concession in exchange for revenue enhancing improvements.
* 2386 –Requires Native Hawaiian Roll Commission to be responsible for verification documents provided by individuals seeking to be on the roll.

The 2012 state Legislature appropriated $618,000 for plans
and design to relocate VSAS to Keakealani School.

* 3003 –
Differentiates between “geothermal resources exploitation” and “geothermal resources development.” Makes permissible in all state land use districts and conservation district zones. 

* 2001 –
Amends Hawai`i State Planning Act to include promoting development of indigenous geothermal energy resources located on public trust land as a firm source of power. Requires consultation from Native Hawaiian community and general public.
* 3001 –Prohibits interisland possession, transfer, transport, or release after transport of wild or feral deer; establishes mandatory fines.
* 3002 –Amends provisions relating to licensing and penalties for real estate brokers and salespersons by requiring real estate commission to consider whether a licensee relied in good faith on the information they provided.
      Successful Resolutions for which Kahele was primary introducer:
* SCR 156 – Urges creation of exploratory committee for an International Aviation Training Center at Hilo International Airport with Advanced Degree Training Program at University of Hawai`i at Hilo. Requests that the governor convene a 10-member exploratory committee to examine feasibility and resources for the program. Requires committee to report findings, recommendations and budget requests to the 2013 Legislature.
* SCR49 – Requests Department of Transportation to form a working group to expeditiously resolve the issue of Roads in Limbo statewide.
* SCR67 – Urges Hawai`i Agriculture Research Center to establish proposed Kunia Agriculture Processing and Sales Center.
* SR33 – Urges counties to preserve property tax exemptions for kuleana lands.
* SR42 – Establishes working group to discuss creation of 
strategic plan for development and marketing of Hawai`i tea industry and makes recommendations for labeling requirements.

Hilo Hattie was a sponsor of Ka`u Coffee Festival and provided
transportation from the Hilo store.

FOUR KA`U COFFEE LABELS are selling well at Hilo Hattie, which became a sponsor of the Ka`u Coffee Festival for the first time this year. The longtime Ka`u Coffee at Hilo Hattie is Aikane Plantation Coffee Company, which has sold there for more than three years and serves up samples at the store when cruise ships dock in Hilo. Aikane is featured in every Hilo Hattie store in the state, said Ka`u Coffee farmer Phil Becker. Joining the Ka`u Coffee display during the festival and beyond are Rusty’s Hawaiian 100 Percent Ka`u Coffee, Ali`i Hawaiian Hula Hands Coffee and the Local Buzz. Hilo Hattie helped with the festival by advertising the event with large displays in its store and post cards with an offer that raises money for the festival. Two shuttle bus roundtrips between its Hilo store and Pahala Community Center ran last Saturday during the Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaule`a. 

      Hilo Hattie is still cooperating, selling collectible festival posters and T-shirts. Island manager Randy Repp said, “We are going to keep on keeping on with Ka`u Coffee” and that Hilo Hattie is open to other Ka`u Coffees, ready to cup them as the Ka`u Coffee producers bring them in to sample.
      Ka`u Coffee Festival Committee chair Chris Manfredi said that Hilo Hattie has “capabilities that go beyond the typical sponsor relationship. Their customer demographic is an important one for the festival. It was great working with their team. We look forward to collaborating with them even more in the future.”

Puna Coast Day by Patti Pease Johnson

THIS SATURDAY is National Kids to Parks Day, with activities planned at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 

     Junior Ranger Day takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with activities at the Kahuku Unit including `oli, GPS, compass, pacing, mo`olelo of Ka`u and the string game hei. Open to children of all ages and their `ohana. Call 985-6019 to pre-register and be included in lunch.
      Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Volunteer Forest Restoration Project this month is a kid- and family-friendly event set for 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea summit area near Kilauea Visitor Center. Participants plant native tree seedlings and remove invasive ginger. Volunteers can be any age, and children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. Pre-registration is required. Call 985-7373 or email forest@fhvnp.org.

PATTI PEASE JOHNSON offers a workshop on pastels this Saturday from 12 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Class begins with an overview of pastels, papers, fixing and mounting paper. Students practice on newsprint and then choose the design for their original 8X10 finished piece. Beginning and experienced artists are welcome. The fee is $65, plus $10 for materials. To sign up, call 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs May 15, 2012

A monk seal mother and pup bask on the beach. Photo by Judy/Clayton Sweatland from NOAA

THE PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS UNION will take a re-vote on the settlement with the state that they rejected earlier this year. The voting will take place online and on the phone from this Thursday, May 17 to Tuesday, May 22. Information is being sent to Hawai`i State Teachers Association members' home mailing addresses today. The envelope will have the HSTA logo and the name of the company managing the voting services, Votenet.
      “Given how tremendously busy our members are in the last weeks of school, we will be conducting the vote online rather than requiring members to report to a polling site,” says a statement on HSTA’s facebook page.
      The state Attorney General, however, has announced that the agreement has no legal standing. A statement from Gov. Neil Abercrombie points out that, “in February, HSTA submitted a comprehensive proposal, which has not been withdrawn.”
      Any members who have not received a mailing by Thursday can contact HSTA at 808-833-2711 with their names, schools and e-mail addresses for further instructions on how to vote. HSTA also has a telephone hotline available for member questions about the reconsideration vote at 329-5075, ext. 212.

The public watched and photographed tiny honu`ea in 2009 as they
emerged from their nest at Punalu`u and headed for the ocean.
Photo by Julia Neal

FEDERAL MONEY TO HELP MONK SEALS AND TURTLES will come to Hawai`i, according to the offices of Sen. Dan Inouye and Sen. Dan Akaka. The $128,000 grant administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will start up a Marine Protected Species program for Hawaiian Monk Seals, Hawksbill Turtles and Green Sea Turtles. All of them frequent the Ka`u Coast, with its remote shoreline being a major nesting place for the endangered Honu`ea, hawksbill turtle. A major aim of the program is to reduce the number of incidents in which humans bother and harm theses marine animals and to document the disturbance, as a growing number of people are frequenting the coast to fish and have fun. 

      The work will include developing and delivering public education products and activities. Outreach efforts will be designed to enhance public knowledge of seal-friendly and turtle-friendly ocean recreation and fishing practices. The work will entail direct intervention at popular beaches and fishing areas.

Green sea turtle basks as Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa's
canoe takes off from Punalu`u Beach.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Inouye said, “Protecting the monk seal, the most endangered fin-footed marine mammal in U.S. waters, the green sea turtle and the hawksbill turtle will require a concerted effort by all who use the ocean.” He said the grant “will continue the process of correcting misinformation about the monk seal while also addressing the challenges facing the green sea and hawksbill turtles. We must be diligent stewards of the ocean, and I am very pleased the administration recognizes the need to invest in the protection of these marine animals.”
      Akaka said, “the monk seal and honu are among Hawai`i’s most treasured native species. We must do all we can to protect these important marine animals so that our keiki and future generations can learn from and enjoy them like we do.”
      Inouye said that deaths of four monk seals in six month points to a need for intervention and culturally sensitive education and outreach.

NA`ALEHU INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE is accepting entries. The annual event this year will be Saturday, June 30 along Hwy 11. The parade starts at 11 a.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji Mission and ends at Na`alehu Elementary School. Community groups, local businesses, elected officials and those campaigning are invited to show their patriotism, said organizer Debra McIntosh.

Miss Ka`u Coffee 2011, Brandy Shibuya, rides in last year's Fourth of July
Parade in Na`alehu. This year the parade is on Saturday, June 30.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Prizes will be given for most patriotic and most unique entry. Free parking will be available at the Na`alehu park. Call McIntosh at 929-9872 for more information. 

      After the parade, Na`alehu Assembly of God church will provide free hot dogs, chili, rice, shave ice, games, and a church concert until 3 p.m.

THE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE and celebration in Volcano will be held Wednesday, July 4. The parade begins at 9 a.m. at the post office and follows Old Volcano Road to Wright Road, where it turns left and ends at Cooper Center. The celebration continues there with an arts & crafts fair, silent auction, live music and entertainment. Parade registration deadline is June 27.

All ages can plant native tree seedlings at a forest
restoration project Saturday. Photo from NPS

KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park hosts an Evening of Hula and Hawaiian Music tomorrow from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu ma Kilauea, under the direction of kumu hula Ab Kawainohoikala`i Valencia, presents this free program. Park entrance fees apply.

A VOLUNTEER FOREST RESTORATION PROJECT takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea summit area near Kilauea Visitor Center. Participants plant native tree seedlings and remove invasive ginger. Volunteers can be any age, and children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. This kid- and family-friendly event is sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Pre-registration is required. Call 985-7373 or email forest@fhvnp.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.