Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 14, 2012

Trade winds are responsible for bringing clouds and moisture to Ka`u, but have been more intermittent in recent years.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

A DECREASE IN THE COOLING NORTHEAST TRADE WINDS and an increase in eastern trade winds over the past nearly four decades has been recorded by scientists at University of Hawai`i at Manoa. Their study was recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research. For example, northeast trade wind days, which occurred 291 days per year 37 years ago at the Honolulu International Airport, now only occur 210 days per year.
      Jessica Garza, a meteorology graduate assistant at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at UH; Pao-Shin Chu, meteorology professor and head of the Hawai`i State Climate Office; Chase Norton and Thomas Schroeder analyzed 37 years of wind speed and direction and sea level pressure data from land-based weather stations, buoys and re-analysis data.

U.S. Geological Service map shows directions of tradewinds.

      Persistent northeast trade winds are important to the Hawaiian Islands because they affect wave height, cloud formation and precipitation over specific areas of the region. When trades fail to develop, the air can become dormant, and unpleasant weather can develop.
      Furthermore, Chu explained that the trades are the primary source of moisture for rain, and that a dramatic reduction could fundamentally change Hawai`i's overall climate.
      “We have seen more frequent drought in the Hawaiian Islands over the last 30 years,” he noted. “Precipitation associated with the moisture-laden northeasterly trades along the windward slopes of the islands contributes much of the overall rainfall in Hawai`i.”
      According to the National Drought Mitigation Center’s State Drought Monitor, nearly 50 percent of land in Hawai`i has experienced some degree of drought during the past year.
      While previous research has focused primarily on changes in trade wind intensities, this work, along with Chu’s 2010 study, is among the first to show changes in trade wind frequencies.
      Chu noted that the scientists are studying trade wind patterns in more detail. “In 2010, we only studied the trade wind changes at four major airports in Hawai`i (Honolulu, Kahului, Hilo, and Lihu`e). In the current paper, we expanded our study to include four ocean buoys in the vicinity of Hawai`i and a large portion of the North Pacific.” In the future, these scientists will be using model-simulated data to further understand the dynamics of rainfall and trade winds and estimate future patterns.

Department of Health map shows direction and concentration
of SO2 emitted from Halema`uma`u and Pu`u `O`o.

PAHALA HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SO2 concentrations at the orange level in the early morning hours of the last several days. Department of Health defines orange level as Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, including healthy individuals with mild asthma. The general public is not expected to be affected in this range. DOH website recommends avoiding outdoor activities that cause heavy breathing or breathing through the mouth. For more information, visit hiso2index.info. 

NATIVE HAWAIIAN EDUCATION in health and medicine will be bolstered through a $500,000 U.S. Department of Education grant to University of Hawai`i at Hilo. The money goes to programs to mentor and enrich children from kindergarten through high school. It will fund tutorials, field trips, internships and research conducted by Native Hawaiian college students. The program will be run by Na Pua Noeau, with guidance from its executive director, Dr. David Sing. He said that the aim is for Native Hawaiian health care professionals to shape the future of Native Hawaiian health.

Peter Adler

A MEDIATION PANEL FOR GEOTHERMAL ENERGY is being formed, as promised by Mayor Billy Kenoi. The issue that has divided the Puna community, where geothermal operations already exist, will be the subject of talks and studies led by Peter Adler, a facilitator hired by Hawai`i County with a $50,000 contract for his company, Accord 3.0. A Tom Callis story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald says Alder plans to establish a working group with about a dozen people during the next month to study data on geothermal’s impacts, including the health of people in neighborhoods around Puna Geothermal Venture’s power plant. Adler told Callis, “I don’t mind if people have a strong view and a bias…. I don’t expect anyone to come without predilections and proclivities.” 

      Pele Defense Fund president Palikapu Dedman, one of the early opposition leaders on geothermal power, told the Tribune-Herald, “I’m just happy they are doing any study. I think this should have been done a long time ago.”
      The study is expected to be completed by next spring. See accord3.com/pg68.cfm. For more information, email geothermalhealth@gmail.com.
      See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.

Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani performed at Cooper Center's Mongolian BBQ yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

Volunteers prepare for patrons at Mongolian BBQ.
Photo by Julia Neal

MONGOLIAN BBQ RAISED FUNDS for programs at Cooper Center in Volcano Village yesterday. Entertainment was provided by Joe Camacho on bass, No`eau Kalima and Joe Farias on `ukulele, Nahoku Gaspang on guitar and Halau Hula O Kahikilaulani. The event is held twice each year, with the next one in April 2013. 

THE ANNUAL KA`U FARM BUREAU MEETING takes place tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Special guests are Rep. Clift Tsuji, chair of the committee on Agriculture for the state House of Representatives, and Scott Enright, deputy director of Hawai`i Department of Agriculture. The meeting includes election of the Board of Directors and potluck dinner. For more information, call Ka`u Farm Bureau president Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.

Lito Arkangel Photo from NPS

A CANDIDATE FORUM sponsored by League of Women Voters takes place tomorrow at Cooper Center in Volcano Village. State Rep. for District 3 candidates Fred Fogel, Marlene Hapai and Richard Onishi meet the public at 5:30 p.m. Prosecuting Attorney candidates Lincoln Ashida and Mitch Roth follow at 6:45 p.m. For more, visit lwv.org.

ENTERTAINER AND SONGWRITER Lito Arkangel shares his original compositions and other Hawaiian favorites Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free, and park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 13, 2012

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park marks 25 years as a World Heritage site with two events this month.
Photo of Halema`uma`u Crater from NPS/Michael Szoenyi.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK was acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest treasures 25 years ago when it was designated a World Heritage Site for having “superlative attributes of universal value important to the common heritage of humanity.” Today, there are 21 World Heritage Sites in the United States (including two in Hawai`i – the other is Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument) and 962 sites worldwide.
      To commemorate the silver anniversary of its World Heritage Site status and the 40th anniversary of the international World Heritage Convention, the park is offering two events, one at the park and one at the Fairmont Orchid on the Kohala Coast.

Jonathan Tourtellot

      A World Heritage After Dark in the Park presentation takes place Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. National Geographic Traveler editor Jonathan Tourtellot gives an overview of World Heritage Sites, how World Heritage grows jobs, four common myths about World Heritage and America’s position in the global quest for World Heritage sites. This event is free, and park entrance fees apply.
      World Heritage Anniversary Roundtable is Thursday, Oct. 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fairmont Orchid. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Big Island Visitors Bureau, and the Fairmont Orchid invite the public to a destination roundtable with Tourtellot, park staff and travel industry leaders. Discussion focuses on why having a World Heritage Site is important, what it means to organizations, and how to leverage this status in outreach efforts. Admission and parking is free. RSVP online at eventbrite.com/event/4450461450/eorg, or contact Jessica Ferracane at 985-6018 or jessica_ferracane@nps.gov.

DEADLINE FOR PUBLIC WRITTEN COMMENTS on the proposed biodiesel supply contract between `Aina Koa Pono and HELCO is Friday, Nov. 30. The Public Utilities Commission announced the deadline and other dates for its Schedule of Proceedings in a Stipulated Procedural Order released this week.
      Due dates for Information Requests and Responses between the companies, parties and participants continue until August 2, 2013. A decision from the PUC will follow that date.
      The order states that “the Parties and Participants have reached an agreement on procedural matters in this proceeding and submit this Stipulated Procedural Order to the Commission, which is acceptable to the Parties and Participants.” The document lists parties as the Consumer Advocate and Life of the Land. Participants are County of Hawai`i and Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.

Mongolian BBQ is tonight at
Cooper Center in Volcano Village.

      Public hearings on the issue of whether to allow Hawai`i Electric Light Co. to buy the diesel at a fixed rate for 20 years take place Monday, Oct. 29 at Hilo High School Cafeteria at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 30 at Konawaena High School at 6 p.m.

COOPER CENTER’S MONGOLIAN BBQ offers over 20 choices of vegetables plus chicken, beef, pork, fish and tofu today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Seventy cents per ounce includes dessert and beverage. Visit thecoopercenter.org or call 936-9705 for more information.

Kimberly Darks hosts
Story Flow tonight.

VOLCANO ART CENTER presents Story Flow this evening at 7 p.m. at Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The show features up to ten six-minute stories, told by community members, relating the theme of The First Time. Those interested in telling a story can sign up at 6:45 p.m. Entrance fee is $6. For more, call 967-8222.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT People and Land of Kahuku tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This 2.5 mile hike is moderately difficult and covers rugged terrain while the guide tells a story of the area’s human history. For more, call 985-6011.

FRIENDS OF LINCOLN ASHIDA host a meet and greet for Ka`u residents tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For more, visit ashidaforprosector.com.

KMC Chapel hosts a Buddhist healing meditation.

MEDICINE FOR THE MIND, a Buddhist healing meditation for beginners and the advanced, is offered tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Chapel in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Focus is inner causes of fulfillment and discovering a lasting source of happiness. The free classes are open to everyone. Donations are welcome, and park entrance fees may apply. For more, call 985-7470. 

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS sponsors a candidate forum Monday at Cooper Center in Volcano Village. State Rep. for District 3 candidates Fred Fogel, Marlene Hapai, and Richard Onishi meet the public at 5:30 p.m., followed by Prosecuting Attorney candidates Lincoln Ashida and Mitch Roth at 6:45 p.m. For more, visit lwv.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS NOW OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Oct. 12, 2012

Rep. Bob Herkes, who championed the new well in Ocean View, and County Council member Brittany Smart, who is currently
working to reduce the costs of water to residents, at the groundbreaking for the new gym in Pahala. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie 

COMMERCIAL WATER HAULERS are refraining from passing on the savings to customers, even those haulers whose costs are lower with access to the new water well and distribution system at Ocean View, according to complaints coming into the office of County Council member Brittany Smart.

      Those water haulers allowed to use the new Ocean View distribution system save driving some 24 miles since they no longer travel the roundtrip from the Na`alehu water station to Ocean View. According to the councilwoman’s staff, calls are coming in to her office with complaints that the price for hauling water to homes in Ocean View remains high.

      Smart recently introduced a resolution to the County Council asking for an audit on the way the commercial water haulers with access to the new county water were chosen and how their costs relate to the price charged customers.
      The resolution notes that the Ocean View community is “heavily dependent on truck-delivered water service due to the lack of rainfall for refilling their catchment tanks…
      “Through the dedicated efforts of Ocean View residents, the state of Hawai`i and the county of Hawai`i have invested over $6,415,000 in taxpayer money for Ocean View to have a water system station, which includes standpipes and public spigots.”
      The resolution says that residents are “concerned that the Hawaiian Ocean View Water System Standpipe Station meter award process has resulted in inequities in the allocation of standpipe meters which has contributed to the lack of significant drop in the price of water delivery.”
      It says the process that chose the ten water haulers “on a first-come, first-serve basis, may not have been adequate for addressing Ocean View’s unique circumstances and may not have guaranteed that safe, potable water will be delivered to the community at fair, competitive rates.”
      Smart also questions whether the Department of Water Supply’s practice of awarding applicants not regulated by the state Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission, “specifically personal, private or businesses not specializing in hauling water, does not seem to promote the proper use of publicly funded water infrastructure.”
      The first reading on the resolution is scheduled for next Tuesday, Oct. 16 at the West Hawai`i Civic Center before the Agricultural, Water and Energy Sustainability committee. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. and oral testimony can be presented there or from the Hilo, Pahoa or Waimea Council offices. Written testimony is due by 9 a.m. Monday morning if sent by mail to the Office of the County Clerk at 25 Aupuni St, Hilo, HI 96720. Email counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us or fax 961-8912. Written testimony will also be accepted at the meeting.

A large yellow metal object was found on the Ka`u Coast below Na`alehu
on Oct. 3 by a coastal hiking group, and is thought to be related to the
March 2011 tsunami that hit Japan.

ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS is the potential cost of removing the large yellow cylinder from the Waikapuna shore, according to officials from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. The removal could be from land or sea.
      A Tom Callis report in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald says that “the actual cost remains unknown, but if it reaches that amount, it would double what the state is receiving in federal aid to deal with suspected tsunami debris. It also might be as much as the agency can afford.” The story reports Board of Land & Natural Resources Chair William Aila saying that the DLNR has no budgeted funds to remove tsunami debris and is using a Special Land Development Fund.
      Removal of more objects like the cylinder could create a financial problem for DLNR. Sen. Gil Kahele was reported as saying he will work in the 2013 Legislature for more state funding for tsunami debris. Aila told the Tribune-Herald that “we won’t leave any marine debris out there just because we don’t have the funds to take care of it.” See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.

Brenda Ford.
Photo from brendaford.org

Debbie Hecht.
Photo from dhecht.com

SIGNS ARE GOING UP around the island for two charter amendments for the Two-Percent land fund, regarding Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources. Proposed by County Council member Brenda Ford and Debbie Hecht, one of the charter amendments raises money set aside from Hawai`i County property taxes from one percent to two percent. It also “contains language that makes sure that these lands will be held for the people of Hawai`i and cannot be sold, traded or mortgaged in any way,” said Hecht, who has been the champion of the Two-Percent cause since its inception.
      Charter amendment #3 provides that .25 percent – a quarter of one percent – of property taxes will go for maintenance of the lands purchased with Open Space funds. Groups like Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, which helps take care of Honu`apo Park next to Whittington Beach Park, could apply for the funds each year. Open Space funding was recently used to purchase lands between Punalu`u and Kawa Bay for preservation and to create public parklands. Negotiations are underway for lands around Road to the Sea and other parcels along the uninhabited Ka`u Coast.

Ka`u Farm Bureau meets Monday to elect Board of Directors.
Photo of Taro by Shalan Crysdale

THE ANNUAL KA`U FARM BUREAU MEETING will take place next Monday, Oct. 15 at 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Special guests are Rep. Clift Tsuji, chair of the committee on Agriculture for the state House of Representatives, and Scott Enright, deputy director of Hawai`i Department of Agriculture. The meeting will include election of the Board of Directors and a potluck dinner. For more information, call Ka`u Farm Bureau President Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.

KA`U TROJANS play a home football game tonight versus Konawaena at 7 p.m. Tomorrow, girls volleyball team plays Kohala at Pahoa at 10 a.m., and an air riflery match is set at Waiakea.

KA`U LIONS, of Pop Warner Football, play Keaukaha Warriors in Pahala this Sunday.

KUMU LEILEHUA YUEN AND MANU JOSIAH present a 50-minute narrated demonstration of the preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hands-on cultural demonstrations take place 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Donations are welcome, and park entrance fees apply.


VOLCANO ART CENTER presents Story Flow tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The show features up to ten six-minute stories, told by community members, relating the theme of The First Time. Those interested in telling a story can sign up at 6:45 p.m. Entrance fee is $6. For more, call 967-8222.

COOPER CENTER’S MONGOLIAN BBQ offers over 20 choices of vegetables plus chicken, beef, pork, fish and tofu tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Seventy cents per ounce includes dessert and beverage. Visit thecoopercenter.org or call 936-9705 for more information.

ALSO AT COOPER CENTER, League of Women Voters sponsors a candidate forum Monday. State Rep. for District 3 candidates Fred Fogel, Marlene Hapai, and Richard Onishi meet the public at 5:30 p.m., followed by Prosecuting Attorney candidates Lincoln Ashida and Mitch Roth at 6:45 p.m. For more, visit lwv.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.