Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 11, 2012

South Point is one of the Hawaiian sites of megatsunamis, according to researchers reporting at
American Geophysical Union's annual meeting. Photo by Peter Anderson

A TASK FORCE MEETING TO DISCUSS how the Medicaid Buy-In program will affect over 58,000 adults with disabilities statewide takes place today at the state Capitol. The Medicaid Buy-In Task Force is a joint legislative task force created through Act 200, SLH 2012, to explore the development and possible implementation of a Medicaid Buy-In program.

      Hawai`i is one of the last five states that does not have a Medicaid Buy-In program. The proposed program would offer Medicaid coverage to people with disabilities who are working, with a premium payment. Once they are enrolled in the program, they would have the opportunity to earn more and save more than the allowable limits for regular Medicaid, while still retaining necessary healthcare coverage through the state’s Medicaid program.
      The program would allow people with disabilities on Social Security Disability Insurance to go back to work without fear of losing their Medicaid, as long as they share in paying for their Medicaid services. Many persons with disabilities will utilize SSDI in their lifetime, particularly those utilizing the DD Waiver for Home and Community Based Services and persons with mental health disabilities.
      For additional information on Medicaid Buy-in, contact Hawai`i Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, Hire Abilities Hawai`i, at mig@hawaii.edu or 808-956-9353.

A megatsunami occurs when land slides and displaces ocean water.
Image from wikipedia

SOUTH POINT IS ONE OF THE HAWAIIAN SITES OF MEGATSUNAMIS, according to a report presented at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. Gary McMurtry, a professor at UH-Manoa, said megatsunamis occur when volcanoes collapse and create landslides. Huge boulders about 30 feet from the shore were deposited by the huge waves, said Fernando Marques, of the University of Lisbon, Portugal. He said the boulders were originally deposited more than 800 feet upslope and are now closer to shore because the island is slowly sinking due to its massive weight. 

      Becky Oskin, of OurAmazingPlanet.com, reports that McMurtry’s team found two younger and slightly smaller tsunami deposits at South Point, one 50,000 years old and one 13,000 years old. He suggests the tsunami source is the two Ka Lae submarine landslides from Mauna Loa’s flanks. The waves carried corals and three-foot boulders 500 feet inland.
      “Giant landslides seem to happen during periods of rising sea levels, when the climate is also warmer and wetter,” said volcanologist Anthony Hildenbrand. Researchers speculate that the change from lower to higher sea level may destabilize a volcanic island’s flanks, and heavier rains could soak its steep slopes, helping trigger landslides, Oskin reported.
      See more at ouramazingplanet.com.

HAWAI`I COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT continues its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over program through the holidays, with roadblocks and patrols checking for drivers under the influence. So far this year, there have been 37 traffic fatalities on Hawai`i Island compared with 20 during the same period last year, an increase of 85 percent. Of the 37 fatalities, 28 were related to drugs, alcohol or a combination of both. 

HAWAI`I COMMUNITY FOUNDATION is accepting online applications from students seeking financial assistance to fund their college or vocational education. Students apply with one common application for more than 170 different scholarship opportunities established by individuals, families, businesses or organizations and, if eligible, can be awarded from one or more of these funds. Deadline for applications is Feb. 22, 2013.
      HCF distributes $4.5 million in scholarships to students each year, with individuals receiving an average scholarship award of $2,200, making it the third largest private scholarship provider in the state.

      “With the cost of college tuition rising, these scholarships help to ensure that Hawai`i’s students have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams and seek a college education,” said Amy Luersen, director of philanthropic services at HCF. “With the help of our generous donors, we are pleased to offer hope for thousands of students.”
      In addition to the application, students must submit supporting documents, including a full Student Aid Report, grade transcript and personal statement. Some of the scholarships require additional information such as letters of recommendation or essays.
      To submit an application, search for a scholarship or find more information, visit hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/scholarships.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee meets today at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The agenda and other information is available online at kaucdp.info. For more, contact planner Ron Whitmore at 961-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S Keiki Christmas Party is tomorrow at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. The event includes buffet dinner, lucky number prizes, keiki ID and photos with Santa.

Suzanne Marinelli offers legislative training Thursday at
Na`alehu School. Photo by Julia Neal

LEGISLATIVE TRAINING for the public will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at Na`alehu School Cafeteria. Suzanne Marinelli, Public Access coordinator for Hawai`i State Legislature’s non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau, teaches how to follow legislation being considered during the 2013 session and how to give input. She shows participants how simple it is to follow subjects like fishing, surfing, education and taxes by entering keywords into an online search engine. She also explains how legislation makes its way through the complex and often chaotic process. See more at hawaii.gov/lrb/par.

Santa is expected to return to Christmas in Pahala
again this year on Friday.

CHRISTMAS IN PAHALA, WITH MUSIC, IS FRIDAY at 5:30 p.m. around the Christmas tree at Pahala Plantation Cottages at the corner of Kamani and Ohia Streets. Food and gifts will provided by `O Ka`u Kakou with many additional donors from the Ka`u community, including Olson Trust and contractor Mike Munnerlyn.

THY WORD MINISTRIES hosts Christmas in Ka`u Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji Hall. The annual event includes a craft fair, live entertainment and free lunch while supplies last. For more information and to sign up for a booth, call Kahu John at 854-7406 or Pastor Bob at 936-9114.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER’S Keiki Christmas Party takes place Saturday at 11 a.m. The event features food, face painting, storytelling and games including a mac nut toss and a fishing pond with prizes. Each child receives a photo with Santa, a gift and one ticket for a drawing for six bicycles.

HOLIDAY COMEDY IS THE THEME of Ho, Ho, Ho! Volcano Comedy Show! Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The shows are expected to sell out. Tickets are $12, or $10 for Volcano Art Center members, and can be purchased in person or by calling 967-8222.  

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.

FIND MORE OF OUR DECEMBER 2012 EVENT PHOTOS ON OUR FLICKR ACCOUNT. 

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 10, 2012

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, Judy and Eddie Andrade, with helper Mary Jane Ballo at Pahala's annual
Christmas Parade. Photos by Julia Neal

RICHARD ONISHI, EAST KA`U’S NEW REPRESENTATIVE in the state House of Representatives, came to Pahala yesterday to ride in the annual Christmas Parade and to host a talk-story session with community members. 

      Meeting at Pahala Community Center, Onishi, whose territory is House District 3 running from Punalu`u into Hilo, opened the session by saying, “I am not a genius. I did not run to tell you what to do.” He said he is holding meetings around his district to determine community needs.

Rep. Richard Onishi rides with Aikane Plantation partner Phil Becker. 

 He talked about the possibility of raising the state excise tax by one percent to increase state income by $600 million a year. The strategy is for visitors to help pay for the infrastructure they use and to help meet the needs of Hawai`i residents. Under the plan, $200 million would go back to Hawai`i residents in a tax credit, $200 million would go to the state Department of Education to improve schools and the other $200 million would go into the state’s general fund.

      “Some form of gambling” is another revenue source for the state supported by Onishi. He said he does not support lotteries, as citizens who can least afford the tickets are often the ones who buy the tickets. He said that gambling should be for people who can afford it, but that Hawai`i is losing too much money from the local residents who fly off to Las Vegas. He said he envisions shipboard gambling, like the casino and entertainment boats plying the Mississippi River on the mainland.

      Onishi took in comments on subjects ranging from keeping Ka`u libraries open to his request for the Public Utilities Commission to hold a hearing in Pahala on the proposed `Aina Koa Pono refinery and biofuel project in Ka`u. He said he is asking for a local hearing since hearings on the issue have been held only in Kona and Hilo. A petition with more than 150 local signatures asking for the public hearing was given to Onishi last night. He said he will present it to PUC chair Mina Morita. Pahala resident Jessie Marques asked whether the PUC’s Consumer Advocate is actually representing the community.
 

Hulali Waltgen and Demetrius Oliveira, representing Hui Malama
 came early to serenade participants as the parade lined up. 

   Onishi said that the Consumer Advocate not only has to look at the local community but the benefits and costs of a project statewide.
      A long-time health care advocate, Marques said she is concerned about possible funding cuts for critical care access hospitals around the state, and Ka`u Hospital is one of them. She also said she is concerned that during the 2013 Legislature, new laws may be passed requiring nonprofit organizations to pay taxes.

      Retired Na`alehu school principal Peter Volpe said that he is concerned about the state administration’s efforts to cut government worker retirement and require retirees to pay more for the health care. He said he and his wife Fran spent a combined total of some 70 years working for the Department of Education and should not lose any retirement benefits.
      Debbie Wong Yuen asked Onishi to keep in touch with her about the fate of the Pahala and Na`alehu libraries and said she is the only staff for both. A number of citizens talked about the Pahala library no longer being open to students during school hours and said they want the state to fill open librarian positions.
      The new Ka`u Gymnasium & Disaster Shelter was brought up regarding the possibility of funding photovoltaics so that the
complex would have power beyond its generators, should a disaster occur and Hawai`i Electric Light Co. power lines go down for an extended time period.
      Onishi was accompanied by his office manager Jasmine Bronco, who urged citizens to call her anytime at the state Capitol at 808-586-6120. Bronco, from Hilo, was Rep. Clift Tsuji’s first office manager at the Legislature and has also served as the Sergeant of Arms for the state House of Representatives at night, when late-night sessions take care of many complex issues. Onishi’s campaign manager, BJ Soriano, will be an on-island contact for Onishi during the 2013 session. Her phone number is 987-5655.

Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative gets ready to parade through Pahala,
celebrating a banner year for their industry.

LEGISLATIVE TRAINING for the public will be held this Thursday at 6 p.m. in Na`alehu School Cafeteria. The session teaches citizens how to follow all of the legislation being considered during the 2013 session and how to give input. Suzanne Marinelle, Public Access coordinator for Hawai`i State Legislature’s non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau, shows participants how simple it is to follow a favorite subject like fishing, surfing, education and taxes by entering key words into an online search engine. She also explains how legislation makes its way through the complex and often chaotic process. Rep. Richard Onishi urged Ka`u citizens to attend. 

VISITOR EXPENDITURES rose 12.7 percent statewide in October over the same month last year. They reached $125.5 million, according to Hawai`i Tourism Authority. Travel from the U.S. West and Japan rose substantially. The daily expenditures per visitor also rose, with Japanese tourists shelling out an average of $329 per day.
      For the first ten months of 2012, total visitor expenditures grew 18.9 percent to $11.8 billion, with increases from U.S. West (+11.1 percent to $3.8 billion), U.S. East (+9.7 percent to $2.9 billion), Japan (+21.4 percent to $2.2 billion), Canada (+9.3 percent to $776 million) and All Other markets (+55.6 percent to $2.2 billion).
      For the first ten months of 2012, total arrivals rose 9.5 percent to 6,613,948 visitors. The average daily census showed that there were 199,760 visitors in Hawai`i every day, compared to 183,597 visitors in the first 10 months of 2011.

County Council member Brenda Ford rides through Pahala after taking
office Dec. 3 to represent District 6, South Kona into Volcano.

      Hawai`i Island led growth in arrivals for October 2012 with a 14.1 percent increase to 112,866 visitors. On this island, arrivals from all four top visitor markets increased compared to October 2011: U.S. West (+7.4 percent to 43,767), U.S. East (+8.8 percent to 28,806), Japan (+29.2 percent to 17,360) and Canada (+10.4 percent to 5,775), HTA reported. Visitor expenditures on Hawai`i Island increased 10.3 percent to $128.9 million in October 2012.
      For the first ten months of 2012, total arrivals to Hawai`i Island grew eight percent to 1,184,965 visitors, of which 46.5 percent stayed here exclusively. See more at www.hawaiitourismauthority.org.

“CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL, and it’s already having an impact on Hawai`i and throughout the Pacific,” said Hawai`i Lt. Gov. Brian Schatz, referring to the Pacific Islands Regional Climate Assessment released by the East-West Center last week. “We islanders must make the necessary preparations for warmer, unstable weather. It will affect every aspect of our society and economy, including agriculture, real estate and tourism. The time is now for serious change.”

Key indicators of climate change in the Pacific Islands region. Image from
Susan Yamamoto and NOAA National Climatic Data Center

      Among the major concerns for Pacific Islands discussed in the report are:

• Decreased rain and freshwater supplies in the future 
• Higher air temperatures, especially at high elevations 
• Higher sea-surface temperatures causing coral bleaching and linked to the increased prevalence of certain coral diseases 
• Decline in open-ocean fisheries 
• Rising sea levels, causing coastal flooding and erosion that are likely to damage coastal infrastructure and agriculture, impact tourism, negatively affect ecosystems and endangered species and threaten traditional lifestyles of indigenous Pacific Island communities.
•   Dr. Victoria Keener, East-West Center fellow and lead editor for the report, told Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporter Gary Kuboto that the state has a potential advantage in establishing policies to deal with climate change and decreasing rainfall because it has a state water commission with the responsibility to sustainably manage Hawai`i's water resources. “I think Hawai`i has a good chance to be a leader in the field of proactive climate change adaptation,” she said. See the full report at pacificrisa.org/projects/pirca.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee holds a business meeting tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The agenda and other information is available online at kaucdp.info. For more, contact planner Ron Whitmore at 961-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Erika Abellera rides a quad for Kehau's Coffee, with
 Pahala Dojo karate students marching down the hill.

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE, organized by Eddie Andrade for more than 30 years, wound through town yesterday with new participants. Council member Brenda Ford and Rep Richard Onishi rode in convertibles. The karate school called Pahala Dojo march through the village. Several vehicles from Hawai`i Classic Cruisers Club stopped in to visit patients and residents at Ka`u Hospital and finished with a gathering at Holy Rosary Church.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S Keiki Christmas Party takes place Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. The event includes buffet dinner, lucky number prizes, keiki ID and photos with Santa.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER’S Keiki Christmas Party is Saturday at 11 a.m. The event features food, face painting, storytelling and games including a mac nut toss and a fishing pond with prizes. Each child receives a photo with Santa, a gift and one ticket for a drawing for six bicycles.

THY WORD MINISTRIES hosts Christmas in Ka`u Saturday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji Hall. The annual event includes a craft fair, live entertainment and free lunch while supplies last. For more information and to sign up for a booth, call Kahu John at 854-7406 or Pastor Bob at 936-9114. HO, HO, HO! VOLCANO COMEDY SHOW! performances are Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Tickets for the show that features a lineup of the Big Island’s most amusing merry-makers are $12, or $10 for Volcano Art Center members, and can be purchased in person or by calling 967-8222.

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.

FIND MORE OF OUR DECEMBER 2012 EVENT PHOTOS ON OUR FLICKR ACCOUNT. 

Ka`u News Briefs Dec. 9, 2012

Firefighting and rescue family Team Kanahele, comprised of Matt Hoeflinger, Cody Kanahele, Baba Manoha and Jim Manoha, hauled in the first-place boar yesterday at Mauka Legend Hunting Tournament to honor the life of fellow hunter Chaz Moses. Photo by Julia Neal

MAUKA LEGEND HUNTING TOURNAMENT yesterday honored the late Chaz Moses, whose favorite pastime was combing the Ka`u wilderness to bring home the bacon for his family. The event drew more than 40 entries and featured education about hunter and ocean safety, food, music by the bands Lava Boys, Keaiwa, Friends & Neighbors, and Wesley Martinez and friends. The venue and weigh-in station was Old Pahala Clubhouse.

Dogs found the winning boar at 6:50 a.m. at Christmas Trees in Ola`a
Forest Reserve. Photo by Julia Neal

    Hunting began for many teams before dawn yesterday, with weigh-in between 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The team led by Cody Kanahele, son of firefighter Ash Kanahele, brought down the first-place boar, a 177.3-pound dozer. The team also included firefighter Jim Manoha and his daughter Baba along with firefighter Matt Hoeflinger. Members of the Moses `ohana said it was amazing that the firefighters won, since these same firefighters worked so hard to find Chaz Moses when he was lost at sea while throwing net at Ka Lae on June 4.

      Team Kanahele found the boar in the Ola`a Forest Reserve between Volcano and Hilo. Local hunters call the place Christmas Trees. The hunters started walking into the rainforest about 6 a.m., and the dogs started barking at 6:50 a.m. “We were back to the truck by 9:30 a.m.,” said Jim Manoha. The Kanahele team was the first to the weigh-in station. Manoha said, “We are honored to be a part of it.” Second place in the boar competition went to Team Devin and Noland Kokobun, with a 165.1-pound monster. Third went to Ryan Sullivan with a 148.8-pound catch. 

      In the Longest Tusk category, first went to Barry Gouveia, with a 5-9/16 inch ivory. Second went to Kamuela Tavares with a 5-3/16 inch rake. Third went to Maka Blur with a 5-2/16 inch sickle.
      First Place sow weighed in at 126.3 pounds, brought down by a team led by Boots Kaapana. Second weighed in at 120.1 pounds, taken down by Richard Kaiawe, and third weighed 115.5 pounds, brought in by Lucas Pua.

Chaz Moses hunting buddies, Kalapo Polido and Ty Chun,
 with Chaz's mother Jovena Moses at right. Photo by Julia Neal

      Glenn Moses, the uncle of Chaz Moses, led a family team including Chaz’s cousins Makoa and Makela Moses.
      Mauka Legends Tournament organizers Ty Chun and Kalapo Polido were Chaz Moses' hunting buddies. Chun emceed the weigh-in and celebration and thanked many sponsors. After the event, he said “The outpouring of support for the Moses `Ohana is overwhelming. We can’t thank everybody enough. We are happy to honor Chaz the Ka`u way. We felt his spirit throughout the day.”
      A memorial tee shirt can be ordered by calling 557-8594.

Escapee Ryan Jeffries-Hamar
is still at large.

POLICE APPREHENDED JARVIS HIGA, one of two inmates who escaped from Hilo Community Correctional Center on Wednesday, in Ocean View after he attempted to flee a residence on foot. Higa was charged with escape in the first degree, kidnapping, second-degree assault, second-degree robbery, third-degree criminal property damage and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle. He is presently being held without bail at East Hawai`i Detention Facility at Hilo Police Station and will likely be arraigned on his charges tomorrow at Hilo District Court, according the Police Department.
      Ryan Jeffries-Hamar, the second escapee, is still at large.

BIG ISLAND COMMUNITY COALITION submitted testimony to the Public Utilities Commission regarding the proposed contract between Hawai`i Electric Light Co. and `Aina Koa Pono to purchase biofuel from feedstock grown and refined in Ka`u. The hui’s mission, as stated on its website, is to “work together as an island community for the greater good of Hawai`i Island and its people,” and its number one priority is to “make Big Island electricity rates the lowest in the state by emphasizing the use of local resources.” 

      “The Big Island Community Coalition does not believe utility customers should be required to provide financial assurances for indigenous biofuel development,” the hui writes. “Government has the role of enacting and implementing policies to encourage and/or incentivize indigenous biofuel development. If utility customers are to be required to provide financial assurances for indigenous biofuel development, however, there should be specific requirements that the technology is proven at the projected scale. At a minimum, terms and conditions should be that cost for indigenous biofuel development on the Big Island cannot result In electricity rates higher than $.40/kWh, including HELCO’s transmission and distribution costs.
      “The need to maintain the viability of the Keahole facility and any other oil-fired generation facilities should not be a priority for the ratepayer or the PUC. The viability of these facilities should be evaluated based on economics as they exist at any given period of time. If these facilities become obsolete or cease to be viable, those risks should be taken by utility’s shareholders, not by the ratepayers. These are the principles that apply to all other businesses; the utility should not be an exception.

State Rep. Richard Onishi

      “The utility should not be allowed to agree to a purchase price based on a hedge and be able to pass the cost-differential on the hedge to the ratepayer as long as the purchase price is higher than the price of oil. The ratepayer, in this scenario, pays the biofuel surcharge AND pays again if the purchased biodiesel is more than imported oil through the Energy Cost Adjustment Clause. This is unconscionable and is why we formed the Big Island Community Coalition. Impact to the ratepayer must be as much of a priority in the PUC’s analysis as the financial well-being of the utility. The utility should assume the risk for the price differential since it had all of the discretion in negotiating the Biodiesel Supply Contract.
      Big Island Community Coalition’s entire letter, as well as other testimony and documents regarding the proposed contract, can be read at puc.hawaii.gov/dockets. Docket number is 2012-0185.

STATE REP. RICHARD ONISHI holds a public meeting today at 7 p.m. at Pahala Community Center from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Onishi is gathering information to take with him to the state Legislature in January. Call him at 586-6120 for more information. 

SANTA IS TRAVELING THROUGH KA`U THIS WEEK. He spreads holiday cheer through Pahala during the Christmas Parade today starting at 1 p.m. Many church groups, businesses, government officials and others are slated to participate.

Santa travels through Ka`u this week, with an appearance in Pahala
Christmas Parade today.

SANTA ALSO PARTICIPATES in Hana Hou Restaurant’s Keiki Christmas Party Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. The event includes buffet dinner, lucky number prizes, keiki ID and photos with Santa. 

ON SATURDAY, SANTA arrives at Ocean View Community Center at noon for the annual Keiki Christmas Party. Doors open at 11 a.m. Those who come early can register keiki to see Santa. The event features food, face painting, storytelling and games including a mac nut toss and a fishing pond with prizes. Each child receives a photo with Santa, a gift and one ticket for a drawing for six bicycles.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee holds a business meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The agenda and other information is available online at kaucdp.info. For more, contact planner Ron Whitmore at 961-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.

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.

FIND MORE OF OUR DECEMBER 2012 EVENT PHOTOS ON OUR FLICKR ACCOUNT.