Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014

Ka`u Coffee is featured in a major story by Sunset Magazine in its January edition.

SUNSET MAGAZINE FEATURES KA`U COFFEE in its January 2014 edition. The publication boasts more than a million subscribers. The story by travel writer Christopher Hall features small-business owners like Will and Grace Tabios, who operate a Na`alehu store and a farm with internationally award-winning Ka`u Coffee. The writer illustrates the Ka`u pace of life starting with the Tabios family:

Sunset Magazine points to kaucoffeefest.com for information about the annual
event coming up May 2 - 11. Photo from kaucoffeefest.com

      “Owner Willie Tabios was up at dawn working his family’s seven-acre farm before opening the tiny shop for the day with his wife Grace. But now he sits on an overturned bucket, chatting, or ‘talking story,’ as the say on the islands.”

      The author drinks Ka`u Coffee at Hana Hou Restaurant and travels to Cloud Rest to visit the farm of Trini and Francis Marques, where they grow their own award-winning Ali`i Hawaiian Hula Hands Coffee. The author writes about being at Cloud Rest. “I tell Trini that this place feels removed somehow from the real world.” He also quotes Trini Marques saying, “I believe it is sacred here,” and that she recounted that “with every tree she plants, she utters a silent prayer.” The author describes the many details on the farm taken care of by Francis Marques and writes, “The work is exacting, expensive and, Trini believes, crucial to producing quality coffee.”
      The illustrations are by travel photographer Susan Suebert. Images include the iconic location photographed by almost everyone who goes to Cloud Rest – looking down on numerous Ka`u Coffee farms and Lorie Obra’s tiny coffee shack and out to the Pacific Ocean. Photos also include picking and processing, the drying floor at Ka`u Coffee Mill, the Flyin’ Hawaiian Coffee Truck, the inside of Will & Grace shop, the outside of Hana Hou and a table within.

The Sunset story says Ka`u Coffee work is exacting and expensive.
Photo from kaucoffeefest.com

       The story takes readers to the farm of Lorie Obra and her award-winning Rusty’s 100 Percent Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee. It tells the story of coffee creating an economy after sugar shut down in 1996 and describes some of the risks such as fires that damaged orchards and the coffee berry borer threatening the crop. “And in a turn of events that resurrects the feelings of helplessness that arose when Big Sugar left, ownership of the leased coffee land has fallen to a big New York bank that’s looking to sell. For now the trees are flourishing and there is reasonable hope that the coffee borer can be managed and the coffee leases will be renewed. Either way, the people of Ka`u will take it as it comes,” the Sunset writer concludes.
          The story ends with a quote from Lorie Obra: “Learning how to grow coffee has been important for Ka`u ... but maybe more important has been learning how resilient we are. We are gutsy, and we aren’t going away.”
           In a separate section called Where to Fill Your Mug, Sunset suggests locations to visit. Under the category Taste, the writer recommends having a cup at Hana Hou with a slice of cream pie and enjoying Ka`u Coffee with Hawaiian sweet bread at Punalu`u Bake Shop. Under Shop, it recommends Ka`u Farmers Market, where Rusty’s can be purchased for $35 a pound. It also recommends Hawaiian Hula Hands at $41 a pound and The Rising Sun at $28 a pound. Under Tour, the article recommends Aikane Plantation Coffee Co., with a walk through the orchard and visit to the 1930s plantation house. It also recommends Ka`u Coffee Mill for touring the growing, processing and roasting operations and tasting at the visitor center.
         The article also suggests Ka`u Coffee Festival: “The district goes full-tilt coffee crazy with the annual Ka`u Coffee Festival, ten days of tastings, tours and events, including the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant,” the story says. It points readers to www.kauoffeefest.com for information about the May 2 - 11 event.
      For more, see www.sunset.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

RESOLVE TO BE READY is one of the messages Gov. Neil Abercrombie is broadcasting to start the New Year. Yesterday he posted, “Winging it is not an emergency plan. I resolve to make sure my family is #Prepared2014.” 

      The message refers to ready.gov/prepared2014, which gives details on making emergency readiness plans, building a kit for disasters and supporting community businesses. It also gives templates for planning and protecting local businesses.
      This year’s Resolve to be Ready campaign focuses on Family Connection to reinforce the importance of parents including their children in preparedness conversations in advance of potential disasters. The Ready campaign makes an emergency preparedness resolution easy to keep by recommending families consider these three ideas when making a plan: who to call, where to meet and what to pack.

Originally from Pahala, Rowland Fujii is closing
his koa craft business on O`ahu.  

      The campaign includes age-appropriate tools and resources to introduce conversations about disaster preparedness to children on www.ready.gov/kids, including a downloadable family emergency plan, emergency kit checklists and guidelines on how to make preparedness a year-round family activity.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A KOA CRAFTSMAN FROM PAHALA is closing his three-decades-old business on O`ahu due to illness. Rowland Fujii grew up in Pahala and founded RKF Enterprises in 1978 in Honolulu. Although Lou Gehrig’s disease has taken away use of his arms and hands, Fujii keeps his positive outlook. Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports his friend Judy Okawa saying, “He’s just always smiling. He doesn’t make an issue about anything – it’s just amazing. He’s a saint about it.”

      RFK produces items for worldwide customers including corporations, the military and retailers. “I just loved to make special things for people that bring joy to their heart,” Fujii told the Star-Advertiser. 

      Fujii’s creations have included `Ilima and Na Hoku Hanohano awards made of koa, koa frames for Hawaiian flags, a gift to President George W. Bush from Admiral Fargo and many clocks, frames and marquetry items.

      “I'm kind of sad about (closing),” the story quotes Fujii. “I just have to keep a positive attitude that I'm going to find somebody to continue my legacy.”

      He said he is mainly concerned about his four employees who have worked for him for at least decades.

      See staradvertiser.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar. 

KA`U ARTIST DON ELWING CELEBRATED the end of the year with the completion of his last Awareness Art piece of 2013. Entitled Halema`uma`u Hula Girl and measuring 24”x20”x3”, the piece is made from plastic marine debris Elwing cleaned from Kamilo beach in an effort to bring attention to the huge amounts of rubbish circulating in Hawaiian waters.

Halema`uma`u Hula Girl by Don Elwing

      A Hawai`i Wildlife Fund Beach cleanup at Kamilo is planned for Saturday, Feb. 8.
      For more information about HWF, see wildhawaii.org.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

THIS IS THE LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL VACATION. Teachers go back to work Monday, Jan. 6, and students on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
      Although Ka`u High classroom are empty, Trojan sports teams are busy. Soccer teams host Kea`au today with matches beginning at 2 p.m. They then play at Konawaena Saturday.

      Tomorrow, boys basketball hosts Kamehameha at 6 p.m.
      Also on Saturday, Honoka`a girls basketball team travels to Ka`u for a game at 6 p.m. Swimmers travel to KCAC, and wrestlers go to Kamehameha.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u High sports teams are busy during school vacation.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE FIRST STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT of 2014 takes place tomorrow. Volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply. 

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline is Jan. 31.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2013 from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at http://snack.to/fzpfg59c.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014

Streetside and backyard fireworks lit up Ka`u communities last night to celebrate New Year's Eve. Photo by Julia Neal

TOP 2013 STORIES IN KA`U FOR EDITORS of The Ka`u Calendar were the rejection of an 11,000-acre biofuel farm and refinery and the auctioning off of 5,800 acres of Ka`u coastal, pasture and coffee lands. Here is the top-ten list.
      1. Rejection of `Aina Koa Pono. The County of Hawai`i and community members studied and largely opposed the plan to clear land between Pahala and Na`alehu of trees, brush and grass. They would have established a biofuel crop farm to serve a $400 million refinery that would have been constructed on the edge of Wood Valley near Ka`u Coffee Mill, an ecotourism destination. The refinery would have been mauka of Pahala’s water well and near a major fault zone. The biofuel farm could have displaced ranchers and restricted expansion of coffee and other food crop production. Ed Olson said on the eve of 2014 that his trust is no longer interested in accommodating the AKP plan. Earlier in December, the state Public Utilities Commission rejected a contract between AKP and the electric utility that would have raised some electric rates and held back the possibility of cheaper alternatives, the PUC concluded.

Ka`u agricultural and coastal land is for sale after the foreclosure and auction
of 5,800 acres. Photo by Julia Neal

      2. The foreclosure and auction of 5,800 acres of coastal, pasture and coffee lands leaves land security a major issue for  Ka`u Coffee farmers who have become entrepreneurs in their own right since the Ka`u sugar company shut down in 1996. Most own their own homes and businesses and could little afford to have the land sold out from under them. Ranchers are interested in the pasture lands and conservationists in the coastal lands, but Lehman plans to sell all 5,800 acres as one unit, keeping out most prospective local buyers.
      3. The blending of Ka`u Coffee with coffee from such places as Latin America, Africa and Vietnam became an issue among coffee farmers who have vowed to keep the market high-end and pure. Proponents of blending contend that the practice will help make Ka`u Coffee more affordable and build a mass market, further increasing demand. Opponents, included those who have built their own brand names and marketing businesses, contend that Ka`u Coffee should be treated like a fine wine and never blended. Overseeing the blending is famous chef Alan Wong, who supporters say will guarantee the quality. Either way, the market for Ka`u Coffee is rapidly growing.
      4. Can a public building create economic development? Former county council member Guy Enriques thinks so. The new $17 million Ka`u Gym & Disaster Shelter, now under construction and set for completion by the end of 2014, could host sports clinics and tournaments. Enriques said he is willing to work on bringing more volleyball to Ka`u. He owns volleyball clinics on the mainland and is the coach for Kamehameha Schools on this island.
      5. Health care expanded in Ka`u with the opening of the new Bay Clinic facility in Na`alehu and improvements to Ka`u Hospital. In addition, a Longs pharmacy opened – the first pharmacy outside the hospital in Ka`u.

Pahala Library encourages residents to use new programs
during extended hours.

      6. Libraries have a new life in Ka`u after nearly shutting down during the economic crunch when state government and schools were cutting funding. The libraries in Pahala and Na`alehu track usage and encourage residents to check out books, audio books, CDs and DVDs and use computers with Internet access and many programs that teach a variety of topics, including the Hawaiian language.
      7. The federal shutdown took millions of dollars out of the Ka`u economy mainly through the loss of jobs and income connected to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The shutdown highlighted the importance of the 117,000-acre park to the local economy as vacation rentals, bed and breakfast facilities, restaurants and stores depend on park visitors for income.
      8. Ka`u Community Development Plan researchers and writers dug into the details for envisioning the future of Ka`u. The writers created an encyclopedia about the district and the possible future, recognizing the cultural, environmental and unique characteristics of the economy and the Ka`u people, which can be read at kaucdp.info.
      9. Eight-man football was launched for the first time on the island by Ka`u High School, which was in danger of losing its entire football program. The Trojans traveled to Moloka`i and other small schools around the island to play the faster and higher scoring game that boasts fewer injuries.
      10. Ka`u’s only radio station went off the air, but KAHU’s license was purchased by Hawai`i Public Radio, the statewide affiliate of National Public Radio. Though there is no longer local programming, HPR promises to consider it in a few years, after it puts KAHU on a tower that will send radio waves over the entire south side of the island. Current reach at 91.7 FM extends from the Pahala pole on Maile Street  into the surrounding communities.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

POWER OUTAGES HIT THE NA`ALEHU AREA New Year’s Eve morning, forcing some businesses to close. An area of outage was reported from Na`alehu Ball Park to Discovery Harbour. Power was out in Na`alehu for about three hours, while Discovery Harbour’s outage lasted longer, but by dusk, streetlights were on.

FIREWORKS WERE A FAMILY AFFAIR across Ka`u last night, lighting up and sounding off the start of the New Year. The Jan. 1 aerial fireworks show in Pahala, which would have happened tonight, failed to draw enough support to make it feasible, according to organizer Rodney Freitas, who said he is signing up sponsors for 2015. A licensed pyrotechnician, Freitas can be reached at Big Island Klimate Kontrol at 987-8918 or info@bigislandklimatekontrol.com for donations for the 2015 celebration.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Astronomer Lew Cook discussed perihelions in this month's
issue of The Ka`u Calendar.

JANUARY’S STARS OVER KA`U are covered by Lew Cook, an astronomer who has a home in Pahala and writes a column in The Ka`u Calendar.

      Cook discusses perihelions, the point in an orbit where an object gets closest to the sun, and how comet ISON disintegrated after its perihelion.
      “Earth will pass our perihelion on Jan. 4. Unlike comet ISON, the earth will fare much better during our perihelion passage because our orbit is nearly circular, but is a tiny bit of an egg-shaped ellipse. Our closest distance to the sun is about 91.4 million miles, while the furthest distance, in summer, is 94.5 million.

      “Venus will pass by the sun on Jan. 11. It misses the sun by five degrees (about the distance your fist covers when you hold your arm straight out in front of you), not at all like the transit in June 2012 when Venus appeared to cross in front of the sun.
      “Jupiter starts the year in Gemini, accompanied by its 63 moons. Only four of these can be seen through a small telescope or a good pair of binoculars. Saturn is in Libra, rising around 2:30 a.m. and ends these January nights high up in the sky at dawn.”

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK encourages Ka`u residents and visitors to enjoy programs and hikes at the park’s Kahuku Unit through March.

Kahuku's Palm Trail offers expansive vistas. NPS Photo by Mark Wasser

      During the `Ohi`a Lehua program, participants learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a tree and the lehua flower. Visitors traveling through the park will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent tree in the Kahuku Unit. Pack a lunch to enjoy during the program. The `Ohi`a Lehua program is offered Jan. 12, Feb. 9, and March 23; from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. 

      Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pasture along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. A guided hike of Palm Trail is offered Jan. 19, Feb. 23, and March 16; from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
      People and Land of Kahuku is a moderate two-mile, three-hour guided hike that loops through varied landscapes to explore the human history of Kahuku. Emerging native forests, pastures, lava fields, and other sites hold clues about ways people have lived and worked on the vast Kahuku lands – from the earliest Hawaiians, through generations of ranching families, to the current staff and volunteers of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hikers learn about the powerful natural forces at work here and how people have adapted to, shaped, and restored this land. The guided hike is offered Jan. 26, Feb. 16, and March 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
      For all activities, enter Kahuku on the mauka side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection, and a snack are recommended.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline is Jan. 31.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2013 from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at http://snack.to/fzpfg59c.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2013

Working the holidays, Summit Construction crews and subcontractors build the walls for the new Ka`u Gym & Disaster Shelter.
Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U GYM & DISASTER SHELTER CONSTRUCTION is in phase of building the hurricane-proof, concrete walls of the building and is expected to be completed sometime next year. The $17 million project will not only end the problem of volleyballs and basketballs hitting the existing gym’s ceiling, it will provide a venue for many community and school sporting, entertainment and educational events. The new gym will seat up to 1,000. The old gym will still be in play for practices and tournaments and smaller community and school events.
      One of the promoters of building the gym, since the time he served the district as Ka`u’s County Council member, is Kamehameha School volleyball coach Guy Enriques, who said he hopes to host tournaments at the new Ka`u gym. He said that the new gym will have three courts for tournament play. “With the old gym, that makes four.”
      Enriques said he is ready to promote weekend tournaments and volleyball clinics. “As soon as the gym is done, I’m on it,” said Enriques. He said camps might be possible be in May and June, possibly fall and winter break. “Throughout the year, we could have weekend tournaments built around the use of the gym for school sports. Ideally, such volleyball tournaments could be on Friday evenings and all day Saturday. “Once people start seeing the new gym, and especially with places to stay,” in Pahala, Punalu`u and Wood Valley, Enriques said he expects Pahala could become a popular place for sports tournaments.

This is the last day for a number of purchases that trigger federal tax deductions.
Image from plan4tax.com

THIS IS THE LAST DAY FOR A NUMBER OF PURCHASES that trigger federal tax deductions. 

      Many teachers in Ka`u buy school supplies for classrooms with their their own money and could take up to $250 a year off federal taxes, but this ends at the end of 2013.
      Deduction for state sales taxes will not be available on the 2014 federal tax forms.
      Section 179 allows businesses to take up to 76 percent of the cost of new, heavy duty trucks and some other equipment off their taxes, up to $500,000 total per year. This has led to businesses buying new trucks each year. The deduction goes down to $25,000 on Jan. 1, and dealers have seen a last minute upsurge in truck sales.
      Regarding deduction for education tuition and fees, households with under $160,000 in adjusted gross income can take a deduction for a dependent. The deduction can reach $4,000 for those with income below $130,000, but expires tonight. Spring tuitions must be paid before 2014 to enjoy the deduction.

Testing of drones may take place at Pohakuloa Training Area.
Photo from Wikipedia

POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA MAY BE A POSSIBLE SITE for testing commercial drones, state Sen. Will Espero told Pacific Business News. The Federal Aviation Administration announced Monday that the University of Alaska, one of six institutions nationwide that have been chosen to research the technology, plans to conduct testing in Hawai`i as well as Alaska and Oregon. 

      Espero, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, said drones could help Hawai`i’s efforts regarding disaster response, invasive species control, weather and marine research, and search and rescue operations.
      “This research has the potential to grow and diversify our economy, bringing high paying jobs to our residents. It will enhance Hawai`i as a test site for technology and robotics,” Espero said.
      Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, “These test sites will give us valuable information about how best to ensure the safe introduction of this advanced technology into our nation’s skies.”
      The FAA announced that it has established requirements for each test site that will help protect privacy. Among other requirements, test site operators will be required to comply with federal, state and other laws protecting an individual’s right to privacy; have publicly available privacy policies and a written plan for data use and retention; and conduct an annual review of privacy practices that allows for public comment.
      See bizjournals.com/pacific.

WITH THE HUMPBACK WHALE SEASON UPON US, officials at Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary remind ocean users to keep a safe distance from the mammals. Humpback whale season in Hawai`i generally runs from November through May, peaking between January and March. More than 10,000 humpback whales winter in Hawaiian waters each year.

Federal regulations call for vessels to stay at least 100 yards away from
humpback whales. Photo from NOAA

      Endangered humpback whales are protected in Hawai`i. Federal regulations prohibit approaching within 100 yards of whales when on the water. These and other regulations apply to all ocean users, including vessel operators, kayakers, paddle boarders, windsurfers, swimmers and divers throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
      “It’s important for everyone to be extra cautious during whale season, for their own safety and the protection of the animals,” said Ed Lyman, marine mammal response manager for the sanctuary. “Collisions with vessels are a major source of injury and death for humpback whales in Hawai`i.” Calves are particularly vulnerable to vessel strikes because they are difficult to see and must surface more frequently.
      A 45-ton wild animal can pose a significant hazard to ocean users, and vessel-whale collisions can result in death or injury to boaters.
      Humpback whales congregate in ocean waters less than 600 feet deep throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. “An extra set of eyes scanning the waters ahead and to the sides of a boat can prevent collisions with marine life, marine debris, divers and other vessels,” Lyman said. “Be on the lookout, especially during whale season.”
      Lyman also stressed the importance of ocean users helping monitor humpback whales in the sanctuary. “By locating distressed animals, reporting and providing the initial documentation and assessment on the animal, ocean users are the foundation of our conservation efforts,” he said.
      Anyone who comes across an injured or entangled marine mammal should maintain the required safe distance and call NOAA’s Marine Mammal Hotline at 888-256-9840 immediately, or the U.S. Coast Guard on channel 16.

VOLUNTEERS AND LEADERS are needed for the annual Whale Count by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. People will scan the waters off Ka`u and nearly 60 other locations. The counts take place on Saturdays, Jan. 25, Feb. 22 and March 29. Whales come to Ka`u and other nearshore waters in Hawai`i to winter, give birth, care for their young and breed before heading back north for the summer.
      Volunteers record whale activity such as breaching and slapping tails. Researchers record whale songs and other sounds. More than 2,000 volunteers participate in the program statewide.
      Register and see more at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/involved/ocwelcome.html.

Fireworks are prohibited at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from NPS

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK REMINDS visitors that federal law prohibits fireworks in all national parks. “Our priorities as caretakers for these public lands are to keep the public and our natural, cultural and historical resources safe,” said Fire Management officer James Courtright, “We wish everyone a safe and healthy 2014.”

FIREWORKS PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE through midnight today. Each permit costs $25 and entitles the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers. Multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits shall only be issued to persons 18 years of age or older, are non-transferable and non-refundable.
      Hawai`i Fire Department asks everyone to kokua in helping prevent fires and also to avoid the unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year.
      Regulations and recommendations regarding fireworks are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
      For more information on purchasing fireworks permits, or use of fireworks, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2912 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona).

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline has been extended to Jan. 31.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2013 from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at http://snack.to/fzpfg59c.

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