Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, March 6, 2014

Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool is expanding its services in Pahala by offering a home visiting option in addition to meeting at Pahala and Na`alehu Community Centers. Photo from Tutu & Me

RESULTS OF A YEARLONG STUDY of issues and challenges faced by Hawai`i’s organic food industry are available in Growing Organics: Moving Hawai`i’s Organic Industry Forward. The report by The Kohala Center puts forth 58 recommendations to increase organic food production and distribution, improve access to technical assistance, promote producer and consumer education, reduce costs and foster greater advocacy for certified organic food production in Hawai`i, among others.

A new report discusses the issues and challenges facing Hawai`i's organic
food industry. Photo from The Kohala Center

      The Kohala Center conducted an analysis of barriers inhibiting the availability of certified-organic food produced in Hawai`i, facilitated the project and convened a statewide Organic Industry Advisory Group comprised of specialty crop producers and other industry representatives and affiliates from across the state to guide research, data collection, public input and analysis.
      “With Hawai`i’s organic stakeholders lacking a centralized program office, this project set out to determine not only what such an office might do, but to define the critical issues and barriers constraining Hawai`i’s organic industry from producing and offering more food at more reasonable prices,” said Dr. Elizabeth Cole, chief operating officer of The Kohala Center and former Ka`u resident. “By identifying issues most important to the state’s organic stakeholders and soliciting additional public input, the OIAG was able to recommend ways in which existing organizations, including the newly reorganized Hawai`i Organic Farming Association, could adapt to best serve the needs of the state’s certified organic growers, producers, distributors, and consumers.”
      A series of public surveys conducted last summer as part of the project made clear that the demand for locally grown, certified-organic produce is high among Hawai`i consumers, as well as producers of value-added products. Primary barriers to the availability of fresh, locally grown, certified-organic produce included insufficient transportation infrastructure; availability of affordable, organic-certifiable farmland; high costs of energy and imported agricultural inputs; and scarcity of suitable processing and packaging facilities.
      The recommendations contained in the final report span 10 subject areas including representation, processing, farmland, distribution, education and enforcement, and marketing. Existing public and private entities such as government agencies, educational institutions and inter-island transport companies were identified and correlated with each recommendation based on their potential to create or update programs and services to better support the production and availability of locally grown, certified organic foods in Hawai`i.
      The final report and additional information about the study are available online at kohalacenter.org/laulima/organic_group.html or by calling The Kohala Center at 887-6411.

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Sen. Mazie Hirono

U.S. SENATOR MAZIE HIRONO JOINED religious leaders, women’s advocates and minimum wage workers at a press conference to urge Republicans to support raising the minimum wage to $10.10 per hour, which would lift the wages of 15 million American women. 

      Nearly two-thirds of those earning the minimum wage are women, and a single mother working full-time in a minimum wage job to support her children earns $15,000 per year, which is below the poverty line for a single parent. Ahead of International Women’s Day, which is this Saturday, March 8, Sen. Hirono discussed the importance of passing the Minimum Wage Fairness Act, which would raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 per hour by 2016, and raise the tipped minimum wage from $2.13 to $7.07 per hour. Both minimum wages would be automatically indexed to inflation afterward.
      Hirono was joined at the press conference by Nyah Potts, a restaurant worker who shared her story about struggling to make ends meet while earning the tipped minimum wage and by leaders from Faith in Public Life, the National Women’s Law Center, Interfaith Worker Justice and NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby. One of the speakers, Sister Simone Campbell, was also instrumental in organizing the “Nuns on the Bus” tour of nine states to oppose the “Ryan Budget” approved by the House of Representatives.
      “People of all faiths are joining together to answer the call to fight poverty and advocate for the dignity of a living wage. As someone who was raised by a single mother and knows what it is like to live in a minimum wage household, I’m proud to join workers like Nyah who are speaking up about their challenges. We must raise the minimum wage so hardworking families have a chance at building a better life for themselves and their children,” said Hirono.
      At the state level, measures to raise the minimum wage are progressing through the Legislature, with both the Senate and House approving bills and sending them to the other chamber for consideration.

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Hawai`i Wildlife Fund will use its new donated boat, Seaque, in conservation work.
Photo from HWF

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND HAS RECEIVED the donation of a Bayliner 222 from Charles Bittenbring of Captain Cook for use in conservation work on Hawai`i Island and Maui. Last week, Young Brothers provided free shipment of the boat to Maui, where HWF will use the boat in sea turtle habitat studies, marine debris recovery and marine conservation education work. HWF president Hannah Bernard said the boat, named Seaque, “will indeed help us as we ‘seek’ to better understand our nearshore ecosystems and protect them from the damages of marine debris.” 

      Megan Lamson, coordinator of HWF Ka`u Coast Cleanups, said the boat will be used here when Maui has completed its work.
      For more about Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, see wildhawaii.org.

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TUTU AND ME TRAVELING PRESCHOOL is expanding its services in Pahala by offering a home visiting option so they can share a glimpse of what their program has to offer. Tutu and Me is an early education program for keiki and their caregivers who meet at the Pāhala Community Center every Tuesday and Thursday.
      The program brings a high quality, early education program to each participating keiki and caregiver. There is no cost and Tutu & Me brings all materials.
      Activities that help prepare your keiki for school include puzzles, age-appropriate toys, journal-writing, art, math, science, stories and puppets. Staff works to individualize visits.
      Call or visit the office to learn more about Tūtū and Me and to enroll in the program. Address is 95-1163 Ka`alaiki Road Building B Na`alehu. Phone number is 929-8571.

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VOLUNTEERS MEET AT KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails during Stewardship at the Summit tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Other dates scheduled are Friday, March 14; Saturday, March 22; and Wednesday, March 26. Free; park entrance fees apply.

THE FIRST IN AN EXPERIMENTAL SERIES of Flash Exhibits at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village runs from tomorrow, March 7 through Tuesday, March 11. This exhibit features paintings by Margaret and sculpture by Randy. 

      In this special exhibit, Margaret Stanton and Randy Takaki share their visions in painting and sculpture. Both artists’ work begins in the forests of Hawai`i Island near its active volcanoes.
      Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 The opening reception is tomorrow at 5 p.m. Music starts at 6 p.m. with The Elementalz – Sherri Thal (vocals/violin/percussion) and Brent Magstadt (vocals/guitar) – who combine broad horizons of musical experience for a unique blend of original alt-elemental acoustic grooves, from centered Americana to free-form fusion instrumentals.


      On Saturday, Steve Fundy, Margaret Stanton and Maj Balej offer original guitar bass and drums grooves from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

VOLUNTEERS FOR KA`U BEACH CLEANUPS are headed to Hilo this Sunday for Ocean Day, with Malama Kanaloa Festival held at Hilo Bayfront Beach Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free and open to public, the event provides hands-on activities for keiki and their families to learn about and celebrate the importance of protecting our coastal and ocean ecosystems. This annual event features information on marine and coastal research, on how to get involved with `aina and kai stewardship and initiatives, and engaging presentations for community members to reconnect to our island resources.
      Also on hand are live music, face painting, food, door prizes and more.

SEE THE MARCH ISSUE of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Kamehameha Schools invites Ka`u students to register for Kamehameha Scholars, leading to college scholarships.
Photo from Kamehameha Schools

`AINA KOA PONO made a Honolulu Star Advertiser editorial page yesterday when its editors praised the Public Utilities Commission stating that the PUC, “always in a position to affect consumers, has in recent years seemed more attuned to the first word of its name. The public interest in proposals for utility initiatives and rates has figured prominently in some of its recent decisions.”
     The editorial noted that the three members of the PUC turned down the AKP proposal for the biofuel operation that was planned in Ka`u and gave credit to PUC chair Mina Morita who is possibly at risk of losing her job. The Star Advertiser stated that “former lawmaker Hermina Morita has chaired the commission since her appointment in 2011, so much of the credit for a clearer consumer focus should go to her.
     “This, as well as the fact that Hawai`i is in the midst of several complex developments, makes this an awkward time to replace Morita on the panel, absent a compelling reason from Gov. Neil Abercrombie. 

AKP would have displaced cattle and cleared land of trees and brush to use for a
microwave biofuel factory on the edge of Wood Valley. Photo by Julia Neal

     “The governor is on the verge of deciding whether Morita, a 14-year veteran of the state House of Representatives, should be reappointed to the commission once her term expires at the end of June. Reports have swirled that she won't be tapped for another term, spurring a number of lawmakers to offer testimonials in her favor. The state Senate must confirm whoever is named.”
     The Star Advertiser editors noted that “Abercrombie himself appointed Morita in 2011 to fill out the last three years of the former chairman, Carlito Caliboso. Appointment to a full term means another six years on the commission.
     “Many of her backers point out that the team now in place offers a range of skills that support strong decision-making. Morita would rejoin the other two commissioners: attorney Lorraine Akiba, with a background in environmental law and business litigation; and Michael Champley, a former Maui-based energy consultant and utility executive."

Mina Morita, praised by the governor
when he named her to the PUC.
Photo from hawaii.gov

     The editors quoted Life of the Land executive director Henry Curtis who described the three PUC members as “a great balance between legislative, utility and legal backgrounds. It seems to me the three commissioners work well together." 

    According to the Star Advertiser, however, “Morita has been in the crosshairs for decisions affecting `Aina Koa Pono, the biofuels company whose proposal for a contract with the Hawaiian Electric Light Co. on Hawai`i island has been turned down twice. AKP has some highly placed supporters that made this a particularly sticky decision to make, politically. For example, the biofuel company was represented by William Kaneko, Abercrombie's campaign manager.
       “But the PUC's decisions on this cited concern that costs would drive up rates for consumers — and that principle should prevail.”
     The editors further praised Morita, quoting the governor: "’Hawai`i has made good progress addressing energy issues, and Rep. Morita has been instrumental as one of the key lawmakers in making that happen,’ Abercrombie said upon appointing her three years ago. ‘She is clearly committed to advancing clean energy, and she will bring credibility, knowledge and leadership to improve the Public Utilities Commission.’"
    The Advertiser also pointed out that the governor said, “The PUC is the key to Hawai`i's energy future and connecting our islands so we can build a sustainable economy."
    The Advertiser editorial board concluded: “That was the correct assessment at the time, and it's still correct. If the governor believes another person would be better suited to the post, he'll owe an explanation to the public on why that is.”  See more at www.staradvertiser.com. 

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CLEAN, MODERN AND EFFICIENT WASTE REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY are the words Mayor Billy Kenoi’s administration uses to describe the planned waste-to-energy plant with the release this week of Stage 1 of the county’s request for proposals.
      “The RFP process will allow the county to select a proven, economically viable and environmentally friendly process for managing solid waste from East Hawai‘i for at least the next 20 to 30 years,” according to the statement from the county administration.
    The mayor said that “For the past two decades this county engaged in study after study to determine the best way to cope with the required closure of the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill. It is now time to act. We are inviting the best and brightest in the industry to submit their proposals for a state-of-the-art facility that will benefit our community, and allow us to transform our solid waste from a liability into an asset.”

The county promises to continue green waste and
composting programs, after its builds a waste-to energy
plant to take the place of Hilo landfill.
Image from County of Hawai`i

     Kenoi promised that the county will also continue its commitment to recycling, including a program to provide mulch made from green waste for agricultural and other uses. In 2013 the county recycled more than 217 tons of materials per day, including metals, glass, plastics and green waste. The waste reduction project will not affect those efforts, said the mayor.
     The design-build-operate RFP calls for a facility that can accommodate about 300 tons of solid waste per day. The facility will be built near the existing county Sort Station, and will be privately financed. Stage 1 of the RFP will identify the most qualified teams and technologies for the project.
     Kenoi briefed the Hawai`i County Council Committee on Environmental Management on the county plan on Feb. 4, and briefed the county Environmental Management Commission on the project and process on Feb. 26.
     Communications from potential vendors regarding the project must be directed to county Purchasing Agent Jeffrey Dansdill at jdansdill@hawaiicounty.gov. Responses to Stage 1 of the RFP are due on April 15. 

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DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER fire department is searching for one more member to make a complete crew. Anyone interested in joining or wanting more information can call Captain TJ James at 895-8133.The organization will hold a rummage sale fundraiser Friday and Saturday, March 21-22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sunday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Clubhouse and volunteer fire department. The fundraiser will raise money for brush pants and boots, flashlight batteries, water and other supplies. Discovery Harbour volunteers also welcome a fire truck, courtesy of the U.S. Forestry Service, an upgrade from “their faithful yellow vehicle,” a statement from the volunteers says.

JAPANESE LANGUAGE CLASSES are  each Wednesday at 4 p.m., at Na`alehu Hongwanji. Space is limited. Contact Maiki at 989- 4259 or hawaiiislandlife@gmail.com.

THE KAMEHAMEHA SCHOLARS PROGRAM is open for enrollment for students entering grades 9 through 12 in Fall 2014 who are not currently enrolled full-time at one of Kamehameha Schools’ three campuses, and who live in Ka`u.
     Kamehameha Scholars is a year-round supplementary educational enrichment program with a focus on college and career guidance. The mission of the Kamehameha Scholars program is to support Native Hawaiian students in achieving a higher education degree, entering the career of their choosing and cultivating their ability to be servant leaders. 

    Students who complete the program will earn a college scholarship. 

     Applications are must be postmarked by March 31 and can be downloaded at www.ksbe.edu/admissions. Families may also call the Admissions Office at 808-842-8800 or toll free at 800-842-4682 ext. 8800 to have an application mailed to them. Kamehameha Schools’ policy on admissions is to give preference to children of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law.
     Additional program information is available at http://apps.ksbe.edu/kscholars or by calling 808-534-8355 or toll free at 800-842-4682. Information and help with the application process is also available at the Kamehameha Schools Resource Centers. Visit their website at http://apps.ksbe.edu/ksrc/ for hours and contact information of the KSRC nearest you. 

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Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Economic impacts of the shutdown of national parks, including Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, on surrounding communities are documented in a new report. Photo by Julia Neal

THIS IS HAWAI`I INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS WEEK, promoting information sharing and public engagement in what the Hawai`i State Legislature has declared “the single greatest threat to Hawai`i’s economy and natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawai`i’s people.” Several bills regarding invasive species are still alive at the state Legislature.

Bills to battle the coffee berry borer and other invasive species
are still alive at the state Legislature.
Photo by Peggy Greb/USDA Ag Research Service

      House Bill 1514 would appropriate moneys for mitigation of, and education relating to, the coffee berry borer. It would establish a pesticide subsidy program for the purchase of pesticides containing Beauvaria bassiana to combat the borer.

      Senate Bill 2343 would appropriate $5 million to Hawai`i Invasive Species Council for invasive species prevention, control, outreach, research and planning.
      Senate Bill 2920 would allocate an as-yet unspecified appropriation for a pilot program in Hawai`i County to research solutions for addressing the little fire ant threat in the state.
      Senate Bill 2347 would require nursery stock that is infested with certain pests to be treated for eradication of pests before sale or transport of nursery stock from one island to another island within the state or intraisland.
      House Bill 1994 which would regulate the movement of nursery materials and establish civil fines for those transporting coqui or little fire ants to other counties.

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK experienced a 35 percent decrease in visitation in Oct. 2013, compared to an average of visitation in the previous three Octobers, due to the 16-day federal government shutdown that closed the park. The decrease resulted in a $2.9 million loss in visitor spending in surrounding communities, according to a recently released report.

Visitors had to bypass Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
during October's federal government shutdown.
Photo by Julia Neal

       Gateway communities near forty-five national parks experienced a loss of more than $2 million in NPS-related October visitor spending, and a 7.88 million decline in overall NPS October visitation resulted in a loss of $414 million NPS visitor spending within gateway communities across the country.
      The report is available at nature.nps.gov/socialscience-/docs/Economic2013Shutdown-Report_Final_nrss_VSE.pdf.

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NEW RULES REGARDING PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS may help more homeowners connect to the grid and lower their utility bills, as well as increase the number of solar installations.
      Hawaiian Electric Co. changed the way it allows solar energy to connect to the electrical grid in September, preventing many homeowners who had installed PV systems from connecting to the grid.
      The utility said the changes were necessary to ensure the safety and reliability of rooftop solar, into the grid.
      Pacific Business News reports that HECO has issued new rules that address safety and reliability concerns on circuits with high amounts of PV.
      The rules call for PV projects to include mitigation for “transient overvoltage,” or a voltage spike, which could lead to a power surge.
      “Existing inverter functionality” and installation of an electronic transfer switch can mitigate spikes, according to the story.
      “For circuits on which back flow is monitored, interconnections will be allowed to happen above 120 percent as long as transient overvoltage mitigation is included, but on unmonitored circuits, it stays at 120 percent until monitoring is installed and potentially reveals that there is more space,” reports Duane Shimogawa.
      See bizjournals.com/pacific.

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THE CURRENT ISSUE OF VOLCANO WATCH discusses the inner workings of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s seismic lab: 

      “When a large earthquake occurs, HVO staff members do what everyone should do — drop, cover, and hold on! As the shaking occurs, we can see the earthquake waves ring through the seismic network. The data are automatically collected and processed within seconds of the earthquake, and the first automatic earthquake location and magnitude are available about three minutes after the event. About a minute later, our automated earthquake location and magnitude are posted on the HVO website and transferred to the National Earthquake Information Center.

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory's seismic lab has seen many changes since
the days of the Whitney Vault, seen here with Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger
 as founder Thomas Jaggar. Photo from KDEN

      “Prior to the first release of earthquake information, the HVO seismic team assembles to wait for the results, after which they must follow up on several tasks, depending on the location of the earthquake and the size (magnitude) of the event.
      “By about the three-minute mark, our partners at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center have also calculated a location and magnitude, which assist them in assessing the tsunami hazard from the earthquake. Because PTWC operates on a 24/7 schedule, the calculations can be quickly reviewed by a seismologist prior to public release. They are then plotted on our website if our automatic solution has not already been posted.
      “HVO’s automatic processing can be quite good, especially if an earthquake occurs in a densely instrumented area of the seismic network, such as the south flank of Kilauea. The automated processing is not as good, however, in areas where seismometers are sparse, such as in off-shore locations. In any case, however, an analyst must review the event and refine the location and magnitude to correct any errors made by the computer when the event was first recorded. The result is a ‘reviewed solution,’ which is always more precise than the initial automatic location and magnitude.
      “During regular business hours, when the HVO staff are on hand, a reviewed solution for a large earthquake can be completed in as little as 20 minutes. But after business hours and during weekends and holidays, the ‘duty seismologist’ might take far longer to analyze an earthquake due to a slower internet connection at home or, especially, the need to find one if that person is not at home.
      “With more time for analysis following the initial quick assessment of an earthquake, more sophisticated (and time-consuming) calculations become possible. Since many stations around Hawai`i send data only when they detect a large event, data arrival time may be several minutes. The additional information generated is then included on a ‘Shakemap,’ a map of instrument-measured shaking. Using the additional data, we might also recalculate the location and magnitude of the earthquake and release an update. Each update in earthquake location or magnitude is reflected on the HVO and NEIC websites within minutes of being released and may result in a small shift in either location or magnitude or both.
      “Once the seismological calculations are completed, HVO issues a news release that includes information about what happened, how the event compares to other earthquakes in history, what caused it, and what people can expect going forward. We have found this process to be the best way to convey the correct information to the media, which, in turn, is disseminated to the public. Once the release goes public, we stand by to answer questions from the media. Then we wait for the next ‘big one.’”

      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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USGS HVO scientist-in-charge Jim Kauahikaua

HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE is available tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Na`alehu United Methodist Church when Kamehameha Schools representatives meet with students who want to pursue education beyond high school and families who want help with summer program applications and more information about resources. Call 935-0116.

USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists Jim Kauahikaua and Janet Babb discuss the origin and history of lava flows along Highways 11 and 190, and recount the stories of people impacted by the eruptions that created the volcanic landscape at After Dark in the Park tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
      $2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

WANT TO LEARN JAPANESE? Class is held Wednesday at 4 p.m., at Na`alehu Hongwanji. Space is limited. Contact Maiki at 989- 4259 or hawaiiislandlife@gmail.com.

See the March issue of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.

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