Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park operates the Youth Ranger Program in conjunction with the park. The two entities won the 2015 Partnership Award for Public Lands Partners. Photo by Jesse Tunison

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT RENEWABLE ENERGY in Hawai`i is the target for 2045, according to two bills that moved between chambers at the 2015 Hawai`i State Legislature before tomorrow’s crossover deadline. 

      Kathryn Mykleseth, of the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, interviewed Gov. David Ige yesterday to discuss his energy goals. According to the story in print, online and on video, Ige “laid out his vision to wean Hawai`i off fossil fuels Tuesday, listing the increased use of batteries with solar systems, the short-term use of liquefied natural gas and the reduction in incentives paid to solar owners as changes he’d like to see.”

Gov. David Ige

      He told the Star-Advertiser that he agrees with setting a goal of 100 percent renewable energy but did not provide an exact date for reaching that mark, saying he wants targets that are “aspirational but not out of touch with reality.”
      “Concerns that I have as governor and that we will ensure through the process, the regulatory review process, is really that the community’s and the public’s interest is exercised and examined,” Ige said in an exclusive interview with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

      Ige said he considers batteries as key to renewable energy. “We see battery prices dropping all the time,” he said. “There is significant interest and investment in that. That will allow us to move forward with the renewables.”
      Ige told Mykleseth that the state needs to encourage battery use with solar systems. “We need to encourage investment in them and figure out how we can get them into the grid,” he said.
      Regarding LNG, Ige said he sees it as a bridge fuel during the transition to renewables. “LNG does offer the opportunity to reduce costs in the near term, but it is still an imported fossil fuel.”
      However, Blue Planet Foundation Executive Director Jeff Mikulina said, “We don’t want to be addicted to another fossil fuel that doesn’t service our interest in a low-cost, low-carbon future. No one has articulated what that bridge looks like.” 

      Changing net energy metering is another important factor in Hawai`i’s energy future, according to Ige. Through NEM, customers with rooftop solar connected to the grid can sell excess energy to the utility. “We do need to make adjustments,” Ige told Mykleseth. “We’ve changed … the power purchase agreements, and it does make sense that we look at changing the net energy metering. The challenge is how do you deal with people who have made the investments previously and what is fair to them and how do you get equity amongst all the new people coming on line?”

      Regarding the merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. with NextEra Energy, Ige said, “We have started and initiated this path to a renewable future, so we want to make certain that the acquisition, or the proposed acquisition, really doesn’t hamper or deter from our long-term commitment to 100 percent renewable future for the electric utility.”  

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

State Sen. Josh Green

STATE SEN. JOSH GREEN’S BILL regarding health impacts of pesticides is advancing at the state Legislature, having been passed on to the House of Representatives for further consideration. SB 1037 calls for the state Department of Agriculture to establish and administer a program relating to disclosure of pesticide use. 

      The department would develop a standardized form that pesticide users would fill out and turn in to the department to report pesticides used in the preceding month. For each use, the report would include the pesticide’s trade name, federal and state registration or permit number, commercial product name, active and inert ingredients and gallons or pounds used; the method, date and total quantity of each application; the geographic location of each application, by address and tax map key number; and the total acreage and area size where the pesticide was used.
      See capitol.hawaii.gov to read the bill and testimony as well as provide testimony.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

SENS. MAZIE HIRONO AND BRIAN SCHATZ, joined by Alaska’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski, have introduced legislation that would exempt Hawai`i, Alaska and communities that rely on essential air service as subsidized by the U.S. Department of Transportation from the increase in air travel fees included in the Bipartisan Budget Agreement of 2013. This exemption would protect interisland flights in Hawai`i and intrastate flights in Alaska from increased air travel fees, which have more than doubled from $2.50 to $5.60 per enplanement.
       “Raising air travel fees puts an unfair burden on the people of Hawai`i for whom air travel is essential, and I will continue to oppose such increases,” Hirono said. “Hawai`i residents and visitors have no real alternative to commercial interisland flights to meet their everyday transportation needs, from flying to receive health care, visit family or on business. As a result, the increased passenger fee has a real effect on Hawai`i families and small businesses that aren’t felt in other parts of the country. This bipartisan legislation that I also introduced last year ensures that people in Hawai`i and Alaska are shielded from higher fees, particularly for air travel within our states.”
       Schatz said, “Air travel is a necessity, not a luxury in our island state. Rising TSA fees put an unfair burden on Hawai`i residents who depend on air travel for work, health care and to visit family. Our legislation recognizes our geographic realities and would exempt Hawai`i and Alaska from unfair travel fees.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Youth Ranger Fernando Ramangmou trains for search
and rescue missions through a program with funds
raised by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National
Park. NPS photo by David Boyle

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park received the Association of Partners for Public Lands 2015 Partnership Award for Public Lands Partners. 

      According to APPL, the Public Lands Partners Award recognizes “an exemplary partnership for a stunning achievement to protect and preserve our public lands and enhance the experiences of their visitors and users.” The award is presented in tandem to both the nonprofit and agency partners for their shared achievements.
      “We rely on the support of our Friends group, which is vital to the success of many park programs, including the Youth Ranger Internship Program, now in its sixth year, and the upcoming BioBlitz and Biodiversity & Cultural Festival in May,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “It is wonderful to be recognized for such a positive and essential partnership,” she said.
      Because of the partnership, nearly 140 high school students in Ka`u and Puna have landed paid internships in the park since 2010, and thousands of island residents, visitors and schoolchildren will be able to participate with scientists in discovering the unique biodiversity of the park.
      The organization’s mission is to support the park in the protection, preservation and interpretation of the natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment of current and future generations. It has raised more than $700,000 for the national park since 2009.
      “We are honored to share this award with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park,” said Elizabeth Fien, Executive Director of FHVNP. “We have a very collaborative partnership that exemplifies the way nonprofits should work with public land agencies.”
      The APPL Partnership Awards celebrate the best in public lands partnerships, recognizing individuals, organizations, publications, products, programs and services that embody leading edge achievements in the preservation of public lands and the enrichment of visitors.
For over 35 years, APPL has served as the national voice for nonprofit public lands partners and has strengthened its membership through education, information sharing and representation. Its membership is comprised of nonprofit organizations whose missions embrace a vibrant future for the nation’s natural and cultural heritage.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. The public is invited. For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net. 

KA`U CHAPTER OF HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED meets Saturday, March 14 at 9 a.m. at Gilligan’s Café in Discovery Harbour. Topics include a review of the organization’s mission, a legislative update and, tentatively, a guest speaker on marijuana legislation. 

      For more information, email Marla Hunter at
ekenuifarm@aol.com.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of the Big Island encourages Ka`u residents to attend its third annual Youth of the Year Banquet & Awards Ceremony Friday, March 20 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel. The theme is Inspiring Youth, and participants can dress as what they wanted to be when they were young.
      To purchase tickets and for more information, contact Gail Hamasu at gail@bgcbi.org or 961-5536.

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

 

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_March2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Mauna Loa snowman photo taken years ago along the road to the weather station, with Mauna Kea in the background. Several feet of snow could fall on the summits this evening and tomorrow morning. Photo from NOAA

FORMER HAWAI`I COUNTY PLANNING DIRECTOR CHRIS YUEN is a nominee for the state Board of Land & Natural Resources. According to the background statement released this morning by Gov. David Ige, Yuen is a resident of Ninole and serves on the Board on an interim basis. He held BLNR’s Hawai`i County seat from 1990 to 1998. He serves the advisory councils for the Laupahoehoe and Puuwaawaa Experimental Tropical Forest. Since 1995, Yuen has owned and managed The Family Farm, Inc., a 20-acre certified organic farm supplying local markets with bananas, lychees and rambutans. From 2000 to 2008, he was Hawai`i County’s planning director. He has also served as the County’s deputy corporation counsel and practiced law as a private attorney.

Chris Yuen

      “With significant work experience as a planner, attorney and farmer, Chris brings a balanced and insightful point of view to the Board table,” said Ige. “Hawai`i will greatly benefit from his commitment and passion to our communities and his willingness to serve.”
      Yuen received a bachelor’s degree in human biology from Stanford University, a master’s degree in environmental science from State University of New York’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry, and a juris doctorate from UH William S. Richardson School of Law.
     “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to continue serving on the board,” said Yuen. “I look forward to the deliberations of the Board and making decisions today that will shape the future of our state.”
      Ige announced two other nominations to BLNR today – all of them subject to state Senate approval.
      Born and raised in Honolulu, Keith “Keone” Downing is an expert waterman and respected big wave rider. Downing is the son of big-wave pioneer George Downing, one of Hawai`i’s major figures in modern surfing. Keone, along with his sister Kaiulu, run the family-owned business which is also Hawai`i’s oldest surf shop, Downing Hawai`i. He continues in the lasting legacy of the Downing family through his commitment to and advocacy on behalf of ocean conservation, a statement from the governor says, pointing to his long-term involvement with the nonprofit group Surfing Education Association, which “shows his dedication to the preservation of Hawai`i’s oceans coral reefs, waves and beaches. Keone’s unparalleled knowledge of local waters will be an asset to the Board of Land and Natural Resources,” said Ige. “I know he will be a voice for the community.”

      Downing graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1975 and earned a degree in commercial art from California College of the Arts. He went on to design logos for surf industry giants Quiksilver and O’Neill.
      “I’m humbled to be nominated for this position,” said Downing. “It is an honor to be asked to preserve our natural and cultural resources for future generations.”

Keith "Keone" Downing

      Ulalia Woodside, who has been serving on the Board on an interim basis since last year, lives in Waimanalo and is currently the regional asset manager for natural and cultural resources at Kamehameha Schools’ Land Assets Division. Prior to this, Woodside worked at Wilson Okamoto Corporation, The Hallstrom Group and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Ulalia Woodside

      She serves as a steering committee member for Hawai`i Green Growth and is the indigenous representative for the Landscape Conservation Cooperative National Council. She is a former commissioner for the Natural Area Reserves System Commission and a former executive council chair for the Pacific Islands Climate Change Cooperative.
      “Ulalia has extensive experience managing Hawai`i’s natural and cultural resources, and she provides a valuable perspective on the Board,” said Ige. “I am pleased that she has agreed to continue to serve on the Board.”
      Woodside received bachelor’s degrees in political science and Hawaiian studies, along with a certificate in Hawaiian language, from UH Manoa. She is also a kumu hula, having completed the `uniki rites of her family’s genealogical hula traditions.
      “I am honored to be asked to continue to serve on the board and am committed to preserving Hawai`i’s natural resources,” said Woodside.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

RESPONDING TO HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL’S use of two percent funds without approval from the Public Access, Open Space & Natural Resources Preservation Commission, the commission yesterday changed rules on which properties can be placed on the priority list for purchase. Nancy Cook Lauer, of West Hawai`i Today, reported that properties now must have no less than 50 percent of criteria points to be placed on the list.
      County Council has twice passed resolutions to purchase lands and then asked the commission to prioritize them.
      Ka`u’s former Council member Brenda Ford was one of several who suggested the county use litigation or executive accounts funds instead of those in PONC. “We have an act of misfeasance by the county that we’re trying to cover up by a misuse of PONC funds,” Ford said at the time, as reported by Cook Lauer.
      According to the story, Deputy Corporation Counsel Bill Brilhante told the Council that, because the commission is only advisory, the Council has authority to spend the money.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.

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

Thresher sharks are being studied for possible inclusion in the Endangered
Species List. Photo from Friends of Animals

THRESHER SHARKS, COMMON TO HAWAIIAN WATERS, may be listed as either endangered or threatened following a study by National Marine Fisheries Service. The service announced the 90-day finding for a petition to list the common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) as either endangered or threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act either worldwide or as one or more distinct population segments identified by the petitioners, Friends of Animals. 

      “We find that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned action may be warranted for the species worldwide,” NMFS said. “We find that the petition fails to present substantial scientific or commercial information to support the identification of DPSs of the common thresher suggested by the petitioners, and, as such, we find that the petitioned action of listing one or more of these DPSs is not warranted.” NMFS will initiate a review of the status of the common thresher shark and is soliciting scientific and commercial information regarding this species.

      According to the petition, the species is subject to overutilization due to commercial, recreational, scientific and educational purposes.

The public is invited Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee's
meeting Thursday. Photo by Carrie Berry

      Historically, common thresher sharks were primarily caught in the drift gillnet fishery established off the West Coast of the United States, which targeted the species in the late 1970s. The fishery had shifted its focus to a swordfish fishery by the mid-1980s due to economic drivers but also to protect pupping female thresher sharks. Since that time, common thresher sharks have only been targeted secondarily or caught incidentally in the drift gillnet fishery there. The petition also states that in addition to broad commercial harvest of the species, direct catch related to the shark fin trade has resulted in population decline. Indirect catch is another category of overutilization identified by the petition, which states that post-release mortality may be high in the species. The petition identified recreational fishing as another category of overutilization.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets Thursday at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. Public is invited. For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

STAFF MEMBERS FROM HAWAI`I PACIFIC Parks Association share their knowledge and love of ulana niu, coconut weaving, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. 

TOMORROW IS THE DEADLINE to register for Spring Break Program to be held Monday through Friday, March 16 to 20 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Grades one through six register with Nona at 928-3102. Fee is $20.

KA`U FARM BUREAU MEETS MONDAY, March 30 at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Email Ralph Gaston ralph@rustyshawaiian.com for more information.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_March2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, March 9, 2015

Aloha Bluegrass Band, with Keoki Kahumoku and friends, will raise money for children's education workshops with a concert at Na`alehu Methodist Church on Sunday, March 22. Photo by Julia Neal

BRAD HIRATA IS LEAVING KA`U HOSPITAL to become Food Services Manager at Kealakehe High School. “He is very private and doesn’t want any fanfare at the hospital,” said hospital Administrator Merilyn Harris, “but we want to say how sad we are that he is leaving.”

      “In the 11 plus years that he has been here, he has made such a difference,” Harris said. “He has made outstanding meals for our patients/residents and staff, but more than that, he has been a constant force for good – always wiling to go out of his way to help. He truly demonstrates the aloha spirit, and we’re all going to miss him.”

Brad Hirata Photo from Merilyn Harris

      The hospital is looking for his replacement as Food Services Manager II. Required experience includes participation in menu planning, food and supply purchasing, quantity cooking, fiscal record keeping and supervision of kitchen assistants, including cooks. Experience in food service management may be gained in commercial ventures such as restaurants, hotels, airline food services, as well as schools, hospitals and correctional institutions.
      Substitutions of training for experience are allowed. See hilomedicalcenter.org for more information.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE STATE SENATE ON WEDNESDAY at 10 a.m. takes up Gov. David Ige’s controversial nomination of Carleton Ching as head of the Department of Land & Natural Resources. In advance of the public hearing on Wednesday, the Senate asked Ching to answer questions and submit a resume to provide residents with information on his background.
      Ching’s resume states that he is Vice President of Community and Government Relations for developer Castle & Cooke Hawai`i. Returning in 2003, he also was previously employed by Castle and Cooke in the real estate development section. He represents the company in various community, public and governmental strategic planning, policy and outreach covering issues related to areas of residential, commercial, agricultural, resort and renewable energy operations and developments on O`ahu, Lana`i and the Big Island.
      Ige’s announcement of Ching’s appointment stated, “Stewardship of Hawai`i’s unique resources is one of the most critical tasks of the state government, and Carleton Ching has the heart, knowledge and skills to lead the Department of Land & Natural Resources. No one understands better the complex issues this department handles and how to balance the need of our environment and our residents.”

      The Senate asked Ching to describe his experiences prior to his nomination where he dealt with any of the issues DLNR handles and how he balanced the needs of the environment and residents in each of those experiences.
      “Heading the community and government relations for Castle & Cooke has provided me exposure to and familiarity with a range of land management and stewardship responsibilities and issues,” Ching responded. “Castle & Cooke and its sister Company Dole Foods Hawai`i are not just developers, since only a relatively small portion of their landholdings are held for development. Castle & Cooke and Dole landholdings (until recently) have included over 88,000 acres of land on Lana`i, most of which is conservation and agricultural land, and large agricultural and conservation acreage on O`ahu.” 

      Ching listed many land management programs he has been involved in, including critical habitat areas established on Lana`i, water resource and game management, conservation easements, watersheds, wind and solar farms, leasing of ag lands and designating acreage as Important Agriculture Lands.
      “These experiences provide a baseline of land stewardship practices, issues, public policy, community engagement, understanding, legislative process and management,” Ching said. “This perspective will assist me in the much bigger scope and responsibilities of DLNR’s mission.”
      Ching’s resume and answers to more questions are available at capitol.hawaii.gov.
      The public can also provide testimony on GM 514 before 10 a.m. tomorrow to be included in Wednesday’s hearing.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Jodi Leong

GOV. DAVID IGE HAS ANNOUNCED members of his communications team. Ige tapped former television anchor/reporter Jodi Leong to be his Press Secretary and Deputy Director of Communications.

Yasmin 

      Leong has served as Director of Communications at University of Hawai`i since 2012. Prior to that, she spent 21 years in local television news starting at KITV in 1991 as a producer, reporter and weekend co-anchor. In 2000, Leong moved to KHNL where she was weeknight co-anchor. She returned to KITV in 2006 as a reporter and later helped launch the inaugural weekend morning newscast. 

      Leong graduated from Castle High School before attending the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Amherst College and the University of Hawai`i, where she earned a B.A. degree in broadcast journalism and a minor in political science.

      Yasmin Dar joins the communications team as the governor’s Digital Media Specialist. Yasmin spent the last six years in television news as an anchor, reporter and producer. She recently moved back from Eugene, Oregon where she anchored the evening news. Prior to that, Dar was KITV Morning Show’s traffic anchor and Social Media Reporter. Dar will design, develop and deploy a two-way environment online to connect the governor with his constituents.
      Dar is a graduate of Aiea High School and University of Hawai`i at Manoa. She graduated with a B.A. in biology and an M.A. in Communications.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sen. Brian Schatz is calling for the FCC to maintain an open Internet.
Image from Office of Sen. Schatz

SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ CALLS FOR AN OPEN INTERNET in an article published by Huffington Post on why net neutrality is critical for innovation, economic and intellectual freedom and a thriving Internet. This month the Federal Communications Commission is poised to adopt rules to ensure that an open and robust Internet continues. Schatz believes these rules must contain three essential elements: no blocking, no throttling, and no paid prioritization. 

      “Why has the Internet worked so well? Because it’s a level playing field,” Schatz said. “Everyone has an equal opportunity to compete, to succeed or to fail, to put one’s best ideas or products forward and let the chips fall where they may.
      “Through a free and open Internet, an excellent idea or an individual can beat a powerful established institution. A scrappy student can challenge the status quo and come up with an innovation to change the world. Almost any citizen with an Internet connection can be heard across the globe and drive millions toward change.

      “But we need rules to make sure that in the battle of content – of music, of ideas, of games, of apps, whatever – it is a fair fight, and that winners and losers are determined by the quality of the content and nothing else… .

      “But without clear net-neutrality protections, companies could alter their incentives and business practices. In order to maximize their bottom line, providers may give preference to Internet traffic from companies willing to pay more for faster delivery. Internet Service Providers would be able to charge Internet companies for better, faster access and impede others.”
      See schatz.senate.gov.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE NEW KA`U ALOHA FORUM IS HOSTING its second event this year in less than two weeks. Featuring Keoki Kahumoku and the Aloha Bluegrass Band, it will be held at Na`alehu Methodist Church Sunday, March 22, with pupus at 5 p.m. Program is from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
      All proceeds are being donated to the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies. Suggested donation for tickets is $20, and seating is limited. One lucky ticket will win a brand new `ukulele.
      Tickets are available at Ka`u Realty in Na`alehu and Pahala Plantation Cottages Office in Pahala. Make checks payable to Center for Hawaiian Music Studies and mail to Woodley White at PO Box 44, Na`alehu, 96772 or RSVP to Woodley@easystreet.net or 854-9483.

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