Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Ka`u Community Development Plan discusses ways to strengthen agriculture. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS THE TOPIC of a Ka`u Community Development Plan focused discussion today at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. 

      The draft Ka`u CDP calls for building a resilient, sustainable local economy. It identifies a community objective as increasing the number and diversity of income sources for residents, including jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities that complement Ka`u’s ecology, culture and evolving demographics.

The public is invited to a discussion about Ka`u's economic development
today at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center.

      The draft guides implementation of regional economic development strategies, including an education, enterprise development and research network and regional strategies to increase buying local. Possible actions by the county include collaborating with the private sector to identify business needs, strengthen existing industries and diversify the economy by attracting new endeavors; advancing economic development that enhances and is balanced with the county’s natural, cultural and social environments; promoting a distinctive identity for Ka`u; and commissioning a study of Economic and Financial Impact Reviews and proposing recommendations for their integration into the regulatory review and approval process.

      Community-based, collaborative actions listed toward this goal include coordinating regional, cross-sectoral economic development strategies; developing a high-tech, high-touch regional education, enterprise development and research network; and coordinating regional strategies to increase buying local.
      The CDP discusses ways to strengthen local agriculture, including agricultural land acquisition, agricultural parks and water systems, diversification of agriculture-based businesses on agricultural land and agricultural tourism.
      The CDP also suggests that developing community renewable energy would enhance Ka`u’s economy. It guides development of local, renewable, distributed energy networks while prioritizing greater public review of commercial renewable energy projects. It states that the county could encourage development of alternate energy resources, providing they complement existing agricultural uses and preserve ecologically significant areas and amend the Zoning Code to require Use Permits for commercial renewable energy projects in the County Agricultural District.
      At today’s meeting, participants’ questions, comments and suggestions will be documented. As appropriate, the CDP Planning Team will use outputs of the discussion to do additional analysis, refine the CDP rationale and/or recommend CDP revisions.
      Public input on the draft Ka`u CDP is due Monday, June 1. The document is available at local libraries and community centers and online at kaucdp.info.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A new document describes opportunities for discoveries by TMT.

THIRTY METER TELESCOPE ORGANIZATION has released a new document that it says describes “the transformational science the Thirty Meter Telescope will enable.” The key TMT document, known as the Detailed Science Case, explains that TMT would open up opportunities for revolutionary discoveries in essentially every field of astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology. 

      According to TMT, the telescope will see much fainter objects much more clearly than existing telescopes, enabled by a giant mirror and advanced adaptive optics system. “With these capabilities, TMT’s science agenda fills all of space and time, from nearby comets and asteroids, to exoplanets, to the most distant galaxies and back to the very first sources of light in the Universe,” TMT stated.
      “There is virtually no cosmic stone that TMT will leave unturned,” said Warren Skidmore, editor-in-chief of the document and Telescope Research Scientist for TMT International Observatory. “We at TMT, our international partners and the broader astronomical community are all eagerly looking forward to the scientific breakthroughs that TMT will help deliver.”
      More than 150 astronomers from within the TMT partnership and beyond offered input in compiling the new 2015 Detailed Science Case.
      In preparing the document, members of TMT’s International Science Development Teams composed sections describing some of the highest profile questions in their respective fields that TMT can help answer.
      The 2015 Detailed Science Case has been updated from its original 2007 version to reflect how its first featured suite of instruments and future upgrades will achieve TMT’s envisioned science goals. The science case will be used to define the scientific priorities of TMT during the period when evaluation of second-generation instruments begins. The document will also aid in defining operational modes for the observatory as its science mission gets underway.

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

The U.S. Senate has honored Hui Panala`au colonists who helped secure
and establish jurisdiction of the U.S. over remote Pacific islands.
Photo from UH-Manoa

THE U.S. SENATE HAS UNANIMOUSLY passed a resolution acknowledging and honoring the young men from Hawai`i, the majority of whom were Native Hawaiian, who ensured the success of the Equatorial Pacific colonization project. This once-secret initiative began in the 1930s to enable the United States to claim jurisdiction over this hotly disputed area of the Pacific in the years leading up to World War II. The earliest colonists were new Kamehameha Schools graduates who were dispatched to the remote islands of Howland, Baker and Jarvis. These young men had been carefully selected to ensure that they could survive in the isolated, barren and inhospitable environment with little support from outside. The colonization ended abruptly when Imperial Japan attacked these islands and Pearl Harbor in 1941. 

      Sen. Brian Schatz, who introduced the resolution, commended the Hui Panala`au in this, the 80th anniversary of the first landing of Native Hawaiian colonists. “This is a remarkable story of humble valor, when 130 sons of Hawai`i made use of their island spirit and resourcefulness to make a very big difference for America and ultimately the free world,” Schatz said. “It is my sincere hope that the deeds of the Hui Panala`au colonists will be more broadly shared, understood and appreciated by the people of Hawai`i and by Americans who treasure our rich history.”



      Throughout the seven years of colonization of the islands (1935-1942), 130 young men in small groups joined the effort and risked their lives on remote islands far from the safety and security of their homes and family. The mission was led by the Department of the Interior to establish American possession at first because the islands were seen as potential stopovers for a newly budding commercial air travel industry. As World War II intensified and the Japanese empire advanced across the Pacific, control of the islands became important militarily. In their service, three young men lost their lives, one from a ruptured appendix and two following a Japanese air attack in 1941. Others sustained permanent injuries during their service. Today, there are three known surviving colonists in Hawai`i.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Deadline to sign up to participate in Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade is Monday.
Photo by Julia Neal

PARK VOLUNTEER RICK LAMONTAGNE displays Hawaiian implements that he has replicated tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Part of the `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work program. Free; park entrance fees apply. 

ATTENTION PA`U RIDERS, classic car owners and others wanting to participate in Na`alehu’s Fourth of July parade, Monday is the deadline to sign up. Contact Debra McIntosh at 929-9872 to register. 

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, May 25, 2015

Residents and groups have one more week to sign up to participate in Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade. Photo by Julia Neal

UNITED STATES AND HAWAI`I STATE FLAGS were flown at half-staff from sunrise to 12 p.m. today by order of Gov. David Ige in memory of the brave Americans who sacrificed their lives for the freedom and security of our nation. 

      “We pause on this Memorial Day to remember and honor those who answered the call to serve our country and paid the ultimate price to preserve and protect our freedom,” Ige said. “I encourage everyone in Hawai`i to take some time this holiday weekend to show your appreciation and gratitude to those who have fought and who continue to fight for our freedom.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Today, the country honors those who died in America's wars.

THE FIRST NATIONAL CELEBRATION of Memorial Day on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.

      “We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens,” said former Union General and sitting Ohio Congressman James Garfield at Arlington National Cemetery on that date. “For love of country they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”
      After Garfield’s speech, 5,000 participants helped decorate graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried there.
      The event was inspired by local observances of the day that had taken place in several towns throughout America in the three years after the Civil War. In 1873, New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day as a legal holiday. By the late 1800s, many more cities and communities observed Memorial Day, and several states had declared it a legal holiday. After World War I, it became an occasion for honoring those who died in all of America’s wars and was then more widely established as a national holiday throughout the United States.

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

Pres. Obama at Arlington National Cemetery today.
Photo from Office of the President

PRES. BARACK OBAMA SPENT the first Memorial Day since the end of the war in Afghanistan at Arlington National Cemetery, remembering the more than 2,200 American patriots who gave their lives in that conflict, as well as all of America’s fallen soldiers. The President asked that all Americans spend the day honoring the memory and sacrifice of those heroes and “remain committed to the cause of freedom and the country for which they fought.” 

      “This weekend is Memorial Day – a time to pay tribute to all our men and women in uniform who’ve ever given their lives so that we can live in freedom and security,” Pres. Obama said in his weekly address. “These Americans gave everything they had – not for glory, not even for gratitude, but for something greater than themselves.”
      In closing his remarks at Arlington, Pres. Obama said, “The Americans who rest beneath these beautiful hills, and in sacred ground across our country and around the world, they are why our nation endures. Each simple stone marker, arranged in perfect military precision, signifies the cost of our blessings. It is a debt we can never fully repay, but it is a debt we will never stop trying to fully repay. By remaining a nation worthy of their sacrifice. By living our own lives the way the fallen lived theirs – a testament that ‘Greater love has no other than this, than to lay down your life for your friends.’
      “We are so grateful for them. We are so grateful for the families of our fallen. May God bless our fallen heroes and their families, and all who serve. And may He continue to bless the United States of America.”

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

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard honors her fallen comrades.
Photo from Office of the Representative

“MEMORIAL DAY IS A TIME TO REFLECT and honor our fallen heroes,” U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “When I came home from my deployment to Iraq, I stepped off the plane and into the warm embrace of my family. I felt an indescribable joy, but at the same time I felt a sad and deep sense of loss for my brothers and sisters in uniform who would never have the chance to come home. Today, we remember these great Americans and show our gratitude for their sacrifice and service.” 

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

NEXTERA ENERGY AND HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES are questioning the motives of several of the 29 intervenors in Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission’s examination of the proposed merger of the two utilities.
      The utilities are concerned about sharing vital information with organizations that may be considering alternatives to the merger.
      “This restricted information will be only authorized to those parties for which applicants have reasonable assurance that they are not engaged in and do not plan to engage in a competing acquisition of HEI or of a controlling interest in one or more of the Hawaiian Electric companies,” NextEra and HECO told the PUC in its filing. “Applicants have and will be designating various due diligence, projections and other commercially sensitive and competitive information as ‘restricted information.’”
      Entities questioned by the companies are KULOLO, AES Hawai`i Inc., The Gas Co., Hawai`i PV Coalition, Hawai`i Renewable Energy Alliance, Hina Power Corp., Kaua`i Island Utility Cooperative, Paniolo Power Co., Renewable Energy Action Coalition of Hawai`i Inc., SunEdison and SunPower Corp.
      Robert Harris, of KULOLO, or Keep our Utilities Locally Owned and Locally Operated, told Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the organization was created to raise awareness about a public acquisition of Hawaiian Electric Light Co. “It’s not designed to buy HECO,” he said.
      See staradvertiser.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Lava continues to change the landscape in Kahauale`a Natural Area Reserve.
Photos from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

KAHAUALE`A NATURAL AREA RESERVE remains closed following Friday’s decision by the state Board of Land & Natural Resources to keep the area off limits for another two years. The area has been closed since July 2007 due to volcanic activity. 

      Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported that Pu`u Kahauale`a, which has been buried slowly by the Pu`u `O`o eruption over the years, is now nearly covered by the June 27th lava flow. The image on the left shows Pu`u Kahauale`a on June 30, 2014, a few days after the June 27th flow started (the `a`a flow just behind the cone is from the early stages of that flow); the image on the right shows Pu`u Kahauale`a on May 21 from nearly the same perspective. Only the highest parts of Pu`u Kahauale`a’s twin craters remain.
      According to Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, Hawai`i Fire Department has responded to 22 incidents involving lost hikers in the area since May 2008.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS THE TOPIC of a Ka`u Community Development Plan focused discussion tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Participants’ questions, comments and suggestions will be documented. As appropriate, the CDP Planning Team will use outputs of the discussion to do additional analysis, refine the CDP rationale and/or recommend CDP revisions.

Hawaiian implements by Rick Lamontagne are on display Wednesday.
Photo from NPS

      Public input on the draft Ka`u CDP is due a week from today on Monday, June 1. The CDP is available at local libraries and community centers and online at kaucdp.info.

PARK VOLUNTEER RICK LAMONTAGNE displays Hawaiian implements that he has replicated Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Part of the `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work program. Free; park entrance fees apply.

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY is the deadline to sign up to participate in this year’s annual Fourth of July parade in Na`alehu. Contact Debra McIntosh at 929-9872 to register floats or parade walkers.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

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

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 24, 2015

Ka`u Roping & Riding Association has announced plans for its 38th annual Fourth of July weekend rodeo. Photo by Julia Neal

EARTH MATTERS FARM HOSTED more than 50 people yesterday at the monthly meeting of the Ka`u chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United. The farm, owned by Greg Smith, president of the Ka`u chapter, is near the corner of South Point and Kama`oa Roads and produces organic vegetables for a community-assisted agriculture program.

The Kohala Center encourages Ka`u farmers to participate in the Farm
to School movement.

      Anna Lisa Okoye, of The Kohala Center, talked about building relationships between farms and schools and how farmers can sell to distributors to place their produce in the state Department of Education schools. Charter schools have more flexibility in buying directly from farmers. Some charter schools choose to buy as local as they can. She gave the example of a school on the Hamakua Coast that attempts to buy the most food it can from producers located within 40 miles of the school itself.
      Okoye encouraged farmers to be a part of the Farm to School movement that teaches youth where food comes from and how to eat a healthy diet. She said that part of the problem is that menus in public schools can be dictated for the entire state school system, limiting the opportunity to include food grown near or on the campus.
      A Farm to School connection event will be held on Tuesday, June 30 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Hawai`i Academy of Arts and Science at 15-1397 Homestead Road in Pahoa. Farmers can bring samples of produce or locally produced value-added products and meet school food buyers who want to buy for school food programs, including the USDA Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program. Those without crops ready for harvest can bring photos of produce and farms.
      Farmers can reserve tables to exhibit produce and information about farms and businesses. Registration deadline is June 25 at koha.la/f2smixer or by calling 887-6411.
      Gabriel Howearth talked about the importance of keeping a local seed bank for food crops that grow well here.
      Bob Shaffer, a soil consultant, talked about soil kept healthy with cover crops, microorganisms, compost and mulch, along with tillage and mineral management.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ledward Ka`apana

LEDWARD KA`APANA’S JUS’ CRUZIN’ won in the Instrumental Album category at last night’s Na Hoku Hanohano awards. The Big Island native and master of `ukulele and slack key guitar has taught visitors and local students during past Hawaiian Music & Lifestyle workshops in Pahala sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies. 

      Other nominations in the same category included more Pahala workshop teachers, Bolo, with his ‘ekahi, and Jeff Peterson with Island Breeze.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I’S U.S. SENATORS OPPOSE trade promotion authority legislation, also known as “fast track” authority, which was passed by the U.S. Senate 62-37.
      Fast track bills give the President authority to negotiate trade deals on the condition that Congress will vote to accept or reject the deal without making changes, as long as the deal meets the objectives set by Congress.
      “That’s a lot of authority to grant without knowing what a final agreement will look like,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “For example, the Administration has been negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would represent 40 percent of the world’s economy, and very few people, including members of Congress and the public, know what is in the agreement. Past fast track bills have not put strong enough standards in place and we’ve seen whole communities and industries hurt as a result.
      “Trade deals should help, not hurt, middle class families and workers. I voted against this bill because it does not go far enough to ensure future trade deals will include fair wages, a decent standard of living and a clean environment for all.”
      Sen. Brian Schatz said, “I oppose the procedures contained in this bill, and I am seriously concerned about using fast-track to pass trade agreements that do not reflect the best interests of the American people and undermine the prerogatives of the Congress. Corporate interests should not be the driving force for public policy decisions on public health, consumer safety and the environment.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HI`ILEI ALOHA LLC, A NONPROFIT SUBSIDIARY of Office of Hawaiian Affairs, holds a grant-writing workshop and leadership development on Wednesday, June 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at Ka`u Rural Health Community Center in Pahala. This free workshop will help nonprofit organizations, leaders and individuals interested in improving their communities by teaching them how to write a grant application. 

      Participants will learn basic techniques and strategies of grant writing and become familiar with key parts of grant applications and terms such as needs assessment, budgets and work plans. The class will also teach the difference between government, foundation and corporate grants. Participants will also continue to receive notification of upcoming grant opportunities.
      The class will also be held in Hilo on Wednesday, July 15 and in Kona on Friday, July 17.
      To register or for information, contact Jennifer at 596-8990 ext.1013 or jenniferc@hiilei.org.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Paniolo wrangles a cow during a KRRA rodeo at Na`alehu Arena.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE PANIOLO TRADITION OF RANCHERS and other rodeo riders gathering together with families will fill the Na`alehu Arena grounds over the July 4 weekend with events designed for keiki, wahine and kane. The 38th Annual Fourth of July Rodeo is sponsored by Ka`u Roping & Riding Association on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5. 

      Slack Roping begins Saturday at 8 a.m. Cowboy Church is on Sunday at 10 a.m. with Thy Word Ministries-Ka`u Pastor Bob Tominaga. Rodeo Shows start at 12 p.m. both days.
      Rodeo Queen contestants are Ku`ukamali`i Bishop of Na`alehu, Arena Jospeh of Kea`au and Chrissy Perez of Honoka`a. Residents can support the young ladies by buying rodeo tickets for $6. Tickets are $7 at the gate.
      All spectators, guests and contestants can buy $1 raffle tickets and win prizes. Prizes will be advertised at the rodeo. All proceeds from the raffle drawing will be donated to American Cancer Society’s Hilo Relay for Life by KRRA.
      Special guests are Miss Rodeo Hawai`i 2015 and Nebraska Queen, who will be signing autographs.
      Events scheduled at the rodeo include Open Team Roping, Kane/Wahine Dally Team Roping, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Kane/Wahine Ribbon Mugging, Wahine Mugging, Tie Down Roping, Wahine Break Away, Po‘o Wai U and Bull Riding.
      Dummy Roping, Goat Undecorating, Calf Riding and Youth Barrel Racing events are set for youngsters.
      For more information, call Tammy Kaapana at 929-8079.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Memorial Day Ceremony is tomorrow at 3 p.m. on KMC’s Front Lawn in Hawai‘`i Volcanoes National Park. Keynote speaker is Rod Sueoka, of the Office of Veterans’ Services.
      Memorial Day Buffet follows the ceremony from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at KMC’s Crater Rim Café. Menu includes Hawaiian kalua pork sandwich, local-style fried chicken, chili con carne, biscuits and honey, buttered corn, steamed rice, dessert and a beverage. Adult $18; child $9.

Economic development is the topic of a Ka`u CDP discussion Tuesday.

      Call 967-8356 for more information. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for additional information.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS THE TOPIC of a Ka`u Community Development Plan focused discussion Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Participants’ questions, comments and suggestions will be documented. As appropriate, the CDP Planning Team will use outputs of the discussion to do additional analysis, refine the CDP rationale and/or recommend CDP revisions.
      Public input on the draft Ka`u CDP is due a week from tomorrow on Monday, June 1. The CDP is available at local libraries and community centers and online at kaucdp.info.

MONDAY, JUNE 1 – ONE WEEK from tomorrow – is the deadline to sign up to be in this year’s annual Fourth of July parade in Na`alehu. Contact Debra McIntosh at 929-9872 to register floats or parade walkers.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

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