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| Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park warns motorists that nene, which are at their most vulnerable now, during breeding and nesting season, blend in with their natural environment and hard to spot. See more below. NPS Photo by Kathleen Misajon |
A NEW ERA FOR MANAGEMENT of 5,800 coastal, ranch and coffee farm acres in Ka`u is expected to begin with Colorado-based company Resource Land Holdings, LLC closing on the purchase from Lehman Brothers Holdings in early November.
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| Resource Land Holdings is expected to close next month on 5,800 acres of Ka`u coastal, coffee and ranch lands. Photo by Julia Neal |
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BRENDA IOKEPA-MOSES IS EXPECTED to assume the position of Ka`u land manager when Resource Land Holdings, LLC closes on the purchase of 5,800 acres in coffee, coastal and ranch properties from Lehman Brothers Holdings in November. She said she is serving as an interim consultant for RLH until the land transfer closes. Iokepa-Moses, a Pahala resident for more than 20 years, has a long history of working with farmers and ranchers on the land formerly owned by C. Brewer sugar company. “I started my career in Ka`u with C. Brewer and was part of the team that helped the displaced sugar workers retain a license for five acres free of rent for five years,” she said. “After the close of the plantation, I worked for WWK Holdings, which purchased some 2,000 acres that these very same farmers occupied.” She praised the famers who became successful with their award-winning Ka`u Coffee “despite the uncertainty of their future.”
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| Brenda Iokepa-Moses |
After working with WWK, Iokepa-Moses transferred to a job with Olson Trust under the land division, working with John Cross on land leasing to open up property to more coffee farmers as well as other diversified agriculture ventures. She worked in many different capacities for the Trust, the latest position at Ka`u Coffee Mill Visitors Center on Wood Valley Road in Pahala.
Iokepa-Moses said, “I am really excited to work with new landowners in securing long-term licenses for our hard-working coffee farmers who have been tossed around since the close of the plantation. Over the last 20 years, I have built relationships with the Ka`u farmers. I know them personally and understand their hardships.
“I will work hard to help them secure a future not only for themselves but also the next generation of Ka`u coffee farmers,” she promised.
Iokepa-Moses also serves as President of the Hawai`i Agricultural Conservation District, President of Ka`u Farm Bureau, Chair of Ka`u Soil and Water Conservation Board, and is a member of the Hawai`i County Board of Water Supply, `O Ka`u Kakou and the Ka`u Coffee Festival Committee. She is a retired member of the U.S. Army Reserves.
John Cross, of Olson Trust, who is another Brewer veteran, is also signed up as a consultant with Resource Land Holdings.
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Iokepa-Moses said, “I am really excited to work with new landowners in securing long-term licenses for our hard-working coffee farmers who have been tossed around since the close of the plantation. Over the last 20 years, I have built relationships with the Ka`u farmers. I know them personally and understand their hardships.
“I will work hard to help them secure a future not only for themselves but also the next generation of Ka`u coffee farmers,” she promised.
Iokepa-Moses also serves as President of the Hawai`i Agricultural Conservation District, President of Ka`u Farm Bureau, Chair of Ka`u Soil and Water Conservation Board, and is a member of the Hawai`i County Board of Water Supply, `O Ka`u Kakou and the Ka`u Coffee Festival Committee. She is a retired member of the U.S. Army Reserves.
John Cross, of Olson Trust, who is another Brewer veteran, is also signed up as a consultant with Resource Land Holdings.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
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| Ka`u CDP staff and Steering Committee members are all smiles after voting to send the final document to the county. From left to right: Leina`ala Enos, Ron Whitmore, Simon Torres, Ron Ebert and Isobel Donovan, Michelle Galimba, Loren Heck, Patti Barry, Nalani Parlin, John Cross and Bob DaMate. Photo by Ron Johnson |
ALMOST PAU WAS THE MESSAGE on the celebratory cake at yesterday’s meeting of the Ka`u Community Development Plan Steering Committee. The committee approved final revisions to the draft Ka`u CDP and voted to send the document to the county.
After seven years of work, Project Manager Ron Whitmore thanked committee members for their service to the county and community. He noted the “thoughtful, diverse and productive conversations” that led to the final document. He said the committee “kept the county’s feet to the fire” as the project progressed to this “major milestone” in the process.
After seven years of work, Project Manager Ron Whitmore thanked committee members for their service to the county and community. He noted the “thoughtful, diverse and productive conversations” that led to the final document. He said the committee “kept the county’s feet to the fire” as the project progressed to this “major milestone” in the process.
The majority of committee members voted to forward the document to the county. No one voted not to forward it, and Ron Ebert, of Punalu`u, was the only member to abstain.
Committee member Michelle Galimba, representing Ka`alaiki and Honu`apo, said, “It is a good document.”
Loren Heck, of Ocean View, said of last night’s meeting, “It’s easy to have a good, positive meeting when there’s so much good, positive preparation.”
Non-voting member John Cross said, “We have agreed to disagree, and that’s good” and said some of the policies in the document “will raise eyebrows.”
Committee member Michelle Galimba, representing Ka`alaiki and Honu`apo, said, “It is a good document.”
Loren Heck, of Ocean View, said of last night’s meeting, “It’s easy to have a good, positive meeting when there’s so much good, positive preparation.”
Non-voting member John Cross said, “We have agreed to disagree, and that’s good” and said some of the policies in the document “will raise eyebrows.”
The committee enjoyed a dinner of roast pork, rice, sushi and salad after adjourning.
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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN HELP Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and the `aina by cutting invasive himalayan ginger on park trails Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and close-toed shoes.
Work is often in the shade of the forest with sweet sounds of native honeycreepers like `apapane, `amakihi and a`ma`o above. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended.
This project is open to the public, and no reservations are required. Interested people can stop by Kilauea Visitor Center to get directions and more information. The hike is around a one mile, moderate round trip into Kilauea caldera down Halem`auma`u Trail. The hike involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400' elevation change.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.
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| A trio of nene enjoy the view at Jaggar Museum. NPS Photo by Michael Szoenyi |
IT’S BREEDING AND NESTING SEASON for nene, and park visitors are urged to drive with caution and to give the endangered Hawaiian goose space.
Nene, the largest native land animal in Hawai`i, are present in the park and other locations on Hawai`i Island year-round, but this seasonal window is vital for their survival, and it’s also when they are the most vulnerable to being run over by drivers. While getting ready to nest, the geese are focused on eating and often forage from dawn to dusk. They blend in with their surroundings, and in low-light periods, they are especially hard for motorists to spot.
“One of the most important things people can do is give nene space,” said Kathleen Misajon, Nene Recovery Program manager at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. “This means not approaching them and never feeding them. Nene are easily habituated to food hand-outs from people and vehicles, and these birds often fall victim to vehicle strikes.”
Nene crossing signs posted throughout the park call attention to roadside areas frequented by nene. These include sections of Hwy 11, Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. Motorists are urged to use extra caution in signed nene crossing areas and to obey posted speed limits.
Most nene fly between nighttime roosts and diurnal feeding grounds. The female builds a simple ground nest and incubates one to four eggs for a full month while her devoted mate acts as a sentry. Shortly after they hatch, goslings leave the nest and follow their parents to their traditional foraging grounds, which can be more than a mile away. At 14 weeks, nene can fly, and along with their parents, they join large flocks where they meet their relatives and potential mates. They usually mate for life.
See nps.gov/havo/photosmultimedia/nene_psa.htm for more information. To report nene on the road in the park, call 985-6001. Outside the park, call 974-4221.
For more information on nene and other endangered species the park works to protect, see the new On the Brink of Extinction brochure posted at nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/onthebrink.htm.
Nene, the largest native land animal in Hawai`i, are present in the park and other locations on Hawai`i Island year-round, but this seasonal window is vital for their survival, and it’s also when they are the most vulnerable to being run over by drivers. While getting ready to nest, the geese are focused on eating and often forage from dawn to dusk. They blend in with their surroundings, and in low-light periods, they are especially hard for motorists to spot.
“One of the most important things people can do is give nene space,” said Kathleen Misajon, Nene Recovery Program manager at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. “This means not approaching them and never feeding them. Nene are easily habituated to food hand-outs from people and vehicles, and these birds often fall victim to vehicle strikes.”
Nene crossing signs posted throughout the park call attention to roadside areas frequented by nene. These include sections of Hwy 11, Crater Rim Drive and Chain of Craters Road. Motorists are urged to use extra caution in signed nene crossing areas and to obey posted speed limits.
Most nene fly between nighttime roosts and diurnal feeding grounds. The female builds a simple ground nest and incubates one to four eggs for a full month while her devoted mate acts as a sentry. Shortly after they hatch, goslings leave the nest and follow their parents to their traditional foraging grounds, which can be more than a mile away. At 14 weeks, nene can fly, and along with their parents, they join large flocks where they meet their relatives and potential mates. They usually mate for life.
See nps.gov/havo/photosmultimedia/nene_psa.htm for more information. To report nene on the road in the park, call 985-6001. Outside the park, call 974-4221.
For more information on nene and other endangered species the park works to protect, see the new On the Brink of Extinction brochure posted at nps.gov/havo/learn/nature/onthebrink.htm.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
KAUAHA`AO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in Wai`ohinu will be having a fundraising bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and invites individuals, school/athletic groups, clubs and churches to be vendors at the flea market. The church is located on the corner of Hwy11, Kamaoa Road and Pinao Street, just above Wong Yuen Store and Gas Station.
The charge for a 10’x10’ vendor space is $10. Vendors need to bring their own 10’x10’ tent, tables, chairs and, if needed, a generator. Vendors can sell anything except hot food and plate lunches.
The church will be selling Kalau Pig plate lunches and containers of Kalua Pig plus hot dogs, baked goods and more. There will be entertainment throughout the day.
For more information and to reserve a vendor space, call Walter Wong Yuen at 928-8039 after 7 p.m.
KAUAHA`AO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in Wai`ohinu will be having a fundraising bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and invites individuals, school/athletic groups, clubs and churches to be vendors at the flea market. The church is located on the corner of Hwy11, Kamaoa Road and Pinao Street, just above Wong Yuen Store and Gas Station.
The charge for a 10’x10’ vendor space is $10. Vendors need to bring their own 10’x10’ tent, tables, chairs and, if needed, a generator. Vendors can sell anything except hot food and plate lunches.
The church will be selling Kalau Pig plate lunches and containers of Kalua Pig plus hot dogs, baked goods and more. There will be entertainment throughout the day.
For more information and to reserve a vendor space, call Walter Wong Yuen at 928-8039 after 7 p.m.
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| Overall winner will grace the cover of next year's Directory. |
LEGAL AID IS AVAILABLE TOMORROW from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.
BEAUTY OF KA`U ENTRY DROP-OFF is Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the Monday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 5 art show at CU Hawai`i in Na`alehu.
See kauchamber.org or call Donna Masaniai at 238-0505 for more information.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN HELP Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and the `aina by cutting invasive himalayan ginger on park trails Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long sleeve shirts, long pants and close-toed shoes.
Work is often in the shade of the forest with sweet sounds of native honeycreepers like `apapane, `amakihi and a`ma`o above. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended.
This project is open to the public, and no reservations are required. Interested people can stop by Kilauea Visitor Center to get directions and more information. The hike is around a one mile, moderate round trip into Kilauea caldera down Halem`auma`u Trail. The hike involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400' elevation change.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_October2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |
