Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022

Ka`u High & Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences' swim team continues competition
around the island into February. Like all sports, no fans are allowed due to Covid 
concerns, as of Jan. 4.  Photo by Kayla Nishimura

KAʻŪ TROJANS ARE HOSTING AND TRAVELING to Swim, Girls Basketball and Boys Basketball winter sports events, but without spectators to cheer on the high school teams.
    Kaʻū Trojans Girls Basketball, with Coach Jacob Davenport and Assistant Coach Chrysa Dacalio, was scheduled at Hilo on Wednesday, Jan. 5 and Tuesday, Jan. 11 at Kea'au at 6 p.m. Kaʻū hosts Kohala on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. and travels to Honoka'a on Friday, Jan. 28 for a game at 6 p.m. Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa on Saturday, Jan 29. and Christian Liberty on Tuesday, Feb. 1, both at 6 p.m. Kaʻū travels to Honoka'a on Friday, Feb. 4 for a 6 p.m. game.
    Boys Basketball, with Coach Douglas Porter and Assistant Coach Troy Gacayan, was set for Kamehameha coming to Kaʻū on Friday, Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. Kaʻū travels to Waiakea on Jan. 12 for game at 6

p.m. Kaʻū hosts Hawai'i Preparatory Academy on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. Kaʻū hosts Hilo on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m.; Kaʻū travels to Honoka'a for a game on Friday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. Kaʻū hosts Kohala on Saturday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. Kaʻū travels to Pāhoa for a game on Friday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. Kaʻū hosts Kea'au at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15.
   The swimming coach is Doreen Fisher with upcoming meets on Saturday, Jan. 11 at Hawai'i Preparatory Academy at 10 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 18 at Kamehameha at 10 a.m. and Saturday, Jan. 25 at HPA at 10 a.m. The preliminaries and finals are at Kamehameha on Friday, Jan. 31 at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 1 at 9 a.m. The team is comprised of Ka`u High and Volcano School of the Arte & Sciences swimmers.
    Big Island Interscholastic Federation announced in early January that "procedures have been developed, and now modified again, to adjust to the new and continued rise in COVID case numbers due to the new Omicron

variant." Among them is the banning of all spectators at BIIF indoor and outdoor sporting events, until further notice. In addition, all BIIF member schools, and any school who travels to the Big Island to participate in a BIIF athletic event, shall require mask wearing except when student-athletes, coaches and officials are participating in the athletic event. Masks are required when sitting on the bench, going to the restroom, and when on premises before and after the game.
    No concession will be available at any BIIF sanctioned event. No outside food or beverages will be allowed at any BIIF sanctioned event. BIIF Schools who utilize County of Hawai'i facilities, such as the ballpark and Robert E. Herkes Gym in Pāhala may be subject to supplemental County of Hawai'i guidelines that may override BIIF guidelines. Schools using County of Hawai'i facilities must communicate the details of superseding guidelines to the BIIF, visiting teams and fans.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

THE WAIKAPUNA RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN COMMUNITY MEETING has been redesigned, due to Covid concerns, to be on zoom with now in-person gathering. It is set for Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m..
    Waikapuna is 2,317 acres with miles of Kaʻū Coast, under a county conservation easement and held for stewardship by Ala Kahakai Trail Association.
    The purpose of the meeting is to provide background on the process and schedule for the Management Plan for the land; to gather input on cultural and natural resources to preserve and protect; to understand areas of concern relating to the resources; and to identify opportunities for stewardship.
    The property was purchased in 2019 with public funds to protect it from subdivision.
    Log on at www.zoom.com. Meeting ID is 83744678872. passcode is Kau. For audio only, call 346-248-7700. Meeting ID is 837 4467 9971. Passcode is 816026. The meeting will be recorded. For a link to the recording, contact Gabrielle Sham, Townscape, Inc. at gabrielle@townscape.com.

The Hawaiian, indigenous seabird Noio, Anous minutus melanogenys, nests in lava tubes and ledges along the cliffside of Waikapuna. Photo from Ala Kahakai Trail Association

    According to the website of Ala Kahakai Trail Association, "Waikapuna encompasses the entirety of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipaliiki Ahupua'a of Kaʻū Moku on Hawai'i Island. This purchase covers over 2.3 miles of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail - including what is traditionally known as the Ala Loa. An ancient fishing village of Waikapuna exists here and the acquisition of this wahi pana protects hundreds of intact pre-contact Native Hawaiian burial and non-burial cultural sites.
    "Rich in Native Hawaiian and paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) cultural heritage, the ancient fishing village of Waikapuna includes house sites, heiau, lava tube caves, and ancient trails. It is surrounded by large stands of native coastal vegetation, tidepool complex, and sea caves."
    Waikapuna features "a segment of the Alaloa footpath, large strands of native coastal plant species, and sea cliffs that provide habitat to endangered birds; and provides access to important nearshore resources that many local families still rely on for subsistence. The property also supports ranching, perpetuating Kaʻū's paniolo heritage and contributing to the region's agricultural economy."
    The stated purpose of the County of Hawai'i's conservation easement over Wiakapuna is to: "conserve, preserve, and protect in perpetuity the historic, cultural, agricultural, natural, marine, scenic, open space, fresh water, and native and endemic plant and animal habitat values of the Easement Property."
    Ala Kahakai Trail Association is required to establish a Land Management Plan, consistent with the conservation easement and also the state Legacy Land Conservation Program grant that helped to purchase the Waikapuna land. The County of Hawai'i hired Townscape Inc., an environmental community planning company, to work with the Kaʻū community to develop the Waikapuna Resource Management Plan to serve as a guide for future management and stewardship efforts.
    See more at www.alakahakaitrail.org/waikapuna

A year ago, Kai Kahele, taking
the oath for Congress

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

A NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE FROM KAʻŪ'S CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE reads as follows:

    "Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! One year ago this week, I took my oath of office. Although 2021 was a tumultuous year filled with both triumph and disaster for our communities, through it all we continued to move forward together to build a healthier and safer Hawaiʻi.
    "I am proud of the hard work Team Kahele has put in over the last year to deliver results for families, workers and small businesses. I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve as your voice in Washington, DC and look forward to furthering our shared vision for Hawaiʻi in this new year.
    "Me ka haʻa haʻa (with humility), Kai."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

 

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022

Kamehameha Schools has purchased the 665-acre Kahuku Ranch, makai of Hwy 11 near Ocean View.

Photo from Kamehameha Schools

 
KAHUKU RANCH, the 665- acre parcel formerly owned by the Damon Estate, has been purchased by Kamehameha Schools. The historic ranch with its koa home, office, high producing cattle pastures, and ranch quarters is known for its very thick grasslands and its paniolo and Native Hawaiian history. It is adjacent to other Kamehameha Schools lands at Wai'ahukini. The land is on the makai side of Hwy 11, between South Point Road and Ocean View, makai of the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
    A statement issued Jan. 4 from Kamehameha Schools says, the investment "consolidates ownership of area lands that include adjacent KS legacy lands and also provides for potential future agriculture or community education presence in the rural district along the southern tip of Hawai‘i island." The property

A village of seven homes at Kahuku Ranch,
recently acquired by Kamehameha Schools

provides "access to a large swath of KS’ Pākini ahupuaʻa. Additionally, this large property also has highway frontage and access to unique ma uka and ma kai cultural and natural landscapes."
    Jamee Miller, director of KS’ ‘Āina Ulu, which works with KS ʻāina tenants and partners on impactful outcomes that contribute to community resiliency, said the following: “Through responsible stewardship of ‘āina, we support vibrant, resilient communities where keiki learn and thrive. Through planning and collaboration with the community, there is an opportunity to link educational, economic and community resources while forging strong partner networks and relationships.” The ranch could also support agricultural and food systems activities such as securing a lessee to raise livestock or grow fruit trees, says the KS statement. "KS’ immediate focus is on properly securing and stewarding the ‘āina and facilities. While there are no set long-term plans, KS will be carefully assessing all options to create positive resilient community impact."

Punalu'u property managers are asking the public to beware of nene, the Hawaiian goose and state bird, which has taken to crossing the roads. Speed bumps and other improvements to protect the nene are planned at Punalu'u, according to property

managers and owner. A few of the nene have been killed in recent years on the Punalu'u roadway. Photo by Bob Martin

PUNALU'U MANAGERS URGE PROTECTION FOR NENE. "There are a lot of nene this winter at Punalu'u and we are very concerned about their safety," said Black Sand Beach, LLC Project Director Norman Quon who is working on the development plan for the 434-acre property below Hwy 11. He said the Punalu'u management team asks the public to drive slowly on the roads through Punalu'u, especially along the road bordering the golf course between Hwy 11 and SeaMountain condominiums.As many as ten nene have been seen recently on the property, said Quon. He vowed that the management team would work on signage and other nene safety protocol along the private road. "We are even considering perhaps 
building some of the stone walls higher along the golf course to help keep the nene off the road."
    Several nene have been killed along the road in recent years. O Ka'u Kakou President Wayne Kawachi said OKK is involved in setting up speed bumps to slow the traffic and will fill some gaps in the stone walls along the golf course where nene cross the road. He said OKK has reached out to Department of Land & Natural Resources wildlife biologist Raymond McGuire for guidance.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

The future of Punlu'u and the County of Hawai'i pavilions, which are leased from the owners

of Black Sand Beach, LLC, are up for discussion at a workshop on Jan. 15 about future development plans. 

Photo by Bob Martin

A FOURTH MEETING TO BE HELD ON THE FUTURE OF PUNALU'U will be a workshop on Saturday, Jan. 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the multipurpose room next to the Robert Herkes Gym adjacent to the Pahala School campus. Norman Quon, Project Director for Black Sand Beach, LLC's plan for the 432-acre oceanfront Punalu'u property, said the planning team wants more input from the community before turning in its proposal to the County of Hawai'i. "We are hoping to turn in a plan during the first 
quarter of this year," he said.
    The property includes the beach park, which is rented to the county; golf course, abandoned tennis center and abandoned commercial buildings, along with undeveloped resort, commercial and residential lands.
    Quon said he will help lead the workshop, along with Black Sand Beach, LLC's principal owner Eva Liu, Planning Consultant Daryn Arai and Project Assistant Jade Cardellos. "It's the next step, to take it to another level, to really get the community and involve the community specifically in the project," said Quon. He said the plans for development have not changed since the three community meetings held in December.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HIGH INFECTION RATES OF COVID ON THIS ISLAND leading to staffing issues have prompted closing of the Ka`u Drivers Licensing Office on Wednesday, Jan. 5, with the expectation that it will reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 11.

    The Hilo office will also be closed and is expected to reopen on Thursday. Additionally, Waimea will be canceling all road tests scheduled for tomorrow and will also be closed for lunch between 12-1 pm. The Hilo Vehicle Registration Office will remain open tomorrow, pending staff availability.
    A statement from County of Hawaiʻi says thanks to "the community for their understanding as we all continue to battle the effects of the coronavirus locally and globally. The County remains committed to providing quality and timely service to all residents and will promptly notify the public of any further changes to regular schedules or services."

A 3.7 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE SHOOK WAI'OHINU AND OCEAN VIEW at 8 p.m. Tuesday. It was located 6 miles north of Waiohinu and 8 miles from Ocean View.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, Jan. 3, 2022

Uēkahuna viewing area at the summit of Kilauea Volcano. A man crossed into closed territory
and fell to his death late Sunday night. NPS Photo by Janice Wei

A MAN FELL FROM THE CRATER RIM TO HIS DEATH in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park late Sunday night. According to a statement from the park, the 75-year-old Hilo man died after falling from a closed area.

    Family members reported the man missing from within the park around 12:15 a.m. on Monday. After searching for the man in the darkness, National Park Service rangers and Hawaiʻi County firefighters located the man’s body about 100 feet below the crater rim, west of the Uēkahuna viewing area at the summit of Kīlauea volcano. Park rangers, assisted by helicopter, recovered the body around 8 a.m.
    An investigation is underway and no additional details are currently available.
    Identification of the victim is pending further notification of family.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Light shaking with a maximum intensity of IV
 was reported by USGS concerning the 4.3 earthquake.

A MAGNITUDE 4.3 EARTHQUAKE RUMBLED THROUGH PAHALA on Monday, with its epicenter five miles to the east-northeast of the village. USGS reported its depth at  34 kilometers (21 miles).  A map showing its location is posted on the HVO website at https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo. More details are available on the National Earthquake Information Center website at https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/hv72856332.
    Light shaking, with maximum Intensity of  IV on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale was reported across parts of the Island of Hawai‘i. At that intensity, significant damage to buildings or structures was not expected. The USGS "Did you feel it?" service (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi) received over 125 felt reports within the first 30 minutes after the earthquake.
    According to HVO Scientist-in-Charge, Ken Hon, the earthquake had no observable impact on Mauna Loa and Kīlauea volcanoes. “This earthquake is part of the ongoing seismic swarm under the Pāhala area, which started in August 2019.

     "Webcams and other data streams show no impact on the ongoing eruption at Kīlauea. Please be aware that aftershocks are possible and may be felt. HVO continues to monitor Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes. The Alert Levels/Color Codes remain at WATCH/ORANGE for Kīlauea and ADVISORY/YELLOW for Mauna Loa at this time.”

    For information on recent earthquakes in Hawaii and eruption updates, visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

COVID-19 CASES ON THIS ISLAND CONTINUE TO SOAR. A Civil Defense message on Monday noted that Department of Health reported 359 new cases in Hawai'i County, 1824 active cases, and nine persons hospitalized.
    The Civil Defense message says, "Please do your part to protect our 'Ohana and follow the preventive measures of wearing face coverings, distancing, disinfecting your hands, limiting and avoiding gatherings, and staying home; especially when sick. If you feel sick or believe you may have been exposed to a positive case, please get tested.
    "The Department of Health recommends getting vaccinated and getting a booster shot to protect yourself, your family and friends."
    For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing, please visit the Civil Defense website. www.hawaiicounty.gov

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HAWAI'I PONO INITIATIVE AND HAWAI'I ALLIANCE FOR PROGRESSIVE ACTION leader and former state Senate leader Gary Hooser has suggested 12 policy goals for the 2022 Hawai'i Legislature, which opens on Jan. 19 and adjourns May 5. Hooser wrote, "It goes without saying that if we don't set goals, we are sure not to achieve them." His public policy goals "worthy of our time and energy" are:              "Term limits for state legislators; passage of true living wage legislation; closing of Red Hill (underground military fuel storage that has contaminated drinking water) on Oʻahu and reevaluation of military impacts statewide;

    "Repeal HB499/Act 236 - Relating to lease extensions on public land; criminal justice/cash bail reform; increased public funding of state and county elections; legalizing the responsible adult use of cannabis; affordable housing for all local residents; food and energy self-sufficiency;
   
"Protection of our streams, coastlines, and mountains; ensure Hawai'i teachers are the highest paid, most qualified, and best in the world; and a tax structure that protects local residents and requires offshore investors and the wealthy - to pay their fair share."
    Hooser contends that "None of these goals are radical, or ground-breaking. There are models already in place elsewhere - we just need the political will and leadership to make it happen. This should be a slam dunk for a legislature dominated by Democrats such as exists here in Hawai'i.Term limits would need to be approved by voters but must be put on the ballot by the legislature. Fifteen states, including California presently have legislative term limits. Eighteen states have legalized the responsible adult use of cannabis.
Twenty-three other states have a higher minimum wage."
    Regarding the issue of clean drinking water and the contamination from Red Hill, Hooser said, "If a majority of our legislative leaders and the congressional delegation were willing to stand with the public at the gates of Pearl Harbor (either literally or figuratively) until the Navy agreed, you can be assured Red Hill would be closed tomorrow. There has never been a thorough evaluation of the military's collective impact in Hawai'i. Hawai'i residents deserve to know what those impacts are, and they deserve a say in
whether or not additional future expansion is needed or wanted. Hooser said that affordable housing, food and energy self-sufficiency, and protection of the natural environment require a long-term commitment, solid planning, and eternal vigilance.

    "Attracting and retaining highly qualified teachers is the single most important thing we can do to ensure the positive development of our children."
"Tax fairness can be achieved literally with the stroke of a pen. In past legislative sessions numerous proposals were put forth and passed, but then vetoed by the Governor. Without exaggeration 100's of millions of dollars are being left on the table each year.
"Hawai'i is flush with cash and just days ago Governor Ige announced his intention to put a billion dollars into the state's "rainy day fund. Yes, that's correct. We have a billion dollars extra on hand now and hundreds of millions more each year we are missing out on. We have the money, but just lack the political leadership to spend it where it needs to be spent - paying teachers more and building more affordable housing would be a good place to start.
Hooser said, "Citizen involvement is a prerequisite of political will. Without active citizen participation, the politicians are left only with the voice of big money and big business.....Make two calls and send two emails. One to your Representative and another to your Senator. Share with them your thoughts, your goals, and your expectations. You can find out who they are and their contact information by entering your address at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

HAWAI'I - PHILIPPINES BUSINESS ECONOMIC COUNCIL invites the public to a zoom meeting on Technological Innovations to Save the Planet. It takes place via zoom on Thursday, Jan. 6 at 4 p.m. Speakers are:
    Navkaran Singh Bagga, founder & CEO of AKVO, a company that created an atmospheric water generator to make safe and pure drinking water from the air. As statement from HPBEC says, "Its US partner is developing programs that ensure support in this innovative water generation technologies to establish its role as the world’s first solar water utility provider. This technology is now in California and is being introduced to Hawai'i. This is an alternative to current water sources that is now threatened by fuel-leaks and other catastrophic man-made pollutants."
    Rob and Mylene Reyes, who produce Kaivicide, an all-purpose cleaner, made and bottled  locally by the home medical supply provider owned by these Filipino-American entrepreneurs. "The key ingredient in Kaivicide is Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) - a powerful oxidizer that naturally occurs in humans, in our  

white blood cells. Kaivicide uses HOCl instead of harsh chemicals to deodorize and clean. HOCl is an EPA approved active ingredient in most commercially produced disinfectant. Kaivicide is the only product in the market that is sustainable, eco-friendly, non-toxic and affordable," says the HPBEC statement.
   Carvey Ehren Maigue, a student from Mapua University and invented the Aureus, a technology that utilizes crop wastes to create solar biopolymer materials that can harvest UV light. "Its ability to capture UV light allows Aureus materials to function even during cloudy or lowlight conditions or even on areas facing away from the sun, making it applicable to windows, facades, or claddings in vertical developments such as buildings. The solar material can also be formed in various shapes allowing it to be integrated to textiles or vehicles in the future. The Aureus won the James Dyson Sustainability Award in 2020," says the HPBEC statement.

    Register for free: https://bit.ly/32Ba5hn

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.