The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Teach for America instructors gather at the Pahala campus cafeteria to learn about rural schools. Photo by Julia Neal

TEACH FOR AMERICA could lose so much funding that it may have to shut down its Big Island office. The funding cut could threaten the number of teachers the nonprofit organization supplies to Ka`u. Teach for America recruited, trained and supports nine of the 47 teachers this year at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary. It also provides one of the 35 teachers at Na`alehu School.

Teach for America depends on partial state funding. However, as the state budget nears completion, with negotiations in the Legislature this and next week, the state Senate has dropped the $870,000 that Teach for America has received from the state in each of the last two years. The state House of Representatives has cut the appropriation in half even though Teach for America raises four dollars for every dollar provided by the state.
The majority of donors are locally based. Others include those with local ties, such as the Charles & Helen Schwab Foundation. The Schwabs have a home on the Big Island.

Teach for America executive director
Jill Baldemor grew up in Hawai`i.

According to Teach for America Director of Development and External Partnerships Alex Teece, about $51,000 is invested in each teacher over the two years. About a third of the Teach for America instructors in Hawai`i this year are Native Hawaiian or kama`aina, and the organization is partnering with UH-Hilo to recruit more teachers who grew up here, said Teece.
Teach for America brought more than 60 teachers to Ka`u last year to explore the community and Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School campus in its effort to place young teachers into the hardest posts to fill in public school systems for two-year stints.
Marshallese students at Ka`u Intermediate guided the visiting teachers through the campus, along with principal Sharon Beck, and talked about their dreams for higher education.
The young teachers learned about local culture. The Ka`u Calendar newspaper editor Julia Neal talked about the rich environmental, cultural and family lives of students fortunate enough to live in Ka`u.
One Teach for America instructor stationed at Na`alehu talked about the glow in the faces of her young students when they come back to the classroom after a weekend with their families, ranching, fishing and enjoying the other outdoor and cultural activities of Ka`u.
The teachers also took a walk to the Boys & Girls Club in Pahala and visited Pahala Plantation House and Ka`u Coffee Mill.
Teach for America’s Hawai`i executive director Jill Baldemor accompanied the group. She grew up in Hawai`i, lived outside the state for a number of years for education and work, and came back to help Hawai`i’s youth.
The Teach for America website at teachforamerica.org/where-we-work/Hawaii says: “Now, more than ever, there is energy and urgency around transforming the educational landscape of our state. With tremendous community support, new leadership in the Board of Education and Department of Education, and Race to the Top reform efforts, momentum is building in Hawai`i. ... At this critical moment we are excited to be partnering with our communities to give all of Hawai`i’s children the opportunity to receive the education they deserve.”
Letters of support can be sent to lissette.roman@teachforamerica.org. Mail to 500 Ala Moana Blvd, Suite 3-400, Honolulu HI 96813.
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Ka`u Hospital is in HHSC's East Hawai`i Region. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I HEALTH SYSTEMS CORP.’S East Hawai`i Region, which includes Ka`u Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, expects to come up short this year by just under $5 million unless the state provides additional funding, according to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.

HHSC is seeking emergency appropriations from the state Legislature. Senate Bill 2866, which requests funding for facilities across Hawai`i, has passed the Senate and House and is expected to be heard by a conference committee.
Colin M. Stewart reports HHSC Acting President and CEO Alice M. Hall saying a large part of the shortfall is a result of the most recent collective bargaining decision approving raises for hospital workers.
Declining Medicare reimbursements and federal sequestration cuts have also taken their toll, Stewart said. In testimony to the Legislature, Gary Yoshiyama, chair of HHSC’s East Hawai`i Regional Board, said, “Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement reductions have significantly impacted our region as Medicare and Medicaid patients make up approximately 76 percent of our patients.”
He also said, “We continue to review and reduce operational expenditures, delay major initiatives where possible and delay payments to vendors. Patient service volumes are up, reimbursements are down, expense cutting measures are implemented, expenses continue to raise, and payables are delayed. The emergency appropriation is a short-term measure to continue provision of accessible quality health care within our regions.”
Progress of this and other bills can be tracked at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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STATE HOUSE LAWMAKERS PASSED AN AMENDED Senate bill Tuesday that would raise the current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour by 50 cents beginning next year, followed by annual 75-cent raises until reaching $10 per hour in 2018.
SB2609 SD1 HD2 also raises the existing tip credit, the amount an employer can withhold from wages of those who also earn tips, to 50 cents next year and 75 cents in 2016, provided that the combined amount the employee receives in wages and tips is at least $7 more than the applicable minimum wage.

Progress of this and other bills can be tracked at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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David Louie

THE STATE OF HAWAI`I WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE health benefits to Ka`u’s Marshallese community and other state Compact of Free Association residents until a full and final resolution of the issues in a lawsuit is reached, announced Attorney General David M. Louie. “The state will make sure that COFA residents continue to have uninterrupted access to their health benefits while this lawsuit is pending,” Louie said.

Earlier this month, the Ninth Circuit ruled that when Congress enacted the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 and eliminated all federal funding for health benefits for COFA residents, the state of Hawai`i could not be mandated to fund the federal government’s portion of the benefits. “The Ninth Circuit’s decision confirms that the federal government cannot impose a duty on states to perform a function for which it does not provide funds,” Louie said.
The ruling was a preliminary finding by the appellate court; there are still other proceedings that may occur.

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CANDIDATES ARE SIGNING UP FOR ELECTION TO KA`U public offices.

State Senate District Three and Representative District Five cover Na`alehu, Wai`ohinu, Ocean View and north into Kona. Current Sen. Josh Green, of Kailua-Kona, and Michael Last, of Na`alehu, have pulled papers for the Senate. Gubernatorial appointee and current Rep. Richard Creagan, of Na`alehu; Gene Leslie, of Holualoa; and Steve Sakala, of Kealakekua, are signed up for the House race.

Maile David

Fred Fogel

The office for Senate District Two, which covers Honu`apo, Punalu`u, Pahala, Volcano and into Hilo, is not on the ballot this year, with Sen. Russell Ruderman in office into 2016.

State Rep. District Three covers this area. Fred Fogel, of Volcano, is considering running against current Rep. Richard Onishi. Fogel ran for the House of Representatives in the previous two elections, losing to Robert Herkes in 2010 and Richard Onishi in 2012. Fogel has also pulled papers for the Hawai`i County Council District Six race.

Other potential contenders to replace Brenda Ford, who has reached her term limit, are Richard Eugene Abbett, of Ocean View, and Maile David, of Captain Cook.

This would be the third time David runs for Council. She was one of four candidates who ran when Brittany Smart won in 2010 and was in a run off when Brenda Ford won in 2012. According to Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, David, who is currently deputy county clerk, has sought an opinion from the Board of Ethics, which meets today, on whether it would be a conflict for her to keep her position while she runs for office.

The primary election is on Saturday, Aug 9.

Deadline for candidates to file papers is Tuesday, June 3 for the primary election.

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Lessons in lei making are available Friday.

JULIE EVANS AND LOIS AND EARL STOKES teach an introduction to the meditative drawing practice of Zentangle Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Participants get a solid foundation in the philosophy, ceremony and benefits of tangling. No previous art education or experience is needed. Call 967-8222.

RANDY LEE OFFERS FREE INSTRUCTION on lei making Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Volcano Art Center Gallery’s porch in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL fell to the Kamehameha Warriors last night, Tuesday, April 8 at Ka`u High School Gym. Junior Varsity scores were 13-25, 17-25. Varsity Scores were 12-25, 23-25, 20-25. Next match is in Kohala Saturday at 10 a.m.

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

District 6 is the largest in the county. Prospective County Council candidates can file papers through June 3 to run for the seat being
vacated by Brenda Ford, who is unable to run again because of term limitations.

MAILE DAVID PLANS TO RUN FOR COUNTY COUNCIL to assume the seat of Brenda Ford, who is prevented from running again due to the council’s four-term limit. David is Deputy County Clerk and received a ruling yesterday from the county Board of Ethics that she could remain employed in her position while running for council. During the last election, she ran against Ford in a general election runoff.

Maile David at a talk story in Pahala, during the 2012 election campaign
when she came in second in a runoff with Brenda Ford.
Photo by William Neal

David said this morning that she expects to file her papers to run in this August’s Democratic primary before the end of next week, after she wraps up collecting the required signatures.

During yesterday's Board of Ethics meeting, Bernard Balsis, deputy chair of the ethics board, and former CEO of Ka`u Community Federal Credit Union, weighed in. According to a report in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, Balsis told David, “Technically, I can see that you’ve taken appropriate steps….to avoid a conflict of interest. The percenption in the community may be different and I don’t know if there are any shields you can put up in terms of community perception.” The vote was 4-1.

To avoid conflict, County Clerk Stewart Maeda said that David will not be involved with any aspect of the elections, and will stand down as council clerk for commission and council meetings in West Hawai`i, the story by Nancy Cook Lauer reported. It also reported that David said she sought advice on the matter from the county Board of Ethics, the county corporate counsel and the state Office of Elections.

Deadline to file papers to run for public office is Tuesday, June 3. The primary election will be held on Saturday, Aug. 9 and the general election will be Tuesday, Nov. 4.

Others who have pulled papers to run for County Council for District 6 include Richard Gene Abbet, of Ocean View, and Fred Fogel, of Volcano.

District Six covers part of Puna and all of Ka`u into Kona. It runs from Kauhaualea Road in Volcano through Pahala, Na`alehu, Ocean View and Miloli`i, up the Kona coast to the border between Kealakekaua and Honolo on the mauka side of Hwy 11.

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THE PAYCHECK FAIRNESS ACT received more ayes than nays In the U.S. Senate yesterday but failed by six votes by six votes, since it needed 60 to move forward. Hawai`i's U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz voted for the measure. The Paycheck Fairness Act was aimed at ending the gender wage gap. According to a story in The Washington Post, at the last minute Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat, switched his vote to "No," so he could reintroduce the bill an try again.

Shatta made a video on equal pay for women.
Image from Schatz campaign

In addition to requiring paycheck fairness between men and women, the bill would also make it illegal for employers to punish workers who ask about or share the amount of their pay with other employees. According to the Washington Post, the push for Paycheck Fairness "has been a major plank of the 'give America a raise' and 'fair shot for everyone' messaging that Democrats hope will mobilize their voter base in this year's midterm elections and help them retain control of the Senate."

Schatz has released a campaign video, referring to equal pay legislation he introduced during his eight years in the Hawai`i legislature. "Sen. Schatz believes that our children should grow up in a world in which pay discrimination is only found in history books," the text accompanying the video says. Schatz says, "Growing up in Hawai`i, I was taught fairness because we expect our sons and daughters will have equal opportunities in life. ....Because it's outrageous. Women still aren't paid the same as men for doing the same job....Equal pay for equal work - it's just the right thing to do. It's how we build an opportunity economy that works...."

Republicans contend that the Pay Check Fairness Act is unnecessary since gender bias related to pay scale is already illegal, the Washington Post reports. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI'I GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY RATINGS went up last year, according to a national study. The improvement from grade F to grade C came after the state launched a website at transparency.hawaii.gov. U.S. Public Interest Research Group, which grades all the states, pointed to "check-level" information on spending that allows the public to view state expenditures. Gov. Neil Abercrombie released a statement saying that "An open government promotes citizen engagement in their government that bolsters government accountability and transparency. The PIRG report demonstrates Hawai`i's clear progress in this regard as well as this administration's commitment to transparency. Hawai`i was one of the most improved last year and we are on track to improving further." He said that state agencies have released more than 300 datasets through the open data site. The site lists categories, including state contracts, expenditures, economic development tax credits, grants and tax collections. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sea lice spreading to salmon in the wild is a risk of salmon farming,
according to wild salmon supporters. Photo from Wikipedia

ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE FRESH FOODS is the lowest across the 50 states in Alaska, Arizona and Hawai`i, according to a recent Gallup Poll that gathered the statistics from major Metropolitan Standard Statistical Areas, including Honolulu, Anchorage and Prescott. Honolulu ranked third from the bottom of 189 metropolitan areas identified by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and surveyed in the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. Honolulu has ranked in the bottom top ten since 2008. See http://www.gallup.com/poll/145913/City-Wellbeing-Tracking.aspx

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Ka`u Farm Bureau President
Chris Manfredi.
Photo by Julia Neal

SALMON FOR LOMI LOMI could come from inland fish farms in the U.S., particularly if Alaskan fishermen drop their opposition. A recent National Public Radio report quotes a NOAA official saying that "The entire Norwegian production of salmon, a million tons a year, can be grown in an area about the size of the runways at JFK Airpot in New York." The story reports that growing salmon on farms inland and away from the wild populations would reduce the environmental risk. Wild salmon proponents point to densely populated salmon farms within salmon migrating waterways in Canada where disease and pests, like sea lice, spread and damage the wild populations. The other risk, according to wild salmon enthusiasts, is the possibility that GMO salmon will soon be approved by the FDA. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I FARM BUREAU initiatives are still alive at the legislature, according to the organization's statewide President Chris Manfredi. They include:

SB 2294, which would authorize the state Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds for capital improvements to irrigation systems;

HB 1514, which would provide a grant to the Coffee Berry Borer Task Force to control of the pest and containment of damage it causes;

HB 2178, which would appropriate funding to reimburse qualified producers for a percentage of each farm's food expense. It would also fund administrative costs for a livestock revitalization program.

HB 1931, which would provide money to the state Department of Agriculture and University of Hawai`i to develop prevention and treatment methods for a macadamia nut pest, the felted coccid.

HB1932, which would provide money to biosecurity programs.

SB 2913, which would penalize false labeling of Hawai`i grown coffee to include grade standards and all stages of production.

Manfredi was Government Affairs chair of Ka`u Farm Bureau for four years and state chair for three and continues to chair the statewide Hawai`i Farm Bureau Government Affairs program as the new Hawai`i Farm Bureau President.

Vincent Mina, president of Hawai`i Farmers
Union United will speak in Pahala, Saturday,
April 19. Photo from TEDxMaui

Ka`u Farm Bureau held its first board meeting under its new president Ralph Gaston last night. Gaston said he will soon announce when the first meeting open to the public and general membership will be held.

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HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION United holds its first organizing meeting in Ka`u on Saturday, April 19 at Pahala Community Center at 5 p.m. The public is invited. Keynote speaker is Vincent Mina, the statewide president of the organization and co owner of his family farm Kahanu `Aina Greens on Maui. The organization is a member of the National Farmers Union United, established in 1902. The Kona chapter includes Ka`u until a district chapter is established. Members from Kona will attend the meeting in Pahala to explain how their organization has benefited them and their family farms.

Malian Lahey, who is helping to organize the Ka`u chapter, said that one important aspect of the Farmers Union is that "farmers set the policy. At the meeting on the 19th, there will be an opportunity for farmers to get into small groups and discuss with each other their ideas for policy that the Farmers Union should support in the Hawai`i legislature."

Hawai`i Farmers Union supported measures at the 2014 state legislature that include:

a $3 million coffee berry borer eradication fund; taro task force legislation to protect in perpetuity lo`i and former taro lands owned by the state.

According to its Legislative Chair Simon Russell, the the Farmers Union asked for funding for on-farm mentoring in cooperation with University of Hawai`i to teach natural farming methods that don't require off-island inputs. The Farmers Union supports the Good Agricultural Practices Task Force and advocates for statewide food safety standards that would allow more affordable certification of home and farm operations. The organization advocates for GMO labeling. It opposes legislation that would leave all labeling decisions for commodity crops like coffee, tea, taro, avocado and cacao with the state Department of Agriculture, without appropriate funding to carry out the mission.

"Next session the organization will introduce legislation to protect Hawai`i origin products," said Russell. "We believe that if coffee is only 25 percent local, 50 percent Mexican and 25 percent Ethiopian, it should be labeled with all of the origins. This will give the local coffee producers selling pure Hawaiian coffee a leg up," he said.

Russell said that Hawai`i Farmers Union was founded to support small family farms. He said he is currently growing pineapple, lilikoi, dragon fruit, papaya, avocados and cattle.

"Seventy-five percent of the food grown on Earth is on farms of two acres or less," said Russell.

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KA`U RURUAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. HOSTS its 17th annual rural health conference tomorrow, Friday, April 9 at Pahala Community Center from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is called Better Choices, Better Health - A Family Affair. It will offer health, education and prevention booths, nutrition and healthy food demonstrations, games and door prizes. Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool, Bay Clinic, Med Assist School of Hawai`i, United Healthcare, `Ohana Health Care and Hawai`i County Office of Aging will be on hand. The organization will present its annual report to members and elect its board. Call 928-0101.

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

For an online, page-turning version, see
www,kaucalenar.com/Directory2014swf.

It's time to enter the Ka`u Coffee Festival 2014 Triple C Recipe Contest, once again being held at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Photo by Julia Neal

A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE WILL DECIDE THE FATE of a bill to raise Hawai`i's minimum wage. After receiving an amended bill from the state House of Representatives, the state Senate decided to disagree.
The amended version of Senate Bill 2609 called for incremental raises of the minimum wage to $10 by 2018 and expansion of the tip credit to 75 cents for workers who earn at last $7 more than the minimum wage.
According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Senate leaders recommended accepting the House version of the bill, but after a private caucus, decided to send the bill to conference committee.
Pacific Business News reported Sen. Clayton Hee, chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, saying that while the bill is headed for conference committee, the Senate could also choose to accept the House version before the Legislature adjourns on May 1.
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Rep. Bob Herkes
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

“I WOULD GO BACK IN TIME” to improve the tourism industry, said Ka`u’s former state Rep. Bob Herkes before the Senate Tourism Committee, which on Monday unanimously supported his nomination to the board of directors at Hawai`i Tourism Authority. A video of Herkes testifying is available at bigislandvideonews.com.

Herkes envisions a program, perhaps called Aloha `Oe, where hotels in the state “go back to the old days,” work with Hawaiian communities and embrace Hawaiian values and hospitality.

Herkes was in the visitor industry for more than 40 years. He said such a program helped make the 550-room Kona Surf Hotel successful during his tenure in management there. He said his orchid service carried throughout the hotel. All arriving guests received lei, coffee in the morning and champagne in the afternoon, and in the evenings, rooms were decorated with orchids strewn across beds, pillows and counters. Entertainment featured soft, Hawaiian music. Herkes said that the hotel easily outsold its competitors.

The full Senate must approve Herkes’ nomination.

Interested parties can offer testimony on GM694 at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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VOTER REGISTRATION UPDATE CARDS were recently sent to registered voters throughout Ka`u, Miloli`i and Volcano through the U.S. mail. The bright yellow and black card stock mailer in English, Ilocano, Japanese and Chinese includes a voter registration update postcard to send back to the County Clerk should an update address or cancellation of voting on this island be needed. The mailer includes helpful hints to avoid delays when voting, including reporting to the correct polling place on election day. There were numerous polling place changes throughout the state. It also recommends bringing a picture ID to the polling place. See hawaiicounty.gov/elections-voter-info or call 961-8277.

The front of the card has the voter’s name and polling place and the dates of the elections. The primary is Aug. 9, and the general is Nov. 4. Deadlines to register to vote are July 10 for the primary and Oct. 6 for the general. However, those wanting permanent absentee registration status have until Aug. 2 for the primary and Oct. 28 for the general. To register, a voter must be a citizen of the U.S., a legal resident of Hawai`i and at least 18 years of age. Young voters can pre-register from age 16 but must be 18 by the election day on which they begin to vote.

KA`U HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR MERILYN HARRIS has provided more information regarding Hawai`i Health System Corp. East Hawai`i Region’s request for an almost $5 million emergency appropriation from the state Legislature. Harris said the amount that would go to Ka`u Hospital is over $200,000, with the majority of costs being salaries. “Our staffing is already cut to the bone so there is no ‘fat’ to trim,” she said. “We have had to be very careful with money this year. We have not been able to add extra nursing staff even though we are busier than we have ever been, seeing record numbers of patients in our Emergency Department, our acute care beds and our clinic.
“We are very much integrated with Hilo Medical Center, and when they are strapped for cash, we feel the impact as well, as they are unable to provide us with the degree of support that we need to meet the needs of our community. A great example of that is inpatient therapy services. Hilo Medical Center has been sharing their physical, occupational and speech therapists with us so that we can provide more rehabilitation care in our hospital. When they are short-staffed, they cannot provide this support, and the consequence is that we can’t admit patients who require that type of care. For local families who have a relative that has to be in hospital for long periods for rehabilitation after a stroke or some other debilitating illness, the cost and stress of having to travel to Hilo or Kona to visit their loved ones and participate in their care is really a hardship.”
Harris pointed out that ongoing building improvements at the hospital use state capital improvement funds that were approved several years ago and cannot be used toward anything else. “We want to be able to continue to improve and expand our services as well, but without this appropriation, we will be hard-pressed to continue the level of service that we have now.”
Status of SB2866 and other bills can be tracked at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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HAWAI`I IS NUMBER FIVE in the 2014 Locavore Index, a Vermont-based group’s annual ranking of states based on the availability of local food to the average citizen.
Four publicly available statistics per state make up the index: number of farmers markets, number of CSAs (consumer-supported agriculture programs), number of food hubs (facilities that handle aggregation, distribution and marketing of foods from a group of farms and food producers in a region) and percentage of school districts with farm-to-school programs.
The group offers 10 reasons to consume local foods: 1) Supports local farms; 2) Boosts local economy; 3) Less travel; 4) Less waste; 5) More freshness; 6) New and better flavors; 7) Good for the soil; 8) Attracts tourists; 9) Preserves open space; 10) Builds more connected communities. See strollingoftheheifers.com/locavoreindex.

Carl Okuyama was a judge at last year's Triple C
Recipe Contest. Photo by Rachael Sauerman

THE TRIPLE C RECIPE CONTEST is coming up on Sunday, May 4 at Ka`u Coffee Mill, and the entry deadline has been set for April 30. Participants can earn up to $500 in prizes for the best recipes in adult and student categories. The venue will be Ka`u Coffee Mill, where the judges will make their choices. The registration form can be printed out from these news briefs or from kaucoffeefestival.com.

For more information, call Ka`u Coffee Mill at 928-0550.

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE INCREASING enforcement of distracted driving as part of a national campaign called “U Drive U Text U Pay” which runs through Tuesday, April 15.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration finds that the task of driving requires a driver’s full attention in focusing on the roadway and driving maneuvers. Any distraction that diverts a driver’s attention from the primary tasks of maneuvering the vehicle and responding to critical events increases the driver’s risk of being involved in a motor vehicle crash. A distraction is anything that takes a driver’s eyes off the road, mind off the road or hands off the wheel.
On July 1, 2013, the state of Hawai`i enacted a law prohibiting the use of cellular phones and other mobile electronic devices while operating a vehicle, with certain exceptions, and to specifically prohibit activities such as texting, instant messaging, gaming and e-mailing, which take a driver’s eyes off the road, mind off the road and hands off the wheel.

Halau Na Kipu`upu`u with Kumu Micah Kamohoali`i presents Hula Kahiko
tomorrow. Photo from VAC

HULA IS FEATURED TOMORROW at events in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Native Hawaiian culture specialist Loke Kamanu and her `ohana present Na Mea Hula: All Things Hula, tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the lanai of the Volcano Art Gallery. Kamanu shares a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play integral roles in the life of the hula practitioner. This demonstration is hands-on and family-friendly.

Halau Na Kipu`upu`u with Kumu Micah Kamohoali`i performs hula kahiko tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near the gallery.
Both programs are free; park entrance fees apply.

HA`AO SPRINGS AND MOUNTAIN HOUSE Ag Water Co-op invites the public to a presentation at 2 p.m. at Green Sand Community Park. Bill Savage, member and director in the co-op, will be guest presenter. Councilwoman Brenda Ford will be in attendance. Light pupus and drinks will be provided.

MONGOLIAN BBQ TAKES PLACE TOMORROW from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano Village, when chefs wok up your choice of ingredients over an open flame. Cost of 75 cents per ounce includes beverage and dessert. Call 985-9908 for more information.

A BOOK SALE AT PAHALA PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARY will be Tuesday, April 15 from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday, April 16 and 17 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines are welcome. Drop off at Na`alehu of Pahala libraries during working hours.
Sponsored by Friends of the Ka`u Libraries. To help or for more information, call 987-7448.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, which is opening a Ka`u division, presented information at Ka`u Rural Health Community Association's annual Rural Health Conference yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

U.S. SENS. BRIAN SCHATZ AND MAZIE HIRONO are cosponsors of the Travel Promotion, Enhancement and Modernization Act, legislation which would reauthorize Brand USA, a successful travel promotion program aimed at boosting international tourism to the United States. Twenty-three other senators joined Schatz and Hirono in introducing the legislation that promotes Hawai`i and other states and U.S. territories as premier destinations for international visitors.

Image from Hawai`i Tourism Authority

“Travelers to Hawai`i spend billions of dollars that create jobs within the visitor industry, as well as jobs and small businesses that support our entire local economy,” Schatz said. “Brand USA has proven to be a successful program, bringing in 1.1 million more international trips to the United States last year. Our legislation will make sure this program continues and helps promote Hawai`i as a world-class visitor destination.”
According to Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the state’s tourism industry generated $14.5 billion in total annual visitor spending in 2013 and supported 168,000 jobs.
Brand USA is a nonprofit, private-public partnership dedicated to increasing inbound international travel to the United States. The program, authorized by the Travel Promotion Act of 2009, is funded by fees paid by international visitors and matching contributions by the private sector, not taxpayer dollars.
Last year, Brand USA increased inbound travel by 2.3 percent, resulting in 1.1 million additional trips and supported more than 53,000 U.S. jobs.
Last month, Schatz was named Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Tourism, Competitiveness, and Innovation and pledged his commitment to reauthorizing Brand USA.

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Hui Malama Ola N `Oiwi was one of several organizations offering information
about their services. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. held its 17th annual Rural Health Conference at Pahala Community Center yesterday. Several community organizations had booths where they offered information about their services. For information about the organization, see krhcai.com.

Big Brothers Big Sisters, which is opening its first Ka`u division, held one of its first community outreaches at the event. See bbbs.org.
Hui Malama Ola Na `Oiwi, the Native Hawaiian health care systems with an office in Na`alehu, offered educational information on diabetes, hypertension, nutrition and cancer. See huimalamaolanaoiwi.org.
Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool, a division of Partners in Development Foundation, signed keiki and caregivers up for their early childhood programs held at Na`alehu and Pahala Community Centers. See pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/about.

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Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool signed up keiki and caregivers for programs
at Pahala and Na`alehu Community Centers. Photo by Julia Neal

SCIENTISTS YESTERDAY RETURNED FROM A 36-DAY mapping expedition to Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in the remote Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The monument is the largest protected area in the United States, encompassing an area greater than all its national parks combined, yet over half its seafloor has never been mapped in detail due to the limited availability of advanced sonar systems required.

The team mapped over 15,445 square miles – an area four times the size of the Big Island – of previously unmapped or poorly mapped areas inside the monument. This represents approximately 11 percent of the total area of the monument and includes 18 seamounts and extensive banks off Pearl and Hermes, Midway and Kure atolls.
“The goal of the expedition was to fill large gaps in seafloor data in order to facilitate future research and discoveries in the region,” said Christopher Kelley, program biologist with the University of Hawai`i’s Hawai`i Undersea Research Laboratory and chief scientist of the expedition.

Carried out aboard the Schmidt Ocean Institute’s 272-foot R/V Falkor, the expedition found that approximately 98 percent of the monument’s area is deeper than 328 feet, where features including seamounts, ridges and submerged banks are home to rare and likely undiscovered species of corals, fish and other animals.

Seamounts, guyots and banks are biological hot spots that support abundant
plant and animal communities. Photo by Amy Baco-Taylor

“We literally have better maps of the moon than of the ocean floor,” says Randy Kosaki, NOAA’s deputy superintendent for research at the monument. “These bathymetric data will go a long way towards improving our understanding of Papahanaumokuakea’s features. As natural resource managers, we can’t manage what we don’t understand.”

Another objective of this mapping effort is to identify likely sites of deep-sea coral and sponge beds. In 2003, scientists discovered the existence of these beds within the monument in more than approximately 3,280 feet of water.
“On this trip, we discovered more sites in the monument with the right type of topography to support these amazing deep sea coral gardens,” Kelley said. “We’ll have to wait until someone gets an opportunity to dive on the sites with a submersible or remotely operated vehicle to confirm they exist.”

Previous exploration of the few known beds led to the discovery of more than 50 new species of sponges and corals, according to Kelley. It is expected that more discoveries will be made as a result of the information gleaned from this trip. The region’s geology was another key focus of the expedition. Ancient coral reefs that drowned as the earliest Hawaiian Islands subsided now hold a detailed record of that process spanning millions of years. Mapping can offer a big picture view of how various features are organized, which will help researchers better understand Hawai`i’s geological history.

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One way to support Hawai`i Wildlife Fund's Ka`u Coast cleanups is buying T-shirts.

SINCE 2003, HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND has been working hand in hand with hundreds of volunteers and dozens of other agencies, non-governmental organizations and community groups for the collective mission of reducing the amount of marine debris along Hawai`i Island’s coastline, including the Ka`u Coast. In total, they have removed almost 169 tons (337,648 pounds) of debris from Hawai`i Island.

An integral part of HWF’s marine debris removal project is prevention through education and outreach campaigns. The organization encourages people to limit their reliance on single-usage products like plastic water bottles, styrofoam clam shells, plate lunch utensils, etc., and to instead re-think daily choices (you vote with every purchase you make), re-duce (our impact on the environment), re-fuse (things with excess packaging and that will be discarded after one use), re-cycle (all mixed recycling and HI-5s – for more information, see the Recycle HI website), re-use (the resources around us) and re-design (what can you do with marine debris?)
Residents can support HWF by making a donation at wildhawaii.org, buying a long-sleeved T-shirt at booster.com/hwf_debris_tshirts and joining in beach cleanups. The next Ka`u Coast Cleanup is Saturday, May 24. Contact organizer Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

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Auditions for KDEN's presentation of Ruddigore take place next month.

AUDITIONS FOR KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK’S fifth Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, Ruddigore, will be held on Monday and Tuesday, May 19 & 20 at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. KDEN is looking for people of all ages to participate. Come prepared to sing, dance and possibly read scenes from the script. Show dates are July 11 – 27.

As with other Gilbert and Sullivan plays, the story revolves around duty and doing what is expected. This cast of characters consists of mortals and ghosts, officers, ancestors, villagers and professional bridesmaids. There are lead roles for five men and four women.

Wok master Ron Serrao
Photo by Julia Neal

The show will be directed by Suzi Bond, with vocal direction by Chris Tomich.
For more information, call 982-7344, email kden73@aol.com or check out KDEN’s Facebook page.

HA`AO SPRINGS AND MOUNTAIN HOUSE Ag Water Co-op invites the public to a presentation at 2 p.m. today at Green Sand Community Park. Bill Savage, member and director in the co-op, will be guest presenter. Councilwoman Brenda Ford will be in attendance. Light pupus and drinks will be provided.

MONGOLIAN BBQ TAKES PLACE this evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano Village, when chefs wok up your choice of ingredients over an open flame. Cost of 75 cents per ounce includes beverage and dessert. Call 985-9908 for more information.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES SPONSOR a book sale at Pahala Public & School Library Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines are welcome. Drop off at Na`alehu of Pahala libraries during working hours.
To help or for more information, call 987-7448.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Hawai`i County Council Finance Committee asks the Finance director to begin negotiations to purchase Kaunamano for preservation. Photo from Hawai`i Pacific Brokers

NEW BUILDINGS FOR VOLCANO CHARTER SCHOOL are a go. Gov. Neil Abercrombie has released $618,000 to Friends of Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. The money will be used for planning, architectural, permitting and engineering fees for construction of 15 new classrooms, a new restroom and a multi-purpose building on the old Keakealani Outdoor Education Center campus on Haunani Road in Volcano Village. The school has a 60-year lease from the Department of Education.

Daryl Smith, Chair of Friends of
Volcano School of Arts & Sciences

Daryl Smith, Chair of the Friends of Volcano School of Arts & Sciences board, said this morning, “We are grateful for all the help that we have received from such supporters as Sen. Russell Ruderman, Sen. Gil Kahele and Rep. Richard Onishi along with the enthusiasm of teachers, students and parents who signed and sent petitions and letters to the governor and our legislators.”
With release of the funding, the school hopes to finalize its use permit, obtain a building permit and begin construction. Smith said that 13 contractors have volunteered to build a classroom, “which goes along way to making this happen. We also have 142 volunteers on the ground who can help with painting, installing windows and doors and other tasks.”
“This is extreme makeover Volcano style,” said Lauris Aragon-Mata, facilities coordinator at the school.
Smith plans to meet with representatives of the state Public Charter School Commission on Tuesday in Honolulu.
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PRESERVATION OF MORE KA`U COASTLINE adjacent to Honu`apo is being considered by Hawai`i County Council this week. On Tuesday, the Finance Committee takes up Resolution 351-14, submitted by Ka`u County Council Member Brenda Ford, authorizing the director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of parcels with tax map keys 9-5-011:001, 9-5-011:004, 9-5-011:005 and 9-5-011:006 in the ahupua`a of Kaunamano and tax map key 9-5-012:001 in the ahupua`a of Poupouwela.
The more than 1,200-acre Kaunamano properties are listed as a key priority for purchase in the 2012 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Cultural, archaeological and natural resources, along with education, recreation and preserving scenic vistas are reasons given in the nomination papers for Kaunamano.
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SEVERAL ITEMS ON THIS WEEK’S County Council meeting also pertain to Ka`u.
Two resolutions provide grants for events sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou. The community organization would receive $7,000 for the annual Punalu`u fishing tournament and $15,000 for a Coffee Trail Run and Fun Day scheduled for Sept. 20.
Other resolutions would appropriate $2,000 each for the purchase of refrigerator-freezers for Na`alehu and Pahala Community Centers.
A bill calls for posting of a yield sign on Ka`alaiki Road makai of Na`alehu Cemetery at the northeast approach adjacent to parcels 9-5-008:001 and 9-5-008:010.
Ka`u residents can participate in this week’s County Council committee and regular meetings being held at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.
On Tuesday, the Agricultural, Water & Energy Sustainability meets at 9:15 a.m.; Human Services & Social Services, 9:30 a.m.; Public Works & Parks and Recreation, 10 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 11 a.m.; and Finance, 1:30 p.m.
The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
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AGRICULTURAL WATER for the Green Sands community and surrounding makai and mauka farm and ranch lands could be in the long-term future, according to County Council Member Brenda Ford, who attended a meeting yesterday of the Green Sands Community Association. As part of their outreach to Ka`u residents who could benefit from distribution of ag water, representatives of the Ha`ao Agricultural Water Cooperative and County Department of Water Supply were on hand. The county uses Ha`ao Springs for potable water. However, there is a surplus that could be used for agriculture. The districtwide plan is to develop ag water from Ha`ao Springs and seven other sources developed by sugar companies in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Map shows proposed pipe route for delivery of ag water from Ha`ao Springs
to users makai. Map from haaosprings.org

Surveys of the water systems have been taking place using $750,000 in state funding. The state Legislature has approved some $2 million in funding to restore and develop the ag water delivery systems. From Ha`ao, pipes would bring water to the culvert at the intersection of Hwy 11 and Ka`alu`alu Road.
Mel Davis, President of Ha`ao Springs Co-op, is organizing as a 501C12 nonprofit organization that could raise money and apply for assistance to continue the pipeline makai of Hwy 11. This portion would require additional funding and an agreement with the state Department of Transportation to allow the pipeline to be placed through the culvert to potential users makai of Hwy 11.
Ford said that the county Department of Water Supply estimated that running the pipe for ag water under Hwy 11 and makai to potential users could cost from $1.5 to $2 million or higher because the project would need to include one or more reservoirs.
Potential users of ag water makai of Hwy 11 include residents who live on the agriculturally zoned lots in the Green Sands community, where orchards and gardens growing food for personal use and for sale could be expanded, and could also include nearby ranches that would be able to use the water for livestock.
According to Ford, the Ha`ao Springs Co-op must be able to prove community interest in having ag water in order to obtain federal and state financial assistance. That proof would be by the number of people who become members of the co-op and support the project, she said. Applications are available online at haaosprings.org.

Ka`u's County Council Member Brenda Ford

After the meeting, Ford met with co-op board members to discuss possible methods to reduce cost and speed up the process. There may be an opportunity to use the U.S. Department of Defense - Innovative Readiness Training program that can provide free labor to assist with the project. Ford said the first step would be for state officials from Department of Land & Natural Resources, which owns the state land from Ha`ao Springs to the highway, to apply to the Department of Defense for assistance. Taking advantage of the Innovated Readiness Training Program could save millions of dollars, she said. The program puts military engineers and construction teams to work in communities around the country. It supplies labor but not materials.

“Bringing agricultural water to various areas of Ka`u would increase the residents’ ability to raise food and livestock and improve the economy of district,” Ford said.
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VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES has set Thursday, May 15 as their annual Middle School Theatre night. Classes present four one-act productions beginning at 6 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theatre in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
The fifth grade presents a Russian folk story, The Frog Princess, by Cathy Howard. This tale is a lesson in acceptance.
The sixth-grade presentation is a western melodrama, Mine, All Mine or From Ghost Town to Kaboom Town, by Denise K. Burr. As with all melodramas, audience members will want to cheer the hero and boo the villain.
The seventh grade is showcased in The Brothers Grimm: Out of Order. This comedy contains many favorite fairy tale characters, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Hansel and Gretel, and the lesser-known Grimm characters, Jorinda and Joringel, in a funny take on a community group putting on a show.
The eighth grade presents Doc, Doc…Goose! by Patrick Rainville Dorn, a fun romp with many favorite nursery rhyme characters.

Jen Johansen, of the Alohahas

Rich Mears, of the Alohahas

ADVANCE-PURCHASE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE for the Alohahas Improv-Comedy-Sketch Company’s spring show at Ocean View Community Center Saturday, April 19. The show line-up consists of members performing a series of improvisational games with audience suggestions and participation. Part of the show features original comedy sketches written and performed by group members.

Advance $10 tickets may be purchased at thealohahas@gmail.com or 938-2091. Doors open for $15 ticket sales at 7 p.m. for adults 18 years or older, and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.

More information on the live show, company members and show tickets is available at thealohahas.com or facebook.com/TheAlohahas.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN EXPERIENCE A FULL LUNAR ECLIPSE Monday night. Lew Cook, who writes the monthly Stars Over Ka`u column in The Ka`u Calendar, said it will be total from 9:06 p.m. to 10:24 p.m. “Will the moon be almost invisible, not so dark, yellowish-orange or maybe red?” Cook asks. The earth’s shadow takes a noticeable bite from the moon at 8 p.m., growing darker until it becomes total, and at 10:24 p.m. a thin crescent shows until there is just a dusky moon at 11:30 p.m. The moon brightens until 12:10 a.m., when “ol’ whiteface is high in the sky at its brightest,” Cook said.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES SPONSOR a book sale at Pahala Public & School Library Tuesday from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines are welcome. Drop off at Na`alehu of Pahala libraries during working hours.
To help or for more information, call 987-7448.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

A total lunar eclipse is visible in Ka`u tonight. This composite by Akira, Fujii, Sky & Telescope shows full moon before, during and after an eclipse.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE’S Corridor Management Plan is on the agenda of Thursday’s state Scenic Byways Advisory Committee meeting. The CMP is available at hawaiiscenicbyways.org. Ka`u’s Chair Rich Morrow said that a preliminary note indicated there should not be too much to change in the plan.

Ka`u Scenic Byway sign informs travelers on Hwy 11 about features in the Ocean View area.

To date, “our main accomplishments are creating a CMP and installation of two signs at the scenic viewpoint at mile marker 75,” Morrow said at the committee’s April meeting.
He also said scenic byway markers that would be placed along the highway are being made.
The committee is also considering locations for the first three-sided informational kiosk and replacing long-gone signs that identified dates of several lava flows on the highway. According to Morrow, USGS has offered to help with the geologic data and thinks the idea is “great.”
Morrow also suggested having links on the website to articles about Ka`u, such as recent ones in Sunset and National Geographic magazines.
The public is invited to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee meetings, with the next one scheduled for Monday, May 12 at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.

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Chilean earthquakes can create tsunamis
that reach Hawai`i

TSUNAMI AWARENESS MONTH CONTINUES, with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory discussing in its latest issue of Volcano Watch events of this past April 1 when an earthquake in Chile caused a tsunami advisory in Hawai`i.

“In Hawai`i, we need to be concerned about potential tsunamigenic earthquakes occurring anywhere in the Pacific basin,” HVO says. “However, because of past tragic experiences in Hawai`i, large earthquakes along the Aleutian Islands to the north (where the earthquake occurred and produced the 1946 tsunami) or in Chile (where a magnitude-9.6 earthquake caused the 1960 tsunami) might create a little more anxiety here.” The 1960 tsunami that devastated the Shinmachi community of Hilo resulted from an earthquake in Chile that released more than 30 times the energy released by this year’s April 1 earthquake.

Historical experience offers important clues to go along with modern observations and data, HVO explains. An earthquake struck Iquique, Chile in 1877 and sent a tsunami that destroyed dozens of homes in Hilo and killed five people. On the other side of the Pacific Ocean, hundreds of people were killed in Japan by this tsunami.
“It is difficult to compare the two Iquique earthquakes in detail,” according to HVO. “This year’s earthquake occurred in essentially the same source region as the 1877 earthquake, but the 1877 earthquake was somewhat stronger. The fact that the source region of the 2014 earthquake had previously produced a devastating tsunami was also of concern to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center with regard to their advisories and warnings.

“Armed with data from deep-ocean water gauges and their model calculations, PTWC became confident that the likelihood of a devastating tsunami hitting Hawai`i on April 1 was low and decided to hold back orders to evacuate. At the same time, because they were still tracking the waves, they stood by their advisory for people to keep out of the ocean for hours after the first tsunami wave arrivals.

“We commit our efforts to a better understanding of geologic hazards and to the memory of all who have suffered from natural disasters,” the article concludes.

See more at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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KA`U’S U.S. REP. Tulsi Gabbard has voted in favor of a proposed Democratic Alternative Budget developed in response to the Fiscal Year 2015 budget proposed by Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan.
“Budgets in Congress demonstrate our top priorities for the country and should be responsive to our tough economic realities,” Gabbard said. “We can only achieve our goals of a stronger nation by executing a balanced, responsible budget that grows our economy, maintains a strong national defense and creates opportunity for our next generation to succeed. Though I support elements of the Ryan budget that seek to eliminate waste, reduce the deficit and provide increased funding for national security, the draconian cuts to key programs like Medicare, Social Security and nutrition assistance found in the Ryan budget, along with a likely increase in taxes for hard-working middle-class Americans in order to lower taxes for the ultra-wealthy, are not acceptable and result in hurting our kupuna and families. We need to pass a budget that makes responsible cuts, eliminates waste and is focused on growing our economy, getting people back to work in good-paying jobs, ensuring a strong national defense and making sure those who are in most need are getting a hand up.”

Rep. Richard Onishi

The Democratic Alternative Budget preserves the Medicare guarantee, maintains Medicaid services for low-income Americans and creates revenue by closing tax loopholes for oil companies and other special interests, according to Gabbard.

The alternative budget would also reduce the deficit to 2.3 percent of GDP by 2024.

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WHILE THE STATE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES are holding conferences to come to agreement on proposed bills this week, many bills did not make it to this stage.

Ka`u’s state Rep. Richard Onishi co-introduced HB2008, which would have funded the Future Farmers of America.
SB 2347 would have prohibited the sale or transport of plants that are diseased or infested with an invasive species. The bill did not make it past the House Energy & Environmental Protection Committee.
HB 2577 would have banned smoking in and around public housing projects and low-income housing projects. It would have allowed a landord to terminate a lease after three violations.
SB 3071 sought to give taxpayers refunds when the state had excess revenues.
HB 2323 would have raised fines on contractors that didn’t pay the prevailing wage from $1,000 to $10,000 per project and from $100 to $1,000 per day.
The status of these and other bills can be tracked at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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THE FOLLOWING KA`U HIGH SCHOOL students in grades 10 – 12 have earned a place on the third-quarter honor roll:

Students on the third-quarter honor roll at the Ka`u campus have been announced.
Photo from KHPES

Grade 12:
3.80 - 4.50: Toni Beck, Chazlyn Fuerte-Castaneda, Kamrie Koi, Marileah Lalin, William Mitchell III, Cassidy Neece, Siena Okimoto, Romina Ellaine Sembran, Deven Smithmeyer, Jennifer Tabios, Shaenese Tailon
3.50 - 3.79: Kamalani Fujikawa, Kyra Malepe, Franklin Orcino, Lehre Vidal, Randall Watson
3.0 - 3.49: Alexis Alejo, Jernest Breithaupt-Louis, Micah Echalas, Andrew Garcia, Jena Haalilio, Denisha Navarro, William Tailon Kaluna
Grade 11:
3.80 - 4.00: Anjanette Jara, Jeazelle Sebastian, Kristin Subica
3.50 - 3.79: Tia Rose Goldsmith, Lanni Ah Yee, Jessica Baruelo, Bon Jhudiel Echalas, Rayncin Salmo-Grace, Carlos Uribe-Buonos
3.0 - 3.49: Kerrilyn Domondon, Brian Gascon, Aysha Kaupu, Kehaulani Ke, Rodalynn Kuahiwinui, Makela Moses, Davis Phillips, David Pillette, Whitney Spencer-Johansen, Mike Tamayo
Grade 10
3.80 - 4.00: Khairalyn Denny, Deisha Gascon
3.50 - 3.79: Jay-R Abalos, Tiani Castaneda-Naboa, Charlotte Esquida, Rowland Aldwin Flores, Evan Manoha, Shawn Mooney
3.0 - 3.49: Jami Beck, Gissele Corpuz, Joy Escobar, Sheilla Mae Felipe, Marciana Henry, Keana Kuluwaimaka, Maricar Jane Manantan, Gloria Ornelas, Janet Parlin.
More honor roll recipients from other grades will be announced in future Ka`u News Briefs.

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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN EXPERIENCE A FULL LUNAR ECLIPSE tonight. Astronomer Lew Cook said the earth’s shadow takes a noticeable bite from the moon at 8 p.m., growing darker until it becomes total from 9:06 p.m. to 10:24 p.m., when a thin crescent shows until there is just a dusky moon at 11:30 p.m. The moon brightens until 12:10 a.m., when it is at its brightest.

Friends of Ka`u Libraries' book sale begins tomorrow at Pahala Library.

WANT TO LEARN JAPANESE? Classes take place every Wednesday at 4 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji. Sign up with Maiki at 989-4259 or hawaiiislandlife@gmail.com.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES SPONSOR a book sale at Pahala Public & School Library tommorow from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines can be dropped off at Na`alehu or Pahala libraries during working hours.
To help or for more information, call 987-7448.

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

See kaualendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Photographers from Ka`u traveling to Mauna Kea last night to view the total lunar eclipse received reports of clear, calm weather at home after braving the long drive and wind on the mountain that made it hard to keep their tripods in place. These images were captured by Peter Anderson, of Discovery Harbour, after his long trek up Mauna Kea.

A FAIR & HONEST COFFEE LABELING RESOLUTION was passed by the Big Island legislative committee of the Hawai`i Democratic Party at its meeting last weekend in Kamuela. Originating from the local Democrat’s District Chair, Malian Lahey, of Wood Valley, it says, “Coffee created by Hawaiian farmers at great expense has become renowned and therefore valuable and able to bring economic benefit to rural communities in Hawai`i.” It says that the industry supports “the independent success of many humble people who instead of worsening their lot have bettered it through persistence and ingenuity in difficult circumstances.”

The resolution attributes the success of the regional coffee to the coffee farmers’ “skill and commitment to excellence” and states that “these same people have made the name of their regions recognized for quality internationally and in the state of Hawai`i.” The resolution states that “some businesses have contrived to gain economically from the toil of these courageous people, by using their region names to sell a product that is 90 percent obtained from other origins.” The resolution points out that “the origin name is given a significant place on the product label, leading consumers to believe that the product they consume has a strong association to the locale named on the label, when in fact the association is weak, or that the economic benefit to the farmer is significant, when it fact it is minimal.”

Vincent Mina Photo from tedxmaui.org

The resolution points out that a state legislative bill, HRS 486-120.6 “permits the use of the ‘Kona’ name on packages of a ‘coffee blend’ having as little as 10 percent coffee from Kona and 90 percent from unidentified foreign countries.” The resolution also contends that the Hawai`i Legislature has made a factual finding that “existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee causes consumer fraud and confusion and degrades the ‘Kona Coffee’ name.”
The proposed resolution says that “the state of Hawai`i should be concerned with the economic activities that support its citizens in their efforts to lift themselves out of poverty. ... The farmers’ betterment of their economic status is dependent on their ability to sell a relatively small amount of coffee for excellent prices, which in turn depends on the excellence of their reputation and their consumer’s trust in their regional brand.”
The resolution proposes that the Legislature be urged to pass legislation “requiring a minimum of 51 percent origin product in all coffee labeled with that origin, and that any subsequent origin be named on the product label; additionally that all regional names of Hawai`i be protected by law providing for penalties to companies or individuals that violate these conditions.” It urges that legislators to amend HRS 486-120.6 “to put a stop to the deceptive misuse of the identity of specialty coffee of Hawai`i origin and to prevent the continuing damage to the reputation of Hawaiian-grown coffee.”
Lahey is working to organize a Ka`u chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United. HFUU president Vincent Mina will be in Ka`u this week and meeting with those interested at Pahala Community Center this Saturday, April 19 at 5 p.m. He said the purpose of the national organization, founded in 1902, is to support family farms. See hawaiifarmersunionunited.org.

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Sen. Russell Ruderman

HELP FOR RELEASING FUNDS FOR VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES came from many sources, said state Sen. Russell Ruderman. He said this morning that Mike Kido in the office of Gov. Neil Abercrombie helped facilitate the release of the $618,000 that was appropriated by the Legislature but could have expired this June without the governor’s signature.

Ruderman said his own staff in the Senate “worked really hard on the issue, writing letters and making phone calls.” Ruderman congratulated the community, the school staff and the children for their efforts in raising funds and going to the Legislature.
Planned, with a lot of volunteer labor from contractors and skilled and unskilled community members, are 15 new classrooms on the old Keakealani Outdoor Education Center campus on Haunani Road in Volcano Village. The Department of Education has provided a 60-year lease on the property. The facility is operated under the state Public Charter School Commission.
“I am extremely happy with the announcement of the release of Grant in Aid funds for the Volcano School of the Arts’ new campus, and I fully support the new models to education that VSAS provides its students. Students deserve quality options in education, and they are motivated by the kinds of challenges that charter schools like VSAS can provide. I am thrilled to support these innovators in education that are demonstrating what’s possible, and learning what works, to put our students in the best possible position to succeed,” Ruderman said.

Rep. Richard Onishi

Rep. Richard Onishi said this morning that he is thrilled with the release of funding by the governor. Onishi said, “Good news. We have been working since last session to try to help get the funding released and what the school needed to do to have that happen.” He said that this session he found out the money might lapse and helped make the release happen. The community support for the campaign was very important, he said. “Volcano School is very important because there is no school in that area and it gives opportunity for those further out who want to attend the charter school.”

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Artwork by Ka`u youth depicting Pu`u Enuhe
won Jurors' Choice in Recycle Hawai`i's
art contest. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U YOUTH WON JURORS’ CHOICE in the recent Recycle Hawai`i art contest for students. The students from Ka`u attended last year’s Summer Fun at Pahala Community Center under the direction of Nona Makuakane with art instruction by Alan Moores. The subject is Pu`u Enuhe, the Caterpillar Mountain between Pahala and Na`alehu along the old sugar cane haul road. Students used wood, rope, paper and other recyclable and reusable materials. The work was on display at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo last week and was installed yesterday at Bank of Hawai`i in Pahala where it will be shown for the next month.

“The goal of the art competition for youth ages 6 to 18 is to increase environmental awareness, encourage recycling and sustainable practices in our community,” says Recycle Hawai`i’s website. See more at recylehawaii.org.

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NA`ALEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL is taking nominations for a Community Representative to serve on the SCC during 2014-2016 school years.
The Community Representative must live and/or work in the Na`alehu Elementary School district or have a vested interest in the success of the students and school. The Community Representative serves a two-year term.
If interested, please submit your name and number to Denise Garcia, PCNC, by May 5.
For more information, contact Garcia at 313-4020 or denise_garcia@notes.k12.hi.us.

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Bolo helps helps kick off the Ka`u Coffee Festival
Friday, May 2 at Pahala Plantation House.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE and Pahala Plantation Cottages help promote new products with a Ka`u connection at the Ka`u Coffee Festival kickoff celebration at Pahala Plantation House on Friday, May 2 from 5:30 p.m. Artist Alan Moores introduces his knew line of artwork called Iki Art, which are original paintings, tiny in size from three inches by three inches to three inches by five inches. Many of them feature landscapes of Ka`u.

Ka`u Coffee Mill will show off its new Ka`u Coffee Singles for Keurig coffee makers.
Bolo, the musician, introduces his new CD featuring a song of Ka`u, called Kaiholena. Bolo will play music for the event, along with Keoki Kahumoku and his `Ukulele Kids, plus hula with Halau Hula O Leionalani, of Pahala. Admission is free.
Meet Miss Ka`u Coffee and Miss Peaberry candidates. Donations will be taken for the Miss Ka`u Coffee Scholarship Fund.
Refreshments will be served.

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FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES SPONSOR a book sale at Pahala Public & School Library today from noon to 7 p.m. (closed 3 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.) and tomorrow and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m - 1 p.m.). Donations of books, CD/DVDs and magazines can be dropped off at Na`alehu or Pahala libraries during working hours.

To help or for more information, call 987-7448.

KA`U AG WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT meets Thursday at 4 p.m. at Royal Hawaiian Orchards field office in Pahala. For more information, call Jeff McCall at 928-6456.

AN INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBIT BEGINS THURSDAY in Hale Ho`omana at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Nine artists from various cultural backgrounds and experiences, all currently active and working in Japan or Hawai`i, are coming together for this exhibition. The collective work encompasses a broad spectrum of materials including paint, paper, clay, fiber and objects. The opening reception for this special event takes place Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 pm.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Al Gore and Barbara Boxer were in Hawai`i yesterday and praised Hawai`i's efforts to sunset traditional energy sources in favor
of wind, solar and other alternatives such a those at South Point in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal

A BOND HAS BEEN APPROVED to fund the new Volcano Recycling Center. According to Jeffrey Mermel, who has worked for years on the issue with Volcano Community Association and other groups, the effort included seven years of meetings, petitions, emails, letters, testifying and “more meetings.” He wrote to volunteers yesterday that “it appears your good efforts and persistence is about to pay off.” Mermel, who chairs Volcano Community Association’s Environmental Committee, said that “special thanks must go to Councilors Brittany Smart and Brenda Ford, who along with Volcano’s own Anne Lee, Chair of the Environmental Management Commission, succeeded in getting a bond passed through the Council to fund this project.”

Greg Goodale, of the county Department of Environmental Management Solid Resources Division, notified Mermel late last week that a county engineer has scheduled a preconstruction meeting with a contractor and work could begin before the end of this month.
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The largest parcel include in the proposed Kaunamano purchase extending
from Hwy 11 to the Ka`u Coast, is outlined in red.

PRESERVATION OF KAUNAMANO IS PROGRESSING after Hawai`i County Finance Committee yesterday voted unanimously to send a resolution authorizing purchase of the Ka`u land to the County Council with a positive recommendation.

West Hawai`i Today reported Lehua Lopez-Mau saying, “Now is the time to purchase land for future use and future needs. We have a willing seller.” Lopez-Mau, former executive director for Ka `Ohana O Honuapo, said that if the purchase goes through, it would create the largest beach park in the state.
Reporter Erin Miller said Joseph David Richardson, representing EWM Enterprises, LP, of Las Vegas, is ready to negotiate with the county on a purchase price of the 1,264 acres, which include the iconic and often-photographed slope to the ocean below Honu`apo lookout.
She also reported that the Trust for Public Lands is willing to help the county raise funds to purchase the lands.
While the property is currently listed for sale at $10.8 million, county records show a market value of $3.085 million and a net taxable value of $530,900.
Miller reported that several testifiers at the meeting cited a 2004 archaeological inventory survey that identified “444 sites with more than 3,900 features, including enclosures, mounds, platforms, walls, salt pans, walled terraces and trails.”
The Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission listed the property as its fourth-highest priority in 2012, when a 50-lot subdivision was being considered there. See hawaiitribune-herald.com. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PRAISE FOR HAWAI`I’S LEADERSHIP in addressing climate change issues came from the chair of the U.S. Senate’s Environment & Public Works Committee Barbara Boxer at a conference yesterday sponsored by University of Hawai`i’s Sea grant Program and U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. She pointed to the state’s goal of 70 percent renewable energy by 2030 and the requirement for solar water heaters on every new house.
Regarding climate change, the California senator said, “All we need is the will” to take action. She called it a “horrific problem” but said, “We’re getting the tools to solve it.”
The conference was called Ascent: Developing a New Social Contract for Public Investment in a Green Future. Boxer said that people who deny climate change are holding up a better future for the U.S. and the planet.

Sen. Brian Schatz co-sponsored a conference featuring
speakers Al Gore and Sen. Barbara Boxer.

According to a story in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser this morning, “Boxer compared climate change deniers to tobacco company supporters who, even in the 1990s, swore off scientific evidence showing that cigarettes were highly addictive and posed health concerns.”
However, “The American people and elected officials eventually got on board … and agreed that nicotine and smoking cause cancer, and we took steps together — together — to encourage tobacco cessation. … When we agree to move, we can make a tremendous difference,” Boxer declared, according to the Star-Advertiser story by Sarah Zoellick.
“When something is doing such great harm, you’ve got to put a price on it; it’s just as easy as that,” said Boxer. She also stated that “a healthy environment and a healthy economy go hand in hand,” reported the Star-Advertiser.
The conference was held on O`ahu.
See more at staradvertiser.com.

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“HAWAI`I IS IN A UNIQUE PLACE to see the vulnerabilities we are all facing globally,” said Al Gore last night in his keynote address at University of Hawai`i. The former vice-president and guru of climate change activism called the Hawaiian Islands “a great place to see the opportunities” when it comes to challenges of addressing climate change. According to the story by Timothy Hurley in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Gore credited Hawai`i for solar and wind energy. “I’m incredibly impressed with what Hawai`i is doing,” he said. Gore noted that the affordability and availability of solar energy are spreading across the planet. Gore addressed about 9,000 people at the end of the conference sponsored by Sea Grant and Sen. Brian Schatz.
See more at staradvertiser.com.

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HAWAI`I FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION is endorsing Gov. Neil Abercrombie for a second term. HFFA represents nearly 3,100 active and retired firefighters throughout Hawai`i.

“Gov. Abercrombie has stood by our side for over 40 years,” said HFFA president Bobby Lee. “We first endorsed him in 1974. Since that time, he’s consistently supported us on labor issues and fire and public safety matters. There’s no one more qualified to lead this state to a brighter future.”
“I’m grateful to the men and women of the HFFA for their support,” Abercrombie said. “Their commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of our community is truly inspiring. It’s because of the sacrifice of people like the firefighters that I continue to push for issues that benefit the middle class.”

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HAWAI`I HEALTH CONNECTOR HAS EXTENDED the grace period for individuals to complete the enrollment application process for health insurance until April 30.
According to Hawai`i Health Connector, that is the absolute cut-off date for individuals seeking to get coverage from the open enrollment period that ended March 31.
Those who do not complete enrollment by April 30 will be subject to tax penalties and will have to wait until the 2015 open enrollment period that begins on Nov. 15 to apply, unless there are special circumstances such as changes in marital status or employment.
Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. in Pahala is partnering with Hawai`i Health Connector to help extend health insurance to Ka`u’s uninsured through a $125,000 grant.
For more information, see hawaiihealthconnector.com, call 928-0101 or email krhcai@yahoo.com.

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An international exhibit opens at Hale Ho`omana in Volcano Village tomorrow.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES' book sale at Pahala Public & School Library continues today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.).

For more information, call 987-7448.

KA`U AG WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT meets tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Royal Hawaiian Orchards field office in Pahala. For more information, call Jeff McCall at 928-6456.

NINE ARTISTS FROM VARIOUS CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS and experiences, all currently active and working in Japan or Hawai`i, put on an international art exhibit beginning tomorrow at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The collective work encompasses a broad spectrum of materials including paint, paper, clay, fiber and objects. The opening reception for this special event, which runs through May 2, is tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 pm.

KANIKAPILA JAM SESSIONS at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village are open to all musicians. Bring your own instrument and enjoy garage-style jamming Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Donations accepted. Call 967-8222.

DURING STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT on Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteers help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BOY’S VOLLEYBALL team fell to the Waiakea Warriors last night at Waiakea Gym. Scores were 13-25, 14-25, 18-25. The Trojans host the Honoka`a Dragons on Saturday, Apr. 19 at 10 a.m. at Ka`u High School gym.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Melia Taganas, of Pahala, performing at the Moku O Keawe International Festival at Waikoloa, will compete in the Miss Aloha Hula contest at Merrie Monarch, to be televised on KFVE. Miss Aloha Hula begins at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, April 24 at Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium in Hilo. Taganas will perform hula kahiko, hula `auana and oli (chanting). Photo from Moku O Keawe International Festival

THREE FINALISTS FOR A WASTE A TO ENERGY PLANT to serve Ka`u to Hilo and beyond could be announced by Hawai`i County as early as next month. Instead of being placed in the Hilo landfill, which is rapidly filling up, unrecycled waste would be processed to make electricity. A Nancy Cook Lauer story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald this morning reports that possible bidders include Waste Management’s Wheelabrator Technologies Inc.; “Covanta Energy, builder of O`ahu’s HPower incinerator; Bodell Construction, builder of an expansion to the Puna geothermal power plant; and Anaergia Inc., the winning bidder for Maui County’s proposed anaerobic garbage digester facility.” Maui had 20 bidders and five finalists before choosing Anaegia.

Mayor Billy Kenoi

The deadline for submitting bids for the Big Island plant was Tuesday, and a contract could be signed by April 2015. County officials recently provided a tour and orientation for interested companies.
Hawai`i Tribune-Herald quoted Mayor Billy Kenoi saying yesterday that “we’re very excited that we got eight responses, and we’re looking forward to working with the finalists for our new facility.”
Volcano resident Anne Lee, who chairs the county’s Environmental Management Commission and has been serving on the commission since 2011, previously told The Ka`u Calendar, “We definitely need a plan, and we need to solve the problem.”
Lee said that the landfill problem on this island “is one of the most critical issues facing the County of Hawai`i. It’s one of the biggest projects the county and the council will have to take on and make a decision.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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A PHYSICIAN'S RESIDENCY PROGRAM that could help fund doctors to serve Ka`u patients through Hilo Medical Center is on the line today at the state Legislature. A conference committee meeting is scheduled today for 3:30 p.m. in an attempt to come up with a compromise between the last House and Senate versions of HB 1700, the state budget.
HMC requested $2.8 million in state funding to run the program. The House of Representatives approved the funding, but the Senate cut it from the budget.
The program received accreditation in October and accepted its first class of resident physicians last month.

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U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

YESTERDAY WAS THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of the introduction of the U.S. Senate’s immigration reform bill.   “One year ago, my Senate colleagues and I came together to introduce a comprehensive bill to address our broken immigration system, which we passed with overwhelming bipartisan support,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “Not only would our bill strengthen our economy and reduce the deficit, but it would also help real people by bringing millions of families out of the shadows, reunifying Filipino World War II veterans with their children and making DREAM Act students eligible for federal student aid. Each day House Republicans fail to act, families are suffering and are kept apart. It is past time for the House to take action on immigration reform.”  

The U.S. Senate’s only immigrant, Hirono worked closely with colleagues to shape the bill in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor, attaching 11 amendments to the bipartisan bill that passed the Senate in June. Since the bill’s passage, Hirono has worked to support immigration reform by introducing legislation such as the Investing IN States To Achieve Tuition Equity (IN-STATE) for DREAMers Act, which would make the University of Hawai`i system eligible for federal funding as part of a new $750 million initiative to reward states like Hawai`i that offer in-state tuition and need-based financial aid to qualified students regardless of immigration status.

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Jay Taganas with his daughters Melia, at right, and Mahea.

MELIA KAU`IKEONALANI CARMEN TAGANAS, of Pahala, will compete in the Miss Aloha Hula contest at Merrie Monarch. She is the daughter of Jay Taganas, of Pahala, who works at Ka`u Hospital. She is a graduate of Kamehameha School in Kea`au.

Taganas has represented Ka`u in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York and the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, CA.

“Within these next few weeks I will be completing a dream that I’ve had for as long as I can remember,” Taganas shared on Facebook. “I mahalo everyone who has helped, supported, challenged and changed me for the better. As we do before going into any ceremony, we leave all of our pilikia behind. I walk into the future cleansed with nothing but positive mana`o. I look forward to what the future holds and am so excited to find out. I appreciate and cherish this entire experience and journey.”

The Miss Aloha Hula contest at Merrie Monarch is to be televised on KFVE beginning at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, April 24 from Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium in Hilo. Taganas, a member of Halau Na Le Hiwahiwa `O Ku`ualoha under the direction of Kumu Hula Sammye Ann Ku`ualoha Young, will perform hula kahiko, hula `auana and oli (chanting).

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See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

THE FOLLOWING KA`U HIGH & MIDDLE SCHOOL students in grades 7 – 9 have earned a place on the third-quarter honor roll:

Grade 9
3.80 - 4.00: Chloe Gan, Jenny Mauricio-Henriquez, Augustina Sanchez, Travis Taylor
3.50 - 3.79: Sheanale Agpaoa, Ashley Amaral, Jamal Buyuan, Monica Lynn Covarrubio, Brandi Louis, Isaiah Santiago, Mason Takaki-Garcia, Trevor Taylor
3.0 - 3.49: Pete Dacalio, Tristan Davis, Cedrick Felipe, Charisma Felipe, Malika Maynard, Chadwick Pajimola Jr
Grade 8
3.80 - 4.00: Rowlie John Flores, Sierra Yeager
3.5 - 3.79: Junel Candaroma, Sheri Lynn Freitas, Zachary Ishii, Junialla Manantan, Junially Manantan, Zaylee Pascubillo, Revis Petitt, Ezra James Ramones, Alexia Tudela, Ammon Pomaikaihoaka Walters
3.0 - 3.49: Shyanne Akiona, Analei Emmsley, Sheena Marie Flores, Daryl Moreira Jr
Grade 7
3.80 - 4.00: Aaron Delos Santos, Scandy Echeilam, Jim Esquida, Ian Hargrove, Malie Ibarra, Kaiola Liu, Brennen Nishimura, Kaimi Pono Palakiko Leffew, Naython Perry, Jennifer Sanchez, Madito Tamayo, Junior Wajar
3.5 - 3.79: Jennifer Abalos, Jordan Delenia-Tabbada, Noah Engichy, Monique Hughes, Zyrae-Jawn Kailiawa, Kayla Kainoa-Aukai, Randall Patton Jr, Justin Subica-Kawakami
3.0 - 3.49 Ryan AhYee, Malia Nicole Corpuz, Seazon Gouveia-Makuakane, Daedrie Kai, Brynae Makuakane, Mories Moses, Melia Okimoto, Terree Oyama, Justine Rosario, Chaunalisa Velez, Jake Villa, Kalena Yeager.

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FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES’ book sale at Pahala Public & School Library continues today until 5 p.m. (closed 12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.).
For more information, call 987-7448.

KA`U AG WATER COOPERATIVE DISTRICT’S meeting today at 4 p.m. at Royal Hawaiian Orchards field office in Pahala has been cancelled.
For more information, call Jeff McCall at 928-6456.

VOLUNTEERS HELP REMOVE invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

CATHY AND TYSON BLACK demonstrate coconut leaf weaving tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the porch at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Tsuneo Taniuchi offers a paper sculpture workshop Saturday.
Photo from Volcano Art Center

A PAPER SCULPTURE WORKSHOP with Tsuneo Taniuchi takes place Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s

Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Students should bring basic scissors, a glue stick, transparent tape and a stapler. $18 for VAC members; $20 for nonmembers. Register at 967-8222 or volcanoartcenter.org.

HAWAI`I FARMER’S UNION UNITED holds a meeting Saturday at 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center for those interested in forming a Ka`u chapter. Speakers include Vincent Mina and Bob Shaffer. This meeting of is a potluck; farmers are encouraged to use their local ingredients.
For more information, contact Malian Lahey at 503-575-9098 or malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

AT A JUNGLE PARTY at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Saturday at 7 p.m., participants dress in jungle attire and dance to the tunes of DJ Tiki. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. for more information.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTS A Night of Improv Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The Alohahas perform a series of improvisation games with audience suggestions and participation along with original comedy sketches written and performed by members. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 938-2091 or email thealohahas@gmail.com.

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

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park waives entry fees this weekend to kick off National Park Week. Photo by Sean King

SITE VISITS TO PLANNED SUBDIVISIONS failed to get approval of Hawai`i County’s Leeward Planning Commission. Ka`u’s County Council Member Brenda Ford introduced Bill 182 calling for site visits in an attempt to prevent the Planning Department from approving projects that violate community development plans.

Erin Miller reports in West Hawai`i Today that Deputy Planning Director Bobby Command said, “We feel in concept this has a lot of merit. Practically speaking, it needs a lot of work.”
Problems brought up at the meeting include a lack of specific factors that would require developers to re-do theirs plans and language that would allow a Planning director to “be capricious,” Planner Keola Childs said.
Commissioner Thomas Whittemore said the Council could consider the issues and resubmit the bill.
See westhawaiitoday.com.

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Richard Ha

CHEAPER ELECTRICITY IS “THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT need facing Hawai`i today,” Richard Ha says on his blog at hahaha.hamakuasprings.com. “Everything else radiates from it.

“We need enough food to eat, and we need to grow it here, instead of relying on it coming to us from somewhere else. Food security – having enough food to eat, right here where we live – is truly the bottom line. We live in the middle of an ocean, we import more than 80 percent of what we eat, and sometimes there are natural or other disasters and shipping disruptions. This makes a lot of us a little nervous.
“To grow our food here, we need for our farmers to make a decent living: If the farmers make money, the farmers will farm.
“The price of oil, and of petroleum byproducts like fertilizers and many other farming products, keeps going up, which raises farmers’ costs. They cannot pass on all these higher costs, and they lose money.”
Ha says farmers in Hawai`i pay four times as much for electricity as do their mainland competition, which puts them at an even bigger competitive disadvantage.
“Rising electricity costs act like a giant regressive tax: the people on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder get hurt first, and hardest,” Ha says. “If our energy costs are lower – and we can absolutely make that happen – our farmers can keep their prices down, food will be cheaper, and consumers will have more money left over at the end of the month. This is good for our people, and for our economy.”

Ha calls for the state Public Utilities Commission to review its directives to and agreements with Hawai`i Electric Light Co. and for HELCO’s primary objective to be “making significant reductions in the real cost of reliable electric power to Hawai`i Island residents.”

He encourages residents to join the Big Island Community Coalition, which advocates for local sources of energy, including geothermal. See bigislandcommunitycoalition.com.
“Remember the bottom line: every one of us needs to call for cheaper electricity, and this will directly and positively impact our food security,” Ha concludes.
Ha, who owns a farm in Hamakua, was reconfirmed by the state Senate earlier this month for another term on the state Board of Agriculture.

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KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD is joining congressional leaders on a bipartisan delegation to meet with key leaders in Japan, South Korea and China. The meetings will focus on economic growth and trade, regional security challenges and strengthening alliances in the region.

Today, the delegation visits with U.S. Pacific Command leaders in Hawai`i for a roundtable discussion before traveling to Asia.   “Our economic and strategic partnerships in the Asia-Pacific region are critical to advancing our shared interests in stability and prosperity,” said Gabbard, who serves on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. “In Hawai`i, we deeply appreciate and understand the importance of these regional alliances. Through this delegation’s bilateral meetings with leaders in Japan, China and South Korea, as well as a discussion with USPACOM in Hawai`i, we will strengthen these ties as we work together to maximize the opportunities in the region.”

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KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL BEGINS TWO WEEKS from today with a Pa`ina Open House at Pahala Plantation Manager’s House Friday, May 2. The Miss Ka`u Coffee Scholarship fundraiser is sponsored by Pahala Plantation Cottages and Ka`u Chamber of Commerce. The event features music, hula by Halau Hula O Leionalani and food.
For more information, call 928-9811 or see kaucoffeefest.com.

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Mark Inman

KA`U COFFEE COLLEGE, the finale of the Ka`u Coffee Festival on Sunday, May 11 at 9 a.m. will feature two leaders in the coffee industry.

Mark Inman entered the coffee industry in 1998 based on a passion for remarkable coffee and the belief that business can be environmentally and socially progressive while remaining profitable. For over twenty years, he has been a leading voice in the specialty coffee industry for issues concerning sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, green entrepreneurship and social justice.
Inman’s campaign to improve environmental and social conditions in the coffee industry, as well as voicing his support for the small farmer movement, has taken him from local classrooms in the United States to remote coffee laboratories in the hills of Nicaragua and from Washington D.C. to the floor of the United Nations. His efforts have been covered in local and nationwide publications including TIME Magazine, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle.
In 2008, Inman served as President of the Specialty Coffee Association of America, where he has also chaired or served on numerous committees and international task forces. From 2010, he served as President of World Coffee Events, which manages seven international coffee competitions, including the World Barista Championship.

Blake Hanacek

Blake Hanacek is the founder and CEO of A.G.R.O. Roasters and A.G.R.O. Café, Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Global Resource Systems from the Faculty of Agricultural Science at the University of British Columbia. His main focus is sustainable rural development and agribusiness management. He also holds a Master of Watershed Management degree from the Institute for Resources, Environment & Sustainability at the University of British Columbia. Hanacek has studied and worked in Canada, Sweden, Japan, Uganda, Kenya, Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States. He is one of the co-founders of AGRODEV (Agricultural Growers Resource Organization Developing Economic Viability), an international NGO based in Kenya.
Hanacek has been working in the coffee industry for over twelve years, doing everything from harvesting coffee to making lattés. He has also completed several in-depth research papers and presentations on the current methods of production and consumption of specialty coffee. He is a member of the Specialty Coffee Association of America and the Roaster Guild of America.
Hanacek has met with coffee growers in over five countries to discuss his Crop to Cup method. He started with one retail cafe and roasting house in 2006 and quickly expanded to three retail locations by 2009. The accredited roaster has over 5,000 hours behind a variety of coffee roasters.

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FREE ENTRY TO HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK tomorrow and Sunday kicks off National Park Week. Next week, the park has many events scheduled around the theme of Go Wild for Culture and celebrating Merrie Monarch Festival. See nps.gov/havo and future Ka`u News Briefs.

HAWAI`I FARMER’S UNION UNITED holds a meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center for those interested in forming a Ka`u chapter. Speakers include Vincent Mina and Bob Shaffer. This meeting of is a potluck; farmers are encouraged to use their local ingredients.

For more information, contact Malian Lahey at 503-575-9098 or malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park holds a Jungle Party tomorrow at 7 p.m. Participants dress in jungle attire and dance to the tunes of DJ Tiki. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. for more information.

THE ALOHAHAS PRESENT THEIR SPRING SHOW at Ocean View Community Center tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. The improv group presents a series of improvisation games with audience suggestions and participation along with original comedy sketches written and performed by members. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Call 938-2091 or email thealohahas@gmail.com.

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

The new state Division of Aquatic Resources chief wants more public input on West Hawai`i Fisheries Management Area, which covers 35 percent of the western coast of the Big Island from South Point to `Upolu Point in Kohala. Photo from state Department of Land & Natural Resources

KA`U RESIDENTS AND OTHER Hawai`i Island residents will have more say in management of West Hawai`i Regional Fishery, the new chief at the state Division of Aquatic Resources is pledging. West Hawai`i Today reports Frazer McGilvray saying, “I’m in favor of community-based management. I think it’s important to engage the people whose livelihoods depend on the resource.”

New state DAR chief Frazer McGilvray

According to reporter Bret Yager, Mcgilvray said social science is as important as biological science when decisions are made about how to manage a resource.

Yager says McGilvray also considers it important to gather information from as many sources as possible regarding health of the fisheries. “We have no idea — only anecdotal figures — about how many fish are coming out of the water,” McGilvray said. “How can we manage our fisheries without this information? We just can’t. We know the government has to play a part. We know the community has to play a part. We’re still trying to find that sweet spot. It has to be what the community wants.”
McGilvray also wants to increase collaboration between divisions in the Department of Land & Natural Resources. “When it rains up-country, it all runs down,” he said. “So if you have problems with the forest, it all runs down to the reef. These agencies have to work together. One department can’t solve all these issues.
“Change has to come to link land and water.”
West Hawai`i Regional Fishery Management Area runs from Ka Lae to `Upolu Point in North Kohala and from the highwater mark on shore seaward to the limit of the state's management authority.
SCUBA spearfishing was banned in the Management Area last year by the Board of Land and Natural resources. West Hawai`i is the only area in the state to ban the practice. Other areas where it is also banned include Australia and Palau.
Other prohibitions in the Management Area include:

To take, kill, possess, sell, or offer for sale, any specimen of Hawaiian stingray, broad stingray, pelagic stingray, spotted eagle ray, blacktip reef shark, gray reef shark, whitetip reef shark, tiger shark, whale shark, horned helmet, and Triton's trumpet;
To possess more than five yellow tang larger than 4.5 inches total length, or more than five yellow tang smaller than two inches total length; 
To possess aquarium collecting gear, or take or possess any specimen of aquatic life for aquarium purposes between sunset and sunrise, without a valid aquarium permit or in violation of its conditions, or while on a vessel that does not conform to registration requirements; and 
To possess or use any net or container underwater to capture or hold aquatic life alive for aquarium purposes, which is not labeled with the commercial marine license number(s) of the person(s) owning, possessing, or using the equipment.

For more on the Management Area, see state.hi.us/dlnr/dar.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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KA`U’S NEW COUNCIL MEMBER to be elected this year would make more money than its current Council member, Brenda Ford, under a plan being considered by the county Salary Commission to give raises to county officials. Ford is ineligible to run again due to having reached her term limit.
According to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, the 8.3 percent raise would bring Council members’ salaries to $52,000 per year.
Reporter Nancy Cook Lauer said Council chair would get an 11.5 percent increase, to $58,000 per year.

Na`alehu native Amanda Dahlstedt Ciulla is a finalist for
EMT of the Year at Acadian Ambulance in Texas.

Cook Lauer also reported other raises being considered: Mayor, 19.8 percent to $130,818; Managing Director, 6.1 percent to $110,244; Deputy Managing Director, 5.8 percent to $104,736; and department heads who didn’t get raises last year, unspecified amounts.
Before voting on its plan, the commission holds a meeting on Monday, April 28 at 10 a.m. in County Council chambers in Hilo, when it will accept public comment.
See westhawaiitoday.com.

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NA`ALEHU NATIVE AMANDA DAHLSTEDT CIULLA was recently honored as finalist for EMT of the Year by her fellow medics at Acadian Ambulance. The company, which provides emergency and non-emergency medical transportation in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, recognizes exceptional medics for their tireless work ethic and dedication to their jobs.
Finalists are known as outstanding medics who display exemplary attitudes and provide excellent patient care. Ciulla was nominated by her fellow medics to represent Acadian’s Houston operations, which include Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Walker, Galveston and Liberty counties.
Ciulla grew up in Na`alehu and now lives in Conroe, Texas. She began working in health care as a medical assistant before joining the Acadian team in December 2012 as an EMT-Basic. She has since received her EMT-Intermediate certification and is working on her paramedic certification.
“I am extremely honored and happy to be chosen by my peers as an EMT of the Year finalist,” Ciulla said. “It means so much to me to know that I have made a positive impression on my fellow co-workers.”

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THE CURRENT ISSUE OF VOLCANO WATCH discusses a portable instrument package was developed at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory to quickly and easily deploy Webcams for recording activity at new eruptive vents and tracking the location and advancement of lava flows in real time.

This portable platform can be used for several types of monitoring instruments.
Photo from USGS/HVO

While the units can be slung by helicopter to remote sites, they require scientists on the ground to set up the cameras, install and align the radio antennas and connect the final wiring. “The new platforms greatly reduce the time and effort needed to deploy Webcams and other monitoring stations,” HVO reports.
The core of HVO’s portable unit is an aluminum framework strong enough to be slung by helicopter while also supporting the power system (solar panels and batteries), camera tripod and electronics needed to acquire, store and transmit data to the observatory.
“With the help of a long-term volunteer, Frank Box, HVO now has several of these units ready for deployment when the eruption of Kilauea changes or activity ramps up at one of the other active volcanoes in Hawai`i. The pre-fabrication will save many days of preparation time and reduce the number of sling loads needed to quickly install several new, temporary monitoring stations with minimal impact to a site,” HVO states.
The issue also discusses portable units designed and built by Cascades Volcano Observatory scientists in their efforts to monitor Mt. St. Helens.
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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FREE ENTRY TO HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK today and tomorrow kicks off National Park Week. Next week, the park has many events scheduled around the theme of Go Wild for Culture and celebrating Merrie Monarch Festival. See nps.gov/havo and future Ka`u News Briefs.

KA`U RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN THE WORK of Hawai`i Farmers Union United can attend a meeting today at 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Speakers include Vincent Mina and Bob Shaffer. This meeting of is a potluck; farmers are encouraged to use their local ingredients.

For more information, contact Malian Lahey at 503-575-9098 or malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park holds a Jungle Party today at 7 p.m. Participants dress in jungle attire and dance to the tunes of DJ Tiki. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. for more information.

THE ALOHAHAS PRESENT THEIR SPRING SHOW at Ocean View Community Center today at 7:30 p.m. The improv group presents a series of improvisation games with audience suggestions and participation along with original comedy sketches written and performed by members. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Call 938-2091 or email thealohahas@gmail.com.

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

Earth Matters Farm on South Point Road hosts an Earth Day tour for the public Tuesday. See below for more information.
Photo from Earth Matters Farm

HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED drew enough commitments last night during its organizing meeting to secure a Ka`u Chapter. Leaders of the statewide organization came to Pahala Community Center to explain the purpose of the national organization.

Local chapter organizer Malian Lahey, who has a farm in Wood Valley, said she approached the Farmers Union United after learning that Ka`u Coffee is being sold for blending. “It hurts my business,” and it damages the Ka`u Coffee farmers’ reputation, said the coffee broker, noting that the Hawai`i Farmers Union United has sponsored legislation to require labeling that would declare all origins used in blended coffee.

Rep. Richard Creagan came to Pahala last night for the organization of the
Ka`u Chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United. Photo by Julia Neal

Most of the blended Ka`u Coffee is sold under the name Alan Wong, who has championed Ka`u Coffee at his restaurants for years and earlier encouraged farmers to keep the coffee pure. The labeling says 10 percent Ka`u Coffee without naming the origin of the rest of the coffee used in the blend. It sells at a fraction of the price of pure Ka`u Coffee, which a number of the farmers sell under their own brand names.

Vince Mina, president of Hawai`i Farmers Union United, reminded attendees that the organization is not a labor union. It represents family farms and focuses on the health of the soil and sustainable agricultural practices, he said. Mina said the national organization was created by farmers over a century ago to help farmers. He contended that the Farm Bureau was formed ten years later by corporate interests. “The Farm Bureau was organized to keep farmers from being organized.”

Steve Sakala, President of Kona Farmers Union United,
attended the Pahala meeting yesterday.

Mina and other directors of Hawai`i Farmers Union United said that they have gained traction in building awareness in government regarding “soil health.” They talked about the difference between mining and farming, with mining using up the nutrients and soil conditions needed for crops, while farming in a sustainable way builds soil health. Several of the group's leaders talked about the direction of agriculture in Hawai`i. “Are you killing the life of the land or regenerating the soil?” was one of the mantras.
Another involved breaking down the word agriculture. “Agri-Culture. Cultures are living,” said Mina. He said that farmers and governments need to give more support to the “culture.” Government has traditionally given the most support to agribusiness, he said.
Those attending also talked about education and possibly helping to revive agricultural programs at Ka`u High School and also education for adults who may want to learn to farm.
Several of the farmers who attended are involved in politics. Steve Sakala, who is President of Kona Farmers Union United, chairs District Five of the Democratic Party. Richard Creagan, of Ka`u, who is a physician and farmer, is west Ka`u’s member to the state House of Representative. Lahey is President of Precinct Seven, District Three of the Democratic Party.
Mina said it is important to be involved in the political process because, “If you are not part of the process, you’re part of the menu.”
He also said that growers of food can look forward to more people being concerned about the fresh food they are consuming and paying for it. “One day there will be an app when we can take our produce to market and you get paid for the nutrient density.” He predicted that farmers who “aloha `aina the soils will be rewarded.”
Farmers represented at the meeting have grown, coffee, mac nuts, taro, flowers, pigs, rabbits, sheep, goats, cattle, pumpkins, lettuce and other truck crops, as well as fruits, from banana to dragon fruit.
Anyone interested in joining the Ka`u Chapter of Hawai`i Farmers Union United can call Lahey at 503-575-9098. The next planned meeting is Saturday, May 17 at Pahala Community Center.

Information about the organization is available at hawaiifarmersunionunited.org.

See more on the Hawai`i Farmers Union United meeting in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.

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A bill at the state Legislature would help Ka`u Coffee growers purchase pesticides
to battle the coffee berry borer.

A BILL TACKLING COFFEE BERRY BORERS is on tomorrow’s conference committee agenda as the state Legislature begins its final full week in session. HB1514 would appropriate funds for mitigation of, and education relating to, the pest, whose “infestation threatens the viability of Hawai`i’s entire coffee industry,” the bill states.

The bill would establish a pesticide subsidy program until June 30, 2019, to help coffee growers purchase pesticides containing Beauveria bassiana to combat the coffee berry borer. If passed, it would become effective on July 1. Both the Hawai`i Farm Bureau and Hawai`i Farmers Union United have lobbied for the money to fight the borer.
Progress of this and other bills at the state Legislature can be tracked at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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NET ENERGY METERING is a topic Henry Curtis, director of Life of the Land, discusses on his blog at ililanimedia.blogspot.com. With NEM, utility customers, including those who have photovoltaic systems, lower their electricity bills by sending surplus energy back to the utility company. About eleven percent of all Hawaiian Electric Co. customers, including those on Hawai`i Island, have rooftop solar.
Curtis says that, in such a system, the transmission grid acts as a battery. “The customer transfers electricity to the grid during the afternoon and pulls electricity out of the grid during other parts of the day,” he says. “They only pay for the net amount of energy used.
“If one month the customer provides more electricity to the grid than the customer pulls out, then the customer has a credit which they can tap into the following month.”

Life of the Land Director Henry Curtis

A problem, Curtis says, is that at the end of each year, customers’ accounts are zeroed out, and excess credits are given to the utility. “In essence, the utility has been given ‘free electricity,’” Curtis contends. He says that federal laws, rules and regulations call for utilities to zero out accounts each year and do not permit utilities to pay for excess electricity when accounts are zeroed out.
Curtis explains an alternative power exchange system called a Power Purchase Agreement. As opposed to Net Energy Metering, in a Power Purchase Agreement scheme, customers sell (export) electricity to the grid at the wholesale price and buy (import) electricity at the retail rate.
“Some Independent Power Producers, such as wind generation facilities, only exist to export electricity to the grid,” Curtis says. “At other IPPs, most notably sugar plantations, co-generation petroleum refineries and commercial rooftop solar facilities produced electricity for themselves and for export to the grid and occasionally also bought electricity from the grid. These customers have two meters, one for export and one for import. Smaller systems use the Feed-In Tariff (FiT) mechanism.

“Thus, under a Power Purchase Agreement, Hawai`i Electric Light Co. might buy solar energy at 20 cents per kilowatt-hour and sell electricity at 45 cents per kilowatt-hour. Clearly this would not be profitable for owners of small residential rooftop solar facilities,” Curtis says. “Rooftop solar owners also don’t like to be net importers of electricity from the grid. Instead, people with rooftop solar overbuild their solar system and wind up giving the utility free electricity rather than the alternative of buying electricity from the grid.

“The utility opines that Net Energy Metering customers are a burden on the 89 percent who are non-Net Energy Metering customers. The utility argues that Net Energy Metering customers get free use of the grid without paying for it. The utility asserts that they must maintain the grid but only non-Net Energy Metering customers wind up paying for it.”

Dr. John Dvorak discusses earthquake storms
Tuesday at After Dark in the Park.

According to Curtis, the utility does not track free electricity. “Rather, to keep their analysis simple, the utility distorts reality by assuming that there is no free electricity. All of the utility price analyses assume there is no free electricity.”
Curtis suggests another approach – the utility could track free electricity. “At the end of the year, the utility could note how many kilowatt-hours were given to the utility for free by each customer,” he says. “Customers could make a tax-deductible charitable donation of that free electricity to a nonprofit, which would allocate that credit to those that are economically challenged.
“Thus, the benefits of renewable energy would not only go to economically secure people but would be spread across the economic spectrum,” Curtis concludes.

FREE ENTRY CONTINUES TODAY at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to kick off National Park Week.

TO COMMEMORATE EARTH DAY, Greg Smith, of Earth Matters Farm, invites the public to taste organic greens and grilled vegetables Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The farm is two miles down South Point Road to the right of Kama`oa Road. For more information, call 939-7510.

EARTHQUAKE STORMS: THE PAST & PRESENT of the San Andreas Fault, is the topic at After Dark in the Park Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Dr. John Dvorak explains the San Andreas Fault: what it is, where it is and how it works. His new book, Earthquake Storms: The Fascinating History and Volatile Future of the San Andreas Fault will be available for sale. The book explains how the recent seismic lull in could result in an “earthquake storm” of large earthquakes. Dvorak studied volcanoes and earthquakes for the U.S. Geological Survey, taught at the University of Hawai`i and has written numerous cover articles for scientific publications. Free; park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support After Dark programs.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Soil expert Bob Shaffer, who spoke at the Hawai`i Farmers Union United meeting in Pahala Saturday, said he hopes to help teach

soil health in Ka`u, as he has in other locations around the island. Photo from Kohala Center

Jim Wilson

JIM WILSON HAS PULLED PAPERS to run for County Council and said this morning he is collecting signatures for District 6, a position currently held by Brenda Ford, who is unable to run again because of term limitations. Wilson moved to Hilo in 1967 to become advertising director for Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, rose to the position of publisher in 1973 and remained in that position until 2001. Wilson said he is running because “I think the Council needs common sense and a business approach to the issues.”

Wilson has served as a board member for decades for Volcano Art Center. He serves as President of Pacific Tsunami Museum Board of Directors. He is a member of Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce and serves on the promotions committee for Hilo Hospice. He is a member of Big Island Press Club. He and his wife Audrey have been residents of Volcano Village for 20 years and operate a B&B called AJ’s Volcano Cottage.
Wilson can be contacted at 987-5984 or xjwilson@hawaiiantel.com.

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Jim Shaffer talked about soil health at the
Ka`u Farmers Union United meeting
Photo by Julia Neal

SOIL HEALTH EXPERT BOB SHAFFER told Ka`u farmers over the weekend that tillage management to keep the ground from becoming hard and compacted is one of the important practices for successful farming. He said that no amount of composting or cover crops and good minerals management can overcome the fact that soil needs structure with space, air and water. Calling himself “a mechanic for the soil,” Shaffer noted that efforts to nourish living soil can work for seven years, but that production tends to wane without tillage management. Hard compact soil in orchard and truck crops can cause a collapse of the farm, he said. He said that all root crops need earthworms. They are particularly important in orchards, he said.
Shaffer said that soil “has to have a lot of life, with bacteria, fungi, nematodes and protozoa.”
He differentiated free-living microorganisms from those that kill plants and said that all of the beneficial “microorganisms also need to be healthy.” Shaffer explained that tiny organisms help to break down organic matter, which releases nutrients into the soil, which are eaten by bacteria. Free-living nematodes eat bacteria and pass the waste full of nitrogen right onto the roots of the plants. Growth-promoting enzymes for the plants are also produced. Microbes also break down toxins. “It is a symbiosis between plant and microbe,” he said.
The plants recognize the value of the microbes, and about half of the sugars made by the plants are exuded by their roots to help feed them. The relationship leads to disease prevention and some resistance to pests, he said.

Shaffer, who has a farm in Kona, said that he has been working for farms from macadamia orchards in Queensland, Australia to truck farms in California with organic matter management with compost and cover crops to mineral and tillage management. He also works with compost manufacturing in Dixie, CA, with 250 tons of food waste a day brought from San Francisco. The compost is sold to farmers.

Shaffer recommended reading soilcare.org.
Farmers who attended the meeting included coffee grower Wally Young, who said he got into farming and became “caught by farming” after losing his longtime job in the sugar industry.

John Ah San, a Pahala resident who also grows coffee, said he is a lifetime farmer and will never retire.
Ann Fontes said she owns a small family farm with coffee and farm animals, just makai and east of Pahala.
Whitney Coffman owns a farm where he grows macadamia and coffee in Wood Valley.
Trini Marques recalled she and her husband’s work as two of the first Ka`u Coffee farmers after losing their jobs and the sugar company.
Greg Smith recently moved the Earth Matters Farm to Ka Lae. He has worked with the Hester farm in selling its produce at farmers markets at Keauhou and Ho`oulu. He said he is starting a Community Supported Agriculture box program for families to have locally grown produce, all of it organic, weekly or twice a month from Ka Lae or Ocean View locations. The Smiths will host an open house for the public tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Earth Matters Farm on the west side of the intersection of South Point and Kama`oa Road. Turn right onto the unpaved Kama`oa Service Road.
Rep. Richard Creagan said his farm was never been in sugar. About half the land is in native `ohi`a, and the rest is in orchard and some vegetables.
Malian Lahey, who owns a farm in Wood Valley, said she has just started growing coffee and has vegetables and flowers. The next meeting of the Ka`u Farmers Union United will be Saturday, May 17. For more information, call Lahey at 503-575-9098.

After successful fundraising dinners, Ka`u Summer Fun Programs are a go
again this year. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U SUMMER FUN FUNDRAISING DINNERS held in Pahala and Na`alehu the past two months were successful in providing scholarship funds that will help keiki meet registration fees for the Hawai`i County Department of Parks and Recreation program. Organizers thanked all who assisted with the fundraisers.

“Support from parents, community members and organizations helped to make the fundraisers a success,” said Nona Makuakane, who leads the Pahala Summer Fun program. “Thank you to Leina`ala Enos of Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center, who was instrumental in helping us getting the dinners organized; `O Ka`u Kakou and Edmund Olson for their monetary donations; Punalu`u Bake Shop, Frank Foods and Gloria Camba for their generous donations; and Gay Polido and Lauren Hart for volunteering.”

Partial waiver scholarships are available for all families who register keiki for Summer Fun. Early registration takes place from May 5 to May 8 and continues until enrollment is met. Maximum enrollment at each site is 40 participants. The sites are Pahala Community Center, Na`alehu Community Center and Kahuku Park.
The program is six weeks long, running from June 9 to July 18 for youth who have completed Kindergarten to sixth grade. Program time is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Summer Fun provides a fun, safe and diverse recreational activity program which includes weekly excursions.
For more information or to register, call the respective site in your community: Pahala Community Center, 928-3102; Na`alehu Community Center, 939-2510; and Kahuku Park, 929-9113.

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Nona Beamer Photo from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER PRESENTS A SCREENING of the film Nona Beamer: A Legacy of Aloha this evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village.

Beamer played a key role in the revival of hula and the Hawaiian culture. She was a musician, hula dancer, composer and teacher at a time when Hawaiian culture was still being suppressed in Hawai`i. She was a major force behind the Cultural Renaissance of the 1970s that helped restore dignity and pride to Hawaiian children.
Suggested donation is $5 to support VAC.

DR. JOHN DVORAK EXPLAINS the San Andreas Fault: what it is, where it is and how it works at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Dvorak studied volcanoes and earthquakes for U.S. Geological Survey, taught at University of Hawai`i and has written numerous cover articles for scientific publications. Free; park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support After Dark programs.

PROGRAMS THAT CELEBRATE MERRIE MONARCH begin Wednesday at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. All programs are part of Hawai`i Volcanoes’ ongoing `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work workshops and take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Edna and Sam Baldado share the cultural uses of kalo, or taro. See how each plant is identified by its leaf, steam, corm, color, and shape. Discover the hundreds of varieties of kalo in Hawai`i and how kalo was used for food, medicine, glue, dyes and much more.
Helene Hayselden demonstrates the art of making a feather kahili, a symbol of royalty. Watch or join in and make your kahili to take home.
Singer, songwriter, praise and worship leader Rupert Tripp, Jr. performs.
Ka`ohu Monfort shares her knowledge and love of the island’s native plants for la`au lapau. Learn how her passion for plants and the Hawaiian culture are used to heal and nourish. See and touch a variety of medicinal plants, including kuku`i, `olena, ha`uowi, noni, ki, and guava.
See future Ka`u News Briefs for programs on Thursday and Friday. All programs are free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM is ranked number three in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation after falling to the Honoka`a Dragons on Saturday. Scores were 25-12, 19-25, 25-23, 18-25 and 10-15. The next game for the Trojans will be on Friday, April 29 at Kealakehe gym versus Hawai`i Preparatory Academy at 4 pm.

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

Thursday's Hiki No on PBS features segments from students at Ka`u High School, Volcano School of Arts & Sciences
and Miloli`i's Kua O Ka La.

KA`U’S FORMER STATE REP. BOB HERKES is on the Board of Directors at Hawai`i Tourism Authority after the state Senate unanimously approved his nomination.

Bob Herkes

Herkes envisions a program, perhaps called Aloha `Oe, where hotels in the state “go back to the old days,” work with Hawaiian communities and embrace Hawaiian values and hospitality.
Herkes was in the visitor industry for more than 40 years. He said such a program helped make the 550-room Kona Surf Hotel successful during his tenure in management there.
During his political career, Herkes’ support of preservation of the Ka`u Coast preceded preservation of Honu`apo, Kawa and other locations including South Kona Wilderness Area.
Other tourism-related efforts by Herkes include support of risk evaluation along the coast and improved health services in Ka`u. He also championed the new Ka`u Gym & Disaster Shelter, which is expected to be the site of tournaments that would draw visiting athletic teams to stay overnight in Ka`u and boost the local economy.

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SEVERAL ITEMS ON LAST WEEK’S County Council meeting pertaining to Ka`u gained approval.

Two resolutions provide grants for events sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou. The community organization receives $7,000 for the annual Punalu`u fishing tournament and $15,000 for a Coffee Trail Run and Fun Day scheduled for Sept. 20.

Other resolutions appropriate $2,000 each for the purchase of refrigerator-freezers for Na`alehu and Pahala Community Centers.

Hawai`i County Council has approved installation of a yield sign on Ka`alaiki Road
above Na`alehu. Photo from County of Hawai

A bill calling for posting of a yield sign on Ka`alaiki Road makai of Na`alehu Cemetery at the northeast approach adjacent to parcels 9-5-008:001 and 9-5-008:010 passed its second reading.

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HAWAI`I’S SHARWIL AVOCADO GROWERS are hoping to begin exporting their product to the mainland this year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced in Sept. 2013 that Hawaiian-grown Sharwil avocados can be shipped to 32 states and Washington, D.C., after being banned since 1992. The ban was established to prevent the spread of fruit flies, especially to California farms and orchards where tomato and citrus crops could be devastated. Most of the Sharwils are grown on 280 farms, mainly on Hawai`i Island, followed by Maui.

According to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, farmers hoped to start exporting fruit last year, but rule-making and the implementation plan process took too long, said Tom Benton, president of Hawai`i Avocado Association. “There will be a lot of things to work out,” Benton told reporter Erin Miller. “The big bottleneck will be shipping.”

Export of Hawaiian Sharwil avocados may begin in November.
Photo from epicenteravocados.com

Farmers and packers will have to follow many protocols, including getting farms certified by the federal Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, following orchard sanitation rules and monitoring for certain fruit flies.
Processing facilities and shipping boxes will have to be fruit fly-proof.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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A STREAM FLOW SETTLEMENT ON MAUI could have implications on Hawai`i Island. The state Commission on Water Resource Management approved a settlement that calls for stream flows to be restored while allowing for diversion of some water.
The decision reaffirms that flowing streams are a public trust, according to a story in Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Users of diverted water from the streams include Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. and Wailuku Water. HC&S irrigates its sugar cane fields, and Wailuku Water sells the water to HC&S as well as housing subdivisions, Maui County, cattle ranches and golf courses.
Earthjustice represented community groups Hui o Na Wai Eha and Maui Tomorrow Foundation during the 10-year legal battle.
As stated in the agreement, it “represents a reasonable and equitable resolution … and balance between the need to protect instream uses and the accommodation of reasonable beneficial noninstream uses.
“It was the parties themselves who chose to reach this agreement,” Department of Land & Natural Resources Chair William Aila, Jr. said. “Without their collective will to work out a solution, this would not have happened.”
See staradvertiser.com.

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BOYS & GIRLS CLUB IS OFFERING A SALE of fundraising dinners next month to help kids who want to attend Pahala and Ocean View Boys and Girls Club Summer Fun. The Boys and Girls Club Summer Fun program is after the County of Hawai`i Summer Fun program, so keiki involved in both will have a full and enriching day of activities in a safe environment during the summer break. The program is eight weeks long and runs from June 2 to July 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The dinner will raise funds for families who are not able to pay the $100 program registration fee. Dinner tickets are $7, with the menu consisting of oriental chicken, rice, mixed vegetables and sweet bread. Dinner pick-up is Friday, May 16 at Pahala Community Center from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Interested parents or anyone who would like to assist with the fundraiser by making a donation, selling tickets or helping to prep and serve on the day are urged to call Boys and Girls Club Director Dolly Kailiawa at 756-5282 or Lei at 929-8641. The amount awarded to families will depend on the total profit received from the fundraiser.

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK CELEBRATES Merrie Monarch with programs at Kilauea Visitor Center. All programs are part of Hawai`i Volcanoes’ ongoing `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work workshops and take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The following programs take place tomorrow:

Edna and Sam Baldado share the cultural uses of kalo, or taro.
Helene Hayselden demonstrates the art of making a feather kahili, a symbol of royalty.
Singer, songwriter, praise and worship leader Rupert Tripp, Jr. performs.
Ka`ohu Monfort teaches how the island’s native plants are used to heal and nourish.

Participants learn `ohe kapala, or bamboo stamping, Thursday at Kilauea Visitor Center.
NPS Photo by Jay Robinson

The following programs take place on Thursday:

Vi Makuakane demonstrates the art of feather work. Thousands of feathers are sorted, graded, trimmed and sewn to a base. The result is a lei hulu, or feather lei.
Kenneth Makuakane plays original songs from his solo albums and compositions.
Keiko Mercado demonstrates how `ohe (bamboo) are carved into beautiful designs and how they are used. There will be samples and a hands-on opportunity to learn this Hawaiian art form.
Patricia Ka`ula demonstrates different styles of lei making: hilo, haku, hili and Ku`i. Lei is used for everything from blessing crops, adornments for hula dancers, healing and sacred rituals, to show royal status or rank, honor guests, as peace offerings and to celebrating a birth.
From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Robert Cazimero signs the latest edition of Men of Hula, which will be available for sale. This 2011 edition by award-winning author Benton Sen chronicles how the hula teacher and Na Halau Kamalei shattered the stereotypical image of hula (girls in grass skirts and coconut bras) by revitalizing the masculine aspects of the ancient dance.

See tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs for programs on Friday. All programs are free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL, VOLCANO SCHOOL of Arts & Sciences and Kua O Ka La’s Miloli`i school are three of four schools on Hiki No, a PBS show that airs Thursday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 10. It will be the first time these schools have participated in the statewide filmmaking program. Students from each of these Hawai`i Island schools present short vignettes on what makes their school and community unique. They also offer a behind-the-scenes look at the on-site Hiki No training workshops held at each of the schools.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS HOLDS ITS SPRING FLING Saturday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Punalu`u Bake Shop. To become a vendor, entertainer or for more information, call 808-854-1540 or see kauarts.org.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Headlights on fire department vehicles shine as palms at Punalu`u are backlit by a brushfire that quickly moved from near the coast toward the old clubhouse parking lot yesterday evening. Photo by Ron Johnson

A FAST-MOVING BRUSHFIRE SCARRED 12 acres at Punalu`u yesterday. Fanned by east-northeast winds from 25 to 35 mph, the fire moved from a coastal area south of the pavilions toward the old golf clubhouse parking lot.

Thick smoke from the Punalu`u brushfire could be seen from Honu`apo Overlook.
Photo from Tedy Galigo's Facebook page.

According to the Fire Department, the fire was 1/4 acre in size when units arrived at 6:03 p.m. Fire crews in off-road-capable vehicles doused the head of the fire, while others secured the roadway and protected the Colony One Condos.

The fire was declared under control at 8:03 p.m., and crews remained throughout the night to control any flare-ups.
County engine companies responding included Pahala, Na`alehu and Volcano, along with volunteer companies from Pahala, Na`alehu and Discovery Harbour.
Capt. TJ James, of Discovery Harbour VFD, reported that his crew was on the scene until midnight.
Capt. Curt Yamashita reported that no road closures or evacuations were required, and the cause of the blaze is unknown.
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GG Weisenfeld

MANDATORY KINDERGARTEN FOR FIVE-YEAR-OLDS in public schools has gotten approval from a House-Senate conference committee at the state Legislature. Lawmakers hope to have the bill passed and then approved by Gov. Neil Abercrombie before the end of this school year so that the Department of Education can start to get the information out to families and through the schools as soon as possible, reports Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

“As we work to implement an early learning system in Hawai`i, it makes sense to have mandatory kindergarten to promote the continuity of children’s experiences from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten,” said GG Weisenfeld, director of the state Executive Office on Early Learning, in written testimony. “While most children enroll in kindergarten, some families do not feel compelled to send their children to school on a consistent basis because it is not mandatory. Without the skills that can be gained through a kindergarten experience, these children may have to play catch up with their peers in the first grade.”

See star-advertiser.com.

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VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES GOVERNING BOARD is accepting applications for the upcoming term that starts in August. The Governing Board is responsible for the financial, organizational and academic viability of the charter school and implementation of the charter.
The Board is made up of representatives from the community, staff and parents of children attending the school. Members serve two-year terms, staggered with members of the current Board. The representatives are elected by the current Board at the July meeting. Each member is expected to attend monthly meetings usually held on the third Thursday of each month at the Keakealani Campus, as well as to serve on at least one committee.

VSAS' Governing Board meets monthly at the Keakealani Campus.

“Being a board member is such a rewarding experience,” said Governing Board Chair John Broward. “Although there is a commitment of about 10 hours or more a month, seeing positive things get done for the benefit of the students and the community is very satisfying.”
Those interested can submit an application form or a brief biography with name and contact information to Volcano School Governing Board, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 or email VSBOARD@hotmail.com.
Application forms are available at volcanoschool.com. Click on the link for governing board.
For additional information, call the school at 985-9800 or contact one of the addresses above.
For more information on Hawai`i Public Charter Schools, see hcsao.org/pages/governing-boards.

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A COMPROMISE OF CIVIL LIBERTIES could occur if a bill pertaining to emergency management passes the state Legislature, according to a statement on the Hawai`i Senate Minority website. HB849 HD2 SD2’s stated purpose is recodify Hawai`i’s emergency management statutes by “updating the statutes, clarifing the relationship between the state and county emergency management agencies and delineating the emergency management functions and powers of the governor and mayors.”

In his testimony supporting the bill, Darryl Oliveira, Director of Hawai`i County’s Civil Defense Agency, said the bill would provide more power to the counties and clarify the powers of the governor and mayors, “simplify the law by placing all emergency management authorities in one chapter of the HRS” and establish the Emergency Specialist Reserve Corps, “a low-cost surge staff to assist state and local government during emergencies … recruited from community members … fully trained and ready to respond during a disaster.”
The Senate Minority statement says that, “despite a long list of good intentions and numerous supporters, House Bill 849 is a dangerous bill.”

Sen. Sam Slom Photo from Hawai`i Senate Minority

“Specifically,” the statement says, “civil liberties may not be observed if an emergency is declared; compulsory immunizations and quarantines can be required; personal property can be ‘redistributed;’ electronic media transmissions can be suspended; even county laws can be suspended. If someone is accused of ‘hoarding,’ all emergency supplies may be taken by the government. The governor can declare any person, place, or situation a ‘public nuisance,’ authorizing entry to private property without the owner’s permission. Any members of the military or National Guard who are called to assist civil authorities ‘engaged in emergency functions, can’t be held responsible, criminally or civilly for damage caused ‘in pursuance of duty.’ The public right to gather may be restricted. Forced evacuations are permitted.”
When the House bill went to the Senate for consideration, Republican Sen. Sam Slom was the only legislator who voted against it.
See senateminority.wordpress.com.

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LIVE SPECIMENS FROM THE INSECT WORLD come to Na`alehu Public Library tomorrow. Dr. Ryan Caesar, an entomologist from University of Hawai`i at Manoa, speaks about the UH insect museum beginning at 2:45 p.m. All ages are welcome.
Call 939-2442 for more information.

PBS’ HIKI NO HIGHLIGHTS SEGMENTS BY STUDENTS from Ka`u High School, Volcano School of Arts & Sciences and Kua O Ka La in Miloli`i. The show that airs tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. on Channel 10.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK CELEBRATES Merrie Monarch this week with programs at Kilauea Visitor Center. All programs are part of Hawai`i Volcanoes’ ongoing `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work workshops and take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Anna Cariaga urges community members to come to Pahala Community Center
on May 3 to learn about the work of OEOC, where she worked
for more than 30 years. Photo by Julia Neal

The following programs take place tomorrow:

Vi Makuakane demonstrates the art of feather work.
Kenneth Makuakane plays original songs from his solo albums and compositions.
Keiko Mercado demonstrates how `ohe (bamboo) are carved into designs and how they are used.
Patricia Ka`ula demonstrates different styles of lei making: hilo, haku, hili and Ku`i.
Robert Cazimero signs the latest edition of Men of Hula from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The following programs take place Friday:

Kapa maker Kuuleimomi Makuakane-Salave`a shares the art of kapa making. See how the inner bark of the paper mulberry tree is beaten into cloth.
Members of `Aha Puhala o Puna perpetuate the ancient art of lauhala weaving. Observe this art form and learn to weave your own lauhala star from the leaves of the hala, or pandanus tree.
Lito Arkangel plays his original compositions and Hawaiian favorites.

All programs are free; park entrance fees apply.

OEOC COMES TO PAHALA ON May 3. Hawai`i County Economic Opportunity Council will hold a public meeting on Saturday, May 3 at Pahala Community Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lucky drawing will be for a weaned-off pig, and food will be served. The first 20 adults who arrive will receive free Punalu`u Bake Shop sweetbread. Anna Cariaga, who managed HCEOC for more than 30 years from Ka`u through Puna, said the organization has provided Senior Opportunity Services, youth programs, Low Income Energy Assistance Program, and surplus food – free food for the community – and transportation for needy people. George Yokoyama, founder of the organization, will be on hand to answer questions and provide information on current programs.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Representatives of Ka`u Coffee Mill and The Ka`u Calendar are in Seattle today getting ready for the 2014 Specialty Coffee Association
of America international event at Seattle Convention Center. Among those attending are, from left, Ed Olson, land manager John Cross,
coffee farmer Bull Kailiawa (and Jamie Kailiawa, not shown), Chief Ka`u Coffee Mill Roaster Kalikoweo Keolanui-Daniele,
Ka`u Coffee Mill manager Louis Daniele and The Ka`u Calendar publisher Julia Neal.

A PHYSICIAN'S RESIDENCY PROGRAM that could help fund doctors to serve Ka`u patients through Hilo Medical Center has received funding from the state Legislature. A conference committee yesterday came up with a compromise between the last House and Senate versions of the item in HB1700, the state budget.

Mufi Hannemann is running for
governor. Photo by Julia Neal

HMC requested $2.8 million in state funding to run the program, and the Legislature approved $2 million. It now awaits approval from Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
“Thank you to everyone who helped work on this important program, also to our Hawai`i Island delegates and all our good people who work for the state of Hawai`i so hard,” said Lori Rogers, Executive Director of Hilo Medical Center Foundation. “We know you listen to us.”
The program received accreditation in October and accepted its first class of resident physicians last month.
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MUFI HANNEMANN IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR. Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports that the former mayor of Honolulu will be a candidate of the newly formed Hawai`i Independent Party. Hannemann will be on the general election ballot Nov. 4.
According to reporter Derrick DePledge, Hannemann is counting on the Democratic and Republican candidates splitting the vote, which could allow him to win with a plurality.
Sen. David Ige is challenging Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the Democratic primary on Aug. 9, and former Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona is expected to run on the Republican ticket.
“I think clearly people are not happy with the way both major parties sometimes push folks to accept party platforms — or the rigidity of party platforms — either having to appeal to the far left or the far right,” Hannemann told DePledge. “I’ve always been a moderate. I’ve always been a centrist. I’ve always been independent.
“And I’ve always done better in general elections where more people vote and I’m able to appeal to people across the spectrum.”
Hannemann lost the gubernatorial race to Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the 2010 Democratic primary and the U.S. Congress race to U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in the 2012 Democratic primary.
See staradvertiser.com.
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GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS SIGNED HOUSE BILL 2275 (Act 26), a measure to increase protection of distressed homeowners against predatory mortgage rescue fraud. Act 26 expands the definition of “distressed property consultant” to anyone who represents or assists those who provide distressed property consultant services for an advance fee.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie signs a bill that increases protection of homeowners from
predatory mortgage rescue fraud. Photo from Office of the Governor

It also clarifies that attorneys exempt from this definition must be licensed by, and engaged in the practice of law in, the state of Hawai`i.
“We want those who prey upon the fears and vulnerability of homeowners to know we will not allow them to take advantage of Hawai`i’s people,” Abercrombie said. “Hawai`i’s homeowners will benefit from this legislation by further conforming our laws to federal regulations.”
Act 26 aligns Hawai`i law with the Federal Trade Commission’s Mortgage Assistance Relief Services rule adopted in 2010, assisting the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs’ Office of Consumer Protection in enforcing the mortgage rescue fraud law against all persons involved in a scheme, such as the alleged scam announced last week that OCP believes may have affected more than 500 Hawai`i homeowners.
Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a mortgage rescue scam may file a complaint with the OCP by contacting the Consumer Resource Center at 808-587-4272 or cca.hawaii.gov/ocp.
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Na`alehu Volunteer Fire Department used its recently acquired red truck to fight
Tuesday's brushfire at Punalu`u. Photo by Ron Johnson

MOP-UP OPERATIONS CONTINUED yesterday after Tuesday’s brushfire that scorched 12 acres at Punalu`u. Winds of 25 – 35 miles per hour fed the fire and took it from a coastal area south of the beach park toward Colony One condominiums. Crews remained on the scene throughout Tuesday night to douse any flare-ups.
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ENERGY INNOVATION COMES TO THE BIG ISLAND is the title of a recent article by Life of the Land Director Henry Curtis on his Ililani Media. Curtis reports on discussions held at the March meeting of Hawai`i County Energy Advisory Commission.
Curtis reports that Hawai`i County, Hawai`i Electric Light Company and Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i Authority have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to test energy storage devices.
Hawai`i County Energy Coordinator Will Rolston said, “There’s a PV system provided under a Department of Energy grant” which will provide 30 kilowatts of power to companies so they can test their energy storage systems.”
He added that “HELCO will be responsible for comparing that technology to other technologies so it will be a kind of verification of costs, how it works, how it can be deployed on the grid.”

Henry Curtis, Director of Life of the Land

According to Curtis, NELHA will provide space for pre-commercial demonstration projects and 16 companies have expressed interest.
Community Solar is another innovation discussed at the meeting. In this system, utility customers could buy shares in a renewable energy facility built to easily integrate into the HELCO grid, according to Curtis. “Customers would see a decrease in their utility bill based on the amount of energy produced by their share in the renewable energy facility,” he says.
Steve Burns, the county’s first energy coordinator, said Community Solar would need to be approved by the Public Utilities Commission; that promoting the concept “would have to be pursued from a policy standpoint at the regulatory arena.”
Curtis reports that David De Luz, Jr., Chair of the Hawai`i County Energy Advisory Commission, “noted the value of looking at the Big Picture and engaging the community.” De Luz said, “The concept is not to be siloed. Does it make it more difficult to stay focused in regards to some of the outcomes? There’s no doubt. Does it create questions that lead to more questions? Definitely. But I believe the exercise in itself in being able to engage is probably where we need to get to, so people are more vested in wanting it to continue.”
See ililanimedia.blogspot.com.
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REPRESENTATIVES OF Ka`u Coffee Mill and The Ka`u Calendar are in Seattle today getting ready for the 2014 Specialty Coffee Association of America international event at Seattle Convention Center. Among those attending are Ed Olson, land manager John Cross, coffee farmer Bull Kailiawa, Jamie Kailiawa, Chief Ka`u Coffee Mill Roaster Kalikoweo Keolanui-Daniele, Ka`u Coffee Mill manager Louis Daniele and The Ka`u Calendar publisher Julia Neal. They will be joined by Hawaiian singer and musician Wailau Ryder, Bob Makuakane and family and other Seattle-area supporters of Ka`u Coffee.

Hawai`i Coffee Association member and broker Chris Manfredi will also attend, along with Ka`u Coffee Specialty broker Malian Lahey and representatives of other award-winning coffee farms.

The event opens tonight and runs through Sunday afternoon. Several Ka`u Coffees are entered in roasting competitions.

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Melia Taganas competes for the title of Miss Aloha Hula today
at Merrie Monarch. Photo from Moku O Keawe Intl. Festival

MELIA KAU`IKEONALANI CARMEN TAGANAS, of Pahala, competes in the Miss Aloha Hula contest at Merrie Monarch today. Taganas, a member of Halau Na Le Hiwahiwa `O Ku`ualoha under the direction of Kumu Hula Sammye Ann Ku`ualoha Young, will perform hula kahiko, hula `auana and oli (chanting).
The contest is to be televised on KFVE beginning at 5:45 p.m. from Edith Kanaka`ole Stadium in Hilo.

HIKI NO HIGHLIGHTS SEGMENTS BY STUDENTS from Ka`u High School, Volcano School of Arts & Sciences and Kua O Ka La in Miloli`i. The show airs this evening at 7:30 p.m. on PBS Channel 10.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK CONTINUES its celebration of Merrie Monarch this week with programs at Kilauea Visitor Center. All programs are part of Hawai`i Volcanoes’ ongoing `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work workshops and take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The following programs take place tomorrow:

Kapa maker Kuuleimomi Makuakane-Salave`a shares the art of kapa making.
Members of `Aha Puhala o Puna perpetuate the ancient art of lauhala weaving.
Lito Arkangel plays his original compositions and Hawaiian favorites.

Participants learn Advanced Zentangle Saturday.
Photo from VAC

All programs are free; park entrance fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Hawaiian Ranchos offices. For more information, email fda@alohabroadband.net.

JULIE EVANS AND LOIS AND EARL STOKES teach Advanced Zentangle: White on Black, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus. Register at 967-8222.

THE DEADLINE TO ENTER the Ka`u Coffee Festival’s Triple C Recipe Contest is coming up on Wednesday, April 30. The contest takes place on Sunday, May 4 at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Participants can earn up to $500 in prizes for the best recipes in adult and student categories. The registration form can be printed out from these Ka`u News Briefs or from kaucoffeefestival.com.
For more information, call Ka`u Coffee Mill at 928-0550.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Jamie Kailiawa and Wailau Ryder entertain coffee enthusiasts at Specialty Coffee Association of America's convention in Seattle today. Photo by Julia Neal

A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE of state House and Senate legislators has agreed to a bill that would authorize limited meetings where any number of County Council members may attend a board’s or community group’s event to discuss council business, provided that certain requirements are met.

Hawai`i's lawmakers are in the final days of this year's legislative session, with
adjournment on Thursday, May 1.

The law currently limits the number of council members who can attend such events. If there are enough council members at the same place for a quorum, they could violate the Sunshine Law. In Hawai`i County, which has nine council members, no more than four can attend an event together or meet to discuss official business. The purpose of the law is to restrict council members’ interactions to their regular meetings so that decision-making takes place there.
The bill would require council members to give public notice six days in advance, avoid making any decisions, not meet outside Hawai`i and not try to circumvent the Sunshine Law’s purpose.
The bill states, “The Legislature finds that county council members are hindered in communicating with constituents and understanding community concerns because they are subject to the sunshine law, restricting the number of members permitted to attend and discuss council business at community meetings or similar events. Constituents often do not understand that the limited number of council members attending is due to a restriction rather than to a lack of interest by members. At the same time, members of the public are concerned about the potential for abuse of the public’s right to know and participate in the policy making process if protections provided by the sunshine law are removed.”
The stated purpose of the bill is “to balance these opposing interests and allow greater communication with the public, subject to appropriate limitations, through the establishment of a limited meeting where any number of county council members may attend a community group’s meeting to discuss council business; provided that no decision or commitments to vote are made by the council members.”

HB2139 would be in effect until June 30, 2016.
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Ka`u's state legislators, including Rep. Richard Creagan, are
completing conference committee meetings at the state Capitol.

STATE LEGISLATORS ARE WRAPPING UP THEIR WORK on conference committees, with many bills in their final form to be voted on next week before the 2014 Legislature adjourns on Thursday.

Ka`u’s Rep. Richard Onishi and Sen. Russell Ruderman are on a committee discussing SB2920, which would establish and appropriate funds for a little fire ant pilot project administered by Hawai`i County Department of Parks & Recreation, an LFA canine detection team pilot project and public awareness and education campaign to address the LFA threat in Hawai`i.
Ka`u’s Rep. Richard Creagan and Ruderman are on a committee discussing SB 2934, which would require the Public Utilities Commission to establish community-based renewable energy tariffs that would allow electric utility customers to own portions of a renewable energy facility that sells electricity to the electric utility. It would allow an electric utility, or anyone, to propose a community-based renewable energy project for approval by the PUC.
Ruderman is also on a committee discussing HB2109, which would establish a five-year, evidence-based, physical-activity and nutritional-education pilot program within the A+ Program in Hawai`i’s public elementary schools.
Ka`u Sen. Josh Green is on the committee working on HB1713, which would appropriate general funds to provide ongoing financial support to healthy aging programs and services. It would require the Executive Office on Aging to conduct a public education and awareness campaign on long-term care and appropriate general funds for its support and evaluation.
Status of these and other bills can be tracked at capitol.hawaii.gov.

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Kea Keolanui and singer Wailau Ryder represent Ka`u and Rainbow Falls coffee today
through Sunday at Seattle Convention Center. Photo by Julia Neal

MEET THE HAWAIIANS IS THE THEME of Ka`u Coffee Mill’s booth at the Specialty Coffee Association of America convention in Seattle.

Jamie Kailiawa, of Pahala’s Halau Hula O Leionalani, and Wailau Ryder presented hula and Hawaiian music to attendees today. Bull Kailiawa was also on hand, sharing his knowledge of growing award-winning coffee.
Events at the convention include the World Barista Championship, U.S. Cup Tasters Championship, Roasters Choice Tasting Competition and Roasters Guild Coffees of the Year Competition.

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“WE NEED A ‘TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE’ APPROACH to renewable energy options,” says state Board of Agriculture member Richard Ha on his blog at hahaha.hamakuasprings.com. “They need to be socially sustainable, environmentally sustainable, and economically sustainable.
“Social sustainability has largely been ignored in many approaches to renewable energy solutions,” Ha writes. “The Big Island has the lowest median family income in the state, and that is not socially sustainable. Hawaiians leaving their ancestral lands in greater and greater numbers in order to look for work is not socially sustainable.

“We need to pay more attention to this. Finding solutions that give folks on the lowest rungs of the economic ladder more spending money will benefit all of us, because two-thirds of our economy is made up of consumer spending.
“Energy and agriculture are inextricably tied together, and the agricultural industry is vulnerable because of its dependency on energy. Nitrogen fertilizer, plastics, chemicals, etc., are all byproducts of petroleum.
“What can we do to dodge the bullet? We can maximize the resources we have available to us here in a sustainable way.
“On the energy side, we have geothermal, which will be available to us, according to the scientists, for 500,000 years. On the ag side, we have a year-long growing season. These are both huge advantages. We need to leverage them so we have a competitive advantage over the rest of the world.
“Geothermal electricity puts us on the right side of the cost curve. And as natural gas prices rise, we will be able to competitively make hydrogen. We can use that hydrogen for transportation, as well as to manufacture nitrogen fertilizer.
“In the ag industry, we should be maximizing technology to help us with disease and insect control, thereby lessening our dependency on natural gas.
“Our tourism industry is also at risk as jet fuel rises in cost. But with the same low-cost electricity that helps our farmers and their customers, we would lower the walk-around cost of the average tourist’s budget. This would both support our tourism industry and bring money into our local economy.

“In the final analysis, we can no longer think and act in silence. We need a long-range systems approach, based on the three pillars of sustainability – social sustainability, environmental sustainability, and economic sustainability.

“The triple sustainability bottom line approach is a long-term, pono approach that does the right thing for us as well as future generations. It sets us up to be more competitive to the rest of the world.”

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OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets today at 5 p.m. at Hawaiian Ranchos offices. For more information, email fda@alohabroadband.net.
JULIE EVANS AND LOIS AND EARL STOKES teach Advanced Zentangle: White on Black, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus. Register at 967-8222.

AS PART OF VOLCANO ART CENTER’S Merrie Monarch celebration, Caren Loebel-Fried gives a printmaking demonstration and signs books tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS begin a week from today with a Pa`ina & Open House at historic Pahala Plantation House on Friday, May 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The event includes music, hula with Halau Hula O Leionalani, food and house tours.
Donations will be accepted for Miss Ka`u Coffee Scholarship Fund. Hosted by Pahala Plantation Cottages, Ka`u Chamber of Commerce and The Ka`u Calendar newspaper. kaucoffeefest.com for more information on this and more events.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Rick Makanaaloha Kia`imeaokekanaka San Nicolas, seen here with the late Uncle George Na`ope, is Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's first Artist-in-Residence. Photo from the Artist

STATE HOUSE AND SENATE CONFEREES at the state Legislature have struck a balance on several conference drafts. The bills now go to the full Senate and House for a final floor vote.

“The Legislature for the third year in a row worked efficiently and effectively to end conference negotiations on time,” said Senate President Donna Mercado Kim. “In the past, certain bills required extending the deadline for negotiations. Efficiency is important to the Senate as we continue to do work for the people of Hawai`i.”

Sen. David Ige confers with Rep. Sylvia Luke during a conference committee meeting.

Senate Bill 2609 would boost the income of Hawai`i’s lowest paid workers. The final version of the bill increases the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 over the next four years. For workers who earn at least $7 more than the minimum wage, businesses can deduct a 75 cents tip credit. The current tip credit is 50 cents.
HB1700 includes funding for core services such as education, health, the University of Hawai`i, human services, the environment, public safety and supporting and caring for Hawai`i’s people. Lawmakers reduced Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s executive budget request by $173 million in general funds over fiscal biennium 2013-15. The governor’s $200 million budget request for FY2015 was cut down to $65.7 million.
Funding for capital improvement projects amounted to just over $5 billion, of which $2.3 billion is funded in general obligation or reimbursable bonds. This number includes the lapse and reauthorization of $339 million in GO Bonds for the State Educational Facilities Improvement Fund. The budget includes $40 million for grant-in-aid.
“Education was a real winner in this bill,” said Sen. David Ige. “We were able to make key investments at every level, ensuring that our students have the best access to quality education. We also made investments to protect our agriculture lands by adding positions to the pesticides branch in the Department of Agriculture, funded many key programs in other areas and closed on time with a balanced and fair budget despite challenges.”
Priorities at this year’s state Legislature were supporting Hawai`i’s kupuna and protecting the environment.
HB1713 SD2 and SB2346 SD1 HD2 supports Hawai`i’s kupuna through funding of aging, long-term care and investor education programs.
HB1714 establishes an interagency sea level rise vulnerability and adaptation committee under the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
The final joint majority package bill, HB1716, which appropriates $5 million to the Hawai`i Invasive Species Council for invasive species prevention, control, outreach, research, and planning, passed out of committee earlier this month.
See capitol.hawaii.gov for more information on these and other bills.
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Ka`u's U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, seated at right, met with South Korea President
Park Geun-hye. Photo from Office of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD and senior congressional leaders have returned from Asia where they met with key leaders in Japan, South Korea, and China to discuss regional security challenges, economic opportunity, and matters relating to international trade.

The focus of the visits April 18 – 24 occurred on the eve of President Barack Obama’s visit to the region, with an objective to build and strengthen ties in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Prior to their departure to Asia, Gabbard hosted the congressional delegation led by House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in Hawai`i and coordinated a roundtable discussion at U.S. Pacific Command to discuss the unique dynamics in the region and the important role Hawai`i plays.
“Hawai`i plays a significant role in the growth of the Asia-Pacific region, and meeting face-to-face with leaders on their home soil is critical to building lasting partnerships that are based on common ground and mutual respect,” said Gabbard, who serves on the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees. “These substantive dialogues and relevant site visits have reinforced the need for the U.S. to continue its focus and investment in the region.”
Gabbard toured Korea’s Demilitarized Zone, the strip of land that serves as a buffer between North and South Korea, and met with U.S. and South Korean troops serving there.
Later, when meeting with President Park Geun-hye in Seoul, Gabbard offered personal condolences to Park on behalf of the people of Hawai`i for the tragic loss of life in the recent ferry incident.
While in Japan, Gabbard met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Defense Minister Onodera, Foreign Minister Kishida and members of the Diet.
Gabbard and the congregational delegation also visited Beijing, China and met with Premier Li Keqiang, National People’s Congress Standing Committee Chairman Zhang Dejiang, Vice Chairman Ji Bingxuan, as well as Senior NPC Representatives and Committee Chairpersons.

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Recent recipients of iCAN certificates are, from left, Geraldine Ramos, Renilda Ramos,
Jeanie Jara, Emily Baloaen and Lono Grace. Not pictured are Brandy Cordeiro and
Leslie Rosario. Photo from KRHCAI

KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. is offering its iCAN program to interested Ka`u residents. In the Individualized Career Achievement Network, students prepare for careers in agriculture, energy and health care through improving skills in reading, writing, math and computers. At each level of achievement, they receive certificates. The longer-term goal is receiving a National Career Readiness Certificate. The 120-hour program is self-paced, depending on one’s needs and placement after an initial assessment.

For more information, see krhcai.com or call 928-0101.

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IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NATIONAL PARKS ARTS FOUNDATION, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park launches its first Artist-in-Residence program in May. The debut artist is master of Hawaiian featherwork, Rick Makanaaloha Kia`imeaokekanaka San Nicolas.
San Nicolas, whose feather work is currently on display at Volcano House, provides an After Dark in the Park exhibit and discussion about his artwork on Tuesday, May 6 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Admission is free, and park entrance fees apply.
The Artist-in-Residence program continues the legacy of volcano-inspired artists and provides a creative setting in the park, said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.

San Nicolas grew up in Hawai`i and is founder of the George Na`ope Hula Festival. He was recently bestowed with the title of Ke Kumu Hulu Nui, Master of Hawaiian Featherwork of Old Hawai`i, by another celebrated cultural icon, kumu hula Kaha`i Topolinski. Aunty Doreen Henderson, Hawai`i’s famous kumu of lei hulu, has also honored San Nicolas with the title of Master Featherworker.
“We are thrilled to offer Rick the mutually beneficial opportunity to cultivate his creativity in the remarkable setting of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park,” Orlando said. “The arts are an integral way to perpetuate Hawaiian culture and its deep connection to this sacred landscape.”
The nonprofit National Parks Arts Foundation developed the Artist-in-Residence program as a way for artists to be inspired and appreciate national parks while giving back to the National Park Service. The NPAF programs are proposed for 15 locations in national parks and World Heritage Sites in the U.S. For information, see nationalparkartsfoundation.org.

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TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY is the Ka`u Coffee Festival sixth annual Ho`olaule`a at Pahala Community Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. Enjoy free music and hula all day long as Ka`u Coffee farmers provide a special opportunity to taste and purchase their beans. Meet Miss Ka`u Coffee and her court. Discover what the many vendors have to offer in local crafts, food, games and, of course, more Ka`u coffee. Meet award-winning growers and their families while tasting a variety of their Ka`u coffees. Discover locally made arts and crafts. Support local community organizations by purchasing food, drinks and desserts. Stop by informational booths and learn more about the natural and cultural resources of Ka`u.

Enjoy a guided tour of Ka`u Coffee farms and Ka`u Coffee Mill while learning how famous Ka`u Coffees are hand-cultivated and carefully processed. $20 per person.
At the Ka`u Coffee Experience, taste Ka`u Coffee prepared with a variety of methods by professionals and learn their secrets to a perfect cup. $5 per person.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u High boys volleyball team won the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II title Friday. Photo by Pamela Fernandez Taylor

KA`U HIGH BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM has won the school’s first ever Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II boys volleyball title. The team defeated Honoka`a Friday afternoon in five sets to get the title. Cameron Enriques contributed 29 kills, Larry-Dan Al-Navarro had 14 kills, and Brian Gascon served five aces.

Scores were 26-28, 25-17, 25-20, 16-25 and 15-13.
Ka`u Athletic Department is receiving congratulatory messages from other schools. “Congratulations on this awesome accomplishment,” says a message from Konawaena High School. “Represent our island with pride in the state tourney.”
A message from Kamehameha Schools athletic department in Kea`au says congratulations in Hawaiian: “Ho`omaika`i `Ana!”
Hawai`i High School Athletic Association Division II volleyball championship begins Thursday, May 8.

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Tiani Castaneda-Naboa goes to the state judo tournament in May.
Photo from KHPES

KA`U HIGH STUDENT TIANI CASTANEDA-NABOA is runner-up in Big Island Interscholastic Federation Judo. She will participate in the state tournament Saturday, May 10 at Stan Sheriff Center on O`ahu.

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LATE VOTER REGISTRATION HAS GOTTEN APPROVAL of state House and Senate conferees. HB2590 would allow voter registration at absentee polling places beginning in 2016 and late voter registration, including on election day, beginning in 2018. It also would allow voter registration at absentee polling places beginning in 2016.

“Eleven states have already adopted Election Day voter registration, and we are excited with the optimistic possibility that Hawai`i could be next,” Carmille Lim, executive director of Common Cause Hawai`i, told Civil Beat. “With Hawai`i’s consistent low voter turnout, coupled with several mishaps that occurred in the 2012 election cycle, more people have recognized the need to continue to streamline our election registration system and proactively modernize our voting systems.”
The bill would appropriate $100,000 to the Office of Elections for implementation of the program.
Rep. Kaniela Ing, the bill’s sponsor, told Civil Beat, “We’ve spent years working toward a win-win piece of legislation. Our final revision takes into account the burden on poll workers by providing adequate resources and updated technology.”
He said the program “will initiate simultaneous with online voter registration in 2016 and is estimated to increase voter turnout by five to eight percent.”
See civilbeat.com.

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A story in today's Hawai`i Tribune-Herald includes this photo of possible Japanese
tsunami debris that washed onto the Ka`u Coast in Oct. 2012.

IDENTIFYING DEBRIS FROM THE TSUNAMI that followed an earthquake in Japan on March 11, 2011 may become more difficult soon, according to University of Hawai`i researchers. “It’s becoming difficult to tell with time because the marine debris deteriorates,” Jan Hafner told Colin M. Stewart, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. The researchers used a variety of methods to confirm whether items were from the tsunami, including part numbers, writing and identifying the species of wood that were used to build them.

“We’re approaching that time that we won’t be able to tell if its just general debris or tsunami debris, unless we can find a specific registration number, like on boats, or license plates.”
Stewart reports that, on Hawai`i Island, most of the tsunami debris ended up on windward facing shores — mainly in areas commonly known to be magnets for marine debris, including Ka`u’s Kamilo Beach, “which earned a reputation for debris and is often the focal point of community clean-up projects.”

Computer-generated image shows projected path of Japanese tsunami debris.
Image from IPRC

The International Pacific Research Center website, iprc.soest.hawaii.edu, lists tsunami debris sightings, including the 12-foot-tall, 20-foot-diameter yellow metal object found on the Ka`u Coast below Na`alehu. Hafner told Stewart that there have probably been many more items that have washed ashore on Hawai`i Island, “but the list is limited mainly by how many people reported their findings.”
“On the Big Island, the first items we started seeing were made of wood, construction lumber. We have confidence it was from Japan because of the species of the tree, the tsuji, a type of Japanese cedar using in home construction in Japan and grown in Southeast Asia. It’s only found in a few places,” Hafner said.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS ISSUED a statement applauding state legislators for advancing minimum wage bill. “I commend our legislators for advancing the proposal to raise Hawai`i’s minimum wage to $10.10 an hour,” Abercrombie said. “It is imperative to provide our lowest paid workers with the economic stability and security they deserve. Hawai`i’s minimum wage earners have not had a raise from $7.25 an hour since 2007. I look forward to working with the Legislature to bring fairness to the people of Hawai`i.”

The final version of Senate Bill 2609 would increase the state’s minimum wage to $10.10 over the next four years. For workers who earn at least $7 more than the minimum wage, businesses can deduct a 75 cents tip credit. The current tip credit is 50 cents.
If passed during a final floor vote before the Legislature adjourns on Thursday, the bill would go to Abercrombie for his approval.

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Hoku Subiono introduced Miloli`i Hipu`u Virtual Academy on PBS' Hiki No.
Image from PBS

LAST THURSDAY’S HIKI NO PROGRAM ON PBS is available online at pbshawaii.org/hikino. The program features segments produced by students at Kua O Ka La Public Charter School’s Hipu`u Virtual Academy at Miloli`i, Ka`u High School and Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.

Miloli`i students who produced the segment there include Lanakila Caldwell, Dazza Kuahuia, Hoku Subiono and David Watai-Simeona. Subiono said the goal of the academy is to provide “a rigorous, online-blended curriculum for students on the Big Island from grades three to 12.” Caldwell highlighted Kaimi Kaupiko and Leivallyn Kaupu, who started the academy. Watai-Simeona discussed Miloli`i’s history as a fishing village.
Students at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School who participated were Glaiza Biason, Kamrie Koi, Siena Okimoto, Jeazelle Sebastian, Lomon Silk and Travis Taylor. Taylor gave a history of Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School, saying workers at one of the largest sugar plantations in the state “wanted their children to have a high school education, making our school the oldest school on the Big Island, and one of the third oldest school in the state of Hawai`i.” Okimoto talked about how, because of the size of Ka`u, “a large percentage of our students have to travel long distances to get to school every day.”

Travis Taylor is before the camera for Hiki No's segment at Ka`u High &
Pahala Elementary School. Image from PBS

Nowell Matabishop and Emma Reed were anchors for the Volcano School of Arts & Sciences segment. Other students who produced it were Lenaia Andrade, Keanu Beddow, Keahi Coakley, Emma-Jade Reyes Dawson, Joah Gacayan, Jakob Garcia, Amaya Hirata, Echo Hirata, Annie Judd, Laakea Judd, Cherish Kailiawa, Malakai Lurker, Daniel Savage and Kalani Scheffler. Matabishop gave a tour of Volcano Village, which he says is “made up of artists, scientists and other creative people who find inspiration on our unique `ohi`a forest.”

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK has announced the following upcoming flight plans:

April 28, May 12 and May 26, between 8 a.m. and noon, to transport fencing material from the summit of Kilauea to an area near the top of Mauna Loa Road.
April 29, morning flight to Kahuku for wildlife management.
May 16: flying camp supplies and equipment from end of Chain of Craters Road to `Apua Point, Keauhou, and Halape campsites for annual monitoring of hawksbill turtle nesting season.

Nowell Matabishop started his Hiki No tour at VSAS' Keakealani campus.
Image from PBS

“The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather,” according to a park statement.
“Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources and to maintain backcountry facilities.”

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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in this week’s Hawai`i County government meetings via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. County Council committees meet Wednesday. Human Services & Social Services Committee meets at 9 a.m.; Public Works & Parks & Recreation, 9:30 a.m.; Planning; 9:45 a.m.; and Finance, 10:45 a.m.
The Finance Committee reconvenes on Thursday at 9 a.m., followed by the full Council meeting Thursday at 9:15 a.m.
All meetings take place at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Hawai`i County Council considers the purchase of Kaunamano properties on the Ka`u Coast at its meeting Thursday.
Photo from Hawai`i Pacific Brokers

PURCHASE OF KAUNAMANO IS ON THE AGENDA of Hawai`i County Council’s meeting on Thursday at 9:15 a.m. The Council takes up Resolution 351-14, submitted by Ka`u County Council Member Brenda Ford, authorizing the director of Finance to enter into negotiations for the acquisition of parcels with tax map keys 9-5-011:001, 9-5-011:004, 9-5-011:005 and 9-5-011:006 in the ahupua`a of Kaunamano and tax map key 9-5-012:001 in the ahupua`a of Poupouwela.

The more than 1,200-acre Kaunamano properties are listed as a key priority for purchase in the 2012 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Cultural, archaeological and natural resources, along with education, recreation and preserving scenic vistas are reasons given in the nomination papers for Kaunamano.

An archaeological survey of the property in 2004 reported 444 sites with more than 3,900 features, including enclosures, mounds, platforms, walls, salt pans, walled terraces, trails, petroglyphs, papamu, heiau, a refuge cave and other lava tubes, ceremonial sites and burial sites.

Ka`u residents can participate and offer testimony at this and other Hawai`i County government meetings via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.

County Council committees meet Wednesday. Human Services & Social Services Committee meets at 9 a.m.; Public Works & Parks & Recreation, 9:30 a.m.; Planning; 9:45 a.m.; and Finance, 10:45 a.m.

Kathryn Matayoshi

The Finance Committee reconvenes on Thursday at 9 a.m., followed by the full Council meeting.
All meetings take place at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

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AN ARBITRATION PANEL HAS ISSUED AN AWARD for educational officers of the state Department of Education who are members of the Hawai`i Government Employees Association. The decision affects DOE school principals and other educational officers.

“Our principals do tremendous work in leading their schools towards student and staff success, as seen in recent student achievement gains,” said School Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “We are pleased that the arbitration has concluded and we can move forward in supporting our educators to prepare students for college and careers.”
Major highlights of the arbitration award include annual across-the-board salary raises of 4.5 percent for four years beginning July 1, a 90-day vacation cap that is consistent with other 12-month educational officers and other 12-month employees and a rewards and recognition program for the last two years in which a joint committee of DOE and HGEA representatives led by an outside professional facilitator will determine how to best reward and recognize educational officers based on their performance evaluation rating.

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HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. IS ONE OF THE TOP TEN 2013 utility solar leaders, according to the national Solar Electric Power Association. The organization’s report lists HELCO as third in annual interconnections (24 projects) per 1,000 customers and as seventh in number of annual watts (182) per customer.

Statewide, Hawai`i ranked as sixth in the Top Ten Solar States, producing 301 megawatts of electricity. California was number one, with 5,537 megawatts.
See solarelectricpower.org.

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THE COST OF INSTALLING SOLAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS in Ka`u may increase. The State Board of Electricians & Plumbers has issued new guidelines regarding installation of solar panels that call for more involvement of licensed electricians to ensure the safety of installers and customers. They specify what a licensed journeyman or supervising electrician can do, as well as what other trades can do, during photovoltaic system installations.
In a Honolulu Star-Advertiser story, Leslie Cole-Brooks, President of Hawai`i Solar Energy Association, told reporter Alan Yonan, Jr. that the guidelines “will make installations more expensive. … “And it will certainly slow things down and make the licensed electricians less available for the whole construction industry, not just the solar industry.”
Gladys Marrone, a Building Industry Association of Hawai`i executive, told Yonan she is also concerned about potential increases in cost. “From the building industry’s perspective, our mission (is) to keep construction costs down for homeowners.”
The guidelines focus on grounding and bonding, which prevent electrical shock. Cole-Brooks told Yonan that “the technology and installation process have evolved to the point where much of the grounding and bonding occurs when the panels are clipped together, requiring no handling of electrical wiring.”
According to Yonan, the guidelines represent the board’s “informal interpretation” of an information request made by an affiliate of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 1186. He reports that the board will begin to formally revise the rules at its next meeting on June 17.
See staradvertiser.com.

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Gov. Abercrombie calls for reauthorization of the Brown Tree Snake Control &
Eradication Act. Photo from wikipedia

THE ABERCROMBIE ADMINISTRATION HAS RELEASED a 2014 Hawai`i Biosecurity Resolutions Package to federal agency heads at the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Interior and Transportation as well as the Council on Environmental Quality at the White House that consists of resolutions adopted by the cabinet-level Hawai`i Invasive Species Council in recent years regarding federal invasive species policies.

On the topic of state and federal coordination, Abercrombie said, “This administration is committed to working with federal partners to maximize resources available in addressing invasive species issues at both the state and federal level. Our Hawai`i Biosecurity Resolutions Package identifies … areas of great importance to Hawai`i where we can and should collaborate with the federal government, and we look forward to strengthening our federal-state partnerships in these areas.”
The letter from Abercrombie references recent HISC resolutions that highlight key federal invasive species issues impacting Hawai`i.
One requests federal recognition of Hawai`i’s unique biosecurity needs to better regulate pest species of state concern, and the ability to share information between federal and state inspectors.
Another calls for reauthorization of the Brown Tree Snake Control and Eradication Act and continuation of intensive pre-departure interdiction efforts on Guam that help minimize the risk of accidental transport of snakes to Hawai`i.
The state of Hawai`i supports the recommendation of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to add a number of constrictor snake species to the list of injurious species under the Lacey Act, which prohibits transportation, acquisition, sale or purchase of species listed as injurious wildlife.
According to the resolutions package, The state of Hawai`i “recognizes and appreciates” the U.S. Department of Defense’s development of the Micronesian Biosecurity Plan, a risk assessment of potential invasive species pathways in the Pacific and a set of recommendations for enhancing Pacific biosecurity.

See hisc.hawaii.gov.

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FRIENDS OF VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES BOARD holds an informational community meeting Saturday, May 10 at 2 p.m. at Cooper Center. Members give updates on the Keakealani Campus Development Project, for which Gov. Neil Abercrombie recently released funding.
For more information, call Daryl Smith at 938-5565.

WEDNESDAY IS THE DEADLINE TO ENTER the Ka`u Coffee Festival’s Triple C Recipe Contest. The contest takes place on Sunday, May 4 at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Participants can earn up to $500 in prizes for the best recipes in adult and student categories. The registration form can be printed out from these Ka`u News Briefs or from kaucoffeefestival.com.

For more information, call Ka`u Coffee Mill at 928-0550.

THIS WEEK, KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS caps off its usual busy schedule with the Spring Fling on Saturday at Punalu`u Bake Shop gardens in Na`alehu. The event features entertainment and Ka`u artists sharing their creativity from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
KSA has many ongoing programs throughout the week. Ka`u Community Chorus rehearses Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall and Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.
Hawaiian Language classes take place Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
Ka`u `Ohana Band rehearses each Wednesday and Thursday at 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Instruments are provided, and no experience is necessary.
Also each Thursday, participants learn Hula Kahiko from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. The classes offer opportunities to learn more about Hawaiian culture, dance, chant and spiritual beliefs, including preparing costumes and making hula implements.
For more information, contact KSA at 854-1540 or kauarts.org.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2104.swf.

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