The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Halau Hula O Leionalani's Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, with `ukulele, has announced dates for the Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u Cultural Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

EARTHJUSTICE IS HOPING THE GMO ISSUE will go to a higher court, according statements made last night to Earth Island Journal. Following a federal judge’s ruling yesterday that sets aside Kaua`i’s new GMO and pesticide regulation calling for more disclosure from biotechnology companies, Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff told Maureen Nandini Mitra, “Obviously, I would have preferred a different ruling. … I will recommend to my client that we appeal to a higher court.”

Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff

In his decision, U.S. District Court Judge Barry M. Kurren said, “The court concludes that (Kaua`i County’s) Ordinance 960 is preempted by state law and is therefore invalid. This decision in no way diminishes the health and environmental concerns of the people of Kaua`i. The court’s ruling simply recognizes that the state of Hawai`i has established a comprehensive framework for addressing the application of restricted use pesticides and the planting of GMO crops, which presently precludes local regulation by the county.”
Achitoff told Mitra that the ruling allows the state to enact a new law in the future that would better protect the public from pesticide exposure.
Earthjustice intervened to defend the GMO law on Kaua`i and is doing the same with a different law recently enacted for Hawai`i County.
State Board of Agriculture member and Hawai`i Island farmer Richard Ha said, “Hopefully, the judge sees things the same way on Bill 113, the Big Island’s anti-GMO bill. We Big Island farmers brought a similar lawsuit only because we want clarity and fairness. Farmers don’t normally sue anybody. That bill has caused us to spend way too much time in meetings and hearings. We farmers just want to go back to farming.
“All farmers need to come together to help achieve food security for future generations. And we must do it in the spirit of aloha.”

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Halau Hula O Leonalani traveled to Lana`i last year for the cultural festival which
comes to Pahala Oct. 24 and 25. Photo from Halau Hula O Leonalani

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U CULTURAL FESTIVAL has announced events for Friday, Oct. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 25 in Pahala. Chair is Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, who said there will be music, hula, cultural demonstrations, cultural practitioners, food and crafts. Organizers welcome artisans, crafters and informational displays.

The festival started in 2009 on the island of Lana`i and resulted in a cultural exchange between Pahala and Lana`i residents. Volunteers from Pahala, including Dane Galiza, Bull and Jamie Kailiawa, Jarrett Pestana, Harry Evengelista and Robert Ahia, along with Bobby Tucker, Pahala Plantation Cottages and Olson Trust, helped with the event. Halau Hula O Leonalani, under the direction of Ryder, traveled to Lana`i for the 2013 festival.
This year, Ryder and her family moved to Pahala and brought the festival with them.
Entertainment will be free to the public on both Friday and Saturday on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House with emcee Skylark. Opening festivities will be at 4 p.m. with pule by Auntie Verlie-Ann Molina Wright.
Ho`okupu – presentations by halau and community organizations – are welcome, said Ryder. Music and hula presenters will include Ernest Kalani & Friends; Southside Serenaders; Hands of Time; Cyril Pahinui, Demetrius Oliveira, Gene Boy Beck and Keaiwa; Halau Hula O Leonalani; halau from Okinawa, O`ahu, Lana`i and Kona; Keoni Jennings; Keoki Kahumoku; and Kamuela Himalaya.
Workshops on Saturday, Oct. 25 will be at the Old Pahala Clubhouse:

8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Hula with Debbie Ryder – no fee;
9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Lei making – donation;
11 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. lauhala weaving with Linda Saffery Tua – $25 supplies fee;
12:45 p.m. – 2 p.m. `Ukulele Workshop with Keoki Kahumoku. Bring your `ukulele. $25;
2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Slack Key workshop with Cyril Pahinui. Bring your guitar. $25.

Cultural presentations will include La`au Lapa`au with Isaiah Kealoha and master coconut weavers from Lana`i Bully and Irene Davis.
To sign up, call 808-315-7032.

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Members of Na`alehu School staff help `O Ka`u Kakou members deliver school
supplies to lower elementary classrooms prior to the start of school.
Photo from Nalani Parlin

PAHALA AND NA`ALEHU ELEMENTARY PRE-SCHOOL, kindergarten and first-grade students received new school supplies thanks to donations from `O Ka`u Kakou and Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center. The two organizations worked together to purchase everything the combined 242 students in these grades needed to start school. This included 556 composition tablets, 791 folders and over 400 glue sticks and erasers.

Hundreds of pencils, watercolor paints, crayons, pens as well as dozens of binders, pencil sharpeners and other supplies lined OKK project organizer Carol Massey’s hallways as she diligently collected, counted and sorted all of the supplies prior to drop-off. Similarly, Leina`ala Enos, who coordinated the partnership donation for QLCC, stacked her garage full as she organized cases of paper towels, tissues, varying sizes of Ziploc bags, baby wipes and gallons of hand soap.
OKK representatives dropped off the supplies to the schools just prior to the first day of school, relieving pressure on families of having to deal with the back-to-school rush and requisite supplies list.

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THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS SEEKING educators, parents, business and community leaders to review test questions aligned to Hawai`i Common Core standards and help recommend achievement levels for grade-level proficiency.
Beginning spring 2015, public school students in grades 3 – 8 and 11 will take new Smarter Balanced assessments in English language arts and math. These assessments will replace the Hawai`i State Assessment in reading and math and measure how well students are learning Hawai`i Common Core – a set of consistent learning expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade to graduate ready for college and careers.
The Smarter Balanced Online Panel for Achievement Level Setting provides an opportunity for educators and the public to give feedback and help ensure assessment results are based on challenging yet fair expectations for students.
Registered participants will provide input between Oct. 6 and 17 for up to three hours during a two-day window through a secure website.
Participants will be expected to recommend an achievement level score that determines how much students should know and be able to do to be considered proficient at the grade-level standards.
Participants may use any computing device that connects to the Internet, including tablets. Cell phones are not recommended because of screen-size limitations.
For more information and to register, see SmarterBalanced.measinc.com/EventCode/100614. The deadline to apply is Sept. 19.

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Sen. Brian Schatz is calling for a major federal disaster declaration due to
tropical storm damage in Hawai`i. Photo from Office of Sen. Schatz

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ HAS WRITTEN LETTERS to President Barack Obama and Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Craig Fugate supporting the state of Hawai`i’s request for a major disaster declaration due to damages caused by Tropical Storm Iselle.

“Tropical Storm Iselle caused strong winds, heavy rain, flooding, high surf, storm surge, and lightning, which resulted in damages reported across all four counties in the state of Hawai`i,” Schatz wrote. “Hawai`i County has a majority of the damages where it experienced loss of power and a lack of access to water. Hawai`i County also has widespread debris that made it difficult for residents to access emergency services. Furthermore, preliminary damage assessments estimate that the total loss and damage to the island of Hawai`i in agriculture and commodities is $66 million. With all available state and local level resources being used, federal assistance is needed to support our communities’ recovery.”

Teana Kahoohanohano

Schatz also expressed his support for the state’s request for Individual Assistance for Hawai`i County, statewide Hazard Mitigation and Small Business Administration loan assistance programs to help with the recovery.

Since Iselle made landfall, Schatz’s office has been in close contact with the White House to discuss the impact of the storm and how the federal government can help residents and communities rebuild.

Last week, Schatz traveled to Puna and met with Hawai`i County Mayor Billy Kenoi’s cabinet, HELCO, state Sen. Russell Ruderman, Director of Civil Defense Darryl Oliveira, representatives from the Big Island Invasive Species Council and the U.S. Forest Service to begin the process of developing a hazard mitigation plan for albizia trees, which damaged infrastructure and caused widespread debris on Hawai`i Island.

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TEANA KAHOOHANOHANO DEMONSTRATES how `ohe (bamboo) are carved into designs and how they are used tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

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 is trimming a tree at Ka`u High School parking lot to prevent its roots from further intruding on a drainage ditch.
Photo by Julia Neal

TRIMMING TREES ACROSS THE ISLAND has become a priority for county and private tree trimmers in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Iselle, which felled trees across roads and power lines and onto some houses. The tree trimming today on county Department of Parks & Recreation land at the parking lot of Ka`u High School, however, was previously scheduled. Being cut back is a huge rubber tree that shaded the parking lot below the athletic field. However, it will not be completely removed, said area parks maintenance manager Dennis Riordan. He said the ficus needs to be trimmed to prevent its roots from further intruding on a drainage ditch that services the school grounds and drainage coming through Pahala from above the village. The ficus is also impeding on power lines, and a branch fell on an adjacent house lot.
The county’s liability is always at stake when neighbors complain about trees, said Riordan. A row of large shade trees was cut down at Pahala Community Center several years ago after complaints from an adjacent church.

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The state Board of Agriculture has approved an Emergency Loan Program
for farmers and ranchers who suffered tropical storm damage.
Photo by John Cross

THE STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE HAS APPROVED an Emergency Loan Program for farmers and ranchers who suffered damage due to Tropical Storm Iselle, according to board member and Big Island farmer Richard Ha.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s declaration of the entire state of Hawai`i as a disaster area due to Iselle authorizes expenditure of state monies for disaster relief.
The main elements of the Board of Agriculture’s emergency loan program are:

Maximum loan amount: $100,000;
Terms to be determined on a case-by-case basis as needed. Consideration will be given to applicants based on prior performance and projected cash flow based on reasonable assumptions of revenue and expenses;
Interest rate: three percent (Federal loan program may have a lower interest rate.);
The credit-elsewhere requirement shall be waived for loans of $50,000 or less;
The three-year residency requirement for U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens shall not apply;
Collateral requirements may be modified or waived, as necessary, on a case-by-case basis.

Applications can be accepted until Dec. 31, 2014.
For more information, see hdoa.hawaii.gov/agl/home/emergency-loan-program or call 933-9975.

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FOLLOWING REJECTION OF THEIR Integrated Resource Planning Report in April by the state Public Utilities Commission, Hawaiian Electric Companies, which include HECO, Maui Electric and Hawai`i Electric Light Co., have proposed plans for Hawai`i’s energy future that they say will lower electric bills and give customers more service options. They say they plan to nearly triple the amount of distributed solar while achieving the highest level of renewable energy in the nation by 2030.

The PUC directed each of the HECO companies to file Power Supply Improvement Plans to address critical power supply resource planning issues. In its order, the PUC said, “The PSIPs are to include actionable strategies and implementation plans to expeditiously retire older, less-efficient fossil generation, reduce must-run generation, increase generation flexibility and adopt new technologies such as demand response and energy storage for ancillary services, and institute operational practice changes, as appropriate, to enable integration of a diverse portfolio of additional low cost renewable energy resources, reduction of energy costs and improvements in generation operational efficiencies.”

“Our energy environment is changing rapidly, and we must change with it to meet our customers’ evolving needs,” said Shelee Kimura, Hawaiian Electric vice president of corporate planning and business development. “These plans are about delivering services that our customers value. That means lower costs, better protection of our environment and more options to lower their energy costs, including rooftop solar.”

HECO president and CEO Dick Rosenblum

According to HECO, the companies will support sustainable growth of rooftop solar and plan to almost triple the amount of distributed solar by 2030. They will issue a clear, open planning process that will let customers and solar contractors know how much more solar can be added each year. Grid enhancements will make possible increased integration of solar power, and optimized control settings for solar equipment will improve safety and reduce the risk of power outages.
As part of the PUC’s recently opened distributed generation docket, the companies will support policies that ensure fairness to all customers. This includes fair pricing both for customers who generate power but who also rely on the company for additional electricity and/or backup, as well as those who remain “full-service” utility customers.
The companies will also expand use of energy storage systems, including batteries, increasing the ability to add renewables by addressing potential disruptions on electric grids caused by variable solar and wind power.
The companies will develop smart grids to help customers monitor and control energy use, enable more customer service options, make service more reliable and improve integration of renewable energy. HELCO proposes to complete installation of smart grids on Hawai`i Island by the end of 2017.
The companies plan to offer new products and services to customers. Community solar and microgrids will give customers new options for taking advantage of lower-cost renewable energy, and voluntary demand response programs will provide customers financial incentives for helping manage the flow of energy on the grid.
The companies will switch from high-priced oil to lower-cost liquefied natural gas. Energy needs not met by renewables will largely be met with cleaner and less expensive LNG. Most existing oil-fired generating units will be converted to run on LNG. Older generating units will be deactivated by 2030 as new, more efficient, quick-starting LNG fueled generators come online.

“Achieving this transformation requires significant upfront investment by the utilities and unaffiliated companies to build the necessary flexible, smart, and renewable energy infrastructure to continue to provide reliable service to customers,” HECO stated.

According to the company, customer bills are expected to decline, with some fluctuations, by an estimated 20 percent by 2030.

“This plan sets us on a path to a future with more affordable, clean, renewable energy,” said Dick Rosenblum, HECO president and CEO. “It’s the start of a conversation that all of us – utilities, regulators and other policymakers, the solar industry, customers and other stakeholders – need to be a part of as we work together to achieve the energy future we all want for Hawai`i.”

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THE INAUGURAL KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN around and above the Ka`u Coffee Mill along Wood Valley Road will also feature an `Ohana Day on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with kids activities, entertainment, games, silent and live auctions, food, crafts and more events. In addition to a Half Marathon, 10K and 5K trail runs, `O Ka`u Kakou, which is organizing the event, is offering a Kendama Tournament.

Registration is online at race360.com/21357. The races will take competitors through “breathtaking landscapes and panoramic views of the Ka`u coastline and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Run through macadamia and coffee fields, eucalyptus and `ohi`a tree forests and cattle grazing pastures. Prepare yourself to negotiate various terrains and moderately challenging grades up to the summit at 3,100-ft. elevation,” says a statement announcing the race.
Competitors are expected from around Hawai`i and the mainland as well as Japan.
Sponsors are the county, Ka`u Coffee Mill, Edmund C. Olson Trust II and OKK.

Runs and walks start at 7:30 a.m., beginning at the coffee mill at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road.
To sign up for food, arts & crafts, retail and information booths, contact Gay Polido at 808-638-1831 or gay.polido@yahoo.com.

VOLUNTEERS MEET AT KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Fuzzy table oral, one of the Hawai`i species left off the threatened list. Photo from NOAA

NONE OF THE HAWAIIAN CORALS in the finals for endangered and threatened species status made the list, according to the announcement yesterday from the federal government. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration named 20 new species worldwide to the threatened list, which had previously protected only two corals, the elkhorn and staghorn which were named in 2006.
NOAA defines threatened as those “likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.” NOAA concluded that the Hawaiian species are not in danger of extinction.
The candidates proposed to be listed in Hawai`i included Montiporal corals, the blue rice – flabellate, the dilitata and turgenscens. The blue rice is the coral that has been dying off on Kaua`i but is found in nearshore waters of all the Hawaiian Islands, through French Polynesia and on the other side of the globe in the Red Sea. Montipora flabellate, dilatata and turgescens are encrusting corals with lobelike growths. They are blue, but can photograph pink. They can also be brown or purple. They are found in most reef environments.

Spreading or sandpaper rice coral that did not make the threatened list.
Photo from NOAA

The NOAA report said it declined to include blue rice and its relatives because there are “tens of millions of colonies.” However, the report did note that it is possible that the risk of extinction could increase in the future.
The Montipora patula and verrilli, which were also cut from the proposed list for Hawai`i, are called spreading or sandpaper rice coral. The colonies are tan with purple polyps and grow flat or in tiers of overlapping plates in shallow reef environments with wave action.
Another coral in Hawai`i that did not make the cut was Acropora paniculata, the fuzzy table coral. Colonies are cream, grey or blue and are found on upper reef slopes, just below the low tide mark, close to shore.
Four of the corals from the Pacific that are now officially named threatened are from Guam, the first time that Guam coral has been protected by NOAA. Eight of the newly listed species are in waters of American Samoa.
The Center for Biological Diversity filed the petition to list 83 corals as threatened, including those from Hawai`i. A statement from the non-profit based in San Francisco said: “The world’s coral reefs are in crisis from global warming and acidifying oceans.” The organization refers to coral reefs as rainforest of the ocean that enhance marine diversity, protect the shoreline and support fisheries, tourism and local economies. “This is a wakeup call that our amazing coral reefs are dying an dneed federal protection, but there’s hope for saving corals.” The organization recommends making cuts in greehouse gas pollution to stop global warming and ocean acidification.”

Montipora verilli, an encrusting coral left off the list. Photo from NOAA

Through a press release, the assistant administrator for NOAA Fisheries, Eileen Sobeck, stated that “Protecting and conserving these biologically rich ecosystems is essential, and the Endangered Species Act gives us the tools to conserve and recover those corals most in need of protection.”
NOAA also acknowledged that global warming and ocean acidification are being taken into consideration when placing species on the endangered and threatened lists.
See more at www.fisheries.noaa.gov and www.biologicaldiversity.org.

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EVERYONE IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE in upcoming free events and hikes at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’ Kahuku Unit beginning this Sunday.
Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. A guided hike of Palm Trail is offered Sunday, Aug. 31 and Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
During Kahuku: Born from a Hotspot, participants learn about the birth of the islands from the Hawaiian hotspot and about the past eruptions that impacted Kahuku. Visitors will be able to identify various pu`u (hills) and other volcanic features and learn about their formation. Kahuku: Born from a Hotspot is offered Monday, September 1 (Labor Day) from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Palm Trail Hike affords expansive views of the Ka`u Coast.

Photo from NPS

During the `Ohi`a Lehua program, participants learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a tree and the lehua flower. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this easy, one-mile or less walk. The`Ohi`a Lehua program is offered Sunday, Sept. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
People and Land of Kahuku is a moderate two-mile, three-hour guided hike that loops through varied landscapes to explore the human history of Kahuku. Participants learn about the powerful natural forces at work here and how people have adapted to, shaped and restored this land. The guided hike is offered Saturday, Sept. 13 and Sunday, Sept. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
During Hi`iaka & Pele, participants discover two Hawaiian goddesses, sisters Pele and Hi`iaka, and the natural phenomena they represent. Visitors experience the sisters coming alive through the epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku on this easy 1.7-mile walk on the main road in Kahuku. The Hi‘iaka and Pele program is offered on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
For all programs, enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection and a snack are recommended.

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Post Iselle paving and bridge building on Wood Valley Road.
Photo by Julia Neal

RECONSTRUCTION OF A BRIDGE UP WOOD VALLEY ROAD is going quickly with Hawai`i County Department of Public Works pouring concrete and cleaning out the stream bed. The bridge was undermined Aug. 8 by floodwaters of Tropical Storm Iselede. The road was reduced to one lane with buckled pavement. Repaving of Wood Valley Road, which was underway before the storm has resumed.

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FARMERS AND RANCHERS have until Dec. 31 to apply for Tropical Storm Iselle emergency state loans of up to $100,000 at a 3 percent interest rate. Loans applications for $50,000 or less will not require credit denials from financial institutions. The state Board of Agriculture also waived a three-year residency requirement for the emergency loans. Collateral requirements, on case-by-case basis, were also waived. Ka`u farmers can call 933-9975 or 933-9977. Also see http://hdoa.hawai'gov/agl/.

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

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando, at left, joined other National Park Service representatives in accepting honors from Hawai`i Tourism Authority. Photo from HTA

HAWAI`I TOURISM AUTHORITY, THE STATE’S TOURISM AGENCY, recognized the National Park Service at its 2014 Tourism Legacy Awards Luncheon during the 2014 Hawai`i Tourism Conference yesterday at Hawai`i Convention Center.

Ala Kahakai, which crosses Ka`u, is one of
HTA's honorees.

“The National Park Service overseas eight parks and sites throughout the Hawaiian Islands, which welcomed nearly five million visitors and generated $312 million in economic benefits to the state last year,” said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of HTA. “They not only help to preserve the natural beauty of the destination, but help to perpetuate and promote the people, place and culture that make Hawai`i a unique and special place to live and visit. Congratulations and mahalo to this year’s award recipients."
One of the honorees was Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. “Home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is well known for its biologic landscapes,” HTA said in its description. “The NPS helps to protect and restore the park’s wide diversity of ecosystems and serves as a refuge for many Native Hawaiian species.”
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which crosses Ka`u, was another honoree. HTA described it: “Established in 2000 for the preservation, protection and interpretation of traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175-mile network of culturally and historically significant trails. It traverses through hundreds of ancient Hawaiian settlement sites and more than 200 ahupua`a (traditional sea to mountain divisions).”

The state and county will appeal FEMA's
denial of federal storm-damage assistance.
Photo by Anne Celeste

Evolving from HTA’s “Keep it Hawai`i” program, the Tourism Legacy Awards were established to honor individuals, organizations and businesses that perpetuate Hawaiian culture and traditions. “Honorees have worked diligently to nurture the host culture, creating respectful and authentic visitor experiences while securing bonds between the visitor industry and the Hawaiian community,” according to HTA.

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“THE STATE AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I are working together to gather sufficient additional information, including socio-economic data, to justify a successful appeal,” announced Mayor Billy Kenoi and Gov. Neil Abercrombie in a joint statement following Federal Emergency Management Agency’s denial of the state’s request for assistance for victims of Tropical Storm Iselle.
“In the meantime, county, state and other federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, are providing support under their own authorities. The state also remains eligible for a declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which will enable qualified individuals and businesses to receive low-interest loans for repairs.”
In announcing FEMA’s decision yesterday, Administrator W. Craig Fugate said, “It has been determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies.”

Services for the late Bob Herkes have been
announed. Photo by Julia Neal

“We are very disappointed in FEMA’s decision to deny the state’s request for individual assistance for the victims of Tropical Storm Iselle,” Kenoi said. “Our residents and families suffered destroyed homes, property losses and many other impacts from this historic storm. For many people, their lives have still not returned to normal, and the federal government must help our communities. We strongly urge Gov. Abercrombie to appeal the FEMA decision directly to President Obama. We hope the president will recognize that the residents of Puna need his help, and deserve all the support and assistance that we can give them.”

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DETAILS OF SERVICES FOR THE LATE BOB HERKES have been announced. Visitation at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, with services beginning at 11 a.m.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz expressed his sincere sympathy upon the passing of former legislator. “We extend our condolences to the family, many friends and all the people Bob Herkes steadfastly served as a Hawai`i County Council member and Hawai`i state legislator,” Schatz said. “Bob was a plainspoken leader who was simultaneously business- and community-minded. His colleagues always sought his opinion because he was smart, balanced and valued the facts. The more I got to know him, the more I understood his compassion for people most in need and his deep love for our island home. Bob brought a broad talent to public service, and he will be missed.”

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THE STATE LAND USE COMMISSION has regained a quorum and decision-making powers following Gov. Neil Abercrombie nominations of Brandon Ahakuelo, Kent Hiranaga and Arnold Wong, effective immediately. All are interim appointments subject to state Senate approval.
Ahakuelo and Wong were appointed to at-large seats, and Hiranaga to the seat representing Maui County.
With their appointments, there are now seven members on the nine-seat commission, which restores the LUC’s ability to meet quorum and exercise decision-making powers that were lost following five resignations in July.

Brandon Ahaku

Arnold Wong

“The Land Use Commission can resume business thanks to Brandon, Kent and Arnold’s commitment to public service,” Abercrombie said. “Each brings a unique background of experience that will inform land use decisions in the interest of the people of Hawai`i.”

The State Land Use Law was adopted in 1961, establishing a framework of land use management and regulation in which all state lands are classified into urban, rural, agricultural or conservation districts. The Legislature established the Land Use Commission to administer this statewide zoning law. The commission is responsible for preserving and protecting Hawai`i’s lands and encouraging those uses to which the lands are best suited.

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NOW THAT SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION, Hawai`i Island police remind the public to follow all traffic laws that apply to operators of bicycles and skateboards and to watch for pedestrians.

Bicyclists must ride single-file and as far to the right as possible.
Photo from Hawai`i County Police Department

Bicycles

Bicyclists must follow all traffic laws that apply to motorists when they travel on public roadways.
Bicyclists must ride single-file, as far to the right of the road as possible and on bike paths where provided.
Bicycles may not be ridden on sidewalks or against the flow of traffic.
Motorists are advised to be aware of bicyclists sharing the road and to drive with caution, especially when passing a bicycle.

Skates/skateboards

Skates and skateboards are prohibited on all roadways, except in crosswalks, where persons riding them have the same rights as pedestrians.

Pedestrians

Vehicles must stop for pedestrians on the half of the roadway upon which the vehicles are traveling, and shall not proceed until the pedestrian has passed the vehicle and the driver can safely proceed.
No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.

Drivers are advised to share the road with bicycles and mopeds and to beware of persons on skates or skateboards who may pose a risk to themselves and others. Also, while driving in school zones, motorists should use caution and be attentive to children walking to school and crossing streets in and out of crosswalks.

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Hawai`i Food Forest Project is planning a Ka`u Country Festival
at Honu`apo in November.

THE FIRST ANNUAL KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL will be held Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Honu`apo Harbor, Whittington Park.

The event features fun activities for keiki, contests, local food, island music, vendors, exhibits, special performances, demonstrations, workshops, a plant and seed exchange and more.
The festival is a fundraiser for Hawai`i Food Forest Project.
For more information, see hawaiifoodforest.com/festival or contact Sharman O’Shea at 808-256-3193 or sharman@turquoise.net.
Donations are tax deductible through the nonprofit Sanctuary of Mana Ke`a Gardens. See hawaiianwellness.com.

ZENTANGLE: ORGANIC GARDEN is the topic tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Participants learn new tangles and practice modifying tangle patterns to create whimsical garden features inspired by Dr. Seuss. $40 VAC members/$45 nonmembers. Register at volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.

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 `Ohana O Honu`apo has issued a call for letters of support from Ka`u individuals and organizations for preservation of Kaunamano. Photo from Hawai`i Pacific Brokers

THE BOARD OF KA `OHANA O HONU`APO requests letters of support for acquisition of Kaunamano, the 1,363-acre parcel at the south end of Honu`apo Bay that is currently for sale.

The Trust for Public Land is assisting the county, Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, the Keanu family of Ka`u and the Ka`u community to protect these lands in perpetuity. The county has recommended funding for the purchase, and the partners are seeking state and federal matching funds. TPL will include support letters received by this Tuesday, Sept. 2 in its state funding application.

Trust for Public Lands board members toured the site in January.
Photo from TPL

TPL describes Kaunamano as “a place of great historic significance as a seat of government for Ka`u chiefs who kept a watchful eye on Kaunamano from a vantage point overlooking the large coastal property and the Kahua `Olohu makahiki grounds directly mauka of the property. The property contains at least 444 ancient Hawaiian cultural sites with more than 3,900 features, including enclosures, mounds, platforms, walls, salt pans, walled terraces, petroglyphs, papamu, heiau, ceremonial sites, burial sites, a refuge cave (and other lava tubes) and a portion of Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail which connects the coastal villages of Honu`apo to the north with Waikapuna to the south. Many of these sites are in the largely intact ancient coastal village of Pa`ula. Native coastal plants dominate the coastal landscape, `opae `ula (native red shrimp) abound in the large coastal cave of Puhi'`ula, and its pristine waters are home to numerous native fish, limu and other marine species.

“Acquisition would protect native gathering rights, subsistence fishing, the Ka`u community’s access to the property’s nearly four miles of coastline, native ecosystems, possible endangered species, cultural sites and burials, and a cultural landscape of historic significance. Acquisition would also allow for some recreational practices to continue such as recreational fishing, flying kites from the property’s lookout area Pohina Pali Lookout, and possibly camping. Excluding the coastal village, the property is grazed by a local rancher. Since there are no trees on this land, the huge, open vistas from the top of the property down to the shoreline allow ocean views almost unparalleled from any other site in Ka`u. The property offers high educational and cultural benefits from being able to visit and learn from the many cultural sites. Kauanamano means “’the multitudes are placed here.’ Protecting Kaunamano will honor a place where Ka`u’s kupuna lived and where the people of Ka`u visit today to remember their past.”

Kaunamano includes nearly four miles of Ka`u coastline.

In letters of support from individuals, TPL suggests discussing personal connections to the property and why is it important that the properties be kept undeveloped. “Please speak to what you personally care about. For some, it will be preserving Ka`u’s rural/local/country character, for others it will be the cultural sites, and for others it will be being able to teach Ka`u youth about Ka`u’s history.”
Organizations can also send letters of support. Letters can include answers to the several questions. How does the organization’s mission relate to protection of these properties in Kaunamano? How could the organization’s students/clients/beneficiaries benefit from the properties remaining undeveloped? Would the organization’s beneficiaries benefit from Kaunamano functioning as a place of learning for area schools and the community, and/or for the perpetuation of Hawaiian cultural practices? How? What is the organization’s vision or wish for the property?
Send support letters to Laura Ka`akua at laura.kaakua@tpl.org, or Laura Ka`akua, The Trust for Public Land, 1003 Bishop Street, Suite 740, Honolulu, HI 96813.

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NO LAYOFFS AT KA`U HOSPITAL are planned in the first round of budget-cutting measures announced by Hawai`i Health Systems Corp, according to a report in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. All of HHSC’s East Hawai`i Region facilities escaped without layoffs that will begin by December as the organization tries to close a $48 million budget shortfall.
Dan Brinkman, interim East Hawai`i Regional CEO, told reporter Erin Miller, “We have made reductions to some of our contract workers” and eliminated some positions as staff members resigned. For now that, combined with other measures, has been enough to keep layoffs at a low level.

Paddling crew became Ka`u Coast cleanup crew Thursday.
Photos from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

According to HHSC, its facilities are facing decreased state subsidies and health insurance reimbursements, while operating costs continue to rise and the need for health care in a growing population increases.
HHSC officials have been meeting with representatives from the state Legislature to discuss strategies and possible long-term solutions.
Ka`u’s state Sen. Josh Green, told Miller he continues to be concerned about ensuring the hospital system has enough funding to remain fully staffed.
See hawaiitribuneherald.com.
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TEN PADDLERS FROM BRITISH COLUMBIA helped Hawai`i Wildlife Fund clean Kamilo Beach Thursday. The group filled 31 bags with 449.5 pounds of debris within a couple of hours, said HWF coordinator Megan Lamson.
Marine debris from Kamilo has shown up in an art show in Anchorage, Alaska. HWF has been sending material to artist Pam Longobardi since July. Her work is featured in the exhibit called Gyre, which is raising awareness of ocean plastic that ends up on Alaska’s coast.
HWF’s next Ka`u Beach Cleanup in on Sunday, Sept. 21 as part of the international annual Get the Drift & Bag It effort. To sign up, call 769-7629 or email kahakai.cleaups@gmail.com.

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Henry Curtis

LIFE OF THE LAND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HENRY CURTIS questioned the value of Hawaiian Electric Co.’s latest plan to triple the amount of rooftop solar by 2030. The utility announced the plan as part of its effort to achieve the highest level of renewable energy in the nation by that year.
HECO at present receives 328 megawatts of electricity from its customers who have solar systems. That amount will increase by 35 megawatts per year until in reaches 900 megawatts in 2030.
The plan amounts to a seven percent increase per year, much lower than in previous years. According to Curtis, in Hawai`i, installed solar has grown between 70 and 200 percent each year for the past seven years. Globally, installed solar has grown at 43 percent per year for more than a decade.
HECO’s announcement follows its decision last September to slow the growth rate of solar installations because many circuits had reached or were approaching their maximum penetration level.
See ililanimedia.blogspot.com.

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HAWAI`I TOURISM AUTHORITY HAS LOWERED the number of visitors it expects to come to the islands, reported Audrey McAvoy in West Hawai`i Today. David Uchiyama, HTA’s vice president for brand management, said the agency expects 8.2 million visitors to come to the islands this year and 8.4 million next year.
“The year has not turned out as we had hoped in terms of continuing the same growth trend,” Uchiyama told hotel and travel agency representatives at a conference in Honolulu. “But the experience in recent years is that we’re going to be able to continue this with the dynamic diversification that we’ve found in international markets.” According to Uchiyama, markets in Australia, China and South Korea fuel continued expansion.
China is expected to send 11.4 percent more visitors for a total of 170,000. Although airlines have added service from Beijing, demand hasn’t increase as much as expected, Uchiyama said.

See westhawaiitoday.com.

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Ceramicist Clayton Amemiya. Photo from Volcano Art Center

AN EXHIBIT OF WOOD-FIRED CERAMICS by Clayton Amemiya continues daily through Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Amemiya uses an anagama, or climbing kiln, that is a 12-foot-long tunnel, about 4½ feet tall and 4½ feet wide, built on a hillside. The firebox is at the bottom, and the exit flue is at the top. Hot flames are drawn from the firebox, through the chamber and out the flue.

The speed and intensity of the fire and how each piece is positioned in the kiln determine the final look of each piece. Flame and flying ash affect the clay surfaces, so that no two pieces look the same. Even though it takes four days to tend the fire, the anagama allows Amemiya to get much wider variations in glaze and surface than he could with a gas or electric kiln.

Free; park entrance fees apply.

DURING KAHUKU: BORN FROM A HOTSPOT on Monday from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, participants learn about the birth of the islands from the Hawaiian hotspot and about past eruptions that impacted Kahuku. Visitors will be able to identify various pu`u (hills) and other volcanic features and learn about their formation. Free.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Gases and particles emitted by active volcanoes like Kilauea can affect the climate, according to scientists at Hawaiian Volcano
Observatory. Photo by Peter Anderson

THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LANDS HAS OUTLINED the future of Kaunamano if plans to purchase and preserve the property go through.

Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo would be stewards of Kaunamano, which stretches
along the coast south of Honu`apo.

The property will be owned by Hawai`i County and stewarded by the nonprofit Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo that stewards Honu`apo Park. Working with the Ka`u community, the Keanu Family with ancestral ties to the property, and Kuahiwi Ranch, the entities would pursue a Management Plan and a Preservation Plan.

Goals of the plans include protection of all cultural sites, native species, and the marine environment; access for Hawaiian cultural practitioners and Ka`u subsistence fishing and gathering; pedestrian access and limited vehicular access; limiting built improvements to fencing and educational signage; continued ranching if it does not compromise resources; and frequent community monitoring.
The Trust for Public Lands is asking individuals and organizations for letters of support for the purchase. Send letters by Tuesday, Sept. 2 to Laura Ka`akua at laura.kaakua@tpl.org.

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Jeff Mikulina

BLUE PLANET FOUNDATION’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEFF MIKULINA is disappointed with Hawaiian Electric Co.’s latest plan that the utility said will bring Hawai`i to the highest level of renewable energy in the nation by 2030. The utility submitted its plan to the state Public Utilities Commission last week following the PUC’s rejection of the utility’s Integrated Resource Planning Report in April.
HECO’s plans include increasing the number of rooftop solar systems, expanding use of energy storage systems and switching from oil to liquefied natural gas to fire electricity generating units.
According to Mikulina, the utility needs to change its business model and find ways to profit from rooftop solar and sales of battery storage and power for electric vehicles.
“The utility had the opportunity to really think radically, and radical is the least riskiest position right now,” Mikulina told Sophie Cocke, of Civil Beat. “Playing it safe is the riskiest thing they can do.

“I think that is how a Google would look at it as opposed to a 100-year-old power company,” he said.

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KA`U TROJANS WON IN EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL competition last night with its season opener against Kohala Cowboys. Ka`u beat Kohala 34 – 12. Wide receiver Cy Tamura, who also plays backup quarterback and defense, scored four touchdowns. Full back Kaimanu Medeiros Dancel scored one.
With every Trojan touchdown, Ka`u chose to run instead of kicking for extra points. They succeeded once, crossing the line for two extra points. Kupono Pakakiko-Leffew scored two points with a safety.

Trojans won their season opener at home last night.

Evan Manoha shined with his defensive teammates in holding back the Cowboys by making many tackles. Tamura made two interceptions as a safety.
Scoreless in the first half, Kohala returned a kickoff for an 80-yard touchdown in the second half but could not overcome Ka`u.
For the first time in many seasons, a Trojans cheerleading team, led by Nanea Medeiros, kept the crowd roaring. More than a dozen Trojan women and Mark Galacio form the Trojan cheerleading squad.
Rain pounded the field on and off for most of the game, leaving it very muddy with players slipping and sliding. However, the crowd stayed close to witness the win.
Head Coach Kainoa Ke will lead the Trojans to their next battle, taking the team to Maui on Friday, Sept. 5 for a game against Seabury Hall. Trojans are still raising money to pay for the off-island trip by selling T-shirts at teespring.com/kaufootball. Donations can also be made by contacting Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 928-2012.
This story was written with reports from Ka`u High School journalism interns Kaweni Ibarra and Cheyenne DaCalio.

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Ka`u kept the higher points on the scoreboard all evening with the 8-man season
opener at home. Photo by Cheyenne Dacalio, Ka`u High Journalism Intern

KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS hosted Hawai`i Preparatory Academy yesterday. HPA came out on top in both junior varsity and varsity. Scores were 12 – 25, 25 – 27 and 18 – 25 for varsity and 17 – 25, 25 – 16 and 10 – 15 for junior varsity.

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VOLCANIC DISCHARGES OF GASES AND PARTICLES into the atmosphere can affect climate, according to a recent Volcano Watch article posted by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

According to the article, the three dominant gases emitted by volcanoes are water vapor (about 90 percent), carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Both water vapor and carbon dioxide are important greenhouse gases that trap solar radiation.
When radiation from the sun heats the earth’s surface, the surface re-radiates some of this energy back up through the atmosphere as infrared radiation, which selectively heats greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. “The greater the concentration of greenhouse gases, the greater the atmospheric heating,” the article stated. “Without greenhouse gases, the infrared radiation would just escape into space. The greenhouse gases, however, re-radiate the heat in all directions, including back to the surface.

“Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere remains there for a long time, so increasing concentrations of this gas result in long-term global warming. The residence time of water vapor in the atmosphere is normally much less than that of carbon dioxide. However, the concentration of water vapor in the atmosphere does increase with temperature. So, heating of the atmosphere by carbon dioxide buildup increases the amount of atmospheric water vapor, creating a positive feedback mechanism that further increases the temperature.

Water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide or the three dominant
gases emitted a Halema`uma`u. Photo by Tim Orr/HVO

“The scientific community generally accepts that the buildup of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is the principal contributor to global warming. But, it’s noteworthy that volcanoes contribute less than one percent to this buildup. The bulk of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide comes, instead, from human activity.
“For example, the largest volcanic eruption during the past 100 years occurred in 1991 at Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines. It would take 700 Pinatubo-like eruptions each year to equal the annual carbon dioxide emissions from human activities. Closer to home, it would take more than 11,000 simultaneous Kilauea eruptions to equal that amount.
“Large volcanic eruptions have been observed to affect Earth’s climate, but through global cooling rather than warming. This cooling is the work of sulfur dioxide, the third common volcanic gas.
“Sulfur dioxide injected into the stratosphere by powerful eruptions reacts chemically, producing sulfur acids, which in turn form the same sulfate aerosols commonly found in vog (volcanic smog). These tiny stratospheric aerosol particles reflect sunlight (heat) energy back into space, causing cooling of the lower atmospheric layers.
“The 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption created what is thought to be the largest stratospheric sulfur dioxide injection of the 20th century. For three years following the eruption, the earth’s surface cooled by as much as 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit.

See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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Himalayan ginger in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from NPS

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE BIRTH of the islands from the Hawaiian hotspot and about past eruptions that impacted Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at a free program tomorrow, Labor Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Visitors will be able to identify various pu`u (hills) and other volcanic features and learn about their formation.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT is and ongoing program where volunteers help out Hawai`i Volcanoes National park and the `aina (land) by cutting invasive Himalayan ginger (Heydechium gardnerianum) on park trails. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and closed-toe shoes.
Work is often in the shade of the forest with sounds of native honeycreepers like `apapane, `amakihi and `oma`o above to serenade volunteers as they work. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended.
This project is open to the public, and no reservations are required. Interested people can stop by Kilauea Visitor Center to get directions and more information. The hike is around a one mile, moderate round trip into Kilauea caldera down Halem`auma`u Trail, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. The hike involves walking over rough uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
Stewardship at the Summit takes place each week in September on Fridays, except for Sept. 12. That week, the event is on Saturday, Sept. 13.

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 residents have three opportunities this month to see Ocean View resident Dick Hershberger portray Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar in A Walk into the Past. Photo from KDEN

WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION will consider an Ocean View and a Volcano project at its meetings this week. On its meeting agenda for Thursday at 9:30 a.m. is an application for a Special Use Permit by Ocean View Baptist Church, Inc. to allow establishment of a church and related facilities and improvements on 4.057 acres of land situated within the State Land Use Agricultural district. The property is at 92-1416 Coral Parkway, approximately 175 feet northeast of intersection of Ginger Blossom Lane and Coral Parkway.

Ocean View Baptist Church currently meets at Ocean View Community Center.

On Friday at 9 a.m., the commission will take up an application for a Special Permit by Peter Blake to allow operation of a lunch wagon and eating area on a 2,400 square foot portion of a 0.7-acre parcel in the State Land Use Agricultural District. The property is on the north side of Old Volcano Road approximately 1,500 feet east of the intersection of Pearl Avenue and Old Volcano Road in `Ola`a Summer Lots.
Both meetings take place at Aupuni Center Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street in Hilo.

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According to HECO, electric bills will be lower in the long term.

AS CUSTOMERS LEAVE HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANIES’ power grids, remaining customers will see their rates rise to cover the fixed costs of the utilities. That’s the conclusion reached by Life of the Land Executive Director Henry Curtis, who said that the utilities’ latest plans do not take into account that on Neighbor Islands the current price of solar plus battery storage is cheaper than the current cost of grid-based electricity and that prices for such systems are expected to fall in both the near and the long term.

Under the current rate structure proposed by HECO, prices will fall for full service customers following upgrades to infrastructure needed to accommodate more solar installations and the switch from use of oil to liquefied natural gas at its power plants. Full service customers are those who rely on the utility for all electricity needs.
HECO’s Power Supply Improvement Plan submitted to the Public Utilities Commission states, “Under the current rate design, while electricity bills for average full service residential customers will increase in the short run, by 2030 electric bills will be reduced by 16 percent in real terms from 2014 levels under the current tariff structure and by 23 percent under Distributed Generation 2.0.”
See ililanimedia.blogspot.com.

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Artist's rendering of the Thirty Meter Telescope planned for Mauna Kea's
summit area. Image from TMT

A GROUNDBREAKING AND BLESSING for the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauna Kea scheduled for Oct. 7 will take place despite ongoing court battles, TMT spokesperson Sandra Dawson told Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.

Four Big Island residents who were denied a contested case hearing for TMT’s sublease are appealing the decision.
According to Callis, appellants Kealoha Pisciotta, Clarence Ching, Paul Neves and E. Kalani Flores say the $1.3 billion project on Mauna Kea will negatively impact Native Hawaiian cultural practices.
Pisciotta told Callis another hearings process should be held “to help the state make an informed decision.”
“The agency process is an opportunity to inform the decision makers on how our rights and resources will be impacted,” she said.
Major construction is expected to begin in spring of next year.
In the construction sector, TMT will create about 300 full-time construction jobs. TMT has committed to the hiring of union workers for these positions.
According to TMT, during operations, the telescope will support a staff of about 120-140, drawn as much as possible from Hawai`i Island’s available labor pool. A workforce pipeline program in the meantime will also educate and train island residents for jobs with TMT, as well as other observatories and high-tech industries.

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Ka`u High Trojans drew much praise for their rainy night victory and season opener
against Kohala, in preparation for playing Seabury Hall on Maui this Friday.
Photo by Cheyenne Dacalio, Ka`u High Journalism Intern

KA`U TROJANS, set to travel to Maui this week, have drawn much praise for their season opener win last weekend in the eight-man football league that Ka`u High School launched on this island. More than 1,100 people read about the win on The Ka`u Calendar’s facebook page. “Love the fact that the school created a way to still play football and drew out others to join them,” wrote Suzy Long Mendenhall, who taught math and science at Na`alehu. “Good job Trojans!!! Made us proud!!!!” wrote Lorene Chuchi Agustin, of Pahala. “Represent Trojans! Great job.” wrote Philip Ibarra, who studied at Ka`u and lives in Olympia, Washington. “Awesome job,” wrote Roxanne Rios, of Ocean View. “That brings back some memories,” wrote Peghi Knight, who studied at Ka`u High but now lives in Innisfall, Queensland, Australia. Jashia N Makoa wrote, “Great job my nephews Kaimanu Medeiros Dancel and Cy Tamura Kainalu Dancel and to the rest of the football boys. You folks did awsome!! Proud of all you folks!! To my niece Nanea Medeiros, keep up the good work cheerleader captain!!!”
The Trojans are still raising money for their off-island trip to fly to Maui to play Seabury Hall this Friday. T-shirts can be purchased at teespring.com/kaufootball. Donations can be made through contacting Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 928-2012.

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U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD has issued a Labor Day message to her contituents:

“Today, as the country pauses for Labor Day, I want to express my deep gratitude to our working men and women, past and present, who have been out there fighting, not just for union members, but for all Americans who believe in a strong middle class where everyone who works hard gets a fair shot at getting ahead.
“August has no doubt tested Hawai`i’s resilience. In the face of dire circumstances and great need following Hurricane Iselle, we came together as one `ohana to help those who were most in need.
“As we move into September, let’s not lose sight of all those still recovering from Hurricane Iselle. Let’s continue looking out for our neighbors and lend helping hands to those in need. I will continue to fight for the federal resources we need to recover and rebuild in our hardest hit communities.
“Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for your incredible support this past month. As we move toward the General Election, I look forward to working with you as we move forward in building a better, brighter future for Hawai`i and this country. Thank you for giving me this privilege to serve. I truly couldn’t do it without you.”

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KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER PORTRAYS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar three times this month. A Walk Into the Past is scheduled tomorrow and Tuesdays, Sept. 16 and Sept. 30, at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center and walk to the Whitney Vault near Volcano House in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

MEMBERS AND OTHERS WHO WISH TO JOIN Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park should RSVP by Wednesday in order to attend the group’s membership meeting this Saturday at Pahala Plantation House.

This event is the annual celebration of the organization as members come together in fellowship and reaffirm their partnership with the National Park Service at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Tiny Treasures II opens Saturday, Sept. 13.
Photos from Volcano Art Center

Check-in begins at 10:45 a.m. The meeting begins at 11 a.m., followed by lunch at noon, featuring fresh foods from Ka`u.
The program features speakers from the Youth Ranger Internship Program, who were part of this summer’s successful youth-work program in the park.
After lunch, members can enjoy historical stories of Pahala and its past as a sugar plantation town.
RSVP by phone at 985-7373 or email at admin@fhvnp.org or fhvnp@icloud.com.

ONE WEEK FROM TODAY, Hawai`i Island Mobile Slaughter Unit Task Group holds a meeting for local meat producers to learn more about the proposed mobile slaughter unit, how it’s part of an integrated meat-packing solution for Hawai`i island’s small producers and how it can benefit ranchers.
The meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8 at Aupuni Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Hilo from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Jackie at 327-3680 or jacqueline.muller@hisbdc.org.

THE EXHIBIT TINY TREASURES II OPENS on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park with an opening reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. This sculpture and jewelry exhibit is an invitational show of 16 Hawai`i Island artists that were challenged to work outside their normal boxes. It includes works by  Lisa Louise Adams, Henry Bianchini, Brenda May Ching, Wayne Keeth, Amy Flanders, Kimberly Langston Hagen, Bea Israel, Heather Mettler, Elizabeth Miller, Stone O’Daugherty, Pat Pearlman, Daniel E. Rokovitz, Jeff Roth, Tad Sewell, Jamie Stokes and Ivy Torres.
Hours for the free exhibit are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Nov. 9. Park entrance fees apply.

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 residents interested in the Food to School movement, which includes school gardens like this one at Na`alehu School, can attend an upcoming conference. Photo by Nalani Parlin

STATEWIDE HAWAI`I FARM BUREAU FEDERATION PRESIDENT CHRIS MANFREDI, of Na`alehu, is seeking funding for a $400,000 campaign. According to Manfredi’s proposal posted online by Civil Beat, “Farms and ranches are being targeted for increased regulations, moratoriums and outright bans on modern farming practices, including the use of biotechnology, pesticides and herbicides.” Manfredi wrote, “Hawai`i’s political landscape has made our state and farming industries across the country vulnerable to these strategic battles.

“We are losing ground and need your help,” Manfredi said.

Manfredi cited cases across the state, including Hawai`i County’s registry requirement and partial ban of GMO crops; Kaua`i’s requirement for biotechnology and pesticide disclosures and buffer zones; a ballot initiative on Maui that he said “could lead to a county Charter Amendment banning biotechnology” and bills introduced at the state Legislature “on GMO labeling and glyphosate ban.”

Current statewide Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation President
Chris Manfredi was on the cover of the organization's
publication, Agriculture Hawai`i, in the Oct.-Dec. 2008 issue.

Manfredi also wrote about the Center for Food Safety, which recently held a meeting in Pahala which he attended. He described the nonprofit, which brought to Ka`u a Filipino physician and farming advocate who work internationally on GMO, pesticide and land security issues for farmers, as “a leading and well-funded anti-agriculture activist organization.” Manfredi noted that the Center for Food Safety has “partnered with Earthjustice, a law firm founded by the Sierra Club and specializing in environmental litigation.”
Manfredi wrote, “The saddest parts of these attacks are the divisions created within the ag sector; pitting food against non-food, organic versus conventional. These divisions weaken our industry and deter investment. Worse, farmers and ranchers are demonized to the point where young people are further dissuaded from entering careers in agriculture – while activists selfishly attempt to advance their own agendas and political careers.”

Manfredi also said, “Across the nation, farmers and ranchers have been caught off guard by extremist activists that will stop at nothing to realize their utopian, misinformed and unsustainable vision of how you should farm.”
According to the appeal letter, money raised would be used for a communication plan that includes messages delivered by print, radio, TV, Internet and social media. The campaign would also use what Manfredi referred to as “guerilla marketing techniques.”
The HFBF document obtained by Civil Beat listed the guerilla tactics: customized temporary tattoos issued to children and teens at school presentations; face painting for children and others that would create “photo opportunities” at events; and talk story sessions with school program members where farmers would discuss their operations and “provide talking points to share their campaign message.” Other guerrilla tactics listed are op-ed pieces for newspapers and magazines, “strategically timed” letters to editors and online comments that highlight campaign messages.
The plan also calls for bringing back publication of Ag Hawai`i, HFBF’s quarterly magazine, as a “full color, glossy” publication with “more human interest stories as well as timely, issue-oriented pieces.”
The organization’s website would also be updated and feature interviews with farmers from across the state and a blog “to illustrate how (a) farmer lives the campaign message.”
“Please join us in thwarting these efforts by countering with positive fact-based messages before you find yourself fighting these same issues in your communities,” Manfredi concluded.
John Hart, a political analyst and professor of communication at Hawai`i Pacific University, told Civil Beat reporter Anita Hofschneider, “This is bringing in the big guns” and that “certainly in an issue like this that is very contentious, I would expect this kind of money would have an effect. This is gunning for attitude change.”
According to Hofschneider, Manfredi said he contacted Farm Bureau chapters in other states as well as the national organization to seek funding for the campaign.
See civilbeat.com.

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STATE REP. RICHARD CREAGAN will hold a community forum on water for Ocean View on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. during the first Pancake Brunch sponsored by Ocean View Community Association. It will be held at the community center, one block off Aloha Blvd. on Leilani, which is a block below Hawai`i Blvd. off Seabreeze. To be discussed will be money from the state Legislature that has already been approved. Creagan said he wants input from the community on how to use the funding. He will also take questions on other issues concerning Ka`u.

Creagan said he will meet with Ha`ao Springs & Mountain House Ag Water Co-op members this month and plans another community water forum sometime this fall.

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KA`U RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN THE FOOD TO SCHOOL movement can attend an upcoming conference where Re-Growing Community Food Systems is the theme. The conference will bring together education, health and agricultural stakeholders from across the islands to raise awareness and facilitate discussions about increasing the supply, distribution, and procurement of locally grown food for Hawai`i’s schools.
Presented by Hawai`i Farm to School and School Garden Hui and The Kohala Center, the Hawai`i Farm to School Conference will be held at Kamehameha Schools’ Kapalama Campus in Honolulu from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3. Registration is $50 per person and includes breakfast and lunch. More information and registration are available online at hif2sc.eventbrite.com or by calling The Kohala Center at 887-6411.

“Farm to school is a local, national, and international movement that is simultaneously making positive and significant strides in the areas of agriculture, education, and health,” said Hawai`i Farm to School and School Garden Hui coordinator Lydi Morgan Bernal. “This conference will promote the knowledge and best practices needed to develop and sustain a statewide farm to school program to re-grow Hawai`i’s agricultural economy, future farmers and healthy schools and communities.”

Agriculture, education and health are components of the state's school garden
program, including the one at Na`alehu School.

Keynote speaker Kacie O’Brien, farm to school regional lead for the Western Region of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, will provide federal-level guidance and support for strengthening Hawai`i’s farm to school efforts. Featured panelists include Hawai`i Department of Agriculture chair Scott Enright, state procurement administrator Sarah Allen, Hawai`i Department of Education school food services branch director Glenna Owen, and other leaders from across the state. Slow Food of Hawai`i and many of O`ahu’s local farmers and chefs will provide an “ono and pono” breakfast, and Hale Kealoha `Ai Pono will offer attendees a model school lunch featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Two scholarships programs are available to help offset conference registration fees and travel costs. Educators and students may apply for scholarships of up to $200 per person (total of up to $1,000 per school) from the Kokua Hawai`i Foundation for reimbursement of conference registration fees and/or neighbor island flights and rental cars as needed. For non-educators, a limited number of conference registration scholarships of $50 each are available. More information and applications are available online at hif2sc.eventbrite.com. The application deadline for both scholarship programs is Monday, Sept. 15.
Kokua Hawai`i Foundation will be coordinating visits to O`ahu farm to school sites for interested conference attendees on Saturday, Oct. 4. Farm to school site visits will also be offered statewide throughout October in conjunction with National Farm to School Month.

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HILO HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM travels to Ka`u High tomorrow for a match at 6 p.m. This is the Trojan team’s season opener.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK request that members RSVP by tomorrow for the group’s membership meeting this Saturday at 11 a.m. at Pahala Plantation House.
RSVP by phone at 985-7373 or email at admin@fhvnp.orgor fhvnp@icloud.com.

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS REMAIN for discounted entry fees for the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Ka`u Coffee Mill in conjunction with `O Ka`u Kakou’s `Ohana Day. Fees are $35 for the 5K, $45 for the 10K and $55 for the Half Marathon. All fees increase by $20 after Sept.13. High school team members can enter any event for $10.

The 5K is a family-friendly, run/walk trail through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields.
The10K is a moderate run through macadamia nut grove, coffee fields and a huge eucalyptus tree forest.
The Half Marathon follows the 5K and 10K course, then continues up to an elevation of 3,100 feet and traverses onto a four-wheel-drive access road, marked trails undulating through grazing pastures, former sugarcane fields and winds down through newly planted coffee fields.
Awards go to the top three men and women overall (overall winners do not win top age-group awards) and the top three men and women in age groups from 19 and under to 70 and over.
Post-race activities for the whole family include keiki games, live entertainment, live/silent auctions, local vendors, ono food, awards and great prizes (must be present to win).
The `Ohana Day and Ka`u Coffee Trail Run are sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, and all proceeds stay in Ka`u to benefit the Ka`u community.

Registration for all races and a Kendama tournament is available at race360.com/21357.

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

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Rebuilding Chain of Craters Road along the coast from Kalapana into Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park may be an option to allow access to lower Puna if Hwy 130 near Pahoa gets covered by lava that continues to move slowly toward the area. Map from NPS

REBUILDING CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is one possibility for access to and from lower Puna, according to Hawai`i County Emergency Management Agency, also known as Civil Defense, Director Darryl Oliveira. At a meeting today with Puna residents
recorded by Big Island Video News, Oliveira said his agency is working with the national park on what permits or processing would be required to open the road. He also said it would cost “multiple millions of dollars” to rebuild a section of road that stretches southwest from Kalapana into the park. The approximately nine miles of pavement was covered by lava from the East Rift Zone eruption that began in 1983.

Lava continues to inch its way toward populated areas of Puna.
Map from USGS/HVO

According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, as of Dec. 2012, parts of the road were buried in lava up to 115 feet deep.
The agency is planning routes to get medical and emergency services to residents should Kilauea’s East Rift Zone eruption from Pu`u `O`o continue on its current path and move across Route 130 near Pahoa. Oliveira said the route would also be a way for residents to come and go, “even though it would add a huge amount of commute.”
As of today, lava is continuing its trek east/northeast and is just under one mile from Kaohe Homesteads. From its beginning on June 27, the flow has moved slowly, disappearing into ground cracks and then resurfacing to move closer to populated areas.
Jim Kauahikaua, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s scientist-in-charge, said that at the current rate of movement, it would take a week for lava to reach the subdivision’s boundary. He expects it to move along the lower East Rift Zone unless it stalls or stops.
Oliveira said his agency plans to raise the alert level from watch to warning either today or tomorrow.

See bigislandvideonews.com.

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“AGRICULTURE IN HAWAI`I IS PRESENTLY UNDER ATTACK.” That’s the opening line of a document from statewide Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation posted online by Civil Beat. The document outlines plans for a communication plan that includes messages delivered by print, radio, TV, Internet and social media to combat what it states is a public perception “based on confusion, misinformation and a lack of knowledge about farming practices and livestock handling.”
It continues: “While the working farmers and ranchers of Hawai`i were busy growing crops, feeding their families and the citizens of Hawai`i, and contributing to the economy and their communities, non-farmers that are unfriendly toward modern agriculture, many located out of state, have waged a campaign of political and environmental activism. Fueled with misinformation designed to illicit fear and suspicion in the community and divide the ag sector (e.g. food vs. non-food, organic vs. conventional), these efforts are aimed at driving modern production agriculture out of business in favor of a Utopian, homespun agricultural model that, if successful, would destroy more than two centuries of evolution in agricultural practices in Hawai`i. Moreover, a successful activist campaign would erase decades of accomplishments on behalf of government and non-government organizations alike; to build food security and grow the next generation of Hawai`i’s farmers and ranchers. Worse, this ill conceived and thinly-veiled environmentalist model has no hope of practical success, being woefully inadequate to keep pace with the hordes of invasive pests and weeds that have been introduced to Hawai`i. Its success would cause the collapse of agriculture in Hawai`i and have reaching impacts beyond our shores.”

American Farm Bureau Federation announced four new state Farm Bureau
presidents in December 2013, including Chris Manfredi, top right,
for Hawai`i. Photo from fbnews.fb.org

The document describes goals of the statewide organization’s public relations campaign for which it is seeking funding.
“The goal of the Small Farmers, Big Stories campaign is to open up the farm virtually, to invite the public to understand sound farming practices and leverage the good will elicited by positive and recognizable farming and ranching images and project them onto their operational practices,” the document says.
“It is the stated goal of this campaign to hold farmers and ranchers in high esteem to the point of attracting young farmers, ranchers and researchers to careers in agriculture, impacting future generations while addressing social, economic and environmental sustainability.”

Ashley Lukens, program director at the Center for Food Safety’s Hawai`i office, criticized HFBF’s campaign as misguided, according to a story in Civil Beat. The campaign is “not about restoring the community’s faith in farming,” Lukens told reporter Anita Hofschneider. “They need to address the community’s concerns about restricted-use pesticide use.”
The HFBF document points to the Center for Food Safety as evidence of how farmers are being attacked. The “leading and well‐funded anti‐agriculture activist organization has recently opened an office in Honolulu, and has partnered with Earthjustice, a law firm founded by the Sierra Club and specializes in environmental litigation,” the document states.
The description of the Center for Food Safety on its website centerforfoodsafety.org says it is “a national nonprofit public interest and environmental advocacy organization working to protect human health and the environment by curbing the use of harmful food production technologies and by promoting organic and other forms of sustainable agriculture.”
“My sense is that the community is going to see through this because it doesn’t in any way address the concerns that the largest chemical companies in the world use Hawai`i as the outdoor laboratory,” Lukens said.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie

Hofschneider also reported that HFBF hasn’t registered with the Campaign Spending Commission, even though its campaign plan mentions a Maui County ballot initiative as one of many recent attacks on agriculture.
According to Hofschneider, HFBF President Chris Manfredi said, “We haven’t gotten to the point of implementing the plan yet so I don’t know that that’s appropriate. She said Manfredi said the campaign is not simply in response to controversy about biotechnology in agriculture and that it fulfills the organization’s mission to be “the voice of agriculture.”
See civilbeat.com.

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GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS RELEASED MORE THAN $4 million for capital improvement projects that will fund water treatment projects across the state.
“These funds will help renovate and maintain facilities that are dedicated to the health and safety of Hawai`i’s people,” Abercrombie said. “We are grateful for the federal funds provided to the state that will be used to construct water treatment facilities throughout our islands.” To receive the federal funds, a 20 percent state matching allotment is required.
Allotment of funds for the following projects, identified by state legislators, has been approved by the governor:

$2,200,000 – Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, statewide – Funds will be transferred to the revolving fund to match $10,859,000 in federal funds to provide construction loans to finance wastewater treatment facilities of various capacities and designs.
$1,825,000 – Drinking Water Treatment Revolving Loan Fund, statewide – Funds will be transferred to the revolving fund to match $8,845,000 in federal funds to provide construction loans to finance drinking water facilities of various capacities and designs.

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Ka`u travels to Maui for its second game against Seabury Hall Friday.
Last year, the Cowboys came to Ka`u. Photo by David Berry

THIS SEASON’S FINAL SUNSET HULA PROGRAM takes place Friday at 6 p.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. It features Po`o Kumu Huihui Mossman with Ka `Umeke Ka`eo Public Charter School.
The performance is presented authentically in a natural setting, rain or shine, without electronic amplification. Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mats.

KA`U HIGH’S EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL TEAM members are preparing for their trip to Maui to play Seabury Hall Friday at 7 p.m. Last year, during Ka`u’s inaugural eight-man football season, Seabury Hall’s team traveled here for a game. The Trojans meet the Cowboys following last week’s season opening win over Kohala.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Sky Esperon reaches for the ball as Ka`u faced Hilo last night at home. They host Kealakehe Saturday. Photo by Pono Palekiko

THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE has designated Hawai`i County as a primary natural disaster area due to damages and losses caused by wind, rain and flooding from Tropical Storm Iselle. After a review of the Hawai`i County Loss Assessment Reports, the USDA determined that there were sufficient agricultural production losses to warrant a Secretarial natural disaster designation.

Ka`u farmers and ranchers who have tropical storm damage can apply
for federal emergency loans. Photo by John Cross

“I thank USDA Secretary Thomas Vilsack for reviewing the Loss Assessment Reports and for issuing a Secretarial natural disaster designation for Hawai`i County,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “Support from the USDA will help ensure that our farmers in Hawai`i County will receive the assistance they need.”   

A Secretarial disaster designation makes farm operators in primary counties and those counties contiguous to such primary counties eligible to be considered for certain assistance from the Farm Service Agency, provided eligibility requirements are met. This assistance includes FSA emergency loans. Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a Secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans. FSA considers each emergency loan application on its own merits, taking into account the extent of production losses on the farm and the security and repayment ability of the operator. So far, FSA has received over 100 inquiries for assistance from producers in Hawai`i County.
“I appreciate Secretary Vilsack’s decision for a natural disaster designation and the work by the Farm Service Agency who initiated the request and has been on the frontlines working with farmers,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said. “Federal resources are urgently needed to help our farmers, and access to emergency loans is an important option for farmers as they work to recover. I will continue to fight for federal resources to support communities, small businesses and families.”
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With lava less thatn a mile from Ka`ohe Homesteads subdivision,
Mayor Billy Kenoi has signed an emergency proclamation.
Map from USGS/HVO

HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYOR BILLY KENOI TODAY SIGNED an emergency proclamation for the advancing lava flow in the Wao Kele O Puna area after the flow extended to less than a mile from the edge of the Ka`ohe Homesteads subdivision.
“We are taking this step to ensure our residents have time to prepare their families, their pets, and their livestock for a safe and orderly evacuation from Ka`ohe in the event the flow continues to advance,” Kenoi said.
Hawai`i County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said the proclamation allows county authorities to restrict access to Ka`ohe Homestead roadways so that residents can move safely if an evacuation becomes necessary.
Oliveira stressed that no evacuation has been ordered at this time. He urged residents to finalize their evacuation plans and monitor county Civil Defense updates closely in the days ahead.
Civil Defense employees will continue today to conduct door-to-door visits to each home in Ka`ohe to explain the situation to residents and to help them prepare.
“Only residents will be allowed on the subdivision roads starting today, and we ask that non-residents stay away from the area,” Oliveira said. “The lava cannot be seen from the subdivision, and there is no reason for non-residents to be in the Ka`ohe subdivision at this time. This is a difficult and stressful time for Ka`ohe residents, and we ask that everyone show respect and understanding for our Ka`ohe neighbors.”
Hawai`i County Civil Defense and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are holding public meetings to update residents on the lava flow, and the next update will be at 6:30 p.m. today, Sept. 4 at Pahoa High School Cafeteria.

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Funding to control little fire ants is on the County Council's agenda.
Photo from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS TOMORROW at 8 a.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.

On the agenda is the second reading of bills that would appropriate funds for control of little fire ants at county Parks & Recreation Department facilities. Funds would be used to hire three employees and provide them with equipment and materials in LFA control efforts.

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A section of the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run cuts through pasture
above Ka`u Coffee Mill. Photo from `O Ka`u Kakou

KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN DIRECTOR RAYLENE MOSES reported that 120 people have signed up for the event on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The 5K, 10K and Half Marathon begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by family-friendly events at the mill until 3 p.m.
Participants can choose among a 5K run/walk trail through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields; a moderate 10K run through macadamia nut grove, coffee fields and a huge eucalyptus tree forest; and a Half Marathon that follows the 5K and 10K course, then continues up to an elevation of 3,100 feet and traverses onto a four-wheel-drive access road, marked trails undulating through grazing pastures, former sugarcane fields and then down through newly planted coffee fields.

Registration for the races and a Kendama tournament is available online at race360.com/21357.

M57, The Ring Nebula, by Hubble Heritage Team. The center star is dying
and shedding its outer layers to expose more hot layers beneath that radiate
ultraviolet light. This causes the old layers to glow like a fluorescent light
bulb. This star, while looking insignificant here, is 200 times
as bright as the sun. Photo from Lew Cook

“TWO VERY LARGE BIRDS FLY OVER US THIS MONTH – Cygnus the Swan and Aquila the Eagle,” reports astronomer Lew Cook in his September article for The Ka`u Calendar newspaper. “They appear to be chasing Mars and Saturn out of our evening sky. The brightest stars in each constellation along with Vega (very high in the northwest) form the Summer Triangle, formed by the brightest stars in Cygnus, Aquila and Vega in Lyra. What color do these stars appear to you? Most people see Vega as the bluest, closely followed by Deneb, while Altair is blue-white. If you look toward the southwest, you can spot Antares in Scorpius before it sets. Get out just after dark to see Antares, the brightest star in Scorpius, and before its light is reddened by passing through more air as it sets. Everyone who can see colors at all sees Antares as red. So is the planet Mars, which Antares rivals in color. What differences can you see? Which is brighter? Redder? Mars is now approaching Antares – take a look before they disappear into the sun’s glare.

“Stars’ colors are determined by the temperatures at their surfaces. Blue equates to an extremely hot surface, while red means the star is comparatively cool. As an example, Antares checks in at 5,300 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s hot, hotter than lava, but cooler than the white-hot or the blue-hot surface of Vega. Altair, the brightest star in Aquila, has a surface temperature of around 13,000 degrees. Deneb is a little warmer at 14,000 degrees, and Vega tips the temperature scales at 16,500 degrees. Vega isn’t even the hottest star in the constellation Lyra, but since it is close and a bit larger than the sun, it wins the prize for the brightest star in our Summer Triangle. What’s a hotter star? The star that is tossing off its outer layers that form the Ring Nebula, M57, in Lyra. How hot is it? Over 200,000 degrees! Deneb is the brightest of the three stars in the Summer Triangle.

“You might say, ‘Hey, Lew, I can see it isn’t! Look up and see for yourself.’ Well, you’re right. While Vega appears brighter, Deneb is far away, so far that if it were at Vega’s distance (25 light-years) it would outshine all stars but the sun in our sky. It would be about as bright as the crescent moon, but shining all from one point. Altair is a close star, only 17 light-years distant. Put it at Vega’s distance, and it would appear less than half as bright as it is now and shine at second magnitude.”

See The Ka`u Calendar or kaucalendar.com for a Star Map and rising and setting times for the sun and moon plus a listing of moon phases.

Ka`u's girls volleyball team sings the school song after last night's game.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL TROJAN WAHINE VOLLEYBALL hosted the Hilo Vikings last night at Ka`u High School gym. The Junior Varsity team lost in two sets 11-25, 12-25. Varsity wahine lost in four sets 25-21, 11-25, 10-25, 14-25. Jami Beck exercised good blocking for the Trojans. The Trojan wahine host Kealakehe Waveriders on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m.
This story was written with reports from Ka`u High School journalism intern Kaweni Ibarra.

OTHER KA`U HIGH TROJAN SPORTS TEAMS HAVE A BUSY weekend planned, as well. Eight-man football team flies to Maui Friday to play Seabury Hall. Boys and girls in cross-country have a meet at Kamehameha in Kea`au Saturday at 10:30 a.m., and bowling teams roll into Kona for games against Kamehameha-Hawai`i.

PO`O KUMU HUIHUI MOSSMAN and Ka `Umeke Ka`eo Public Charter School present Sunset Hula tomorrow at 6 p.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK hold their annual meeting Saturday at Pahala Plantation House. Check-in begins at 10:45 a.m. for the members-only event. To RSVP or become a member, email admin@fhvnp.org or call 985-7373

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

`A`ali`i Ku Makani, a sculpture by Volcano resident Randall Shiroma on the grounds of Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School, was dedicated this morning. Photo by Julia Neal

THE RANDALL SHIROMA TERRAZZO SCULPTURE at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School was center stage of a dedication ceremony this morning, sponsored by the Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the state Department of Education.

Local music group South Side Serenaders with Ty Chun, Terrie Louis and Elijah Navarro led Hawai`i Pono`i and other songs. Student Body Government President Denisha Navarro and Vice President Jennifer Tabios welcomed attendees, and Jonathan Johnson, Executive Director of the State Foundation, introduced artist Randall Shiroma before the maile lei ceremony led by Kupuna Jessie Ke, Principal Sharon Beck and others, including Cheryl Maesaka, who wrote the grant to the state Foundation for the sculpture for the school grounds.
The name of the sculpture is `A`ali`i Ku Makani, which describes the native `a`ali`i plant’s ability to take root and thrive despite strong winds. The program for the blessing states that the “phrase describes the tenacity of the people of Ka`u and their ability to persevere in the face of adversity.” 
Shiroma, who designed and built the sculpture for the campus, is a Volcano resident born in Honolulu. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from University of Hawai`i at Manoa and a Master of Fine Arts degree from San Jose State University.
The sculpture was funded through the state Foundation’s Arts in Public Places Program, which enhances “the environmental quality of public buildings and spaces throughout the state for the enjoyment and enrichment of the public,” the program states. Arts in Public Places was also established to “acquire, interpret, preserve and display works of art expressive of the Hawaiian islands, the multicultural heritages of its people, and the creative interests of its artists.” During the creation of `A`ali`i Ku Makani, Shiroma was an Artist in Residence on campus to involve the students and faculty.

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THE STATEWIDE HAWAI`I FARM BUREAU FEDERATION, headed by Ka`u resident Chris Manfredi, and an entity from the Big Island called Hawai`i Agriculture Network are using the progressive nonprofit The Action Network system for an online petition. The campaign is to oppose legislation to regulate pesticides and GMO foods, according to a posting gathering signatures online at actionnetwork.org/petitions.

The introduction to the petition says: “Do you want disgusting bugs to destroy our locally grown produce? Of course not! Then why should Maui County start dictating beyond Federal and State laws how local farmers make sure crops are safe and sustainable?”
The message attached to the petition directed to “Hawai`i’s Elected Officials” says:
“Local farmers would not survive if this bill were passed. Safe use of pesticides allow them to grow fresh, healthy, affordable, local produce available to everyone without the threat of insects and pests.
“Local farmers provide sustainability for our island state. Without them, we’ll have to import all of our fresh produce at high costs.
“Farmers and Ranchers already disclose their pesticide use information as regulated by State and Federal law. The pesticides that are used have very strict rules and parameters that certified users must abide by and have been vigorously tested for health and safety purposes.
“Approximately three trillion meals with GMO ingredients have been consumed without incident.
“Benefits of biotech include a reduction in pesticide spraying which is the equivalent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as removing 10.2 million cars from the road for a year while saving crops such as the papaya.
“Over 600 peer-reviewed studies (1/3 of which are independently funded) show that biotech (GMO) crops are safe and beneficial.

The posting suggests that petition signers include the following comments to Hawai`i’s elected officials:

“We support Federal and State laws that regulate pesticides and GMOs to provide parity for farmers and ranches statewide.
“As a resident of Hawai`i, I urge you to please oppose additional County level regulations relating to the use of pesticides and GMO (bioengineered seed). I support State & Federal laws.
“Support for agriculture is needed, not additional regulations.”

According to The Action Network’s website, “The Action Network is an open platform that empowers individuals and groups to organize for progressive causes. We encourage responsible activism. ...” Action Network purports to “only work with progressives.” Its website says that the nonprofit organization helps build “lists of activists.” Campaigns listed on its website include:

“End Deportations, End Our Pain;”
“Petition: Demand Respect for Walmart Workers;”
“Educators Need Time to Teach, Students Need Time to Learn;” and
“I Support the Equal Rights Amendment.”
The Action Network was founded by Corporate Action Network, which states that it was established “to address the imbalance of power between corporations and people. Using the new tools of the Action Network and a networked approach, Corporate Action Network is building campaigns to end corporate abuse that are more effective and powerful than have ever been possible. Connected through the network, campaigns can then grow into a movement — and for the first time truly be able to address the imbalance of power between corporate actors and the rest of us.”
The Action Network was recently named Best Startup Technology and Best Overall Organizing Technology at the inaugural Netroots Nation New Tools Shootout, sponsored by Google and New Media Ventures.

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Micah Munekata
Photo from linkedin.com

HAWAI`I FARM BUREAU HAS HIRED MICAH MUNEKATA as Director of Government Affairs. In his paid position that has a new title, Munekata’s primary function is to work with the HFB leadership in the areas of legislative and governmental relations. He is responsible for directing policy and government relations strategy for the organization, including policy implementation and policy development.
A graduate of Hawai`i Baptist Academy, Munekata has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Texas Christian University and a master’s degree in political science from Villanova University. He has worked at the Hawai`i House of Representatives as a Finance Budget Analyst for the House Finance Committee and most recently as the Committee Clerk for the Vice Chair of the House Agriculture Committee. Munekata also served as the Community Coordinator and Legislative Aide for City and County of Honolulu Councilmember Stanley Chang.

“I have experience working with local, state and city politics,” Munekata says on his Linked In page. “My skills include: government/financial analysis, government relations and affairs, public policy, program management/development/evaluation, legislative regulation/formation, political research, community outreach, communication, and team leadership.”

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KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK presents its free `Ohi`a Lehua program Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Participants bring lunch and learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower.

Volcano Art Center offers Art of the iPhone workshops next week.
Photo from VAC

ART OF THE IPHONE IS THE TOPIC of workshops next week at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Mary and Ken Goodrich help participants navigate through several apps best suited for the iPhone camera to improve color, blend images or introduce mood to a scene.
The instructors also offer tips on recognizing good light and composition.
Each session introduces two or three new applications. Students can make still life photos with props and will have an opportunity to make portraits or nature images in the Niaulani forest. With help from the instructors, students process their images with the apps and share results with the class.
Android Smartphone users are also welcome.

Fees are $60 for VAC members and $75 for nonmembers. Register at 967-8222.
The three-session workshop takes place next Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Ka`u High football team is on Maui to face Seabury Hall.
Photo by Tammy Ke

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL'S EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL TEAM is trekking to Maui for a game against Seabury Hall. Members hope to follow their season-opening win at home last week with another victory over the Cowboys.

INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL FARMING is a presentation on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. at Ka Lae Gardens, 92-8395 Mamalahoa Hwy in Ocean View on the makai side of Hwy 11, accessible from Kohala Street. The program will be led by Richard Perea, of Ka`u Natural Farming. Perea said he is soliciting interest in natural farming and aims to make training and certification available to all at an affordable price. He said he has so far led nine farmers to advanced certification. See Ka`u Natural Farming on Facebook or call 937-3010 for more information.

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 residents can learn about `ohi`a lehua during a program at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow.
Photo by Elizabeth Fien/FHVNP

KA`U RESIDENTS MAY BE ABLE TO HELP PUNA animal owners who are evacuating their cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, cats, dogs and other animals in advance of a lava flow that is threatening their properties.

Puna animals in the path of the June 27 lava flow may need to be relocated.
Photo from Good Shepherd Foundation

Hawai`i Evacuation of Livestock and Pets, H.E.L.P. Puna, is providing a free website service for residents who need to find places to protect their animals, and other residents in safe areas who wish to offer their properties as “Places of Refuge.”
H.E.L.P. Puna is a program of the Good Shepherd Foundation, a nonprofit organization with an animal sanctuary in Opihikao, not far from the lava flow.
Everyone is invited to offer a haven from the lava flow for any livestock and pets they can accommodate. Some will be willing to accept only certain types of animals, such as dogs or cats. Others may have large, fenced pastures or yards where they can take horses, sheep or goats, and others may have backyards where they can keep chickens.
Those offering their places as refuges can do so for free or for a fee; it is between the parties to decide all financial issues and ensure a good fit.
Those with animal trailers can also announce their services on the website.
For more information, see HelpPuna.com.

AN ANNUAL COFFEE BERRY BORER SURVEY with new questions is now available online for growers and processors to complete. “Please help us, the industry and our allies to understand the current coffee berry borer situation,” said H.C. “Skip” Bittenbender, of University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources. The survey will be open for responses until Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2014.   See surveymonkey.com/s/V67YFVB .

UH-CTAHR asks Ka`u Coffee growers and processors to fill out an online
survey about coffee berry borer management.

As part of CTAHR’s CBB effort, Andrea Kawabata, Dr. Stuart Nakamoto, Dr. PingSun Leung and Bittenbender have developed the survey to help them and the industry understand the extent of damage from CBB. Questions ask farmers and millers about their use of recommended strategies for managing CBB.
The team will use this information to improve research and extension planning.   Identity of those who complete the survey is not required, and individual responses are held confidentially. Summary and conclusions from the survey will be shared with the CBB Task Force, coffee organizations and those respondents who request a copy.   In order to save money, time, and accuracy, the survey is available only online. Those without email access and Internet will need to submit their responses via someone with computer access.

AN EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION IS IN EFFECT in preparation for the possibility that the lava flow that began June 27 could eventually cross Hwy 130 near Pahoa, potentially isolating communities in lower Puna from the rest of Hawai`i County.
The proclamation, signed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie yesterday, suspends certain laws as needed for emergency purposes, including state restrictions on reestablishing abandoned roads that may be used should lava cross Hwy 130. It also activates the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the state Legislature for disaster relief and facilitates access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels.
“State agencies are working with the County of Hawai`i to provide alternative access to lower Puna if lava crosses the main highway,” Abercrombie said. “This proclamation will ensure that isolated communities receive a continuation of services.
“Health officials are also advising all residents living near the lava flow to plan ahead for potential smoke from burning vegetation and low levels of sulfur dioxide. Conditions for nearby communities may vary widely due to the unpredictability of wind and weather.”
The disaster emergency relief period specified in the proclamation began yesterday and continues through Oct. 15, 2014.
“The governor’s emergency proclamation comes at a necessary time when Hawai`i Island families are living on the edge, as they face yet another natural disaster,” said U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “The proclamation will allow the state to assist in relief efforts should the situation worsen and affect the people and property of Ka`ohe Homesteads. We need to do everything we can to support the people of our communities when disaster strikes.”

Trojans get ready for yesterday's kickoff at Seabury Hall, Maui.
Photo from twitter

KA`U HIGH TROJANS SCORED IN EVERY QUARTER of yesterday’s game at Seabury Hall on Maui. Jordan DeRamos scored a touchdown in the first quarter, followed by a two-point conversion by Randall Kahele. In the second quarter, DeRamos followed up with an 85-yard run into the end zone. Cy Tamura caught a pass from DeRamos in the third quarter and ran 15 yards to add six more points to the score. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Tamura kept the ball and ran 11 yards for a touchdown. He followed that with another keep and ran 50 yards into the end zone. The final six points were added when Kaimanu Medeiros-Dancel ran 16 yard for touchdown.

Final score was Ka`u High 40, Seabury Hall 61.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN DOUBLE THE IMPACT of donations to Hawai`i Wildlife Fund this month. Aloha Campaign at Foodland and Sack N Save stores will match each donation to specific charities up to $300,000 total. Last year, it raised over $2 million for over 650 island nonprofit organizations. This year, shoppers can support HWF’s Maui and Hawai`i Island projects by using these separate codes: Hawai`i Island – 78764 ; Maui – 77187.
Donations of up to $249 will be added to receipts at checkout. Each donation guarantees that a percentage of Foodland’s $300,000 matching gift will go to Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. The more support HWF receives from the community, the more matching funds it will receive from Foodland. Foodland will not inform HWF who donated, so those who wish to be acknowledged must let HWF know.
Give Aloha is Foodland’s annual Community Matching Gifts Program. It was created in 1999 to honor founder Maurice J. “Sully” Sullivan and continue his legacy of giving back to the community. Each year during the month of September, customers are encouraged to make a donation at checkout to their favorite Hawai`i nonprofit organization.

Ka`u Coffee Trail Run, which promises expansive vistas of the district,
is two weeks from today. Photo from `O Ka`u Kakou

`OHANA DAY AND KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN are two weeks from today on Saturday, Sept. 20. The whole family can participate in the 5K walk/run and watch as other athletes take off on the 10K race and Half Marathon.
All races begin at 7:30 a.m. at Ka`u Coffee Mill, followed by family activities at the mill until 3 p.m.
Discounted race registration fees are available at race360.com/21357 for one more week. Fees increase by $20 on Sunday, Sept. 14.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK presents its free `Ohi`a Lehua program tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Participants bring lunch and learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO KA`U SCENIC BYWAY Committee’s meeting Monday at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.
For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

A KA`U PLANTATION DAYS PLANNING MEETING takes place Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Residents continue planning for the Saturday, Oct. 11 event.
For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL FARMING is a presentation one week from today on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. at Ka Lae Gardens, 92-8395 Mamalahoa Hwy in Ocean View on the makai side of Hwy 11, accessible from Kohala Street. Richard Perea, of Ka`u Natural Farming, said he is soliciting interest in natural farming and aims to make training and certification available to all at an affordable price.
See Ka`u Natural Farming on Facebook or call 937-3010 for more information.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Last year's Harvest Festival at Volcano Winery showed off wine grapes and tea. This year's festival is a week from today on Sunday, Sept. 14. Photo by Julia Neal

SCIENTISTS AT USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY are keeping an eye on Mauna Loa while they also closely track the Kilauea lava flow threatening residential areas in Puna.

Earthquake activity on Mauna Loa and other areas of Hawai`i Island
is available at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/seismic.

“Beginning in March 2013, and continuing into 2014, HVO’s networks have detected small sporadic swarms of earthquakes deep beneath the west flank and summit of Mauna Loa,” HVO reports in its latest issue of Volcano Watch. “These swarms are located in the same general area as earthquake swarms that preceded the 1975 and 1984 eruptions, but the 2013–2014 earthquakes have been significantly weaker than those recorded in 1975 and 1984. Many of the most recent swarms were followed by shallower earthquakes at the summit of Mauna Loa and can be seen on HVO’s interactive earthquake pages at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/seismic.”
According to the article, HVO detected dozens of magnitude-three earthquakes and a few magnitude-four earthquakes 1.5 or more years prior to the 1975 and 1984 eruptions. The strongest earthquakes detected beneath the west flank of Mauna Loa in 2013–2014 have been weaker than magnitude-three. “While the current activity is smaller in magnitude, it is clear that some of the same volcanic processes may be at work,” the article states.
The article states that since 2009, the southeast flank of Mauna Loa has been slowly moving southeastward, and there have been no signs of magma intrusion beneath the summit. Subtle changes in the deformation pattern began in the spring of 2014. HVO’s GPS network started to detect weak inflation beneath the summit, the same area that inflated during the period 2002–2009, but the amount of inflation detected so far in 2014 is very small compared to previous inflations.
“While we can definitely detect and monitor these weak signals within Mauna Loa, they do not yet indicate that an eruption is necessarily coming,” according to the article. The recent changes are not yet equivalent to those observed before the 1975 and 1984 eruptions. … “Should they increase in intensity or start to change at a more rapid rate, HVO will elevate the Alert Level Code for Mauna Loa to indicate its relative state of unrest and whether or not it may be headed toward an eruption.”

Updates for Mauna Loa are posted monthly on the HVO website and can be viewed at hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/maunaloastatus.php. If Mauna Loa activity increases, updates will be posted more frequently.
Information about Kilauea’s ongoing eruption is available at hvo.wr.usgs.gov and 967-8862. Daily eruption updates are posted every morning, and new maps and photos are posted after every HVO overflight of the lava flow.
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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Pi`ilani Ka`awaloa explained the Hawaiian perspective of lava diversion
at a community meeting. Photo from Big Island Video News

DIVERSION OF LAVA FROM ITS CURRENT PATH in Puna has been a hot topic at community meetings held there and recorded by Big Island Video News. Several residents brought up ways they thought could be used to control the lava’s direction. One asked if lava could be kept in a channel to avoid populated areas. Another suggested using smart bombs or dynamite to break up hardened lava and create a new path for molten lava. Another asked if the county could bring bulldozers in to create an opening in the shield created by the volcano so that lava could begin moving south instead of east/northeast. Creating a breach in the south flank of Pu`u `O`o, again in an attempt to route lava to the south, was another suggestion.
Hawai`i County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said diversion tactics are not being considered. “Diversion brings its own risks,” Oliveira said. He pointed out that diverting the flow could cause it to move into other populated areas. “Historically, trying to divert or control it hasn’t been very effective,” he said. He also said respecting the Hawaiian culture is another reason why diversion is not being considered.
Residents explained the Hawaiian viewpoint at one meeting. “Pele doesn’t work like that. Pele is our kupuna,” said one resident who gave her name as Ihilani. She said many Native Hawaiians haven’t been attending the public meetings because “we are home preparing for an important guest.” She took issue with the view of owning private property and said, “We will never own our land; this is Pele’s home. If she feels she needs to clean her house, then let her clean her house.”
Pi`ilani Ka`awaloa said past experience shows that diversion doesn’t work. She said that during the 1959-60 flow, bulldozers made a dike to divert lava, “but it caused a bigger disaster” when the lava flowed to homes. At Kalapana, an attempt to use water in a diversion tactic caused more damage, she said. “Lava was going between homes until diversion was tried,” she said. She urged residents to work together and show aloha.
See bigislandvideonews.com.

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Hawai`i has dropped from number five to number nine in rankings
of states with solar electricity systems. Map from GTM Research

HAWAI`I HAS DROPPED IN RANKINGS OF STATES’ solar system installations. The U.S. Solar Market Insight report by GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association ranks Hawai`i number nine in the second quarter of 2014 compared to number five in the first quarter.

Each quarter, the organizations collect data on the U.S. solar market from nearly 200 utilities, state agencies, installers and manufacturers.
California was number one, accounting for more than 50 percent of installations for the fourth consecutive quarter.
Net energy metering, which allows utility customers with solar systems to send their excess electricity to the utility and lower their bills, “remains a crucial point of contention between the solar industry and utilities in more than a dozen states,” according to the report. Hawai`i is currently experiencing this, with Hawaiian Electric Companies limiting the number of rooftop solar connections to its grid due to what they refer to as “safety and reliability” concerns.
See greentechmedia.com.

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THE STATE’S APPEAL OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY Management Agency’s decision to deny a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration has received support from Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. A declaration would have helped families and businesses on Hawai`i Island recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Iselle.  
“I support the state’s appeal to FEMA’s decision to deny assistance to residents … in the wake of such a devastating event,” Gabbard said. “It was clear to me during my recent visits to Hawai`i Island that assistance is necessary. These facts are reflected in the state’s appeal, and it therefore has my strong support.”

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Ka`u Multicultural Society is again sponsoring Ka`u Plantation Days.
A planning meeting takes place tomorrow.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO KA`U SCENIC BYWAY Committee’s meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.

For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

A KA`U PLANTATION DAYS PLANNING MEETING takes place tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Residents continue planning for the Saturday, Oct. 11 event.
For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL IS ONE WEEK FROM TODAY on Sunday, Sept. 14 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volcano Winery, 35 Pi`i Mauna Drive in Volcano Golf Course Subdivision. The event includes music by Keoki Kahumoku and Friends, pupus by Volcano House and other area businesses, wine and a souvenir wine glass.
All proceeds benefit STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Call 967-7772 to purchase $40 tickets. Last year’s event sold out.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Members of Halau Hula O Leionalani, of Pahala, under Kumu Hula Debbir Ryder, traveled to Hilo over the
weekend to participate in the Queen Lili`uokalani Birthday celebration where halau joined to together at the
queen's park to honor her life amd the dance tradition. Photo by Demetrius Oliviera

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO IS URGING ELIGIBLE small, nonfarm businesses in Hawai`i County that suffered economic damage due to Tropical Storm Iselle to apply for federal emergency loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. This SBA support follows the announcement from U.S. Department of Agriculture that provides access to emergency loans for affected area farmers.

“Tropical Storm Iselle caused extensive damage to Hawai`i Island companies. Numerous small businesses, not just farmers, are in the rebuilding process. Affected nonfarm business owners now have available low-interest, emergency loans from the SBA,” Hirono said. “The announcements by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration give businesses in Hawai`i County access to financial resources that will help them recover.”
SBA is required by law to make low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans available once the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture designates an affected area an agricultural disaster. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack issued such a declaration for Hawai`i County last week.
According to the SBA, small, nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private, nonprofit organizations of any size may qualify for EIDLs of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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KA`U VOTERS CAN CHOOSE AMONG SIX candidates, all from Honolulu, to fill three at-large Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee seats in the upcoming, general election. The candidates answered questions asked in OHA’s newspaper, Ka Wai Ola. One question was, “How will your skills and experiences enhance the policy-making role of the OHA Board of Trustees?”

Lei Ahu Isa Photos
from Ka Wai Ola

LEI AHU ISA answered, “My experiences range from being raised in public housing, living with my Hawaiian grandparents who spoke only Hawaiian, prayed in Hawaiian, but forbade their mo`opuna to speak the language. I was only allowed to speak the Queen’s English! It was forbidden to speak Hawaiian in school. That’s why I value education! Being a Professor at Hawai`i Pacific University gave me the opportunity to work with students from all over the world. I studied very hard to obtain my Ph.D. while raising my two children at Kamehameha Schools as a single parent. I was responsible for the bill which first funded our Hawaiian Immersion Schools. I also served eight years on the state Board of Education as the Vice Chair and got to visit our 285 public schools, helped set up Charter Schools and even privileged to visit Ni`ihau graduation. I bring all of this to OHA and intend to add Value for all of you.”

Rowena Akana

ROWENA AKANA has been an OHA trustee since 1990. “The institutional knowledge I bring to OHA as the longest-serving Trustee allows me to provide the board with much needed context regarding the many issues that we continue to face,” Akana said. “My decades of experience working with OHA’s many investment managers allows me to serve as a steadfast and knowledgeable steward of OHA’s Trust assets. When I was first elected in 1990, OHA was struggling just to exist. OHA had very little money in the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund, no land assets, OHA Trustees received no salaries and OHA was in the midst of contentious negotiations with the state on receiving its fair share of ceded land revenues. After OHA finally received its first settlement of $129 million, we prudently invested it in the stock market and by the year 2000, OHA’s Trust Fund had grown to $400 million.”

Keli`i Akina

KELI`I AKINA said, “A Trustee must be a statesman who can make wise, ethical decisions for the good of the public being served. I have three decades of experience as a trustee and director of local, regional and national boards in which I have helped guide the nonprofit humanitarian work of thousands of employees across the United States and several foreign countries. What has enhanced my work is the ability to understand relationships between different cultures, something which is essential for OHA to chart the course for Hawaiians. My cultural understanding comes from a Hawaiian background that includes training by Nona Beamer as chanter for her hula halau, education at Kamehameha Schools and University of Hawai`i, and several years living and working on the Wai`anae Coast ministering to Hawaiian youth. My Western education includes college at Northwestern University and advanced academic degrees, including the Ph.D. in Philosophy with an emphasis on both Western and non-Western ethics. I will bring to the OHA Board my combined experiences in board decision-making and my careers as a ministry leader, a college educator and now head of a public policy think tank that focuses on improving Hawai`i’s economy, government and society.”

Harvey McInerny

HARVEY MCINERNY responded, “I have served Lunalilo Trust as a Trustee for the last six years. In 2008 Lunalilo Trust only had a few policies to govern the organization. With a team effort, my fellow Trustees and our executive team have added numerous policies that have guided us in our efforts to turn a struggling, challenged and isolated organization into a Home for kupuna that is vibrant, at full capacity and operating in the black. We have dramatically increased the subsidies that we provide to the kupuna, grown the investment portfolio by almost 65 percent and collaborated with, and benefited from, partnerships within our community that have been initiated and strengthened over the past six years. These experiences, and my expertise in the financial field and capital markets, have prepared me well to take on this kuleana at OHA.”

Mililani Trask

MILILANI TRASK said, “OHA needs an attorney on its board acting as a Trustee. The Trustees often do not understand what their fiduciary obligations are or what they are required to do as Trustees.

“One example of this is the recent legal case brought by Trustee Rowena Akana against the Board of Trustees for conducting public business in ‘Executive Session.’ This questionable practice is often used at OHA to facilitate private discussions, avoid beneficiary and public disclosure of information and avoid transparency. In reality, the OHA Trustees have a fiduciary duty to keep beneficiaries informed and to provide regular accounting to beneficiaries. Hawai`i law allows for Executive Session discussions only in limited instances.
“In some cases the BOT have been manipulated or misled by advice of their In-House Counsel, who are supposed to advise the BOT but often act to support the Chair of the OHA Committees or Board. This has also been used by Trustees, in the past, to avoid liability because ‘we were just following our attorney’s advice.’
“My legal skills and experience will be of great use at OHA and hopefully will prevent problems like the Kaka`ako Settlement fiasco from recurring and negate the necessity of future Trustee litigation against the BOT.”

John Waihe`e

JOHN WAIHE`E has been an OHA Trustee since 2000. “I believe that the experience and contacts I’ve built up as an OHA Trustee for the past 13 years have put me in a position to effectively advocate on behalf of our beneficiaries,” Waihe`e said. “My learned knowledge of how OHA works and fits into the bigger community has allowed me to prudently manage the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund and successfully protect our beneficiaries’ equitable proprietary interest in it, while fulfilling my mandate to them.

“Most recently I’ve had the honor of chairing OHA’s Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment. Through this experience I have been able to cultivate important relationships in Hawai`i and abroad and personally advocate on behalf of our beneficiaries. More importantly, I’ve gotten to work closely with OHA’s own advocacy staff members and learn how the Board of Trustees can best empower them to advocate effectively. I believe that these relationships have helped lead to some of OHA’s most successful Legislative sessions ever in terms of bills passed.
“Finally, I realize that I am a Trustee and not a supreme authority over a polity. My duties, first and foremost, are to defend the Native Hawaiian Trust Fund and be loyal to, and administer in the best interest of, our beneficiaries.”
See oha.org.

MEMBERS OF HALAU HULA O LEIONALANI, of Pahala, traveled to Hilo over the weekend to participate in the Queen Lili`uokalani celebration where halau joined to together to honor the queen and the dance tradition.

KA`U ECO-ARTIST DON ELWING TOOK FIRST PLACE in Hawai`i Museum of Contemporary Art’s 25th Trash Art show with his sculpture entitled Kamilo Men in Black. Elwing made the sculpture from plastic marine debris gathered at south Big Island beaches.

Ka`u eco-artist Don Elwing with his Kamilo Men in Black.
Photo from the artist

The exhibit continues through Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 141 Kalakaua Street in Hilo. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE KA`U SCENIC BYWAY Task Force will be this Thursday, instead of today, at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. The task force is about to finish design on the Na`alehu Park kiosk, and this is the last chance for input. The public is invited.

For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

A KA`U PLANTATION DAYS PLANNING MEETING takes place today at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Residents continue planning for the Saturday, Oct. 11 event.
For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

KA`OHU MONFORT SHARES HER KNOWLEDGE and love of the island’s native plants and their medicinal uses during a la`au lapa`au demonstration, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

FRIENDS OF KA`U LIBRARIES HOLD a member meeting Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House with light refreshments for current and new members. Call Doris Davis at 928- 0919 or Ann Fontes at 987-7448 for more information.

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's aspiring farmers, ranchers, high school students and recent graduates can apply for agricultural training programs through The Kohala Center. Photos from The Kohala Center

BIOTECH COFFEE COULD POSSIBLY SOLVE the coffee berry borer problem, statewide Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation President Chris Manfredi said in a video posted yesterday by Big Island Video News. Manfredi, who is described by the American Farm Bureau as a coffee farmer and by Big Island Video News as “active in Ka`u coffee farming,” was speaking to Hawai`i Coffee Association at its annual meeting in July. He said that research in other parts of the world is ongoing to create biotech coffee that could stand up to the pest that is devastating the industry.

Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation President Chris Manfredi told Hawai`i
Coffee Association that biotech coffee could "make our CBB crisis
go away."Photo from Big Island Video News

Manfredi said HFBF is also “pretty active at the (state) Capitol.” He said the organization has a full-time lobbyist on O`ahu and works in partnership with HCA and state Department of Agriculture “on legislative issues that are important to agriculture.”
Manfredi also talked about a Farm Bureau public relations campaign called Small Farmers, Big Stories, which he described as “a virtual farm tour in the media.” He contended that those promoting GMO restrictions and further regulating pesticides are against biotech. “Of late, non-farmers have been trying to impose their will on farmers and set food and farm policy,” he said.
He told the audience that HFBF had gotten about $150,000 pledged for the campaign, which has an annual budget of $400,000.
Manfredi also announced at the conference that he had recently traveled to Washington, D.C. and discussed the campaign with Hawai`i’s congressional delegation.
See bigislandvideonews.com.

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TWO PROGRAMS AIMED AT INTRODUCING high school students and aspiring farmers on Hawai`i Island to agricultural careers are seeking applicants for upcoming cohorts in October.
Ku I Ka Mana, a beginning farmer and rancher training program administered by The Kohala Center, is accepting applications from prospective students for its fourth cohort. The 30-session course begins on Friday, Oct. 17 and is conducted in Honoka`a on Friday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Ku I Ka Mana's fourth cohort begins in October. Photo from The Kohala Center

Although no previous farming experience is required, preference is given to U.S. veterans and to applicants who have taken steps to become agricultural producers but would benefit from a comprehensive, hands-on curriculum. The course covers a wide range of critical subject areas such as soil management, irrigation, composting, cover cropping and pest management, as well as the business side of farming—marketing, accounting, budgeting, and record-keeping. Students who successfully complete the course and create viable farm and business plans will be able to work with program staff to obtain leasable farmland, should they not already have land on which to farm or ranch.
The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 10.
The second program is open to Hawai`i Island high school students and recent graduates. The fourth cohort of The Center’s weeklong High School Agriculture Internship Program runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Oct. 6 through Oct. 10.
With the `aina serving as their classroom, interns are introduced to various aspects of agriculture in Hawai`i through site visits to Waipi`o, Kohala, Hamakua, Kona and Hilo. Participants gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, learn about island food systems and receive a $125 stipend upon completion. The High School Agriculture Internship Program is co-sponsored by Kamehameha Schools’ `Aina Ulu Program.
The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Oct. 1.
“These programs were designed in an effort to move Hawai`i toward greater food self-reliance by training and motivating the next generations of local food producers,” said Derrick Kiyabu, director of The Kohala Center’s Ku I Ka Mana Beginning Farmer-Rancher Development Program. “We and our partners are dedicated to training and supporting new farming families on Hawai`i Island and inspiring island youth to consider careers in agriculture in an effort to increase local food production, decrease dependency on imports, diversify our rural economy and create meaningful jobs.”
More information and application materials are available at kohalacenter.org or by calling 887-6411.

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Among others, Tango is one product to battle
little fire ant colonies.

FACULTY AND STAFF AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I’S College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources and the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture have tips for identifying and controlling little fire ants. Wasmannia auropunctata is a serious pest because this tiny ant can easily spread undetected into yards and homes, parks, landscapes, vacant properties and forests. LFA deliver very painful stings similar to electric shocks to people, pets, livestock and even marine wildlife such as sea turtles and ground-nesting birds. LFA are attracted to eye fluids and typically sting near animals’ eyes, which can lead to blindness due to clouding of the cornea, or keratopathy.
Areas where LFA are commonly found are in trees and shrubs, especially any fork at bases of trunks, in crotches of branches and under moss growing on trees or shrubs; in stamens and pistils of flowers; near edges of building foundations and concrete slabs; in cracks in concrete; in electrical outlets; in fallen logs and piles of plant debris; under potted plants; in dumpsters, trash cans and rubbish piles; and in stockpiles of seldom-used flower pots, lumber, hollow tiles, rocks, etc.
Ka`u residents can use peanut butter as an attractant for detection of LFA. Check for ants by smearing a thin layer of peanut butter on one end of a chopstick or any wooden or plastic stake. Place a stake on the ground every 10 to 12 paces, including in potted plants and at the base and in branch crotches of trees. The best times are in the morning or on overcast days, avoiding heavy rain or mid-day sun and heat.

After about 40 to 45 minutes, check for LFA on the stake. LFA are red-orange, slow-moving and less than 1/16 of an inch long (thickness of a penny). If LFA are on the chopstick, place the chopstick with ants into a zip-top bag and place it in the freezer for at least 24 hours to kill the ants.
Bring bagged ant samples to one of the following locations for confirmation: UH-CTAHR Komohana Research and Extension Center, 875 Komohana Street, Hilo or Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, 16 East Lanikaula Street, Hilo.

If an agency positively identifies LFA, treat with ant bait insecticide. Ant food bait mixed with a slow-acting insecticide is the only effective way to kill and eliminate an LFA colony because it allows worker ants to carry poison to queens. A free publications entitled Little Fire Ant Products Available for Homeowner Use is available online at ctahr.hawaii.edu/haraa/arthropod.asp (click on first publication), at UH-CTAHR’s Extension Office in Hilo or by calling 981-5199.

One product mentioned is Tango. Information about how to use it is available at littlefireants.com.

Ka`u High's cross county team plans to participate in and volunteer at `Ohana Day
and the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run, which crosses scenic pastures.
Photo from `O Ka`u Kakou

“Check, treat, recheck, repeat,” is UH’s advice. It may take several reapplications of bait over a six- to 12-month period to kill an LFA colony. Recheck with peanut butter regularly and treat with insecticidal bait when necessary. It is critical that infested plants, building materials, trash, etc. be treated on-site and not moved or dumped, which will further spread the ants.
The Nature Conservancy also offers assistance to Ka`u residents with LFA infestations. Contact John Replogle at 939-7171.

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KA`U HIGH’S CROSS-COUNTRY ATHLETES are doing great, reports Head Coach Erin Cole. At Hawai`i Preparatory Academy on Aug. 30, the fastest Ka`u boy was Chadwick Pajimola with a time of 27:25.66, and the fastest Ka`u girl was Chloe Gan with a time of 29:36.55. The race is three miles long, “and HPA has a grueling hill the athletes have to run up twice,” Cole said. “All team members came in strong, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone’s times improve over the season, as the team is training hard.”
Team members will be volunteering and/or running in the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run on Saturday, Sept. 20 instead of running in the meet at Waiakea. The team did not participate in the race at Kamehameha on Sept. 6 due to a schedule conflict.
Another meet at HPA is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27.

KA`OHU MONFORT SHARES HER KNOWLEDGE and love of the island’s native plants and their medicinal uses during a la`au lapa`au demonstration tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE KA`U SCENIC BYWAY Task Force will be Thursday at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. The task force is about to finish design on the Na`alehu Park kiosk, and this is the last chance for input. The public is invited.
For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS FOR CURRENT and new members will be served at Friends of Ka`u Libraries’ member meeting Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.
Call Doris Davis at 928- 0919 or Ann Fontes at 987-7448 for more information.

HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S KA`U CHAPTER holds its next potluck meeting at Na`alehu Community Center on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. Farmers can drop off homegrown items and pick up something that neighbors are growing at the swap table.
HFUU state President Vincent Mina will talk about his recent trip to Washington for the National Farmer’s Union Fly-In event.
Voter registration forms will be available. The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 6 for the Nov. 4 general election.
For more information, email Malian Lahey at malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Horseback riders, walkers, trucks and floats are invited to participate in next month's Ka`u Plantation Days Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

TIM ORR, OF USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY, described how scientists predict where lava may go at a community meeting in Puna last night. He used a topographical map to show Puna residents possible routes that lava may take as it progresses toward Hwy 130 near Pahoa. He said lava may reach the highway in 16 to 18 days, based on its current flow rate.

Blue lines represent low-lying sections along which lava could flow.
Map from USGS/HVO

Flow routes are generally downhill and follow low areas such as gulches or dropped-down spots that are lower than surrounding areas. Blue lines on the map show such possible routes of lava flow.
Orr said the maps are useful in predicting flow routes but do not show all possibilities. “Uncertainty in base data” translates into a broader downslope path, where lava covers a wider area than just the blue lines.

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KA`U PLANTATION DAYS, which held an organizing meeting this week, is welcoming more representatives of ranches, farms and dairies to participate in the annual pa`u parade on horseback, foot, car, truck or float. The event, sponsored by the Ka`u Multicultural Society and chaired by Darlyne Vierra and Liz Kuluwaimaka, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11 along the streets of Pahala and on the grounds of the old sugar company manager’s manor – Pahala Plantation House – beginning at 9 a.m.
Ethnic foods and dances will be presented, including Japanese, Filipino and Hawaiian offerings. Historic displays from plantation days will be presented by families and heritage groups. Emcee is Clyde Siva.
Vierra said Ka`u Multicultural Society invites families and sugar, farm, ranch and dairy retirees and employees to bring historic photos of life in Ka`u to be copied for the organization’s collection which is displayed at various community events and places in Ka`u.
Participants include Pahala Filipino Association, Aikane Plantation Coffee, Na`alehu Hongwanji, Pahala Karate Dojo, Wong Yuen Chinese family, Kauaha`ao Church, Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, The Nature Conservancy, Friends of Ka`u Libraries, Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, Halau Hula O Leionalani, Keoki Kahumoku and the Center for Hawaiian Music Education, `O Ka`u Kakou and several nutrition and health organizations.
The final two organizing meetings will be Monday, Sept. 22 and Monday, Oct. 6 at Pahala Community Center at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, call Vierra at 640-8740.

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Henry Curtis

ELECTRICITY STORAGE IS A TOPIC Henry Curtis, Executive Director of Life of the Land, discusses on his blog at ililanimedia.blogspot.com. He says new energy storage facilities are needed to integrate intermittent wind and solar onto transmission grids and for conversion of fossil-fuel based transportation to electric-powered vehicles.
Batteries are old. The design and use of reusable batteries predates the electric grid. Thomas Alva Edison was about 12 years old when Raymond Gaston Planté produced the first lead acid battery, which has become the most widely used rechargeable battery in world history.
But batteries are not the primary storage mechanism for electric grids. Practically all transmission grid-connected energy storage is composed of water and dams. Pumped storage hydro involves pumping water uphill from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir and dropping it when power is needed. Pumped storage hydro accounts for over 95 percent of all storage on the grid. The use of commercial-scale pumped storage hydro in the United States is at least 80 years old.
Batteries represent a mere 1.3 percent of energy storage on the U.S. grid. Other niche players are Thermal Storage, Compressed Air and Flywheels.
Many energy players believe that batteries will play a major role in future storage technology.
Just as car tires used for the Indy 500 are very different than snow tires, grid-connected batteries are not of one flavor. There are multiple designs, which serve multiple purposes.

In pumped storage hydro, water is pumped uphill at low-demand times and
released into turbines to create electricity during high-demand times.
Image from wikipedia

There are at least twenty-six major types of reusable batteries. Most battery types have sub-types.
Some energy storage systems provide voltage support or frequency stability, while others provide smoothing out of micro-second disturbances, smoothing out of multi-minute disturbances and transferring blocks of day-time power to serve evening demand.
A given energy storage system might be very effective for one area of the grid and ineffective for another area. Some energy storage systems may be more effective in large-scale grid applications while others would better serve individual buildings on the customer’s side of the meter.
Grid-connected energy storage in Hawai`i includes advanced lead-acid batteries, zinc-bromide flow batteries and a variety of lithium batteries including Lithium Ion Titinate (Li4Ti5O12), Lithium Nickel Cobalt Aluminum (NI-CO-Al) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (Li-Fe-PO4).
The U.S. Department of Energy December 2013 publication Grid Energy Storage notes that “there are four challenges related to the widespread deployment of energy storage: cost competitive energy storage technologies (including manufacturing and grid integration), validated reliability and safety, equitable regulatory environment and industry acceptance.”
Battery research is taking off. But before widespread deployment occurs, we must decide what the future energy delivery system will look like.

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Ka`u keiki can explore the natural world during an `Imiloa
program next month. Photo from Imiloa Astronomy Center

`IMILOA ASTRONOMY CENTER IS LOOKING for keen-eyed Ka`u keiki who enjoy observing the natural world for the next Camp `IMI-Possible fall intersession program, Fun-novations of the Sky, slated for Oct, 6 – 10, 2014. Students will be immersed in a weeklong adventure of science experiments and activities relating to native birds and insects and their unique adaptations to Hawai`i.

The camp runs Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Drop off is available as early as 7:30 a.m. with pick up by 4:15 p.m. Lunch and snacks are not included, so participants should pack a snack and healthy lunch to keep up with each day of exploration.
Enrollment for the intersession program is open, but space is limited. Tuition for the program is $225 for members and $250 for nonmembers.
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. Applications and scholarship information can be found at www.imiloahawaii.org/183. Submit completed applications and payment at front desk.

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IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL teams won their home matches against East Pac yesterday. Junior varsity scores were 25 – 14 and 25 – 12. Varsity won in three straight sets, 25 – 18, 25 – 12 and 25 – 17.
The teams host Konawaena Saturday at 10 a.m.
After returning from Maui where they played a game against Seabury Hall, the Trojans’ eight-man football team hosts Pahoa Friday at 6:30 p.m.
Ka`u High bowlers meet Kea`au at Kilauea Military Camp today.

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Ka`u photographer Peter Anderson caught this image of last night's supermoon
just before midnight, when skies cleared after being cloudy all evening.

THE LAST OF THREE CONSECUTIVE SUPERMOONS traveled across the sky last night. According to Wikipedia, “a supermoon is the coincidence of a full moon or a new moon with the closest approach the moon makes to the Earth on its elliptical orbit, resulting in the largest apparent size of the lunar disk as seen from Earth. The technical name is the perigee-syzygy of the Earth-Moon-Sun system. The term supermoon is not astronomical, but originated in modern astrology. The association of the moon with both oceanic and crustal tides has led to claims that the supermoon phenomenon may be associated with increased risk of events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, but the evidence of such a link is widely held to be unconvincing.”

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FOUR MORE DAYS REMAIN TO GET DISCOUNTED RATES for Ka`u Coffee Trail Run. After Saturday, Sept. 13, fees increase by $20 for the 5K, 10K and Half Marathon coming up on Saturday, Sept. 20.
Register online at race360.com/21357.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO KA`U SCENIC BYWAY Committee’s meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. On the agenda is finishing design of the Na`alehu Park kiosk, and this is the last chance for input. For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

LIGHT REFRESHMENTS FOR CURRENT and new members will be served at Friends of Ka`u Libraries’ member meeting tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.
Call Doris Davis at 928- 0919 or Ann Fontes at 987-7448 for more information.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Aikane Plantation Coffee from Ka`u is now the namesake of a coffee shop and dinner house in Osaka, Japan.
Photos from Aikane Plantation

NEW WASTEWATER SYSTEM RULES for residences and businesses could raise the price of homes and commercial entities that currently use cesspools in Ka`u. The proposed state Department of Health regulations are aimed at further protecting drinking water sources and the environment.

Effects of new wastewater rules on Ka`u homes connected to gang cesspools
are still to be determined. Photo by Julia Neal

One proposed new rule would not only prohibit the use of new cesspools but also require an upgrade to a septic system or connection to a sewer system within 180 days of the sale of any property with a cesspool. Whether this would affect property owners in such places as Na`alehu and Pahala where many homes are on gang cesspools left over from the plantation days but waiting for new sewage treatment plants to be built is still to be determined.
Those selling or buying homes with existing cesspools would be told to install septic systems and within a few years could again have to pay to hook up to new community sewer lines.
Ka`u’s County Council member-elect Maile Medeiros David said yesterday that she hopes Ka`u residents will weigh in with public comment. Written comments will be accepted through Thursday, Oct. 2, when a statewide public hearing will be held with videoconferencing at the Hawai`i District Health Office conference room at 1582 Kamehameha Ave. in Hilo. Doors opening at 10 a.m., and the hearing starts at 10:30 a.m.
Among the many proposed wastewater regulations covered by the hearing are:

Prohibiting individual wastewater systems for developments with greater than 15 subdivided lots even when each home is on a lot that is an acre or larger;
Restrictions to prevent direct discharge of effluent from an aerobic treatment unit into groundwater;
Clarifying when a building modification would trigger an upgrade from a cesspool or other treatment system;
Revising the flow per capita requirements for restaurants, barber shops and beauty salons; and
Revising spill reporting requirements.

To send comments by email and read the proposal, see health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/public_notice. Written comments can be sent to Wastewater Branch, Environmental Management Division, State Department of Health, 919 Ala Moana Blvd, Room 309, Honolulu, HI 96814-4920.

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Bilingual sign shows offerings at
new business in Osaka, Japan.

AIKANE PLANTATION, one of Ka`u’s original coffee companies, its history dating back into the 1800s, headlines a new coffee shop and dinner house in Osaka, Japan. Partner Phil Becker said, “On opening day, customers had to wait two and a half to three hours to get in. We served Huli Huli chicken to get their attention.
“It’s not your normal coffee shop you see in Japan. We offer a variety of food and have several tables for customers to sit down and relax.”
Aikane Plantation Coffee farm is located between Pahala and Na`alehu on the old sugar cane haul route called Ka`alaiki Road.
Aikane has represented Ka`u for the last decade at the Made in Hawai`i show in Honolulu each year and served up more than 4,800 sample cups of coffee over the three-day event this August. Customers came from as far away as New York and New Jersey, Becker said.
See www.aikaneplantation.com. Call 808-927-2252.

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LAVA FROM KILAUEA VOLCANO was .3 miles from Kaohe Homesteads and headed that way this morning, according to a report from Hawai`i County Civil Defense, which launched door-to-door visits to Kaohe homes today. The county started work today on an alternate road for residents to reach communities that could be cut off by the lava flow should it cross Hwy 130 near or within Pahoa. The road will include Railroad Avenue and Government Beach Road, as well as the Hawaiian Beaches and Hawaiian Paradise Park communities. For films of the lava flow, maps and frequent updates, see www.bigislandvideonews.com. Also see daily updates at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php.

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COFFEE BERRY BORER RESEARCHERS are asking for participation from Ka`u Coffee growers. Goals of the research are to better understand Square-necked Grain Beetle (Cathartus quadricollis) ecology and predation and explore ways to increase its role in CBB Integrated Pest Management and suppression of CBB populations in coffee.

Carthartus quadricollis
Photo from BugGuide

Cathartus quadricollis, a storage grain pest, is established in Hawai`i and has been found to assist in the control of Tropical Nut Borer on macadamia nut. TNB is a very close relative to CBB and is found in the same genus. They look very much alike. However, CBB is found on coffee, and TNB is found on macadamia nut.
According to the researchers, cathartus has been found in coffee raisins that were infested by CBB. When these beetles were found in coffee raisins, many questions arose. Were they eating CBB, eggs and larvae? Are they found on all coffee farms? Do they feed on CBB in cherry, also?
One objective for the research project is to determine the geographical distribution of cathartus by surveying for its presence or absence on coffee farms.
Starting this week, research support staff will begin on-farm sampling of coffee raisins. Staff will be taking appointments via email and making phone calls to set-up farm visits. During these farm visits, staff will take a representative sample of raisins from the farms and take the samples back to the research station in Kainaliu to search for Cathartus in the sample. “Since CBB control techniques highly recommend the removal of all raisins from a coffee farm prior to the next coffee season, our sampling will also help you with raisin removal. We can’t remove raisin from the entire farm, but we can certainly get you started,” said UH-CTAHR assistant extension agent Andrea Kawabata.
Email cathartusproject@gmail.com to set up an appointment for staff to visit and collect raisins to sample for Cathartus. Include name or name of the on-site farm manager, farm address, directions to the farm, TMK and phone number or best method of contact.

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State Sen. Mike Gabbard

STATE SENATE AND HOUSE LAWMAKERS have scheduled a hearing to get an update from the Hawaiian Electric Company and various solar organizations on the current status of solar interconnection and future plans for distributed generation.

Last September, HECO notified its customers of a policy change that would require permission from the company to proceed with the installation of a PV system. Since the policy change, many solar customers have been facing delays in getting their PV systems connected to the grid.
“There are a lot of moving pieces right now, and we need to bring all stakeholders together to connect the dots,” said Sen. Mike Gabbard, chair of the Energy and Environment Committee. “We have solar companies and customers still very unhappy that they can’t connect to the grid. The bottom line is we want to know more about what has already been done and what’s planned for the future to ensure that solar continues to be an option for our residents.”
The hearing is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 19 at 1 p.m. in Conference Room 325 of the Hawai`i State Capitol with Senate and House committees on energy and environment, and commerce and consumer protection. It can be viewed live on Olelo Channel 49.

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THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO KA`U SCENIC BYWAY Committee’s meeting today at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. On the agenda is finishing design of the Na`alehu Park kiosk. This is the last chance for input.
For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

Friends of the Ka`u Libraries, who participate at Ka`u Plantation Days,
meet this evening at Pahala Plantation House.

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES MEET TODAY from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Light refreshments are served for current and new members.
Call Doris Davis at 928- 0919 or Ann Fontes at 987-7448 for more

IN SPORTS, THE TROJANS’ EIGHT-MAN football team hosts Pahoa tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., Ka`u High girls volleyball teams host Konawaena Saturday at 10 a.m. and bowling teams travel to play Kealakehe in Hilo.

KA`U’S STATE REP. RICHARD CREAGAN holds a public meeting Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ocean View Community Center. To be discussed will be money from the state Legislature that has already been approved. Creagan said he wants input from the community on how to use the funding. He will also take questions on other issues concerning Ka`u.

INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL FARMING is a presentation Saturday at 10 a.m. at Ka Lae Gardens, 92-8395 Mamalahoa Hwy in Ocean View on the makai side of Hwy 11, accessible from Kohala Street. Richard Perea, of Ka`u Natural Farming, said he is soliciting interest in natural farming and aims to make training and certification available to all at an affordable price.

See Ka`u Natural Farming on Facebook or call 937-3010 for more information.

VOLCANO WINERY’S GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL is Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.

The event includes music by Keoki Kahumoku and Friends, pupus by Volcano House and other area businesses, wine and a souvenir wine glass.
Call 967-7772 to purchase $40 tickets. Last year’s event sold out.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

HVO scientists project that lava moving northeast from the flow front at bottom left will hit Pahoa. Map from Big Island Video News

SCIENTISTS AT HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY expect lava to reach Pahoa within two weeks. At a community meeting held last night at Pahoa High School recorded by Big Island Video News, HVO scientist-in-charge Jim Kauahikaua showed a map projecting the lava to move toward Pahoa’s transfer station on its way toward the village and Hwy 130.

Lava creates smoke plumes on its path toward Pahoa.
Photo from USGS/HVO

As of this morning, lava is .2 miles away from the boundary between Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve and the sparsely populated Ka`ohe Homesteads subdivision. Although Civil Defense has not ordered evacuations, residents are asked to be prepared, and the agency is continuing door-to-door surveys and notifications in the area.
A Lava Flow Informational Fair is scheduled tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pahoa High School for those who provide services to Puna residents to answer questions. Representative will provide information on topics including insurance, legal, financial, moving, transportation, police, fire and health care.
Mayor Billy Kenoi told meeting attendees he is working with the necessary agencies and companies to provide and maintain uninterrupted electrical service, telecommunication capability and access should the flow cover Hwy 130. The county is currently working on Railroad Avenue and Government Beach Road to provide access for residents. Chain of Craters Road, which connects lower Puna with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and was covered with lava since 1983, is another option as the likelihood of those routes becoming covered gets closer.
See bigislandvideonews.com.

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KA`U PUBLIC LIBRARIES SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED circulation last year, this key indicator helping to ensure their continued service to the community. Pahala’s circulation increased by 59 percent, and Na`alehu Library booked the most circulation of its printed, DVD, CD and other lending formats among the state’s 50 public libraries. The reports from Pahala librarian Debbie Wong Yuen and Na`alehu librarian Sara Kamibayashi were provided to Friends of Ka`u Libraries at the organization’s annual meeting last night at Pahala Plantation House.

Friends of the Ka`u Libraries celebrated increased circulation over the past year
and success in helping to keep the libraries open and growning in their services.
Front row is new President Ann Fontes. Back row from left are outgoing
President and new Secretary Doris Davis, Vice President Bonnie Barnes,
na`alehu Director Sandy Demoruelle, Ocean View Director and Na`alehu
School Librarian Linda Morgan, Na`alehu Libriarian Sara Kamibayashi
and Ocean View Ranchos Director Trisha Gerbo.
Photo by Julia Neal

Friends of Ka`u Libraries celebrated its lobbying efforts to keep Pahala Library open and to extend its hours and use of its free computer lab. Pahala Library is now open five days a week.

The Na`alehu librarian said that the size of Na`alehu Library will double next year with the addition of a new portable building. Fundraising could be needed to purchase shelves, said Kamibayashi.
Other fundraising will help support the Ka`u History Project to collect photos and documents about life in Ka`u and to copy and archive them. Recent fundraising supported computer disc repair machines for the libraries.
Movie matinees on Fridays have drawn an average of 34 attendees in Pahala. Matinees are offered on Tuesdays in Na`alehu. The librarians also reported strong attendance in summer reading programs by school students on vacation as well as adults. The successful, well-attended 20th anniversary celebration for Na`alehu Library was also applauded. The State Foundation for Culture & the Arts was commended for placing excellent art for display in both libraries.
Outgoing President Doris Davis commended the group on fundraising throughout the year, including participation in Ka`u Coffee Festival, Ka`u Plantation Days and regular book sales.

Friends of Ka`u Libraries will sell books and its new T-shirts at Ka`u Plantation Days on Saturday, Oct. 11 on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House.
New officers were elected Thursday night. They are President Ann Fontes, Vice President Bonnie Barnes and Secretary Doris Davis. Directors are: Trisha Grebo, of Ocean View Ranchos; Linda Morgan, of Ocean View; Sandy Demoruelle, of Na`alehu; and Myra Jean Sumida, of Pahala. Members also acknowledged the work of the late Xenia Silva, who served as president of the organization.
Annual memberships are $5 per person and $2 for seniors. Lifetime memberships are $100. Call Ann Fontes at 987-7448 or Doris Davis at 928-0919.

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Alan Oshima, new HECO President and CEO

AN INFORMATIONAL KIOSK AT NA`ALEHU PARK is the next priority project for Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee. The kiosk will provide information to travelers about services available in the area including businesses, churches and recreation as well as history about Na`alehu Park. The committee met yesterday to discuss details of the kiosk’s design.

After designs of informational panels are finalized, they will be sent to Clayton Honma, Director of Hawai`i County Department of Parks & Recreation, for approval.
Another project in the works is placement of signs along Hwy 11 informing travelers of dates of lava flows along the route, similar to signage found along roads in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Committee members are applying for partial funding through Hawai`i Tourism Authority for the project.
The committee’s next meeting is Thursday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church, and the public is invited.

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ALAN OSHIMA HAS BEEN NAMED PRESIDENT and chief executive officer of Hawaiian Electric Company, effective Oct. 1, 2014. Oshima has almost 40 years of energy, regulated utility, legal and community relations experience in Hawai`i. He will succeed Dick Rosenblum, who has served in the position since 2009.

“Alan brings extensive energy industry experience, a real passion for moving Hawai`i to a clean energy future and a proven ability to bring people together to work collaboratively for needed change. We need to move away from a traditional utility model to become a responsive, affordable energy services provider for our customers, and I’m confident Alan is the right leader to guide our utility through this transformation,” said Connie Lau, chair of the board for HECO and president and chief executive officer of its parent company, HEI.
“I’m honored to lead Hawaiian Electric at such a critical time,” Oshima said. “We have a dedicated team of employees who care deeply about doing the right thing for our customers and for Hawai`i. We know the energy environment is changing, and we have to adapt. We need to be more responsive, working collaboratively with our customers and the greater community. I’m confident that together we can achieve the clean energy future we all want for Hawai`i.”

Tiny Treasures II opens tomorrow.
Photo from Volcano Art Center

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IN SPORTS, THE TROJANS’ EIGHT-MAN football team hosts Pahoa today at 6:30 p.m. Tomorrow, Ka`u High girls volleyball travels to Konawaena for a 10 a.m. match, and bowling teams travel to play Kealakehe in Hilo.

KA`U’S STATE REP. RICHARD CREAGAN holds a public meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Ocean View Community Center to discuss money from the state Legislature that has been approved for water projects. He will also take questions on other issues concerning Ka`u.

RICHARD PEREA, OF KA`U NATURAL FARMING, offers an introduction to natural farming tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Ka Lae Gardens, 92-8395 Mamalahoa Hwy in Ocean View on the makai side of Hwy 11, accessible from Kohala Street.
See Ka`u Natural Farming on Facebook or call 937-3010 for more information.

TINY TREASURES II OPENS TOMORROW at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The sculpture and jewelry exhibit features 16 Hawai`i Island artists. Opening reception is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.
Call 967-7565 for more information.

TOMORROW FROM 9:30 A.M. TO 12:30 P.M., a free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the human history of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit.

Manu Josiah and Leilehua Yuen offer a hula kahiko informance
tomorrow. Photo from Volcano Art Center

LEILEHUA YUEN AND MANU JOSIAH with Halau Hula LeiManu present a hula kahiko informance tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The informance format allows for more interaction between the kumu, halau and audience. The kumu explains the halau philosophy, protocol, meanings behind the dance, costuming, flower selection, etc. A short question and answer session is held immediately following the informance.
For more information, call 967-8222.

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY to register for Ka`u Coffee Trail Run before fees increase. Events are a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon.

See race360.com/21357.

VOLCANO WINERY’S GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL is Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.
The event includes music by Keoki Kahumoku and Friends, pupus by Volcano House and other area businesses, wine and a souvenir wine glass.
Call 967-7772 to purchase $40 tickets. Last year’s event sold out.

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 School's scoreboard shows the final score of Trojan eight-man football team's victory over Pahoa High Daggers last night. Photo by Pamela Taylor

PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION will receive over $2 million in U.S. Department of Education grants to operate its various education programs, including Tutu & Me programs in Ka`u. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz announced the grants to education programs and institutions that serve Native Hawaiian communities from preschool through college and career training. Projects will support vital needs such as kindergarten readiness; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education; Native Hawaiian culture and language; and college success.

“After visiting many of these schools and programs in Hawai`i, I have seen first-hand how important it is to empower Native Hawaiian students and will continue to fight for these valuable funds,” Hirono said. “When students have a sense of place and feel they’re a part of the community, they can thrive in the classroom and beyond.”
Schatz said, “Many in our Native Hawaiian communities face unique challenges in gaining a higher education. We must make sure the federal government continues to do its part to identify and tackle some of the obstacles standing in their way. These investments will go a long way in providing our children with the opportunities to learn in a unique, culturally sensitive way and help them reach their full potential.”
Native Hawaiian Education Program grantees are receiving more than $8 million in funding, and over $11 million are being awarded to Native Hawaiian-serving institutions of higher education.
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Trojans get ready to put the ball into play. Photo by Cheyenne DaCalio

THE TEAM THAT STARTED EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL league for the smaller high schools on this island and beyond pounded Pahoa last night with a score of 62-0 on Trojan turf.
Within two minutes of the game, Anthony Emmsley Ah Yee got a touchdown. The two-point conversion was blocked by Pahoa’s Kawika Andrian, for a beginning score of 6-0.
A few minutes later, Kupono Palakiko Leffew ran over 20 yards with several Pahoa defense players on his back.
Quarterback Cy Tamura ran in a touchdown, and Leffew ran for a two-point conversion to make the score 14-0.
Kali`i Dolan got the third touchdown of the first quarter, and Kaimanu Medeiros-Dancel got the two-point conversion for a score of 22-0.
When the second quarter began, Pahoa had the ball, but Ka`u’s Makana Gravela intercepted it, making a play to pass the ball to Anthony Emmsley Ah Yee for another touchdown, and Cy Tamura got the two-point conversion. Ka`u got another two points through a safety by Kaweni Ibarra.
Kaimanu Medeiros-Dancel got another touchdown, and Randall Kahele scored the two-point conversion, making the halftime score 54-0.

Due to the mercy rule of 35-point lead at halftime, the clock was set to run for the second half of the game.

Pahoa High School's new eight-man football team traveled to Ka`u yesterday.
Photo by Cheyenne DaCalio

In the third quarter, Kupono Palikiko Leffew got a touchdown, and Kainalu Ke got the two-point conversion for the final score of 62-0.
“Pahoa is a newer team, but they worked hard and played well,” Ibarra said. “Ka`u knows what it’s like to be in that position, but last night’s game showed a strong, confident and organized team, which gives hope to other teams just starting out.”
This story was written with reports from Ka`u High School journalism intern Kaweni Ibarra.

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FEDERAL DISASTER AID HAS BEEN MADE AVAILABLE to the state of Hawai`i to supplement state and local recovery efforts in areas affected by Tropical Storm Iselle last month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency announced. President Obama’s action makes federal funding available to state and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the storm in Hawai`i and Maui counties.

Federal disaster aid is available to state and local recovery efforts
following Tropical Storm Iselle. Photo by Rob Blosser

Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures statewide.
Kenneth K. Suiso has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Suiso said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further damage assessments.
Application procedures for state and local governments will be explained at a series of federal/state applicant briefings with locations to be announced in the affected area by recovery officials. Approved public repair projects are paid through the state from funding provided by FEMA and other participating federal agencies.

“We want to thank Pres. Obama, Gov. Abercrombie and all those who worked on this request for assistance to restore our public infrastructure following Tropical Storm Iselle,” said County of Hawai`i Mayor Billy Kenoi. “This federal assistance will help us to repair public facilities and mitigate future hazards. However, individual assistance for our residents and homeowners is also needed, and our team continues to work with the state on our appeal to convince FEMA to reconsider our request for individual assistance.”

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THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS and Department of Land and Natural Resources announce the immediate closure of Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve, until further notice, due to hazards associated with the June 27 lava flow moving through Puna. Wao Kele O Puna is owned by OHA and managed by DLNR.

With lava moving through the area, Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve and
Kahauale`a Natural Area Reserve are closed. Photo from USGS/HVO

OHA Chief Executive Officer Kamana`opono Crabbe said, “It is prudent at this time to close Wao Kele O Puna due to lava activity and subsequent unsafe conditions.”

William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson, said, “We join with Hawai`i Civil Defense and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to warn the public of extreme danger from lava flowing through cracks in Wao Kele O Puna and Kahauale`a Natural Area Reserve. Both areas are off-limits to all persons. We will prosecute anyone entering these areas for any purpose, including unauthorized lava sightseeing tours. Hikers have been lost or injured in these areas, and personnel called in to rescue them have also been put in danger.”
The Division of Forestry and Wildlife will be assisting Hawai`i County to build alternate roads in Puna. Lava is estimated to cross Hwy 130 in approximately two weeks if it stays on its current path.
DOFAW is providing a D8 bulldozer and equipment operator to Nanawale/Railroad Ave. and expects work will take several weeks. Portions of the old railroad right-of-way run through state forest and unencumbered lands. Railroad Ave. bisects Nanawale state Forest Reserve.

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AS PUNA PREPARES FOR THE APPROACHING lava flow, residents are reminded that enhanced penalties apply to certain crimes committed during a state of emergency. Mayor Billy Kenoi proclaimed a state of emergency for the Puna district beginning Sept. 4. Under Act 111 of the 2014 Hawai`i State Legislature, the classification of certain crimes is elevated during a state of emergency.
For example, any burglary of a dwelling is elevated to a Class A felony, punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of up to 20 years and no possibility of probation.

Petty misdemeanor criminal property damage, usually punishable by up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, is elevated to a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

Other offenses, including theft, robbery and any assault against an emergency worker also face elevated penalties.

Entry fees for Ka`u Coffee Trail Run increase tomorrow.

“The Hawai`i Police Department will be vigilant in maintaining the safety and security of our community in general, and those persons suffering from this situation in particular,” said Police Chief Harry Kubojiri. “There are enhanced sentencing options for those who commit crimes during a declared state of emergency, and we will make full use of these statutes.”
Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth said, “It’s time for the community to come together, work together and prepare. We will not tolerate the further victimization of people who are already suffering. We will be expediting the prosecution of these cases, and we will not hesitate to prosecute to fullest extent of the law. We are committed to working together with Hawai`i County Police, Civil Defense, as well as other agencies to keep our residents and visitors safe.”
For more information, contact Hawai`i County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney at 961-0466 or hilopros@hawaiicounty.gov.

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TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to register for Ka`u Coffee Trail Run before fees increase. Events are a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon.
See race360.com/21357.

VOLCANO WINERY’S GRAPE HARVEST FESTIVAL is tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. All proceeds benefit STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) programs at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.
Tickets are $40 and include music by Keoki Kahumoku and Friends, pupus by Volcano House and other area businesses, wine and a souvenir wine glass.
For more information, call 967-7772.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Volunteers can still sign up for Hawai`i Wildlife Fund's next Ka`u Coast Cleanup a week from today on Sunday, Sept. 21.
Photo from Hawai'i Wildlife Fund

A SECOND WELL FOR OCEAN VIEW is in the early stages of development. Rep. Richard Creagan, Ka`u’s County Council member Brenda Ford and Ocean View resident Loren Heck spoke about it at Ocean View Community Association’s Pancake Brunch yesterday.
Creagan said the more than $700,000 that has been appropriated by the state Legislature will be released after a committee made up of community members submits a plan for the project. He said the funds are currently not targeted to go to a certain agency but will probably go to the county Department of Water Supply for design.

Ka`u's County Council member Brenda Ford and Rep. Richard Creagan
provided information about planning for Ocean View's second well.
Photo by Ron Johnson

Ford said a resolution asking DWS to put the well on its five-year plan is on the agenda for the Sept. 30 meeting of the Committee on Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability. She urged Ocean View residents to testify on the matter. She explained that the location of the well depends on several factors including lot size, elevation above the first well, availability for purchase and location of aquifer. Wherever the well is located, water would be piped to the current fill station.
,She suggested that the plan should include having water available for a future school.
Heck asked residents to join the Advisory Committee for Water. He said the committee would meet two or three times to develop the plan that would be submitted in order for funds to be released to start the project.

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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN APPLY TO BECOME Adult Correction Officers. A list of requirements and information on how to apply are available on the state Department of Human Resources Development webpage at dhrd.hawaii.gov/job-seekers.
Recruitment ends Friday, Oct. 10 at midnight.
The nearest corrections facility to Ka`u is at Kulani off Hwy 11 between Volcano and Hilo.

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REMOVAL OF CINDER from 43,608 square feet of Ocean View land is the subject of a request to extend the life of a Special Use Permit. The property is on the south side of Mahimahi Drive near the Lurline Lane intersection in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Applicant Mark Jernigan is asking for a five-year extension. The matter will be taken up at the Thursday, Oct. 2 Windward Planning Commission meeting at 9 a.m. at Aupuni Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo.

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Malian Lahey

“BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HAWAI`I’S FAMILY FARMERS have a bright future,” Malian Lahey, Ka`u resident and policy chair of Hawai`i Farmers Union United, wrote in an article for Civil Beat.
“It’s a beautiful time to be a farmer in Hawai`i,” Lahey said. “Every morning I wake up and I say thank you for my life, thank you for my health. Thank you for this beautiful farm that is my home. I am so blessed.
“Farmers in our state have been given an extraordinary opportunity to serve at this time. From the aquaponics hobby farmer who lives in a condominium to the legendary Ma`o farms, we are determined to rise to the occasion and provide food for our state that is produced right here in Hawai`i.
“Eighty-five percent of our food is brought in by ships, according to a 2007 study by the Rocky Mountain Institute.
“Not only is it possible for Hawai`i to produce our own food, it is necessary. Our agricultural model can, with good planning and respectful implementation, be transitioned to one that is a net gain for the state.
“It is important to remember that a healthy civil society of citizens who respect each other’s safety, free speech, and right to hold their own opinions is more valuable than any other asset in the state of Hawai`i.
“Civil servants who grew up here and have dedicated their lives to partnership with the public can tell you that there never has and probably never will be any unanimous agreement on how to farm. That doesn’t stop them from continuing to serve the public need no matter who it is that comes to them.
“Educators who grew up here and have devoted their lives to empowering Hawai`i’s youth with knowledge will tell you that although there are often disagreements about the truth, the higher goal is always to serve the path of learning.
“That is why Hawai`i Farmers’ Union United commits to farmers first. We do have a bright future ahead of us as family farm businesses.

“Empowering agricultural entrepreneurship can boost our economy where it is needed the most, in the middle class. Giving young people a stake in society makes us a more resilient, safer community.
“The International Fund for Agricultural Development, which is a special agency of the United Nations, published findings in its 2013 report showing that smallholder farmers provide over 80 percent of the food consumed in the world. It stated that “smallholders should be included as important custodians of natural resources and as entrepreneurs with the capacity to invest in natural assets and contribute to national and global production systems.”

“IFAD also asserts that small community farms that deliver produce to the local market are better for the environment because they produce fewer greenhouse gases in their supply chain, and that the vegetables hold more nutrients because they are allowed to ripen longer and travel time between farm and table is shorter.
“At this year’s state Democratic Convention, the party adopted a resolution to support smallholder farmers, based upon the findings of this international agency.
“Our food systems might be subject to change, but we are the equals of the challenges faced by the great state of Hawai`i. To this end, the Hawai`i Farmers’ Union United introduced an on-farm mentoring bill during the last legislative session.
“HFUU has been a driving partner in the push for consolidating food safety certification standards into one statewide certification that would be more cost effective for family owned farm businesses.
“In the face of events like Hurricane Iselle, people in our state are waking up to the need to grow our own food right here. Hawai`i’s residents can feed Hawai`i.
“That is what Hawaii Farmers’ Union United represents and where I personally plant my stake – my tomato stake, that is.”
See civilbeat.com.

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IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL teams traveled to Konawaena yesterday. Junior varsity won 2 – 1, and varsity lost in three straight sets, 17 – 25, 17 – 25 and 11 – 25.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES meet Tuesday at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona, and the full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.
Committee on Public Works & Parks and Recreation meets at 9 a.m.
Committee on Governmental Relations & Economic Development at 9:15 a.m. will consider a resolution from Ka`u’s County Council member Brenda Ford requesting that the state Legislature establish “vote by mail” for all federal, state, and county primary, general and special elections and to make an appropriation for this method of voting. It requests that the Legislature use Oregon’s Vote By Mail Procedures Manual to establish Hawai`i’s system.
A companion resolution requests that the Hawai`i State Association of Counties support the legislation.

Vote by Mail is the topic of resolutions by
Ka`u's council member Brenda Ford.

Committee on Environmental Management meets at 10:45 a.m. Ford requests a report from the Environmental Management director on Hurricane/Tropical Storm Iselle’s impact on cesspools.
Planning Committee meets at 11 a.m. to consider an amendment to the Zoning Code that would require Planned Unit Development applications to be reviewed and acted on by either the Leeward or Windward Planning Commission, to be determined based on the location of the property for which the P.U.D. is sought.
Finance Committee meets at 1 p.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 2:15 p.m.; and Human Services & Social Services, 3 p.m.
Committee on Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability meets at 3:45 p.m.
A resolution from Ford requests that the state Legislature schedule committee hearings, give floor consideration, and adopt into law provisions for truth-in-labeling for Hawai`i-grown coffees.
A companion resolution requests that the Hawai`i State Association of Counties “urge the Legislature to adopt provisions to protect Hawai`i-grown coffees as premier, specialty coffees.”

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HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND STILL HAS SPACE for volunteers for the Ka`u Coast Cleanup a week from today on Sunday, Sept. 21. The event is associated with the annual international Get the Drift & Bag It effort. HWF is always recruiting more volunteers and extra four-wheel-drive vehicles. Volunteers are asked to RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com as soon as possible to save a spot.
Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to caravan/carpool to cleanup site from there. Volunteers should bring sturdy footwear, bag lunch, snacks, refillable water bottles, sun/wind protection, gloves and a swimsuit (for jumping in the ocean at lunch).
HWF provides extra gloves, some buckets, trash bags, water refills, first-aid kit and a camping toilet. Call 769-7629 or email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com with questions.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

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