The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

The public is invited to Ka`u Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting and $15 dinner today at 6 p.m. at Gilligan's Cafe in Discovery Harbour.

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES HAS AGREED to merge with NextEra Energy. The transaction is valued at approximately $4.3 billion.

HEI said in a statement, “NextEra Energy shares Hawaiian Electric’s vision of increasing renewable energy, modernizing its grid, reducing Hawai`i’s dependence on imported oil, integrating more rooftop solar energy and, importantly, lowering customer bills. Hawaiian Electric has filed plans with the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission that seek to enhance Hawai`i’s energy future by lowering electric bills, giving customers more service options and nearly tripling the amount of distributed solar, while achieving among the nation’s highest levels of renewable energy by 2030. NextEra Energy is supportive of Hawaiian Electric’s plans to accomplish these goals.

Connie Lau

“NextEra Energy’s principal subsidiaries include Florida Power & Light Company, one of the nation’s largest and most well-respected electric utilities, and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which together with its affiliated entities … is North America’s largest producer of renewable energy from the wind and sun. Through NextEra Energy Resources, NextEra Energy brings to bear all the capabilities of a renewable energy leader, including utility-scale and distributed solar, wind and battery storage, as well as the resources to help accelerate Hawaiian Electric’s efforts to pursue a new energy future in Hawai`i. Together, FPL and NextEra Energy Resources have completed more than $24 billion worth of major capital projects since 2003, overall on time and under budget.”
“Since 2001, FPL has reduced its reliance on foreign oil by more than 99 percent, improved its overall fuel efficiency by 20 percent and saved its customers more than $6.8 billion in fuel costs. FPL’s operational excellence has supported low customer bills, including typical residential customer electric bills that are the lowest in Florida for the fifth consecutive year and approximately 25 percent lower than the national average. Additionally, FPL’s highly efficient generation fleet is one of the cleanest and most modern among utilities nationwide. FPL also has developed, built and operates one of the nation’s most modern grid networks and offers the highest reliability among Florida’s investor-owned utilities, ranking in the top quartile nationally, with more than 99.98 percent reliability.”

Connie Lau, HEI’s president and chief executive officer and chair of the board, said, “In NextEra Energy, Hawaiian Electric is gaining a trusted partner that can help the company accelerate its plans to achieve the clean energy future we all want for Hawai`i. NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric share a common vision, a more affordable clean energy future for Hawai`i. While our goals are among the most ambitious in the nation, including increasing renewables to 65 percent, tripling solar and lowering customer bills 20 percent by 2030, we are confident that by leveraging both NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric’s expertise and the additional financial resources that NextEra Energy brings, we can meet these targets even sooner.”

The merger is subject to Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission approval. According to HEI’s statement, “the merger approval application that NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric intend to file within the next 60 days with the Hawai`i PUC will demonstrate that the combination will ensure customer interests are protected and that customers will receive measurable and significant value and savings. In addition, the jurisdiction of the Hawai`i PUC over Hawaiian Electric will not be diminished as a result of the transaction. The companies look forward to demonstrating the benefits that this transaction will offer Hawaiian Electric’s customers and Hawai`i.”

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Wesley Machida

Douglas Murdock

GOV. DAVID IGE HAS NAMED SIX ADDITIONAL members of his Cabinet and two deputy directors. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.
“We are committed to finding the best and brightest in our community to serve as effective leaders in state government,” Ige said. “These appointments show a variety of talented and dedicated individuals from both the public and private sectors who have decided to work together to create a better Hawai`i for future generations.”
Wesley Machida has been named Director of Finance and head of the Department of Budget and Finance. Machida is currently Executive Director of the Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Hawai`i.
Douglas G. Murdock has been named Comptroller and will head the Department of Accounting and General Services. Murdock is presently vice president for Administrative and Fiscal Affairs of Hawai`i Tourism Authority.
James Nishimoto is Director for the Department of Human Resources Development. Nishimoto has 38 years of government service and has served in a wide range of positions.

Laurel Johnston

Luis P. Salaveria is Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Salaveria brings more than 20 years of public and private sector experience and most recently served as Deputy Director of Finance.
Mary Alice Evans will continue as Deputy Director at DBEDT. She took the post in April 2011 after working as an employee of the Department for 33 years and serving as DAGS’ deputy comptroller for two years.
Rachael Wong, DrPH, will serve as Director of the Department of Human Services. Wong has most recently served as Vice President and chief operating officer of Healthcare Association of Hawai`i.
Maria Zielinski is Director of Taxation and head of the Department of Taxation. She previously served as Deputy Comptroller and accounting administrator for Maui County.
Pankaj Bhanot is Deputy Director at the Department of Human Services. He is currently serving as the department’s division administrator for the Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division.
Laurel A. Johnston has been selected as Ige’s Deputy Chief of Staff. Former Director of the University of Hawai`i System Budget Office, Johnston has served as a researcher, writer, and administrator in diverse policy areas.

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A Pahala firefighter has been arrested for conducting lava tours through two closed
areas, including Wao Kele o Puna Forest Reserve. Map from USGS/HVO

MATTHEW HOEFLINGER, A COUNTY FIREFIGHTER based at Pahala, is one of two persons arrested by Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers on Monday. Charges follow the pair leading lava viewing tours through the state Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve and Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve.   DOCARE officers conducted an undercover operation, which resulted in the arrest of Hoeflinger, of Kea`au, and Christa Nicholas, of Mountain View. Hoeflinger and Nicholas were charged with   reckless endangering in the second degree, conducting illegal commercial activities within a forest reserve, entering a closed area within a natural area reserve and conducting illegal commercial activities within a natural area reserve, all of which are misdemeanor offenses. They are also being charged with trespassing in the second degree and entering a closed area in a forest reserve, which are petty misdemeanor offenses.

Entry into closed lands is a violation of Hawai`i Administrative Rule Sec. 13-221-4 and Hawai`i Revised Statute 171-6 and is subject of penalty up to $5,000 for the first offense.
“DLNR intends to prosecute any trespassers who willfully violate the closures and place enforcement officers and emergency personnel at increased risk,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson.
Signs have been posted at various access points warning the public of the hazardous conditions.

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KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER is today at Gilligan’s Restaurant in Discovery Harbour at 6 p.m. Dinner is $15 a person for pizza or spaghetti, salad and dessert. Beverages include beer, wine or soda. Money will be collected at the door.
Membership with a listing in The Directory 2015 is $35 and will be accepted at the meeting.

KOHALA PERFORMS A HOLIDAY CONCERT tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Advance $15 tickets are available at Volcano Kilauea Kreations, Kilauea General Store and Kilauea Kreations II in Hilo. $20 at the door.

ENTRANCE FEE IS A CAN OF FOOD for the food bank when Tiki Mama and Friends present the first annual Goddess Festival, a family fun event. Featuring art, music, food, dance, vendors and craft activities for children the celebration is Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 939-9817 for more information.

VOLCANO ART CENTER PRESENTS a visual sound movement performance and art collaboration Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Dance performers are Shizuno Nasu, Jenn Eng and Rieko Inoue. Sound and music is by Joe Okuda. Art includes painting by Susumu Sakaguchi and sculpture by Stephen Freedman.
Tickets are $12 for VAC members and $15 for non-members. Call 967-8222.

VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS OFFERS its free annual gift to the community Saturday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. KDEN presents old favorites and modern arrangements.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S KEIKI CHRISTMAS party is Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. Previous announcements in Ka`u News Briefs of it being today, Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. are incorrect.

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

Pete Licata pours Ka`u Coffee at the 2012 Ka`u Coffee Festival. Will Tabios, at left, won Specialty Coffee Association of
America's Coffee of the Year in 2012. Photo by Julia Neal

TWO AREA PROJECTS WON ENDORSEMENTS last night at Ka`u Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting held at Gilligan’s Cafe in Discovery Harbour. One is funding of a second potable water well in Ocean View, which would allow business expansion and a school. The second is endorsement of a zoning variance that would allow for the Heritage Center of Ka`u, which would be constructed on a 15-acre dry land forest makai of Highway 11 that would serve as a gateway visitor center on the Kona side of Ocean View.

Zachary DeBernardi's banjo `ukulele and Sigrid Genoux's accordion with the Last
Fling Band play at Christmas gigs throughout Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal

Like much of Ocean View, including most house lots and business locations, the zoning where Ho`omalu Ka`u would build the Heritage Center of Ka`u is Agriculture.
Lehua Lopez Mau made the call for Chamber endorsement of the zoning variance and also asked for community donations to the nonprofit Ho`omalu group, which is accepting funding, as well as artifacts, maps and documents that would be archived at the Heritage Center of Ka`u. She said that biological and archaeological surveys have been completed for the land adjacent to Manuka Natural Area Reserve and mauka of South Kona Wilderness Area. The Chamber voted to support the variance by the county Planning Commission and Planning Department to allow structures and parking.
A second potable water well plan was presented by Chamber board member Rell Woodward. He said Ocean View Community Development Corp. and a community committee are soliciting support for the state release of $725,000 that was approved by the Legislature. The proposal calls for release of the funding directly to the county Department of Water Supply, which could oversee the project and cut through red tape for a more timely completion.
According to OVCDC and the community committee, water would help support the planned Ka`u Learning Academy and other possible schools, the existing commercial area and proposed Lehua Court. It would support firefighting, dilution of high salt content in the current well and irrigation of the county Kahuku Park.

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Lucy Rogge on autoharp with the Last Fling Band.
Photo by Julia Neal

LAST FLING IS THE BAND who played Christmas music for the annual meeting of Ka`u Chamber of Commerce last night at Gilligan’s Cafe. Instruments ranged from Zachary DeBernardi’s banjo `ukulele and Sigrid Genoux’s accordion to autoharp, trumpet, drums, bells, baratone `ukulele, standard `ukulele, wash tub bass, electric bass and piano.

The eldest member of Last Fling is 83. Musicians must be at least 60 years of age to join and either play or want to play an instrument. The motto is "You don’t get out until you die." The Last Fling band has been together since the early 1970s. Last Fling plays next at the `O Ka`u Kakou Christmas Party this weekend.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSIONS are considering changing the approval process for Planned Unit Developments. Currently, only the Planning director has to approve PUDs, and public notice follows the decisions. Decisions can be overturned by the Board of Appeals and the Third Circuit Court.
Bill 281 calls for the Planning Commission that holds jurisdiction over the area where properties for which applications are sought to be responsible for review and approval of the application. Public notices and hearings would be required.
Lands where the famous Moa`ula and Pear Tree Ka`u Coffee farms are located were set up for subdivision as a PUD several years ago, the decision made by the former county Planning director without public hearing or consideration by the Planning Commissions or County Council. The subdivision has not been carried out, but the potential is part of the marketing of the land, which has been put up for sale by Lehman Brothers Holdings, which foreclosed on former developers there. The coffee farmers, who have developed the Ka`u Coffee industry there for nearly two decades, no longer have leases and could lose their farms if the land is subdivided and sold off. The proposed PUD at Moa`ula and Pear Tree calls for many lots smaller than 20 acres for which the property is zoned, leaving the gulches and mountainsides and some other non-coffee land in bigger parcels.

An aerial view of Ka`u Coffee lands that are subject to PUD subdivision.
Photo from kaucoffeeandranchlands.com

The initial intent of the PUD was to make for better planning by avoiding simple cookie cutter developments. However, PUDs are sometimes used by developers to obtain smaller, more desirable lots for estates and houses. One thousand acres zoned for 20-acre agriculture lots, for example, could be subdivided into 50 ag lots. With a PUD, the procedure is to place unbuildable land, such as steep hillsides and gulches, in one large parcel, leaving other lots smaller than the 20 acres for which the property is zoned. A 1,000-acre parcel zoned Ag-20 could possibly be subdivided into one 500-acre lot with cliffs and streams and 49 other flat lots 10.2 acres each. PUD use by developers has often been to maximize the number of small lots that can be obtained out of a large agricultural parcel. Some proposals have attempted to maximize beachfront lots for estates by making one large lot in the most mauka section of the property and putting the smaller, often skinny, long houselots under 20 acres near the shoreline.
The Windward Planning Commission endorsed the bill to require Planning Commission review and public hearings with reservations yesterday, and the Leeward Planning Commission will consider it on Thursday, Dec. 18 at 9:30 a.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center.

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Hawai`i Wildlife Fund held a Ka`u Coast Cleanup last month. The next one
is on Feb. 7. Photos from HWF

THIRTY-FIVE PEOPLE HELPED HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND pull 3,158 pounds of trash off the beach during its last cleanup event on Nov. 15. The cleanup spanned 1.2 miles of coastline from Pa`akea, south of Ka`alu`alu Bay, to Kamilo Point. HWF estimates that 1,158 pounds of miscellaneous debris was collected in 57 trashbags, including two bags of microplastics and several bags of hard plastics for recycling. At the same time, another 2,000 pounds of derelict fishing nets were collected.

Interesting finds included two intact light bulbs, including a one-meter-long fluorescent bulb, and an old-school glass 7-up bottle with soda still in it.
The date for the next Ka`u Community Coastal Cleanup event is set for Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com to hold a spot in a vehicle.

Pete Licata with Lori Obra, of Rusty's 100 Percent
Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee, during the Boston event
when he took the national U.S. Barista
title again. Photo by Julia Neal

HWF asks Ka`u residents to continue voting for the nonprofit during Subaru Hawai`i’s fourth community-based Share the Love sales campaign through Dec. 31. At the end of the campaign, Subaru Hawai`i will award one of five nonprofit organizations with the most votes an additional $5,000. The company is donating $250 for each new 2014 or 2015 Subaru vehicle sold. Vote at https://www.facebook.com/SubaruHI.

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PETE LICATA, WHO HELPED PUT RUSTY’S 100 Percent Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee on the international barista stage, is the subject of a segment on a new CNN television show called Somebody’s Gotta Do It. A portion of the segment can be seen online at http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/us/original-series-mike-rowe-somebodys-gotta-do-it/index.html. Click on Mike Rowe: Coffee pro. The episode airs Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 4 p.m.
During U.S. and international barista championships where Licata has taken first place, Licata has talked about staying in Ka`u, helping to farm and picking the coffee he used in competition. Licata won the U.S. Barista Championship in 2011 with Rusty’s Hawaiian and was accompanied by R. Miguel Meza, of Isla Coffee and Rusty’s Hawaiian, for the world championships in Bogota, Colombia. Licata has led the Ka`u Coffee Experience at the annual Ka`u Coffee Festival.

Licata also took first place in the 2013 United States Barista Championship in Boston at the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s convention. Competitors showed off their skills in making four espressos, four cappuccinos and four original signature drinks of their own creation – all within 15 minutes.

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KOHALA PERFORMS A HOLIDAY CONCERT tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Advance $15 tickets are available at Volcano Kilauea Kreations, Kilauea General Store and Kilauea Kreations II in Hilo. $20 at the door.

Li`i Kaluna with coconut hats made at one
of the earlier Makahiki. Photo by Julia Neal

THE ANNUAL MAKAHIKI that celebrates Hawaiian values, culture, talent and food takes place this evening, Saturday and Sunday at Punalu`u Beach Park with everyone invited. Local bands volunteer, and free food is served up both Saturday and Sunday, with many people camping out. Hawaiian crafts, including weaving coconut frond hats, are among the cultural practices that have been featured over the many years of the Makahiki.

TIKI MAMA AND FRIENDS present the first annual Goddess Festival, a family fun event. Featuring art, music, food, dance, vendors and craft activities for children, the celebration is tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entrance fee is a can of food for the food bank. Call 939-9817 for more information.

VOLCANO ART CENTER PRESENTS a visual sound movement performance and art collaboration tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Dance performers are Shizuno Nasu, Jenn Eng and Rieko Inoue. Sound and music is by Joe Okuda. Art includes painting by Susumu Sakaguchi and sculpture by Stephen Freedman.
Tickets are $12 for VAC members and $15 for non-members. Call 967-8222.

VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS OFFERS its annual gift to the community tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. KDEN presents old favorites and modern arrangements.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S KEIKI CHRISTMAS party is coming up Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. The event features gifts for keiki, food for everyone and a visit from Santa.

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 participate in Palm Trail Hike at Kahuku tomorrow morning. The guided hike crosses the 1868 lava flow and provides one of the most panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Photo from NPS

SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ HAS CO-AUTHORED a letter to President Barack Obama asking him to immediately submit a proposed Authorization for the Use of Military Force for Congressional consideration regarding military actions against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Sen. Brian Schatz

“While we must take action to combat the threat posed by ISIL, we do not believe that you possess sufficient authority to undertake the current U.S. military campaign against ISIL,” the letter states. “In addition, we are extremely concerned that the current operation lacks measurable goals, benchmarks of success and a clear scope.
“We were encouraged by your recent statements welcoming a new AUMF for the conflict with ISIL. However, we also believe you have the responsibility to make a case to the American people for war, and a vital step in this process is the submission of a formal AUMF to Congress. This action allows Congress to properly evaluate a President’s vision and strategy for combat operations and fosters the critical debate that the American public deserves. You last submitted a draft AUMF in 2013 when you sought authority to launch airstrikes in connection with the conflict in Syria, which provoked an important debate in Congress and gave the American people the opportunity to voice their concerns.
“Additionally, taking military action without an AUMF tailored to ISIL puts the United States at risk of repeating the mistakes of the past and becoming bogged down in an open-ended conflict… .
“ISIL is a group of barbaric terrorists, and their extreme tactics, like the abhorrent and tragic beheadings of innocent Americans, display a shocking brutality that must be confronted. That is why we do support you using American leadership to help build an international coalition that both provides military assistance to confront this terrorist threat and helps build an inclusive and unified Iraqi government that has the capacity to be a strong partner in counterterrorism efforts against this terrorist group. However, U.S. military operations must be authorized by Congress. We are hopeful that we can work together to uphold our responsibility to the American people and have a more serious debate about America's military operations against ISIL.”
The full letter is available at http://www.baldwin.senate.gov/press-releases/senators-baldwin-schatz-call-for-isil-aumf.

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Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

REP. TULSI GABBARD PRAISED unanimous passage of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2014 (H.R. 4329). The bill seeks to empower Native communities by assisting low-income families with affordable housing.

“Over 1,400 low-income families in Hawai`i have benefited from these services and, in many cases, homeownership would not have been possible given the $640,000 median price of a single-family home on the island of O`ahu,” Gabbard said in a speech to the House of Representatives.
“Nationwide, passage of this legislation also would represent an important step toward removing roadblocks to economic success in Native communities, and would reaffirm the House’s long-standing commitment to tribal sovereignty and self-determination.”
NAHASDA-supported activities include home construction, roads, sewers, street lighting and utilities; direct loans to income-eligible families; subsidies for home rehabilitation; home repair training; financial counseling; and support for nonprofits who provide self-help home construction.
The Department of Hawaiian Homelands uses the NAHASDA funds to manage a trust established by Congress to support Native Hawaiians through homesteading.

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KILAUEA IS A MOODY VOLCANO, report Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists is the current issue of Volcano Watch. The issue describes the effusive and explosive nature of Kilauea. “One mood is violent and explosive, the other relentless and effusive — almost a dual personality,” the article states. “The explosive mood caused the fatalities in 1790, and the effusive mood produced lava flows that disrupted society in the 15th, 19th, 20th and now the 21st centuries.

Kilauea Caldera, currently about 400 feet deep,
has been at least 2,000 feet deep in the past.
Photo by Peter Anderson

“How can Kilauea experience such different moods? Its behavior has to do with the presence of a deep depression — a caldera — at the summit. Visitors today peer into the caldera, not realizing its importance in determining whether Kilauea erupts explosively or effusively. They can be excused, because the caldera today is only a shadow of its former self. At a depth of 400 feet, it is only 20 percent or less of its past depth of at least 2,000 feet.
“At its deepest, the floor of Kilauea Caldera intersects the water table, and groundwater can interact with hot magma and rocks forming the walls of the magma conduit. Water can’t get in when the conduit is filled with magma. But when the conduit has emptied for some reason, water can flow into it, flash to steam, build pressure if the conduit becomes temporarily plugged by wall collapse, and finally explode. Explosions can also occur if magma erupts through a lake on the floor of the caldera.

“In Kilauea’s past 2,500 years, such a deep caldera has apparently existed about 60 percent of the time, leading to two long periods of sporadic violent explosions. One lasted 1,200 years, ending in about 1000 CE; the other lasted 300 years between 1500 and 1800 CE. Tragedies such as that in 1790 can occur during these periods.
“Studies show that a deep caldera forms and persists when the magma supply rate to the volcano drops to only a few percent of its value during times of effusive activity. Frequent explosions are the ultimate result. Eventually magma supply picks up, the caldera fills, and effusive eruptions dominate, as they have for 40 percent of the past 2,500 years, most recently for the past 200 years.
“Both of Kilauea’s moods have good and bad sides. In the explosive mood, the explosions take place in the caldera and can threaten life within a radius of several kilometers. The hazard is severe but local to the summit. However, falling ash can be disagreeable many kilometers away, and airborne ash from future large explosive eruptions will threaten air traffic. Such explosive periods last decades to centuries and could create economic hardship around the summit and beyond. On the other hand, ash falls contribute to soil fertility. Former settlements on Kilauea’s barren south coast were made possible by pockets of fertile ash.
“In the effusive mood, the eruptions take place in the summit region and along the two rift zones. Potentially, lava flows can destroy or damage communities anywhere on the volcano. With few exceptions (for example, methane explosions and lava-delta collapses), the flows are not life-threatening but can be life-changing. Kilauea is in an effusive mood now, and people know that it can be unpleasant.
“Active volcanoes are inherently unstable, uncertain places to live. Whether in an explosive or effusive mood, Kilauea will always present hazards to the populace. We should be realistic, but not fatalistic, about the situation. We can’t command Kilauea, but we can control our actions in the face of its hazards.”

The full article and daily updates on Kilauea’s activity are available at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

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The Goddess Festival at Tiki Mama continues until 5 p.m. today.
Photo from hovefun.com

THE ANNUAL MAKAHIKI that celebrates Hawaiian values, culture, talent and food continues today and tomorrow at Punalu`u Beach Park with everyone invited. Local bands volunteer, and free food is served up both days, with many people camping out.

TIKI MAMA AND FRIENDS present the first annual Goddess Festival, a family fun event today until 5 p.m. The event features art, music, food, dance, vendors and craft activities for children. Entrance fee is a can of food for the food bank. Call 939-9817 for more information.

VOLCANO ART CENTER PRESENTS a visual sound movement performance and art collaboration today at 6:30 p.m. at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Dance performers are Shizuno Nasu, Jenn Eng and Rieko Inoue. Sound and music is by Joe Okuda. Art includes painting by Susumu Sakaguchi and sculpture by Stephen Freedman.
Tickets are $12 for VAC members and $15 for non-members. Call 967-8222.

VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS OFFERS its annual gift to the community today at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. KDEN presents old favorites and modern arrangements. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Volcano Art Center presents an exhibit of glass by Darren Goodman
beginning Monday. Photo from VAC

PALM TRAIL HIKE AT KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. 985-6011 or nps.gov/havo

DARREN GOODMAN GLASS EXHIBIT opens Monday and continues through Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U FARM BUREAU MEETS MONDAY at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S KEIKI CHRISTMAS party is coming up Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. The event features gifts for keiki, food for everyone and a visit from Santa.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Individuals can still sign up to participate in Pahala Christmas Parade a week from today on Sunday, Dec. 14. Pahala Preschool rode in the parade last year. Photo by Julia Neal

CONGRESSWOMAN TULSI GABBARD HAS JOINED a group of bipartisan colleagues to call attention to significant policy provisions that were inserted into the National Defense Authorization Act of 2015 without a vote or serious debate. The annual defense bill includes a two-year extension of the authority to equip and train so-called moderate Syrian rebels. 

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

“It is absolutely unacceptable to include an open-ended policy of arming and training so-called ‘moderate’ Syrian rebels in the NDAA without any serious public debate or a standalone vote,” said Gabbard, a twice-deployed veteran who has repeatedly criticized the strategy to arm Syrian rebels. “Giving weapons and training to these rebels whose stated purpose is to overthrow President Assad will have lengthy and costly consequences because it continues the broken policy of overthrowing regimes and nation-building that has cost so many precious lives and our nation’s treasure, drawing us into another country’s civil war. I voted against this provision on Sept. 17, when the Administration promised Congress would be able to reassess this strategy in December 2014. To the contrary, Congress has had no opportunity to discuss, debate, or vote on this standalone question. There is no reason to bury this issue in a major must-pass annual defense bill that includes critical provisions for our military’s readiness and our troops’ well-being. We must have a standalone vote so the American people’s voice can be heard. 
“Congress cannot continue to offer tacit support for a strategy that does not support achieving our mission of destroying ISIL and the Islamic extremists who seek to harm us. By continuing to funnel weapons to rebels in Syria, whose vetting and loyalties are questionable and untested, we face the likely outcome of our weapons falling into the hands of our enemies yet again, to be used against Americans and innocent civilians.”
Gabbard joined a bipartisan letter led to Speaker John Boehner reiterating these concerns about the Syria train-and-equip provisions inserted into the NDAA agreement.

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Sen. Mazie Hirono

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES’ merger with NextEra Energy is receiving widespread reaction. In its announced last week, HEI said NextEra is supportive of its plans “to enhance Hawai`i’s energy future by lowering electric bills, giving customers more service options and nearly tripling the amount of distributed solar, while achieving among the nation’s highest levels of renewable energy by 2030.”

HEI called NextEra “one of the nation’s largest and most well-respected electric utilities” and “North America’s largest producer of renewable energy from the wind and sun.”
The announcement is “profound and historic for Hawai`i,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc. is well established in this community, and the decision to combine with NextEra Energy, Inc. … deserves careful scrutiny on behalf of Hawai`i consumers and residents. I look forward to meeting with HEI and NextEra leaders to hear how Hawai`i can lead in clean energy and protect the interests of the customer.”
Richard Ha, owner of Hamakua Springs Country Farms and a proponent of geothermal energy, said the merger “will be very good for Hawai`i,” on his blog at hahaha.hamakuasprings.com.
“NextEra has the balance sheet and other resources to support significant investment in Hawai`i’s transmission and distribution system to enable much higher levels of renewable energy sources,” Ha said. “Most of all, this change in ownership of our electrical utility will finally make much needed new and different approaches possible. What we all want is a lower cost of electricity.
“We are unique on the Big Island. Beside solar, wind and biofuels, we have proven geothermal. Once it’s developed, geothermal wants to run 100 percent of the time, and the more it runs, the cheaper it is to the ratepayers.

Richard Ha

“What if we guaranteed the geothermal developer, say, 25 megawatts, and put no restriction on generating electricity for hydrogen manufacturing over and above the 25 megawatts. If, for instance, the geothermal company installed a 30-megawatt generator, they could sell 25 megawatts to the utility and sell the excess five megawatts cheap to make hydrogen. That would solve our liquid transportation problem, via hydrogen fuel cells, and we could make nitrogen fertilizer so as not to be dependent on petroleum byproducts. That’s only one example of what we could do with new thinking.
“This sale is an unexpected but very interesting turn of events. We welcome NextEra.”
Henry Curtis, director of Life of the Land, which promotes sound energy and land use, expresses skepticism. On his blog at ililanimedia.blogspot.com, he says NextEra’s subsidiary, Florida Power and Light, “is not a renewable, energy-efficiency paradise.”
Curtis cites FPL’s Ten-Year Power Plant Site Plan 2014-2023, which shows 0.139 percent of its power being generated by solar in 2013, with that increasing to 0.145 percent by 2023.
He also cites an article in the current issue of Sierra Club Magazine claiming that FPL “recently petitioned its state’s public service commission to reduce its efficiency goal to two one-thousandths of one percent.”

Henry Curtis

While FPL’s 10-year plan includes “a number of conservation/energy efficiency and load management initiatives,” David Guest, managing attorney for Florida’s Earthjustice office, said in the Tampa Tribune that “this summer, FPL abruptly yanked its rebate program that offered $1,000 back to customers who installed solar water heaters.”
Guest said the energy-efficiency programs that the utilities do offer “unfairly apply to high-end homeowners. The majority of low-income people, who are most in need of a break on their monthly power bills, don’t get affordable incentives to make their homes more energy efficient.”
According to Curtis, Robert Harris, Hawai`i representative of The Alliance for Solar Choic, said, “NextEra is very supportive of renewable energy that they own, they control and they can sell.”

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HAWAIIAN VALUES, CULTURE, TALENT AND FOOD are celebrated today at the annual Makahiki held at Punalu`u Beach Park with everyone invited. Local bands volunteer, and free food is served up both days, with many people camping out.

DARREN GOODMAN GLASS EXHIBIT opens tomorrow and continues through Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT RALPH GASTON invites members and prospective member to it meeting tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation is a nonprofit organization of farming families united for the purpose of analyzing problems and formulating action to ensure the future of agriculture thereby promoting the well-being of farming and the state’s economy.

On its website at hfbf.org, the organization states, “Our guiding policies originate at the grassroots County Farm Bureau level with the ideas, opinions and contributions of our concerned membership. We encourage the participation of every member and try to have open communication with them through our annual convention, county meetings and our monthly newsletter. Policies are adopted after discussion at our county and state meetings.”

Santa returns to Hana Hou for the annual Keiki Christmas
Party Wednesday. Photo by Julia Neal

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S KEIKI CHRISTMAS party is coming up Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. The event features gifts for keiki, food for everyone and a visit from Santa.

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE IS A WEEK from today on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. Floats, walking groups, tractors and classic cars, choirs, public officials, schools and more wind their way through Pahala from the armory to the hospital and to Holy Rosary Church for refreshments. Everyone is welcome. To sign up, call 928-0808.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS OFFERS a free Christmas Concert after Pahala Christmas Parade. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Sunday Dec. 14 at Pahala Plantation House, featuring Ka`u `Ohana Band, Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao Kahiko and a sing-along with Ka`u Community Chorus. Potluck refreshments are welcome.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

ILWU pensioners, including retirees and former workers at the sugar plantation, fill Pahala Community Center for their annual
Christmas party. Photo by Emie Peralta

THREE HAWAI`I ISLAND PLANTS ARE INCLUDED in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Candidate Notice of Review, a yearly status appraisal of plants and animals that are candidates for Endangered Species Act protection. Exocarpos menziesii, Sanicula sandwicensis and Phyllostegia stachyoides are three of 22 species from the state of Hawai`i added to the list, which now has 146 species recognized by the Service as candidates for ESA protection. The 22 species include 18 Hawaiian flowering plants and four ferns found on one or more of the Hawaiian Islands. All are being negatively affected by nonnative animals and plants.

Sanicula sandwicensis is one of three Hawai`i Island
plants being considered as an endangered species.

The Service is now soliciting additional information on these species and others that may warrant ESA protection to assist in preparing listing documents and future revisions or supplements to the Candidate Notice of Review.
Candidate species are plants and animals for which the Service has enough information on their status and the threats they face to propose as threatened or endangered, but for which a proposed listing rule is precluded by other, higher priority listing actions. The annual review and identification of candidate species helps landowners and natural resource managers understand which species need most to be conserved, allowing them to address threats and work to preclude ESA listing.
Although candidate species do not receive ESA protection, the Service works to conserve them and their habitats using several tools: a grants program funds conservation projects by private landowners, states and territories; and two voluntary programs – Candidate Conservation Agreements and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances – engage participants to implement specific actions that remove or reduce the threats to candidate species, which helps stabilize or restore the species and can preclude ESA listing.
All candidate species are assigned a listing priority number based on the magnitude and imminence of threats they face. When adding species to the list of threatened or endangered species, the Service addresses species with the highest listing priority first.
More information can be found online at fws.gov/endangered/what-we-do/cnor.html.

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Kupono Palakiko-Leffew, at left, joined other Hawai`i seniors
Patrick Keamoai-Strickland and Preston Dudoit for the Life
Champion Senior Bowl. Photo from Ka`u Trojans

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL’S VERY OWN Kupono Palakiko-Leffew represented the Trojans to play in the inaugural Life Champion Senior Bowl, which was held at Kamehameha’s Paiea Stadium Saturday.

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation and state Department of Education played no part in this event. Instead, it was brought together by Hawai`i Football Club president Keala Pule with a goal to land scholarships for seniors across the islands.
The senior bowl, the state’s only showcase for seniors, was watched by over 200 colleges across the country through scoringlive.com and welcomed by about 1,500 fans across the state.
The event brought 86 seniors to play from across the state’s five leagues and even a player from Guam. Coaches split the players into two teams. The players of each team were given freedom to choose a name together. Through this, the teams were known as Aztec Coqui Frog Bags and Shmoney Squad.
Palakiko-Leffew gained yardage in the first quarter alongside quarterback Jordan Taamu. The teams were pretty much tied for the duration. By the end of the fourth quarter, with the score 28-28, a sudden-death overtime decided the final score. Within the first play of overtime, the Aztec Coqui’s Keanan Luis scored the final touchdown, settling the game at 35-28.
As described by one of the players, “The experience was great, and even though we’d only known each other for a few days, we all became a family.” The players were together since Wednesday, staying in the same building, practicing together and getting to know each other. (Story by The Ka`u Calendar newspaper intern Kaweni Ibarra.)

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Jim Robo

THE CHAIR AND CEO OF THE COMPANY that is buying Hawaiian Electric Industries for $4.3 billion prefers large solar installations to rooftop solar, reported Duane Shimogawa in Pacific Business News.

Jim Robo, of NextEra Energy, said large, utility-scale solar projects are cheaper and more cost-effective than rooftop solar. “This is a scale business, and scale matters, which leads to lower cost,” he said. “Energy costs are very expensive here. It’s important to not be dogmatic about one or the other. What’s in the best interest for customers? That’s what we need to figure out.”

Marco Mangelsdorf, president of Hilo-based ProVision Solar, told PBN that “NextEra would be buying HEI with the idea of making money, not doing the ‘right thing’ to make this state some kind of renewable energy paradise.”
Robo said modernizing the grid is another way to lower costs. He said using smart meters is part of NextEra’s plan, similar to what its subsidiary, Florida Power & Light Co., has done.
Another subsidiary, NextEra Energy Resources, has a track record in developing wind, solar and natural gas projects.

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ILWU pensioners from left: Treasurer Warren Toriano, Advisor Margaret Cabudol, President Clyde Silva, Secretary Emie Peralta, Advisor Pauline Enriques, First Vice President Franco Longakit, Second Vice President Augusto Ballo and Advisor Raymond Kamei.

ILWU PENSIONERS OF PAHALA held their 2014 Christmas Party yesterday at Pahala Community Center. The organization is made up largely of retired and former sugar plantation workers. Officers are President Clyde Silva, First Vice President Franco Longakit, Second Vice President Augusto Ballo, Secretary Emie Peralta and Treasurer Warren Toriano. Advisors are Margaret Cabudol, Pauline Enriques and Raymond Kamei.

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ON FRIDAY, HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND COMPLETED its 2014 marine debris season loading net and line into a container for shipment to Honolulu. The team loaded about 4.5 tons of net into a 40-foot container provided by Matson Navigation’s Ka Ipu `Aina program. Megan Lamson, Marine Debris Project Coordinator for HWF, said most of the net and line was recovered from the southeast Ka`u coast. The container will be shipped to O`ahu, where Schnitzer Steel will chop it into pieces, and then it will be burned at the Covanta H-Power plant. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program arranged this Nets-to-Energy partnership to keep material out of the landfill and create electricity with it. Since 2005, HWF’s tally for these net and line shipments is about 75 tons.

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund loaded 4.5 tons of derelict fishing net found this year
along the Ka`u Coast onto a container for shipment to an O`ahu
waste-to-energy plant. Photo from HWF

Lamson said, “This container shipment is only a fraction of the total debris we’ve collected from the Hawai`i Island shoreline. This year, winds and currents brought in different proportions of marine debris – less net and line and a higher percentage of other floating debris, including fish traps, buoys, crates, tires, boat pieces and an extensive list of normal household items.”
While HWF works with other groups on the island gathering debris from multiple sites, their main focus is on the Ka`u Coast, where more debris washes ashore than any other place in the main Hawaiian Islands. The organization began this work in 2003 and in recent years has been removing an annual average of 15-20 tons for a total to date of about 173 tons.
HWF’s marine debris cleanup work is supported with a grant from NOAA. “We have other local partners that also help with in-kind donations and funding, and we have a large group of volunteers that are critical to the overall effort,” Lamson said. “The container loading, for example, would not be possible without the tractor assistance provided by JD Services, LLC.”
The next large cleanup event in Ka`u will be held Saturday, Feb. 7. To volunteer or for more information on HWF’s other activities, see wildhawaii.org or contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

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Dick Hershberger portrays Thomas Jaggar tomorrow and every other Tuesday.
Photo by Ron Johnson

DARREN GOODMAN GLASS EXHIBIT opens today and continues through Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U FARM BUREAU PRESIDENT RALPH GASTON invites members and prospective members to its meeting today at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation is a nonprofit organization of farming families united for the purpose of analyzing problems and formulating action to ensure the future of agriculture thereby promoting the well-being of farming and the state’s economy.

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life tomorrow and every other Tuesday during A Walk into the Past. Participants meet at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center and walk to Jaggar’s underground workshop new Volcano House in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

A HAWAIIAN `UKULELE DEMONSTRATION takes place Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Oral Abihai shares his passion for making `ukulele from discarded or naturally fallen pieces of wood. Free; park entrance fees apply.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S KEIKI Christmas party is Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. The event features gifts for keiki, food for everyone and a visit from Santa.

HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE’S Public Access Room presents a workshop about the legislative process Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Entitled We the Powerful, the workshop covers how the public can participate in the Legislature. The workshop will consider several questions: Do you want a say in which state laws get passed, or don’t? Do you want to make a difference? Would you like to find information and track activity on the Legislature’s website? Do you want to be part of finding solutions?

Suzanne Marinelli, coordinator at PAR, leads the presentation. PAR is a division of the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau.
For more information, call 974-4000 ext. 7-0478 or email par@capitol.hawaii.gov.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Hana Hou is gearing up for its annual Keiki Christmas Party tomorrow at 5 p.m. Santa will be there with gifts for keiki and food for all. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U FARM BUREAU held its last meeting of the year last night at Pahala Community Center with Pres. Ralph Gaston reporting on the local chapter’s efforts to control the coffee berry borer. He said that coordinating and helping to obtain funding to fight the borer is testament to what the organization can do for local agriculture.

Gaston said his vision is for Ka`u County, as the chapter is called, to evolve from its roots with mostly Ka`u Coffee farmers to include a broader base of agriculturalists from throughout the district. Ka`u is one of 11 Hawai`i Farm Bureau “counties” in the state.

Ka`u Farm Bureau works to control the coffee berry borer.
Photo by Peggy Greb/USDA Ag Research Service

Its former president Chris Manfredi, of Na`alehu, is now President of the statewide organization, and Randy Cabral, of Royal Hawaiian Orchards, with offices in Pahala and Hilo, is Vice President for the statewide Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation.

Manfredi described the Farm Bureau as the largest agriculture lobbying organization in the state and in the country, noting that nationally, the American Farm Bureau Federation has more members than the National Rifle Association. Manfredi said he has represented the statewide organization in Washington, D.C. and at national conventions. He said that all members are invited to attend the next national convention in San Diego. He reported that keynote speakers in the past have included the star of the television reality show Duck Dynasty and a general from the U.S. military, former commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Stanley McChrystal. Keynote speaker next year will be Jay Leno.

Manfredi said the Farm Bureau “helps to strengthen your voices” at the state Capitol and in Congress. He called the Farm Bureau “a grassroots collaborative structure” and said that policies and legislative agendas are determined in a democratic fashion with members of many differing views getting together to come up with the official Farm Bureau points of view.

He said that more members in the Farm Bureau give it more power and that dues, at $95 a year, for Ka`u, can be offset by many Farm Bureau programs, including discounts in shipping and purchasing.

He said the Hawai`i Farm Bureau magazine, on hiatus for a couple of years, will be brought back as a quarterly. He said it will not only be about farming but also about food, with 10,000 copies printed and distributed by mailing to members and at Whole Foods grocery stores. He asked for suggestions from Ka`u and said he is looking for “heroes in agriculture” stories.

Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation President Chris Manfredi said
the organization's magazine will be revived.

He also announced a revamped website at HFBF.org and encouraged everyone to check it out.
Concerning the 2015 state Legislature, Manfredi said the Farm Bureau helps to pass about ten measures per year, and this year there are 15 proposed.
He noted that the Farm Bureau lobbies for funding for the local Soil & Water Conservation Districts and that Brenda Iokepa Moses is the Ka`u chair of the organization that helps plan farms and good agricultural practices.
Manfredi stressed that ag needs more funding, the state Department of Agriculture receiving only one half of one percent of the state budget. “We think that’s wrong,” said Manfredi. “People want to get behind ag.”
He said more help is needed to fight the macadamia felted coccid pest, warning that it could wipe out the entire mac nut industry in Ka`u.
He also talked about new food safety laws that have such a high cost of compliance that home roasting and other small food prep businesses could be threatened.

Manfredi mentioned state funding for irrigation system upgrades using old sugar plantation water tunnels and said the surveys are completed. He said the state administration and Legislature need to keep hearing from the public to keep the process going. He said the plan is for the state Department of Land & Natural Resources to lease the water system to the Agricultural Develoment Corp, which would lease to the individual ag water entities. These cooperatives and other entities are being established between Kapapala and Wai`ohinu. Manfredi said the process is “moving at a glacial pace… . When it does happen we will have millions to repair the water system and a lot more capacity than what is coming out of them now.”
See more on the Farm Bureau meeting in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.

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Chefs in Japan have selected Aikane Plantation's Ka`u Coffee
as one of the top 100 food products in Japan.
Photo from cuisine-kingdom.com

KA`U'S AIKANE PLANTATION COFFEE COMPANY has been selected as one of the top 100 food products in Japan. Each year, products are selected by top chefs in Japan and listed at cuisine-kingdom.com. Categories are Fresh Food, Processed Food, Seasoning, Beverage & Alcohol and Kitchen Tools & Tableware.

“This is quite an honor considering how many products throughout the world are brought into Japan,” said Aikane Plantation owner Phil Becker.

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“CLEANER ENERGY, MORE AFFORDABLE ENERGY, and to get there as quickly as possible” are goals of NextEra Energy, Eric Gleason, president of NextEra Energy Transmission told Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. The Florida-based company announced plans to purchase Hawaiian Electric Industries for $4.3 billion last week.
“What gets my attention is the prolific, diverse, world-class renewable resources of all types (on the Big Island),” Gleason told Callis. “If there is an island in the state that gets to 100 percent renewables first, it ought to be the Big Island.”
Gleason said NextEra Energy is considering wind, biomass, solar and geothermal but has yet to decide which sources to pursue. He is confident renewable energy will contribute to lower energy costs.
The cost of about 17 cents per kilowatt to produce electricity on the Big Island is mainly attributed to oil, according to Gleason. “The price to beat for renewables is 17 cents,” he said. “As long as you can integrate costs effectively, you can save customers money.”
Gleason told Callis, “Our view is the way technology is today that some level of fossil fuels could give the degree of (firm power) that’s going to be required. Maybe not forever. That’s why we support HELCO’s plan that they filed that includes some fossil fuel use in the system.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE REPORTS that lava continues to flow in the Pahoa area, slowly covering another 225 yards in the last 24 hours as of 8:30 a.m. today. The flow front is currently in a relatively flat area and approaching steeper paths of descent, which could cause the flow to gain speed as it heads toward Hwy 130, 2.2 miles away.

A community meeting to update residents takes place Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahoa High School Cafeteria with representatives from Civil Defense and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

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Oral Abihai demonstrates `ukulele making tomorrow.
Photo from NPS

ORAL ABIHAI SHARES HIS PASSION for making `ukulele from discarded or naturally fallen pieces of wood 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.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S KEIKI Christmas party is tomorrow at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu. The event features gifts for keiki, food for everyone and a visit from Santa.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER FOR the Christmas coloring contest at Pahala Community Center is Thursday. Keiki in preschool through sixth grade are invited to participate. For more information, call Nona at 928-3102.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee Meeting Thursday at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

VOLCANO MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER NIGHT is Thursday at 6 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Fifth- and sixth-graders present free performances. Call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com for more information.

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee continues its discussion of the first comprehensive draft of the plan Saturday at 10 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The public is invited.
According to planner Ron Whitmore, when the Steering Committee thinks the CDP is ready for full community review, then the broader community and stakeholders will have a thorough opportunity for review and recommendations. Only after the Steering Committee is satisfied that the CDP truly reflects community preferences will it recommend that the CDP be adopted by the County Council.
Residents can read the draft at kaucdp.info and at local libraries and community centers.
For more information, email ron.whitmore@hawaiicounty.gov. or call 961-8137.

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 current and former Hawai`i County Council members, Maile Medeiros David and Brenda Ford, team up and share a shovel at groundbreaking for Volcano transfer station's expansion and structural repairs. Photo from Hawai`i County

KA`U’S COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER Maile Medeiros David and former member Brenda Ford shared a shovel at groundbreaking for Volcano transfer station’s expansion and structural repairs. The $1.06 million project broke ground Tuesday.

According to the county Department of Environmental Management, a wooden retaining wall at the facility has deteriorated and is no longer is structurally sound.

The country of France has named Ka`u 442nd veterans
Iwao Yonemitsu, 92, and Tokuich Nakano, 95
Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.
Photo by Julia Neal

Green `Aina Engineering designed the project using a design-build approach that allows the contractor, William C. Loeffler Construction, Inc., to use lower-cost construction techniques.
The new transfer station’s design will encourage recycling and be able to provide green waste recycling, a HI-5 redemption site and reuse operations as the county adds those services in rural communities.
It should be completed by early summer of 2015.
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CHEVALIER OF THE LEGION OF HONOR is the title bestowed on Ka`u residents Tokuichi Nakano and Iwao Yonemitsu by the French Republic. The Counsul General representing France wrote to them saying, “I avail myself of this opportunity to reaffirm France’s gratitude for the contribution in the liberation of our country.” An awards ceremony is expected in January. Both Nakano and Yonemitsu previously received Congressional Gold Medals for their volunteer service in World War II in the famed 442nd Batallion, comprised of Japanese American soldiers.
In his collection of photos and documents on his military career, Nakano displays a quote from former Pres. Bill Clinton saying, “We are diminished when any American is targeted unfairly because of his or her heritage.”
While Nakano and Yonemitsu joined the U.S. military and were sent to Europe while the U.S. was at war with Japan, many others of Japanese heritage were sent to internment camps. Nakano, who is now 95, signed up when he was 23. Yonemitsu, who is now 92, signed up when he was 20. They both live with their wives in Na`alehu and had long careers in the sugar industry.
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KA`U HAS A TRADITIONAL AND FUTURE PLACE in agriculture, according to Weston Yap, who spoke this week at the Ka`u Farm Bureau meeting. Yap said he became fascinated with Ka`u in the writings of Mary Kawena Pukui, who wrote The Polynesian Family System in Ka`u. He said that “something about this place” motivated her to go to Honolulu, Bishop Museum, and research and write about Ka`u.

Weston Yap

Yap said, “We wouldn’t have a lot of the Hawaiian renaissance” without her research and writing about Ka`u. He talked about the reputation of Ka`u people and Ka`u Makaha – “Fierce, savage, ferocious ... to seize property.”
He said he has been involved with protecting many varieties of taro, including creation of the website Kupunakala.com. Yap said there used to be 300 varieties of taro.
Yap said he applauds expansion of the Ka`u Coffee industry and noted that the statewide harvest of 1957-1958 netted 18 million pounds of coffee, most of it from the Big Island. The 2013-2014 harvest brought in 7.5 million pounds. There is much opportunity for growth in the industry, he said.
Yap has worked on many environmental and youth service projects, and his professional life has taken him toward helping farmers learn about federally subsidized crop protection programs. He said that fewer than half of farmers have crop insurance in Hawai`i even though there is government assistance.
He can be reached at Gold State Crop Insurance Services at 808-252-9797 or westony@goldenstatecrop.com.

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HAWAI`I COFFEE GROWERS ASSOCIATION met yesterday on Maui. John Cross, of Olson Trust, represented Ka`u and said the group discussed expansion of the coffee berry borer pest to O`ahu at a farm near Dole Plantation.

Coffee berry borers have been found on O`ahu

The technique for fighting the borer there may differ. On O`ahu, coffee is mechanically harvested. After the harvest is pau, the presence of the borer would necessitate sending in a crew of pickers to make sure all leftover beans are stripped from branches and disposed of. On the Big Island, coffee is one hundred percent picked by hand, and farmers strip the branches at the end of the season to keep down the borer and disease.
Hawai`i Coffee Growers Association plans to send a team to Brazil to study methodology dealing with the borer there and also mechanical harvesting.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE is asking Ka`u farmers to be on the lookout for a new detrimental pest to crops. Bagrada hilaris is a small stink bug with piercing needle-like mouthparts which they insert into and feed on host plants. Females lay oval, cream-colored eggs, which mature to become more of an orange-red color, on the undersides of leaves, on stems and in soil around plants. Eggs laid in soil are camouflaged and very easily transported to uninfested areas.

Preferred hosts are cruciferous vegetable crops including broccoli, tatsoi, cabbages, cauliflower, kale, radish, turnip, mustards, brussels sprouts, sweet alyssum, collards and arugula. The bagrada bug can also feed on corn, cucumbers, okra, sugarcane, papaya, potato, cotton, figs and some legumes. In the absence of preferred host crops, the pest will feed on a variety of weeds, also in the Brassicaceae plant family, which may serve as a reservoir for the population.
In California, the bagrada bug has been very expensive for Brassica crop growers to control with conventional insecticides, and organic farmers have taken severe losses due to lack of control measures acceptable to organic certifiers.
DOA asks farmers who suspect an infestation of bagrada bugs to call 974-4146.
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Darren Goodman demonstrates glass art today through
Saturday. Photo from Volcano Art Center

LIVE HOT GLASS DEMONSTRATIONS with Darren Goodman take place today through Saturday at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Goodman uses a portable furnace to create works inspired by the 1877 Volcano House and droplet-shaped, glassy bits of lava rock known as Pele’s tears. An exhibit of his works continues at the gallery through Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

PETE LICATA TEACHES HOST MIKE ROWE about coffee cupping in a segment on CNN’s Somebody’s Gotta Do It today at 4 p.m. Licata helped put Rusty’s 100 Percent Hawaiian Ka`u Coffee on the international barista stage.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S KEIKI Christmas party today at 5 p.m. in Na`alehu features gifts for keiki, food for everyone and a visit from Santa.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee Meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

FIFTH- AND SIXTH-GRADERS PRESENT FREE performances during Volcano Middle School Theater Night tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com for more information.

KA`U CHAPTER OF HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED holds a holiday party and meeting Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center.
“It’s been a lot of hard work this year with everyone pulling together toward our goals, and we have accomplished a lot,” Ka`u chapter President Malian Lahey said. “We started our chapter and have made good progress towards some significant goals.”

The potluck party features a drawing for prizes, including a Christmas turkey, heirloom tomato and squash seeds, a 12-pack of mason jars for canning and more.
For more information, email malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS can still sign up to be in Pahala Christmas Parade on Sunday at 1 p.m. The parade travels through Pahala from the armory to the hospital and to Holy Rosary Church for refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Call 928-0808.

Pahala Filipino Community Association holds its Christmas party Sunday,
Dec. 20. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS OFFERS a free Christmas Concert after Pahala Christmas Parade. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Sunday at Pahala Plantation House, featuring Ka`u `Ohana Band, Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao Kahiko and a sing-along with Ka`u Community Chorus. Potluck refreshments are welcome.

PAHALA FILIPINO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION holds its annual Christmas party Sunday, Dec. 21 at Pahala Community Center. Gifts from Santa, wrapped by parents, will be distributed to children. Everyone is encouraged to prepare a number for entertainment. Desserts are welcomed. The association provides all other food and utensils.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Drake Fujimoto hosts the eleventh Hana Hou Christmas party for keiki in Na`alehu last night, giving away bikes,
feeding families and offering music and photographing for keiki IDs. Photo by Julia Neal

ROBERT LINDSEY IS THE NEW CHAIR of the nine-member board of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, which is tasked with managing almost 30,000 acres, including urban real estate, farm and forest lands statewide. Lindsey, elected to represent Hawai`i Island, takes over from Collette Machado, who represents Lana`i and Moloka`i.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees elected new leadership yesterday.
From left, in front row: Chair Robert Lindsey, Colette Machado, Haunani
Apoliona, Peter Apo, Hulu Lindsey and Rowena Akana. Back row:
Ka Pouhana Kamana`opono Crabbe, John Waihe`e IV, Kawika
Burgess, Lei Ahu Isa and Vice Chair Dan Ahuna. Photo from OHA

A Big Island trustee since April 2007, Lindsey is a former Kamehameha Schools land manager. He was also a partner in the purchase of the old sugar factory site in Pahala, where the now abandoned community radio station is located, but said he has separated from the real estate venture. He is also involved with native Hawaiian educational initiatives of the Kohala Center.
During the investiture where he took his new post yesterday at Central Union Church in Honolulu, Lindsey promised that trustees of OHA will act as “servant leaders at our people’s table.” OHA is a quasi-state agency overseeing native Hawaiian lands and programs. Its assets top more than $600 million.
“I welcome this new opportunity to play a more significant role in helping to push for the best results for our beneficiaries as well as to ensure that our organization is being responsive to their needs,” said Lindsey.
Lindsey’s appointment came during a reorganization meeting where OHA’s Board of Trustees also selected a vice chairman and leaders for its three subcommittees.

Many volunteers prepared and served a Christmas meal for families
at Hana Hou. Photo by Julia Neal

Dan Ahuna, the trustee for Native Hawaiians on Kaua`i and Ni`ihau, is the board’s new vice chair, replacing Oswald Stender, who retired in November.
Three subcommittee leaders were re-elected to four-year terms, taking their oaths of office just prior to being selected to be chairpersons.
Trustee Rowena Akana leads the Committee on Asset and Resource Management; her vice chair is Trustee John Waihe`e IV.
Waihe`e also leads the Committee on Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment; his vice chair is Trustee Peter Apo.
Trustee Carmen “Hulu” Lindsey continues to lead the Committee on Land and Property; her vice chair is Ahuna.
According to a report in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald by Nancy Cook Lauer, “Hawai`i Island has the highest percentage of pure Hawaiians and residents reporting some Hawaiian blood in the state, according to the 2010 census. Some 8.5 percent of the island’s population is pure Hawaiian, compared to 5.9 percent statewide. In addition, 29.7 percent of residents on Hawai`i Island say they have some Hawaiian blood, compared to 21.3 percent statewide.”

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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Santa Bobby Gomes and Mrs. Claus, Phoebe Gomes, listen to Christmas wishes
of Ka`u keiki and pose for photographs with families. Photo by Julia Neal

HANA HOU RESTAURANT and many volunteers including members of `O Ka`u Kakou, Drake Fujimoto’s poker friends, the Edmund C. Olson Trust and many more put on a community Christmas dinner and party on the grounds of Hana Hou restaurant last night in Na`alehu. The eleventh annual Keiki Christmas party was hosted by Fujimoto and wife Patty at their popular eatery. Many bicycles were given to children. Families enjoyed a free Christmas dinner. Hawai`i Police Department photographed children to make I.D. cards. Keoki Kahumoku and friends sang and played Christmas music throughout the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, Bobby and Phoebe Gomes, posed for photographs with keiki and their families.

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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO YESTERDAY PRESIDED over a full Senate Judiciary Committee hearing examining President Obama’s executive order that will bring five million undocumented people in the U.S. out of the shadows, including an estimated 7,000 individuals in Hawai`i. The committee hearing highlighted the executive order’s impact on families, businesses, and American workers.

Hawai`i County Police Department photograph children to make I.D. cards
for them to carry. Photo by Julia Neal

“This is not just some abstract discussion about legal theory,” Hirono said. “It is about real people and real families. It is about taking concrete steps toward making our families and our economy stronger. It is about who we are as a country.”  
As an immigrant who came to America as a small child with her family, Hirono drew on her own experiences and shared her unique perspective at the hearing.   “My story is the story of millions. My mother brought me to this country when I was a young girl. While we had very little as immigrants, Mom had a dream to provide a better life for our family. Many of these families come to the U.S. to pursue similar dreams, perhaps starting their own business or working to provide for their family in a safe community. Regardless of education or background or financial means, immigrants do best with their families around them,” said Hirono. “Family is the cornerstone of our immigration system, and the President’s commonsense plan helps keep families together.”

Boy and his bike became reality for many children at last night's Hana Hou party.
Photo by Julia Neal

According to Hirono, the President’s executive order will tighten border security, strengthen enforcement and focus taxpayer dollars on getting violent criminals off of streets rather than deporting families. The action will help drive economic growth, cut the deficit and support American businesses and workers. Individuals who qualify to stay in the U.S. will be required to pass tough background checks and pay taxes.

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HAWAI`I HAS BEEN SELECTED TO RECEIVE a Preschool Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Education for $2,074,059 to support communities in providing high-quality preschool programs. The grant will advance the Hawai`i Department of Education’s efforts over the next four years by setting up preschool programs in public charter schools, expanding access to large populations of Native Hawaiian families and high-need communities on Hawai`i Island, and providing culturally responsive professional development and quality improvement activities for early education providers.

“I’ve had the privilege of visiting many of the preschools and Head Start programs across the state, and it’s clear that investing in early education opportunities for our keiki will help to provide the opportunity for a bright future for them, their families and Hawai`i,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. “This Preschool Development Grant will support the great work of Hawai`i educators and expand early education opportunities for families who are most in need of assistance.”

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The path of steepest descent that lava is currently following takes it toward
Pahoa Marketplace, Map from Hawai`i County Civil Defense

LAVA FLOWING IN PUNA is currently following a path of steepest descent toward Pahoa Marketplace at the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Hwy 130. The flow front, which was in an area where it could have gone in different directions, has advanced 340 yards since yesterday and 1.9 miles from the intersection, according to Hawai`i County Civil Defense.

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK will conduct aerial operations Dec. 15, 16 and 18 between 6:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. to transport fencing material, camp supplies and crew near the Kahuku Unit/Ka`u Forest Reserve Boundary.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee meeting today at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

FIFTH- AND SIXTH-GRADERS PRESENT FREE performances during Volcano Middle School Theater Night today at 6 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com for more information.

KA`U CHAPTER OF HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED holds a holiday party and meeting tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The potluck features a drawing for prizes, including a Christmas turkey, heirloom tomato and squash seeds, a 12-pack of mason jars for canning and more.

For more information, email malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT takes place tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Hawa`i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply.

VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES presents HAPA’s Barry Flanagan in an acoustic holiday performance Friday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $50 tickets are available at Lava Rock Store.

KA`U CDP STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS Saturday at 10 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The committee continues its discussion of the first comprehensive draft. The public is invited.

The document is available at kaucdp.info and at local libraries and community center.

For more information, call Ron Whitmore at 961-8137.

SUPPORTING KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY, Gilligan’s Café holds its one-year anniversary celebration Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Entertainers include Solomon & Tiger, Lucky Lizardz, `Ukulele Boyz, Mark Chopot and surprise musical guests throughout the day.
The event also includes food, local vendors and a silent auction.
See bigislandgilligans.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.

Turtle midwifery yesterday at Punalu`u with gentle hands helping baby honu `ea emerge from a nest and make their way to the ocean. Photo by Dave Berry

THE TREK OF BABY HAWKSBILL TURTLES to the ocean yesterday at Punalu`u drew volunteer protectors, researchers and school students. The human involvement began months ago with representatives of the Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project, directed by Lauren Kurpita and Liz Ramson, who protect the eggs and keiki of this endangered species – called Honu `ea in Hawaiian.

A throng of students, volunteers and onlookers gather at Punalu`u to watch
the managed birth of hawksbill turtles in their sandy nests.
Photo by Dave Berry

The researchers explained that they began their watch for development of nests 78 days ago. A 24-seven watch over the nests began two weeks ago. Over the past week, 70 hatchlings emerged. Eighteen hatched yesterday and were released with the help of school children guiding the tiny turtles into the ocean at Punalu`u.

The Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Turtle Project is a partnership of National Park Service, Hawai`i Natural History Association, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Wildlife Service.
Honu `ea come ashore only to nest, with confirmed sites from Ka`u into Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at Awili Point, Pohue Bay, Kawa, Punalu`u, Kamehame, Halape and `Apua Point. More than 90 percent of the nests statewide are found on this island.

According to the Turtle Recovery Project, some 80 Honu `ea each lay multiple nests each season, which can run from spring to early winter. The hawksbill can live more than 75 years and weigh as much as 300 pounds. The Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project has protected more than 600 nests and assisted more than 65 thousand hatchlings making their way to the ocean since 1989.

Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project staff and volunteers
tell the public about their efforts. Photo by Dave Berry

After emerging from eggs in the sandy nests on the beach, hawksbills spend their lives at sea dining on sponges, unlike the green sea turtles that bask on the shore at Punalu`u. Threats to the hawksbill include lights that disorient their journey to and from the ocean, fishing nets and other floating debris which can entangle and drown them, plastic bags and other choking litter, driving on the beach where vehicles can destroy nests and development close to nesting sites. Mongooses, rats, cats, dogs and pigs can dig into turtle nests to eat hawksbill eggs and hatchlings.
Volunteers who would like to help monitor and protect nests can contact the Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at 985-6090 or email HAVO_Turtle_Project@nps.gov. Report people harming sea turtles to 974-6208 and dead, sick or injured sea turtles to 327-7780.

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HAWAI`I ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ALLIANCE and the state Department of Education are working to build capacity of non-DOE partners to better support environmental education, build community partnerships and strengthen relationships and opportunities.

The project is also connected to Hokule`a’s worldwide voyage and malama honua, “which is a nice way for us to link classrooms to local projects/groups who can help them develop a good service project that showcases how they will malama honua in their community,” said organizer Meredith Speicher.

The Hawai`i Environmental Education Alliance will be offering professional development in 2015 for their partners and organizations, starting with environmental education service providers that support three complex areas including Ka`u-Kea`au-Pahoa.
Organizations and institutions that work in these areas can complete a survey aimed at assessing their needs, barriers to working with DOE and ways to build capacity.
See the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9J8PKNR.

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Protecting the nest with signage, fencing and a 24-seven watch.
Photo by Dave Berry

HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE will conduct islandwide DUI checkpoints throughout the holiday season. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The campaign starts today and runs through January 1.

Likely penalties for an arrest and conviction of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant are $500 minimum bail for release from jail, $200 for installation of an interlock system plus $92.56 per month, loss of driver’s license, possible cancellation of insurance policy or a premium increase of up to $100 per month, alcohol assessment classes, community service, criminal probation, court fines and possible jail time.

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SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ HAS CO-INTRODUCED the Promoting Regional Energy Partnerships for Advancing Resilient Energy Systems Act, legislation that would help states modernize U.S. energy systems to make them cleaner, more efficient, cost-effective, reliable and resilient. With an aging U.S. energy infrastructure in need of replacement and growing challenges to grid security, the PREPARE Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Energy to enter into regional cooperative agreements with states to provide support and funding that will help states develop strategies and plans that address the unique energy needs of the region.

Turtle tracks in the black sand as hatchlings march
to their ocean home. Photo by Dave Berry

“In Hawai`i, we have seen great success in developing an energy strategy that has increased clean energy production and cut electricity bills, saving customers $1.5 billion since 2009. But we were only able to do this by working collaboratively with the Department of Energy and business and community leaders in the state,” Schatz said. “Our bill empowers the Energy Department to give states and regions the tools they need to modernize their energy infrastructure and build a cleaner, more resilient system.”  
The PREPARE Act is modeled off of Hawai`i’s Clean Energy Initiative, a federal-state-business-NGO partnership and builds upon the state’s energy program administered.

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LIVE HOT GLASS DEMONSTRATIONS with Darren Goodman take place today and tomorrow at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. An exhibit of his works continues at the gallery through Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U CHAPTER OF HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED holds a holiday party and meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. For more information, email malian@kauspecialtycoffee.com.

FRIENDS OF VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES present HAPA’s Barry Flanagan in an acoustic holiday performance today at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $50 tickets are available at Lava Rock Store.

Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers a guided
hike tomorrow. Photo from NPS

A GUIDED HIKE AT KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. focuses on the area’s human history. This guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain is free.

NA MEA HULA WITH LOKE KAMANU and `Ohana takes place tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U CDP STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The committee continues its discussion of the first comprehensive draft. The public is invited.
The document is available at kaucdp.info and at local libraries and community center.
For more information, call Ron Whitmore at 961-8137.

Po`o Kumu Huihui Mossman and `Umeke Ka`eo Public Charter School
perform hula kahiko tomorrow. Photo from VAC

PO`O KUMU HUIHUI MOSSMAN with Ka `Umeke Ka`eo Public Charter School presents a hula kahiko performance tomorrow from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

GILLIGAN’S CAFÉ HOLDS ITS ONE-YEAR anniversary celebration tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with entertainment throughout the day, food, local vendors and a silent auction. See bigislandgilligans.com.

NICK SHEMA GUIDES A SIX-MILE round-trip exploration of Puna Coast Trail from 9:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; non-members can join in order to attend. Register at 985-7373 or admin@fhvnp.org.

Here Comes Santa Claus, to Pahala on Sunday. Photo by Julia Neal

PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE is on Sunday at 1 p.m. The parade travels through Pahala from the armory to the hospital and to Holy Rosary Church for refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Call 928-0808 to sign up.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Frosty the Snowman is expected to return to Pahala for tomorrow's Christmas Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

A MAGNITUDE 4.2 EARTHQUAKE STRUCK off the west coast of the Hawai`i Island yesterday at 8:42 p.m. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center determined that no damaging tsunami was generated.

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck of the west coast of Hawai`i Island last night.
Map from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

According to Wes Thelen, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Seismic Network Manager, the earthquake was centered about 35 miles west-northwest of Kailua-Kona and 71 miles south of Kihei, Maui at a depth of 7.2 miles.

The USGS “Did you feel it?” website received more than 100 felt reports within two hours of the earthquake. Most of the felt reports were posted from the islands of Hawai`i and Maui, but a few were from O`ahu, over 125 miles from the epicenter. Only weak shaking (Intensity III) has been reported. At these shaking intensities, damage to buildings or structures is not expected.

The earthquake has caused no detectable changes on the active volcanoes on the Island of Hawai`i.
As of 8 a.m. this morning, no aftershocks of the earthquake had been recorded.
During the past 30 years, there have been seven earthquakes, including last night’s event, in this general area with magnitudes greater than 3.0 and depths of six to 12 miles. According to HVO, earthquakes at this depth off the west coast of the Hawai`i Island are most likely caused by structural adjustments within the Earth’s crust to accommodate the heavy load of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa and Hualalai volcanoes.

For more information on recent earthquakes in Hawai`i, see http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

DR. VIRGINIA PRESSLER IS GOV. DAVID IGE’S choice as director of the state Department of Health. Pressler’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the state Senate.
“Ginny has more than 35 years of experience in the medical field and has held administrative positions for more than two decades,” Ige said. “A well-respected member of Hawai`i’s medical and business communities, Ginny’s wealth of knowledge and experience equips her to lead the Department of Health.”

Dr. Virginia Pressler

The appointment marks a return to DOH for Pressler. From 1999 to 2002, Pressler served as deputy director for Health Resources Administration. During that time she was instrumental in obtaining sixty percent of the $1.3 billion tobacco settlement fund for public health purposes and initiated the Tobacco Trust Fund, Healthy Hawai`i Initiative, Hawai`i Outcomes Institute and Hawai`i Uninsured Project.
Pressler earned a BA from Cornell University, and she also earned an MBA, MS in physiology, and MD degrees from University of Hawai`i at Manoa. She is currently the executive vice president and chief strategic officer at Hawai`i Pacific Health, the largest healthcare provider in Hawai`i.
Over her career, Pressler has earned numerous local and national awards including Pacific Business News’ Business Leadership Hawai`i Lifetime Achievement Award, University of Hawai`i Distinguished Alumni Award and the American Cancer Society’s St. George National Award. She was also named Hawai`i Medical Association’s Health Care Administrator of the Year in 2008 and the American Hospital Association Grassroots Champion in 2007.

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UNITED STATES SENATE DEMOCRATIC leadership announced the selection of Sen. Brian Schatz to serve on the key Senate Committee on Appropriations.   Prescribed in the U.S. Constitution, the Committee writes legislation that allocates funds to government departments, agencies and organizations. The Committee also has responsibility for supplemental spending bills as may be needed during the fiscal year.  

Sen. Brian Schatz with President Barack Obama

“This is an important job because the Committee makes appropriations that support our national priorities and because I will be in a position to ensure that the needs of Hawai`i are strongly represented at a critical juncture,” Schatz said. “It is an honor, and I look forward to working with all Committee members as we move forward.”  
“The Appropriations post is a most significant one for our state and country,” said retired Admiral Thomas Fargo, former Commander of U.S. Pacific Command. “This appointment so early in his career speaks to the fact that Sen. Schatz has earned the respect of his Senate colleagues and is increasingly effective in Washington.”  
In addition, Senate Democratic leadership selected Schatz to serve as one of three Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, which investigates allegations and recommends disciplinary action in cases of improper conduct by senators, including violations of law or Senate rules and regulations.   Appointments to these four committees are subject to a full vote by the Senate that is scheduled to occur in early January.
Senate Democrats have also named Schatz to the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, a Democratic leadership committee. The group makes recommendations on committee chairmanships and committee assignments to the Democratic caucus. It also brings together senators, community leaders, policy experts, businesses and intergovernmental organizations to help develop policies to strengthen the economy and support families, workers and businesses.
Schatz will also retain his seats as a member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists say lava activity that destroyed
Kalapana is similar to current activity threatening the Pahoa area.
Photo from HVO

WITH LAVA ONCE AGAIN THREATENING PAHOA, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists, in the current issue of Volcano Watch, compare the flow with the one that destroyed Kalapana. The scientists hope that understanding factors at play and the time scale of the stop-and-start inundation of Kalapana may help them understand the range of possibilities for the unfolding of the current situation in Puna.

“HVO started voicing serious concern for the Kalapana community after an eruption pause in February 1990,” the article states. “By the time the eruption resumed, parts of the previous, long-lived lava tube had collapsed. Lava spilled out of the blocked tube system and flowed along the east side of the flow field toward Kalapana. By the end of February, this flow was only 550 yards from the nearest homes.
“It took more than a month for flows to advance to those homes, destroying two of them on April 4. The eruption paused the very same day. In a pattern that was to be repeated more than 10 times in 1990, lava reoccupied the tube system near the vent, but broke out downslope. The new flows followed the eastern edge of flow field and once again advanced into the Kalapana community. Between mid-April and the next pause in early May, lava covered most of the Kalapana Gardens subdivision, destroying 60 homes, enclosed Kalapana Village in a kipuka and briefly entered the ocean at Harry K. Brown Park.

“The pattern of pauses and renewed flows that destroyed homes and beloved areas continued all summer. In the fall, lava filled Kaimu Bay and claimed homes in Kalapana Shores. For the rest of the year, lava mostly covered previous flows. A residence that burned on January 9, 1991 was the last to be taken, at least for the next 19 years. Lava returned to the area in 2010 and destroyed three homes, two of which were built on the 1990 flows.

HVO's most recent map shows intervals of lava's distance from Pahoa
Marketplace, following the path of steepest descent. Map from HVO

“Several factors contributed to the lava’s slow progression and spread into a wide flow field through Kalapana in 1990. First, the terrain was very flat — the average slope was less than two degrees, only slightly lower than the average slope in the vicinity of Pahoa. On such low slopes, intervals of advance, in which the flow front thins and the crust cools and thickens, are followed by periods of no advance as the flow inflates behind the front. Eventually, the crust at the front and/or margins ruptures and new lobes and breakouts emerge to start the advance again. Breakouts from behind the front widen the flow field.
“Probably the greatest factor, however, was the frequency of interruptions in supply to the flow. Often, lava is not able to re-occupy the full length of the lava tube after an interruption and breaks out far upslope from the previous front, covering new ground as it finds the new steepest descent path downhill. This is the process that we just experienced with the June 27th flow, as lava reoccupied the tube near the vent but broke out downslope, creating a flow that is advancing over new ground toward the Pahoa Marketplace.
“The June 27th flow, with its front at more than 12 miles from the vent, is already far longer than any that encroached upon Kalapana. Indeed, it is the longest flow that has formed during the nearly 32 years of this eruption. This is significant because, even though lava flowing through tubes is well insulated, it still loses heat as it travels, and lower temperature lava is stickier, making it harder to flow. …”
HVO reported this morning that the flow front is 1.7 miles from the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Hwy 130, where Pahoa Marketplace is located. It advanced 225 yards since yesterday.
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov for Volcano Watch articles and daily updates on the June 27th lava flow.

Darren Goodman offers glass demos
today. Photo from VAC

KA`U CDP STEERING COMMITTEE MEETS today at 10 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The committee continues its discussion of the first comprehensive draft. The public is invited.

The document is available at kaucdp.info and at local libraries and community center.
For more information, call Ron Whitmore at 961-8137.

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park presents live hot glass demonstrations with Darren Goodman today. An exhibit of his works continues at the gallery through Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

GILLIGAN’S CAFÉ’S ONE-YEAR anniversary celebration is today from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with entertainment throughout the day, food, local vendors and a silent auction. See bigislandgilligans.com.

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN – Pahala – tomorrow for the Christmas parade at 1 p.m. The parade travels through town from the armory to the hospital and to Holy Rosary Church for refreshments. Everyone is welcome. Call 928-0808 to sign up.

Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao Kahiko returns to Pahala Plantation House
tomorrow to participate in Ka`u School of the Arts free Christmas concert.
Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS OFFERS a free Christmas Concert after Pahala Christmas Parade, beginning at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Pahala Plantation House, featuring Ka`u `Ohana Band, Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao Kahiko and a sing-along with Ka`u Community Chorus. Potluck refreshments are welcome.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER'S annual keiki Christmas party is a week from today on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.

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 quarter mile setback for development along the Ka`u Coast is one of the issues being discussed at Ka`u Community Development
Plan meetings. Photo by Peter Anderson

TESTIMONY AGAINST A QUARTER MILE COASTAL SET BACK FOR DEVELOPMENT, considered in the draft of the Ka`u Community Development Plan, was presented yesterday by Chris Manfredi.

Manfredi, a Na`alehu resident, has worked for land investment and development groups that owned some 5,880 acres in Ka`u, including property at Waikapuna bay, the site of a former Hawaiian fishing village. He made his presentation and turned in written testimony during yesterday's Ka`u CDP Steering Committee meeting in Na`alehu. As a member of the public, Manfredi, who formerly managed the Moa`ula Ka`u Coffee lands, pasture and coastal lands, which are now up for sale, presents the following objections in his written testimony:

"The shoreline setback proposed by the CDP is a massive taking of private property rights. If passed, it will expose the County and members of the Steering Committee to legal liability. It is the duty of the (Ka`u CDP) Project Manager and (county attorney) Corporation Counsel to make members of the Steering Committee aware of this fact."

Road to the Sea is another Ka`u Coast area with plans for protection.
Photo by Megan Lamson

Manfredi also states in written testimony that "This shoreline setback would have a significant impact on the wetland restoration plan being contemplated for Honu`apo Park." Manfredi is a board member of Ka `Ohana `O Honu`apo, which partners with the county in managing the park and fishponds, and his development group that previously owned large tracts of nearby land, gave money toward the purchase of property for the park.

According to Manfredi, the Special Management Area permitting process "that exists along Ka`u's entire coastline provides ample opportunity for coastal preservation while giving the community the opportunity and flexibility to evaluate proposals on a case by case basis." The setback along the coast is currently 40 feet.

The proposed quarter mile setback idea came out of the work of the state legislature''s South-Kona-Ka`u Coastal Conservation Task Force and founders of Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, as well as through the gathering of public preferences during the Ka`u CDP process.

The Coastal Conservation Task Force was set up by the late Rep. Bob Herkes. Manfredi, who served on the Task Force, also objected to the setback in 2007 when the Task Force made its report to the legislature. Read the Coastal ConservationTask Force document at http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/reports/SP07-South-Kona-Kau-Task-Force-Rpt.pdf.

The Ala Kahakai Natinal Histotric Trail was called an "attempt at a federal land grab"
by one testifier at the Ka`u CDP meeting yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

In his written testimony regarding the Ka`u CDP, Manfredi also comments on the federal Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail as "an attempt at a land-grab by the Federal Government." Manfredi claims that "During its designation, the National Park Service and notable archaeologists familiar with Ka`u asserted that a coastal trail spanning the entire coastline never existed. Since it was impossible to locate or document the tail system, NPS designated a 'trail corridor'. NPS said the system was 'interpolated' and describe these modern interpolations as 'historic,'" Manfredi proclaims.

For more on the Ala Kahakai Trail Historic Trail and its process to ask permission from landowners for the public to cross their properties on the shoreline walking trail, see www.alakahakai.org and http://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks/ala-kahakai-national-historic-trail. The trail extends beyond Ka`u into Puna and up the Kona and Kohala Coasts.

Leina`ala Enos, chair of the Steering Committee, said that the group will take up the coastal setback issue at a future meeting and that there are several options, including doing away with the setback, leaving the setback in the plan, letting public input determine the setback issue and working on rewording and reworking the coastal preservation proposal.

In presenting his opinions on the shoreline setback proposal and other Ka`u Community Development Plan issues, Manfredi noted that he moved here 13 years ago and has been active in community service currently and in the past as: Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation President, Ka`u Farm Bureau President, Ka`u Coffee Festival Organizer, Hawai`i Coffee Association Director, Ka`u Agricultural Water Cooperative District Steering Committee member, Big Island Resource Conservation and Development Council President, State of Hawai`i Agriculture Workforce Advisory Board member, Coffee Berry Borer Task Force Director and Ka 'Ohana o Honu`apo Director, as well as holding positions with other community groups.

See the Ka`u CDP draft at www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp.

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VOTING LAST NIGHT AGAINST THE BILL THAT WILL FUND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT until late next year, Sen. Mazie Hirono said, "The price of funding government programs for only one year should not be permanent changes to laws that will have lasting impacts on working families for years to come."

Sen. Mazie Hirono said funding the government last night carried
too many conditions that will hurt retirees and working people.
Photo from Mazie Hirono

She explained her "no" vote: “Important government programs that support our families and communities should not be held hostage to get permanent changes to laws that undermine the middle class." She said the bill to fund the government "revises pension laws in a way that breaks a longstanding commitment to retirees and working people. In Hawai'i, this change could impact some 37,000 union members and their families." She also contended that "this bill waters down hard-fought limits on Wall Street recklessness and lifts the ceiling for political contributions to parties at a time when the flood of big money in our democracy is a matter of national outrage.” The Senate voted to approve the 1,600 page bill that funds nearly every policy area and government program through Sept. 30, 2015. Opposing the bill, which passed on a vote of 56 to 40, Hirono joined Senators Carl Levin (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jon Tester (D-MT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Al Franken (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bill earlier. Having approval from both House and Senate. the legislation avoided a government shutdown at midnight.

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FEDERAL REGULATIONS SHOULD BE A FLOOR AND NOT A CEILING. This is how state Sen. Russell Ruderman recently described his idea of federal and state regulations interacting with local government. He was referring to recent local legislation that was passed in an attempt to regulate pesticides and GMO's in Hawai`i, Maui and Kaua`i counties. A federal magistrate ruled that state and federal authority trumped local control, giving counties no right to regulate. The magistrate set aside new laws approved at the county level. Ruderman said he would work for legislation for more county-level home rule in the 2015 Hawai`i Legislature where he will chair the Senate agriculture committee. He said, however, that he would not expect that regulation of GMO's would get much traction among state Senators and Representatives in terms of passing statewide laws in the coming year. Ruderman's remarks were carried in a story at www.bigislandvideonews.com. The Big Island Video News story noted that the GMO issue will come before the Hawai`i County Council this week, as County Council member Margaret Wille proposes that the council advise the County Attorney to appeal Magistrate Barry Kurren's ruling "with regard to regulating the open air cultivation, propagation, development or testing of genetically engineered crops or plants." See more at bigislandvideonews.com.
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Joe Iacuzzo has been serving up pizza and other
food to support Ka`u Learning Academy.
Photo by Julia Neal

INCREASED POLICING FOR DRUNKEN DRIVERS is planned for the holidays. A statement from Hawai'i Police Department reminds drinkers of consequences. Bail is a minimum of $500. Steering interlock devices to detect drunkenness before driving can be required with a DUI conviction. They can cost $200 to install and $92.56 per month. Losing a driver’s license for DUI can make it difficult to reach a workplace and take care of a family. Insurance companies can cancel or severely increase premiums required to operate a vehicle on public roads. These penalties are in addition to alcohol assessment classes; possible jail time, fines, court fees, probation and community service.

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THE KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY, supported by Gilligan's Cafe, yesterday celebrated the restaurant's one year anniversary and the launch of registration for the school which is set to open under a state charter school license in August. A silent auction, donations and dining at Gilligan's raised money all afternoon and evening with numerous local entertainers participating. The open enrollment is available for school year 2015-2016 for grades 3 to 6. Classes will be held at the old Discovery Harbour Golf Course Clubhouse, which operates as Gilligan’s to benefit the school. Kathryn Tydlacka, founder and executive director, said KLA will offer individual education plans for each student designed for ability level. She promised "high academic expectations" and electives such as theatre, agriculture, computer, art and music. Transportation and lunch will be provided.

Enrollment meetings will be scheduled in Ka`u communities in January. For more information and to enroll a child, see www.kaulearning. com or call 213-1097.

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

Santa Claus, Eddie Andrade, throws candy for the keiki as the annual Pahala Christmas Parade winds its way through the village,
stopping at Ka`u Hospital to visit with long-term residents and patients. Santa's helpers are Judy Andrade and Mary Jane Ballio.
Photos by Julia Neal

KILAUEA LODGE in Volcano Village is on the market, as founders and owners Lorna and Albert Jeyte seek to turn the restaurant and inn over to new stewards as they spend more time with family. A story in this morning's Hawai'i Tribune Herald by Tom Callis describes the quarter century evolution, under the Jeytes' direction, from a YMCA camp and accommodations to an award-winning eatery with elegant guest rooms, conference room, gazebo and gardens. It quotes Albert Jeyte, the restaurant's chef, saying "it's time for us to go on and let someone else bring some new innovations into it." He is 75 years of age and has some recommendations.

Kilauea Lodge owners Lorna and Albert Jeyte say they will
operate Kilauea Lodge until they find the right buyers, who will
continue to respect the historic building and its surrounding land.
Photo from MacArthur Sotheby's International Realty

Callis writes that the Jeytes' suggestions include growing greens and hosting free range chickens on Kilauea Lodge's 10 acres, adding more guest rooms, and establishing a bar. According to the story, the Jeytes will sell only to those who will value conservation of the building and its surrounding land. They have no deadline to find the right buyer and will continue to run Kilauea Lodge until then.
The asking price is $5.9 million.
See more on the history of Kilauea Lodge at hawaiitribune-herald.com, at kilauealodge.com and at http://www.bigislandreale.com/big-island-historic-properties-for-sale-kilauea-lodge-kahuku-ranch-and-the-wainaku-executive-center.
The real estate broker's website says that "MacArthur Sotheby’s International Realty is representing three Big Island properties that have strong and fascinating ties to the history of the island. These three listings are very different but have expansive potential for the right buyer."
The other two properties include one in Ka'u. The 645.53 acre Kahuku Ranch off Hwy 11 near South Point Road features a main home and seven additional plantation style dwellings, plus an office and ancillary farm structures, listed at $11.5 million. The other is owned by Ka'u Coffee Mill proprietor Ed Olson and his trust. It is the Wainaku Executive Center on 11.7 acres on Hilo Bay, listed for $8.25 million.

Pahala Holy Rosary Choir sings every
year in the Pahala Christmas Parade.

Keoki Kahumoku and his students
represent Ka`u Coffee Mill.

THE 39TH ANNUAL PAHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE sauntered through the village yesterday visiting families who gathered in front of their homes, street-side and at Ka`u Hospital to meet Santa Claus, Eddie Andrade who founded and orchestrated the event since its inception.
The entourage and Santa's sleigh made a stop to visit long term residents, patients and the staff of Ka`u Hospital.

Ka`u High School Girls Basketball team
march in parade.

Miss Ka`u Coffee, Amery Silva and 2nd Miss
Peaberry Princess Shanialee Silva represent
Ka`u Coffee Festival, set for April 24 - May 3.

The parade ended with a luncheon, more entertainment from Santa and a community gathering at Pahala Holy Rosary Church.
The many groups parading, singing and bestowing Christmas wishes on the community included: Pahala Holy Rosary Church Choir, Pahala Filipino Community Association, Pahala Preschool, Ka`u Coffee Festival queens and princesses, Tutu & me Traveling Preschool, Ka`u Coffee Mill, Keoki Kahumoku and his Hawaiian music students, colorful dancing characters, the Pahala Fire Department and Hawai`i Police Department. The Ka`u High School Girls Basketball team carried the banner of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper for its contributions to high school sports teams. The parade also made the front page of the Hawai`i Tribune Hearld newspaper today.

Pahala Filipino club president, Hilaria Panglao
joins in the Christmas parade.

Pahala Preschool rides in every Pahala Christmas Parade.

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues its Christmas in the Country wreath and art exhibit. Darren Goodman's show of glass continues at the gallery through Saturday, Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free; park entrance fees apply.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK FEATURES John Keawe tomorrow Dec. 16 at 7 p.m at the Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Kiluea Military Camp invites the public to judge its cottage
decorating contest for Christmas lighting.
Photo by David Berry

KMC CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS JUDGING continues each night at Kiluaea Military Camp. The designs are created by the staff of KMC accommodations. The lights and Christmas displays are along the walkway fronting the historic stone cottages at KMC near the restaurant, bowling alley and Lava Lounge, which are open to the public. The public is asked to vote for the favorite decorated cottage.

WINTER SCENE HANGING will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center. The event is for children in Kindergarten through eighth grade.Register today, tomorrow or Wednesday. For more information Call Nona Makuakane, 928-0312.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER'S annual keiki Christmas party will be held this Saturday, Dec. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.

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

Ka`u residents can vote for their favorite decorated cottages all month at Kilauea Military Camp. Photo by Dave Berry

LAND SECURITY FOR KA`U COFFEE FARMERS is a concern of Mayor Billy Kenoi. Land where much Ka`u Coffee is grown is a portion of 5,800 acres of Ka`u land that is up for sale by Lehman Brothers. Kenoi told The Ka`u Calendar that he met with Kennedy Wilson real estate broker Joel La Pinta, who is handling the sale, and told him that the parcels should be sold separately rather than as a package, with “real values” being placed on each parcel.

Mayor Billy Kenoi is concerned about the possible sell of Ka`u Coffee lands
where farmers' leases have expired.

Selling parcels separately may make it more possible to save the Ka`u Coffee lands. Proposals have included encouraging any new owners to create an agricultural park where the coffee is farmed in order to take subdivision and real estate speculation out of the future of the lands. To create such an agricultural park, land where the coffee farms are located could possibly be purchased using Legacy Land funds and possibly funds from the “two percent” of property taxes that are used to preserve valuable lands for the county, in the same way that Honu`apo and Kawa were preserved here and a large parcel of agricultural land was set aside on O`ahu. Other proposals have included strict agricultural easements on the property to prevent it from being subdivided for coffee estates, similar to Napa Valley-style estates that cropped up in the wine-growing country in California.
After nearly two decades of working the Cloud Rest and Pear Tree farms, farmers’ leases have expired and not been renewed. The land is being marketed with the coffee lands as the major value. The coffee acreage was set up with the county Planning director for subdivision and sale before the developers who bought it from C. Brewer were foreclosed on by Lehman Brothers Holdings, from whom they borrowed $40 million.
Kenoi said he admired and respected the Ka`u Coffee farmers for creating the industry after the sugar mill shut down. He said whenever he gives Ka`u Coffee to people who haven’t tasted, they always love it.

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Marilyn Nicholson and Mike Nelson

MIKE NELSON IS VOLCANO ART CENTER’S new executive director. Nelson has extensive experience working in entertainment, radio, television and in organizing special events. Most recently he has been involved in development and operational activities at O`ahu’s Ko Olina Resort. His background in business, marketing and public relations “will be a strong asset to VAC as we forge ahead with new programs in the performing and visual arts and plan for a ‘fire arts’ building to house ceramics and glass studios,” departing executive director Marilyn Nicholson said.

Nelson and his wife Janis have hand-cleared a lot in Mauna Loa Estates on which they just finished building their new home. “As long-time volunteers, we can expect them to quickly immerse themselves into the fabric of the Volcano community and our organization,” Nicholson said.
“I’ve found it very rewarding to jump back in the ED’s seat over the past 14 months to help bring VAC back into a financially stable position and to facilitate the growth of educational programs,” Nicholson said. “However, I am very much looking forward to spending more time in my weaving studio and hitting the hiking trails. But the Volcano Art Center and the many wonderful people who support us – members, artists, volunteers, employees, board members, donors and those who participate in a myriad of ways – will always remain close to my heart.”

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U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono

U.S. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO HAS RECEIVED committee assignments that begin in January. Hirono will serve on the Intelligence Committee, which oversees intelligence activities and programs of the U.S. government to make sure they comport with the U.S. Constitution and federal laws. Under Democrat Diane Feinstein of California, the committee is in the news with its controversial report regarding the CIA and torture.

Hirono will continue to serve on the Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. Armed Services has legislative oversight of the nation’s military, including the Department of Defense.
Veterans’ Affairs has also had a high profile lately, due to the backlog in addressing health needs of vets. Hawai`i has a large veteran population.
Hirono will also serve on the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in the new Congress. She will relinquish her position on Senate Judiciary.

“I look forward to building on our work to support our service members, veterans and their families,” Hirono said. “Maintaining a strong military presence in Hawai`i will continue to be critical to our national security and economy in-state, while also serving as a key component to our nation’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific.”
Hirono added, “My new committee assignments are well-balanced and involve top priorities for Hawai`i, including shaping policies that secure clean energy, protection of the environment and boosting small business opportunities that create jobs that will help us achieve a sustainable future for Hawai`i.”

The appointments are subject to a full vote by the Senate scheduled for early January.

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U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

DR. VIVEK MURTHY is the first Indian and first Hindu American to serve as U.S. Surgeon General.  

“I extend my sincere congratulations to our new Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, who has demonstrated dedication to serving others,” said Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who is the first Hindu to serve in Congress. “Dr. Murthy has shown his commitment and passion for improving healthcare, especially in the areas of mental health, obesity, chronic disease and vaccinations. I look forward to working with him to serve the health and wellness needs of the American people.”
Murthy’s parents are originally from Karnataka, India. He was born in Huddersfield, England, and the family relocated to Miami, Florida when he was three years old. Murthy attended college at Harvard University, where he graduated magna cum laude in three years with a bachelor’s degree in Biochemical Sciences. He received an MD from the Yale School of Medicine and an MBA in Health Care Management from the Yale School of Management. He is currently a practicing physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, as well as the Hospitalist Attending Physician and Instructor in Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

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John and Hope Keawe perform tonight.
Photo from NPS

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S HOLIDAY CHALLENGE continues through the end of the month. The public can vote for their favorite decorations on the front row of cottages.

SLACK-KEY GUITARIST, COMPOSER and recording artist John Keawe returns with his wife Hope performing hula for a concert this evening at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support After Dark in the Park programs. Park entrance fees apply.

KENNETH MAKUAKANE PRESENTS A CONCERT tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The award-winning singer, songwriter and producer shares songs from his latest albums, The Dash, White Bath Tub, Makuakane and other compositions. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Members of Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao
Kahiko perform at KSA's Christmas concerts.
Photo by Julia Neal

PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM, a division of the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau of Hawai`i’s state Legislature, presents a workshop about the legislative process tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Entitled We the Powerful, the workshop covers how the public can participate in the Legislature.

Suzanne Marinelli, coordinator at PAR, leads the presentation.
For more information, call 974-4000 ext. 7-0478 or email par@capitol.hawaii.gov.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS OFFERS a free Christmas concert Friday at 5 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center featuring Ka`u `Ohana Band, Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao Kahiko, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, Sammie Fo and a sing-along with Ka`u Community Chorus. KSA also presented a concert at Pahala Plantation House Sunday following the Christmas parade through town. Potluck refreshments are welcome.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER’S annual keiki Christmas party is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Kamehame on the Ka'u Coast is a preserve for hawksbill turtles protected by The Nature Conservancy. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

KA `OHANA O HONU`APO has responded to a statement by its boardmember Chris Manfredi who provided testimony to the Ka`u Community Development Plan steering committee last Saturday. Manfredi said that a proposed quarter-mile development setback along the Ka`u Coast, as proposed in the Ka`u CDP Draft, "would have a significant impact on the wetland restoration plan being contemplated for Honu`apo Park."

Ka `Ohana Vice President Ken Sugai said this morning that Manfredi’s statement does not reflect the opinion of the Ka `Ohana organization. Ka `Ohana plans to study proposed setback regulations and their relationship to the restoration of the Honu`apo estuary, Sugai said.

Honu`apo estuary where Ka 'Ohana plans a restoration project.
Photo by Teresa Tico

Manfredi stated in an email to The Ka`u Calendar that the opinions in his testimony are his own. Ron Whitmore, the planner for the county working on the Ka`u Community Development Plan, said the agency will also write a response to Manfredi’s statements about the CDP.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY’s Hawai`i Board of Trustees has named Christopher J. Benjamin, president and chief operating officer of Alexander & Baldwin, Inc., to its chairmanship. The Nature Conservancy’s headquarters for the Big Island are located in Ka`u where the organization manages the hawksbill turtle preserve at Kamehame, makai of Pahala, as well as preserves of pristine forest lands between Pahala and Wai`ohinu.

Benjamin succeeds Kenton Eldridge, who chaired the Board for three years. Eldridge, who remains on The Nature Conservancy Board, also leads the `Aina Koa Pono project, which sought to build a refinery at the mouth of Wood Valley near Ka`u Cofffee Mill and to plant biofuel crops on ranch and farmlands owned by Olson Trust and the Mallick family between Pahala and Na`alehu.

The project was turned down twice by the state Public Utilities Commission and opposed by Hawai`i County, which estimated that AKP would have obligated Hawaiian Electric Co. through a 20 year contract to buy oil at $200 a barrel. Oil is now selling for under $80 a barrel.

A green sea turtle basks on the shore at what appears to be an abandoned
hawksbill turtle nest at Kamehame, managed by The Nature Conservancy.
Photo by Will Olsen/Hawksbill Recovery Project

Joining the Conservancy’s Board of Trustees is Olson Trust board member and attorney and `Aina Koa Pono advisor Paul Alston of the Honolulu-based law firm Alston Hunt Floyd & Ing.

The Nature Conservancy states that Alston has worked as an attorney in Hawaiʻi for more than 40 years, starting in 1972 as a staff attorney for Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi.

Alston has served as President of the Hawaiʻi State Bar Association and the Hawaiʻi Justice Foundation. He has been named Hawaiʻi Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America® four times: in 2014 and 2009 for Bet-the-Company Litigation; in 2013 for Appellate Practice; and in 2012 for Real Estate Litigation. He serves as counsel to many non-profit organizations, including the Mental Health Association and Kokua Kalihi Valley.
He and his wife Tanya also own and operate an organic fruit and berry farm in Volcano, HawaiʻI, The Nature Conservancy reports.
The Nature Conservancy issued a press release saying that its new Chair Benjamin has served on the Hawaiʻi Board since 2007 and “has worked closely with Conservancy staff to develop the 10-year vision and current three-year plan for forest and marine conservation. He is focused on ensuring financial stability, sound measures of conservation success and effective partnerships with agency and community partners, business leaders, resource managers, decision-makers and other supporters.”
The Nature Consevancy’s Hawai`i Executive Director, Suzanne Case, stated: “The Nature Conservancy has been fortunate throughout its history to have board chairs who are deeply committed to conservation and to the overall betterment of Hawaiʻ. Chris Benjamin continues that tradition.”
According to the press release, Alexander & Baldwin has been a lead corporate sponsor of the Conservancy’s Hawaiʻi work for decades. Last April, the East Maui Irrigation Company, an A&B subsidiary, donated a conservation easement over 3,721 acres of East Maui rainforest to The Nature Conservancy. The new parcel lies adjacent to the Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve and expanded its size to almost 9,000 acres, making it the largest private nature preserve in the state.

The Nature Conservancy manages Kaiholena with its spectacular pristine forests
and views of vast Ka`u. Photo by John Replogle

The Conservancy also has two preserves on Kauaʻi established through conservation agreements with Alexander & Baldwin: the 80-acre Kanaele Bog, located in the mountains above Kalaheo town on the island’s south side; and the 7,050-acre Wainiha Valley, located above Ha`ena on Kauai’s scenic windward coast. “Kanaele is one of the islands’ last remaining low-elevation bogs, while Wainiha Valley includes one of Kaua`i’s largest river systems, magnificent mountain cliffs and portions of the famed Alaka‘i wilderness and Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale summit region, one of the wettest spot on Earth,” states The Nature Conservancy.
Joining Benjamin on the Conservancy’s Hawaiʻi leadership team are conservation committee chair Peter Tomozawa, fundraising committee chair Dustin Sellers, outreach committee chairs James Wei and Nate Smith, nominating and governance chair Crystal Rose, field engagement liaison Scott Rolles, treasurer Eric Yeaman and global ambassador Eiichiro Kuwana.
See more on the Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/

northamerica/unitedstates/hawaii/

HAWAI`I PUBLIC RADIO will likely move its transmitter from Pahala to Kulani between Volcano and Kea`au in early 2015. The transmitter is located inside the former KAHU community radio buildng in Pahala. The antennae is outside. HPR may keep some equipment in Pahala, Michael Titterton, HPR’s president and general manager told The Ka`u Calendar this morning.
The license for KAHU was sold to HPR, local broadcasting shut down and HPR-2 statewide programming installed. Titterton said there may be some possibility of local origin programming resuming in the future.
HPR also today announced a major gift from the McInerny Foundation of $40,000 in support of its capital campaign to provide coverage of HPR-2 for all of East Hawai‘i. This grassroots campaign launched in November 2013 with a total fundraising goal of $150,000 to cover projected costs of state-of-the-art equipment (a transmitter and an antenna), engineering and legal services, and the first year of overhead.

Civil Defense provided funding to help KAHU establish an antenna in 2011
for communication around the district for emergency messages.
Photo by Julia Neal

In the ensuing year, $134,594 in contributions has been collected from 248 individual charter members, with lead gifts pledged by the Atherton Family Foundation ($20,000), Hawai‘i Electric Light Company ($10,000), and a matching gift received from KTA Super Stores ($20,000 in memory of Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi, founders of KTA Super Stores and K. Taniguchi, Ltd.). The recent $40,000 grant from the McInerny Foundation brings the start-up capital still needed to $15,406.
“We’ve been hearing for many years from East Hawai‘i residents of their desire for the ‘full HPR experience’ and that’s come to mean two distinct program streams. We’re closer than ever to being able to fulfill their wishes. Legal preparations are completed, preliminary equipment orders placed, and lease negotiations for tower space at the antenna farm at Kulani Cone are in progress,” Titterton said.
“The conclusion of this East Hawai‘i campaign and the completion of HPR’s statewide network is in sight. To that end, we’ve committed additional station resources to raising the remaining approximately $15,000, including a recent direct mail piece sent to nearly 8,000 households in Hilo and Kea‘au. It’s all been a grassroots effort, of which the community should be immensely proud. With the support of a few more charter members, we can look forward to a sign-on date for KAHU 91.7 (HPR-2) in early 2015.”
Donations to the East Hawai‘i transmitter project are accepted on HPR's secure website, http://tinyurl.com/EastHawaiiHPR2, or by calling (808) 955-8821 during business hours.
Titterton noted that KAHU’s radio signal is currently heard in Hawai‘i Island’s southernmost districts, where it carries HPR-2, as well as providing critical access to emergency broadcasts. Once the station’s coverage is extended to East Hawai‘i, area residents will be able to hear HPR-2 programs – world news, locally produced talk shows, diverse music from contemporary Hawaiian to Latin Jazz – over the air, such as in their cars. Both HPR-1 and HPR-2 are already available to Hawai‘i Island listeners, as to those throughout the world, via web live streaming and mobile applications.

LORI-LEE LORENZO WON the local division competition of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Patriot's Pen Youth Scholarship Competition for 2014-15. Her essay: Why I Appreciate America’s Veterans. The Pahala 8th grader attends the online Myron B. Thompson Academy and earned $25 and a certificate naming her Outstanding Young Spokesperson Of The Future. Her essay will move on to state and national competition, with the possibility of a $5,000 award. Lorenzo said she thanks her English teacher for "making writing fun and pushing us to perfection!" Here is the essay by Lorenzo:

Lori-Lee Lorenzo, seen here during Plantation Days,
wins an essay contest about veterans.
Photo by Julia Neal

Veterans are amazing! They have done so much to help the citizens of the United States. Imagine what American life would be like if it weren’t for their service to our country. We wouldn’t have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Veterans have risked their lives, and some have been severely injured or killed to protect us. They fought for our freedom. Veterans have gone to many scary wars, knowing that they could die, yet still going to protect our country. They leave their friends and families, travelling to unknown lands, risking their lives for us. I think we should respect every person who goes into war, man or woman. We should also respect every child whose parent or parents are in the war, because they are sacrificing their lives, growing up without their parents there to see their daily achievements. We should all realize how lucky we are to have people who do that for us!
Imagine waking up one morning and finding that you have been stripped of your rights. You are locked up in a prison camp and have to work all day without stopping, just for a bowl of rice at the end of the day. This really happened to an elderly friend of mine, when she was living in Cambodia in the 1970s. She risked her life to get away from this horrible torture and was lucky to escape with her children to America. This is what could happen in America if no one was defending our human rights. The veterans prevent this tyranny from happening.
Another event we should think about is the bombing of Pearl Harbor. If Japan had overcome Hawaii, we may not have had the personal freedoms we enjoy today!

America’s veterans fought and made sure everyone was safe. They fought until they won so this wouldn’t happen again.
Every time I hear “The Star Spangled Banner,” I take off my hat, stand up, and listen carefully, thinking about what an honor it is to be a part of this great country, The United States of America, and to have freedom! Thank you, America’s veterans! YOU ARE MY HEROES!

TREECYCLING IS AVAILABLE to all Ka`u residents through the county Solid Waste Division of the Department of Environmental Management between Dec. 26 and Jan. 17, holiday trees can be left in designated areas (not in the trash chutes) at any of the County Solid Waste Division Facilities during normal business hours except for the Miloli‘i and Ocean View Transfer Stations.

Trees should be free from all decorations, stands, lights, tinsel and ornaments. Please do not drop off artificial or flocked trees in the designated areas. Any flocked trees, artificial trees or trees with tinsel are not recyclable and maybe disposed of in the regular trash chutes.

Solid Waste Facility Attendants will direct the public to the proper drop-off point. For more information or a map and directions to drop-off locations, go tohttp://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/facilities/
Kadomatsu decorations which are normally a combination of bamboo, pine and flowers can also be recycled. Kadomatsu is a tradition that began 600 years ago in Japan as a way of offering luck in the New Year. For more information on Recycling in Hawai‘i County, visitwww.hawaiizerowaste.org or call our Solid Waste Division Office at 961-8270.

KENNETH MAKUAKANE PRESENTS A CONCERT tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The award-winning singer, songwriter and producer shares songs from his latest albums, The Dash, White Bath Tub, Makuakane and other compositions. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Sammie Fo performs at Ka`u School of the Arts Christmas
concerts. Photo by Julia Neal

PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM, a division of the non-partisan Legislative Reference Bureau of Hawai`i’s state Legislature, presents a workshop about the legislative process tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Entitled We the Powerful, the workshop covers how the public can participate in the Legislature.
Suzanne Marinelli, coordinator at PAR, leads the presentation. For more information, call 974-4000 ext. 7-0478 or emailpar@capitol.hawaii.gov.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS OFFERS a free Christmas concert Friday at 5 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center featuring Ka`u `Ohana Band, Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao Kahiko, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, Sammie Fo and a sing-along with Ka`u Community Chorus. KSA also presented a concert at Pahala Plantation House Sunday following the Christmas parade through town. Potluck refreshments are welcome.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER’S annual keiki Christmas party is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.

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

Colorful cabins at Kilauea Military Camp continue the Holiday Challenge tradition, where spectators can vote for their favorites.
Photo by Dave Berry

IN TESTIMONY SUPPORTING AN APPEAL of federal judge Barry Kurren’s decision invalidating Hawai`i County’s partial ban on genetically modified crops, east Ka`u’s Sen. Russell Ruderman said, “I urge you to stand up to bullies, to stand up for our right to a democracy that’s free of corporate control.”
While most of the more than six hours of public testimony favored an appeal, University of Hawai`i scientists in Hilo and Manoa opposed one.

Sen. Russell Ruderman

David Christopher, of the Department of Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, said, “We need to hold Hawai`i state law and the federal Plant Protection Act as primary principles to follow.”
In his decision last month, Kurren said state law pre-empts county law on the issue and that lawmakers intended the state to have extensive oversight of agricultural issues. “Clearly, the state Legislature intended this network of the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture, the Hawai`i Board of Agriculture and the advisory committee to have extensive and broad responsibilities over agricultural problems spanning the various counties to form a coherent and comprehensive statewide agricultural policy,” he wrote.
According to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, Paul Achitoff, managing attorney for Earthjustice’s mid-Pacific regional office, said there was no legislative intent to cover GMOs because the state law the judge referred to was written before GMOs came to the state.
Ka`u’s County Council member Maile Medeiros David was one of five who voted to appeal the judge’s decision.
Regarding the council’s vote to appeal, Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille, who wrote the bill partially banning GMOs, said, “This is an important decision with far-reaching impact on home rule. It’s not just about GMOs.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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Photos show activity at flow front heading toward Pahoa Marketplace.
Photos from USGS/HVO

GOV. DAVID IGE IS IN PUNA today to get updates on the June 27 lava flow that is once again threatening Pahoa. His schedule includes a briefing with county Civil Defense Chief Darryl Olivera and a meeting with teachers at Kea`au High School, where students from some closed Pahoa-area schools are now going. Ige will visit the site of the lava flow and also speak with evacuating merchants at Pahoa Marketplace. He will also attend tonight’s weekly community update meeting at Pahoa High School cafeteria.

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WITH LAVA WITHIN ONE MILE of Hwy 130 and Pahoa Village Road, two webcams are in place to show activity as the flow front moves toward Pahoa Marketplace. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory staff pointed one of the cameras onto the shopping center, and the other is directed upslope. Images from the cameras are available at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

Merchants at the shopping center are preparing for lava to reach the area within a few days. Malama Market and ACE Hardware announced that they will close today. According to Big Island Video News, Lex Brodie’s closed yesterday. The service station is removing gas from tanks and filling them with water and foam that is used to fight fires in order to prevent explosions.

CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union, which has branches in Na`alehu and Pahala, has closed its Pahoa branch at the marketplace, Marketing Manager Cheryl Weaver announced.

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Researchers have discovered how El Nino fuels intense hurricanes. Image from NOAA

FOLLOWING A BUSY HURRICANE SEASON, climate researchers have discovered El Nino’s fueling effect on intense hurricanes. Fei-Fei Jin and Julien Boucharel, at the UH Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, and I-I Lin, at the National Taiwan University, have published a paper in Nature that uncovers what’s behind El Nino’s influence on hurricanes via its remote ability to alter atmospheric conditions such as stability and vertical wind shear rather than the local oceanic environment.
While El Nino peaks in winter and its surface ocean warming occurs mostly along the equator, Jin and colleagues uncovered an oceanic pathway that brings El Nino’s heat into the Northeastern Pacific basin two or three seasons after its winter peak – right in time to directly fuel intense hurricanes in that region.
El Nino develops as the equatorial Pacific Ocean builds up a huge amount of heat underneath the surface, and it turns into La Nina when this heat is discharged out of the equatorial region. “This recharge/discharge of heat makes El Nino/La Nina evolve somewhat like a swing,” said Jin, lead author of the study.

Most climate models predict a slowdown of the tropical atmospheric circulation as the mean global climate warms up. This will result in extra heat stored underneath the Northeastern Pacific and thus greatly increase the probability for this region to experience more frequent intense hurricanes, according to the researchers.
The authors also point out that their findings may provide a skillful method to anticipate the activeness of the coming hurricane season by monitoring the El Nino conditions two to three seasons ahead of potentially powerful hurricanes that may result.

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HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE continue islandwide DUI checkpoints through through January 1. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”

Police remind the public that an arrest and conviction of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant are $500 minimum bail for release from jail, $200 for installation of an interlock system plus $92.56 per month, loss of driver’s license, possible cancellation of insurance policy or a premium increase of up to $100 per month, alcohol assessment classes, community service, criminal probation, court fines and possible jail time.
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Hula dancers with Hannah's Makana `Ohana performed at Ka`u School of the Arts'
Christmas concert at Pahala Plantation House. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS, which presented a concert at Pahala Plantation House Sunday following the Christmas parade through town, offers another free Christmas concert tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center Featured are Ka`u `Ohana Band, Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao Kahiko, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, Sammie Fo and a sing-along with Ka`u Community Chorus. Potluck refreshments are welcome.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER’S annual keiki Christmas party is Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.

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 during a free program Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 985-6011

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK’S presentations of Amahl and the Night Visitors begin a week from tomorrow. Performances are scheduled for Dec. 26, 27 and 28 and Jan. 2, 3 and 4 at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Amahl, a disabled boy who can walk only with a crutch, has a problem with telling tall tales, and his mother does not believe him when he tells her there is an amazing star “as big as a window” outside over their roof. His mother gets even angrier when Amahl tells her that a knock at the door is three kings come to visit them. The kings enter and tell them that they have come to find a king. Amahl’s mother sends him to fetch the shepherds to bring food for the kings as there is none in the house. Later that night, when Amahl’s mother tries to steal some of the kings’ gold to use to help her child, she is caught. When the kings offer to let her keep the gold, explaining that the king they seek will need nothing but love to rule his kingdom, she returns it. Amahl offers his staff as an additional gift, and suddenly finds that he can walk. He leaves with the kings to pay homage to the child who has healed him.
Tickets are $15 general, $12 seniors 60+ and students and $10 for children 12 and under. Presale tickets are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea`au Natural Foods and the Most Irresistible Shop in downtown Hilo. Tickets will also be available at the door.
For more information or to make reservations, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.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.

A decorated Hello Kitty cabin at Kilauea Military Camp sports a bow and spectacles, hoping that spectators vote for her
during KMC's Holiday Challenge. Photo by Dave Berry

MAILE MEDEIROS DAVID, KA`U’S NEW member on Hawa`i County Council, followed her predecessor Brenda Ford in voting in favor of a ban on electronic smoking devices this week. Bill 302 prohibits use of the devices in all enclosed and partially enclosed places within the county where use of tobacco products are currently prohibited and also prohibits use of the devices at all county parks and recreational facilities.

The bill passed its first reading prior to newly elected council members taking office. At that time, the bill passed six to two. On its second reading, the vote was five to four in favor.

According to a story in the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, a recent state Department of Health survey found that triple the number of high school students used e-cigarettes at least once from 2011 to 2013, and use quadrupled among middle school students during the same period.
Opponents of the ban say there is no evidence that e-cigarettes are harmful and that people use them to help quit smoking.

Maile Medeiros David

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSIONS have given favorable recommendations to changing the approval process for Planned Unit Developments. Following approval with reservations by the Windward Commission on Dec. 4, the Leeward Commission gave approval yesterday. The issue now goes to the County Council.
Currently, only the Planning director has to approve PUDs, and public notice follows the decisions. Decisions can be overturned by the Board of Appeals and the Third Circuit Court.
Bill 281 calls for the Planning Commission that holds jurisdiction over the area where properties for which applications are sought to be responsible for review and approval of the application. Public notices and hearings would be required.
Lands where the famous Moa`ula and Pear Tree Ka`u Coffee farms are located were set up for subdivision as a PUD several years ago, the decision made by the former county Planning director without public hearing or consideration by the Planning Commissions or County Council. The subdivision has not been carried out, but the potential is part of the marketing of the land, which has been put up for sale by Lehman Brothers Holdings, which foreclosed on former developers there. The coffee farmers, who have developed the Ka`u Coffee industry there for nearly two decades, no longer have leases and could lose their farms if the land is subdivided and sold off. The proposed PUD at Moa`ula and Pear Tree calls for many lots smaller than 20 acres for which the property is zoned, leaving the gulches and mountainsides and some other non-coffee land in bigger parcels.
Chris Manfredi, former manager of owner WWK Holding’s Ka`u lands, recently told The Ka`u Calendar that the company’s subdivision goal “was to create family farms. All exiting tenants were to be offered 50-year terms and purchase options.” He also said, “No one in Ka`u has ever proposed such favorable terms.”
While the original intent of PUDs was to make for better planning by avoiding simple cookie cutter developments, PUDs are sometimes used by developers to obtain smaller, more desirable lots for estates and houses.
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Two fingers of lava are threatening Pahoa Marketplace, as shown by arrows
in regular and thermal photos. Photos from USGS/HVO

MERCHANTS AT PAHOA MARKETPLACE who are closing their businesses in advance of lava that is threatening the area plan to reopen as soon as possible, county Civil Defense Chief Darryl Oliveira told the public at yesterday’s community update meeting.

Two fingers of lava are now possible threats to the shopping center, with the closest one .6 miles away as of 9 a.m. this morning. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that one of the flow fronts is stalled, but the other is still active and could reach the center in five to nine days, depending on the flow rate.
Gov. David Ige, who visited Pahoa yesterday, said it helps to see the flow with his own eyes. “It does give you a very different perspective to be on the ground and view it from the air and talk to people and actually see the flow itself,” Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, reported Ige saying.
Ige said the state is prepared to continue working with the county on road access and other issues in the long term. “This is not something that’s going to disappear,” he said.

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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Marco Mangelsdorf

HAWAI`I ISLAND’S ROOFTOP PHOTOVOLTAIC industry may be in a state of terminal decline, according to Marco Mangelsdorf, owner of ProVision Solar in Hilo. Richard Ha, owner of Hamakua Springs Country Farms and a proponent of geothermal energy for grid-delivered electricity, reports Mangelsdorf’s findings on his blog at hahaha.hamakuasprings.com. Ha says Mangelsdorf is one of the most credible commentators he knows in the energy industry.

“It’s hard to see factors that would lead to a sustainable upswing (in the PV industry) at least in the next several years,” Mangelsdorf says. “With the federal tax credit scheduled to disappear for residential PV as of Jan. 1, 2017 and go down from 30 percent to 10 percent for commercial PV, grid-penetration issues and NextEra’s (the company that is buying Hawaiian Electric Co.’s) apparent preference for utility-scale PV over distributed generation, the skies seem unlikely to brighten in the near-term for the local PV industry. And forget any immediate relief coming from some magic bullet in the form of energy storage. Ain’t gonna happen no matter how much some commentators predict it along with a mass exodus from the grid. Said pundits have likely never spent any time, let along months or years, living off the grid and the considerable energy, time, resources and conscientiousness that off grid living entails.”
According to Mangelsdorf, PV permits between January and November of this year dropped 51 percent from the same period last year.
“The number one PV permit puller on the island, Vivint Solar, has seen their numbers take a substantial dive in October and November,” Mangelsdorf said. Their monthly average between January and September of this year was 92 PV permits. In October, they obtained nine permits and pulled 15 last month.

Hawai`i Fire Department has announced sale dates for fireworks permits.
Photo by Kris Brakken

HAWAI`I FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES that fireworks permits will be available for purchase beginning Friday, Dec. 26 and ending at midnight on New Year’s Eve at the following locations for the upcoming New Year’s celebration:

Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2501, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, 29, 30, and 31; and
Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawai`i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg E, second floor, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, 29, 30, and 31.

Fireworks permits will also be sold at the following firecracker vending outlets:

TNT Tent, Waiakea Center Parking Lot, 325 Maka`ala Street, Hilo;
TNT Tent, Kona Crossroads Parking Lot, 75-1027 Henry Street, Kailua-Kona;
KTA Puainako, 50 E. Puainako Street, Hilo
Pacific Fireworks Kona, 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona;
KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd. Kailua Kona;
Long’s Drug Prince Kuhio Plaza, 111 E. Puainako St., Hilo.

Each permit costs $25 and will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers. Multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits shall only be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable and non-refundable. Permits are not required for purchasing novelties and paperless firecrackers. Setting off of fireworks are allowed between the hours of 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Permits shall be visibly displayed at the site of use during the time of the firing.
For more information on purchasing fireworks permits or use of fireworks, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2912 in Hilo or 323-4760 in Kona.

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Sammie Fo performed during Ka`u School of the Arts Christmas concert
at Pahala Plantation House. Photo by Julia Neal

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER hosts holiday events today and tomorrow.

Ka`u School of the Arts, which presented a concert at Pahala Plantation House Sunday following the Christmas parade through town, offers another free Christmas concert today at 5 p.m. Featured are Ka`u `Ohana Band, Halau Hula O Ka `Imina Na`auao Kahiko, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, Sammie Fo and a sing-along with Ka`u Community Chorus. Potluck refreshments are welcome.
Ocean View Community Association’s annual keiki Christmas party is tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.

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 during a free program Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 985-6011

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Santa is on his way to Ocean View Community Association's Keiki Christmas Party today. Will he arrive in a classic car, as he did last year? Photo by Melissa Tveter

BAY CLINIC, WITH HEALTH CARE FACILITIES in Na`alehu, is receiving recognition and a $15,253 award as part of $36.3 million in Affordable Care Act funding to health centers across the nation in recognition of quality improvement achievements and to invest in ongoing quality improvement activities.

Health centers receiving awards are proven leaders in areas such as chronic disease management, preventive care and use of Electronic Health Records to report quality data.

Bay Clinic Ka`u Family Health Center opened last December.
Photo by Joe Febo/Hana Hou Photography

These health centers are being recognized for high levels of quality performance in one or more of the following four categories: health center quality leaders; national quality leaders; clinical quality improvers; and electronic health record reporters.
Bay Clinic received recognition and a $15,253 award in the clinical quality improvers category. Clinical quality improvers are recognized if they demonstrated at least a 10 percent improvement in clinical quality measures between 2012 and 2013, showing a significant improvement in the health of the patients they serve.
“This funding rewards health centers that have a proven track record in clinical quality improvement, which translates to better patient care, and it allows them to expand and improve their systems and infrastructure to bring the highest quality primary care services to the communities they serve,” said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell. “With these funds, health centers in all 50 states will continue to provide access to high quality, comprehensive primary and preventive health care to the patients that need it the most.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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KA`U RESIDENTS COULD SEE improvements in Hele-On bus service following the county’s purchase of three new buses and donation of five more by Honolulu’s transit system. Nancy Cook Lauer reports in West Hawai`i Today that the donated buses will be used as backups and put into service when other buses are being repaired.
The county purchases the new buses, which cost $450,282 each, with federal funds.
See westhawaiitoday.com.

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Fire Chief Darren Rosario

WITH HAWAI`I COUNTY RESIDENTS preparing for New Year’s Eve festivities, Fire Chief Darren Rosario ask for everyone’s kokua in helping prevent fires and also to avoid unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year.

It is illegal for anyone to:

Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework;
Throw fireworks from, at or into any vehicle;
Set off any fireworks:

At any time not within the specified time periods; Within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter or church when services are held;
On any school property without authorization from the said school official;
On any public way such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk, or park.
Offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors; or for any minor to possess, purchase, sell, or set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult;
Set off any aerial luminary devices, commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawai`i Lanterns, or any other aerial devices, such as bottle rockets, sky rockets, roman candles, cakes, mortars or shells.

Use extreme care when setting off fireworks. Children playing with fireworks should be under an adult’s close supervision at all times. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause severe injuries that will quickly ruin the holidays.
Fireworks should be set off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials.
Be sure fireworks are completely extinguished before being disposed of.
Have a fire extinguisher and/or a water hose ready to use in the event of an unplanned or unexpected fire. Be sure water hoses can reach all areas where fireworks activities are being conducted, especially around the entire house. It’s also a great idea to wet down any dry, grassy area before and after setting off fireworks.

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Palila on mamane tree, its food source. Photo from USGS

A STATE ATTEMPT TO TRY TO EXTEND PROTECTION of endangered palila, whose critical habitat is on Mauna Kea, outside its habitat has been stopped by a state judge, according to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.

Currently, state employees and contractors can hunt sheep, goats, cattle and axis deer from the air within the birds’ critical habitat through an exemption to a ban on aerial hunting. The state wanted to extend the area available for aerial hunting to keep ungulates from migrating to palilas’ habitat, where they destroy mamane trees, palilas’ main food source. However, Hilo Circuit Court Judge Glenn Hara ruled that state law doesn’t “specifically provide an exemption for the state from the aerial hunting ban” outside of the critical habitat.

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is the first
Hindu in Congress. Photo from
U.S. India Relationship Blog

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD is visiting India at the invitation of the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who she recently met with during his visit to the U.S. During their first meeting, the two spoke of the priorities shared by India and the U.S., including defeating threats posed by ISIS and other Islamic extremists, collaborating to address environmental concerns and maximizing economic opportunities. Gabbard’s visit to India as the Prime Minister’s guest will work towards these efforts.  

“The potential for the relationship between the United States and India is extremely bright, and I wish to enhance this important partnership through my visit to India,” said Gabbard. “I was honored to accept the invitation of Prime Minister Modi and look forward to meeting with him again. Throughout this visit, I will have the opportunity to meet with a variety of people from different industries in five major cities, with the objective of investing in and strengthening the relationship between the world’s largest and oldest democracies.”  
While in India, Gabbard will build relationships with high ranking officials in government and the military, as well as meet with individuals and leaders in different industries, agencies and organizations that promote business, technology and innovation, renewable energy, tourism, education, opportunities for women and children and environmental protection. She will address the India Ideas Conclave in Goa, deliver welcoming remarks at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Conference, speak to students at Goa University and participate in the Bangalore Innovation and Start-Ups technology conference. She will also meet with leadership of the Indian Film Industry to create more opportunities for the industry in Hawai`i, as well as promote eco-tourism and other investments in the Aloha State. 

Gabbard serves on the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, which was established in 1994 and has been the driver of the India-U.S. bilateral relationship. Gabbard said that, due to increased efforts of this Caucus, among other things, the friendship and opportunities between these two countries has been strengthened and continues to grow.  

Gabbard will return to Washington, DC before Congress reconvenes on Jan. 6. No U.S. tax dollars are used to fund the travel and associated costs of her trip to India.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER hosts its annual keiki Christmas party today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Volunteers are still welcome to help with the event.

Yellow `ohi`a lehua are one of many forms participants learn about tomorrow.
Photo by David Boyle

LUCKY LIZARDS PERFORM TONIGHT at Gilligan’s Café in Discovery Harbour. The restaurant is open Friday and Saturday nights from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. to support Ka`u Learning Academy.

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 during a free program tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 985-6011

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

Minnie Mouse invites spectators to vote for their favorite decorated cottages all month during Kilauea Military Camp's Holiday Challenge. Photo by Dave Berry

ALTHOUGH THE KA`U-KALAPANA emergency route remains closed, officials have opened the Railroad Ave. route for residents to get used to in advance of lava possibly covering Hwy 130 near Pahoa. Lava continues a slow advance to Pahoa Marketplace, which is between the current flow front and the highway. If lava makes its way across the highway, lower Puna residents will have to use the new gravel emergency road to get to Kea`au and other parts of the island. Civil Defense Chief Darryl Oliveira estimates the route would add 30 minutes to commute times.

Officials have opened Railroad Ave. in Puna as an emergency route in case
lava continues to flow and cover Hwy 130 near Pahoa.
Photo from Big Island Video News

At 8 a.m., Hawai`i County Civil Defense announced that the flow front is currently .6 miles upslope of the intersection of Hwy 130 and Pahoa Village Road, where the shopping center is located. The front is narrow and moving slowing, according to the report.
Unlike east Ka`u residents, lower Puna-area residents no longer have easy access to Long’s Drugs, with the store across from Pahoa Marketplace closing yesterday. Their nearest option is now in Kea`au, which sells products similar to the Pahala store.

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VOLCANO RESIDENT JACK LOCKWOOD, who was a staff volcanologist at USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory for more than 20 years, released the following editorial regarding the feasibility of lava diversion to The Ka`u Calendar and Stephens Media. Lockwood worked on lava diversion efforts at Mt. Etna, Italy in 1983. He also designed lava diversion structures at NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory and supervised their construction.

“Pele is now sending lava flows north of Kilauea’s East Rift Zone and is threatening property in the Pahoa area for the first time since 1840,” Lockwood writes.

Jack Lockwood

“Because humans now have the technical capability to alter lava flow paths under certain circumstances, I feel it is time for government agencies and the lower Puna community to re-examine ‘lava diversion’ as a means to lessen property damage from the ongoing eruption. For such an evaluation, two principal questions must be answered: (1) Is it technically feasible, and (2) if feasible, would the artificial diversion of lava be the pono thing to do?

“Economic, legal, political and cultural realities also must be evaluated, with the realization that any decision to ‘mess with Mother Nature’ and to interfere with Pele’s activity will always be controversial. In fact, though, we humans do ‘mess with Mother Nature’ all the time — from simple acts such as carrying umbrellas to major projects such as flood control. Channeling water into artificial diversion spillways (such as the Alenaio Stream diversion to protect Hilo from flooding) is socially acceptable — should the potential to divert lava flows be off the table?
“Lava diversion is a proven technique to protect valuable property and has been successfully carried out in Italy and Iceland, but only after major, government-supported efforts. Lava diversion is only feasible when the terrain is favorable, where there are lesser-value lands downslope toward which flows can be directed, and when sufficient time is available to carefully plan and carry out the operations. Molten lava is a fluid, albeit a very viscous one, and like water will respond to gravity and flow along the easiest terrain pathway to lower elevations.
“Three methods to divert lava flows have been used successfully in the past: (1) Use of explosives to disrupt lava flow supply conduits near eruptive vents, far from flow fronts; (2) application of large volumes of water on flow fronts to thicken flows and to form barriers of frozen lava; and (3) construction of lava deflection structures at advancing flow fronts to deflect flows toward less destructive paths.
“Neither of the first two options seem appropriate for the current situation; the construction of bulldozed berms to minimize losses is the best option in the Pahoa area.

“Lava diversion has been attempted several times in Hawai`i (bombing operations of 1935 and 1942; barrier construction in 1955 and 1960), but none of these attempts were well-planned, and all failed. A great deal is now known about the rheology (physical properties) of flowing lava, and significant engineering knowledge has accumulated about the means to construct diversion structures.

`A`a lava approached a barrier at Mt. Etna in 1983, adding six feet to the top
of the barrier but not going beyond. Photo by Jack Lockwood

“Because of the legal issues involved, however, lava diversion can only be attempted by government entities operating under the umbrella of a Federal Disaster Declaration (such as now exists in Puna) when questions of liability regarding actions to protect the public good are moot. Independent efforts to protect one’s property are ill-advised, since diversion of lava onto someone else’s property by private individuals will invariably involve liability issues.
“I, like most long-term Hawai`i residents, have great respect for Pele, and the diverse opinions of Hawaiian people about the question of lava diversion must be seriously considered. Most Hawaiians I’ve spoken with say something like, ‘You can mess with Pele if you want, but she’s going to do what she wants to do in any event.’ I basically agree, and would approach any lava diversion attempts not in an effort to ‘Stop Pele’ or to confront her, but in a spirit of cooperation — using an earthen wall to politely request that she might want to follow a different path.
“Any such attempts should involve Hawaiian practitioners who know best how to explain to Pele what we might like her to do. Princess Ruth set a good example in July 1881 when she spoke to Pele from the Halai Hills and stopped a Mauna Loa lava flow from entering Hilo!
“Volcanologists, engineers, emergency agencies and legal experts should meet soon to discuss options for lava diversion and to make recommendations to government. In the end, of course, only our elected politicians will be able to make final decisions about how best to protect the interests of lower Puna residents.

“There might not be time now to protect structures at the Pahoa Marketplace, and Hwy 130 will be cut in any event if the eruption continues, but if thousands of homes are eventually threatened makai of Pahoa, it would be good to have evaluated the options for lava diversion in advance.”

Pahala swimming pool is open daily this month except Christmas day.
Photo by Tanya Ibarra

See more at Lockwood’s website, www.volcanologist.com.

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TO HELP PREPARE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, Ka`u residents can include exercise in their daily schedules throughout this month.
Pahala pool offers public recreational swim Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and every day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., including weekends. Adult lap swim is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and weekends between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. The pool is closed Christmas Day.
Open Play Basketball is available at Na`alehu Community Center Mondays through Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Call 939-2510.

Kahuku Park offers an hour of Adult Walk for Fitness Mondays through Fridays at 1:30 p.m. Call 929-9113.
Call Becky at 345-4334 for information about Exercise for Energy at Discovery Harbour Community Center Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Zumba Fitness is also available. Linda Fanene teaches at New Hope Christian Fellowship in Volcano Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 a.m. Call her at 990-3835. Erin Cole has hour-long classes at Na`alehu Community Center Mondays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. Call Cole 938-4037 for more information.

Inside the Whitney Vault, Thomas Jaggar, aka Dick
Hershberger, explains seismographic equipment.
Photo by Ron Johnson

Yoga classes in Volcano on Wednesdays include Debra Serrao’s self-guided yoga at Cooper Center from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Bob Kennedy’s beginner’s yoga at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
At Na`alehu Hongwanji, Stephanie Pepper teaches gentle senior yoga Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by an hour of meditation with Velvet Replogle.
See more in your December issue of The Ka`u Calendar and at kaucalendar.com.

A DRIVE TO THE COOL ELEVATIONS of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park promises to instill the holiday spirit during Christmas week.
On Tuesday, Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center and walk to his underground laboratory near Volcano House.
Volunteers come together to work off some holiday calories as they clear invasive ginger from park trails Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center.
Christmas in the Country continues this week and through Jan. 4 at Volcano Art Center Gallery from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual exhibit and sale features handmade ornaments, gifts and wreaths.
On Friday, Kaipo AhChong shares the art of lei making on the gallery porch between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

While in the park, visitors are encouraged to view the front row of decorated cottages at Kilauea Military Camp and vote for their favorites.
All events are free; park entrance fees apply.

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

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The brightest and most well known open cluster of stars, the Pleiades, is visible in Ka`u's night sky this month. Astronomer Lew Look, author of Stars Over Ka`u, asks, "How many can you count?"NASA image from Lew Cook

COFFEE BERRY BORERS are making headlines not only for their destructive behavior on Ka`u Coffee farms but also what news and social media are spreading as "kinky sex."

“See that cup of coffee you grabbed this morning?” asks Brandon Ambrosino at vox.com. “That delicious, life-sustaining beverage comes from coffee beans. And before those beans were roasted, insects were having sex in them.

The sex life of coffee berry borers is the subject of several media reports.
Photo by Peggy Greb/USDA Ag Research Service

“According to a recent study published in the Journal of Insect Behavior, coffee berry borers (Hypothenemus hampei), which are native to Africa, spend a good deal of their lives in coffee beans, which means, writes Discovery News, ‘kinky sex takes place in many coffee beans before they are roasted.’
“As The Week points out, the sex is also incestuous sometimes. When females aren’t reproducing through parthenogenesis (i.e. by herself) then they ‘have to be copulated by their sibling males before leaving the native coffee fruit to improve their chances of successful colonization,’ writes study co-author Weliton Dias Silva.
“These insects, which are tiny beetles, are incredibly small, with the females averaging slightly larger lengths (.07 inches) than males (.06 inches). Because the males are smaller, they're called ‘dwarves.’
“So how do the insects find their way into the actual coffee beans? According to Discovery, they find their way into the beans ‘after sniffing out chemicals released by coffee plants.’ Females leave the beans at 15 days old, but males stick around, which means, yeah, your roasted coffee beans could have male insects in them.
“If you’re worried about using sex-ruined coffee beans, here are two tips for avoiding them. If the coffee beans seem more hollow than others, or if there are tiny, beetle-sized holes in them, avoid them. And if you like Arabica beans, find a new flavor because that seems to be the most infested bean.
“Granted, writes The Week, you probably shouldn’t be too worried about the sexual history of your coffee beans as most of the infected ones are taken off the market. That’s good news for coffee drinkers, but bad news for farmers. According to estimates from the USDA, these losses can add up to more than $500 million annually.”

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Spinner dolphins rest in Hawai`i's bays, where tourists go to interact with them.
Photo from wikipedia

IMPORTANCE TO TOURISM is a strategy suggested by a new study outlining dangers to spinner dolphins and how to preserve their populations in Hawai`i. The study from Duke University attempts to find ways to reduce pressures placed on dolphins as the number of tours to the state’s bays such as Kealakekua Bay in West Hawai`i, which dolphins use as safe places to rest, increases.
According to the researchers, a combination of federal regulations and community-based conservation measures is the best way to protect Hawai`i’s wild spinner dolphins in Hawai`i. Community-based conservation efforts involve local residents working together to manage the bays and discourage human behaviors that can harm dolphins. Educating and reaching out to the public are key to the efforts, according to the study.
Heather Heenehan, a doctoral candidate at Duke University’s Marine Laboratory who led the study, said it “explicitly acknowledges that all users of these bays have the right to take advantage of the resources they offer – including dolphins, which are protected from harassment under federal law.”
David Johnston, assistant professor at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, said, “A combination of management approaches is needed immediately to make interactions between humans and dolphins sustainable. Neither top-down mandates nor bottom-up stakeholder efforts are the sole answer to this problem.”

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As lava approaches Pahoa Marketplace, Jungle Love gift shop employees told
Gov. David Ige they hope to remain open until Christmas.
Photo from Big Island Video News

AS CHRISTMAS APPROACHES, so does lava on its way toward Pahoa Marketplace. Merchants still open are taking advantage of a slowing of the lava’s progress. A Jungle Love employee, a gift shop in the center, told Gov. David Ige during his visit Thursday that this is their busiest time of year. “This is how we get our bread and butter,” she said. She hopes to stay open until Christmas. “I don’t know very much after that,” she said.

Lava remains active about about one-half mile upslope of Pahoa Marketplace. Having entered a more level area, the flow front is widening rather than following a narrow path downhill.

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IN HIS CURRENT ISSUE OF STARS OVER KA`U in The Ka`u Calendar, astronomer Lew Cook discusses how planets are formed, their relationships to stars and stars visible in late December.

“Astronomers have known planets come from gas and dust that forms around very young stars,” Cook says. “Those stars themselves were born from this very dust and gas cloud. For the first time, ESO, the European Southern Observatory in Chile, reports imaging clearly the disk around a young star.

“‘A new image from ALMA, the Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array, reveals extraordinarily fine detail that has never been seen before in the planet-forming disc around a young star. ALMA‚ Ao’s new high-resolution capabilities, were achieved by spacing the antennas up to 15 kilometers apart. This new result represents an enormous step forward in the understanding of how protoplanetary discs develop and how planets form.

The disk and gas around the star HL Taurus ALMA image from Lew Cook

‘ALMA has obtained its most detailed image yet showing the structure of the disc around HL Tau (a variable star), a million-year-old sun-like star located approximately 450 light-years from Earth in the constellation of Taurus. The image exceeds all expectations and reveals a series of concentric and bright rings, separated by gaps.’

“Planets are forming in the gaps seen in the image. The location of the star, HL Taurus, is shown on the Dec. 2014 star chart, but don’t expect to be able to see it, as it is 14th magnitude. You can see, on a good night, stars to the sixth magnitude. Even with a large amateur telescope of 12 inches diameter, it is only just visible.
“Nearly overhead … at 9 p.m. during the last part of the month is the group of stars called the Pleiades. Galileo was the first to examine the Pleiades through a telescope, discovering there were many stars in the cluster. He counted 36. I doubt he was aware of how may stars there were at the time. Astronomers term this grouping an Open Cluster of stars. The Pleiades is about 400 light years away.
“It has recently formed from a dust and gas cloud like the Orion nebula and contains around 3,000 stars. Over the next 250 million years they will lose their association with each other, becoming random stars in the Milky Way. The founders of our civilization used the Pleiades as a test of vision for their soldiers: If a person could see seven stars, he passed the test for an archer.
“The Pleiades is the brightest and most well known open cluster. There are many other star clusters like the Pleiades, but fainter. The stars being born in the Orion nebula are an example (at 1,300 light years). So is the Hyades (150 light years) just southeast of the Pleiades. “Although Aldeberan appears to be part of the Hyades, it is much closer to us at 65 light years. There is another type of cluster that has so many stars in it that the cluster’s gravitational stronghold on the stars keep it together for a very long time. We’ll discuss these globular clusters of stars at a later time.

“Speaking of Orion, he rises and continues his relentless chase of the seven sisters of the Pleiades where the Ancient God Zeus cast him after his death from the scorpion’s sting. Be sure to look for the Andromeda Galaxy – the most distant object visible to the unaided eye before it follows Pegasus past the western horizon. Use binoculars or a telescope for a better view.”

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Aloha Handbells return for Wednesday's Christmas Eve candlelight service
at Na`alehu United Methodist Church. Photo from Julie White

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life tomorrow. A Walk into the Past programs begin at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Participants meet at Hawai`i Volcano National Park’s Kilauea Visitor Center and walk to his underground laboratory near Volcano House.

NA`ALEHU UNITED METHODIST CHURCH offers Christmas Eve Candlelight Service Wednesday at 7 p.m. with carols, biblical Christmas story and specialty music featuring choir, Aloha Handbells, spiritual dance, trumpets, flutes, `ukulele and more.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Kilauea Military Camp's Christmas tree brightens the darkness in front of decorated cabins that spectators can vote for through New Year's Eve. Photo by Dave Berry

EIGHTY-TWO THAI FARM WORKERS found to have been exploited on Ka`u and other farms in Hawai`i have been awarded $150,000 each by U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi.

Anna Park, trial lawyer for U.S. Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission

The awards follow a federal lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed in 2011against Global Horizons and six Hawai`i farms, including MacFarms of Hawai`i, which draws a majority of its local workers from Ka`u to its macadamia orchards just north of the Ka`u and South Kona district borders. The lawsuit focused on working and living conditions, including the accusation that 20 MacFarms workers hired by Global Horizons were crowded into a house in Na`alehu that was ill-equipped for even five persons. According to allegations, the accommodations “lacked a fully functioning toilet, toilet paper and hot water and had a buckling kitchen floor.” Five farms settled for a total of $3.6 million.
According to a story by Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in West Hawai`i Today, Mordechai Orian, former president of Global Horizons, continued to deny the workers were mistreated. “We paid those guys to the last penny they worked for,” he said. “We tried to keep legal farming in the United States alive, and this is the thanks we get.”
Orian said the company is no longer in business and cannot pay the awards. “We will fight this ridiculous decision,” he said, and called the awards “insane.”
Anna Park, EEOC trial attorney in Los Angeles, said the agency is pleased, but the next challenge will be getting money from Global Horizons, she said.
Awards come from $3.6 million in settlements and $8.7 million Global Horizons is liable for.
“The million dollar question is whether they’ll ever see any of it,” said Clare Hanusz, an attorney who represents several of the workers with immigration issues. “I’d be surprised if there really was no money, though. I think it’s very carefully hidden.”
According to the story, Global Horizons plans to appeal.
See westhawaiitoday.com.

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Wes Machida is Gov. David Ige's Director of Budget
and Finance.

GOV. DAVID IGE AND WES MACHIDA, Director of Budget and Finance designee, yesterday outlined the proposed biennium budget for the upcoming fiscal years 2016 and 2017. The budget was developed primarily by the outgoing Abercrombie administration to ensure continuation of state services at current levels and to provide the Ige administration with flexibility to make budget adjustments that are in line with its policy and budget priorities.

The budget anticipates four percent increases in spending during each of the next two fiscal years. Revenues are projected to grow by 5.5 percent each year.
“One of the most important responsibilities that I have, as governor of the state of Hawai`i, is to deliver a balanced budget to the Legislature and to the people of our state,” Ige said. “To that, I am fully committed.
“We will not propose new programs when we cannot afford to pay for them – we will live within our means, just like Hawai`i’s families. We will spend public funds wisely to avoid raising taxes.
“State government should be run like a business, striving to increase efficiency and reduce waste and costs. Accountability and transparency will be the core principles upon which we provide services to our customers, the people of Hawai`i.
“As government, we must focus our energies to nurture a sustainable economy – a healthy economy to support Hawai`i’s families and allow them to thrive. There is hard work to be done, but we expect no less of ourselves than the public expects of us.
Highlights of the budget and copies of documents that have been submitted to the Legislature are available online at http://budget.hawaii.gov/budget/executive-biennium-budget.

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Lopaka Ryder Photo from youtube

KUMU HULA DEBBIE RYDER, of Pahala, yesterday asked the murderer of her son to turn to God during his sentencing in a Kona courtroom to life imprisonment. Martin Frank Booth pled guilty to the killing, in late 2013, of the popular musician Lopaka Ryder, of Kona, whose body was found in a lava field on the Kohala Coast after he had been missing for months.

According to the story by Chelsea Jensen, of West Hawai`i Today, Debbie Ryder stood in the court and stated: “You are inhumane to take someone’s life like you did my son. He was a kind and loving person. He was God’s child; Lopaka believed in Him, and he tried his best throughout his 37 years to apply what the Lord guided him to do,” she said.
“You will have nightmares, and you will have flashbacks for murdering my son. You need to put God in your heart so he can help you live the rest of your life behind bars, and my family and I will make sure of that. And, in the end, only God will judge you according to your actions and the way you choose to live your life.”

The snow-white summit of Mauna Loa as seen from Mauna Kea.
Photo from NOAA

Booth apologized to the family. “Lopaka was a very talented and loving person. He was a friend of mine. I’m sorry,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do to change that and what I’ve done, and for that I am sorry, and there is no excuse.”
See more at westhawaiitoday.com.

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IT COULD BE A WHITE CHRISTMAS on the slopes of Mauna Loa, with the National Weather Service issuing a blizzard watch for Big Island summits in effect this morning through tomorrow afternoon. Snowfall could exceed six inches. Even if the heavy snow does not materialize, very strong winds are expected, according to NWS.
A blizzard watch means there is a potential for falling and/or blowing and drifting snow with strong winds and extremely poor visibilities. This can lead to whiteout conditions and make travel very dangerous.

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Chad Keone Farias Photo from Hawai`i DOE

CAREER EDUCATOR CHAD KEONE FARIAS will take the helm of complex area superintendent for the Ka`u-Keaau-Pahoa complex, succeeding Mary Correa, who mentored him for the position and will be retiring on Dec. 31.

Farias, 43, has spent his entire career on Hawai`i Island, most recently as Kea`au Elementary principal since 2008. Under his leadership, Kea`au Elementary was one of the pioneers in digital learning among its staff and students, boosting student achievement and lowering chronic absenteeism. Farias previously served as vice principal at Keonepoko Elementary and his alma mater, Hilo High, where he held his first teaching job.

Hawai`i State Board of Education appointed Farias to the Complex Area post on Sept. 16 to be effective on Jan. 1.

Correa retires with more than 40 years in the state Department of Education, the last decade as the KKP complex area superintendent. She also served as an administrator at Ho`okena Elementary, Hilo Community School for Adults, Pahoa High and Intermediate and Hilo Intermediate schools. Early in her career, Correa taught at Waiakeawaena Elementary, Laupahoehoe Elementary, Waimea Elementary and Intermediate and Saint Joseph Elementary and Intermediate.

Correa is known for her phrase, “If can, can; if no can, how can,” which challenged educators to overcome severe socioeconomic barriers and raise student achievement among what had been historically known as Hawai`i’s lowest performing schools. The KKP complex schools have since emerged as a successful improvement model for the state after receiving targeted supports as “Zones of School Innovation” in the DOE’s Race to the Top federal grant. The KKP complex has close to 5,500 students in nine schools spread across the largest geographic region of any complex area in the state.

Correa’s leadership has been vital in the last four months in weathering two hurricane threats that closed schools, and the Puna lava flow, which forced closure of Keonepoko Elementary indefinitely. She led her KKP team in ensuring a seamless education transition for 1,700 students and 300 staff to relocate to other schools within the complex.

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Santa took center stage at Ocean View
Community Center Saturday.

SANTA MADE IT TO OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER Saturday for the community association’s annual keiki Christmas party. Gift, food and other goodies made for a festive event.

KA`U GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM STARTED the season off strong last night. It was the first season game for the girls varsity team against Pahoa and successfully showcased Ka`u’s strength as a team. Holding the lead for most of the game, Trojans took the win with a score of Ka`u 59 and Pahoa 42.

With a majority of experienced seniors on the roster, the Trojans’ season looks promising. Seniors include Kerrilynn Domondon, Denisha Navrro, Shyann Flores-Carvalho, Kehaulani Ke, Sky Kanakaole-Esperon, Jennifer Tabios, and Bridget Pasion.
Pasion was high scorer with 15 points, and  Domondon contributed 12  points.
The Ka`u Calendar’s journalism intern Kaweni Ibarra wrote the majority of this story.

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NA`ALEHU UNITED METHODIST CHURCH offers Christmas Eve Candlelight Service tomorrow at 7 p.m. with carols, biblical Christmas story and specialty music featuring choir, Aloha Handbells, spiritual dance, trumpets, flutes, `ukulele and more.

CHRISTMAS BUFFET IS AN OPTION for holiday meals Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park features prime rib au jus, stuffed roast turkey and holiday lamb stew. $26.95 for adults and $13.50 for child 6-11 years old. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 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.

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