The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park equipment operator Jon Mitsuda removed the iconic "Road Closed" sign near the end of Chain of Crater Road before bulldozers began rebuilding the road to reconnect Ka`u with Puna yesterday. Photo from National Park Service

MILOLI`I MAY BECOME A COMMUNITY-BASED Fisheries Subsistence Area. It is one of the next areas to be considered after the state Board of Land and Natural Resources unanimously approved Hawai`i’s first-ever CBFSA rule package for Haena on Kaua`i, according to a story on Hawai`i News Now. Rules apply from the shoreline out to one mile. They limit the type of fishing gear and methods that may be used, prohibit the harvest of marine life for commercial purposes, set new daily take and possession limits for certain species and establish the Makua Pu`uhonua, or marine refuge, as a no-entry sub-zone.

Miloli`i may become a Community-Based Fisheries Management Area that
implements native Hawaiian fishing methods. Photo by Julia Neal

BLNR Chairperson William Aila, Jr. said, “This is an historic action, following years of work by the Haena community in collaboration with DLNR staff. This rules package gives the Haena hui an opportunity to protect its fisheries based on traditional and customary practices. Native Hawaiians knew how to practice sustainability in order to feed their `ohanas. This is strong recognition by government that we cannot do it alone, and community-based management and buy-in is critical to sustaining Hawai`i’s precious natural resources for now and future generations.”
The community worked hand-in-hand with the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources to develop this rules package. DAR administrator Frazer McGilvray said, “The CBFSA sets the precedent for other communities across the state to self-determine what’s best for their local areas based on long-held sustainability practices. Community-based management isn’t only the past, but is now the future.”
A hearing on Oct. 3 at Haena was attended by hundreds of people. Dozens of people testified before the BLNR, and there was overwhelming support, DLNR said.
Erin Zanre, CBFSA planner, called the decision epic. “This decision reflects the hard work and commitment of the Haena community and is the result of a decade-long effort,” she said. “Haena sets a great example for how communities and DLNR can collaborate to better manage resources. Haena has paved the way, and we hope the process for other communities won’t be as long and arduous.”
Implementation of the CBFSA rules package is pending adjudication of a contested case. All future CBFSA designations require BLNR approval.

See hawaiinewsnow.com.

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The latest map from Civil Defense shows that the leading edge of the lava flow in Puna has crossed Apa`a Street/Cemetery Road on its way toward Pahoa. The transfer station is just off to the bottom left of the map.

THE PUNA FLOW FRONT CROSSED APA`A STREET at approximately 3:50 a.m. this morning, Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported. This morning’s assessment showed that the flow has advanced approximately 300 yards since yesterday and continues to advance in a northeast direction toward the cemetery at approximately 10 yards per hour.

The flow front is shown before it crossed the road
at 3:50 a.m. this morning. Photo from USGS/HVO

Civil Defense and Public Safety personnel will conduct door-to-door notifications of residents in the downslope areas of Pahoa Village to insure residents are aware of current activities.
Based on the current flow location, direction and advancement, residents in the flow path will be placed on an evacuation notice and should prepare for possible evacuation in the next three to five days. Those area residents will be kept informed of the flow movement and are asked to complete all necessary preparations for a possible evacuation by this Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Apa`a Street and Cemetery Road will remain closed between the Pahoa Transfer Station and the Kaohe Homesteads Road. In addition, Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.
During a community meeting Thursday at Pahoa Community Center recorded by Big Island Video News, Mayor Billy Kenoi reassured residents that the county is ready to provide uninterrupted service for those who may find themselves on the other side of the flow. “Hey, we ready; let’s go,” he said. “Things will be tough. There’s just no way around it, but we’re going to stick together. We’re going to help each other, and we’re going to keep everybody safe.”

As the lava flow gets closer to Pahoa, some residents are considering Ka`u as an option, with renters moving into the district. At least one Ka`u resident is considering moving a relative’s house from Puna to Ka`u before Hwy 130 gets cut off by lava.

See bigislandvideonews.com.

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GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE SIGNED A REQUEST yesterday for a Presidential Disaster Declaration asking for federal assistance to supplement local emergency protective measures in response to the ongoing Kilauea Lava Flow.
Emergency protective measures undertaken by Hawai`i County include the repair, restoration and re-establishment of alternate routes in and out of affected communities. State efforts include measures to accommodate approximately 900 schoolchildren who will be displaced by the lava flow and support to county requests for additional air quality monitoring.
Work began today in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the emergency access route between the park and lower Puna on the historic Chain of Craters Road-Kalapana road alignment. Park staff removed the iconic “Road Closed” sign before the first bulldozer rolled onto the lava-covered roadway. The park will display the sign as part if its history.

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Intercultural exchange between Japan, Lana`i and Pahala with hula backed up by the South Side Serenaders from Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT CONTINUES through Dec. 7. During this period, residents can choose new health coverage plans for 2015 or make changes to existing plans, learn about discounts on prescription drugs in the Part D coverage gap and take advantage of new benefits from the Affordable Care Act.

Gifts to remember loved ones with requests for blessings for the
community and the inaugural Ho`okupu event for Ka`u, in a
traditional Hawaiian presentation. Photo by Julia Neal

People with Medicare, their families and caregivers can review and compare current plan coverage with new plan offerings using many resources, including:
1) Visiting www.medicare.gov to see plan coverage and costs available in their area, and enrolling in a new plan if they decide to make a change.
2 )Calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock assistance to find out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Multilingual counseling is available.

Halau from Ka`u, Lana`i, Honolulu and Japan
participate. Photo by Julia Neal

3) Reviewing the 2015 Medicare & You handbook accessible online at www.medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf. It has been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare.

4) Getting one-on-one counseling assistance from the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program. Local SHIP contact information can be found at www.medicare.gov/contacts/organization-search-criteria.aspx, on the back of the 2015 Medicare & You handbook, or by calling Medicare.

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HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U CULTURAL FESTIVAL continues on the grounds of the Plantation Manager’s House this evening.

The festival opened yesterday with music and dance. Ernest Kalani, Keoki Kahumoku, the South Side Serenaders, Makanau and Keaiwa performed, and dancers from halau and the audience joined them in hula during Hawaiian songs and more active dancing during pop rhythms.
Attendees enjoyed kalua nachos, garlic shrimp plates, Chinese chicken salad, hapa iced tea with mamaki and lemonade, Ka`u Coffee and other delicacies from vendors. Artists and crafters also displayed their creations.

Musician Keoki Kahumolu and fisherman-musician Guy Sesson partner in playing for Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal

Makanau inspired everyone to dance at Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u opening night.
Photo by Julia Neal

An opening pule takes place at 4 p.m. with dancers who attended the morning hula workshop, along with an introduction of Kumu Hula. At 4:30 p.m., Hands of Time will perform. At 5 p.m. will be Halau Hula O Kawaimaluhia with Kumu Hula Keoni Jennings. At 5:45 p.m. will be Hula Halau Kahoku Kauhiahionalani with Kumu Hula Sammy Fo. At 6 p.m. will be the Gomes `Ohana; at 6:30 p.m., a Kukui Ceremony; and at 6:45 p.m., Keaiwa, featuring Demetrius Oliveira and Halau Hula O Leonalani with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and Haumana from Japan, Okinawa, O`ahu and Pahala. At 7:30 p.m. will be Ka `Imia Na`auao Kahiko from Ka`u School of the Arts and Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan. At 8 p.m. is Victor Chock & Friends, with the evening ending at 9 p.m. with Hawai`i Aloha.

All entertainment is open to the public with no fees.
For more, see www.hookupukau.com.
See more on the festival in this week’s Ka`u News Briefs and in this month’s issue of The Ka`u Calendar.

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Ka`u Trojans support high school athletics with a kalua nachos plate sale.
Photo by Julia Neal

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S ANNUAL MEETING, which was postponed due to Hurricane Ana, is tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
There will be live entertainment while ballots for board members are being counted, with current board member, vocalist Desiree Cruz, joined by Loren Wilken on keyboard for a set of Jazz music.
For more information, call 967-8222.

HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION will hold community input meetings next week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u.
Meetings will be held Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE a week from today on Saturday, Nov. 1 at Honu`apo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organizers promise fun activities for keiki and the whole family, with food, music, exhibits for learning, demonstrations, contests, workshops and a plant and seed exchange. Vendors will sell gifts and other items.

See hawaiifoodforest.com/festival.html.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Hula connects people through an exchange between Ka`u, Lana`i, O`ahu and Japan during last night's finale for Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u Cultural Festival held in Pahala. Photo by Julia Neal

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U CULTURAL FESTIVAL wrapped up two days of sharing music and dance in Pahala last night. Participants came to Pahala from Lana`i, O`ahu and several areas of Japan, including Tokyo and Okinawa, to carry on the annual festival with hula. Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and her husband Kawehi began the festival when they lived on Lana`i. They recently moved to Pahala and brought the festival with them.

Kawehi Ryder talks about the importance
of everyone respecting and learning from
kupuna about culture, land and
environment. Photo by Julia Neal

Several halau, including Kumu Ryder’s Halau Hula O Leionalani members from Pahala, danced hula kahiko and `auana. A member from Lana`i performed Tahitian dance. Dancers from distant places joined together for a finale number.
More local dancers included Kumu Hula Sammi Fo and her Halau Kahoku Kauhiahionalani, of Ocean View, and Ka `Imia Na`auao Kahiko from Ka`u School of the Arts, with Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan. Her halau told the story of Pele in their hulas.

Music was provided by Hands of Time, Makanau, Keaiwa, the Ryder family and others. Victor Chock & Friends performed a tribute to Gabby Pahinui.
The evening also included a remembrance of those who died in the past year, with Bobby Gomes reading names of those from Ka`u and Debbie Ryder reading names of others from Hawai`i Island and Lana`i.

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IN THE MIDST OF HAWAI`I COUNTY’S battle over genetically modified crops, a coalition of farmers and environmental groups has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of six Midwest states where an herbicide called Dow’s Enlist Duo, a blend of glyphosate and 2,4-D, was approved on Oct. 15 for use on genetically engineered crops.

Tahitian dance from Lana`i honors the photo
of the late George Na`ope, mentor of Kumu
Hula Debbie Ryder, of Pahala.
Photo by Julia Neal

Approved for use on GE corn and soybeans that were engineered to withstand repeated applications of the herbicide, the creation of 2,4-D-resistant crops and EPA’s approval of Enlist Duo is the result of an overuse of glyphosate, an ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup, according to the Center for Food Safety. The misuse resulted in an infestation of glyphosate-resistant super weeds which can now be legally combated with the more potent 2,4-D. Dow Chemical has presented 2,4-D resistant crops as a quick fix to the problem, but independent scientists, as well as USDA analysis, predict that the Enlist crop system will only foster more weed resistance, CFS reported.
The lawsuit was filed by Center for Food Safety and Earthjustice in the United States Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on behalf of Beyond Pesticides, Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Food Safety, Environmental Working Group, the National Family Farm Coalition and Pesticide Action Network North America.   The groups are challenging the approval under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, arguing that the EPA did not adequately analyze the impacts of 2,4-D on human health. They will also argue that the approval violated the Endangered Species Act, as there was no consult by the EPA with the Fish & Wildlife Service.

“Sadly, our environmental watchdog is playing lapdog to the chemical industry, ignoring hundreds of thousands of comments urging it to do otherwise,” said Earthjustice attorney Paul Achitoff. “The EPA is aiding and abetting the toxic spiral of using more and more pesticides to feed the industry’s sale of more and more genetically engineered crops while guaranteeing that 2,4-D use on our farmland will increase tremendously. The EPA’s heedless refusal to properly assess the impacts of expanded (use) on human health, to the toxic chemicals associated with this herbicide, and failure to acknowledge any of the deadly effects on endangered wildlife, is grossly irresponsible – we intend to stop it.”
See centerforfoodsafety.org.

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Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist tracks the lava's advance with GPS.
Photo from USGS/HVO

PAHOA RESIDENTS IN THE EXPECTED PATH of lava have received evacuation notices from Hawai`i County Civil Defense. They must prepare to leave their homes in the next three to five days. Lava is flowing closer and closer to their homes, having reached the cemetery on the outskirts of town.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists said lava is currently spreading out over the relatively flat terrain in the cemetery area, but a steeper slope on the other side could cause the lava to advance at a faster rate once it gets there.

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KAHUKU PALI ON HWY 11 NEAR SOUTH POINT is one of the more spectacular geologic features on the Island of Hawai`i, according to a recent Volcano Watch article published by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. The cliff has two Hawaiian names: Pali o Mamalu, for its mauka section, and Pali`okulani, for its makai section.
Kahuku pali is formed by a geologic fault. Its average height is 400 feet, but its maximum height, which is equal to the amount of offset (movement) on the fault, is approximately 560 feet.

Traditional Hawaiian weapons made of koa are displayed
at Ho`okupu by Ocean View resident Paul Book,
who made them. Photo by Julia Neal

The Kahuku pali also continues offshore, where the submarine segment of the pali is more than 5,000 feet high. This offshore mile-high pali dwarfs two picturesque landmarks in the Hawaiian islands: the north coast of Moloka`i, which, at 3,000–4,000 feet, is the highest sea cliff in the world, and the windward pali of O`ahu, a cliff that is 3,100 feet high.
Several research expeditions have studied the submarine extension of the Kahuku pali. The most recent study sent a remotely operated vehicle, called Jason II, to the base of the mile-high pali.
“From this expedition we learned that the major-element chemical compositions of the rocks are surprisingly consistent,” the article states. “This means that lava erupted from Mauna Loa stayed nearly the same for about 400,000 years. How can this happen? One possibility is that the magma supplied to the volcano remained unchanged for about 400,000 years. This would imply that the material being melted is relatively homogeneous.
“An alternate explanation is that the magma reservoir within Mauna Loa is large enough to allow different batches of magma to mix, thereby developing an average composition. In other words, each individual batch of magma could have a unique composition, but mixing them results in a blend of all the batches.
Ages were determined for some of the rocks collected from the mile-high Kahuku pali by the ROV. The ages range from 59,000 years for rocks near the top of the pali to 470,000 years for rocks near the base. However, the base of the pali does not expose the oldest rocks in Mauna Loa. Another rock sample collected from the distal end of the volcano's Southwest Rift Zone has an age of 657,000 years, plus or minus 175,000 years.
“These ages span a long period of time, indicating that Mauna Loa has been active for over 650,000 years. In fact, the volcano must be older, because the measured ages do not reflect the earliest growth of Mauna Loa, when it was in a stage of volcanism similar to that of Lo`ihi seamount, south of the island, today.

“By studying the submarine Kahuku pali, scientists have documented how this sector of Mauna Loa grew, the time scale over which the growth occurred, the types of lava that were produced and how the chemical composition of the magma evolved.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.

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Bobby Gomes, of Pahala, dances hula with his granddaughter, backed up with music by the Gomes `Ohana. Photo by Julia Neal

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S ANNUAL MEETING, which was postponed due to Hurricane Ana, is today at 3 p.m. at the Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
There will be live entertainment while ballots for board members are being counted, with current board member, vocalist Desiree Cruz, joined by Loren Wilken on keyboard for a set of Jazz music.
For more information, call 967-8222.

Sammi Fo, of Ocean View, directs her halau and dances hula.
Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds community input meetings this week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u.
One possible tool that could be used to mitigate wildfire on a landscape scale in Ka`u is strategic grazing. It may be too expensive to mitigate mechanically or chemically the large fire hazard presented by the vast grasslands in Ka`u. In other areas, HWMO has installed fencing and water infrastructure that also assists fire suppression to support well managed grazing and has funded fieldwork to gather information on grazing.
Historically, grazing to manage grasses has reduced the scale, frequency and intensity of wildfires and protected irreplaceable native habitats from wildfires.
Meetings are Tuesday, Oct. 28 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

See more at http://www.hawaiiwildfire.org.

KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE Saturday, Nov. 1 at Honu`apo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organizers are planning fun activities for keiki and the whole family, with food, music, exhibits for learning, demonstrations, contests, workshops and a plant and seed exchange. Vendors will sell gifts and other items.
See hawaiifoodforest.com/festival.html.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Akebono, the iconic building in the heart of Pahoa, is just off Pahoa Village Road, the main road of the business district, where some owners have shuttered their businesses as lava comes closer to the village. The road is currently closed nearby. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE REPORTS that lava threatening Pahoa continues to remain active advancing from yesterday until this morning approximately 275, flowing through Pahoa Cemetery and setting off some methane explosions. Lava has also flowed around a Hawaiian Electric Light Co. pole which HELCO surrounded with protective material. There was no loss of power as the lava flowed by, HELCO reported.
At 7:30 a.m., the flow front was approximately 100 yards from the nearest residential property and could reach it later today, based on current flow rates. Advancement has been inconsistent, averaging approximately 10 to 15 yards per hour.

Sun silhouettes a Puna palm tree as lava approaches
its trunk. Photo from USGS/HVO

Smoke conditions were light to moderate, with moderate trade winds from the northeast pushing the smoke in a south-southwest direction. Smoke conditions may increase in some areas, and residents down wind who may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors.
Based on the current flow location, direction and advancement, residents in the flow path were placed on an evacuation advisory and notified of possible need for evacuation beginning last night.
An evacuation notice issued by Civil Defense states: “Area residents should begin their evacuation and have all evacuation activities completed by Tuesday, Oct. 28. Civil Defense will be following up with residents on the flow status and any changes with the evacuation requirements. Please be prepared for possible changes that may require an earlier time for completing all evacuation activities.”
Pahoa Village Road between Apa`a Street and Post Office Road is closed and limited to area residents only. In addition, Civil Defense and public safety personnel will be operating in the area round the clock to maintain close observations of flow activity.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HAS PASSED a resolution that urges the Board of Water Supply to authorize the acquisition of land required for development of a second Ocean View well, a reservoir, support facilities and water main to connect with the first Ocean View well in its five-year plan. The resolution, introduced by Ka`u’s County Council member Brenda Ford, authorizes the Department of Water Supply to engineer and construct the well and all accessory facilities.
Eight council members voted in favor of the resolution, with one absent.

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Lava surrounds Hawaiian Electric Light Co. pole wrapped in
protective materials. Power stayed on as the lava flowed by.
Photo from HELCO

MICHAEL J. ANDERSON, A 41-year-old Ocean View man, has died from injuries due to being ejected from the bed of a truck when the driver failed to stop at a stop sign and made a sharp left turn. Anderson was found unresponsive on the roadway. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition and later flown to Queens Medical Center on O`ahu, where he was pronounced dead yesterday at 9:38 a.m.

The driver of the truck, 45-year-old Adrian Leopoldo Yurong, of Ocean View, was initially arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent injury and driving without insurance. He was released pending further investigation.
Police officers from the Area II Traffic Enforcement Unit are continuing the investigation and have reclassified the case to a negligent homicide. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

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BIG ISLAND COMMUNITY COALITION has submitted testimony to the state Public Utilities Commission in support of implementing 50 megawatts of geothermal electricity as soon as practicable.

The BICC steering committee is made up of David DeLuz, Jr., Rockne Freitas, Michelle Galimba, Richard Ha, Wallace Ishibashi, Kuulei Kealoha Cooper, Kai`u Kimura, D. Noelani Kalipi, Robert Lindsey, HM Monty Richards, Marcia Sakai, Kumu Lehua Veincent and William Walter. BICC President Richard Ha, owner of Hamakua Springs Country Farms, said all committee members are acting on their own behalf regarding the testimony.

“The high oil price case projected by the EIA 2014 predicts $150 per barrel oil by 2020,” according to the testimony. “There is a direct correlation between oil usage and world GDP. A high oil price of $150 per barrel will adversely impact our tourism industry causing a severe recession.
“Geothermal is one of the few ways available to mitigate high oil price. And, we need to move sooner rather than later.
“Oil prices quadrupled in the last ten years, and the folks who could pass on the costs did pass on the costs. Those who could not were the working homeless, kupuna on fixed income, single moms as well as others such as farmers, who are price takers and not price makers.
“The Big Island has the lowest median income of the counties. Our electricity rates have been 25 percent higher than O`ahu’s for as long as we can remember. That high electricity rate acts like a giant regressive tax. We are able to turn that around by enabling more geothermal.
The 23 percent curtailed electricity from geothermal can support making hydrogen at an affordable cost. This will help solve the green ground transportation problem. And, curtailed electricity can be the basis for making nitrogen fertilizer, without which we cannot feed all the people.”

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Volcano residents clear brush during a wildfire fuels reduction day.
Photo from HWMO

WALK-IN VOTING IN ADVANCE OF THE NOV. 4 General Election is available at Pahala Community Center through this Friday, Oct. 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds community input meetings this week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u.
HWMO helps communities organize wildfire fuels reduction days. They can include free chipper, tree services and other necessities. Once at least 10 households sign on, HWMO has $5,000 for each participating neighborhood. “Funds are limited so start rallying ASAP!” said organizer Ilene Grossman.
Meetings are tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN, DIANE FERLATTE, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning storyteller, shares ghostly tales at Pahala Public & School Library Wednesday at 3 p.m. In Haunted Bayou: Ghostly Tales, Spirits Have Souls, Too, Ferlatte uses expression, gesture and intense emotion to create multiple characters for each story. She brings her tales to life through stories, songs, American Sign Language and humor.

Diane Ferlatte shares ghostly tales in Pahala Wednesday.

Ferlatte is a native of New Orleans and has visited almost every state in the U.S., including Hawai`i and Alaska, to perform at libraries, major festivals, theaters, conferences and schools. Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008, Ferlatte said she especially loves performing in public libraries, as she believes that they are one of the places where the tradition of storytelling is to be nurtured and lessons of the stories most need to be heard.
This 45-minute program is suitable for ages 5 and older. Young children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
For more information, call 928-2015.

A CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE of the late Dennis Kamakahi, with Hawaiian musical greats John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi and Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, will be held at Pahala Plantation House on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana will also feature Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more. Donations will be accepted.

Kamakahi was a teacher and voice of inspiration each year at the annual Kahumoku music workshop at Pahala Plantation House for a decade and planned to move to Na`alehu soon, where he would teach, compose and build a recording studio at a family home. The concert will open this year’s music workshop, where many of Dennis’ students will gather. The public is invited.

Dennis Kamakahi lost his battle with lung cancer on April 28 during a career in which he was famous for slack key, `ukulele, harmonica, singing and songwriting.

Dennis Kamakahi performed annually at Pahala Plantation House at public concerts
sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies. Photo by Julia Neal

Kamakahi composed more than 500 songs and inspired many young Ka`u musicians to write songs, tell stories and approach life with humor and love.

Kamakahi was not only a musician but also a Christian minister, providing his fans with both a spiritual and Hawaiian musical journey.
Many of Kamakahi’s songs are standards of Hawaiian music. He composed Wahine `Ilikea, Pua Hone and Koke`e. He earned Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and brought home three Grammy awards. Kamakahi played with the Sons of Hawai`i before his distinguished solo career. He earned a Hawai`i Music Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

Kamakahi was the first modern Hawaiian music composer with his six-string slack key guitar, albums, sheet music and personal photographs welcomed into the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s permanent collection.
His music is featured in films, including Lilo & Stitch 2 and the Oscar-nominated soundtrack from The Descendants.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Colorful characters and historic buildings of Pahoa, threatened by the lava flow that has entered the village. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U VOTERS CAST BALLOTS for federal and state offices a week from today on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Local polling places are Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School Cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau.

Libertarian Jon LaLanne is one of three candidates
running for State House District Five.

One U.S. Senate office for Hawai`i is on the ballot following the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye. Appointed to the vacant seat by Gov. Neil Abercrombie, incumbent Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz, who won the Primary against Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, faces Republican Cam Cavasso and Libertarian Michael Kokoski.
Incumbent Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard faces Republican Kawika Crowley and Libertarian Joe Kent.
The Hawai`i governor’s race has four choices on the ballots. After winning the Democratic Primary against incumbent Gov. Neil Abercrombie, David Ige is up against Republican Duke Aiona, Independent Mufi Hannemann and Libertarian Jeff Davis.
The four gubernatorial candidates have partners in the Lieutenant Governor’s race: Republican Elwin Ahu, Independent Les Chang, Libertarian Cynthia Marlin and Democrat Shan Tsutsui.
While Ka`u has two state Senate seats, only one is on the ballot this year. Incumbent Democrat Josh Green, of Kailua-Kona, faces Libertarian Michael Last, of Na`alehu, in District Three (Honu`apo into Kona).
In Ka`u’s state House of Representative races, the incumbents each face two opponents. Democratic incumbent Richard Onishi, of Hilo, in District Three (Punalu`u into Hilo) faces Republican Bill Dickson, of Mountain View, and Libertarian Fred Fogel, of Volcano. In District Five (Honu`apo into Kona), Republic Dave Bateman, of Holualoa, and Libertarian Jon LaLanne, of Ocean View, faces incumbent Richard Creagan.
Six candidates are seeking three seats as Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustees with no island residency requirements. All from Honolulu, they are Lei Ahu Isa, Rowena Akana, Keili‘i Akina, Harvey McInerny, Mililani Trask and John Waihe`e.
Walk-in voting for the General Election is available at Pahala Community Center through Friday. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

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Residents on the Hilo side of the lava flow vote at Hawaiian Paradise Park
Community Center. Photo from HPPOA/Jane Buffington

MOTHER NATURE IS ONCE AGAIN impacting voting in Puna, where Tropical Storm Iselle caused confusion during the August Primary Election.

While Keonepoko and Pahoa High School remain as polling sites for the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4, Chief Election Officer Scott Nago announced that voters in Ainaloa and Orchidland Estates who normally vote at the Pahoa Community Center will vote at Hawaiian Paradise Park Community Center because the lava flow is expected to cross Hwy 130 and cut those residents off from their polling place. “We’ll be providing poll workers at Hawaiian Paradise Community Center with the poll books and ballots to allow voters in these communities the opportunity to vote on Nov. 4,” Nago said. He estimated about 2,000 voters are affected by this move. Voters who still have access to Pahoa Community Center may still vote there.
In preparation for the lava flow, county election officials mailed absentee mail applications to voters in the area and set up an early vote location at Nanawale Community Center, which is open through Friday.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE LAVA FLOW entering into Pahoa village took out an agricultural building, set a Hawaiian Electric Light Co. pole on fire and threatened numerous homes and buildings today. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported that the most rapidly advancing lobe of the flow entered the first occupied residential property at about 2 a.m. and advanced northeast toward Pahoa Village Road into an adjoining property. Firefighters prepared to defend homes against fires caused by the flow igniting brush and trees, but would not fight off the flow itself. HVO scientists said they expect the flow to cross Pahoa Village Road between Apa`a Street and Post Office Road. The state planned to closed some schools to remove equipment from buildings that could be in the path of lava. Other area schools will close to prepare for additional students who may become refugees from the lava flow.
In the meantime, international media outlets sent their crews to film the lava as it winds its way into Pahoa and to interview Puna people, the fate of their homes and businesses yet to be determined by Madame Pele.

Lava crossed into two privately owned properties in Puna this morning.
Photo from USGS/HVO

Post Office Road is now one-way toward Hwy 130, with parking along the berm prohibited. With Pahoa Village Road blocked from Apa`a Street to Post Office Road, entry to the downtown area of Pahoa is at the intersection of Pahoa Village Road and Hwy 130 near the high school.
HELCO reported that its effort to protect its utility poles with wide jackets full of gravel and protective materials kept power intact even though a pole burned.
One Pahola resident was reported to have surrounded his home with a berm in an effort to fend off the lava.
See more at bigislandvideonews.com

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MARY CORREA, COMPLEX SUPERINTENDENT for Ka`u, Kea`au and Pahoa, has announced that beginning tomorrow, there will be no school for students at Keonepoko Elementary School in Puna, which is closing indefinitely, as it is in the anticipated path of lava.
Hawai`i Department of Education is closing this and other schools ahead of the rapidly advancing Kilauea lava flow. The pace of the flow has accelerated implementation of DOE’s contingency plans, which will affect about 1,700 students and 300 employees beginning this week.

Last month, the DOE announced it was allowing teachers and students to continue teaching and learning, while making plans to accommodate them at alternate sites.
The DOE and its teams have been working with many in the community to erect a temporary school to be named Keonepoko North for elementary students at Kea`au High’s parking lot that would accommodate at least 17 classrooms.
DOE faculty, staff, administrators and facilities’ teams tomorrow begin administrative work in preparation of the new facility to receive students. The work will also include moving school furniture and equipment to the Keonepoko North facility at Kea`au High School from tomorrow through Friday and longer as needed.
Beginning Thursday, there will be no school for students at Pahoa High & Intermediate, Pahoa Elementary, Kea`au High and Kea`au Middle to allow administrators, faculty and staff from those schools to help with administrative work and prepare for the transition of students affected by the move.

Na`alehu Methodist Church is the site of Ka`u Aloha Forum.
Photo from wikipedia

Classes are scheduled to resume on Friday, Nov. 7 and Monday, Nov. 10.
“Our teachers and principals have been tremendous in their efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy in our schools, all while preparing for this week,” said Correa.

“The flexibility of our staff, the cooperation of our families and the collaboration with Hawai`i County agencies have been instrumental in making these adjustments for all schools,” said Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.

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MEMBERS OF NA`ALEHU UNITED METHODIST CHURCH announce the creation of the Ka`u Aloha Forum. This forum will provide presentations and concerts. The first event is at the Methodist Church on Sunday, Dec. 7. Mary Carroll, Honorary Consul of Nepal and resident of Ka`u, will give a presentation about the Nepal Foundation and how it has been helping those in remote regions of the high Himalayan country. This event is free and will include refreshments.
Following the presentation, the Nepal Foundation sponsors a fundraising Christmas reception at the Carroll home. All donors of $50 or more are invited. Reservations will be taken until Thursday, Dec. 4. Donation checks can be made out to Na`alehu Methodist Church, PO Box 654, Na`alehu, HI 96772.
For more information, contact Bob Stock at bobstockinkau@yahoo.com.

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Toni Beck is a leading college player as a freshman after playing on the Ka`u team
that won the BIIF championship. Photo from Toni Beck

COLLEGE FRESHMAN TONI BECK, a star volleyball player during her years at Ka`u High, is making a name for herself in volleyball on the mainland. The Sioux City Journal quotes her coach Trevor Schirman after Beck made 11 kills in a late October game: “She’s really starting to come into her own. Somebody steered me in her direction. I liked what I saw, and we flew her out here for a trip. It’s been a good fit so far. I expect big things from her.”

The college, Briar Cliff in Sioux City, Iowa, provided Beck with a scholarship. She was assisted by her after-school Pilipa`a 18 Club coach Chris Leonard, who played with her Briar Cliff coach Schirman. The two attended Punahou on O`ahu.
Beck, who has reached six feet in height, has earned her way into regular rotation of the Briar Cliff volleyball team, which plays in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.
At Ka`u, Beck was coached by Joshua Ortega and Elijah Navarro. During her time as a Trojan, Ka`u became BIIF champions. Beck was co-valedictorian when she graduated from Ka`u High in May of 2014. In her speech, she encouraged students to learn more about the world. She plans to study nursing.

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Community Wildfire Protection Plans are the topic at public meetings in Ka`u
today and tomorrow. Photo from HWMO

HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds community input meetings this week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u.

Meetings are today from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

DIANE FERLATTE shares ghostly tales at Pahala Public & School Library tomorrow at 3 p.m. In Haunted Bayou: Ghostly Tales, Spirits Have Souls, Too, Ferlatte uses expression, gesture and intense emotion to create multiple characters for each story.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

This is parched Kalae in June when a range fire raged through ranchland. Following rainy weather and tropical storms in summer
and fall, grass is over head-high in many places, creating a fire risk for ranchers, residents and natural resources.
Photo by Isaac Davis

WILDFIRE EXPERTS met with fire department representative and community members yesterday in Volcano and Na`alehu and will host a public meeting at Ocean View Community Center at 6 p.m. this evening. They plan to update the Ka`u Community Wildfire Protection Plan, created in 2010 that helps protect the health of the community and natural resources from wildfires.
Yesterday, firefighters noted that they have never before seen such a build up of fuel for wildfires across Ka`u, referring to recent rainy weather and tropical storms leading to overhead grasses in areas that are usually parched. Only a week or two of dry Ka`u weather could turn pastures and wildlands into a high fire risks.
Organizers talked about wildfire buffers around neighborhoods, one example completed around Waikoloa Village on the westside of Hawai`i Island through federal funding, just in time for the largest wildfire in the state’s history. Elizabeth Pickett, Executive Director of Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization, said the buffer saved Waikoloa Village. It was created by clearing and mowing a protective zone around the community. Pickett talked about such buffers being put into the planning of communities ahead of their construction, with involvement of county approval processes.

More four-wheel fire trucks and access to water are needed
to help fight wildland fires in Ka`u. Photo by Isaac Davis

Such buffers can be created in several ways, including ensuring there is grazing around the towns to keep grasses low or providing for regular mowing.

Funding totaling $5000 has been set aside for Ka`u community projects, which require that a hui of at least four people make a plan for wildfire prevention and present it as a proposal.
Fire officials talked about the need for more four-wheel drive fire trucks to reach remote Ka`u places down rugged dirt and lava roads. A community block grant could provide funding. Firefighters noted that some of Ka`u's volunteer firefighting units can reach remote places with their four-wheel drive fire trucks more easily than the county firefighters with their larger two-wheel drive fire trucks. They described Ka`u’s volunteer firefighters as well-trained and capable.
A resident of Kalae offered an idea to make sure firefighters have more access to water. Owners of water sources on ranches and homesteads would be equipped with connectors – the fittings that would hook up their water pipes to fire truck hoses and water tankers. Firefighters said ranchers are very cooperative with firefighters using their water sources just so they are asked ahead of time. It was suggested that agreements ahead of the fires could save time in getting permission. It was also suggested that stations for water pickup for helicopter water drops be established, as was done in North Kohala.
Community members presented problems such as unkempt empty lots and abandoned buildings next to residential areas presenting fire hazards as they are increasingly overgrown. A letter writing campaign to landowners was suggested. Pickett also suggested that Hawai`i County Council might consider implementing a law similar to the one in Maui County, which provides for fire inspectors to look for wildland fire risks and establishes laws with penalties for landowners whose property presents an unreasonable fire risk.
Another suggestion was that a hui make a chipper available to those clearing brush away from their houses, a community effort that was successful in Volcano. Community members brought up education in schools, encouraging students to remind their families to refrain from throwing cigarettes out of windows of their vehicles and to be careful about campfires at such places as Kalae where wildfires can rage through ranch lands.

A 2012 fire in macadamia and coffee and eucalyptus farms, surrounded
Pahala. Photo by Julia Neal

Firefighters brought up the arson problem and said the community needs to pay attention to clues to identify firebugs. They also talked about the powerline roads in the Wai`ohinu and Discovery Harbour area that have been used to dump trash, from animal carcasses to home refuse and have been the targets for arsonists.
Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization also met with the Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, whose members said they were concerned about the difficulty of obtaining burning permits to get rid of pruning materials from their orchards, which may contain the coffee berry borer pests that are damaging the coffee industry. The coffee farmers are also concerned about windbreaks that could ignite during range fires. Some farmers cut down windbreaks after the summer fire of 2012.
For more on planning to protect property from wildfires and to give input for updating the Ka`u Community Wildfire Protection Plan, see HawaiiWildfire.org or attend the Ocean View Community Center meeting this evening.
Those who attended the Na`alehu meeting yesterday included Fire Captain C. Yamashita, Fire Equipment Operator D. Kierking and Firefighter A. McShane. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Taken at 6:30 a.m. this morning, the photo shows the lava moving downslope toward
Pahoa Village Road. Photo from USGS.

LAVA OOZED THROUGH ORCHARDS TOWARD MORE BUILDINGS this morning in Pahoa as geologists from Hawai`i Volcano Observatory continued their photography, their measurements and predictions. Yesterday, the flow took out an anthurium potting shed and spared a home. This morning, according to HAVO, the flow was going toward Pahoa Village Road at about 5.5 yards an hour.

Two lower Puna homeowners who moved to Ka`u and have taken up residence in Pahala, with their piano and household goods in storage, said they are glad to be away from the uncertainty. They reported that volcanic fumes, anxiety of Puna people and the nervousness about their future prompted them to leave the area so that they could think clearly about what to do next. They said that they have the sense that the land is hot in lower Puna, as if there may be many undetected tubes underground throughout the area that could be filling with lava and create unexpected spewing cones and flows.

Reaching out from Ka`u, Kapapala Ranch offered to haul horses and take in cattle for lower Puna colleagues, staging panels, shoots and other equipment on one Puna ranch, said manager Lani Cran Petrie. However, the ongoing re-construction of the Chain of Craters Road to connect Puna with Ka`u gave some ranchers hope that they could keep cattle in place, Cran Petrie said.

Pele's Kitchen, Luquin's, Kaleo's and Mike's New York Pizzaria
workers said they are open for business in Pahoa.
Photo by Julia Neal

In Pahoa today, many businesses remain open, including Pele's Kitchen on the main street and Luquin's Mexican Restaurant in the famed Akebono Building. A Luquin's receptionist told those phoning this morning to reach the restaurant by driving in through the back side of town now that the county has blocked the other road with the lava flow on its way. Also open was Kaleo's Bar & Grill and Mike's New York Pizzaria. One worker at Mike's said, "We're not leaving 'til they kick us out of town."
For school children, however, the local elementary school is closed as plans are made to transfer them to another campus.

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VOLCANO CAPTAIN COOK TRAIL hikers were lost Sunday and rescued after calling 911 on a cell phone. A county helicopter and fire rescue crew picked them up using GPS information from their cell phone call. They were unharmed, according to the county information office.

WALK-IN VOTING IN ADVANCE OF THE NOV. 4 General Election is available at Pahala Community Center weekdays through this Friday, Oct. 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

THE MONTHLY HAWAI`I FARMERS UNITED MEETING in Ka`u is tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Guest speaker Tane Datta, of Adaptations, Inc., discusses how to bring produce to market. Datta runs a farm in South Kona that distributes produce through a Community Supported Agriculture model.

The 8.5-acre farm features an acre in coffee, three acres in intensive production and the rest in orchards. The farm is certified organic and is featured on the University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources website. The public is invited to all Ka`u Farmers Union United meetings. Farmers and backyard growers are invited to bring food to share.

Tane Datta will speak on farm to market strategies
tonightat the Farmers Union meeting in Na`alehu.
Photo from Adaptation, Inc.

To join the Farmers Union, call 503-575-9098.

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR COSTUME PARTY is Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Cover charge is $3 with costume or $5 without. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. for additional information.

KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL comes to Honu`apo this Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organizers are planning fun activities for keiki and the whole family, with food, music, exhibits for learning, demonstrations, contests, workshops and a plant and seed exchange. Vendors will sell gifts and other items. See hawaiifoodforest.com/festival.html.

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

SukoThai Restaurant held a moving sale and was vacant today as lava threatened to cross Pahoa Village Road on which it stands.
Photo by Julia Neal

COUNTY HOUSING VOUCHER recipients may be looking for houses in Ka`u in greater numbers. Housing in lower Puna is cut off from being rented to new families who receive public rent payment assistance, leading to a tighter rental market on the island. The county announced a moratorium on the Section 8 federal assistance it manages for needy families in Hawaiian Beaches, Hawaiian Shores, Nanawale, Leilani Estates, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Orchidland and Aina Lani. These are neighborhoods located closest to the lava flow that is threatening Pahoa Village and lower Puna. The moratorium will not affect families with existing vouchers unless they are asked to leave the area by Civil Defense and are unable to return. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Nene have the right-of-way during reconstruction
of Chain Of Craters Road to Kalapana.
Photo by Julia Neal

REBUILDING CHAIN OF CRATERS ROAD through Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park - to connect lava-threathened communities in lower Puna with an escape and transportation route into Ka`u - continues today. County road crew members, including Calvin Ponce of Pahala. received special training from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park ahead of the construction work. The road builders learned about the park's natural resources and laws protecting endangered species, including the state bird, the Nene goose. The workers found out that the Nene has right-of-way over any bulldozer. Should a Nene walk across the path of any construction activity, the crew must wait for the bird to depart. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE LAVA FLOW continues to advance, according to this morning's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory report, flowing at variable rates to the northeast through a residential area between Apaʻa Street - Cemetery Road and Pāhoa Village Road. As of 5:30 a.m., the leading edge of the flow had advanced about 110 yards in 24 hours, with the flow roughly 167 yards from Pahoa Village Road. Behind the flow front, there continue to be active breakouts widening the area of lava flow coverage.

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CU HAWAI`I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, with a branch in Na`alehu, is preparing its sister credit union members in Pahoa for the effects of the approaching lava flow. The Pahoa branch of CU Hawai`i extended hours until 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to help Pahoa members make financial preparations for the lava flow. It resumed regular hours this morning, Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Lava crossed Apa`a - Cemetery Road heads toward Pahoa Village Road.
Photo from HAVO

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB of the Big Island, which operates its program for Ka`u youth in the Pahala Community Center, shuttered its Pahoa operation today until Nov. 10, following the lead of the state Department of Education. The DOE closed area schools to prepare for moving students and equipment from campuses in the projected path of the lava flow.
While the Pahoa Boys & Girls Club, open since 2003, serves some 90 students a day, the Pahala Club, which opened in 2006, sees an average of about 40 students a day.
“We wish Pahoa hope and encouragement. We feel for Pahoa and look forward to the club resuming its regular services to Pahoa youth soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Pahoa," said Pahala Club director Dolly Kailiawa.
The Pahoa Club is expected to reopen Nov. 10 and is away from the projected path of the lava flow. However, air quality could be an issue as the lava passes by. "We plan to continue to serve the families of Pahoa," said Boys & Girls Club Chief Professional Officer Zavi Brees-Saunders. She noted that the Kea`au Boys & Girls Club will remain open without interruption. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

WILDFIRE PREVENTION PLANNING moved to Ocean View Community Center last night where the Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization met with residents, asking for input to update the Ka`u Community Wildfire Protection Plan. The team is taking suggestions by mail and email.
Residents and firefighters talked about only one fire hydrant serving all of Ocean View and noted the plan for a new well, which would allow for numerous hydrants. A dip tank for helicopter water drops and a 3,000 gallon water tank assigned to firefighting were suggested. Homeowners talked about fittings that could connect their catchment and holding tanks with fire fighting equipment. How to manage home water tanks for fire protection was mentioned.

Terry Martindale, of Kalae, and Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization Executive
Director Elizabeth Pickett, discuss the Ka`u Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
Photo by Julia Neal

Better vegetation management along Hawai`i Ocean View Estates roads and a a better understanding of open burning restrictions and enforcement were discussed with more community education proposed at Saturday market and other gathering places such as senior centers and churches.
Some goals and objectives of the overall Ka`u plan are to identify and prioritize areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatment, to recommend types and methods of treating federal and non-federal land to protect one or more at-risk communities and essential infrastructure and to recommend measures to reduce structural ignitability throughout the community at-risk for wildfires.
During this week's meetings in Volcano, Pahala and Ocean View, Elizabeth Pickett, executieve director of the organization, explained that unmanaged wildfires can result in a loss of natural resources. Fires burning through native vegetation can make way for invasive species replacing Hawaiian plants and trees. After a fire, coastal areas can experience changes in the soil and post fire erosion that smothers coral reefs. Roads can close and the lives and safety of citizens, particularly firefighters are at risk during wildfires.
For projects that can apply for some of the $5,000 provided to the Hawai`i Wildfire Management Organization for use in Ka`u, one area to consider is the the wildland urban interface area where buffers can be developed, Pickett said. Forest reserves within a half mile of a community can also qualify for projects, Pickett noted. See more and give input at HawaiiWildfire.org. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

WALK-IN VOTING IN ADVANCE OF THE NOV. 4 General Election wraps up today and tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 31 at Pahala Community Center. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Margarita Hopkins

MARGARITA HOPKINS, with a long history of helping Ka'u Coffee farmers, has earned an appointment to the state Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corp., subject to state Senate approval. The Agribusiness Development Corp. is involved with the restoration of old plantation water systems in Ka'u between Kapapala Ranch and Waiohinu. Hopkins served as an economic development specialist at the County of Hawai`i’s Department of Research & Development and was responsible for preparation and update of the county’s agricultural development plan. Through her position, she established a county-based agriculture program in cooperation with Big Island Resource Conservation & Development Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. Hopkins previously served as Hawai'i County’s director of research and development and a lecturer at UH Hilo College of Business and Economics. She is a member of the Big Island Resource Conservation & Development Council and Hawai'i Forest Stewardship Advisory Committee. She volunteers annually at the Ka'u Coffee Festival. She was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Keiki Art Garden this Saturday at Honu`apo.
Photo from Hawaii Food Forest Project

KA`U FARMERS UNION UNITED meets tonight at 7 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center with guest speaker Tane Datta who will discuss marketing locally grown produce. The statewide Hawai`i Farmers Union United organization is preparing for its annual meeting on Nov. 4 in Honolulu with keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. The convention is open and free to members. It will take place at the Waikiki Yacht Club. See Hawai`i Farmers Union website at hfuuhi.org.

KMC'S ANNUAL HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR COSTUME PARTY is tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Cover charge is $3 with costume or $5 without. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m.

KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL comes to Honu`apo this Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entertainment includes Mary Mann, with stand-up yogi comedty and music by Sonny Ramos & Friends Foggy and Bottle of Blue. The day will feature a Keiki Art Garden and food and educational booths.The gathering is a benefit for The Hawai`1i Food Forest Project, sonsored by Sanctuary of Mana Kea Gardens.See www.hawaiifoodforest.com/Festival.html.

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

Lava is on track to torch a Pahoa ginger patch after it entered private property in Puna. Photo from Hawai`i County

SMALL FARMERS IN KA`U growing bees, coffee, bananas, mangos, vegetables and other crops learned last night about financing through a fund matched by the County of Hawai`i. During the Ka`u Farmers Union United monthly meeting, farmer Tane Datta, of South Kona, explained the Hawai`i Island Food Producers Fund, a collaboration between The Kohala Center, County of Hawai`i and Kiva Zip, a nonprofit global online financing program. Kiva Zip loans are crowd-funded online by a community of lenders around the world in increments of $5 or more.

Openings are still available for Ka`u residents to join The Kohala Center's
beginning farmer Training. Photo from The Kohala Center

Datta said he needed a new greenhouse roof and signed up to raise $2,500, which he raised in a few days with 75 lenders from such places as China, Singapore, Taiwan, France, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia and many U.S. locations, including Hawai`i. He said the interest is zero percent and he will pay off the loan in two years.
Comparing the lending system web presence to Facebook, Datta pointed out that Kiva Zip lenders can post their photos online and explain their own mission and list projects they are funding.
Ka`u Farmers Union President Malian Lahey said, “This is about helping the little guys. ... People around the world financing these projects because they want a world worth living in.” Datta said most banks won’t look at such small loans and that borrowing from banks and other traditional institutions can take a long time and be cumbersome.
He said the Hawai`i Food Producers Fund is a way for community members to be involved as borrowers and lenders. There is also an opportunity to become a trustee for someone needing a loan.
Datta credited Mayor Billy Kenoi, saying he “catalyzed the funding” by authorizing the county to match money raised. The Kohala Center is the steward of the county funding for the loan center. Datta said he is attempting to focus the lending and borrowing locally. “This is an opportunity to borrow money to help ourselves first,” he said.
He said he looks to such funding going directly to farmers rather than expensive reports. “They know what they need. If we are going to spend money, we want to see people eating food.”
To apply for a loan, see borrowers.kivazip.org. To lend, see zip.kiva.org/loans. To become a trustee, see zip.kiva.org/trustees. To join the county in contributing to the revolving Hawai`i Island Food Producers Fund, local food system advocates can contact aokoye@kohalacenter.org.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Downtown Pahoa will be more difficult to enjoy if lava flows over
the main street and Hwy 130. Photo by Julia Neal

TWELVE SLOTS FOR FARMER TRAINING are available through The Kohala Center. The program pairs beginning farmers with established farmers for 160 hours of training. After completing the program, the student receives a $1,000 stipend. The farmer also receives a stipend. It also involves classroom training once a month. Derrick Kiyabu, of The Kohala Center, presented the opportunity at the monthly meeting last night of Ka`u Farmers Union United. He said that 76 beginning farmers islandwide have completed the training.
Kiyabu also mentioned a micro-loan program for farmers born in Hawai`i, also managed by The Kohala Center. Contact dkiyabu@kohalacenter.org. See kohalacenter.org/farmertraining.

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OVER 7,000 FEET OF ROAD CLEARANCE has progressed on rebuilding Chain of Craters Road through Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to provide a transportation route between lower Puna and Ka`u in anticipation of Hwy 130 and other emergency routes being blocked by lava. Hawai`i County Civil Defense chief Darryl Oliveira gave the update this morning in a press conference in Pahoa, where he also discussed the flow front slowing down and breakouts occurring upslope of the front.
Civil Defense also reported that as of 2 p.m. today, the flow front has not advanced since yesterday and remains 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road. Breakouts continue along the flanks or margin, making the flow approximately 60 yards wide. Another breakout upslope from the flow front on the north side is active and advancing in a northeast direction. Additional breakouts above the Apa`a street area along the north side of the flow are also being monitored closely. One of the breakouts reached a cattle shelter and destroyed it.

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TUESDAY IS ELECTION DAY. Along with federal and state elected offices, voters have five proposed state constitutional amendments and one proposed amendment to the County Charter to vote on this General Election. One state constitutional amendment relating to disclosure of judicial nominees asks, “Shall the Judicial Selection Commission, when presenting a list of nominees to the governor or the chief justice to fill a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, Supreme Court, intermediate appellate court, circuit courts or district courts, be required, at the same time, to disclose that list to the public?”
Another relating to agricultural enterprises asks, “Shall the state be authorized to issue special purpose revenue bonds and use the proceeds from the bonds to assist agricultural enterprises on any type of land, rather than only important agricultural lands?”
The state Legislature proposed that the mandatory retirement age for all state court justices and judges be increased from seventy to eighty years of age.

Fred Fogel, Libertarian candidate for state House District Three,
scares up support with one of his "mini-me" signs. "Don't be
scared, vote Libertarian," Fogel said. Photo by Ron Johnson

Relating to early childhood education, another proposed amendment asks, “Shall the appropriation of public funds be permitted for the support or benefit of private early childhood education programs that shall not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex or ancestry, as provided by law?”
The fifth proposed amendment asks, “Shall the state be authorized to issue special purpose revenue bonds and use the proceeds from the bonds to offer loans to qualifying dam and reservoir owners to improve their facilities to protect public safety and provide significant benefits to the general public as important water sources?”
Term of appointment for the County Clerk is the subject of a proposed Hawai‘i County Charter amendment that would create a four-year term for the position, with the County Council having the authority to remove the County Clerk from office by a two-thirds vote of its membership.

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TWO PUNA RESIDENTS FACE CRIMINAL TRESPASS charges after crossing private and county property to view the Puna lava flow. Police witnessed the pair photographing the flow and holding golf clubs with hardened lava on the end. Police also saw household utensils dipped in lava sitting on the dashboard of a car belonging to one of the residents.
Police remind the public that because a state of emergency exists on the island, convictions carry enhanced sentences.

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KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD was on the ground and in the air Wednesday with Mayor Billy Kenoi to inspect progress of the Kilauea lava flow, assess damage it has caused to Pahoa property and infrastructure and offer support to area residents and business owners. They toured the lava flow’s path by helicopter from the vent to the tip and then walked from Pahoa Town to the edge of the lava flow on Mel Sugimoto’s property, where the lava has already destroyed parts of his macadamia nut field and is less than 100 yards from his home.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard met a Pahoa farmer as lava flowed closer to his property.
Photo from Office of Rep. Gabbard

Gabbard also met with Hawai`i National Guard troops to thank them for volunteering to assist residents and officials who are dealing with damaging effects of the lava flow. She also stopped by Pahoa Community Center to review the resources available to residents and thank the staff there.

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KMC’S ANNUAL HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR COSTUME PARTY is today at 8 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Cover charge is $3 with costume or $5 without. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m.

KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL comes to Honu`apo tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entertainment includes Mary Mann, with stand-up yogi comedy and music by Sonny Ramos & Friends, Foggy and Bottle of Blue. The day will feature a Keiki Art Garden and food and educational booths. The gathering is a benefit for The Hawai`i Food Forest Project sponsored by Sanctuary of Mana Kea Gardens. See www.hawaiifoodforest.com/Festival.html.

A WORSHOP TOMORROW from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. covers Zentangle: The Basics at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Lois & Earl Stokes teach the philosophy and basic tangles. The class is a prerequisite for advanced Zentangle workshops.
Register at 967-8222.

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.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Direectory2014.swf.

The LocaVore Store opened for its last day in Pahoa yesterday, the team deciding to dig deeper into lower Puna, going
mobile to serve people who could be cut off from major roads. Photo by Julia Neal

NAMING OF THE NEW KA`U GYMNASIUM AND SHELTER is on the county Public Works and Parks & Recreation Committee agenda for Thursday, Nov. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Ka`u’s Council member Brenda Ford urges interested residents to testify at Hilo Council Chambers.

Laurence Capellas, Sr.

Ford met with Ka`u residents and members of the Ka`u High Class of ’59 who advocated for the facility to be named in honor of Laurence Capellas, Sr., who was passionate about getting Ka`u students educated and starting team sports in Ka`u.
After the death of former state Rep. Bob Herkes, Ford discussed the possibility of a joint naming with members of the Class of ’59. According to Ford, they said they “would be honored to have the names of both men on the facility.”
“Bob was always concerned about public safety and worked diligently for Ka`u on this issue,” Ford said. “Because of the need for emergency shelters in Ka`u, Bob was instrumental in getting the gymnasium and shelters considered and funded by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. He worked with past Council members Guy Enriques, Brittany Smart, as well as me.

Bob Herkes

“When Bob died, I spoke with his widow, Jo-Anna Herkes, about naming the facility for both Rep. Herkes and Principal Capellas. She was agreeable,” Ford said.
Ford is introducing two pieces of legislation. Bill 316 names the facility in the County Code as the “Bob Herkes and Laurence Capellas Gymnasium and Shelters.” Resolution 566-14 establishes signage for the facility and recommends two plaques under the facility’s name – one for Capellas and one for Herkes – with permission for the Department of Parks & Recreation to make any changes necessary in the signage.
“I need for the Class of ’59 and others to come to testify on Nov. 6,” Ford said. “Please make arrangements for several people to testify on the different and wonderful aspects of Mr. Capellas’ history and support of our children. I will also request Mrs. Herkes to testify as well as any others for Rep. Herkes. I hope all of you will support both of these worthy men to have their names on the state-of-the-art gymnasium and shelters.”

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Patrolling Pahoa on Halloween, when restaurants were full of Puna locals and
those driving long distances to support those enterprises that may have to move if lava flows
into the heart of the village. Photo by Julia Neal

MANY PAHOA BUSINESSES ARE OPEN, owners making every cent they can to save up for relocating, should the lava flow move from the edge of town into the heart of Pahoa village, where it could ignite and cover the historic buildings. On Halloween, restaurants and bars were full, and people roamed Pahoa in costumes.

Phillip Paolo staffmembers said they appreciate the population supporting their business and noted that Mayor Billy Kenoi came in to dine on Thursday night. The restaurant has served Pahoa for almost 21 years. Chef and owner Phillip Paolo said there have been a few offers for a new location should Pahoa become victim to the lava.
Across the street, Ferreira and Company with imports, gifts and furnishings, was open late and hoping for customers who may not have come, some of them saying that news reports gave them the idea that the entire Pahoa village is shut down.
Nearby, the Locavore store opened for its last day, the owners going mobile and heading deeper into lower Puna to serve a community that could be cut off from major roads by incoming lava.
On the edge of Pahoa, Hawai`i and international media crews report daily on the lava's progress, focusing on farms, homes and wildlands in the path of the lava, recounting the story of the Kalapana community on the coast, which was slowly eaten away by active flows from Kilaeua Volcano for more than a decade. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE reports that the flow front remains active but has not advanced since yesterday, remaining approximately 480 feet from Pahoa Village Road. All activity along the front has been limited to breakouts along the margins or sides of the flow as well as on the flow surface. Additional breakouts upslope of the flow front are being monitored, including one heading toward the transfer station.

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The inconsistent nature of pahoehoe lava, the type flowing in Puna,
is the topic of the current Volcano Watch issue. Photo from HVO

TO HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND the inconsistency of the June 27th lava flow threatening Pahoa, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists discuss the nature of pahoehoe lava in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
“For the past few weeks, the flow has advanced in the way that slow-moving pahoehoe flows are notoriously famous for — fitfully — as a series of budding lava toes and lobes (small flows) that break out and spread, then stop and inflate with fresh, molten lava, before breaking out again as new toes and lobes.
“Advancing lava toes typically spread laterally, as well as downslope. As they do, they often merge with other nearby toes, forming a larger lobe made of coalesced toes topped by a thin crust of hardened lava.
“Beneath the crust is a liquid lava core that is continually replenished with new lava from the main lava tube upslope. As more lava flows into the liquid core of coalesced toes, the crusted surface rises (inflates), making room for additional lava to travel beneath the crust.

“The liquid core of coalesced toes becomes the conduit through which fresh lava is delivered to the front of an individual flow. This provides for the eventual downslope growth of a lava tube.

Open late and hoping for customers who may not come, some thinking
the entire Pahoa village is shut down. Photo by Julia Neal

“Such spreading of pahoehoe lava has occurred not only at the tip of the June 27th flow (the part of the flow farthest downslope), but also at the leading edges of many separate lobes behind the flow front and along the margin of the flow. The lowermost 1.2 miles of the June 27th flow has spawned many such breakouts of toes and lobes from the lava tube during the past month.
“Lava lobes advance at varying rates over a period of time — from a few minutes to hours to days — depending mostly on the amount of lava that is supplied to them through the lava tube. Larger surface flows or lobes along flow margins upslope from the flow front may be active for days to weeks and sometimes overtake the flow front to form a new tip.
“In this way, surface breakouts and coalescing toes of pahoehoe lava form a complex patchwork of lobes and flows that contribute to the width, thickness and length of the overall flow as it moves downslope. Scientists often refer to the resulting patchwork as a flow field instead of an individual flow.

Ben Gutierrez, of Hawai`i News Now, reports in the rain last night
on the edge of Pahoa near the lava flow, while restaurants and bars
are jumping a few blocks away. Photo by Julia Neal

“With several surface flows moving simultaneously, but at different speeds along different parts of the June 27th flow, it is often difficult to determine the flow’s advance rate on a daily basis. This can lead to anxiety and confusion when the numbers keep changing.”

During the week of Oct. 19, “the leading edge of the June 27th lava flow slowed, stopped and advanced again. Between Monday, Oct. 20, and Wednesday, Oct. 22, it moved about 45 yards per day. During this same time, the flow front was passed by a narrow lobe, less than 55 yards wide, that was moving nearly 220 yards per day until Wednesday morning, when that rate nearly doubled. This lobe advanced quickly because it was confined, or channeled, by the local topography in a narrow gully.
According to the article, the same pattern occurred beginning about Sept. 22, when the leading edge of the June 27th flow stopped advancing for nearly a week, but subsequent upslope breakouts, moving along the north margin of the flow at a rate of about 130 yards per day, overtook the flow tip.

“Both of these slowdowns and temporary stalls in the forward advance of the June 27th lava flow correlate well with a measured decrease in the supply of lava from the Pu`u `O`o vent into the lava tube that feeds the flow front. Repeated measurements of the cross-sectional area of the lava stream within the tube indicate that lava discharge from Pu`u `O`o may have decreased by at least one-third in mid- to late September and by nearly two-thirds in mid-October.
“Variations in flow rates are a normal part of pahoehoe behavior but require close monitoring when flows approach residential areas and critical infrastructure. Therefore, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Hawai`i County Civil Defense continue to closely track the June 27th lava flow.”

Daily updates are posted at http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/activity/kilaueastatus.php and http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts/.

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KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL continues at Honu`apo to 5 p.m. today, with entertainment by Mary Mann, Sonny Ramos & Friends, Foggy and Bottle of Blue. The day features a Keiki Art Garden and food and educational booths. The gathering is a benefit for the Hawai`i Food Forest Project sponsored by Sanctuary of Mana Kea Gardens. See www.hawaiifoodforest.com/Festival.html.

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 the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

TUESDAY IS GENERAL ELECTION DAY. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano Village, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau.

The topic at this week's After Dark in the Park is how Hawai`i
became a state. Photo from NPS

HOW HAWAI`I BECAME A STATE is the topic at After Dark in the Park Tuesday. According to an announcement of the program from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, “By uniting the islands under a single ruler, Kamehameha I laid the foundation for what would eventually become the fiftieth of the United States of America. Yet between those two events were attempts by France, Great Britain and Russia to take control of the islands for themselves. Hawaiian monarchs variously embraced or rejected American political and economic influence. So how did Hawai`i move from being a kingdom to becoming a territory, and then a state? What did the Hawaiian people think of this? Join historian Boyd D. Bond to unravel the events that led to statehood.”

The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support After Dark programs.

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

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists stand on new lava behind older rocks that got thrown several yards during a methane explosion in front of the shrub at center. Photo from USGS/HVO

ADVANCING LOBES OF LAVA COULD MERGE with the flow front that has stalled 480 feet away from Pahoa Village Road, report Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists who are monitoring the distal end of the June 27th lava flow today. The lobes, at short distances behind the flow front, were moving at a rate of about 5.5 yards per hour yesterday evening.

Lava continues to ooze upslope of the flow
front in Pahoa. Photo from USGS/HVO

At hvo.wr.usgs.gov, the scientists also reiterate the dangers of getting too close to the lava flow field, showing rocks as large as 1.5 feet in diameter that were thrown several yards by a methane explosion.

CNN’s Martin Savidge interviewed students from Hawai`i Academy of Arts & Sciences, commending them for their idea of wrapping utility poles with insulating material and cinder to protect them when lava passes by.

The HAAS students also are developing a program to offer guide service across hardened lava as a way for the public to travel on Pele’s pavement after it crosses roads.

HAAS at one time considered opening a satellite school in Ka`u.

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WEST KA`U’S CANDIDATES FOR THE STATE HOUSE have final thoughts leading up to the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
REPUBLICAN DAVE BATEMAN told The Ka`u Calendar newspaper that his assessment after months of campaigning is that “we have many serious social, family, `ohana issues. We are still poverty-stricken. Seventeen percent of families of four are earning $24,000 or less, which, according to the federal government, is not sustainable income – poverty. Yet we are in the highest cost-of-living state in the U.S. We pay the highest state income taxes right behind New York and very high GE tax – also the highest energy cost by a factor of four,” said Bateman. “This compounds the financial plight of all our families.”

Bateman contended that “65 percent of kids in North and South Kona down to Ocean View go to school hungry and get their two basic meals at school. On the south side of the island, from Na`alehu to Puna, 85 percent of the students go to school hungry,” he said. “This is totally unacceptable.”

Bateman said his goals include working to improve agriculture. “My plan for all of Hawai`i is to replace 85 percent of food we import with food we produce here. ‘Grow Local. Buy Local.’ This is a $3 billion a year economy; we’ll keep the money here. Spin that once, that is $6 billion infused into the economy of the Big Island.”

Dave Bateman marched in Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade.

The candidate said he wants to “keep the money in our pockets by cutting taxes. The effective rate of 8.5 percent should be 6.5 percent for most people. All of the personal income taxes should come down 20 percent. This will help small businesses that pay taxes through personal income.”
Bateman said that regarding the General Excise Tax, he would like to eliminate taxes on food, medicines and medical supplies. He also said he would like to support farm-to-table buying by exempting the GE tax for the first sale of products off of ranches – meaning farm-to-consumer direct sales. He said he calls his proposal for agriculture the Hawai`i Agricultural Recovery Act.

Regarding education, Bateman said he has talked to many teachers, “and they all like my idea of eliminating the only remaining vertical education system in the U.S. – to move education to local control at the county level so parents, teachers and principals can work together to determine what classes should be taught to local students.”

For Ka`u and South Kona, he said, “There needs to be new education in agricultural sciences and businesses, two-year agricultural degrees.”

Dave Bateman

Bateman claimed he can help turn the economy around. “The current and past leadership has failed to do this. We are in serious financial straights.” He pointed to Republican legislative leader Sam Slom who “has predicted that by 2016, revenues to the state will be down $264 million through GET and income tax collection reductions. The solution is to increase new investments, but we can’t do that if we are the fiftieth state – least desirable place to do business. Overburdening and overtaxing businesses have led to the reputation.”
Bateman also talked about legalizing marijuana, which he said he totally opposes. He said he served as a military attorney who prosecuted drug cases and is confident that marijuana is a gateway drug.
Regarding the quasi-state Hawai`i Health Systems Corp., which runs Hilo, Ka`u and Kona hospitals, he said, “I believe we need to transition the state out of the health care business under the HHSC and bring in qualified, knowledgeable and experienced not-for-profit provider(s) who have the know-how and purchasing power to begin to turn around these deficits. There are at least two qualified care providers on O`ahu who could be a partner. We don’t need to reach out to out-of-state providers. I favor joining with a local private partner so all of the income generated by the new partner stays here in the state. Existing Hawai`i Government Employees Association (union) employees under HHSC would be vested to their earned state retirement plans. They will transition over to the new private partner and start with new retirement plans. This should help reduce the high labor cost factor.”
Bateman declared that “the vision of the leadership over the last 50 years has been short-sighted and not helpful to improving quality of life for residents of Hawai`i. We need new vision, new direction, and we won’t get that unless we have new political and business vision at the state Capitol. I represent that vision and change for a new and better Hawai`i.”

DEMOCRAT RICHARD CREAGAN, who currently holds the state House of Representatives seat for west Ka`u and South Kona, told The Ka`u Calendar newspaper that as a physician, he has been weighing in on the Ebola issue: “While it is unlikely that Ebola would come here from Africa, our state needs to be ready, and we should take this opportunity to improve our policies and our infrastructure.

Rep. Richard Creagan rode a patriotic truck in Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade.

“One of the things we have to consider is that Ebola could be used by a bioterrorist organization. When I worked for the Health Department as a Bioterrorism Preparedness Epidemiological Investigator, one of the scenarios we reviewed was of a terrorist who was willing to die infecting him or herself with Ebola and then coming to America during the incubation period and then when they became sick spreading the virus around before they died.”

Creagan said he would like to see “better screening at airports, quarantine locations at airports (our new Kona airport fire station has such a quarantine room), and a unit set up at one of our major O`ahu hospitals to deal with infections caused by Biosafety Level-3 (BL-3) and Biosafety Level-4 (BL-4) diseases. We really have no dedicated unit that is properly set up for such emergencies. While our legal infrastructure and laws were strengthened during and after the SARS epidemic, we need to look at that again and improve its functionality.

The candidate said that wastewater treatment is a big issue. “The proposed changes to the wastewater treatment rules are an egregious attempt by a lame-duck administration to ram through draconian measures that will hurt homeowners throughout Hawai`i, but especially on the Big Island (estimated 50,000 cesspools). At a recent gubernatorial forum in Kailua-Kona, all candidates asked that the Health Department defer any decisions or rule making until a new administration was in place.”

State Rep. Richard Creagan

Creagan called for home rule on wastewater regulations. “I believe that Hawai`i Island is different enough geologically and demographically that we should be able to determine our own rules on this issue. This is another area where home rule is needed.”
A second potable water well at Ocean View is an important goal, Creagan said. “I was able to have appropriated $725,000 to plan and do site development for a second well for Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. On Oct. 23 Loren Heck chaired a meeting of the ad hoc committee of volunteers who will develop a plan for this second well. I have discussed this with Quirino Antonio, the head of the Department of Water Supply, and he strongly supports this well and the community involvement and will be available to meet with the ad hoc committee. I have assurances from my House colleagues that funding to finish the well should be available when the planning is completed. The reality of the House with 44 out of 51 members being Democrats – it is extremely unlikely that a Republican could obtain funding for a project in his or her district. That is why there are (Republican) representatives and senators only on O`ahu, where CIP money is less important and religious issues such as gay marriage can predominate,” Creagan said.

Regarding truth in labeling in the coffee industry, Creagan said that “Brenda Ford achieved a stunning result with her coffee labeling resolution and has provided a clear mandate for the Legislature. It is of note that in the final hearing on that bill there were 17 testifiers in support, but only David Bateman testified against. He is of course supported by the coffee blenders. This is the clearest mandate to improve the labeling of all Hawai`i’s coffees, but it may be another issue that would be best decided on an island basis, i.e., the Legislature could within an overarching framework allow the counties to decide on laws for products from their respective islands. Hawai`i Island’s Kona and Ka`u coffees might benefit more from labeling protection than coffees from other islands.

A concert this Saturday honors the late Dennis Kamakahi.

Concerning medical marijuana, Creagan stated, “It is likely that medical marijuana will be expanded in terms of the amounts that can be possessed, dispensaries and indications for its use in this Legislature. The issue of decriminalization will also be raised again. While I think it is perhaps premature to consider legalization because of possible unintended consequences, we will undoubtedly have informational briefs from Colorado and Washington people as we look at what they are doing, the problems and the possibilities for Hawai`i.

See tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs for thoughts from Libertarian candidate Jon LaLanne.

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A CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE of the late Dennis Kamakahi takes place this Saturday, Nov. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Dennis Kamakahi lost his battle with lung cancer on April 28 during a career in which he was famous for slack key, `ukulele, harmonica, singing and songwriting.

Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana features John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi, Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more. Donations will be accepted.

HISTORIAN BOYD D. BOND DISCUSSES EVENTS that led to statehood for Hawai`i at After Dark in the Park Tuesday.
The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support After Dark programs.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Youngsters frolic during Saturday's Ka`u Country Festival at Honu`apo. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES AND SUPPORTERS head to Hilo Bandstand today to speak at the classic rally, including contenders statewide for Congress, governor, state Senate and state House of Representatives. Democratic candidates on ballots in Ka`u are U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, state Sen. David Ige (running for governor), state Sen. Clayton Hee (running for lieutenant governor), state Sen. Josh Green and state Reps. Richard Onishi and Richard Creagan.

The late Sen. Dan Inouye attended a previous
Democratic rally at Hilo Bandstand.
Photo by Julia Neal

Speeches begin at 5 p.m.
Sample ballots for tomorrow’s General Election are available at hawaii.gov/elections. Local polling places at Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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JON LALANNE, LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE for west Ka`u’s state House District Five, discusses his candidacy at Facebook.com/jonalalannelivefreeandprosper.
LaLanne, of Ocean View, has lived in Hawai`i for seven years. His varied career includes being a professional surfer, owning a pool service business, working in the health and fitness industry and playing and singing with a rock band.

Jon A. LaLanne

“This country has given me so much, and now I want to give back,” LaLanne said. “I was actually part of the middle class, not a career politician. In 2006, I started reading dozens of books on economics and American history. After feeling the effects of 2008, I put my college education to work researching even deeper into what had happened and how to fix it. I had the good fortune of rooming with an Austrian economics major my whole time at Pepperdine University. Through osmosis, this helped me to comprehend the laws of basic economics called supply and demand. Nothing would make me happier than to give the people and especially the youth of Hawai`i the opportunities I once had in this once-great nation.

Vendors offered Healthy Habits Global Hawai`i coffee products
at Ka`u Country Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

“It is not my intention to question the morality of social welfare, nor is it my intention to take people in need off it. However, in my seven years on this Island, I have seen businesses close around me like bank vault doors. I have seen masons, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, artists and many other talented people out of work. Almost everyone I come across tells me the same thing: Hawai`i is not a business-friendly state. I as a business owner have witnessed this first-hand. Our wealth has been chased away by unreasonably high taxes and petty regulations. Hawai`i’s debt is on the moon, and there is no end in sight. If we continue on our current path, where is the capital going to come from?

“Something has to give. There are a lot of talented, hardworking people on this island, but who is going to employ them? How will we take care of the people that really need help? Human nature dictates that higher taxes drive businesses away. While we bounce back and forth between two parties, the middle class continues to suffer, and the state continues to sink itself into a blue rock hole of debt.

Participants sanpled various Paniolo Potion products
at Ka`u Country Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

“If it is change you seek, elected officials backed by special interest have no interest in the people they rule. I happen to be backed by the ‘original’ Constitution of the United States. I’m backed by the Constitution that the founders intended, the Constitution that once provided so much for so many. If the free market were once again allowed to do its job without the interference of government, the wealth in our state would expand like nothing we have seen in over two generations.”
LaLanne also compares the U.S. government with Communism. He presents Karl Marx’s Ten Planks of the Communist Manifesto along with what he calls “the American-adopted counterpart for each of the planks.
“From comparison, it’s clear most Americans have by myths, fraud and deception, under the color of law by their own politicians in both the Republican and Democratic and parties, been transformed into Communists,” LaLanne said. “Another thing to remember, Karl Marx in creating the Communist Manifesto designed these planks as a test to determine whether a society has become communist or not. If they are all in effect and in force, then the people are practicing communists.

Poi balls were some of the treats available at Ka`u Country Festival.
Photo by Julia Neal

One of the 10 planks LaLanne discusses is centralization of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly. “Americans call it the Federal Reserve,” LaLanne said, “which is a privately owned credit/debt system allowed by the Federal Reserve act of 1913. All local banks are members of the Fed system and are regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, another privately owned corporation. The Federal Reserve Banks issue Fiat Paper Money and practice economically destructive fractional reserve banking.”
LaLanne concluded, “Communism, by any other name, is still communism, and is very, very destructive to the individual and to the society.”

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Sharman O'Shea, of Hawai`i Food Forest.
Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I FOOD FOREST, the idea of Sharman O’Shea, who plans to establish an agricultural and learning center off South Point Road, drew music, vendors and supporters last weekend at Honu`apo Park. She is raising money at http://www.gofundme.com/40mjfc. The site describes the program as Hawai`i Food Forest, Innovation Center and Thrival Gardens and promises to provide “outside-of-the-box opportunities and ongoing mentoring for Hawai`i’s young people by providing a place where they can create a new sustainable economy and self-sufficiency for themselves. By expressing their unique creativity through innovation, ingenuity, entrepreneur endeavors, community building, inter-connectedness and living in harmony with the land and all beings.”

O’Shea writes, “Back to Eden style gardening, Permaculture and Natural Farming methods will be incorporated into the Forest Gardening Concept, which provides a low-maintenance, sustainable, plant-based organic food production system based on tropical ecosystems, incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and vegetables which have high yields directly useful to human consumption. Making use of companion plantings, these can be intermixed to grow in a succession of layers, to build a woodland habitat that has been known to thrive for centuries.”
See hawaiifoodforest.com.

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CERT volunteer speaks with a Alfred Lee, who has become famous for defending his
family home in Pahoa by building a berm. Photo from Big Island Video News

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists report that breakouts of lava are occurring behind the stalled flow front in Pahoa and along the side margins of the flow. Interior areas of the flows continue to inflate as molten lava continues to reach them. A county Civil Defense overflight on Monday morning noted continued activity of the lava flow lobe north of Ka`ohe Homesteads, away from any imminent risk.
Big Island Video News covered the Community Emergency Response Team's door to door walk in Pahoa, interviewing residents, including Alfred Lee, who built a berm around his house and has been fighting off the lava with his heavy equipment and water, the flow now stalled around his property. See more at bigislandvideonews.com.

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HISTORIAN BOYD D. BOND DISCUSSES EVENTS that led to statehood for Hawai`i at After Dark in the Park tomorrow.

The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support After Dark programs.

John Keawe performs Saturday.

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK announces upcoming holiday events.
Volcano Festival Chorus presents its twenty-first annual Christmas concert Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. “It is our annual holiday gift to the community,” said Roch Jones, choir director. “We are fortunate to have been able to entertain the community for so many years.”
Volcano School of Arts & Sciences holds a Middle School Theater Night on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at KMC’s theater.
The fifth grade presents The Santa Claus Twins by Jane McGowan, and the sixth grade presents Toy School by Paul Collette and Robert Wright.
Seventh- and eighth graders help with costumes, sets, props and other technical aspects of the show.

For more information, 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.

Democratic candidates and new Ka`u County Council member Maile David (second from left) rallied supporters at Mo`oheau
Bandstand in Hilo last night in advance of today's General Election. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR OFFICE and those already elected, including incoming Ka`u Council member Maile David, Sen. Russell Ruderman and Mayor Billy Kenoi, converged on the Mo`oheau Bandstand in Hilo last night. It was the traditional election eve rally that has drawn candidates and sitting elected officials since 1954. They gave speeches under a banner, “Moving Forward Together Because People Matter Most.”

Sen. David Ige, candidate for govermor.
Photo by Julia Neal

Rep. Richard Onishi
Photo by Julia Neal

Hawai`i County's mayor, not up for election this year, said he would never miss the iconic, historic event at the bandstand. Kenoi said he was first brought there as a child by his father. Several speakers mentioned that this was the first bandstand rally without the late Sen. Dan Inouye. His successor, Sen. Brian Schatz, gave a Democratic rallying speech along with Sen. Mazie Hirono.
The rally honored the late Piggy Kaleohano, who was the regular sound man for the rally for years and also supported many events in Ka`u.
Ikaika Mahoe, Chair of Hawai`i Island Young Democrats, said the bandstand is a place where hope has been defended for 60 years. “Hope is when a mother goes to work hoping to be paid the same as her male counterpart. Hope is what a U.S. senator has when he stays up all night trying to convince fellow congressmen that climate change is real. Hope is when Mayor Billy says ‘No can? Always can!’”
Hirono called Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency chief Darryl Oliveira “man of the hour” for his work on the Puna lava flow. She praised gubernatorial candidate David Ige: “He is going to make our economy strong (and) take care of our kupuna. ... We are going to elect David Ige. ... Going to govern collaboratively. ... College affordability will be at the forefront.”
East Ka`u Rep. Richard Onishi and other Democrats described the Democratic Party as a group who cares about other people. West Ka`u Rep. Richard Creagan, who was described by Hawai`i Island Democratic Chair David Tarnas as being in a tight race, answered his own question of why he is running: “I want to have a good life, and a big part of that for me is helping others to have a good life. That is what I tried to do as a Peace Corps volunteer, doctor and teacher, and that is what I am trying to do as a state representative.”
He also said the most important race is for governor. Creagan said Ige “is a good man who wants his fellow citizens to have a good life. We need to elect a Democratic team led by David Ige.”

Sen. Russell Ruderman
Photo by Julia Neal

Rep. Richard Creagan
Photo by Julia Neal

East Ka`u and Puna Sen. Russell Ruderman played guitar with his band to start off the evening. He later talked about the lava threat. “We’re going to be asking for your kokua; we’re going to need the help of our statewide partners and our federal partners. When this lava flow is no longer in the news and there’s no longer hurricanes in the news, we’re still going to need serious help. We’re going to ask you folks to be good Democrats, good human beings, and help us out, and in return, I know that we’re going to learn lessons that will help other neighborhoods when they’re hit with disasters. We’re going to learn some lessons about how to pull together and support each other.”

Missing was Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, whose representative said she had been called up as a Hawai`i Army National Guard police captain to be deployed to Puna ahead of the lava flow. She will join about 80 soldiers and airmen already on the ground. During this time, her offices in Hawai`i and Washington, D.C. will remain open and serving her constituents. The duration of her duty is yet to be determined.

Sample ballots for today’s General Election are available at hawaii.gov/elections. Local polling places at Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau are open until 6 p.m.

Hawai`i Army National Guard member walks with other disaster workers toward lava
that recently covered Apa`a Street in Puna. Photo from Big Island Video News

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA YESTERDAY SIGNED a Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance in response to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s Oct. 24 request for federal aid to supplement local emergency protective measures in response to the June 27 lava flow that continues to threaten Pahoa. The declaration allows for emergency protective measures under the Public Assistance Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to assist Hawai`i County.

Emergency protective measures undertaken by Hawai`i County include repair, restoration and re-establishment of alternate routes in and out of affected communities. State efforts include measures to accommodate approximately 900 schoolchildren who will be displaced by the lava flow, and support to county requests for additional air quality monitoring.
Kenneth K. Suiso has been named coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Suiso said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by results of further damage assessments.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE REPORTS that the flow front remains active but has not advanced since yesterday. Activity has been limited to breakouts along the margins or sides of the flow as well as on the flow surface. Additional breakouts upslope of the flow front are being monitored, and those breakouts currently do not present an immediate threat to area residents.

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A VICTORY EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL banquet on Sunday celebrated Ka`u High School Trojans’ Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship. It is the first BIIF football title for the Trojans since 1962.

Kinalu Ke shared a Samoan siva dance with his family after
the awards ceremony. Photo by Tanya Ibarra

Held at Na`alehu Community Center, the event recognized all team players. Kaimanu Medeiros-Dancel is Outstanding Senior. Trieson Pascubillo is Outstanding Junior. Kali`i Aipia-Dolan is Outstanding Sophomore. James Kuahiwinui-Kaimanu is Outsanding Freshman. Cy Tamura scored Most Touchdowns.

Kupono Palakiko-Leffew is
All-around player.
Photo by Tanya Ibarra

Evan Manoha earned Best Defensive Player. Rodney Kuahiwinui, Jr. earned Best Offensive Player. Kainalu Ke showed Best Academic Improvement. Kupono Palakiko-Leffew is Best All-Around Player. Rigan Kaapana earned title of Hardest Worker. Kaweni Ibarra earned Coaches’ Choice Award.

Each player received a certificate of recognition signed by each of the nine County Council members. The County Council invited the Trojans to a reception on Dec. 18 to honor their achievements and announce their victory.

Among special guests on Sunday, Thane Milhoan from Sportz Viz spoke about college football opportunities.

Carlos Uribe-Bounces
shares his music.
Photo by Tanya Ibarra

Also recognized on Sunday were members of past Trojan championship teams. Class of 2014 Trojans Jamal Buyuan and Rigan Kaapana received recognition along with their fathers from a previous JV winning team. Anthony Emmsley Ah-Yee received recognition, along with his grandfather, who played on the 1962 winning Trojan team.

Carlos Uribe-Bounces shared his musical skills with the crowd at the banquet honoring Ka`u High's football champions. Also recognized were Ka`u Lions Pop Warner coaches Sonny Breithaupt and Daniel Bivings for their team’s performance this year. High school coach Kainoa Ke said, “The Pop Warner League is where our players start now. It’s up to them to get ready for high school football there, then when they come up, they play.”

This story was written by Ka`u High School journalism intern Kaweni Ibarra.

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Dennis Kamakahi's son David will play at a memorial
concert for his late father this Saturday in Pahala.

A CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE of the late Dennis Kamakahi takes place this Saturday, Nov. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana features John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi, Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more. Donations will be accepted.

JELENA CLAY HOLDS HER EVER-POPULAR Holiday Wreath Workshop Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
For over 15 years, Clay has been teaching workshops at Volcano Art Center on how to create one-of-a-kind wreaths with a variety of native and non-native foliage. This classic workshop demonstrates techniques to create beautiful holiday wreaths. Participants learn how to twist cordage and create roses out of natural materials. These are skills that can be used for many other things including gift wrapping and lei making. The workshop includes tips on plant gathering and how to dry wreaths so they will last.
Students are encouraged to bring seed pods, liko, mossy branches, etc. Cost for the workshop is $30 for VAC Members and $35 for non-members, plus a $20 supply fee.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Governor-elect David Ige stopped in Pahala during his grassroots campaign, visiting with Ka`u residents at the home of
Marion Villanueva, who sits to the right of Ige. Photo by Julia Neal

AFTER CAMPAIGNING IN KA`U and throughout the state, Sen. David Ige crossed the finish line yesterday, winning 49 percent of votes in the race for governor against Republican Duke Aiona, who garnered 36.7 percent; Independent Mufi Hannemann, with 11.6 percent; and Libertarian Jeff Davis, with 1.7 percent. Ige spoke to Ka`u residents in small groups during his campaign.

While several states replaced their U.S. Democratic senators with Republicans, Hawai`i’s congressional delegation is all Democratic, with Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard keeping their seats. State Sen. Mark Takai also won in a close race against Charles Djou to represent Hawai`i’s House District One in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Brian Schatz, at left, continues his role as U.S. senator after rallying supporters,
including Democratic Partyof Hawai`i County Chair David Tarnas
Monday night at Mo`oheau Bandstand in Hilo. Photo by Julia Neal

Ka`u’s incumbent Democratic state legislators easily kept their seats, with Sen. Josh Green receiving 76.1 percent of the votes and Rep. Richard Creagan continuing to represent west Ka`u. Rep. Richard Onishi also won by a large margin in east Ka`u’s House District Three.
Creagan, who won with 55.9 percent of the vote over Republican Dave Bateman’s 36 percent, said, “It was a good night for Democrats in Hawai`i last night. We only lost one of our representatives, Karen Palama. Otherwise, our team stayed intact, and I think that bodes well for what we can do for the Big Island. Our politics are reality-based and very positive. Let’s let our constituents have a good life. That’s what I want to do.”
The one bright spot in voting, said Creagan, was that “money didn’t win in Hawai`i.” He pointed to incumbent County Council member Margaret Willie facing PAC money that opposed her stance on regulating GMOs. “Hawai`i County voters rejected the outside money and realized they needed Willie to balance the council,” said Creagan. He said it mirrored the GMO moratorium on Maui, where Monsanto and other GMO companies spent millions on advertising, claiming the moratorium was an “anti-farming” bill. “The outside money lost,” he said.
Creagan also noted that incoming governor David Ige was outspent ten to one by sitting Gov. Neil Abercrombie in the primary, and Ige won.
Creagan said that Democrats win in Hawai`i because they “have been taking care of people. There are inefficiencies, but it benefits everyone, not just the rich.”
Ka`u's new county council member Maile Medeiros David won her seat in the primary. Sitting council member Brenda Ford is was not allowed to run due to term limitations.

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A new state constitutional amendment expands revenue bonds to support
agriculture. Photo by Julia Neal

VOTERS DECIDED ON FIVE STATE CONSTITUTIONAL amendments on the ballot.

They approved a state constitutional amendment calling for the Judicial Selection Commission to disclose its list of nominees to the public when presenting it to the governor or the chief justice to fill a vacancy in the office of the chief justice, Supreme Court, intermediate appellate court, circuit courts or district courts.
Another relating to agricultural enterprises passed. It authorizes the state to issue special purpose revenue bonds and use the proceeds from the bonds to assist agricultural enterprises on any type of land, rather than only important agricultural lands. The idea of using bonds for important agricultural lands was initially used to encourage people to farm the best agricultural lands and to keep them in agriculture, rather than development.
The state Legislature proposed that the mandatory retirement age for all state court justices and judges be increased from seventy to eighty years of age, but voters did not agree.
Also failing was a proposal to permit appropriation of public funds to support or benefit private early childhood education programs.

Issuing special purpose revenue bonds and using proceeds to offer loans to qualifying dam and reservoir owners to improve their facilities to protect public safety and provide significant benefits to the general public as important water sources also passed.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY VOTERS APPROVED a Hawai`i County Charter amendment creating a four-year term for County Clerk, with the County Council having the authority to remove the County Clerk from office by a two-thirds vote of its membership.

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TODAY IS EXPECTED TO BE A MILESTONE in reconstruction of the Ka`u-Kalapana route along Chain of Craters Road, according to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park spokesperson Rainey McKenna. She said crews working from both ends of the road expect to meet in the middle.
“Construction is going very well, especially considering lava tubes, steam cracks and very big hills of lava,” McKenna said. There are hills up to 60 feet high and lava depths of up to 150 feet.
“The contractors are doing an excellent job and demonstrate a deep respect for the `aina and its resources,” she said.
Meanwhile, the lava flow front near Pahoa has been stalled for five days, though fingers have been moving parallel to the main path upslope. The Chain of Craters Road would be used should the lava cross Hwy 130 into lower Puna and other emergency roads that have been prepared along the Puna coast.

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Crews working from both ends of Chain of Craters Road to rebuild the lava-covered section expect to meet in the middle today.
Photo from NPS/Rainey McKenna

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is seeking public comment on the environmental review and decision regarding construction and use of an emergency access route along the lava-covered section of Chain of Craters Road. The environmental review for the emergency access route was completed in accordance with alternative NEPA arrangements developed by and in consultation with the Department of Interior and the President’s Council on Environmental Quality.

To sustain access in and out of Pahoa, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is working in cooperation with the state of Hawai`i, Hawai`i County and the Federal Highways Administration to construct an emergency access route between the park and Kalapana along the park’s historic Chain of Craters Kalapana Road.

The environmental review considers alternatives to the emergency access route and potential adverse impacts, and includes public involvement, mitigation and monitoring commitments. As part of the alternative arrangements, the National Park Service will continue to engage the public by soliciting comments on the project, participating in public informational meetings, responding to comments received and publishing periodic reports on the results of monitoring commitments. In addition, the NPS will continue to consult with affected agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Hawai`i State Historic Preservation Division, as necessary. The NPS will also prepare a NEPA review to consider the future of the emergency access route after the emergency ends.

Use of the emergency access route will only last as long as there is no viable alternative route for the residents of the affected area to use to gain access to the rest of the Island of Hawai`i.
The public is invited to review the environmental review and decision document and to submit comments via the NPS’s Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at http://parkplanning.nps.gov/havo. Select the Emergency Access Route along the Lava-Covered Section of Chain of Craters Kalapana Road link. The deadline for submitting comments in PEPC is Dec. 5 at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
Comments will be accepted while construction of the road is in progress (anticipated to be 30 days) and are intended to affect NPS consideration of adjustments to the proposed action and enhancement of proposed mitigation measures. The comment period will be extended if necessary. Responses to substantive comments will be subsequently posted on PEPC. Results of park monitoring of resources and road use will be posted on PEPC and the park’s website, shared at community meetings or publicized via other means of communication periodically throughout the duration of the emergency.
The public can also submit comments in writing, addressed to Superintendent, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, PO Box 52, Hawai`i National Park, HI 96718-0052; or via email nps_havo_planning@nps.gov.

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Bob Herkes, at left, with Gov. Neil Abercrombie, participated in
groundbreaking for the Ka`u Disaster Shelter & Gymnasium.
Photo by Julia Neal

NAMING OF THE NEW KA`U GYMNASIUM and Shelter is on the county Public Works and Parks & Recreation Committee agenda for tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. Ka`u’s Council member Brenda Ford urges interested Ka`u residents to testify at Hilo Council Chambers.

Ford is introducing two pieces of legislation. Bill 316 names the facility in the County Code as the “Bob Herkes and Laurence Capellas Gymnasium and Shelters.” Resolution 566-14 establishes signage for the facility and recommends two plaques under the facility’s name – one for Capellas and one for Herkes – with permission for the Department of Parks & Recreation to make any changes necessary in the signage.
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OTHER COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES meeting tomorrow are Human Services & Social Services at 9 a.m., Public Safety & Mass Transit at 9:15 a.m., Planning at 1 p.m. and Finance at 1:30 p.m. The full council meets Friday at 9 a.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.

Diana Aki, at right, here with Keoki Kahumoku at Pahala Plantation House, returns
to perform at a concert Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

AN `UKULELE BUILD REUNION takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Carriage House of Pahala Plantation House. All who have built `ukulele over the years through the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies programs in conjunction with Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center, Ko Aloha `Ukulele and Pāhala Plantation Cottages are invited. Reservations for the `ukulele build have closed, but alumni are invited to bring their `ukulele for tune-ups, repairs and restringing.

A CONCERT SPONSORED BY THE CENTER for Hawaiian Music Studies celebrates the life of the late Dennis Kamakahi this Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Donations will be accepted.

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

Meeting in the middle of lava covering Chain of Craters Road, crews finished the first phase of rebuilding the emergency route connecting Lower Puna residents to Ka`u and the rest of the island. Photo from National Park Service

STATE SENATORS REPRESENTING KA`U have been named to key positions, according to the reorganization announced Wednesday. Sen. Josh Green, who serves east Ka`u and Kona, is Floor Leader of the Hawai`i state Senate for the first time and Chair of its Committee on Health. Sen. Russell Ruderman, who serves east Ka`u and Puna, is chair of the Hawai`i Senate Committee on Agriculture. Senator Gil Kahele, who served Ka`u and now serves Hilo, is Caucus Leader and Chair of the Senate’s Committee on Tourism & International Affairs.

East Ka`u's state Sen. Josh Green is Floor Leader and Chair of Health Committee.
Photo from Sen. Green

Continuing as the only doctor in the Senate, Green said last night that he will focus on solving the Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. challenge to stabilize the safety net for health care. HHSC operates Ka`u, Hilo, Kona and other mostly rural hospitals in Hawai`i as a quasi-state-funded health system. Green said he sees the state creating a partnership with nonprofits already established in Hawai`i. “Both Kaiser and Hawai`i Pacific Health (Straub) are interested in Maui,” said Green.
Legislation must pass to allow these partnership, he said, noting that the legislative process will delve into whether the whole system or just part of the system will be operated by one or more of the nonprofits. “In time, now that Queens has developed a presence with Kaua`i, Queens may have more engagement with Big Island hospitals,” Green said.
The Health Chair said that he will work on incentives to bring doctors and nurses to every corner of the state where there is a shortage. He also promised to focus on treatment for those who are addicted to drugs and to prevent drug overdoses by decreasing the amount of narcotics in the community.
Green stated that 80 percent of all narcotics in the world are consumed by Americans and that much of the consumption is through prescriptions.
The senator said that as Floor Leader he will have a role in all referrals to committees. “The Floor Leader digs deep into the process to determine which bills have priority,” Green said. He said he promises to focus on real debate and making sure that important bills aren’t left on the side to die without being heard.
Regarding Ruderman being named Chair of Ag, Green recalled that he and Ruderman co-sponsored the GMO regulation package, including measures on labeling and use of pesticides, which came before the last Legislature. With Green as Health Chair and Ruderman as Ag Chair, they have an opportunity to bring these issues into the forefront for research, debate and decision-making, Green said. “I am very happy to see my colleague as Ag Chair, where he can lead us on issues related to GMO, pesticides and many priorities such as the cottage food industry. He plans to do a lot to help small, local farmers,” Green said.

Sen. Russell Ruderman, at Mo`oheau Bandstand in Hilo the night before the election
with Democratic Party of Hawai`i County Chair David Tarnas, has been named
Chair of the state Senate Committee on Agriculture. Photo by Julia Neal

Ruderman said, “I am very excited about being Chair of the Ag Committee. I plan to listen and study every point of view without excluding any. I hope to make progress on local food issues, such as cottage foods, supporting small farms and diversified agriculture.” He said he also plans to address coffee labeling issues including truth in labeling and minimum blend requirements in the 2015 Legislature.
Regarding election results on Tuesday, Ruderman said that he is proud of Hawai`i for resisting the power of outside money to defeat such bills as the GMO moratorium on Maui and the money targeted to defeat Hawai`i County Council member Margaret Wille, who authored GMO bills on this island.
Senate President Donna Mercado Kim talked about the overall leadership of the Senate the day after the election. “This is a strong leadership team that will waste no time in preparing for the upcoming legislative session.”

Senate Vice President is Will Espero, and Majority Leader is J. Kalani English. Other leaders in the Senate are Majority Whip Brian Taniguchi; Policy Leader Les Ihara, Jr.; Chair of Ways & Means Jill Tokuda; Vice Chair of Ways & Means Ron Kouchi; Chair of Judiciary & Labor Gil Keith-Agaran; Chair of Consumer Protection Roz Baker; Chair of Hawaiian Affairs Maile Shimabukuro; Chair of Education Michelle Kidani; Chair of Economic Development & Technology Glenn Wakai; Chair of Water & Land Laura Thielen; Chair of Human Services and Housing Suzanne Chun-Oakland; Chair of Higher Education & the Arts Brian Taniguchi; Chair of Government Operations Donovan Dele Cruz; Chair of Public Safety, Intergovernmental & Military Affairs Will Espero; and Chair of Transportation Clarence Nisihara.

“Our state continues to face a number of fiscal challenges, and the Senate Majority stands ready to work with both the House and the Ige administration to address these issues and help Hawai`i families,” said Sen. Tokuda.

More voters cast ballots at Cooper Center in Volcano that other polling places.
Photo from advocacy.britannica.com

For more on the legislative process, biographies of legislators, calendar and to testify on various bills when the 2015 Legislature opens in mid-January, see www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

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VOTER TURNOUT WAS 47.7 PERCENT FOR HAWAI`I ISLAND in Tuesday’s General Election, with turnout ranging from 55.4 percent to 41.7 in precincts from Volcano through Ka`u and Miloli`i. The precinct in Volcano showed the most voting, and Ocean View the least. Pahala was second highest with 48.8 percent. Na`alehu was third with 46.5 percent, and Miloli`i was fourth, with 43 percent.

Here is how gubernatorial candidates did in each precinct with percentages of votes cast:
Winning the governorship, David Ige earned the highest percentage in Miloli`i with 56.5 percent of votes. He got 56.3 percent in Volcano, 52.3 in Pahala, 47.7 percent in Na`alehu and 44.4 percent in Ocean View.
Duke Aiona had the highest at Ocean View with 32.5 percent. His next highest was in Na`alehu at 28.6 percent, followed by Volcano, 28.2 percent; Miloli`i, 25.7 percent; and Pahala, 24.6 percent.
In Pahala, 21 percent of those registered voted for Mufi Hannemann. He received 20.2 percent in Na`alehu, 15.8 percent in Ocean View, 12.2 percent in Miloli`i and 11.3 percent in Volcano.
Jeff Davis received 6.9 percent of votes in Ocean View and 3.8 percent in Volcano. He got less that one percent of votes in the other three precincts.
See more local election results in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.

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Mayor Billy Kenoi, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando
and Hawai`i County Department of Public Works Director Warren Lee celebrate
completion of the first phase of rebuilding Chain of Craters Road.
Photo from NPS

SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE on Chain of Craters Road since work began in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Oct. 24. Yesterday, crews working from each end met in the middle. This completes the rough grade of the road. Work will now begin on crushing excavated material for the road bed. The finished road will be a gravel-surfaced, 22-foot-wide, two-lane road. The road is scheduled to be completed in the next 30-45 days, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Lower Puna residents will be able to access the route after the lava has crossed Hwy 130 and Railroad Avenue and the National Park Service has determined that the road is safe for vehicles. The emergency access route will not be open to the public or park visitors. Residents will receive a free window decal for access through the park.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS tomorrow at 9 a.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.

KA`U RESIDENT WHO WANT TO ATTEND `Ohana Day on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park should register by this Saturday, Nov. 8 to be included in the free-lunch count.
Recently returned from serving as an apprentice navigator aboard Hokule`a, Hilo-native Celeste Manuia Ha`o recounts her epic return to Faleapuna, her village of Samoa. Guided by the waves, winds, stars, and Ka Panana Hoku, the Hawaiian Star Compass, she navigated her way home using knowledge of Hawaiian ancestors. Participants discover how, whether on sea or on land, they, too, can orient themselves and never be lost.
Call 985-6019 to register.

Dennis Kamakahi played for the hula of Erin Cole, of Ocean View, for
last year's opening concert. Photo by Julia Neal

THE CARRIAGE HOUSE AT PAHALA PLANTATION HOUSE is the site of an `ukulele build reunion Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All who have built `ukulele over the years through the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies programs in conjunction with Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center, Ko Aloha `Ukulele and Pāhala Plantation Cottages are invited. Reservations for the `ukulele build have closed, but alumni are invited to bring their `ukulele for tune-ups, repairs and restringing.

A CONCERT SPONSORED BY THE CENTER for Hawaiian Music Studies celebrates the life of the late Dennis Kamakahi this Saturday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.
Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana features John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi, Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more. Donations will be accepted.

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 are invited to participate in Kahuku: Born of a Hot Spot tomorrow at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from National Park Service

KA`U'S LARGE MARSHALLESE COMMUNITY and others will continue to receive state-funded health care during a pending lawsuit. In April, when Congress enacted the Welfare Reform Act of 1996 and eliminated all federal funding for health benefits for COFA residents, Hawai`i’s Ninth Circuit Court decided that the state of Hawai`i could not be mandated to fund the federal government’s portion of benefits. “The Ninth Circuit’s decision confirms that the federal government cannot impose a duty on states to perform a function for which it does not provide funds,” said Attorney General David Louie. “The state will make sure that COFA residents continue to have uninterrupted access to their health benefits while this lawsuit is pending.”
Gov. Neil Abercrombie approved and signed temporary emergency rules to maintain this status quo for receipt of medical assistance benefits by noncitizens, including citizens of the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands residents. According to Department of Human Services Director Patricia McManaman, temporary emergency rules have been filed with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and shall remain in effect for up to 120 days.

Patricia McManaman

The rules can be reviewed in full on at http://humanservices.hawaii.gov/admin-rules-2/.     Noncitizen children and pregnant women receive Medicaid benefits, and therefore they are not and never have been at risk of losing their Medicaid benefits.   Noncitizen aged, blind or disabled individuals currently receiving state-funded medical assistance will continue to receive the same benefits without interruption.

Under the emergency rules, noncitizens who are not aged, blind or disabled and who are currently receiving state-funded medical assistance will continue to receive this assistance through Feb. 28, 2015.
To avoid a gap in coverage and obtain health insurance beginning March 1, 2015, noncitizens who are not aged, blind or disabled and who are currently receiving state-funded medical assistance will be required to choose a health plan through Hawai`i Health Connector by Feb. 15, 2015. To facilitate this process, DHS will transfer eligibility information to the Connector. 
Certain low-income noncitizens enrolled in a health plan through the Connector may receive state-funded premium assistance.
DHS has drafted proposed administrative rules to replace the temporary emergency rules and will hold a public hearing, as required by law, to ensure that the public has the opportunity to review and comment on the rules.
Individuals affected by the temporary emergency rules and the proposed administrative rules will receive written notices that provide more detailed information.  
“My intent has always been to ensure that all of Hawai`i’s needy residents receive healthcare benefits,” said McManaman. “The emergency rules and the proposed administrative rules will do this.”
McManaman anticipates a substantial annual savings after the administrative rules are adopted.
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Richard Creagan

Richard Onishi

DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES FOR U.S. and state Legislatures received strong support in precincts from Volcano to Miloli`i in Tuesday’s General Election.

At the local precincts, Sen. Brian Schatz got the most support in Pahala, where 81.7 percent of voters cast ballots for him. In Miloli`i, he got 73 percent of votes, followed by Na`alehu with 69.6 percent, Volcano with 69 percent and Ocean View with 59.5 percent.
In Pahala, 87.7 percent of voters re-elected Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, followed by 77.4 percent in Volcano 77.2 percent Na`alehu, 72.6 percent in Miloli`i and 68 percent in Ocean View.
State Sen. Josh Green in District Three took 80.6 percent of votes in Miloli`i, 76.9 percent in Na`alehu and 67.7 percent in Ocean View.
In House District Five, Rep. Richard Creagan got the most votes in Miloli`i with 61.2 percent, followed by 59.9 percent in Na`alehu and 56.6 percent in Ocean View.
Voters in House District Three re-elected Rep. Richard Onishi with 83.6 percent of Pahala’s votes and 56.8 percent of Volcano’s.

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Augie T performed in Ka`u
last year.

Image from Amazon.com

AUGIE T, THE COMEDIAN WHOSE BIRTH NAME is Augusto Tulba, is a new administrative assistant in the mayor’s office and will visit schools in Ka`u and around the island to motivate young people to exercise (Kenoi recently finished the Ironman Triathlon), refrain from bullying, do well and live clean. Mayor Billy Kenoi also visited schools years ago when he was hired as an administrative assistant for former Mayor Harry Kim. Kenoi brought an anti-drug message, for example, to a county-organized event for youth at Pahala pool, using his own humor for the delivery. Kenoi was often called the Hawaiian Jay Leno.

Augie T is familiar to the public for his comedy routines – live, on TV, radio and on DVD. He has acted as a helicopter pilot on Hawai`i Five-O. He performed in Ka`u at Shaka’s in Na`alehu. He is also the author of a book available on Amazon.com called Positive Stuff I Like.
Another new assistant is Peter Boylan, former Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporter who also worked on Colleen Hanabusa’s U.S. Senate campaign and as deputy legislative chief of staff for the late Sen. Dan Inouye.
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State Department of Transportation is assessing possible ways to return access
to roads recently covered by lava, such as Apa`a Street/Cemetery Road in Pahoa.
Images from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION is testing ways to rebuild roads in Puna if lava covers them. According to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, Hawai`i County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said DOT will begin applying aggregate over the portion of Apa`a Street covered by lava to see how geothermal heat reacts with it. Oliveira said officials from DOT, county Civil Defense and Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will analyze how much insulation the material provides.

Oliveira said similar methods were used to re-establish access to Kalapana homes after flows there began to cool and harden.
“Different ideas are being explored, realizing that restoration of the highway would be a definite benefit to returning the community to some form of normalcy,” Oliveira said. “It is being considered as well some protective measure to prevent or minimize concerns for collapse. There’s a lot of engineering being done behind this; aggregate is one piece of a full-scale concept.”

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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AFTER RECEIVING LETTERS FROM THE STATE Department of Agriculture warning ag lot lessees in Puna of an effort to “do what is necessary to channel the lava flow down Kahakai Boulevard to try and control the direction of the flow,” Hawai`i County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said the information is incorrect and reiterated the county’s plans not to divert lava because, no matter what direction the lava goes, there are populated areas and structures in its path.
Oliveira also reported that the lava flow is still stalled in Pahoa, with breakouts upslope. Continued inflation of interior portions of the flow could contribute to additional breakouts.
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HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO.’S PARENT, Hawaiian Electric Co., reported net income for the third quarter of 2014 was $38.9 million compared to $37.8 million in the third quarter of 2013. Net revenues were $8 million higher compared to the third quarter of 2013 primarily due to $7 million in 2014 revenues attributable to recovery of costs for clean energy and reliability investments and $1 million for better fuel efficiency performance.

“We continue to work aggressively to lower customer bills by reducing Hawai`i’s dependence on imported oil. The recent energy plans we filed with the Public Utilities Commission are providing the starting point to launch important initiatives with a broad set of stakeholders to achieve our shared vision for Hawai`i’s clean energy future,” said Constance H. Lau, HEI president and chief executive officer. “In addition, we are proud of our dedicated utility company employees who worked tirelessly to restore power and help customers after Tropical Storm Iselle while completing our energy plans on time.”

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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN ENJOY FREE PROGRAMS at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park this weekend.

During Born from a Hotspot tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., participants learn about the birth of the islands from the Hawaiian hotspot and about past eruptions that impacted Kahuku. Visitors will be able to identify various pu`u (hills) and other volcanic features and learn about their formation.

Alan Okami, of Ko Aloha, with Keoki
Kahumoku Photo by Julia Neal

A hike on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. focuses on the area’s human history. People & Lands of Kahuku is a guided, three-hour, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain.

A concert tomorrow celebrates
the life of Dennis Kamakahi.
Photo by Julia Neal

A CONCERT SPONSORED BY THE CENTER for Hawaiian Music Studies celebrates the life of the late Dennis Kamakahi tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.
Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana features John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi, Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more.

Donations will be accepted.

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

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Ka`u residents testified at the County Council's Public Works and Parks & Recreation Committee meeting Thursday regarding naming of the new Ka`u Gymnasium & Disaster Shelter. Photo by Pearl Mokuhali`i

MORE THAN 20 KA`U RESIDENTS AND FORMER RESIDENTS attended a meeting of Hawai`i County Council’s Committee on Public Works & Parks and Recreation Thursday regarding naming of the new Ka`u Disaster Shelter & Gymnasium. The residents supported naming the facility after Principal Laurence J. Capellas, Sr. and state Rep. Bob Herkes. Herkes worked on many issues, including public health, safety and welfare of the people of Ka`u. Capellas promoted education and sports activities for the children of Ka`u.

Pahala resident Robert Barba went to Hilo
to give testimony about Principal Capellas.
Photo by Pearl Mokuhali`i

Ka`u County Council member Brenda Ford’s Resolution 566-14 calls for creating a plaque, and her Bill 316 names the gymnasium after Herkes and Capellas.
In written testimony, Joe Tateyama, from the Ka`u High Class of 1958, said Capellas “always felt that we were not Pahala people, Na`alehu people or Wai`ohinu people; we were Ka`u people. His vision of renaming the school to Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary came to fruition in his 13th year as principal in Ka`u. It was a fitting conclusion to his unifying efforts for the Ka`u community.”
Class of 1961 graduate Ella Louis told the committee Capellas was not afraid to think outside of the box. “Where there was a need, he found a way to make it happen. Mr. Capellas believed you can do anything that you want to. He believed in giving the local kids a chance. His words were, ‘They’ve got the brain power.’ His values are as significant now as it was then and standard for the future.
In her testimony, Class of 1959 member Dorothy Kalua’s said, “Mr. Herkes was a man of our time, and the youth should know of such men who are willing to serve their community. We would like a man of the past, Laurence J. Capellas, to also be honored. The man was an educator who was instrumental in the foundation of our town. Mr. Herkes was a politician, and Mr. Capellas was an educator. Both men worked for others; both men should be honored. The youth should know of the man who did so much for the foundation of our town, and the youth should also learn of the man who helped in its continuing evolution.
Richard Fujioka, from the Class of 1958, said that he nearly drowned while swimming in the gulch and was saved by several boys. After that near-tragedy, Capellas brought Mr. Kelipio to Pahala to teach the kids to swim. Fujioka said there had been several deaths and near drownings. “It was important to build a swimming pool so the children would have a safe place to swim,” he said, and the pool was built using plantation equipment and community volunteers.
Class of 1959 member Robert Barba’s testimony recaptured days of his youth and spoke about how Capellas was influential in his life. “He inspired me, and I loved him,” he said.

Class of 1958 graduate James Yamaki recapped highlights of Mr. Capellas’ life in Pahala.

County Council member Brenda Ford, who is helping Ka`u residents with naming
of the new Ka`u Gym & Shelter, rode in Hilo's Veterans Day parade this morning.
Photo by Ron Johnson

Upon hearing all the testimony about his father, Laurence “Cappy” Capellas, Jr. said he was humbled by all that he heard.
Jo-Anna Herkes spoke of her husband’s dedicated role in the community and asked that they honor him by naming the facility the Bob Herkes and Laurence Capellas Gymnasium and Shelter.
Seven committee members gave Ford’s legislation a positive recommendation, and it now goes to the full council.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HAS PASSED the first reading of Bill 194 that would authorize the Department of Water Supply to terminate water services for non-payment of sewer service charges. The bill calls for the Director of Environmental Management to first provide due notice of the shut-off. Customers must also have an opportunity for a hearing before the Environmental Management Commission and resolution of any appeal before water can be turned off.
The bill previously received a negative recommendation from the council’s Finance Committee, where five members voted no and three voted yes. All eight council members present, including Ka`u’s Brenda Ford, voted for the bill.
According to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, county government loses about $25,000 a month in unpaid sewer fees, with past-due bills amount to almost $1 million mark.
Nancy Cook Lauer reported that Jerry Warren, of Na`alehu, was one of several county residents who testified against the measure. “Turning off one utility because someone didn’t pay another utility is strange,” Warren said.

Warren told The Ka`u Calendar that he contends residents in the old camps were not supposed to have to pay any monthly sewer fees until the new sewer system is installed and working, replacing the old gang cesspools in Pahala and Na`alehu.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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Ka`u residents can apply for vacancies on the Legacy Land Conservation
Commission, which provides funds to protect valuable lands.
Photo from DLNR

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, Division of Forestry and Wildlife seeks applications for three vacancies on the Legacy Land Conservation Commission, a nine-member Commission appointed by the governor to advise the department on grants from the Legacy Land Conservation Program. The program provides state grant funding to state agencies, counties and nonprofit land conservation organizations to acquire and protect lands having value as watersheds; coastal areas, beaches, and ocean access; habitat; cultural and historic sites; recreational and public hunting areas; parks; natural areas; agricultural production; and open spaces and scenic resources.

So far, Legacy Land has awarded funds for the protection of more than 20,000 acres of conservation lands on five islands. Projects may include acquisition of fee title or conservation easements. Legacy Land grants allow agencies and nonprofit organizations to protect Hawai`i’s lands and resources when the opportunity to purchase them becomes available.
The Legacy Land program also allows applicants to take advantage of other funding programs that require a local match. On average, Legacy Land applicants leverage each Legacy Land dollar with approximately two dollars in federal, private or county matching funds.
The Commission consists of nine members, with at least one member from each of the counties, and it meets about six times per year. The positions are unpaid, except for reimbursement of travel expenses. The primary duty of the Commission is reviewing project proposals and making recommendations to the Board of Land and Natural Resources regarding grant awards.
The three vacancies are for a member possessing an academic degree in the sciences, such as wildlife or marine biology, botany, forestry, ecology, resource management, biogeography, zoology or geology; a member of a Hawai`i environmental organization; and a member of a statewide agricultural association.
Applications may be submitted online to the Governor’s Office of Boards and Commissions at http://boards.hawaii.gov/.
More information regarding the Legacy Land Conservation Program is available at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/llcp/ and 586-0921.

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Martin Pahinui performs today at Pahala Plantation House.
Photo from Youtube

A CONCERT SPONSORED BY THE CENTER for Hawaiian Music Studies celebrates the life of the late Dennis Kamakahi today from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN STILL CELEBRATE ARBOR DAY at Amy B.H. Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden in Captain Cook tomorrow, when a limited number of trees will be distributed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. while supplies last. Arbor Day in Hawai`i is the first Friday in November, the month that marks the beginning of the rainy season.
Hawai`i Electric Light Co. has rescheduled its Arbor Day Tree Giveaway from today to Saturday, Dec. 13 at its office in Hilo due to unavailability of plants.

THIS MONTH’S SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park explores Palm Trail, a 2.6-mile loop through scenic pasture, along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views the Kahuku Unit has to offer. Along the way are relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures.
Set for tomorrow from 9:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., the walk is free for Friends members; non-members can join the nonprofit in order to attend. Call 985-7373 or admin@fhvnp.org to register.

“HONORING ALL WHO SERVE” is the theme at Kilauea Military Camp’s Veteran’s Day Ceremony Tuesday at 3 p.m. on KMC’s front lawn in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Keynote Speaker is BG James Carpenter, of Hilo. Guest speaker is Master Sgt. Brian Jordan, also of Hilo. Refreshments follow the ceremony, which is free and open to the public. For more information about the ceremony, call 967-8371.
A Veteran’s Day Buffet follows at 4 p.m. at KMC’s Crater Rim Café with prime rib, baked ono, shrimp Alfredo with mushrooms, French onion soup, tossed salad and more. Cost for adults is $25.95 and for children 6 to 11 years old, $12.50. For more information about the buffet, call 967-8356.

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

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Uncle Richard Ho`opi'i brought his famous falsetto and vocal range from bass to high tenor to the stage last night in Pahala, playing with Peter D`Aqino, Keoki Kahumoku, Guy Sesson and Carl Halemano. Another concert will be this Saturday, with Sonny Lim, James Hill and many more to wrap up the annual Kahumoku workshop. Photo by Julia Neal

David Kamakahi plays his father's compositions, honoring the late Dennis Kamakahi,
who taught at the annual workshop for many years. Photo by Julia Neal

OPENING CONCERT FOR THE KAHUMOKU MUSIC WORKSHOP last night drew Hawaiian music greats, including Martin Pahinui, Diana Aki, John Keawe,
Richard Ho`opi'i and David Kamakahi, honoring his late father Dennis Kamakahi. Performers, including Keoki Kahumoku, talked about working on the road and recording with Dennis Kamakahi and about his work with youth, his many original
songs and his uplifting inspiration to everyone. Keawe performed a new song in memory of Dennis Kamakahi. Also honored was the late Auntie Kaiwi Perkins, who taught lauhala weaving at workshops.

The workshop, in its ninth year in Pahala and sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies and Keoki Kahumoku, continues all week with a Veterans Day gathering on Tuesday at Punalu`u Beach, beginning with an E Ala E chant at dawn, followed by music. Throughout the week, there are classes in `ukulele, slack key guitar, composition, hula and cultural practices.

A free concert will be held this coming Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House with Sonny Lim, James Hill, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Debbie Ryder, Keoki Kahumoku and many more.

Lifetime partner is Richard Ho`opi`i's wife who danced
hula last night. Photo by Pam Taylor

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OCEAN VIEW AND OTHER KA`U RESIDENTS interested in expanding education on the Kona side of the island can attend a community forum on higher education in West Hawai`i on Tuesday, Nov.11 at 6 p.m. at Old Kona Airport Park, Maka`eo Pavilion. The forum will discuss post-high school educational opportunities in West Hawai`i with a particular focus on the role of the facilities at Palamanui. A brief report on Hawai`i County Council activities will be made by Council member Dru Kanuha prior to forum presentations.
The forum consists of four presentations, a panel discussion and a question and answer period. Sherry Bracken serves as moderator. Dr. Sandra Scarr delivers a power point presentation on the need for post-high school educational opportunities for residents of West Hawai`i.

Dr. Walter Kunitake, first director of the West Hawai`i Center in Kealakekua, describes the early years and the community’s hopes and dreams for a University of Hawai`i facility in West Hawai`i.
Dr. Marty Fletcher, current director of the West Hawai`i facilities, explains the current status of the West Hawai`i center and his understanding of future plans for higher education at Palamanui.
Former Hawai`i County Council member Pete Hoffmann, who was recently appointed to represent West Hawai`i on the UH Board of Regents, provides an update to the community on current UH plans to improve access to higher education for the residents of West Hawai`i.
The panel discussion following the presentations will last approximately 45 minutes and will include questions from the audience. Questions must be submitted in writing either before or during the program.

Kris Fujigami stunned musicians and audience with his lightning-fast `ukulele,
accompanied by his mother Keiko on keyboard. Photo by Julia Neal

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and pupus and beverages will be served.
For more information, contact John Buckstead at 326-9779 or jbuckstead@hawaii.rr.com.
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GOV.-ELECT DAVID IGE HAS ENLISTED Mike McCartney, president and CEO of Hawai`i Tourism Authority, as his chief of staff. McCartney was a state senator in the 1990s. He was previously also executive director and Hawai`i State Teachers Association and chair of HTA’s board of directors.

Songbird of Miloli`i, Auntie Diana Aki, shared her famous falsetto.
Photo by Julia Neal

“Since 2009, I have had the honor and privilege to serve as the president and CEO of the Hawai`i Tourism Authority," McCartney said. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your partnership, collaboration and friendship over the years. All of you play an integral role in supporting Hawai`i’s tourism economy, one of the state’s largest industries and economic drivers.” HTA board chair Aaron Sala said McCartney’s leadership of HTA “has contributed to record levels of growth for tourism, and he has created a solid foundation for continued success. Moreover, his tireless work across the diverse populations of our community, and in both public and private sectors, is a testament to his commitment to Hawai`i — our land, our people, and our culture. We wish him the very best and look forward to working with him in his new capacity in the years to come.”

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A RECORD NUMBER OF SHARK AND RAY SPECIES, some which inhabit Hawaiian waters, have been proposed for listing under the Appendices of the United Nations Environmental Programme Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. Sharks, rays and sawfish make up 21 of the 32 proposals for new listings. A landmark decision might well be about to be taken at the 11th Meeting of the Conference of Parties in Quito, Ecuador.

Famed singer Martin Pahinui plays with Guy Sesson, of Pahala, last night
at the open-air concert. Photo by Julia Neal

CMS Executive Secretary Bradnee Chambers said, “The CMS Conference of the Parties offers an important opportunity to boost the global conservation of some highly threatened sharks and rays. The proposals to list 21 additional sharks and rays species on the Convention reflect the interest of a growing number of countries to promote recovery of these biologically vulnerable and ecologically important fish. These proposals, if accepted by CMS Parties, can pave the way for more effective shark and ray conservation action by the international community in the years to come.”
According to an analysis by the IUCN Shark Specialist Group published in January, an estimated quarter of the world’s more than 1,000 shark and ray species are threatened.
The SSG highlighted overfishing as the main threat to sharks and rays. The species have long been sought for their meat and fins, and in some cases their unique gills and snouts, and are also taken in substantial numbers by fisheries targeting other species. The SSG has stressed that rays are generally more threatened and less protected than sharks.
Most shark and ray species are exceptionally vulnerable to overexploitation because they grow slowly, mature late and have few young compared with other fish species. Manta rays, for example, give birth to only one pup every two years.

Some hammerhead shark species are proposed for global conservation.
Photo from wikipedia

A growing number of countries are acknowledging the importance of sharks and rays and the urgent need to stop declines, and yet most shark and ray fishing nations lack effective safeguards for the species.
At the CMS COP, governments will consider internationally coordinated conservation measures for migratory species over the next three years and decide which of the species put forward should be listed under its two Appendices.

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KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life Tuesday during A Walk into the Past at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Participants meet at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kilauea Visitor Center and then visit the Whitney Vault near Volcano House.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entry fees on Veterans Day this Tuesday.

In conjunction with HVNP’s Fee-Free Day, all park visitors are invited to experience how Kilauea Military Camp supports America’s troops by utilizing any of KMC’s facilities and services.

KMC’s Veteran’s Day Ceremony begins at 3 p.m. on the front lawn. Keynote Speaker is BG James Carpenter, of Hilo. Guest speaker is Master Sgt. Brian Jordan, also of Hilo. Refreshments follow the ceremony, which is free and open to the public. For more information about the ceremony, call 967-8371.

Caring for seedlings planted at Mauna Loa strip continues
Friday. Photo from FHVNP

A Veteran’s Day Buffet follows at 4 p.m. at KMC’s Crater Rim Café with prime rib, baked ono, shrimp Alfredo with mushrooms, French onion soup, tossed salad and more. Cost for adults is $25.95 and for children 6 to 11 years old, $12.50. For more information about the buffet, call 967-8356.

KA`U RESIDENTS WANTING TO PARTICIPATE in Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Forest Restoration Project on Friday Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. should register before Tuesday, Nov. 11. Volunteers clear invasive weeds around native seedlings on the Mauna Loa Strip. Register at 985-7373 or forest@fhvnp.org.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND HOSTS a Ka`u Coast Cleanup Saturday, Nov. 15. Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool and caravan to the site. Sign up with Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
HWF is one of five nonprofit organizations chosen by Subaru for their annual Share the Love campaign. Facebook users are asked to go to the Subaru Hawai`i page daily and vote for HWF.

“We will use funds to protect native wildlife,” Lamson said.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Kumu Jessie Ke mentors students at Keoki Kahumku's 'ukulele build this past weekend with Ko Aloha `Ukulele.
Photo by Julia Neal

LAVA REACHED AND BURNED A HOME IN PAHOA this morning. Civil Defense reported that at about 11:55 a.m. a house off Apa`a Street/Cemetery Road ignited after coming into direct contact with molten rock that flowed beneath the dwelling. It was the first home burned by Pele since the house of Jack Thompson, which was taken in March of 2012 in Royal Gardens.

First home was taken this morning by the lava flow that started June 27.
Photo by Mike Kalban, courtesy of Big Island Video News

“We’ve been very open and clear that once the lava touches a home there is not to be any type of fire fighting activity because that wouldn’t be effective and it would put fire fighting personnel at risk,” Civil Defense Chief Darryl Oliveira told Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reporter Tom Callis.

According to Callis, the house was on a 45-acre agriculture lot that was partially covered by lava when the flow first passed through the area late last month.
The property’s most recent tenant told the Tribune-Herald last month that he had relocated his family and livestock prior to the flow’s arrival.
Civil Defense warned that smoke conditions may increase in some areas because of the fire and suggested that residents downwind who are sensitive or have respiratory problems should take necessary precautions and remain indoors.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com and www.bigislandvideonews.com

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After crossing the same road as before, lava, here shown approaching a
utility pole, reached a home in Pahoa. Photo from USGS/HVO

COMPARING KILAUEA’S CURRENT LAVA FLOW to those that destroyed Kalapana beginning in 1986 is the subject of a story in Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Both flows behaved similarly, starting, stopping, inflating then breaking out at margins, according to geologists. Such actions, they said, allow originally narrow flows to spread out and threaten more areas.
Timothy Hurley reported that the current 13.5-mile-long flow is the longest flow since Kilauea began erupting in 1983.
The amount of lava coming from the Pu`u O`o vent is about 100,000 cubic meters per day. The Kalapana flow consisted of more than 350,000 cubic meters per day. In both flows, however, fluctuations in output of lava and blockages in lava tubes interrupted amounts of lava reaching flow fronts.
“It’s not over,” Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Frank Trusdell told Hurley. “The volcano is still supplying lava to the tubes, and people should remain vigilant.”
See staradvertiser.com.

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Ariana and Ocean build `ukelele. Photo by Julia Neal

PARTICIPANTS BUILT 20 `UKULELE at Pahala Plantation House Saturday through program brought to Ka`u by Keoki Kahumoku. New builders joined others who constructed `ukulele over the years through the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies programs in conjunction with Queen Lili`uokalani Children’s Center, Ko Aloha `Ukulele and Pahala Plantation Cottages. Alumni brought their `ukulele for tune-ups, repairs and restringing.

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KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN’s first comprehensive draft discusses goals found to be important to the community. Separate sections identify the following goals and discuss how to achieve them:

Advance preferred conservation and settlement patterns;
Protect and enhance natural and cultural resources;
Strengthen infrastructure, facilities and services;
Build a resilient, sustainable local economy; and
Pursue potential synergistic projects.

The draft and other materials are available online at kaucdp.info. Hard copies are at local libraries and community centers.
The public is invited to Ka`u CDP Steering Committee’s meeting Saturday, Nov. 15 at 8:30 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Members will cover concerns, suggestions for improvement, areas for discussion and requests for additional information or stakeholder input indentified previously.

To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I STATE SENATE IS ACCEPTING job applications for the upcoming legislative session. Working at the Senate offers individuals an opportunity to experience firsthand what it’s like to work in a dynamic public service organization, work closely with elected officials and the public and learn more about the legislative process.

Session jobs require a four- to six-month commitment, depending on the position. Most begin on Jan. 2 and end on the last day of the legislative session.
Senate employees working 20 hours or more per week are eligible for health insurance through the Hawai`i Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Found.
More information about employment opportunities can be found online at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sjobs.aspx.
To apply, send a cover letter and resume to sclerk2@capitol.hawaii.gov.

ASTRONOMER LEW COOK, who has a home in Pahala and writes a monthly article for The Ka`u Calendar, discusses three women pioneers in astronomy in the November issue.

Dr. Pamela Gay dedicates the BCL T27 iTelescope in honor of three women
pioneers in astronomy.

“Annie Jump Cannon developed the stellar classification scheme that led greatly to our understanding of the atmospheres of stars starting in 1896. Her colleague, Henrietta Swan Leavitt, discovered a fundamental property of Cepheid variable stars: that their periods – measured from one maximum brightness to the next – depend on their luminosities. A star’s luminosity is a measurement of how much light it produces. She found that the brighter stars had longer periods. Cannon and Leavitt worked for E. C. Pickering at Harvard College Observatory.
“An Irish astronomer, Dame Susan Jocelyn Bell Burnell, PhD, discovered pulsars in July of 1967. Pulsars are highly magnetized stars that spin – fast. They are composed of neutrons and are the remnants of supernovae explosions. We see them only when the beam of light they emit shines toward earth much like an airport beacon. They were first called Little Green Men, until their true nature was discovered. Her professor got the Nobel Prize in physics, while she got ignored at the time. Later, that oversight was partly corrected, as indicated by the many awards and honors she has received.

Sherrie Freitas and Cherish Kailiawa learn from Bruce, of Ko Aloha `Ukulele.
Photo by Julia Neal

“Dr. Pamela Gay visited Australia and took an active part in the dedication of iTelescope.net’s largest telescope: the Burnell, Cannon, Leavitt 27-inch Telescope, during the Siding Spring StarFest. Gay is a high-energy person with an emphasis on educating people in astronomy. iTelescope.Net is the world’s premier network of Internet-connected telescopes, allowing members to take astronomical images of the night sky for the purposes of education, scientific research and astrophotography. They have telescopes in Spain, New Mexico, California, and the largest number of instruments in Australia, where the BCL telescope resides on Siding Spring Mountain near Coonabarabran, New South Wales. Their telescopes are available to the public, including the BCL telescope. The name recognizes the role that women astronomers make to astronomy and astrophysics.
“There is a pulsar at the heart of the Crab Nebula. It spins at an astounding rate of 30.2 times per second! The view through optical telescopes does not at all match the view that was seen by X-ray satellites, however, a hint of the synchrotron-type radiation resulting from the magnetic field of the pulsar whipping around can be seen in the optical images in the center of the Crab nebula.
“Ms. Leavitt’s work led to the first accurate estimate of the distance to the Andromeda Galaxy. It is high up in our November sky and can be seen with the naked eye on a good, dark night. Edwin Hubble found there are Cepheid-type variables in it, so he was ready to get an initial measure of its distance when he used the 100-inch Hooker telescope just north of Los Angeles.”
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Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger portrays Thomas Jaggar
tomorrow and every other Tuesday.

KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life tomorrow during A Walk into the Past at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Participants meet at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kilauea Visitor Center and then visit the Whitney Vault near Volcano House.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S fee-free day tomorrow for Veterans Day, park visitors are invited to experience how Kilauea Military Camp supports America’s troops by utilizing any of KMC’s facilities and services.

KMC’S VETERAN’S DAY CEREMONY begins at 3 p.m. tomorrow on the front lawn. Keynote Speaker is BG James Carpenter, of Hilo. Guest speaker is Master Sgt. Brian Jordan, also of Hilo. Refreshments follow the ceremony, which is free and open to the public. For more information, call 967-8371.

A VETERAN’S DAY BUFFET FOLLOWS the ceremony at 4 p.m. at KMC’s Crater Rim Café with prime rib, baked ono, shrimp Alfredo with mushrooms, French onion soup, tossed salad and more. Cost for adults is $25.95 and for children 6 to 11 years old, $12.50. For more information, call 967-8356.

KU‘ULEIMOMI MAKUAKANE-SALAVE‘A demonstrates kapa making Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

The lava path in red shows Madame Pele's trek toward the ocean with several populated subdivisions in her possible route.
Map from County of Hawai`i.

KILAUEA LAVA, FINGERING OUT as Pele sends her flow toward the ocean, continued to threaten more of Pahoa and communities beyond the village this morning. A Civil Defense map shows the larger context of the flow that burned down a house yesterday.Despite the leading edge of the lava flow cooling down and hardening, fingers and lobes upslope widened the path downhill, one of them taking out a house yesterday on the edge of Pahoa where a family packed up their belongings and their horses and moved in October.
The County Civil Defense briefing this morning stated that the "flow front remains stalled with very little activity and has not advanced. The front remains approximately 480 feet from the Pahoa Village Road."

Photo from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory shows fingers
of lava, one of them destroying a house yesterday.
Photo from HAVO

However, three active breakouts continue to advance and be monitored in the area of the cemetery below Apa’a Street, above Apa’a Street in the area west or upslope of the transfer station, and .4 miles upslope of Apa’a Street.

Smoke conditions were moderate to heavy with light trade winds blowing in a south southwest direction towards the Leilani and lower Puna areas. "Smoke conditions may increase in some areas and residents down wind that may be sensitive or have respiratory problems are advised to take necessary precautions and to remain indoors," Clvil Defense stated, also noting that the evacuation advisory for residents down slope of the flow will continue and residents will be kept informed of the flow status and advancement. Pahoa Village Road between Apa’a Street and the Post Office Road remains "closed and limited to area residents only."
However, other roads into Pahoa are open and many restaurants and other businesses are open. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

`AINA KOA PONO, the project that could have built a refinery on the edge of Wood Valley and taken over pasture and farm lands to grow biofuel between Na'alehu,and Pahala, came up in a Pacific Business News story today. The article, by Duane Shimogawa, said the reappointment of Mina Morita, Chair of the state Public Utilities Commission, which twice turned down 'Aina Koa Pono's proposed contract with the electric company to sell biofuel at prices higher than the cost of oil, is unsure. Gov. Neil Abercrombie originally named Morita to the PUC. Whether to reappoint Morita is the decision of governor elect David Ige. PBN wrote: "Many in the energy industry had applauded Abercrombie's appointment of Morita, who is known as a strong advocate and expert on clean energy."

Governor-elect David Ige

PUC Chair Mina Morita

"But some questioned her leadership in a PUC decision denying the 'Aina Koa Pono project's 20-year Big Island biofuel supply contract with Hawaii Electric Light Co."
Ige, himself an engineer, said during a general election campaign stop in Pahala that he would study the 'Aina Ko Pono issue. The county opposed the AKP contract based on its increase in the cost of electricity. Mayor Billy Kenoi said he sought less expensive alternative energy solutions.
According to PBN, "A spokeswoman for Ige told PBN recently that the chair position of the PUC, as well as other appointed positions, will be subject to an application process."
During the primary election campaign, Ige said he supported Morita. A piece in the Feb. 21 Honolulu Star Advertiser by political columnist Richard Borreca reported that Morita chaired the state House committee on energy for years before giving up her elected position to serve the PUC when she received Abercrombie’s appointment. Borreca recalled the governor's promise to make the PUC an “Hawai`i Energy Authority that is independent from the utility and from political considerations," saying this "is what Hawai`i needs to move us quicker to a clean energy future."
Borreca's story quoted chair of the state Senate's Consumer Protection Committee, Sen. Roz Baker, describing Morita: "She is collaborative, well grounded in policy and she has the respect of both the energy users and the energy producers; she clearly has the credentials. She was, and is, a good PUC chair and I think she should stay."
Borreca also gave his opinion on the Morita issue in the context of the gubernatorial election. "Environmental issues and voters attuned to supporting politicians with strong pro-environment records are not a group to be offended. Abercrombie will have to consider all that, because when asked if he would reappoint Morita if he were governor today, state Sen. David Ige, Abercormbie's Demoocratic opponent, said, "'I would reappoint her,'" wrote Borreca. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Friends of Ka`u Libraries will be at Kauaha`au Congregational Church
Bazaar this Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

FRIENDS OF KA'U LIBRARIES will host its biannual fundraiser this Saturday, Nov. 15 at the annual Kauaha'ao Congregational Church Bazaar in Wai`ohinu. The fundraiser booth will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations of books, CD’s, DVD’s, baked goods, and rummage items are welcomed and can be dropped off that morning from 8 a.m to 8:45 a.m. They can also be dropped off in: Naalehu at Ka`u Realty across from Punalu`u Bake Shop, Wednesday to Friday; at Pahala Hongwanji, Thursday and Friday from noon to 5 p.m. Volunteers are welcome to help on Saturday at the Bazaar to set up tents andtables at 8 a.m. and sales shifts from 9 a.m. to noon and noon to 3 p.m. (includes cleanup).

The primary purpose of Friends of the Ka`u Libraries is to financially support the district's two public libraries and to provide volunteers as needed. Call President Ann Fontes at 987-7448 to donate, volunteer or findmout more. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

IN CONJUNCTION WITH HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S fee-free Veterans Day, park visitors are invited to experience how Kilauea Military Camp supports America’s troops by utilizing any of KMC’s facilities and services.

KMC’S VETERAN’S DAY CEREMONY begins at 3 p.m. today on the front lawn. Keynote Speaker is BG James Carpenter, of Hilo. Guest speaker is Master Sgt. Brian Jordan, also of Hilo. Refreshments follow the ceremony, which is free and open to the public. For more information, call 967-8371.

A VETERAN’S DAY BUFFET FOLLOWS the ceremony at 4 p.m. today at KMC’s Crater Rim Café with prime rib, baked ono, shrimp Alfredo with mushrooms, French onion soup, tossed salad and more. Cost for adults is $25.95 and for children 6 to 11 years old, $12.50. For more information, call 967-8356.

The Genoa Keawe style vocals of the Abrigo `Ohana comes to the stage
this Saturday at the finale concert for the Kahumoku music workshop.
Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U RESIDENTS WANTING TO PARTICIPATE in Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Forest Restoration Project on Friday Nov. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. should register by today. Volunteers clear invasive weeds around native seedlings on the Mauna Loa Strip. Register at 985-7373 or forest@fhvnp.org.

AFTERNOON HAWAIIAN CONCERT, sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House. Entertainers will include Keoki Kahumoku, Jr., Sonny Lim, James Hill, Ben Ka`ili, Peter deAquino, Brad Bordessa, Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt, Andy Andrews, Debbie Ryder and more. Donations accepted.

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

Braving cold weather and occasional showers, Hawai`i Island veterans, visitors and residents attended Kilauea Military Camp's Veterans Day ceremony yesterday. Photos by Ron Johnson

HAWAI`I ISLAND VETERANS, VISITORS and residents gathered at Kilauea Military Camp yesterday for a Veterans Day ceremony honoring all who serve.

Pahala veterans Fidel Augustin and Leighton Pahukula enjoy the free buffet
at KMC's Crater Rim Cafe following the ceremony.

“Our men and women in uniform are ambassadors,” said guest speaker MSgt Brian F. Jordan. “Countries where we have fought want to be like us.” Jordan also said veterans are stewards of the U.S. Constitution “and ask for nothing in return. Veterans who died lost two lives, the one they lost in battle and the one they should have had in freedom.”

Giving the keynote address, BG James Carpenter called every veteran a patriot and a hero. He also emphasized the day’s significance: “Today is a holiday, a time to relax. I don’t think any veterans would begrudge anyone time to relax … and time to gather with families. Veterans Day is the day we remember why we have the freedom to have time off. Respect those who are giving their all for this freedom. … It reminds us that we need to take care of those who take care of us.”
Carpenter told the audience, “Today I am proud to be an American, and I can tell that you are, too, just by your presence here.” He asked listeners to find out how they could honor veterans.
Following the ceremony, KMC provided a free dinner buffet for attending veterans at Crater Rim Café.

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Patsy T. Mink Photo from
Patsy T. Mink Foundation

HAWAI`I CONGRESSWOMAN PATSY T. MINK will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The medal is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.

Among Mink’s numerous accomplishments during her decades of public service, she is most widely known for being one of the principal authors of Title IX, the federal law that protects students from gender discrimination in federally supported education programs and activities. Signed into law on June 23, 1972, the legislation has since been renamed the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity Education Act.

“This recognition for my friend, Patsy Mink, is well deserved, and I am proud to have lent my early support to this effort,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “A visionary and a trailblazer, Patsy’s legacy lives on in every female student and athlete in America who’s been given a fair shot to compete in the classroom and on the playing field. We are proud that a keiki o ka `aina, born and raised on Maui, who continues to inspire all of us, has received this high honor.”
Sen. Brian Schatz applauded President Barack Obama’s action:   “All of Hawai`i is deeply proud that Patsy Mink has been named to posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As a daughter of the islands, she fought every day of her life to make real the possibilities of equal opportunity for all and the rights of minorities and women. Her remarkable achievements were hard-earned – born of her unwavering resolve and the values she learned living in Hawai`i. We know that Patsy would share this award with all of us and especially with the countless women who steadfastly carried on with the legacy and the spirit of Patsy Mink.”
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said,  “Congresswoman Mink is deeply deserving of the Presidential Media of Freedom, having demonstrated her selfless commitment to the betterment of our nation and increasing opportunities for all Americans. It is appropriate that this high honor will be given to one of Hawai`i’s great leaders and a true American trailblazer.”
Gov. Neil Abercrombie said, “As a strong advocate for peace, social justice, public education, transparency in government, energy and environmental policies, Congresswoman Mink is most deserving of this honor.

“Throughout her years in public service, she was a tenacious advocate for the disenfranchised and minorities, which led to a number of noteworthy accomplishments. …

“Her work ethic was unmatched; her commitment to justice for all deep and abiding. There was simply no one like her – ever. Caring and compassionate, insightful and inspiring – she will always be in our memories as the gold standard of public service.

Lava lobe that destroyed house but spared the garage is inflating, with
USGS geoligist taking measurements. Photo from HVO

“Those of us who supported the request for Patsy to be considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom are deeply appreciative of President Obama’s recognition of her. Admired and respected personally, she will now take her rightful place in the history of our nation as one of the greatest legislators.”

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MORE HOMES IN PAHOA ARE NOT IN IMMEDIATE danger of being overtaking by lava following the first home being destroyed Monday, reported Hawai`i County Civil Defense this morning. Other lobes of lava have entered the transfer station and are burning asphalt as it covers pavement.

While the flow front closest to Pahoa Village Road remains stalled, breakouts continue upslope, and inflation of the front continues.

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VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES is one of 13 schools across the state taking part in the fourth annual Recycle-Bowl Competition. This nationwide recycling incentive, open to all elementary, middle and high schools, is sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading recycling and litter prevention nonprofit organization. The objectives of RBC are to establish new recycling programs within schools, increase recycling rates in schools that currently recycle and provide teacher/student educational opportunities about recycling and waste reduction.

Ocean View veteran Mike Last, enjoying the free buffet at KMC,
ran for state Senate as a Libertarian.

From Oct. 15 through Nov. 15, students, faculty and staff work together to recycle as much as possible on campus, which may include paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, HI-5 beverage containers and food waste. The Recycle-Bowl Competition is a measurable success that reduces the amount of discards to the landfill.

The competition culminates on Nov. 15, which is America Recycles Day and Hawai`i Recycles Day. Schools submit a final report of how much they recycled by volume or weight. Once reports are received and verified, KAB announces the top school winner for each state in early 2015.
Four winning schools receive cash prizes donated by local sponsors Lex Brodie’s Tire Foundation, Goodfellow Bros, Inc. and Island Naturals Market and Deli.
In Hawai`i, the Recycle-Bowl Competition is coordinated by Recycle Hawai`i and Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful.
For more information about America Recycles Day and Recycle-Bowl Competition, see www.americarecyclesday.org. For more information on recycling events in Hawai`i, contact Marsha Hee, Education Director of Recycle Hawai`i, at hiartrecycle@gmail.com.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets tomorrow 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. The public is invited. For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

Posting and Retiring of Colors was Hilo Civil Air Patrol's duty at KMC's Veterans Day ceremony.

ZACH MERMEL HOLDS A WORKSHOP on Mushroom Cultivation Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Mermel teaches the basics of fungal biology and how fungal mycelium colonizes different materials, particularly wood logs and straw. He also covers the health benefits of different edible and medicinal fungi in Hawai`i. Attendees will gain hands-on experience inoculating their own mushroom kits as well as logs that they can take home at the end of the day.
Fees are $40 for VAC members and $50 for non-members plus a $25 supply fee. Register at 967-8222.

James Hill returns to Pahala for Saturday's concert.

A FREE HAWAIIAN CONCERT FOR THE COMMUNITY, sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House. Entertainers include Keoki Kahumoku, Sonny Lim, James Hill, Ben Ka`ili, Peter deAquino, Brad Bordessa, Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt, Andy Andrews, Debbie Ryder and more. Donations accepted.

TEAMS FROM AS FAR AWAY AS HANA, MAUI will converge on Ka`u High School Gym Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 for the second annual Food Drive & Preseason Tournament. Sponsored by the Trojan Girls Basketball team under Head Coach Cy Lopez, the Friday food drive will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The tournament will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, the food drive will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with games starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. Teams participating are Laupahoehoe, Kealakehe, Hana and Ka`u.
“Please support the Ka`u concession stand on both Friday and Saturday,” said Lopez.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Direectory2014.swf.

Ka`u residents can support Hawai`i Wildlife Fund at a Ka`u Coast Cleanup Saturday and during Subaru's Share the Love campaign by voting at http://www.facebook.com/SubaruHI, as well as purchase vehicles. Photo from HWF

KA`U’S REPRESENTATIVES IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE have received their assignments for the 28th Legislature which convenes Jan. 21, 2015. Rep. Richard Creagan is vice chair of the Housing Committee. Creagan is also on Committees on Health, Human Services, Judiciary and Consumer Protection & Commerce. Rep. Richard Onishi is vice chair of the Agriculture Committee and also serving on Economic Development & Business; Veterans, Military & International Affairs; Tourism & Culture and the Arts; and Finance Committees.

Rep. Richard Onishi

Rep. Richard Creagan

Onishi was Hawai`i Farm Bureau’s 2013 Legislator of the Year. According to Civil Beat, he tied with five other representatives having the most bills passed in 2014 – five of 16, or 31 percent.
Members of House Leadership are Speaker Joseph Souki, Vice Speaker John Mizuno, Majority Leader Scott Saiki, Majority Floor Leader Cindy Evans, Majority Whip Ken Ito, Asst. Majority Leaders Chris Lee and Roy Takumi, and Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say. House Committee Chairpersons are Clift Tsuji, Agriculture; Derek Kawakami, Economic Development & Business; Romy Cachola, Veterans, Military & International Affairs; Tom Brower, Tourism & Culture and the Arts; Mark Nakashima, Labor & Public Employment; Gregg Takayama, Public Safety; Henry Aquino, Transportation; Della Au Belatti, Health; Mark Hashem, Housing; Mele Carroll, Human Services; Chris Lee, Energy & Environmental Protection; Kaniela Ing, Ocean, Marine Resources & Hawaiian Affairs; Ryan Yamane, Water & Land; Roy M. Takumi, Education; Isaac Choy, Higher Education; Sylvia Luke, Finance; Scott Nishimoto, Legislative Management; Angus McKelvey, Consumer Protection & Commerce; and Karl Rhoads, Judiciary.
“The team that we have formed represents the kind of talents and abilities that will best serve our residents and will address the issues facing our state,” Souki said. “We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with Gov.-elect David Ige and his administration to continue to identify ideas and solutions to help Hawaii move forward.”
For more on the legislative process, biographies of legislators, calendar and to testify on various bills when the 2015 Legislature opens, see www.capitol.hawaii.gov.

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The draft Ka`u CDP includes maps of proposed
land use patterns for each Ka`u community.

THE PRELIMINARY COMPREHENSIVE DRAFT of Ka`u’s Community Development Plan lists many of its objectives, including:

Protecting coastal areas, agricultural land and mauka forests from development;
Protecting open space, areas with natural beauty and scenic view planes;
Guiding development of programs to strengthen protections for coastal and agricultural lands as well as open space and view planes;
Preserving historic resources;
Guiding restoration of historic sites and buildings, retention of village and town character and documentation of oral, written and video histories;
Guiding expansion of lands held in public trust;
Ensuring appropriate public access to the shoreline and mauka forests;
Guiding development of a regional network of trails;
Guiding collaborative stewardship and enhancement of coastal and forest ecosystems, cultural resources, agricultural lands, public access and trails;
Concentrating future development in existing towns, villages and subdivisions;
Identifying specific commercial and industrial areas in Pahala, Na`alehu, and Ocean View;
Supporting preservation of village and town character and guiding enhancement of communities’ unique sense of place;
Advancing redevelopment and growth management with brownfield assessments, a countywide affordable housing plan and community-based redevelopment strategies for nonconforming subdivisions;
Prioritizing improvement of existing potable water systems to support infill growth; and
Prioritizing formalizing and improving emergency alternative routes.

The steering committee meets Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The public is invited as committee members continue discussing the first comprehensive draft.
The draft is available at kaucdp.info and at local libraries and community centers.

See more of the CDP’s goals in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u residents can track vog measurements at http://hiso2index.info/.

CONCERNING RECENT COMPLAINTS OF VOG in Ka`u, smoke from lava and burning trees and structures in Puna could be carried here when wind is blowing from the east. This can give the appearance and feeling of vog, according to Clean Air Branch personnel in the state Department of Health.
Locally, Ocean View has had more vog days in November than Pahala. The SO2 exceeded the federal clean air standard .075 parts per million for an hour or more on Nov. 2 with .121 ppm, Nov. 3 with .137 ppm, Nov. 4 with .082 ppm and Nov. 9 with .077 ppm.
Pahala recorded one vog day on the state Department of Health instruments on Pahala’s school campus on Nov. 5 with .149 ppm. In October, there were 11 days in which the standard was exceeded, the highest at .381 ppm on Oct. 29.
See SO2 readings and warnings at http://hiso2index.info/.

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A GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT IN LOWER PUNA could shut down if lava causes loss of transmission lines in and out of the area. Tom Callis reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald that a Puna Geothermal Venture representative said the 38-megawatt facility planned to stop operating if the two lines that serve lower Puna fail as lava continues moving in the area. One line in Pahoa is currently threatened in the area of Apa`a Street, where county Civil Defense reported this morning that a breakout of lava was .2 miles above the street. A second line running through Hawaiian Beaches could be in jeopardy if lava continues on a path toward the sea.

County Firefighters shoot water and foam on a Pahoa power pole to increase its
resistance to heat from the lava flow. Photo from Big Island Video News

Hawai`i Electric Light Co. is experimenting with methods to try to save utility poles, including insulating them, surrounding them with non-heat-conducting cinder and dousing them with water and foam to increase resistance to 2,000-degree heat which has claimed one pole.
HELCO has also installed steel poles, which are more heat-resistant and allow for longer spans of wire between them.
According to the story, HELCO spokesperson Rhea Lee said the utility plans to use diesel generators to supply power to some of its customers in lower Puna if both lines are lost. She also told Callis that HELCO is discussing with PGV the possibility of it serving a micro-grid.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND, WHICH SPONSORS Ka`u Coast Cleanups and other environmental events, is one of five nonprofits selected for Subaru Hawai`i’s fourth community-based Share the Love sales campaign. The company will donate $250 for each new 2014 or 2015 Subaru vehicle sold until Dec. 31, 2014 to a group of local Maui nonprofits.

To sweeten the deal for the nonprofit partners, the public is encouraged to vote for favorite participating nonprofit organizations at Subaru Hawai`i’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/SubaruHI. At the end of the campaign, Subaru Hawai`i will award the organization with the most votes an additional $5,000.
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund hosts a Ka`u Coast Cleanup Saturday. Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool and caravan to the site. Sign up with Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

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Sonny Lim

KA`U CHAPTER OF HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED meets tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Rep. Richard Creagan, Vice President, will update members on events at the HFUU Convention that took place at Waikiki Yacht Club on Nov. 6.

There will also be an update on the newly adopted state policy.
Members are encouraged to bring homegrown foods for the potluck dinner.

KAUAHA`AO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in Wai`ohinu holds its annual bazaar Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring live entertainment, laulau, kulolo, baked goods, plate lunches, hotdogs and more.

DURING A PROGRAM CALLED HI`IAKA & PELE on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent through epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku.

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