The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues free entry and programs in 2016. See more below.
NPS Photo by Jessica Ferracane

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL REVISITS tax exemptions on ag land next week. Kohala Council member Margaret Wille reworked a similar bill that she originally introduced last year.
According to the bill, the purpose of the agricultural use assessment program is to encourage continual and committed agricultural use of lands by affording those engaged in farming a substantial break in real property taxes. It would phase out the non-dedicated agricultural use assessment program and replace it with a short-term program.

Owners of vacant ag land could get a property tax break.

The ordinance includes a three-year transition period to provide opportunity to implement the transition to the new short-term agricultural use dedication program or to the existing ten-year dedicated agricultural use program. The phase-out period provides an opportunity for those seeking to participate in the short-term agricultural use dedication program to make any necessary adjustments in their farming operations.
This ordinance would also allow owners of agriculturally zoned vacant land, who do not participate in one of the agricultural use dedication programs but who intend to preserve agriculturally zoned vacant land, the option of participating in the vacant land program based on a 70 percent of the market value property tax valuation.
As of Jan. 1, 2018, those parcels not in the three-year or ten-year dedicated agricultural use programs or in the agriculturally zoned vacant land program would be assessed at market value.
“The exemptions are intended to promote agriculture, not to force people to develop their land,” Wille told Nancy Cook Lauer, of West Hawai`i Today.
She also said that landowners taking current ag exemptions who don’t qualify are costing taxpayers millions.
“It’s not free money,” she said. “It means everybody else is making up the difference.”
County administration disapproves of the measure, Cook Lauer said. “We don’t support it at this time,” Finance Director Deanna Sako told her. “We have a lot of fixed cost increases coming up.”
“We are supportive of agriculture and farmers, just not the bill as it currently stands,” Sako said.

See westhawaiitoday.com.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH yesterday identified seven new cases of dengue fever, bringing the total on Jan. 1 to 202. As many as 13 of the confirmed cases to date are potentially infectious to mosquitoes, that can pass it to other individuals. All others are no longer infectious.
Of the confirmed cases, 182 are Hawai`i Island residents, and 20 are visitors.  Onset of illness occurred as late as Dec. 27.
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Norbert Schorghover
Photo from UH

ICE CAVES ON MAUNA LOA are likely victims of climate change and drought, according to University of Hawai`i researchers. Hawai`i News Now reported that Norbert Schorghofer has documented dramatic changes in amounts of ice compared with a study done in 1978.

The 1978 study reported a permanent layer of ice referred to as a skating rink in one cave, but it had melted by Schorghofer’s first visit to the cave in 2011. It also showed ice blocks that are no longer there.
Researchers said the cave’s average temperature is slightly above freezing and that ice patches on walls are seasonal rather than permanent.
Schorghofer told reporter Mary Vorsino that permanent ice in the cave is layered. “It should have a record of the past in it,” he said. Air and sediments trapped in the ice could contain information about past environmental conditions.
See hawaiinewsnow.com.

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK invites everyone to Find Your Park and participate in Kahuku events and guided hikes through March, including one tomorrow. Kahuku is open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and all events are free.
People and Land of Kahuku is a moderate two-mile, three-hour guided hike that loops through varied landscapes to explore the human history of Kahuku. Emerging native forests, pastures, lava fields, and other sites hold clues about ways people have lived and worked on the vast Kahuku lands – from the earliest Hawaiians, through generations of ranching families, to the current staff and volunteers of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the powerful natural forces at work here and how people have adapted to, shaped and restored this land. The guided hike is offered tomorrow, Jan. 3, Jan. 24, Feb. 7, Feb. 21 and March 20 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

During the Birth of Kahuku, explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku. Traverse the vast 1868 lava flow, see different volcano features and formations, and identify many parts of the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. This guided easy-to-moderate hike is offered on March 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

`Ohi`a Lehua is one of many free programs offered at Kahuku.
NPS Photo by Michael Szoenyi

Participants in the `Ohi`a Lehua program learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a tree and the lehua flower. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this program, which is an easy, one-mile (or less) walk. The `Ohi`a Lehua program is offered Jan. 9, Jan. 23 Feb. 6, Feb. 27, March 12, and March 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Palm Trail is a moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and amazing volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. A guided hike of Palm Trail is offered Jan. 10, Jan. 30, Feb. 14, Feb. 28, and March 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Pu`u o Lokuana is a short, moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top of this grassy cinder cone. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u. This hike is offered Jan. 16, Jan. 31, Feb. 20, and March 27 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
In another program, discover two Hawaiian goddesses, sisters Pele and Hi`iaka, and the natural phenomena they represent. Visitors will experience the sisters coming alive through the epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku on this easy 1.7-mile walk on the main road in Kahuku. The Hi`iaka and Pele program is offered Jan. 17, Feb. 13, March 5 and March 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Kahuku `Ohana Day: Explore Lower Glover Trail calls keiki of all ages to join park rangers for a fun day of discovery on Sat., Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants will hike the easy Lower Glover Trail, learn to use a GPS, hear about local history and sing a mele (song) for Kahuku. A four-wheel drive is necessary, and pre-arranged carpooling is recommended. Space is limited, and registration is required; call 985-6019 to sign up by Feb. 4. Lunch is included. Bring water, a re-usable water bottle, sunscreen, hat, long pants and shoes. Sponsored by the park, Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center and Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association.
Enter the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘`i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka (inland) side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area.
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Zach Mermel Photo from VAC

HOW AKAMAI ARE YOU about environmentally friendly landscaping and gardening? Would you like to learn how to transform your lanai and lawn into edible and multifunctional plants? Have you ever considered methods for rapidly expanding the plant biodiversity for your garden? Where do your pollinator partners flourish?

If you’re saying, “Yes, yes and (well) I have no idea!” then consider signing up for the EcoLogical Land Care series at Volcano Art Center. This five-part series covers all of these questions, and yes, more.
Module 1, EcoLogical Land Care 101, scheduled for Jan. 23, will cover Viable Alternatives to Herbicides & Pesticides. Join Zach Mermel, of Ola Design Group, and explore how akamai, environmentally friendly landscaping practices can grow healthier, more vibrant plants. Learn to reduce fertilizer and irrigation costs, while decreasing the amount of toxins in your soil and water. Participants will make a few environmentally friendly pesticides during class, which they will be able to depart with at the end of class. A handout of practical readings and resources for further learning is included.
The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a break for lunch. Course fees are $30/$25 for VAC members plus a $15 materials fee.
The remaining series includes Module 2: Edible Landscaping for Backyards and Beyond, Module 3: Plant Propagation 101, Module 4: Pollinator Habitat Creation – Partnering With Our Pollinator Allies, and Module 5: Edible Wild Plants – A Hands-On Foray for Foragers and Foodies.
Bundled price is $150 for all five workshops.
See volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Kilauea's Current Eruptions is the title of Tuesday's After Dark in the Park program. See more below. Photo from USGS/HVO

KA`U’S STATE SEN. JOSH GREEN is considering running for higher office, Tom Callis reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.
Green told Callis that he has concerns about the current administration’s responses to the dengue fever outbreak and telescope construction on Mauna Kea.

Sen. Josh Green

“From dengue to the way the leadership from O`ahu governs, sometimes it’s not thoughtful enough of how the rest of us are living our lives in the rest of the state,” Green said. “I take that to heart, and I would not hesitate to run against an incumbent if I thought they weren’t treating people well enough.”
If he doesn't run for governor, Green said he may consider running in 2018 for lieutenant governor if Shan Tsutsui decides not to pursue a second term.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH will be conducting a public informational meeting to discuss proposed changes to cesspool rules on Friday, Jan. 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.
Major proposed changes include the following:

Prohibiting installation of new cesspools in all areas of the state. Currently, new cesspools are still allowed in parts of Hawai`i and Maui Counties, and up to 800 new cesspools are being installed each year. Hawai`i is the only state that still allows new cesspools, according to DOH.
Adding requirements as the Legislature directed to implement Act 120 of 2015 for certification of qualified cesspools and qualified expenses. Act 120 provides a temporary income tax credit of up to $10,000 for the cost of upgrading or converting a qualified cesspool to a septic tank system or an aerobic treatment unit system, or connecting to a sewer system.
Clarifying that when a building modification would change the nature or quantity of the wastewater flowing into an individual wastewater system, DOH may require upgrading the system.

Other changes are summarized in a rationale paper found at http://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/public_notice/. A copy of proposed rules is also provided on the website.
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GOV. DAVID IGE REVIEWS EFFORTS to make government more efficient and effective in the January issue of Capitol Connection.

Gov. David Ige, at right, discusses updated information technology with staff.
Photo from Office of the Governor

“I firmly believe that we can’t get lasting results without fundamental change,” Ige says. “That means cutting waste, modernizing systems and making state government more productive. In November, we completed the first bond sale of our administration — $750 million issued at 2.6 percent — one of the lowest interest rates in the history of the state. We’ve restructured our payments for the pension fund to make better use of your tax dollars. We’ll save more than $1 billion over the next 20 years.

“Modernizing the tax system for roll-out in 2016. This was an area where government has failed in the past, but our restart is now on track. We have added staffing to answer questions from the public and tax preparers and found $21.5 million in tax fraud.

“Changing the way we handle information technology and improving services. This means cancelling procurement of systems we can’t afford, terminating contracts and seeking recovery of funds when consultants fail to perform. It also means using less paper and improving public access to information and services.
“Managing our prisons better. We reduced overtime by 16 percent, saving $1.4 million. More importantly, we have not cancelled family visitations due to staff shortages at any facility since last January.
“Expanding the safety net. We just received a check for $660,422 for our improved work on a public assistance program and earned federal recognition for being among the top six (states) in the nation for timely applications. We’re also helping spearhead juvenile justice reform and creating an integrated, long-term care program for the state’s Medicaid beneficiaries.
“Supporting agriculture statewide. We’re working to double local food production in the future and acquire land for smaller, diversified agriculture. We’ve also formed a fact-finding group on Kaua`i to examine possible health and environmental effects of pesticide use in genetically modified crops.
“Our goal for this first year was to make state government more productive and service-oriented. In the coming years, our priorities will include more funds for our schools as well as housing and homelessness, work-force development, improved social and health services, and advancing the state’s economy through innovation and global initiatives. We’ll keep working toward a clean energy future while we protect these islands we call home.”

See governor.hawaii.gov.

Hawai`i County Council holds its first meetings of the New Year this week.
Photo from Hawai`i County

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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council’ first meetings of the New Year this week via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building. Meetings are also streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.

Committees meet Tuesday: Public Safety & Mass Transit, 9 a.m.; Planning, 9:30 a.m.; Public Works/Parks & Recreation, 11:15 a.m.; Government Relations & Economic Development, 1:30 p.m.; and Finance, 2:15 p.m.
The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
Agendas for committees are currently available at hawaiicounty.gov.

Glenn Yamanoha teaches Mokuhanga.
Photo from VAC

MOKUHANGA: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE Woodblock Printmaking is the subject of workshops at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The relief printing technique uses Japanese tools and natural materials. Instructor Glenn Yamanoha introduces the basic process in five hands-on sessions.

Participants learn the fundamental techniques of Mokuhanga such as cutting with chisels, preparing blocks and paper, registration and printing with a baren (printing pad). They’ll even learn how Hokusai made his classic Great Wave off Kanagawa. This technique of woodblock print has inspired artists from French impressionists to modern artists.
Mokuhanga differs from western woodblock in that it is water-based printing with sumi ink, watercolor and nori (rice paste), so no toxic solvents are used. It is printed with a handheld baren rather than a press and employs the accurate kento registration method, cut directly into the block. By utilizing non-toxic, green materials, it readily combines traditional processes with new printing technologies.
The workshop consists of five two-hour classes starting on Jan. 14 and continuing each Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. through Feb. 11. Course fee is $80 or $72 for VAC members plus a $25 supply fee. No experience is necessary for this introductory workshop.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK on Tuesday presents a Volcano Awareness Month program.
Kilauea has been erupting nearly continuously since 1983 when a vent, now called Pu`u `O`o, opened on the volcano's East Rift Zone. Then, in 2008, a second vent opened at the summit of Kilauea within Halema`uma`u Crater. Both eruptions continue today.
Tina Neal, Scientist-in-Charge of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, describes the history of these two eruptions and provides in-depth accounts of volcanic activity during the past year, including the ongoing East Rift Zone lava flow that threatened the community of Pahoa until March 2015 and the overflow of the summit lava lake in April-May 2015.

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

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2015.pdf.

Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger continues his portrayal of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar in 2016.
Photo from KDEN

KA`U’S HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL member Maile David wants to help Miloli`i combat dengue fever. On Wednesday, she introduces a resolution to transfer $5,000 from her Contingency Relief account to the Civil Defense Agency’s Miscellaneous Contract Services account to provide a grant to community group Pa`a Pono Miloli`i. Funds would be used to purchase materials and supplies to reduce and eliminate breeding mosquitoes, promote the Fight the Bite campaign and engage in other measures to prevent dengue fever in Miloli`i.
Hawai`i County Council holds its first meetings of the New Year this week at Council Chambers in Hilo. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building. Meetings are also streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
Committees meet tomorrow: Public Safety & Mass Transit, 9 a.m.; Planning, 9:30 a.m.; Public Works/Parks & Recreation, 11:15 a.m.; Government Relations & Economic Development, 1:30 p.m.; and Finance, 2:15 p.m.
The full Council meeting on Wednesday begins at 9 a.m.
Agendas are also available at hawaiicounty.gov.
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A rockfall this morning enlarged the vent at Halema`uma`u. Photo from USGS

HALEMA`UMA`U OVERLOOK CRATER at the summit of Kilauea is getting larger. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that a slice of the north wall of the Overlook crater collapsed into the lava lake at 3:18 a.m. this morning, triggering a small explosive event. The surface of the lava lake rose and was around 100 feet below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater this morning.

See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
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FOR-PROFIT UTILITY VS. NONPROFIT CO-OP is the topic of an examination of Hawai`i Island’s energy future in Civil Beat.
Eric Pape reported findings by Hawai`i Island Electric Cooperative’s financial advisor Bill Collet, who facilitated Kaua`i’s utility’s change from a private company to a co-op. According to Pape, Collet calculated that, in a four-year period, the co-op could save customers $113 million. The savings could rise another $121 million if the island’s electric system is modernized.
Collet said the amount a co-op could save Hawai`i Island customers is nearly twice what NextEra Energy promises for Honolulu, Maui and Hawai`i Counties combined. NextEra proposes to buy Hawaiian Electric Companies for $4.3 billion.
Collet said that, with a nonprofit utility model, access to low-cost borrowing is more available, and money doesn’t need to go to income taxes and shareholders. Because of co-ops’ borrowing power, there is a six percent cost-of-capital difference over shareholder-owned companies like Hawaiian Electric Co. or NextEra Energy, he said.

Hawai`i Island Energy Co-op is interested in purchasing HELCO.

Pape reported that NextEra said customers could save $60 million over the same four-year period and hopes to produce hundreds of millions of dollars in additional savings.

“NextEra executives readily acknowledge that an increase in oil prices risks erasing any savings they produce for customers as long as Hawai`i remains hooked on fuel oil to generate a large amount of electricity,” Pape said.

“While we can’t speak to what a co-op would mean for a specific community in Hawai`i, it appears that the analysis conducted by HIEC is incomplete and does not demonstrate that a co-op ownership model could deliver lower rates for Hawai`i Island customers than an investor-owned utility ownership model,” Rob Gould, NextEra Energy’s vice president of communications told Pape. “Generating clean, affordable and reliable energy in Hawai`i requires economies of scale, a deep bench of technical and managerial expertise and an extremely strong balance sheet that provides financial stability and an ability to invest in new technology.”
See civilbeat.com.
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THE NEW YEAR BRINGS A NEW MINIMUM WAGE to Hawai`i. Now $8.50, the wage increased 75 cents on its way to becoming $10.10 in 2018.
Hawai`i News Now reported that, according to an estimate by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a single adult would have to earn $14.66 an hour to afford basics in Honolulu, and a single adult with one child would have to earn $28.14.
See hawaiinewsnow.com.

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Clearing invasive plants provides space for native plants to grow.
Photo from NPS

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN HELP ensure the future of the Hawaiian rainforest at the summit of Kilauea volcano for the next 100 years by volunteering for Stewardship at the Summit programs in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park now through June.

Stewardship at the Summit begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon. The dates through June are: Jan. 8, 15, 23 and 30; Feb. 5, 13, 20 and 24; March 2, 11, 19 and 26; April 1, 9, 15, 22 and 30; May 6, 14, 18 and 28; and June 3, 11, 17, and 22.
Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Meet at KIlauea Visitor Center at 9 a.m. on any of the above dates. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate. Park entrance fees apply.
To commemorate the park’s 100th anniversary in 2016, a special centennial After Dark in the Park program titled What Makes a Species Invasive? is scheduled Tuesday, April 26 at the Kilauea Visitor Center at 7 p.m. The event is free; park entrance fees apply.
“We encourage all who care about our public lands to lend a hand in making sure its natural and native beauty is around for future generations to enjoy,” said project leader and volunteer Paul Field. “It’s fun and fairly easy work. We have people who range in age from eight to over 80 helping out.”
Volunteers have dedicated more than 5,000 hours of their time, restoring more than 35 acres of native rainforest within the national park since 2012. Countless Himalayan ginger, faya, strawberry guava and other invasive, non-native plants that threaten the native understory near Kilauea’s summit have been removed. In their place, once-shaded `ama`u and hapu`u tree ferns have re-emerged, and pa`iniu, kawa`u and other important native plants are returning to the stewardship plots.
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Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo perform at KMC Theater
this month. Photo from Lazar Bear Productions

AN UPCOMING CONCERT FEATURES guitar virtuosos Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo.

Vignola’s virtuosity has made him the guitarist of choice for many of the world’s top musicians, including Ringo Starr, Donald Fagen, Wynton Marsalis, Tommy Emmanuel and Mark O’ Connor  . Guitar legend Les Paul named Vignola to his Five Most Admired Guitarists List for the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times deemed him “one of the brightest stars of the guitar.”
Growing up in New York City suburbs, Vignola studied guitar at the Cultural Arts Center of Long Island, worked as a sideman for artists like Leon Redbone and Madonna, and led his Hot Club of France tribute band in New York City in the late 1980s.
Still in his 20s, Raniolo has already performed alongside Tommy Emmanuel, Tony Trishka, Bucky Pizzarelli and David Grisman. Vignola and Raniolo have been touring together as a guitar duo for nearly four years and have played hundreds of shows together.
“Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo are amazing guitarists with extraordinary technical skills,” said Les Hershhorn, of Lazar Bear Productions, “but what you should also know is that their music is fun! Frank Vignola & Vinnie Raniolo have become one of the most popular and sought-after duo’s on the international music scene.”

The concert takes place Sunday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. See lazarbear.com for tickets and more information.

Tina Neal Photo from USGS/HVO

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK presents a Volcano Awareness Month program tomorrow.

Tina Neal, Scientist-in-Charge of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, describes the history of Kilauea’s current eruptions and provides in-depth accounts of volcanic activity during the past year.
The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN TAKE A WALK into Past tomorrow and every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park for a short walk to the Whitney Vault near Volcano House. Dick Hershberger brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life in this living history free program.

Park entrance fees apply.

KA`U COFFEE GROWERS MEET tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pahala Community Center.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

Recent rockfalls have enlarged the eruption vent at Halema`uma`u Crater. Photo from USGS/HVO

HALEMA`UMA`U’S LAVA LAKE CONTINUES to rise. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the lake was 92 feet below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater this morning. Recent rockfalls have widened the vent.

See hvo.wr.usgs.gov for updates, photos and videos.

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Paul Ponthieux

Greg Chun

BLUE PLANET AND KAM SCHOOL VETS have joined Hawai`i Island Electric Cooperative’s board.

Hawai`i businessman Greg Chun has worked for companies including Parker Ranch, Bishop Holdings Corporation, Keauhou Resort, Historic Hawai`i Foundation and Hawaiian Electric.

Chun is a graduate of Kamehameha Schools. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Hawai`i Hilo and then went on to obtain his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UH-Manoa.
Chun most recently served as vice president of Kamehameha Schools.
Vincent Paul Ponthieux co-founded Blue Plant Energy alongside Henk Rogers and Aleks Velhner. BPE is an energy storage company formed in partnership with Sony Electronics with the ultimate aim of getting homeowners off the electrical grid. Pontheiux is also director and CTO of Blue Planet Research, another venture he co-founded with Rogers to promote DG micro-grids using renewable technologies.

With a background in engineering and architecture, Ponthieux brings more than 25 years of experience working on sustainability projects in the Pacific. He worked with NASA to design a communication system for the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems’ Mars simulator on Mauna Loa.

Sen. Russell Ruderman

Michelle Galimba

“Chun and Ponthieux both bring valuable insight to HIEC and are exceptional additions to the team!” said Richard Ha, who spearheaded HIEC.

HIEC is a nonprofit cooperative association formed by community and business leaders on Hawai`i Island to explore the potential merits of a community-based, cooperative ownership structure for electric utility service on Hawai`i Island. HIEC is also exploring how other energy sectors, such as transportation, can be transformed to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Other board members include Ka`u rancher Michelle Galimba and Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY is looking to fill Adult Correction Officer vacancies. Recruitment is open on the Department of Human Resources and Development jobseekers webpage and ends on Friday, Jan. 29 at midnight.
To qualify, applicants must meet all of the requirements listed on DRHD’s webpage. Applicants must be a high school graduate or have a GED. They must also have one year of responsible work experience showing that the applicant possesses the ability to relate effectively with people in following instructions of a supervisor and giving or exchanging information.
For a full list of requirements and information on how to apply, see http://agency.governmentjobs.com/hawaii/default.cfm?action=jobbulletin&JobID=1318844.

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PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TOOK executive action today regarding gun control, using his office to create changes he implored Congress to pass.

“This is not a plot to take away everybody’s guns,” Obama said. “You pass a background check; you purchase a firearm. The problem is, some gun sellers have been operating under a different set of rules.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives now requires merchants who sell guns at stores, gun shows or over the Internet to get a license and conduct background checks.

Pres. Obama announced new measures to curb gun violence today.
Photo from Office of the President

ATF is also finalizing a rule to require background checks for people trying to buy some of the most dangerous weapons and other items through a trust, corporation or other legal entity.
The FBI is overhauling the background check system to make it more effective and efficient. Improvements include processing background checks 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and improving notification of local authorities when certain prohibited persons unlawfully attempt to buy a gun. The FBI will hire more than 230 additional examiners and other staff to help process these background checks.
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch has sent a letter to states highlighting the importance of receiving complete criminal history records and criminal dispositions, information on persons disqualified because of a mental illness and qualifying crimes of domestic violence. Lynch convened a call with U.S. attorneys around the country to direct federal prosecutors to continue to focus on smart and effective enforcement of existing gun laws. She also issued a memo encouraging every U.S. Attorney’s Office to renew domestic violence outreach efforts.
The President’s FY2017 budget will include funding for 200 new ATF agents and investigators to help enforce our gun laws.
ATF has established an Internet Investigation Center to track illegal online firearms trafficking and is dedicating $4 million and additional personnel to enhance the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network. ATF is also finalizing a rule to ensure that dealers who ship firearms notify law enforcement if their guns are lost or stolen in transit.
The Administration is proposing a new $500 million investment to increase access to mental health care.
The President has directed the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security to conduct or sponsor research into gun safety technology. The President has also directed the departments to review the availability of smart gun technology on a regular basis and to explore potential ways to further its use and development to more broadly improve gun safety.
Responding to Obama’s action, a message on National Rifle Association’s Facebook page said, “While President Obama announces new executive orders on gun control, a new poll shows very few Americans actually care about the issue. So not only is the president defying the will of Congress, he’s also ignoring the American people – who are actually buying firearms and exercising their Second Amendment rights in record numbers.”

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AS PRESIDENT OBAMA UNVEILED executive actions to reduce gun violence today, data from 2014 revealed that Hawai`i, which has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the county also has the lowest number of gun deaths. According to a report from the Violence Policy Center, 12.5 percent of Hawai`i residents own guns, and the state has 2.82 gun deaths per 100,000 people.

VPC said the report reveals that states with weak gun violence prevention laws and higher rates of gun ownership have the nation’s highest overall gun death rates, while states with the lowest overall gun death rates have lower rates of gun ownership and some of the strongest gun violence prevention laws. However, even in these states, the human toll of gun violence is far above the gun death rate in other industrialized nations.
VPC’s data came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
The state with the highest per capita gun death rate was Alaska, followed by Louisiana. According to VPC, each of these states has extremely lax gun violence prevention laws as well as a higher rate of gun ownership.
VPC defined states with weak gun violence prevention laws as those that add little or nothing to federal law and have permissive laws governing the open or concealed carrying of firearms in public. States with strong gun violence prevention laws were defined as those that add significant state regulation that is absent from federal law, such as restricting access to particularly hazardous and deadly types of firearms (for example, assault weapons), setting minimum safety standards for firearms and/or requiring a permit to purchase a firearm and restricting open and concealed carrying of firearms in public.
For a list of gun death rates in all 50 states, see http://www.vpc.org/fact-sheets/state-firearm-death-rates-ranked-by-rate-2014/.

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Kalani Meinecke Photo from WCC

KA`U HIGH GILS BASKETBALL TEAM hosted Honoka`a yesterday. Honoka`a led throughout the game, ending with a final score of 52-20.

SPEAKING OF KA`U’S HERITAGE is the topic of a free event coming up at Pahala Community Center on Saturday, Jan. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guest speakers are Prof. Kalani Meinecke, from Windward Community College’s Hawaiian Studies program. Kumu Kalani, as he is known by his students, “breathes life into the Hawaiian language through his personal and intimate knowledge of both culture and language,” his WCC biography stated.

More speakers are Samuel Kamuela Plunkett and Emalia Keohokaole.
The evening includes mo`olelo sharing, kukakuka (talk story) and light refreshments.

KA`U COFFEE GROWERS MEET this evening from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.

TINA NEAL, SCIENTIST-IN-CHARGE of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, describes the history of Kilauea’s current eruptions and provides in-depth accounts of volcanic activity during the past year at After Dark in the Park tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

Hawai`i Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary reports that growing numbers of the mammals are being sighted. Photo from NOAA

HAWAI`I HUMPBACK WHALE NATIONAL Marine Sanctuary responded to recent news stories expressing concern about apparent low numbers of humpback whales appearing this season in Hawai`i.
“We can’t say that there are lower numbers, just later numbers,” Sanctuary Superintendent Malia Chow said. “Total numbers would require dedicated research. Anything else is observational or anecdotal.”

Chow confirmed that whales are being observed daily in growing numbers.

Malia Chow Photo from NOAA

Whale season is normally November through May. The peak is February and March. “Whales don’t have watches or calendars, so they might not exactly follow human expectations,” Chow said.
“They were a bit later this year than in recent years but are now arriving, and our experts were out yesterday and saw a large number of whales off Maui,” Chow said. Local tour operators have also reported seeing normal numbers of whales recently.
This year’s arrivals appear to be in keeping with long-term historic observations. Recent years have had whales arriving early, making a “normal” arrival appear to be late.
HIHWNMS conducts Ocean Count, a citizen science volunteer effort to count whales, every year at the end of January, February and March. Numbers in February and March are typically higher than January.
Numbers of whales usually gradually increase in January and February, since whales don’t all come in a mass at the same time, Chow said.

The Sanctuary, administered by a partnership of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the state of Hawai`i through Department of Land and Natural Resources, protects humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaiian waters where they migrate each winter to mate, calve and nurse their young.

For more information and to sign up for Ocean Sanctuary Counts, see hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.

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HAWAI`I PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION is allowing NextEra Energy and Hawaiian Electric Co. to admit into evidence revised commitments during hearings regarding the companies’ proposed merger. The companies filed their new commitments on Nov. 27, the Friday before evidentiary hearings began.

PUC Commissioners Michael Champley and Lorraine Akiba voted to admit the revisions into evidence.
Although Chair Randy Iwase disagreed with admission of the applicants’ changes, he said, “I concur with the majority’s decision to establish additional prehearing deadlines so that the reasons underlying applicants’ decision to revise their transaction commitments can be explored.”

Hawai`i PUC Chair Randy Iwase

The commission will permit additional discovery and testimony by parties other than applicants regarding the changes.
Applicants modified certain existing transaction commitments and put forth several new commitments, resulting in a total of 95 transaction commitments, compared to the 85 commitments previously set forth.
According to applicants, revisions reflect “three main changes, all favorable to positions advocated by various parties in this proceeding. Specifically, applicants stated that revisions favorably affect issues of Clean Energy, Certainty of Rate Credits for Customers and Local Management, Corporate Governance and Ring-Fencing. Applicants maintain that because revisions only add to the applicants’ commitments previously submitted, all in the direction favored by other parties as noted above, and witnesses are available for examination in relation to revisions at the evidentiary hearing, no party is prejudiced by admission” of the revisions.
Applicants’ attempt to admit revisions into evidence on the eve of the evidentiary hearings “violates the spirit and letter of the commission's orders,” Iwase wrote. “Applicants’ last-minute submission left the other parties with no reasonable opportunity to review, much less respond to,” the revisions.
“These transaction commitments have been hotly contested and scrutinized in the pre-hearing stage leading up to the evidentiary hearings,” Iwase said. “A significant amount of the parties’ pre-hearing testimony specifically discussed the proposed transaction commitments listed in applicants’ original (commitments). Likewise, the parties prepared for the evidentiary hearings under the reasonable assumption that they would be cross-examining applicants’ witnesses on the transaction commitments contained in applicants’ original (commitments). By changing their transaction commitments at the eleventh hour, applicants have attempted, either explicitly or implicitly, to negate the other parties’ evidentiary hearing preparations.
“If applicants are free to continually modify their commitments, this undermines the certainty of this proceeding.”
Summarizing the decision published on Monday, commissioners stated that “the commission’s concern is that the record is complete with all relevant, material and necessary evidence before it makes a decision as to whether the merger application is in the public interest.”
See puc.hawaii.gov.
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VOLCANO RESIDENT ROSS RAMMELMEYER shared his thoughts about Pres. Barack Obama’s recent executive actions regarding gun control.

Kona Hema Preserve's champion koa.
Photos from DLNR

“After a mere seven years of deliberation and 231,000 American men, women and children shot to death during that time, the President of the United States has put forward a modest proposal of gun control measures designed to slow the tsunami if deadly weapons breaking over the U.S.,” Rammelmeyer said. “Meanwhile, the bought and paid for United States Congress remains paralyzed regarding reasonable gun control measures. Assuredly, the National Rifle Association, the NRA, will quickly vigorously oppose the presidential measures as they counter to the wishes of the deadly weapons industry whose interests they represent in our country.”
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THE START OF A NEW YEAR MARKS the beginning of the annual Hawai`i Big Tree Competition. Sponsored by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and American Forests, the Big Tree program focuses attention on the largest trees of particular native species as a way to raise awareness about the importance of healthy trees and forests.

The public is invited to find champions for 21 eligible species acknowledged by American Forests.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's
champion manele.

To replace a current champion, the challenger tree must have more total points. Total Points = Trunk Circumference (inches) + Height (feet) + one quarter Average Crown Spread (feet).
To nominate a tree, contact Krista Lizardi at 808-587-0164 or Krista.M.Lizardi@hawaii.gov and provide the tree height, trunk circumference, and average crown spread. Also, know your tree’s specific location. GPS coordinates are appreciated.
Current champions include a koa in The Nature Conservancy’s Kona Hema Preserve and a manele in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
For more, see dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/info/big-tree and americanforests.org/bigtrees/bigtrees-search.

HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT has released statistics for 2015.
DUI arrests decreased by 8.1 percent, with 1,064 compared with 1,158 in 2014.
Drivers arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant who were involved in traffic accidents in 2015 numbered 318, compared with 304 in 2014, an increase of 4.6 percent.
There were 79 drivers arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant who were under the age of 21 in 2015 compared with 68 in 2014, an increase of 16.2 percent.
There were 1,541 major accidents in 2015 compared with 1,530 in 2014, an increase of 0.7 percent.
Fifteen fatalities on Hawai`i Island (three of which had multiple deaths), resulted in 19 fatalities in 2015 compared with 11 fatal crashes resulting in 11 fatalities in 2014. This represents an increase of 36.4 percent for fatal crashes and 72.7 percent for fatalities.
Impairment was a factor in 13 fatalities in 2015. Of those, one involved alcohol, seven involved drugs and five involved both drugs and alcohol.
DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.
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WEDNESDAY IS GAME NIGHT at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Tonight and on the first Wednesday of each month, potluck begins at 5 p.m., with fun games and great conversation from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Open to the public.

OCEAN VIEW NUTRITION SITE and Senior Club hosts activities at St. Jude’s Church on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. and provides lunches from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for seniors 60 and older. Donations requested. On Thursday, the program takes seniors to Kailua-Kona for doctors appointments, grocery shopping and to pick up prescriptions.
For more information, call Dick Hershberger at 989-4140.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Signs along the Ka`u Scenic Byway portion of Hwy 11 will inform travelers of dates when lava flows occurred.
Photo from Ka`u Scenic Byway

AS KA`U NEARS THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY of the last sugar company to close down on the Big Island – at Ka`u Sugar – the corporation operating the last sugar company in the state has announced it will shut it down.

Ka`u Sugar shut down in April of 1996. Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Co. will phase out by the end of this year, its owner, Alexander & Baldwin announced yesterday. A&B is the state’s fourth largest private landowner and one of the state’s most active real estate investors.
A&B said it plans to pursue a diversified agricultural model for its 36,000-acre plantation on Maui. The transition to a new model will occur over a multi-year period. The plantation will be divided into smaller farms with varied agricultural uses, potentially including energy crops, food crops, support for the local cattle industry and development of an agriculture park.
“The roughly $30 million agribusiness operating loss we expect to incur in 2015, and the forecast for continued significant losses, clearly are not sustainable, and we must now move forward with a new concept for our lands that allows us to keep them in productive agricultural use,” A&B executive chairman Stanley M. Kuriyama said.

Alexander & Baldwin said its central Maui sugar plantation will transition
into diversified agriculture. Photo from A&B

“This is a sad day for A&B, and it is with great regret that we have reached this decision,” said Christopher J. Benjamin, A&B president and chief executive officer who ran HC&S as its general manager from 2009 to 2011. “Having had the privilege of working alongside the employees of HC&S for two years, I know firsthand the professionalism and dedication with which they perform their jobs. The longevity of the plantation is a testament to their resourcefulness and hard work. This transition will certainly impact these employees, and we will do everything we can to assist them. The cessation of sugar operations also will have a significant impact on the Maui community, and we will do our best to minimize that impact. A&B remains committed to Maui and will continue to be a significant corporate supporter of Maui charities and organizations.”

Government officials responded quickly and pledged support for plantation employees.
“It is with sadness that I received the news that Alexander & Baldwin will transition out of sugar farming after 145 years,” Gov. David Ige said. “This is a significant historic marker for Hawai`i, the end of an era that touched the lives of generations of hardworking, local families. My administration will work with A & B to help guide the transition. Rapid Response teams from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will be deployed to assist displaced workers with unemployment compensation, career transition, training for new jobs and job placement. DLIR will also work with the International Longshore and Warehouse Union.
“A & B has played a significant role in the state’s economy and has supported our local communities for many years. The state will continue to partner with A & B to ensure its success.”

Sen. Brian Schatz said, “I am deeply saddened by today’s announcement that sugar operations at HC&S will close this year. For over 130 years, sugar production on Maui was more than a business, spawning a way of life and generations of hard working women and men who made our state remarkable and great. I will work with Gov. Ige and other public officials to ensure that we honor the legacy of these generations by finding opportunities for those affected by the closedown. Similarly, it is essential that we work with Alexander & Baldwin in a coordinated effort to keep these extraordinary lands in active agriculture.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “Today’s announcement marks an end to plantation agriculture that shaped our state’s history. Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company has been a source of economic stability for the County of Maui, pioneered technical innovation in the field of agriculture and served as a catalyst to a labor movement that improved working conditions for Hawai`i families. We must ensure that the individuals and families affected by the cessation of sugar operations are provided the assistance they need during this transition. While today’s announcement marks the end of an era, it demonstrates that agriculture in Hawai`i continues to evolve. I will work with HC&S, ILWU and other local, state and federal partners to aggressively promote food and energy security and create new opportunities on Maui and throughout the state.”

Ka`u’s state Sen. Josh Green, MD said, “It is a relief to so many that the air quality on Maui will improve as a result of no more cane burning on the island. We will be vigilant until we are certain that there is no more air pollution possible. I have legislation set to go forward in case anything changes.
“In light of this change on Maui, it is also important to be supportive of neighbors who make their living working on the plantation as they make changes in the coming year. We are all here with our families together and need each other to make Hawai`i special.”
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LAVA FLOW SIGNS WILL BE ERECTED along Ka`u Scenic Byway. Hawai`i Tourism Authority’s Natural Resources Program awarded $3,000 for 24 signs that will inform travelers heading each direction on Hwy 11 of years when 12 lava flows occurred, according to Rich Morrow, of Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee.

HTA President and CEO George Szigeti said, “We are excited about your project and believe it is the kind of work that can help to make a difference in Hawai`i.”
Morrow also reported that an information kiosk is expected to be placed in Na`alehu Park soon. A blessing will be held upon completion of the project.
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Kai Kahele testified before Hawai`i County Council yesterday.
Image from Hawai`i County

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL YESTERDAY approved Ka`u Council member Maile David’s resolution to provide Pa`a Pono Miloli`i with $5,000 to fight dengue fever. Miloli`i resident Kai Kahele, who has spearheaded the nonprofit’s efforts to protect residents from mosquitoes, said the funds would be used to cover and repair water catchment tanks at several homes. He said uncovered tanks are primary breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Five more cases of dengue fever have been confirmed on Hawai`i Island. Yesterday, Hawai`i Department of Health reported a total of 207 cases, with six being potentially infectious. Of the confirmed cases, 187 are Hawai`i Island residents, and 20 are visitors.
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TODAY, REP. TULSI GABBARD ANNOUNCED her support for the bipartisan Zero Tolerance for Terror Act, introduced in response to Iran illegally launching two ballistic missiles in October and November 2015. After investigating the Oct. 10 launch, United Nations Security Council found that the launch violated UNSC Resolution 1929, but the Council did not take action against Iran. Gabbard is an original co-sponsor of the legislation, which would allow Congress to quickly impose sanctions if the Iranian government commits an act of terror, provides support for terrorist organizations or violates international law by acquiring ballistic missile technology. While the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action will scale back nuclear sanctions, it does not limit the ability of Congress to enact new sanctions related to acts of terror or development of ballistic missiles.

Following UNSC's finding that Iran's launch of ballistic missiles violated its resolution,
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard supported the Zero Tolerance for Terror Act.

“It’s been just six months since Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activity and end its pursuits to develop a nuclear weapon,” Gabbard said, “and Iran is already using other means to threaten our allies and violate its international commitments, including two recent ballistic missile tests that directly violate UN Security Council Resolution 1929 and were aimed at threatening our allies in Israel and the Arab Gulf. If we fail to take action to hold Iran accountable now, ensuring there are consequences to their actions, all future efforts to enforce the terms of these agreements will ring hollow.”
Gabbard is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

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I OLA NA `AINA MOMONA HOLDS a strategy and informational meeting on Sunday, Jan. 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The nonprofit works to help Ka`u farmers achieve land security.

Topics at the meeting include legal structures for holding property, partnerships with Hawai`i Island Land Trust or Trust for Public Land, donor recruitment and funding strategies.
Attorney Steven Strauss, of Hilo, will offer advice and answer questions. Strauss enjoys working with land use and civil rights matters and has worked at all levels of Hawai`i state courts as well as the Court of Appeals for the U.S. Supreme Court.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Pupus will be served.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST RETURNS to Ocean View Community Center Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Call 939-7033

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, its many forms and flower on an easy, one-mile walk Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

NA`ALEHU ASSEMBLY OF GOD presents the movie War Room: Prayer is a Powerful Weapon Saturday at 6 p.m. Donations are $5 per adult, $3 ages three to 11 or two non-perishable food item per adult and one per child.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

Ka`u Coffee lands at Moa`ula and Pear Tree have a new owner. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

RESOURCE LAND HOLDINGS NOW OWNS Ka`u Coffee lands in Moa`ula and Pear Tree. The Colorado-based company closed the deal in late December, said John Cross, who works for RLH through Olson Trust. Cross said all but one of the Ka`u Coffee growers have signed leases with RLH to continue growing their award-winning coffee.

Cross also said RLH is a willing seller to parties interested in purchasing the land. Hawai`i Department of Ag Chair Scott Enright said he is looking into the state buying it for an ag park.

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APPROVAL OF EXPANDED MINING operations in Ocean View is getting closer, with a Windward Planning Commission panel recommending that two companies be allowed to expand, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today.
Arrow of Oregon seeks to add eight acres to the five they already mine, and David and Laura Rodrigues filed for a special use permit for five acres. Both operations are in the area of Lurline Lane, Kailua Blvd and Liliana Lane, where Cook Lauer said mining began in the late 1950s.
The panel recommended that special use permits include requirements regarding setbacks, buffers, dust control and limited hours of operation to help satisfy neighbors’ concerns.

“The quarry operations proposed in both Arrow and the Rodrigueses’ applications are uses that meet the criteria for issuing a Special Permit,” the panel’s report stated.
The entire commission plans to visit the area on Jan. 15 to before making a decision. Its next meeting is on Feb. 4.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HONORED Ka`u residents at its first meeting of the New Year on Wednesday. Ka`u’s County Council member Maile David presented Certificates of Merit to Patty Fujimoto and Bobby and Phoebe Gomes. “What they do for the Ka`u community and this island has been in collaboration and partnership for the betterment of our whole community,” David said.

Ka`u's Hawai`i County Council member Maile David honored Bobby and Phoebe
Gomes, Patty Fujimoto and her late husband Drake.
Photo from Office of Ms. David

David honored Fujimoto and her late husband, Drake, for their dedication, aloha and compassion in sponsoring Hana Hou Restaurants annual Keiki Christmas Party for the past 12 years.
“Your desire to do more and to help those less fortunate, especially our children, is overwhelming and inspirational,” David said. “Your volunteerism, spirit of aloha and unity in helpint the families of Ka`u has mad a profound difference in the quality of life for the people of your community.
“Through your hard work, dedication and collaboration, you also provided the Ka`u Community with economic opportunities and career mentoring which are important components for building a health social and economic community. We honor you for the many years that you and Drake unconditional gave back to the community with compassion, generosity and working together with others in unity.”
David honored Gomes for his public service and community advocacy. Gomes launched his 53-year career with Hawai`i County Police Department in 1962. “You nurtured several generations of children in Ka`u through tough love and constant reminders about the importance of `ohana, of helping your community and of treating everyone with honesty and respect,” David said.
“As we all know, a man’s greatness is attributed to those closest to him. Your soul mate, guiding star, voice of reason for the past 59 years, is Aunty Phoebe. The kupuna dynamic duo that you are would help anyone in need without question or hesitation and always with aloha and compassion. You are an icon at parades and community events, an avid hula dancer and love playing the role of Santa because it brings joy to the faces of children who you love so dearly. …
“Leading by example, and always with humility and respect for others, you have shown us what it means to truly ‘live aloha.’”
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Geology of Kaua`i and Ni`ihau is the topic of Volcano Watch.
Map from USGS/HVO

THE HAWAIIAN ISLAND CHAIN is the subject of Volcano Watch throughout January. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists offer a geologic tour of Kaua`i and Ni`ihau in this week’s article.

“But first, let's review the basic model for hotspot island formation – a model first proposed by Harold Stearns, a USGS geologist who mapped most of the Hawaiian Islands in the 1930s and 40s,” the issue states.
“Stearns recognized four stages to the growth of Hawaiian volcanoes: (1) preshield (or submarine), when a volcano first starts to slowly grow underwater; (2) shield, when eruptive activity is frequent and the volcano rapidly builds above sea level; (3) postshield, when volcanic activity starts to wane and erosion outpaces resurfacing by lava; and (4) rejuvenated, when infrequent, isolated and small eruptions might occur up to millions of years after the postshield stage ends. All Hawaiian volcanoes experience preshield and shield stages, but, for reasons that are still unclear, not all go through the postshield and rejuvenated stages.
“The stages of Hawaiian volcanism are defined by the vigor of eruptive activity, as well as the chemical composition of the erupted lava, which changes over time as the volcano is rafted away from the hotspot. New data and insights continually refine this model, but the overall tenets remain largely unchanged since first proposed by Stearns over 70 years ago.
“Unlike other Hawaiian islands, both Kaua`i and Ni`ihau are single volcanoes rather than amalgamations of overlapping volcanoes, and the two islands were never connected. Ni`ihau probably formed first, since it is farthest west in the chain and volcanoes to the east are younger, but data indicating the exact onset times of the two volcanoes do not exist. We only know that both volcanoes formed about six million years ago.
“Like all Hawaiian islands, both Ni`ihau and Kaua`i experienced periods of massive landslides throughout their histories, the evidence of which is preserved on the ocean floor as jumbles of rocky debris. Ni`ihau was once much larger, but the bulk of the island collapsed around five million years ago. The submarine collapse deposits were subsequently covered by lava during the growth of Kaua`i.

The geology of Kaua`i is complex. There is evidence for a huge caldera in the east-central part of the island, but it appears to be mostly a collapse feature that was then filled by lava. Geophysical data suggest that the main center of volcanism was more or less beneath the Lihu`e Basin, which subsided (by either collapse or faulting) between three and four million years ago. The basin was subsequently filled by marine sediment and lava as it alternately subsided below sea level and then grew above sea level with lava inundation.

“Vigorous shield-stage volcanism on Ni`ihau and Kaua`i ended by about four million years ago, after which the islands’ spectacular canyons and cliffs began to form. Interestingly, rejuvenated volcanism has been long-lived on both islands. Elsewhere along the island chain, rejuvenated volcanism is minor. The gap between shield and rejuvenated eruptions on Ni`ihau was about two million years, with the most recent eruption occurring about 350,000 years ago.
“On Kaua`i, rejuvenated volcanism has occurred more or less continuously for the last 3.5 million years. The most recent eruption was only 150,000 years ago in the south part of the island, where black rock around the blowhole near Po`ipu and cinder cones around Koloa look similar to young volcanic rocks on the Island of Hawai`i. In fact, these eruptions are young enough to suggest that rejuvenated volcanism on Kaua`i is not yet over, but the odds of future eruptions in our lifetimes are small.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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Vision checks, health insurance sign-ups and pancakes are available
at Ocean View Community Center tomorrow.

VISION VAN AND HEALTH INSURANCE sign-ups are available at Ocean View Community Center’s Pancake Breakfast tomorrow. The three-hour event begins at 8 a.m. Call 939-7033.

CARVED BY SAND: GLASS BLOWN, Sculpted And Carved opens Saturday at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Daniel Moe’s work explores patterns, symbols and images highlighting environment, spirit and culture on Hawai`i Island. A reception takes place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers free programs this weekend.

Yellow `ohi`a is one variety at Kahuku. NPS Photo by Michael Szoenyi

Participants learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, its many forms and flower on an easy, one-mile walk tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Palm Trail Hike on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail providing one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. See nps.gov/havo.

NA`ALEHU ASSEMBLY OF GOD presents the movie War Room: Prayer is a Powerful Weapon tomorrow at 6 p.m. Donations are $5 per adult, $3 ages three to 11 or two non-perishable food item per adult and one per child.

SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. features Cheryl Gansecki leading an easy and accessible roundtrip walk exploring Keanakako`i Crater. Free for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; non-members can join in order to attend. Registration required at admin@fhvnp.org or 985-7373.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Fragments of molten lava litter the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater following an explosion Friday morning. The blue bucket collects lava fragments and debris ejected from Kilauea summit for Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists to quantify and analyze.
Photo from USGS/HVO

A ROCKFALL ON THE EAST RIM of the summit vent within Kilauea’s Halema`uma`u Crater triggered a small explosive event yesterday at 3:51 a.m. According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, explosive events like this occur more frequently when the lava lake level is relatively high, as it has been this week at around 100 to 115 feet below the vent rim. “Rocks in the vent wall expand as they are heated by the high temperature of the lava lake and become unstable,” HVO scientists said. “Sections of these unstable rocks can then collapse into the lava lake.

HVO scientists found a one-of-a-kind, completely hollow Pele's tear
on the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater. Photo from USGS/HVO

“When large rockfalls impact the lava lake, they trigger explosive events that propel volcanic rock fragments (tephra) upward. This event was vigorous enough to hurl incandescent fragments onto the rim of Halema`uma`u Crater, about 360 feet above the lava lake surface.”
Scientists said the crater rim of was covered in a nearly continuous blanket of tephra following the rockfall and explosion.
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
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A SECOND WATER WELL for Ocean View is not planned in the near future, Bret Yager reported in West Hawai`i Today.
Plans presented in the past considered drilling a second well a few miles away from the current one, but Department of Water Supply said the aquifer cannot support more pumping. Pumping from the existing well is capped at 100 gallons per minute, and pumping additional water sharply increases the amount of chlorides, Kurt Inaba, DWS's engineering division chief, told Yager. “It wouldn’t be something where we would look at building a new well if we can’t increase capacity,” Inaba said.
Yager said DWS is consulting with the state Commission on Water Resource Management about the aquifer’s capacity and ramifications of a new well.
Without a second well, plans for schools and businesses, as well as resources to fight fires, are limited.
Hawai`i County Council member Maile David told Yager, “If the quality is not up to par, we are going to be spending a lot of money on something that’s not going to be beneficial.”
Yager also said $725,000 that Rep. Richard Creagan obtained in 2014 through the state Legislature for land purchase, design and engineering for a second well is in jeopardy.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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A four-inch pocket knife provides scale for one
of the larger fragments ejected.
Photo from USGS/HVO

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD co-sponsored legislation to extend eligibility for national service programs to citizens of the Freely Associated States who reside in the United States, include Ka`u’s Marshallese community. The legislation would amend Section Five of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 to include citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Palau and the Republic of the Marshall Islands who reside in the U.S. on the list of eligible individuals. The current statute only allows U.S. citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents to participate in these programs. Congressman Kilili Sablan, of the Northern Mariana Islands, is also an original co-sponsor.

“This legislation would help tens of thousands of COFA migrants living in the United States, including more than 12,000 in Hawai`i, gain valuable job training and skills, and give back to our community, by participating in programs that provide disaster relief services, educational opportunities, environmental restoration and health care assistance to communities across the country,” said Gabbard, who introduced legislation to reinstate Medicaid eligibility for COFA migrants last year.
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U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ told Susan Kang Sunderland, of MidWeek, what he considers to be the top issues of the New Year.
“Security. We’re adjusting to a new reality that terrorism is not isolated to a specific geographic location or tactic. We must determine a path to oversee a war of ideas that takes time, attention and financial resources.
“Tolerance. What’s going to drive presidential election dialogue is whether we are a tolerant society. We have defined American leadership over the past 10 years as firepower. The false choice presented to us is being responsible for every military conflict in every corner of the world. America’s leadership is a global catalyst, so we must act responsibly and respectfully.
“Homelessness. If we’re going to solve this problem, it’s probably a 10-year strategy because we are woefully short in the number of housing units. It will take public and private enterprise for a collective and sustained effort.
“Energy. One of the greatest challenges of this generation is no longer about the fervent pleas of environmentalists and conservationists. Government must lead in energy-efficiency standards and tax incentives for improvements. Hawaii has shown its leadership in clean energy and is a model for the nation.
“Economy. We must work to build an economy where everyone has a fair shot at making it, if they work hard and play by the rules. We must invest in the industries of the future and update workplace policies to account for the realities of the 21st century economy. Hardworking families shouldn’t be left behind by an outdated system.”
See midweek.com.
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T-shirt sales support 2016 Sanctuary Ocean Counts.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN JOIN Hawai`i Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary’s statewide meeting on Tuesday Jan. 26 online by logging on at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/252722821. Use 877-939-9254 passcode 362828# for audio.

The sanctuary advisory council will discuss and receive updates on sanctuary activities, the management plan review process and the council charter.

The council is comprised of members representing the islands of Moloka`i, Lana`i, Kaua`i, Hawai`i, Maui and O`ahu in addition to local user groups, Native Hawaiian cultural advisors, fishing, business, conservation, science, education and community representatives. Federal and state agency representatives also hold seats on the council.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and present statements during the public comment period. To receive more information or to request a meeting agenda, contact Shannon Lyday at 808-725-5905 or shannon.lyday@noaa.gov.

Sanctuary Ocean Counts are scheduled on the last Saturday of each month through March. Sign up, and support the counts by buying T-shirts, at sanctuaryoceancount.org.
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Hikers enjoy panoramic views on Palm Trail. Photo from NPS

PALM TRAIL HIKE tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is a moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop trail providing one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures.

Enter the Kahuku unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection and a snack are recommended.
See nps.gov/havo.

SENIOR IDS ARE AVAILABLE MONDAY from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Pahala Housing Center and from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. For ages 60 and over. 928-3100

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientist Asta Miklius discusses recent activity at Mauna Loa and its current status Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
When Mauna Loa erupts, voluminous, fast-moving lava flows can reach the ocean in only a few hours, severing roads and utilities and repaving the volcano's flanks along the way. Since 1843, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times, most recently in 1984, when lava flows reached to within four miles of Hilo. In September 2015, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory raised the Volcano Alert Level of Mauna Loa from NORMAL to ADVISORY due to increased seismicity and deformation.
$2 donations support park programs; 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/KauCalendar_January2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015/swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Mauna Loa and its current status are topics at After Dark in the Park this Tuesday. See more below. Photo from NPS

UH COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE & Human Resources encourages Ka`u Coffee growers to battle the coffee berry borer.

“It is important to clean up your field by removing or strip-picking any cherry and raisins that would have otherwise been left on the trees at the end of the harvest season,” Andrea Kawabata said. “Do this prior to pruning so that coffee is not left in the field. In addition, note down the date of your first coffee flowering. This would mean that the flowering was large enough to warrant a future harvest.

UH-CTAHR encourages Ka`u Coffee growers to continue
battling coffee berry borers.

“Sampling and monitoring for CBB activity should start between 60 and 90 days after flowering (your noted date). However, in Hawai`i and with such high CBB pressure and population, monitoring can start as early as 30 days after flowering. Remember that rain tends to trigger CBB to begin actively looking for new cherry to infest and that the goal is to kill CBB before they damage the coffee bean.
“Dissecting the bean and looking for bean damage will help you to determine if you’ve been successful.”
If stump pruning, growers may consider keeping a nurse vertical, particularly in higher elevations and on older or less vigorous trees.
Kawabata also asks growers to participate in an ongoing survey. The survey is a CBB and coffee informational exchange approach from CTAHR extension.
“Please help us to better understand coffee berry borer and to coordinate areawide CBB control activities in Hawai`i by telling us what is going on at your farm on a weekly basis,” Kawabata said. “We will summarize results and post them and possible CBB management strategies in that area on the hawaiicoffee.weebly.com website. We need TMK information so that CBB can be tracked by area, but only aggregate information will be released.”
The survey should take less than 10 minutes to complete once each week. Each time participants submit information, they will be entered into a monthly drawing for a $10 gift card to KTA, Choicemart, Foodland or Island Naturals.
This project begins with information from the week of Jan. 3, 2016. See surveymonkey.com/r/PWBB8Z5.
CBB management information can be found at http://hawaiicoffee.weebly.com/cbb-management.html.
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Map from Hawai`i County Civil Defense shows confirmed, suspect
and negative cases of dengue fever.

CONFIRMED CASES OF DENGUE FEVER on Hawai`i Island reached 210 last week. According to Hawai`i Department of Health, five of the individuals are potentially infectious, with onset of illness as recent as Jan. 1. Of the confirmed cases, 190 are Hawai`i Island residents, and 20 are visitors. Adults number 170, and 40 have been under 18 years of age.

A total of 838 reported potential cases have been found negative for the disease.

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RICHARD HA IS CLOSING HIS FARM. Ha, owner of Hamakua Springs Country Farms, is known in Ka`u for promoting an energy cooperative as an alternative to privately owned Hawai`i Electric Light Co. He is a founding member of Hawai`i Island Energy Cooperative.

Ha’s major crop is bananas. He had also grown tomatoes but stopped that venture several months ago. Leading up to the farm closing down, Ha had to stop funding a profit-sharing plan, then had to cut some medical benefits for his employees and most recently cut wages.

The Ha family is closing operations at Hamakua Springs Country Farms.
Photo from Richard Ha

“It’s all related to the price of oil,” Ha said. “As the oil price has risen, folks that could pass on the cost did, but farmers cannot. When the oil price dropped recently, the cost of fertilizer, plastic, all sorts of things that have oil petroleum costs embedded in their prices, didn’t come down with it. Those costs stayed up.
“The oil price will go back up again, and anticipating that, we had to make a decision. It’s not that we’re going bankrupt – we’re not. We just need to do what we need to do before it gets to that point.”
Ha said a group applying for a license to grow and distribute medical marijuana is interested in leasing land. He said the group agreed to offer his employees jobs and provide security “so I can ensure that the community feels safe.”
He compared his decision to Alexander & Baldwin’s recent announcement that it is transitioning out of sugar on Maui. “‘Transition’ is the right word for what we’re doing, too” Ha said. “We don’t know exactly what the transition will look like, but we’ll still be around. The land that was in bananas is going to go into corn. A dairy that already leases land from us to grow corn is going to take the rest of that land and plant more.”
See hamakuasprings.com.
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BASKETBALL SEASON IS IN FULL SWING for Ka`u High Trojans.
Girls started the New Year hosting Honoka`a on Monday, Jan. 4 with a loss of 20-52.
On Thursday, Jan. 7 at Kealakehe, JV won 35-27, but varsity lost 17-62.
Yesterday, JV won again at HPA 27-24, and varsity rebounded from previous losses to win 36-33.
Following their busy first week of 2016, the Trojan Wahine travel to Hilo on Friday Jan. 15.
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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN REGISTER for upcoming classes sponsored by the College of Continuing Education and Community Service at University of Hawai`i-Hilo.

During Aquaponics for Beginners  on Saturday, Jan. 23, students learn to build their own highly productive, sustainable backyard aquaponics system.
Solar Power Basics  is the topic on Saturday, Jan. 30.  Learn to build renewable power and explore the future of energy. In this hands-on class, learn how solar photovoltaic systems work, how they are designed, how to predict output of a system and how systems are installed.
Vermicomposting for Beginners  is scheduled on Saturday, Feb. 6.  This is a family-friendly activity that will be fun for adults and kids alike (10 years and older). Learn how to take produce waste and turn it into rich fertile soil using worms – a perfect amendment to any garden bed, fruit tree orchard or house plant.
All classes are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UH-Hilo CAB 102.
For more information and to register, see hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/ccecs/courses.php.
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SENIOR IDS ARE AVAILABLE TOMORROW from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Pahala Housing Center and from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. For ages 60 and over. Call 928-3100 for more information.

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS ONE-STOP-SHOP services are coming to Ka`u. Help is available in completing applications for admissions, financial aid, Ho`olulu Hawaiian Data Center, summer school, summer enrichment and distance learning.
In collaboration with Tutu & Me Traveling Preschool, services are available from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday at Pahala Community Center.

VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH CONTINUES at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Asta Miklius discusses recent activity at Mauna Loa and its current status. Since 1843, Mauna Loa has erupted 33 times, most recently in 1984, when lava flows reached to within four miles of Hilo. In September 2015, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory raised the Volcano Alert Level of Mauna Loa from NORMAL to ADVISORY due to increased seismicity and deformation.

$2 donations support park programs; 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/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Keiki return to Punalu`u this month for `O Ka`u Kakou's eighth annual Keiki Fishing Tournament. See more below. Photo by Nalani Parlin

HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE gets off to a fast start next week. Opening Day is Wednesday, Jan. 20. Hawai`i’s constitution mandates that the regular legislative session starts at 10 a.m. on the third Wednesday of January.

Friday, Jan. 22 is the last day to introduce all non-administration bill packages, consisting of bills bundled together by common interest groups and accepted and labeled as packages by the clerks. Various packages of legislation are available at capitol.hawaii.gov on Reports and Lists.
Jan. 22 is also the deadline for organizations to submit Grant-in-Aid applications. Grants may be appropriated to nonprofit and other organizations for various public purposes that are recognized as priorities and are seen as complimentary to state government functions. Applications, information and more specifics regarding the deadline appear under Legislative Information on the Legislature’s website.

Gov. David Ige presents his State-
of-the-State address two weeks
from today.

Gov. David Ige presents his state-of-the-state address on Monday, Jan. 25. The governor’s annual address to the assembled joint Legislature presents an opportunity for him to report on affairs of state and to put forth recommendations and initiatives. Many visitors come to the Capitol to hear the governor’s speech and witness the proceedings from the gallery, accessible on the ground floor/atrium level.
Monday, Jan. 25 is also the last day to introduce what is known as the Governor’s Package. The bills are prepared by executive branch agencies for consideration by the Legislature and are introduced on behalf of the executive branch by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Wednesday, Jan. 27 is the last day for legislators to introduce bills. A bill is introduced when it has been filed with the House or Senate Clerk, who gives it a number with an HB or SB prefix and then puts it on the calendar for First Reading by the chamber. After First Reading, it is given its committee referrals, which specify the committees that must hear and pass the measure for it to succeed. Only legislators may introduce bills. At introduction, each bill is given a Bill Status webpage that can be accessed via the Legislature’s website and used to track all the measure’s activity.
Hawai`i Legislature's Public Access Room offers a wealth of information about the upcoming session at lrbhawaii.org/par.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION offers a 2015 Year in Review at hawaiipublicschools.org.
A high point listed in the review was the latest U.S. Department of Education monitoring report confirming that Hawai`i has made significant progress as a result of its systemic reforms. HIDOE’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act Flexibility Monitoring Report scored across the board ratings of “meets expectations.”
Beginning School Year 2013-14, the HIDOE was granted its ESEA flexibility waiver, which resulted in Hawai`i’s new school accountability and improvement system, the Strive HI Performance System. Strive HI replaced many requirements of the No Child Left Behind law with benchmarks aligned with goals of the department and Hawai`i State Board of Education Strategic Plan.
“Hawai`i’s public high school students have shown that the transformative, systemwide changes undertaken by HIDOE in the implementation of its 2011-18 Strategic Plan are paying off,” the review stated.

The College & Career Readiness Indicators report released by Hawai`i P-20 Partnerships for Education showed Hawai`i’s students have made steady, and in some cases, significant improvements in key indicators of college and career readiness, including Hawai`i State Assessment reading and mathematics scores, college enrollment and early credit attainment. The CCRI report provides a detailed look at accomplishments of Class of 2014 students in high schools statewide and provides a measurement of their readiness for college and career.

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Tropical Storm Pali is forecast to stay far from Hawai`i. Map from NOAA

CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER is tracking Tropical Storm Pali, which was 1,370 miles southwest of South Point this morning. Forecasters previously said that, because of El Nino conditions, tropical storms could continue to form in the Pacific beyond hurricane season, which ended Nov. 30.

Pali is expected to move south and west through the week, remaining far away from Hawai`i.
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LAST SUMMER AND FALL made up “the wettest dry season in 30 years” on Hawai`i Island, National Weather Service hydrologist Kevin Kodama told John Burnett, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. “Part of it is because of the wet summer. It really helped to boost the rainfall,” Kodama, said.
Burnett said NWS is predicting a dry wet season for Hawai`i Island because of El Niño, which creates warm ocean temperatures. “We’re definitely in it right now …,” Kodama said. “While we may see light bits of rain hit the Big Island here and there, overall, considering it’s in the wet time of year, the pattern looks very dry, overall. There’s not a whole lot of significant rain events on the horizon, at least for the next one to two weeks, so it’s following the playbook.”
Drought “could be pretty substantial,” Kodama told Burnett. “So it could take a pretty good rainfall to make up for that, considering we’re not likely to get very much rain in what should be a pretty wet time of year.”

See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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Ka`u's Hawai`i County Council member Maile David provided funds to support
`O Ka`u Kakou's Keiki Fishing Tournament. Photo by Julia Neal

EARLY REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED for the eighth annual Keiki Fishing Tournament and Food Drive. Sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou, the event takes place Saturday, Jan. 23 at Punalu`u Beach Park from 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.

Children select their prize in the order they registered, no later than Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 12 p.m.
Registration form pick-up and drop-off is available at schools and gas stations in Pahala and Na`alehu, Mizuno Superette in Pahala, Na`alehu Ace Hardware, Wong Yuen Store in Wai`ohinu, Ocean View Auto Parts and Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View. Entry is at least one canned or non-perishable food item per fisher.
Keiki use barbless hooks on hand-poles in the catch-and-release tournament. Every participant takes home a prize.

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS ONE-STOP-SHOP services are available tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Pahala Community Center.
Help is available in completing applications for admissions, financial aid, Ho`olulu Hawaiian Data Center, summer school, summer enrichment and distance learning.

A Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists collects data at the summit
of Mauna Loa. Photo from USGS/HVO

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientist Asta Miklius discusses recent activity at Mauna Loa and its current status tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

$2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

HU, OR KUKUI NUT TOP, demonstrations take place Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center’s lanai in Hawai`i
Volcanoes National Park. Park rangers and staff from Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association share their knowledge and love of this popular traditional art and pastime.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

INTRODUCTION TO MOKUHANGA BEGINS Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Sensei Glenn Yamanoha teaches Traditional Japanese Woodblock Printmaking, a relief printing technique using Japanese tools and natural materials. The series of five workshops will be offered on Thursday afternoons. Well-known painter/printmaker Glenn Yamanoha will introduce the fundamental techniques of Mokuhanga such as cutting with chisels, preparing blocks and paper, registration and printing with a baren.
Yamanoha studied Mokuhanga in Kyoto, Japan on a Monbusho (Japan Government) scholarship between 1988 and 1990.
No experience is necessary for this introductory workshop. Call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org to register.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2015.pdf.

Pali, the earliest hurricane on record in the Central Pacific, is far southwest of Hawai`i but could send swells toward Ka`u.
Map from NOAA

KA`U SHOULD BE THE FIRST PLACE to receive the south swell from the earliest hurricane on record in the Central Pacific. The last January hurricane on record since 1949 was in 1992 when Tropical Storm Ekaka strengthened on Jan. 29, Craig Gima reported in Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Pali became a category one hurricane yesterday and is expected to gradually weaken this evening as it heads south and west. The storm was 1,370 miles southwest South Point this morning.
See staradvertiser.com.
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UBS, A FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPANY, said the merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. with NextEra Energy won’t occur. Duane Shimogawa, of Pacific Business News, quoted from a report by UBS, which continues to “bias towards the deal breaking up given persistent consternations from an array of constituencies in Hawai`i.”

According to Shimogawa, the report states, “Following the chairman of Hawai`i’s Public Utilities Commission’s order to (HECO parent, Hawaiian Electric Industries Inc. and NextEra Energy) to release documents which were part of the company’s filings in response to questions around the transaction, an email has emerged where HEI CEO Connie Lau wrote to HEI’s general counsel, Chet Richardson on Nov. 24, 2014, claiming Moray Dewhurst, NextEra Energy’s CFO, ‘made it clear that we are the snack (as HECO CEO Alan Oshima) calls it, on the way to their desired buffet luncheon to acquire other regulated utilities.’ NextEra Energy has since denied this was ever said, and maintains that the deal is a merger, and that far from being unimportant, HEI would become its third principal subsidiary after (Florida Power & Light Co.) and NextEra Energy Resources. The debate around (NextEra Energy’s) commitments to Hawai`i’s renewables-goals have been an area of concern for quite some time now, and we think the debate will intensify.”

See bizjournals.com/pacific.
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HAWAI`I STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Medical Marijuana Dispensary License application is now available online at mmjdisp.ehawaii.gov. Applications must be submitted online by Friday, Jan. 29 at 4:30 p.m.

“Applicants should be careful to follow the online application instructions completely," said Keith Ridley, Chief of the DOH Office of Health Care Assurance. “The online process is straight forward and follows Chapter 329D of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes (HRS) and Chapter 11-850 of the Hawai`i Administrative Rules.”
All information on dispensary license requirements is posted at http://health.hawaii.gov/medicalmarijuana/.
Application fee is $5,000.The medical marijuana dispensary law allows DOH to award a total of eight licenses initially, with two on Hawai`i Island. Each dispensary licensee will be allowed to operate up to two production centers and two retail-dispensing locations.
DOH expects to select and announce licensees by April 15. A licensed dispensary may begin dispensing medical marijuana not sooner than July 15, with the approval of the Department.
For more information about the Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licensing Program, see http://health.hawaii.gov/medicalmarijuana/.
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THE SECOND EDITION OF HAWAI`I’S Fraud Prevention & Resource Guide has been released. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Department of the Attorney General and the Department of Health partnered to publish the first edition in August 2008. The guide is intended to help raise awareness of various types of fraud and scams occurring here in Hawai`i and also includes a comprehensive resource section providing up-to-date contact information for state, federal, county and nonprofit organizations.
“We are honored to work with such a dedicated group on addressing fraud schemes that are occurring here in our islands,” DCCA Director Catherine Awakuni Colon said. “We want residents to not only be aware of what is going on so that they can protect themselves and those they care about, but also who they can contact if they need help.”
“Identity theft and financial fraud are fast growing crimes, which especially target seniors. This guide provides good advice to keep people safe,” Attorney General Douglas Chin said.
DOH Director Virgina Pressler, M.D. said, “The biggest benefit of this guide is to directly assist our seniors, family members and caregivers on how to protect themselves from financial and healthcare scams, fraud and abuses. It gives examples, scenarios and red flags of what to be aware of and resources on whom to contact for questions or concerns.”
To view or print the guide online, see http://cca.hawaii.gov/sec/files/2015/10/Fraud-Guide-2.pdf.
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U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD WELCOMES Kemba Smith, a national advocate for criminal justice reform and founder of the Kemba Smith Foundation, as her guest at tonight’s State of the Union address.

Kemba Smith is Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's
guest for the State of the Union.

In 1994, Smith was sentenced to 24.5-years in prison with no possibility of parole for a first-time nonviolent drug offense. After serving 6.5 years of her sentence, Smith was granted clemency by President Bill Clinton. 2016 marks the year that Smith would have been released from prison had she not been granted clemency in 2000. Since her release, she has dedicated herself to the cause of reforming the criminal justice system and creating opportunities to empower youth and guide them on pathways to positive choices while encouraging mentorship. “Kemba’s story is unfortunately all too common across the country,” Gabbard said. “Our criminal justice system today is unsustainable and ineffective – the United States incarcerates more of our citizens than any other country in the world, with staggeringly high recidivism rates, costing American taxpayers billions of dollars.”
Gabbard has long advocated for criminal justice reform legislation and has encouraged adoption of successful state reforms at the federal level, like Drug Courts, Veterans Courts, the Hawai`i Opportunity Probation with Enforcement and the State Juvenile Justice Ho`opono Mamo Civil Citation Initiative.

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SIERRA SCHMITZ, A HAWAI`I NATIVE and current American University student, will accompany Sen. Mazie Hirono to President Obama’s final State of the Union address.
“While a quality education is an important key to success in today’s economy, college costs continue to skyrocket. Sierra, who is paying her own way through American University with the help of federal programs such as Pell Grants, and students like her are why I will continue to fight to ensure that everyone can afford a quality education,” Hirono said. “Students like Sierra are emblematic of the American ideal that with hard work, initiative and ingenuity, one can achieve success. Inviting Sierra to participate in the State of the Union will help to show the American people the face of our future.”
Schmitz grew up on Hawai`i Island and O`ahu and is a graduate of La Pietra Hawai`i School for Girls. She is currently a sophomore at American University studying International Studies with a focus on global environmental sustainability and communications. After graduation, Schmitz hopes to pursue a career in environmental protection and preservation.
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HAWAI`I WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION is hiring a Coordination Assistant, who will work closely with PFX Project Leads and the PFX Steering Committee to complete the project deliverables outlined in the PFX Plan of Work. The primary function of the PFX Coordination Assistant will be to assist with (1) science education/communication product development, layout and design, (2) logistical planning and note taking for field trips, meetings and webinars, (3) dissemination and organization of program evaluation information and (4) maintenance of the Pacific Fire Exchange website and electronic communications.   Position is part-time, 15-20 hours per week at $15-22 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Application deadline is Jan. 21.
Contact Clay Trauernicht at trauerni@hawaii.edu with any questions.
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Kukui nut top demonstrations take place tomorrow. Photo from NPS

HU, OR KUKUI NUT TOP, demonstrations take place tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center’s lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park rangers and staff from Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association share their knowledge and love of this popular traditional art and pastime.

Free; park entrance fees apply.

SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN PLANS to attend I Ola Na `Aina Momona’s strategy and informational meeting, according to founder Malian Lahey. The nonprofit, which works to help Ka`u farmers achieve land security, meets Sunday, Jan. 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House.
Topics at the meeting include legal structures for holding property, partnerships, donor recruitment and funding strategies.
Attorney Steven Strauss, of Hilo, will offer advice and answer questions.
Everyone is welcome to attend. Pupus will be served.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Paul and Jane Field lead Stewardship at the Summit in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo from NPS

HAWAI`I’S STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOUG CHIN’S office filed a notice of appeal late yesterday afternoon over a recent ruling by First Circuit Court Judge Jeanette Castagnetti ordering the Legislature to provide sufficient funding to DHHL for its administrative and operating expenses, in line with the constitutional mandate to do so. In the current fiscal year, the order identified this amount as being more than $28 million.

Doug Chin

Department of Hawaiian Home Lands expressed disappointed in yesterday’s decision. “It’s discouraging to see the attorney general pursuing an appeal of this matter on the basis that the court has overstepped its powers,” said Jobie Masagatani, Hawaiian Homes Commission Chair and DHHL Director. “The appeal will eventually end up at the Supreme Court level, and the Supreme Court already ruled in 2012 that the court can determine what is ‘sufficient funding’ for operating and administrative expenses for DHHL. It feels like an unnecessary delay that hurts DHHL and its ability to effectively meet its mission to place native Hawaiians on the land.”
In late November, Castagnetti concluded, “The Legislature has failed to appropriate sufficient sums to the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands for its administrative and operating budget in violation of its constitutional duty to do so. This failure includes every fiscal year since at least 1992.” In her 40-page ruling, Castagnetti said, “DHHL suffers from a lack of funding and staffing, which adversely affects beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust.”
For the last three years, the Legislature has appropriated $9.6 million in general funds to DHHL, nearly one-third the amount requested by the DHHL to “sufficiently sum” operations. Prior to that, the Legislature provided no general funds to the department, prompting six native Hawaiian beneficiaries to file suit against the state in 2007. The Hawai`i Supreme Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs Richard “Dickie” Nelson III, Kelii Ioane, Sherilyn Adams, Kaliko Chun, James Akiona, and Charles Aipia, in 2012, citing the state’s failure to sufficiently fund DHHL.
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HAWAI`I STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH will hold weekly dengue information sessions in Kona and Hilo to provide timely updates and answer questions from the community about Hawai`i Island’s dengue outbreak. Participants will learn about the prevalence, transmission and symptoms of dengue fever; outbreak response efforts; how to interpret case counts and maps; and best ways to Fight the Bite.

Weekly sessions will be held every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at the State Office Building, Rooms A, B and C at 75 Aupuni St. in Hilo, and at West Hawai`i Civic Center, Mayor’s Conference Room at 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy in Kailua-Kona.
Beginning Jan. 19, weekly sessions will be held every Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at Yano Hall, 82-6165 Mamalahoa Hwy in Captain Cook.
Sessions are open to the public and scheduled to continue through February.
Contact the DOH’s Hawai`i District Health Office at 974-6001 for more information.
Yesterday, DOH reported three more confirmed cases of dengue fever, bringing the total to 213. One of those cases is considered potentially infectious, with onset of illness as late as Jan. 2.
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PALI, THE EARLIEST HURRICANE recorded in the Central Pacific, is weakening and heading further west. At 11 a.m., the category-one storm was 1,520 miles southwest of South Point. Maximum sustained winds are near 80 miles per hour, according to Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Forecasters are uncertain if Pali will restrengthen or dissipate.

Sen. Brian Schatz's guest at the State of the Union address
was Trelaine Ito, of Mililani.

HAWAI`I’S U.S. SENATORS SHARED their thoughts about the State of the Union address President Barack Obama delivered yesterday.

“Tonight, we heard the President reflect on the significant progress we have made in the last seven years,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “From the economic recovery to health care reform to historic global action on climate change, we have seen real results that have strengthened our economy and provided more opportunities for working families. But there is still more work to be done, and President Obama outlined a clear plan on how we can build on that progress.
“The President’s commitment to tackle college affordability is an important step forward. Right now, too many students in Hawai`i and across the country are leaving college with tens of thousands of dollars in debt, and many are choosing to not go to college at all. When the cost of a higher education discourages young people from going to school, it doesn’t just impact the student, it also affects our local communities and our economy. We all want the best for our kids and that’s why I’m confident we can fix this broken system, make college affordable, and give more students a better shot at success.

Sen. Mazie Hirono invited student Sierra Schmitz
to be her guest for the State of the Union address.

“We have come too far to return to policies that led to the Great Recession and failed families in Hawai`i and across the country. In President Obama’s final year and beyond, I hope my colleagues in Congress answer the President’s call and make real, commonsense reforms that move our nation forward.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “Tonight, President Obama laid out how far our country has come since he took office in 2009 and the road that lies ahead. The President emphasized that quality education is a key part in the continued success of our country. My guest Sierra Schmitz is one of millions of students who are struggling to afford a college education. Large financial debt shouldn’t be a burden on the futures of our students. We must work to make their paths a little easier.
“The President also reminded us that we all have a part to play in shaping America’s future, and he’s right. We have a lot left to do like passing comprehensive immigration reform, closing the pay gap and raising the minimum wage. Working together, we can continue to ensure that America will remain the land of opportunity for all.”
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Robert Lindsey, Jr.

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS is launching two scholarship programs making a half-million dollars available to post-secondary students.

The OHA Higher Education Scholarship, administered by Hawai`i Community Foundation, requires students be of Native Hawaiian ancestry, be enrolled full- or part-time in an accredited two- or four-year college and have a 2.0 or higher grade point average for undergraduate students and 3.0 or higher for graduate students.
OHA’s Native Hawaiian Science and Engineering Mentorship Program Scholarship is administered through University of Hawai`i for Native Hawaiian students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. This funding provides scholarships and wrap-around services for students at any UH campus.
“The scholarship money that we award represents our commitment to helping strengthen the future path of Native Hawaiian students,” OHA Chair Robert Lindsey, Jr. said. “It is also our contribution to their hope for a life where they can support a family and develop abilities they need for higher-skilled jobs.”
“Education is a great way for our Native Hawaiian students to uplift themselves and pursue higher-paying careers,” said Kamana`opono Crabbe, Ka Pouhana, CEO of OHA, who was the first person in his family to get a doctorate degree. “I was able to get where I am today thanks to my education and am able to use that background to bring about positive change for our community.”
To apply, see oha.org/scholarships for links to the scholarship programs. Applying could also make additional funds from other scholarship programs available for students.
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IN KA`U HIGH SPORTS, boys basketball team hosts Hawai`i Preparatory Academy today, and girls basketball team heads to Hilo Friday.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT continues Friday in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers help out the park and the `aina by cutting invasive Himalayan ginger on park trails. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and close-toed shoes. Work is often in the shade of the forest with sweet sounds of native honey creepers like `apapane, `amakihi and `oma`o above to serenade volunteers. Water, snacks, rain gear and sun protection are recommended.
This project is open to the public, and no reservations are required. Interested people can stop by Kilauea Visitor Center to get directions and more information. The hike is around a one-mile, moderate round trip into Kilauea Caldera down Halema`uma`u Trail, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. The hike involves walking over rough uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

Waipio Valley, along with Ho`okena and Miloli`i, has been closed due to dengue fever. See more below. Map from Hawai`i County

HAWAI`I’S SCHOOLS AND HEALTH CARE could benefit from legalized gambling, Sen. Josh Green and Rep. Richard Creagan told Bret Yager, of West Hawai`i Today.

Rep. Richard Creagan

Sen. Josh Green

Green told Yager he could consider a local lottery or participation in Powerball, “provided that’s the extent to which we’ve OK’d gambling and that any resources generated went to education and health care.”

Green said he is generally opposed to legalized gambling “because the societal consequences can be very negative and dramatic.”
Creagan told Yager he also opposes gambling in general, but, “we could get a bigger bang for the buck than a lot of states by marketing gambling toward tourists. I think a lottery could make sense if (proceeds) were targeted to schools and health care. The devil is in the details.”
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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WAIPIO VALLEY ACCESS ROAD and valley area have been closed to all traffic, and access will be limited to valley residents only, Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported yesterday. The restricted access will remain until further notice as a precaution during the island’s current dengue fever outbreak.
Ho`okena and Miloli`i remain closed to the public, as well.
Yesterday, the state Department of Health reported two more confirmed cases of dengue fever, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak to 215. These cases include 195 residents and 20 visitors.
Dengue is a virus that is transmitted from an infected person to a mosquito, which can then infect another person. Dengue fever cannot be spread directly from person to person. Of the 215 confirmed cases, two are recent and could be in the stage of their illness in which they can infect mosquitoes.
Civil Defense reminds the public that “the most effective method to reduce the spread of dengue is for everyone to avoid and prevent mosquito bites. Fight The Bite by wearing clothing that minimizes exposed skin, using mosquito repellent and avoiding activities in areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods when mosquito activity is greatest.”
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Kamaile (Nichols) Turcan

A HAWAI`I ATTORNEY for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Pacific Islands branch will clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Kamaile (Nichols) Turcan will become the first law clerk of Native Hawaiian ancestry to serve a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Turcan will assist Sotomayor with oral arguments and help the justices with acting on emergency applications to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Turcan was salutatorian at Kamehameha Schools and graduated from University of California at Berkeley with a BA in Integrative Biology. After working for several years as a field biologist, she entered the University of Hawai`i Law School, graduating in 2008 with a Certificate in Environmental Law. She served as Editor-in-Chief of the UH Law Review, participated on the International Environmental Law Moot Court team and received the Carl K. Mirikitani Jr. Valedictory Prize.
After graduating, Turcan served as a law clerk for Federal District Court Judge David Ezra, followed by a clerkship with Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Richard Clifton. She describes those two experiences as essential preparations for her coming clerkship with Justice Sotomayor.
Turcan works in Hawai`i as an Attorney Advisor with NOAA, providing legal advice to the federal agency tasked with managing and conserving fishery resources and protected species within the Western and Central Pacific Region. The scope of her work includes environmental law, administrative law and some international law. She has been an attorney with the Pacific Islands Section of NOAA since 2011.
In a University of Hawai`i online story, Turcan said, “The opportunity to work on some of the biggest legal questions of our day, to help Justice Sotomayor, is the ultimate opportunity for a young lawyer and an unparalleled experience.
It’s an incredible lifetime opportunity for any law graduate, let alone one from Hawai`i, and I have to keep pinching myself.
“One of the exciting things about the Court is one never knows what nationally important issue will present itself. The Court is always faced with ‘hot topics’ such as civil rights, the scope of the Fourth Amendment protections in light of rapidly changing technology, and weighty legal disputes between Congress and the President.”
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Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is a major in Hawai`i
Army National Guard.

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD yesterday co-introduced the Veterans Administration Bonus Elimination Act to help ensure timely delivery of care to U.S. military veterans. The bill denies bonuses to senior Veterans Administration executives who fail to ensure that veterans receive care within 30 days, as required under VA guidelines.   

“It is unconscionable that senior VA officials are rewarded with bonuses while hundreds of thousands of veterans across the country are still facing major delays in receiving the care that they need and have earned,” Gabbard said. “Even after the VA scandal in 2014, veteran wait times have increased. In October 2015, the VA said there were nearly 500,000 veterans who were waiting over 30 days to receive care. The fact that the systemic problems within the VA that created this situation continue to persist is deeply troublesome. Those who are responsible for ensuring our nation’s veterans get the care and services they need should be held accountable, not rewarded for their malpractice. This bill is a step forward in repairing our veterans’ trust.”
According to VA guidelines, veterans should wait no longer than 30 days for a medical appointment. In 2014, whistleblowers at several VA hospitals revealed that employees often manipulated waiting list data to collect performance bonuses. An internal audit found that over 120,000 vets waited at least 90 days, even after the scandal broke. In Hawai`i, veterans experienced the longest wait times in the country, averaging 145 days for a simple primary care visit. That same year, the VA paid $142 million in bonuses, ranging from $500 to $13,000, to employees.
As these VA crises unfolded in 2014, Rep. Gabbard introduced the Access to Care and Treatment Now for Veterans Act to allow veterans to get immediate care from non-VA medical providers. Her legislation was ultimately included in the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act, which was signed into law that same year.
Gabbard is a major in Hawai`i Army National Guard and a veteran of two Middle East deployments. She is a member of the House Armed Services and Foreign Affairs Committees.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH holds a public informational meeting to discuss proposed changes to cesspool rules tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

Major proposed changes include:
Prohibiting installation of new cesspools in all areas of the state. Currently, new cesspools are still allowed in parts of Hawai`i and Maui Counties, and up to 800 new cesspools are being installed each year. Hawai`i is the only state that still allows new cesspools, according to DOH.
Adding requirements as the Legislature directed to implement Act 120 of 2015 for certification of qualified cesspools and qualified expenses. Act 120 provides a temporary income tax credit of up to $10,000 for the cost of upgrading or converting a qualified cesspool to a septic tank system or an aerobic treatment unit system, or connecting to a sewer system.
Clarifying that when a building modification would change the nature or quantity of the wastewater flowing into an individual wastewater system, DOH may require upgrading the system.
Other changes are summarized in a rationale paper found at http://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/public_notice/. A copy of proposed rules is also provided on the website.
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PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT FORMATION and various uses of the grassy cinder cone Pu`u o Lokuana and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u on a free, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
See nps.gov/havo for more information.

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

Applications available at okaukakou.org.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

NASA's COral Reef Airborne Laboratory will study coral reefs worldwide, including in Hawai`i, to identify reef composition and model primary production. See more below. Image from NASA/CORAL

IN WHAT COULD BE A PRECURSOR for operations at other Hawai`i medical facilities, including Ka`u Hospital, Gov. David Ige, the Maui Regional Board and the Corporate Board of Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation yesterday signed an agreement transferring operation and management HHSC’s Maui Region health care facilities from the state to Kaiser Permanente.

Gov. David Ige signs documents transferring operation and management of HHSC's
Maui Region facilities to Kaiser Permanente. Photo from Office of the Governor

“This agreement ensures quality healthcare services and improved delivery of those services for the Maui region,” Ige said. “The governance structure assures a continued role for the Maui community in the governance of the facilities, and revenues generated in the Maui Region facilities will be invested back into those facilities.”
“We are honored to have been selected to operate the Maui and Lana`i hospitals,” said Mary Ann Barnes RN, president Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals, Hawai`i Region. “We are committed to serving all patients, regardless of their health insurance, and working alongside medical staff from the community to bring high-quality care to the people of Maui and Lana`i.”
“This is a transformational opportunity, and the Board’s decision ensures the sustainability of a comprehensive healthcare delivery system for the people of Maui and Lana`i,” said Avery Chumbley, Chair, Maui Region Hawai`i Board of Directors. “The Maui Board’s decision to select Kaiser Permanente was based upon their willingness to work collaboratively with our physicians and staff to provide compassionate, quality healthcare.”
“The signing of this agreement is the culmination of years of efforts by many individuals inspired by their vision for health services in their community,” said Dr. Linda Rosen, CEO, Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation. “I applaud their efforts and feel honored to have been a small part of it. As a physician who has worked in healthcare across the state for over 30 years, I am confident this change will bring stability and growth in healthcare jobs for employees, along with increased health services for the residents and visitors of Maui and Lana`i.”
HHSC operates 13 facilities throughout the state.
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NASA's CORAL project will study Hawai`i's reefs.
Image from NASA/CORAL

HAWAI`I, THE MARIANA ISLANDS, PALAU and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef are the focus of a new NASA initiative to study and save coral reefs worldwide.

The goal of the COral Reef Airborne Laboratory is to provide critical data and new models needed to analyze the status of coral reefs and to predict their future. CORAL will provide the most extensive picture to date of the condition of a large portion of the world’s coral reefs from a uniform data set. The data will reveal trends between coral reef condition and biogeophysical forcings, both natural and those arising from human activities. With this new understanding of reef condition, NASA can better predict the future of this global ecosystem and provide policy makers.
CORAL acquires airborne spectral image data using a Portable Remote Imaging Spectrometer instrument installed in a commercial airplane. On-site data are also obtained to validate these remote observations. For each reef, the spectral image data are processed to provide the reef condition described by measurable quantities of benthic cover of coral, algae, and sand; primary productivity; and calcification. These three reef condition parameters are analyzed against ten key biogeophysical parameters using new models to understand reef conditions today and predict reef conditions in the future.
Data acquisition is currently planned for into 2017, with scientific analysis in following years.
“We know reefs are in trouble,” CORAL principal investigator Eric Hochberg told Chris D’Angelo, of HuffPost Hawai`i and Civil Beat. “Ideally, in a decade or so we’ll have a satellite that can frequently and accurately observe all of the world’s reefs, and we can push the science and most importantly our understanding even further, Hochberg said.”
See civilbeat.com.
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ONE YEAR AFTER SUPPORTING the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, Sen. Mazie Hirono traveled to the Middle East to discuss JCPOA’s implementation and broader security challenges in the region. International Atomic Energy Agency is reportedly ready to certify that Iran has met its obligations under the Iran Nuclear Deal, which would bring “Implementation Day” and the beginning of sanctions relief under the agreement.

Sen. Mazie Hirono traveled to the Middle East as IAEA is ready to
certify that Iran has met its obligations under the Iran Nuclear Deal.

During the six-day trip, Hirono traveled to Austria, Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey, meeting key leaders and decision makers in each country, including the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Yukiya Amano, in Austria; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon; President Reuven Rivlin; Knesset opposition leader Isaac Herzog; Bethlehem Mayor Vera Baboun; top Saudi Interior Ministry officials and women appointed to Saudi Arabia’s Shura Council; and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey.
The meetings included discussion of the Iran Nuclear Deal, the continuing Iranian threat, the Syrian civil war, the rise of and strategies to counter the Islamic State in the region, exporting terrorism and the growing sectarian divide in the Middle East.
“The leadership role that the U.S. continues to play in the Middle East is as important as ever,” Hirono said. In meetings with key leaders in Israel, my colleagues and I emphasized the need to work with Israel to implement the Iran Nuclear Deal. Together, we can make sure that Iran abides by its commitments under the agreement. We also stressed that as Israel faces new and enduring threats on its borders, the U.S. will continue to work with Israel to ensure its security.
“Talking with top officials in the region gave me valuable information related to the complicated dynamics and real threats in the Middle East and the impact of these threats to our own national security. From conversations with Israel’s key decision makers and a visit to the Israeli-Gaza border crossing to long meetings with Saudi Interior Ministry officials and Turkey’s leadership, we focused on the importance of fostering and sustaining our partnerships in the region.”

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Hike to the top of Pu`u o Lokuana tomorrow. Photo from NPS

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH holds a public informational meeting to discuss proposed changes to cesspool rules today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers free programs this weekend.
Participants learn about formation and various uses of the grassy cinder cone Pu`u o Lokuana and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u on a free, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
During a program Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses Hi`iaka and Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate, one-mile walk. 985-6011
See nps.gov/havo for more information.

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S 2016 Hula Kahiko series kicks off Saturday at 10:30 a.m. with a performance by Na kumu hula Pelehonuamea Harman and Kekoa Harman with Halau I Ka Leo Ola O Na Mamo.

Volcano Art Center's 2016 Hula Kahiko series kicks off Saturday.
VAC Photo by Kenji Kuroshima

Halau students come from the Hawaiian language immersion K-12 school Ke Kula `o Nawahiokalani`opu`u. For the past five years, their mission has been to perpetuate the Hawaiian language and culture through mele and hula.
Starting at 11 a.m. on the gallery porch is Na Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu and `ohana. Free, park entrance fees apply.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers Mongolian BBQ Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. $.85 per ounce includes protein, veggies, rice and a beverage. 967-8356. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

I OLA NA `AINA MOMONA HOLDS a strategy and informational meeting Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The nonprofit works to help Ka`u farmers achieve land security.
Attorney Steven Strauss, of Hilo, will offer advice and answer questions. Sen. Russell Ruderman is expected to attend.
Everyone is welcome. Pupus will be served.

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

Entry forms at okaukakou.org.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

Participants learn about Hi`iaka and Pele and the natural phenomena they represent tomorrow at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. See more below. Photo from NPS

NEW OWNERS OF KA`U COFFEE LANDS at Moa`ula and Pear Tree do not have immediate plans to develop residential- and commercial-zoned properties there, Duane Shimogawa reported in Pacific Business News.

Byron Levkulich
Photo from RLH

“We will do our own research to see what the demand is for these types of properties,” Byron Levkulich, principal of Resource Land Holdings, told Shimogawa. “We hired one employee on the Big Island who’s doing research for us.”
All but one of the area’s Ka`u Coffee growers have signed leases with RLH to continue growing their award-winning coffee. Under the leases, growers can sell their interest to others with approval from RLH.
Levkulich also said RLH plans to develop farm lots that coffee growers could purchase to plant coffee.
Grazing cattle and growing macadamia nuts are also planned on other parcels RLH owns in Ka`u. Jim McCully, a Hilo partner with RLH who is in the profession of subdividing land, told Shimogawa, “We look forward to getting these lands in the hands of the right people, who will use them for (agricultural).”
McCully’s dealings in real estate development, as described at mccullyworks.com, include “greenfield entitlements, subdivisions, various land use actions, infrastructure development both public and private, and conservation zone applications and permits.”
RLH invests in agricultural, timber and mining properties in the United States, according to its website at rlholdings.com. The Colorado-based company closed on the Ka`u purchase in late December.

See bizjournals.com/pacific.
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Infected mosquitoes continue to spread dengue fever
on Hawai`i Island. Photo from DOH

MORE AREAS OF HAWAI`I ISLAND are closed due to dengue fever. Closure of Muliwai hiking trail on the far cliff side of Waipio Valley and its Waimanu Valley campground follow closure of Waipio Valley access road to residents only on Wednesday, after Hawai`i County officials confirmed two cases of dengue in Waipio residents. Campers with existing permits will be contacted by DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. No new permits will be issued until further notice.

Restricted access will remain in effect for eight to 12 weeks after no new cases are diagnosed in the area by health officials.
As of yesterday, Hawai`i Department of Health raised the number of confirmed cases of dengue to 223, with five being potentially infectious.
For more information on the closures, see hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts.
For additional information on dengue and preventing the spread, see health.hawaii.gov or call DOH at 974-6001.
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AS RESIDENTS OF HAWAI`I COUNTY consider public ownership of electric utilities, Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa announced research showing that a new utility model, including a neutral independent system operator or cooperative ownership, would improve service, reduce rates and promote clean energy.

According to the Guernsey Report commissioned by Maui County, the approach has several advantages.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa

“There would be little physical infrastructure that would need to change hands, making capital costs relatively low. The ISO would need to acquire existing dispatch, monitoring and control equipment in order to manage the transmission/distribution system. However, the great majority of existing MECO generation assets along with MECO transmission and distributions wires would remain with MECO.
“This approach has the potential for quickest implementation, although a timeline is highly uncertain. The county would need to organize political capital to introduce, negotiate and enact enabling legislation at the state level, which would take an unknown amount of time. However, given enough political willpower, this route could be completed much more quickly than a negotiated sale or condemnation of the MECO assets, which could take five to seven years or longer.
“The approach can be implemented regardless of the outcome of the Hawaiian Electric Industries/NextEra merger; whatever the regulated electric utility provider for Maui County might be, the utility would be subject to the jurisdiction of the ISO.
“This approach promotes competition by providing clear price signals and market transparency so that power producers of all types can make rational economic decisions; this approach also optimizes transmission planning such that all power producers are incorporated into planning and infrastructure improvement efforts.”
“There’s always a bottom line for a private utility,” Arakawa said. “Their decisions are influenced by making a profit, whereas an ISO’s only duty is being fair to the consumers and making sure our electrical grid is reliable and efficient, as well as renewable friendly.
“This community is more than ready for an electrical utility model where they – the ratepayer – is the bottom line.”
Marti Townsend, Director for the Sierra Club of Hawai`i, said, “We agree with the conclusions of Maui County’s study that the people of Maui should seek a new electric utility model, which may include pursuing public ownership of the utility.
“Here on the clean energy leading edge in Hawai`i, large investor-owned utilities are dinosaurs. It makes more sense for our environment and our economy to manage our electrical grid as a shared resource and encourage as much competition as possible to give ratepayers what they want: clean, cheap energy.

“The outcome of Maui’s study bodes well for efforts in other counties to explore alternative utility ownership, including the study of Honolulu’s options for public ownership proposed on Tuesday by Honolulu Council Chairman Ernie Martin, and the work of Hawai`i Island Energy Cooperative on the Big Island to create a utility cooperative.”

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Kalani Meinecke Photo from WCC

SPEAKING OF KA`U’S HERITAGE is the topic of a free event at Pahala Community Center today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Guest speaker is Prof. Kalani Meinecke, from Windward Community College’s Hawaiian Studies program. Kumu Kalani, as he is known by his students, “breathes life into the Hawaiian language through his personal and intimate knowledge of both culture and language,” his WCC biography stated.

More speakers are Samuel Kamuela Plunkett and Emalia Keohokaole.
The evening includes mo`olelo sharing, kukakuka (talk story) and light refreshments.

I OLA NA `AINA MOMONA HOLDS a strategy and informational meeting tomorrow from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The nonprofit works to help Ka`u farmers achieve land security.
Attorney Steven Strauss, of Hilo, will offer advice and answer questions. Sen. Russell Ruderman is expected to attend.
Everyone is welcome. Pupus will be served.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers a free program tomorrow. From 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses Hi`iaka and Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate, one-mile walk.
See nps.gov/havo for more information.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entry fees Monday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST 2016 SERIES kicks off two weeks from today. Two performances (4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.) on Saturday, Jan. 30, will feature Jeannine Guillory with Volcano Art Center’s Jazz Ensemble.

The Jazz in the Forest concert series offers an extraordinary opportunity to hear the highest caliber jazz – anywhere – up close and personal.
Guillory’s background in jazz, reggae, pop and rhythm & blues lends to a strong versatile sound and energy that gets her audience and peers alike to stand up and applaud her amazing voice and on stage presence. She most recently played the part of Sheila Bryant in A Chorus Line. Guillory has performed at venues throughout Europe, South America and the United States. Stage performances include the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and the Big Island Jazz Festival. She is a former vocalist with the internationally known reggae/jazz group Groundation, which continues to tour the globe.
Tickets for the matinee are $20 for VAC members ($30 non-members) and for the evening show are $25 for VAC members ($35 non-members). Ticket holders will be able to purchase beer and wine before each performance.
Tickets are on sale at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village, VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and at Basically Books in Hilo. The last day to purchase tickets online, at VAC Gallery or Basically Books is Friday, Jan. 29. After that, tickets will be sold at the door if they are not sold out. Tickets will be held at Will Call on the day of the show or may be picked up any day before the show at Volcano Art Center’s Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Get ‘em while they’re hot!

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

Speaking of Ka`u's Heritage was the title of a gathering that filled Pahala Community Center last night, led by Fred August Kalani Meinecke and sponsored by Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i. Photo by Julia Neal

SPEAKING OF KA`U’S HERITAGE was the title of a gathering last evening that filled Pahala Community Center. Sponsored by Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, it focused on Hawaiian knowledge useful today that is carried by local families, oral histories, writings and archaeology. Fred August Kalani Meinecke, who teaches Hawaiian language and Hawaiian studies at Windward Community College on O`ahu, shared his Ka`u connections, including a paternal ancestor, Kaholowaho, of Kahuku. He talked about the vastness of Ka`u on the side of Mauna Loa, the largest single mountain mass and largest active volcano on earth. Ka`u has over 1,000 square miles, bigger than Maui, Moloka`i and Kahoolawe combined, noted Meinecke. He talked about early settlers from the southeast Marquesas and later Tahiti and also arrivals from Samoa.

Kamuela Plunkett talked about knowledge found
in archaeology and history, including agricultural
practices, that are valuable in growing food
today. Photo by Julia Neal

Archaeologist Kamuela Plunkett said he entered the field to learn how Hawaiian methods of growing food in the past can help “understand how to feed ourselves.” He said that in old Hawai`i and today, it takes a community. He said “the word community is easy to say but difficult to live by;” it takes relationships, patience, aloha and forgiveness. He mentioned Ka`u Multicultural Society President Darlyne Vierra and praised the organization’s efforts to collect photos and documents on the history of local families in agriculture. He said history is important - important to know what the heritage is, whether one has been here a lifetime or only one year.
He talked about massive farming systems found through archaeological research. One of them with sweet potatoes and sugar cane was 26 square miles, crossing 21 ahupua`a. He said remnants of the food systems can be seen today in pastures as ripples on the land. These were the terraces or walled in sweet potato planting areas with berms. Field walls and mounds not only provided protection but held moisture for dry times. Sugar cane was a windbreak, also collecting moisture and making mulch. He mentioned planting food lower, makai in wet years and more mauka in dry years. “Hawaiians called it common sense.” Scientists today call it "risk management," he said. “We look back not to stay in the back but to move forward.”
He also noted that oral histories, the mo`olelo describing huge amounts of food grown in ancient Hawai`i, are not just stories; they are supported by findings of archaeological research.
Earl Louis said, “Ka`u is the piko. Ka`u can be an example.” He urged going back to the ahupua`a system.
Stephanie Tabata and John Dancel talked about their family's long Hawaiian lineage in Ka`u, with their own oral history and documentation of land ownership that differs from some of the other written and oral accounts.
Trini Marques talked about the need for archaeologists going on lands to connect with the families whose ancestors lived there in the past.

Anna Cariaga suggested “unlearning” the negative and moving forward, understanding and implementing the valuable Hawaiian lessons in a positive way.
Kawehi Ryder, founder of Uhane, talked about opportunities to restore springs and fish ponds at Punalu`u and said there was a poi mill at one time near Kawa.
Meinecke said that Wai`ohinu means reflecting water, earning its name from seven lo`i - taro patches, and noted that water for taro had been diverted by the now defunct sugar plantations.

Hawaiian musician and educator Emma Emalia Ka`olanial`i Keohokalole, who has Ka`u ancestors, led songs of Ka`u during the meeting.

Emma Emalia Ka`olaniali`i Keohokalole, whose
ancestry dates back to High Chief Kewawe-a-Heulu,
of Kiolaka`a and Wai`ohinu, led the singing last
night, including Ka`u's songs. Photo by Julia Neal

The book The Polynesian Family System in Ka`u by E.S. Craighill Handy and Mary Kawena Pukui was on display and for sale as a reference for Ka`u households. So were films on history made by Eddie Kamae.

Read comments, add your own, and to like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A MAJORITY OF HAWAI`I RESIDENTS OPPOSE the merger of Hawaiian Electric Industries and Florida-based NextEra Energy, according to a poll with results announced in Honolulu Star-Advertiser. The percentage is up from 46 last January.
Twenty-six percent of 433 residents surveyed said the merger would be good for the state. Last year, 32 percent said it would be.
According to reporter Kathryn Mykleseth, Hawai`i residents expressed concern about NextEra’s lack or rooftop solar in Florida and money leaving the local economy.
Mykleseth also reported that, while local unions and business leaders support the deal, 54 percent of union members surveyed oppose it, and 24 percent favor it.
Read comments, add your own, and to like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AS HAWAI`I ISLAND’S DENGUE FEVER outbreak continues, Hawai`i State Department of Health has received laboratory confirmation from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of a past Zika virus infection in a baby recently born with microcephaly in a hospital on O`ahu. The mother likely had Zika infection when she was residing in Brazil in May 2015, and her newborn acquired the infection in the womb. Neither the baby nor the mother are infectious, and there was never a risk of transmission in Hawai`i, according to DOH.

“We are saddened by the events that have affected this mother and her newborn,” said DOH State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park. “This case further emphasizes the importance of the CDC travel recommendations released today. Mosquitoes can carry serious diseases, as we know too well with our current dengue outbreak, and it is imperative that we all Fight the Bite by reducing mosquito breeding areas, avoiding places with mosquitoes and applying repellent as needed.”

To date, there have been no cases of Zika virus acquired in Hawai`i. Since 2014, DOH has identified six persons in the state who acquired their infection in another country. Physicians are required to report all suspected cases of Zika virus and more than 75 other reportable diseases in the state. Physician reporting is crucial to conducting an effective disease surveillance program in Hawai`i.

Dr. Sarah Park

“In this situation, an astute Hawai`i physician recognized the possible role of Zika virus infection, immediately notified the Department of Health, and worked with us to confirm the suspected diagnosis,” Park said. “We rely on our exceptional medical community to be our eyes and ears in the field to control and prevent the spread of illness in Hawai`i.”
The department sent a Medical Advisory to physicians statewide as a reminder that while Zika virus is not endemic in the U.S., it can be acquired in a number of countries and travel history should always be considered.
Zika virus is spread to people through mosquito bites. The most common symptoms are fever, rash, joint pain and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting from several days to a week. Severe disease requiring hospitalization is uncommon. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika.
For more information on Zika virus, see http://www.cdc.gov/zika/, and for CDC travel recommendations, see http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.
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I OLA NA `AINA MOMONA HOLDS a strategy and informational meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The nonprofit works to help Ka`u farmers achieve land security.

Attorney Steven Strauss, of Hilo, will offer advice and answer questions. Sen. Russell Ruderman is expected to attend.
Everyone is welcome. Pupus will be served.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entry fees tomorrow in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

DON SWANSON, RESEARCH GEOLOGIST at USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, discusses past lethal eruptions, why they were deadly and what we can expect in the future during After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Volcanic activity from Kilauea produces both lava flows and explosive eruptions. Both types of activity occur about equally often, and both have killed people and destroyed property. The most recent fatality from an explosive eruption occurred when a man was crushed by a boulder ejected from Kilauea in 1924, and last year, Kilauea flows destroyed a structure outside of the national park.
Volcanic disasters happen when people are caught by these natural events. “We can’t control the volcano, but, in a perfect world, we can control our presence on the volcano,” Swanson said. “The world isn’t perfect, however, and that’s where the problems come in.”
As a Volcano Awareness Month event, the program offers a companion hike this Saturday, Jan. 23 at 10 a.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

REGISTRATION FOR NEXT SATURDAY'S Keiki Fishing Tournament is due on Wednesday at 12 p.m. `O Ka`u Kakou asks participants to fill out forms available at local schools and businesses and online at okaukakou.org.

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

See okaukakou.org.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

Lethal Eruptions at Kilauea: It’s Not the Volcano’s Fault is the title of tomorrow’s After Dark in the Park program.
Photo from USGS/HVO

“KA`U COFFEE FARMERS ARE STRATEGIZING how to stay on their farms. Ka`u Coffee farming is a remarkable success story, and a recent sale of the land they farm has put their future in question,” Ka`u state Sen. Russell Ruderman said on his Facebook page. Ruderman and Ka`u state Rep. Richard Creagan attended a meeting yesterday to consider ownership options of Ka`u Coffee lands recently purchased by Colorado-based investment firm Resource Land Holdings. Stakeholders considered pros and cons of coffee growers buying the land, state ownership and creating a land trust.

Ka`u Coffee growers, lawmakers and other interested parties discussed

options for land security yesterday at Pahala Plantation House.

By buying the land, coffee grower John Ah San said, "coffee growers could be your own boss.” Hilo attorney Steven Strauss said in order for each grower to own a separate farm lot, they would have to be surveyed and costs of $25,000 per purchaser would be prohibitive. Several others said purchase costs would probably be too high for individual growers to buy the land.
Strauss recommended that growers have someone begin negotiating with owners, finding out the asking price for the land. He also suggested that farmers find out the owners’ plans regarding abandoned plots that harbor coffee berry borers, which make their way into neighboring production orchards.
Ruderman said RLH’s Hilo representative Jim McCully assured him that the company’s intent is to sell the land to growers “for a reasonable price.”
State ownership could be fraught with problems, Ruderman and Strauss said. Ruderman said he has seen “good intentions gone bad,” with restrictions and requirements imposed by government. He said he would discuss the situation with state Department of Agriculture chair Scott Enright, who has said he considers making the purchase a line item in his budget to be an option. Ruderman said that would possibly be better than trying to pass legislation.
Strauss said government purchases are geared toward large, rather than small, operations.
A land trust would see value in the land as agricultural and plan to keep it as such, Strauss said. He said licenses give growers rights to use land but do not include conveyance of land interest. Also, with a trust, negotiations of terms would be “an open process,” he said. The meeting was sponsored by I Ola Na `Aina Momona, a nonprofit headed by Ka`u Coffee grower and broker Malian Lahey. To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U ROYAL HAWAIIAN COFFEE & TEA CO. shared its long-term plans with Kirsten Johnson, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. Part of the plan is to change the company’s name. General Manager Louis Leong told Johnson that the name “is too long and too hard to put in documents.”
Leong also told Johnson the company plans to grow coffee, tea, fruits and vegetables, with its first harvest in three to five years.
The company plans to spend $20 million to build a coffee mill and a tea-processing plant Leong said. A visitor center and public tours of processing facilities are also envisioned.

Ka`u Royal Hawaiian Coffee & Tea Co. bought land
above Hwy 11 in Na`alehu for its ag project.
Photo from Ka`u Royal Hawaiian

“We formed a company just for this project, so it’s a brand new venture for us,” Leong told Johnson. “We’d like to add an (agricultural tourism) aspect to the project later on, after we build our coffee mill and tea processing (facilities), so we can introduce the tea culture to more people locally. Hopefully, we’ll have a very special commercial tea farm, and people can enjoy the harvesting and processing aspect of tea production.”
Leong told Johnson the company hopes to lease land to farmers. “We’ve learned that after the collapse of the sugar industry, a lot of farmers have (to go) far to find jobs,” He said. “So if we can create opportunities and have workers in the farm industry, they don’t have to travel as far now.” To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

NORTHWESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS celebrates 15 years of a major marine conservation milestone.

On Jan. 18, 2001, then President Bill Clinton issued a second Executive Order (EO 13196) ensuring permanent protection of preservation areas and conservation measures for the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve set forth in EO 13178 in December 2000. Creation of the Reserve was the first large-scale marine conservation measure put forth by the United States, a historic act of protection for the coral reefs in three-quarters of the Hawaiian archipelago, and the largest in the world at nearly 140,000 square miles. It was also the second ever created since establishment of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park in 1975. It paved the way for the later designation of what is now Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in 2006 and its inscription as the nation’s only mixed natural and cultural UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010.

At the end of the millennium, coral reefs around the world were in crisis, and many governments were struggling to understand and protect these crucial marine resources. Large-scale marine protected areas that encompass entire geographies and multiple habitats were seen as one tool to address various threats.

President Bill Clinton, Buzzy Agard, Tammy and Isaac Harp,

and Sylvia Earle at the announcement of the Executive

Order establishing Northwestern Hawaiian Islands

Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve.

Photo from NHIUCRER

Many conservation and cultural leaders in Hawai`i had long recognized the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as a unique - and nearly pristine - place worthy of the highest protections and helped pave the way for President Clinton’s act. Among them were the late Buzzy Agard and Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott, along with Isaac and Tammy Harp, `Aulani Wilhelm, Robert P. Smith, Tim Johns, Athline Clark, Linda Paul, William `Aila Jr., Vicky Holt Takamine, Bill Gilmartin, Dave Raney and many others that sought protection for the area and helped facilitate the dialog that led to creation of the Reserve.

Fifteen years after that historic moment, the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands has earned increased protections, gained Hawai`i its second World Heritage site, along with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, and brought together state and federal agencies to protect the nature and culture of the area under a shared vision and unified management. The creation of NWHICRER spurred a movement, resulting in more than a dozen large-scale marine protected area designations around the globe, and managers working together to improve efforts and share these wonders – and their significance – with the world.

While coral ecosystems around the planet still face global threats – rising sea temperatures, marine pollution and alien invasive species – protection of entire marine areas is one step to preserving these resources for future generations.
Today is the beginning of a year of anniversaries for protections of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TODAY, THE NATION HONORS the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King visited the newly formed Hawai`i State Legislature on Sept. 17, 1959, where he spoke on Hawai`i’s accomplishments and the nation’s status in race relations at the time.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Hawai`i in 1959 and

spoke at the House of Representatives.

“I come to you with a great deal of appreciation and great feeling of appreciation, I should say, for what has been accomplished in this beautiful setting and in this beautiful state of our Union,” King said. “As I think of the struggle that we are engaged in in the South land, we look to you for inspiration and as a noble example, where you have already accomplished in the area of racial harmony and racial justice, what we are struggling to accomplish in other sections of the country, and you can never know what it means to those of us caught for the moment in the tragic and often dark midnight of man’s inhumanity to man, to come to a place where we see the glowing daybreak of freedom and dignity and racial justice.
“We have come a long, long way. We have a long, long way to go. I close, if you will permit me, by quoting the words of an old Negro slave preacher. He didn’t quite have his grammar right, but he uttered some words in the form of a prayer with great symbolic profundity and these are the words he said: ‘Lord, we ain’t what we want to be; we ain’t what we ought to be; we ain’t what we gonna be, but thank God, we ain’t what we was.’ Thank you.” To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

LETHAL ERUPTIONS AT KILAUEA: It’s not the Volcano’s Fault is the title of tomorrow’s After Dark in the Park program beginning at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
As a Volcano Awareness Month event, the program offers a companion hike Saturday, at 10 a.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

REGISTRATION FOR NEXT SATURDAY’S Keiki Fishing Tournament is due on Wednesday at 12 p.m. `O Ka`u Kakou asks participants to fill out forms available at local schools and businesses and online at okaukakou.org.

Mark Yamanaka offers a free concert

Wednesday. Photo from NPS

MARK YAMANAKA PERFORMS Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Yamanaka shares original songs from his CDs, Lei Pua Kenikeni and Lei Maile. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Ka`u's state lawmakers are heading to Honolulu for tomorrow's opening of the Hawai`i State Legislature. See more below.

WENDELL KA`EHU`AE`A IS RUNNING for mayor of Hawai`i County Council for a third time, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today. Ka`ehu`ae`a founded KAHU-FM 91.7 in Pahala. Hawai`i Public Radio bought KAHU’s license after the station closed.

Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a with HPR's
Michael Titterton.

“I can’t stand anyone running unopposed,” Ka`ehu`ae`a told Cook Lauer.
Ka`ehu`ae`a said current department heads and appointees would be welcome to stay in their positions if they want to under his administration.
Kawika Crowley, who won the 2012 Republican primary for Hawai`i’s Second Congressional District, also told Cook Lauer he is running for mayor.
Crowley said he would work to create two counties on the island, East Hawai`i and West Hawai`i. “We’re really two worlds apart,” Crowley said. “The Hilo side and the Kona side are two different economies. The people are different; the expectations are different.”
Crowley said he also wants to reestablish East Hawai`i’s agricultural economy with food crops and hemp.
Others who told Cook Lauer they are considering running are county Managing Director Wally Lau, former Mayor Harry Kim and Hilo Councilman Aaron Chung.
They would face Pete Hoffmann, the only candidate who has announced.
“I’m not waiting for other people to decide,” Hoffmann told Cook Lauer. “I want to be out there. I want to be early. I think we owe it to the people to have the discussion.”
See westhawaiitoday.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE opens tomorrow. Ka`u’s State Sen. Josh Green and state Rep. Richard Creagan discussed their priorities for this session with Nancy Cook Lauer, of West Hawai`i Today.

Sen. Josh Green

Rep. Richard Creagan

Green told Cook Lauer that reducing homelessness is his top priority. He wants to raise the minimum wage from $8.50 per hour to at least $16 an hour to help people afford housing. He also wants to build homeless shelters and institute a tax on luxury developments to pay for rental housing initiatives and to build affordable homes.
Green told Cook Lauer that he also hopes to strengthen the state hospital system, improving access to mental health care and drug and alcohol treatment. Green also wants to ban pesticide applications near schools and hospitals.
“I intend to press the governor’s administration to be much more responsive to neighbor island needs, especially in areas like health care, housing, education and a clean environment,” Green told Cook Lauer.
Creagan told Cook Lauer, “We need to enhance our ability to stop the current dengue epidemic and use this event as informatively and constructively as possible in shaping our future response to dengue and other mosquito borne illnesses. We have eradicated Aedes aegypti, the principal vector for dengue, on every other island, and I believe it is time we do it on Hawai`i Island.”
Creagan told The Ka`u Calendar and Cook Lauer that he is against proposed rule changes that would prohibit new cesspools. “With our current homeless crisis, the need for affordable housing is paramount, and with a septic system costing 10 times what a cesspool would, we need to evaluate the cost-benefit and risk-benefit balance in areas away from the coast and at higher elevations,” he told Cook Lauer.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

WINTER SPORTS CONTINUE for Ka`u High School Trojans. The soccer team has been on the road, traveling to Parker Jan. 9, where they lost 0-2. At Honoka`a on Jan. 16, they also lost 0-5. Tomorrow, the head to Christian Liberty.
Girls basketball teams had victories at HPA on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Junior Varsity won 27-24, and Varsity won 36-33, leading at the end of each quarter. At Hilo on Friday, Jan. 15, both teams lost, with scores of 25-47 for JV and 9-79 for Varsity. They host Wai`akea today at 6 p.m. for Senior Night.
Boys basketball teams also lost at HPA on Wednesday, Jan. 13. Tomorrow, they travel to Hilo.
Wrestling and swimming teams are also attending meets this month.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists continue their geologic tour or the Hawaiian Islands in this week’s issue of Volcano Watch focusing on O`ahu.
“The island of O`ahu is composed of two volcanoes,” the article states. “Wai`anae, the western and older of the two, started growing from the sea floor around four million years ago. The birth of Ko`olau, which forms the east side of the island, probably occurred a few hundred thousand years later.
“At Wai`anae, shield-building volcanism – the most active time of a Hawaiian volcano’s life – ended by about three million years ago and was followed by a brief, about 200,000-year-long, period of post-shield volcanism. Since then, erosion has carved steep cliffs and valleys on the volcano. While some of this erosion has been caused by water, catastrophic collapses of the island have also occurred, some of which shed debris north onto the ocean floor across a distance of 110 kilometers (70 miles)!

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory offers a geologic tour
of O`ahu this week. Map from USGS/HVO

“Ko`olau, on the other hand, was vigorously active until about 1.8 million years ago. Like Wai`anae, Ko`olau has also been extensively eroded and has been the source of multiple huge landslides. In fact, Nu`uanu Pali may be the erosional trace of the scarp that marks one of the largest landslides in the world. The gigantic Nu`uanu slide extends across the ocean floor about 200 km (120 mi) northeast from O`ahu, and one of the blocks of debris in the submarine landslide measures over 29 km (18 mi) long and 1.6 km (one mi) thick!
“The extensive erosion of Ko`olau has afforded geologists an unparalleled opportunity to view the interior of a Hawaiian volcano. For example, investigations of ancient lava flows reveal that Ko`olau’s caldera is located in the Kailua area, and that the caldera continued to subside even after eruptions had ended (perhaps pulled downward by the weight of the solidified magma chamber).
“Even more spectacular are the swarms of dikes – solidified sheet-like or tabular intrusions of magma – that define the volcano’s rift zones, parallel to the crest of the current Ko`olau Range. In some places, over half the rock is made up of these dikes. The exposures of Ko`olau’s rift zone provide a sense of what Kilauea's current East Rift Zone must look like about one km (0.6 mi) beneath the surface. Studying Ko`olau therefore provides insights into how active Hawaiian volcanoes work.
“Ko`olau also hosts extensive rejuvenated volcanism, which marks the final stage of a Hawaiian volcano’s eruptive life – essentially a weak sputtering before the volcano goes extinct.
“Rejuvenated eruptions on Ko`olau followed a pause of about one million years after shield-building ended. About 40 discrete eruption sites are preserved across the east side of O`ahu, including several extinct cinder cones that are now famous landmarks: Punchbowl, Tantalus, and Le`ahi (Diamond Head). The youngest of these rejuvenated eruption sites include Koko Crater, Hanauma Bay and Tantalus, which formed about 70,000 - 100,000 years ago. Le`ahi and Punchbowl are about 400,000 - 500,000 years old.
“As on Kaua`i (the focus of last week's Volcano Watch), future rejuvenated eruptions on O`ahu are a possibility. Such eruptions could be hazardous, given that they would probably be at least mildly explosive, especially if they occur near the coast where magma and seawater can interact. The odds are remote, however, of such eruptions occurring during our lifetimes, or even those of many future generations.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u's Pau Queen Lorilee Lorenzo hopes to be queen
at Pana`ewa Stampede Rodeo. Photo by Ron Johnson

KA`U PA`U QUEEN LORILEE LEE LORENZO hopes to become queen of next month’s Pana`ewa Stampede Rodeo. Lorenzo is selling tickets for the event that takes place Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 13 and 14.
This large and diverse rodeo features Team Roping, Barrel Racing, Bronc Riding and Bull Riding. In addition, there are special events done only in Hawai`i. Cowboys and cowgirls will compete in Double Mugging and Pu`u Wai U just like their forefathers did in the early paniolo days of old Hawai`i.
Pre-sale tickets are available for $6 each. Call Lorenzo at 896-5964.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN LEARN about Kilauea’s lethal eruptions at this evening’s After Dark in the Park program beginning at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
As a Volcano Awareness Month event, the program offers a companion hike Saturday at 10 a.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

Keiki will again line the coast at Punalu`u Saturday for the annual
fishing tournament sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou.
Photo from Fred and Mary Ramsdell

REGISTRATION FOR SATURDAY’S Keiki Fishing Tournament is due tomorrow at noon. `O Ka`u Kakou asks participants to fill out forms available at local schools and businesses and online at okaukakou.org.

MARK YAMANAKA PERFORMS tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, sharing original songs from his CDs.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Registration due tomorrow.
See okaukakou.org.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Researchers hope biocontrols can help growers fight the macadamia felted coccid. Photo from Hawai`i Department of Agriculture

OPENING UP THE ORCHARD CANOPY and incorporating flowering plants near the trees could be one way to push back on a macadamia pest that threatens the industry. Such actions create an ideal environment for predators of the macadamia felted coccid, University of Hawai`i researcher Mark Wright said at a workshop in Hilo covered by Ivy Ashe, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.
The method has been studied in Pahala orchards, where the population of predatory beetles such as ladybugs increased, leading to an “appreciable drop-off” of coccids, Ashe reported.
“There seems to be a beneficial effect in doing this,” Wright said.
The number of parasitic wasps that feed on the coccid during its early stages of life also increased, Ashe reported.
“We need to find a way to increase the effectiveness of biocontrol,” Wright said. “It can be very effective, and predictably effective.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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Joe Boivin, Jr. Photo from Hawai`i Gas

WOULD LNG BE USED ON HAWAI`I ISLAND, and if so, where?

“Hawai`i has secured a source of LNG,” Joe Boivin, Jr., senior vice president of business development and corporate affairs at Hawai`i Gas, told Kathryn Mykleseth, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “What we’ve done is put the plan on the table with firm numbers.”

Boivin said Hawai`i Gas has an agreement with a liquefied natural gas supplier to build facilities to import LNG for $200 million.

Hawaiian Electric Co. is working on its own plan to import LNG. “We are in the final stages of our own request for proposals, evaluating LNG suppliers and the potential to provide the greatest possible savings for our customers,” HECO spokesman Darren Pai told Mykleseth. “We are open to learning more about Hawai`i Gas’ plans if they will reduce costs for our customers and are consistent with state policy. One thing that is important to consider is the infrastructure that would need to be developed to support any energy resource. The option we are focused on would use specialized shipping containers to deliver LNG to our generating stations, thus minimizing the need for permanent infrastructure.”

The companies consider LNG to be a bridge fuel as Hawai`i works toward its mandated goal of 100 percent renewable energy for electricity by 2045.
Marti Townsend, Director of Sierra Club of Hawai`i, said her organization is “disappointed in Hawai`i Gas’ fixation on industrialized gas. Industrialized gas is no ‘bridge fuel’ to renewable energy. If anything, gas is a bridge to more economic hardship and environmental harm for our islands.

“We know that gas is not cleaner than oil. Mining gas emits methane that is 100 times more toxic than carbon dioxide, contaminates drinking water and triggers earthquakes.
“It is irresponsible to spend $200 million to set Hawai`i up for gas knowing for certain that in a few short decades all of that will be abandoned, and not knowing for sure that it will save ratepayers any money. …
“How irresponsible of Hawai`i Gas to dangle a specious promise of lower energy prices for a fuel that will exacerbate the hardships climate change inflicts on us, people who rely on the environment for our economic and spiritual well-being.”
See staradvertiser.com.
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MORE THAN $3.4 MILLION in U.S. Department of Energy funding that will allow Hawaiian Electric Company to improve electric grid technology was approved today. The funding is expected to facilitate more renewable energy generation.

“Today’s award builds on Hawai`i’s record as a state on the forefront of renewable energy research,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “This competitive funding will allow Hawaiian Electric Company to invest in and test technology that will allow more Hawai`i families to take advantage of rooftop solar systems and bring our state closer to reaching its goal of being powered by 100 percent renewable energy.”
“We have all been frustrated by the technical challenges that have slowed down the amount of PV that can be put on the grid,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “This project is exciting because it breaks new ground and is a fundamental shift in the design of our grids. This innovation will allow more customers to send electricity back to the grid without destabilizing the system. That’s a real positive for renewable energy.”
“Hawai`i continues to lead the nation in renewable energy generation,” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “As the state continues to move toward its goal of generating 100 percent clean energy by 2045, this grant will help to begin long overdue work to modernize our grid, which is necessary as we work toward increasing our use of solar power, reducing our carbon emissions, strengthening our energy security and improving our electrical infrastructure.”
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OF THE 224 CONFIRMED CASES of dengue fever, “none are recent or in the stage of their illness in which they can infect mosquitoes, according to Hawai`i County Civil Defense. Hawai`i Department of Health, after reporting no additional cases on Monday, yesterday confirmed one more, with the latest onset of illness being Jan. 8.

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A 29-YEAR-OLD OCEAN VIEW MAN was involved in a two-vehicle traffic casualty yesterday on Kona Drive and Paradise Parkway in Ocean View. He was identified as Ling Oniel.
Responding to a 7:15 p.m. call, police determined that an unknown sedan-type vehicle had been traveling north on Paradise Parkway when it failed to yield the right of way at the intersection with Kona Drive and collided with Oniel, who had been traveling west on Kona Drive on a black moped. Following the collision, the sedan and its operator fled from the scene prior to police arrival. Through investigation, police were able to determine that the vehicle may have been a white 1992-1995 Honda Civic.
Oniel was taken to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 11:30 p.m.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Justin Hooser at 326-4646, Ext. 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.
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SENIOR NIGHT FOR KA`U HIGH VARSITY girls basketball team ended in a loss to Wai`akea. Analei Emmsley and Reishalyn Kekoa each contributed eight points to Ka`u’s 28, but the team couldn’t overcome Wai`akea’s high-scoring team that racked up 58 points.

Jayvee also succumbed to their opponents, 21-62. With 10 points, Junialla Manantan was Ka`u JV’s high scorer.

MARK YAMANAKA OFFERS A FREE CONCERT today at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, sharing original songs from his CDs.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

LEGAL AID IS AVAILABLE Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 800-499-4302 for more information.

TOM PEEK PRESENTS WRITING on the Wild Side, on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Class fee is $75, or $65 for VAC members.

Participants hone their writing skills, explore their creative mind and discover their unique voices in this new writing workshop with the Hawai`i Island writing teacher and award-winning novelist. Social media correspondents, bloggers, storytellers, journal writers and poets will find Peek’s stimulating techniques and exercises empowering.

Ka`u writers can learn Writing on the Wild Side
Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

In his newest workshop, Peek offers a wealth of knowledge that writers can use in everyday social media sharing, including journaling and blogging. Writing on the Wild Side will help them create prose that people actually want to read.
Putting thoughts into words has never been more prevalent than in today’s electronic communications. Facebook and Twitter, not to mention blogs and websites, are all waiting for writers to release their expressive potential. Previous students have found Peek’s workshops to be engaging, informative and practical.
Participants learn to silence their inner critic and unleash their expressive potential in this fun, fast-paced and provocative writing workshop. Open to all levels and genres. No writing experience is necessary.
Peek has taught his popular workshops since 1991. A writer for over three decades, his work includes an award-winning novel, newspaper stories and commentaries, university publications, magazine articles, national park exhibits and award-winning video productions.
Register at volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_January2016.pdf.

A guided Centennial Hike: Into the Volcano takes place Saturday. Photo from NPS

KA`U’S STATE LAWMAKERS are back to work on issues important to their constituents. The 2016 session of the 28th State Legislature began yesterday. Ka`u residents can follow its progress at capitol.hawaii.gov.

Sen. Josh Green

Sen. Russell Ruderman

Sen. Josh Green currently serves as Majority Floor Leader and Majority Whip. He is a member of the Committees on Housing, Human Services, and Tourism & International Affairs.

Call Green at 808-586-9385, or email sengreen@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Sen. Russell Ruderman is on four committees: Commerce, Consumer Protection & Health; Economic Development, Environment & Technology; Human Services; and Water, Land & Agriculture. Call Ruderman at 808-586-6890, or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Rep. Richard Creagan

Rep. Richard Onishi

Rep. Richard Creagan serves on Health, Consumer Protection & Commerce, Housing, Human Services and Judiciary Committees. Call Creagan at 808-586-9605, or email repcreagan@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Rep. Richard Onishi participates on Agriculture; Economic Development & Business; Finance; Tourism; Veterans, Military & International Affairs; and Culture & the Arts Committees. Call Onishi at 808-586-6120, or email reponishi@capitol.hawaii.gov.
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HAWAI`I COUNTY PLANNING DEPARTMENT has recently launched new communication tools for the General Plan, the blueprint that guides long-term development of Hawai`i Island. A revised website, a Facebook page and email updates are all designed to help people participate in the General Plan Comprehensive Review.

The Hawai`i County General Plan is reviewed every ten years. The county’s existing General Plan was adopted in 2005, and a lot has happened on Hawai`i Island since then. Everything that has transpired, including population growth, natural disasters, technological advancements and sustainability efforts, is being considered in the plan. The Planning Director is responsible for leading the review process and recommending amendments to the plan.
To receive regular updates about the progress of the county’s review of the General Plan, like the Facebook page and/or sign up for email updates.
The Facebook page is facebook.com/cohgeneralplan, and the eNews sign-up is cohplanningdept.com/general-plan/connect/. The eNews is not a discussion forum, and traffic will be light. Participants may unsubscribe at any time.
“We anticipate sharing important updates soon, so hurry and sign up!” the Planning Department suggested.
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Sen. Gil Kahele Photo by Julia Neal

STATE SEN. GIL KAHELE, who represented Ka`u before redistricting, missed yesterday’s opening of the state Legislature. Kahele checked into Queen’s Medical Center on Monday to address medical issues and have tests run.

His son, Kai Kahele, told Kirsten Johnson, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, “If he had his way, he’d be back tomorrow. We’re hoping he’ll be back by next week, but it’s too early to tell.
“He wanted to be there, trust me. Stubborn is putting it mildly. But we’ve got to help him take care of himself so he can return to work at his full capacity.”
Kai Kahele told Johnson the senator appreciates Big Island residents’ prayers and support.
Originally from Miloli`i, Kahele has worked for improved housing, coastal and near-shore preservation and native Hawaiian education.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE WARNING the public about scams involving Award Claim Notification letters being sent to Hawai`i residents.
The letters come with claim numbers and authentic-looking checks paid to the order of the recipient in amounts of thousands of dollars. The letters include a phone number with instructions to call a claims agent in order to claim the total prize winnings, usually totaling more than $10,000.
Police advise anyone receiving these letters to be cautious, as acting on the instructions may result in the loss of significant amounts of money.
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Sen. Mazie Hirono

U.S. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO YESTERDAY voted against H.R. 4038, legislation that would require the Director of National Intelligence, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Secretary of Homeland Security to individually review and approve admission of any refugee from Syria or Iraq. The bill, which needed a 60-vote threshold to move forward, failed 55-43.
“Keeping Americans safe should always be our first priority. However, this legislation does nothing to improve national security,” Hirono said. “Instead, it uses smoke and mirrors to effectively ban refugees, in many cases families and children, fleeing a deadly civil war. Instead of spending time on political stunts like this one, let’s come together to discuss solutions that will actually improve our nation’s security. For example, let’s close the legal loophole that allows people on terror watch lists to purchase guns and explosives. Or debate ways to increase resources for federal, state and local anti-terror collaboration. Or enhance overseas airport screening procedures and resources. In short, our approach to national security should live up to our values. We should focus on measures that make our communities more secure, not less welcoming to those who may be a different religion or from a particular region – especially if they are fleeing violence in search of peace and a better life.”
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U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard surfed with Wounded Warriors yesterday.
Photo from Office of Rep. Gabbard

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD, A VETERAN and a surfer, yesterday morning volunteered with the Hawai`i nonprofit organization AccesSurf and participated in their Wounded Warrior program. She assisted military personnel with disabilities to have a fun-filled day in the ocean, using specialized surfboards, longboards and flotation devices.

“The service members who came out today were incredible and inspiring,” Gabbard said. “They have sacrificed so much in the service of our country and came home with wounds seen and unseen. Their determination and perseverance was evident today as we spent time in the ocean, having fun and appreciating its peaceful, healing, and rejuvenating qualities. I'd like to thank the AccesSurf team for everything they do to serve our troops and people with disabilities.”
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IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH TROJANS boys basketball teams hosted Hilo yesterday.

Junior Varsity scored more points than their opponents in the fourth quarter but lost with a final score of 28-48. Zachary Kai was high-scorer with 14 points.
Varsity got off to a low-scoring start with eight points in the first quarter but rebounded. They scored more points than Hilo in the third quarter, but also lost 44-71. As high-scorer, Jacob Flores contributed 11 points, one-quarter of the total.
The teams travel to Hilo Civic tomorrow to play St. Joseph. The JV game begins at 6:30 p.m., and Varsity follows.
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LEGAL AID IS AVAILABLE tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 800-499-4302 for more information.

KEIKI WILL ONCE AGAIN CAST their lines at Punalu`u Beach Park on Saturday. Check-in for `O Ka`u Kakou's eighth annual Keiki Fishing Tournament begins at 8 a.m. Fishing takes place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., followed by free lunch and shaved ice. Every participant takes home a prize, catch or no catch.
For more information, call Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773 or Guy Enriques at 217-2253.

`Ohi`a lehua plays a vital role in native Hawaiian forests.
Photo from NPS

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK offers guided hikes Saturday. At the Kahuku Unit from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., participants learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a tree and the lehua flower. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku during this program, which is an easy, one-mile (or less) walk. Enter the Kahuku Unit on the mauka side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, raingear, sun protection and a snack are recommended.

Centennial Hike Into the Volcano takes place at the park's Kilauea summit area from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Park Ranger Dean Gallagher describes explosive evidence of Kilauea volcano’s not-so-distant past on this moderately difficult 2.7-mile roundtrip hike to the floor of Kilauea Caldera. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply.

ALASKA DAYS IN HAWAI`I PICNIC is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 20 from noon to 5 p.m. at Honu`apo and Whittington Beach Park. The potluck is sponsored by families who live in both Ka`u and Alaska. Salmon and other Alaska foods are encouraged. Bring instrument to join the entertainment.
For more information, call Tim Childs at 907-388-8546.

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