The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Hawai`i Regional CEO of HHSC Dan Brinkman and board chair Kurt Corbin acknowledge retirees
Harry Yada and Gary Yoshiyama. See more below. Photos from HHSC

A BROAD COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL, consumer and business parties praised Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission’s rejection of the proposed merger of Hawaiian Electric utilities and NextEra Energy. Groups cited NextEra’s unwillingness to transition to a clean energy utility of the future as a primary reason why they opposed the merger. Hawai`i is leading the national trend toward more clean energy investments, with the goal of getting to 100 percent renewable by 2045. “Instead of envisioning a 21st century grid that enables customer options like rooftop solar, NextEra wanted to double-down on its ‘build more, pay more’ monopoly business,” said Hajime Alabanza, Executive Assistant with Hawaii Solar Energy Association. “The Commission understood this isn’t the right direction for Hawai`i’s customers.”

Earthjustice attorney Isaac Moriwake

“NextEra made this a no brainer,” said Isaac Moriwake, Staff Attorney with Earthjustice. “Outright rejection of the takeover was the only realistic option. NextEra refused to provide its plans for Hawai`i, other than to give us a ‘bigger HECO.’ Based on its opposition to clean energy in Florida and failure to chart a different path in this state, NextEra is not what Hawai`i wants or needs.”

“Utility executives need to understand that innovative technologies like rooftop solar, just like cellphones before it, are the wave of the future,” said Robert Harris, spokesperson for the Alliance for Solar Choice. “Simply selling out for a golden parachute is not a viable option for HECO executives, nor is fighting against customers trying to do the right thing for their households and the planet. Utilities need to move toward a 21st century grid that empowers customers to save money and produce cleaner power.”
“Hawai`i is committed to a 100 percent clean energy future,” said Marti Townsend, Director of the Sierra Club of Hawai`i. “We need partners that will help advance our critical economic and environmental goals, and not businesses focused solely on their short-term gain.”
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HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANIES yesterday withdrew their applications for approval of a liquefied natural gas contract with Fortis Hawai`i Energy Inc. The decision follows termination of HECO’s proposed merger with NextEra Energy.

Sierra Club of Hawai`i director Marti Townsend

A condition of the LNG contract was approval of the proposed merger with NextEra Energy. On Monday, NextEra Energy announced it would no longer pursue the merger after the application was dismissed by Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission.

“We’re committed to transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy in the most cost-effective way possible while ensuring reliable service,” said Ron Cox, Hawaiian Electric vice president of power supply. “We’ll continue to evaluate all options to modernize generation using a cleaner fuel to bring price stability and support adding renewable energy for our customers.

“Hawaiian Electric remains focused on the path it has continued to pursue throughout the merger process: to stabilize and reduce energy costs while becoming more innovative and taking advantage of new technologies to deliver greater customer value and choice.”

“We are celebrating HECO’s decision to withdraw its proposal to import fracked gas to the Hawaiian Islands,” said Marti Townsend, director of Sierra Club of Hawai`i. “Importing fracked gas would not save consumers money, reduce environmental impacts or get Hawai`i closer to its 100 percent renewable energy goals.

“Overwhelming public opinion and PUC guidance all favor the self-reliance, savings and environmental benefits that come with locally produced, renewable energy. Importing fracked gas is a major distraction from achieving this future for all of us.
“Gov. Ige gets this. He deserves praise for his early and consistent opposition to the distraction that was HECO’s LNG proposal.
“The focus now should be on the specific steps we need to take to upgrade our electrical grid to ensure that everyone can enjoy the benefits of our 100 percent renewable energy future. We do not need a white knight to save us. We have everything we need right here to achieve our renewable dreams right now.”
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Rae Yamanaka

EAST HAWAI`I REGIONAL BOARD of Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation, which operates Ka`u Hospital, announced the retirement of two long-serving members. Gary Yoshiyama served for seven years in a variety of committee leadership positions, including a two-year term as Board Chair. “Gary brought to our Board a lifetime of experience and understanding of labor perspectives from his career as Division Chief of the Hawai`i Government Employees Association, Big Island,” said Kurt Corbin, current board chair.

Also retiring is Harry Yada, who served as secretary/treasurer, among other committee assignments, and who recently concluded his career at UH-Hilo, where he was director of Real Property. “Harry brought to us a broad expertise in facilities management of state-owned properties – absolutely critical given our sprawling campus and facilities across the East Hawai`i Region,” Corbin said. “The board and our community will sorely miss their contributions and the wisdom that they brought to the discussion on plans to ensure high quality, accessible healthcare for all residents.”

James "Kimo" Lee

In anticipation of their transitions, the board has been engaged in identifying and recruiting the next generation of leaders. Recognizing the importance of organized labor constituents, the board announced the appointment of Rae Yamanaka, a retired teacher and educator, who has served the past eight years as the Hilo Director for Hawai`i State Teachers Association.

“Effective relationships are integral to the success of any organization,” Yamanaka said. “I am committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholder groups to bring high quality healthcare and services to the Big Island community.”
In recognition of the growing population and healthcare needs of the Puna District, the Board reached out to James “Kimo” Lee, Director of Development for W.H. Shipman. According to Corbin, “The Board and Administration have undertaken a strategic initiative to address the current and future needs for the district in addressing access to emergency services, primary care and other socio-economic issues related to healthcare. Kimo will help us better understand the demographics and planning aspects of that equation.”

Brenda Ho

The board also welcomed back Brenda Ho, executive director of Hospice of Hilo. “Brenda served on our Board for the maximum of two three-year terms and was required by state statute to sit out for two years,” Corbin said. “We are enormously grateful for her return, for both the knowledge and expertise that she gained during her earlier service, and because she is a recognized leader in healthcare, not just in our community, but across the state.”

“It was with great humbleness and honor that I had the opportunity to serve on the inaugural East Hawai`i Regional Board from 2007 to 2014,” Ho said. “To be given this opportunity again is even more profound and appreciated.”
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DURING THE WEEK OF JULY 11 through July 17, Hawai`i Island police arrested 21 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Five of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. Three of the drivers were under the age of 21.
So far this year, there have been 591 DUI arrests compared with 540 during the same period last year, an increase of 9.4 percent.
There have been 778 major accidents so far this year compared with 829 during the same period last year, a decrease of 6.2 percent.
So far this year, there have been 11 fatal crashes on Hawai`i Island (one of which had multiple deaths), resulting in 12 fatalities, compared with 10 fatal crashes (two of which had multiple deaths), resulting in 13 fatalities during the same period last year. This represents an increase of 10 percent for fatal crashes, and a decrease of 7.7 percent for fatalities.
DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue islandwide.

Amy Shoremount-Obra

TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR Hawai`i International Music Festival. After opening its inaugural season at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Concert Hall in Honolulu, the special concert at Pahala Plantation House on Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. honors the 20th anniversary of Ka`u Coffee. The concert will help raise awareness for donations for Hawai`i Public Radio's efforts to bring a stronger and more reliable signal to this community and the entire state.

The concert features Amy Shoremount-Obra (soprano and daughter-in-law of Lorie Obra from Rusty’s Hawaiian), Eric Silberger (violin), Daniel Lelchuk (cello), Ian Parker (piano), and Mikayla Sager (soprano). Carlin Ma is artistic program director.

Tickets, $25 each, may be purchased http://himusicfestival.bpt.me. To make a donation to HPR, contact Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net.

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TOMORROW IS FAMILY READING NIGHT at Ocean View Community Center. Participants meet at 5 p.m.

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National Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch for Ka`u as Darby edges toward Hawai`i Island.
See more below. Image from NOAA

HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE, meeting in special session, yesterday overrode Gov. David Ige’s veto of Senate Bill 2077. The bill authorizes Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. employees on Maui to opt to receive either severance benefits or a special retirement benefit in lieu of exercising any reduction-in-force rights. The employees face position abolishment, reduction-in-force or workforce restructuring as a result of HHSC’s Maui Region facilities moving from state to private operation. HHSC also operates Ka`u Hospital.

HHSC operates facilities throughout the state. Map from HHSC

“Our primary concern is and always has been the health and well-being of Maui’s residents and visitors as we work to privatize Maui region hospitals,” Ige said. “We are committed to a successful transfer and transition to a new Maui health care system for all stakeholders, which includes our employees.

“However, this transaction must be done correctly for the common good. The concerns expressed in my veto message have not changed. Three areas of concern remain: the bill jeopardizes the Employees Retirement System’s tax exempt status; the bill does not appropriate funds for lump-sum cash payments for affected employees; the bill adds an additional unfunded liability of about $17.2 million to the ERS and $18.4 million to the Employer Union Benefits Trust Fund. This puts the state’s long-term financial position, along with its bond ratings in jeopardy. Bond ratings determine what the state pays in interest on borrowed funds.
“The next steps for my administration include conferring with the attorney general to assess and evaluate the impact of the veto override, continuing to work in good faith with the UPW to bring resolution to the federal court injunction and to finalize the details, … (and) continuing to work on a smooth transition in order to provide a new system of health care for Maui.
“This is an historic, complex multi-stakeholder transformation, and we are optimistic that we will resolve all unforeseen issues.
“In the interim, I am confident that the existing Maui hospital staff and operations team will continue to provide quality health care services to the people of Maui.”
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Tropical Storm Darby tracking toward Hawai`i Island.
Map from NOAA

KA`U IS UNDER A TROPICAL storm watch. The National Weather Service issued the watch this morning, as Tropical Storm Darby edges closer to Hawai`i Island. A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours. The watch follows a flash flood watch issued earlier this morning.

At 11 a.m., Darby was 595 miles east of South Point and forecast to make landfall Saturday evening. Maximum sustained winds were near 65 mph with higher gusts. Little change in strength is forecast during the next 48 hours.
“Interests in the Hawaiian islands should monitor the progress of Darby,” Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported. “Remember, it is important not to focus too closely on the exact track and intensity forecasts because the average track error 72 hours out is near 100 miles, while the average intensity error is about 15 knots. In addition, the hazards of a tropical cyclone can extend over a broad area well away from the center.”
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Lava was visible at Kilauea's summit lava lake yesterday.
Photo from Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

“A LONG, HOT HIKE WAS NOT NEEDED to see red lava” yesterday, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists reported this morning. Vigorous spattering from Kilauea Volcano's summit lava lake was visible from the Jaggar Museum Overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The lava lake surface, measured at 82 feet below the vent rim, was high enough for spattering to be seen from afar.

The 61G lava flow active on Kilauea’s south flank, which does require a long, hot hike to view, is currently .4 miles from the coastal emergency road and .5 miles from the ocean. Advancement is slow, with lava spreading out on the coastal plain.
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U.S. REP. MARK TAKAI lost his battle with cancer yesterday. He had recently announced that he would not seek re-election in his First Congressional District because of health issues. The district encompasses much of O`ahu and is one of the only predominantly Asian American districts in the United States.

The late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai
Photo from Office of Rep. Takai

Takai served as a member of Hawai`i National Guard for 17 years. He deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009.

Takai was a 20-year member of the state House of Representatives before being elected to Congress in 2014, where he served on Armed Forces and Small Business Committees.
“I’m deeply saddened today as we mourn the passing of my friend, colleague and fellow soldier, Congressman Mark Takai,” U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “I’m grateful to have known and worked with Mark for over a decade. With a servant’s heart, full of aloha, he dedicated his life to serving the people of Hawai`i and our nation, in the Hawai`i State Legislature, in the Hawai`i Army National Guard, and in Congress. I had the good fortune of serving with Mark in all three of these capacities and saw firsthand that no matter where he was, he always kept his service to Hawai`i’s people at the forefront of his actions. Mark’s smiling face and ready laugh will truly be missed, but the impact that he made through his life of service to the people of Hawai`i will always be remembered. My heart and prayers are with Sami, Matthew, Kaila and all of Mark’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
“This is the deepest of losses and one that I feel very personally because of my friendship with Mark,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “Throughout his life, he was all about serving the people of Hawai`i. He gave so much and had so much more yet to give. My condolences to his wife Sami, his children, his parents and his whole `ohana, whose pride and support meant everything to Mark. This is a sad day for all of Hawai`i.”

The late U.S. Rep. Mark Takai with Gov. David Ige
Photo from Office of Gov. Ige

“I affectionately called Mark my younger brother,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said. “We shared so many of the same values and supported each other during challenging times. Mark’s passing is a tremendous loss for all of us who loved him and for the state of Hawai`i. But he said it best: ‘As often happens, we find ourselves on a different journey than we had planned.’ While we find that our journey is not as bright without Mark, we will continue his work to make Hawai`i a better place. My thoughts and aloha go to his wife Sami, his children Matthew and Kaila, and the Takai `ohana.”

“Mark humbly and effectively served the people of his state House and Congressional districts,” Gov. David Ige said. “In the often tumultuous world of politics, he has been a shining example of what it means to be a public servant.
“While we will deeply feel the loss of Mark Takai in the public arena, we cannot forget that he was a family man first. His wife, children and extended family will miss him every moment from this day on. Dawn and I extend our deepest sympathies to Sami, Matthew and Kaila. Your husband and father was a man of principle and goodwill. Thank you for sharing him with the citizens Hawai`i.”

Explore Mauna Loa's Southwest Rift Zone Saturday.
Photo from NPS

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EXPLORE MAUNA LOA’S Southwest Rift Zone Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. After a short hike to an overlook on the Upper Palm Trail in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, rangers orient participants to numerous prominent geologic features of the many eruptions in the area. Learn about the fascinating natural processes that create these features and the cultural traditions associated with them.

Pack a lunch to enjoy during the program.
See nps.gov/havo.

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Tropical Storm Darby is expected to make landfall on Hawai`i Island tomorrow morning. Ka`u is expected
to be affected by tropical storm wind and rain later today. Map from NOAA

SOUTH HAWAI`I ISLAND is under a tropical storm warning and flash flood and high surf watches issued by the National Weather Service as Darby approaches from the east-southeast. A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within 36 hours. In some areas of Hawai`i County, winds could be as high as 50 to 60 mph with gusts to 70 mph.

A tropical storm warning and flash flood and high surf watches
are in effect for South Hawai`i. Map from NOAA

Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported that Darby’s track has shifted southward slightly, indicating landfall over Hawai`i Island. The storm’s center is expected to pass over Hawai`i Island tomorrow morning, but tropical storm conditions are forecast to arrive later today.
Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion today. Residents are urged to complete storm preparations before nightfall.
In a tropical cyclone, conditions can change quickly. Evacuate if directed to do so by local officials, or if homes are vulnerable to high winds or flooding. Persons living near the shore should be prepared to evacuate quickly should building surf threaten. Secure or bring indoors any loose outdoor objects that could become destructive projectiles in strong winds.
Stay calm and keep informed. Closely monitor local news outlets for official storm information. Listen for warnings or changes to the forecast.
Tropical storms can bring very heavy rain, leading to flash flooding. People near streams, rivers, and low-lying flood-prone areas are urged to be especially alert to flash flooding.
As of 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Darby was 310 miles east of South Point and moving west at 12 miles per hour. Maximum sustained winds are 60 miles per hour with higher gusts.
For updates on Tropical Storm Darby, see http://www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc/tc_graphics/latest_w.php?stormid=EP052016.
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Ka`u High School opens as a shelter at 4 p.m. today. Local families
stayed their when Iselle hit Ka`u in August 2014.
Photo by Ron Johnson

HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE reported that all camping and pavilion reservations at county and state parks are cancelled today through Sunday. County lava viewing and swimming pools close at 12 p.m. today. Beginning tomorrow, all state and county park facilities will be closed until further notice.
Civil Defense urges residents and visitors to shelter in place or with family and friends if possible and safe. Pet-friendly emergency shelters open today at 4 p.m. at Ka`u and Konawaena High Schools. Bring bedding, food, water and any personal items needed.
For updates, see http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/civil-defense/.
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TO KEEP VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES SAFE as Tropical Storm Darby approaches, officials will close all backcountry areas and certain roads in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at 5 p.m. today.

Namakanipaio Campground is among areas of Hawai`i VolcanoesNational Park
closed in advance of Tropical StormDarby's impending arrival. Photo from NPS

Park closures include Kulanaokuaiki Campground and Namakanipaio Cabins and Campgrounds, Kahuku Unit, Mauna Loa Road after Kipukapuaulu, Hilina Pali Road, Chain of Craters Road at Crater Rim Drive intersection, lava viewing area and Coastal Ranger Station, and the entire backcountry, including all coastal sites, Napau and Mauna Loa.
Closures will remain in effect until Darby has passed and conditions are safe. Additional closures may be warranted as the storm gets closer and any damage is assessed. Volcano House and Kilauea Military Camp will remain open for registered guests.
“Although we aren’t closing Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in its entirety, we strongly encourage visitors to consider changing their plans if they were planning to visit Friday afternoon or this weekend,” Chief Ranger John Broward said.
Popular visitor areas at the summit of Kolauea will remain open, including Nahuku (Thurston Lava Tube), Kilauea Visitor Center and the Jaggar Museum and observation deck. Visitors can check nps.gov/havo for the latest information on openings or call 985-6000.
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Hawai`i Island Food Basket is preparing for Tropical Storm Darby.
Photo from Hawai`i Island Food Basket

HAWAI`I ISLAND FOOD BASKET is preparing for potential effects of Tropical Storm Darby.
The agency has prepared by safely storing needed items should mobilization become necessary.
“Through the generosity of the community, we are well stocked with water and other necessities should the storm hit the Big Island full force,” Executive Director En Young said. “We learned many lessons from Tropical Storm Iselle, and The Food Basket staff and our partner agencies are much more knowledgeable and coordinated. While none of us can predict the effects of the storm, you can be assured that we are ready and able to assist in the event of an emergency in your area.”
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KA`U’S STATE SEN. JOSH GREEN FAVORS relocating the proposed massive solar project proposed in Ocean View. Green wrote a letter supporting the Consumer Advocate’s opposition to the project and suggesting that the project be relocated closer to Kona on “true agricultural land.”
Green’s letter is one of 90 so far sent to the Public Utilities Commission objecting to Hawaiian Electric Light Co.’s application for the construction of an overhead transmission line that would serve the controversial project. Ocean View residents are objecting to the location of 27 solar sites among homes, as they fear it will industrialize their town.

Sen. Josh Green

Consumer Advocate Jeffrey Ono recommended that the line be placed underground – an option that would make the project more expensive for the developer, SPI Solar, a corporation headquartered in Shanghai and registered in the Cayman Islands. Ono has made other mitigating recommendations – such as having the developer pay for maintenance of the line and substation for 20 years and their removal, together with removal of the solar installations.
“I fully support the Consumer Advocate, Mr. Jeffrey Ono, and his position in this matter,” Green wrote. “Mr. Ono has shown a remarkable grasp of the situation and forethought. The developers’ choice to locate their industrial development among homes demonstrates that they care little for the town or its residents.
“Yet, although Mr. Ono has recommended every measure in his power to mitigate the effects of the project, I encourage the commission to look behind the curtain and determine if the project itself is in the public interest. I support Mr. Ono, but would prefer to see the project cancelled.
“There are many objections listed in other letters to the docket, which, I trust, the commission will take seriously.
“I want to make it clear that while we support solar and energy plans, they need to fit the true spirit of our zoning intentions. I believe that the legislative intent was not for solar projects to be in residential areas.
“May I earnestly and very respectfully request that the Commission revoke the FIT permits on the grounds that the permits were issued based on information that has since proved to be untrue. I refer to the fact that the project is not shovel ready, the developer did not have site control (both basic requirements), and they combined twenty-seven 250kw permits to create a 6.75-megawatt project to circumvent the limits for a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Further, they have made no attempt to bring the project on line quickly, which was a basic goal of the FIT program.

A proposed solar project in Ocean View would require a new
substation, as depicted here. Image from HELCO

“If, however, the commission is unable or unwilling to cancel the FIT permits and end the project, may I respectfully suggest a compromise solution? May I suggest that SPI Solar be allowed to relocate the 16 permits that were issued for housing lots in the Ranchos subdivision onto true agricultural land, closer to the “load?” No doubt HELCO will object that this is against the FIT rules. However, when one considers that HELCO’s enforcement of the rules has resulted in a town being threatened, project completion dates ignored, permits issued based on false information being sold for a profit, PPA rules circumvented, and an unwanted project with no public benefit, perhaps the rules should be managed differently going forward.
“If this avenue were explored, I think you would find favor in many quarters. I understand that the SPI Solar has concerns about working in a hostile environment and that the spokesman, Mr. Ian Craig, has been the subject of verbal threats at a town meeting. If offered a chance to relocate, he would likely jump at it in order to avoid threats of sabotage. SPI Solar could sell the land and recover those costs. I also understand that the Independent Observer, Mr. Harry Judd, has no objection to some of the permits being relocated. Certainly my constituents in the Ranchos subdivision of Ocean View, the primary victims of the ill-considered project, would favor relocation, as would other residents of Ka`u.”
Ka`u residents continue to email letters of objection to the PUC. In July, 17 thumbs-down letters were sent by Janeen Marie, Ed NeSmith and Victoria Elford, Peter and Ann Bosted, Tim and Linda Schutt, Paul Montague, Anna Towner, Greg Guithues, Loren Heck, Dan Snyder, Rosemarie and John O’Connor, Bob and Sue Werner, Janice Hazen, Jim and Tammie Ewers, Kerstin Mueller, Sandra Shelton, Stanley and Kassy Kemp, and Verna & Frank Loosli.
Public comment can be emailed to puc.comments@hawaii.gov with docket number, 2015-0229 in the subject line.
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Punalu`u, where junior lifeguard training is taking place this month, is closed today due to Tropical
Storm Darby approaching Ka`u and Hawai`i Island. Photo from Brenda Iokepa-Moses

TROPICAL STORM DARBY continues to threaten Ka`u. At 11 a.m., the storm was 60 miles east of South Point and moving west-northwest at 10 miles per hour.

As Darby approaches, some parts of Hawai`i Island will see sustained winds over 39 mph with gusts over 60 mph. Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported that north-northeast winds were gusting over 50 mph in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park late this morning. Winds are forecast to reach 45 miles per hour today and fall below tropical storm force by early tomorrow afternoon.

Increasing shear and gradually cooling water temperatures will lead to a slow but steady weakening. CPHC’s intensity forecast assumes that Darby will be able to maintain some organization as it interacts with the terrain of Hawai`i Island and no longer considers an alternative track scenario.

Central Pacific Hurricane Center said Tropical Storm Darby will
cross Hawai`i Island today. Map from NOAA

National Weather Service’s tropical storm warning for South Hawai`i continues until further notice. A flash flood advisory expires tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported that Hele-On bus service is suspended, and solid waste transfer stations and landfills are closed today. Also closed are all county and state parks.

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GOV. DAVID IGE SIGNED a pre-landfall emergency proclamation as the state prepares for Tropical Storm Darby. The proclamation authorizes expenditure of state monies for quick, easy and efficient relief of disaster-related damages, losses and suffering resulting from the storm.
“Our top priority is to protect the health, safety and welfare of Hawai`i’s residents and visitors,” Ige said. “I urge residents and businesses to follow emergency instructions, prepare for the storm and take steps to protect your families, employees and property. The state is standing by to assist the counties — particularly Hawai`i and Maui Counties — which are expected to be the first to feel the impact of Tropical Storm Darby.”
The disaster emergency relief period began yesterday and continues through July 29.
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MAYOR BILLY KENOI ALSO SIGNED an emergency proclamation in anticipation of the Tropical Storm Darby's arrival. The proclamation allows easier access to county emergency resources, along with suspension of certain laws as needed for emergency purposes.

“We want to make sure we are doing everything possible to protect the public,” Kenoi said. “This proclamation improves the county’s ability to respond quickly to any potential impacts from the impending storm.”
The disaster emergency relief period for the proclamation began at noon yesterday and will continue for 60 days.
The latest Hawai`i County Civil Defense message can be found at HawaiiCounty.gov. Recommended preparedness actions may be found on the Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency website at scd.hawaii.gov. Residents are also encouraged to enroll in local notification systems and monitor local radio and television broadcasts.
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Archaeologist Roland Reed, center, discusses the proposed wastewater
treatment site with community members, including Raina Whiting,
at left, and Keoni Fox, at right. Photo from Raina Whiting

HAWAI`I COUNTY HELD A MEETING about and site visit of the property proposed for Na`alehu’s wastewater treatment plant Friday. Among those attending were County Council District Six candidate Raina Whiting.

“There are many reasons to take a step back and have more community input on the type of wastewater treatment plant, location and environmental and cultural impact we are willing to allow in our community,” Whiting said. “The proposed location is not only encroaching on Na`alehu town and our elementary school but also could have a significant impact on the makahiki grounds and iwi kupuna directly in this area.

“This project needs to be done correctly the first time. The county has made no progress since 2006 (the last public meeting) and has renewed its grant funding six times, said Dora Beck, of Department of Environmental Management’s wastewater division. It is not acceptable to now come down to the line and the community be forced to swallow a less than stellar project with only a slightly better environmental impact than we currently have with the gang cesspools and with great impact on makahiki and burial grounds.”

Dates and times for a future public meeting are to be announced, according to department director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd.

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Sen. Hirono, second from left, observes U.S. Navy jet fighter landing

aboard U.S.S. John C. Stennis. Photo from U.S.S. John C. Stennis

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO JOINED international partners and Hawai`i community leaders aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier U.S.S. John C. Stennis to observe the ongoing Rim of the Pacific Exercise – the world’s largest naval exercise. Hirono met with the U.S.S. Stennis Strike Group leadership about the U.S. Navy’s vital role to the Indo-Asia-Pacific rebalance, the unmatched capability of U.S. aircraft carriers and observed air operations below and from the deck of the supercarrier.

Hirono also met with U.S. Ambassador to China and former Sen. Max Baucus, where they discussed China’s participation in this year’s RIMPAC and recent events involving China in the Pacific region.
“The Rim of the Pacific Exercise is a critical opportunity for the United States and our partners to simulate real-world scenarios in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” Hirono said. “While on board the Stennis, I interacted with sailors, many of whom were young men and women, but they were all highly trained and skilled. I was impressed with the level of discipline and professionalism of all the sailors. Today’s experience helps me in my role as Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower.”
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PARENTS AND CHILDREN TOGETHER received an $8.8 million federal grant from the Administration for Children and Families to fund its Early Head Start and Head Start programs on O`ahu and Hawai`i Island.

“Research shows the many short and long-term benefits of early education, including increased academic development and achievement, reduced child abuse, neglect, and crime rates, increased income equality, and more,” Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “I've visited preschools and Head Start classrooms across Hawai`i and have seen how these early childhood education programs have an incredible impact on our keiki and our communities. PACT has a decades-long history of strengthening our local families and communities and creating opportunities for those most vulnerable. This grant will enable PACT to expand access and opportunity to those who need it the most.”
“We are excited and grateful to continue to provide these important services to communities on O`ahu and Hawai`i Island,” said Ben Naki, PACT’s vice president of early education. “We will be able to serve over 800 children and their families with high quality, comprehensive, early childhood services that are so needed by our community.”
Founded in 1968, PACT provides a wide array of educational social services to families in need. Assisting more than 18,000 people across the state annually, PACT helps families identify, address and successfully resolve challenges through its 16 programs. Among its services are developmental screening, early childhood education, child abuse/neglect and domestic violence prevention and intervention, mental health support, youth activities, and community and economic development.
For more information, see http://www.pacthawaii.org/.
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Margaret Barnaby's woodblock print is part of
of Endemic Understanding. Image from VAC

LOCAL ARTISTS ARE FEATURED in Endemic Understanding, which opens today at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The multi-media exhibit, which showcases the extraordinary biodiversity found within Hawai`i Island’s five national parks, will be on display from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Aug. 28.

The artists, including Margaret Barnaby, Heide Cumes, Lanaya Deily, Jack Jeffrey, Susan Litteral, Liz Miller and Karen Schuster were selected from the 2015 Hawai`i Nei exhibition celebrating native species and asked to further investigate the plants, animals and environments found within Hawai`i Island’s national parks yet found nowhere else. Through a series of educational events, the artists gathered information that helped them craft three to five works each, based on their unique artistic perspective.
“The exhibition title Endemic Understanding refers to the ecological state of the species being unique to a defined geographic location, in this case Hawai‘i Island’s national parks,” gallery manager Emily Weiss said. “Through the exhibit, we hope to honor the centennial celebration of the National Park Service and its role in helping to protect and understand our natural resources.”
The exhibit is open to the public and free of charge. Park entrance fees apply, with the exception of Aug. 25-28 when fees are waived to celebrate National Park Service’s Birthday Weekend.

EVERYONE IS INVITED to Bon Dance practices beginning tomorrow at Pahala Community Center. They are scheduled from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the next four Sundays leading up to Pahala Hongwanji’s first Bon Dance since 1999, set for Sunday, Aug. 21.

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

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See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Downed grass marks the high level of a Wood Valley gulch that filled with runoff from heavy rains
brought to Ka`u by Tropical Storm Darby. Photo by Julia Neal

WOOD VALLEY GULCHES continued to gather runoff this morning following a night of heavy rain. The center of Tropical Storm Darby made landfall in Ka`u at 2 p.m. yesterday, pushing rain-laden clouds into Ka`u mountains, where they dropped their payloads yesterday afternoon and evening and early morning hours today.

Water flows in a Wood Valley gulch
following heavy rain overnight.
Photo by Julia Neal

Wood Valley Temple reported that the area received 12 inches starting about midnight. People were unable to enter or leave the valley for several hours.
Pahala was spared, with little wind and moderate amounts of rain. Alice Yonemitsu, of Na`alehu, reported that her rain gauge recorded four inches of rain. In the South Point area, a resident reported receiving 2.7 inches of rain overnight.
According to Hawai`i County Civil Defense, the tropical storm warning for Hawai`i County was cancelled as of 5 a.m. as Darby continued to move away from the Big Island. The high surf has also been cancelled. A flash flood watch remains in effect as rain bands around Darby could continue to bring showers and thunderstorms through this afternoon.
A brown water advisory has also been issued for Hawai`i County due to heavy rains. The public is advised to stay out of floodwaters and storm water runoff due to possible contamination. If the water is brown, stay out.
At 5 a.m. Civil Defense reported that Hwy 11 at Kawa had reopened after being closed due to flooding.
Hele-On Bus has resumed its regularly scheduled service. Solid waste transfer stations and landfills are open as normally scheduled.
County parks and recreational facilities reopen today. County lava viewing will resume tomorrow.
Emergency shelters closed at 8 a.m. this morning.
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UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I Board of Regents last week approved a tuition increase for the ten-campus system over a three-year period that starts with a zero percent increase in the first year. The tuition increase is for the 2017–18 through the 2019–20 academic years and ranges from one to two percent in years two and three.

UH students get a reprieve from tuition hikes until 2018-19.
Photo from University of Hawai`i

“I reviewed all the testimony this week and the testimony from this morning, and I am struck by the request that we dig more deeply from within,” said President David Lassner, when he proposed the change. The regents accepted the proposal and asked for the administration to report back within a year.

UH leadership stressed that money raised through the increase will only be used for projects that modernize student spaces, classrooms and laboratories.
“The priority is to follow the UH strategic directions to build a 21st century university that provides the absolute best and most modern environment for our students – an environment designed for interdisciplinary collaboration that supports modern teaching, learning, innovation and scholarship,” said Risa Dickson, UH Vice President for Academic Planning and Policy.
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“WHAT AN EXCITING TIME for Kilauea volcano-watchers!” Hawaiian Volcano Observatory exclaims in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
“Simultaneous eruptions at the summit and along the East Rift Zone of Kilauea might be old news, but a change in late May has created some excitement: a new vent opened on the eastern flank of Pu`u `O`o and is now sending lava down the south flank of Kilauea and across the coastal plain for the first time since 2013.

Coastal lava viewing under a clear night sky.
Photo by NPS Volunteer Eric Fandrick

“At Kilauea’s summit, the sloshing, splashing lava lake within the Halema`uma`u Crater vent has been high enough at times that spatter (bits of molten lava) is occasionally visible from the Jaggar Museum overlook in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. At night, spectacular views of reddish glow against the dark sky and Milky Way have enthralled visitors.

“The new Pu`u `O`o lava flow has been informally named ‘61g,’ as it is the seventh flow (g) in the 61st episode of the ongoing Kilauea East Rift Zone eruption, which began in 1983. The flow now extends roughly 10 kilometers (six miles) from the vent and is advancing to the southeast along the eastern border of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
“Closer to the vent at Pu`u `O`o, molten lava moves downslope beneath a newly solidified lava surface through a system of lava tubes. It then streams over Pulama pali, a lava-mantled fault scarp, where, at times, the lava produces impressive `a`a channels on the steep slopes. On the more gentle gradients of the coastal plain, the flow advances as slower-moving pahoehoe lava lobes and sheets.
“The lava flow front remains active but has made little forward progress toward the ocean in the past two weeks. As of July 20, the flow front remained about 720 meters (0.4 mi) from the emergency road and 850 m (0.5 mi) from the ocean. A few hundred meters (yards) upslope of the flow front, breakouts of pahoehoe lava continue to widen the flow margins.
“Visitors hoping to view the flow should consult access and critical safety information before attempting the long hike. Lava-viewing information is available from both the National Park (http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lava2.htm) and Hawai`i County (http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-viewing/).
“At this point, we cannot say with certainty if or when lava might reach the ocean. If it does, a different set of hazards – from steam explosions to collapsing lava deltas – will impact lava-viewing opportunities. Staying informed will help you stay safe.
“To keep up with recent Kilauea activity, you can sign up for daily updates via email and text message through the free USGS Volcano Notification Service (http://volcanoes.usgs.gov/vns/). You can also visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website (hvo.wr.usgs.gov) for daily updates, recent photos, maps, and other resources.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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Quilting is the topic of a film screening tomorrow.
Photo by Jesse Tunison from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER SHOWS the award-winning PBS documentary, The Art of Quilting, at Hale Ho`omana in Volcano Village tomorrow at 7 p.m. The program celebrates contemporary quilt artists as they transcend classic quilts by taking the finest traditions of the past to create new traditions for this American art form.

The showing is in connection with VAC’s first annual quilt show now open through Aug. 6, except Sundays and Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Over 20 quilters display 40 of their finest work, some for the first time in public. A number of designs are on display, inspired by dramatic scenery in the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

The presentation and exhbit are free; donations are gladly accepted.

KA`U FOOD PANTRY, INC.’S next distribution is Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., or earlier if food runs out, at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle-Mauka in Ocean View. The organizations asks recipients to arrive at least one hour before doors open and to respect church grounds. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 9 a.m. on distribution days.

Ka`u Food Pantry distributes food on the last
Tuesday of each month.

To apply for the program, bring a photo ID. New recipients can register and receive food that same day. Proxies are also available for people unable to pick up food themselves.

The Pantry tries to hold a fundraising event every month at Ocean View Swap Meet near Malama Market, selling home-baked goods.
Ka`u Food Pantry is staffed entirely by volunteers and is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to feed the hungry of Ocean View. It is currently feeding up to 120 families. The program is designed to provide one to three days worth of nutritious food to help people who run short of money, benefits and/or food by month’s end. As a nonprofit, the Pantry is able to purchase food from Hawai`i Food Basket at 18 cents per pound. One dollar buys half a case of food.
Donations of non-perishable food items and funding are welcomed. Donate funds via St. Jude’s by writing a check with Food Pantry in the memo area. Checks may be written directly to the Food Pantry as well. Make payable to the Ka`u Food Pantry, Inc., PO Box 6184, Ocean View, HI 96737. There are also donation change cans at businesses in Ocean View. Monetary and food donations may be deductible.
“Mahalo nui loa for all your support,” President Karan Pucci said.
For further information, contact Pucci at 510-778-5500 or kaufoodpantryhi@gmail.com.

SALT PRODUCTION SITES are discussed during After Dark in the Park Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Archaeologist Summer Roper reveals the importance and history of pa`akai along the park’s rugged coastline. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

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and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

As lava continues to flow near Kalapana, it has nearly reached the emergency road and coast.
See more below. Photo from USGS/HVO

RAINA WHITING IS ONE of several Hawai`i Congressional District II delegates at the Democratic National Convention that opened today in Philadelphia. Whiting, a resident of Ocean View, is a candidate for the non-partisan office for Hawai`i County District VI. She serves as first vice chairperson for the county District V Democratic committee. At the DNC, Whiting is a committed delegate for Bernie Sanders.

Hawai`i Island Democrats participating in the Democratic National
Convention include Richard Harris, Dolly Strazar, Raina Whiting
and Joy San Buenaventura. Photo from Raina Whiting

“Bernie’s delegates are holding strong for a roll call vote and to make progressive change happen in our party,” Whiting said. “Unfortunately, the DNC has chosen Hillary Clinton before the delegates have voted, and naturally, Bernie delegates feel disenfranchised in this process.

“The message here from the party is to unify in order to have the numbers to defeat Trump.” Hawai`i County Democratic Party vice chair Dolly Strazar said, “I am thankful to be here: we have a great delegation this year.”
Joy San Buenaventura, who represents Puna in the state House of Representatives, said, “We are feeling the Bern.”
Hawai`i Democratic Party chair Timothy Vandeveer, who is also a delegate, is committed to Sanders, as well. Whiting nominated him for the post during the party’s state convention on O`ahu in May.
Members of Hawai`i’s U.S. Congressional delegation are also attending the DNC. Tulsi Gabbard is a delegate committed to Sanders, while Sen. Mazie Hirono and Sen. Brian Schatz are committed to Hillary Clinton.
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Gov. and Mrs. Ige Photo from
Office of the Governor

GOV. DAVID IGE AND FIRST LADY Dawn Amano-Ige are also participating in the Democratic National Convention.

As governor, Ige is a superdelegate with Hawai`i’s Democratic Party. Elected delegates and superdelegates from Hawai`i and across the country are attending the convention today through Thursday, July 28.
Ige is currently scheduled to return to Hawai`i on Friday, July 29. No state funds are being used for this trip.
Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui serves as acting governor while Ige is out of state.
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THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY accepted major reforms to the superdelegate process in advance of the opening of the party’s convention today. Now, the vast majority of superdelegates will be required to cast their votes at the convention based on how their state voted.

U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

“Bernie Sanders always said his campaign was about more than him — it was about millions of people coming together to challenge an establishment that was more interested in serving the interests of corporations and lobbyists,” Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said.

“This compromise helps to make our presidential nominating contest more democratic. In addition, the party will be actively encouraging open primaries and same-day party registration, like what we have in Hawai`i.
“It was a long, hard fight, but we can be proud that the grassroots have won a qualified victory in the fight to create a Democratic Party that is stronger and fairer.”
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RIMPAC, THE WORLD’S LARGEST international maritime exercise held in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California, continues. The event began on June 30 and ends on Aug. 4.
Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Holly L. Herline reported that sailors assigned to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) conducted a visit, board, search and seizure training exercise with sailors from Chilean Navy Frigate CNS Almirante Cochrane (FF 05) and sailors from Indian Navy Shivalik-class stealth frigate INS Satpura (F48) on July 14.

Herline described VBSS as “a maritime boarding tactic used by the military to counter terrorism, piracy and smuggling to maintain safety on the world’s oceans. Teams are either invited to board a ship by the ship’s master, or they board the ship without consent to search the ship for illegal cargo or narcotics and to verify that the vessel is involved in the activities they say they are conducting.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup

steams into formation during RIMPAC.

U.S. Navy Photo by Siobhana R. McEwen

“Sailors from the Shoup’s VBSS teams conducted a compliant boarding on Satpura while sailors from Cochrane VBSS team boarded Shoup. The teams were invited to board each other’s vessels via bridge-to-bridge communication.” She said that once on board, sailors meet with crew, search the ship, verify documents and logs and interview the ship’s master and engineer.

“It is very important to work closely like this with other countries because you never know what Navy you will be working with in the future,” Lt. j.g. Zachary Bessette, Shoup’s VBSS boarding officer, told Herline. “It’s good to build this good working relationship and rapport with them now.”
“Boarding a foreign vessel was very interesting and exciting,” Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Brett Viney, a member of Shoup’s VBSS team, told Herline. “The Indian sailors were extremely nice and hospitable.
“We got the chance to experience what it’s like to really have to work on asking the right questions to overcome the barriers and know how an actual boarding of a vessel would likely happen.”
Bessette told Herline, “Our normal training is done with in a classroom; it is rare that we get the opportunity to go out and actually board other ships, so it was great to gain this experience.”
“I think we all performed very well today, everyone remained professional and courteous, Viney said. “I think we left a lasting positive influence on the way the other navies see us.”
For more information, see http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/, or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.
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Gov. Ige met with sailors from Hawai`i aboard the USS John C. Stennis.
Photo from Office of the Governor

GOV. DAVID IGE TOURED the USS John C. Stennis last week. The aircraft carrier is taking part in RIMPAC maritime exercises.

“It’s remarkable when you think about an aircraft carrier that has 5,000 people living on it,” Ige said. “The USS John C. Stennis is a floating city, and it is tremendous to see the men and women who dedicate their lives to public service, protecting the freedom and the rights that we all enjoy. It was really inspiring and informative, to me, to see all the activities that are involved in these sailors’ daily lives.”
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AFTER SEVERAL DAYS of no forward motion, the 61G lava flow front near Kalapana advanced toward the emergency road and ocean yesterday. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that lava was 0.15 miles from the road and 0.2 miles from the ocean.
Daily updates of ongoing volcanic activity at the coast and Kilauea’s summit are available at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

Learn about salt production tomorrow. Image from NPS

KU`I KALO – POUND POI, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Experience this nutritious and special food, the traditional staple of the Hawaiian diet.

Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/news/news.html.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Viewers gather around lava as it flows toward the emergency access road at Kalapana. It crossed the road
and then reached the ocean at 1:12 a.m. this morning. Photo from USGS/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

PELE HAS REACHED THE OCEAN AGAIN. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the 61G lava flow extending southeast of Pu`u `O`o toward the coastal plain on Kilauea’s south flank entered the ocean, as of 1:12 a.m. this morning.

HVO warns visitors viewing the new ocean entry about additional significant hazards besides walking on uneven surfaces and around unstable, extremely steep sea cliffs: “Venturing too close to an ocean entry exposes visitors to flying debris created by explosive interaction between lava and water. Also, the new land created is unstable because it is built on unconsolidated lava fragments and sand. This loose material can easily be eroded away by surf, causing the new land to become unsupported and slide into the sea. Finally, the interaction of lava with the ocean creates an acidic plume laden with fine volcanic particles that can irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs.”
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After the storm photo on Monday, following a weekend of Tropical Storm

Darby, taken from Mauna Loa Observatory, the weather station high

on the side of the volcano, looking out to Mauna Kea. Image from

the live North Camera, which is updated every 15 minutes.

See esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/mlo/livecam/livecam.html.

ALL HAWAI`I ISLAND STATE PARKS have reopened after Tropical Storm Darby forced closures. Most parks have reported no significant impacts from the storm. Forest areas are also being assessed.

Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources urges people to use caution when entering these areas due to possible presence of downed branches, high stream levels, possible mudslides or flooded roads and trails. Report downed trees or other hazards to island parks or forestry offices. Check weather alerts for any flash flood watch or warnings that may be in effect.
Persons holding camping or cabin permits for this past weekend who were unable to camp due to weather may request a refund from Division of State Parks, or an alternate date.
Hawai`i Island forest reserves, natural area reserves, game management areas and hiking trails reopened yesterday. Staff were doing damage assessments Monday. Anyone entering forest areas should use caution. Ainapo cabin in Ka`u will be checked today, weather permitting.
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Pilots Bertran Piccard and Andre Borschberg celebrate completion
of their around-the-world mission. Photo from Solar Impulse

SOLAR IMPULSE HAS COMPLETED its mission. The last flight landed at Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates today. Taking turns at the controls of their zero-emission electric and solar airplane, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg succeeded in their dream of achieving the first ever around-the-world solar flight. The mission traveled 40,000 kilometers without fossil fuel.

Solar Impulse was grounded on O`ahu from July 2015 to April 2016. During its record-breaking oceanic flight of five days and five nights (117 hours and 52 minutes) from Japan, the craft suffered battery damage due to overheating. The damage to certain parts of the batteries was irreversible and require repairs and replacements that took several months.
“By landing back in Abu Dhabi after a total of 21 days of flight travelled in a 17-leg journey, Si2 has proven that clean technologies can achieve the impossible,” Piccard said.

Beyond this historic milestone, the two Swiss pioneers announced that they will continue to urge global implementation of energy efficient solutions through creation of the International Committee for Clean Technologies and leverage the expertise and technology gained over the years in Solar Impulse by launching new, innovative projects, such as the development of solar powered drones.
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Sen. Brian Schatz

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA has signed the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act into law, which includes a provision co-authored by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. The legislation, titled the Safe Treatments and Opportunities to Prevent Pain Act, will strengthen research for treatment of chronic pain and find alternatives to opioids, which can be dangerous when abused.

“Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain and are prescribed potentially addictive opioids as treatment,” Schatz said. “This bipartisan bill will help researchers find alternative treatments for chronic pain so that we can try to stop opioid addiction before it begins.”
The STOP Pain Act will direct the National Institutes of Health to intensify and coordinate research regarding the understanding of pain, the discovery and development of therapies for chronic pain and development of alternatives to opioids for effective pain treatments.
Opioids, which include such medications as morphine, codeine and oxycodone, are classified as narcotics. They have addictive potential and can be dangerous when abused. “The national epidemic of opioid dependency and addiction underscores the need for alternative treatments for chronic pain,” Schatz said.
The bill will also ensure that research would be conducted with consideration of recommendations made by the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee in concert with the Pain Management Best Practices Inter-Agency Task Force, and in accordance with the National Pain Strategy, the Federal Pain Research Strategy, and the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2016-2020.
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FORMER HAWAI`I PUBLIC UTILITIES Commission Chair Mina Morita discussed Hawai`i’s energy future at minamoritaenergydynamic.com. Her comments follow the PUC’s rejection of the proposed $4.3 billion merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. and NextEra Energy.

“For a long time, Gov. Ige and state Rep. Chris Lee have intimated that there are other parties interested in purchasing the HECO Companies,” Morita wrote. “The Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission’s own order (page 263) stated, ‘The HECO Companies’ attributes that were attractive to NextEra are still available to other potential suitors.’”

Mina Morita

On July 19, “the Board of Directors of Hawaiian Electric Industries made it clear in a press release that it is not interested in sizing up potential suitors: ‘The business and affairs of HEI are managed under the direction of its boards of directors. In accordance with its fiduciary duties, the boards have determined that it is in the best interests of the company and all of the stakeholders that it serves – including shareholders, customers, employees and communities – to remain independent and to work toward realizing the clean energy future and vibrant local economy we all want for Hawai`i. In this regard, and despite statements reported in the media about other unnamed parties rumored to be interested in acquiring HEI, the company is not currently in discussions with any other party regarding a business combination and does not intend to initiate any such discussions.’

“Simply put, politicians and regulators should not be in the matchmaking business to effect a forced marriage on a private business. If certain politicians and the regulator are not happy with the performance of the HECO Companies and its control and operations of Hawai`i’s electricity franchises, then legislators should use their legislative powers to revoke the franchises and put them up for auction rather than to keep pressing suitors on an unwilling seller.
“Rather than seek the limelight and press coverage to just offer intimations, if these politicians think there are better ownership/business model options, then they should be held accountable to outline the framework and the follow-up actions to use the state’s revocation and condemnation powers to start an adversarial proceeding for a takeover of the electricity system. And, did I say … be held accountable for their actions and subsequent decisions.
“The HECO-NextEra merger order states, ‘As part of their statutory mandate, the HECO Companies must continue to operate to provide safe, reliable, reasonably priced electric service, while meeting the challenges of the current market in general and the various state renewable energy goals in particular.’ The Order also states, ‘In the commission’s view, the time has come for the HECO Companies to finalize and put into action their plans for achieving the state’s clean energy transformation.’ However, the sentence before that says, ‘Although there has been progress on each of these issues (dockets on power system improvement plan, distributed energy resources, demand response programs, community solar), the commission observes that progress by the HECO Companies has been very slow.’
“In general, decision and orders coming from the commission itself has been very slow. Perhaps certain politicians should be more concerned about and investigate the dysfunction within the commission and the questionable occupation of a commissioner’s seat rather than matchmaking for the HECO Companies.”

Keiki can learn to pound poi tomorrow. Photo from NPS

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KU`I KALO – POUND POI, tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Experience this nutritious and special food, the traditional staple of the Hawaiian diet.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/news/news.html.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Volunteers help cut invasive Himalayan ginger from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
several times each month. See more below. NPS Photo by Jessica Ferracane

CANDIDATES ARE BATTLING for East Ka`u state Senate seat. Incumbent Russell Ruderman and County Council member Greggor Ilagan, both Democrats, and Libertarian Fred Fogel ask Ka`u citizens to vote on Saturday, Aug. 13 to secure the state Senate seat for Puna and east Ka`u, the boundary at Honu`apo. All three candidates expressed their views in a forum sponsored by the Arts and Sciences Center. It can be seen at bigislandvideonews.com/2016/06/21/video-a-feisty-puna-state-senate-forum.

Sen. Russell Ruderman

Ruderman, who lives in Puna, serves on four Senate committees: Commerce, Consumer Protection & Health; Economic Development, Environment & Technology; Human Services; and Water, Land & Agriculture. In Ka`u, he has worked to preserve water for local ranchers, sought funding to fight coffee and macadamia pests in Ka`u orchards, and truth in labeling for Ka`u Coffee. Ruderman lobbied for more funding and focus on preventing dengue fever spread by mosquitoes. He received the Hawai‘i Region of SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year and has created 200 jobs with his chain of food stores.
See russellruderman.com.

County Council member
Greggor Ilagan

Ilagan serves on the County Council and currently heads the Planning Committee. The Puna resident was elected to the seat in 2012. He listed his priorities as a candidate for state Senate as Health, Education, Environment, Employment, Affordable Housing, Resiliency and Transportation, or HE3ART. He emphasized that the community’s views are vital to how he determines his stands on issues.
According to Ilagan, accomplishments as a council member include funding the first `Imiloa field trips for students and teachers from seven Puna schools, working with Mayor Billy Kenoi to add five new police officers for Puna, working with Neighborhood Watch groups and police to prevent and report crime, and establishing a dedicated bus route through Hawaiian Paradise Park.
See voteilagan.com.

Fred Fogel

Fogel has run for public office in the past, including state representative in 2012 and 2014. A Volcano resident, Fogel said his primary goal is to improve the way government operates and effectively supports people. Regarding taxes, his reforms include eliminating tax on earnings up to poverty level and implementing a revenue-neutral, flat tax thereafter; eliminating tax on tips, barter and inheritance; eliminating sales tax on food and medicine; and taxing agricultural enterprises at the lowest rate.
Fogel said his vision for government is to give individual counties more autonomy, implement Community Development Plans, balance the budget and reduce its cost. He also said he supports letting “the people of Hawaiian ancestry determine their own destiny – and support their choice as a ‘nation.’”
See fredfogel.net.
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KA`U’S U.S. REP. Tulsi Gabbard at the Democratic National Convention yesterday nominated Vermont’s U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders to be President of the United States.

“My fellow Democrats, my fellow Americans, aloha,” Gabbard’s speech began. “People have asked me how a somewhat frumpy and sometimes grumpy 70-year-old could become the voice for millions, connecting seamlessly with laborers in the Rust Belt and environmentalists in the West.
“The answer lies in his aloha: his deep love for others and Mother Earth.

“As Bernie said, ‘The truth is, when you hurt, when your children hurt, I hurt. And when my kids hurt, you hurt.’

Ka`u's U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard nominated Bernie Sanders
to be President of the United States.
Photo from Office of Rep. Gabbard

“This is a movement of love. Love which calls us to care for families torn apart by our criminal justice system, to care for folks whose jobs have vanished because of destructive trade deals, to care for those barely scraping by at minimum wage or crippled by college debt, to care about our environment and future generations, to care about lives lost, lives ruined and countries destroyed by counterproductive regime change wars, to care for our veterans who face unacceptable delays and inadequate care.
“This movement of love and compassion is bigger than any one of us; it speaks to our nation’s conscience, to our hearts. Such love opens our eyes to the truth that every hungry child is my child, every worker seeking the dignity of a job is my neighbor, every senior citizen in need of care is my parent, an attack on anyone because of race, religion or sexual orientation is an attack on all of us.
“It’s when we care for each other – choosing inclusion and love over division and hatred – that this great country is at its greatest.
“Let us draw inspiration from the words of Mahatma Gandhi: ‘A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history.’
“My friends, because this is a movement fueled by love, it can never be stopped or defeated.
“On behalf of millions inspired by aloha, determined to seek a future rooted in love, compassion and justice and dedicated to a government of the people, by the people and for the people, I am honored to nominate Bernie Sanders for President of the United States.”
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Raina Whiting and Jim Dean
Photo from Raina Whiting

RAINA WHITING, OF OCEAN VIEW, is a Bernie Sanders delegate at the Democratic National Convention this week.

During the convention, Whiting attended a session led by Jim Dean, chair of Democracy for America, titled The Revolution Continues: 50-State Strategy to Run, Organize, Win, which was for progressive candidates running on a Sanders platform locally. Whiting said DFA is a national organization championing progressive politics and ideals like stopping the Trans-Pacific partnership, single-payer health care and clean elections. The organization endorsed Sanders six months ago after polling members.
Sanders made a national call to his supporters this year to be part of a movement to bring progressive, new ideas into politics and run for local, state and federal offices. Whiting previously met with Sanders in June about her local candidacy for County Council.
“I feel privileged to be part of a movement for our future and to bring my stance on social, economic, racial and environmental justice,” Whiting said. “I think about our beautiful community, my amazing students and their `ohana. I hope I earn the vote of our community to bring action to our district. We deserve a greater level of leadership and advocacy from our elected officials.”
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KA`U’S STATE SEN. Josh Green shared a letter to his constituents regarding this week’s Democratic National Convention.

“I’m working a very long ER shift (about 80 hours) this week in the countryside on the Big Island, and I’m watching the Democratic Convention when things are quiet,” Green wrote.

Sen. Josh Green, M.D.

“Part of me wishes I were there in Philly with friends to experience first hand the energy, inspiration and chaos of the event.
“I’m struck by how real the issues are that are being debated. In the hospital, a shift rarely goes by that these issues don’t play out right in front of me – a young person needs help with prescription drug addiction, a beautiful kid comes to the ER with a social worker to find help to escape someone who has been sexually abusing her, an elderly immigrant who never had good coverage now needs medications for a serious heart problem – the list goes on and on.
“The (Republican) convention last week was filled with rage and finger pointing, accusations and hate – and no solutions.
“Certainly neither side is perfect, but I will say I have been proud to watch this week’s speakers … taking on the most pressing issues of our times.
“I have a lot of friends who are liberal and many who are quite conservative, friends who are members of both political parties and friends who are apolitical completely.
“As a doc and state senator, I want to say that I know we are all in this together in America and we must choose leadership that unites us and appeals to our better angles.
“Love your children, work hard and care for one another.”

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CUT INVASIVE HIMALAYAN ginger on Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park trails Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Loppers and gloves are provided. Participants are encouraged to wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and close-toed shoes. The hike is around a one-mile, moderate round-trip into Kilauea caldera down Halema`uma`u Trail, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. It involves walking over rough, uneven terrain on a dirt and rock path, with up to a 400-foot elevation change.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/news/news.html.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists captured dramatic images of lava as it approached the ocean
at Kalapana. See more below. Photo from USGS/HVO

A NEW MARINE RESERVE OPENS on Hawai`i Island’s west coast tomorrow. Gov. David Ige signed the new rule establishing it last week.
Boundaries encompass the existing Ka`upulehu Fish Replenishment Area, which includes Miloli`i. The rule establishes a 10-year near shore no take “rest period” – with limited exceptions – to allow for recovery of reef fish stocks prior to implementation of a fishery management plan for Ka`upulehu.

Ka`upuleh FRA includes Miloli`i.
Map from DLNR

“The establishment of this reserve is largely due to the steadfast commitment and efforts of many community members, including longtime fishermen and native Hawaiians who live and fish in this area,” said Suzanne Case, chair of Hawa`i Department of Land and Natural Resources. “They worked for more than 17 years to get support for the Ka`upulehu Reserve. As a result of the rest period, we can expect to see more uhu and other reef fish critical to the health of the coral ecosystem at Ka`upulehu and surrounding areas.”

“Marine reserves and ‘rest’ areas have proven to be effective in many other areas of Hawai`i and around the world,” said Bruce Anderson, administrator of the Division of Aquatic Resources. “Coral reef ecosystems can recover in just five to 10 years under the right conditions, and the Ka`upulehu area was a very productive fishery historically. We will monitor the abundance of fish and coral cover annually, and develop a responsible management plan that should allow for at least some types of fishing to resume once the rest area is re-opened.”
The rule prohibits the take or possession of any aquatic life within the reserve boundaries, from the shoreline seaward to the 20-fathom (120-foot) depth contour. Beyond the 20-fathom depth contour, hook-and-line fishing is allowed for the following bottom fish, pelagic and introduced species: `opakapaka, kalekale, lehi, gindai, onaga, ehu, hapu`upu`u, uku, nabeta, aku, ahi and tombo, a`u, ono, mahimahi, ta`ape, toau, and roi. Also, Kona crab may be taken by Kona crab net.
The rule also prohibits possession or use of any fishing gear other than hook-and-line and/or Kona crab net within the reserve; and deploying any fishing gear shoreward of the 20-fathom depth contour.
In 1998, the state Legislature designated the West Hawai`i Regional Fishery Management Area to address declining aquatic resources resulting from improved shoreline access along the Kona coast. The law required DLNR to identify and designate areas within the FMA as fish reserves where no fishing of reef-dwelling fish is allowed.
DLNR held a combined public information meeting and formal public rulemaking hearing on Feb. 11, 2016 in West Hawai‘i to amend Hawai`i Administrative Rules Title 13, chapter 60.4 to establish Ka`upulehu Marine Reserve. The rules were approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources on May 27, 2016.

The updated regulation will be posted tomorrow at hawaii.gov/dar/fishing/fishing-regulations/regulated-areas/regulated-fishing-areas-on-hawaii.

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Lava continues to flow into the ocean and widen its field
at Kalapana. Map from USGS/HVO

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY reported that the lava flows field at Kalapana is at least 66 feet wide where it spills over the cliff and enters the ocean. Another narrow lobe of the flow has advanced along the west margin of the main flow. Areas of incandescence remain visible in overnight webcam views of the active lava flow field, marking lava tube skylights and areas of active lava on the pali and along the flow as it extends towards the coast.

At Kilauea's summit, the depth of the lake was estimated at 77 feet below the crater rim this morning. A webcam from HVO's observation tower showed spattering in the lake.

See hvo.wr.usgs.gov for updates, photos, video footage and more.

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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL member Maile David and supporters waved signs in Ka`u yesterday. David is running for re-election in the primary on Saturday, Aug. 13.

Supporters joined County Council member Maile David to wave
signs in Pahala yesterday. Photo by Ron Johnson

“Mahalo a nui loa for the privilege of serving as your council member,” David’s campaign literature states. “Some of the issues facing District VI have been ongoing, and other newly created. Addressing these issues were at times challenging, but very rewarding when solutions were realized. These accomplishments would not have been possible without the support and trust of the people and the working relationships I was privileged to nurture with county departments, state agencies, our mayor and his staff. I look forward to continuing my work and humbly as for your support.”

David lists accomplishments, including resolutions to acquire Kahua Olohu makahiki grounds, develop a second well in Ocean View, improve Kahuku Park, coordinate a new site for Ocean View transfer station, build and upgrade playgrounds in Na`alehu and Pahala, complete Volcano transfer station and keep Ocean View’s water spigots open during well repair.
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Bernie Sanders delegates, including some from Hawai`i, walked out
of the Democratic National Convention after the roll call vote that
nominated Hillary Clinton. Image from Sanders Campaign

OCEAN VIEW RESIDENT Raina Whiting participated in a walkout at the Democratic National Convention, Tom Callis reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. Several Bernie Sanders supporters took the action following Tuesday’s roll call vote that nominated Hillary Clinton as the party’s candidate for President of the United States. Clinton became the nominee when delegates cast more than 2,382 votes for her.

“For myself, what it was about was drawing light, and getting our voices heard, to the way we’ve been treated thus far,” Whiting told Callis.
Whiting told Callis that she and other Sanders supporters were frustrated that Clinton was considered as the nominee before delegates cast their votes. She estimated that 15 of Hawai`i’s delegates joined the walkout that Callis said included dozens from other states.
“We did eventually get to give our vote to Bernie Whiting,” said. “The moment we walked in, Hillary Clinton was already being referred to as the nominee.”
Whiting rebuked a fellow Sanders delegate from Hawai`i, Chelsea Kent, of O`ahu, for making an obscene gesture as the state’s delegation announced its vote count.
“I feel very disappointed in her actions,” Whiting told Callis. “It is certainly not a reflection of other individuals in our delegation.”
Whiting told Callis she wasn’t sure if she would vote for Clinton or not. “At this point, I’ll see how it plays out,” she said. “I’m not saying no, and I’m not saying yes.”
Ben Wolfgang and Valerie Richardson, of The Washington Times, reported that Whiting “was disgusted by what she described as the unfair playing field.”
“This is a response to our voices not being heard,” the paper reported her saying. “If Hillary had received the nomination fair and square, that would be one thing. But that’s not what happened.”
See hawaiitribune-herald.com and washingtonpost.com.
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George Szigeti Photo from HTA

HAWAI`I’S TOURISM INDUSTRY achieved record totals for the first two quarters of 2016, attracting more visitors at 4.4 million and generating more spending at $7.7 billion, than any previous year, Hawai`i Tourism Authority reported. The results also produced a record $820.7 million in state tax revenue for the first two quarters, strengthening the state’s ability to provide programs and services benefiting residents statewide.

“We are especially heartened by these results through the first half of the year, as our two largest tourism markets, U.S. West and U.S. East, carried the bulk of Hawai`i’s success, bolstered by the new international markets that HTA has been working hard to develop,” HTA President and CEO George Szigeti said. “Hawai`i also had strong results for the month of June, infusing us with confidence that the peak summer travel season will prove to be very fruitful.
“Hawai`i continues to do well as a global travel destination, and it’s primarily due to the world’s admiration for our beloved Hawaiian culture and the aloha spirit embracing all who come to these islands. Mahalo to all of our industry stakeholders for doing their part every day to make the Hawaiian Islands such a sensational travel experience.”
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STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT offers an opportunity to cut invasive Himalayan ginger on Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park trails tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK archaeologist Summer Roper leads a two-mile roundtrip hike to remnants of pa`akai gathering sites along the coast Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Learn how the residents of this area used a unique method to extract salt, a crucial resource to sustaining life, on this dense lava landscape. Sturdy footwear, water, light rain gear, sun protection and snacks are recommended. The hike is moderately easy; expect hot and dry summer conditions.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/news/news.html.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

A musical event Saturday honors the late Cinnie Decker, founder and conductor of Ka`u `Ohana Band.
Photo from Ka`u School of the Arts

NATIONAL RANKINGS PLACE Hilo Medical Center among Hawai`i’s top hospitals.

In the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ national rankings for Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings, Hilo Medical Center was one of just four hospitals statewide to achieve the four-star ranking. “Hilo Medical Center is like our ‘mother ship,’” said Ka`u Hospital Director Merilyn Harris, “and we congratulate them on this tremendous achievement.”

Hilo Medical Center is ranked among Hawai`i's top hospitals.
Photo from HHSC

“Our entire team has worked diligently to transform Hilo Medical Center from good to great,” said Dan Brinkman, East Hawai`i Regional CEO of Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation. “We have been honored to receive numerous accolades, including the recent AACN Beacon Award for Excellence, on our quest to become a leading hospital in Hawai`i. This new four-star ranking demonstrates the high quality of our services that result in better patient outcomes. We strive to make everything we do here a best practice.”

Over 4,200 hospitals, both public and private nationwide, are required by CMS to track and measure key indicators. Only 20 percent of hospitals reporting garnered four stars.
“Our incredible team of nurses, physicians, aides, housekeepers and administrative staff care deeply about the well-being of our community” Brinkman said. “Nearly all patients can be successfully treated right here at Hilo Medical Center, eliminating the need for Hawai`i Island residents to travel to O`ahu – saving them time, stress and money.”
“The Hilo Medical Center team has proven that a safety net hospital such as ours that serves a mostly rural population can also be exceptional,” said Kurt Corbin, Board Chair of HHSC East Hawai`i Region. “Our community is proud of this achievement and can look forward to upgrades in our Imaging Department technologies along with ongoing improvements in the patient experience.”
Ka`u Hospital’s long-term care is currently ranked as four star. Nursing Home compare looks at quality of care, results of the most recent Medicare survey/inspections and the level of staffing in each facility.
Historically, Ka`u Hospital has been a five-star facility for long-term care, but because Medicare has been delayed in uploading staffing data, its ranking is set for now at four stars, Harris explained.
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KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY will offer seventh grade this semester, which begins Monday. KLA previously offered grades three through six. The state Charter School Commission gave its OK yesterday under the condition that KLA comply with all county standards and approvals. KLA wasn't able to complete expansion of the facility to accommodate more students in time for this semester and is required to keep the staff and student population within the occupancy limit set by the county in the existing facility, according to the commission.

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Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin

THE CONFERENCE OF WESTERN Attorneys General has chosen Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin to be its new chair for 2016-2017. The selection was announced during CWAG’s annual meeting in Idaho. Chin served as vice chair from 2015-2016.

Chin is the first Attorney General from the state of Hawai`i to serve as chair of this conference. As chair, Chin will also be on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Attorneys General, representing Western states.
Chin will host CWAG members from March 14-16, 2017 for his chair’s Initiative Meeting and Western Pacific Attorneys General Summit. Topics of the meetings will include open government and sustainable energy solutions.
CWAG provides a forum for western state attorneys general to cultivate knowledge, cooperate on concerns and coordinate actions that improve legal services available to members, consumers, industries and government agencies. CWAG addresses emerging legal topics along with focusing on common areas of interest to the west: water, fish and wildlife, public lands, minerals, environmental protection and Indian law.
Member states and territories include Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawai`i, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
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Mililani Trask

SEVERAL NATIVE HAWAIIAN COMMUNITY leaders and activists have recently gone on record urging non-Hawaiians to vote in the election of trustees for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Although, by law, all registered voters may cast ballots for trustees of OHA, a state government agency, Hawaiian leaders are taking to the airwaves to remind the public.

Mililani Trask, an attorney and native Hawaiian advocate, told ThinkTech Hawai`i, “Hawai`i is just too small, and the need is just too great to have people believe they can’t get involved just because of an ethnic difference.... Unless we get the support of the non-Hawaiian voters, we are just not going to be able to clean up the situation at OHA.... We need the other voters to join us to help clean it up. Trask is a candidate for the Big Island OHA Trustee seat, an election in which voters on all islands can vote. See youtube.com/watch?v=pE-FtsVmN6s.

`Ehu Kekahu Cardwell

`Ehu Kekahu Cardwell, the leader of the Koani Foundation, has released a video on the Free Hawai`i Broadcasting Network in which he urges Hawaiians to “ask non-Hawaiians to vote. Ever since the Rice versus Cayetano court decision, anyone, whether Hawaiian or not, can vote in OHA elections…. So we here at Free Hawai`i TV want to ask you a favor. If you`re kanaka maoli (Hawaiian), please vote and please tell all of your non-Hawaiian family members and friends that they too should vote.” See youtube.com/watch?v=tC6KziAM_-s.

Addressing the low participation of non-Hawaiians in previous OHA elections, `Ehu Kekahu Cardwell added, “In past elections, many non-Hawaiians have been refraining from voting for OHA Trustees because they think it’s not proper to do so. Tell them you need them to vote. Please tell every Non-Hawaiian you know to vote for OHA Trustees in the Aug. 13 Primary and in the November General Election. ”

Keli`i Akina

Keli`i Akina, Ph.D., the first native Hawaiian President/CEO of the Grassroot Institute, said, “OHA has become a powerful state agency that affects virtually every decision involving land, ocean, culture and people in the state of Hawai`i. OHA affects everyone’s business, and unless everyone votes for good OHA Trustees, OHA will become everyone’s problem. The way to help Hawaiians is for everyone to vote and stop OHA from wasting public funds on its political pursuits and instead use them to meet the real needs of Hawaiians for housing, jobs, healthcare and education.” Akina is a candidate for the at-large trustee seat, a statewide election in with all registered voters may participate.

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A MUSICAL EVENT at Ocean View Community Center on Saturday honors a one-time leading Ka`u musician, the late Cinnie Decker.
Decker founded the Ka`u `Ohana band. As a longtime music teacher, she mentored Ka`u students. She was a great source of inspiration among performers in Ocean View and Ka`u, and her legacy lives on in the bands and groups with which she played or conducted and the musicians she taught.
A memorial service to celebrate her life begins with an Episcopalian Mass at 10 a.m., followed by a potluck lunch 11:15 a.m. Music starts at about 11:30 a.m.

Dallas Decker presented a scholarship to musician
Ben Houghton, who performs tomorrow.

A quartet of musicians will provide musical entertainment during lunch. They are Ben Houghton on clarinet, Eugene Watson on trumpet, Nina Lloyd on French horn and Susan Oliver on cello. Lloyd and Oliver will follow, playing five more pieces as a duet.

Hannah’s Makana `Ohana follows with hula from 12 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Jym Duncan, Ben Houghton, and David Matson perform five piano solos and duets until 1:15 p.m.
Two musical groups in which Decker played, the Last Fling Band and the Blue Rock Mountaineers, will play for about 20 minutes each.
The last performance beginning around 2 p.m., is by Ka`u `Ohana band, which Cinnie Decker conducted. The band is composed of about 15 musicians, performing on mostly wind instruments.
Decker’s many friends will have a chance to share their memories of her at 2:30 p.m., and the event concludes at 3 p.m. with a benediction by Dick Hershberger.
Members of the community are welcome to attend.
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK archaeologist Summer Roper leads a two-mile roundtrip hike tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Participants learn how the residents of this area used a unique method to extract salt, a crucial resource to sustaining life, on this dense lava landscape. Sturdy footwear, water, light rain gear, sun protection and snacks are recommended. The hike is moderately easy; expect hot and dry summer conditions.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/news/news.html.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

As lava continues to enter the ocean at an area referred to as Kamokuna, it forms a delta that creates many hazards.
See more below. Photo from USGS/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

A PUBLIC HEARING TO RECEIVE testimony on the Draft Pakini Nui Habitat Conservation Plan will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4 at Hawai`i Gateway Energy Center, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i, 73-4485 Kahilihili Street, Kailua-Kona.

Tawhiri Power, LLC, the Pakini Nui project proponent, operates an existing 21-megawatt wind energy facility at South Point with 14 turbines and associated power lines. The facility has not previously operated under an HCP and associated incidental take license. Tawhiri has now prepared an HCP and is requesting a 20-year ITL.

Tawhiri Power's Draft Pakini Nui Habitat Conservation Plan
is the subject of a public meeting Thursday.
Photo by Peter Anderson

As of March 2016, two endangered Hawaiian hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) fatalities have been observed at the facility. Tawhiri has determined that the incidental take (a legal term including, but not limited to, any type of harm or harassment) of four endangered species could occur from continued facility operation: Hawaiian hoary bat, Hawaiian petrel (Pterodroma sandwichensis), band-rumped storm petrel (Oceanodroma castro) and Hawaiian goose (Nene; Branta sandvicensis).

Low wind speed curtailment will be employed as a minimization measure. Mitigation for the Hawaiian hoary bat will consist of habitat improvement at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and associated bat monitoring to evaluate improvement.
Mitigation for the Hawaiian petrel and band-rumped storm petrel will consist of a monetary contribution toward maintenance of a cat-proof fence around a petrel nesting colony at Kahuku, along with predator control. Mitigation for nene is contribution of funding to the Department of Fish & Wildlife for recovery of the species. All mitigation measures were developed to provide a net ecological benefit to the species, according the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.
Copies of the draft HCP are available for review as a link provided in the Office of Environmental Quality Control’s June 8, 2016 issue of the Environmental Notice. Copies will also be available at the public hearing.
Lalamilo's HCP will also be considered at the meeting. That project is in South Kohala.
Persons who are unable to attend the hearing and wish to provide testimony may send comments to Division of Forestry and Wildlife, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813, attention Kate Cullison, or katherine.cullison@hawaii.gov. Comments should be received by Monday, Aug. 8.
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Apply for free school meals. Image from HIDOE

HAWAI`I STATE DEPARTMENT of Education offers free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Each school has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by an interested party.

Children from households whose income is at or below the levels shown are eligible for free or reduced price meals.
Applications are now being accepted for the current 2016-2017 school year. Application forms are being sent home with a letter to parent/guardian. To apply for free or reduced price meals, households should submit an electronic application online at ezmealapp.com or complete a paper application. The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials.
For officials to determine eligibility, households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families must list the child’s name, date of birth, grade, school code and their SNAP or TANF case number and the signature and name of an adult household member. Households not receiving SNAP or TANF must list the names of everyone in the household, the amount of income received by each person, how often the income is received and the source of the income, the name and last four digits of Social Security number of the household’s primary wage earner, or if no adult household members have a Social Security number, leave this space blank and mark the box labeled “Check if no SSN” and the signature of an adult household member.
See hawaiipublicschools.org.
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A lava delta is forming at Kilauea's
ocean entry site. Photo from HVO

FORMATION AND DANGERS of lava deltas are explained in UHawaiian Volcano Observatory’s current issue of Volcano Watch. Lava recently began entering the ocean at Kamokuna, near Kalapana.

“Lava streaming into the ocean cools rapidly and shatters into sand-sized and larger angular pieces of glassy rock,” scientists explain. “As these fragments accumulate on the steep submarine slope, they build an unstable foundation upon which lava flows can spread above sea level. This new land is called a lava delta.
“As lava deltas grow seaward and along the shoreline, they slowly settle or sink as the loose debris shifts under the weight of the overlying lava flows. When the underlying debris can no longer support a delta's growing mass, or is undercut by a deeper submarine landslide, the delta collapses into the ocean.
“During a collapse, hot rocks, molten lava within tubes, and/or surface lava flows instantly come into contact with seawater. With temperatures higher than 1,100 degrees Celsius (2,012 degrees Fahrenheit), active lava causes seawater to flash to steam, which triggers an explosive blast of rocks, steam, and molten lava fragments into the air. The largest of these explosions have hurled rocks nearly a meter (yard) in size as far as about 300 m (330 yards) inland from the collapsed delta and have scattered rock debris over areas the size of several football fields.
“During a large delta collapse in 1993, and despite a well-posted closure in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, a photographer was swept out to sea. More than a dozen other people were also injured when they attempted to flee the hot rocks and lava fragments hurled onshore.
“Unexpected large waves produced by normal ocean swells or sudden collapse of an active lava delta can send scalding hot water crashing onto shore, both inland and adjacent to lava deltas. People standing in these areas have received second-degree burns from the hot water swept onshore. In 2000, the deaths of two severely burned individuals found near an active coastal lava flow were caused by the inhalation of acidic steam from the ocean entry, according to the medical examiner.
“Scientists cannot predict the timing or size of a delta collapse, or the exact direction or distance that rocks will be hurled during a collapse-triggered explosion. The best way to avoid these hazards is to never walk onto an active lava delta, and, once a new lava delta extends a few tens of meters (yards) from the old sea cliff, stay at least 400 m (one-quarter mile) away from where lava enters the sea. Small rock fragments can even fall beyond this distance during large explosions triggered by lava delta collapse.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
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Marlene Hapai meets Ka`u residents at Ocean View
Community Center Monday evening.

MEET MARLENE HAPAI Monday at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Hapai is a candidate for Hawai`i County mayor. Call 939-7033 for more information.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK celebrates its 100th birthday Monday by waiving entry fees. At Kilauea Visitor Center, enjoy cookies and music at 9 a.m., plus cultural demonstrations and turtle program information from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park gives away 100 native seedlings each of koa and mamaki trees to local residents Monday at 9 a.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election begins next week. Weekdays between Monday, Aug. 1 and Thursday, Aug. 11, hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For election information, call 961-8277.

KA`U HIGH & PAHALA Elementary School presents a Back-to-School Kick-Off Monday at 3 p.m. An Informational Fair continues to 5 p.m., and light dinner and welcome is at 5:15 p.m. Visit classrooms and meet teachers from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call 313-4100 for more information.

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

See kaucalendar.com/news/news.html.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Slow-moving pahoehoe lava continues to make its way to the coast within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Photo from USGS/Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

THIS MORNING, SLOW-MOVING pahoehoe lava toes and lobes continued to break out from the active flow that crossed the emergency route gravel road on Kilauea Volcano’s south flank, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported. HVO urges lava viewers to be prepared. Reaching the site requires a long, eight-to-10-mile round-trip hike in hot conditions. Hikers need to carry two to three quarts of drinking water per person. Sturdy shoes and sun protection (hat, sunglasses and sunscreen) are highly recommended. Early morning or late evening hikers should also carry flashlights and extra batteries.

For more safety information, see http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2000/fs152-00/ and https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/photosmultimedia/lava-safety-video.htm.
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Amphibious exercises concluded RIMPAC yesterday.
Photo from RIMPAC

RIMPAC CONCLUDED YESTERDAY, Olson Wyatt reported in Stars & Stripes. For the finale of the biennial Rim of the Pacific naval exercises that included more than two dozen nations, participants staged amphibious assaults on O`ahu.

“This represents two years of planning, but it also represents those 26 nations coming together,” Brig. Gen. Ray Descheneaux, commander of Fleet Marine Forces for RIMPAC, told Wyatt.

referring to natural disasters that the U.S. military responds to.
“Although we’re using this amphibious forceful entry for this scenario, it will reflect itself in so many of the different things we do,” Descheneaux said,
According to Wyatt, more that 2,000 U.S. and foreign military personnel took park in the assault at Marine Corps Base Hawai`i.

Gulches filled when Darby made landfall in Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

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IN THE WAKE OF TROPICAL Storm Darby, assistant Extension agent Andrea Kawabata urges Ka`u ranchers and farmers who have experienced crop or tree damage to document the damages with photos/videos and contact their crop insurance agent and/or local USDA Farm Service Agency County Office immediately.

Commercial agricultural producers impacted by the storm may be eligible for disaster assistance through FSA if they are signed up for the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance Program and file a Notice of Loss.
The Notice of Loss is used to report failed acreage and may be completed by any producer with an interest in the crop. Filing a Notice of Loss within 72 hours for hand-harvested crops and within 15 days for all other crops including grasses is required following the occurrence of a disaster or when losses become apparent. Producers may file a Notice of Loss with the FSA County Office by email, fax or phone.
For more information or to file a Notice of Loss, call 933-8381, ext. 1.

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Volcano Rain Forest Runs T-shirts showcase art
by Dietrich Varez. Image from Sharron Faff

REGISTRATION RATES INCREASE tomorrow for Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Today, the 5K fee for ages 19 to 65 is $30; 10K, $45; and Half Marathon, $75.

Tomorrow is also the deadline to register and have your name on the 2016 towel, which will be available for $22.
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“BRIGHT MARS CONTINUES TO HIGHLIGHT the August sky when the moon is absent, and Saturn keeps it company,” astronomer Lew Cook reports in his Stars Over Ka`u column for The Ka`u Calendar’s August issue. “Mars is out of the pincers of the scorpion and has moved nearer to its color twin, Antares. Early in the month, look at Mars, then to the left is Saturn. South of Saturn is Antares. If you ever get an opportunity to look at Saturn through a telescope, take it! Be sure you notice the moons of Saturn, as they change positions with their parent planet, just as our moon does with us here on Earth. Unlike Earth, Saturn has many more natural satellites (moons) than we have. More are being discovered each year or so. If we consider the particles in its rings as ‘moons, well – Saturn has more moons than any planet.
“It is that way, anyway! Saturn has 62 named moons and countless minor moons. Here’s an interesting fact about Saturn: its density is less than water, the only planet with that distinction. All the other planets – even the other gas giants – have overall densities greater than water. I’ll leave it to your imagination about floating Saturn in an enormous bathtub!
“One of Saturn’s moons – Enceladus – is believed by gravitational experts to have liquid water under a thick shell of ice and over a solid core. This finding generated lots of excitement among those who are actively looking for possibilities of life throughout the universe.

Planets and constellations will be visible in Ka`u's August skies.
Map from Jerome Hudson & Lew Cook

“Regarding constellations, big birds everywhere! Well, from north to south, anyway. Starting in the north is Cygnus the swan, flying south toward another large bird, an eagle that is flying north. Will they collide? Nope, they are professional fliers and have been flying all their lives! Pavo, the Peacock, is there, crossing the meridian just above the southern horizon, resting on the ground, as peacocks do. But what has startled the crane? It is springing to fly, with its legs bent and neck extended. Presumably, it was resting on the Earth and appears to be springing into flight. There are two other birds that haven’t risen yet: the Toucan, which has the tip of its beak pointing northward. It will be visible, just on the horizon in the south, in October; also there is the Phoenix, the mythical bird that has risen from its own ashes. There are other birds represented in the constellations, but none as large as those discussed here. Those will be discussed in their season.

“Meanwhile, we have Ophiuchus, the snake handler, busily occupied with the wriggling snake, Serpens, which has two parts: the front, Serpens Caput, and the tail, Serpens Cauda. While neither of these two parts is labeled on the chart, Serpens is (SER). They ought to be easy to find. Saturn is low in Ophiuchus, and he may be standing on it! At least that’s what it looks like. Saturn at chart time (10 p.m. on Aug. 15) is only at an altitude of 34 degrees, while Mars is six degrees lower in the sky.
The moon is pointed to this night by the Summer Triangle, comprised of Vega, Deneb, the brightest star in Cygnus (also called the Northern Cross), and Altair at its base. Since the moon is nearly full, there isn’t much else to see tonight.”
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CELEBRATE HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’s 100th birthday tomorrow with free entry. At Kilauea Visitor Center, enjoy cookies and music at 9 a.m., plus cultural demonstrations and turtle program information from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
While supplies last, local residents who arrive after 9 a.m. receive 100 native seedlings each of koa and mamaki trees at Kilauea Visitor Center. Sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Early walk-in voting begins tomorrow. Photo by Julia Neal

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election begins tomorrow. Weekdays between tomorrow and Thursday, Aug. 11, hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For election information, call 961-8277.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL KICK-OFF is tomorrow at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School following the first day of classes. The event begins at 3 p.m. with an Informational Fair until 5 p.m. and light dinner and welcome at 5:15 p.m. Participants may visit classrooms and meet teachers from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call 313-4100 for more information.

HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYORAL candidate Marlene Hapai meets Ka`u voters tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings this week. Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Committees meeting Tuesday are Public Safety & Mass Transit at 1 p.m. and Finance at 1:30 p.m. The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Agendas and live streaming of meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

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

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See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School staff and teachers prepare for students to arrive Wednesday.
See more below. Photo from KHPES

STATE SENATE DISTRICT II Democratic candidates on the primary election ballot discussed their legislative priorities with Nathan Eagle, of Civil Beat. Puna’s Hawai`i County Council member Greggor Ilagan is challenging incumbent Sen. Russell Ruderman in the Aug 13 election. The winner will face Libertarian Fred Fogel in the Nov. 4 general election.

Sen. Russell Ruderman and supporters at Volcano Independence
Day Parade. Photo from Sen. Ruderman

Ruderman has held the Senate seat since January 2011, when Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed him after moving Sen. Russell Kokubun to the Department of Agriculture. Ruderman was then elected to the position in 2012.
Ilagan, who currently heads the county Planning Committee, was elected to the seat in 2012.

Ruderman told Eagle that he’ll support raising Hawai`i’s minimum wage to $15. “We’re constantly talking about homelessness and poverty,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do as significantly or quickly as increasing the minimum wage.”

State Senate candidate Greggor Ilagan with Ka`u supporters.
Photo from Greggor Ilagan

Ruderman also said he wants to advocate for animal rights and a tax on sugary sodas. He also wants begin to discuss legalizing marijuana at the county level.
“I want to represent my community, which I love very much and has been horribly underserved for the past 30 years,” Ruderman told Eagle.
Ilagan told Eagle that he wants to help Hawai`i County secure more revenue from state transient accommodations taxes, streamline government services, fight rapid `ohi`a death, bolster medical residency programs and improve residents’ financial literacy. “I feel that in this modern age, now we have a tendency to swipe our credit cards and all of a sudden we have a hard time managing our finances,” he said. “A lot of the problems we have … are financial problems.”
See civilbeat.com.
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Mike Kagami with Ka`u volunteer
firefighters last month in Na`alehu.
Photo by Ron Johnson

Mitch Roth and friends.
Photo from Mitch Roth

HAWAI`I COUNTY PROSECUTOR candidates spoke with John Burnett, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, about their priorities.

Incumbent Mitch Roth credited the Big Island Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center with a 50 percent drop in juvenile court caseloads since he was elected in 2012 and a non-recidivism rate of 94 percent. “It’s easier to build strong youth than it is to build broken adults,” Roth told Burnett. He said he brings “a more complete toolbox” to the race than challenger Mike Kagami.
Kagami touted his experience in felony jury trials. He said he thinks Roth has prioritized community programs over prosecution. “That’s our only mandate in the County Charter: Investigate and prosecute crime,” Kagami said. “You know, community programs are important, but that shouldn’t be our main focus. … It’s great Mitch says recidivism for juveniles is down, but, you know, crime still happens. The murder rate has gone through the roof in the past few years, especially in Puna.”
Roth cited convictions of two men in murders of their wives and indictments in the 1997 murder of Peter “Peter Boy” Kema, Jr. and a woman in the 2009 shooting death of her friend.” He said Kagami reviewed those cases and concluded that convictions couldn’t be done. “We looked at those cases with fresh eyes and decided they could. And we got justice” with the convictions, Roth told Burnett.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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Tropical Storm Howard is expected to weaken as it heads
toward Hawai`i. Map from NOAA

ANOTHER TROPICAL STORM is on its way toward the Central Pacific but expected to lose strength before reaching Hawai`i. According to the National Hurricane Center, Howard is headed toward much cooler waters and an increasingly drier and more stable environment. This should result in a fast rate of weakening, and the system is forecast to become post-tropical in 48 hours.

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A PIANIST JOINS A SOPRANO, violinist and cellist for Hawai`i International Music Festival’s engagement in Pahala.
After opening its inaugural season at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Concert Hall in Honolulu, the special concert at Pahala Plantation House on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. honors the 20th anniversary of Ka`u Coffee. The concert will help raise awareness for donations for Hawai`i Public Radio’s efforts to bring a stronger and more reliable signal to this community and the entire state.

Pianist Ian Parker

The concert features Amy Shoremount-Obra (soprano and daughter-in-law of Lorie Obra, of Rusty’s 100% Hawaiian Coffee), Eric Silberger (violin), Daniel Lelchuk (cello), and Mikayla Sager (soprano). Special guests include internationally acclaimed pianist Ian Parker, who has appeared as soloist with Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra. Carlin Ma is artistic program director.
Tax-deductible donations of $25 each may be made for tickets at himusicfestival.bpt.me. To make a larger donation to HPR, contact Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net.
The festival kicks off on Monday, Aug. 8 at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where Silberger, who recently made international press for playing inside Icelandic Volcano Thrihnukagigur, plays violin at various locations around the park in celebration of the park’s and National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. At 7 p.m., he presents a free concert at Volcano House, with Kilauea Caldera and Halema`uma`u Crater as his backdrop. The concert will include the world premiere of a composition dedicated to the park’s centennial. Park entrance fees apply.
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REGISTER NOW FOR KA`U COFFEE Trail Run. The third annual run celebrates award-winning Ka`u Coffee. All proceeds from the event sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou stay in Ka`u to benefit the Ka`u community.
On Sept. 17, Ka`u Coffee Trail Run offers moderate to highly challenging 5K, 10K and Half Marathon races through macadamia nut and coffee fields along Ka`u’s beautiful slopes. Races begin and end at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The course starts with a family-friendly 5K, continues uphill through a moderately challenging 10K and reaches a 3,100-foot elevation in the vigorously exhilarating Half Marathon.

Each runner receives a massage, lunch and a goodies bag, including a T-shirt.
Regular registration ends Aug. 15, and late registration ends Sept. 12. Race day registration ends at 6:30 a.m.
Races begin at 7 a.m. The 5K is a family-friendly, run/walk trail through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields. The 10K is a moderate run through macadamia nut groves, coffee fields and a eucalyptus tree forest. The Half Marathon follows the 5K and 10K course, then continues up to an elevation of 3,100 feet, traverses onto a four-wheel-drive access road, marked trails undulating through grazing pastures, former sugarcane fields and winding down through newly planted coffee fields.
Awards go to top three men and women overall and in age groups from 19 and under to 70 and over. Fun for the whole family includes live entertainment, silent auction, local food, awards and door prizes (must be present to win).
For more information and to register, see race360.com/21357.
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Although Hawai`i National Park was established in 1916, the

dedication ceremony didn't take place until 1922 and was

held on the rim of Kilauea caldera. NPS Photo archives

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entry fees today to celebrate its 100th birthday.

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election begins today and continues on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For election information, call 961-8277.

HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYORAL candidate Marlene Hapai meets Ka`u voters this evening at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.

KA`U STUDENTS START SCHOOL this week. Ka`u Learning Academy welcomed students back today. Na`alehu School opens for students tomorrow, and Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary students return Wednesday.

Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School holds a back-to-school kick-off today. The event begins at 3 p.m. with an Informational Fair until 5 p.m. and light dinner and welcome at 5:15 p.m. Participants may visit classrooms and meet teachers from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call 313-4100 for more information.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings this week. Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Committees meeting tomorrow are Public Safety & Mass Transit at 1 p.m. and Finance at 1:30 p.m. The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Agendas and live streaming of meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

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

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See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Visitors observe the Kamokuna ocean entry on the eve of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's 100th anniversary.
Rangers have placed rope barricades to keep people away from the unstable, steep cliff edges,
flying volcanic debris and fumes, and bench collapse. NPS Photo by Sami Steinkamp

KILAUEA IS PUTTING ON QUITE a show for park visitors eager to see a volcanic eruption – just like it was 100 years ago today when Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park was established on Aug. 1, 1916.

Yesterday, as the park enters its next century, park visitors were treated to free entry, a native plant giveaway, Hawaiian music by Ken Makuakane, lei making and konane (Hawaiian checkers), plus presentations about park efforts to save endangered nene (Hawaiian goose) and honu`ea (Hawaiian hawksbill turtle). Lava cookies and centennial stickers were shared with the first 100 visitors who arrived for the festivities.

A lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater at the volcano’s 4,000-foot summit continues to rise and spatter, deflate and degas. At night, the lake casts a magnificent glow; by day, a plume of steam, particles and gas billows upward. Visitors can easily and safely observe this eruptive activity from an accessible overlook at Jaggar Museum.

The employees, partners and volunteers of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the morning
of the park's 100th anniversary. NPS Photo

“It is amazing that in 1916, the year the park was established, we had two eruptions. Mauna Loa erupted during May and sent lava toward Kahuku, and Halema`uma`u fountained and spattered,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “Fast forward 100 years, and Kilauea erupts from two locations. What an auspicious way to commemorate our centennial anniversary,” she said.

A week ago, out in the volcano’s remote east rift zone, lava from the Pu`u `O`o vent streamed down forested cliffs and crossed an emergency access route. Early the next morning, streams of rough `a`a and smooth, viscous pahoehoe lava plunged down jagged coastal cliffs into the ocean. This cascade of molten lava, at the Kamokuna ocean entry, has enlarged to almost 800 feet across and is being fed by the active flow field on the coastal plain.

Halema‘uma‘u, the summit crater of Kīlauea volcano,

glows under moonlight. NPS Photo by Eric Fandrick

Park visitors are urged to stay away from the steep, unstable sea cliffs, and rangers have placed rope barriers along the ocean entry to keep people safe.

Hikers can access the active flow field from the end of Chain of Craters Road in the park, along the gravel emergency route (Chain of Craters-Kalapana Road) and are rewarded with beautiful sights of molten, flowing lava. It’s a long and hot hike, nearly five miles one-way.
Preparation is key. Bring at least three to four quarts of water per person. Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, gloves to protect the hands, and long pants to protect against lava rock abrasions. Wear sunblock, sunglasses and a hat. Visitors who plan to stay after dark need a flashlight and/or headlamp with extra batteries.
“There’s no way to tell what Kilauea will do next, and it’s likely that someone will be saying the same thing 100 years from now,” Orlando said.
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THE HAWAI`I STATE SPORTING CLAYS Championship, presented by Mike Munnerlyn, of Pahala, and his M&M Compact Sporting Clays, drew 25 shooters from as far away as Alaska and California last weekend.
The shooting event took place July 30 and 31 at Hilo Trap & Skeet Range. Awards were given in many classes: Double A, A, B, C, D and E, as well as a Hunters Class and Ladies Class. The high overall winner was Sonny Batoon, of Lana`i. Second was Roy Enimoto, of O`ahu. Third was Munnerlyn. Munnerlyn also took first in C Class and first in the Veterans Class hitting 47 out of 50 targets in a single round to win the High Gun award. Munnerlyn took third in a national competition in San Antonio in 2013.
Munnerlyn has been clay target shooting for a half dozen years and regularly practices at the Hilo range. He is a Level One Coach. Anyone wanting to learn or become involved can call him at 928-3015. Munnerlyn is a general contractor based in Ka`u.
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U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

WHAT DO YOU SEE as the most pressing issue facing your district? What will you do about it? Civil Beat asked Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and her primary election challenger Shay Chan Hodges those and other questions.

“Putting aside the fact that Hawai`i’s people could be obliterated by nuclear attacks coming from North Korea, China or Russia, the most important issue facing our state is the cost of living,” Gabbard answered. “Families who’ve lived here for generations are leaving Hawa`ii because they can’t afford housing and food.
“The people of Hawai`i need more truly affordable housing. I’ve long advocated building up — rather than out — on O`ahu to make the most of our limited space, preserving as much open space and agricultural land as possible.

“The people of Hawai`i are being priced out of the housing market. We’ve become a playground for the wealthy — condos/homes sell for millions yet sit empty 90 percent of the time, and other homes are used as vacation rentals, increasing the price for all of Hawai`i’s housing.

“I’ll continue to advocate for more affordable housing units through public and private projects, discouraging housing and land speculation, ensuring ‘affordable’ housing units are actually affordable, and stay that way – not flipped and sold for profit (like the scandal in Kaka`ako).
“We must streamline regulations that contribute to the affordable housing shortage and involve every level of government and the private sector in solving Hawai`i’s housing crisis.”

Shay Chan Hodges

“Economic instability is the most pressing issue facing our state,” Hodges replied. “Besides the obvious challenges to the individual, financial security (or lack thereof) is inextricably linked to stimulating innovation and building our state’s intellectual infrastructure, addressing social challenges, protecting the environment and leaving a legacy to our children.

“In spite of the evidence, most politicians ignore the most basic tenets of a thriving economy. When Forbes ranked the Best Countries for Business in 2015, the U.S. continued its six-year descent from 18th to 22nd place. Meanwhile, Scandinavian market economies — which have some of the strongest unions and best family-friendly policies in the world — continued with top rankings when evaluated for property rights, innovation, taxes, technology, corruption, freedom, red tape, investor protection and stock market performance.
“For over 20 years, I’ve lived the day-to-day issues and practical realities that Hawai`i’s working families face with regard to education, health care, housing, substance abuse, keeping our families safe and of course, the economy. I understand first-hand that lack of access to opportunities and threat of displacement are significant challenges in our state.
“To address these challenges, politicians must recognize that a thriving economy is one that works for working families.”
See civilbeat.com for more questions and answers.
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Rick San Nicolas with his feathered cape

and cloak. NPS Photo by Christa Sadler

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election continues weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For election information, call 961-8277.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARKS’ artist-in-residence open studio returns tomorrow. Master of Hawaiian featherwork Rick Makanaaloha Kia`imeaokekanaka San Nicolas invites visitors to join him in his studio all month long. His featherwork replicates the work of ancient Hawaiian masters whose finely crafted regalia were worn by Hawaiian royalty and warriors.
The studio is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the 1932 Administration Building, also called the `Ohi`a Wing, located between Kilauea Visitor Center and Volcano House.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Council Chambers in Hilo. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.
Agendas and live streaming of meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

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

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See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

First day of school for Ka`u High, Pahala Elementary and Na`alehu Schools brought Ioni Andrade back to the crosswalk today in Pahala. Andrade,
daughter of the late Clarence Andrade, works the crosswalk 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on school days. She also makes the drive to
Hilo to hod a job at Walmart, mostly at night, she says. Hard work is a hallmark of the Andrade family. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I STATE BOARD of Education and Department of Education are hosting community meetings to share draft updates of their Strategic Plan to better support student success. The Governor’s ESSA Team is also sharing information about new opportunities under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. Hawai`i’s state plan for ESSA will be informed by the Strategic Plan. Anyone interested in public education is encouraged to attend and learn more.

Kathryn Matayoshi

BOE and DOE members update communities on progress toward supporting greater student success in public schools with an updated Strategic Plan. They sharing feedback from the spring 2016 outreach effort, culminating in draft themes: a desire to have a well-rounded curriculum that integrates subject matter and goes well beyond reading and math; a need to embrace the arts, music, history, social studies and more; the importance of a caring and supported teacher; the importance of Hawaiian culture and language; and the importance of supporting not only the academic growth of students but their socio-emotional and physical well-being as well.

Members also gather community members’ perspectives on draft themes and discuss how community members can contribute to final implementation.
The purpose of the Govenor’s ESSA Team town hall meetings is to create a shared vision for public education in Hawai`i, learn about opportunities provided by the Every Student Succeeds Act, discuss a future-focused education system for Hawai`i and collect input, feedback and advice for a new blueprint for public education in Hawai`i.
A BOE meeting takes place today at 5:30 p.m. at Kanu o ka `Aina Learning `Ohnan in Waimea.
Governor’s ESSA Team Town Hall meetings are scheduled at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 17 at Kealakehe High School and Wednesday, Aug. 24 at Waiakea High School.
“From leadership conferences to continued work on updating our Strategic Plan, the Hawai`i State Department of Education remains committed to positively impacting the direction of education for all students,” Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said.

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Deisha Davis, second from left, is the new vice-principal
at Pahala's school campus. Photo by Lawrence Lucero

KA`U HIGH, MIDDLE SCHOOL and Pahala Elementary welcome Deisha Davis as the new active vice-principal. Davis has served as high school and middle school counselor at the Pahala campus. Wilma Roddy, who served as vice-principal in Pahala, has transferred from Ka`u for a promotion, taking the post as new principal of Mountain View Elementary School. Principal at Ka`u High, Elementary and Middle School is Sharon Beck. The student enrollment on opening day, today, is 520.

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Fall sports begin soon for the Trojans.

THE KA`U HIGH TROJAN eight-man football schedule is finalized. The kick-off will be at home at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 3, facing Kohala. Another home game is set for 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, against Pahoa. At 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24, the Trojans travel north to face Kohala. On Saturday, Oct. Oct. 8, Trojans host Kohala at 2 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 15th the Trojans travel to Pahoa for a 2 p.m. game. Coaches are Duane Ke and Greg Rush, and fans can follow the action on https://mobile.twitter.com/KauAthletics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw.

Ka`u High, under athletic director D. Kalei Namohala, founded eight-man football competition in order for smaller high schools to have equity in competition.

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Ka`u High athletic director D. Kalei
Namohala announced fall sports
schedules. Photo from KHPES

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL is ramping up and ready to compete for Ka`u High under Coach Joshua Ortega. The first competition is at home on Tuesday, Aug. 16 against Waiakea at 6 p.m., followed by Thursday, Aug. 18 at home at 6 p.m. against Hawai`i Prep – varsity only. On Saturday, Aug. 20, Trojans travel to Ehunui in Kona for competition beginning at 10 a.m. On Wednesday, Aug. 24, Ka`u heads east to Kea`au for a 6 p.m. start time. On Saturday, Aug. 27, Trojans face Makua Lani in Waikoloa at 2 p.m. On Tuesday, Aug. 30 Ka`u hosts Kealakehe at 6 p.m. On Sept. 2, HAAS heads to Ka`u for a match at 6 p.m.

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, the Trojans travel to Kamehameha School in Kea`au to start at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Sept. 10, Ka`u stages the home court for Christian Liberty at 10 a.m. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Ka`u hosts Hilo at 6 p.m. On Thursday, Sept. 15, Trojans travel north to take on Kohala at 6 p.m. On Saturday Sept. 17, Trojans travel to Parker School in Waimea, with 10 a.m. start. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, Ka`u travels west for a 6 p.m. start at Konawaena. On Wednesday, Sept. 28, Trojans face St. Joseph at home, 6 p.m.
On Friday, Oct. 7, Ka`u has a home game against Honoka`a at 6 p.m. On Wednesday, Oct. 12, Trojans trek to Pahoa and start at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 15 Ka`u heads up the Hamakua Coast to face Laupahoehoe at 10 a.m.
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U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Sen. Brian Schatz participated
in a panel on Ethics in Politics yesterday.
Photo from Rep. Gabbard's Office

YESTERDAY EVENING, KA`U’S U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Sen. Brian Schatz participated in a panel on Ethics in Politics sponsored by the University of Hawai`i William S. Richardson School of Law and Shidler College of Business. The panel explored various topics related to campaign finance reform, government ethics, money in politics and more. They discussed how legislation like the Government By the People Act (H.R.20), which Gabbard has co-sponsored, would begin to provide much needed campaign finance reform. They also discussed political gridlock in Hawai`i and Washington, and the importance of voting and staying engaged in the democratic process. The panel is part of an eight-part lecture series examining business and legal ethical dilemmas in the U.S. and beyond.

Following the public event, Gabbard and other panelists met with students to further answer questions on ethics and government reform, and how the topics discussed earlier in the evening applied to their coursework on ethics in business and law.

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Tropical Storm Ivette, at far right, is expected to become
a hurricane. Map from University of Hawai`i

NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER has issues its last advisory on one tropical storm and given a name to another.

Howard’s deep convection has now been gone long enough to designate the system as post-tropical.

At 11 a.m. today, the center of Tropical Storm Ivette was in the East Pacific and moving toward the west-northwest at near 17 mph. A westward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected to begin tonight and continue through Friday. Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph with higher gusts. Strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours, and Ivette could become a hurricane by tomorrow night, with a peak intensity likely occurring in about three days.
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A Zero Mile event celebrates the park's centennial.

CELEBRATE HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park's Centennial by participating in an Instant Gratification Zero Mile event. The fundraiser for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park takes place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20 at Cooper Center in Volcano Village, after Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Every participant who steps, rolls or crawls across the finish line will receive a Commemorative Centennial Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Medal.

Fees are $20 for adults and $10 for youth 14 and under. Children in strollers are free.
Register on-line at volcanorainforestruns.com, call 967-8240, or email raceinfo@volcanorainforestruns.com.
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EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election continues weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.

For election information, call 961-8277.

Haleakala National Park is the subject of a film and discussion
Friday. Photo from NPS

EXPLORE HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK during NPS Movie Night, Friday at 7 p.m. when Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park screens the 51-minute film, Haleakala: House of the Sun at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

Haleakala, Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes were once the same park: Hawai`i National Park. Meet dedicated rangers who share their knowledge and respect for Haleakala National Park (established in 1961), its natural treasures and the deep connection to Hawaiian culture perpetuated here.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Democrats return to Mo`oheau Bandstand in Hilo on Aug. 12 for their traditional Primary Election
Grand Rally. Photo by Julia Neal

CANDIDATES WHO WANT to represent Ka`u will be heading to Hilo on Friday, Aug. 12 for the Primary Election Grand Rally at Mo`oheau Bandstand. The tradition, hosted by the Democratic Party, dates back to 1954.

According to an article by Michael Janovsky posted at hawaiicountydemocrats.org, “The landslide election results from that 1954 election tectonically changed the political landscape of the Territory and later the state of Hawai`i, which has always maintained a dominant Democratic majority ever since.

“That is why, as the current active Democrats, we are obligated on carrying on this tradition, not just for the local rally, but it is incumbent that we support and maintain this sacrament for all those Hawai`i Democrats whither so ever disbursed.”

Democrats on Ka`u ballots include U.S. Senate candidates Makani Christensen, Tutz Honeychurch, Arturo Reyes, Brian Schatz and Miles Shiratori; U.S. House District II candidates Shay Hodges Chan and Tulsi Gabbard; state Senate District II candidates Greggor Ilagan and Russell Ruderman; state House District III candidates Ainoa Naniole and Richard Onishi; and state House District V candidate Richard Creagan.
Sign waving before the rally begins at 3:30 p.m. on Kamehameha Ave. Speeches begin at 5 p.m.
“With over 50 Democratic candidates seeking your vote in our county, this election season is about a lot more than the highly publicized Presidential Election,” said Phil Barnes, chair of Hawai`i County Democratic Party.

EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election continues weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Voters can walk in far away from home at any of the four locations around the island. Hilo's Waipuni Center is open Monday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. West Hawai`i Civic Center Bldg. G in Kona is open 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Waimea Community Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
For more election information, call 961-8277.
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ABOUT A DOZEN SUPPORTERS of Raina Whiting gathered in Ocean View Tuesday to wave signs and publicize the County Council candidate to passing motorists and bus passengers arriving in Ocean View.

Raina Whiting and supports waving signs on Hwy 11.
Photo from Raina Whiting

Whiting, a Na`alehu school teacher who lives in Ocean View, is challenging incumbent Maile David to represent District VI, which includes Ka`u. Many of the sign-wavers were from Pahala and South Kona. Her team used Facebook Live Video to send images of the event to supporters who were unable to attend.
With a history of grassroots activism, Whiting has positioned herself as a representative of the people’s interests. “Politicians should be beholden only to the people and community voices – not corporate or big money interests,” she said. “My motivation is justice for our community and island. We have some elected officials who are not supporting our best interests, their campaigns have been funded by interests that are not aligned with our communities. Our communities and environment are being put on the side burner.
“Elections should be about who has the better ideas.”
Whiting said she is opposed to the utility-sized solar farm planned for Ocean View by an overseas corporation. Hawai`i Electric Light Company’s application to install an overhead transmission line to service the project is before the state Public Utilities Corporation. The Consumer Advocate has taken a position to oppose the application, saying that the project is not in the public’s interest.
“This is an example of get-rich-quick people taking advantage of a community without resources to fight back,” Whiting said. “We need sustainable development that will benefit the whole community, not one that will leave us worse off.
“If the PUC allows this, it will make a huge impact on the community which we cannot afford.
“Our communities need to feel secure in their homes, their income, their families and their future on this island. The county needs to provide a secure infrastructure.”
The solar project is also opposed by Ka`u’s elected representatives, including David, state Rep. Richard Creagan and state Sen. Josh Green. All three have written letters urging the PUC to not support HELCO’s application. In addition, about 90 letters from Ka`u residents and organizations have been filed in the docket, together with a petition opposing the project, signed by over 600 residents.
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Tawhiri Power has operated windmills
at South Point since 2007.
Map from Tawhiri's draft HCP

A PUBLIC HEARING on the Draft Pakini Nui Habitat Conservation Plan will be held at 5:30 p.m. today at Hawai`i Gateway Energy Center, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai`i, 73-4485 Kahilihili Street, Kailua-Kona.

Tawhiri Power, LLC, the Pakini Nui project proponent, operates an existing 21-megawatt wind energy facility at South Point with 14 turbines and associated power lines. Since operations began in 2007, the facility has not operated under an HCP and associated incidental take license. Tawhiri has now prepared an HCP and is requesting a 20-year ITL.
Mitigation efforts include a monetary contribution toward maintenance of fencing at Kahuku, predator control, and funding for species recovery. According the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, all mitigation measures were developed to provide a net ecological benefit to the species.
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A NEW POLL OF HAWAI`I ISLAND residents shows a two-to-one margin in support for Thirty Meter Telescope construction.
The public opinion poll conducted in July 2016 by Ward Research, Inc. shows that 60 percent of Big Island residents support moving ahead with construction of the TMT project, with 31 percent opposed.
In a previous scientific poll taken in October 2015, 59 percent of Big Island residents supported moving ahead with TMT construction, while 39 percent were opposed to it.
“It was important for us to understand how Hawai`i Island residents feel about the project, and the latest poll results demonstrate that opposition to TMT on Hawai`i Island is decreasing," said TMT Executive Director Ed Stone. “That’s significant, and we are most grateful that the community’s support of the project remains high. The findings also show that the general public on Hawai`i Island understands the benefits TMT will bring in terms of Hawai`i’s economy and education, both of which are very important to TMT.”

Results of a recent poll show support for TMT construction.
Image from TMT

Among the key findings in the latest poll: 89 percent of Hawai`i Island residents agree there should be a way for science and Hawaiian culture to co-exist on Maunakea; 76 percent agree that TMT will help create good paying jobs and economic and educational benefits for those living on Hawai`i Island; 70 percent agree that failure to move forward with TMT will hurt educational opportunities for Hawai`i Island children with the termination of TMT’s annual $1 million contribution to the THINK Fund and workforce pipeline program; 69 percent agree that TMT has followed a lengthy approval process, so work should proceed; and 66 percent agree that failure to move forward with TMT after following all regulations would hurt Hawai`i’s reputation as a place to do business.

In addition, the poll found that support for TMT’s construction is split among Hawaiians/part Hawaiians on Hawai`i Island, with 46 percent of those polled in support of the project and 45 percent opposed.
“As a Hawaiian, I strongly support the Thirty Meter Telescope because it affords us the ability to share new discoveries of stars, planets and science with our children and grandchildren, keeping in line with the traditions of our ancient Hawaiian navigators,” said Kirstin Kahaloa, executive director, Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce. “Think about it. The best science in the world happening on the best mountain in the world right here in Hawai`i. How can you not get excited about that? The time has come for everyone including Hawaiians to stand up and support TMT.”
Maunakea remains the preferred choice for the location of TMT, and the project is continuing to pursue a permit to build on that site. TMT is simultaneously evaluating alternative sites, should the Hawai`i option not prove feasible. “We hope that permitting activities continue apace in Hawai`i so that TMT can be under construction on Maunakea by April 2018,” Stone said.

Haleakala National Park is the House of the Sun. Photo from NPS

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LEARN ABOUT HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK tomorrow at 7 p.m. when Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park screens the 51-minute film Haleakala: House of the Sun at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Rangers also share their knowledge and respect for the park, its natural treasures and the connection to Hawaiian culture perpetuated there.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.

Storms east of Hawai`i could effect the state's weather this weekend and next week.
Map from University of Hawai`i

FORMER TROPICAL CYCLONE Howard was about 650 miles east-northeast of Hilo at 5 a.m. and moving westward near 15 mph. Sporadic thunderstorm activity persists near the post-tropical low, Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported. Marginal sea surface temperatures and hostile upper level winds are expected to inhibit any strengthening.
The National Hurricane Center in Miami is issuing advisories on Tropical Storm Ivette, which this morning was centered about 1,670 miles east-southeast of South Point. Ivette is forecast to continue on a westward track and cross longitude 140W into CPHC’s area of responsibility Sunday night.
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Ka`u farm entrepreneurs can access a new web tool to help get started.
Photo from USDA

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE offers a new web tool designed to connect farm entrepreneurs with programs and resources available to help them get started. The site features advice and guidance on everything a new farm business owner will need to know and includes a personalized Discovery Tool that builds a customized set of recommendations of USDA programs and services based on your needs.

See usda.gov/newfarmers.
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INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN, minorities and other underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and math fields was the topic of a Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee hearing chaired by Sen. Mazie Hirono yesterday.

Hirono heard from national experts at the National Science Foundation, the Small Business Administration and the Office of Naval Research about programs in Hawai`i that introduce students to STEM careers. She also heard testimony from two successful students from Hawai`i who participated in these programs.
“Hawai`i and the country have a great opportunity to build a 21st-century economy that will create hundreds of thousands of high paying jobs,” Hirono said. “But we will not succeed in harnessing the talents of all Americans without addressing the barriers women and minorities face in pursuing STEM careers, including in the small business sector. Today’s hearing was a great opportunity to examine how we can continue to grow Hawai`i’s STEM pipeline and to ensure small businesses and entrepreneurs have the resources they need to succeed.”

Dr. Sylvia James
Photo from NSF

“I applaud Sen. Hirono and the committee for holding a hearing on this very important topic and for her appreciation for the need for Hawai`i and our nation to continue to invest in long-term, fundamental and game changing research to keep us competitive,” said Dr. Sylvia James, National Science Foundation Directorate for Education and Human Resources Division of Human Resource Development Director. “With robust, sustained support for research and education in both the executive and legislative branches, as well as partnerships such as those on display here in Hawai`i, NSF contributes to the protection of our national security, the continued development of our workforce and the enhancement of our economic prosperity.”
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A THREE-HOUR EXTRAVAGANZA of music and hula celebrated the many contributions by the late Cynthia “Cinnie” Decker to Ka`u’s musical world last Saturday.

Hannah's Makana `Ohana performed at an event honoring
the late Cinnie Decker. Photo by Karen Pucci

Many of the musicians who today embody her legacy came together to worship, play and reminisce on Decker’s outstanding contributions to the community and how she touched their lives.

Decker taught numerous music students, founded and played with two bands and conducted the large Ka`u `Ohana Band. Her enthusiasm for music and musicians was infectious, encouraging many to take up musical careers, so that her legacy lived on after she left Ka`u for health reasons.
Decker was a public school teacher in New Mexico and then New York before retiring to Hawai`i about eight years ago, making her home in Ocean View with her husband Dallas.
She passed away in January while living in Southern California. An earlier memorial service was held for her at Long Island, New York.
Saturday’s memorial service was held at Ocean View Community Center and began with an Episcopalian mass led by Dallas Decker, followed by a copious potluck lunch.
Decker’s former students provided lunchtime entertainment. First, Nina Lloyd and Susan Oliver played duets on the French horn and cello. This was followed by Ben Houghton playing the clarinet, Eugene Watson on the trumpet and Nina Lloyd on the French horn.

Cinnie Decker's husband Dallas led an Episcopalian
mass at an event in her honor.
Photo by Karen Pucci

After lunch came three hula dances by Hannah’s Makana `Ohana to I Can Only Imagine, a prayer and How Great Thou Art.

Among the dancers were Barbara McDonough, Mary Ramsdell, Cyndi Napper, Sandy Shelton, Wendy Baier, Kepi Davis, Vera Stevens, Thom White, Susan Fine and Lora Akase-Nagle. Hannah Uribes, the group’s kumu,

was unable to attend.
Jym Duncan, a former student of Decker, held the audience spellbound as she performed Beethoven’s Pathetique on the grand piano. Ben Houghton and David Matson had arranged their electronic pianos back to back on the stage, and with the help of an amplifier wowed the audience with their duet and then with solos from the classics.
Decker’s protégé’s then changed the tune and tempo with light-hearted, folksy numbers performed by The Blue Rock Mountaineers. Dick Hershberger pointed out that this band had won the Senior Stars Talent Contest about three years ago in Hilo. With great gusto and enthusiasm, the band belted out Jambalaya and Wabash Cannonball, while the audience tapped toes, swung hips and joined in with This Land is Your Land.
Among the musicians in this band were Dick Hershberger, Zachary De Bernardi, Arlene Araki, Lucy Rogge, Joe Ooka and Dallas Decker.
Cinnie Decker was a member of the second featured band. The Last Fling Band played some classic dance music, including the Beer Barrel Polka, the Lichtensteiner Polka, the Hofbrauhaus, and Have I Told You Lately that I Love You.
Most of the Blue Rock Mountaineers were also in this band, as were Nina Lloyd, Richard Yohn Sigrid Jeauneux, Eugene Watson, Susan Oliver and Ben Houghton.
The grand finale was offered by the largest band – the fifteen-member Ka`u `Ohana Band – which Decker founded and conducted before leaving the island. Her successor, Steve Moon, picked seven of the band’s favorite pieces, six of which Decker had rehearsed with the band and conducted herself.

Among the musicians in this band were Arlene Araki, Jym Duncan and Eugene Watson, who played trumpets; Susan Brown-Bauman and Zachary DeBernardi, who both played percussion; and Peter Bosted, who played the oboe. Laurie Boyle and Ben Houghton played clarinets; Noa Caiserman, flute; Nina Lloyd, French horn; and David Mattson, trombone; Mike Sherline, tuba; Clair Underwood, violin; and Fred Strehler, bass clarinet.
The celebration of life concluded with shared remembrances by those whose lives Cinnie Decker touched.

Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park invites Ka`u
residents to its Party on the Crater's Edge tomorrow.
Photo from FHVNP

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PARTY ON THE CRATER’S EDGE tomorrow from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Volcano House. The Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park fundraiser celebrating the park’s centennial includes champagne, light pupus and entertainment for $50 per person. Proceeds support park programs and projects sponsored by FHVNP.

A silent auction from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. is open to all.
See fhvnp.org.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers free programs this weekend. Tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., a hike on Pu`u Kahuku Trail explores realms and divisions of the traditional Hawaiian classification system at Kahuku.
Birth of Kahuku on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. explores the area’s rich geologic history. See nps.gov/havo.

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

Click on document to enlarge.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_August_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.