The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Nearly the entire school sat in a set of bleachers on one side of the new Ka`u District Gym
during opening ceremonies Wednesday. Photo by Ron Johnson

STAFF MEMBERS ARE IN TRAINING at the new Ka`u District Gym. They are learning about care of the wooden floors, maintenance and operation of bleachers, and working of the filtration system designed to keep the air as clean and cool as possible. An adjacent building that is air-conditioned will house residents in case of vog alerts.
Designed and engineered by architectural firm Mitsunaga & Associates, the facility was built by Summit Construction over a four-year period.
Scheduled events are expected to be announced later this month. Also anticipated is arrival of weight room equipment that will be available to students and residents.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u Learning Academy plans to add a classroom.
Photo from KLA

KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY OFFICIALS yesterday asked the Windward Planning Commission for more time to meet county requirements, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today. The charter school plans to increase classroom space in order to increase enrollment.

“There are some issues remaining, still some questions,” planner Jeff Darrow told Cook Lauer. “We’re getting more information to make sure the occupancy limits are met.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I SUPREME COURT RULED in favor of a telescope planned for Haleakala on Maui. The decision follows one last year in which the court invalidated a permit for the Thirty Meter Telescope on Mauka Kea. It found that the state did not follow proper procedures by not holding a contested case hearing before beginning of construction.

Hawai`i Supreme Court ruled in favor of another telescope
planned for Haleakala. Photo from Wikipedia

Yesterday, the court issued two opinions related to the Maui project. By a 3-2 majority, the court affirmed the state Board of Land & Natural Resources’ decision in 2012 to grant a permit to build the telescope on Haleakala. It also unanimously agreed that the University of Hawai`i’s management plan for the summit provided a sufficient assessment of potential environmental impacts from the telescope.

“We respect the court’s decisions and will consider them carefully to determine what impact, if any, they have on future matters before the state land board, including the Thirty Meter Telescope,” Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin said. “The justices continue to stress the importance of conducting a fair process for all projects on public lands.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

WHY EARTHQUAKE MEASUREMENT SOMETIMES CHANGE is explained by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists in the current issue of Volcano Watch.

“Characterizing earthquakes is one of the most important activities we do at the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory,” the article states. “Seismicity helps us monitor the ‘pulse’ of volcanoes and can be a first indication of an impending eruption.

“Earthquakes also pose a hazard in their own right, and the entire state of Hawai`i is at risk from damaging earthquakes. They occur abruptly, so we must be vigilant and prepared.
“HVO posts preliminary information about earthquake location and size (magnitude) as soon as possible after one occurs. Later, we update the information as more data becomes available. Sometimes the reported magnitude changes during this process.
“When the earth shakes, vibrating seismic waves radiate outward from the source. These waves are picked up by sensitive instruments called seismometers, which are located across the state. Seismic data is relayed in near real-time to HVO, where computers trained to look for earthquake patterns keep watch around the clock. When four or more stations detect an earthquake, the computer automatically estimates the location and magnitude of the event.
“If the earthquake magnitude is above 3.0, the computer posts the information to HVO’s website without human intervention. The USGS Earthquake Notification Service then alerts subscribers. This generally happens within five minutes of the earthquake.
“HVO’s seismologists then spring to action to review the data. They recalculate the earthquake parameters and, if needed, overwrite the previously posted automatic ones. For magnitude-4.0 and higher earthquakes, we complete our manual review within two hours and issue a news release. Events smaller than magnitude-4.0 are reviewed routinely within a few days.

A seismogram illustrates the relation between amplitude and duration

of shaking, which is used by seismologists to compute

earthquake magnitudes. Image from USGS

“Upon review by a seismologist, the earthquake’s magnitude can go up or down by a few tenths. Different groups, such as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the USGS National Earthquake Information Center, might also report slightly different magnitudes. To understand these differences, let’s review what magnitude means.

“The concept of earthquake magnitude dates back to 1935, when Charles Richter created a way to compare the relative sizes of earthquakes in southern California. He measured how the amplitude of shaking recorded by seismometers decreased with distance from an earthquake. Using the logarithm of the maximum amplitude, Richter was able to derive a scale that conveyed the wide range of earthquake sizes, which can vary by several orders of magnitude (hence the name). For example, on this scale, the amplitude of a magnitude-4.0 earthquake is ten times higher than that of a magnitude-3.0 earthquake.
“Today, there are numerous types of earthquake magnitudes that take advantage of advances in seismic instrumentation and cover a wide range of situations. For earthquakes higher than about magnitude-5.5, the most common measure of magnitude is called moment magnitude, which relates fundamentally to the energy released by an earthquake's fault motion. For every 0.2 increase in moment magnitude, the energy doubles. For example, a magnitude-6.2 earthquake releases roughly twice as much energy as a magnitude-6.0 event.
“For smaller earthquakes, like those that happen daily in Hawai`i, HVO computes two types of magnitude based on either the duration or amplitude of the shaking recorded by seismometers. Duration magnitude tends to work better for smaller earthquakes (less than about magnitude-2.0) that are located shallower than 20 kilometers (12 miles) beneath the surface. Amplitude magnitude, which is a modern-day formulation of Richter’s magnitude, works better for local earthquakes with magnitudes between about 2.0 and 5.5.
“Any reported magnitude is actually an average of values computed for each seismometer that recorded the earthquake. These values vary depending on distance, direction, instrument and the type of material type along the seismic wave’s path. HVO seismologists evaluate which stations provide the most reliable and objective magnitude estimates, average them together and select either duration or amplitude as the preferred magnitude type for each event.
“Magnitudes can change following a seismologist’s review and analysis of the computer’s automatic magnitude assignment. This process provides the best information available at any given time and offers a window into how the science of real-time seismology unfolds.
“What matters more than a number, however, is what you do if you feel shaking during an earthquake. On Oct. 20, we encourage you to take part in the world’s largest earthquake preparedness exercise by practicing ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold On!’ during the Great Hawai`i ShakeOut.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A yard sale at tomorrow's pancake breakfast raises funds
to replace Ocean View Community Center's roof.

OCEAN VIEW’S PANCAKE BREAKFAST tomorrow includes a yard sale. Last Saturday’s sale was so well supported by donors that even highly desirable items went unsold. This will be a second chance for bargain hunters to unearth more treasures in the surplus inventory. If you missed Saturday’s event, be sure to attend the pancake breakfast on Saturday, from 8 – 11 a.m. at the community center on Leilani Circle. Most clothing items are priced at a dollar, and many household items at 50c. Proceeds will go towards a new roof for the community center.

LEARN ABOUT `OHI`A LEHUA SUNDAY at 9:30 a.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn about the vital role of the trees in native Hawaiian forests, its many forms and flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk.

See www.olvr.hawaii.gov for information about voting.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS MONDAY to participate in the Nov. 8 General Election. Registrants must have a current Hawai`i driver’s license or state ID to complete an application online at www.olvr.hawaii.gov.

Applications are also available at libraries and post offices.
Residents can also apply in person at the County Clerk’s office in Hilo.

See hiloelec@hawaiicounty.gov, or call 961-8277.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Ka`u residents are invited to OK Farms in Hilo for the sixth annual Hawai`i Farmers Union United
convention, its first on Hawai`i Island. See more below. Photo from OK Farms

APPROXIMATELY 41,000 INDIVIDUALS IN HAWAI`I will see their health insurance rates increase. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Insurance Division released final decisions for 2017 Affordable Care Act individual plan health insurance rates. HMSA proposed a rate change of 43.3 percent, and DCCA approved a 35 percent increase. It also approved Kaiser’s proposed 25.9 percent rate change.

“The Insurance Division’s approval of rates was made pursuant to the statutory requirement that rates cannot be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory,” said State Insurance Commissioner Gordon Ito.

“Healthcare costs continue to rise at a significant pace, while healthcare utilization in ACA plans continue to be extremely high, not only in Hawai`i, but nationwide. This highlights a challenge in balancing these rising healthcare costs with ensuring affordable access to health insurance,” Ito said. “While we hoped to maintain rates at a more stable level, we found the premium increases necessary for carriers to continue to provide ACA individual coverage within the state. Hawai`i remains committed to ensuring health care for all and continues to look for ways to improve health insurance access.”
Utilizing rate and policy analysts and actuaries, the Insurance Division closely reviews all submitted data to ensure that rates are adequate, fair and justified. With the rising costs of the healthcare delivery system, rates must also be set at levels that are adequate to prevent insolvency and keep competition in the market. Inadequate rates could result in an insurer failing to meet statutory solvency requirements, which would jeopardize policyholders and providers under their plans.
Consumers are encouraged to review and understand the offered ACA plans during open enrollment starting Nov. 1.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Sen. Josh Green Photo from State of Reform

KA`U’S STATE SEN. JOSH GREEN, M.D. discussed his legislative priorities with State of Reform, an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between health care and health policy.

Green said he is spending time on workforce issues, trying to get physicians and nurse practitioners to work in Hawai`i.
Lack of access to treatment for prescription medication overdoses is another of Green’s concerns. He said the state has had some success with the issue, but that there needs to be more done.
Regarding the state’s publicly operated hospital systems, which include Ka`u Hospital, Green said that because of a “difficult payer mix, a lot of Medicare and Medicaid on the neighbor islands,” those hospitals will “never be in black.” According to Green, over 50 percent of people on the Big Island are on Medicaid, and in Hawai`i, with a total of 1.4 million people, 345,000 are on Medicaid.
“With one out of four people on Medicaid, there’s not enough reimbursement to keep doctors in the state in practice in small businesses, which is what practices are,” Green said. “Community hospitals … are always threatening to cut services. We have to have a different model, so we’re reshaping the model of our health care system.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Sen. Mazie Hirono

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO LED A COALITION OF SENATORS to urge the Justice Department to investigate and, if appropriate, prosecute individual wrongdoing at Wells Fargo Bank after revelations that the bank’s employees had opened millions of accounts without customer approval. In September, the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau issued its largest penalty to date of over $100 million to the bank as a result of this multi-year, multi-state fraud. The senators wrote a letter urging Attorney General Loretta Lynch not only to hold Wells Fargo accountable as a corporation, but also prosecute individual executives who may have broken the law.

“Americans are rightly frustrated when they see that justice for the wealthy and powerful is very different than justice for everybody else,” the senators wrote. “A bank teller that takes a handful of bills from the cash drawer is likely to face charges for theft and prison time. She can’t hide behind an army of lawyers and corporate policies that diffuse accountability for those at the top.

“Meanwhile, an executive who oversees a massive fraud that implicates thousands of bank employees and costs customers millions of dollars can walk away with a hefty retirement package and millions in the bank. It’s no wonder that Americans are skeptical of the effectiveness of our criminal justice system. …

“Every time the Department of Justice settles a case of corporate fraud without holding individuals accountable, it reinforces the notion that the wealthy and powerful have purchased a higher class of justice for themselves. …
“While the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency settlements in this case are a good first step toward providing restitution to Wells Fargo’s customers, they are no substitute for a thorough Justice Department investigation into potential wrongdoing by senior executives at the bank. We hope the Department follows through … and brings all the resources it has to bear on investigating the conduct of Wells Fargo’s senior leadership.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u chapter President Greg Smith invites residents
to HFUU's annual convention starting Friday.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S sixth annual convention. From Friday, Oct. 14 through Sunday, Oct. 16, O.K. Farms in Hilo hosts the event for the first time on Hawai`i Island. This will be an opportunity for members, the farming community and local food advocates to come together to learn about issues such as regenerative soil, trellis farming, tropical fruit growing, the future of hemp and medicinal cannabis in Hawai`i, and much more.

Speakers from the mainland and Hawai`i will be brought together to look at the future of agriculture here. Keynote speakers will be U.S. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, state Sen. Russell Ruderman and state Rep. Chris Lee. Experts in the field of soil science like Bob Schaffer, Kim Chang and Mike Dupont will also be speaking. Hawai`i’s Ken Love will be talking about value-added products and his unique look at agriculture here. Expert growers and producers from the mainland will talk about the potential of hemp and medicinal cannabis in Hawai`i. Trellis farming expert Peter Sallares from Australia will bring a fresh look at growing fruit trees in Hawai`i to help increase yields while farming the same amount of land. Two natural farming methods, Cho and JADAM, will be discussed and demonstrated.
“This is truly an opportunity to interact and talk about farming with people who are looking towards the future of agriculture for our great state, said Greg Smith, president of HFUU’s Ka`u chapter.
HFUU represents farmers, operators, gardeners, landscapers, foodies, suppliers and anyone who understands the importance of good food for Hawai`i. It supports education for members as well as for youth to understand farming and how food grows. It work toward building relationships with legislators to help pass policy that can support farming in Hawai`i, with the hope of creating legislation that fosters sustainability as well as security in the agricultural sector for Hawai`i.
Register at hfuuhi.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Holding signs, from left, seniors Tristan Davis, Zaylee Pascubillo,
Alysha Gustafson-Savella and Kathryne Pataray played
their final home volleyball games yesterday.
Photo from Taylor's Treasures Photography.

TROJAN WAHINE HOSTED HONOKA`A ON SENIOR NIGHT. The varsity volleyball team’s final home match of the regular season yesterday went five games. After Honoka`a won the first game, Ka`u came back and won the next two. Honoka`a then won the fourth game by two points and the tie-breaker. Final scores were 13-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-27 and 9-15.

Junior varsity lost with scores of 19-25 and 22-25.
For their final regular season matches, the teams travel to Pahoa on Wednesday and Laupahoehoe next Saturday.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

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

SENIOR IDs ARE AVAILABLE FOR KA`U RESIDENTS Monday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Ka`u High celebrated Homecoming yesterday. At center are KingTrevor Taylor and Queen Alysha Gustafson-Savella. They are joined by Senior Attendant Zaylee Pascubillo with Escort Pete Dacalio, Junior Attendant Deslyn Dacalio-Camba and Escort Janslae Badua, Sophomore Attendant Taylor Kekoa-Burgos and her Escort Kyle Calumpit, and Freshman Attendant Kaohinani Grace with Escort Raymond Polido-Kalili. Photo by Taylor's Treasures Photography

HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. AND ITS PARENT Hawaiian Electric Co. oppose participation by two nonprofits in the state Public Utilities Commission review of a formal complaint. Life of the Land and Hawaiian Ranchos Road Maintenance Corp. applied to intervene in a complaint filed by Ranchos residents Peter and Ann Bosted. The complaint asserts that the utilities failure to enforce many rules related to the Feed-in-Tariff project resulted in a utility-scale project in the residential subdivision Ocean View Ranchos in order to circumvent Power Purchase Agreement requirements. The Bosteds allege that FIT permits should not have been issued to these developers. They are requesting that the commission extinguish these FIT projects, remove them from the Active Queue and revoke the FIT permits of the developers of the 26 projects.

The utilities claim that the applicants have not demonstrated a statutory or other right mandating their intervention; reasonable bases for their alleged property, financial or other interests in the proceeding; the effect of any pending order as to their alleged interest; that they have no other means available to protect such interests; that such interests will not be adequately represented by other parties in this proceeding; or that their intervention would contribute to the development of a sound record and would not unduly delay and unreasonably broaden the issues presented in the proceeding.

The utilities also state that HRRMC’s filing “was not timely and should be dismissed,” based on a Hawai`i statute that “a motion to intervene shall be filed no later than 20 days after an application is filed. The complainant’s application in this instance was filed on Aug. 29, 2016, and HRRMC’s Motion was filed on Sept. 22, 2016, after the 20-day filing period had elapsed.”
See puc.hawaii.gov. Docket number is 2016-0224.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Paralyzed Veterans of American supports
Hirono's law. Photo from PVA

PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED SEN. MAZIE HIRONO’S bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration Veteran Transition Improvement Act into law Friday. Disabled veterans who work for the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration will now have access to additional leave to treat service-related injuries.

The Hirono law ensures that new disabled veteran employees at the FAA and TSA have access to the sick leave benefit during their first year on the job just as their counterparts in other agencies receive. In 2015, Congress enacted the Wounded Warrior Federal Leave Act, which makes up to 104 hours of paid sick leave available to newly hired veteran federal employees with service-connected conditions rated 30 percent or higher. However, since certain federal personnel policies do not automatically apply to the FAA and the TSA, the additional sick leave created by the new law did not apply to these agencies before the law.
The law allows veterans with a disability rating of 30 percent or higher who are hired by the FAA or TSA to access additional paid sick leave during their first year on the job for the purposes of receiving medical care related to their service-connected condition. Currently, approximately a third of FAA employees in Hawai`i are veterans. Veterans form over 10 percent of the TSA’s Hawai`i workforce.

Support for the bill came from many organizations, including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, Federal Managers Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Reserve Officers Association, United Spinal Association, American Federation of Government Employees and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

DYNAMIC STRUCTURES DIVISION OF EMPIRE INDUSTRIES, LTD has been awarded a contract from Canadian Commercial Corporation for the final design and production readiness phases of the Thirty Meter Telescope enclosure. The announcement comes as the state holds a contested case hearing about the project on Mauna Kea. The contract is valued at approximately $10 million and is expected to be completed over the next 18 months.
The Thirty Meter Telescope would be the most advanced and powerful optical telescope on Earth, according to Empire. It would enable astronomers to study objects and stars throughout the Milky Way and its neighboring galaxies, as well as galaxies forming at the very edge of the observable Universe.

Guy Nelson Photo from
Empire Industries

The TMT project is being undertaken by a consortium of universities, institutions and governments from the United States, Canada, Japan, China, and India. The TMT enclosure is one of several key deliverables that Canada will be contributing to the TMT partnership under which Canada will provide up to $243.5 million over 10 years to support Canada’s participation in TMT.

Dynamic Structures has developed an innovative calotte shape for the TMT enclosure. The design significantly reduces the size and improves the speed of the enclosure, to effectively shield the telescope and instruments from temperature variations, unbalanced wind forces, snow and ice. The enclosure will rotate and track the telescope’s field of view. When completed, the enclosure will be 55 meters high and be assembled from over hundreds of thousands of parts.
The enclosure design is expected to be executed by the first quarter of 2018. Subsequent phases of the Canadian enclosure project, including fabrication, shipping the enclosure to the project site, supervision of the enclosure’s installation, and commissioning of the structure, have not yet been awarded.

“It is an honour to be selected to design one of the most sophisticated moving structures on the planet, said Guy Nelson, Chief Executive Officer of Empire Industries, Ltd. “Dynamic Structures has been actively working on TMT since it was first conceived over ten years ago. We are looking forward to seeing it through to completion.”

Dynamic Structures has been in operation since 1926 and was acquired by Empire Industries in 2007. It is one of the world’s premier providers of movable (dynamic) structures. The company develops effective integration strategies to cover all aspects of complex structural, mechanical and electrical system projects right through design, manufacturing and on-site construction. They have an enviable reputation of providing these services to the global amusement ride industry and the global telescope observatory market. Dynamic Structures has designed and manufactured approximately half the world’s large telescope enclosures. The company is located in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. More can be learned about the company by visiting www.empireds.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Trojan teammates guard Jamal Buyuan as he runs toward
the end zone. Photo by Taylor's Treasures Photography.

ZACHARY KAI SCORED THE TROJANS’ two touchdowns yesterday, playing Kohala at home.

The Trojans led 14-10 in the first quarter, following Kai’s runs into the end zone and a good two-point conversion run by Jamal Buyuan. The Trojans’ score remained at 14 through the rest of the game, while Kohala scored in the second and fourth quarters to bring the final score to 24-14.
The eight-man team has a rematch with Kohala at home on Saturday, Oct. 29, the final game of the regular season. This Thursday, they travel to Pahoa for their final away game.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

TROJAN HOMECOMING CELEBRATIONS CONTINUED after yesterday’s game. King and Queen were Trevor Taylor and Alysha Gustafson-Savella. Senior Attendant was Zaylee Pascubillo, with Escort Pete Dacalio. Junior Attendant Deslyn Dacalio-Camba was escorted by Janslae Badua. Sophomore Attendant was Taylor Kekoa-Burgos, and her Escort was Kyle Calumpit. Freshman Raymond Polido-Kalili escorted Attendant Kaohinani Grace.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u residents who vote at early voting sites can register
that same day. Photo by Julia Neal

LATE VOTER REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE after the deadline to have names included on county rolls of eligible voters. Ka`u residents who miss tomorrow’s deadline will have an opportunity to register and vote on the same day at early voting sites from Wednesday, Oct. 26 through Thursday, Nov. 3.

Pahala Community Center will be open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for early voting.
See elections.hawaii.gov for more information.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

SENIOR IDs ARE AVAILABLE FOR KA`U RESIDENTS tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View.

KA`U’S HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER MAILE DAVID meets with residents Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Central Pacific Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on systems south of Hawai`i
that could develop as they move west. Map from NOAA

HAWAI`I’S CLEAN ENERGY SYSTEMS ARE A DELICATE balance of power, literally and figuratively, former Public Utilities Chair Mina Morita said at minamoritaenergydynamics.com.

“Literally, each second of each day, Hawai`i’s electric utilities must carefully manage the supply of electrons coming from many different sources to provide safe, affordable and reliable electricity to match their customer’s usage to balance the grid to avoid brownouts or blackouts,” Morita wrote.
“Figuratively, there is a carefully crafted balance of power between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government in the Hawai`i State Constitution. A decision by Judge Edwin Nacino, outlined in an Aug. 26 minute order and a subsequent Sept. 19 judgment, which ruled in favor of placing Thomas Gorack on the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission and dismissed all other counts throws this balance of power off-kilter. “Seemingly, the judgment places a finger on one side of the scale leaving more questions than answers, as the ruling was contrary to well settled principles, previous attorney general opinions and the legal definition of ‘vacancy.’

Hawai`i's clean energy systems are a delicate balance of power,
according to Mina Morita. Image from Energy Dynamics

“In part, Judge Nacino’s minute order ruled: ‘The Court accepts defendants’ arguments which included that a vacancy occurred upon the expiration of Mr. Champley’s term of office. “Thus, the Court finds Gov. Ige’s interim appointment of Mr. Gorack when the Senate was not in session to be valid and subject to all other limitations found in Article V, Section 6, paragraph 5 of the Hawai`i Constitution.

“There is no disagreement on the Governor’s constitutionally given power to make an interim appointment when there is a vacancy and the Senate is not in session. However, a change in the legal definition of what constitutes a vacancy may now open the door to an abuse of power if the Governor shirks his or her responsibility to timely submit future nominations of public utility commissioners or for other boards and commissions to avoid the Senate’s constitutional given right to give its advice and consent before an appointment is made.

“This whole case turns on the plain language of one word – vacancy. My attorney, the former Attorney General Mark Bennett, and I continue to contend that, despite the fact that Commissioner Michael Champley’s term had expired, the office did not become vacant because (1) the constitution grants the Legislature the power to make laws governing terms and removal of members of boards and commissions not specifically address in the Hawai`i Constitution, (2) the Legislature, wanting to avoid a vacancy, did pass a law stating that the incumbent Commissioner shall serve (beyond the expiration of his/her term) until his/her successor is appointed and qualified and (3) the phase ‘appointed and qualified’ includes the requirement for the Senate to give its advice and consent on a nominee and, until Senate confirmation, the holdover Commissioner remains as the officer de jure, a person who is legally entitled to remain in that position even though the term had expired.

Mina Morita

“Although the legislative intent of past constitutional conventions and previous attorney general opinions were presented and argued in the Senate’s amicus curiae and plaintiff’s filings, the Judge’s ruling did not offer a deep dive into nor did it make any kind of determination on the constitutionality of the holdover provision in state law, nor did it question the power given to the Legislature to define the terms and removal members of boards and commission for positions not specifically addressed in the Constitution but delegated to the Legislature.

“In my opinion, if the Constitution and statute were correctly interpreted, as it was prior to this suspect ‘appointment,’ Gov. Ige would have two options: (1) make a timely nomination during the legislative session to receive the Senate’s advice and consent where the appointed and qualified nominee would assume the office on July 1 upon the expiration of a board member or commissioner’s term; or (2) call the Senate back into session during the interim to consider a potential nomination to receive the Senate’s advice and consent where the incumbent Commissioner would step down upon the nominee receiving Senate confirmation.
“Conversely, using Gov. Ige’s arguments in this lawsuit and now with Judge Nacino’s ruling, the Governor office can abuse its power and can now easily avoid the responsibility of making timely nominations during the regular legislative session, thereby avoiding the Senate’s right to advice and consent and replace people on boards and commissions on July 1 (terms usually end on June 30), allowing his candidate to sit without scrutiny until the following legislative session.
“We all should be concerned about this unchecked power which Judge Nacino’s ruling gave to Gov. Ige as it affects other boards and commissions, too. But more so and ironically, the Public Utilities Commission’s unique authority, which includes administrative, quasi-judicial and policy responsibilities, is conveyed to it by legislative action and approval. As an agency that should be independent, the PUC is often viewed as an extension of the Legislature, not a department under the Executive branch. “Given this delegation of authority from the Legislature to the PUC, this is a very notable reason why the Senate’s advice and consent regarding Public Utility Commissioners is important with a requirement in law that a PUC commissioner to holdover until his or her successor is confirmed by the Senate.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER is keeping an eye on areas of low pressure south of Hawai`i that could affect our weather later this week. One located about 650 miles south of Hilo continues to produce disorganized showers and thunderstorms. CPHC forecasts that development, if any, will be slow to occur as it moves westward near 10 miles per hour over the next couple of days. Chance of formation into a tropical storm through 48 hours is 20 percent.

Showers and thunderstorms associated with an area of low pressure located around 1,080 miles southeast of Hilo remain disorganized.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Tiny Treasures opens Saturday.
Photo from VAC

NA MEA MAKAMA: TINY TREASURES OPENS SATURDAY at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and continues through Nov. 13. The multi-media, group exhibition celebrates art and artifacts honoring the Hawaiian culture. The public is also invited to a special opening reception on Saturday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The artists, Bernice Akamine, Samuel M. `Ohukani`ohi`a Gon III, Beau Jack Imua Key and Tom Mehau, have explored Hawai`i’s many “treasured things” on a small scale for this exhibit.
“The subject matter was open when we invited the participating artists, gallery manager Emily C. Weiss said. “The artists have brought to the exhibit objects which express not only their love for Hawai`i, but its way of life. The fine details communicated through the art convey a deeper appreciation for the life energy that flows through all things. The incredible amount of information transferred into these small works is similar to Hawai`i’s environment. At the surface it’s beautiful, however if you intimately explore the details so much more will be shared.”
Many of the artists were inspired by traditional Hawaiian carving techniques then adjusted the work to express a more personal story of their own harmonious relationship to the environment.
For more information, contact Weiss at 967-7565.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u residents participate in the Blue Zones Project.
Photo from Blue Zones Project

A MOVEMENT TO HELP HAWAI`I ISLAND FAMILIES in need get a healthy start to the holiday season launches today and continues through Oct. 24 with the Nourish Your Neighbor Food Drive.

Brought to Hawai`i by HMSA’s Blue Zones Project Hawai`i, in collaboration with The Food Basket, the Big Island Giving Tree, KTA Super Stores, Hawai`i County Fire Department, Hawai`i Electric Light Company, Hawai`i Department of Health and Kohala Village HUB, the organization requests donations of canned tomatoes (diced or stewed), canned kidney beans, canned corn and chili powder so families can make a pot of vegetarian chili.
“One of the secrets to longevity from the people who have lived the longest in the original Blue Zones areas is they have plant-based diets,” said Carol Ignacio, community program manager for Blue Zones Project on Hawai`i Island. “We hope to share this ‘Plant Slant’ secret with families in our community by collecting ingredients for a Blue Zones inspired recipe.”
Those who would like to help can drop off donations at the following locations: KTA stores islandwide and HELCO offices in Hilo and Kona.

Maile David and more county officials meet
in Ka`u tomorrow.

The food drive is in honor of National Food Day, an event that celebrates healthier eating and improved food policies that promote safer, healthier diets, support sustainable and organic farms, and reduce hunger by improving access to food.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A COMMUNITY MEETING IS BEING HELD tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Hawai`i County Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd and Solid Waste Director Greg Goodall will provide an update and status of the new Ocean View Transfer Station.

Ka`u’s County Council member Maile David will also be present to answer questions.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

A meeting Saturday offers an update on the Ka`u Kapapala Koa Canoe Forest Draft Management Plan.
See more below. Photo by J.B. Friday

HAWAIIAN SPRINGS WATER has removed language on its website stating that it donates money to The Nature Conservancy, which manages preserves of pristine forest and watershed in the mountains of Ka`u as well as the Kamehame hawksbill turtle nesting site below Pahala on the coast. Hawaiian Springs partner Al Kam and his group PMK has submitted a water bottling facility plan for Pahala to Hawai`i County Planning Director Duane Kanuha. The planning department is reviewing the proposal. Input can be sent to planning@hawaiicounty.gov, susan.gagorik@hawaiicounty.gov and larry.nakayama@hawaiicounty.gov.
Until recently, the website hawaiianspringswater.com stated: “Hawaiian Springs donates a portion of its proceeds from bottled water sales to The Nature Conservancy each year in its effort to build awareness and support for the preservation of native Hawaiian endemic species – many of which are threatened with extinction.”
In reference to its current bottling plant, where it draws water in Kea`au, the website refers to the abundance of water resources on the Big Island. It says, “The Hawaiian Springs Kea`au aquifer has a recharge rate of 1.38 billion gallons per day according to the State of Hawai`i Commission on Water Resource Management (2008).

Hawaiian Springs, which plans to build a water bottling facility in Pahala,
has removed language on its webite stating that it donates money to
The Nature Conservancy. TNC manages Kamehame hawksbill
turtle nesting site and preserves of pristine Ka`u forests
and watersheds. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

“How much is that? It’s enough pure water to supply all the bottled water consumed each year in America in 7.3 days! Think that’s crazy, how about all the world’s yearly bottled water consumption in less than a month! Now that’s sustainable!
“With an approved sustainable use rating of 740 million gallons per day (mgd), Hawaiian Springs’ source (the N.E. Mauna Loa system) is the most robust in Hawai`i and one of the healthiest in the world. In fact, the overall Big Island aquifer system has a sustainable use rate of 2,431 mgd – that’s over 3.4 trillion liters of pure artesian water each year!”
The website also quotes the U.S. Geological Survey, saying that it recently “concluded that the waters of Kea`au are among the purest in the world.”
“Hawaiian Springs – proudly bottled at the source; one that is like no other on Earth,” the website states.
In a Hawai`i Tribune Herald story, project manager Al Kam stated, "We're here to provide jobs to the state of Hawai`i." He also said that his hui is "trying to rebuild manufacturing in the state of Hawai`i," with the development of the old sugar mill site in Pahala into the water bottling plant. "We want to export product. We are poised to take advantage of that," Kam told reporter Tom Callis.
The plan calls for more than 130,000 square feet of buildings, more than three times the size of the new Ka`u District Gym. Included are tour bus and van parking stalls and 10,000 square feet of retail space.
Concerns voiced by the community about the project include preservation of historic buildings and an old sugar mill yard wall, maintaining the quiet residential neighborhoods and walkable streets near the old mill site, the number of jobs that would be created by the bottling plant, and questions about using the aquifer to fill plastic bottles with water that would be sold out of the state for use in Asia and other international markets.
The investment group PMK Capital Partners, according to state records, is comprised of Albert K.F. Kam, Jr. Johnny Dadlani, Reid Matsumoto and Fredrick L. Parr. The Planning Department is accepting public comments on the proposal.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

WITH A SINGLE TAP ON A MICROSOFT SURFACE PRO, Gov. David Y. Ige yesterday proclaimed Oct. 10, 2016 Electronic Records Day in Hawai`i, electronically signing the ceremonial proclamation using the State of Hawai`i’s “eSign Service” solution that the governor’s office piloted one year ago. It is Hawai`i’s first “paperless” proclamation by a governor.

Ige said that “eSign is just one of the tools this administration is using to meet our goals of transforming from a paper-based system to one that is leading the nation in electronic signature capability. We are reducing the amount of paper used and saving valuable time that can be better used working on issues facing the state.”

On Oct. 1, 2015, the Office of the Governor, with assistance from the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, piloted the use of eSign Service, processing all documents electronically to the extent possible. Departments were instructed to submit documents for the governor’s signature using an electronic routing form template. In the first three months alone, there were 2,337 eSign transactions.

Gov. Ige eSigns his proclamation as Chief Information Officer
Todd Nacapuy looks on. Photo from Gov. Ige's Office

ETS has since expanded the service to departments statewide to increase government efficiency within the executive branch. As of today, more than 64,000 (and counting) unique electronic transactions have been processed across departments, representing a reduction and associated savings in the use of paper, ink and process time.

Without eSign, the average time for a state document to be signed was between four and 12 days. With eSign, that average is between 129 and 181 minutes.
“We are eliminating much of the time previously spent preparing and routing documents,” said state Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy. “State personnel can sign with just a few clicks, so we can focus on state business and providing effective, efficient services.”
State Archivist Adam Jansen said, “In collaboration with ETS and in support of Gov. Ige’s initiative, Hawai`i State Archives has been developing a digital archives that can not only collect digital records of permanent value, but also ensure accessibility and readability of those records for future generations. As of today, the Hawai`i State Digital Archives is able to accept, describe and process born digital records — with this proclamation being the first record officially accessioned into the repository.”
Accelerated signing dramatically reduces the time that employees spend on paperwork overall. Newly hired government employees, who once spent 2.5 hours filling out onboarding paperwork on their first day, can now complete the process online in less than 30 minutes and from anywhere. Another area of opportunity is presented by the fact that state employees must sign an average of 30 documents a year, from annual tax documents to updated acceptable use policies — a process that can be greatly streamlined.
In addition to gained efficiency, there are environmental benefits. According to the Adobe ResourceSaver Calculator, signing 64,000 documents electronically instead of on paper saves 23,840 pounds of wood, 73,132 gallons of water and 6,150 pounds of waste.
Electronic Records Day began as an initiative of the Council of State Archivists of the United States, and yesterday was observed nationally as an opportunity to raise awareness about the crucial roles electronic records play in our world. For more information on Electronic Records Day, see https://www.statearchivists.org/programs/state-electronic-records-initiative/electronic-records-day/.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Macadamia milk is a new product
from Royal Hawaiian Orchards.

MACADAMIA NUT MILK IS A NEW PRODUCT from Royal Hawaiian Orchards, with offices in Pahala and Hilo. “The buttery, rich taste of our 100 percent Hawaiian grown macadamias now available as a delicious dairy-alternative beverage,” the company’s website states. “Pour it over your cereal, add it to your coffee, blend it into your smoothies, or simply enjoy it over ice!”

Original and vanilla flavors are available sweetened or unsweetened. According to the company, all varieties are non-GMO project verified, OU Kosher, vegan and gluten free.
See royalhawaiianorchards.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd and Solid Waste Director Greg Goodall provide an update and status of the new Ocean View Transfer Station today at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

Ka`u’s County Council member Maile David will also be present to answer questions.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to state Sen. Russell Ruderman’s talk story tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Mountain View Elementary School. Light refreshments will be served.

DO YOU KNOW THE LANGUAGE OF COLOR? Do you know the grammar of color? Are you color literate? If art is communication, then color is the grammar for artists. Dick Nelson’s presentation “Color Literacy” Thursday evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. focuses on color terminology and introduces the true primary colors of pigment and light. This will include color deception and interaction, color transformation, colored films and amp, veils and color constancy. Nelson will also be challenging such color misinformation as, “Red, blue and yellow are the primary colors” and the theory that the Impressionists used pure, unmixed color.

Dick Nelson Photo from VAC

Nelson was a student of Josef Albers, the most respected artist/teacher of color in the 20th century. He has spent over 50 years teaching to thousands of students on the grammar of color and its optical interaction, making color luminosity possible.

Nelson will tell you, “I can say without any hesitation that the vast majority of artists, art historians and museum curators are unaware of how the French Impressionists and Albers achieved such color luminosity.”
The evening is part of Thursday Nights at the Center, a series at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village focusing on art, Hawaiian culture and our environment. The series is intended to inspire, enhance our art and life experience and foster community connections. The event is free; $5 donations are greatly appreciated.

See volcanoartcenter.org.

KA`U KAPAPALA KOA CANOE FOREST DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN is the topic of a meeting this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
The forest is the state Department of Land & Natural Resources’ only officially recognized forest for development of koa canoe resources.
The draft plan seeks to preserve and use the resource, which consists of more than 1,200 acres adjacent to Ka`u and Kapapala Forest Reserves.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Hawai`i County Planning Director Duane Kanuha has approved Pahala Town Square
and Hawaiian Springs Facility. Map from Planning Department

A WATER BOTTLING FACILITY AT THE OLD PAHALA MILL SITE HAS BEEN APPROVED, subject to conditions. In his Oct. 3 letter to developer PMK Capital Partners’ lawyer, Hawai`i County Planning Director Duane Kanuha stated several conditions required prior to occupancy of the facility. The plan approval is an administrative function without public hearings, notices or review by the County Planning Commission or County Council.

A source of water connected to the facility is at the end of a 1,500-foot tunnel that begins on the property, leading to a well used more than 20 years ago by the old Ka`u Sugar mill.

“The owner/applicant shall receive approval from the (state) Director of Health prior to the construction of the proposed system or modification in accordance with Hawai`i Administrative Rules Section 11- 20- 29, ‘Use of new sources of raw water for public water systems,’ and HAR Section 11- 20- 30, ‘New and modified public water systems,’ the letter states. “The owner/applicant shall also meet with all rules and regulations regarding the water bottling facility and shall also receive approval from the Director of Health prior to the construction of the proposed water bottling facility.”

Two entries on Maile Street connect to a large fountain.
Map from Planning Department

The letter also states that “no permits (building, grubbing, grading) shall be issued prior to any construction, alteration, disposition or improvements of any nature until the State Historic Preservation Division has given its concurrence.” Residents have expressed concern about the former bank building, home to KAHU radio, which has been used for various functions for nearly a century, and other historic structures on the property. Plans show that the bank building is “to be removed.”

Another condition limits retail sales, which “shall be incidental and subordinate to the limited industrial uses that are established on the subject property.”
Other conditions require maintenance of landscaping, construction of parking to meet all government standards, written approval for any modifications and inspection prior to approval of a Certificate of Occupancy.
According to the letter, height of the processing plant and warehouse building submitted to the Planning Department is about 18 feet, and the retail buildings would be around 15 feet high. Maximum permitted height is 30 feet high. The highest building on the property is the old sugar warehouse, which would be renovated, according to the plan.

Setbacks of structures from property lines also exceed minimum requirements. Side setback are more than 270 feet; minimum required is 10 feet. The front setback is more than 133 feet, with a minimum requirement of 20 feet.

Community concerns about the project submitted to the planning director also included mitigating traffic in residential sections along Maile and other nearby streets where there are no sidewalks. In walkable Pahala, children walk to school, residents exercise and walk their dogs, and many people travel by foot to the post office, bank, stores and other village destinations.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Bay Clinic Executive Director Harold Wallace

A NEW MEDICAL VAN BUILT TO BAY CLINIC specifications will offer medical and dental services in Volcano, Ocean View and other communities, Bay Clinic Executive Director Harold Wallace announced last week at a Rotary Club of Volcano meeting.

Dr. Crissy Capati said services will be tailored to the communities’ different needs. Military insurance, HMSA, VA and Medicaid will be accepted. Bay Clinic is in discussion with Kaiser for accepting its patients. It also has a contract with Walgreens for delivery of prescriptions from their pharmacy.
Dr. Brian Higa said Medicaid and Hawai`i Dental will be accepted for dental services. A sliding scale will be used for payment for those without insurance.

Rotary will host an introduction and registration event for the van in November, possibly at Cooper Center on a Friends Feeding Friends Thursday.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A SINGLE, TRAVEL-RELATED CASE OF ZIKA VIRUS has been reported on Hawai`i Island. The state Department of Health’s Hawai`i Island District Health Office and the County of Hawai`i yesterday jointly announced that the Hawai`i resident has a history of recent travel to the South Pacific and is past the point of being infectious to mosquitoes. Hawai`i has no locally acquired Zika cases at this time, and no mosquitoes are transmitting the disease within the state.

Mosquitoes spread Zika when they bite an infected
person and the bite another one.
Image from Hawai`i DOH

A DOH Vector Control team surveyed the individual’s residence and place of employment and treated any areas of concern to reduce mosquitoes and breeding sites. DOH continues to coordinate closely with its county partners to assure a targeted and efficient response.

“The County of Hawai`i is working with the Department of Health to take proactive steps to assess affected areas for mosquito activity, educate communities and treat mosquito breeding sites,” Civil Defense Administrator Ed Teixeira said. “This event is a reminder that we all need to remain vigilant and take steps to prevent mosquito bites, especially when traveling to affected areas worldwide, and eliminate mosquitoes by emptying standing water where they can breed.”
Zika continues to spread in multiple regions across the world, and imported or travel-related cases are expected to increase this year. Travelers are advised to prevent infection while traveling by using repellent and staying away from mosquitoes. Travelers should also prevent mosquito bites when they return from areas with mosquito-borne disease outbreaks, as well as monitor their health and see their healthcare provider about illness occurring in the two to three weeks after return from travel.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend special precautions for women who are pregnant or may become pregnant. Pregnant women should not travel to areas with Zika. If travel cannot be avoided, women should consult with their healthcare providers first and vigilantly follow steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes.
For more tips on how to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne viruses, see fightthebitehawaii.com.
For travel guidance, see http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/zika-travel-information.
For information on Zika and pregnancy, see http://www.cdc.gov/zika/pregnancy/index.html.
For information on reported Hawai`i cases this year, see http://health.hawaii.gov/docd/dib/disease/mosquito-borne-diseases/.

STARTING TODAY, HAWAI`I PUBLIC RADIO RALLIES its listeners in its biannual on-air fundraiser with an appeal to support Civility, Complexity and Creativity. HPR serves parts of Ka`u at KAHU 91.7 FM, with plans to extend coverage throughout the district.

José A. Fajardo

José A. Fajardo, HPR’s new president and general manager, said, “In this raucous election season, we believe there’s a newly discovered appreciation for the values that public radio espouses. Civil discourse, the exploration of complex issues and the celebration of creativity may be in short supply elsewhere but are mainstays on HPR’s two programming streams. We’re proud to be that cultural oasis for our community and welcome first-time supporters.”

The anticipated 10-day pledge drive is the third consecutive campaign in which the overall goal is less than the previous drive’s, even as operating costs steadily increase. This fall, the independent $5.3 million nonprofit is seeking $936,000; $260,000 has already been raised in early contributions.
“Hawai`i’s amazingly generous community is one of the reasons I was drawn to this station,” Fajardo said. “One phone call at a time, HPR’s individual donors grew a single, egg-carton-lined facility in Honolulu into a network extending across the islands. Now, the ongoing, monthly gifts from our growing corps of sustaining members are providing us with a reliable income stream and reducing the amount we need to raise in these on-air drives.”
All those who make a pledge today will be entered to win a two-night stay at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Donors may also select thank you gifts such as VIP packages to attend the live tapings of From the Top in Honolulu and Kea`au, or Hawaiian Airlines frequent flyer miles. And throughout the drive, a series of matching funds from individuals and local businesses, such as 808 Skate or a hui of law firms, are presented to further incentivize giving.
Donations are accepted at hawaiipublicradio.org or by calling 808-944-8800 or 808-941-3689 between 6:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. The pledge drive will be suspended for several hours to broadcast the third and final presidential debate on the afternoon of Oct. 19.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

LEARN ABOUT COLOR LITERACY tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Dick Nelson presents information during Thursday Nights at the Center.

$5 donations are appreciated.

For more information, call 967-8222.

HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED HOLDS its sixth annual convention Friday through Sunday. OK Farms hosts the event for the first time on Hawai`i Island. Owned by Ed Olson and Troy Keolanui, the farm specializes in high-quality tree crops such as coffee, macadamia nuts, lychee, longan, citrus, cacao, heart of palm and a wide variety of other tropical fruits and spices. The farm is over 1,000 acres.

Expert growers and producers from the mainland will talk about the potential of hemp and medicinal cannabis in Hawai`i. Trellis farming expert Peter Sallares, from Australia, will bring a fresh look at growing fruit trees in Hawai`i to help increase yields while farming the same amount of land.
The event brings together farmers, producers and people who love local food to celebrate and grow agriculture together.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Halau Na Kipu`upu`u performs Saturday. See more below.
Photo by Aniku Chong from Volcano Art Center

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARY, Hawai`i Electric Light Company, have responded to a formal complaint as ordered by the Public Utilities Commission. The 72-page complaint, filed by Ann and Peter Bosted, alleges that Feed-In-Tariff permits for a series of solar projects planned for Ocean View should not have been issued by HECO/HELCO because the projects failed to meet the rules and intent of the FIT program.

Grids cover sites approved for a major
solar project planned in Ka`u.
Map from Bosted formal complaint

The complaint concerns a 6.75-megawatt solar project slated to be built on widely dispersed three-acre parcels in makai residential subdivisions. According to the complaint, in spite of the developers not adhering to the “site control” rules of FIT, and in spite of the projects not being “shovel ready” when permits were issued in 2011, HECO/HELCO have continued to allow these projects to remain in the FIT active queue. The complaint further alleges that these permits were traded and the competitive bid process was circumvented. The complaint states that as a consequence of lax administration by the utilities, the projects have not even broken ground. Therefore, Hawai`i Island has not benefitted from these projects and the FIT program as originally envisioned.

In its defense, HECO/HELCO claims that the utilities “followed all applicable rules, orders, and laws . . . and that it would be highly unfair to the developers of the FIT Projects to now revoke or deny their FIT Applications, after they have made substantial investments and complied with applicable requirements.”
The most “substantial investment” made by the current developers was the purchase of the permits from the original permit owner at a highly inflated price. Four years ago, the original applicant for permits in Ocean View, Pat Shudak, was accused of “queue squatting” – signing up for projects he did not intend to complete and then selling the lucrative permits for a profit. Financial filings with the Securities & Exchange Commission indicated that Pat Shudak’s company, Solar Hub, had sold the rights to its 68 FIT projects on three islands to SPI Solar for $44 million. According to Ann Bosted, Shudak claimed that he had spent about $4 million to get these projects into the FIT queue. It is estimated that a quarter of his permits, by capacity, were located in Ocean View.
SPI Solar, which is based in Shanghai and registered in the Cayman Islands, now controls 26 of the 27 permits issued for the town of Ocean View, by virtue of owning the “shell companies” that control the individual sites. To date, SPI Solar has not done any site work in Ocean View. One site, not owned by SPI, shows some site work.
Commenting on why this project is four years overdue, Ranchos resident Ann Bosted, co-author of the complaint, said, “In their response to our complaint, HELCO took great pains to explain the details of how an Interconnection Requirements Study took so long and how it was largely responsible for the delay.” Bosted explained, “Actually, the IRS was completed by mid-2013, but the developer did not have the cash to pay for the substation and transmission line. HELCO obligingly gave the developer at least 14 additional months to pay. HELCO responds as though this is how it was supposed to happen, but we do not agree. Timeliness was a key component of the program.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka`u Forest Reserve is part of the statewide
Natural Area Reserves System.
Map from NARS

DRUG AND ALCOHOL PROHIBITIONS ARE AMONG NEW RULES proposed for natural area reserves, including Ka`u Forest Reserve. The rule amendments being proposed by the Department of Land & Natural Resources would also amend permit provisions, establish closure hours and establish provisions for removal of vehicles from natural area reserves. The amended rules apply across the entire Natural Area Reserves System.

The rule amendments can be reviewed online at http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/NARS-draft-rules-160311.pdf or at any branch office of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
Written comments may be addressed to Betsy Gagne, DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Natural Area Reserves Commission, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, HI 96813 or betsy.h.gagne@hawaii.gov with subject line of “Rule comments” by Nov. 30. All comments will be incorporated into a summary with recommendations that will go to the Board of Land and Natural Resources for further consideration or adoption.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Sen. Mazie Hirono attended the Council for Native Hawaiian
Advancement's convention this week.

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO RENEWED HER COMMITMENT to the Native Hawaiian community at the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s annual convention.

“The Native Hawaiian community has made significant strides in growing culturally significant and relevant initiatives that benefit families across Hawai`i,” Hirono said. “However, there is still work to be done. Federal programs that improve educational opportunities, access to health care and housing demonstrate the federal government’s commitment to the Native Hawaiian community and must continue.”
Hirono is an advocate for protecting federal programs that benefit the Native Hawaiian community. In the recent renewal of federal K-12 education laws, the Every Student Succeeds Act, she fought to protect federal grants for Native Hawaiian education programs.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S sixth annual convention begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. and continues through Sunday afternoon. OK Farms in Hilo hosts the event for the first time on Hawai`i Island.

Speakers from the mainland and Hawai`i will look at the future of agriculture in Hawai`i. Keynote speakers are Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, state Rep. Chris Lee and Ka`u’s state Sen. Russell Ruderman. Experts in the field of soil science like Bob Schaffer, Kim Chang and Mike Dupont will also speak. Hawai`i's Ken Love will talk about value-added products and his unique look at agriculture in Hawai`i.
Register at hfuuhi.org.

HALAU NA KIPU`UPU`U UNDER THE DIRECTION of Kumu hula Micah Kamohoali`i performs Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
The halau and Kumu Kamohoali`i are well known for their powerful performances as well as revitalizing many ancient art forms and practices not commonly seen within hula today. They are most famed among the hula community for revitalizing the art and practice of creating kapa. Kamohoali`i and his halau will be on hand after the performance displaying the unique handmade regalia and props used.
Held in conjunction with this month’s hula kahiko performance, Kumu Hula Ab Valencia and members of Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu share Na Mea Hula (all things hula) on the gallery lanai. Participants learn a hula, use various hula implements and try lei making. Experience the different aspects that play an integral role in the life of the hula dancer. This cultural demonstration is hands-on and family-friendly.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND INVITES KA`U RESIDENTS to celebrate 20 years of environmental work and meet some of its volunteers and team members from Hawai`i Island, Maui and the Pacific Northwest.

“We owe our success to volunteers, local businesses, agencies, community members and nonprofit partners like you,” a statement from the nonprofit says.
Mokupapapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo hosts the event Saturday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It includes live music by Adam Kay and Local cuisine by Aloha Mondays, Hilo Burger Joint and Papa`a Palaoa Bakery. Local brews are provided by Kona Brew Company, Mehana Brewing Company and Hawai`i Kombucha. Local juice from Sweet Cane Café and various types of wine and fresh water are also available.
Over 70 silent auction/raffle items include arts, crafts, gift certificates and tours.
Tickets are available at wildhawaii.bpt.me and at the door.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Learn about the People and Lands of Kahuku Sunday. See more below.
NPS Photo by Julia Espaniola

HAWAI`I HAS LAUNCHED AN ENHANCED 911 service allowing residents to report an emergency as a text message. Text-to-911 can support plain text Short Messaging Services messages only and is limited to 160 characters per text. Pictures, videos and emojis currently cannot be processed. In addition, callers must have active wireless service including a text or data plan, and the device’s location service must be turned on. Text-to-911 may not be available if the wireless phone is roaming or outside of the provider’s coverage area.

Ka`u's U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said Hawai`i is leading
the way for Text-to-911 services.
Photos from Gov. Ige's Office

Consumers are advised to call 911 when possible because calling is a faster, more efficient way to relay an emergency as the caller’s location isn’t automatically sent to emergency responders in a text.

“While voice calls are always best, text-to-911 service provides practical mobile emergency communications for our deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired communities,” Gov. David Ige said.
Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “Given Hawai`i’s unique and rural geography, technology advances and the hearing/speech-impaired members of our community, it’s critical that we close the gap to ensure everyone has access to our first responders. The Text-to-911 service is a revolution in how we alert the authorities to emergent, life-or-death situations that do not allow for a caller to speak to a dispatcher, such as with home invasions, domestic violence cases or active shooter scenarios. This new service will help save lives all across Hawai`i. As one of only seven states to implement this program, Hawai`i is leading the way in serving all members of our community.”

E911 Board chair and Hawai`i County Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Ferreira reported a total cost of over $3 to $4 million dollars per local area public safety answering points to upgrade the Computer Assisted Dispatch software systems and infrastructure that can now receive text messages.

Hawai`i County Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Ferreira
speaking at the launch of Text-to-911.

Steve Schutte, Verizon government account manager, represented private telecomm service providers and acknowledged HawaiianTel support in achieving this technological challenge. Extensive testing with all wireless carriers was conducted at all PSAP locations prior to this statewide launch, and ongoing testing continues to ensure smooth operations. “As Hawai`i’s only local service provider, our team is dedicated to leveraging the power of technology to meet the needs of our customers and our community,” he said.

“Text messaging is one of the primary ways we communicate today, and texting 911 can save lives when it’s safer not to speak such as a home invasion or situations involving domestic violence or an active shooter,” said Courtney Tagupa, Executive Director of Hawai`i’s Enhanced 911 Board. “We’re grateful to our telecommunications service providers and all of our PSAPs for their leadership and dedication to this important project.”
According to the Federal Communications Commission, Hawai`i joins New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Indiana, New Jersey and North Dakota as states where text-to-911 is available statewide.
For more information about text-to-911, see hawaiitextto911.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES stated that it is aware of allegations regarding working conditions on commercial fishing vessels and efforts by various government agencies and the industry to investigate these allegations and take appropriate actions. According to DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, it does not have the authority to investigate immigration and labor issues. Its main focus is enforcement of state laws and rules relating to the state’s natural resources.
On Sept. 21, five people submitted a petition to the Board of Land and Natural Resources requesting rule amendments relating to commercial marine licensing procedures. These proposed amendments relate to the issuance of the Commercial Marine License to foreign nationals who are hired on Hawai`i-based longline vessels who land their catches in Hawai`i. The domestic longline fleet is the state’s largest fishery in terms of landings and ex-vessel value. Last year, longliners landed 34 million pounds with an ex-vessel value of $94.2 million.

Dr. Bruce Anderson

DLNR Division of Aquatics Administrator Dr. Bruce Anderson explained, “The petition’s amendments appear to focus on labor issues that are not part of DLNR’s jurisdiction.” DLNR does issue CMLs to individuals who conduct fishing activities in marine waters (regardless if caught within or outside state waters) and the marine life is landed in Hawai`i for commercial purposes. Applicants for the CML are required to provide relevant information on, among other things, identity and immigration status. Applicants who are foreign nationals must provide their passports and the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection form I-95 ‘Crewman’s Landing Permit’ as qualifying documents.

DLNR provides the documents to the applicant to sign, and their signature indicates their agreement to the CML terms and conditions. The terms and conditions pertain to fishing for marine life for commercial purpose. Other terms relate to non-transferability, lawful admittance into the U.S., license fees and fishing report requirements.
DLNR’s conducts boardings of commercial fishing vessels independently and jointly as part of a Joint Enforcement Agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Crew members who don’t have valid CMLs can be warned or cited. Acting DOCARE Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla said, “We have cited crew members for not possessing a CML, and since many crew members do not have entry visas, the owner or captain of their vessel has to coordinate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection for court appearances and to ensure compliance with federal laws.
“While we are clearly concerned about recent media reports regarding working conditions on fishing vessels, our responsibilities currently involve enforcing DAR CML rules and any violations associated with the Joint Enforcement Agreement with NOAA,” Anderson said.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

The Trojans played the Daggers at Kea`au.
Photo from KHPES

TROJAN JACOB FLORES SCORED THREE TOUCHDOWNS to win a rematch against Pahoa Daggers’ eight-man football team Wednesday. With a score of 14-14 at the end of the fourth quarter, the game went into double overtime.

Flores’ first run into the end zone was during the second quarter. Another one in the third quarter brought the score to 12-14, and a 91-yard safety by Ka`u added two more points.
Flores ran six yards for a touchdown in double overtime to bring the final score to 20-14.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S sixth annual convention continues through Sunday afternoon at OK Farms in Hilo. Events tomorrow include presentations by Ka`u's state Sen. Russell Ruderman and Sen. Mike Gabbard and continuing education breakout sessions.

See hfuuhi.org.

Byron Yasui Photo from NPS

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S CURRENT artist-in-residence Byron Yasui invites musicians to bring their `ukulele to a Kani Ka Pila for players of all skill levels. The objective is to have fun and learn easy-to-finger chords as an accompaniment to singing simple songs. Kilauea Theater at Kilauea Military Camp is the site of the event tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

HALAU NA KIPU`UPU`U UNDER THE DIRECTION of Kumu hula Micah Kamohoali`i performs tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND INVITES KA`U RESIDENTS to celebrate 20 years of environmental work tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo.

Purchase tickets at wildhawaii.bpt.me and at the door.

LEARN ABOUT THE PEOPLE & LANDS OF KAHUKU Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Ka`u's U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard addressed Hawai`i Farmers Union United convention yesterday
at OK Farms in Hilo. See more below. Photo from Rep. Gabbard's Office

KA`U FARMERS FROM EARTH MATTERS, KA`U COFFEE MILL, KIOLAKA`A MOUNTAIN FARM and other representatives of local agriculture traveled to OK Farms in Hilo this weekend for the statewide Hawai`i Farmers Union United convention.

A map at hdoa.hawaii.gov/salub shows

crop patterns in Ka`u.

Jeff Melrose, who has been mapping Hawai`i’s agricultural footprint for years, presented maps of ag last night showing a predominance of pasture, macadamia, eucalyptus and coffee on this island, with seed crops and a remnant of the mostly defunct sugar industry in the rest of the state.

The hope of Hawai`i Farmers Union, Ka`u President Greg Smith told The Ka`u Calendar newspaper, is to uplift small farms growing food and such useful crops as hemp.

Melrose’s State Agricultural Land Use Map can be seen at hdoa.hawaii.gov/salub. The Hawai`i County Food Self Sufficiency Baseline Study, a food probability map and other research on crops for this island can be seen at hawaiicountyag.com/research.

Scott Enright, Chair of the state Department of Agriculture, told attendees last night that he backs the small farmer and in his position must work for all forms of agriculture.

Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was a keynote speaker yesterday. Last month, she toured Ka`u farms and held a talk story at Ka`u Coffee Mill, where she expressed support for the state’s rural communities that she represents.
Three representatives of the hemp industry in Colorado and Vermont explained to the group how the industry was started there and how to work through state Legislatures to legalize the growing of hemp – not to be confused with marijuana. Hemp is used for making fabrics, feed and many other products, they noted.

Farmers Union National President Roger Johnson
Photo by Diana Howland

Ka`u state Rep. Richard Creagan described the convention this morning as “a beautiful gathering at a beautiful place. Lots of energy, new ideas, cooperation and optimism.”

The convention continues today with statewide elections and the national Farmers Union United President Roger Johnson addressing the group and announcing that the Hawai`i Farmers Union state chapter could earn charter status in 2017 with “the continuation of excellent leadership,” increasing membership and increasing financial stability.
President of the statewide organization is Vince Mina, who said last night that the goal is for Hawai`i Farmers Union to reach a membership of 2000 in 2017. He was unanimously elected for another term this morning.

Ed Olson, whose OK Farms is the venue for the weekend event, said, “I support Hawai`i Farmers Union and am happy to host the convention.”

Hawai`i's bounty is on display at the convention.
Photo by Diana Howland

See hfuuhi.org for more.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

INCOMING MAYOR HARRY KIM continues to build his cabinet, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in West Hawai`i Today.

“I think we’re getting together some very good people with character who will work hard with integrity,” Kim told Cook Lauer. “It’s one very small step in getting people to trust government a little more.”

Kim told Cook Lauer that Frank DeMarco will head the Department of Public Works. DeMarco, a licensed professional engineer, served as Mayor Billy Kenoi’s Environmental Management director in 2010 and 2011. Before that, he work with DPW’s floodplain management program since February 2008, returned to DPW and retired in 2014.

Mayor-elect Harry Kim with family members.
Photo from Harry Kim

Diane Ley, executive director at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency in Hawai`i and the Pacific Basin, will head the county Research and Development Department. Ley previously served as the deputy director. Before that, she was deputy to the state Board of Agriculture’s chair. She had vegetable farm in Volcano and was an administrative assistant with Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation.

See westhawaiitoday.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

TODAY IS THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY of two damaging earthquakes that struck off the northwest coast of the Island of Hawai`i – a magnitude-6.7 earthquake beneath Kiholo Bay and a magnitude-6.0 earthquake offshore of Mahukona. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists discuss how the events spurred monitoring improvements in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
“When USGS and Pacific Tsunami Warning Center seismologists saw the signals from the Kiholo Bay earthquake, it was immediately clear the signals were much larger than the thousands of microearthquakes that occur each year,” the article states. “Their immediate questions were, ‘How large was the earthquake?’ and ‘Would there be a damaging tsunami?’
“In 2006, seismic monitoring across the United States was already computer-based;
data were transmitted from remote field sites and collected at seismographic monitoring centers, and then converted into computer-ready formats. The USGS had initiated its Advanced National Seismic System project to modernize earthquake monitoring in the nation. Older field instruments were gradually being replaced with units that streamed digital data – computer-ready signals – to regional and national earthquake processing centers.

“At the time, three seismic stations on the Island of Hawai`i had been outfitted with digital instruments as part of an upgrade to improve U.S. tsunami warning capabilities. A handful of other seismic stations had already been upgraded with digital units as part of the initiative to resolve the Year 2000 Problem (Y2K).

“Although staff at the USGS’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory assisted with these upgrades, these units were not yet fully integrated with HVO’s volcano-monitoring network.

Earthquakes 10 years ago today damaged Hawai`i Belt Road.
Photo from USGS/HVO

“Within minutes of the Kiholo Bay earthquake, seismologists verified that it was deep, roughly 40km (~25miles). Although the earthquake shook HVO instruments beyond their operating range, data from the tsunami-upgraded instruments on the Island of Hawai`i yielded the first estimate of magnitude-6.6 as determined by PTWC. Several minutes later, after telephone calls among seismologists at PTWC, HVO, and the USGS’s National Earthquake Information Center in Colorado, a consensus was reached of magnitude-6.7. Based on earthquake depth and magnitude, PTWC confirmed that there was no tsunami threat from the earthquake.

“The Y2K-upgraded stations were not equipped to transmit data in real-time, but they nevertheless provided important information about the earthquake. These instruments recorded even the strongest shaking of both earthquakes. With this data, USGS seismologists in Colorado created ShakeMaps to show how shaking from the earthquakes varied from place to place. Such information, along with the Kiholo Bay “Did You Feel It? Community Internet Intensity Map,” guided and informed post-earthquake surveys of potential damage and other effects as recovery efforts began.
“A USGS assessment in the aftermath of the 2006 earthquakes recognized the need to integrate more modern digital instruments and analysis systems into HVO’s earthquake monitoring program. For example, in order to analyze in real time data from the new digital field instruments, a new ANSS Quake Management Software system developed and used in California was needed at HVO (installed in 2009).
“Subsequently, with support from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, HVO modernized all seismic field instruments and radio systems. Simply put, HVO now records all earthquakes of interest beneath the Island of Hawai`i with the means to automatically generate state-of-the-art earthquake information products. Important work continues to maintain the instruments and radio systems, and also to improve the automated and rapid delivery of reliable earthquake information.
“These improvements will help in the analysis of future large-magnitude earthquakes and in understanding and anticipating their impacts.
“The 10 years since the Kiholo Bay and Mahukona earthquakes have brought many new residents to Hawai`i’s earthquake country. Most of our elementary school students probably have no direct recollections of the 2006 earthquakes. Next week’s annual Great Hawaii ShakeOut drill to practice Drop! Cover! and Hold On! is a reminder to everyone about Hawaii’s earthquake history and how to prepare for and recover from future earthquakes.”
The Great Hawai`i ShakeOut takes place at 10 a.m., HST, on Thursday, Oct. 20. For more detailed information about earthquake preparedness, see http://shakeout.org/hawaii/.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD AND DISCOVER THE PUBLIC’S POWER in the state legislative process. Hawai`i Legislature’s Public Access Room, ad division of the Legislative Reference Bureau, explains how to influence state laws Monday at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village at 12 p.m. and Ocean View Community Center at 6 p.m. A drop-in office hour takes place before each event, where attendees can stop in with questions or pick up information.

Topics include tips and techniques on effective lobbying, testimony, and communicating with senators and representatives; understanding the legislative process, deadlines and power dynamics at the Capitol; easy to use tools available on the Legislature’s website; and helpful handouts, guides and resources.
Newcomers and seasoned advocates are welcome. Contact PAR to register for the workshop, or just drop in. For more information, call 974-4000, ext. 7-0478, email par@capitol.hawaii.gov, or see lrbhawaii.org/par.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Dr. Cliff Kopp, seen descending from Volcano toward Pahala on a walk around Hawai`i Island to raise
awareness of homelessness, has died. See more below. Photo from Kopp's Facebook Page

OCEAN VIEW’S TEMPORARY TRANSFER STATION IS MOVING from its present park site to the location of the town’s future permanent transfer station, county officials told about 35 residents at a meeting last week. Called by Ocean View residents Mike and Debbie du Bois, the meeting was chaired by Ka`u’s recently re-elected County Council member Maile David. Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd and Solid Waste Director Greg Goodale presented updates and answered questions about the transfer station.

Leithead-Todd and Goodale announced plans to move the temporary transfer station out of the park and to establish a new temporary transfer station on one acre at the 21-acre site where a permanent transfer station will be built. The temporary transfer station relocation may take about a year to accomplish, officials said. The county is in the process of hiring someone to do the siting, and then officials will get a contract out. When complete, the new temporary facility will be open one day a week, as is the current one, Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents line up to drop rubbish at Ocean View's temporary
transfer station yesterday. Photo by Peter & Ann Bosted

Leithead-Todd said that the long-awaited permanent transfer station would occupy a nine-acre site in the center of the 21-acre parcel so that there would be a buffer of vacant land on the perimeter. It would be open three days a week, or more if the volume of rubbish warranted longer hours. She could not commit to what fire protection facilities would be available there but said the Fire Department requires that an on-site water tank be provided at all new transfer stations in case of fires at the sites.

Leithead-Todd bemoaned the rise in cost that almost killed the project. She explained that the budget for the whole facility was $3 million, and originally the highway access was to cost $450,000. The state highway department now wants to charge the county $2 million for highway modifications that will comply with modern standards.
“We are in process of contracting out a new traffic study to try and eliminate the right turn acceleration lane in order to reduce the cost of improvements in the state highway right of way,” Leithead-Todd said.
State Rep. Richard Creagan has offered his services in negotiating better terms with the state highways department.
Ocean View resident George Campbell commented that the meeting offered hope.
“I would like to see the temporary transfer station moved out of the park a lot faster – a year seems to be a long delay,” he said. “As a member of the HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. board, I am very concerned about all these heavy vehicles tearing up our roads. The park needs to be a park again, and Ocean View needs a permanent transfer station.”

Leithead-Todd said this would be her last meeting, as she is retiring before the end of the year, but would forward all her information and community requests to the new director, who will be appointed by Mayor-elect Harry Kim.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Dick Hershberger, left, met with Dr. Cliff Kopp
on Hwy 11 at Punalu`u during one of Kopp's
many walks around the island.
Photo by Dick Hershberger

DR. CLIFF KOPP, KNOWN FOR TREKKING THROUGH KA`U on his walks around the island to raise awareness of homelessness, has died. His death followed Kopp recently finishing one in a series of walks. Cameron Miculka reported in West Hawai`i Today that Kopp suffered a stroke on Thursday and died the next day.

Ocean View resident Dick Hershberger told The Ka`u Calendar that he worked with Kopp on many of the dentist’s community projects, including Fourth of July and Christmas parades. “It was difficult to say no to Cliff” when he asked for help, Hershberger said, “and everyone who did (help) did so joyfully.”
Hershberger listed the many community projects Kopp spearheaded, including gardens at West Hawai`i Civic Center and St. Michael’s Church in Kona. The two were active members in Rotary Club, whose projects include drilling deep wells in developing countries to make potable water available.
“The intent of what he was doing was always above himself – more for the good of the world,” Hershberger said. “May your streets be level and the wind behind you, Cliff!”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

“HOW SHOULD HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COSTS BE ALLOCATED between ratepayers and shareholders,” Life of the Land Executive Director Henry Curtis asks at ililanimedia.blogspot.com.
“The Hawaiian Electric Companies must submit their final Power Supply Improvement Plans to the state Public Utilities Commission on Dec. 1,” Curtis states. “These plans are supposed to reveal the utilities’ plans for the near, intermediate and long term.
“One bone of contention is how willing, or unwilling, the utility has been, and is being, regarding the continued growth in Distributed Energy Resources in general and rooftop solar in particular.
“The HECO Companies wrote in their April 1, 2016 Updated and Revised PSIP, ‘Throughout the process of creating our 2016 updated PSIPs, we have actively sought input from the Parties by thoroughly assessing their January 2016 submissions to the Commission and by engaging the Parties in a series of conferences, meetings, and one-on-one dialogs.’

Henry Curtis

“Energy stakeholders have noted that seeking input, and actually incorporating input, are two quite different animals. There is a strong belief that the HECO Companies are resisting efforts to increasing on-site generation, and are not using computer models that actually are capable of optimizing Distributed Energy Resources.

“Hawai`i Electric Light Company just filed its application for a 6.5 percent rate increase.
“Initial review by some energy stakeholders question whether the 6.5 percent rate hike can be justified.
“One issue is whether the utility has met the requirement of the Commission to contain and reduce costs.
“Is a higher rate of return needed to pay for capital to finance projects, in light of the decoupling financial mechanism, which lowered risks to the utility? Since the utility is a safe investment choice, why should the cost to borrow funds increase?
“A second issue is whether the utility should be fully compensated by ratepayers for fighting the use of rooftop solar?
“HECO billed HELCO $954,700 for expenses related to hiring outside consultants. This included nearly $100,000 administrative costs for handling the outside costs.
“The HELCO rate case documents give almost no information on why various outside contractors were hired. …
“There is scant information about why these consultants were hired, what they are contributing to the utility in 2016, or how contracts with these firms are in the public interest, and therefore, why ratepayers and not shareholders should pay their tab.
“There are statements in the rate case filing which assert that the utilities were able to get discounts from vendors. Thus, the utilities believe they met the Commission requirement that costs be contained. The utilities assert that details of these savings cannot be revealed to ratepayers. Rather, HELCO will share it with the Commission under the terms of a future confidential Protective Order.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Learn from the Public Access Room tomorrow.

HAWAI`I LEGISLATURE’S PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM, a division of the Legislative Reference Bureau, explains how to influence state laws tomorrow at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village at 12 p.m. and Ocean View Community Center at 6 p.m. A drop-in office hour takes place before each event, where attendees can stop in with questions or pick up information.

Contact PAR to register for the workshop, or just drop in. For more information, call 974-4000, ext. 7-0478, email par@capitol.hawaii.gov, or see lrbhawaii.org/par.

HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT MEETS with Ka`u residents Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE BRYON YASUI AND NOREEN NAUGHTON speak about the creative process and how Hawai`i informs and inspires their art forms Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
$2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Kilauea's lava lake continues at high levels today. Saturday, the level rose high enough to create small, glistening
flow lobes, both east and west, onto Halemaʻumaʻu's floor. See more below. Photo from USGS/HVO

MORE THAN 130 FOOD VENDORS ON HAWAI`I ISLAND ARE FOAM FREE. Inspired to start a change in the way our island uses foam products, a group of wahine from three organizations, Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, Surfrider Foundation and Sustainable Island Products, came together to try and tackle the foam reduction issue with a different approach: to endorse the restaurants and food vendors that are already electing to use foam alternatives for their to-go containers and to advocate and educate the others to make the switch. After the loss for the foam reduction Bill 140 at Hawai`i County Council in June, the group compiled a growing list of foam-free restaurants for Hawai`i Island with support from other nonprofits, individuals and distributors, available at goo.gl/tia7Rd. Local foam-free establishments include Coffee Grinds, Ka Lae Coffee, Kilauea Lodge, `Ohelo Cafe, Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck and Volcano House.

In her May 2016 testimony, Sarah Rafferty, the Rise Above Plastics coordinator with Surfrider Foundation Kona, told the County Council: “Bill 140 would be an assured step in the right direction toward the Zero Waste goal for our island. To still allow fast-food chain restaurants to distribute these materials on a daily basis in a place that depends so heavily on its natural resources is irresponsible. What message are we sending to our visitors and our keiki when we promote our island’s beauty and preach respect for the land, yet we are purchasing foam products from overseas to be shipped here and stuffed into our landfills after a moment’s use?”

Rafferty organized a Change.org petition urging Mayor Billy Kenoi to ban expanded polystyrene foam (Styrofoam) food containers on island back in Oct. 2015. As of today, that petition carries over 5,125 signatures of support.

Environmental organizations support reducing food
vendors' Styrofoam container use. Photo from HWF

Megan Lamson, vice president with Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, said, “We live on an island, and we need to be mindful about what we are bringing in, and to consider how short the useful lifecycle of these so called ‘single-use products’ really is compared to their long life in the environment. EPS foam may take decades or even centuries to degrade. A compostable container, on the other hand, will break down – by definition – in 180 days at a commercial composting facility.

“Here locally, we are being bombarded with our own `opala (trash), which is a serious issue on an island. In 2008, our county was dealing with over 200,000 tons of solid waste each year. Today, our landfills are filling up, and we have more people eating out of more foam to-go containers, creating even more waste. Scarier yet is that our total global usage of plastic and foam products continues to increase. We really have to stop and think about the huge disconnect between our daily purchases, our waste and our island ecosystems. There is no ‘away.’ Away is our `aina, or it is our oceans, and neither are a proper disposal mechanism for our trash.”
According to data compiled by Terry Miura, volunteers collected and recorded 37,673 pieces of debris during the Get the Drift and Bag It coastal cleanup events hosted by multiple groups around Hawai`i Island in Sept 2015. Of this figure, five percent (1,925 items) were recorded as plastic/foam food containers, packaging or foam pieces. While cigarette butts continue to rank the number one collected item for Hawai`i Island (and the entire U.S.), foam pieces, packaging and food containers numbers are on the rise.
Council member Margaret Wille is proposing another foam reduction bill in the Environmental Management Committee that would reduce the amount of foam food containers used in all county facilities and venues and at all county-sponsored events. “While proponents of Bill 140 are concerned that this ‘Styrofoam light’ bill isn’t robust enough, they are also hopeful that this move would push Hawai`i County forward in leading the path towards zero waste,” Lamson said. The first hearing of this new bill is scheduled tomorrow at 3 p.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center.
“Regardless of what happens during the upcoming hearing, you can take a part in this movement by choosing to eat from foam-free food establishments, compliment the restaurant owners/managers who have opted to select eco-friendly alternatives, bring your own to-go containers and encourage your favorite plate lunch container joint to just ‘hold the foam,’” Lamson said.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

From left, HWF Vice President Megan Lamson is joined by Ke Ola
Editor Shana Logan and HWF Executive Director Hannah Bernard.
Photo from HWF

MORE THAN 100 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED in Hawai`i Wildlife Fund’s 20th anniversary celebration Saturday at Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo. Guests came from around Hawai`i Island, Maui, O`ahu and Oregon. Plus, more than 50 individuals and businesses donated to the event in some way.

“We are so thankful for our huge conservation network over these past two decades and are jazzed as we launch into the next 20 years,” said a statement from HWF. “We are humbled and honored by the abundant support we have received for our … celebration: local business sponsors, gifts and discounts, donations, volunteers and community members who attended our event. We mahalo each and every one of you who contributed in any way to our very successful ho`olaule`a.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I RECEIVED A GRADE OF B- on Blue Planet Foundation’s annual Energy Report Card. The card presents a big-picture assessment of Hawai`i’s progress towards energy independence with 100 percent clean energy. The 2016 edition is the organization’s fourth annual report card. By evaluating five key components – Transportation, Efficiency, Renewables, Smart Grid and Economics – and tracking the specific drivers that shape them, the foundation can identify bright spots and opportunities to improve.
In the past year, according to the report card, demand for transportation fossil fuels decreased slightly, but ground transportation fuel sales are not falling. “Transportation accounts for almost two-thirds of Hawai`i’s fossil fuel consumption, making sustainable mobility solutions essential to moving Hawai`i beyond oil,” the report states.

Regarding efficiency, “we are on track,” the report states. “Efficiency is still our cheapest and easiest form of clean energy.”

Regarding the state’s progress toward 100 percent renewable electricity, “we are on track, but we need continued steady progress of about three percent per year. This means laying the groundwork each and every year for renewable capacity that will be installed in the future.”
One area of poor progress is smart grids. The report says that Hawai`i Island has not installed any smart meters. Smart meters enable a host of clean energy strategies, such as dynamic energy prices to help balance supply and demand. O`ahu’s smart meter pilot has been a strong success, with more than 99 percent of customers in pilot neighborhoods participating. A five-year plan to install smart meters for all O`ahu, Maui County and Big Island customers is now before the state Public Utilities Commission.
Hawai`i residents overwhelmingly favor solar power, with 96 percent supporting and only one percent opposing. “Utilities and policymakers will benefit from listening to these residents,” the report states.

When considering economics, only five percent of Hawai`i residents think the state should use the cheapest energy, no matter where it comes from, and 95 percent think other factors are important, like protecting the environment and securing local jobs.

See blueplanetfoundation.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

TILTMETERS AT HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY recorded inflationary tilt at Kilauea's summit, relating to a rise in the lava lake level. It was measured to be 56 feet below the rim of the Jaggar Museum Overlook Vent this morning. On Saturday, lava overflowed onto the floor of Halema`uma`u.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HAS A BUSY SCHEDULE THIS WEEK. The full council meets tomorrow at 9 a.m. Committees meeting in the afternoon include Planning at 1 p.m.; Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability, 2 p.m.; and Environmental Management, 3 p.m.

Committee meetings continue on Wednesday, with Human Services & Social Services at 9 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 9:30 a.m.; Finance, 11 a.m.; Public Works & Parks and Recreation, 1 p.m.; and Governmental Relations & Economic Development, 2:30 p.m.
All meetings take place at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.
Live streaming of the meetings and agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.

Noreen Naughton and Byron Yasui
Photo from NPS

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK FEATURES artists-in-residence tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Musician Byron Yasui and painter Noreen Naughton speak about the creative process and how Hawai`i informs and inspires their art forms.

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

HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT ANSWERS Ka`u residents' questions tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Twelve students and mentors hiked from Punalu`u to Ka Lae last week during fall break.
Photos from Nohea Ka`awa

A FIVE-DAY, FOUR-NIGHT KA`U HIKE challenged a dozen high school students over the 2016 fall break from Oct. 10 – 14 through `Imi Pono no ka `Aina, with Emily Leucht and Amelie Sterling. Support came from the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife with Nohea Ka`awa; The Nature Conservancy with John Replogle, Shalan Crysdale and Linda Schubert; Ala Kahakai Trail system with Keoni Fox; and Three Mountain Alliance with Colleen Cole, Kellen Galban, Nick Martin and Chiko Mihara.

The group camped at Honu`apo and other locations
along the Ka`u Coast.

During the 30-mile hike starting at Punalu`u, students camped at Honu`apo, Waikapuna and Ka`alu`alu. After reaching Ka Lae, they were taken up to Kiolaka`a Cabin to spend their last night.

Students from Ka`u, Kea`au, Waiakea, Hilo, Pana`ewa and Keaukaha were Meilin Galban- Kinin, Bryana Grace, Ke`alohilani Grace, Keilana Hunter, Keahiloa Kanahele, Kelly Kaneko, Faith Kraus, Keali`i Lovell, Preston Pua-Queja, Pohu Puniwai and Makana Uribe-Bounos.
`Imi Pono no ka `Aina “means seeking excellence for the land,” noted Nohea Ka`awa. Its mission is to provide conservation-themed programs for students, teachers and community members to strengthen environmental and cultural consciousness and to instill in participants a sense of kuleana so that they will become advocates of the land.
For more information, see threemountainalliance.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL is the newest member of Hawai`i Board of Education. Gov. David Ige appointed Darrel Galera yesterday.

Gov. Ige swears in Darrel Galera to the state Board of Education.
Photo from Office of Gov. Ige

Galera has a rich background in public education in Hawai`i. He is the School Leadership Consultant and Coach for the Hawai`i Center for Instructional Leadership and is currently serving as chair of the governor’s Every Student Succeeds Act team.

Galera began his career in education as a social studies teacher at Moanalua High School, where he was named Teacher of the Year in 1984. He has also served as principal at Shafter Elementary, S.W. King Intermediate, `Aiea Elementary, Moanalua High and Castle High. Galera has been recognized as the Hawai`i National Distinguished High School Principal of the Year, Central O`ahu District Principal of the Year and the U.S. Presidential Scholar Program’s Distinguished Teacher, 1989.
A graduate of Waipahu High School, Galera earned a master’s degree in Educational Administration and bachelor’s degree in Secondary Social Studies at the University of Hawai`i.
“Darrel has been instrumental in engaging the public all across the state to help build the blueprint for our public school system,” Ige said. “His service on the board will help bridge the work of the Board of Education and the ESSA team.”
“It’s truly an honor and privilege to serve our students and schools,” Galera said. “I’m inspired by Gov. Ige’s vision and plan for public education in Hawai`i.”
Galera replaces Jim Williams, who resigned from the board last month.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

DHHL beneficiaries and other Hawai`i Island residents can participate
in an upcoming Ka`u Leadership Training Program.

RECRUITMENT FOR KA`U LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM is now open. The fun, dynamic and highly interactive program builds skills that may be used in community service, jobs and personal lives. Hawaiian Home Lands Trust beneficiaries and other residents of Hawai`i Island are eligible. An ideal class will have a mix of participants: high school to kupuna, beginning to experienced leaders and representatives of community nonprofits, the public/private sector, government, farming/agriculture, arts/culture, education, environment, health and human services, and faith-based organizations. Maximum class size is 30.

Participants learn how to run effective meetings and work with different personality types, as well as public speaking and project planning and management.

Class sessions are one weekend per month from January through April 2017. All participants are expected to volunteer 20 to 40 hours to complete a class project within six to nine months after the last class session.
Classes take place at the new county multi-purpose room at Ka`u High School.
For more information and to apply, call 808-620-9461, or email Gigi.O.Cairel@hawaii.gov . Deadline is Dec. 16.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Sen. Brian Schatz

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ IS PROUD of Hawai`i’s progress regarding energy. He responded to Blue Planet Foundation’s grade of B- on its annual Energy Report Card, which evaluated the status of transportation, efficiency, renewables, smart grids and economics.

“Here in Hawai`i, we are making incredible progress toward reaching our state’s goal of running on 100 percent renewable energy by 2045, but there is still much more work to be done,” Ige said. “Having been at the forefront of this effort since my time as lieutenant governor, I can say that this progress has taken creativity, collaboration and innovation every step of the way. I’m proud of our state for leading the country toward a clean energy future, and I look forward to working hard to get us there.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD AND A BIPARTISAN COALITION of lawmakers delivered a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper requesting answers on a report that Yahoo searched users’ private emails at the request of the federal government.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

Joseph Mann reported in Technology News that Yahoo “last year secretly built a custom software program to search all of its customers' incoming emails for specific information provided by U.S. intelligence officials.”

“As legislators, it is our responsibility to have accurate information about the intelligence activities conducted by the federal government,” the lawmakers wrote. “There is significant confusion regarding the existence and nature of Yahoo’s software program described by recent reports and the legal questions implicated by the accuracy of specific details. We request information and a briefing as soon as possible for all members of Congress to resolve the issues raised by these reports.”
In July, Gabbard helped launch the bipartisan Fourth Amendment Caucus, composed of lawmakers committed to protecting the privacy and security of Americans in the digital age. She has introduced the Strengthening Privacy, Oversight and Transparency Act in both the 114th and 113th Congress to strengthen the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and expand its authority to balance the government’s national security and counterterrorism activities with the need to protect the privacy rights of law-abiding Americans.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Bert Naihe performs tomorrow.
Photo from NPS

HAWAIIAN MUSICIAN AND SINGER BERT NAIHE performs songs from his CD, You’re the One, and catchy versions of other favorite tunes tomorrow from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Naihe, who was born and raised in Hilo, is also a musician for Halau o ka Ua Kanileua with Kumu Hula Johnny Lum Ho.

Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council committee meetings tomorrow via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.

Human Services & Social Services Committee meets at 9 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 9:30 a.m.; Finance, 11 a.m.; Public Works & Parks and Recreation, 1 p.m.; and Governmental Relations & Economic Development, 2:30 p.m.
All meetings take place at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
Agendas and live streaming of the 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.

See kaucalendar.com.

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

At Ocean View's temporary transfer station, a concrete slab marks where, on Saturdays, two collection bins are parked
for residents to drop off their bagged garbage from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The brown shipping container is the beverage
container redemption center. On the right, playing fields stretch away to a picnic area, basketball court,
baseball field and playground at Kahuku Park. Drone Photo by John Fretz, of Ranchos

HAWAI`I COUNTY’S RECENT DECISION TO CREATE a second temporary transfer station in Ocean View is the latest of back-and-forth moves since the town was promised a “state of the art” transfer station in 2007. County officials announced the plans during a meeting at Ocean View Community Center last week.

For decades before that promise, Ocean View had been grappling with a proliferation of illegal garbage dumps. County officials became convinced that the cause was the lack of a convenient site for waste collection. The closest facility was Wai`ohinu, a 12-mile drive each way. In 2006, a task force of 11 volunteers began looking for a suitable site.

The county analyzed options and determined that the 21-acre parcel, currently owned by the county, was the most suitable. It is part of an undeveloped makai subdivision on the west end of town, fronting the highway near Iolani. This site was presented to the town at a public meeting on April 16, 2007 and was eventually adopted. Plans were drawn up, and an Environmental Impact Statement was completed in April 2008. At that time, the estimated cost was $4.4 million. It was estimated that construction would begin in 2008, and the facility would be operational in 2009.
Meanwhile, a temporary transfer station was built in 2010 to curb illegal dumping. It was located on land zoned “recreational,” and bordering the town’s park. The temporary transfer station was operated each Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and accepted only bagged household garbage. Last year, HI5 recyclables were also accepted during those hours, and recently the hours were extended.
In 2011, $3 million was appropriated by the county for a permanent transfer station in Ocean View. In 2012, the 21-acre lot was acquired from a local hui by the county.

About a year ago, Eric Goodale, the county’s Solid Waste director, wrote to Maile David, Ka`u’s council member, stating that plans to build a permanent transfer station on the 21-acre site were to be scrapped, and the temporary transfer station would become Ocean View’s permanent transfer station at the park site.

County vehicles share space with residents' at Ocean View's
temporary transfer station. Photo by Peter & Ann Bosted

Many residents did not welcome this news. They felt that the existing park and a trash site were incompatible uses for contiguous sites. Further, they objected to added traffic in the heart of a residential neighborhood. Heavy vehicles were causing excessive wear on the privately maintained neighborhood roads, and at times traffic was congested.

On June 28, a community meeting was called by HOVE resident Mike du Bois to meet the county’s waste management planners. It was chaired by Maile David. At that meeting, residents were able to convince the county’s Environmental Management Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd and Goodale to pursue plans for a permanent transfer station on the 21-acre site, as originally planned, and to keep the “temporary” one temporary.
Also at that meeting, Ocean View resident Maria Schenkeir pointed out that dumped appliances, tires and large items, which are difficult to dispose of under current county rules, are lining the driveway on the 21-acre parcel that was purchased for the permanent facility.
“This is just the same as your old-fashioned dump that was open 24/7,” she said. “Why are we spending money on the temporary transfer station when we could be building a permanent one?”
Ocean View resident Loren Heck also pointed out that the circle where the temporary site is located is zoned “recreational.”
“Read the deed,” he advised, “It’s for recreation. The transfer station could be shut down any day.”
At the community meeting last week, Leithead-Todd and Goodale assured residents that the permanent transfer station was again an objective, and the “temporary” transfer station would be moved from the circle and temporarily sited on one acre of the 21-acre parcel. It will be used until the long-promised “state-of-the-art” transfer station can be built on nine acres.
If built as envisioned in 2007, the permanent transfer station will consist of trash chutes, recycling bins, a hazardous waste collection area, a container redemption center, service roads and a visual buffer. It may also include scrap metal collection bins and a reuse area.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Sen. Mazie Hirono

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO YESTERDAY CONVENED state and local leaders to examine how federal partnerships protect and sustain Hawai`i’s freshwater resources. Hirono, Gov. David Ige, state elected officials and watershed resource experts outlined what Hawai`i groups are currently doing to improve water security and how the federal government can support these efforts.

“Hawai`i’s native forested watersheds feed our state’s water supply, and it is vital that we protect these precious resources,” Hirono said. “The federal government will continue to play a critical role in supporting innovative strategies that protect our forested watersheds. We must continue to work with all stakeholders to improve conservation and ensure that our water resources are protected for generations to come.”
“During the World Conservation Congress in Honolulu last month, I made an ambitious commitment to the global community to protect 30 percent of Hawai`i’s priority watershed forests by 2030,” Ige said. “Only 15 percent of priority watershed forests are protected. We can only reach this goal and exceed it through public-private partnerships between landowners and managers who recognize this is the best way to protect our forested watersheds and our freshwater source.”
Hirono voted to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund. She also worked to get Hawai`i’s collaborative landscape proposal, “Island Forests at Risk,” in the President’s budget for fiscal years 2016 and 2017. This proposal, which includes 13 public and private partners, provides funding to purchase and protect endangered species’ habitats, culturally significant areas and ecologically important lands in the state.
Hirono yesterday heard from a number of witnesses who shared federal, local and cultural perspectives on how to improve Hawai`i’s water security, including state Sen. Mike Gabbard, chair of the Committee on Water, Land and Agriculture; state Rep. Ryan Yamane, chair of the Committee on Water and Land; Steve Anthony, director of U.S. Geological Survey Pacific Islands Water Science Center; Randy Moore, Regional Forester for U.S. Department of Agriculture Pacific Southwest Region Forest Service; David Smith, Administrator of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife; Dr. Sam Gon, Senior Scientist and Cultural Advisor for The Nature Conservancy of Hawai`i; Matthew Gonser, Extension Faculty at University of Hawai`i Sea Grant College Program; and Trae Menard, chair of Hawai`i Association of Watershed Partnerships.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Emily Herb's pottery will be on display during Volcano Village
Artists Hui's Show & Sale next month.
Photo from Emily Herb

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI MEMBERS are preparing for their annual Studio Tour and Sale. Thirty years ago, a small group of Volcano Village artists had an informal studio sale of their artworks on Thanksgiving weekend. What started out as a small venture has expanded into one of the most exciting art events of the year. Folks come from all over to get a head start on Christmas shopping, have lunch at local Volcano restaurants and enjoy the festive atmosphere that always accompanies this Village event.

There are classic pieces and new works inspired by our island, all reasonably priced. If you think you can’t afford to have that new piece of art on your wall or find a beautiful pottery bowl for a special gift, think again.
Today, the hui has 14 artists and craftspeople with six open studios and galleries. Meet the artists in their studios, and see artwork in a wide variety of media including handblown art glass, wood and metal sculpture, pottery, jewelry and fiber art as well as paintings, wood cut prints, photography and more.
Hours for the Thanksgiving weekend Studio Tour are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A special drawing for pieces contributed by each of the artists will be held on the final day of the tour.
For more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487. Maps to the artists’ studios will be available at local businesses and galleries in Volcano and at volcanovillageartistshui.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A STAFF MEMBER FROM U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD’S office meets with Ka`u residents Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 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.

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

Hawai`i Board of Agriculture approved a permanent quarantine of `ohi`a on Hawai`i Island to prevent
the spread of rapid `ohi`a death to other islands. See more below. Photo from UH-CTAHR

HAWAI`I COUNTY’S CHILDREN HAVE THE HIGHEST PREVALENCE OF TOOTH DECAY in the United States, according to the state Department of Health. Also, the burden of oral disease is significantly greater in certain segments of the population. For example, tooth decay is disproportionately experienced statewide by low-income children, defined as those who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program. About 31 percent of children eligible for NSLP have untreated tooth decay compared to 13 percent for those not eligible. The disparities gap is even more pronounced when looking at urgent dental needs due to pain and/or infection. The need for urgent dental care is more than five times higher in low-income children compared to their higher-income peers (13 percent vs. two percent respectively).

Hawai`i County's children have the highest prevalence of tooth decay
in the state, as well as in the nation. Graph from Hawai`i DOH

In its report Hawai`i Smiles, DOH takes its first in-depth look at the oral health status of a representative sample of third-grade children throughout the state. During the 2014-2015 school year, a total of 3,184 third-grade children in 67 public elementary schools on six islands received dental screenings. Third-grade children were screened because third grade is the target elementary school population for the National Oral Health Surveillance System. The findings support the need for culturally appropriate, community-based prevention programs, screening and referral services, and restorative dental care to improve the oral health of Hawai`i’s children

According to the report, more than seven out of 10 third-graders (71 percent) statewide are affected by tooth decay; substantially higher than the national average of 52 percent. Almost one out of four third-graders (22 percent) in Hawai`i has untreated tooth decay, demonstrating that many children are not getting the dental care they need. About seven percent of Hawai`i’s third-grade children are in need of urgent dental care because of pain or infection. If applied to all children in kindergarten to sixth grade, more than 6,600 children in Hawai`i’s public elementary schools experience pain or infection due to dental disease on any given day. More than 60 percent of children in Hawai`i do not have protective dental sealants, a safe, simple, cost-effective clinical intervention to prevent tooth decay in molars.

There are significant oral health disparities by income, as well as by race/ethnicity, among third-graders in Hawai`i. Third-graders living in Kaua`i, Hawai`i, and Maui Counties are more likely to have experienced tooth decay than children living in Honolulu County.

Hawai`i DOH offers advise on preventing tooth decay.
Photo from Hawai`i DOH

DOH urges preventing tooth decay. Medical, dental and public health professionals must focus dental disease prevention efforts on families with children less than two years of age, because two is too late. The American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Association of Pediatricians all recommend preventive dental care and parent education by age one.

Evidence-based strategies for preventing tooth decay in children include applying a fluoride varnish twice a year to the teeth of all infants and children starting when the first tooth comes into the mouth at about six months of age. Fluoride varnish can be applied at medical and dental clinics and in community settings such as preschools and WIC programs.

Parents should brush children’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day as soon as teeth appear in the mouth.
Community water fluoridation has been shown to prevent tooth decay in both children and adults.
Daily fluoride supplementation starting at six months of age is recommended for children whose water supply does not contain fluoride. Limiting food and beverages with added sugars will prevent dental decay and other health issues.
All children should be referred to a dentist as early as six months of age to establish a dental home. Following that initial visit, most children should have a dental examination at least once a year; some high risk children may need more frequent examinations.
Dental sealants are placed to protect the chewing surface of the permanent molars soon after they come into the mouth around six and 12 years of age.
According to DOH, decreasing dental disease among a child’s caregivers benefits the oral health of the child. It also suggests that early education regarding infant oral health can be shared with pregnant mothers and caregivers through routine oral health care.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Rapid `ohi`a death continues to ravage Hawai`i Island's
native forests. Photo from Hawai`i DLNR

A PERMANENT QUARANTINE OF `OHI`A ON HAWAI`I ISLAND will go into effect if approved by the lieutenant governor. Ivy Ashe reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald that the state Board of Agriculture approved the measure on Tuesday.

With rapid `ohi`a death ravaging the island’s native forests, an emergency quarantine went into effect last August to prevent its spread.
“We’ve had good leadership at the DOA,” J.B. Friday, of University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, told Ashe. “They said ‘No, we’re going to do this.’ It (rapid `ohi`a death) was pretty fast-moving, but there was a window to do something about it.”
While not banning all shipments of `ohi`a, the quarantine required testing shipments for Ceratocystis fimbriata, the fungus that causes the disease.
The permanent quarantine requires any product being transported to be tested and properly permitted.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HAWAI`I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. IS OFFERING an optional time-of-use rate program that will charge customers less for power used during the day – when solar energy production is highest – and more at night.

Developed under the direction of the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission, these rates encourage customers to use electricity when solar power is abundant and enable cost-effective integration of renewable energy.

This program will provide customers with an opportunity to save money if they shift their energy use to daytime hours. For example, customers who do laundry, cook or heat water during the day may be able to save. Customers who charge electric vehicles or energy storage systems in the day may also benefit. The amount of any savings will depend on how much a customer changes their usage. As a result, this program may not fit the needs of all customers.
As directed by the PUC, this program will run for two years and is only for residential customers. Participation will be voluntary and limited to the first 5,000 Hawaiian Electric Co. customers throughout the state who enroll.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard sends a staff member
to Ka`u tomorrow.

Participating customers will receive information on their bills that compares their costs under this program and the normal residential rate for electricity. Customers may opt out of the program at any time if they feel it isn’t the right fit for them.

On Hawai`i Island, the current all-day residential rate is 29.7 cents per kilowatt-hour. With time-of-use, the rate would be 9.7 cents/kwh from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 49.2 cents/kwh from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and 34.3 cents/kwh from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m.

To enroll or for more information, call Hawai`i Electric Light Co. at 969-6999 in Hilo or 329-3584 in Kona.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED TO MEET with a staff member from U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s office tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.

Learn about coffee production Saturday.

INTERESTED IN KA`U COFFEE PRODUCTION? A workshop on Saturday focuses on the latest processing equipment, coffee berry borer control, crop nutrition, subsidy programs and legislative updates.

Topics include Latest Tendencies in the Processing of Specialty Coffee, Benefits of Using Cal-Carbonate to Correct Low pH Soils, Herding Predatory Flat Bark Beetles, Impact of Ka`u Soil Type/Qualities on Crop Nutrition Decisions, and several discussions related to coffee berry borer control.

The workshop takes place at Pahala Community Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break at 11:30 a.m.
RSVP to Laura Diaz at laura@ldomarket.com, 928-8188 or 408-306-5596.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

Pele's hair from the active lava lake at Halema`uma`u is covering parts of the Ka`u Desert.
See more below. Photo from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

KAPAPALA RANCH COOPERATIVE GAME MANAGEMENT AREA and Kapapala Forest Reserve will be open for game bird hunting Saturdays, Sundays,and state holidays for the entire upcoming season. The 2016-2017 Game Bird Hunting Season opens on Saturday, Nov. 5. State biologists are predicting a below average season of bird hunting, with lingering drought impacts in many parts of the state. The fall game bird hunting season will run through Sunday, Jan. 29. A valid hunting license and a game bird stamp are required for all game bird hunting on public and private lands. All game bird hunting is regulated by Hawai`i Administrative Rules Title 13, Chapter 122. See http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw“Administrative Rules” for all legal hunting days.

Game bird hunting season begins soon.
Painting by Mike Brown from DLNR

Other game bird hunting areas on Hawai`i Island include Mauna Kea GMA & Forest Reserve and Pu`u Mali Mitigation Site, Pohakuloa Training Area, Pu`u Wa`awa`a Forest Reserve & Pu`u Anahulu, Pu`uanahulu GMA, Kaohe GMA & Mitigation Site, Kipuka `Ainahou, Kahua/Ponoholo Ranch Special Permit Area.

Hunters are required to check in and out at established check stations. First obtain permission from landowners when seeking to hunt on private land. Prevent wildfires by not parking or driving in tall grass or brush. Report fires to 911.
Report game law violators to the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement at 643-DLNR (3567).
Further information may be obtained by contacting Division of Forestry & Wildlife in Hilo at 974-4221.

Sen. Brian Schatz

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ CALLED FOR PASSAGE of a bill he co-introduced to “fix our broken college accreditation system and reduce college debt.” The bill would require the federal Department of Education to develop standards regarding rates of graduation, job placement and loan repayment.

“A higher education is meant to help people move up the economic ladder, but too many students are being left deep in debt and without a degree,” Schatz said. “Our college accreditation system should be working to weed out bad schools, but as we’ve seen with the recent closures of fraudulent institutions that remained accredited up until the day they closed, that just isn’t happening. For the protection of students and taxpayers, our bill will put common sense standards in place to improve the quality of higher education and hold accreditors accountable for failing schools.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Pahala Community Center opens Tuesday for early voting and late
registration. Photo from Hawai`i Office of Elections

EARLY VOTING AND LATE REGISTRATION for the general election begins Tuesday. Although the deadline to register to vote on Nov. 8 has passed, residents can still register and vote at several locations prior to Election Day.

Pahala Community Center will be open to vote and register Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Other Hawai`i Island sites are Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room and Waimea Community Center.

KTA IS RAISING FUNDS FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS. Ka`u supporters can donate at any KTA checkout stand throughout the Big Island. One hundred percent of donations taken at KTA go to support the Boys & Girls Clubs. Many Ka`u children spend the afternoons after school at the Boys & Girls Clubs in Ka`u.

AMBER WAVES OF PELE’S HAIR ARE COVERING the Ka`u Desert downwind of Halema`uma`u. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists explain why in the current issue of Volcano Watch.

“The lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater at the summit of Kilauea Volcano is creating a scene remindful of a messy barbershop floor, except that it’s acres and acres wide rather than a few square feet,” the article states. “The ground downwind of the crater is strewn with Pele’s hair, and it is almost impossible to avoid stepping on it.

This close-up of Pele's hair shows how individual strands of volcanic

glass can become aligned with wind direction. Photo from HVO

“Such a scene has not been reported before at Kilauea. What’s happening?

“Pele’s hair consists of long glass fibers that form when gas bubbles burst in the lava lake. Pieces of the fluid bubble skin are propelled violently into the air, drawing out into long, hair-like strands that cool to a golden-colored glass. Since the lake is bubbling almost constantly, large volumes of Pele’s hair are made daily. The resulting hair blows downwind from Halema`uma`u, across the caldera and into the Ka`u Desert.
“The Pele’s hair collects against embankments, such as gully walls or curbs in the now-closed Halema`uma`u Crater parking lot. It also is strewn across the ground surface, catching on small rocks and ultimately creating a web of interwoven hair. The web is streamlined, with most pieces of hair aligned with the wind direction.
“When a south (kona) wind blows, Pele’s hair can easily reach the Jaggar Museum Overlook area in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where it drapes `ohi`a like tinsel on a Christmas tree.
“Drifts of Pele’s hair can survive for years and even decades, but, once the eruption has ended, wind will strip the hair from most surfaces. The photos included here show scenes what many will never see first-hand, because most of the Pele’s hair is blown downwind of the summit vent – an area of the national park that has been closed since 2008 due to elevated sulfur dioxide emissions and other ongoing volcanic hazards.”
See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch. To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Learn about bookbinding techniques Saturday.
Photo from VAC

A WILD AND UNHINGED WEEKEND IS BEING PLANNED for a week from tomorrow by Volcano Art Center.

Hawai`i’s year-round growing  season offers a wide array of wild food options for intrepid localvores. From seeds to leaves, stems to fruits, participants learn what is edible and what is not in the Edible Wild Plants workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Interact first-hand with many of these under-appreciated edibles during an outing at Kipuka Pua`ulu (Bird Park) in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Class size is limited; cost is $40/$30 VAC members. Participants bring lunch.
VAC reminds residents to never eat anything from the wild without first consulting an expert and forage responsibly. Attendees will carpool from VAC in Volcano Village to Bird Park.
Charlene Asato dispels mysteries of the piano hinge book in a workshop from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Utilizing paper and rods, this structure can be highly sculptural and textural. Piano hinge books are nice to look at and feel in your hands because they move differently than a regular book. You’ll be entranced by the possibilities of this binding, devised by Hedi Kyle, who is well known for her unconventional book structures.
Cost is $35/$32 VAC members plus a $10 materials fee. Prior bookbinding experience is not necessary.

Hikers on Palm Trail. NPS Photo by Sami Steinkamp

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK offers free programs this weekend.

Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses Hi`iaka & Pele and the natural phenomena they represent on a moderate, one-mile walk tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Palm Trail Hike on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. follows a moderately difficult, 2.6-mile, loop-trail that provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer.

A WORKSHOP TOMORROW FOCUSES ON THE LATEST coffee processing equipment, coffee berry borer control, crop nutrition, subsidy programs and legislative updates.

The workshop takes place at Pahala Community Center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a one-hour lunch break at 11:30 a.m.
RSVP to Laura Diaz at laura@ldomarket.com, 928-8188 or 408-306-5596.

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

See kaucalendar.com.

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

The tower at Kulani Cone, with transmitters that will send two Hawai`i Public Radio station streams, HPR-1 and HPE-2 further
into Ka`u, following the acquisition of the KAHU community radio license in Pahala. Photo from HPR

EXPANDED RADIO RECEPTION FOR MORE OF KA`U is expected next week as Hawaiʻi Public Radio turns on its new transmitters located on a tower at Kulani Cone between Volcano and Hilo. The tower is high enough on Mauna Loa to reach the east side of Ka`u and beyond, into the southern most district in the state, the last place in the inhabited Hawaiian Islands without good radio coverage, the last territory targeted for HPR expansion.
HPR will provide two channels. The existing is HPR-1, now transmitted to a small area of Ka`u from a KAHU radio transmitter at the historic bank and radio building on Maile Street in Pahala. Its new frequency will be 89.1 transmited directly from Kulani Cone. The addition channel, HPR-2, with a separate schedule of programming, will be found at 91.3. Once the new transmitters are broadcasting, HPR will turn its attention to improving the transmission throughout the rest of Ka`u, said HPR's Director of Marketing Phyllis Look, speaking to The Ka`u Calendar newspaper this morning.

The estimated sign-on date is this Wednesday, October 26, after 12 noon. “This marks the completion of the nonprofit station's long-held goal of a radio network spanning the major Hawaiian islands with both of its programming streams,” said a statement from HPR.

Civil Defense provided funded equipment, above, installed at KAHU community radio
in Pahalaa for emergency broadcasts throughout Ka`u. The license transferred to
Hawai`i Public Radio, which promises to achieve Ka`u-wide coverage, its reach
expanding next week from new transmitters on Kulani Cone. Photo by Julia Neal

José A. Fajardo, HPRʻs new President and General Manager, who recently moved to Hawai`i from Orlando, FL, made the announcement about the broader coverage for HPR-1 and the addition of HPR-2. He gave an address to listeners on Friday, the final day of the stationʻs statewide fall fund drive, which raised nearly $872,162. "This is a historic moment," he said, "made possible by the community of supporters who have kept the faith and supported the station throughout its statewide expansion." The new HPR GM said, "Credit must also go to my predecessor, the visionary Michael Titterton, the networkʻs master builder.”

Titterton visited Ka`u and negotiated the purchase of the licence from the KAHU community radio station, which broadcast live from Pahala, funded in part by county and state Civil Defense to provide Ka`u with emergency broadcasting. It offered local news daily from The Ka`u Calendar newspaper, live and recorded music and talk story sessions with many Ka`u celebrities and students. At the time of the purchase of the KAHU license, with all programming switching to a feed from HPR-1 in Honolulu, Titterton said that local broadcasts or shows coming from Ka`u could be possible in the long-term future of HPR.

Hawai`i International Music Festival helped raise money from Ka`u for
Hawai`i Public Radio. Among the performers were Eric Silberger.
Photo by Carlin Ma

The new “transmitter project required extensive negotiations for a suitable location, FCC licensing, and structural renovations, as well as scheduling adjustments for extreme weather delays,” said yesterday's HPR statement. A capital campaign began in November 2013, after HPR acquired the broadcast license for the Kaʻu community radio station. HPR achieved its $150,000 goal for the new Kulani transmission site in January 2015. Donations were received from 271 individual charter members, as well as lead gifts from the Atherton Family Foundation, Hawaiian Electric Light Co., KTA Super Stores (in memory of Koichi and Taniyo Taniguchi, founders of KTA Super Stores and K. Taniguchi, Ltd.), McInerny Foundation, and the Schafer Philanthropic Family Fund.

The Hawai`i International Music Festival held a concert at Pahala Plantation House in August to start raising additional funding from Ka`u supporters of HPR. Donations will soon be sent to the station, said festival co-founder Amy Shoremount-Obra, a soprano with the Metropolitan Opera in New York and family member to Ka`u Coffee farmers and marketers.
The HPR-2 programs, to be broadcast for the first time in Ka`u, include a mix of national and international news, talk, entertainment, and music. Popular programs are Fresh Air (weekdays, 3 p.m.), Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me (Saturdays, 11 a.m.), the station's talk shows The Conversation (weekdays, 8 a.m.) or The Body Show, Bytemarks Café, and Town Square (weekdays, 5 p.m.), and the locally produced jazz, Hawaiian, blues, and Latin music programs. See more at hawaiipublicradio.org

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A new display at Honolulu International Airport is open to the
public, honoring Japanese American World War II heroes, including
Iwao Yonemitsu and the late Toku Nakano. Photo by Julia Neal

A NEW DISPLAY HONORING JAPANESE AMERICAN WORLD WAR II heroes can be seen by Ka`u residents traveling through the Honolulu International Airport. Sen. Mazie K. Hirono commemorated the service of Japanese American World War II veterans yesterday at the Nisei Veterans Legacy Exhibit. It includes profiles of members of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, Military Intelligence Service, and the 1399th Engineer Construction Battalion.
Among the Japanese American World War II heroes from Ka`u are Iwao Yonemitsu and the late Toku Nakano. Another war hero with strong Ka`u connections is the late Sen. Dan Inouye who helped kick start the Ka`u Coffee industry with federal grants when sugar workers lost their jobs 20 years ago. Inouye was also key in the doubling of the size of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, much of it in Ka`u.
During yesterday’s ceremonies, Hirono said that “Through this exhibit, millions of people who pass through Honolulu International Airport each year will have the opportunity to learn more about the heroism and service of Japanese American World War II veterans, who bravely fought for the United States even as their loyalty was questioned at home.”
In 2010, Senator Hirono championed legislation to award Japanese American World War II veterans the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. Yonemitsu and Nakano were among those who received them.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

THE NATIVE HAWAIIAN CROW, extinct in the wild since 2002, will be released into the native forest, following many years of hard work to bring the ʻalalā species back from the edge of total extinction. More than 100 ʻalalā live in captivity through the Hawaiʻi Endangered Bird Conservation Program at two facilities, including the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center in Kaʻū, near Volcano Village.

ʻAlalā will be released in the Puʻu Makaʻala Natural Area Reserve, mauka of Volcano on the slopes of Mauna Loa. Owned and managed by the State of Hawaiʻi, Puʻu Makaʻa offers a dense understory with many ʻalalā food plants. providing a quality habitat for ʻalalā.

In November, five males will be released, followed by another seven ʻalalā several months later. “We are very excited to be ready to create a population of this species in its native habitat again,” said Bryce Masuda, conservation program manager for the Hawaiʻi Endangered Bird Conservation Program.
The historical range of ʻalalā extends from North Kona down into Kaʻū and Puna on the slopes of Hualālai and Mauna Loa.
To celebrate the release of ʻalalā back into the wild, the ʻAlalā Project is holding a community event on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in downtown Hilo. The free, family-friendly gathering runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature video footage of the release, keiki activities, and conservation info booths.
The restoration of ʻalalā to the wild is a partnership between state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and San Diego Zoo Global. To learn more, visit alalaproject.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A PALM TRAIL HIKE AT KAHUKU IN HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is free on Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The moderately difficult, 2.6-mile, loop-trail provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Along the way are relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and amazing volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. Kahuku can be hot and dry or cool and rainy. Bring sunscreen, rain gear, good walking shoes for the moderate hike, water and snacks.

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

Keiki from Ka`u participated in the creation of a Marine Debris Prevention program for elementary students, developed by the
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND LAUNCHES A MARINE DEBRIS PREVENTION PROGRAM this week for elementary school students in Hawai`i. Over the past two school years, Hawai`i Wildlife mentors piloted this curriculum in 20 public schools working with more than 52 teachers and 1,140 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Ka`u classrooms were among those pilot testing the program, according to Megan Lamson, Nohea Ka`awa and Stacey Breining who worked on developing the Marine Debris Keiki Education & Outreach program.

They said this morning that this new Hawai`i Wildlife Fund program teaches the understanding of aquatic life and ecosystems - basic marine biology concepts. It shows the children marine debris and explains how land-based litter sources find their way into the sea. It explores what a “discard” really is and how daily choices affect the amount of trash that humans produce. It helps keiki understand the vulnerability of island ecosystems and communities and the responsibility (kuleana) of each community member to protect them.

Marine debris made its way into elementary classrooms as Hawai`i
Wildlife Fund development an elementary school curriculum.
Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

The curriculum is designed as a three -visit program that challenges students to put forward innovative solutions to this global marine-debris problem. The lessons are aligned with all Common Core and Next Generation Science and other benchmarks relevant to the elementary school level.
“It was a great pleasure guest teaching in the many different classrooms around the island. We look forward to deepening our relationships with Hawaiʻi Island students and teachers in the coming years,” said Hawai`i Wildlife Fund mentor and Education Coordinator, Stacey Breining.

Nine cleanup events were conducted as an optional follow-up component of this program for the students. There were six beach cleanups, two stream cleanups, and one campus cleanup. During cleanup events, 286 students participated in removing over 1,500 lbs. of marine and land-based debris items from the coastline, stream banks, or their campus.

All lessons and activities are available for free download from the HWF website or at the following link: http://wildhawaii.org/MDKEO/SummaryTeacherEdition.pdf

Contact Hawa`i Wildlife Fund at marine.debris.KEO@gmail.com or 808-769-7629 for more information or visit the HWF website (www.wildhawaii.org).
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A COFFEE PICKER SHORTAGE WAS THE WORD among farmers at yesterday’s Ka`u Coffee Workshop held in Pahala. Ka`u Coffee production is almost overwhelming following much rainfall this year. So much coffee cherry is ripening that farmers face a tough time keeping up with the picking. Short of local pickers and with this year's unusual overlap of the Kona and Ka`u harvests, which are usually sequential, many Ka`u farmers are waiting for pickers who remain in Kona to finish up that harvest, before making their way down here.
This leaves the burden on Ka`u Coffee family members and others helping out in the community, as failing to pick Ka`u Coffee at the perfect moment can lead to lower quality and losing a crop as the coffee cherries turn to raisins when left on the trees. Some farmers have cooperated to bring in pickers from afar, many from western states where migrant workers are finishing up the harvest before a winter they would like to spend in Hawai`i.

Ka`u Coffee farmers are hoping for more pickers to come south after the Kona
harvest tohelp with a big crop this year in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal

Housing the pickers at an affordable rate is also a challenge. The Old Pahala Clubhouse has been renovated to house some of them. Part of the Olson Trust Building will also become picker housing and several farmers and labor managers have purchased or rented homes to house imported farm laborers in Ka`u.
Local labor is challenging, particularly among resident Marshallese community members who offer their coffee picking services. Many of them need childcare to avoid illegally having children perceived as helping at the workplace. Many prefer to be paid by the amount of coffee they pick rather than by time, so they can take their time, take breaks to attend to family and go at their own pace. However, labor laws call for a minimum wage base, which can be discouraging to farmers who would like to provide work opportunity to the Marshallese community who reside here, but are attracted to experienced migrant farm workers. They can make many times minimum wage through picking by the pound during a long day of work.
During the workshop farmers asked one another for leads on more pickers to hire in Ka`u.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U COFFEE FARMERS EDUCATION focused a full day at Pahala Community Center on Saturday with state, county, NGO, private industry and university representatives advising growers on this fast growing sector of the economy. Despite the heavy harvest season, the education day was attended by many representatives of Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative, Palehua Coffee Cooperative and independent farmers, all looking to improve production, control pests and learn more about the soils of Ka`u.

Taking a deep soil sample is important since coffee is a tree crop and the
roots can reach far into the ground for nutrients, said experts at
yesterday's Ka`u Coffee Workshop. Photo by Julia Neal

Soils are special throughout Ka`u, on the side of Mauna Loa Volcano. Some solls feature heavy layers of ash from multiple volcanic eruptions. Some soils have many stone fragments, some are much deeper than Kona soils, some are shallow. Another consideration is the past use of the soil, particularly where sugar cane was grown for more than 100 years.
Experts recommended that soils be tested three feet deep rather than testing only a few inches. Coffee grows on trees with roots that can reach deep into the ground to retrieve micronutrients. Ka`u has some of the older soils on the island, some very deep soils, much different than younger volcanic soils on lava flows in Kona. In Ka`u the rooting is deeper, the experts noted. More nutrients may be available.
Advisors suggested farmers take core samples to study the history and qualities of the soil in each orchard. They recommended using the services of University of Hawai`i rather than mainland testers, since U.H. calibrates its analysis specifically to tropical Hawaiian acidic soils. The cost is only $12. General knowledge about soil can also be retrieved from the field with a cell phone, app and GPS, they explained.
Advisors also warned about over treating soils with any one of the nutrients, which can reduce productivity. Ka`u soils tend to be low in zinc and potash is the most important nutrient for Ka`u Coffee cupping quality. But too much or too little can ruin a crop, making testing very important, said the experts.

Here are the Ka`u Coffee Workshop presenters, their expertise and contact information: Laura Diaz, LDO Market, laura@ldomarket.com Suzanne Schriner, Suzanne@deadcbb.com, Nicholas Manoukis, Research Biologist, U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Nicholas.maoukis@ars.usda; Tracie Matsumoto, Research Leader U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Tracie.Matsumoto@ars.usda.gov; Lisa Keith, Research Plant Pathologist, U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Lisa.Keith@ars.usda.gov; Luis Aristiabal, Synergistic Hawai`i Agriculture Council, laristizabal721@gmail.com; Ray Carrutthers, Extension Specialist, U.H. College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources, carruthersray@gmail.com; ; Jarret Enriquez, Sales, Brewer Environmental Industries, jenriques@beihawaii.com ; Robbie Hollingsworth, Research Entomologist Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Robert.Hollingsworth@ars.usda.gov; Peter Follet, Research Entomologist, Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, Robert.Hollingsworth@ars.usda.gov; Rob Curtiss, Entomologist Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture, Robert.t.curtiss@hawaii.gov; Gwen Hicks Hawai`i Dept. Agriculture, Coffee Berry Borer Subisdy Program Coordinator, Gwendolyn.m.hicks@hawaii.gov; Teresa Young, Rural & Cooperative Business Development Specialist, The Kohala Center, tyoung@kohalacenter.org; Lynne Constantinides, Consultant, The Kohala Center, ichi@hawaiiantel.net; Amy Koch, Assistant Director for Soil Science, U.S. Dept. Agriculture, Hawai`i, amy.koch@hi.Usda.gov; Lance Santo, Consultant, lancesanto@hotmail.com; and Emily Emmons, Hawai`I Island Representative for Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, Emily.Emmons@mail.house.gov.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORP. is reaching out to rural entrepreneurs and will meet with prospective applicants for funding this Tuesday. Hosted by the county Department of Research & Development, the meeting will be Oct. 25 at Aging and Disability Resource Center’s Training Room on Kino`ole Street in Hilo from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Beth Dykstra, Economic Development Specialist with the County of Hawai‘i, said the following programs will be available to qualifying Hawai‘i businesses:

Hawaii Small Business Innovation Research Program: Up to 50 percent to a maximum of $500,000 matching funds for SBIR Awards;
NI3 Neighbor Island Innovation Initiative: Providing business and technical assistance to Hawaii companies outside O`ahu;

MAP Manufacturing Assistance Program: Up to 20% reimbursement (not to exceed $100,000) on qualified manufacturing expenses.

There is no cost to attend. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is requested. To register go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/htdc-presents-new-money-for-your-business-tickets-28268857915.

Click here to learn more about the HTDC.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U FOOD PANTRY, INC. OFFERS A FREE FOOD program is this Tuesday, October 25, 11:30a-1 p.m. or until the food runs out. The offerings will be at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle in Ocean View. Participants are encouraged to be there at least one hour before doors open in order to register and sign in. Those new to the program, bring picture ID's.

EARLY VOTING AND LATE REGISTRATION for the general election begins this Tuesday. Deadline to register to vote on Nov. 8 passed but residents can still register and vote at several locations prior to Election Day. Pahala Community Center will be open to vote and register Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Other Hawai`i Island sites are Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room and Waimea Community Center.

KTA IS RAISING FUNDS FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS through October. Ka`u supporters can donate at any KTA checkout stand throughout the Big Island. One hundred percent of donations taken at KTA food stores go to support the Boys & Girls Clubs. Many Ka`u children spend the afternoons after school at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

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

June Domondon is a frequent election worker at Pahala polling sites, including the early voting location opening tomorrow at Pahala Community Center, offering late registration and an opportunity to vote, Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. - noon and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. until election week. Photo by Julia Neal

EARLY VOTING, EVEN FOR THOSE STILL NOT REGISTERED, begins tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 25. The Ka`u location is Pahala Community Center. Hours will be Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ka`u and Volcano residents can also register and vote at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Waimea Community Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

Local precinct locations for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General Election, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., are: Cooper Center in Volcano at 19-4030 Wright Rd; Ka`u High School Cafeteria at 96-3150 Pikake St. - turn into the school grounds; Na`alehu Elementary School Cafeteria at 95-5545 Hwy 11; Ocean View Community Center at 92-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy; and Miloli`i Halau.

ONE HAWAI`I COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENT MADE THE BALLOT for the General Election, Tuesday, Nov. 8 and for early voting that starts tomorrow. The Charter Amendment title is Expanding Scope of the County of Hawai`i General Plan and here is the wording:

“Shall the County Charter be amended to change the scope of the County of Hawai`i General Plan, which currently sets forth policy for 'the long-range comprehensive physical development of the county,' to include long-range policy for matters related to the economic, environmental and socio-cultural wellbeing of the County; and, additionally, expand those matters which the General Plan promotes to include the health of the people of the County?” Those agreeing with the proposal, vote Yes. Those disagreeing, vote No.
Existing language in the County Charter says the General Plan “shall contain a statement of development objectives standards and principles with respect to the most desirable use of land within the county for residential, recreational, agricultural, commercial, industrial and other purposes which shall be consistent with proper conservation of natural resources and the preservation of our natural beauty and historical sites; the most desirable density of population in the several parts of the county; a system of principle thoroughfares, highways, streets, public access to shorelines and other open spaces; the general locations, relocations and improvement of public buildings; the general location and extent of public utilities and terminals, whether publicly or privately owned, for water, sewers, light, power, transit, and other purposes; the extent and location of public housing projects; adequate drainage facilities and control; air pollution; and such matters as may, in the (county) council’s judgment, promote the general welfare, health and prosperity of its people.”
The County Charter directs the County Council to “enact zoning, subdivision, and such other ordinances which shall contain the necessary provisions to carry out the purpose of the general plan.
“No public improvement or project, or subdivision or zoning ordinance, shall be initiated or adopted unless the same conforms to and implements the general plan.”
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

tter.

THE GENERAL ELECTION SAMPLE BALLOT is out with national and local candidates and other measures. The General Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8 with early walk-in starting tomorrow. In the local elections, former Mayor Harry Kim and County Council member Maile David both earned enough votes in the primary to win their seats and will not be seen on the ballots.

Ka`u residents can vote for U.S. Senator. Candidates are Constitution Party member Joy Allison; Republican John Carroll, American Shopping Party member John M. Giuffre, Libertarian Michael A. Kokoski and incumbent Democrat Brian Schatz.

Ka`u's member in congress is also up for reelection. Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is challenged by Republican Angela Kaaihue.

On the East Ka`u ballots, Sen. Russell Ruderman is challenged by Libertarian Fredrick Fogel. East Ka`u state Rep. Richard Onishi is challenged by Libertarian Gregory Arianoff and Green Party Candidate Kealoha Pisciotta. On the West Ka`u ballots, West Ka`u state Rep. Richard Creagan, a Democrat, is challenged by Libertarian Michael Last. West Ka`u state Sen. Josh Green is not up for reelection this year.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs voting is open to people of all races and cultural backgrounds. On the ballot, incumbent Robert Lindsey is challenged by Millilani Trask. The At-Large Trustee contest is between Keli`i Akina and Haunani Apoliona.

Listed in alphabetical order, for United States Presidency, are the following candidates: Constitution Party member Daniel L. Castle (who withdrew but still on ballot) with vice presidential running mate Scott Bradley; Democrat Hillary Clinton with Tim Kaine; Libertarian Gary Johnson with Bill Weld; Green Party candidate Jill Stein with Ajamu Baraka and Republican Donald Trump, with Michael Pence.
A proposed County Charter Amendment would add health into the language of the General Plan.(See story above) A state Constitution Amendment would hike up the minimum value of an expected outcome to $10,000 for allowing civil cases to be heard by a jury. The current value is $5,000. Another proposed state Constitutional Amendment would allow the state to distribute excess funds in its coffers - when they reach more than 5 percent of revenues for two consecutive year s- to be used for debt service for state bonds or pensions and other post-employemnt benefit liabilities for state employees.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U FOOD PANTRY, INC. OFFERS FREE FOOD IN OCEAN VIEW is available through the Ka`u Food Pantry, tomorrow Tuesday, October 25, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until the food runs out. The pick-up will be at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle. Participants are encouraged to be there at least one hour before doors open in order to register and sign in. Those new to the program, bring picture ID's.

Light Detection and Ranging will be discussed at After Dark in the Park
tomorrow at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium features archaeologist Dusten Robbins discussing ways that Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park uses Light Detection and Ranging to manage cultural resources. $2 donation supports park program; park entrance fees apply.

KTA RAISES FUNDS FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS through October. Ka`u supporters can donate at any KTA checkout stand throughout the Big Island. One hundred percent of donations taken at KTA food stores supports Boys & Girls Clubs. Many Ka`u children spend the afternoons after school at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting is Tuesday at 10 a.m., St. Jude's Church in Ocean View.

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

Eight-Man Football has helped Ka`u High School become more competitive, bringing home league titles.
If the Trojan's win on Saturday, they take the 2016 championship. Photo from Ka`u High School

IF KA`U HIGH WINS, TROJANS TAKE THE ISLAND TITLE in Eight-Man Football this Saturday at home. Ka`u High School, the initiator of Eight-Man Football on Hawai`i Island, fought this season toward a top place BIIF finish. If Ka`u beats Pahoa, under coaches Keala Ke and Greg Rush, the Trojans go to states. Game time is 2 p.m. Entry fee is $6.
Fed by one of the smallest school populations in the state with about 60 seniors graduating each year, the Ka`u team was so small in numbers that for generations, players took on both offense and defense positions. Year after year, they found it exciting but overwhelming to tackle the big schools, whose well populated teams fielded larger and more specialized players.

Kalei Namohala led the change
to Eight-Man Football

Ka`u High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala led the change in 2013 when the Trojans faced canceling football season, unable to field the number of players needed for a traditional team. She declared that Eight-man Football is particularly appropriate for Ka`u's agile and fast-running athletes. It shows off passing and interception skills. There are fewer tackles in the game. It is higher scoring with fewer injuries.

Namohala banned together small Big Island high schools and challenged small schools on Moloka`i and Maui to help jumpstart Eight-Man Football. With community fundraising, the Trojans flew and sailed to other islands, to Moloka`i and Maui, and launched the new league, taking on teams in small rural towns like those in Ka`u.
In recent games this season: Ka`u’s Jacob Flores scored three touchdowns on Oct. 12 to win a rematch against Pahoa. With a score of 14-14 at the end of the fourth quarter, the game went into double overtime. Flores’ accomplished his first run into the end zone during the second quarter. Another one in the third quarter brought the score to 12-14, and a 91-yard safety by Ka`u added two more points.

Ka`u played Kohala for homecoming, takes on Pahoa this Saturday
and could clinch the island championship. Photo by David Berry

Flores ran six yards for a touchdown in double overtime to bring the final score to 20-14.
During the Oct. 8 game for Ka`u’s homecoming celebration, Zachary Kai scored the Trojan’s two touchdowns, playing Kohala. The Trojans led 14-10 in the first quarter, following Kai’s runs into the end zone and a good two-point conversion run by Jamal Buyuan. The Trojans’ score remained at 14 through the rest of the game, while Kohala scored in the second and fourth quarters to bring the final score to 24-14.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

WALK-IN VOTING AND LATE REGISTRATION FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION BEGAN TODAY, with the only site in Ka`u at Pahala Community Center. Ocean View Community Association executive director Sandi Alexander said this morning that calls are coming into Ocean View Community Center, with prospective voters looking for the place to go. Ocean View Community Center is not an option this year.

Late registration and voting take place at Pahala Community Center Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 4.

Ka`u and Volcano residents can also register and vote at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Waimea Community Center, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
Locations for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General Election, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., include : Cooper Center in Volcano at 19-4030 Wright Rd; Ka`u High School Cafeteria at 96-3150 Pikake St. - turn into the school grounds; Na`alehu Elementary School Cafeteria at 95-5545 Hwy 11; Ocean View Community Center at 92-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy; and Miloli`i Halau.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard speaking in Ka`u.
Photo by Ron Johnson

A PETITION AGAINST THE MERGER OF TIME WARNER AND AT&T is being circulated by Ka`u's congresswoman Tulsi
Gabbard. Both companies serve Ka`u, Time Warner with Oceanic Cable television and internet and AT&T with cell phone coverage. In a statement today, Gabbard proclaimed, "It is dangerous for a handful of billionaire-owned companies to consolidate to the point where our media (and content) is owned and controlled by a select few, while discouraging competition and raising rates on consumers. Already, 90 percent of the channels—from HBO to ESPN to MSNBC—are controlled by the same six networks."
Gabbard said she fears that the AT&T and Time Warner's $85.4 billion merger "will increase costs for consumers, reduce choice and competition, threaten net neutrality, and risk union jobs and wages for thousands of employees. The only people that benefit from this deal are the shareholders and CEOs who always have the most to gain by these kinds of massive mergers. Bigger is not always better. Further consolidation of the media could hurt millions of American consumers."

The congresswoman sent a link, asking,

"Can you sign our petition to the FCC and the Justice Department calling on them to take immediate action to block the disastrous merger of AT&T and Time Warner?"
Gabbard stated that "AT&T is already first in the nation as a provider of pay TV—thanks to their 2015 acquisition of DirecTV—and it is the second-largest wireless company and third-largest broadband provider in the country, per The Los Angeles Times. That means this merger will put their competitors at an unfair disadvantage in the market because they can favor content they own. That is anti-competitive—and will hurt consumers, as well as start-up content providers, who have historically been the ones hurt by such monopolies.

"Both Republicans and Democrats—Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump—have expressed concerns about this merger," Gabbard noted. She said, "This is not a partisan issue. It never should be when it comes to protecting consumers. But we know that special interest groups and lobbyists will be descending upon Washington to ensure this merger succeeds, which is why it is important we start mobilizing and putting the pressure on the FCC and Justice Department now—before it’s too late."

"We should always look to support innovation in business, but another consolidation of media conglomerates where big business wins and the American people lose is the last thing we need in a system that is increasingly stacked against consumers," Gabbard concluded.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

ISLAND OF HAWAI`I VISITORS BUREAU is the new name for the Big Island Visitors Bureau. The organization is encouraging the change to apply to the island’s name as well, urging the marketing community to drop the Big Island name. The Island of Hawai`i Visitors Bureau also plans to shut down the Big Island Visitors Bureau office in Hilo, keeping an office on Kona side.

Regarding the new logo, the organization's executive director Ross Birch stated:

"Depicted in IHVB's new logo, the design retains its overall elements and feel of the previous look, while aligning itself with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and Hawai`i Visitors and Convention Bureau branding of the Hawaiian Islands."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Health eating is proclaimed by the new Hawai`i
Island Food Alliance

NATIONAL FOOD DAY: KTA, BLUE ZONES PROJECT AND MAYOR BILLY KENOI celebrated yesterday at the KTA food store in Puainako with a gardening demonstration with free plant giveaways, grocery tours, health information, and Blue Zones inspired food samples. They also announced the formation fo the Hawai`i Island Food Alliance. The new organization's facilitator and convenor, Carol Ignacio, said, "There is a greater chance for impact with the local food sytem when a diverse group of community leaders who share a deep sense of community responsibility and accountability work together." The stated mission of the Hawai`i Island Food Alliance is "to create an economically just, ecologically sound, and healthy and culturally appropriate food system for all who live on Hawai`i Island." For more information about HIFA, contact Ignacio at carol.ignacio@healthways.com or call 808-202-4958.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KTA RAISES FUNDS FOR BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS through October. Ka`u supporters can donate at any KTA checkout stand throughout the Big Island. One hundred percent of donations taken at KTA food stores supports Boys & Girls Clubs. Many Ka`u children spend the afternoons after school at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

LIGHT DETECTION AND RANGING is the presentation tonight at 7 p.m. in Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. The illustrated talk features archaeologist Dusten Robbins discussing ways that Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park uses Light Detection and Ranging to manage cultural resources. $2 donation supports park programs; park entrance fees apply.

ULANI NUI, COCONUT LEAF plaiting is the demonstration tomorrow, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon and Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai1i Volcanoes National Park. Rangers teach the craft and participants can take home their work. Free; park entrance fees apply.

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION takes place at Pahala Community Center tomorrow, Wednesday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for children in grades K - 8. Call 928-3102.

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

Haawai`i Volcanoes National Park staff members install the cat-proof fence in rough and rugged high-elevation
lava fields on the slopes of in the United States. NPS Photo

HAWAIIAN PETRELS, sometimes heard at night as they fly in flocks from feeding in the ocean to their mountain nests, have more protection. Work is complete on what could be the largest cat-proof fence in the United States, designed to protect this federally endangered petrel, the ‘ua‘u, from the birds’ primary threat: feral cats.

Closeup of an ‘ua‘u, Hawaiian petrel. Photo/PCSU UH

‘Ua‘u in flight. Photo by Jim Denny

The seafaring ‘ua‘u nests in deep lava rock burrows on the rugged high-altitude slopes of Mauna Loa, and, despite the remote location, are not safe from cats. In order to protect the species, the National Park Service teamed up with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, American Bird Conservatory, Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, and the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit at the University of Hawai‘i, to build the five-mile long cat barrier fence in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
The specifically designed barrier is more than six feet high, and has a curved top section that prevents cats from climbing over it. Construction began in 2013. Work on the fence was limited to January through May to avoid disturbing nesting birds.
The seabirds spend most of their lives at sea, and come to land only during breeding season. ‘Ua‘u return to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park briefly in April to prepare nest sites, and return in early June to lay a single egg. The fluffy chicks hatch in August and remain in their burrows until November when they fledge or take their first flight out to sea. Adults, eggs and chicks are extremely vulnerable to predators throughout the long breeding season as all activity occurs on the ground.

A five-mile long cat-proof fence protects Hawaiian petrel nesting.

Photo by Scott Hall/NFWF

The high-altitude project was grueling. NPS and PCSU fence crews worked and camped at elevations between 8,000 and 10,000 feet, in steep and loose lava rock terrain, and in weather that ranged from hail, and high wind to extreme heat. The site is very remote and all materials, gear and staff were flown in and out. But the discomfort paid off: the fence now protects more than 600 acres of ‘ua‘u nesting habitat on Mauna Loa.
“To our knowledge, this is the largest fence of its kind in the U.S. To build such a fence is an incredible feat, and an important victory for a native species that is extremely rare on Hawai‘i Island,” said NPS biologist Kathleen Misajon. “Through the partnership of the cooperating organizations, the cat-proof fence will protect these amazing seabirds and support the expansion of this small population,” she said. The endangered Hawaiian petrels are more typically seen on neighbor islands. The species is very rare on Hawai‘i Island, with just 75 nesting pairs in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and another small population on the slopes of Kohala. The park and cooperating partner agencies have studied this remnant population of ‘ua‘u on Mauna Loa since the early 1990s, both on the ground and more recently, through remote game cameras. The birds only come and go at night, nest in deep cracks and crevices in the lava, and are rarely seen.
Both parents take turns incubating a single egg and later, feeding the chick. They fly from high atop Mauna Loa to forage in the Pacific Ocean, ranging as far north as Washington State before returning to the nest to feed their chick.

Kahuku is now open on Fridays, a special hike into Kipuka`akihi
is setfor Friday, Nov. 11. Photo from National Park Service

For more information on ‘ua‘u on Mauna Loa, watch this six-minute video on the park website:https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm?id=A718E6AF-B4CB-8719-5F489DE87AE57E25
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

NOW OPEN ON FRIDAYS IS KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park. Visitors and residents are welcome from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Entrance is on the mauka side of Hwy 11 between South Point Road and Ocean View, south of the 70.5 mile marker. An open house, Welina Mai Nei Kaakou i Kahuku (Welcome to Kahuku) invites the public to celebrate the increased access. It will be held on Veterans' Day, Friday, Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with environmental booths, cultural displays, ranching days exhibit, entertainment. and a talk story with Kahuku alumni. Keiki activities will include in inspiration hike from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., makahiki games, a coloring contest and `ukulele lessons. For adults, a rare hike into Kipuka Akihi will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is required for the hike. Call 929-8075.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A 3.6 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRUCK WITHIN HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK at 10:37 a.m. today. The location was between Halemaumau Crater and the coast, 9.9 miles SSW of Kilauea Summit, 10.4 mi W of Ka`ena Point, and 11.4 miles SSW of Volcano. The depth was 27.7 km. The quake was felt across the south end of the island near the coast and in Pahala. See http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/earthquakes/

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

ENTRIES TO THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ART SHOW will be accepted at Naʻalehu Hongwanji, Monday, Nov. 14, between 9 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The annual show entitled The Beauty of Ka`u will be open to the public on Tuesday Nov. 15 through Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Na`alehu Hongwanji Breezeway. The public will vote for the image to grace the 2017 cover of The Directory, the Chamber’s annual community and business guide.
During the week of the show, business owners have the opportunity to sponsor a work of art by making a donation to the Chamber and sponsoring the artist entry fee. Sponsors will be able to show the sponsored art at their places of business for up to three weeks after the show closes. During the showing all week at Naʻalehu Honwanji, those works of art that are for sale will be priced on a list available from art show volunteers.
All entries are eligible to win popular vote (the cover) including those created by youth and keiki, with the exception of those by all previous cover winners.
Registration to enter art is $5 per adult entry, $2.50 per youth entry and $1 per keiki entry. Prizes will be given for: photography, sculpture, woodworking, quilting, jewelry, lei, graphics, painting and weaving. There are separate youth and keiki categories.
Entry forms are available at local schools and merchants, on the Chamber website and at the door during art drop-off hours. The Directory is published in January.

LATE REGISTRATION AND EARLY VOTING continue for Ka`u and Volcano residents at Pahala Community Center. Even those not registered can sign up and vote. On the ballot is the opportunity to vote for U.S. President, U.S. Senator and House of Representative members representing Ka`u, a state Senator and two state House members, as well leaders in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Hawai`i Island Mayor and Ka`u's County Council member were elected in the primary. Also for the voting are amendments to the County Charter and state initiatives.

Hours are Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Ka`u and Volcano residents can also register late and vote early at Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room, Monday - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Waimea Community Center, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

Local precinct locations for the Tuesday, Nov. 8 General Election, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., are: Cooper Center in Volcano at 19-4030 Wright Rd; Ka`u High School Cafeteria at 96-3150 Pikake St. - turn into the school grounds; Na`alehu Elementary School Cafeteria at 95-5545 Hwy 11; Ocean View Community Center at 92-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy; and Miloli`i Halau.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION TODAY takes place at Pahala Community Center from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for children in grades K - 8. Call 928-3102.

NA`ALEHU HALLOWEEN PARTY THIS FRIDAY, Oct. 28, will be celebrated at Na`alehu Pulblic Library FROM 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Spooky games, snacks and prizes. Free for all ages. 939-2444.

VOLCANO HALLOWEEN PARTY THIS FRIDAY, Oct. 28 will be celebrated at Kilauea Military Camp's Ohia Room in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Cover charge $3 with costume; $5 without costume. Lava Lounge closed. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets this Friday, Oct. 28, 5 p.m. at Hawaiian Ranchos Office.

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

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, Oct. 7, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Monday, Oct. 10, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, Oct. 14, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, Oct. 15, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Monday, Oct. 17, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, Oct. 21, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs, Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs, Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016