Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Sunday, March 6, 2016

Guided nature walks in an intact old-growth forest are offered tomorrow and each Monday at Volcano Art Center's Nialulani Campus in Volcano Village. See more below. Photo from VAC

KA`U AND MILOLI`I ARE NO LONGER risk areas for dengue fever, Hawai`i Department of Health reported on Friday. Previously, areas of Na`alehu, Ocean View and Miloli`i were in categories ranging from some risk to high risk.

Although dengue fever risk sites continue to dwindle, Civil
Defense warns that the outbreak is far from over.
Map from Hawai`i DOH

Although the number and frequency of new confirmed cases of dengue fever appears to be on the decline, Hawai`i County Civil Defense reported that the outbreak is not anticipated to be considered over anytime in the near future. On Friday, the state reported that no new cases of dengue fever have been reported and none are infectious. The total number of confirmed cases remained at 260.

To prevent mosquito bites, wear clothing that minimizes exposed skin, use mosquito repellent on skin that cannot be covered, and avoid areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods when mosquito activity is greatest.
Persons who suspect that they may have dengue should remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes. They should also contact a health care provider. Community health centers are working with DOH to see patients who suspect they may have dengue regardless of ability to pay.
Residents are asked to help reduce potential mosquito breeding areas around homes and businesses. Remove all standing water, and take unused tires to county transfer stations.
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HAWAI`I ISLAND LED THE STATE with 48.7 percent of customer electricity use coming from renewable resources in 2015. Maui County, including Moloka`i and Lana`i, recorded 35.4 percent, and O`ahu achieved 17.2 percent of electricity used from renewable energy.

Hawaiian Electric Companies reported the data in the annual Renewable Portfolio Standard report filed with Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission. The consolidated RPS for Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric and Hawai`i Electric Light combined was 23.2 percent, an increase from 21.3 percent for 2014.

Alan Oshima Photo from HECO

According to HECO, the achievement far exceeded Hawai`i’s 2015 RPS goal of 15 percent and came from use of a diverse mix of renewable sources, including waste-to-energy, biomass, geothermal, hydro, wind, biofuels and solar, both utility-scale and customer-sited rooftop systems.

The RPS reported to the PUC represents the calculation for the entire year. However, Hawai`i Island hit a renewable high of 68 percent in December 2015. Maui County hit 63 percent in April 2015, and O`ahu reached 42 percent in May 2015.
“These are achievements that everyone in Hawai`i can be proud of,” said Alan Oshima, HECO president and CEO. “Integrating renewable energy resources for the benefit of all customers is a top priority, and these results highlight Hawai`i’s nation-leading commitment.
“A balanced portfolio of renewable resources is critical to our successful transition from imported oil. Energy conservation and storage, rooftop and grid solar, wind power, geothermal and demand response programs will all continue to help us reach that goal while providing value to our customers.”

HECO reported that electricity generated using renewable energy sources increased by 39,153 megawatt-hours in 2015. The total amount of electrical energy generated from customer-sited, grid-connected sources increased by an estimated 128,060 megawatt-hours, a 24.9 percent increase compared to the previous year.

HECO is preparing updated power supply improvement plans for achieving Hawai`i’s future RPS goals of 30 percent by 2020, 40 percent by 2030, 70 percent by 2040 and 100 percent by 2045.
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PUBLIC HUNTING AREAS within Kipuka `Ainahou and Mauna Kea Forest Reserve are closed, Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife reported.

The license agreement allowing DLNR to manage these lands for public hunting and wildlife management purposes has expired and has not been renewed. The lands were closed to public access as of March 1 and will remain closed until further notice. Pu`u O`o Trail within this area that is managed by DLNR’s Na Ala Hele trails and access program also remains closed until further notice.
For further information on this closure, contact DOFAW in Hilo at 974-4221.
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U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ co-introduced bipartisan legislation addressing the future impact of new technology known as the Internet of Things. The bill, known as the Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things, or DIGIT Act, builds upon the senators’ resolution that called for a national strategy on the Internet of Things. This resolution passed the Senate last March, putting the U.S. Senate on record supporting a strategy to maintain U.S. global competitiveness in the digital age. It also called for a modern framework around innovation, recognizing the importance of consensus-based best practices and the need for innovators to drive the future development of the Internet of Things.

Sen. Brian Schatz calls for a national strategy on
the Internet of Things. Image from Wikipedia

According to Wikipedia, “the Internet of Things is the network of physical objects - devices, vehicles, buildings and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors and network connectivity - that enables these objects to collect and exchange data. The Internet of Things allows objects to be sensed and controlled remotely across existing network infrastructure, creating opportunities for more direct integration of the physical world into computer-based systems and resulting in improved efficiency, accuracy and economic benefit.”

“With more and more devices connecting to the Internet every day, we have a unique opportunity to continue leading this technological revolution,” Schatz said. “Our bill recognizes the enormous potential the Internet of Things holds and will give us the tools to make sure our policies help promote its growth.”
The DIGIT Act directs the Federal Communications Commission to complete a report assessing spectrum needs required to support the Internet of Things. It also convenes a working group of both federal and private entity stakeholders that would provide recommendations to Congress. These recommendations would focus on how to plan for, and encourage, the growth of the Internet of Things in the United States.
The rapidly developing market of health wearables, connected homes and other novel solutions represents an expanding industry of consumer products.
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GUIDED NATURE WALKS through the rain forest at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village are offered tomorrow and every Monday at 9:30 a.m. The one-hour, free guided walks introduce individuals, families and groups to the most diverse, intact and accessible, old-growth `ohi`a/koa rain forest remaining in the state. No reservations are required for groups of five or less. Free; donations are appreciated.
For further information, email programs@volcanoartcenter.org.

IN SPORTS, CHLOE GAN took first place in girls 400-meter dash yesterday at Konawaena with a time of 1:05.07. She also placed fifth in 100-meter dash at 13.75 seconds. Ka`u girls 4x400-meter relay team placed fourth at 5:08.48.

Trojan boys volleyball team began regular season play on Tuesday, March 1. Kealakehe junior varsity and varsity each overcame Ka`u in two sets. On Saturday, March 5, Hilo teams also won in two sets.
The teams travel to Kamehameha on Wednesday for matches beginning at 6 p.m.

For further information, email programs@volcanoartcenter.org.

ALTOGETHER: WE ARE ONE, presented by the Sisterhood of All Women on Earth and the Brave Brothers, takes place Tuesday at Hawai`i Nature Retreat in Wood Valley. The organization's website describes the event as “a journey of exploration, expansion and focus of the energy that flows through us all, creating a golden grid of love and light across the island of Hawai`i to usher in a new age of civilization.”

The event begins at 2 p.m. and continues into the evening. Fee is $25.
See altogetherweareone.com or facebook.com/events/142146472838551.

NA`ALEHU SCHOOL CAFETERIA is the Ka`u site for Tuesday’s Republican Party caucus. Residents can vote for their presidential candidate from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Other polling locations are listed at gophawii.com.

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