Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, May 27, 2016

NEXTERA ENERGY MAY pull the plug on its effort to buy Hawaiian Electric Industries, Bloomberg’s Jim Polson reported.
      According to Polson, the Florida-based utility may try to buy Oncor Electric, of Texas, instead of HECO. Texas’ largest transmission and distribution company became available for purchase after Hunt Consolidated ended it interest.
      According to Polson, NextEra can stop the proposed $4.3 billion deal by paying HECO $95 million. The deal, which has received criticism from some state agencies, expires on June 3.

      Intelligence analyst Stacy Nemeroff told Polson that “sustainability and governance concerns may trump any potential concessions NextEra is willing to offer to sweeten the deal. NextEra may decide to take the loss so that it can move forward with other potential acquisitions.”

      See bloomberg.com.

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DOZENS OF SCIENTISTS, FORESTERS, surveyors, researchers and educators are actively involved in the fight to try and stop the spread of Rapid `Ohi`a Death. The fungal disease has decimated tens of thousands of acres of native `ohi`a on Hawai`i Island. A virtual army of specialists from a wide array of federal, state, county and nonprofit organizations are engaged in the fight to find a treatment and simultaneously to stop it in its tracks. That’s where education and outreach come in.

      Anya Tagawa, of the state Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife’s Natural Area Reserve program, is one of the soldiers on the frontline of spreading awareness about Rapid `Ohi`a Death. She created signs that hunters, hikers, mountain bikers and other people recreating on state public lands will soon see.
      DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “It is critical that every person who goes into the woods or forest anywhere in Hawai`i takes steps to prevent this disease from spreading. Anya’s work, along with a team of other outreach experts, is vitally important in getting kama`aina and visitors alike to be certain they don’t inadvertently track the fungus from place to place.”

      Rapid `Ohi`a Death kills one of the most important native trees quickly and in wide swaths. Failing to follow the simple recommendations outlined on both signs could make you responsible for spreading this disease interisland and intra-island.
      Tagawa’s passion is borne of a life spent in the forest. “My life has always been intertwined with `Ohi`a, with our native forests,” she said. “I grew up hiking, exploring and being captivated by our forests. I continue to learn about their unparalleled uniqueness and feel an intimate connection with these special places. Rapid `Ohi`a Death threatens this way of life. It is imperative that we do all what we can to ensure `Ohi`a is present for our future generations to experience, engage and form a relationship with. It is critical for the continued persistence of the countless unique plants and animals that rely on `ohi`a.”
      Tagawa’s signs will eventually be at every DOFAW trailhead on the Big Island: more than 50 in all.
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A SPECIAL TOUR LED BY ARCHITECT Boone Morrison will offer a rare look inside some private homes in Volcano Village. The tour, sponsored by the Volcano Community Foundation, takes place on Saturday, June 4. 

      Designing a new home with modern amenities while reflecting both a historical architectural style and carefully considering the environment in which it is placed has long been the hallmark of the Volcano architect.
      A 1963 graduate of Stanford University, Morrison has lived in Volcano Village since 1971. A strong advocate for the arts, he is a founder of Volcano Art Center and a noted photographer. He formally established his architectural practice in 1986 and has completed 45 projects in the Volcano region, plus two dozen more elsewhere on the island. He is a Federally Certified Historic Preservation Architect and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Hawai`i County Cultural Resources Commission.
      The four homes and the art studio that will be included on the tour range in size from 880 square feet to 3,200 square feet. All exhibit a keen sensitivity to their rainforest setting and contain the finely detailed use of woods in the interior that are characteristic of the architect’s style.
      The tour begins with a 9:15 a.m. check-in and concludes after a light lunch. Participants carpool from Kilauea Lodge to properties on the tour. Participants will be required to remove their shoes before entering each of the homes. Fee for the event is $40, with advance registration required. Funds raised support a scholarship fund that is awarded each year to an outstanding high school senior from Volcano as well as other community projects. This program is limited to 16 people.
      To reserve space, email volcanocommunity@gmail.com or call Kilauea Lodge at 967-7366. Reservations will be confirmed when payment is received.
      Volcano Community Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization.

A CENTENNIAL HIKE ABOUT HONU `EA takes place tomorrow at 9 a.m. Lauren Kurpita, coordinator of Hawai`i Island Hawksbill Turtle Recovery Project, and Supervisory Park Ranger Andre Kaawaloa-Okita lead a three-mile, 2.5-hour roundtrip hike to Ka`ena Point to learn more about nesting and monitoring activities of hawksbill sea turtles, the human and cultural history of the area and how eruptions have impacted both.

      Sturdy footwear, water, light rain gear, sun protection and snacks are recommended. Be prepared for hot, windy weather.
      Meet at Pu`u Loa Petroglyph parking lot. Free; park entrance fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER raises funds for a new roof tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Dollarama. All items, including food and drinks, are $1 or less.

REALMS & DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU is a free, moderately difficult, two-hour guided hike on Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s newest trail, Pu`u Kahuku. Participants experience the sense of place that evolves through the inter-relationship of nature and culture while exploring the realms and divisions of the traditional Hawaiian classification system at Kahuku.
      Meet near the parking area tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST 2016 SERIES continues with two performances tomorrow featuring Jr. Volcano Choy and the Volcano Art Center’s Jazz Ensemble. The series offers an opportunity to hear the highest caliber jazz – anywhere – up close and personal.

      The Wine and Beer Room will be open for attendees to enjoy before and after the concert. Ticket holders will be able to purchase Volcano Red Ale and Mauna Kea Pale Ale from Mehana Brewing Company, as well as wine. As usual, an area has been set aside for dancing.

      Two shows are offered, with a matinee at 4:30 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for VAC members ($25 non-members) for both shows!
      Tickets are available at volcanoartcenter.org, at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village and VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Today is the last day to purchase tickets online to be held at Will Call. Tickets will be sold at the door if they are not sold out.
      Call 939-7033 for more information.

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