 |
| Ka`ohe Bay, also known as Pebble Beach, is expected to become a Fish Replenishment Area with Gov. Neil Abercrombie's signature as early as this week. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE NEW SCUBA SPEARFISHING BAN for 147 square miles of nearshore waters from South Point up the west side of Hawai`i Island to Upolu Point is headed for Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office for his signature. This and other rules were passed by the state Board of Land & Natural Resources by a 4-2 vote in late June and were sent to the state attorney general’s office for review.
 |
| Banning SCUBA spearfishing is expected to reduce the taking of parrot fish of breeding age. Photo from Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council |
The new rules would make it illegal to carry SCUBA-diving gear along with spears and speared fish on any boat, or otherwise in one’s possession on land or sea along the management area shoreline.
At community discussions during the last decade, biologists and local residents contended that SCUBA spearfishing is reducing the population of fish that are needed to breed and produce the next generation of such species as parrot fish, bluefin travalley, uhu and omilu. SCUBA spearfishing is already banned in Australia and Palau.
 |
| A free diver walks to the Ka`ohe Bay shore to practice her skills. Photo by Julia Neal |
A FISH REPLENISHMENT AREA along 1,500 feet of coast at Ka`ohe Bay, north of Miloli`i at Pebble Beach, is expected to be established with Gov. Neil Abercrombie signing off on the measure that was approved by the state Board of Land & Natural Resources in late June.
The bay has received national publicity in USA Today with a travel story on Coral Reefs in Hawai`i that could attract tourists. It said:
“Ka`ohe Bay in South Kona, located at the end of a steep road in a private subdivision, is one of Hawai`i’s best-kept secrets. Easily accessible via a pebble beach and surrounded by delicate finger reefs, the small bay offers prime examples of untouched, undisturbed coral reef communities. The highly endangered monk seal has been known to loll on its shores while humpback whale families frequent the bay during the winter months.”
The Ka`ohe Fish Replenishment Area is identified on shore to the north by signage south of Ka`u Loa Point and to the south by signage north of `Au`au Point.
The Miloli`i Fish Replenishment Area, with similar restrictions, is identified on shore to the north by Makahiki Point and to the south by Kaki`o Point.
“Ka`ohe Bay in South Kona, located at the end of a steep road in a private subdivision, is one of Hawai`i’s best-kept secrets. Easily accessible via a pebble beach and surrounded by delicate finger reefs, the small bay offers prime examples of untouched, undisturbed coral reef communities. The highly endangered monk seal has been known to loll on its shores while humpback whale families frequent the bay during the winter months.”
The Ka`ohe Fish Replenishment Area is identified on shore to the north by signage south of Ka`u Loa Point and to the south by signage north of `Au`au Point.
The Miloli`i Fish Replenishment Area, with similar restrictions, is identified on shore to the north by Makahiki Point and to the south by Kaki`o Point.
2.jpg) |
| Eagle rays would be protected at Ka`ohe Bay. Photo from wikipedia |
The new rules establishing a fish replenishment area would prohibit SCUBA spearfishing and prohibit taking of nine shark and ray species, including eagle sting rays and two invertebrates. Aquarium collectors would not be able to work there without a permit.
NEW AQUARIUM COLLECTING RULES that would reduce the kinds of fish captured to 40 species are also headed to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office after state attorney general review and passage by the state Board of Land & Natural Resources. The rules would protect a number of reef fish that are in decline.
NEW AQUARIUM COLLECTING RULES that would reduce the kinds of fish captured to 40 species are also headed to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s office after state attorney general review and passage by the state Board of Land & Natural Resources. The rules would protect a number of reef fish that are in decline.
Aquarium fish that could still be collected along the west coast of Hawai`i Island, except for within Fish Replenishment Areas, would be the following: Yellow Tang, Zebrasoma flavescens; Chevron Tang, Ctenochaetus hawaiiensis; Goldring Surgeonfish, Ctenochaetus strigosus; Achilles Tang, Acanthurus achilles; Tinker’s Butterflyfish, Chaetodon tinkeri; Orangespine Unicornfish, Naso lituratus; Forcepsfish, Forcipiger flavissimus; Goldrim Surgeonfish, Acanthurus nigricans;
 |
| Yellow tang and other aquarium fish would be protected within Fish Replenishment Areas. Photo from wikipedia |
Potter’sAngelfish, Centropyge potteri; Fourspot Butterflyfish, Chaetodon quadrimaculatus; Yellowtail Coris, Coris gaimard; Ornate Wrasse, Halichoeres ornatissimus; Orangeband Surgeonfish, Acanthurus olivaceus; Bird Wrasse, Gomphosus varius; Eyestripe Surgeonfish, Acanthurus dussumieri; Multiband Butterflyfish, Chaetodon multicinctus; Saddle Wrasse, Thalassoma duperrey; Brown Surgeonfish, Acanthurus nigrofuscus; Flame Wrasse, Cirrhilabrus jordani; Thompson’s Surgeonfish, Acanthurus thompsoni; Peacock Grouper, Cephalopholis argus; Bluestripe Snapper, Lutjanus kasmira; Redbarred Hawkfish, Cirrhitops fasciatus; Psychedelic Wrasse, Anampses chrysocephalus; Hi Whitespotted Toby, Canthigaster jactator; Fisher’s Angelfish, Centropyge fisheri; Hi Dascyllus, Dascyllus albisella; Milletseed Butterflyfish, Chaetodon miliaris; Blacklip Butterflyfish, Chaetodon kleinii; Pyramid Butterflyfish, Hemitaurichthys polylepis; Shortnose Wrasse, Macropharyngodon geoffroy; Black Durgon, Melichthys niger; Spotted Boxfish, Ostracion meleagris; Blackside Hawkfish, Paracirrhites forsteri; Hi Longfin Anthias, Pseudanthias hawaiiensis; EightlineWrasse, Pseudocheilinus octotaenia; Fourline Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus tetrataenia; Smalltail Wrasse, Pseudojuloides cerasinus; Lei Triggerfish, Sufflamen bursa; and Gilded Triggerfish, Xanthichthys auromarginatus.
To comment on or “Like” these stories, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| According to The Kohala Center, about 30 percent of the acres designated in Ka`u for `Aina Koa Pono to grow feedstock to produce biofuel is tillable. Photo by Julia Neal |
ELIZABETH COLE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR of The Kohala Center, has sent a letter to the state Public Utilities Commission regarding the proposed contract between `Aina Koa Pono and the electric companies.
“The Kohala Center would like to inform you that students from the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies are developing a student-generated study of alternative uses for the Ka`u lands being considered for the production of biofuels by AKP,” Cole states. “Please note that this study is not complete and ready for publication; however the County of Hawai`i wished the Public Utility Commission to be aware that agricultural uses for the subject Ka`u lands were being investigated, and preliminary findings suggest that:
This and other testimony is available at puc.hawaii.gov. Docket number is 2012-0185.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
![]()
![]()
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
- Approximately 30 percent of the 12,000 designated acres is tillable, with much of the land being marginal, dry, steeply sloped, and rocky.
- Water availability may be a concern and might result in competition between AKP and future farming interests.
- Economically feasible alternatives might be suitable and desirable, in terms of resource efficiency, for at least a portion of these lands.
This and other testimony is available at puc.hawaii.gov. Docket number is 2012-0185.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
TUTU & ME IS BACK IN SESSION. The tuition-free, early education program for toddlers and their families meets from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays at Na`alehu Community Center as well as Tuesdays and Thursdays at Pahala Community Center. For more information and to register, call 929-8571.
APRIL KEKOA AND TEANA KAHO`OHANOHANO share the history of kalo plus its modern uses Wednesday at 10 a.m. on Kilauea Visitor Center’s lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
 |
| Kalo, or taro, is the topic of a workshop Wednesday. |
The life of Hawai`i’s indigenous people is closely linked with kalo, or the taro plant. According to the Kumulipo creation chant, kalo grew from the first-born son, Haloa. Kalo is believed to have the greatest life force of all foods and is a means of survival for Hawaiians.
The free program is part of the park’s ongoing `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work series. Park entrance fees apply.
A PROPOSED PIPELINE TO CARRY WATER from Old Plantation Spring for ag use is the topic at a public hearing today at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The Conservation District Use application is available for review at Na`alehu Public Library and at hawaii.gov/dlnr/occl/meetings.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS IS WELCOME at Ka`u Community Development Plan’s Steering Committee meeting tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Association Center.
The meeting focuses on recently released additional draft Ka`u CDP appendices. Documents are available online at kaucdp.info; at libraries and community centers in Pahala, Na`alehu, Discovery Harbour, and Ocean View; and at Hilo and Kona Planning Department offices.
To comment on this story or “Like” it, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
A PROPOSED PIPELINE TO CARRY WATER from Old Plantation Spring for ag use is the topic at a public hearing today at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The Conservation District Use application is available for review at Na`alehu Public Library and at hawaii.gov/dlnr/occl/meetings.
PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS IS WELCOME at Ka`u Community Development Plan’s Steering Committee meeting tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Association Center.
The meeting focuses on recently released additional draft Ka`u CDP appendices. Documents are available online at kaucdp.info; at libraries and community centers in Pahala, Na`alehu, Discovery Harbour, and Ocean View; and at Hilo and Kona Planning Department offices.
To comment on this story or “Like” it, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| At last year's Ka`u Plantation Days, Walter Wong Yuen shared history of Chinese in Ka`u with photos and artifacts. Photo by Julia Neal |
KA`U MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY INVITES RESIDENTS to attend a meeting Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center to plan Ka`u Plantation Days. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12.
For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740 or Liz Kuluwaimaka at 339-0289.
SHAKA’S FREE BEACH CONCERT IS SET FOR FRIDAY from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Scheduled to perform are Bruddah Waltah, Randy Lorenzo and Keaiwa with Demetrius Oliveira. There will be games for the kids, giveaways and information on joining the National Guard. Other sponsors are KARMA, Big Island Image and Big Island Top Team.
SHAKA’S FREE BEACH CONCERT IS SET FOR FRIDAY from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Scheduled to perform are Bruddah Waltah, Randy Lorenzo and Keaiwa with Demetrius Oliveira. There will be games for the kids, giveaways and information on joining the National Guard. Other sponsors are KARMA, Big Island Image and Big Island Top Team.
EVA LEE, OF TEA HAWAI`I & CO., offers a free tea cultivation and production program this Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The program is for prospective tea growers on Hawai`i Island interested in growing the specialty crop Camellia sinensis tea, producing white, green, oolong and black tea. The purpose is to help individuals and small family farms make greater strides in community production. The program is sponsored by The Kohala Center and funded in part by the U.S.Department of Agriculture Co-op Support program. To sign up, call Julia Neal at 928-9811.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
SUPPORT YOUR KA`U BUSINESSES
PUBLIC NOTICES
