Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, June 24, 2016

KA`U RESIDENTS CONTINUE to write letters protesting a proposed solar project which, if allowed by the PUC, will cover 27 house lots in three makai subdivisions with two-acre solar farms. Many residents see the project, which would produce 6.75 megawatts of power, about 700 percent more than the area needs, as industrialization of their neighborhoods. Excess power would be sold to HELCO for 23.8 cents per kilowatt-hour, a price set by the utility’s Feed-In Tariff Program in 2011.

      “The high voltage line must be undergrounded, no matter the cost,” wrote Kerstin Meuller, a Ranchos resident, in a letter on the PUC docket that was set up in response to HELCO’s application for an overhead transmission line.

      “The developer is being paid top dollar for the power. This solar project does not belong in a residential community. It is not needed and not wanted and is being put up just for an overseas company (SPI Solar) against the wishes of the community.”

      SPI Solar is incorporated in the Cayman Islands and headquartered in Shanghai, China. 

      “The properties all along the highway in Ocean View will soon be zoned ‘commercial’ which means that businesses like shops, restaurants, hotels, schools, professional offices, banks, etc. could be located here one day,” Mueller said. “Nobody will want to spend money putting up a nice commercial building if it looks onto ugly poles and an unsightly substation. This will have a very negative effect on the development of our town in the short and long term.”
      A Miloli`i resident, Susan Zimdas, questioned the state law allowing solar installations to be built on agricultural land without a county permit.
      “I am against solar in a residential area!” she wrote. “This is ag land. Not industrial!”
      Referring to a 1.25-megawatt solar installation near Miloli`i that came on line in October 2015, Zimdas wrote: “Solar City got away with building 27 acres of solar on ag land. How is this O.K.?
      “I cannot build a store or restaurant, but you will let someone come in and cut down 27 acres of trees and put in solar with no notice to the residents neighboring this land.”
      Others who have sent letters to the PUC this month are Ron Riggs (four letters), Nancy Bondurant, Diane Neufeld-Heck, Joan Sevey and Ross Metzger.
      Anyone wanting to submit public comment to the docket can do so at puc.comments@hawaii.gov. Docket number 2015-0229 must appear on the subject line. Each letter should begin with a statement saying if the writer is in favor of the line and project or against them.
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HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE ASKING the public for help in identifying individuals or businesses who are responsible for the dumping of abandoned and derelict vehicles.

      “Be on the lookout for private or business vehicles that may be dumping vehicles on the sides of our roadways,” said Sergeant Roylen Valera, of Kona Community Policing Section.       Dumping a vehicle is a criminal offense punishable by up to a $1,000 fine. Additionally, offenders could face a criminal littering charge, which is a petty misdemeanor and carries a fine of up to $1,000 and community service.
      “We would like to remind vehicle owners to complete the necessary paperwork if they dispose of or transfer their vehicle to another person or entity, to ensure that they will not be liable for the vehicle if it is found abandoned on the side of the road,” Valera said. “If the paperwork is not completed, you will be responsible for any fines or towing charges. Our goal is to preserve the beauty of Hawai`i Island.”
      Police ask anyone who knows the identity of those who dump abandoned or derelict vehicles to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.
      Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID, and information is kept confidential.
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YESTERDAY, PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNED into law an update and reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976.

      This is “a long overdue step forward to better protect our families, our community and our planet,” Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “I voted for this legislation when it came before Congress last month. The law improves public health protections for current chemicals on the market, requires safety reviews for new chemicals before they enter the market, increases access to information, improves transparency for consumers and strengthens protections for vulnerable populations.

      “There are over 80,000 chemicals used every single day in the U.S. These chemicals have enormous impact on the health of our communities and environment. Chemicals are so commonly used in our furniture, cosmetics, household cleaners, children’s toys, food and much more, yet face little to no regulation and review before they are released on the market.”
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HO`OMALU KA`U, THE NONPROFIT that plans to build Ka`u Heritage Center, is raising funds to hold a two-day Makahiki celebration at Wai`ohinu Park in February 2018. “We need your kokua to help make this first Makahiki Fest a huge success, President Lehua Lopez-Mau said.
      The ​hui is selling tickets for apple and peach pies that will be ready for the Fourth of July. ​The cost is $16 per pie or two for $30.
      Buy pie tickets at the Ho`omalu’s booth Wednesday morning at Shaka’s Farmers Market or from Lopez-Mau, Wendy Vance, Blossom DeSilva, Zachary DeBernardi, Willy Laukea, Charmaine Keanu, Babette Morrow, Leonie Caron and Karen Valentine.

      Pick up frozen, ready-to-bake pies on Saturday, July 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn of Na`alehu Methodist Church during the Na`alehu Fourth of July parade and celebration.
      “Buy your apple and peach pies for the Fourth of July, and your holiday dessert will be ready to bake for everyone to enjoy!” Lopez-Mau said.
      For more, call 929-9891, or email hoomalukau@gmail.com.
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KA`U AND KILAUEA REFLECTIONS opens tomorrow at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The exhibit of works by former Ka`u Hospital Dr. Douglas Davenport raises funds for Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation. It continues through July 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. expect Mondays.

      Opening reception is tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
      For more information, call 967-8222 or see volcanoartcenter.org.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a tree and the lehua flower Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Visitors will be able to identify the many differences of the most prominent native tree in Kahuku on this easy, one-mile (or less) walk.
      Enter Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on the mauka side of Hwy 11 near mile marker 70.5, and meet near the parking area. Sturdy footwear, water, rain gear, sun protection and a snack are recommended.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION encourages residents to attend a meeting on status of Ocean View Transfer Station. Hawai`i County Council member Maile David and representatives from the county Department of Environmental Management’s Solid Waste Division answer questions next Tuesday, June 28 at 6 p.m. at the 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.