 |
| 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.
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.
![]()
The event brings together farmers, producers and people who love local food to celebrate and grow agriculture together.
![]()
![]()
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.
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.
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/.
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.
“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.
Register at hfuu.org.
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. |
