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| Taiko Drummers will play for the sixth annual Floating Lantern Ceremony today at Punaluʻu Beach Park from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Photo by Julia Neal |
Act 172 requires members of the Water Security Advisory Group be comprised of the manager and chief engineer of the board of water supply of each county or their designee, the deputy director for water resource management of the DLNR, and the following individuals who meet qualifications for each type of group member:
• A member with knowledge of agricultural water storage and delivery systems.
• A member of a private landowning entity that actively partners with a watershed partnership.
• A member with knowledge, experience and expertise in the area of Hawaiian cultural practices.
• A member representing a conservation organization.
Interested people are encouraged to submit a resume, cover letter and three letters of reference that outline the applicant’s qualifications to serve on the Water Security Advisory Group. Applications can be sent to:Water Security Advisory Group, Commission on Water Resource Management, 1151 Punchbowl St., Room 227, Honolulu, HI 96813.
• A member with knowledge of agricultural water storage and delivery systems.
• A member of a private landowning entity that actively partners with a watershed partnership.
• A member with knowledge, experience and expertise in the area of Hawaiian cultural practices.
• A member representing a conservation organization.
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| Hawaiʻi consumes almost double the water as other states, according to the Helono Moku report at www.helonomoku.com. |
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THE 2016 WORLD CONSERVATION CONGRESS, held in Honolulu in September and attended by Kaʻū residents representing conservation agencies and organizations, helped inspire legislation this summer for the state Water Security Advisory Group for which applicants are sought from throughout Hawaiʻi. The legislation creating the group states the “Hawaiʻi-hosted World Conservation Congress presents an opportunity for Hawaiʻi to demonstrate international leadership in investing in natural capital that supports economic growth and protects the quality of life. The challenge of managing the State's limited natural resources such as watersheds, marine habitat, and fresh water supply while fostering community resilience is too large a task for a single actor or sector to address alone. New and innovative partnerships are needed to catalyze large-scale investment in Hawaiʻi’s sustainable development,” states the new legislation.To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.AN ALOHA + NATURAL CAPITAL INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP is set up by new Hawaiʻi state legislation that says, “The Aloha + Natural Capital Investment Partnership is a joint public-private conservation commitment that will demonstrate Hawaiʻi’s commitment to natural resources management with a special focus on climate resilience at the World Conservation Congress and beyond.
“To provide reliable long-term funding needed to meet the State's Aloha + Challenge conservation targets by 2030, partners from multiple sectors, including county, state, and federal governments as well as private philanthropic and corporate entities, must work together to leverage funds and provide matching opportunities,” states the new legislation. A number of partnerships will be managed by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.
“To provide reliable long-term funding needed to meet the State's Aloha + Challenge conservation targets by 2030, partners from multiple sectors, including county, state, and federal governments as well as private philanthropic and corporate entities, must work together to leverage funds and provide matching opportunities,” states the new legislation. A number of partnerships will be managed by the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.
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| Water in Kaʻū has been used by ranchers and planters for many generations. A new state initiative is to increase water security for agriculture, nature and people. Photo from state Department of Agriculture |
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO INCREASE WATER SECURITY will be sought by the new Water Security Advisory Group. The enabling 2016 state legislation aims “to enable public-private partnerships that increase water security by providing matching state funds for projects and programs that increase the recharge of groundwater resources; encourage the reuse of water and reduce the use of potable water for landscaping irrigation; and improve the efficiency of potable and agricultural water use.”
The legislation also allows the state Department of Land & Natural Resources to establish an account or fund for depositing moneys appropriated by the legislature; gifts, grants, and other private funds; and federal funds. The money is to be used for projects and programs to increase water security recommended by the water security advisory group. provided that state funds are matched for each project.
The DLNR’s Division of Forestry & Wildlife manages a little more than one million acres of public land. Approximately 900,000 of those acres fall within a Watershed Partnership boundary.
A THANKSGIVING WEEKEND MESSAGE FROM CONGRESSWOMAN TULSI GABBARD urged people to “enjoy some down times together.” She thanked the military for their service.
For the people of Hawaiʻi, she said, “Mahalo for the privilege of serving you and working for you. There’s no question that this year has had its shares of ups and downs. We’ve had debates about whether or not to take military action in Syria and we went through a government shutdown which negatively affected hundreds and thousands of people costing our country tremendously. Through these tremendous challenges I want you to know how much I have valued your feedback, your guidance and your encouragement as we work together towards a stronger, more sustainable future.
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| Tulsi Gabbard |
For the people of Hawaiʻi, she said, “Mahalo for the privilege of serving you and working for you. There’s no question that this year has had its shares of ups and downs. We’ve had debates about whether or not to take military action in Syria and we went through a government shutdown which negatively affected hundreds and thousands of people costing our country tremendously. Through these tremendous challenges I want you to know how much I have valued your feedback, your guidance and your encouragement as we work together towards a stronger, more sustainable future.
“I know that as long as we stand together, in the spirit of aloha and service we will bring people together to bridge divides and find constructive ways to work together,” said Gabbard.
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| Mandala Forest Bird Platter stoneware pottery by Emily Herb, one of Volcano Village Artists Hui opening her studio today and tomorrow. Photo from Emily Herb |
30TH ANNUAL VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI STUDIOS TOUR, SHOW & SALE wraps up today and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Volcano Village. Art explorers are invited to meet the artists in their studios to see and purchase pottery, raku, hand-blown art glass, sculpture, jewelry, and fiber art as well as photographs, paintings, drawings, metal work, quilts, and block prints.
The annual event started 30 years ago when a small group of Volcano Village artists offered an informal studio sale of artworks on Thanksgiving weekend. Today, the Hui has 14 artists and craftspeople with six open studios and galleries. On display and for sale are classic pieces and new works inspired by Hawaiʻi island.A special drawing for pieces contributed by each of the artists will be held on the final day of the tour.
For more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487. Maps to the artists’ studios are available at local businesses and galleries in the Volcano and at: www.VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com. 987-3472
TODAY IS THE SIXTH ANNUAL FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY at Punaluʻu Beach Park’s Medicine Pond, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to participants building, decorating and launching tiny boats to carry lights honoring late friends and family, the gathering features community potluck, Taiko drummers, Gi Gon demonstration, hula dancers and local music, followed by a special photo powerpoint presentation of loved ones, caregivers and previous celebrations. The theme is “Honoring the Past, Present and Future Generations.”
To donate to the scholarship fund for health careers, call 928-0101. See more at Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association’s website https://krhcai.com and its Facebook page.
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CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY holiday exhibit daily through Jan. 1 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Featured at Christmas in the Country is the 17th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, with prizes awarded for the best wreaths. To participate, contact Emily Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org. Free; park entrance fees apply.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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VOLCANO ART CENTER PROGRAMS PREVIEW EXHIBIT ends today, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Discover what the New Year has to offer. VAC will be on Volcano Artist Hui’s tour, and Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will sell poinsettias. 967-8222
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The sixth annual Floating Lantern Ceremony at Punaluʻu is today. Photo from KRHCAI |
To donate to the scholarship fund for health careers, call 928-0101. See more at Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association’s website https://krhcai.com and its Facebook page.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
