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| Loulu, the native Hawaiian Palm Prichardia lanigera, which grows in the Ka`u Forest Reserve and The Nature Conservancy Preserve, was named this week to the federal Endangered Species list. Photo from University of California Davis |
Documents include a Local Development Analysis, with a Hawaiian subtitle "I ka moana no ka i`a, liuliu `ia na pono lawai`i," which means, "While the fish are in the sea, get your gear ready." The saying comes from `Olelo No`eau.
The Local Economic Development Analysis“summarizes the background information that informs the consideration of alternative strategies for building a resilient local economy in Ka`u,” says county long-range planner Ron Whitmore, who is in charge of crafting the Ka`u plan. “It introduces the unique nature of Ka`u’s economy, identifies opportunities in various sectors (agriculture, renewable energy, ecosystem services, the health care industry, the education field, the visitor industry, retail, and construction), introduces related plans, and details strategies for advancing community-based economic development.”
Whitmore cautions that the Development Analysis“does not specify the strategies that will make-up the heart of the CDP. Instead, it sets the context for identifying CDP policies and plans of action that best achieve community objectives.” He also suggests reading through the introductory section and then using the tables of contents, figures, and tables to find material of greatest interest. The first section is Understanding Ka‘u’s Local Economy and introduces the unique nature of Ka‘u’s economy and goals for economic development. "Greater economic opportunity is one of the community’s highest priorities, but community members have also been clear that economic development must not be at the expense of Ka‘u’s ecology, culture, rural lifestyle, or ethic of reciprocity – the sources of Ka‘u’s genuine wealth," it states.
The second section, Economic Opportunity in Ka‘u: Trends, Assets, and Challenges by Sector, identifies opportunities for Ka‘u in several industries – agriculture, renewable energy, payment for ecosystem services, health and wellness, creative/education/research, visitor, retail, and construction.
The third section, Planning for Economic Development, introduces options for integrating economic development into community planning. It explains government’s role in economic development, identifies related policies and actions in the County General Plan, and summarizes economic development strategies proposed in past plans for Ka‘u.
The fourth section, Advancing Community-Based Economic Development, compares different approaches to economic development and introduces “core strategies” for advancing the local, community-based economic development. Based on “best practices” from similar rural communities, those strategies focus on regional identity, industry clusters, anchor institutions, innovation, business and workforce capacity, democratization, investment, promotion, and network leadership. "As appropriate for each core strategy, this section highlights examples of how other communities have, applied that strategy, resources available to implement that strategy, and related tools that are specific to particular industries," the overview states.
All draft CDP materials are available at the project web site, www.kaucdp.info and at:
·Pāhala Public Library (928-2015): on the Ka`u reference table Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday 12 noon to 3 p.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m.; and Friday 12 noon to 5 p.m.
·Pāhala Public Library (928-2015): on the Ka`u reference table Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday 12 noon to 3 p.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m.; and Friday 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Pāhala Community Center (928-3102): with Nona Makuakane in the office, Monday through Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. & Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Nāʻālehu Public Library (939-2442): behind the front desk, Monday & Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; & Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Nāʻālehu Community Center (939-2510): with Richard Karasuda in the center office, Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. & on Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Discovery Harbour Community Association Center (929-9576): Monday, Wednesday, & Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ocean View Community Association Center (939-7033): Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Reference copies are also available in the Kona and Hilo Planning Department offices.
Whitmore describes the draft materials as “works-in-progress. It is expected that they will be revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. Feedback, suggested additions, updates, and corrections are welcome and encouraged.” Feedback forms are available with the reference copies and at the project web site.
The Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m. meeting at Pāhala Community Center is open to the public, and comment on agenda items is invited. The agenda will be distributed via email to interested parties prior to the meeting.
For more information about the Ka‘ū CDP, see www.kaucdp.info. “Steering Committee members, Community Planning Assistant Nalani Parlin and I are also happy to answer any questions you may have,” said Whitmore. Contact information is available at the project website.
TONIGHT IS HALLOWEEN and many young children are able to travel safely through Ka`u neighborhoods with reflective bags. The County of Hawai`i's Traffic division gave out 10,000 trick-or-treat bags throughout the island for children in preschools, charter and pubic school for student through second grade.
The biodegradable bags are imprinted with safety messages from talking ghosts and a smiling orange pumpkin to remind youngsters to watch for cars, stay in well-lit areas and not to go out alone.
Also in conjunction with safety, preschool and elementary teachers received a list of developmentally appropriate activities for early learners that will raise awareness about the role “helpers” such as police and fire play in their lives and the lives of their families. The learning experience for the child – interactive and informative curriculum and booklets were produced by and organization called Baby STEPS to Stronger Big Island Families.
Nāʻālehu Public Library (939-2442): behind the front desk, Monday & Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday & Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; & Friday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Nāʻālehu Community Center (939-2510): with Richard Karasuda in the center office, Monday through Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. & on Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Discovery Harbour Community Association Center (929-9576): Monday, Wednesday, & Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ocean View Community Association Center (939-7033): Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Reference copies are also available in the Kona and Hilo Planning Department offices.
Whitmore describes the draft materials as “works-in-progress. It is expected that they will be revised as conditions change and new information becomes available. Feedback, suggested additions, updates, and corrections are welcome and encouraged.” Feedback forms are available with the reference copies and at the project web site.
The Nov. 12, 5:30 p.m. meeting at Pāhala Community Center is open to the public, and comment on agenda items is invited. The agenda will be distributed via email to interested parties prior to the meeting.
For more information about the Ka‘ū CDP, see www.kaucdp.info. “Steering Committee members, Community Planning Assistant Nalani Parlin and I are also happy to answer any questions you may have,” said Whitmore. Contact information is available at the project website.
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| Anchaline shrimp have disappeared in Hawai`i as development crept along the coast. Photo from The Nature Conservancy |
FIFTEEN ENDANGERED SPECIES on Hawai`i Island were added to the federal protection list this week. According to the Federal Register post by the U.S. Department of the Interior on Tuesday, among them are two animals, the anchialine pool shrimp for which the Hawai`i Wildife Fund regularly assists in restoring ponds along the Ka`u Coast, and the picture wing fly.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the two-inch long anchialine pool shrimp, Vetericarsis chaceorum, is among the most primitive shrimp on the planet. In much of Hawai`i, these shrimps have died off as the result of filling in their ponds for development or sedimentation and pollution. The Federal Register describes anchialine pools as “land-locked bodies of water that have indirect underground connections to the sea, contain varying levels of salinity, and show tidal fluctuations in water level. Anchialine pool habitats can be distinguished from similar systems (i.e., tidal pools) in that they are land-locked with no surface connections to water, sources either saline or fresh, but have subterranean hydrologic connections to both fresh and ocean water where water flows through cracks and crevices, and remain tidally influenced.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the two-inch long anchialine pool shrimp, Vetericarsis chaceorum, is among the most primitive shrimp on the planet. In much of Hawai`i, these shrimps have died off as the result of filling in their ponds for development or sedimentation and pollution. The Federal Register describes anchialine pools as “land-locked bodies of water that have indirect underground connections to the sea, contain varying levels of salinity, and show tidal fluctuations in water level. Anchialine pool habitats can be distinguished from similar systems (i.e., tidal pools) in that they are land-locked with no surface connections to water, sources either saline or fresh, but have subterranean hydrologic connections to both fresh and ocean water where water flows through cracks and crevices, and remain tidally influenced.
“Anchialine habitats are ecologically distinct and unique, and while widely distributed throughout the world, they only occur in the United States in the Hawaiian Islands. Over 80 percent of the State’s anchialine pools are found on the island of Hawai`i, with a total of approximately 520 to 560 pools distributed over 130 sites along all but the island’s northernmost and steeper northeastern shorelines.
“Characteristic animal species include crustaceans (e.g., shrimps, prawns, amphipods, isopods, etc.), several fish species, mollusks, and other invertebrates adapted to the pools’ surface and subterranean Generally, vegetation within the anchialine pools consists of various types of algal forms (blue-green, green, red, and golden- brown). The majority of Hawaii’s anchialine pools occur in bare or sparsely vegetated lava fields, although some pools occur in areas with various groundcover, shrub, and tree species.”
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| Picture wing fly was formerly seen at Hawai`i Volcanoes' Bird Park. Photo by Karl Magnacca |
The picture wing fly is the other animal designated endangered this week. It used to be seen in Ka`u at Bird Park within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park but not recently. It is a microbivore that eats decomposing plant material and lives at altitudes of 2,000 to 4,500 feet. Drospophila digressa is found only on Hawai`i Island and is less than one-fifth of an inch long. Adults have yellow legs, shiny clear wings with brown spots, and brown-yellow bodies. .
In the plant world, the traditional Hawaiian healing tea Ko`oko`olau, used for throat and stomach ailments and cleansing the body, treating diabetes and preventing stroke, is among 13 new plants on Hawai`i Island listed as endangered. Ko`oko`olau, Bidens hillebrandiana, is a member of the sunflower family.
Another one of the endangered plants the loulu, Prichardia lanigera, a medium size palm which is found in Ka`u in The Nature Conservancy preserve and in the Ka`u Forest Reserve owned by the state. Another is haha, which has been found growing in a lava tube and has been successfully propagated at Volcano Rare Plant Facility.
Other newly designated endangered flora are: aku, haiwale, Phyllostegia floribunda, hoawa, Platydesma remyi, Schiedea diffusa ssp. macraei, Schiedea hawaiiensis, and Stenogyne cranwelliae.
In the plant world, the traditional Hawaiian healing tea Ko`oko`olau, used for throat and stomach ailments and cleansing the body, treating diabetes and preventing stroke, is among 13 new plants on Hawai`i Island listed as endangered. Ko`oko`olau, Bidens hillebrandiana, is a member of the sunflower family.
Another one of the endangered plants the loulu, Prichardia lanigera, a medium size palm which is found in Ka`u in The Nature Conservancy preserve and in the Ka`u Forest Reserve owned by the state. Another is haha, which has been found growing in a lava tube and has been successfully propagated at Volcano Rare Plant Facility.
Other newly designated endangered flora are: aku, haiwale, Phyllostegia floribunda, hoawa, Platydesma remyi, Schiedea diffusa ssp. macraei, Schiedea hawaiiensis, and Stenogyne cranwelliae.
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| Ko`oko`olau, the native Hawaiian herbal tea plant made the Endangered Species list. Photo by C. Harrington, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
The biodegradable bags are imprinted with safety messages from talking ghosts and a smiling orange pumpkin to remind youngsters to watch for cars, stay in well-lit areas and not to go out alone.
Also in conjunction with safety, preschool and elementary teachers received a list of developmentally appropriate activities for early learners that will raise awareness about the role “helpers” such as police and fire play in their lives and the lives of their families. The learning experience for the child – interactive and informative curriculum and booklets were produced by and organization called Baby STEPS to Stronger Big Island Families.
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.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
