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| Hawaiian Music & Lifestyle workshop participants learned to listen and perform under the direction of Darci Baker, of Kamehameha Schools. Photo by Julia Neal |
PHILIPPINES DEVASTATION, particularly in the central islands, is what the Ka`u Filipino community is learning from friends and relatives who are making cell phone calls to Hawai`i. Typhoon Haiyan, also called Yolanda in the Philippines, has put Cebu and other parts of the Philippines mid-section in a “state of calamity,” said Philippine Pres. Benigno S. Aquino II. The calamity declaration is similar to a disaster declaration in the U.S and will allow the release of emergency funds from the national government. However, the country is likely to ask for international donations as it has experienced typhoon after typhoon this year and a magnitude 7.2 earthquake just a month ago. As Yolanda made landfall on Friday, the typhoon threw up a storm surge of 13 feet that tore through Tacloban, a city of 220,000 people. The city administrator said the death toll could reach 10,000.
The fast-moving storm, crossing the Philippines at 25 mph with sustained winds of 155 to more than 190 mph, appears to have killed more people with storm surge than flooding and landslides. Save the Children spokesperson Lynette Lim sheltered in place in Tacloban, leaving this morning. She told the New York Times that schools, gymnasiums and other shelter sites failed to hold up against the typhoon. Other places in the typhoon’s path are expected to be found with similar devastation. The typhoon is currently on a path into central and northern Vietnam and is expected to cause flooding in Hanoi.
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| Funds for community groups to maintain sites such as Honu`apo and Kawa may be available next year. Photo by William Neal |
FUNDS FOR MAINTENANCE OF HONU`APO, KAWA and other sites purchased with money from the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund may be available to community groups after July 1, 2014, the beginning of the county’s next fiscal year. In Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, reporter Nancy Cook Lauer said an account for maintenance has a balance of $475,000 collected from 0.25 percent of property taxes, but the county has not distributed any of it for this purpose. Cook Lauer reported that, while the county charter calls for the county to advertise for community groups to apply for stewardship grants by Aug. 1 of each year, it has not.
Finance Director Nancy Crawford told Cook Lauer that the administration “hasn’t gotten to the point yet where it is ready to solicit community involvement.”
“I know people have been interested in these projects,” Crawford told Cook Lauer. “There needs to be a professional come in and actually draft a plan. Then we have an opportunity to bring in volunteer groups rather than giving a grant to a nonprofit group without a plan.”
“I know people have been interested in these projects,” Crawford told Cook Lauer. “There needs to be a professional come in and actually draft a plan. Then we have an opportunity to bring in volunteer groups rather than giving a grant to a nonprofit group without a plan.”
The Department of Parks and Recreation will advertise for community groups once plans are adopted, Crawford said.
The charter amendment for maintenance funds was approved by voters in 2012. Funds can be used for:
The charter amendment for maintenance funds was approved by voters in 2012. Funds can be used for:
- Reparation (fixing, mending, repair work, and servicing);
- Preservation (damage control, salvaging, safekeeping, and safeguarding);
- Conservation of soil, forests, shorelines, native wildlife, streams, wetlands, watershed, and floodways;
- Restoration (replacement, reclamation, reconditioning, and remediation);
- Wildfire and fire prevention;
- Repair of existing buildings to meet the current code requirements, if the building is deemed reasonable to save;
- Replacing signs to meet the current code requirements;
- Installation, repair, or replacement fencing and gate or access mechanisms;
- Installation or repair of cattle guards;
- Mitigation of flooding problems including repair or restoration of existing culverts, drainage features, or other similar flood control mitigation;
- Archaeological survey and buffering of Native Hawaiian historical or cultural sites after appropriate consultation with Native Hawaiian descendants and cultural practitioners;
- Biological studies for the protection of Native Hawaiian species of plants and animals; or
- Mitigation of Americans with Disabilities Act compliance issues that may arise during the course of public safety maintenance and preservation.
According to Cook Lauer, Crawford said plans are being made for archaeological surveys at Kawa and some other sites.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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| George Kahumoku, Jr., at right, and his son Keoki Kahumoku both sponsor Hawaiian music camps, with Keoki's in Pahala and George's on Maui. Photo by Julia Neal |
“GIVEN KA`U’S RICH, PLACE-BASED HERITAGE, it will always be important to evaluate its economic health through lenses that incorporate natural, cultural, social and community resources and consider the informal, nonmarket economy,” says a newly released draft document, Appendix V4C: Local Economic Development Analysis, for the Ka`u Community Development Plan. “At the same time, few families can survive completely outside the market economy, so equal attention should be given to more conventional economic conditions and strategies for increasing economic opportunity in the region.”
Appendix V4C 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.
It lists specific opportunities by sector that include:
“Agriculture: Coffee, macadamia nuts, truck crops, ranching and forestry are potential areas of growth which are supported by farmers markets, community and school gardens and agricultural tourism. However, expansion of the agriculture sector, especially for small farming operations, will require addressing the issues of infrastructure, input costs and capital and technical support.
“Agriculture: Coffee, macadamia nuts, truck crops, ranching and forestry are potential areas of growth which are supported by farmers markets, community and school gardens and agricultural tourism. However, expansion of the agriculture sector, especially for small farming operations, will require addressing the issues of infrastructure, input costs and capital and technical support.
“Renewable Energy: Smaller-scaled local and decentralized energy systems, particularly in the form of solar water, photovoltaic, micro-hydro and small wind initiatives for residential, farm and business support may provide a viable and meaningful contribution to Ka`u’s near- and long- term sustainable economic development efforts. In addition, as a complement to the agricultural sector, biofuels, perhaps through a cooperative approach, may also be a viable economic opportunity.
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| Dennis Kamakahi plans to retire to his wife's hometown of Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal |
“Payment for Ecosystem Services: Tools for measuring ecosystems services are available, and distinct markets for payments for those services are coalescing quickly. Private landowners may already receive direct payments and tax incentives through government programs focused on the preservation of ecosystem services. Other opportunities may exist to earn payments for stewardship of public lands and recreational resources through the markets for carbon credits, water quality trading and conservation banking. Ka`u is also an attractive site for investments in research and education related to ecosystem services.
“Health & Wellness: The continued growth in the health and wellness industry and Ka`u’s aging population create employment and entrepreneurial opportunities. There may also be an opportunity to attract outside resources, such as educational institutions to provide the necessary training.”
More sectors will be discussed in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.
More sectors will be discussed in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.
Appendix V4C explores these opportunities and challenges in more detail. It is available to read at kaucdp.info and at area libraries and community centers.
Ka`u CDP Steering Committee will discuss the document at its meeting Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
The public can comment on the document at the meeting and submit testimony through Dec. 16 using a feedback form at kaucdp.info.
The public can comment on the document at the meeting and submit testimony through Dec. 16 using a feedback form at kaucdp.info.
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| Ledward Ka`apana was born in Pahala. Photo by Julia Neal |
LEDWARD KAAPANA, who was born in Pahala, joined Dennis Kamakahi, whose wife comes from Na`alehu, to play during Kahumoku `Ohana's free concert yesterday for the public at Pahala Plantation House. The concert wrapped up a week of `ukulele, slack key, steel guitar, cello, stand-up base, mandolin, choir and Hawaiian culture classes where local youth attended the Hawaiian Music & Lifestyle workshop on scholarship.
Kamakahi talked and sang about Kalama, Oregon, named after the first Hawaiian to become an American Indian chief on the mainland.
Ka`apana and Kamakahi also taught at the workshop.
Darci Baker, of Kamehameha Schools, taught choir. Other masters, including John Keawe, taught their instruments and music composition. Next fall will mark the ninth workshop sponsored by Keoki Kahumoku. To apply for a scholarship or to otherwise become involved, contact Keoki Kahumoku at 960-8385.
Darci Baker, of Kamehameha Schools, taught choir. Other masters, including John Keawe, taught their instruments and music composition. Next fall will mark the ninth workshop sponsored by Keoki Kahumoku. To apply for a scholarship or to otherwise become involved, contact Keoki Kahumoku at 960-8385.
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| Hunters from Hawai`i Island came to Ka`u to shoot scenes for the new series American Jungle, which premieres today at 5 p.m. Photo from American Jungle |
A BOAR HUNTING SHOW ON THE HISTORY CHANNEL with scenes shot in Ka`u premieres today at 5 p.m. Called American Jungle, it follows the lives of eight hunting clans from Hawai`i Island who live off the land and off the grid.
“Turf wars ensue as each clan boasts its own special ties to the sacred hunting trails. Some clans date their bloodlines back to Hawaiian royalty while others engage in the more spiritual connection, like drinking the blood of their hunted kill,” says a Huffington Post story.
T'Jaye Forsythe, the person who came up with the idea for the show, said, “It’s all about survival and territory wars and surviving off the land. This is the off-the-grid subculture of Hawai`i’s hunting lifestyle.” See more from Forsythe at rustyboar.com and history.com/shows/american-jungle.
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entrance fees today and tomorrow to recognize Veteran’s Day weekend.
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S VETERAN’S DAY ceremony takes place tomorrow at 3 p.m. on the Front Lawn. Keynote speaker is Lt. Col. Eric Shwedo, of Pohakuloa Training Area, and guest speaker is SMSgt. Makani Miller.
After the ceremony, a buffet is available at Crater Rim Café.
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.
