Ka‘ū News Brief Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Sen. Brian Schatz grilled Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg during Senate hearings. See CNBC

THE $25 MILLION BILL TO FUND SPINLAUNCH passed third reading in the state Senate Tuesday, with all three Senators who represent Ka‘ū and places closest to Ka‘ū voting, "No." Senators Russell Ruderman, serving east Ka‘ū and Puna, Josh Green, representing west Ka‘ū and Kona, and Lorraine Inouye, representing Hilo, were the sole votes against the measure to set up $25 million in Special Revenue Bonds that would give tax breaks to investors in the proposed space launch facility. The vote was 21-3.
      Initial reports were that Pohu‘e Bay and its 16,455 acres for sale for $18 million were under consideration. However, language in the bill was changed to make the location nonspecific in the state of Hawai‘i.
      Before casting his "No" vote, Ruderman said, "I rise in opposition.... Everybody who's come to Hawai‘i to look at a rocket launch facility ends up looking at Ka‘ū. It's got many geographical advantages that nowhere else in the state has - particularly water on three sides, a lot of empty land, and pointing towards the equator. In the past, Ka‘ū has rejected several rocket launch facilities and they rejected them very vehemently. That's because the nature of the community is agricultural based and it cherishes its clean environment."

Rusell Ruderman explained his "No" vote on SpinLaunch funding Tuesday. Photo from Big Island Video News

     Referring to the SpinLaunch concept of using electricity to power the spinning of satellites thousands of miles an hour, at the end of a mechanical arm, to catapult them into space, Ruderman said, "An electric launching facility- I wonder if they realize that Hawai‘i Island has one of the most expensive electricity costs in our nation; and I wonder how that's going to work out.
     "I also hope that one day, those who propose and advocate for controversial lifestyle changing major projects, with environmental and cultural impacts, will talk to the people impacted, and or their representatives, before they proceed with the proposal. As the Senator from the district that this always seems to happen to, I will oppose any such projects."
    Sen. Glenn Wakai, of Waikiki, who proposed the measure in the Hawai‘i Senate, testified, "I rise in support of this measure. The opportunities for our aerospace growth are limitless and this measure in front of us simply allows for us to say, 'Go ahead SpinLaunch. Test your new and innovative way of launching small satellites some place in Hawai‘i.' So, in the Ways and Means Committee, there (were) changes to the language of this measure, which doesn't say that it's going to be on the Big island, doesn't say it's going to be in Ka‘ū, doesn't say it's going to be anywhere specifically in Hawai‘i, but just simply that we embrace this idea, this innovative approach, and would like to see it hopefully tested some place in the state. So there's misconception that somehow that this particular project will end up in Pohu‘e Bay.
      The Senator from O‘ahu said, "It's certainly been made clear to myself and to the proponents of SpinLaunch that this (Pohu‘e Bay) is a highly inappropriate area. But I would hope that my colleagues would see the huge opportunities that stand in front of us with the number of small satellites that will need to be launched into space in the very near future and see that Hawai‘i could play a significant role in this for economic benefits as well as scientific discoveries. So rather than be closed minded to saying not in one place, let's be open minded to say somewhere in the state of Hawai‘i."
     More can be read on the progression of this bill and the testimonies of Ka‘ū residents objecting to the proposed facility being placed in Ka‘ū, in past Ka‘ū News Briefs and Ka‘ū Calendar print and online newspaper issues. Saturday, Apr 14, at 10 a.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Center will host SpinLaunch representatives Ryan Hampton and Raphael Feldman, along with Wakai, at a talk with Ka‘ū community members about the proposed facility.

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SENATORS MAZIE HIRONO AND BRIAN SCHATZ QUESTIONED FACEBOOK CEO MARK ZUCKERBERG in a joint Commerce and Judiciary committee hearing yesterday in the U.S. Capitol. Hawaiʻi senators expressed concerns about Facebook's policies on privacy, and use and abuse of data collected from those using Facebook.

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KA‘Ū LEARNING ACADEMY has a new Acting Executive Director. According to a letter to the Hawaiʻi State Public Charter School Commission, the school's founder Kathryn Tydlacka submitted her resignation in early April. She is on leave and Assistant Director Josh Deward was voted by a newly reorganized KLA Governing Board.

Kathryn Tydlacka and Joe Iacuzzo, founders of Ka`u Learning Academy.

     The letter from the KLA Board to the Commission states, "Our Board of Directors understands the importance of resolving any concerns that the Charter School Commission has regarding Ka‘ū Learning Academy. As a plan of action we have implemented the suggestions that were outlined in the 2016-2017 audit report. It is our intent as the Governing Board to have direct contact and work closely with the Charter School Commission, be available to help the school staff in any way possible and most importantly be diligent in making sure KLA is being held to the highest standards possible to ensure our students education.
     "We are looking forward to a terrific new school year and are excited to continue our goals for a better education for the children of Ka‘ū."
     The KLA Board is comprised of Pres. Doug Flaherty, Treasurer Jack Richard, Secretary Kailani Toriano, Harry McIntosh, Duane Kerr, Nick Sokash, and Becky Valverde.
     The school remains on notice of its charter possibly being revoked by the Commission, as the new board and staff aim to keep the school open. The commission cited irregularities in accounting, which Tydlacka and the board said they have repaired.

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MEETINGS ON THE NĀ‘ĀLEHU WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT proposal continue on Thursday, April 12, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Find out the proposed location, the scope of the plan, and the homes and other buildings it would serve. The County asks those planning to attend to contact Berna Cabacungan of Earthplan, eplan1@aol.com; Mary Fujio at Department of Environmental Management, 961-8083; or Iris Cober at Brown and Caldwell, Maui office, (808) 442-3300.

KEIKI, GRADES K - 8, INVITED TO MAKE PAPER FLOWER WREATHS during a free Hawai‘i County Parks and Recreation Arts & Crafts program at Pāhala Community Center. The class takes place Wednesday, April 25, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., with registration from Monday, April 16, to Tuesday, April 24. For more, contact Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

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     Rapid ‘Ōhia Death is a threat to ‘ōhi‘a forests island wide, including many heavily visited areas in the park. Scientists working on the disease have now learned a lot about the fungus, how it spreads to new areas, and how it might be treated. On Tuesday, Apr. 24, Friday shares the current understanding of Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, how affected forests are being managed, and what people can do to avoid spreading the disease.
     The After Dark in the Park program starts at 7 p.m. and is freely offered at the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Suggested $2 donation helps support park programs. Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
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