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| Lava approaching Puna Geothermal Venture during last year's eruption. See what PGV and Ormat, its parent company, plan to do with the plant, and what they're offering Puna residents, below. Photo from Big Island Video News |
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| Bill Kucharski, Director of the county Department of Environmental Management. Photo from Hawaiʻi County |
The trouble, said several Kaʻū residents, is the cost of hooking up to the new system. All of those on the old system will be hooked up at no charge. Those with cesspools and septic systems along the route of the new sewage pipes will be required to hook up at their own expense and to close their cesspools and septic tanks. These include the church and shopping center on Pikake Street as well as the public schools, along with more than five dozen houses.
Jade Moses, one of those with a cesspool who will be required to abandon it for the new sewer line, said she can't afford the cost of closing her cesspool and installing pipe and a pump to hook up. She said her family members worked and died for the sugar plantation. She said C. Brewer should not have left her family with a cost that could amount to tens of thousands of dollars.
Why should some former Kaʻū workers be forced to pay and others receive the hook up for free, asked several attendees.
Kucharski noted that it is county code islandwide for any property with county water to hook up when a sewer is installed along the public right of way. Several people said their cesspools work just fine. When asked if the county code could be changed, he said it is a legislative matter for the County Council. He can't make a new law himself. When asked whether the county could pay for those who would bear the expense, he said he could ask.
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| The plant for the Pāhala wastewater treatment plan at Hwy 11 and Maile Street, with its Norfolk Pine scenic drive. Map from County of Hawaiʻi |
While the meeting concerned those homeowners in the position of having to pay for sewer hookup, questions about the overall plan for the sewage treatment plant were also raised.
Sophia Hanoa talked about the location, saying she prefers a site below Hwy 11, instead of on the corner of Maile and Hwy 11, along the Norfolk Pine Tree Lane . "Welcome to Pāhala. Welcome to our sewer plant," she said, contending the sewer plant could ruin the famed entrance to the village.
One attendee said the county should look to composting toilets instead of building a sewer system that could cost $40 million or more. He contended that in Sweden , a good percentage of new housing construction includes composting toilets. Kucharski said that composting toilets could be in the future of sewage treatment planning, but that that the Large Capacity Cesspools in Pāhala must be shut down soon, or the county will pay stiff fines from the federal government.
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MORE THAN 30 PERCENT OF THE ISLAND 'S ELECTRICITY, which went offline when lava covered part of the geothermal power facility in Puna last year, is set to go back online. A community meeting held in Pāhoa last night featured representatives of Puna Geothermal Venture and its parent company Ormat. They detailed their plans to restart the geothermal plant and offered residents of the area who are cut off from their homes by lava flows, access on a road Ormat is rebuilding.
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MY HAWAIʻI STORY PROJECT 2019 submissions are due by5 p.m. on Friday, March 29. The creative writing contest is open to all Hawaiʻi sixth to eighth grade students. They are invited to submit their best story or poem that addresses the theme He ‘a‘ali‘i kū makani au: Resilience in the Face of Change, which aligns with the theme of the 2019 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference, which will be held in July in Honolulu.
Only one entry per student will be accepted. All entries must be submitted electronically. Contact myhawaiistory@gmail.com with questions.
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The theme "highlights the need to protect our island home, and connect, share, and inspire young middle-school children with the common goal of caring for our natural land and ocean resources," says the guidelines. Entries should tell a story, not simply share information. Acrostic poems – where certain letters in each line spell out a word or phrase – will not be accepted.
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According to a Big Island Video Newsreport on the meeting, expected protests over the reopening of the geothermal facility failed to materialize.
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MY HAWAIʻI STORY PROJECT 2019 submissions are due by
Only one entry per student will be accepted. All entries must be submitted electronically. Contact myhawaiistory@gmail.com with questions.
Submit contact information in the entry form online, but do not reveal the student's name or school anywhere in the submission, to maintain anonymity in the evaluation process. All entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges with no access to student identification information or grade level. By submitting an entry, the student and school authorize the My Hawai‘i Story Project to use the stories or poems for educational purposes including, but not limited to, print and web materials.
All entries will be judged by the following criteria: "Theme relevance – how well did you connect to the theme and to Hawaiʻi's unique environment? Clarity of message – how well did you express your ideas? Creativity and originality – your work must be your own! Entries will be assessed by how well the author expresses their ideas, using appropriate grammar and writing style."
Winning entries will be announced on May 17. The winning entries will be published in the My Hawai‘i Story anthology. Winners will receive a copy of the anthology, award certificate, and other special prizes. Contest winners are invited to attend the awards ceremony at the Hawai‘i Conservation Conference in July.
Project partners include The Pacific Writers' Connection, Hawai‘i Coastal Zone Management Program, Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance, Hawai‘i Conservation Alliance Foundation, Hawai‘i Department of Education, Hawai‘i Department of Land and Natural Resources Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife and of Aquatic Resources, Hawai‘i Environmental Education Alliance, National Park Service – Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Pacific Resources for Education and Learning, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, and the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com |
Kaʻū Trojans Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Thu., March 28, 3 p.m. , @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 1 p.m. , @Konawaena
Tue., April 2, 3 p.m. , @HPA
Thu., April 4, 3 p.m. , host Waiakea
Sat., April 13, 1 p.m. , host Kamehameha
Softball:
Wed., March 27, @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 11 a.m. , @Konawaena
Wed., April 3, host Waiakea
Sat., April 6, 11 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Fri., April 12, BIIF Semi-Finals
Sat., April 13, BIIF Semi-Finals
Boys Volleyball:
Wed., March 27, 6 p.m. , host Kohala
Fri., March 29, 6 p.m. , @HPA
Tue., April 2, 6 p.m. , host Ehunui
Fri., April 5, 6 p.m. , @Christian Liberty
Tue., April 9, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Fri., April 12, 6 p.m. , @Keaʻau
Mon., April 15, 6 p.m. , host Honokaʻa
Wed., April 17, 6 p.m. , @Kamehameha
Track:
Sat., April 6, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., April 13, 9 a.m. , @HPA
Sat., April 20, 9 a.m. , @Kamehameha
ANNUAL WELLNESS FAIR AND EASTER EGG HUNT happens at Kaʻū District Gym Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The fair promotes health and wellness. Participating organizations include Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association, Bay Clinic, United Healthcare, Keiki ID, Blue Zones, Children's Community Council, Friends of the Library, PATH, Tūtū and Me, Project Aware - Mental Health First Aid, and Ocean Awareness & Safety. The free Easter egg hunt begins at 10 a.m. ; registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Educators are encouraged to participate, and volunteers are welcome.
UPCOMING
TUESDAY, MARCH 26
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, March 26, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, March 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
After Dark in the Park: Exploring the Unknown Depths, Tuesday, March 26, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Justin Umholtz, National Marine Sanctuary Foundation education associate for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, shares his experiences aboard the Exploration Vessel Nautilus, mapping and diving unexplored seamounts via a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV). Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Wednesday, March 27 (Committees), Thursday, March 28, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, March 27, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i – referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org
‘Ohe Kāpala Workshop, Wednesday, March 27, 10 a.m. to noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Learn to create beautiful designs from traditional patterns using ‘ohe kāpala, bamboo stamps. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
Arts and Crafts Activity: Group Art Project, Wednesday, March 27, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 March 11-25. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Hawai‘i County Council Mtg., Thursday, March 28, Council, Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, March 28, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, March 28, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org
FRIDAY, MARCH 29
Final Day to Apply for Preschool Opens Doors, Friday, March 29. For families seeking aid paying for preschool, for preschool participation July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020. patchhawaii.org, 800-746-5620
Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Friday, March 29, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Talk story with rangers and park visitors about a range of topics. Free. nps.gov/havo
SATURDAY, MARCH 30
Count Humpback Whales – Final 2019 Sanctuary Ocean Count, Saturday, March 30, 8 a.m. to noon, Ka‘ū locations: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document animals' surface behavior during survey, providing valuable data to NOAA. Register at oceancount.org; registration closes one week prior to event. Free.
Landscaping with Native Hawaiian Plants with Zach Mermel, Saturday, March 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Hands-on workshop. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Classic Car and Bike Show, Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Fun, food, music, and open house. Pre-registration of vehicles strongly recommended. Sponsored by Ocean View Community Association. Show prizes provided by Dune Buggy Concessions and OVCA. Raffle prizes provided by local merchants and individuals. Dennis, 831-234-7143, or Ron, 217-7982
ONGOING
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Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before Friday, March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.
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Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications open through Monday, April 15. Free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture." Applications at nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute.
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Niuhi-Shark Fine Art Exhibit is open daily through tomorrow, Sunday, March 24 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to hear different perspectives on the life of Kamehameha the Great and experience a visual experience of important events in Kamehameha's life from the perspective of two styles of art. The exhibit and supporting events promise paint, prose, protocol, and conversations providing cultural, historical, and educational experiences, with original paintings by Carl F. K. Pao, paired with selections from the book Kamehameha–The Rise of a King by David Kāwika Eyre, with illustrations by Brook Parker. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
Five Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women-Kona: Three $2000 scholarships will go to female college-bound Kaʻū High School and West Hawaiʻi high school students. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, April 1. Two $1,000 scholarships will go to any female high school graduate or older women attending a two-year vocational program leading to a marketable skill at Palamanui Campus . Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 10. Application packets available at kona-hi.aauw.net. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.
Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See
Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208 , Pāhala , HI 96777
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