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| Ka`u Coffee growers can spray Beauveria fungus as one tool in the battle against the coffee berry borer. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
SPRAYING BEAUVERIA FUNGUS TO CONTROL COFFEE BERRY BORERS definitely works and helps maintain a much lower level over time, according to Lisa Keith, a plant pathologist with the U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center based in Hilo. Keith reported results of her research at Kona Coffee Farmers Association’s annual Kona Coffee Expo and Trade Show.
In West Hawai`i Today, Chelsea Jensen reports Keith saying that by spraying three weeks in a row early in the season, growers can reduce the borer population enough to effectively control it during the rest of the season by spraying the fungus only once a month.
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| Beauveria fungus is effective in controlling CBB, reports a plant pathologist. photo by Peggy Greb/USDA Ag Research Service |
“The goal is to be economically viable as well,” Keith said. After the initial knock-down applications, farmers likely don’t need to spray twice a month, reducing the cost of battling the coffee berry borer. Depending on the size of the farm, Keith said it costs approximately $50 to $100 per application.
Keith’s research also indicated that farms at lower elevations have smaller infestations.
“We’re starting to see better trends that the product can be used as a general management scheme,” she said. “No matter where you are, it’s effective.”
Keith also recommended spraying after 3 p.m. because the fungus doesn’t thrive when subjected to high ultraviolet levels, heavy rain and high temperatures.
Another recommendation is for farmers to increase fungus use near harvest time to keep levels high. “When you start controlling the beetle, the size of the cherry got better,” Keith said. “We know the beetle is affecting the product (cherry), but with the spray and control it’s possible to reduce that.”
Beauveria alone cannot control the borer, Keith said. “Start with sanitation, then work in a manageable Beauveria management plan, and then we’re definitely seeing good results.”
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in this week’s Hawai`i County Council meetings via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. Committee meetings on Tuesday are Environmental Management at 9 a.m., Government Relations & Economic Development at 10:45 a.m., Human Services & Social Services at 1 p.m., Planning at 1:45 p.m. and Finance at 3:45 p.m.
The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m., and all meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
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Keith also recommended spraying after 3 p.m. because the fungus doesn’t thrive when subjected to high ultraviolet levels, heavy rain and high temperatures.
Another recommendation is for farmers to increase fungus use near harvest time to keep levels high. “When you start controlling the beetle, the size of the cherry got better,” Keith said. “We know the beetle is affecting the product (cherry), but with the spray and control it’s possible to reduce that.”
Beauveria alone cannot control the borer, Keith said. “Start with sanitation, then work in a manageable Beauveria management plan, and then we’re definitely seeing good results.”
See westhawaiitoday.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
A NEWLY RELEASED POLL SHOWS SHARP INCREASES in support for overhaul of Hawai`i marijuana laws. Commissioned by Hawai`i’s Drug Policy Action Group, the poll showed voter support for reform of Hawai`i’s policies on marijuana trending upward across the board. Local polling firm QMark Research conducted a statewide, statistically significant poll of 400 Hawai`i voters Jan. 17 – 23.
The poll found that 77 percent of Hawai`i voters think that jail time is inappropriate for marijuana possession, an increase of eight percent over 2012.
It also found that 66 percent of voters are in favor of outright legalization for adult use, an increase of nine percent over 2012.
A large majority, 85 percent of voters, continues to support Hawai`i’s medical marijuana program, up four percent from 2012, while support for a dispensary system so patients do not need to use the black market to find their medication increased sharply to 85 percent, a seven-percent increase over 2012.
A NEWLY RELEASED POLL SHOWS SHARP INCREASES in support for overhaul of Hawai`i marijuana laws. Commissioned by Hawai`i’s Drug Policy Action Group, the poll showed voter support for reform of Hawai`i’s policies on marijuana trending upward across the board. Local polling firm QMark Research conducted a statewide, statistically significant poll of 400 Hawai`i voters Jan. 17 – 23.
The poll found that 77 percent of Hawai`i voters think that jail time is inappropriate for marijuana possession, an increase of eight percent over 2012.
It also found that 66 percent of voters are in favor of outright legalization for adult use, an increase of nine percent over 2012.
A large majority, 85 percent of voters, continues to support Hawai`i’s medical marijuana program, up four percent from 2012, while support for a dispensary system so patients do not need to use the black market to find their medication increased sharply to 85 percent, a seven-percent increase over 2012.
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| A poll shows that 85 percent of Hawai`i voters support Hawai`i's medical marijuana program. Graph from mcchi.org |
Pamela Lichty, president of the Drug Policy Action Group, said, “Around the country and here in Hawai`i, voters are fed up with marijuana laws that seem to have been written after watching 1930s propaganda films like Reefer Madness. Voters today want reasonable, modern policies that acknowledge marijuana’s value as a medicine, and which address public health and safety, but do not overstate marijuana’s risks as a recreational drug. In 2014, and with 85 percent of voters in support, we are hopeful Hawai`i will establish sensibly controlled dispensaries to ensure safe access to medicine for our medical marijuana patients unable to grow their own, minimizing government interference between a patient and their doctor, and assuring legal access to the most effective treatments for their condition(s).”
Vanessa Chong, executive director of ACLU of Hawai`i, said, “Hawai`i is ready to choose incremental, sensible policies like decriminalization over extremely harsh ones that add to the nationwide glut of arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana – further taxing an over-crowded criminal justice system. The signs have never been clearer that Hawai`i’s voters want political leaders to find new ways forward on marijuana policy.”
Patients, doctors, caregivers and the public can join the confidential support network, The Medical Cannabis Coalition of Hawai`i,” founded by the Drug Policy Action Group and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i.
The state Legislature is considering several bills relating to medical marijuana. SB2574, introduced by Sens. Josh Green, Russell Ruderman and others, adds “board certified pain physicians” as doctors who can recommend medical marijuana.
Sen. Ruderman also co-introduced SB2942, which would create one dispensary in each county. Patients would register with a dispensary to designate it as their caregiver.
See mcchi.org.
Vanessa Chong, executive director of ACLU of Hawai`i, said, “Hawai`i is ready to choose incremental, sensible policies like decriminalization over extremely harsh ones that add to the nationwide glut of arrests for possession of small amounts of marijuana – further taxing an over-crowded criminal justice system. The signs have never been clearer that Hawai`i’s voters want political leaders to find new ways forward on marijuana policy.”
Patients, doctors, caregivers and the public can join the confidential support network, The Medical Cannabis Coalition of Hawai`i,” founded by the Drug Policy Action Group and the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai`i.
The state Legislature is considering several bills relating to medical marijuana. SB2574, introduced by Sens. Josh Green, Russell Ruderman and others, adds “board certified pain physicians” as doctors who can recommend medical marijuana.
Sen. Ruderman also co-introduced SB2942, which would create one dispensary in each county. Patients would register with a dispensary to designate it as their caregiver.
See mcchi.org.
Bills in the state Legislature are also available at capitol.hawaii.gov.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES Division of State Parks in partnership, with PBR HAWAI`I, invites Ka`u residents to informational meetings about the 2014 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. Hawai`i updates the SCORP every five years to remain eligible to receive funds for outdoor recreation projects through the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a federal grants program administered by the National Park Service.
LWCF grants provide a match for state and county funds to acquire new land for outdoor recreation and develop or renovate recreational facilities. Since 1967, the state of Hawai`i and the four counties have received more than $38 million in LWCF grants for acquisition and development of outdoor recreation lands and facilities. In recent years, LWCF grants have been awarded to the County of Hawai`i to install new playground equipment at Panaewa Zoo in Hilo and comfort stations at Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area.
Public participation in the meetings will help State Parks and National Park Service select projects to receive Land and Water Conservation funding that best meets Hawai`i’s recreational needs and helps resolve any recreational conflicts.
Meetings will be for two hours and will include a brief presentation near the beginning, but information will be available throughout the evening. The public can drop by for as much or as little time as they wish. Keiki are welcome, and there will be a special activity for them.
Anyone who is unable to attend any of the meetings is invited to take the SCORP survey, which is available online at surveymonkey.com/s/HISCORP2014 and will be open through Feb. 28.
Meetings take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 in Hilo at State Office Building Conference Rooms A, B and C and in Kailua-Kona Thursday, Feb. 27 at West Hawai`i Civic Center’s Community Meeting Hale.
Public participation in the meetings will help State Parks and National Park Service select projects to receive Land and Water Conservation funding that best meets Hawai`i’s recreational needs and helps resolve any recreational conflicts.
Meetings will be for two hours and will include a brief presentation near the beginning, but information will be available throughout the evening. The public can drop by for as much or as little time as they wish. Keiki are welcome, and there will be a special activity for them.
Anyone who is unable to attend any of the meetings is invited to take the SCORP survey, which is available online at surveymonkey.com/s/HISCORP2014 and will be open through Feb. 28.
Meetings take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18 in Hilo at State Office Building Conference Rooms A, B and C and in Kailua-Kona Thursday, Feb. 27 at West Hawai`i Civic Center’s Community Meeting Hale.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in this week’s Hawai`i County Council meetings via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center. Committee meetings on Tuesday are Environmental Management at 9 a.m., Government Relations & Economic Development at 10:45 a.m., Human Services & Social Services at 1 p.m., Planning at 1:45 p.m. and Finance at 3:45 p.m.
The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m., and all meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
Agendas are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Mike Poland discusses what we don't know about Hawaiian volcanoes at this week's After Dark in the Park program. Photo from USGS HVO |
WHAT WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT HAWAIIAN VOLCANOES is the topic at After Dark in the Park Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
For all that scientists have learned about Hawaiian volcanoes during the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s first 100 years, there are still questions to be answered. James Dwight Dana, one of the first geologists to study Hawaiian volcanoes, called these unknowns “points requiring elucidation” in his book, Characteristics of Volcanoes, in 1890. In the years since, many of Dana’s points have been addressed, but some have not. A number of new questions have also arisen, thanks to years of continuous observation and study of Kilauea, Mauna Loa and other Hawaiian volcanoes.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Mike Poland discusses the big issues faced by volcanologists studying Hawai`i’s volcanoes today, from the source of magma deep within the Earth to predicting eruptions – or determining when an ongoing eruption will end.
The program is free; $2 donations support park programs. Park entrance fees apply.
See the February Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.
SEE THE DIRECTORY 2014 ONLINE. For a page-turning version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. For a pdf version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.pdf.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Mike Poland discusses the big issues faced by volcanologists studying Hawai`i’s volcanoes today, from the source of magma deep within the Earth to predicting eruptions – or determining when an ongoing eruption will end.
The program is free; $2 donations support park programs. Park entrance fees apply.
See the February Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.
SEE THE DIRECTORY 2014 ONLINE. For a page-turning version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. For a pdf version, see kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.pdf.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
