Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, March 22, 2014

GATHERINGS AT KA LAE with music and food are being defended by organizers. Tom Anthony, of Manu O Ku based in Hilo, said he works with the group Na Hoku O Ka`u, which, he said, is comprised of some of the Native Hawaiian ranchers and other Hawaiians who are eligible for Hawaiian Home Lands. He said the group of volunteers is helping to keep Ka Lae clean as well as educate people about the archaeology and Hawaiian history of the area. Anthony described pau hana gatherings as “anything but raves.” He was responding to reports of raves at Ka Lae during a police department meeting with the public last week. Anthony described two recent gatherings as mahalos for volunteers and an effort to get young people interested in learning and caring about Ka Lae. He said the effort is not just for Native Hawaiians, but for young people traveling through the area and volunteering, much like woofers volunteer on farms. He said it is good for young local people to work side by side and get to know traveling young people from all over the world and that some of these young wanderers are very enthusiastic to volunteer at Ka Lae and to learn about Hawaiian culture.

      Anthony pointed out that Ka Lae and Green Sands Beach are becoming more and more popular with visitors, now that a paved road has been completed to the boat ramp area. He said latrines and other facilities are needed to reduce liability and improve sanitation and that the cottage industry of Hawaiians acting as guides for the visitors could be somehow supported to help develop this entrepreneurship.

      He said that Na Hoku O Ka`u helped to clean up an old military site at Ka Lae after a group of native Hawaiians were evicted from there years ago and that the group maintains the grounds, including mowing, and provides a composting latrine on site for the public. He called the group an “unincorporated action alliance.” He said volunteers in the cleanup include members of the John Kalua`u and Kuahiwinui familes.

      Anthony said that the liability and sanitation concerns are pre-exisiting to the volunteer group sponsoring gatherings at Ka Lae. “Hotels and the state encourage people to visit Ka Lae and Green Sand Beach. Visitors to the area, whether from Hawai`i or afar, “are defecating all over the place. Toilet paper competes with the pa`u o hi`iaka and the `ilima and other native plants,” he contended.

      He said there is increased erosion on the unpaved road to Green Sand Beach with more visitors going there. The beginning of the trail has no latrine. He said the growing popularity of Ka Lae and Green Sand Beach is an opportunity for Hawaiians and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to work together to solve the problem. He said he could envision an impact fee charged to visitors that would help provide funding to take care of the place.
      Anthony said his group will visit with Department of Hawaiian Home Lands representatives soon and that DHHL staff members have come to lunch with the Hoku O Ka`u group at Ka Lae. “They know who we are. This rave stuff; this is not us.” He also said that the group is not affiliated with the “Rainbow gathering” promoters who have held camping and music events on other lands near Ka Lae.
      Anthony said Na Hoku O Ka`u is not aiming to be exclusive and invites people of all ethnicities, and from all places, including visitors, to volunteer. He said a major goal is to protect the archaeological sites of the area and to solve the sanitation problem.
      Anthony can be reached 494-9699. John Kalua`u, of Na Hoku O Ka`u, one of the volunteers who is also a rancher on Hawaiian Home Lands there, can be reached at 854-3057.

CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDRAISING continues Friday and Saturday nights at Gilligan’s Cafe in the Discovery Harbour golf course clubhouse from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant and bar opened to raise money for the Ka`u Learning Academy and is providing a stage for young local talent with Miss Ka`u Coffee Tiare-Lee Shibuya, Bradley Llanes, Moses Espaniola, Jr. and Eunice Longakit performing last night. The menu includes Ka`u Coffee, beer and wine, pizza, lasagna, pasta dishes and desserts. The sponsors said they hope to soon start a Sunday brunch service and that they have been working hard on a state-approved charter for their school. 

DAVE CHUN, REP. TULSI GABBARD’S LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANT, is asking Ka`u coffee growers for information that would be used to support funding at the Office of Management and Budget level for coffee berry borer research and development of an Integrated Pest Management plan. “If successful, annual funding challenges could drastically be decreased,” Chun said. 

      Chun asks: How has the CBB changed your bottom line? Percent change from 2010 to present would be helpful. Have you had to curtail your workforce, and if so, by what percentage? How many workers? How much in extra funds have you had to use to address CBB related impacts? Have your purchases of supplies from local vendors decreased/increased because of the CBB? If so, what percent and dollar amount? What percentage and dollar amount per acre per month are you expensing for CBB control? Have exports been reduced? Have you experienced reduced value (lower-grade coffee)?
      Chun asks growers to add other data/information/thoughts that they may feel comfortable in providing.
      For more information and to provide answers, contact Chun at 202-225-4906 or dave.chun@mail.house.gov.