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Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021

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Cleaning up the area of the old restaurant and museum next to the pond is part of the plan at Punalu'u, for which Black Sand Beach, LLC has submitted an application for an SMA minor permit.  Photo by Julia Neal

FOR PUNALU'U, A SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA MINOR PERMIT has been requested for some of the 434 acres owned by Eva Liu and her Black Sand Beach, LLC. The letter is to Planning Director Zendo Kern, who has the option of approving the permit without passing it on to the Planning Commission and holding public hearings, should the project cost be under $500,000.
   The letter to the Planning Director, on behalf of Liu, comes from former Deputy Planning Director and consultant Daryn Arai. The application, SMAA Black Sand Beach Phase I, states that total cost will be $485,000 for an Open Market near Punalu'u Black Sand Beach and a Welcome Center with retail, swimming pool, tennis, amphitheater, restrooms, camping sites and more at the old tennis court site, across from SeaMountain condominiums, inland from the shore. The cost projection also includes cleaning up the old restaurant and museum area near the Black Sand Beach pond. See the entire proposal at  http://kaucalendar.com/news/SMAABlack_Sands_10_2021.pdf.
    Arai writes to the Planning Director, "we present this SMAA for your kind consideration and in support of Ms. Liu's ongoing effort to revitalize this sacred area in a manner that can be embraced by the Punalu'u community and serve as a foundation upon which communities throughout the Ka'ū District and beyond can prosper culturally, historically, socially and economically." The application names the project manager as Norman Quon.
The old parking lot from the days of the restaurant and museum at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach
would be used for parking for the new Open Market planned for a half acre mauka of the shoreline.
Photo by Julia Neal

   An Open Market near the beach would be adjacent and makai of the home of Jeanette Howard and across from the Dahlberg A-frame beachfront home. The project would establish an Open Market on a graveled half acre with approximately 33 tents "for retail and community-related activities," and two food trucks. Among the 33 tents, 20 would be 10' X 10' for a farmers' market, eight 10' x 10's for retail activities, three 15' x 15' tents for retail activities and two 20' x 35' tents, one for retail activities and the other for visitor and entertainment activities. The Open Market would be serviced by portable restrooms.
    Parking would be mauka, across the road at the parking lot formerly used for the Punalu'u restaurant and the museum, before their demise.
    All of the Punalu'u property owned by Liu makai of Hwy 11 is within the Special Management Area and requires SMA permit approval. The Planning Department's SMA division is expected to study the proposal and interact with the owner and consultants as well as the Planning Director regarding the proposal.
   In addition to asking for the minor permit approval, the application asks that "the need for a certified shoreline survey to support this application be waived since no new improvements or uses are contemplated anywhere near the shoreline. The proposed Open Market will be located on the mauka side of Ninole Loop Road about 200 feet from the shoreline and the proposed Welcome Center will be situated about 1,500 feet from the shoreline."
See more on the proposal and ongoing coverage in the daily www.kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com

BACK-LOGGED BUILDING PERMIT APPROVALS will be offered by County of Hawai'i Department of Public Works. Per a new agreement between Mayor Mitch Roth and the Hawaiʻi County Department of Public Works, DPW will expedite review of all Residential Building Permit Applications submitted before Oct. 1, which contain proper certification of a licensed Professional and for which construction will be performed by a licensed Contractor.
    A statement from the county says, "The decision comes as the county continues to experience an unprecedented backlog of building permit applications" with an excess of 1,500 in the queue. "Staffing shortages within the DPW Building Division Plans and Permitting Review Section and continuing challenges in growing the proficiency of DPW Building Division staff with the new EPIC (Electronic Processing and Information Center)
system have contributed to the backlog.
   "Proper Owner Declaration forms and Project Declaration forms for these permit applications shall be accurately completed and submitted prior to issuance of a permit in compliance with HCC 5-4-1(a)(7) and HCC 5-4-4, respectively. In addition, all applicable plan review fees and permit fees shall be paid in full prior to the issuance of permits per HCC Chapter 5, Article 7. •
   The statement noted the following: 
    Residential Building Permits applied prior to Oct. 1, 2021, by owner-builders wishing to transfer to contractor are not eligible for this expedited review.
    Residential Building Permits applied prior to Oct.1, 2021, by licensed Contractors that have been returned for corrections are not eligible for this expedited review.
    Residential Building Permits issued through this expedited process and subsequently transferred to the owner-builder will result in a suspension of the permit until completing a standard review.
Ikaika Rodenhurst, chief of 
 Hawai'i County Public Works
   “Our administration is committed to working through the backlog, getting homes built, and getting people back to work,” said Mayor Mitch Roth. “We have heard the concerns and understand that livelihoods are at stake. That’s why we are honored to work with Director Rodenhurst to address this issue so that we can get back to a thriving Hawaiʻi Island. We will continue to fight tooth-and-nail to build back better from the pandemic and create a home where we are all able to thrive. It is our commitment as leaders of this community.”
    The county statement points to Hawai'i County Code Section 5-5-1(d), which says, "The issuance of a permit shall not prevent the authority having jurisdiction from thereafter: (1) Requiring the correction of errors in the plans and specifications; (2) Revoking or suspending any permit when issued in error, on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or in violation of the construction code, any permit or variance issued pursuant to the construction code, or other applicable law; (3) Halting building operations when in violation of the construction code, any permit or variance issued pursuant to the construction code, or other applicable law; (4) Preventing occupancy or use of a structure, when violations of the construction code, any permit or variance issued pursuant to the construction code, or other applicable law have occurred; or (5) Initiating criminal enforcement and the imposition of penalties or fees, or both, when authorized by the construction code or other applicable law."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com














Read the entire Kaʻū Calendar and back issues at
www.kaucalendar.com. Find it in the mail from Volcano
through Pāhala, Nāʻālehu, Ocean View to Miloli'i.
Pick it up from newsstands.










































KAʻŪ COFFEE MILL & VISITOR CENTER. Buy online at kaucoffeemill.com and in person at 96-2694 Wood Valley Road, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PUNALUʻU BAKESHOP online at bakeshophawaii.com and in-person 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week in x.

ALIʻI HAWAIʻI HULA HANDS COFFEE. Order by calling 928-0608 or emailing alihhhcoffee@yahoo.com.

AIKANE PLANTATION COFFEE COMPANY. Order online at aikaneplantation.com. Call 808-927-2252

MIRANDA'S FARMS KAʻŪ COFFEE. Order online at mirandafarms.com or, in person at 73-7136 Mamalahoa Hwy. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com..

KUAHIWI RANCH STORE, in person. Shop weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 11 am to 3 p.m. at 95-5520 Hwy 11. Locally processed grass-fed beef, live meat chickens, and feed for cattle, goats, sheep, chickens, horses, dogs, and pigs. Call 929-7333 of 938-1625, email kaohi@kuahiwiranch.com.

DEPRESSED, ANXIOUS, NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO? Call Department of Health's expanded Hawai‘i C.A.R.E.S. program at 1-800-753-6879 – the same number previously used by Crisis Line of Hawai‘i. Individuals in crisis can also text ALOHA to 741741, available 24/7.

LEARN SELF-CARE THROUGH Big Island Substance Abuse Council's Practice Self-Care Series. For additional series that feature refreshing wellness tips, follow the Behavioral Health & Homelessness Statewide Unified Response Group at facebook.com/bhhsurg

WOMEN'S COLLECTIVE OFFERS HEALTH PROGRAMS. Piko focuses on reproductive health; increasing access, respect, cultural competence, education, and choice. Pilina aims to grow membership and establish a culture of collaborative decision-making. Follow @kau_womens_health_collective. Contact rootsmedieshawaii@gmail.com. Call 808-450-0498.

YOGA WITH EMILY Catey Weiss, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Advanced registration required; $5 per class. volcanoartcenter.org/events, 967-8222.

CHOOSE ALOHA FOR HOME is available to families, to provide a healthy way to grow together using neuroscience and positive psychology. Program uses a series of self-guided videos, activities, and "dinner table discussion topics." Sign up at chooselovemovement.org/choose-love-home.

EDUCATION

Register for Boys & Girls Club Mobile Outreach and Tutoring Programs at rb.gy/o1o2hy. For keiki grades 1-6. Contact Boys & Girls Club of the Big Island Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at (808) 961-5536 or email mobiletutoring@bgcbi.org or info@bgcbi.org.

ʻOhana Help Desk offers online How-To Guides for Chromebooks and iPads at rb.gy/8er9wm. ʻOhana Help Desk also available by phone, weekdays, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sundays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Invite Park Rangers to Virtually Visit Classes, through connecting with teachers and home-schoolers with distance learning programs and virtual huakaʻi (field trips). Contact havo_education@nps.gov.

Public Libraries are open for WiFi, pick-up, and other services. Nāʻālehu open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pāhala open Tuesday, noon to 7 p.m., Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., limited entry into library with Wiki Visits. Schedule a Library Take Out time at picktime.com/hspls. Open for library card account help and reference assistance from the front door. WiFi available to anyone with a library card, from each library parking lot. See librarieshawaii.org.

Free Book Exchanges, at laundromats in Ocean View and Nāʻālehu, provided by Friends of the Kaʻū Libraries. Open to all. Keep the books, pass them on to other readers, or return them. Selection of books replenished weekly at both sites.

Read Report on Public Input about Disaster Recovery from damage during the 2018 Kīlauea eruption.
View the Civic Engagement and Comment Analysis Report at rb.gy/awu65k.

Learn About Hawaiʻi's History & Culture through Papakilo Database, papakilodatabase.com.
Virtual Workshops on Hawaiʻi's Legislative Processes through Public Access Room. Sign up by contacting (808) 587-0478 or par@capitol.hawaii.gov. Ask questions and discuss all things legislative in a non-partisan environment. Attend Coffee Hour with PAR: Fridays at 3 p.m. on Zoom, meeting ID 990 4865 9652 or click zoom.us/j/99048659652. PAR staff will be available to answer questions and to discuss the legislative process. Anyone wanting to listen in without taking part in discussions is welcome. Learn more at lrb.hawaii.gov/public-access-room.

Online Directory at shopbigisland.com, co-sponsored by County of Hawai‘i, has a signup sheet for local businesses to fill in the blanks. The only requirement is a physical address on this island.

COMMUNITY
Food Assistance: Apply for The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences COVID-19 Family Relief Funds. Funded by Volcano Community Association, and members of the VSAS Friends and Governing Boards, who have donated, the fund supplies KTA or Dimple Cheek Gift Cards, or gift cards to other locally owned business, to VSAS families in need. Contact Kim Miller at 985-8537, kmiller@volcanoschool.net. Contributions to the fund can be sent in by check to: VSAS, PO Box 845, Volcano, HI 96785 – write Relief Fund in the memo. See volcanoschool.net

ENROLL CHILDREN, from first through eighth grade, in Kula ʻAmakihi, a program from Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences. It started Aug. 3. Call 808-985- 9800 or visit www.volcanoschool.net.

WALK THROUGH A GUIDED NATURE TRAIL & Sculpture Garden, Mondays, 9:30 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. No reservations for five or fewer – limited to ten people. Free; donations appreciated. Email programs@volcanoartcenter.org. Garden is open to walk through at one's own pace, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. www.volcanoartcenter.org. Call 967-8222.

KAʻŪ ART GALLERY is open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. in Nāʻālehu. It features and sells works by local artists and offers other gift items.Vendor applications are being accepted for its Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale on Saturday, Nov. 13. Kaʻū Art Gallery's website has 24/7 access online and is frequently updated to show current inventory items. "We are always looking to collaborate with local artists in our community," said assistant Alexandra Kaupu. Artists with an interest in being featured at Kaʻū Art Gallery and Gift Shop, contact gallery owner and director Corrine Kaupu at kauartgallery@hawaiiantel.biz.

GOLF & MEMBERSHIPS for Discovery Harbour Golf Course and its Clubhouse: The Club offers Social Memberships, with future use of the clubhouse and current use of the pickleball courts as well as walking and running on specified areas of the golf course before 8 a.m. and after 3 p.m. to enjoy the panoramiocean views. Golf memberships range from unlimited play for the avid golfer to casual play options. Membership is required to play and practice golf on the course. All golf memberships include Social Membership amenities. Membership fees are designed to help underwrite programs and improvements to the facilities.Call 808-731-5122 or stop by the Clubhouse during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily at 94-1581 Kaulua Circle. Email clubatdiscoveryharbour@gmail.com. See The Club at Discovery Harbour Facebook page.

ALOHA FRIDAY MARKETPLACE, hosted by Kaʻū Main Street, is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., grounds of The Old Shirakawa Estate in Waiʻohinu. It features: Made in Hawai'i Products, Organic Produce, Creative Crafts, ARt, Flower and Plants, Food, Ka`u Coffee, Gluen Free Low Carb Goodies, Wellness Services and Products, Clothing, Hand Crafted Treats, Music and more. Vendor and customer inquiries: AlohaFridayMarket@gmail.com.

VOLCANO FARMERS MARKET, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays. 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with much local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Hawai‘i Coffee. Cooper Center's EBT Machine, used at the Farmer's Market, is out of service until further notice. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY MARKET, open Saturdays and Thursdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Managed by Mark Council. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in upper lot only. Vendors must provide own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling encouraged.

O KAʻŪ KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesday, and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon. Limit of 50 customers per hour, 20 vendor booths, with 20 feet of space between vendors. Masks and hand sanitizing required, social distancing enforced. Contact Sue Barnett, OKK Market Manager, at 808-345-9374 (voice or text) or kaufarmer@aol.com for more and to apply to vend. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

OCEAN VIEW SWAP MEET is open at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks required.

BUY LOCAL GIFTS ONLINE, IN-PERSON

VOLCANO ART CENTER ONLINE, in person. Shop at Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Virtual Shopping Appointments offered via Skype or FaceTime. Book at volcanoartcenter.org/shop for $5. Shop online gallery 24/7. Orders shipped or free local pickup available. See the VAC Virtual Classroom, which features over 90 videos. See volcanoartcenter.org/events, call 967-8222.









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