Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, Dec. 27, 2021

A COMMUNITY MEETING ON WAIKAPUNA RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PLAN has been set for Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on zoom. Waikapuna is 2,317 acres with miles of Kaʻū Coast, under a county conservation easement and held for stewardship by Ala Kahakai Trail Association.
     The purpose of the meeting is to provide background on the process and schedule for the Management Plan for the land; to gather input on cultural and natural resources to preserve and protect; to understand areas of concern relating to the resources; and to identify opportunities for stewardship. 

     The property was purchased in 2019 with public funds to protect it from subdivision.
    Log on at www.zoom.com. Meeting ID is 83744678872. passcode is Kau. For audio only, call 346-248-7700. Meeting ID is 837 4467 9971. Passcode is 816026. The meeting will be recorded. For a link to the recording, contact Gabrielle Sham, Townscape, Inc. at gabrielle@townscape.com.
    According to the website of Ala Kahakai Trail Association, "Waikapuna encompasses the entirety of Kahilipalinui and Kahilipaliiki Ahupua'a of Kaʻū Moku on Hawai'i Island. This purchase covers over 2.3 miles of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail - including what is traditionally known as the Ala Loa. An ancient fishing village of Waikapuna exists here and the acquisition of this wahi pana protects hundreds of intact pre-contact Native Hawaiian burial and non-burial cultural sites.

The endangered bird Naio, Anous minutus melanogenys, nests  in lava tubes and ledges along the cliffside of Waikapuna. Photo from Ala Kahakai Trail Association

    "Rich in Native Hawaiian and paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) cultural heritage, the ancient fishing village of Waikapuna includes house sites, heiau, lava tube caves, and ancient trails. It is surrounded by large stands of native coastal vegetation, tidepool complex, and sea caves."
    Waikapuna features "a segment of the Alaloa footpath, large strands of native coastal plant species, and sea cliffs that provide habitat to endangered birds; and provides access to important nearshore resources that many local families still rely on for subsistence. The property also supports ranching, perpetuating Kaʻū’s paniolo heritage and contributing to the region’s agricultural economy."
    The stated purpose of the County of Hawai'i's conservation easement over Wiakapuna is to:
“conserve, preserve, and protect in perpetuity the historic, cultural, agricultural, natural, marine, scenic, open space, fresh water, and native and endemic plant and animal habitat values of the Easement Property.”
    Ala Kahakai Trail Association is required to establish a Land Management Plan, consistent with the conservation easement and also the state Legacy Land Conservation Program grant that helped to purchase the Waikapuna land. The County of Hawai'i hired Townscape Inc., an environmental community planning company, to work with the Kaʻū community to develop the Waikapuna Resource Management Plan to serve as a guide for future management and stewardship efforts.
     See more at www.alakahakaitrail.org/waikapuna.

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MAYOR MITCH ROTH TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 over the Christmas weekend. He was asymptomatic when he was tested and is currently experiencing mild symptoms related to the virus, according to the statement from his office
    "The reason for testing was due to a close contact in his immediate household. Mayor Roth is fully vaccinated and received his booster earlier this month. His household is also fully vaccinated. Mayor Roth was set to be out on vacation this week and will remain home to quarantine for ten days, per County, State,

Mitch Roth and wife Noriko when he was running for mayor. Monday, he  announced he tested positive for Covid-19. Photo by Tim Wright

and Federal rules. “With the rise in cases happening across our state and on our island, we all need to do what we can to ensure that we can protect ourselves and those around us,” said the mayor.
    “Getting vaccinated and, most importantly, getting boosted can minimize the chance of severe illness and keep us out of the hospitals. I’m only experiencing minor symptoms because of the vaccines, and I would like to encourage all of you who haven’t gotten yours yet to please go ahead and do so. The virus is spreading at a rampant rate and will take a toll on our medical resources if we don’t all do our part. The power is really in our hands, and we have to take this seriously.” said Roth.
   The County of Hawaiʻi statement said it "would like to remind residents to stay home if they’re feeling ill, mask up, distance when possible, and gather outdoors this New Year. All residents who feel sick or are 
in close contact with a known positive should get tested."
    County-approved testing vendors can be found on the Civil Defense webpage at www.hawaiicounty.gov/testing. 

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A REMINDER ON THE RULES ON FIREWORKS came from Hawai'i County Police Department on Monday, in a statement encouraging following of the law to "enjoy a safe New Year’s holiday." The message from Hawai'i Police Department says, " Hawaiʻi state law dictates that anyone purchasing, possessing, storing, setting off, igniting or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks or articles pyrotechnic without a valid pyrotechnic permit may face Class C felony charges resulting in a five-year term of imprisonment if convicted." The statement also says, "Police officers will be enforcing the fireworks law and looking for violators. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $500."
    The police release asks folks to "remember that anyone igniting aerial pyrotechnic displays risk not only their life but also the lives of loved ones nearby and potentially neighbors as well."
    When/what fireworks are allowed: The use of fireworks is permitted from 9 p.m. Friday, New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31 until 1 a.m. Saturday, New Year’s Day, January 1.

Many types of fireworks are popular in villages throughout Kaʻū on New Years Eve. Photo by Julia Neal

    Residents who want to set off fireworks must pay a permit fee of $25, available from the Hawai‘i Fire Department, which allows an adult to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers.
Common fireworks allowed without a permit include: cylindrical fountains; cone fountains; wheels;
illuminating torches and colored fire; dipped sticks; sparklers and salutes.
    When/what fireworks are NOT allowed: It’s illegal to set off fireworks at any time outside the specified time period on New Year’s Eve; in any school building or on any school grounds without authorization from school officials; within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, church where services are held, zoo, animal hospital or shelter.
    Prohibited fireworks include: jumping jacks; flying pigs; rockets; helicopters; satellites; roman candles;
mines; shells; and aerial luminary devices, also known as sky lanterns.
    Hawai‘i Police Department reminds residents that it’s also illegal to: Extract the explosive or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks; throw ignited fireworks at, into, or from a moving vehicle; and
have anyone under the age of 18 purchase, possess or ignite any fireworks unless they are under the immediate supervision and control of their parents or an authorized adult

Hawai'i Police Department gives tips on protecting pets from the stress of fireworks on New Years Eve.  Image from Believe in Magic Dog Training

FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS have been released by the Hawai'i Police Department, which manages the county's Animal Control Services:
    Keep pets secured inside. Pets tied up outside can panic due to the loud noise and may break their tie-out or jump over a fence to escape the noise.
    Make sure pets are microchipped, to help increase the chances of reunification. Go to Found.org to register pet’s microchip.
    Thunder shirts, favorite treats, and crating, are all ways to help keep pets calm. Check with veterinarian about anxiety medications for dogs.
    Check yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets to explore the area.
    "The Hawai‘i Police Department asks the public to please kokua this holiday season by following the rules regarding fireworks to reduce the risk of injuries to people and pets alike. Police officers will be enforcing the fireworks law and looking for violators. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $500."