Kaʻū News Briefs Friday, Nov. 24, 2023

WITH A MELLOW HURRICANE SEASON THIS YEAR, its last day Nov. 30, a tropical storm is located southeast of Hawai'i. Called Ramon, the storm is expected to be short lived. Central Hurricane Center is giving updates and issued this message about the season: "The Central North Pacific hurricane season officially ends on November 30. The final Tropical Weather Outlook of the season will be issued at 8 PM HST on November 30. Routine issuance of the Tropical Weather Outlook will resume on June 1, 2024. During the off-season, Special Tropical Weather Outlooks will be issued as conditions warrant."

A HIGH SURF ADVISORY IS ON for South Kona through North Kohala through Saturday evening. National Weather Service posted the advisory for north and west facing shores of Hawaii Island. Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency warns beach-goers, swimmers, and surfers to exercise caution and heed all advice given by ocean safety officials.

LOCATING A 150-FOOT CELL PHONE TOWER AMONG OCEAN VIEW HOMES has drawn strong opposition from nearby residents and a petition signed by more than 70 community members.
    The proposal will be considered by County of Hawai'i Planning Commission at its Thursday, Dec. 7 meeting in Hilo. Renegade Towers, LLC, based in Oakland, is applying for a Special Permit or Use Permit to construct the tower on a one-acre lot at 92-8627 Paradise Circle, close to the county owned Kahuku Park, St. Jude's Church and many homes.

Two cell towers on Reef Blvd, as seen in 2021. Initially,  the lower, 100-foot cell tower was constructed. After a 150-foot tower was erected, the lower one was dismantled. Photo by Donna Durgin

    According to County records, Renegade Towers purchased the one-acre lot in 2021. The community petition states that the tower "will be a commercial use that is inappropriate for a rural neighborhood, and will have a negative impact on our community, culture, roadway, property values and quality of life.
    "The proposed location for this facility is within 500 feet of a newly updated community park and proposed skate park. A neighborhood church is also within sight.
    "The proposed development includes a 150-foot-tall monopole tower, which includes equipment cabinets, utility H-frame and 2 diesel emergency generators. The tower will include 21 eight-foot antennas and 27 RRU's (remote radio units) stacked behind the antennas for AT&T and proposed T-Mobile equipment. Future carriers could be added to this structure.
    "The facility will be enclosed by a six-foot fence. Work lights will be installed. Natural vegetation will be modified in the construction of this tower. All of this is located 30 feet from the rear of the lot and within 70 feet of a neighbor's home.
    "We urge decision-makers to reconsider their plans for a cell tower and communications facility in our community. The height of the current cell tower has just been raised from 100 feet to 150 feet, which should bring better coverage to the area."
    The petition says the signers are "not against cell towers" but request that a less intrusive plot of land be investigated for the project.
    The county published a list of ten items for Renegade Towers to address. It requires "a statement from the applicant that diligent, but unsuccessful efforts to install or co-locate the applicant's telecommunications antennas on existing towers or feasible antenna support structures have been made". Applicants are instructed to "identify those sites that you have investigated and explain how those sites are inadequate and how the site selected is the least obtrusive".
    The county also asks if the applicant has "met with adjacent landowners and/or community regarding the development?"    

    Donna Durgin, a resident of Ocean View for 27 years and owner of Solarworks!, owns a property near the site of the proposed tower,. She told The Ka'u Calendar

Donna Durgin, owner of Solarworks! in Ocean View, opposes the 150-ft. cell tower next to her property  and near Kahuku County Park. Photo by Annie Bosted

that the first she knew of the cell tower proposal was a sign on the lot.
    "Renegade Towers put the sign on the wrong lot", she explained, "so that caused confusion. They have never held community meetings or met with me or any of my neighbors.
    "If built, the tower will significantly reduce the value of our properties. According to the federal agency, HUD, a tower will drop the value of homes by five to 20 percent. They take these things into account when they appraise the value of a home.
    "This tower should be away from homes and on a larger plot of land.
    "We already have a 150-foot-tower on the corner of Reef Boulevard and Palm Parkway. There used to be a 100' one on that land, but they built a new 150-foot one and then demolished the 100-foot one", she added.
    Durgin and her neighbor Al Sherman have been collecting signatures at the Ocean View swap meet, held each Saturday morning and said that those who would like to sign the petition can contact Durgin at 808-937-8260.

    A Classical Christmas features holiday music by Bach, Mozart, Handel, selections from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky, classic carol O Holy Night and holiday favorites by Leroy Anderson all conducted by , Artistic Director Farley Sangels. This will be Sangels' first season with Chamber Orchestra of Kona.
    The Chamber Orchestra of Kona is a volunteer community orchestra committed to making the classical masterworks and orchestra performance accessible to the greater Kona community. Founded by the late Bernaldo Evangelista, it is an organization with decades of history of music making.
    Admission to the concert is free, but donations are always welcome. For more information, contact chamberorchestraofkona@gmail.com.