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| Volunteers can still sign up for Hawai`i Wildlife Fund's next Ka`u Coast Cleanup a week from today on Sunday, Sept. 21. Photo from Hawai'i Wildlife Fund |
Creagan said the more than $700,000 that has been appropriated by the state Legislature will be released after a committee made up of community members submits a plan for the project. He said the funds are currently not targeted to go to a certain agency but will probably go to the county Department of Water Supply for design.
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| Ka`u's County Council member Brenda Ford and Rep. Richard Creagan provided information about planning for Ocean View's second well. Photo by Ron Johnson |
Ford said a resolution asking DWS to put the well on its five-year plan is on the agenda for the Sept. 30 meeting of the Committee on Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability. She urged Ocean View residents to testify on the matter. She explained that the location of the well depends on several factors including lot size, elevation above the first well, availability for purchase and location of aquifer. Wherever the well is located, water would be piped to the current fill station.
,She suggested that the plan should include having water available for a future school.
Heck asked residents to join the Advisory Committee for Water. He said the committee would meet two or three times to develop the plan that would be submitted in order for funds to be released to start the project.
,She suggested that the plan should include having water available for a future school.
Heck asked residents to join the Advisory Committee for Water. He said the committee would meet two or three times to develop the plan that would be submitted in order for funds to be released to start the project.
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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN APPLY TO BECOME Adult Correction Officers. A list of requirements and information on how to apply are available on the state Department of Human Resources Development webpage at dhrd.hawaii.gov/job-seekers.
Recruitment ends Friday, Oct. 10 at midnight.
The nearest corrections facility to Ka`u is at Kulani off Hwy 11 between Volcano and Hilo.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN APPLY TO BECOME Adult Correction Officers. A list of requirements and information on how to apply are available on the state Department of Human Resources Development webpage at dhrd.hawaii.gov/job-seekers.
Recruitment ends Friday, Oct. 10 at midnight.
The nearest corrections facility to Ka`u is at Kulani off Hwy 11 between Volcano and Hilo.
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REMOVAL OF CINDER from 43,608 square feet of Ocean View land is the subject of a request to extend the life of a Special Use Permit. The property is on the south side of Mahimahi Drive near the Lurline Lane intersection in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Applicant Mark Jernigan is asking for a five-year extension. The matter will be taken up at the Thursday, Oct. 2 Windward Planning Commission meeting at 9 a.m. at Aupuni Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St., Hilo.
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| Malian Lahey |
“BELIEVE IT OR NOT, HAWAI`I’S FAMILY FARMERS have a bright future,” Malian Lahey, Ka`u resident and policy chair of Hawai`i Farmers Union United, wrote in an article for Civil Beat.
“It’s a beautiful time to be a farmer in Hawai`i,” Lahey said. “Every morning I wake up and I say thank you for my life, thank you for my health. Thank you for this beautiful farm that is my home. I am so blessed.
“Farmers in our state have been given an extraordinary opportunity to serve at this time. From the aquaponics hobby farmer who lives in a condominium to the legendary Ma`o farms, we are determined to rise to the occasion and provide food for our state that is produced right here in Hawai`i.
“Eighty-five percent of our food is brought in by ships, according to a 2007 study by the Rocky Mountain Institute.
“Not only is it possible for Hawai`i to produce our own food, it is necessary. Our agricultural model can, with good planning and respectful implementation, be transitioned to one that is a net gain for the state.
“It is important to remember that a healthy civil society of citizens who respect each other’s safety, free speech, and right to hold their own opinions is more valuable than any other asset in the state of Hawai`i.
“Civil servants who grew up here and have dedicated their lives to partnership with the public can tell you that there never has and probably never will be any unanimous agreement on how to farm. That doesn’t stop them from continuing to serve the public need no matter who it is that comes to them.
“Educators who grew up here and have devoted their lives to empowering Hawai`i’s youth with knowledge will tell you that although there are often disagreements about the truth, the higher goal is always to serve the path of learning.
“That is why Hawai`i Farmers’ Union United commits to farmers first. We do have a bright future ahead of us as family farm businesses.
“It’s a beautiful time to be a farmer in Hawai`i,” Lahey said. “Every morning I wake up and I say thank you for my life, thank you for my health. Thank you for this beautiful farm that is my home. I am so blessed.
“Farmers in our state have been given an extraordinary opportunity to serve at this time. From the aquaponics hobby farmer who lives in a condominium to the legendary Ma`o farms, we are determined to rise to the occasion and provide food for our state that is produced right here in Hawai`i.
“Eighty-five percent of our food is brought in by ships, according to a 2007 study by the Rocky Mountain Institute.
“Not only is it possible for Hawai`i to produce our own food, it is necessary. Our agricultural model can, with good planning and respectful implementation, be transitioned to one that is a net gain for the state.
“It is important to remember that a healthy civil society of citizens who respect each other’s safety, free speech, and right to hold their own opinions is more valuable than any other asset in the state of Hawai`i.
“Civil servants who grew up here and have dedicated their lives to partnership with the public can tell you that there never has and probably never will be any unanimous agreement on how to farm. That doesn’t stop them from continuing to serve the public need no matter who it is that comes to them.
“Educators who grew up here and have devoted their lives to empowering Hawai`i’s youth with knowledge will tell you that although there are often disagreements about the truth, the higher goal is always to serve the path of learning.
“That is why Hawai`i Farmers’ Union United commits to farmers first. We do have a bright future ahead of us as family farm businesses.
“Empowering agricultural entrepreneurship can boost our economy where it is needed the most, in the middle class. Giving young people a stake in society makes us a more resilient, safer community.
“The International Fund for Agricultural Development, which is a special agency of the United Nations, published findings in its 2013 report showing that smallholder farmers provide over 80 percent of the food consumed in the world. It stated that “smallholders should be included as important custodians of natural resources and as entrepreneurs with the capacity to invest in natural assets and contribute to national and global production systems.”
“The International Fund for Agricultural Development, which is a special agency of the United Nations, published findings in its 2013 report showing that smallholder farmers provide over 80 percent of the food consumed in the world. It stated that “smallholders should be included as important custodians of natural resources and as entrepreneurs with the capacity to invest in natural assets and contribute to national and global production systems.”
“IFAD also asserts that small community farms that deliver produce to the local market are better for the environment because they produce fewer greenhouse gases in their supply chain, and that the vegetables hold more nutrients because they are allowed to ripen longer and travel time between farm and table is shorter.
“At this year’s state Democratic Convention, the party adopted a resolution to support smallholder farmers, based upon the findings of this international agency.
“Our food systems might be subject to change, but we are the equals of the challenges faced by the great state of Hawai`i. To this end, the Hawai`i Farmers’ Union United introduced an on-farm mentoring bill during the last legislative session.
“HFUU has been a driving partner in the push for consolidating food safety certification standards into one statewide certification that would be more cost effective for family owned farm businesses.
“In the face of events like Hurricane Iselle, people in our state are waking up to the need to grow our own food right here. Hawai`i’s residents can feed Hawai`i.
“That is what Hawaii Farmers’ Union United represents and where I personally plant my stake – my tomato stake, that is.”
See civilbeat.com.
“At this year’s state Democratic Convention, the party adopted a resolution to support smallholder farmers, based upon the findings of this international agency.
“Our food systems might be subject to change, but we are the equals of the challenges faced by the great state of Hawai`i. To this end, the Hawai`i Farmers’ Union United introduced an on-farm mentoring bill during the last legislative session.
“HFUU has been a driving partner in the push for consolidating food safety certification standards into one statewide certification that would be more cost effective for family owned farm businesses.
“In the face of events like Hurricane Iselle, people in our state are waking up to the need to grow our own food right here. Hawai`i’s residents can feed Hawai`i.
“That is what Hawaii Farmers’ Union United represents and where I personally plant my stake – my tomato stake, that is.”
See civilbeat.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL teams traveled to Konawaena yesterday. Junior varsity won 2 – 1, and varsity lost in three straight sets, 17 – 25, 17 – 25 and 11 – 25.
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HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES meet Tuesday at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona, and the full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.
Committee on Public Works & Parks and Recreation meets at 9 a.m.
Committee on Governmental Relations & Economic Development at 9:15 a.m. will consider a resolution from Ka`u’s County Council member Brenda Ford requesting that the state Legislature establish “vote by mail” for all federal, state, and county primary, general and special elections and to make an appropriation for this method of voting. It requests that the Legislature use Oregon’s Vote By Mail Procedures Manual to establish Hawai`i’s system.
A companion resolution requests that the Hawai`i State Association of Counties support the legislation.
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES meet Tuesday at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona, and the full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center.
Committee on Public Works & Parks and Recreation meets at 9 a.m.
Committee on Governmental Relations & Economic Development at 9:15 a.m. will consider a resolution from Ka`u’s County Council member Brenda Ford requesting that the state Legislature establish “vote by mail” for all federal, state, and county primary, general and special elections and to make an appropriation for this method of voting. It requests that the Legislature use Oregon’s Vote By Mail Procedures Manual to establish Hawai`i’s system.
A companion resolution requests that the Hawai`i State Association of Counties support the legislation.
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| Vote by Mail is the topic of resolutions by Ka`u's council member Brenda Ford. |
Committee on Environmental Management meets at 10:45 a.m. Ford requests a report from the Environmental Management director on Hurricane/Tropical Storm Iselle’s impact on cesspools.
Planning Committee meets at 11 a.m. to consider an amendment to the Zoning Code that would require Planned Unit Development applications to be reviewed and acted on by either the Leeward or Windward Planning Commission, to be determined based on the location of the property for which the P.U.D. is sought.
Finance Committee meets at 1 p.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 2:15 p.m.; and Human Services & Social Services, 3 p.m.
Committee on Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability meets at 3:45 p.m.
A resolution from Ford requests that the state Legislature schedule committee hearings, give floor consideration, and adopt into law provisions for truth-in-labeling for Hawai`i-grown coffees.
A companion resolution requests that the Hawai`i State Association of Counties “urge the Legislature to adopt provisions to protect Hawai`i-grown coffees as premier, specialty coffees.”
Planning Committee meets at 11 a.m. to consider an amendment to the Zoning Code that would require Planned Unit Development applications to be reviewed and acted on by either the Leeward or Windward Planning Commission, to be determined based on the location of the property for which the P.U.D. is sought.
Finance Committee meets at 1 p.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 2:15 p.m.; and Human Services & Social Services, 3 p.m.
Committee on Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability meets at 3:45 p.m.
A resolution from Ford requests that the state Legislature schedule committee hearings, give floor consideration, and adopt into law provisions for truth-in-labeling for Hawai`i-grown coffees.
A companion resolution requests that the Hawai`i State Association of Counties “urge the Legislature to adopt provisions to protect Hawai`i-grown coffees as premier, specialty coffees.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND STILL HAS SPACE for volunteers for the Ka`u Coast Cleanup a week from today on Sunday, Sept. 21. The event is associated with the annual international Get the Drift & Bag It effort. HWF is always recruiting more volunteers and extra four-wheel-drive vehicles. Volunteers are asked to RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com as soon as possible to save a spot.
Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to caravan/carpool to cleanup site from there. Volunteers should bring sturdy footwear, bag lunch, snacks, refillable water bottles, sun/wind protection, gloves and a swimsuit (for jumping in the ocean at lunch).
HWF provides extra gloves, some buckets, trash bags, water refills, first-aid kit and a camping toilet. Call 769-7629 or email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com with questions.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
