Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Oct. 27, 2014

BIG ISLAND COMMUNITY COALITION has submitted testimony to the state Public Utilities Commission in support of implementing 50 megawatts of geothermal electricity as soon as practicable. 

      The BICC steering committee is made up of David DeLuz, Jr., Rockne Freitas, Michelle Galimba, Richard Ha, Wallace Ishibashi, Kuulei Kealoha Cooper, Kai`u Kimura, D. Noelani Kalipi, Robert Lindsey, HM Monty Richards, Marcia Sakai, Kumu Lehua Veincent and William Walter. BICC President Richard Ha, owner of Hamakua Springs Country Farms, said all committee members are acting on their own behalf regarding the testimony.
      “The high oil price case projected by the EIA 2014 predicts $150 per barrel oil by 2020,” according to the testimony. “There is a direct correlation between oil usage and world GDP. A high oil price of $150 per barrel will adversely impact our tourism industry causing a severe recession.
      “Geothermal is one of the few ways available to mitigate high oil price. And, we need to move sooner rather than later.
      “Oil prices quadrupled in the last ten years, and the folks who could pass on the costs did pass on the costs. Those who could not were the working homeless, kupuna on fixed income, single moms as well as others such as farmers, who are price takers and not price makers.
      “The Big Island has the lowest median income of the counties. Our electricity rates have been 25 percent higher than O`ahu’s for as long as we can remember. That high electricity rate acts like a giant regressive tax. We are able to turn that around by enabling more geothermal.
      The 23 percent curtailed electricity from geothermal can support making hydrogen at an affordable cost. This will help solve the green ground transportation problem. And, curtailed electricity can be the basis for making nitrogen fertilizer, without which we cannot feed all the people.”

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WALK-IN VOTING IN ADVANCE OF THE NOV. 4 General Election is available at Pahala Community Center through this Friday, Oct. 31. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds community input meetings this week to update Hawai`i County Community Wildfire Protection Plans for Volcano and Ka`u.
      HWMO helps communities organize wildfire fuels reduction days. They can include free chipper, tree services and other necessities. Once at least 10 households sign on, HWMO has $5,000 for each participating neighborhood. “Funds are limited so start rallying ASAP!” said organizer Ilene Grossman.
      Meetings are tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center in Volcano and from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Na`alehu School. Another meeting takes place Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN, DIANE FERLATTE, an internationally acclaimed and award-winning storyteller, shares ghostly tales at Pahala Public & School Library Wednesday at 3 p.m. In Haunted Bayou: Ghostly Tales, Spirits Have Souls, Too, Ferlatte uses expression, gesture and intense emotion to create multiple characters for each story. She brings her tales to life through stories, songs, American Sign Language and humor.

      Ferlatte is a native of New Orleans and has visited almost every state in the U.S., including Hawai`i and Alaska, to perform at libraries, major festivals, theaters, conferences and schools. Nominated for a Grammy Award in 2008, Ferlatte said she especially loves performing in public libraries, as she believes that they are one of the places where the tradition of storytelling is to be nurtured and lessons of the stories most need to be heard.
      This 45-minute program is suitable for ages 5 and older. Young children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
      For more information, call 928-2015.

A CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE of the late Dennis Kamakahi, with Hawaiian musical greats John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi and Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, will be held at Pahala Plantation House on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana will also feature Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more. Donations will be accepted.

       Kamakahi was a teacher and voice of inspiration each year at the annual Kahumoku music workshop at Pahala Plantation House for a decade and planned to move to Na`alehu soon, where he would teach, compose and build a recording studio at a family home. The concert will open this year’s music workshop, where many of Dennis’ students will gather. The public is invited.

      Dennis Kamakahi lost his battle with lung cancer on April 28 during a career in which he was famous for slack key, `ukulele, harmonica, singing and songwriting.

      Kamakahi composed more than 500 songs and inspired many young Ka`u musicians to write songs, tell stories and approach life with humor and love. 

      Kamakahi was not only a musician but also a Christian minister, providing his fans with both a spiritual and Hawaiian musical journey.
      Many of Kamakahi’s songs are standards of Hawaiian music. He composed Wahine `Ilikea, Pua Hone and Koke`e. He earned Na Hoku Hanohano Awards and brought home three Grammy awards. Kamakahi played with the Sons of Hawai`i before his distinguished solo career. He earned a Hawai`i Music Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame.

      Kamakahi was the first modern Hawaiian music composer with his six-string slack key guitar, albums, sheet music and personal photographs welcomed into the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s permanent collection.
      His music is featured in films, including Lilo & Stitch 2 and the Oscar-nominated soundtrack from The Descendants. 

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