 |
| Ka`u residents can support Hawai`i Wildlife Fund at a Ka`u Coast Cleanup Saturday and during Subaru's Share the Love campaign by voting at http://www.facebook.com/SubaruHI, as well as purchase vehicles. Photo from HWF |
KA`U’S REPRESENTATIVES IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE have received their assignments for the 28th Legislature which convenes Jan. 21, 2015. Rep. Richard Creagan is vice chair of the Housing Committee. Creagan is also on Committees on Health, Human Services, Judiciary and Consumer Protection & Commerce. Rep. Richard Onishi is vice chair of the Agriculture Committee and also serving on Economic Development & Business; Veterans, Military & International Affairs; Tourism & Culture and the Arts; and Finance Committees.
 |
| Rep. Richard Onishi |
 |
| Rep. Richard Creagan |
Onishi was Hawai`i Farm Bureau’s 2013 Legislator of the Year. According to Civil Beat, he tied with five other representatives having the most bills passed in 2014 – five of 16, or 31 percent.
Members of House Leadership are Speaker Joseph Souki, Vice Speaker John Mizuno, Majority Leader Scott Saiki, Majority Floor Leader Cindy Evans, Majority Whip Ken Ito, Asst. Majority Leaders Chris Lee and Roy Takumi, and Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say. House Committee Chairpersons are Clift Tsuji, Agriculture; Derek Kawakami, Economic Development & Business; Romy Cachola, Veterans, Military & International Affairs; Tom Brower, Tourism & Culture and the Arts; Mark Nakashima, Labor & Public Employment; Gregg Takayama, Public Safety; Henry Aquino, Transportation; Della Au Belatti, Health; Mark Hashem, Housing; Mele Carroll, Human Services; Chris Lee, Energy & Environmental Protection; Kaniela Ing, Ocean, Marine Resources & Hawaiian Affairs; Ryan Yamane, Water & Land; Roy M. Takumi, Education; Isaac Choy, Higher Education; Sylvia Luke, Finance; Scott Nishimoto, Legislative Management; Angus McKelvey, Consumer Protection & Commerce; and Karl Rhoads, Judiciary.
“The team that we have formed represents the kind of talents and abilities that will best serve our residents and will address the issues facing our state,” Souki said. “We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with Gov.-elect David Ige and his administration to continue to identify ideas and solutions to help Hawaii move forward.”
For more on the legislative process, biographies of legislators, calendar and to testify on various bills when the 2015 Legislature opens, see www.capitol.hawaii.gov.
The draft is available at kaucdp.info and at local libraries and community centers.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
![]()
Members of House Leadership are Speaker Joseph Souki, Vice Speaker John Mizuno, Majority Leader Scott Saiki, Majority Floor Leader Cindy Evans, Majority Whip Ken Ito, Asst. Majority Leaders Chris Lee and Roy Takumi, and Speaker Emeritus Calvin Say. House Committee Chairpersons are Clift Tsuji, Agriculture; Derek Kawakami, Economic Development & Business; Romy Cachola, Veterans, Military & International Affairs; Tom Brower, Tourism & Culture and the Arts; Mark Nakashima, Labor & Public Employment; Gregg Takayama, Public Safety; Henry Aquino, Transportation; Della Au Belatti, Health; Mark Hashem, Housing; Mele Carroll, Human Services; Chris Lee, Energy & Environmental Protection; Kaniela Ing, Ocean, Marine Resources & Hawaiian Affairs; Ryan Yamane, Water & Land; Roy M. Takumi, Education; Isaac Choy, Higher Education; Sylvia Luke, Finance; Scott Nishimoto, Legislative Management; Angus McKelvey, Consumer Protection & Commerce; and Karl Rhoads, Judiciary.
“The team that we have formed represents the kind of talents and abilities that will best serve our residents and will address the issues facing our state,” Souki said. “We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with Gov.-elect David Ige and his administration to continue to identify ideas and solutions to help Hawaii move forward.”
For more on the legislative process, biographies of legislators, calendar and to testify on various bills when the 2015 Legislature opens, see www.capitol.hawaii.gov.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| The draft Ka`u CDP includes maps of proposed land use patterns for each Ka`u community. |
THE PRELIMINARY COMPREHENSIVE DRAFT of Ka`u’s Community Development Plan lists many of its objectives, including:
- Protecting coastal areas, agricultural land and mauka forests from development;
- Protecting open space, areas with natural beauty and scenic view planes;
- Guiding development of programs to strengthen protections for coastal and agricultural lands as well as open space and view planes;
- Preserving historic resources;
- Guiding restoration of historic sites and buildings, retention of village and town character and documentation of oral, written and video histories;
- Guiding expansion of lands held in public trust;
- Ensuring appropriate public access to the shoreline and mauka forests;
- Guiding development of a regional network of trails;
- Guiding collaborative stewardship and enhancement of coastal and forest ecosystems, cultural resources, agricultural lands, public access and trails;
- Concentrating future development in existing towns, villages and subdivisions;
- Identifying specific commercial and industrial areas in Pahala, Na`alehu, and Ocean View;
- Supporting preservation of village and town character and guiding enhancement of communities’ unique sense of place;
- Advancing redevelopment and growth management with brownfield assessments, a countywide affordable housing plan and community-based redevelopment strategies for nonconforming subdivisions;
- Prioritizing improvement of existing potable water systems to support infill growth; and
- Prioritizing formalizing and improving emergency alternative routes.
The draft is available at kaucdp.info and at local libraries and community centers.
See more of the CDP’s goals in tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| Ka`u residents can track vog measurements at http://hiso2index.info/. |
CONCERNING RECENT COMPLAINTS OF VOG in Ka`u, smoke from lava and burning trees and structures in Puna could be carried here when wind is blowing from the east. This can give the appearance and feeling of vog, according to Clean Air Branch personnel in the state Department of Health.
Locally, Ocean View has had more vog days in November than Pahala. The SO2 exceeded the federal clean air standard .075 parts per million for an hour or more on Nov. 2 with .121 ppm, Nov. 3 with .137 ppm, Nov. 4 with .082 ppm and Nov. 9 with .077 ppm.
Pahala recorded one vog day on the state Department of Health instruments on Pahala’s school campus on Nov. 5 with .149 ppm. In October, there were 11 days in which the standard was exceeded, the highest at .381 ppm on Oct. 29.
See SO2 readings and warnings at http://hiso2index.info/.
Locally, Ocean View has had more vog days in November than Pahala. The SO2 exceeded the federal clean air standard .075 parts per million for an hour or more on Nov. 2 with .121 ppm, Nov. 3 with .137 ppm, Nov. 4 with .082 ppm and Nov. 9 with .077 ppm.
Pahala recorded one vog day on the state Department of Health instruments on Pahala’s school campus on Nov. 5 with .149 ppm. In October, there were 11 days in which the standard was exceeded, the highest at .381 ppm on Oct. 29.
See SO2 readings and warnings at http://hiso2index.info/.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
A GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT IN LOWER PUNA could shut down if lava causes loss of transmission lines in and out of the area. Tom Callis reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald that a Puna Geothermal Venture representative said the 38-megawatt facility planned to stop operating if the two lines that serve lower Puna fail as lava continues moving in the area. One line in Pahoa is currently threatened in the area of Apa`a Street, where county Civil Defense reported this morning that a breakout of lava was .2 miles above the street. A second line running through Hawaiian Beaches could be in jeopardy if lava continues on a path toward the sea.
A GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT IN LOWER PUNA could shut down if lava causes loss of transmission lines in and out of the area. Tom Callis reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald that a Puna Geothermal Venture representative said the 38-megawatt facility planned to stop operating if the two lines that serve lower Puna fail as lava continues moving in the area. One line in Pahoa is currently threatened in the area of Apa`a Street, where county Civil Defense reported this morning that a breakout of lava was .2 miles above the street. A second line running through Hawaiian Beaches could be in jeopardy if lava continues on a path toward the sea.
 |
| County Firefighters shoot water and foam on a Pahoa power pole to increase its resistance to heat from the lava flow. Photo from Big Island Video News |
Hawai`i Electric Light Co. is experimenting with methods to try to save utility poles, including insulating them, surrounding them with non-heat-conducting cinder and dousing them with water and foam to increase resistance to 2,000-degree heat which has claimed one pole.
HELCO has also installed steel poles, which are more heat-resistant and allow for longer spans of wire between them.
According to the story, HELCO spokesperson Rhea Lee said the utility plans to use diesel generators to supply power to some of its customers in lower Puna if both lines are lost. She also told Callis that HELCO is discussing with PGV the possibility of it serving a micro-grid.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
HELCO has also installed steel poles, which are more heat-resistant and allow for longer spans of wire between them.
According to the story, HELCO spokesperson Rhea Lee said the utility plans to use diesel generators to supply power to some of its customers in lower Puna if both lines are lost. She also told Callis that HELCO is discussing with PGV the possibility of it serving a micro-grid.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND, WHICH SPONSORS Ka`u Coast Cleanups and other environmental events, is one of five nonprofits selected for Subaru Hawai`i’s fourth community-based Share the Love sales campaign. The company will donate $250 for each new 2014 or 2015 Subaru vehicle sold until Dec. 31, 2014 to a group of local Maui nonprofits.
To sweeten the deal for the nonprofit partners, the public is encouraged to vote for favorite participating nonprofit organizations at Subaru Hawai`i’s Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/SubaruHI. At the end of the campaign, Subaru Hawai`i will award the organization with the most votes an additional $5,000.
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund hosts a Ka`u Coast Cleanup Saturday. Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool and caravan to the site. Sign up with Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund hosts a Ka`u Coast Cleanup Saturday. Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool and caravan to the site. Sign up with Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
 |
| Sonny Lim |
KA`U CHAPTER OF HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED meets tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Rep. Richard Creagan, Vice President, will update members on events at the HFUU Convention that took place at Waikiki Yacht Club on Nov. 6.
There will also be an update on the newly adopted state policy.
Members are encouraged to bring homegrown foods for the potluck dinner.
Members are encouraged to bring homegrown foods for the potluck dinner.
A FREE HAWAIIAN CONCERT FOR THE COMMUNITY, sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House. Entertainers include Keoki Kahumoku, Sonny Lim, James Hill, Ben Ka`ili, Peter deAquino, Brad Bordessa, Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt, Andy Andrews, Debbie Ryder and more. Donations accepted.
KAUAHA`AO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in Wai`ohinu holds its annual bazaar Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring live entertainment, laulau, kulolo, baked goods, plate lunches, hotdogs and more.
DURING A PROGRAM CALLED HI`IAKA & PELE on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent through epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku.
DURING A PROGRAM CALLED HI`IAKA & PELE on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent through epic stories depicted in the natural landscape of Kahuku.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
