Ka`u News Briefs June 17, 2013

Two nene visit a reservoir near Ka`u Coffee Mill. Photo from Louis Daniele

HAWAI`I GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION has announced its endorsement of Brian Schatz in the senator’s campaign to keep the position to which he was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa is challenging Schatz.

      In a statement from the Schatz Campaign, HGEA President Jackie Ferguson-Miyamoto identified Schatz’ “unwavering support for Hawai`i’s workers” and his “solid commitment to protecting Social Security and Medicare” as key reasons for the endorsement.
      “As she said so beautifully, Brian’s dedication to improving the quality of life for working families is reflected in his leadership and resides in his heart,” the statement said. “HGEA joins 23 other endorsing organizations because they know he is the right person to defend Social Security and Medicare, support working families, protect our environment, and fight for a better life for everyone in Hawai`i.”

John Kai Photo from Hawai`i Community College

NEW PRODUCT “SALES HAVE GONE VERY WELL,” Royal Hawaiian Orchards’ interim president John Kai told Hunter Bishop, of Stephens Media. “We’re picking up stores on the mainland.”
      The macadamia nut company, with offices in Pahala and elsewhere on Hawai`i Island, markets new non-GMO, gluten-free and kosher-certified nut products.
      “This is the direction we’re continuing on … to keep that production line going. That’s our primary focus, to grow our business and the industry.”
      Kai replaced Dennis Simonis, who held the position for more than eight years.
      See more at westhawaiitoday.com.

LEGACY LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM, of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, is seeking applicants for grants to be funded by the State Land Conservation Fund. The grants are for acquisition of lands having value as a resource to the state. Lands can be for conservation, preservation or agriculture.
      The Legacy Land Conservation Program provides an annual source of funding for the “acquisition and conservation of watersheds; coastal area, beach and ocean access; habitat protection; cultural and historic sites; recreational and public hunting areas; parks; natural areas; agricultural production; and open spaces and scenic resources,” says a statement from DLNR.
      “Legacy Land provides grants to partners — nonprofits, counties, or state agencies — that protect important lands and resources by acquiring land or conservation easements,” DLNR chairman William J. Aila, Jr. said. “The Legacy Land Conservation Commission provides an open process for review and public input to ensure that state Legacy Land funds are put toward projects that protect agricultural lands, watersheds, natural areas, cultural sites, and recreational lands for the public’s benefit.”
      Proposed projects may include acquisition of fee title or conservation easements. County agencies and nonprofit project applicants must be able to provide at least 25 percent of the total project costs.
      On average, funded projects usually bring about 65 percent matching funds from federal, county, or private sources.
      The 2013-2014 application cycle may provide approximately $3 million in grants, awarded through a competitive process and subject to any budget restrictions.
      Funding is available through a portion of the state’s land conveyance tax set aside annually in the Land Conservation Fund for the purpose of protecting Hawai`i’s unique and valuable resource lands.
      Project applications will be reviewed by the Legacy Land Conservation Commission, which will nominate projects for funding.
      Projects are subject to approval of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, consultation with the state Senate president and speaker of the House of Representatives, review by the Department of the Attorney General and the approval of the governor. Final awards are subject to the availability of funds.
      This year, applicants are advised of an early deadline to allow additional time for consultation with state agencies.
      The 2013-2014 grant application and instructions are available at hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp.
      A one-page project summary must be submitted to consulting state agencies by July 19, and full applications must be received or postmarked no later than 4:30 p.m. Sept. 16.
      For more information, call 808-586-0921 or visit hawaii.gov/dlnr/dofaw/llcp.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie has signed a bill reducing regulations for small-scale beekeepers. Photo from pollinator.org

THIS IS POLLINATOR WEEK. At a celebration held today at the state Capitol, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed a bill reducing some of the regulatory requirements for small-scale beekeepers. SB482, enacted as Act 131, clarifies the maximum number of gallons of honey that can be sold by a certified honey house or food processing establishment without obtaining a permit from the state Department of Health. The measure also exempts from permit requirement sales of honey directly to retail stores that, in turn, sell the honey directly to consumers. In addition, the act provides for consumer protections by requiring honey producers to include appropriate labeling of each container of honey, take a food safety class, and make records available to DOH.
      “We must encourage beekeeping operations of all sizes to ensure that honeybee stocks thrive in both managed apiaries and the wild, especially as bee populations have declined due to disease and invasive predators,” Abercrombie said. “SB482 will make beekeeping more financially viable for beekeepers to legally extract, bottle and sell honey by minimizing unnecessary administrative and bureaucratic requirements in ways that will not affect public safety.”