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| Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park rangers and staff marched in yesterday's Merrie Monarch Parade, along with a representative from Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, nonprofit supporting partners, the Hawai`i Pacific Parks Association and Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. NPS Photo by Jon Christensen |
OCEAN VIEW AND OTHER KA`U RESIDENTS attended a speak-out on the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan at Ocean View Community Center yesterday. They reviewed displays focusing on different areas of the district and how, for each location, the CDP achieves objectives set by Ka`u residents. Objectives covered at the speak-out were advancing sustainable conservation and settlement patterns; protecting and enhancing natural and cultural resources; strengthening infrastructure, facilities and services; and building a resilient, sustainable local economy.
To advance protect and enhance natural and cultural resources on agricultural lands, for example, the CDP guides stewardship of ag lands and watersheds to minimize nonpoint source pollution and advocates for funding for ag land conservation programs and the local Soil and Water Conservation District.  |
| Ka`u's state Rep. Richard Creagan, at right, talks story with Ka`u CDP recorder Josh. Photo by Ron Johnson |
Challenges to meet this objective, according to the CDP, are that, during heavy rains, there is significant runoff from ag areas and that there are no watershed management plans in place in Ka`u.
One Ka`u resident said his main concern for ag in Ka`u is vast tracts of land being used to grow products that are not intended for local consumption.
A week from today, on Sunday, April 19, Ka`u residents have two more opportunities to review displays about the CDP and have their feedback recorded when two more speaks-outs take place from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pahala Community Center and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Center.
There is no formal testimony at the speak-outs, and keiki activities are available for parents to be able to view the displays and talk story.
Copies of the draft document are available at local libraries and community centers and at kaucdp.info.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
U.S. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO HAS ANNOUNCED her support of Hillary Clinton for President. Clinton announced her candidacy today.
“Hillary Clinton has fought her entire life to create opportunity and prosperity for American families, small businesses and individuals,” Hirono said. “While we grew up in different places, Hillary and I come from similar backgrounds and understand from our own personal experiences the everyday struggles that families in Hawai`i and across the country face. Both of our mothers experienced tremendous hardships that shaped our values and determination to fight for children and families. As Hawai`i’s first female U.S. senator, I understand how important it is for a woman to finally break the ultimate glass ceiling and win the White House.
“Our country needs Hillary’s tenacious leadership now more than ever. While we hear that our economy has recovered from the worst economic collapse in our lifetimes, too many hardworking middle-class families aren’t feeling the benefits of that recovery. All too often, everyday Americans feel like the economy and government policies favor the rich and well connected.
“Hillary would make a remarkable president. I look forward to this campaign and will do everything I can to send Hillary to the White House.”
Clinton said in her announcement, “Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times. But the deck is still stacked in favor of those at the top. Everyday Americans need a champion. And I want to be that champion. … So I’m hitting the road to earn your vote. Because it’s your time, and I hope that you’ll join me on this journey.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Park Public Affairs Specialist Jessica Ferracane and Student Conservation Association intern Christa Sadler as a hoary bat celebrate Merrie Monarch in Hilo. NPS Photo |
To celebrate the opening of National Parks Week, the park waves entry fees this Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19.
LIFE OF THE LAND DIRECTOR Henry Curtis discusses electric utility cooperatives at ililanimedia.blogspot.com.
“An electric cooperative or municipal utility or a privately owned micro-grid can work in Hawai`i, according to Curtis. “They could replace parts of the Hawaiian Electric Co. empire. But there are at least three major caveats that must be carefully thought about.
“The number one mistake to make is to insist that the idea is good and will work merely because you considered it. Or that talking to others will make it happen. The world is full of dreamers. Persistence is needed to achieve anything.
“The number two mistake to make is to insist that each of the five HECO islands must come up with an identical solution for replacing the monopoly. Each island has different resources, different histories, different levels of
community involvement in energy policy, and quite frankly, different financial resources available to them. …
“Kaua`i Island Utility Cooperative is in the minority of electric cooperatives, along with some Alaskan and Native American electric cooperatives, in that they own both generation and distribution. Most cooperatives own only transmission and distribution systems. “Traditional cooperatives buy their electricity in part from generation cooperatives jointly owned by several distribution cooperatives.
Most cooperatives in the U.S. are powered by coal, seek cheap rates, are governed by fairly insulated boards and have little oversight.
“The board that forms a cooperative is not going to be running it. This is similar to the role played by the NextEra team currently operating in Hawai`i. They are here to sell it. They are backed by outsiders who have the financial power to pull it off. For now, current HECO managers will run it. But none of them may be handling the day-to-day operations in the very near future.
“A local cooperative needs a team that can make the transition: a lawyer, an investment banker, a merger specialist, an accountant, etc. Without these key people in place no one will fund the transaction. …
“The number three mistake is too assume that everybody is in the same car or at least heading to the same place, but just at different speeds. For example, HECO and NextEra state that they are aligned. Mere statements do not make it true. Among opponents of the shareholder utility model are a number of people, organizations and institutions with very different goals.
The new entity must acquire the utility grid or build their own grid. In either case they will need initial approval from the Public Utilities Commission. Many are faulting NextEra for not presenting a plan.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE at the door for Spice up Your Spring, Ho`omalu Ka`u’s dinner dance raising funds to build a Ka`u Heritage Center. Tickets for today’s event at Discovery Harbour Community Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. are $20.
For more information and to purchase tickets, call 929-8526.
Everyone with young children is welcome.
Anyone with keiki birth to five years of age is invited to visit Tutu and Me’s program at the community center from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
KAUAHA`AO CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH in Wai`ohinu holds its fundraising bazaar, this Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For $10 vendor booth space, call Walter Wong Yuen evenings at 928-8039.
AN INTERNATIONAL ART EXHIBITION at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village opens a week from today. Seven artists exhibit paintings, objects and installations through May 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 Sun, p.m. Opening reception Sunday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. 967-8222
SENIOR ID CARDS ARE AVAILABLE tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View. For ages 60 and over.
Call 928-3100 for more information.
KA`U RESIDENT DICK HERSHBERGER brings Hawaiian Volcano Observatory founder Thomas Jaggar to life Tuesday during A Walk into the Past at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center to take the short walk to the underground Whitney Vault in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_April2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf or kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf. |