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| Today is the final day for Ka`u residents to give feedback on the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan, with land use maps from the County General Plan. |
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. has submitted feedback regarding the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan. Today is the final day for Ka`u residents to provide feedback. The Steering Committee begins its review of comments from residents a week from tomorrow on Tuesday, June 9, when it meets at Na`alehu Community Center at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public.
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| OVCDC questions Ka`u CDP's recommendations for walkable, compact urban centers. |
OVCDC’s board of directors unanimously endorsed recommendations at a regularly scheduled meeting last Friday. “Many of our concerns have been addressed and mollified,” OVCDC stated. “Consequently, we find the current draft for public review to be much superior to prior iterations. There are, however, specific concerns that still need to be addressed.”
OVCDC calls for elimination of CDP recommendations for redevelopment of nonconforming subdivisions. “To our knowledge, there is no community interest and huge community opposition to any redevelopment or land readjustment schemes, punitive fees/taxes, taking of property in any form from Ocean View’s subdivisions,” OVCDC stated. “Since there is no community demand for such a plan, whose only proponent is the Planning Department, it should not be included in the CDP (thereby giving the false impression that it carries community support).”
OVCDC also called for planners to eliminate or modify recommendations for walkable, compact urban centers, stating that, “It doesn’t fit reality in Ka`u.”
OVCDC’s rationale is that the center of Ocean View “itself is not a center – the community center is two miles from the shopping areas, the park is two miles in the other direction, and the shopping areas are spread out on either side of state Hwy 11. Not safely or easily walkable.”
OVCDC also asks that the CDP modify the policy to “discourage intensive development in areas of high volcanic activity.” The hui compared such areas with those prone to tsunamis and concluded that high-risk lava zones are less dangerous than tsunami zones. “While the risk is real, it is very small,” according to OVCDC.
Feedback forms are available at kaucdp.info. Copies of the draft are also available at local libraries and community centers.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
OVCDC calls for elimination of CDP recommendations for redevelopment of nonconforming subdivisions. “To our knowledge, there is no community interest and huge community opposition to any redevelopment or land readjustment schemes, punitive fees/taxes, taking of property in any form from Ocean View’s subdivisions,” OVCDC stated. “Since there is no community demand for such a plan, whose only proponent is the Planning Department, it should not be included in the CDP (thereby giving the false impression that it carries community support).”
OVCDC also called for planners to eliminate or modify recommendations for walkable, compact urban centers, stating that, “It doesn’t fit reality in Ka`u.”
OVCDC’s rationale is that the center of Ocean View “itself is not a center – the community center is two miles from the shopping areas, the park is two miles in the other direction, and the shopping areas are spread out on either side of state Hwy 11. Not safely or easily walkable.”
OVCDC also asks that the CDP modify the policy to “discourage intensive development in areas of high volcanic activity.” The hui compared such areas with those prone to tsunamis and concluded that high-risk lava zones are less dangerous than tsunami zones. “While the risk is real, it is very small,” according to OVCDC.
Feedback forms are available at kaucdp.info. Copies of the draft are also available at local libraries and community centers.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| George Szigeti |
GEORGE SZIGETI HAS STARTED his new position as the president and CEO of Hawai`i Tourism Authority.
“We are pleased to welcome George,” said Aaron Sala, HTA board chair. “Our board is confident that his extensive business background and experience will make him an effective leader in ensuring a sustainable tourism economy for the state.”
“It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected by the HTA board of directors to lead the state’s tourism agency,’ Szigeti said. “There are a lot of people, not only in the industry but throughout our communities, who are impacted by tourism. They rely on us as an industry and as an agency to support one of Hawai`i’s largest economic drivers. I look forward to working with our staff, partners, government and community leaders to balance and maintain success for the industry and the state.”
Prior to joining HTA, Szigeti served as president and CEO of Hawai`i Lodging and Tourism Association, a statewide organization representing hotels, condominiums, timeshares and other visitor industry entities. During the three years under his leadership, HLTA reorganized its operations to enhance efficiency and productivity. As a result, Szigeti and his team helped increase the organization’s membership by 24 percent, grow its fundraising efforts to a record $1.87 million and enhance member and community participation in its Na Poe Pa`ahana, which recognizes visitor industry employees, and Citizenship Awards, which recognizes outstanding students from high schools statewide.
As an active community member, Szigeti has worked with various organizations that help support business and travel for Hawai`i. He currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Hawai`i Bowl and Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. He has also served as chair of the Hawai`i Food Industry Association, president of Hawai`i Liquor Wholesalers Association and as a board member of Hawai`i Foodbank, Hawai`i Restaurant Association and Hale `Aina `Ohana, which supports Hawai`i’s young chefs.
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U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD WAS ON CNN last week with Wolf Blitzer to discuss how the U.S. needs to provide resources and direct assistance to the Kurds and Sunni tribes to fight ISIS in the Middle East.
“The Kurds and the Sunni tribes, these are groups of people who have been tested and proven,” Gabbard said. “We fought shoulder-to-shoulder with them against Al-Qaeda in the past. They have the will to fight; they are our troops on the ground. They should be the ones we should be providing our primary support to.”
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“It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected by the HTA board of directors to lead the state’s tourism agency,’ Szigeti said. “There are a lot of people, not only in the industry but throughout our communities, who are impacted by tourism. They rely on us as an industry and as an agency to support one of Hawai`i’s largest economic drivers. I look forward to working with our staff, partners, government and community leaders to balance and maintain success for the industry and the state.”
Prior to joining HTA, Szigeti served as president and CEO of Hawai`i Lodging and Tourism Association, a statewide organization representing hotels, condominiums, timeshares and other visitor industry entities. During the three years under his leadership, HLTA reorganized its operations to enhance efficiency and productivity. As a result, Szigeti and his team helped increase the organization’s membership by 24 percent, grow its fundraising efforts to a record $1.87 million and enhance member and community participation in its Na Poe Pa`ahana, which recognizes visitor industry employees, and Citizenship Awards, which recognizes outstanding students from high schools statewide.
As an active community member, Szigeti has worked with various organizations that help support business and travel for Hawai`i. He currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Hawai`i Bowl and Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic. He has also served as chair of the Hawai`i Food Industry Association, president of Hawai`i Liquor Wholesalers Association and as a board member of Hawai`i Foodbank, Hawai`i Restaurant Association and Hale `Aina `Ohana, which supports Hawai`i’s young chefs.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
LIFE OF THE LAND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Henry Curtis considers whether or not the proposed merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. and Florida-based NextEra Energy is in the public interest in a blog entry at ililanimedia.blogspot.com.
According to Curtis, in order for the Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission to approve the proposed merger, they must find that it is in the public interest.
Answering a question from Sun Edison, Curtis reported that NextEra stated, “Unless and until the proposed change of control is approved and consummated, NextEra Energy will be unable to identify the specific plans and projects that NextEra Energy could and would implement as the owner of the Hawaiian Electric Companies, as such plans and projects can only feasibly be developed after NextEra Energy has sufficient time and access to information and resources as owner to better understand the strengths and any limitations of the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ respective electric grids, systems, operations, and plans.
“Thus, NextEra Energy cannot at this time comment on the likelihood of its specific plans adopting most if not all of the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ clean energy plans previously filed with the Commission.”
Answering a question from Sun Edison, Curtis reported that NextEra stated, “Unless and until the proposed change of control is approved and consummated, NextEra Energy will be unable to identify the specific plans and projects that NextEra Energy could and would implement as the owner of the Hawaiian Electric Companies, as such plans and projects can only feasibly be developed after NextEra Energy has sufficient time and access to information and resources as owner to better understand the strengths and any limitations of the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ respective electric grids, systems, operations, and plans.
“Thus, NextEra Energy cannot at this time comment on the likelihood of its specific plans adopting most if not all of the Hawaiian Electric Companies’ clean energy plans previously filed with the Commission.”
Curtis concluded, “Thus, NextEra is asserting that during the merger debate they will go along with all of HECO’s plans, but once the merger is consummated they will re-evaluate everything.
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| Ledward Ka`apana plays Ipo Lei Manu on the Aloha soundtrack. |
“Hawai`i is the most isolated populated archipelago on the planet. How can it be in the public interest to turn over our valuable resources and our electric utilities to an entity that refuses to disclose what its real plans are?
“Once the merger is consummated, the HECO Companies would be a small part of a large company based 5,000 miles from here.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
“Once the merger is consummated, the HECO Companies would be a small part of a large company based 5,000 miles from here.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
THE NEW MOVIE ALOHA FEATURES Hawaiian music by several musicians, including Ledward Ka`apana and Cyril Pahinui. Both have taught during Center for Hawaiian Music Studies workshops in Pahala.
Ka`apana plays Slack Key Lullaby (Live at the Nation State of Hawai`i) on the soundtrack, and Pahinui plays Ipo Lei Manu.
Videos on these songs and other music used on the soundtrack are at http://www.songonlyrics.net/soundtracks/aloha-soundtrack-list.html.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Videos on these songs and other music used on the soundtrack are at http://www.songonlyrics.net/soundtracks/aloha-soundtrack-list.html.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD WAS ON CNN last week with Wolf Blitzer to discuss how the U.S. needs to provide resources and direct assistance to the Kurds and Sunni tribes to fight ISIS in the Middle East.
“The Kurds and the Sunni tribes, these are groups of people who have been tested and proven,” Gabbard said. “We fought shoulder-to-shoulder with them against Al-Qaeda in the past. They have the will to fight; they are our troops on the ground. They should be the ones we should be providing our primary support to.”
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
`O KA`U KAKOU, A LOCAL VOLUNTEER organization, has awarded over $6,000 in scholarships to Ka`u residents. Scholarships are based on academic achievement, community service, honors, awards and a written essay.
The following are recipients and their respective colleges/universities: Kaweni Ibarra, CSU Sacramento; Emmett Enriques, California Baptist University; Denisha Navarro, Shoreline Community College; Rochelle Koi, University of Hawai`i; Tiare Shibuya, Hawai`i Community College; Kamrie Koi, University of Hawai`i; Kayla Andrade, University of Hawai`i; and Evan Enriques, Stanford University.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Today is the deadline to enter Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade. |
INTERESTED IN BEING IN NA`ALEHU'S Fourth of July parade sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou? Today is the deadline to sign up. Call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS meetings this week. Committees meet tomorrow, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development beginning at 9 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 10:15 a.m.; Planning, 11 a.m.; and Finance, 2 p.m.
The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo and are streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu state office building.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN hosts a talk story at Cooper Center in Volcano Village on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ruderman will discuss newly passed legislation and seek input on bills to be introduced next year.
For more info, call 586-6890 or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS meetings this week. Committees meet tomorrow, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development beginning at 9 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 10:15 a.m.; Planning, 11 a.m.; and Finance, 2 p.m.
The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo and are streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu state office building.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN hosts a talk story at Cooper Center in Volcano Village on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ruderman will discuss newly passed legislation and seek input on bills to be introduced next year.
For more info, call 586-6890 or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.
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_June2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf. |
