Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, June 27, 2015

      DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “Based on a briefing from DOCARE about their ongoing investigation and recent findings and input from the DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources, we took the unusual step of fast-tracking this rule to immediately stop the continued depletion of this natural resource. This decision was further confirmed to be prudent when people across the state expressed outrage after seeing photographs and learning about the mass commercial harvesting of sea cucumbers in near shore waters … .”

      “We will use the next four months to work with our staff and researchers to better determine the overall impact of large-scale removal of sea cucumbers,” said Alton Miyasaka, DAR acting administrator. “Since we’ve never seen this extent of exploitation in Hawai`i, we need to develop a clear understanding of the impacts on the fishery and aquatic environment.”
      Results of DAR’s inquiry are expected to lead to development of permanent rules regarding harvesting of sea cucumbers. Permanent regulations will also require BLNR’s and the governor’s approval. During this process, DAR staff will work with interested stakeholders, including native Hawaiian traditional and customary practitioners, to come up with proposed rules for sustainable harvest of sea cucumbers.
      Today’s emergency rule making was applauded by officers from the DOCARE North Maui Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit, which took the lead in looking into the commercial harvesting of sea cucumbers. CFEU Office Nathan Hillan said, “As a conservation officer, it makes me very happy that we were able to get ahead of this in a proactive way. To see the emergency rule enacted and signed is very satisfying as an officer. It lifts up, why we do what we do.”
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BIG ISLAND COMMUNITY COALITION, which works toward reduced electrical energy costs on the Hawai`i Island, issued a statement on geothermal energy, genetically modified organisms and the Thirty Meter Telescope. Among those who signed the statement is Ka`u rancher Michelle Galimba, who is on the group’s steering committee. Others joining Galimba in signing are the hui’s President Richard Ha and members David DeLuz, Jr., Rockne Freitas, Wallace Ishibashi, Noe Kalipi, H.R. “Monty” Richards, and William Walter. 

      There are occasions when events are so alarming that groups such as ours feel compelled to move beyond our primary task, the hui stated. This is such a time.

      We have observed with increasing alarm as our community has taken steps that inexorably blunt the forward movement of our economy and even move us backwards. These include:

1. Anti-Geothermal activists encouraged county government to ban nighttime drilling, effectively stopping expansion of a major source of renewable and inexpensive electric power beyond already-existing permits. This action was taken despite the existing plant meeting all applicable noise standards. It appears that government officials took this action without first going to the site to verify that the noise was disruptive. Once they did go to the site, some years later, government found that the noise was less than other environmental sounds (i.e., coqui frogs) and essentially no more than typical background noise. 
2. Anti-GMO activists lobbied to stop any new GMO products from being grown on the island – despite the fact that the vast majority of scientific, peer-reviewed studies found such products to be as safe, and in some cases more nutritious, as their non-GMO counterparts. Legislation even prohibited GMO flowers – not consumed by anyone – from being grown on the island. Thus, family farmers lost the most effective new tools needed to reduce pesticide and herbicide usage while increasing productivity needed to keep their farms competitive. 
3. Now we have anti-Thirty Meter Telescope activists taking steps to stop construction of the most advanced telescope in the world. If successful in stopping TMT, despite its sponsors following every legal requirement over a seven-year period, we will lose our world leading advantage in understanding the universe. 

      All of these actions share similar characteristics:

• The arguments used to justify such actions are consistently anti-scientific.
• “Anti” groups often obscure the lack of scientific evidence to support their position by using emotional pleas intended to incite fear. 
• The only “win” for many of these groups is to completely stop, thereby making them completely unwilling to consider any facts that refute their position or to make any reasonable compromise. 
• Long-term consequences are significant both culturally and economically. 

      Cultures that survive and thrive embrace new technologies carefully, thoughtfully and steadily. Cultures and economies that thrive are innovative because they generate ideas and solutions, solve problems and take calculated but careful risks.
      Cultures that fall backwards are those that fear advancement, fear change and cling to a mythicized view of yesteryear. The net result is loss of their brightest and most hard working youth. Those youth that remain find fewer and fewer jobs – those jobs having greatly diminished economic value and lower wages. The downward spiral becomes inexorable.
      As we look to tomorrow, we need to ask ourselves whether we wish to give our children the exciting and invigorating job market typified by Silicon Valley or a job market that is much closer to the poorer regions of third world countries. It is up to us to point one way or another. Driving TMT out will be one more major step to cultural and economic poverty.
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HAWAI`I ISLAND OBON SEASON EVENTS begin today and continue through August. Ka`u celebrates with services on Monday, July 13. Pahala Hongwanji holds its service at 3 p.m., and Na`alehu Hongwanji’s service begins at 6 p.m. Some other Buddhist temples include Bon dances with their celebrations, and Bon dancers from Ka`u are traveling around the Big Island for the annual celebration of music, dance and services in honor of ancestors. Here is the schedule through the end of July:

• June 27 (Sat.): Honomu Hongwanji, 7 p.m., following 6 p.m. service (963-6032) 
• July 3-4 (Fri./Sat.) Puna Hongwanji, 7 p.m., following 6 p.m. service (966-9981) 
• July 4 (Sat.): Kohala Hongwanji, 7 p.m., graveside service at 5 p.m.; bon service at 6 p.m. service (775-7232) 
• July 11 (Sat.): Kona Daifukuji Soto Mission, 7 p.m., following 6:30 p.m. service; Obon/Hatsubon service on Sunday, June 28, at 9:30 a.m. (322-3524) 
• July 11 (Sat.): Pa`auilo Hongwanji, 7:30 p.m., graveside service at 6 p.m. service, bon service at 6:30 p.m. (776-1369) 
• July 11 (Sat.): Kohala Jodo Mission, following 6 p.m. service (775-0965) 
• July 11 (Sat.): Hilo Meisho-in, 8 p.m., following 7 p.m. service. Obon service on Sunday, July 12, at 10 a.m. (935-6996)
• July 13 (Mon.): Pahala Hongwanji Mission, obon service only at 3 p.m. (928-8254) 
• July 13 (Mon.): Na`alehu Hongwanji, obon service only at 6 p.m. (966-9981) 
• July 17-18 (Fri./Sat.): Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin, 7 p.m., following 6 p.m. service, food booths available (961-6677) 
• July 18 (Sat.): Honoka`a Hongwanji, 7 p.m., following 6 p.m. community memorial service; 4 p.m. graveside service at Kukuihaele Cemetery; 4:30 p.m. graveside service at Honoka`a Cemetery (775-7232) 
• July 18 (Sat.): Ke‘ei Buddhist Church (Kona Hongwanji), 7 p.m., following 6 p.m. service; cemetery service at 5 p.m. (323-2993) 
• July 25 (Sat.): Kona Hongwanji, 6:30 p.m., following lantern parade at 6 p.m.; Hatsubon service on Sunday, July 26, at 9 a.m. (323-2993) 
• July 25 (Sat.): Papa`aloa Hongwanji, 7 p.m., following 6 p.m. service (962-6340) 
• July 25 (Sat.): Hilo Hongwanji Mission, 7:30 p.m., following 6 p.m. service Obon service on Sunday, July 26, at 9:30 a.m.; Toro Nagashi at Wailoa Harbor on Sunday, July 26, at 7 p.m. (935-8331). 

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

INTERESTED KA`U RESIDENTS should sign up for Kahuku `Ohana Day by next Thursday, July 2 to be included in the free lunch count. The event takes place Saturday, July 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Manuel Rego, of Amy Greenwell Ethnobotanical Garden, teaches how to ku`i, or pound, kalo.
      Register at 985-6019.

A paniolo wrangles a cow during a KRRA rodeo in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION'S 38th annual Fourth of July Rodeo is next weekend. The paniolo tradition of ranchers and other rodeo riders gathering together with families will fill the Na`alehu Arena grounds with events designed for keiki, wahine and kane on Saturday, July 4 and Sunday, July 5.
      Slack Roping begins Saturday at 8 a.m. Cowboy Church is on Sunday at 10 a.m. with Thy Word Ministries-Ka`u Pastor Bob Tominaga. Rodeo Shows start at 12 p.m. both days.
      Rodeo Queen contestants are Ku`ukamali`i Bishop of Na`alehu, Arena Jospeh of Kea`au and Chrissy Perez of Honoka`a. Residents can support the young ladies by buying rodeo tickets for $6. Tickets are $7 at the gate.
      All spectators, guests and contestants can buy $1 raffle tickets and win prizes. Prizes will be advertised at the rodeo. All proceeds from the raffle drawing will be donated to American Cancer Society’s Hilo Relay for Life by KRRA.
      Special guests are Miss Rodeo Hawai`i 2015 and Nebraska Queen, who will be signing autographs.
      Events scheduled at the rodeo include Open Team Roping, Kane/Wahine Dally Team Roping, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Kane/Wahine Ribbon Mugging, Wahine Mugging, Tie Down Roping, Wahine Break Away, Po`o Wai U and Bull Riding.
      Dummy Roping, Goat Undecorating, Calf Riding and Youth Barrel Racing events are set for youngsters.
      For more information, call Tammy Kaapana at 929-8079.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.