Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, July 2, 2015

      The Planning Department said the property owner’s application doesn’t meet minimum water concurrency requirements and is not in step with either Puna Community Development Plan policies that discourage further subdivisions of ag or county General Plan policies requiring adequate water utilities to support an increase in density. It also has substandard road conditions, county planners said.
      Nancy Cook Lauer, of West Hawai`i Today, reported that the County Council plans to “fast-track changes to concurrency laws to accommodate a Hilo District Court judge’s application.” She said Dennis “Fresh” Onishi is drafting an amendment to the county’s 2011 concurrency law to change water requirements for areas that meet certain rainfall levels, such as East Hawai`i. Planning Committee Chair Greggor Ilagan said he’d waive the bill through his committee to move it along more quickly.
      When a lawyer representing the applicant suggested approving the application as an example of a necessary change in policy, David argued, “I see we as policy makers as setting a precedent that it’s OK to … disregard the letter of the law because we’re going to fix it later.”
      Regarding concurrency, David said, “This is a perfect example of one-size-fits-all does not work” and that the council should keep this in mind when creating policy. She said concurrency was adapted with Kona in mind, where dry conditions make catchment unsuitable, not wetter areas where residents can usually count on rain for their water needs.
      The Planning Committee forwarded the application to the County Council with a negative recommendation on a 4-4 vote.

      See westhawaiitoday.com.
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SOLAR VOLTAIC FINANCING is available from the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, which is accepting loan applications. Green Energy Market Securitization is the name of the state program for consumers unable to afford upfront costs or traditional financing for solar. The aim is to save money on power bills from the first day of operating the home PV system, no money down. 

      The GEMS 20-year, fixed-rate loans on this island are for PV systems at single-family residences hooked up to Hawaiian Electric Light Co.
      This new Residential Financing Program follows a GEMS program that began in March for nonprofit organizations. See more, including application instructions, at gems.hawaii.gov.
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AFTER FOUR DAYS OF NON-STOP SOLAR FLIGHT, André Borschberg is well on his way to Hawai`i aboard Solar Impulse, a plane using no liquid fuel. One record Borschberg has broken is Steve Fossett’s 2006 record of the longest solo endurance flight: 76 hours and 45 minutes. 

      After what he called the longest and most tiring night of this flight and bringing the pilot and aircraft to their limits, Borschberg is now back under the oceanic sunlight and has reached energy neutral, where the batteries' states of charge are now going up again. After several days with very short naps, Borschberg said he is tired but also enjoys living this incredible and intense day-and-night experience at the controls.
      Now Solar Impulse is crossing a weather front that blocks the way to Hawai`i. Borschberg is climbing above the clouds, referred to as “jumping over the wall.” The flight team now is finding final solutions to reach Hawai`i.

Black Coral Photo by Chris Kelly/NOAA

      Borschberg said he is quite happy about the flight so far and about the reliability and endurance of the clean technologies used on the airplane.
      First possible estimated time of arrival is 16:00 UTC – tomorrow at sunrise at Kalaleo`a Airport on O`ahu.
      See solarimpulse.com.
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A NEWLY NAMED BLACK CORAL SPECIES LIVES AS LONG AS 4,000 years. Widely dispersed in deep Hawaiian waters, it is the longest living known marine species, according to scientists who conducted studies that led to its new designation. The species is reported in an article in Zootaxa by Daniel Wagner and Dennis Opresko of Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument and the Museum of National History at the Smithsonian. 

      This Iiving black coral, now named Leiopathes annosa, is bright orange on the outside. It lives at depth of up to 1,600 feet and was collected by the Hawai`i Undersea Research Lab’s Pisces submersible. See more at http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2015/f/zt03974p289.pdf.

HAWAI`I ATTORNEY GENERAL DOUG CHIN said he is working with the Gov. David Ige, the University of Hawai`i and Departments of Land and Natural Resources and Public Safety to see the road to Mauna Kea’s summit re-opens with safe access to all. UH closed the road following blockages or rock walls and boulders that were placed in the road to keep construction crews from reaching the construction site of the Thirty Meter Telescope.
      “We respect those who choose to exercise their First Amendment rights within the boundaries of the law,” Chin said. “What the state cannot allow is for people to take the law into their own hands. Our courts are the proper place for people to seek legal remedies.

Mehe's Ka`u Bar & Grill is now open in Ocean View. Photo by Charles Tobias

      “Mauna Kea is a protected conservation district, forest reserve and hunting area. While we appreciate the effort of volunteers who helped clean up the summit road, the actions of certain individuals in the past week led to the University of Hawai`i’s closure of the road. Deliberately building a rock wall in the middle of a road without warning threatens public safety. Purposely placing boulders in a road could get someone killed. Commercial activities and camping in this protected area without a permit are against state regulations. This is not a statement against the content of the protest, but the conduct.”
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MEHE’S KA`U BAR & GRILL opened today at the former site of Lava Tube Restaurant in Ocean View. Dale and Shannon Meheula, of Ocean View, are the owners. They are former manager and bartender at Drysdale’s restaurants at Kona Inn Shopping Village and Keauhou Shopping Center. 

      Opening menu items include pupus, salads, burgers, main dishes and, on Saturday only, prime rib. Beverages include beer and wine.

      Current hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Call 929-7200 for more information.

Southside Boys 16's are champions of the Silver Bracket. Photo from Julie Enriques

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CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE SILVER BRACKET went to Southside Boys 16’s, who completed play at the United States Association of Volleyball Boys Junior National Championships being held in Columbus, Ohio.  Sam Thomas reported that the team was led by timely blocking of Nalu Kahapea and Kamahao Kawelu in the semifinal match against Ocean Bay Volleyball Club of California, and the SS boys were able to sweep the match by scores of 25-15 and 26-24.
      In the championship match, they played the hard-hitting Gigantes from Puerto Rico. It was a match Thomas deemed to be highly entertaining due to long rallies on both sides of the net and which drew an increasing crowd as the match went on. The SS boys eventually won as they rode the hitting of Addie and Avery Enriques to a three-set victory with scores of 25-16, 22-25 and 15-12.
      Members of the team are Addie Enriques, Avery Enriques, Nai`a Makuakane, Kameron Moses, Daylan Kalai, Logan Thomas, Nalu Kahapea, Jarvis Benito, Kamahao Kawelu and Kainoa Downing II.

VOLCANO VILLAGE’S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE begins Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Post Office. It continues to Cooper Center on Wright Road, where the celebration continues until 1 p.m.

`Ohi`a lehua is the topic of a program Saturday. Photo from NPS