Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Aug. 30, 2015

KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee met yesterday to discuss the draft plan’s section on economic development. After much discussion and testimony by residents, the committee decided to make no changes to the draft document regarding economic development, Project Manager Ron Whitmore said.
      According to CDP documents, “the vast majority of public comments related to economic development were supportive of or in alignment with the Draft CDP strategies. They emphasized the need for jobs and strategies for growing various sections – agriculture, renewable energy, health care, community tourism, retail – and the need for workforce development and strategic collaboration.”
      More information is available at kaucdp.info.
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HURRICANE IGNACIO WAS 435 MILES east of South Point at 11 a.m. and moving northwest, skirting by Hawai`i Island. 

      A tropical storm warning is in effect for waters surrounding Hawai`i.
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ENERGY GOALS OF GOV. DAVID IGE were the focus of an hour-long interview with Honolulu Star-Advertiser reporter Bruce Asato on Friday. Ige has set a goal for Hawai`i to use 100 renewable sources of energy to generate electricity by 2045. He also has recently stated his opposition to the proposed merger of Hawaiian Electric Co. and Florida-based NextEra Energy.
      “We are looking for a partner in the electric utility that really embraces 100 percent renewable and, I think, more importantly, changing the business model from the traditional electric utility to what would work in a fully distributed generation renewable future,” Ige told Asato.

      Ige said distribution should be the role of an electric utility, not generation. In his vision, power would be generated by renewable sources such as solar installations on rooftops and farms developed by entities other than utilities.
      “I’m not anti-HECO. I’m pro-partner,” Ige said. “This environment, with the state setting aggressive policy, we would like to find a utility partner that wants to be part of that environment.”
      Ige also is opposed to importing liquefied natural gas as a bridge fuel to 100 percent renewable sources. According to Asato, Ige listed reasons for his opposition as major capital investments needed to build LNG infrastructure, the fuel’s distraction from the state’s 100 percent renewable goal and the impact of the regulatory review process on residents. 

      “We could find a way to defer unnecessary investment in existing oil-based power plants and refineries and really focus investments and new investments in renewables,” Ige said. “That is a better course to take than transitioning over and then transitioning again. There may be a fuel savings, but by bringing in LNG, we are bringing in capital investment that would have to be recovered. The capital investments required were too high, and the regulatory permitting process would take years. It makes the window for LNG serving as a transitional fuel shorter and smaller as we move forward.”
      See staradvertiser.com.
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JOSH STANBRO, who was the lead negotiator in a successful community effort that placed some 400 acres at Honu`apo into public domain, has been named an Omidyar Fellow for 2015. The fellowship program was created by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar. 

      Stanbro led Trust for Public Land in Hawai`i during fundraising and negotiations for Honu`apo. An attorney, he is now program director for environment and sustainability at Hawai`i Community Foundation.
      The other fellows for 2015 are Vince Baldemor, executive athletics director, Hawai`i Pacific University; Blair Collis, president and CEO, Bishop Museum; Catherine Awakuni Colon, director of Hawai`i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Pualani Enos, executive director, Hui Malama Learning Center; Scott Higashi, executive vice president, Locations, LLC; Pamela Joe, partner, RevoluSun and president, RevoluSun Solar Corp. Inc.; Jack Kittinger, director, Conservation International’s Hawai`i program; Betty and Gordon Moore, Center for Science and Oceans; Robert Lietzke, principal, Booz Allen Hamilton; Dawn Lippert, director, Energy Excelerator; Sherry Menor-McNamara, president and CEO, Chamber of Commerce Hawai`i; David Oyadomari, executive vice president, Bank of Hawai`i; William Pieper, vice President BarclayCard US; Jennifer Walker, vice president of legal and business development, Hawai`i Medical Service Association; and Beth Whitehead, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, American Savings Bank.
      The Hawai`i business and nonprofit leaders make up the fourth cohort of the Omidyar Fellows program. They’ll participate in a 15-month leadership development program starting in October. Several members of the latest cohort are past members of Pacific Business News’ Forty Under 40 program.

      See bizjournals.com/pacific.

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THE SCORE WAS CLOSE AT HALFTIME, but Kohala ran away with the football in the second half at Ka`u High Trojans’ first eight-man game of the season. Catching a pass from Kamaehu DeRamos, Kainalu Medeiros-Dancel scored a touchdown to close the second quarter at Ka`u 6, Kohala 7. 

KA`U HIGH FOOTBALL COACH DuWayne Kainoa Ke welcomed West Hawai`i Today reporter J.R. Groote recently to do a story on the team. The coach said he was amazed at the professional respect that the sportswriter showed to the Trojans, not even stepping onto the field before he gained permission.
      Following the Trojans winning the Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship last year, Ke told De Groote that it’s not all about winning. “There are a lot of schools that want to win. But for us, it’s about having fun — win or lose,” Ke said. “If a kid can come out here and have fun, they’re a winner in my book.”
      Ke told De Groote that although many of this year’s players are new, “if the kids are disciplined and listen, we will do just fine.”
      See westhawaiitoday.com.
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GOOFUNDME IS THE CALL of the Ka`u High School cheerleading squad, which has set up a gofundme.com/kaucheer campaign to raise money for shoes and all that goes with outfits to support Trojan teams at sports events.

      The squad, supporting the first eight-man football game for the Trojans yesterday, is in its second year following Ka`u High going without a cheerleading squad for several years. Last year, Trojan cheerleaders raised funds for uniforms through a bake sale and Valentine’s grams. According to the gofundme.com/kaucheer description by Jessica Elizabeth-Rose Carroll, the squad says, “We need to add a few more uniforms; the members need shoes and pompoms.” Because lack of funding prevented Ka`u cheerleaders from attending camp this summer, “We’d like to access some stunting and gymnastics training opportunities here on-island and start saving funds for camp next summer!”

 

Ka`u High's cheerleading squad is fundraising online.

      The campaign statement says that squad members “live in a rural area on the Hawai`i Island, over an hour’s drive from any larger metropolitan area. Nearly 85 percent of the students in the area qualify for free or reduced lunch. Therefore, it is difficult for squad members to come up with the funds to cover the costs associated with participation on their own. Any support you can give is greatly appreciated!”

      The Trojan squad says that “cheerleading teaches important life values such as preparation, dedication and working together as a team, and cheerleading produces active, engaged citizens. According to a survey conducted by Varsity Brands, a company that runs cheerleading camps and makes uniforms, cheerleaders were more likely to hold a leadership position in their school or community. Therefore, by supporting the squad, you are also supporting these young men’s and women’s future success!”
      To contribute, see gofundme.com/kaucheer.
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

BUSINESS SPACE IS AVAILABLE for rent at the open location where Kama`aina Kuts and Styles by Elise are located in Na`alehu. Call Corrine at 937-1840 for more information.