Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park personnel will work to control silk oak in the Hilina Pali area later this month. Photo from NPS

A SECOND ROUND OF ARRESTS took place this morning on Mauna Kea, where Thirty Meter Telescope opponents continue their vigil. Eight people were arrested at a camp across the road from Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station, according to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources. Seven women and one man were arrested for being present in the restricted area, outlined in the emergency rule passed by the Board of Land and Natural Resources and signed by Gov. David Ige. All of those arrested were transported by the Hawai`i County Police Department to Hilo for booking.

Eight opponents of the Thirty Meter Telescope who were occupying structures
across from Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station were arrested
this morning. Photo from MKVIS

This is the second law enforcement action on Mauna Kea since the enactment of the 120-day-long emergency rule, which, according to DLNR, is intended to establish safe conditions on the mountain for protestors, observatory workers and visitors. During an earlier round of enforcement on July 31, six people received citations, and seven people were arrested.
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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK announced upcoming flight plans for September and October:

Tuesdays for the months of September and October, depending on weather and project needs, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku between 3,000- and 7,000-foot elevation;
Sept. 9 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., along the park and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates boundary for fence construction;
Sept. 17 between 12 p.m. and 2 p.m., from the summit Kilauea to Mauna Loa at about 9,000-foot elevation for fence inspection;
Sept. 21 and 25 (less than two hours each day; exact time to be determined) to transport camp supplies and equipment between Hilina Pali and Pepeiao Cabin to control silk oak;
Sept. 21 between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. for petrel monitoring from the summit of Kilauea to Mauna Loa at about 9,000 ft. elevation;
Sept. 24 between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. for petrel monitoring from the summit of Kilauea to Mauna Loa at about 9,000-foot elevation; and
Oct. 6 between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. for ungulate surveys and control work in Kahuku between 3,000- and 7,000-foot elevation.

Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather.
Management of the park requires use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources and to maintain backcountry facilities.
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Mina Morita

MINA MORITA, FORMER STATE Public Utilities Chair, discusses her opposition to the state’s newly adopted 100 percent renewable energy goal by 2045 on her blog, minamoritaenergydynamics.com.

“I have a strong point of view that Hawai`i’s Renewable Portfolio Standard should be pragmatic and practical, not one based in aspiration. …” Morita wrote. “One hundred percent renewable is an easy sound bite; its implementation is not.”
Morita described three ways to define 100 percent renewable – literally, pragmatically and as an inspiration (not aspiration).
“If we are to define 100 percent renewable literally, it just means that 100 percent of our electricity needs will be generated from renewable resources,” Morita said. “It does not acknowledge that the generation of electricity is just one part of a larger, complex system, nor does it acknowledge the cost, equity and accessibility issues. The electricity system is an equation governed by physics and economics. 100 percent renewable literally only addresses one part on one side of the equation.
“Defining 100 percent renewable through a pragmatic lens helps us to take a systems approach to reach that goal by assessing all parts of the energy system that will lay the foundation to move toward a 100 percent renewable goal cost-effectively and methodically to reduce risk to improve our chances for a successful transformation. …
“When one defines 100 percent renewable as an inspiration, it requires us to think about energy differently, to redesign how we live and do business more efficiently and sustainably to achieve that goal. I chose inspiration over aspiration because to inspire connotes instigation and innovation, whereas aspire just means hope and dreams to me. We must be inspired to do and implement, not just talk and dream.
“Unless there are major technical and cost breakthroughs in the near future, 100 percent renewable is a journey that many of us will not see accomplished in our lifetime. However, we can lay a solid foundation for the next generation by combining pragmatism and inspiration to articulate Hawai`i’s 100 percent renewable target.
“Failure is not an option in this endeavor. Because of the significant infrastructure investments that need to be made, Hawai`i has only one chance to get it right, or it’s going to be a very expensive energy transformation done on the backs of those who can least afford it.”

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Clare Connors Photo from Davis Levin
Livingston

HAWAI`I’S U.S. SENATORS SUPPORT President Obama’s nomination of Clare Connors to the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai`i. Connors was among those recommended by U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono and the Federal Judicial Selection Commission. The Federal Judicial Selection Commission, which included seven members, three appointed by each senator and a chair jointly agreed upon, reviewed more than 30 applications for the position.

“Clare Connors is an excellent choice to serve as U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Hawai`i,” Schatz said. “Her broad experience and legal knowledge make her an outstanding replacement to fill this important vacancy. With her deep background in public service, I am confident she will serve the federal court and Hawai`i well. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure a speedy confirmation process.”  
Hirono said, “Clare’s judicial experience and deep community ties make her a strong candidate to serve on the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawai`i. Throughout her professional career, Clare has demonstrated a clear commitment to public service. Her legal background spans both criminal and civil work and includes trial experience. Hawai`i deserves a full and active bench in the U.S. District Court, and I look forward to working with my Senate colleagues to ensure a smooth confirmation process.”
Connors is a trial attorney who began her legal career in 2001 with the Tax Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. In 2002, she served as a clerk for the Honorable Judge David Ezra, in his capacity as a federal district court judge. She returned to Hawai`i to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney. She continues to practice law as an associate at Davis Levin Livingston in Hawai`i.   A graduate of Punahou School, Connors has a bachelor of arts degree from Yale College and a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School. She has served on the faculty of the William S. Richardson School of Law as a Lecturer in Law for the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Clinic. In 2014, she was appointed to be a Lawyer Representative for the District of Hawai`i to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference and previously served as a Lawyer Delegate to the Hawai`i District Conference.
The U.S. District Court judge position becomes available following Chief Judge Susan Oki Mollway’s retirement from active service on Nov. 6.
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Friends of the Ka`u Libraries support public libraries
in Na`alehu and Pahala. Photo from HSPLS

FRIENDS OF THE KA`U LIBRARIES’ annual membership meeting is tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Light refreshments will be served. Current and new members are invited to learn about the Friends’ work to support libraries in Na`alehu and Pahala.

For additional information, call Ann Fontes at 987-7448 or Doris Davis at 928-0919.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Ka`u Scenic Byway Committee’s meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church.

KA`U PLANTATION DAYS HOLDS ITS FIRST organizing meeting tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Everyone interested in helping the Oct. 17 event be successful is invited.
For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

OCEAN VIEW RANCHOS SOLAR PROJECT personnel meet with residents Friday at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. SPI developer Ian Craig and project director Dominic Lopez will answer questions and give a presentation.
For more information, call 939-7033.

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