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| A June 27th lava flow breakout near Pu`u O`o began on Thanksgiving eve. Image from video by Nick Calber posted at Big Island Video News |
AFTER MONTHS OF DILIGENT PLANNING, deliberating and strategizing, Blue Zones Project East Hawai`i committee members are now in full engagement mode, armed with a plan that will help guide the community toward its very own, custom-made Blue Zones Project vision of transforming the environment to make the healthy choice, the easy choice where residents live, work and play. East Hawai`i’s Blue Zone stretches from Hamakua through Ka`u.
Blue Zones Project committees are comprised of members of East Hawai`i’s community who are volunteering their time, energy, expertise and efforts into implementing Blue Zones Project over the next two to three years, with the goal of becoming a Blue Zones Community.
To achieve Blue Zones Project Certification status, East Hawai`i will put into action well-being improvement strategies in thirteen community pillar areas focusing on people, places, and policy: Built Environment and Active Living, Food Policy, Tobacco Policy, Schools, Walking School Bus/Safe Routes to Schools, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Worksites, Faith-Based Organizations, Individual Pledges, Moai Participation, Purpose, Volunteering and Public Awareness/Media.
Learn more at bluezonesproject.com.
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A BREAKOUT WITHIN FOUR MILES of Pu`u `O`o began Wednesday. It is associated with the June 27th lava flow that had previously threatened Pahoa before stalling. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the breakout was prominently visible on a nearby webcam beginning Wednesday afternoon and continuing through the night. The lava flow is not currently threatening any communities.
To achieve Blue Zones Project Certification status, East Hawai`i will put into action well-being improvement strategies in thirteen community pillar areas focusing on people, places, and policy: Built Environment and Active Living, Food Policy, Tobacco Policy, Schools, Walking School Bus/Safe Routes to Schools, Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Worksites, Faith-Based Organizations, Individual Pledges, Moai Participation, Purpose, Volunteering and Public Awareness/Media.
Learn more at bluezonesproject.com.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
A BREAKOUT WITHIN FOUR MILES of Pu`u `O`o began Wednesday. It is associated with the June 27th lava flow that had previously threatened Pahoa before stalling. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported that the breakout was prominently visible on a nearby webcam beginning Wednesday afternoon and continuing through the night. The lava flow is not currently threatening any communities.
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| Matson is raising shipping rates. Wikipedia Photo by Brett Neilson |
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MATSON IS RAISING SHIPPING PRICES in January. Kathleen Gallagher reported in Pacific Business News that new prices increase by $225 per westbound container and $110 per eastbound container on Jan. 3.
Matson is building two new “Aloha Class” ships to travel between Hawai`i and the mainland. “Matson remains committed to investing in our service to ensure that Hawai`i continues to have a modern, reliable and efficient ocean transportation infrastructure,” the company’s senior vice president of Ocean Services told Gallagher.
See bizjournals.com/pacific.
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HAWAI`I’S CONSUMER ADVOCATE CONTINUES to oppose the proposed merger between Hawaiian Electric Co. and Florida-based NextEra Energy.
“The Consumer Advocate does not support Commission approval of this merger in the form proposed by Applicants because it does not provide tangible and substantial net benefits to Hawai`i’s consumers,” the agency wrote in its pre-hearing brief to the Public Utilities Commission. “The Consumer Advocate proposed a detailed rate plan and a series of other conditions that, if adopted in total by the Commission, could support a finding that NextEra is fit, willing and able and the merger is in the public interest.
See bizjournals.com/pacific.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
HAWAI`I’S CONSUMER ADVOCATE CONTINUES to oppose the proposed merger between Hawaiian Electric Co. and Florida-based NextEra Energy.
“The Consumer Advocate does not support Commission approval of this merger in the form proposed by Applicants because it does not provide tangible and substantial net benefits to Hawai`i’s consumers,” the agency wrote in its pre-hearing brief to the Public Utilities Commission. “The Consumer Advocate proposed a detailed rate plan and a series of other conditions that, if adopted in total by the Commission, could support a finding that NextEra is fit, willing and able and the merger is in the public interest.
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| Hawai`i Consumer Advocate Jeffrey Ono |
“Applicants have represented that the merger offers vast public interest benefits in many forms, including potentially large cost savings for ratepayers, expanded access to capital on better terms, deeper management expertise and relevant technical experience. When carefully analyzed, it is obvious that the applicants failed to provide sufficient support and enforceable commitments that truly guarantee customer benefits while mitigating the many costs and risks arising from the Merger. …
“The Consumer Advocate proposed a reasonable and balanced rate plan to provide the Applicants an opportunity to firm up claimed cost savings through guaranteed rate savings for customers, while mitigating the identified costs and risks that are created by the merger. Applicants, however, rejected or ignored the Consumer Advocate’s proposed conditions and rate plan and have held steadfast to speculative promises of potential customer benefits while offering only temporary and limited rate relief to ratepayers and numerous but largely inadequate new merger commitments.
“The Consumer Advocate proposed a reasonable and balanced rate plan to provide the Applicants an opportunity to firm up claimed cost savings through guaranteed rate savings for customers, while mitigating the identified costs and risks that are created by the merger. Applicants, however, rejected or ignored the Consumer Advocate’s proposed conditions and rate plan and have held steadfast to speculative promises of potential customer benefits while offering only temporary and limited rate relief to ratepayers and numerous but largely inadequate new merger commitments.
“Throughout the record, applicants forego many opportunities to address or remedy concerns with the Proposed Transaction. The Commission should not approve the proposed merger because Applicants fail to satisfy their burden of proof pursuant to the standards of review set forth.”
Evidentiary hearings on the proposed merger begin Monday. They are to be televised on `Olelo channels and olelo.org.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
Evidentiary hearings on the proposed merger begin Monday. They are to be televised on `Olelo channels and olelo.org.
Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
MARK KARAN, FROM RATDOG and The Other Ones, performs Sunday, Dec. 6 at 3 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Players joining Karan are Tedd Heilmann, Wolfgang Rehmert and Will Divine.
A party beginning at 12 p.m. is a toy and food drive featuring food, raffles, music, Santa Claus and more.
More musicians on the schedule include JPGS, Full Tilt with Tom Martin, and Foggy.
The party is free; suggested donation for the concert is $15.
COOPER CENTER HOLDS a craft sale today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with about 25 crafters selling their wares.
In conjunction with Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu’s wreath sale, there will be a special drawing for a Takefuton comforter sewn by halau member Tom Kaua Hoots.
VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Tour & Sale starts today and continues through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Meet artists in their studios throughout the village. For a map and more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487, or see VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.
More musicians on the schedule include JPGS, Full Tilt with Tom Martin, and Foggy.
The party is free; suggested donation for the concert is $15.
COOPER CENTER HOLDS a craft sale today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with about 25 crafters selling their wares.
In conjunction with Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu’s wreath sale, there will be a special drawing for a Takefuton comforter sewn by halau member Tom Kaua Hoots.
VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Tour & Sale starts today and continues through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Meet artists in their studios throughout the village. For a map and more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487, or see VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.
VOLCANO ART CENTER PREVIEWS upcoming workshops, events and classes today and tomorrow in Volcano Village.
The exhibit also features work by artists who are scheduled to show at VAC Gallery next year.
VAC’s Hale Ho`omana is on the Volcano Village Artists Hui Tour.
Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park sell poinsettias, and VAC logo-wear and holiday treats will also be on sale.
Call 967-8222 for more information.
The exhibit also features work by artists who are scheduled to show at VAC Gallery next year.
VAC’s Hale Ho`omana is on the Volcano Village Artists Hui Tour.
Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park sell poinsettias, and VAC logo-wear and holiday treats will also be on sale.
Call 967-8222 for more information.
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| The author signs her book Sunday. |
CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY continues at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dietrich Varez returns for a meet-and-greet. He will personalize his books and prints.
On Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gretchen Grove helps participants make holiday cards and gift-wrap to accompany gifts purchased at VAC Gallery. Supplies are provided; no purchase necessary.
Also on Sunday, Christine Taylor Sprowl Tetak signs copies of her children’s book, Legend of The Hula Moose. This fictional book contains many true facts, along with illustrations by Diane Lucas. Parents and grandparents will enjoy sharing this story with their keiki.
The gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.
Events are free; park entrance fees apply.
KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY Association’s fifth annual Floating Lantern Celebration is tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Punalu`u Beach Park.
On Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gretchen Grove helps participants make holiday cards and gift-wrap to accompany gifts purchased at VAC Gallery. Supplies are provided; no purchase necessary.
Also on Sunday, Christine Taylor Sprowl Tetak signs copies of her children’s book, Legend of The Hula Moose. This fictional book contains many true facts, along with illustrations by Diane Lucas. Parents and grandparents will enjoy sharing this story with their keiki.
The gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.
Events are free; park entrance fees apply.
KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY Association’s fifth annual Floating Lantern Celebration is tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Punalu`u Beach Park.
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| KMC's Holiday Challenge continues through Dec. 31. Photo by Dave Berry |
DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE take place tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Mark Twain with fun, easy-to-learn movements and songs from around the world, evoking peace. Last Saturday of each month. Call 430-1356 or 939-9461.
A STONE COTTAGE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE draws visitors to Kilauea Military Camp as staff decorates for the season. The lights and Christmas displays are along the walkway fronting the historic stone cottages at KMC near the restaurant, bowling alley and Lava Lounge. The public is asked to take a wintery evening stroll and to vote for their favorite decorated cottage through Dec 31.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
