Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Dec. 21, 2015

Participants learn `ulana nui, coconut weaving, Wednesday. See more below. Photo from NPS

“IT’S OFFICIAL – I AM RUNNING for re-election as state senator from Puna and Ka`u,” is Sen. Russell Ruderman’s message on Facebook.

Ka`u's state Sen. Russell Ruderman is running
for re-election.

Ruderman said he spent about six months deciding whether or not to run again, especially considering a strong desire to be home. He said he is very proud of his three adopted daughters and that he and his wife Dina Mendoza Scott are expecting a baby. He also considered running for a local office, he said.

When word circulated that Ruderman might choose not to run for state Senate, many people urged him to keep the post, he said. Ruderman said he decided to run again because Ka`u and Puna need a senator who is “capable, independent and experienced.”
Ruderman has been a pioneer in the natural foods industry. In 1998, he founded Island Naturals, a group of retail grocery markets on the Big Island with locations in Hilo, Pahoa, Kailua-Kona and Kainaliu. Island Naturals supports local farmers and value-added producers and has championed environmental issues such as eliminating plastic bag pollution.
Ruderman has been named Small Businessperson of the Year for Hawai`i County by the SBA and received Hawai`i County’s first Keeping it Green award for innovations at Island Naturals.
He most recently has been involved with the dengue fever issue, urging more outreach to remote communities for education, testing, health care and eradication of mosquito carriers.
The other announced candidate for the position is Greggor Ilagan, who represents East Puna on Hawai`i County Council.
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During harvest, coffee pickers should protect themselves from mosquitoes.
Photo from UH-CTAHR

HAWAIICOFFEE.WEEBLY.COM, University of Hawai`i’s online outreach to local coffee farmers, is helping with dengue fever prevention by posting Tips for Warding Against Mosquitoes on Your Farm:

“Wear loose-fitting long sleeve shirts and pants. Mosquitoes have been known to bite people through thin and tight clothing.

“Use mosquito repellent. Spray your ankles and wrists and areas where clothing may not cover or ride up to expose skin.

“Infected workers should not be working. With the reality of the coffee season, at the minimum, workers should cover up completely and use repellent to minimize contamination of others.

“Clean and remove empty tires, containers, old vehicles, etc. that can hold sitting water. (By the way, this is a good agricultural practice for farm food safety.)

“For plants that hold water, ponds and birdbaths, flush with a hose once a week or spray with soapy water weekly to kill mosquito wigglers.

“Spray areas known for mosquitoes and use mosquito wiggler dunks and briskets to minimize populations.”

See more at hawaiicoffee.weebly.com.
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Ulalia Woodside

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY, which stewards Kamehame hawksbill turtle preserve, Kaiholena and other land preserves in Ka`u and statewide, has named a new leader. Ulalia Woodside will take her position as executive director for TNC’s Hawai`i operations in mid-January. Among those working with her in Ka`u are Hawai`i Island Terrestrial Director Shalan Crysdale, of Wai`ohinu; Ka`u Field Coordinator John Replogle, of Ocean View; Program Coordinator Linda Schubert; KUPU intern Jan Patton, of Ocean View; Kona and Ka`u Field Coordinator Lester Geben, of Ocean View; and Konahema Field Coordinator Mel Johansen, of Honomalino.
The office of TNC on the Big Island is located at Honu`apo.
Marine Director Chad Wiggens is based in Waimea.

Woodside, 46, is a member of the state Board of Land & Natural Resources. She moves to TNC from Kamehameha Schools, where she serves as director of Natural and Cultural Resources. Woodside has worked for 14 years in Kamehameha School’s Land Assets Division, which owns and manages 200,000 acres of conservation and agricultural lands. She is a graduate of University of Hawai`i in political science and Hawaiian studies. She is also a kumu hula.
Woodside takes the position vacated in April by Suzanne Case, the new chair and manager of the state Board and Department of Land & Natural Resources. Case and TNC were very much involved with the federal acquisition of the Kahuku section of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, which doubled the park’s size. TNC has also preserved some of the most pristine native forests in Hawai`i, which are located in Ka`u.
Statewide, TNC manages 14 preserves on about 40,000 acres and has helped to protect more than 200,000 acres. In addition, TNC operates marine and watershed protection programs. The Hawai`i chapter of the international organization was founded in 1980 and has grown to employ 85 with an annual budget of $11 million. For more on TNC, see http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/hawaii/index.htm.
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Sen. Brian Schatz

U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ first introduced legislation to extend the Residential Energy Efficient Property Tax Credit and then worked to include the five-year tax credit extension into the omnibus spending bill that passed the Senate and President Obama signed on Friday. The tax credit helps families pay for residential clean energy equipment, such as solar photovoltaics and solar hot water heaters, for five years.

“At a time when more and more families in Hawai`i and across the country are cutting their utility bills by transitioning to clean energy, this bill is just commonsense,” Schatz said. “As we continue to move toward a clean energy economy, we need to continue finding sound solutions like clean energy tax credits that are both good for families in Hawai`i and across the country, and for our energy security.”
As part of the bipartisan deal, the tax credit will remain 30 percent through 2019, and then will become 26 percent for 2020 and 22 percent for 2021.
An estimated 97,000 Americans are now employed installing solar energy systems across our country. While the price of solar panels has decreased by more than 60 percent since 2011, the demand has soared. In 2014, more than 1,200 megawatts of residential solar were installed and 32 percent of all new electric generating capacity in the U.S. came from solar energy.
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ALL IGNITION INTERLOCK PERMIT HOLDERS must have the permit and a valid state of Hawai`i identification card in their immediate possession while operating a vehicle equipped with the ignition interlock device. The new law, Act 40, goes into effect on Jan. 1.

A new law regarding ignition interlock devices goes into effect Jan. 1.
Photo from wikipedia

For a first-time offense, the penalty is three consecutive to 30 days imprisonment, a fine of $250-$1,000, license revocation for an additional year and loss of privilege to operate a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.

For an offense within five years of a prior conviction the penalty is thirty days imprisonment, a fine of $1,000, license revocation for an additional two years and loss of privilege to operate a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.
For an offense within five years of two or more prior convictions, the penalty is one-year imprisonment, a fine of $2,000, permanent license revocation and loss of privilege to operate a vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device.
Hawai`i Island residents may obtain identification cards at Driver License locations in Hilo and Kona. Applicants must present documentary proof of legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, legal presence and proof of principal residence address.
In addition, Act 40 allows for a person whose license was revoked for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of an Intoxicant to apply for relicensing 30 days prior to the end of the revocation period, as long as the license is not issued prior to completion of the revocation period.
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KMC's Holiday Challenge continues through Dec. 31. Photo by Dave Berry

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Holiday Challenge continues as staff decorates for the season. Lights and Christmas displays are along the walkway fronting the historic stone cottages at KMC near the restaurant, bowling alley and Lava Lounge, which are open to the public. The public is asked to take a wintery evening stroll and to vote for their favorite decorated cottage.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK rangers share their knowledge and love of the traditional Hawaiian cultural practice of coconut weaving Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center. Participants learn how to transform coconut fronds into fun items and take home creations. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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