Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, Feb. 5, 2016

WHILE HE WAS IN THE HOSPITAL, the late Sen. Gil Kahele signed a bill he introduced that would protect more land in South Kona. Senate Bill 3071 calls for the state to purchase land makai of Hwy 11 at Kapua Bay, where Kahele was born. One of Kahele’s early legislative achievements was creating the South Kona Wilderness Area, which this acquisition would expand by more than 6,000 acres.

      “Essentially what it does is it allows (the land) to be protected … in its current state for 40-some years. That’s why it was so special for him. It’s not for him. Kapua is for Hawai`i – the people of Hawai`i.”

      Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources supports Kahele’s measure. “The Kapua makai area contains significant historical, archaeological and cultural resources, including a holua slide, ancient coastal trail, village sites and superb biological resources including native dryland forest and associated common and rare native Hawaiian plants,” DLNR Chief Suzanne Case testified. “The site is remote and not easily accessed and contains extensive uninterrupted coastal and lowland open space. The coastal waters are pristine and in excellent condition.”
      If placed under the DLNR’s jurisdiction, Case requested funding of $1,600,000 to address immediate management needs and approximately $500,000 annually for the next ten years “to manage the area effectively and deal with threats to the treasured cultural, archaeological and biological resources of the area.”
      Case said threats to the area include goats, fountain grass, potential for unexploded ordnance near Manuka and “inappropriate human use due to a lack of management.”
      Ka`u’s state Sens. Russell Ruderman and Josh Green were two of several co-introducers of the bill. The Ways & Means Committee recommended passage.
      See hawaiitribuneherald.com.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL ORGANIZERS have announced dates for the 10 days of events.
      Ka`u residents and visitors are invited to celebrate with Ka`u Coffee growers at the kick-off Pa`ina at Pahala Plantation House on Friday, May 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

      Get your recipes together for the Ka`u Coffee Recipe Contest on Saturday, May 14 at 2 p.m. The event at Ka`u Coffee Mill includes live entertainment, tours and free coffee and recipe tastings. Email lisa@kaucoffeemill.com or call 928-0550.
      At 6:30 p.m. that day, Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Peaberry and Junior Miss Ka`u Coffee contestants vie to 2016 titles at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Contact Trinidad Marques at 936-0015 or aliihhhcoffee@yahoo.com to enter. Donate to the pageant scholarship fund with Julia Neal at 928-6471 or mahalo@aloha.net.
      The first Ka`u Coffee Festival Lobsterpalooza is set for Sunday, May 15. Check the festival website for emerging details, including menu, ticket pricing and purchase information. Sponsors are welcome. Contact Chris Manfredi at 929-9550 or cmanfredi@kaufarmandranch.com.
      Two opportunities to explore the Ka`u Forest & Water System are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19. $40 per person includes lunch. Contact Lisa Wright at lisa@kaucoffeemill.com or 928-0550.
      Reserve a ranch lunch at Coffee & Cattle Day. Aikane Plantation owners Phil and Merle Becker invite participants to their ranch on Friday, May 20 at 10 a.m. The descendents of J.C. Searle, the first coffee grower in Ka`u, explain how coffee is integrated into cattle ranching and other agriculture. $25 per person includes buffet lunch. Call 808-927-2252 or email aikaneplantation@hawaii.rr.com.
      Later that day, stargaze from the top of Makanau from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. John Cross, of Olson Trust, will speak on the land’s history and significance. $35 includes refreshments and shuttle rides. Email lisa@kaucoffeemill.com or call 928-0550.
      These events lead up to the ho`olaule`a on Saturday, May 21, with a full day of entertainment, displays, Ka`u Coffee tasting, farm tours, the Ka`u Coffee Experience and food at Pahala Community Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meet the farmers and Miss Ka`u Coffee and her court.
      Ka`u Coffee College closes the festival on Sunday, May 22 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants learn about the growing business of Ka`u Coffee.
      Festival sponsors include County of Hawai`i, Hawai`i Tourism Authority and Buy Local; It Matters.
      See kaucoffeefest.com.
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HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE inform motorists that they will increase enforcement by conducting DUI checkpoints over the Super Bowl weekend. The effort is part of a national and statewide campaign called Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. 

      These are the likely penalties for an arrest and conviction of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant: 

• $500 minimum bail for release from jail; 
• $200 plus $92.56 per month for installation of interlock system; 
• Loss of driver’s license; 
• Possible cancellation of insurance policy or a premium increase of up to $100 per month; 
• Alcohol assessment classes; 
• Community service; 
• Towing fees to recover vehicle; 
• Court fines; and
• Possible jail time.

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THE U.S. SENATE UNANIMOUSLY VOTED to include a provision authored by Sen. Mazie Hirono that removes offensive terms such as “Oriental” from federal law. The amendment was added to S. 2012, the Energy Policy and Modernization Act, which is currently being debated by the Senate. Legislation removing derogatory terms was also passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in December.

      “Clearly the use of derogatory terms to refer to different ethnicities and races doesn’t have any place in federal law,” Hirono said. “It’s long past time that this language was updated to reflect the diversity of our country, and I thank my colleagues for unanimously supporting language that is inclusive of all Americans.”
      The legislation removes all references to derogatory terms that refer to racial groups, such as “Oriental” in federal law, and replaces them with terms like “Asian Americans.” The House legislation is included in the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act. The Senate measure would be approved with the passage of the bipartisan Energy Policy and Modernization Act.

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HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S Centennial receives a chocolate salute at the fifth annual Big Island Chocolate Festival on Friday and Saturday, May 13 and May 14 at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. Culinary booths will be judged on how they best depict the event theme, Lavalicious, that could include Kilauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, Hawaiian culture and the park’s native plants and animals.

      “We are happy to commemorate the centennial of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at the Big Island Chocolate Festival,” says KCA President Farsheed Bonakdar. “We look forward to the new booth decorating contest and how our theme will inspire participants.”

      See bigislandchocolatefestival.com.

HOLY ROSARY CHURCH IN PAHALA holds a rummage sale tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I Volcanoes National Park offers free programs this weekend.

      Participants learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, its many forms and flower on a free, easy one-mile walk tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.
      People & Lands of Kahuku on Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. is a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focusing on the area’s human history.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park holds a Super Bowl Party on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.
      Kick-off is at 1:30 p.m., with quarterly prizes. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests; call 967-8371.

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