Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 14, 2011

`Aina Koa Pono's illustration of the process of  creating biofuel.

MAYOR BILLY KENOI IS APPEALING to the 2011 State Legislature for help in balancing the county budget. In his message to the lawmakers he said the county expects another budget shortfall that will once again force painful budget cuts. “The unavoidable truth is we now have a county government that we cannot afford. We will continue to reduce the size and to refocus our limited resources on core, critical services. Government must do more with less, and programs that are not essential to our core county mission must be set aside,” he said. 

     He pointed to declining property revenues and increasing costs forcing the county to cope with the largest budget shortfalls in county history in the last and current budget year.
     Kenoi said he hopes to help stimulate the economy with state and local government making investments into the communities. He said he wants to carry forward momentum from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which injected more than $115 million in federal money into this county’s economy. “Now it is time for local governments to step up to their responsibilities and do their part to help stimulate the economy. Our working families are counting on us,” he said.
     The mayor is proposing $56 million in capital improvement projects around the island and is hoping the legislature will help fund them.

THE `AINA KOA PONO HUI that plans to produce synthetic diesel oil with a processing plant in Pahala and from crops and trees grown on land around the community is asking the Public Utilities Commission to approve its contract with Hawaiian Electric Company to raise its rates in order to pay for the manufacturing of the diesel. In order to pay for the $320 million project, the average electric bill on O`ahu, Lana`i, Moloka`i, Maui and the Big Island would go up by an average of $1.55 to $1.86 a month for a typical residential customer. However, electric prices would stabilize over time, as the cost of synthetic fuel produced here would be stable, according to HELCO officials. The PUC will take comments from the public and consumer advocates. 

State Department of Agriculture staff members Jimmy Nakatani, Leslie Campaniano and Gayle Nakamura
with Chairman Russell Kokubun, at right.

RUSSELL KOKUBUN has taken his position as chair of the state Department of Agriculture. In his message to the people of Hawai`i, he said the Hawai`i Department of Agriculture’s 260 employees statewide work to support, enhance and promote Hawai`i’s agriculture and aquaculture industries. 

     “Hawai`i’s transition from mono-crop plantations, such as pineapple and sugarcane, to diversified agriculture, including nursery products, seed crops and other vegetable and fruit crops, is important to the state’s economy, environment and lifestyle. Agriculture not only feeds our state, but it also keeps our unique working landscape green – a feature appreciated by residents as well as the millions of visitors to our islands.
     “Hawai`i’s agricultural products are valued around the world for superior quality and the sharing of the Aloha spirit. Hawai`i is also a recognized world leader in aquaculture, producing the finest seafood products for Hawai`i consumers and export markets.
     “In addition, the Department of Agriculture protects our agricultural interests with inspection for invasive species of incoming plant material and animals, safeguarding animal and plant health, supporting farmers with affordable land and water, providing financial assistance to farmers and assuring quality of produce,” said Kokubun.
     He suggested that everyone keep in touch with him through the website at Hawaii.gov/hdoa.
     After winning re-election to the state senate, Kokubun was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie to head the Department of Ag.
     His Senate seat is now held by Gil Kahele, also appointed by Abercrombie.

MEET THOMAS JAGGAR, the founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, this morning as he discusses his work during a living history program set in 1912. The program takes place every Friday in January at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park as part of Volcano Awareness Month. Park entrance fees apply.

A CONCERT FEATURING the Honolulu Jazz Quartet and Junior Choy, with special guest Moons Landing, takes place tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8222 or visit www.volcanoartcenter.org for ticket information.

THE OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER offers square dancing tomorrow night, and every Saturday night, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It is open to everyone, and children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 13, 2011

HELCO president Jay Ignacio tells Pahala residents that the electric company can help 

to wean itself from foreign oil by making a synthetic fuel plant in Pahala.

ABOUT SIXTY COMMUNITY MEMBERS gathered at the Old Pahala Clubhouse last night for a presentation on a proposed synthetic fuels processing plant being planned for Pahala by a hui called `Aina Koa Pono. Engineers and investors, as well as the president of Hawai`i Electric Light Company, Jay Ignacio, explained their plan for Pahala to help wean HECO off foreign oil, in exchange for jobs, economic development and community benefits. The hui promised 300 union construction jobs to build the $320 million manufacturing plant and energy farm, with 100 permanent jobs from agricultural equipment operators to factory and office workers.

     To begin, the fuels made from biomass would be manufactured in Pahala and trucked in liquid fuel tanks to the Keahole power plant in Kona. Pahala could also become the manufacturing site for fuels to burn in the Hilo power plant and to manufacture a variety of fuels from diesel for trucks to jet fuel. Fuels manufactured in Pahala could also be shipped off island. 

     The plan is to initially harvest eucalyptus trees and Christmas berry as well as crops that would be grown on 13,000 acres between Pahala and Na`alehu. The feedstock would be trucked on the old cane haul roads to Pahala where it would be vaporized by a giant microwave and turned into various kinds of liquid fuels in an 80-foot-tall distillation cone. One of the first sources of fuel could be the large stand of eucalyptus trees above the town. 

Engineer Alexander Causey

     Engineer Alexander Causey said that the initial operating capacity would provide for a truck every 20 minutes coming into the plant with wood and other feedstock down the cane haul road behind Ilima Street. Six liquid fuel trucks a day would head down the Maile Street lane of Norfolk pine trees to Hwy 11 and out to Kona. 

     There would be 1.28 million gallons of fuel stored in giant fuel tanks on the grounds of the manufacturing site, like the fuel tanks you see at Hilo Harbor, he said.
     Two homeowners living adjacent to the hui’s preferred manufacturing site – the macadamia truck shed just below Ilima Street – said the site was too close to their homes and the preschool.
     Homeowner and family therapist Sara Witt said she worried about the safety of the microwave plant and the noise of the trucks going by behind her house.
     `Aina Koa Pono representatives said that the microwave unit and its shield would be changed each year.
     Former County Council member Guy Enriques asked about community benefits and said that the landscape was radically changed at South Point when new windmills went up without providing any reduction in electric bills or other benefits to the Ka`u community.
     Building contractor Bob Taylor said that the Electric Company was turning away a lot of the wind energy being produced at South Point. “Why invest in alternative energy if the electric company doesn’t use all that it can use?” he asked.
     Rancher Al Galimba questioned the availability of enough feedstock for the manufacturing of the fuels. “We have a drought and nothing will grow, then where will you get your feedstock?” he asked.
     The engineer pointed out that sugar was grown for many generations in Ka`u without irrigation and that his hui is looking into growing plants that require much less water than sugar cane.
     He also said that water was available from a giant reservoir above town that was built by the old plantation.
     County planner Ron Whitmore asked about the use of fertilizer and pesticides – the downstream effect. Causey said that they plan to run cattle to the fields for fertilizer and hope to limit chemicals on the land. Whitmore asked about the test plots of various plants that could be used for biofuels to see how they hold up in the vog. The hui said that they plan to conduct tests by growing various plants to see which ones do best here.
     Causey said they plan to grow perennials that would be mowed and bailed – like hay, rather than shoveled out of the ground like the sugar cane was harvested by plantations in the past. He said the grasses they could grow would not create seeds that would become invasive but would be grown from rhizomes.
     Sophia Hanoa asked if an Environmental Impact Statement is being written for the project, and Causey said he didn’t think that one would be required. She also asked if there is any place in the world where such a manufacturing plant is operating so that community members could assess it. She was told that there is a test plant next to University of Denmark but that it is being moved and not currently operating.

A house on Ilima Street near the initial site planned for a synthetic fuels manufacturing plant in Pahala.
An alternate site is proposed next to Pahala rubbish transfer station.

     The hui said that an alternate location, near the Pahala transfer station, is being considered as it is farther from homes and schools. The engineer and investors said they will be coming to Pahala at least once a month. They and County Council member Brittany Smart said another community meeting will be planned soon.

AS PART OF VOLCANO AWARENESS month, an interpreter from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park leads a hike to Pu`uloa this afternoon at 1 p.m. Participants meet at the Pu`uloa parking lot on Chain of Craters Road. This two-mile hike takes one-and-a-half hours, and park entrance fees apply.

VOLUNTEERS AND THOSE INTERESTED in becoming volunteers are invited to the monthly Red Cross meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at the HOVE Road Maintenance Corporation office in Ocean View. Call Hannah Uribes at 929-9953.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 12, 2011

Gil Kahele will be the new senator for Ka`u. He emceed Gov. Neil Abercrombie's inauguration ceremonies in Pahala
in December with Hulali and Big D.

GIL KAHELE has been selected to become the new Senator for Ka`u, Puna and Waiakea Uka. Kahele, who emceed Governor Neil Abercrombie’s ceremonies at Pahala Plantation House on December 12, headed the East Hawai`i Abercrombie campaign during the election season. He was a community organizer in Miloli`i who helped Native Hawaiians become homeowners there. He also served on the state legislature’s Coastal Preservation Task Force. 

     The governor, who chose him over finalists Russell Ruderman and Anthony Marzi, said that Kahele “has the ability to bring people together to address our common challenges.” Kahele served in the U.S. Marine Corps and retired from the Department of Defense in 2000. He worked in Public Works at the Naval Communication Station on O`ahu and at Pohakuloa Training Area on this island. He has received the Rural Development Corporation National Award for community service and has been president of Pa`a Pono Miloli`i and the Department of Natural Resource’s Na Ala Hele Advisory Council. Kahele, who was appointed by Abercrombie after Senator Russell Kokubun stepped down to become chair of the state Department of Agriculture, will serve for two years and then will be eligible to run for re-election.

Bionic Fuel Technologies in Germany designed this plant.

The microwave can process most anything into fuel.

REPRESENTATIVES OF A HUI PLANNING to build a biodiesel processing plant and saw mill in Pahala will come to Ka`u to answer questions today at 4:30 p.m. at the Old Pahala Clubhouse on Maile Street. Kenton Eldridge, a partner in the hui, and engineer Alexander Causey will speak to members of the public, along with County Council member Brittany Smart. The processing plant had been planned for the old macadamia equipment shed near Pahala preschool, the Methodist Church and homes at the bottom of Ilima Street. However, other sites are being considered, including one just mauka of the Pahala Transfer station.

ENGINEER ALEXANDER CAUSEY said the processing plant would have a footprint of more than 150 feet by 300 feet. It would include two small power plants to run the operation and a sawmill. Questions will be answered about the microwave technology that would be used to process trees and plants into a liquid fuel. `Aina Koa Pono plans to process all the eucalyptus trees above Pahala, Christmas berry and other wood as well as sweet sorghum or other crops that could be grown on former sugar lands above Pahala. Representatives of the venture will also answer questions about the new process being able to dispose of municipal waste.

THE MILITARY IS HOSTING a talk story session in Hilo this evening regarding the expansion of its operations at Pohakuloa Training Area along the Saddle Road between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. The military is submitting a Programic Environmental Impact Statement on potential effects with construction and operation of an Infantry Platoon Battle area at Pohakuloa. The expanded facility “would improve the current shortfall in collective (group) live-fire training capabilities for units stationed in Hawai`i,” says a media release from the military.
     The military wants to construct and operate an Infantry Platoon Battle Course Live-fire Shoothouse, and a Military Operations on Urban Terrain facility.
     The public is invited to scoping meetings to ask questions and examine tabletop displays. Comments will be allowed. The Hilo scoping meeting will be tonight at 
Hilo Intermediate School
, 587 Waianuenue Avenue, with an open house from 
5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. 
and an open microphone session from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. See www.garrison.hawaii.army.mil.

JASON ZIMMER SHARES his knowledge and skills in making ahu la`i – Hawaiian rain capes – this morning at 10 a.m. on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.

SUZANNE SCHILLER DISCUSSES Living Stress-free and Pain-free at a workshop tonight at Ocean View Chiropractic and Wellness Center. She requests a $10 donation. Call 929-9229 for more information.

THERE ARE MORE PLACES to pick up applications for Miss Ka`u Coffee 2011, Miss Ka`u Peaberry and Little Miss Ka`u Coffee. Prospective contestants can pick them up Kahuku Gift and Garden Shop in Ocean View, Grandma's Closet in Na`alehu, Pahala Community Center and R&G Store in Pahala. Applications are being accepted through Wednesday, January 26. For Miss Ka`u Coffee, girls contestants must be ages 17 to 24; for Little Miss Ka`u Coffee ages 10 to12 and Miss Ka`u Peaberry ages 7 to 9. The age category is determined by the age of the contender on May 13, 2011. Each contestant’s main residence must be in the district of Ka`u. Call Gloria Camba at 928-8558, Nalani Parlin at 217-6893 or Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Posters can be seen around the community.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 11, 2011

The initial site selection for the proposed biodiesel mill was near cottages above the truck shed in Pahala.

MAYOR BILLY KENOI said he is pleased that Hawai`i County has been selected to be the home of `Aina Koa Pono’s proposed biofuels processing facility. He said the island uses the highest level of renewable energy in the state and is an ideal place for building a sustainable energy future because of its incredible natural resources and expansive amount of available land. The mayor wrote to `Aina Koa Pono President, Dr. Melvin Chiogioji: “As you plan your project, please remember it is critically important to include our community in your planning, to offer meaningful consultation with your neighbors and all other stakeholders, and to build a true community consensus in support of your proposals. Ka`u deserves nothing less,” the mayor said. 

BOTH `AINA KOA PONO representatives and Council member Brittany Smart said they plan to soon hold public meetings to solicit and answer questions about the proposed project. Questions involve the location of the proposed biodiesel processing plant and power plant on the edge, within or away from Pahala, as well as mitigation of noise and traffic and the promise of no odor, little emissions and 100 permanent jobs created in the village. 

Applications to enter the 2011 pageant for Miss Ka`u Coffee, Little Miss Ka`u Coffee
and Miss Peaberry are open through Jan. 26. Miss Ka`u Coffee 2010, Ulu Makuakane,
recently danced for Gov. Neil Abercrombie at inauguration ceremonies in Ka`u.

APPLICATIONS FOR MISS KA`U COFFEE 2011, Miss Ka`u Peaberry and Little Miss Ka`u Coffee are being accepted through Wednesday. January 26. For Miss Ka`u Coffee, girls must be ages 17 to 24; for Little Miss Ka`u Coffee ages 10 to12 and Miss Ka`u Peaberry ages 7 to 9. The age category is determined by the age of the contender on May 13, 2011. 

     Each contestant’s main residence must be in the district of Ka`u. Pick up applications at R&G Store in Pahala, Pahala Community Center or call Gloria Camba at 928-8558, Nalani Parlin at 217-6893 or Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. 

THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB has a new chief professional officer, Zavi Brees-Saunders. The CPO serves as the executive in charge of the six clubs on the island. Brees-Saunders has nearly 10 years’ experience in nonprofit management. She was raised in rural Hana, Maui, holds a Master’s degree in public health, worked in the Balkans and in Albania for the American Red Cross, and most recently for Family Support Hawai`i, for which she had oversight of islandwide programs. 

Zavi Brees-Saunders

     “Zavi understands the nature of Hawai`i Island, our vast geography and the need to make sure programs in the furthest reaches get the resources they need,” said Bill Walter, the chief volunteer officer who leads the Boys & Girls Club board. “With units in Hilo, Kea`au, Pahoa, Pahala, Ocean View, and Hamakua, we need the skills she brings.”
     Brees-Saunders has been the program director for Family Support Hawai`i’s Malama Perinatal Program since 2007. Before that, she was with Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services on O`ahu, where she oversaw women’s health and was director of the active living program.
     Since its inception the Club has serviced over 50,000 youth islandwide and now has 1,200 active members in Hilo, Kea`au, Pahoa, Pahala, Na`alehu, Ocean View and Hamakua. For an annual membership fee of $10, youth ages six through 18 are welcome to join. Contact the Club for more information at 808-961-5536 or www.bgcbi.com.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 10, 2011

Russell Ruderman, Anthony Marzi and Gil Kahele are the three finalists
for Russell Kokubun's state Senate seat.

THE FIELD OF CANDIDATES for Russell Kokubun’s District 2 Senate seat narrowed yesterday when party Democrats interviewed eight contenders and selected three names to pass on to Governor Neil Abercrombie. One finalist is Gil Kahele, a community organizer for native Hawaiian housing at Miloli`i, who now lives in Hilo and ran Abercrombie’s East Hawai`i campaign.
     Another finalist is Anthony Marzi, a two-time candidate for state House who grew up in lower Puna and has worked in the high-tech industry. The third finalist, who received the most votes from the precincts, is Russell Ruderman, founder of the four Island Naturals food stores. He was a leader in the Rainforest Action Committee and native Hawaiian rights battle to preserve the Wao Kele O Puna Rainforest.

     Officers from district precincts gathered at the Puna Hongwanji Mission hall in Kea`au and held round robin interviews with candidates who were questioned for ten minutes at each table around the room. At the end each candidate gave a three-minute talk. Dr. Richard Creagan from Ka`u was one of the contenders. He talked about his background in both medicine and agriculture and his ability to analyze and solve problems.
     Finalist GIL KAHELE talked about organizing the community of Miloli`i for Native Hawaiians to build housing for the fishing village. Kahele lobbied the legislature to pass Act 62, which secured the land for the Hawaiians there. He said he wants to make sure that everyday people are represented in the legislature.
     Finalist ANTHONY MARZI talked about the need for jobs that are compatible with the lifestyle in Hawai`i. “You shouldn’t have to choose between career advancing and living in a place where you want to live,” he said.
     Finalist RUSSELL RUDERMAN talked about his environmental activism and said he has walked the talk - tangibly - when it comes to business practices that are environmentally friendly. He said he has created 150 local jobs and can relate with diverse people, from bankers to workers to environmental and cultural activists. He said he also supports civil unions.

Ka`u precinct officers spent ten minutes interviewing
each candidate for the state Senate.

     Abercrombie is expected to choose the next senator in the next few days, since the Legislature starts its session a week from Wednesday, on January 19.
     RICHARD HA, a farmer and businessman who was considered a candidate for Kokubun’s seat, turned in an application for the job after the deadline. An attempt to accept late applications was made at the gathering of the Democratic Party yesterday, but the vote failed. Party leaders said re-opening the application period would have delayed the selection process and required giving notice for additional candidates to apply and for scheduling a new time for the selection process.
     Ha is now in a hui called Kuokoa, Inc., which wants to raise money to purchase Hawaiian Electric Industries, which owns the power companies on O`ahu, Maui and this island. Hawaiian Electric Industries also owns American Savings Bank. Kuokoa involves former state energy administrator Ted Peck and venture capitalist Roald Marth.

LIVING ENDEMIC BIRDS is the title of a Volcano Art Center show that opened over the weekend with artist Marian Berger. The display is open daily through March 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features original watercolor paintings of all 37 species of birds found only in Hawai`i. Her style is similar to the art of the famed John James Audubon.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS can apply for generous scholarships that hook them up with leading universities on the mainland. The Brown Environmental Leadership Lab in Hawai`i will be held April 15 to 22, and the deadline to apply is January 31. For more on the scholarships, call the Kohala Center at 887-6411 or see kohalacenter.org.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 9, 2011

Governor Neil Abercrombie is expected to select the next senator for State Senatorial District 2
in time for the opening of the new Legislature on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

SELECTION OF A NEW STATE SENATOR for this district will be closer to realization today as officers of the precincts in Senatorial District 2 narrow the field to three candidates to fill Russell Kokubun’s seat. The new senator will cover Ka`u, Puna and part of Hilo. Kokubun recently resigned when he was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie to head the state Department of Agriculture. 

     The contenders will be interviewed today from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Kea`au Hongwanji. Nine Democrats applied for the job. However, County Council member J Yoshimoto is out of the running since he stepped down before the interview. Other contenders are: state Rep. Faye Hanohono, a retired prison guard; Russell Ruderman, who owns Island Naturals food store; Gil Kahele, who is retired from Public Works at Pohakuloa Training Area and served as East Hawai`i campaign chair for Governor Abercrombie’s campaign. He recently emceed Abercrombie’s inauguration ceremonies in Pahala.
     Anthony Marzi, unsuccessful candidate for 4th District House seat and a Database Administrator also applied. So did Gary Safarik, a communications business owner and former chair of the Hawai`i County Council. Beverly Jean Withington, a former state chair of the Democratic Party, long-time nurse and attorney in Kea`au, threw her hat in the ring. So did Wai`ohinu farmer, retired physician and Na`alehu Democratic precinct officer Richard Creagan – who has stepped down as a precinct officer. Also applying is Susan “Marie” Sanford, manager of the Abundant Life Natural Foods store in Hilo. Farmer and businessman Richard Ha, whose name was mentioned earlier, decided not to apply for the job.
     Once a slate of three is chosen, it will be confirmed by Hawai`i Democratic Chair Dante Carpenter and passed to the governor. Abercrombie is expected to select the next senator in time for the opening of the new Legislature – a week from this Wednesday – on January 19.

Former District 6 council
member Guy Enriques

District 6 Council member
Brittany Smart

COUNTY COUNCIL member Brittany Smart has announced a series of District 6 Matters talk story public meetings, the first one on Thursday, January 27 at 7 p.m. at Pahala Community Center, with an open discussion on changing the impact fee laws for developers and people building homes. The meeting will include an open discussion with Council member Pete Hoffman. 

     Her second talk story will be Wednesday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Yano Hall Community Center in Captain Cook. The third one will be back in Volcano on Thursday, February 10 at 7 p.m. in Cooper Center.
     Smart came to Pahala yesterday for a talk story on this radio station and to look at proposed sites for a biodiesel processing plant that is proposed for Pahala. Later this week she plans to come back here to meet with school officials and former County Council member Guy Enriques regarding the proposal to build a gymnasium that would also serve as a disaster shelter in Pahala. The gym would be on the campus that includes both county and state land.

A NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD MAN who lived in Pahala for a short time as a child has won a full scholarship to Alonzo King’s Ballet Company, which tours the world. Ka`u residents might remember Tunji Johnson as a member of a Rastafarian family of six kids who lived in Pahala for a short time. His mother was a psychologist, and his father known for his Rasta music. Tunji was the subject of a feature article by Peter Sur yesterday in the Hawai`i Tribune Herald, which reported that studying hip hop dance, ballet and contemporary movement in Hilo over the last three years led to this opportunity. He left for San Francisco yesterday.

Ka`u News Briefs Jan. 8, 2011

A house near the original planned site for an energy farm processing plant in Pahala.
The processing plant site may be changed to place it away from homes, a church and preschool.

THE SITING OF A NEW ENERGY FARM processing plant in Pahala is not yet fixed, according to Edmund C. Olson, who is working with `Aina Koa Pono to bring the venture to lands between Pahala and Na`alehu. `Aina Koa Pono has been considering placing the 300-foot by 150-foot processing plant at the ML Macadamia truck and equipment shed in Pahala, which is steps from homes and next to the Methodist Church and preschool. Olson said other locations being considered include land on the Kona side of the old cane haul road, keeping the processing plant farther from other human activities, but still near power, water and the main road coming down from the farmland. The alternative site would keep it away from schools, churches and homes and give it room for expansion away from town, should the venture become very successful. The processing plant could turn plant material, from eucalyptus and Christmas berry to grasses and sweet sorghum, into a biofuel that would be trucked to the Hawaiian Electric Company power plant in Kona. Should the venture be successful it could make fuel for other power plants on this island and throughout the state.

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC signed a contract on Thursday with `Aina Koa Pono to purchase the biofuel. `Aina Koa Pono officials said the venture would initially create 300 construction jobs to build the processing plant and lead to 100 permanent farm and factory jobs in Pahala. The process would be able to use eucalyptus trees that could be harvested above Pahala and elsewhere. On the old sugar lands, the company would also plant crops that could be used to make biofuels. `Aina Koa Pono plans to generate 14 million gallons of biofuel per year in 2014 and 15 million in 2015. The contract with the electric company is good for 20 years.

CONGRESSWOMAN MAZIE HIRONO has weighed in on the new venture. She said, “I am pleased that `Aina Koa Pono’s new Ka`u Energy Farm – in the Ka`u District of Hawai`i Island – will be located in the Second Congressional District of Hawai`i. Hawai`i’s geographic isolation, year-round growing season and rich landscape make it an ideal place to be a leader in renewable energy, making it possible to reduce our state’s dependence on imported fossil fuels.
     “As an avid supporter of increasing Hawai`i’s energy self-sufficiency through the development of commercial bioenergy operations, I am excited that `Aina Koa Pono is taking visionary steps in leading the way to making this goal a reality for our islands,” said the congresswoman. 

KAHU Radio station manager Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a
places ti leaves on fencing around one of the
communication towers being considered
for broadcasting the station.

THE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION voted 6-0 on Thursday to allow Crown Castle GT Co. LLC to replace a 111-foot wooden tower with a new steel pole to allow more communications antennas in Ka`u. One of the antennas is expected to help improve the range of KAHU Community Radio, with its music, news and public information shows. Currently KAHU, based in Pahala, reaches the town, ranches and farms above the village, and listeners from Pahala to Punalu`u and Na`alehu. Windward Planning Commissioner Rell Woodward encouraged Crown Castle to include the radio station on its tower for Civil Defense purposes and to exercise good will in the community. 

     The tower would expand the radio station reach toward Ocean View and Volcano. It is also expected to much improve wireless communications in Ka`u. The tower is on land managed by Chris Manfredi of Ka`u Farm and Ranch. 

DROUGHT CONDITIONS remain in Ka`u though the district has been downgraded from exceptional drought to severe drought conditions. Several rainfall events in December contributed to easing of the drought. December was the first time since last March that Ka`u farmers and ranchers were relieved of the most exceptional drought situation, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters are predicting above-level precipitation through spring. 

VOG: How Dangerous is It? This is the subject of an Insights PBS television show featuring Kapapala rancher Lani Cran, Rep. Bob Herkes, Jeff Sutton of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and Dr. Elizabeth Tam, who is conducting research on vog and lung health for the U.H. Medical School. The panel discusses the harm that has come to livestock and the financial challenges of running a ranch during periods of heavy vog. It also sorts out assumptions about how bad vog is for health, compared to smoking in the home and living with automobile smog. This television show was live on Thursday but can now be seen online at pbshawaii.org.

A WALK IN THE PARK will be sponsored tomorrow by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. It is free to Friends members and begins at the visitor center. The leader for the 2-hour, 3-mile hike is Nick Shema. It begins at 1 p.m. Call 967-8648.