Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 20, 2011

Hawai`i BioEnergy, LLC, with partner Kamehameha Schools, says it plans
biofuels factories in Hawai`i. One farm of eucalyptus trees stands on
Kamehameha lands above Pahala.

BIOFUELS PRODUCTION COMPANIES may not only receive tax credits for starting up their enterprise to make an alternative liquid fuel for Hawaiian Electric Industries and for transportation, they are also set to receive fast tracking of permits for siting and construction of their refineries. Bills to this end have passed committees in the state House of Representatives and Senate. Testimony from the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism says, “To support a robust biofuels industry in Hawai`i, adequate infrastructure will be necessary to transport, distribute and store significant quantities of biofuels. Pilot scale facilities will also be necessary.” The bill would allow fast tracking not only for the larger companies that produce more than a million gallons a year, like the `Aina Koa Pono project planned for Pahala, it would include smaller companies that produce 100,000 gallons or more.
     Hawai`i BioEnergy, LLC, comprised of three of Hawai`i’s largest landowners: Kamehameha Schools – with large holdings in Ka`u; Grove Farm Co. on Kaua`i; and Maui Land & Pineapple on Maui, also supports the fast tracking. The testimony from Chief Operating Officer Joel K. Matsunaga said the partners “would like to use significant portions of their land to address Hawai`i’s existing and growing energy needs.”
     Kamehameha Schools and its partners would produce high density fuels from sweet sorghum, eucalyptus and other dedicated energy crops, the testimony said. The eucalyptus stands above Pahala are on Kamehameha Schools land.

A PUBLIC MEETING ON THE BIOFUELS FARM AND PROCESSING FACILITY planned by `Aina Koa Pono for Pahala and lands between Na`alehu and Pahala will be held tomorrow, Monday, Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The proposed site is 1.7 miles up Wood Valley Road from Pahala and .4 miles down Meyer Camp Road. It would be buffered from the town by a large orchard of macadamia trees.
     The public is invited to the meeting, where `Aina Koa Pono engineer Alexander Causey will make a presentation and answer questions. The public meeting is sponsored by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.

Miss Ka`u Coffee contestants in three age categories learn about coffee growing
and harvesting at the farms of Manuel Marques and Berta and Jose Miranda.

CONTENDERS FOR MISS KA`U COFFEE, Miss Peaberry and Young Miss Ka`u Coffee visited the coffee farms of Berta and Jose Miranda and Manuel Marques at Moa`ula yesterday for a photo and educational session. Farmers Gloria Camba and Manuel Marques explained coffee farming and harvesting practices. Candidates for Miss Ka`u Coffee include Jaeneise Cuison, Brandy Nicole Eder, Kayla Nishimura, Brandy Shibuya and Diane Pataray and Alina Jerilong.
     Miss Peaberry contestants are Taylor Kekoa Burgos, Bernadette Ladia, Jayme Kaneshiro, Tatiana Ka`awa, Cherrisse Aletha Calumpit, Johnette Llanes-Masters and Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar.
    Young Miss Ka`u Coffee contestants are Aiyana Galletes-Alapai, Dacy Davis Andrade, Dayse Andrade, Malia Nicole Corpuz, Shailei-Marie Penera and Alyssa Bivings.
     The contestants are selling $12 tickets for the event which will be held on Saturday, April 23 at Ka`u High School gym at 5:30 p.m. They are also soliciting support through advertising in the pageant program.

A PLANT AND SEED EXCHANGE takes place at the Naohulelua Garden today from noon to 3 p.m. The garden of native and canoe plants is on Kama`oa Road in Wai`ohinu.