Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 26, 2011

Kona Nightingales wait for homes, away from development in Kohala and Waikoloa.

THE FUEL TAX BILL that would have allowed such communities as Ocean View to apply for money collected in gasoline tax at the pump in order to help maintain roads is recommended for deferral by the state House of Representatives finance committee. The measure supported in the County Council needed permission from the state Legislature. The idea is that residents of communities that maintain their own roads, like in Ocean View, also pay fuel taxes and deserve some of the tax income. It was also argued that the county allowed approval of substandard subdivisions without public roads and should share the fuel tax income to help them. One of the challenges of such a bill was that it singled out the Big Island to allow the fuel taxes to go to communities with private roads. However, the communities would have to apply for the funding, like applying for a grant. There would be a committee and oversight, said Ka`u councilwoman Brittany Smart.

Mauna Kea from the view of Kahea: The Hawai`i Environmental Alliance.

THE THIRTY METER TELESCOPE proposed for Mauna Key was approved by the state Board of Land & Natural Resources yesterday, at a meeting held on O`ahu, with a unanimous vote to issue a Conservation District Use Permit. However, the panel also granted a contested case hearing, which could take another six months and involve further mediation with the community. The telescope would be built some 500 feet below the existing 13 telescopes. Its campus would not only include the 184-foot-tall Thirty Meter Telescope but also a 14,000-square-foot building. The $1.3 billion investment would bring $26 million a year to the local economy, testified Randy Kurohara, the county director of the Department of Research and Development. It would also provide $1 million a year for local education. According to a report in this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser, Kurohara described Mayor Billy Kenoi referring to the Thirty Meter Telescope as “sacred science on a sacred mountain.”
     Kahea: The Hawaiian Environmental Alliance objected. Marti Townsend, Kahea’s staff attorney and program director, said, “This basically is a pay-to-degrade policy. There is no pay-to-degrade policy in the state rules. We don't have the option to let somebody pay in order to destroy the conservation district,” the Advertiser newspaper reported.
     Without further delays, construction could be finished in about 11 years.

THE PRICE OF SHIPPING TO AND FROM THE MAINLAND THROUGH MATSON will be hit with a 35 percent fuel surcharge. An earlier increase of 4.75 percent announced last month hits the bill of lading starting tomorrow. The total surcharge will rise to 39.45 percent. Matson told its regular customers that the rise in the fuel charge is due to higher oil prices stemming from turmoil in the Middle East. When Matson first starting using the surcharge to raise rates, it added on 3.25 percent. The 35 percent marks a new high. Horizon and Pasha ocean cargo companies are expected to follow suit.

Bird and Colin McIver rescue
horses and donkeys.

HOMES ARE BEING SOUGHT for Kona Nightingale donkeys that are considered a nuisance around Waikoloa and The Four Seasons hotel where they have run wild since they were no longer needed to work the Kona coffee farms and in sugar plantations. They also compete with cattle and horses for water and grass at ranches. Veterinarian Brady Bergin is fixing up the donkeys and neutering the males before making them available to the public. CB Horse Rescue in Puna is hauling them to this side of the island and is taking applications for adoption. Anyone interested has to prove they will provide a good home and commit to veterinary care. Those interested can call Bird or Colin McIver at 987-9064. Donations are also being accepted at CB Horse Rescue. Visit its website at hawaiihorserescue.com. 

Red Hatters and Kalae Quilters raise thousands for the Ka`u Hospital ER.

A SPAGHETTI DINNER is being held tonight at Na`alehu Community Center to raise money for the Ka`u Hospital Emergency Room. Sponsored by the Red Hats, Kalae Quilters and the Ka`u Hospital Foundation, the event will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A golf tournament is also planned for Friday, March 18 at Volcano Golf Club. Find out more at the spaghetti dinner tonight. 

REPRESENTATIVES OF `AINA KOA PONO, who propose to develop a new biofuel processing facility near Pahala, are scheduled to make a presentation to the Hawai`i County Council Committee on Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability on Wednesday, March 2 at 2 p.m. The meeting will be held at Council Chambers in Hilo.

AT 6 P.M. ON THE SAME DAY, Wednesday, March 2, a public meeting about the Nani Kahuku `Aina development between South Point and Ocean View will be held at Na`alehu Community Center. That development includes a Heritage Park around Pohue Bay, hotels, condominiums, oceanfront estates, golf course and commercial centers.

Kathline Diane Pataray

CANDIDATES for Miss Ka`u Coffee, Young Miss Ka`u Coffee and Miss Peaberry are being welcomed in the community as they raise support for their pageant by accepting $5 donations for Friends of Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant. The pageant is scheduled for Saturday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Ka`u High School Gym. The girls are practicing at both Na`alehu Community Center and the Old Pahala Clubhouse. The pageant director is Gloria Camba, and Pageant choreographer is Nalani Parlin.