Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 5, 2011

Rain is still needed to recover from years of drought in Ka`u.

RAIN THAT IS FALLING TODAY IS STILL NEEDED in Ka`u to bring it out of the drought. Despite good rains in December, ranchers and farmers require more precipitation to end drought conditions. In January, Kahuku Ranch measured only a little more than half an inch, while the normal rainfall is 4.3 inches. South point measured 1.1 inches, while the normal is 4.8. Kapapala measured 3.44 inches with the normal being 6.9 inches for January. While the pastures may look green, the ground hasn’t stayed damp enough for very good growth of grass for cattle. Some ranchers are still hauling water. The rains have been sufficient, however, for vegetable farmers such as Sokha and Ellis Hester to start growing and selling again at farmers markets.

Tutu & Me is hit with funding cuts from money flowing to the state
from the federal government.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS which depend on government funding are scrambling to make new budgets and raise money, as the state has announced severe cuts to some organizations for which federal funding coming to the state has been eliminated or pared back severely. One popular agency here that is expected to suffer is Tutu & Me, the traveling preschool that matches kupuna with the very young to teach many skills. Statewide the agency, called Partners in Development Foundation, will lose $1.4 million for its Family Literacy Program.
     Another program popular in Ka`u is the Boys & Girls Club, with locations in Pahala, Na`alehu and Ocean View. It is losing $90,000 in funding islandwide.
     Another program to be cut is About Face, which is operated by the state Department of Defense and has served many youth at Ka`u High School. About Face will lose $3.5 million statewide. The state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations will lose funding for low income population employment. The state Department of Human Services will have to terminate more than 40 contracts with numerous organizations before April.

EFFORTS FOR CLEAN ENERGY were boosted in 2010, according to Hawaiian Electric Company, which reported yesterday that solar electric installations on Oahu, Hawai`i Island and Maui County more than doubled over 2009. 

The electric company announces a dramatic increase
in solar energy homes.

     “Interest in solar power has steadily increased in recent years, but it really took off in 2010,” said Robbie Alm, Hawaiian Electric executive vice president. “This will help all of us in Hawai`i as we continue to make progress in cutting our dependence on imported oil.”
     On Jan 1, there were 3,967 solar power systems connected with the Hawaiian Electric utilities, compared with 1,916 systems installed through 2009.
     The totals include both systems with Net Energy Metering agreements and systems with standard interconnection agreements. Net Energy agreements allow customers to receive full retail credit on their electric bills for excess electricity sent to the utility grid from customer-owned renewable energy systems.

MULTIPLE GRAMMY AND Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Jeff Peterson performs tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Peterson is renowned for slack key and other guitar stylings. Call 967-8222 for ticket information.

TOMORROW, HIKERS explore an isolated refuge of rare plants in the old-growth forest of Kipuka`akihi in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The hike begins at 10 a.m. Pre-register by calling 985-6011.

A SUPER BOWL TAILGATE PARTY happens tomorrow at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hamburgers, hotdogs, chili and poke bowls will be served in the parking lot from noon to 3 p.m. The game will be shown in the Lounge beginning at 1:30 p.m.