Ka'u News Briefs March 10, 2011

Herb Kane's Punalu`u Bay Painting was stolen from the ruins of the museum but recreated by the artist.

HERB KAWAINUI KANE who painted the famous mural of Punalu‘u Bay, the Madame Pele portrait at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and so many more depictions of Hawaiian culture, died March 8 at the age of 82.

Along with Volcano architect Boone Morrison, Kane designed the old museum and restaurant at Sea Mountain Resort at Punalu‘u. The museum was home to his nine foot tall by 22 feet wide Punalu‘u Bay mural that depicted ancient days at the black sand beach and pond; a chief sailing into shore on a double-hulled canoe; the village people at work; and the Kane‘ele‘ele Heiau. Though the museum closed after a tidal wave in 1975 and it fell into disrepair, the painting was often visited by locals and their guests and remained in tact in the rubble.

In 2005, however, someone sawed the mural into pieces and carried it away. Though detectives were hired and awards offered, no one has come forward to reveal the location of the Punalu‘u Bay mural.

Herb Kane

     
As a result, in May of 2007 Herb Kane revealed a new original painting of the same Punalu‘u Bay mural – this time on canvas. Prints of Punalu‘u Bay have been made and are on display in homes and in public places.

During his long career, Herb Kane created illustrations for National Geographic Magazine, and for postage stamps in the U.S., the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and French Polynesia. His paintings hang in the Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai and many other locations throughout the Pacific.

Kane also helped design the Hokule‘a sailing canoe and was deeply involved with the Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Herb Kane grew up in Waipio Valley and Hilo, served in the Navy, and received a Masters Degree from Chicago Art Institute. A skilled illustrator, he worked for advertising agencies on the mainland before moving back to Hawai‘i. He lived in Kona until his very last day, which was the birthday of the first launching of his beloved Hokule‘a sailing canoe.

Dignitaries from Mayor Billy Kenoi to Sen. Dan Akaka and Sen. Dan Inouye praised Kane for a lifetime of public service through the arts.

A SMALL INCREASE IN ELECTRIC RATES IN Hawai‘i, O‘ahu and Maui counties to help pay for the ‘Aina Koa Pono’s proposed biodiesel refinery near Pahala has been rejected by the state Public Utilities Commission. In its ruling, the PUC said that it could not approve Hawaiian Electric Company charging customers in O‘ahu and Maui counties for the biofuels used only here, even though the plan is to expand to other islands. ‘Aina Koa Pono partner Kenton Eldridge said yesterday that his team is moving ahead with their plans to gain approvals for the project. The PUC will consider other aspects of the contract between HECO and ‘Aina Koa Pono. ‘Aina Koa Pono President Melvin Chiogioji told Pacific Business News that his hui could renegotiate the HECO contract so that Hawai’i county residents would not suffer from large electric bill hikes to help pay for the proposed biofuels farm and refinery.

Non-union members have been  

responding to trouble calls during the

strike on the Big Island.

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. unionized workers are voting on a new agreement to end their strike. The International Brotherhood of Electric Workers went on strike late last week in O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai'i counties. Details of the agreement are undisclosed but the workers could be back on the job by this weekend if they agree to the settlement.

A STATE BUDGET OF $10.9 BILLION a year was passed by the state House of Representatives Finance Committee yesterday and some tax increases are riding along with the measure to help makeup for a shortfall. The legislature and governor declined to increase the 4 percent excise tax but would make the state’s hefty liquor tax even higher. Taxes on soda and other sugary drinks were turned down. For the first time, pension income would be taxed for the wealthy. Liquor taxes would go up 20 percent and tax exemptions would end for airlines and some other businesses. Negotiations are also underway for a 5 percent reduction in the cost of state labor. However, the Gov. Neil Abercrombie is ending all state furlough days for government workers. The budget goes to the full House next week and then on to the state Senate.

Thermal image of a channelized lava flow yesterday at Kilauea
Volcano, courtesy of Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory.

HELICOPTER TRAFFIC to see the new activity at Kilauea Volcano was up sharply yesterday for viewing the 1.4 mile Kamoamoa fissure between Pu`u `O`o and Napau Crater. Lava spatters reached as high as 160 feet. Scientists installed webcams to record the Kamoamoa eruption. The images can be accessed at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/activity/kilaueastatus.php. Activity along the fissure paused late last night. The lava lake remained deep inside the Halema‘uma‘u Crater vent, some 720 ft below the rim.

SEN. GIL KAHELE AND REP. BOB HERKES are coming to Ocean View Community Center this Saturday at 4 p.m. for a talk story session. Everyone is invited to attend to find out how their initiatives have fared during the current legislative session.

Rion Schmidt

Katy Rexford

BLUE GRASS MEETS PILI GRASS this Saturday night at 7 p.m. during a free concert at Pahala Plantation House. Bluegrass musicians from Alaska to Appalachia will teach classes to local students all day Saturday and open up for a public concert in the evening. These musicians are noted for their crystal harmonies as well as their skills on mandolin, guitar, base fiddle, banjo, ukulele and slack key. They mix original and traditional songs while bringing in a fresh approach to this traditional music. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. this Saturday. Free concert. Pahala Plantation House.

Alyssa Bivings

YOUNG MISS KA`U COFFEE candidate Alyssa Bivings has been learning how to pick coffee, paying particular attention to selecting only the ripest red coffee cherry for the milling and roasting. She will compete in the MIss Ka`u Coffee pageant in her age category on Saturday, April 23 at Ka`u High School gym. Tickets and sponsorships are available from the candidates.