Ka`u News Briefs June 4, 2011

The first weekly Green Market at Ocean View Community Center was held yesterday.  Photo by Mars Cavers

 

HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC COMPANIES has responded to the Public Utilities Commission request for proof that its proposed Microwave Catalytic Depolymerization technology will work on a commercial scale. They point to a processing facility in Denmark and a pilot plant in Woodruff, South Carolina. Their response states that a reactor in Denmark has the capability of processing 75 dry tons per day to produce 2.1 to 2.5 million gallons of crude bio-oil per year. `Aina Koa Pono states that the planned microwave reactors for AKP could produce 900 dry tons per day and 25.2 million to 30 million gallons of crude bio-oil per year, which is more than enough to satisfy the 16 million-gallon annual biodiesel supply commitment to HELCO. 

     `Aina Kona Pono states that it expects to produce 38,000 gallons per week within 30 months of the beginning of the contract date and 300,000 gallons per week within 36 months.
     It also promises to bring in 300 construction jobs to build the plant and 100 permanent jobs to run the refinery and farm. 

Life of the Lend executive
director Henry Curtis.

`AINA KOA PONO’S PLAN for a biodiesel refinery near Pahala and a farm that would grow crops to feed the refinery is getting some public comments in the filings at the Public Utilities Commission. Life of the Land executive director Henry Curtis is suggesting that the PUC allow interveners to review all the alternative energies available to make sure that one does not preclude the other. Life of the Land also wants to discuss whether customers in other counties should pay for `Aina Koa Pono’s Big Island project through rate increases. 

     Pahala resident Lynn Hamilton asks questions about the availability of water to grow crops to make biofuel and quotes documents from the former sugar company that occupied the land, stating that droughts and water were a problem historically. Hamilton also asks that it be confirmed that a road will be built from the refinery to Hwy 11 to avoid trucks coming through Pahala.

THE OCEAN VIEW RECYCLING POINT & CONVENIENCE CENTER location will most likely be taken by eminent domain, following a County Council resolution that passed this week. The owners are the Steven and Patricia Eames and Ronald A. Wilson Trusts. The location is just off the makai side of Hwy 11, on the Kona side of Kona Drive and across from Iolani Lane. The current temporary transfer container is hauled in and away at Kahuku County Park in Ocean View. 

Barking dogs will have to be
reported by neighbors to the
offending household.

WHO YA GONNA CALL ON BARKING DOGS? The owners of the dogs, according to a new law recently passed by the County Council and allowed to become law without the mayor’s signature. The new law absolves the police department from being obligated to participate in noisy animal complaints. The new law requires the offended to give notice to the barking dog owner. If there is no relief, the bothered person can contact the Humane Society. The definition of nuisance barking is 10 straight minutes or 20 intermittent minutes of barking. Fines are $25 for the first offense, $75 for the second, $100 for the third and $200 thereafter for each offense. 

A DINNER TO RAISE FUNDS for the Summer Fun program will be served today at 5 p.m. at Kahuku Park on Paradise Circle in Ocean View. $5 includes BBQ pork along with rice, corn and watermelon. Beverages are $1, with desserts and other baked goods also on sale.

THE KA`U FAMILY FUN FEST is a week from today. `O Ka`u Kakou sponsors this fundraiser for Bay Clinic’s building fund. A half marathon, 10K and 5K races begin at Na`alehu Park. Other events and activities at the park are a hunters’ obstacle course; tournaments in archery, Jan Ken Po, Portuguese horseshoes and basketball; live music and entertainment; information and food booths; a live auction; a jumping castle; bungee jumping; rock wall climbing and a dunking booth. Registration and fee schedules are available online at race360.com/15811. For more information, call 265-8251 or email kaufamilyfunfest@gmail.com.