Ka'u News Briefs Dec. 9, 2011

Full moon before, during and after total lunar eclipse. Composite by Akira Fujii, Sky & Telescope

KA`U’S CLEAR NIGHT SKIES are expected to be one of the best places on the planet to view the total lunar eclipse before dawn tomorrow morning. Hawai`i is the center of the area where the entire lunar eclipse will be seen, from eastern Asia to Australia, Alaska, the Canadian Yukon and the western U.S. The complete eclipse will be from 4:05 a.m. to 4:57 a.m. Saturday morning, Hawai`i time. 

Abel Simeona Lui talks to an engineer about plans for Kawa,
where a bridge will raise Hwy 11 above flood level.
Photo by Julia Neal

BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION AT KAWA was explained last night at a public meeting on the Environmental Assessment for the project to elevate Hwy 11 above the flood zone. The highway will be raised about 45 feet above sea level and culverts that will take water from the intermittent stream makai. A temporary road will be built makai of Hwy 11 while the bridge is being constructed. The bypass will start about 100 yards Na`alehu side of the most popular entry to the surfing and fishing beach at Kawa. The secondary entrance to Kawa will also remain during and after construction. 

     The $3.8 million project is 80 percent funded by the Federal Highway Administration and 20 percent by the State of Hawai`i. The improvements will be along approximately 3,700 feet of Hwy 11.
     Public questions included issues of Hawaiian sovereignty and the ongoing claim of Abel Simeona Lui and his supporters regarding ownership of the land at Kawa, where he has lived for more than 20 years. He said he will continue his efforts to prove ownership in court and has no plans to leave Kawa. Liko Martin talked to representatives of the project team about his view of sovereignty and stewardship of the land. One woman said she wanted to make sure that construction of the bridge and its long-term impacts will not disturb the springs, estuaries and ponds at Kawa. 

A dead owl was presented with claims that poisons used
to kill rats and control weeds are also killing pueo.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Some members of the public also brought up the question of the kind of poisons being used to keep down weeds along the highway and claimed that Roundup is killing pueo, the Hawaiian owls, and brought a dead owl and photos of other dead and injured wildlife to the meeting. They claimed that rodents eat the poison and owls eat the rodents and die.

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS is hosting a community meeting to discuss the state-proposed settlement regarding ceded lands. The meeting is 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. this evening, Dec. 9 at Kaniohale Community Center, 74-5100 Haleolono Street in Kona. Share concerns and learn about the state’s proposed land settlement relating to past due ceded land revenue, which is subject to legislative approval. Email comments to kakaako.comments@oha.org or visit www.OHA.org. 

AN ANCHIALINE POND RESTORATION WORKDAY will be held tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers for the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund will help remove the last of invasive Christmas berry from around the fragile coastal ecosystem. Wear long-sleeved shirts and gardening gloves, sun and wind protection and sturdy footwear. Bring lunch and re-usable water bottle. Pau hana will be at Kamilo, so bring a swimsuit. Call 769-7629 for more details. See www.wildhawaii.org. After this weekend, the next beach cleanup is scheduled for Jan. 14.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND, which sponsors this event and other Ka`u beach cleanups, is one of five nonprofit organizations receiving donations from Subaru car dealerships in Hawai`i this month. For each new car sold, Subaru donates $250 to the nonprofits.
     Subaru will also donate $5,000 to the nonprofit that receives the most votes on its facebook poll this month. To support the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund effort in Ka`u one needs to click on “like” to take the Share the Love poll. That’s at https://www.facebook.com/SubaruHI?sk=app_126231547426086. 

A giant Norfolk Pine, donated by Olson Trust, went up next to Pahala Gas
yesterday to light up the village and become the central point for the
Christmas in Pahala caroling and gift-giving celebration on
Saturday, Dec. 18. Photo by Tamryn Fyvie

DONATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN for the Christmas in Pahala celebration on Sunday, Dec. 18, around a lighted Christmas tree on Kamani Street, which was put up yesterday. Donations are for needy families who might otherwise not be able to afford a happy Christmas. Canned foods, turkeys, toys, gift certificates and beverages can be donated. Coordinate your donation by calling Keala Kailiawa at 928-0500 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811, or drop donations by KAHU community radio station on Maile Street.

THE HANA HOU CHRISTMAS PARTY for keiki is coming up next Wednesday at Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Santa will be there for photos with the keiki. Free goodie bags and keiki IDs will be offered, along with a free buffet-style dinner. Lucky numbers will be drawn for 30 bicycles, games, books, toys and more.

CHRISTMAS IN KA`U takes place tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by Thy Word Ministries-Ka`u at Na`alehu Hongwanji, the event includes song, hula, dance and free Hawaiian plate lunches. Pastor Bob Tominaga invites everyone for “for some great fun and fellowship.”

VOLCANO ART CENTER’S free Holiday Lights Community Celebration also happens tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at its Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The Christmas tree and light display features a children’s tree ornament contest. There will also be an `ohi`a yule log hunt, holiday music, caroling, marshmallow roasting, light refreshments and a visit by Santa Claus. 

AFTER THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS Celebration, Junior “Volcano” Choy presents A Night of Hot Jazz at the Niaulani Campus from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. Guests include Pauline Wilson, Elena Welch, Lou Ann Gourney, Slyde Hyde, Kenny Griffin, Brian McCree and Gary Washburn. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at 967-8222 or volcanoartcenter.org.

FLOATS, TRUCKS, CARS and Christmas characters will wind through Pahala for the annual Christmas Parade on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. Sponsored by Eddie Andrade and friends, the parade, which is more than 40 years old, stops at Ka`u Hospital and is followed by refreshments at the Catholic church.