Ka'u News Briefs Jan. 12, 2012

Jason Scott Lee, of Volcano, films in the rainforest to promote protection of watersheds. Photo from DLNR

JASON SCOTT LEE, of Volcano, is promoting clean water for Hawai`i. He has a new program sponsored by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources called The Rain Follows the Forest. It will air for the first time on television next Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. on KGMB. 

     Lee, who is famous for leading roles in Dragon, The Bruce Lee Story, as Mowqli in The Jungle Book and the young chief in the film Rapanui, chose Volcano as his home years ago and is married and raising a child there. He grows taro and other food on his farm and fishes the Ka`u coast. He is known for living a simple, sustainable lifestyle. 

The DLNR has enlisted Jason Scott Lee for a film that airs
next week, The Rain Follows the Forest. Photo from DLNR

     In the half-hour special, The Rain Follows the Forest, Lee sets out on a journey to learn about sustainable life in his island home. He learns about the fragile fresh water supply, discovering connections to the upland forest. He talks with DLNR chair William Aila, Jr. who says, “I think about my grandchildren all the time and all the challenges that they are going to face. The worst-case scenario is that our watersheds are depleted and the source of fresh water diminishes,” says Aila. “Fresh water is really important for us; it’s important to every ecosystem from the top of the mountain even into the ocean,” Aila says in the film.
     Says Lee: “It’s so easy to get caught up in our modern world. Easy to forget where you came from. And then you look at the world and realize that things are kinda out of control. I left Hollywood 15 years ago. I came home to Hawai`i to remember what life is about. My name is Jason Scott Lee, and I live in the rainforest.” 

Rainbow and Sunred papaya from Volcano Isle Fruit
Company, www.papaya.net.

PAPAYAS from Hawai`i drew $15 million in sales to Japan before the ringspot virus devastated the orchards here on the Big Island in the 1990s. Now local papayas may return to the Japan market, as the Japanese government approved the Rainbow Genetically Modified papayas for import. The GMO papayas have been sold in Hawai`i since 1998 and exported to Canada since 2003. Now that Japan has accepted them, Hawai`i has to re-establish a market that has dropped to under $1 million a year with the Rainbow papaya. 

     Opponents of GMO fruit say they are afraid the Rainbow papayas will cross with organic papayas and could lead to resistant diseases. Scientists working with the local papaya industry said that the Rainbow papaya is safe and the most thoroughly analyzed fruit in the world.
     “The market opening in Japan is great news for Hawai`i’s papaya producers and even better news for American agricultural exports,” said Michael Scuse, acting under secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services. “Under the Obama Administration, USDA has continued to expand markets for American goods abroad, worked aggressively to break down barriers to trade, and assisted U.S. businesses with the resources needed to reach consumers around the world,” Scuse said. “This announcement will ensure that Hawai`i’s papaya producers help to drive our agricultural economy by expanding exports, creating jobs, and strengthening our nation’s competitiveness.” 

Derek S.K. Fontes

HAWAI`I’S MOST WANTED television show is featuring someone who police said could be in the Pahala area. The show, which will air beginning Jan. 13 on KHON, focuses on Derek S. K. Fontes, who is wanted on two arrest warrants for probation and three bench warrants. According to the Hawai`i Police Department, he is five-feet six-inches tall, 180 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He has been wanted since last November. Police ask that anyone with information call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential. Crime Stoppers does not record phone calls or subscribe to caller ID. 

THE BIG ISLAND is the only free destination offered up to promote the new Microsoft Flight Simulator game. Microsoft Studios has announced that Microsoft Flight will give “players the freedom to fly the skies over the beautiful Big Island of Hawai`i, complete a variety of exciting challenges, or find hidden aerocaches on the island.” Mircrosoft Flight players “view the world from above in a visually stunning and realistic representation of earth, complete with terrain and landmarks. Players can choose to take the helm using highly rendered, accurate cockpits and authentic piloting procedures or simply use their mouse and keyboard to control the plane in an exterior view. Experienced players can tailor the flight controls to match their skill level,” says a statement from Microsoft studios. Once enthusiasts fly free over the Big Island, they are welcome to purchase the other destinations in the new Flight Simulator game.

WAIAKEA CAME TO KA`U LAST NIGHT for boys high school basketball. In the JV game Ka`u came up short with 36 points to Waiakea’s 53. Larry Navarro was Ka`u’s high point scorer with ten baskets. In the varsity game, Ka`u scored 37 and Waiakea won with 47. Holden Galigo and Royden Esperon each picked up seven points, reports Ka`u High School athletic director Kalei Namohala.

BINGO FOR SENIOR CITIZENS originally scheduled for Feb. 4 at Na`alehu Clubhouse, has been rescheduled for March 2 at Na`alehu Clubhouse, 10 a.m., with free lunch, sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou.

The March 6, 2011 fissure eruption between Pu`u `O`o
and Napau Crater. Photo by Tim Orr/USGS

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is offering free entry this Friday through Monday. Numerous ranger-led hikes and programs are available during the fee-free dates as part of Volcano Awareness Month. Visitors can find information at http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit and check the ranger activities bulletin board at the Kilauea Visitor Center each morning after 9 a.m.

THIS WEEKEND `O KA`U KAKOU’S Keiki Fishing Tournament comes to Punalu`u. Early registration for the event on Saturday morning is advised, and forms are available in Pahala at Mizuno Superette and Pahala Gas Station, in Na`alehu at B&E Union 76 gas station and Ace Hardware, and in Ocean View at Kahuku Mini-Mart and Ace Hardware.
     The event is a benefit for the Ka`u Family Center, and organizers ask that participants bring at least one canned food item. Call 937-4990 or 217-2253 for more information.

KA`U FARMERS MARKET celebrates its 10th anniversary this Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. in front of Na`alehu Ace Hardware with entertainment, lucky number drawings and free root beer floats while they last.