By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

KAWA, Hawaii: Earlier this month marked the two year anniversary of a unique roadside vigil in Ka’u.

Abel Simeona Lui, who some regard as the Konahiki of the lands surrounding the popular Kawa bay and surf spot, has made his stand here along Highway 11 since January 2010, surrounded by Hawaiian sovereignty signs and Kingdom flags.

Abel, who has lived at Kawa for decades, has been protesting against the public open space purchase of these lands by the county. During the past two years, he has transformed the location into a virtual homestead, complete with a garden, pets and smoldering imu.

Last year’s anniversary was marked by this observance by friends and family… but this year, Lui says things were quiet.

Visiting Lui this past week, we saw that last year’s drought in Ka’u has taken a toll on his crops, but the grounds still appear abundant with fruit trees and vegetables.

Lui claims allodial rights to the land, and says it was given to his great-great-grandfather Timoteo Keawe by way of a royal land grant.

Nonetheless, towards the end of last year, the county closed on the purchase of a remaining 551 acre parcel at Kawa from the Olson Trust. The final price was $3.9 million, with over half the funds coming from state and federal grants. Lui still faces a court approved eviction by the county.

Lui has exhausted nearly every legal remedy at his disposal, although he still has hope that his options have not entirely run out.

At this point, Lui says, he just wants to talk story with Mayor Billy Kenoi, who Lui says has yet to respond to his request for time.

He is also concerned that a planned state project that will address flooding along this same stretch of highway – known as Kawa Flats – may also force him to vacate.

For now, Kawa’s konahiki continues with his two year long demonstration. wether or not the vigil makes it to year number three remains to be seen.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

PAHALA, Hawaii: Hundreds turned out for the blessing of the new Ka’u Coffee Mill in Pahala on Saturday, a huge step forward for an agricultural community revitalizing itself through the caffeinated crop.

It was a who’s who in Ka’u: farmers, politicians, businessmen, and entertainers… but it all wouldn’t be possible without the investment of the Edmund C. Olson Trust.

Olson’s right hand man, John Cross, said the project was done for the local coffee farmers…

The mill features a new gift shop, where visitors can buy Ka’u Coffee Mill coffee, as well as coffee grown by the region’s award winning individual farmers, like Bull and Jamie Ka’ili’awa. Visitors will also be able to watch the process of bean to beverage, and enjoy locally created art… like this massive mural by artist Kathleen Kam.

The finished facility left local leaders at a loss for words…

After all the talking and performances – like this hula by Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya with the music of Keoki Kahumoku – the maile lei was untied, and the facility was blessed.

And finally, the community gave a standing ovation for Olson, in appreciation for what will certainly stand out as a highlite in a legacy of land conservation for the rural Ka’u district.

A look back on ten memorable moments – for better or for worse – covered by Big Island Video News in 2011

KA’U, Hawaii: For the next two weeks, we will be taking a look at the moments that mattered over the past year, paying special attention to every region of Hawaii Island.

Today, we focus on Ka’u… the island’s southernmost district, as well as the most remote… You will notice that the majority of these stories arerelated to planning, development and preservation.. perennial issues in the region.

Here, now, is our top 10 stories of 2011.

The TOP 10 – KA’U 2011

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[File video by David Corrigan]

PAHALA, Hawaii: In Pahala, the annual Christmas Parade is being organized, according to the Ka’u Calendar… with churches, community groups and other groups building their floats.

This video is from last year’s event.

Organizer Eddie Andrade has sponsored the parade for more than 40 years.

Participants meet this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. at Pahala Armory for the parade that begins at 1 p.m. and winds through Pahala, with refreshments at the Catholic Church following the procession.

The following joint media release was issued by The Trust For Public Land:

The County of Hawai‘i announced today that it purchased more than 550 acres of undeveloped shoreline at Kawa, located in the Ka‘u District near the old plantation town of Pahala. A public-private partnership consisting of the County, the State Legacy Land Conservation Program under the State Department of Land and Natural Resources, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery Land Acquisition Program, The Trust for Public Land, and many community members and stakeholders, made the $3.9 million purchase possible.

For many years, the Hawai‘i County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) consistently ranked the Kawa shoreline project its top priority for its outstanding natural and cultural resources. The newly acquired land connects a four-mile corridor of publicly owned coastal land along the Ka‘u coastline, protects nesting areas for the critically endangered Hawaiian Hawksbill turtle, and includes the 2-acre Ka‘alaiki intertidal coastal fishpond, estuary, and spring system (the second largest on the island) where the Hawaiian orange-black damselfly (a candidate endangered species) can be found. The property also includes numerous Hawaiian cultural sites, such as Ke‘eku Heiau (luakini), one of the largest intact heiau in the region. The three-parcel, 550-acre property is located next to the popular surfing beach fronting Kawa Bay, which the County acquired in 2008.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi said the cooperation of The Trust for Public Land, the state Legacy Land Conservation Program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the people of Ka‘u made this purchase possible. “Our ability to work with federal, state, and private partners has allowed us to leverage county funds, and stretch our tax dollars further to preserve our important lands for future generations.” Mayor Kenoi said county officials have been meeting with community and cultural stakeholders for many weeks, listening to their concerns and recommendations. Mayor Kenoi said the wishes of the entire Ka‘u community will drive the county’s actions at Kawa.

The Hawai‘i County purchased the 550-acre property from the Edmund C. Olson Trust for several million dollars less than the County’s appraisal of the property. Mr. Olson was recently recognized in the Pacific Business News and the Hawaii Tribune Herald for his charitable contributions to land conservation in Hawai‘i, and voluntary dedication of over 2,100 acres of land on O‘ahu and in Ka‘u to agricultural and conservation uses in the future. Mr. Olson is a partner in Hilo-based O.K. Farms LLC, which produces coffee, macadamia nuts, honey, tropical fruits, avocados, citrus and hearts of palm. He also has many other agricultural interests in the Ka‘u area. Mr. Olson stated: “I have loved Hawai‘i since I first came here for business in the 1960s. I am happy that this shoreline land will remain in public hands in the future. Hawai‘i has been good to me, and I am pleased to give back to the community.”

The $3.9 million discounted purchase price consisted of $1,893,000 from the Hawai‘i County Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Fund, $1.5 million from the State Legacy Land Conservation Program, and $507,000 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery Land Acquisition Program. The voters of Hawai‘i County established the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation fund in 2006 by a ballot initiative, setting aside 2 percent of real property taxes for natural land conservation. The County Council recently passed a measure to make the fund a part of the County’s Charter, which will be subject to a County vote.

The State of Hawai‘i Legislature established the Legacy Land Conservation Program (LLCP) in 2005 to provide funding to public agencies and community organizations for land conservation. The LLCP receives 10 percent of the State’s real estate conveyance tax (a tax paid by sellers when property is sold). The State Department of Land and Natural Resources administers the LLCP. From 2006 to 2011, the Legacy Land Conservation Program has issued $21.5 million in awards, and attracted $42.9 million in matching federal, county and private funds towards the protection of more than 7,920 acres of cultural, natural, agricultural, and recreational resource lands. On average, funded projects leverage 50 percent matching funds from federal, county, or other private sources. William Aila, Jr., Chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, stated that: “This project is a good example of how federal, state, and county funds can come together to protect a valued community resource.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery Land Acquisition Program, authorized through the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund under Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act, provides funding for the purchases from willing landowners of habitat for threatened and endangered species. “These grants have proven time and again to be an integral tool in working with states and localities to protect habitat for the recovery of threatened and endangered species. The U.S. House of Representative’s elimination of funding for this grant program in their FY12 Interior appropriations bill would significantly impact the State’s ability to support ESA recovery projects. By supporting states and territories, the federal funds continue the Endangered Species Act’s long legacy of protecting healthy, thriving ecosystems for generations to come,” said Dan Ashe, Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery Land Acquisition Program has helped with the acquisition of numerous parcels in Hawai‘i, including Moanalua Valley and the Honouliuli Forest Reserve on O‘ahu, Waihe‘e coastal wetland and dunes on Maui, and the Kuka‘iau (Carlsmith) property on Hawai‘i Island. “Through these funds, we can contribute to the conservation of this shoreline, which serves as a nesting area for the critically endangered Hawaiian Hawksbill Turtle and other unique Hawaiian species. We are pleased to be playing a role in the permanent protection of this important habitat area,” said Loyal Mehrhoff, Field Supervisor of the Pacific Islands U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office.

“A struggling economy should never be the reason for abdicating our responsibility to preserve unique cultural and environmental treasures. An impressive list of public and private partners stepped forward in the best interest of the Ka‘u community today and into the future. I am very proud that the federal government is one of the partners. One word sums up both the partnership and the preservation—priceless,” said U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

The Trust for Public Land, a private national nonprofit organization, assisted the County in drafting funding applications for the state and federal funds totaling over $2 million, or 53 percent of the acquisition funding. The Trust for Public Land has conserved more than 39,672 acres of land in Hawai‘i. On Hawai‘i Island, The Trust for Public Land helped to conserve Pao‘o (now owned by the County) and Lapakahi (Lamalaloa and Kaipuha‘a, expansion of the Lapakahi State Historical Park) along the Kohala coast, the Honu‘apo Fishpond and Estuary (owned by the County) in Ka‘u, the Wao Kele O Puna Forest Reserve (owned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs), the Ki‘ilae shoreline as part of an expansion of the Pu‘uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Park, and the Kalapana expansion of the Volcanoes National Park.

The Trust for Public Land’s mission in Hawai‘i is focused on protecting coastal/shoreline lands, working lands that contribute to Hawai‘i’s food, energy, and water self-sufficiency, and heritage lands that perpetuate Hawaiian culture. Lea Hong, the Hawaiian Islands Program Director of The Trust for Public Land, stated that: “Kawa, and other important coastal areas, are where local families gather and enjoy Hawai‘i’s shorelines. The Trust for Public Land plays an important role bringing together multiple funding sources, agencies, and stakeholders to make conservation victories like this possible. These are the places that fill the childhood memories of Hawai‘i’s keiki and leave a legacy for the future.”

There has been no word yet on what will happen to Abel Simeona Lui, who claims allodial title to the land. The County has court approved writs of possession and can choose to evict Lui at any time. Lui has exhausted nearly every possible legal remedy available to try and stop the land sale, to no avail.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[File Video, Video by David Corrigan]

PAHALA, Hawaii: The Hawaii County Council will be voting to accept $17,900,000 in state grants to go towards a new Ka’u High School Gym that will double as a Civil Defense emergency shelter.

The facility will include a specially designed air filtration system to provide relief and shelter to vulnerable residents when emissions from Kilauea volcano reach high levels.

The facility will be located on state-owned land near the front of the school, and will be operated and maintained by the county. The county Department of Public Works is in the process of selecting an architectural firm to design the project.

We spoke to Ka’u Councilwoman Brittany Smart on Saturday about the needed facility that will be in her district.

Smart personally reminded Governor Neil Abercrombie about the need for the funds to be released, shortly after the March 11th tsunami struck the Kona side of the island.

State Representative Bob Herkes was instrumental in getting the project going, although as he said earlier this year… it wasn’t easy convincing some folks that it was a worthy project.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Block video courtesy Dr. Hank Carson, File video by Tim Bryan]

HILO, Hawaii: UH Hilo marine science students and collaborators have released sets of red, wood blocks from locations around the Big Island this week, in an attempt to monitor the path taken by floating debris.

Dr. Hank Carson, who supplied us with this video, says the red blocks are stamped with a message asking people to report where and when they found the block.

Carson says this study is investigating a possible link between local sources of plastic marine debris and accumulation areas such as Kamilo Point near South Point.

Students are monitoring floating debris retention booms in urban Hilo to quantify the amount and types of debris washed out of Hilo. Drifter releases nearby will simulate the fate of that debris had it been allowed to enter the ocean.

Dr. Carson says simultaneous releases from other locations will help them to understand debris movement around the entire island, or possibly to other islands.

Carson asks that if you or someone you know finds a block, please report the find to this email address (hilodrifter@gmail.com) or call 808-937-4289. Include the date and exact location of the find. It is also important to report the number stamped into the side of the block so it can be traced back to the time and location of release.

Kamilo Beach is a good example of a debris collecting beach on the southern end of Hawaii island.

In May 2010, Tim Bryan made the trip to the remote shoreline, and interviewed the Hawaii Wildlife Fund’s beach cleanup coordinator Megan Lamson.

The area is bracing for another barrage of rubbish, as the massive amounts of floating debris created by the destructive march 11th tsunami in Japan floats towards the Hawaiian islands over the next few years.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

HAWAIIAN OCEAN VIEW ESTATES, Hawaii: The county has issued a new update concerning the Ka’u Community Development Plan.

According to the county’s Long Range Planner, Ron Whitmore, a controversial Hawaiian Ocean View Estates Subdivision Readjustment Scheme is not being explored any further at this time.

The plan would have discouraged occupation in the so called “Outlying Zone”. These would mostly be mauka spots in Lava Hazard Zone 1.

On behalf of the county, consultants PBR Hawaii looked into whether or not it would be a feasible way for property owners to transfer development rights from these mauka lots to lots of comparable value in a new, Ocean View town center near the highway.

A number of folks living in Ocean View lashed out at the idea.

The county says they are NOT trying to tell anyone what to do, nor are they proposing to take anyone’s property.

However, they are investigating options to give Ocean View greater control over future growth.

Ka’u Councilmember Brittany Smart had these comments on the matter over the weekend.

The next Ka’u CDP Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 8, at 5:30pm at the Ocean View Community Association center on Leilani Circle.

Whitmore says the agenda will be published on Wednesday. The focus of the meeting will be the role of the Steering Committee and the community during the CDP production process. Because the HOVE readjustment concept is not being pursued, it will not be discussed during the meeting.

By David Corriganand Stephanie Salazar

[Video from the PF Bentley film Aftermath, produced for I Aloha Molokai]

KA LAE, Hawaii: The South Point Windmills are appearing in a short film called “I Aloha Molokai – The Aftermath” …

The video was filmed and edited by noted photojournalist PF Bentley, who lives on Molokai and shares the concern of residents on Molokai and Lanai that this quote “apocalyptic scene” might occur in his own backyard… where ninety 420 foot wind turbines are planned to be built.

I Aloha Molokai, a group on the island of Molokai – opposes the installation of wind turbines on Molokai and undersea cable from the island to send power to Oahu.

I Aloha Molokai is calling it a modern day David vs.Goliath story of a little island trying to fight big government and big corporations…

The group contends that polls show 95% of the island stands opposed to the big windfarm… and it also notes that the island wont even benefit from the generated power; it all goes to Oahu.

Meanwhile, the abandoned windmills nearest South Point Road have never been taken down after the new windfarm was built… becoming an example of the scenario residents on Molokai and Lanai do not want to see on their islands.

I Aloha Molokai, a group on the island of Molokai in Hawaii, that opposes the installation of wind turbines on Molokai and undersea cable from Molokai to send power to Oahu.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[File Video]

KA’U, Hawaii: Tonight in Pahala, State Senator Gilbert Kahele, who represents District 2 on the Big Island, will be holding the first of his final two talk story forums.

The forums allow Senator Kahele to meet with residents and listen to their concerns, heading into the upcoming legislative session in January.

These final meetings follow on the heels of forums held in Volcano, Pahoa and Ocean View.

Tonight’s meeting will be from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Pahala Community Center.

The last meeting will take place in Hilo at the Waiakea High School Cafeteria on Wednesday, November 16th, again from 5:30 to 7:30

A federal judge has remanded the case of Abel Simeona Lui back to state court, as the county and the Edmund C. Olson Trust moves closer to closing on the sale of land at Kawa Bay.

Lui had and his supporters had filed an injunction to keep the county from purchasing parcels at Kawa using Open Space funds. According to a report by Nancy Cook Lauer, Judge Alan C. Kay in U.S. District Court in Honolulu ruled the federal court has no jurisdiction over the matter.

The court will rule on several deeds and a genealogy affidavit filed by Lui later this year or early 2012.

Lui claims allodial rights to the land, and says they were given to his great-great-grandfather Timoteo Keawe by way of a royal land grant.

The county has been trying to buy the 551 acres from the Olson Trust for over two years. The price is $3.9 million, with over half the funds coming from state and federal grants. Lui faces a court approved eviction by the county at time.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

KA’U, Hawaii: The Hawaii County Redistricting Commission appears to be favoring a new district boundary map that would create one huge Ka’u district, starting from the Ka’u dessert and stretching west all the way around the island north to the Keauhou resort area. It would essentially combine with the current South Kona district, and lose only Volcano Village to a proposed second Puna district.

The map is not yet available on the Hawaii County website.

Big Island Video News will be following up on these developments later this week.

The commission plans to hold another regular meeting in Hilo on November 3rd, on again on November 10th where it will decide on a draft plan. Both meetings convene at 10 a.m.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

KA’U, Hawaii: In today’s Ka’u news update, the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is getting the word out on two rugged hikes in the southern Kahuku Unit.

Park officials say the programs will introduce the compelling landscape,biodiversity and history of the park’s southernmost section to intrepid hikers.

The first, entitled “People and Land of Kahuku” is a two-mile, three-hour expedition through pastures, a quarry, an airstrip and the 1868 lava fields of Kahuku.

Rangers will explain how people lived on the vast Kahuku lands, from the earliest Hawaiians through today.

The hike is offered on these dates: (Steph, no need to read these: Oct. 22, Nov. 13, Nov. 19, Dec. 4 and Dec. 10, 2011, and Jan. 15 and Jan. 22, 2012,)… from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Meet near the Kahuku Unit gate, which is located off Highway 11 between mile markers 70 and 71 on the mauka side of the highway. Park and meet inside the gate near the ranch buildings. Boots, rain gear and long pants are recommended. No advance registration is required.

Second, “Kīpuka‘akihi” is a challenging 1.5 mile, five-hour adventure to see some of the rare plants and wildlife that inhabit this treasured kīpuka.

Participants must be prepared to scramble over fallen trees, lava rock, and slippery, wet terrain. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, long pants, sunscreen and a hat. Bring raingear, garden gloves, a day pack, insect repellent, lunch and water.

Due to the fragile nature of the region, the program is limited to 15 people and pre-registration is required. To sign up, call (808) 985-6011.

This expedition into Kahuku’s isolated refuge of rare plants is offered starting this Sunday, and also on these dates (Oct. 23, Nov. 20 and Dec. 17, 2011 and Jan. 29, 2012,)… from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Once again, meet near the Kahuku gate.

KAHU Radio expands

In local radio news… KAHU Radio 91.7 FM, the community broadcast station serving the southern end of Hawaii Island, is in the midst of a growth spurt.

The station antenna and transmitter have been disconnected from the Maile Street location in Pahala, relocating mauka so that its reach can expand to approximately 21,605 residents from Mt. View through the Ka‘u District and over to Milolii.

During its down time, the station continued to broadcast via online streaming on its website, kahufm.com.

From day one, which was on June 28th, 2010, the station has filled an important role in the traditionally underserved Ka’u community. Now, it will be available to residents of Volcano Village and Ocean View Estates…

The 1,000 foot vertical transmitter move up the mountain in Naalehu was made possible in part by a $76,000 grant approved by Gov. Neil Abercrombie and expedited through channels by Sen. Gil Kahele and Hawaii State Civil Defense.

The station plays an important role in emergency situations out in the remote southern area of the Hawaii Island.