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Sunday, November 07, 2010

SUNDAY, NOV. 7, 2010 - NEWS BRIEFS

MEMBERS OF THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES have earned some top positions in the state legislature for the session that begins in January. Senator Russell Kokubun, who lives in Volcano, will chair the Senate water and land committee. Senator Josh Green, who represents Kona, but has lived in Ka`u and worked at Ka`u Hospital, has moved into the Chairmanship of the Health Committee. He is also a possible candidate for the state Department of Health Director, a position to be appointed by Governor elect Neil Abercrombie.
    Maui Senator Shan Tsutsui will become Senate President. Kokubun is formerly its vice president.

MISS KA`U COFFEE ULU MAKUAKANI was an honored guest at the Miss Kona Coffee Pageant last night at Sheraton Keauhou Beach Hotel. The Miss Kona coffee winner is Lacy Deniz, a Kamehameha School graduate, daughter of Harold and Rene Deniz. She also won the Miss Popularity, Private Interview and Talent Contest - dancing hula. First Runner up, Miss Photogenic and Miss Congeniality is Sonia Allen. Lifestyle - Swim Suit, Evening Wear and Miss Aloha Winner is Tatiana Boteliho. Second Runner up Kaiulani Barreto.

THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT WILL be held on February 20, 2011. There will be a peaberry contest for young girls and a category for high school and college age contestants. For applications, call Nalani Parlin at 217-6893, Gloria Camba at 928-8155 or Pahala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811.


THE KAHUMOKU MUSIC WORKSHOP has kicked off at Pahala Plantation House with musicians arriving from Japan, California, Washington D.C. and other far-flung locations. Local students are attending on scholarships. Such musicians as ukulele player James Hill, Danny Akaka and Jeff Peterson, Herb Ota and Keoki Kahumoku are teaching. A free concert will be held this coming Saturday from 1 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The musicians will also give a free concert at Punalu`u this Thursday on Veterans Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.


THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING has been postponed from Tuesday, November 9 to Tuesday, December 14. The committee meets to guide the creation of a plan for the future of Ka`u, including economic development, neighborhood planning and land use.


THE KAMA`OA ROAD ISSUE involving an effort to sell off a segment of Kamaoa Road to private land owners is the subject of a public and county council site visit on Tuesday, November 9 at 3 p.m., followed by a public hearing at Na`alehu Community Center. Outgoing County Council member Guy Enriques and incoming Council member will both attend. Enriques said the road has no public use. Smart said it could set a bad precedent regarding blocking off hunting and hiking trails and public access to fishing and hunting.

THOUGH KA`U HAS BEEN ENJOYING A BREAK FROM THE HEAVY VOG that blanketed the area periodically for more than a year, the lava is still flowing. It is coming from the vent inside Hale'mau'mau Crater and through surface flows to the ocean at Puhi o Kalakini, west of Kalapana Gardens subdivision. Farmers and ranchers have recently experienced relief from the vog and also a drought, which devastated the area.