Save Kauai brings together current information about Kauai and web-based tools that allow you to take action. If we want to affect the future of Kauai in a pono way we must organize and begin implementing solutions, not just fighting the problems.
Aloha 'Aina, Imua Kakou!
Friday, November 21, 2008
From: http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/11/21/news/kauai_news/doc49266ab...
This is Part 2 in a series, for Part 1 go to: http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/11/19/news/kauai_news/doc4923bc3...
"Hikers, hunters propose trail fixes"
Controlling erosion key to maintaining Na Pali Coast
By Nathan Eagle - The Garden Island - November 21, 2008
NA PALI COAST — "Feral goats and pigs are trampling over the rugged cliffs and lush valleys along the North Shore, creating an unnatural erosion process that hampers trail maintenance and silts the reefs, environmental advocates say.
The damage caused by these invasive species must be repaired if residents are serious about protecting native ecosystems and preserving the world-renowned Na Pali Coast Trail, they said.
Hikers, hunters and assorted local experts recently offered solutions to better manage the state wilderness park.
Bill Summers, 42, spent the last 16 months voluntarily improving the most dangerous portions of the 11-mile path that connects Ke‘e Beach to Kalalau Valley.
He invested thousands of hours of sweat to widen and reshape sections of the trail that force hikers to almost literally hug the cliff as they skirt around exposed corners hundreds of feet above the ocean. After finding himself being forced to return to the same spots for maintenance, he realized the first step in a lasting solution is tackling the source of the erosion.More hunters need to kill more wild pigs and goats, Summers said.
From: "Chamber Juice: Kauai's natural and unnatural storms - another 'storm' on its way" -- Kauai Chamber of Commerce partners with Pacific Business News and the High Technology Development Corporation (HTDC) to provide a seminar featuring panelists to discuss how to "Survive the Economic Storm -- Kauai" Series on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at the Kaua'i Marriott Resort & Beach Club starting at 5:30 p.m. Series continues into the 1st Quarter of 2009 on the business and legislative advocacy agenda of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce.
From Gary Hooser: http://garyhooser.livejournal.com/25661.html
Hawaii Energy Proposal - Transformational
The recent agreement reached between the State of Hawaii and HECO, the State’s primary energy provider has the potential to fundamentally transform the future of energy in our state.
Unfortunately the local newspapers chose to focus only on the sexy, expensive and potentially controversial proposal to lay an undersea cable between Maui County and the City and County of Honolulu.
The Honolulu Advertiser http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081021/NEWS01/810210358/1001
The Honolulu Star Bulletin http://www.starbulletin.com/news/hawaiinews/20081021_Isles_power_up_clea...
Totally missing from the stories covered in local media were the provisions on decoupling and feed-in tariff. Also missing from the local news was the lifting of net metering caps, the raising of the Portfolio Standards, the removal of “efficiency savings” from the Portfolio Standard definitions, the restriction against the development of new fossil fuel generators, and numerous other innovative and forward thinking proposals.
This agreement represents the culmination of years of groundwork that has been set into place by the legislature and the recent efforts and very productive collaboration between the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism and the U.S. Department of Energy.
A summary of the agreement:
1) Agreement to an additional 1,000 MW of renewable energy resources on Oahu
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/10/16/news/kauai_news/doc48f6f1a...
"Council hears varroa mite concerns"
By Nathan Eagle - The Garden Island
Published: Thursday, October 16, 2008
After local farmers voiced concerns over the big impact that a tiny external parasite could have on the island, the Kaua‘i County Council yesterday made it clear the issue is a top priority.
The Community Assistance/Intergovernmental Relations Committee unanimously passed a resolution encouraging the state Department of Agriculture to protect the Garden Isle from any potential infestation of the varroa mite.
“We need to stop it in his tracks,” Eastside farmer Terry Jay said. “It’s a huge undertaking but it has to be done.”
The parasite feeds off the blood of adult honeybees, larvae and pupae and is considered one of the most destructive honeybee pests, according to the resolution, introduced by Councilman Mel Rapozo.
The reddish-brown button-shaped mite is not known to exist on Kaua‘i, but was found in April 2007 to have infested O‘ahu islandwide.
Despite the state Legislature’s $650,000 appropriation to support the Department of Agriculture’s plan to contain the varroa mite on O‘ahu by preventing its spread to Neighbor Islands, it was discovered in August in three Hilo incidents on the Big Island.
“Infestation of the varroa mite would have a devastating effect on Kaua‘i’s honey industry, which comprises 8 percent of the state’s total honey production,” the resolution states.
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081015/BUSINESS21/810150352/...
Posted on: Wednesday, October 15, 2008
"Isles score low in renewable study"
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i has failed in some parts of its renewable energy policy while being just average in others, according to a report issued yesterday by a New York-based environmental group.
The report by the Network for New Energy Choices gave the state a failing grade when it came to the technical rules governing how home and small renewable energy projects connect with electrical transmission grids.
It also said the state merits a "C" grade when it comes to net metering, or the billing arrangement customers use to realize savings when they feed energy into utility grids.
The two policies are not widely understood by the general public, but are seen as being crucial to the development of renewable energy such as photovoltaic systems in use by homeowners and businesses. Such policies can cap growth of renewable energy if they restrict how much electricity can be sent into utility grids, or the size of the systems attaching to the grids.
While the authors tried to objectively grade policies in each state, they appeared to not understand the nature of Hawai'i's energy market, said Peter Rosegg, a Hawaiian Electric Co. spokesman. He said Hawai'i shouldn't be held to the same standards used to judge states with large Mainland grids that can draw power from other states.
Updated at 5:11 a.m., Monday, August 25, 2008
Kauai's Carvalho starts leave of absence today
Advertiser Staff
Bernard Carvalho, director of Parks and Recreation for Kauai County, starts his leave of absence today from his position pending the outcome of the upcoming elections.
Advertisement
Carvalho asked to step aside to focus on his mayoral campaign.
Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation Kylan Dela Cruz will assume his responsibilities while Carvalho is on leave.
MEET THE CANDIDATES
Council hopefuls air views at forum
Some find proposed tax reform package controversial
by Nathan Eagle - THE GARDEN ISLAND
Eighteen of the 22 candidates vying for the seven open seats on the Kaua‘i County Council this fall answered questions on tax reform, upcoming challenges and diversifying the island’s economy to support businesses at a political forum yesterday morning at JJ’s Broiler in Nawiliwili.
Roughly 50 residents attended the first of three planned Kaua‘i Chamber of Commerce events this election season.
The council candidates generally agreed on solid waste, aging infrastructure and affordable housing as being key problems the county must solve. They differed more on a bill to reform the property tax system that the late-Mayor Bryan Baptiste’s administration submitted to the council in May.
Mayor Bill “Kaipo” Asing said the proposed legislation falls short of its goal and would hit businesses hard.
The current system taxes a fair amount and the county should work to stabilize itself during this economic downturn, he said.
Asing, who has served on the council for 24 years and is seeking another term, said he has talked to the finance director about amending the bill to lessen the impact on businesses.
Others disagreed.
Council candidate Ron Agor, who sits on the state land board, said the revenue neutral bill is “OK.”
It would shift the tax burden from families to businesses, he said, but the rate of increase would not be at a level that causes businesses to fold.
Public Meetings on Landfill Issues
LĪHU‘E -- County officials announce the kickoff of a series of public meetings to educate the public on landfill issues.
Beginning August 20, 2008, Public Works staff will be attending Kaleo O Kaua`i meetings to inform the community about landfill related issues, including: the status of the Kekaha Landfill lateral expansion, the status of the project to site a new landfill, requirements for modern landfill design, mitigation measures, host community compensation, and community concerns about landfills.
The first presentation will be made at the Kaleo O Kaua`i meeting at the Kekaha Neighborhood Center on Wednesday, August 20 at 7:00 pm. For a schedule of presentations, or further information, please contact the County Solid Waste Programs Coordinator, Allison Fraley at 241-4837.
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For more information contact:
Kaui Tanaka, Office of the Mayor
Phone: 808. 241-4900
Confer, discuss, consult... a conference and potluck!
at the big red and white stripe tent in anahola
For video of the Eco-Roudntable Candidates Forum and answers to candidates written responses, visit http://ecoroundtable.org after August 10th.
