RSVP to one of these school gardens near you:

• Honoka‘a High School, Manuel Jadulang, manuel_jadulang@notes.k12.hi.us
• The Mala‘ai Culinary Garden of the Waimea Middle School, Amanda Rieux, alethea@hula.net
• Kealakehe High School, Donna Sonnenberg, dlsonnenberg@gmail.com
• Kona Pacific Public Charter School, Barrow Hutchison, barrowhutchison@yahoo.ca
• Kohala Elementary School, Koh Ming Wei, kohmingwei@gmail.com
• Innovations Public Charter School in Kona, Krista Donaldson, kristajoan@gmail.com

For more information, contact Nancy Redfeather, Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network program director, nredfeather@kohalacenter.org or (808) 322-2801. For information about the Hawai‘i Island School Garden Network, see www.kohalacenter.org/HISGN/about.html.

(Submitted by Jan

In October, the group will resume the regular meeting date, which is on the third Thursday, Oct. 21, 2010. The Sept. 9 meeting will continue the discussion of the Rule Package that WHFC has submitted to DLNR, as well as the discussion of regular committee reports.

For more information, please contact Marni Herkes at (808) 987-2171  marnh@hawaiiantel.net or Glennon

Gingo at freediving@earthlink.net or 9609348.

(Submitted by Marni Herkes.)

Some aspects of bamboo you’re likely to know, while others are unsung. Bamboo is an excellent building and furniture material. It continues to be traditionally utilized for decorative purposes in varied forms of art. Bamboo is also used for making utensils, fiber, paper, fuel, and countless small objects. Common hardwoods can take 50 years or more to mature while bamboo, one of the oldest plants on Earth, takes only five to six years.

About a decade ago bamboo suppliers of finished goods were admittedly surprised to be connected to sustainable building. Most believed all the queries and interests derived for no other reason than offering beautiful products, ‒ especially flooring. Eventually the Green Building Council, and similar organizations, helped bring about a shift of consciousness that led to a very important question for the green market. How was the bamboo treated?

I presented this question to a bamboo businessman in Hawaii, Jericho Stringer. Jericho is the owner and manager of  Yellow Seed Bamboo on Maui who says that within his company, toxic treatment is “out of the question.” He went on to explain that the reason toxic treatments evolved was because of termite and powder post beetle culprits. Termites are hard to detect and powder post beetles can turn bamboo into nothing more than a mass of fine powder. However, the invasion doesn’t happen while the plant is alive. In fact, bamboo shoots are extremely pest resistant.

So what is this nontoxic process, ‒ or is it a company secret? No, Jericho shares the basic process with pride. His bamboo is cut by Inca Indians from an upper elevation in Colombia during the new moon before sunrise. The timing is necessary to keep the water and sap down in the ground. The full moon negatively brings the sap up. The branches and leaves remain on the cut bamboo (culms) at first to dry and free capillary water. The sugars rot and turn to vinegar, which deters insects. That’s about a two-week process. Then the culms go to the treatment plant for a nontoxic borax soak that kills any insects. Methods, such as drilling holes into each cavity, are done to be sure the interior and exterior poles are impregnated with the solution. The poles are dried in the sun on horizontal racks, monitored to prevent sagging. The soaking and drying entail another two weeks.

With bamboo nurseries expanding throughout the USA, I asked why the importation Guadua Angustifolia bamboo to Hawaii? Jericho explained that the process to grow, harvest and treat bamboo is about ten years. Another six to seven years is required before Hawaii bamboo nurseries are ready. His collaboration with subsidiary Steel Timber Bamboo in Columbia creates the pathway to time-efficient progress in preparation for an upcoming bamboo industrial revolution. Their strategic alliance provides a way for the people of Maui to build by sustainable means.

Although Jericho believes Hawaii is the “heart of the bamboo world,” he says research and development has a long way to go. Other climates require further study as well. Not every region that bamboo grows is good for producing timber. Then there are antiquated building codes we must persist to change. Investors gain from conferences and enthusiasts like Jericho who frequently lectures to the public with intentions to strengthen the market. It’s not a coincidence that bamboo’s popularity is growing.

Web site author Diplom-Ingenieur Christoph Tönges of Construction with Bamboo provides harvesting details in several languages with excellent photographs on  HYPERLINK “http://www.conbam.info” www.conbam.info. He claims there are approximately 500 different bamboo species with partially hundreds of subspecies, among them 2,500 in tropical South America. In Columbia alone, approximately 25 different giant bamboos are processed for craft and building construction. The fibers of Guadua bamboos are intertwined, which means they are less susceptible to tearing, and therefore most favored for construction.

The American Bamboo Society (ABS) was formed in 1979 to sponsor lectures, conferences, tours and plant sales. Chapters maintain bamboo libraries, distribute publications, and more. ABS helps support Bamboo of the Americas (BOTA) to take action for the future. The World Bamboo Congress (WBC, originally International Bamboo Association) helps develop collaborations in research and development. The unique event encourages environmental goals. Networking sources as these promote sustainable agriculture and affect our world.

If you decide to read about bamboo, you’ll become familiar with Columbian architect Simón Vélez. In his book Grow Your Own House, he relays how bamboo is evolving into a key building material worldwide. Most books and web sites make at least one reference to the admired and diverse structures created by Vélez.

Jericho happens to be friends with his mentor and affiliate, Jörge Stamm, who is a German-born master bamboo craftsman and construction designer, famed for developing Guadua bridges. Prepared to stock and supply the demand for housing and commercial building developments throughout Hawaii, Jericho is in good company.

RELATED POST:

maui-tomorrow.org/news/2008/2008-05BigOnBamboo.php Big on Bamboo, This Could Be the Crop of Maui’s Future

(Delia Montgomery is an environmental design consultant and personal eco shopper for homes, bodies and gardens. Questions or comments are welcome. Visit www.ChicEco.com or e-mail: Info@ChicEco.com.)

In keeping with the United Nations 2010 theme of “Youth, Peace and Development,”  the Honokaa events, produced by the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple’s Peace Committee, are packed with creative opportunities, fun activities and free expression.  Numerous partner projects and programs are represented in the days leading up to the main events, the “Peace Day” Parade & Festival.

Darron Cambra, Faith Angelica Pascua and Tuia’ana Scanlon will represent the award-winning Youth Speaks Hawaii group—two time national Youth Poetry Slam winners and featured on HBO.  Slam poetry is a freeform, upbeat style of creative writing, often performed with hip hop moves or rapid rap-style delivery. Students can identify instantly with its powerful impact, inspiring even the shyest to get involved and perform.  The poets and mentor will take “slam poetry” workshops into local schools (students only), courtesy of Truth2Youth and support from Hawaii People’s Fund.

From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, a free, open-to-the-public workshop will be conducted by Youth Speaks Hawaii poets at North Hawaii Education Resource Center (NHERC).  At 5 p.m. a live poetry slam at Feel My Bean restaurant allows poets old and new a chance to take the stage to perform for friends and family.  Admission is free, with gourmet coffee, local organic pupus and other great menu items available for purchase.

Also at 5 p.m., Saturday, the Peace Committee is proud to present internationally-known speaker, author and peace advocate, Paul K. Chappell.  A young and dynamic West Point graduate and Iraq veteran, Chappell is appearing throughout Hawaii for statewide Peace Day events as part of his world book tour.  Chappell  will talk story and sign books at Feel My Bean in collaboration with the poetry event, thanks to Dr. Jeannie Lum and the University of Hawaii at Manoa, College of Education, Educational Foundations Department and the Civic Forum for Public Schools in Hawaii.  The community is invited to come and enjoy the chance to meet him in person, and purchase autographed copies of his most recent books: “Will War Ever End?” and “The End of War,” acclaimed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and other celebrated peacemakers.

Already underway, the Peace Poster Contest rolled out at the beginning of the school year, state- and nationwide.  Entries are displayed at the Festival and will be part of an exhibition at Wailoa Center later this year.  Overall Winner and parents will receive a night’s stay at the luxurious Waianuhea Bed and Breakfast, event sponsor.  Entry deadline is Friday, September 10.  See details at www.peacedayparade.org

On Sunday at 11:00 a.m., stepping off from Honokaa High School, the Peace Day Parade is a “moving stage” of music, dance and more, marching down the “new” freshly-repaved Mamane Street.  The wide variety of multi-cultural performers includes ‘ukulele bands, hula, Taiko drum groups, bon dancers, break dancers, cirque performers, stilt-walkers, rock & roll, jazz, the “Peace Bubble,” superheroes and lots of surprises.  At 12:00 noon, a community Festival takes place in the Honokaa Sports Complex, with food booths, crafters and community information, plus peace ceremonies, music and entertainment onstage until 3:00 p. m.  One goal of the Festival is to be a low or no-waste event.  Admission is free and the public is welcome.

The 4th Annual “Peace Day” events are presented by the Peace Committee of the Honokaa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in cooperation with the United Nations and numerous community organizations. Major financial support has been provided by the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the County of Hawaii’s Department of Research and Development (CPEP grant from the Tourism Division) and the Honpa Hongwanji Mission Buddhist Temples of Hawaii (Social Concerns Committee and Propagation Grant Committee).

For more information visit www.peacedayparade.org, see “Peace Day Parade” on Facebook, or email PeaceDayParade@gmail.com.

(Submitted by Catherine Tarleton.)

Gary Hooser

Dear editor:

This week all of us at Loomis-ISC, the 30-year-old integrated marketing agency in Honolulu had the pleasure of an unexpected visit from Big Island native and our much missed graphic designer, Shawn Carter. Shawn had moved to the Bay Area a couple of years ago. We were happy and proud to see Shawn looking well, happy and every bit the city professional who has not forgotten his roots.

Shawn’s letters in support of civil unions made news all over the islands a few months ago, having been picked up and published in several papers at the height of the effort to get HB444 passed. But Shawn is not a single issue voter.

He is steadfast in his support of Gary Hooser for lieutenant governor not just because Gary has spoken out on behalf of equality and justice for all. He has had the opportunity to get to know Gary Hooser, former senator and majority leader when the agency handled his bid for a Congressional seat a few years ago. Today, with Gary Hooser running for lieutenant governor, Shawn has no doubts about who will get his vote. “Gary is a good man. He understands ordinary people. No wonder ordinary people are supporting his campaign with small donations. It tells you who Gary stands for and who will most benefit from him becoming lieutenant governor,” said Shawn.

Grassroots support for Gary Hooser’s campaign is reflected in the fact that the campaign has already met the threshold for donations of $100 or less and qualified for matching public funds of $50,000. “I am running for Governor because I want to serve the people,” says Hooser. “And I am grateful that people have expressed their support by donating what they can afford in these tough times. I will not let them down.”

Hooser has earned endorsements from Hawaii State Teachers Association, the Sierra Club Hawaii Chapter, Unite Here Local 5, Hawaii Nurses and others.

While others say what they will do if elected, Gary Hooser has demonstrated repeatedly that he will be a vocal champion for the environment, for education, for agriculture and for the creation of good jobs for local people while not allowing development to destroy country living. When others shrank from speaking out on issues of equality for all, Gary Hooser spoke out loudly and clearly. When the state took children out of schools, Gary was the first to propose a solution. He is running on his record while many are running on their promises

We are proud to be working to help elect Gary Hooser as Hawaii’s next Lieutenant Governor.

Dawn Morais Webster

President/CEO

Loomis-ISC

Jan Ikeda of Jan's Barber Shop in Pahoa. Photos by Tiffany Edwards Hunt. All rights reserved. Use with permission only.

Congratulations to Jan Ikeda of Jan’s Barber Shop for 60 years in business in Pahoa this week.  According to Pahoa Yesterday, Ikeda apprenticed under her grandfather, Riichi Sakoda,  starting in 1950.  Sakoda, who immigrated from Hiroshima in the late 1890s, started a barber shop in Pahoa after fulfilling his labor contract on  a sugar plantation.  He built his barber shop on the eastern end of town, where the railroad met Pahoa Road, and where Jan’s Barber Shop stands today. Ikeda got her beautician’s license from the Honolulu Barber School in 1954, Pahoa Yesterday states.  She inherited her grandfather’s barber shop that same year.  The original building was demolished in 1962 and rebuilt by local carpenter Tsutomu Nakazawa.

Ikeda this week credited her prospering business to her collection of lucky cats on a shelf beside her beautician’s chair.  She noted how the lucky cats wave customers in through the open door.

Not only is Ikeda lucky in business, she is also lucky in love.  Ikeda has recently rekindled a romance she had with a man 56 years ago. Big Island Chronicle wishes Ikeda continued success in business and in love.

Former Hawaii County Council Chairman James Arakaki in the audience of the Puna Community Development Plan public hearing Monday night.

Kudos to Dave Corrigan of Big Island Video News for the coverage of the Puna Community Development Plan (CDP) public hearing on Monday night in Kea’au.  I snapped some photos of the event for the blog, but I was mostly present as a concerned resident who has read the plan and who believes there should be amendments to the CDP. I wasn’t wearing one of the many shirts that attendees were wearing stating that Bill 194 — amendments to the Puna CDP — should be passed, and I was actually intrigued to observe who was present wearing the T-shirts.  Among the attendees was former County Council Chairman James Arakaki, who haven’t seen at a public meeting since his retirement from public office in 2006.  Arakaki hails from Ola’a (what Kea’au used to be called), so it made sense that he was there.  But I was surprised to see him wearing a T-shirt.  Mike Kaleikini, of Puna Geothermal Venture was present.  And he was wearing a white T shirt.

Bill Walter, head of Shipman Estate, was present, as was one of his assistants, Kimo Lee, who I was told was among those passing out the T-shirts.  Members of the Maku’u Farmer’s Association wore the T-shirts, along with Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole’s staff, Gwen Kupahu and RJ Hampton.  Sheryle “Sativa” Sulton, who volunteers for the Council District 5 office, was also wearing a T-shirt.  To me, it was inappropriate for the council member’s staff to be wearing the T-shirts, but it is a free country.  I wasn’t bothered by the T-shirts as were some people who oppose amendments to the plan.  I was actually entertained by the demonstration.  To me, it was a mockery of the “Pass It Now, Amend It Later” crew that successfully convinced council members last term to pass the Puna CDP without amendments.

I stopped into the Puna CDP public hearing on my way back from a prenatal appointment at Waimea Women’s Center.  (Diary of my prenatal commute to follow.) Worn out from the drive, I was still interested in seeing how many people showed up to the public hearing in Kea’au.  I found the Kea’au Middle School cafeteria and could not believe the packed room with people wearing white T-shirts.  I snapped some photos and then sat down to listen.  With 55 people signed up to testify, at first I wasn’t inclined to say anything.  But the longer I sat there listening to the testimony, the more compelled I was to speak up.

An acquaintance of mine who I’m not going to embarrass and name offered venomous testimony opposed to any amendments to the plan, and then, on her way out the door, stopped to whisper to Kupahu, Naeole-Beason’s council aide, that she was being “used.”  Kupahu ended up hissing and swatting at the woman and a female police officer,who was among three lined up in the back room, approached to break up the disturbance in the middle of the room. I followed my acquaintance out of the meeting to ask what was going on between her and Kupahu. She told me, then she said, “I have a bone to pick with you,” and proceeded to give me a verbal lashing for what she said was my support of Walter, of Shipman Estate.  She referred to something I said on my blog, but could not offer me a specific example.  I noted that I have thousands of entries on my blog, and I had no idea what she was talking about.  I told her to email me the entry she was referring to, and I went into the meeting.  I sat there, listening to the testimony, and fuming, quite frankly.  I could not believe that woman was so nasty to me for me having an opinion, obviously contrary to here.  People like her go way too far personalizing stuff and, as a result, create unnecessary divisiveness and hostility.  I finally realized what I had said on my blog that offended her so much and, honestly, I am now offended that she lashed out at me like she did.

So, what?  You’re going to persecute me because I am of the belief that the Puna CDP needs to be amended?  The fact is, I’m fundamentally opposed to growing government and, the way the CDP is written, I believe County government would have to exponentially grow to accommodate all the initiatives proposed.  That is my personal opinion, and others are free to have differing opinions.  I just don’t think it is right to accost me for mine.

As I sat there at Monday’s public hearing, I’ve got to tell you honestly, I felt embarrassed for people — for my acquaintance and for a number of people who were angry at council members proposing amendments to the Puna CDP. I felt like they made asses of themselves by being so angry, hollering about how the “plantation era” is over, etc. Being angry does nothing for persuasion.  I also felt embarrassed for a number of people who wore white T-shirts and spoke of their support for Auntie Emily and/or for jobs in Puna, but sounded like they had not read one page of the plan. Your testimony means nothing if you sound totally ignorant.

Remembering what I had said that angered my acquaintance so much, I decided to testify and put my opinion on record. I leaned over at Steve Sparks, who I sat next to for the duration of the meeting, and I said something to the effect of, “Don’t boo me, or give me any shit when I sit back down for what I am about to say.”  I didn’t record my testimony, but Corrigan did.  Maybe he can send me a link, so I can share my testimony with you.  Off the top of my head, I remember telling council members that, as I listened to the testimony, I realized they have a challenge ahead of them.  The diverse opinions expressed were representations of our diverse community.  Some on the side opposing amendments to the Puna CDP noted, in the last couple of years that the plan was being drafted, they hadn’t seen any of the people who were at the public hearing Monday wearing T-shirts.  Well, whether or not those people had been seen at Puna CDP meetings before doesn’t discount the fact that they are members of our community and their opinions are equally valid.  I also noted that, listening to some of the testimony, I wondered if people had actually read the plan.  I have read the plan and I believe amendments are in order.  In the last Council term, there was a contingency of people crying, “Pass it now, amend it later.” Well, now is the time to amend.

People are advocating for jobs and for village centers in Puna.  I noted what that actually means.  ”People, you want a gas station in Ainaloa?” That’s what the dot on the map for a village center in Ainaloa means.  ”Well, what street?” I believe, before the Puna CDP is finalized and goes on the shelf in the Planning Department, our community associations need to work very closely with council members and/or the Puna CDP Action Committee and those community associations need to decide the specifics like what street on which the village centers will be built.  I noted that my acquaintance had accosted me outside for supporting Walter.  I reiterated, “I support Bill Walter,” and stated what actually I do support:  I support an amendment to increase the square footage of allowable shopping centers in the regional and village centers, in order to make the development viable, to be able to install sidewalks, necessary parking, and throughways.  I support smart growth and development.  I don’t want to see any more hellish developments like Malama Marketplace and Woodland Center, which have one-way-in-one-way-out traffic scenarios.  I don’t want to see any more shopping centers that have dead space above the stores.  I support new urbanism, which involves building apartments above the stores in those shopping centers.  I support the installation of solar on top of those apartments on top of those shopping centers.  We need to be thinking into the 21st century, and I am hoping that Walter, in developing Shipman land in Kea’au into a shopping center, is looking very seriously at the merits of new urbanism.

I am not of the mentality that all developers need to be shunned, or worse, publicly hung.  I, myself, am an entrepreneur and I support people who are trying to make an honest living.  I think, rather than demonize developers, the community needs to work closely with them and ensure that matters of public safety, aesthetics, and socio-economic issues are addressed.

In any case, I also testified that we need another way into and out of Puna.  And I suggested Railroad Avenue, which is not something that Walter supports.  So, have no fear, people, I am not in this developer’s pocket — notice that he doesn’t advertise on his blog — and I’m not totally wooed by him that I have no sense of reasoning.  I think that, in light of us being in the 21st century, we should be looking at Railroad Avenue and dreaming big.  Let’s have a methane-powered train fueled by biogas from the South Hilo Sanitary Landfill. If the Puna CDP is really going to guide our future, let’s be futuristic.

My testimony was met with more applause than boos, so I do think people, so I did make it out of the meeting alive.  Sparks didn’t give me any shit when I sat back down; he high-fived me.

The next evening I saw my acquaintance at the mangrove community meeting, and she totally shined me. So, I’ll just give a big, fat, valley girl whatever to her.  You win some, you lose some.  That’s politics for you, I guess.