Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

The Kealakekua fire now is limited to hot spots and smoldering logs and trees, reported Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira.

By 4 p.m. Tuesday, there was very little activity within the fire break and operations were limited to wetting down hot spots and mopping up of the area, he said.

Firefighters have been extending hose lines and using hand tools to extinguish those problem areas. Resources or equipment that was on scene today included seven brush trucks, two gamma off road vehicles, three tankers, and more than 40 personnel.

South Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford said she was encouraged.

“The fire at Kealakekua Heritage Ranch is still contained at 1,800 acres and holding since last Wednesday when we got reinforcements from Department of Army Pohakuloa Fire Department, Department of Forestry & Wildlife, and the National Park Service, and Bishop Estate,” she said. “That’s doubled the personnel. The fact they are working on hot spots, in my opinion, is really good news.”

Ford said heavier smoke was reported in the area Tuesday morning as crews did limited control burns to exhaust the fuel supply and prevent flare-ups. Smoke fluctuations are to be expected because the fire fighters are going to the inaccessible areas and burning small amounts of vegetation (small enough that they can put out the fire by themselves with the extended hose lines) to prevent the spread of the fire.

“The fire breaks that were cut have been improved by grubbing out root material and designing them to reduce flood potential, future erosion, and protect as many endangered species as possible. Removing the root material prevents root (fire) crawl under the fire breaks,” she said.

“Things are looking better,” Ford said.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (1/12/10 4:15 p.m.)

Good afternoon this is Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira with a brush fire update for Tuesday January 12 at 4:00 p.m.

Fire fighting operations on the Kealakekua mauka brush fire in Kona were continued today. Presently the burning is limited to hot spots and smoldering logs and trees. Very little active fire activity has been reported and operations are limited to wetting down those hot spots and mopping up of the area.

Smoke conditions on the fire scene were reported as moderate however the Kona community may have experienced differing conditions depending upon the winds and weather. Again, the firefighting efforts on the Kealakekua mauka fire continue and crews will remain on scene throughout the night.

I would like to once again thank our partner agencies, the land owner, and the community for the assistance and support we have received.

This is a Civil Defense message. (1/12/10 9 a.m.)

This is a brushfire update for Tuesday morning January 12 at 7 a.m.

Equipment on scene today includes 8 brush trucks, 2 gamma military off road vehicles, and 4 tankers.

Objectives today include extinguishing flare-ups, hotspots, and areas burning within the fire breaks. Again, the fire fighting operations on the Kealakekua Mauka brush fire are continuing and personnel and equipment will be on scene throughout the day. The fire area remains secure and there is no threat to property at this time.

Thank you and have a safe day. This is your Hawaii County Civil Defense.

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Contributing Editor

South Kona residents who have suffered the effects of smoke from at least three wildfires during the last three weeks may see some relief over the weekend.

Crews and equipment from the National Parks Service at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and state Department of Forestry and Wildlife spent Friday battling a stubborn 1,800-acre fire at Kealakekua Heritage Ranch.

An additional 10 firefighters joined the Fire Department, ranch crews and land owner personnel. That put the total number of firefighters on the scene at more than 50.

DOFAW and the National Park Service are now providing: two fire engines, one tanker, two brush trucks, two specialized off-road gama trucks with fire fighting equipment, and three choppers, including two county helicopters and one privately owned chopper.

County, private, federal, and state resources will be working to extinguish active burning, as well as mopping up hot spots and maintaining a secure perimeter. However, officials cautioned, it will take at least 24 hours to see what additional progress can be made against the fire.

Fire break perimeters have been widened and are now accessible to the larger fire-fighting vehicles.

South Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford said the fire is particularly difficult to knock down for a number of factors.

“This is a forest fire. It’s always been a forest fire,” Ford said Friday afternoon. “It’s just completely inaccessible.”

Ford said crews are reporting the fire is burning at ground level and through gulches and ravines, fueled by dry tinder and brush, while the tree tops are relatively free of flame. The dry ground cover is allowing the fire to spread and the green undergrowth is kicking up the enormous amounts of smoke.

Crews were unable to get to the fire because of the rough terrain and lack of roads, she said. The fire break is essentially serving as a pathway for crews to reach the area.

Also, because the fire is at ground level, helicopter drops have been ineffective. Not enough water trickles down through the thick canopy, Ford said.

Three choppers have been making runs between the ocean and the 4,000-foot level. Each trip takes a full 15 minutes. The weather and winds are unpredictable and make flying dangerous.

Neither is dropping fire retardant an option, Ford said. There is not a suitable plane in the state nor is there any fire retardant, she said, plus all it would do is coat the tree tops, which are not on fire anyway.

Ford said the National Parks and state crews determined the county Fire Department and Civil Defense Agency had few options.

“That report told us what we have been doing is the best we can do,” Ford said. “Our Fire Department has done everything humanly possible to extinguish this fire. They really are busting their butts. They are really good guys.”

She said she realizes the Fire Department must protect lives first, even their own.

“That must come ahead of everything else, absolutely,” she said. “We cannot afford to lose one life. We cannot afford to lose one firefighter.”

Ford, who suffers with asthma, said she shares concerns about residents’ health.

“I live down there, so I’m right in it with everybody else. It really has exacerbated peoples’ respiratory problems. It’s been so awful,” she said. “Everything smells horribly. Your clothes, your hair, furniture, car upholstery. It gets everywhere and you cannot get away from it.”

Ford said she noticed the smoke has drifted as far as Hilo.

“As I drove into Hilo this week, I could just see it sitting pooled over the whole town,” she said.

The fire, originally reported mid-morning Sunday Dec. 27,  has spread to Bishop Estate and Kamehameha Schools land. It is located about 7 miles mauka of Kealakekua.

Crews will remain on scene on around the clock until the fire is no longer a threat. No injuries have been reported and no structures have been threatened.

Currently, there has been no reported cause of the blaze.

“That will be the first thing to look at once we get this thing out,” Ford said. “Then it’s time for all the reviewing.”

Other fires

Hokukano Ranch – 1,400 acres – Considered extinguished, some root burning being monitored

The fire broke out Dec. 17 and burned more than 1,400 acres. Although it is considered extinguished, some roots still are smoldering, Ford said. Ranch hands remain on the scene and are monitoring the area closely.

Yee Hop Ranch – 25 acres – Extinguished

Reported Friday, Dec. 25, the fire burned about 25 acres. It had jumped the fire break Monday, Dec. 28, but was contained again by that evening. Fire officials report that blaze is out.

Precautionary health measures urged

The state Department of Health continues to urge residents to take precautionary measures due to elevated levels of fine particulates (PM2.5) caused by brush fires.

The DOH is continuing to monitor the PM2.5 levels in four communities: Kona, Hilo, Mountain View, and Pahala.

The PM2.5 level recently recorded over a 24-hour period at the DOH air monitoring station located in Kona exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Particulate levels continue to be elevated in Kona and are expected to improve as tradewinds return.

A list of exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards can be viewed at the Clean Air Branch Web site: hawaii.gov/health/environmental/air/cab/index.html

Elevated levels of PM2.5 can cause breathing problems in individuals, especially those with pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. If you have respiratory conditions and live or work in an area being impacted by smoke or vog, consider taking precautionary measures.

The DOH offers the following guidelines:

* Stay indoors and close your windows and doors.

* Check that your air conditioner or air purifier is working properly, change filters if necessary.

* If you take medication, make sure you have an adequate supply and use them as directed by your physician. Contact your physician if you need more medication and get clear instructions of what to do if your lung condition suddenly worsens.

* Do not smoke and avoid second-hand smoke.

* Avoid people who have colds and other lung infections and wash your hands thoroughly.

* Get plenty of rest and limit physical exertion.

* Drink plenty of fluids to loosen mucus. Warm beverages seem to work best.

* If possible leave the affected area.

While these suggestions are intended primarily for persons with respiratory or chronic lung disease, they are also useful for healthy persons during air pollution episodes such as particulates dust, brush fires, firework smoke, or volcanic haze.

For further information regarding air quality contact the Clean Air Branch at 586-4200.

If you wish to obtain additional information on respiratory health contact the American Lung Association of Hawaii at 537-5966 or visit www.ala-hawaii.org

Karin Stanton/Hawaii247 Contributing Editor

A rezoning request from Palamanui developers is up before the County Council at its Wednesday, Oct. 7 meeting in Kona.

The developers had asked for the consideration due to the faltering economy, but remain committed to getting started on a college campus adjacent to the 725-acre commercial and residential complex.

Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford has introduced 41 pages of amendments to that rezoning request. Her input includes correcting minor typos, but also calls for the developers to adhere to new timelines.

Palamanui Global Holdings is asking to delay construction of a mauka-makai connector road and public park, while moving ahead with construction of two state-of-the-art, energy efficient buildings for Hawaii Community College.

“This is the biggest, most complicate project I’ve seen since I’ve been on the council,” Ford said. “I made these amendments to protect Kona, to define the public benefits and put the timelines in this contract, so it’s very clear what everybody has to do.”

Ford said she recognizes the challenges Palamanui is facing and has agreed to extend the original five-year zoning period to nine years, but insists the community gets its due.

Ford explained her amendments at a public meeting last week attended by about three dozen residents who appeared to mostly share her concerns.

“A time extension is not unreasonable with the current economic climate,” Ford said. “It’s a matter of tying the dates down.”

Top priority, Ford said, is the university campus, which includes two buildings, related infrastructure and roads connecting from Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Kaiminani Drive.

“Everybody is in favor of getting our university built. This is where we’ve got to start,” she said. “We’ve got to give them more time, but the university must be done by Nov. 1, 2012.”

At the meeting, Ford said she was not contesting Palamanui using 29 acres within the planned business park to allow for wholesale and distribution use, or the request to drop the Queen Kaahumanu Highway setback from 1,500 feet to 800 feet.

“I have no problem with that,” she said. “I’m not objecting to that change.”

However, Ford said she wanted to ensure the affordable housing contributions are built within the footprint of the development.

Roger Harris, Palamanui project planner, said the developer can work with most of the amendments and is committed to spending $23 million to kick start the university campus. 

However, the developer cannot commit more initial outlay on roads, affordable housing and a regulation major league baseball field in the 20-acre community park.

“It’s essentially up to the university to tell us when to start building,” he said. “We are going to build the two ball parks. We will build the affordable housing.”

Harris said the developer has an issue with building out the mauka-makai connector road within Ford’s timeline.

“That doesn’t work. That’s a problem with the timing, the way it’s written,” he said. “I can’t agree with it.”

Ford said she has had to tweak some of the park terms in her amendment.

For example, she originally included a regulation major league baseball field and practice field, which could be rented out to a Korean team for off-season training.

“That’s out now,” she said. “But, in the future, a field like that could produce revenue for the county. We would rent it out for two months and it would be for the community’s use the other 10 months. Also, a major league team would need at least 130 hotel rooms for those two months. So it definitely would be a benefit.”

The bills – No. 136 and No. 137 – are scheduled to be heard on first reading at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Keauhou Sheraton Bay Resort and Spa.

— Find out more:

www.palamanui.com

Last Tuesday night, Council member Brenda Ford held a public meeting about the plan for the 696 acres known currently as Palamanui. A big mahalo to Ford for educating the public and taking the lead on this development agreement!  

I came away with so many more questions. This property is located north of the airport and extends from the Queen Kaahumanu Highway mauka to Makalei Estates makai boundary.  

Palamanui expects to build a commercial area and 1,116 new homes, (according to traffic engineers each home adds 10 car trips per day to our roads) which equals 11,000+ more car trips per day to our roads. 

Ford explained that there is a 20-acre site for professional baseball fields that will be used for practice for Korean teams when it is winter in their country. This is supposed to create jobs. 

Does County Parks and Recreation have an agreement with these Korean teams? Can the community use these fields the rest of the year? 

At the Old Airport Park planning charette, there were groups asking for more soccer fields, play areas for keiki and a 12-court tennis center. Would these 20 acres be better used to serve long-time residents and the new residents of this subdivision in other sports uses than professional baseball fields?

Roger Harris attended the meeting to represent the Palamanui developers.   I asked Harris how many classrooms they would build at the proposed 20,000 square foot building and he said eight classrooms would be built. 

The cost for this building is capped at $5 million. University of Hawaii is supposed to pay for any expenses over $5 million. 

Is there an agreement with the university and the developer? These classrooms are primarily for culinary and nursing classes.  Are the new classrooms supposed to replace the eight classrooms at Kealakekua that are filled to capacity, or are they in addition to these classrooms?   

For the huge impact that another 1,116 housing units add to our roads, schools and water systems, we get eight classrooms and no parks for the community to use? Could we ask for another eight classrooms after each 200 homes are sold? Could we ask for a few dollars each time a house is sold to set aside to build a park and help construct more classrooms?  

Then we might have a university all at one location to serve West Hawaii. 

Can we ask for a neighborhood park with fields and keiki play area? 

Can we record these development agreements to run with the land and to apply to all subsequent developers? Will we end up negotiating new agreements with the next landowner?  

Is this development agreement acceptable to the community?   

Debbie Hecht

Kailua-Kona

Karin Stanton/Hawaii247 Contributing Editor

Yup. South Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford last week filed a lawsuit in Third Circuit Court against the County Council.

Of course, Ford is in her second term on that very governmental body. So, yes, she has just sued herself, but not for doing anything wrong. Just for clarification of part of the Sunshine Law. 

In a brief statement, Ford said she filed the suit “requesting a declaratory ruling on a narrowly defined issue clarifying the Sunshine Law and other HRS chapters on deadlines for filing and posting of items for committee, council and agendas.”

Ford declined to comment further, but the wording of her statement indicates she is simply seeking legal guidance on council procedures under state law.

Although she was not specific, Ford did publicly question the timing of a bill submitted to the council earlier this year, when the council was attempting to reorganize its leadership.

That move became the basis of a lawsuit filed by West Hawaii Today, alleging Sunshine Law violations in planning the reorganization.

The next hearing for the WHT lawsuit – which now has been amended to allege a pattern and practice of Sunshine violations including taking into account actions relating to the June 16 reorganization vote – is 9 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 in Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra’s courtroom.

However, the original reorganization plan has been redrafted into one resolution and will be back before the council for a vote Wednesday, Oct. 7 in Kona. 

It is not clear whether that resolution might fall under the original lawsuit or whether it might trigger Ibarra’s original ruling voiding the first reorganization.

Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford is hosting a “talk story” community meeting to discuss possible amendments to Palamanui development.

The meeting is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Kahakai Elementary School.

Palamanui has requested a change to its development agreement, which essentially would allow the developer to restructure zoning conditions agreed three years ago, while moving ahead immediately with the community college campus and related infrastructure. That commitment totals $23 million.

Ford introduced more than 40 pages of amendments to the two bills at the last council meeting, prompting the council to defer voting on the pair of bills.

— Find out more:

Palamanui: www.palamanui.com

Kona Councilwoman Brenda Ford is seeking opinions about the proposed use of tents as temporary residences during construction.  

Aloha,

Council Member Naeole has presented the County Council with Bill 103 that will allow a land owner with a valid building permit to occupy a tent on their property while constructing their house.  

The bill requires appropriate sanitation, multiple fire safety requirements, a valid building permit, on-going construction, and owner occupancy for a maximum of two years.  

My poll consists of the following questions:

1. Do you support allowing an owner-occupied tent in your district as a residence on the owner’s property during a two-year construction period while the owner builds a house?

Yes       or        No

2. What geographical district do you live in?  Kona, Kohala, Hamakua, Hilo, Puna, or Ka‘u. (Please delete the districts where you do not live.)

Please feel free to forward this poll request to friends and family.

I need your response to bford@co.hawaii.hi.us no later than noon Friday, July 17 so my staff can prepare the results of the poll.

Mahalo.

Brenda Ford

Hawaii County Council

75-5706 Hanama Place, Suite 109

Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

326-5684

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