Every now and then we post a gathering of members outside of the Big Island. Here members Mike Sack and John Saul visit members Jack Lutsky and Susan Mendelson at their home on Sakinaw Lake on the Sunshine Coast on the coast of British Columbia, Canada.
An artist’s rendering of the Thirty Meter Telescope complex. A judge recommended on Wednesday that the board issue a new permit. THIRTY METER TELESCOPE
The stars are still in reach for astronomers who want to build a $1.4 billion telescope on top of Hawaii’s Mauna Kea.
A year and a half after the Hawaiian Supreme Court revoked the telescope’s building permit, saying that the state Board of Land and Natural Resources had cut corners in the application process, a judge recommended on Wednesday that the board issue a new permit.
The telescope’s opponents, a coalition of native Hawaiians and environmentalists, say that the proliferation of observatories on Mauna Kea has despoiled a sacred mountain and interfered with native Hawaiian cultural practices that are protected by state law.
The judge’s recommendation included the condition that the telescope’s workers and astronomers undergo “mandatory cultural and natural resources training.”
The telescope’s backers, a consortium that includes the University of California, California Institute of Technology, India, China and Canada, called the decision an important milestone, but cautioned that it was only one in a series of bureaucratic and political hurdles to overcome.
The Thirty Meter Telescope, as it is known, would be the largest telescope in the Northern Hemisphere, with a primary light-gathering mirror 30 meters, or some 100 feet, in diameter.
Astronomers say it would be able to study planets around other stars and peer into the black-hole hearts of distant galaxies with a clarity exceeding that of the Hubble Space Telescope.
It is one of three such behemoth telescopes under development worldwide. But the other two, the Giant Magellan Telescope and the European Extremely Large Telescope, are being built in Chile and thus will not be able to survey some parts of the universe only visible in the Northern sky.
Mauna Kea, Hawaii’s tallest mountain, has long been considered the best observatory site in the Northern Hemisphere and is already home to a passel of large telescopes. It is also a sacred place in Hawaiian culture and religion.
A coalition of cultural activists and environmentalists has opposed the Thirty Meter project, citing, among other things, an environmental impact statement that concluded that 30 years of astronomy had had “an adverse effect” on nature and native culture on the mountain.
At 18 stories high, the new telescope would be the biggest building on the Big Island, an industrial-scale installation, opponents say, that would violate the rules for the mountain, which is a special conservation district.
In 2015, a groundbreaking for the telescope project was broken up by protesters, who then blockaded the road up the mountain, preventing equipment and construction workers from passing.
In December of that year, the Hawaiian Supreme Court concluded that the state board had not followed due process when it approved a building permit before holding what is known as a contested case hearing where opponents could have their say.
The decision was made by retired Judge Riki May Amano, who was appointed by the land board to rehear the case. It followed 44 days of testimony by 71 witnesses over six months in a hotel room in Hilo, Hawaii.
The testimony ended in March with all the participants, pro and con, and their lawyers holding hands and singing “Hawaii Aloha,” according to Clarence Ching, a Hawaiian activist and lawyer who was there.
But the controversy is hardly over. Next the entire Board of Land and Natural Resources will hear arguments and decide whether to accept Judge Amano’s decision. Whichever side wins, the decision will be immediately appealed to the Hawaiian Supreme Court.
Even if the telescope wins in the Supreme Court, it is unclear whether the “guardians of the mountain,” as they called themselves, will relent and let trucks proceed up Mauna Kea.
Gov. David Ige has professed his support for the Thirty Meter Telescope, but he was criticized two years ago for allowing protesters to control the mountain.
Whatever the land board’s decision, Governor Ige said in a statement, “I support the coexistence of astronomy and culture on Mauna Kea along with better management of the mountain.”
In an interview last year, Edward Stone, a Caltech professor who is executive director of the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory, or TIO, as it is officially known, set April 2018 as the deadline for construction to begin.
If the telescope cannot be built on Mauna Kea, he said, it will be built in the Canary Islands, off the coast of Spain.
In a statement, Dr. Stone said, “TMT welcomes the recommendation that a state permit be issued, and we respectfully look forward to the next steps.”
“We are grateful to all our supporters and friends who have been with us during the hearing process and over the past 10 years, and we remain respectful of the process to ensure the proper stewardship of Maunakea.”
In a statement to The Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Kealoha Pisciotta, a leader of the opposition to the telescope (and a former telescope operator on Mauna Kea), said she was disappointed “but this is really only the beginning of a very lengthy legal battle that will most likely take us back to the State of Hawaii’s Supreme Court.”
For many of us Ke ‘Olu has been a home away from home, away from home. It’s a restaurant and a bar, sure, but it is also the place we go to see familiar smiling faces, chat with friends and share food and drink. For many Hualalaians (I know, I just made that word up) Ke ‘Olu is our local “Cheers” bar. Most of the Ke ‘Olu staff have been around awhile. They know what we like to drink and eat and they are always trying to please us. This summer we had to say goodbye to Nicole who, with her family, moved to Seattle. And now we are saying goodbye to Sue, the ever attentive, always cheerful bartender who is moving to the Las Vegas area.
Sue, thank you for years of serving us, listening to us and befriending us. You will be missed. We wish you and your family the best. A Hui Hou!
Once upon a time, in the early years of our five-star Hualalai Resort, during the aughts, when the Residents’ Beach House served only lunch, a young chef appeared, named Morgan Starr. Morgan’s star rose as he created innovative dinners which became famous world-round. Because his dream, however, was to create a superior restaurant of his own, he left Hualalai with the support of many fans, in order to take a trip around the world to hone his sense of excellence.
Today, Morgan’s star has risen to new heights with MI’s Bistro, on Alii Drive. Morgan, the “M” in MI’s Waterfront Bistro, and his wife, Ingrid, the “I,” offer house made pasta with true Italian flavors, combined with local traditions and ingredients. Many Hualalai homeowners have savored the pastas, seafood, island beef, chicken, and flavorful sauces at the original location in Captain Cook, as well as from the Starrs’ unique take-home boutique near Costco. MI’s serves traditional Italian dishes with an island flair, along with a mom-and-pop friendliness and casual, yet sophisticated, atmosphere.
Welcoming and informed about ingredients, Morgan’s staff is well-trained and enthusiastic about innovative cocktails and premier wines. Lanai tables overlook Kona Bay (near Bubba Gump’s), and parking is available underneath the building. In addition to plein air dining for lunch and dinner, Morgan and Ingrid have emphasized, inside the bistro, the local character of the lively bistro with paintings of the Big Island.
Check out an enchanting photo of the Starr family on www.mIswaterfrontbistro.com, along with a entertaining biography of the talented young family, who deserve a magnitude of stars for their success in food and beverage, as well as in raising three young children. Also, ask around campus for everyone’s favorite MI’s dish. You’ll most probably hear “crab artichoke dip, fresh lasagna, and duck confit.”
Lanai at Mi’s Bistro
A thank you to Becky Holman for providing this review.
Server, bartender, fitness trainer, mother and wife, Nichole Meier is leaving Hualalai after 11 years of service at Ke ‘Olu. Nichole and her family are moving to Seattle. We will all miss her immensely especially her smile and her lovely laugh.
Nichole and Devo at Nicole’s going away party
At Ke ‘Olu Nichole provided excellent personal service. Here she is pouring wine into a member’s mouth because he was too tired to pick up his glass, himself. (This is a joke of course.)
Wednesday, June 28, 5:30p.m.-7p.m., West Hawaii Civic Center
Kona Historical Society is excited to announce that the June installment of the Hanohano `O Kona Lecture Series will feature a presentation about the history of Kona’s coffee industry and the stories of the people who shaped it. On Wednesday, June 28 from 5:30 to 7pm at the West Hawaii Civic Center, Kona Historical Society Curator Mina Elison and Assistant Program Director Gavin Miculka will share stories and photos that tell the rich history of coffee in Kona.
Mina Elison will give context to historical photographs that illustrate many coffee farmers’ journey of independence from sugar plantations to small family-operated coffee farms, and how their traditions and values shaped Kona’s way of life. Gavin Miculka will bring to this presentation his knowledge of Kona’s historical coffee farms, and how Kona’s families would have lived and worked together on these sites in the early 20th century. Their lecture will be followed by presentations from a small panel of community members involved in the Kona Coffee Story, including descendants of Kona Coffee Pioneers, modern day coffee farmers and leaders of Kona’s coffee industry.
Many of these stories are reflected in the exhibit currently on display in the H.N. Greenwell Store Museum in Kealakekua, “The Kona Coffee Story: Along the Hawaii Belt Road.” This award-winning exhibit was featured at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, as well as in museums world-wide. Some of the cultural traditions and way of life practiced by Kona’s coffee farmers can be viewed at the historical Kona Coffee Living History Farm in Captain Cook. Voices of hard working coffee farmers and community leaders can be heard through personal accounts, historic photographs and artifacts featured in the exhibit and the farm, all of which tell the compelling story of the early days of Kona coffee. This exhibit will be on display at the H.N. Greenwell Store Museum until January, 2018 and the farm is open Mondays through Fridays from 10am to 2pm.
As the Kona Historical Society Curator, Mina Elison has refreshed and updated the original exhibit, “The Kona Coffee Story: Along the Hawaii Belt Road” with photos and artifacts from Kona Historical Society’s collections. She has curated several exhibits for the Society, including “Kona Ranching and Kona Cowboys: Our Way of Life” and “Made in Kona,” which was displayed at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in 2016. Gavin Miculka is the Kona Historical Society Assistant Program Director and Kona Coffee Living History Farm Museum Manager. He has developed programs that immerse patrons into the historical activities of the families who lived and worked on Kona’s coffee farms.
This is the June portion of a community lecture series held at the West Hawai`i Civic Center every last Wednesday of the month from 5:30-7:00pm, that spotlights local and state speakers on a wide variety of cultural and historical subjects. Presented by Kona Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Hawai’i, this lecture series is a gift from the Society to the community that has supported it for so long. Free of charge, it is open to all, residents and visitors alike. For more information call 808-323-3222.
Hello, I am Jonas Skupeika. I’m a strong, hard-working Lithuanian college student staying with close friends at Hualalai this summer. I am available from June 10 to August 10 to assist you with:
This morning Residents on the West Side of the Big Island were at stand still due to an accident (three people died) on the Queen K that closed the highway from 6:30am – around noon. Hualalites (how’s that for a name?) couldn’t get into Kona and many staff members couldn’t get to work. People were rerouted from Hina Lani to the upper road Momalahoa Highway and then down back to the Queen K. Guests of the Four Seasons who had to get to the airport were airlifted by helicopters that landed on the golf course to whisk them away to the airport.
Helicopter on the Hualalai golf course shuttling guests to the airport.
KAILUA-KONA — Three people are dead following a two-car crash on Queen Kaahumanu Highway, north of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.
The crash occurred at 6:26 a.m. at mile marker 92 when a Toyota 4Runner occupied by two men traveling north collided with a Nissan Titan, occupied by a man and woman traveling south, according to Hawaii police.
Both vehicles subsequently burst into flames.
Police say the driver of the 4Runner was passing several vehicles on the highway.
“As he completed his pass the operator lost control of his vehicle, which caused it to veer into the oncoming lane where it was then involved in a broadside collision with a 2008 Nissan Titan operated by a 37-year-old Kamuela man,” police say.
All individuals were transported to Kona Community Hospital. The three men died at the hospital and the woman from the truck is in critical condition.
Police believe speed was a factor in the crash, but it is not immediately known if alcohol was involved.
Queen Kaahumanu Highway was closed between Waikoloa Road and Kaiminani Drive until shortly before noon causing track backups and delays of more than an hour.
The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a negligent homicide investigation. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call Officer Kimo Keliipaakaua at 326-4646 ext. 229.
These deaths put the traffic fatalities up to 15 compared to 10 this time last year.
Debbie’s employment as General Manager of the Hualalai Club began about six weeks ago. With Colin Clark just coming on as the General Manager for the Four Seasons Resort last Monday and Robert Whitfield leaving about a month ago, Debbie has been in a whirlwind of learning about Hualalai, the Big Island and Hawaii in general. I sat down with her in her office at Ke ‘Olu to see how she is doing and ask some general questions.
Q: I know that you just got back from Dallas for a conference; how did it go?
A: Very well. I was attending the Four Seasons International Managers’ Conference. Unlike many managers here at Hualalai, I did not come from a Four Seasons background. Instead I came from a Private Club background, so this was a major orientation to the world-class hospitality company of Four Seasons, with all of its many parts, including residential and club components.
Q: What were some of the things you learned at the conference?
A: Well, first off it was great to spend some time with Colin before he arrived today. One of the things I took away is that Hualalai is seen as one of the more exceptional but complex Four Seasons in the chain and that the Club at Hualalai is vastly different from the other residential components.
Q: How is that?
A: My take away is that the members of the club –of the community–are much more involved and committed to making Hualalai a very special community and place.
Q: Do you agree with that?
A: I do. With all my experience in running private clubs, Hualalai members truly invest in their community, creating experiences and relationships that are unique and very desirable. Hualalai is magical. The setting is spectacular; the staff is terrific and the experience in my opinion is exceptional compared to so many other resorts and private clubs. Just in the arrival when you drive past all the lava and enter the lushness of the resort with the ocean ahead. It’s breath taking, almost spiritual.
Q: I tend to agree with you on that account. Are you settling in on the Big Island?
A: More or less. My husband and I have chosen to rent a home in Holualoa for a while, until we get to know the lay of the land better. We thought we would be in the house by May 1st, but we won’t get in until June 1st. So, right now we are camping out at Waikoloa in a small condo.
Q: So, five weeks of working here; what have you learned?
A: There has been a lot to absorb. I’ve spent most of my time talking with members, talking with staff, learning about the various components of the resort. This is a large, complex, and complicated operation. On the whole I’m impressed by it all. I’m impressed by the Four Seasons Technology, Financial, and Human Resources systems. I’m learning a lot about the culture and history of Hualalai and I’m learning what the members are concerned about and what they are interested in.
Q: You will not only be the head of our Private Club, but also representing our interests as members to the Investors and Hotel Management. Given that you are also an employee of the Four Seasons, who pays your salary, do you see any possible conflict of interest?
A: No. I was specifically hired because of my background in private clubs. I was hired because the Four Seasons Hualalai knew how important the club is to their overall operations. When operating a non-equity club you have to always find a balance. Balances in providing what members want, as well as making that fit with the full needs and concerns of the whole resort. I see myself and the other managers always trying to achieve that balance.
Q: What do you see as your biggest challenge in your first year?
A: I want to get a good grasp on the history of Hualalai. Learning about the integration that occurred about three years ago. It’s very important for me to get to know the staff as well as the members. I see myself as a mentor to staff, helping them to achieve their goals.
I am also serving on the Homeowners Association Board. We feel that it is important to start separating the functions of the Club and the Association. Currently the Association engages a management firm to handle association activities. There has been a lot of cross over in managing owner and member needs. With the increase in members it has come time to focus on separating the two components. The Association is hiring a full time manager who will be on site (offices up by the trailers near the Queen K). That person will oversee the issues of things like security, architectural reviews, roads, landscaping of Association property. This should allow for faster response and resolution of Association related issues.
Q: How will this position be funded?
A: It has been included in the Association budget.
Q: Debbie, how do you see your position as different from Helen’s position?
A: I am the General Manager of the Club. I handle most of the policies and the direction of the Club. I see my role as working closely with various committees and other resort managers to keep the club serving the needs and wants of its members. Helen is the Club Manager. Helen will handle the day-to-day issues including orientation of new members and general communications.
Q: Speaking of communications, how do you see yourself getting feedback from members?
A: I see all of us using numerous methods of getting feedback. Committees work extremely well. One-on-one chats with members are perhaps the most effective. Well-thought-out surveys as well as quick response surveys are helpful. I also like town halls or open forums for members to give us feedback.
Q: Members often have requested to see the budget of the Club. Do you think that’s possible?
A: In my experiences with non-equity clubs, and I’ve worked for both equity and non-equity clubs, the finances are not shared with the members. We all need to work hard to insure that Members find value in their investment in the Club.
Q: What are you excited about for this coming year?
A: Well, I’m excited about upping the game at the Canoe Club, Beach House and the Grill. The remodeled Canoe Club should offer us a really expanded fun and delightful venue for members. I also think there are many opportunities for expanded culinary offerings at all three locations.
Q: Debbie, is there anything else you would like to add?
A: Yes, I want everyone to know that I am open to meeting with you and want to get to know you. Feel free to contact me and set up a time to get together.
Thank you, Debbie, for your time. We hope you are successful in your job and that your success makes all of us smile. Aloha.
