Grants will fund purchases of land

The state plans to issue grants to organizations seeking to buy and protect Hawaii lands that have environmental, cultural and agricultural importance.

Sept. 16 is the deadline for applying for the grants. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Tuesday it would make applications available online at the end of the month.

Legacy Land Conservation Program grants are supported by revenue from the state’s land conveyance tax. About $4.5 million might be available in grants for 2011-2012.

Last year, the grants funded the purchase of agricultural lands in North Kohala and on Oahu’s North Shore. They also paid to buy the Hawea Heiau Complex and the Keawawa Wetland site in Hawaii Kai.

OHA giving $4.3 million to 12 organizations

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs is awarding $4.3 million to 12 organizations tasked with improving the education, health and income of Native Hawaiians.

OHA estimated that 13,000 Native Hawaiians will directly benefit from the programs. Each organization will receive between $150,000 and $725,000 over the next two years.

The funding will go toward programs helping troubled teens, increasing access to early childhood education and providing financial advice on money management, wealth building and credit counseling.

Organizations receiving funding are Hawaii First Federal Credit Union, Aha Punana Leo, Partners in Development Foundation, Waianae Coast Community Mental Health Center Inc., Mana Maoli, Koa Ike, Hawaiian Community Assets, Pacific American Foundation, Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., Hui Malama I Ke Kai Foundation, Family Nurturing Center of Hawaii Inc. and Hale Kipa Inc.

Kilauea Volcano’s volatility continues

Kilauea Volcano continued to burn and bubble Saturday, maintaining two lava lakes.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said on its website that sources fed a lava lake in the middle of the Puu Oo crater floor, and a shallow source of pressure lifted the floor and the lake. There was also some increased seismic activity in the upper east rift zone.

At Kilauea’s summit, the lava lake level was stable. The lava lake, in a vent below the surface of the Halemaumau Crater floor, has been active since opening with a small explosion in March 2008.

River and stream cleaned up with $4M federal grant

KILAUEA, Kauai » Kauai County has completed the final phase of a $4 million river and stream cleanup.

The county said Friday the cleanup of the Kilauea River and Wailapa Stream involved removing nearly 24,000 cubic yards of debris and sediment.

Funding was provided through a grant from the National Resources Conservation Service, a federal agency.

Last year the state asked the county to assume sponsorship of the project because it did not expect it could spend the funds before they were to lapse on Sept. 30, 2010.

The cleanup began several months after the Ka Loko Dam breach in March 2006, which left an enormous amount of debris and sediment in the area. It was completed in phases.

Daligdig named manager of Civil Defense on Kauai

LIHUE » County officials have named a new manager of the Kauai Civil Defense Agency.

The county announced Wednesday that Theodore "Teddy" Daligdig is to assume the position this week. He replaces Kylan Dela Cruz.

Daligdig retired as a colonel and island commander of the Kauai branch of the Hawaii Army National Guard in 2004 after 38 years of service.

He was involved in recovery efforts after Hurricane Iniki.

After his retirement from the Hawaii Army National Guard, Daligdig was director of education and health programs for the state Department of Defense.

He is a former member of the Kauai County Planning Commission.