Kailua security zone set for Obama’s visit

Coast Guard law enforcement officers will once again enforce a temporary security zone in the ocean off Kailua Bay as President Barack Obama spends his annual Christmas vacation on Oahu.

The security zone is scheduled to be in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday to 10 p.m. Jan. 5.

The security zone includes a portion of Kailua Bay, beginning at Kapoho Point and extending westward to the shoreline near Kailuana Loop. The zone also includes the adjacent canal beginning near Kapoho Point and extending the canal way to approximately 150 yards south of the North Kalaheo Avenue Road Bridge.

A marker will be placed on Kailua Beach, a yellow buoy will be placed on the water and an orange marker will be placed in the canal for visual references of the zone.

No person or vessel may enter the restricted zone without authorization. Violators are subject to penalties of up to $40,000 in fines and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Trust seeks protection for agricultural land

Hawaii’s largest private landowner is asking the state Land Use Commission to designate nearly 10,000 acres on Oahu as important agricultural lands.

Kamehameha Schools said Monday the land includes 421 acres in Punaluu and more than 9,100 acres on the North Shore. It also identified surrounding lands for processing facilities and farmer’s markets.

The designation will help protect the land from urbanization and promote its use for farming.

Kamehameha Schools is a charitable educational trust endowed by the late Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop’s will.

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Hawaii County Council to vote on GMO appeal

KAILUA-KONA » The Hawaii County Council is scheduled to decide this week whether to appeal a federal judge’s ruling invalidating a new ban on the open-air cultivation of genetically modified crops.

The Council will need five "yes" votes to appeal the ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, West Hawaii Today reported.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren invalidated the county law in a Nov. 27 order, saying state law pre-empts county law on the issue.

The Council passed the legislation by a 6-3 vote last year.

The Council has three new members after last month’s elections: Aaron Chung of Hilo, Danny Paleka of Puna and Maile David of Kau and South Kona.

The Council will meet at the West Hawaii Civic Center at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Public comment will be taken at the beginning of the meeting.