Ka`u News Briefs Nov. 28, 2010

Senator Russell Kokubun, speaking at a rally in Hilo, is being considered
for a position in Governor Neil Abercrombie's new administration.

RUSSELL KOKUBUN, our Senator for Ka`u, Volcano, Puna and beyond, is being considered for a position in Governor Neil Abercrombie’s new administration. Kokubun, a resident of Volcano, applied for a position and said this morning that the main issue is to serve the community and the public as he has been doing all his adult life. He said his experience is in land use, farming, natural resources and planning for sustainability. He said he respects Governor Abercrombie very much and would be honored to serve with him.
     Should Kokubun take a position with the state administration, his position as Senator would be filled by an appointment. Governor Abercrombie would appoint a new senator from a list of three nominees provided by the Democratic Party. The new Senator would serve for two years, until the next election.

ABERCROMBIE will be in Ka`u, meeting with everyone who wants to join him, at Pahala Plantation House, on Sunday, December 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Kokubun said he will be there to welcome Abercrombie to his new post as governor.

Josh Green practiced at the Ka`u Hospital Emergency Room
and could become the next chief of the
state Department of Health.

ANOTHER STATE SENATOR up for a position in the Abercrombie cabinet is Dr. Josh Green, who has practiced medicine in Ka`u and represents Kona in the Senate. He is being considered for the head of the state Department of Health.

DURING THESE HOLIDAYS, not only are authorities looking out for drinking and driving, they are also looking out for illegal smoking in public places. Forty percent of children and more than 30 percent of non-smoking adults breathe in cigarette smoke on a regular basis worldwide. Children’s developing lungs can be permanently damaged, and they are more likely to have asthma and other respiratory diseases. Non-smokers of all ages die from disease caused by second-hand smoke. This new concern comes from a worldwide study of 192 countries by the World Health Organization. Here on the Big Island, smoking is banned in all public places, including Punalu`u Beach and all parks, as well as stores, restaurants and community centers. Enforcing the law is another challenge. 

Lisa Louise Adams, of the Volcano
Villages Artists Hui, which wraps up
its studio tour today.

THE VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Art Studio Tour and Sale wraps up today in Volcano Village from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with quilts, paintings, pottery, photos, mixed media and other art. Visit the artist studios with discounted prices for Christmas gifts. Maps to all the studios are available by stopping in at Volcano Village businesses.

SENIORS ON MEDICARE face a December 31 deadline to change their drug and health plans. According to AARP, seniors should look at the cost of premiums, deductibles and cost sharing, coverage of drugs and seeing doctors and quality ratings. Good resources to check are www.medicare.gov and www.aarp.org. 

`O Ka`u Kakou is helping repair roads at South Point, Ka Lae,
where locals fish and visitors enjoy the view from the cliffs.

`O KA`U KAKOU spent part of Thanksgiving Week repairing a section of road to the fishing area and portable toilets at Ka Lae. Seven volunteer brought cement mixers, tractors, generators and a compactor to fill large holes. The effort is to protect the vehicles of many visitors and local residents who use the roads at South Point. The community group expects to continue with their work in the future, when they receive more donations in materials and equipment, said OKK member Fred Ramsdell.