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| Springs, estuaries and the south end of Kawa lands would be managed by the state and county if the purchase is completed by June 15. Photo by Julia Neal |
GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE said yesterday that the state budget can be balanced without deeper cuts in public services, without raising the General Excise Tax and without Furlough Fridays. “Cutting government in today’s circumstances may bring short-term savings, but it will harm people and businesses and create dire long-term costs. We cannot let this happen.”
Abercrombie said, however, that some other taxes will have to be raised. “Together, we are facing a $1.3 billion deficit. If we are going to raise taxes, which we must to get out of this hole, then we should accept nothing less than giving taxpayers more value for their dollars. That is the basis of our plan and my promise to you.
Abercrombie said, however, that some other taxes will have to be raised. “Together, we are facing a $1.3 billion deficit. If we are going to raise taxes, which we must to get out of this hole, then we should accept nothing less than giving taxpayers more value for their dollars. That is the basis of our plan and my promise to you.
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| Gov. Neil Abercrombie and County Council member Brittany Smart during his inauguration event in Ka`u. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
“The choice to move Hawai`i in a new direction is in our hands,” said the governor. “We are ready to move on every item on our agenda for a New Day—good jobs, great schools, clean energy, locally grown food, and caring for our neighbors in need.
“And we can do this, even in these tough times, if we pass our Executive Budget and some key legislation. We are going to do more than just get by. Instead of attacking each other, we are going to attack our problems with courage and conviction. Times are tough everywhere, but the people of Hawai`i are tougher. The time to invest in ourselves is now. Imua Hawai`i!” the governor proclaimed.
The state Senate and House of Representatives are in conference for the next two weeks to finalize the budget.
SEN. JOSH GREEN, a former Ka`u resident and physician who now represents Kona in the state Senate, held a meeting in Honolulu yesterday concerning radiation. He said that a large number of people are asking about the possible health effects of radiation found in milk and the possibility of it being in potable water. The meeting included a conference call with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the mainland, who said that radiation from the broken nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan is dispersing, and that radiation coming here is no danger to health. They said that seafood caught here is also safe.
“And we can do this, even in these tough times, if we pass our Executive Budget and some key legislation. We are going to do more than just get by. Instead of attacking each other, we are going to attack our problems with courage and conviction. Times are tough everywhere, but the people of Hawai`i are tougher. The time to invest in ourselves is now. Imua Hawai`i!” the governor proclaimed.
The state Senate and House of Representatives are in conference for the next two weeks to finalize the budget.
SEN. JOSH GREEN, a former Ka`u resident and physician who now represents Kona in the state Senate, held a meeting in Honolulu yesterday concerning radiation. He said that a large number of people are asking about the possible health effects of radiation found in milk and the possibility of it being in potable water. The meeting included a conference call with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the mainland, who said that radiation from the broken nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan is dispersing, and that radiation coming here is no danger to health. They said that seafood caught here is also safe.
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| The north end of Kawa has already been purchased by the county. It is the favorite surfing spot in Ka`u, and surf meets are staged there. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE PURCHASE OF public lands process will go before the County Council Finance Committee this afternoon at its meeting in Kona. Drafted by council member Pete Hoffmann, it would give more power to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission in selecting lands to be purchased for preservation. The measure attempts to prevent County Council members from changing the priority list of the commission for political reasons in their districts. A portion of Kawa has been purchased, along with the overlook at Waipio Valley and land in Kaiholena North and Pao`o. The southern portion of Kawa is set to be purchased if issues with the deed are cleared up by June 15. The matter is now in court.
On the County Council’s agenda tomorrow is the purchase of 3,000 acres at Road to the Sea, makai of Ocean View, which is supported by council member Brittany Smart. The purchases in this district are part of an effort to preserve the longest uninhabited coastline in the state of Hawai`i.
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| Dacy Davis Andrade competes in Young Miss Ka`u Coffee this Saturday. Photo by Nalani Parlin |
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| Rebecca Lynn Kailiawa-Escobar competes in the Miss Ka`u Peaberry pageant this Saturday. Photo by Nalani Parlin |
MISS KA`U COFFEE CANDIDATES experienced the first round of competition as they traveled yesterday to Hilo for the pre-pageant interviews with the judges in the County Building. The judges are: Leslie Apoliana, of Kamehameha Schools; Norman Arancon, a professor at University of Hawai`i-Hilo; Dina Kageler, a teacher at Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences; Jenilee Keliinani Waipa, of HomeStreet Bank; and Jennifer Naiga-Ka`aihui, a former Miss Hawai`i Island Filipina who works for the Police Department. The pageant begins at 5:30 p.m. this Saturday at Ka`u High School Gym. It is sold out, so look for tickets purchased by friends and family who support the event. There will be food offered for sale before the pageant and during intermission.
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| Haunani's Aloha Expressions perform Wednesday night at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. |
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is waiving entrance fees now through Easter Sunday. Those who visit today can also attend the After Dark in the Park program tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Filmmaker Edgy Lee’s award-winning documentary film The Hawaiians – Reflecting Spirit will be shown.
Tomorrow night at the visitor center, Haunani’s Aloha Expressions, an all-Hawaiian group of kane and wahine kupuna, perform hula and mele from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
