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| Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya was interviewed by Brown Bags to Stardom host Ka`ailani McBrayer yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE COUNTY COUNCIL plans to change Mayor Billy Kenoi’s proposed county budget between now and June 30. The mayor’s budget asks to cut county expenses by $8.6 million in the next fiscal year beginning July 1. He also proposes to defer a $20.1 million health insurance payment for future retirees until the 2012-2013 fiscal year, but Council Chair Dominic Yagong objects, saying it would put a burden on the next fiscal year. Also up for debate is whether to accept the administration’s proposal to charge visitors and everyone but the keiki, disabled and seniors a dollar for each Hele-On Bus ride. The council has until the end of June to negotiate the budget with the mayor and finalize it.
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| Patricia McManaman, director of Hawai`i Department of Human Services. |
PATIENT-CENTERED MEDICAL HOMES are proposed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Department of Human Services Director Patricia McManaman. Rather than a place to live, a Medical Home is described as a new model of health care delivery that will focus on patient care and technology. It is designed to enhance access to physicians and improve coordination of services through technology, such as electronic health records.
“This is the future of health care delivery. Our initial investment in and long-term commitment to implement medical homes will improve the quality of care for our people and save the state significant money in the long run,” Abercrombie said. “We will be treating the person and not just the disease or condition.”
Healthcare homes facilitate increased communication and coordination between providers, which is particularly useful for patients suffering from chronic conditions. “Healthcare home models will make our Medicaid system more proactive in addressing community health issues through innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology,” McManaman said.
The programs will also qualify the state for $9 in federal funding for every $1 spent on implementation over the first two years. The new programs are slated to begin in January 2012. It is expected to dramatically cut the use of Emergency Room care for chronic conditions.
Healthcare homes facilitate increased communication and coordination between providers, which is particularly useful for patients suffering from chronic conditions. “Healthcare home models will make our Medicaid system more proactive in addressing community health issues through innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge technology,” McManaman said.
The programs will also qualify the state for $9 in federal funding for every $1 spent on implementation over the first two years. The new programs are slated to begin in January 2012. It is expected to dramatically cut the use of Emergency Room care for chronic conditions.
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| Bull Kailiawa, winner of the top coffee in USA at the Houston convention, with Pete Licata, who employed Rusty's Hawaiian Coffee to win the U.S. Barista Championship. Photo by Julia Neal |
MISS KA`U COFFEE BRANDY SHIBUYA continued her reign leading up to the Ka`u Coffee Festival next weekend with interviews for OC16 television yesterday and an interview on local community radio station KAHU to talk about the festival. On her schedule for the rest of this month is performing at the festival this coming Saturday at Pahala Community Center and performing at May Day celebrations in Na`alehu and at Ka`u Hospital.
BULL KAILIAWA has made the pages of the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald and West Hawai`i Today for his win as one of the top ten coffees in the world at the Specialty Coffee Association of America’s competition earlier this month. The story quotes Kailiawa as saying his coffee is good because of “a lot of tender loving care, hard work, dedication and strong focus on quality, not quantity.” He also said he views farmers growing coffee in Kona as “partners” not competitors in the coffee industry. “It takes all of us to continue to prove Hawai`i coffees are No. 1 and among the top in the world,” he told writer Carolyn Lucas-Zenk, of Stephens Media. Kailiawa will be on hand with the other Ka`u Coffee farmers this Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m. at Pahala Community Center for the annual Ka`u Coffee Festival.
THE KA`U GONZO MUSIC SOCIETY is planning a music festival at Punalu`u for Memorial Day. They invite musicians to sign up to play and also are seeking community groups who want to raise funds with food and/or craft booths. Call Bill at 929-9803 or Tom at 929-9298.
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| Shizuno Nasu |
A FUNDRAISER FOR JAPAN TSUNAMI VICTIMS begins at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. It features a movie made possible by Joe Okuda about the famous Shinto shrine and its man-made forest in the Center of Tokyo. Volcano resident and dancer Shizuno Nasu, who was in Tokyo when the earthquake and tsunami occurred, will perform, along with Shiho Watanabe on Koto.
Tickets are $15, and all proceeds go to the people of Japan. Call 967-8222 for tickets. Donations are also accepted.
