Ka`u News Briefs July 12, 2012

Aerial hunting to eradicate invasive animals is used across the country.
Photo from National Resources Defense Council

AERIAL SHOOTING OF GAME FOR ERADICATION OR SPORT became illegal under county law yesterday when Mayor Billy Kenoi signed the bill that was passed unanimously by the County Council. It bans “any person to engage in the eradication of any animal for any reason while being transported by helicopter, airplane or any similar means.” However, the measure could have no impact on the state Department of Land & Natural Resources or the federal government when they use helicopters to eliminate invasive feral animals such as sheep and goats from lands where they are attempting to protect and revive native plants and animals. 

Goats are hunted by air in hard to hike to places.  
Photo from care2.com

      The county law has no jurisdiction over animal control on state and federal lands, according to state attorneys. In fact the state Department of Land & Natural Resources is required by the federal government to conduct aerial hunting to protect the habitat of the endangered palila bird.
     The new county law, however, declares aerial hunting as conflicting “with the cultural and traditional values of the people of Hawai`i County.” It also claims aerial hunting risks “human life, while also disturbing endangered flora and fauna” like the palila bird.
 

Ed Case
Photo by Julia Neal

ED CASE AND LINDA LINGLE are neck and neck in a poll released by the Lingle campaign for Hawai`i U.S. Senator yesterday. The poll conducted by the Voter/Consumer Research polling firm showed the Republican Lingle one point behind Democratic primary contender Ed Case and five points ahead of his opponent Mazie Hirono.

Mazie Hirono
Photo by William Neal

      Members of the Democratic Party have been asking the question: If Hirono wins the primary on Aug. 11, could Lingle beat her? A Republican winning in the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the Democrat Dan Akaka could lead to Democrats losing their majority in the U.S. Senate. Republicans controlling both houses of congress would put a stranglehold on initiatives by Pres. Barack Obama and threaten his efforts to be elected to his second term, Gov. Neil Abercrombie reminded voters when addressing the annual Democratic Party July 4 picnic on the Big Island last week.

Linda Lingle

     A statement from Lingle said, “I am very pleased to see that my message of bipartisanship and common-sense solutions to our state and nation’s problems is resonating with the voters of Hawai`i. The momentum and confidence that is building for our campaign are reflected in the polling numbers we received.”

UP TO 20 STUDENTS FROM KA`U, grades 6 – 12, are invited to Na Pua No`eau to engage in Mauka Makai enrichment sessions in the Kohala district Friday, July 27 through Sunday, July 29. Transportation will be provided to students in Ka`u. `Opio (youth) can contact Tiffnie Kakalia at 974-7678 or email tiffnie@hawaii.edu. See the Na Pua No`eau registration form and send it in by fax, scan or mail to ensure each child's participation. Confirmation of attendance will be sent as soon as the completed 2012/2013 registration form is received in the Hilo office.
      A special invitation is being offered to select past NPN students with high interest in learning more about their culture and place. The program is sponsored by University of Hawai`i Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children, Na Pua No`eau.

Police are warning of scams that exploit elders.

UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS ARE SCAMMING Big Island senior citizens, the Hawai`i Police Department warns. A statement from HPD says the scammers ask to be paid up front for such jobs as power washing and painting homes, paving driveways, performing auto body and mechanical repairs. They claim that material and supplies need to be purchased in advance. “The potential victim verbally agrees and often pays the subject, who completes only a portion of the agreed upon work and leaves, claiming that he will return later to complete the job. The victim makes several attempts to contact the subject, who never returns to complete the job,” says the HPD statement.
      A variation on this scam is one in which the victim makes full payment in advance—often an exorbitant amount—and then receives shoddy results.
     Police caution the public against agreeing to having residential improvements done without first conducting their own research. Although many unlicensed contractors perform excellent work, the remedies are few if an unlicensed contractor performs substandard work.
     Consumers can ask for documents of identification from the individuals performing any work and only sign a written contract that specifies conditions of the project, including a deadline.
      Police ask that anyone who may have been victimized in a similar scam call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or go to the nearest police station to file a complaint.
      Consumers may also call the division of the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) of the State of Hawai`i Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA) at 808-587-3222. The RICO web address is hawaii.gov/dcca/rico/.

U.S. Passports or other documents are required to
prove legal authorization to be in the country when
applying for or renewing Hawai`i driver's licenses
or permits.

ONLY THOSE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED to be in the United States are allowed drivers licenses and learning permits, according to new and tougher federal and state mandates. Individuals applying for or renewing a Hawai`i driver’s license or permit are required to provide proof of identity, date of birth, Social Security Number, and legal presence. Proof of an individual’s legal presence includes a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport or other documents.
      Meetings to explain these new requirements and to answer questions on applying for or renewing driver’s licenses and permits will be held in Hilo on Tuesday, July 24, from 5p.m. to 6 p.m.
 Aupuni Center Conference Room
 101 Pauahi Street and in Kona on Thursday, July 26, 5p.m. to 6 p.m. 
at County Council Room in Building A of 
West Hawai`i Civic Center, 
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona.
     Information about the new requirements is available online at http://hawaiicounty.gov/finance-dl-hi-legal-presence. Ask questions by emailing vehiclerl@co.hawaii.hi.us.settings.

REMNANTS OF FORMER HURRICANES DANIEL AND EMELIA heading this way prompted a statement about disaster preparedness from Hawai`i Electric Light Co. yesterday. The company noted that helcohi.com offers a consumer guide to emergency preparedness that includes phone numbers to have on hand, checklists for emergency supplies such as a home survival and first aid kits, electrical safety information, power outage preparedness and recovery, household and food safety tips, and references and links to related resources such as the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency and civil defense agencies.
      For those without Internet, HELCO has a free Information Handbook for Emergency Preparedness at their customer service offices in Hilo, Waimea, and Kona or by calling 969-0127.
     Both the website and handbook answer questions and concerns, including how to protect electronic equipment from power disturbances, how to use emergency generators safely, what to do during a power outage, and water use and safety during and after an extended power outage.

Tropical Depression Daniel nears Hawai`i this morning. Image from NOAA

     If power should go out, HELCO reminds customers:
 Use flashlights instead of candles as an open flame may create a fire hazard. Keep refrigerators closed and avoid peeking inside which allows cold air to escape. Turn off as many lights or appliances as possible – leaving one light switched “on” so you know when power is restored – and unplug computers, televisions and other high-tech equipment to avoid damage from a possible surge as power is restored.
     Those who must leave home are reminded to unplug or turn off appliances.
 If a member of a household is on life-sustaining electrical equipment, an emergency plan for an outage is recommended. Those needing emergency transportation to a hospital or other facilities with emergency generators, call 911.
     When moving around outside, stay away from downed power lines. Assume they are energized and dangerous. If someone is injured after touching a downed power line, call 911 for help; don’t try to rescue them as the rescuer could become a victim. Report downed power lines by calling HELCO at 969-6666.
     During and after a storm, stay tuned to local media reports on HELCO’s progress in assessing and repairing major damage.

HA`AO/SOUTH POINT AG WATER CO-OP meets today at 2:30 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. The group plans to work on bylaws and assembling a board of directors. Contact Alison Yahna at beeoracle@hotmail.com.

A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER meeting will be held tonight at HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office, 7 p.m., for all those interested in volunteering and taking Red Cross training. Call Hannah Uribes 929-9953 for more.

Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa displas his canoe at the
 Cultural Festival. Photo by Jay Robinson/NPS

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S CULTURAL FESTIVAL is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can enjoy hula kahiko and music by: Keiki o Halau o Kekuhi, Halau Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku, Hula Halau `O Kahikilaulani, Halau Ha'akea o Kinohi, Manailehua and Diana Aki. Visitors are also invited to watch skilled practitioners demonstrate their art and learn how to beat kappa, weave a coconut basket and a lauhala hat or bracelet, sew a feather kahili and traditional lei, create a native garden, and learn the medicinal qualities of plants. Visitors can also play Hawaiian games and taste taro, sweet potato, sugar cane and breadfruit. The festival is free and entrance fees are waived for the day. To find out more call 985-6011.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND needs volunteers for the Saturday Ka`u beach cleanup. Meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. Sign up with Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.