Ka`u News Briefs July 5, 2012

Gov. Neil Abercrombie tells loyal Democrats that the Senate and possibly Pres. Barack Obama's future are at stake.
Photo Julia Neal

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE came to the Big Island yesterday and urged voters in the August primary to elect Democrats to the U.S. Senate. Speaking at the annual Fourth of July picnic hosted by the Democratic Party, Abercrombie said that Hawai`i could be the state where the country will be waiting to see if the Republicans take over the Senate. 

Gov. Neil Abercrombie
Photo by Julia Neal

If former Gov. Linda Lingle wins her bid for retiring Sen. Dan Akaka’s senate seat, the Democrats could lose the Senate. The Republicans, should they win the House of Representatives again, could control both houses in the U.S. Congress. Abercrombie said that Republican control could mean trouble for the re-election of Pres. Barack Obama as the congress would try to roll back his initiatives including his health care legislation. 

THE COUNTY PROSECUTORS OFFICE shut down a drug house in Ocean View recently, according to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth. He said a rarely used nuisance abatement injunction was issued by Judge Glenn Hara to allow eviction of everyone living on the property.
     With the belief that dangerous drugs were being promoted in the area, the prosecutors office asked and received and eviction order for 90 days. The prosecutors are also asking the judge to keep them not only off the drug house property permanently, but also to ban them from the four block area around the property, Roth said. The Deputy Prosecutor said that "Since we kicked them off the property, burglaries have gone down" in the neighborhood.

Mitch Roth, running for
Prosecuting Attorney
Photo by Julia Neal

    He also said that prior to the eviction, police raided the property and found stolen goods and drugs, including meth amphetamine. Roth said that the out of town owner was apparently oblivious to the crimes and “did not know what was going on.” He described the property as having a makeshift structure that the people evicted tore down before they left. According to Roth, neighbors said they were being “threatened by drug dealers and had just about given up on their property and are totally happy that the situation has changed.”
     According to Roth, some of those who hung out at the property are out on bail, some are still incarcerated and some are awaiting trials.
 
VOLCANO CELEBRATED INDEPENDENCE DAY during its annual parade yesterday, the largest ever and filled with candidates for the primary election on Aug. 11. The parade down Old Volcano Road saw sunny skies and wrapped up with food and entertainment including songs from the upcoming Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network production of the Rogers & Hammerstein musical Cinderella, which opens July 13 at Kilauea Military Camp Theatre.

Akira Yamamoto, Grand Marshall of Volcano Fourth of July Parade.
Photo by David Howard Donald

KUMU MAILE YAMANAKA shares history, legends and songs of Hilo tomorrow at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village at 11 a.m. Call 937-4249 for more.

DANCING IN THE EARTH, an all level class on creative flow and dance taught by Shizuno Nasu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The class includes warm-up and expressive dance movements based on Hara Tanden chi energy. Classes are $45 for general public and $40 for Volcano Arts members. For more, call 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

AN INTIMATE EVENING IN CONCERT WITH BARRY FLANAGAN is Saturday at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, starting at 7 p.m. The singer-songwriter, musician and founder of HAPA has composed some of Hawai`i's popular songs of the last three decades. Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org for more.

Barry Flanagan

NA MEA HAWAI`I HULA KAHIKO will bring traditional hula, chant and cultural demonstrations to Volcano Art Center Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Halau Na Pua ‘O Uluhaimalama performs Hula Kahiko under the direction of kumu hula Emery Aceret. Audience is encouraged to bring mats for sitting on the grass and be prepared for variable weather conditions. Hawaiian arts and craft demonstrations will also be held on the front porch of the Volcano Art Center Gallery from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Demonstrations include hands-on displays and lessons where all ages are invited to meet, learn from and talk story with friendly and knowledgeable locals.
      Na Mea Hawai`i Hula Kahiko is a free community event presented in cooperation with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and supported in part by the County of Hawai`i's Department of Research and Development and the Hawai`i Tourism Authority. As park entrance fees apply and parking is limited, carpooling is strongly recommended. For more information, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org or contact Julie at 967-8222 or julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

The 34th Annual Fourth of July Rodeo is Saturday and Sunday in Na`alehu
Photo Julia Neal

THE 34th ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY RODEO, by The Ka`u Roping & Riding Association, happens Saturday and Sunday at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena. Slack roping starts at 8 a.m., with the show kicking off at noon. New events to this year's rodeo include: Chute Dogging - wrestling a steer charging out of a chute to the ground - and Rescue Race - paniolo race across the arena, lift partner up onto the back of the horse and race back. Other events include Open Dally, Team 90’s (both partners’ cumulative age must be 90 and above), Double Mugging, Ranch Mugging and Wahine Mugging. Entry to the rodeo is $6 before the event and $7 at the gate.

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