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| A year ago today, Longs Drugs opened in Pahala and remains the only free standing pharmacy in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal |
David said she attended several consulting sessions with PRP on this island. She described them as "helpful," saying she was advised on "how to outreach, make time lines, schedule walking" in the community. She said she did not accept any airfare, hotel rooms or dining. "I run a clean campaign. In no way did I commit to any PRP positions. I would not involve myself in anything that would hurt my family and community," she said.
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| Richard Abbett said he will not take money from super PACs. Photo by Julia Neal |
Abbett said this morning, "I am taken aback that people took their money" and services. He said he would not accept airline tickets, hotel rooms, dining and training by a super PAC, even if campaign advisors urged him to "take the money" or the consulting services.
Said Abbett, "I don't have to ask someone else about my integrity. I don't need another person to determine my integrity. I would not take money for that reason." Abbett said that PRP wouldn't have asked him to "the training. I am not considered a political entity of value because I could not be influenced by the super PAC," he said. He contended that venues like super PAC training for candidates, "are not designed for discussion to produce creative solutions. They are to promote what they perceive to be in their members' interest."
Said Abbett, "I don't have to ask someone else about my integrity. I don't need another person to determine my integrity. I would not take money for that reason." Abbett said that PRP wouldn't have asked him to "the training. I am not considered a political entity of value because I could not be influenced by the super PAC," he said. He contended that venues like super PAC training for candidates, "are not designed for discussion to produce creative solutions. They are to promote what they perceive to be in their members' interest."
"I do not take lip from people who want to influence me. I am resistant to it, for good reason." Abbett said that he understands that the union leaders involved in the super PAC "have a reason to lobby for their people to keep them working." He said, however, that in their desire to create near-term employment, union leaders sometimes are unable to see into the future when some projects could be damaging to employment years from now.
HULA: AFTER DARK IN THE PARK TONIGHT, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, hosts Halau Hula Kamamolikolehua, with kumu hula Pohai Souza. Also on stage is Halau Hula Kalehuapuakea, with kumu hula Keu Ostrem. Halau Hula Kamaluokukui, under the direction of kumu hula Malina Kaulukukui will also perform. Music will be performed by Kualoa, featuring Kula Abiva and Poki`i Vaughan. The program is free; park entrance fees apply. $2 donations support After Dark programs.
INPUT ON THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE is urged from the public as Ka`u Hospital hosts an annual public meeting of East Hawai`i Regional Board of Directors for Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. this Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m. Island residents are invited to attend; topics discussed will be specific to Ka`u and its surrounding community.
Covered in a presentation will be an overview of services offered at Ka`u Hospital and its rural health clinic. The floor will be opened for comments and suggestions on providing healthcare for residents of East Hawai`i.For more information, call Terry Larson, Administration Secretary at 932-3103.
He noted that attempting to balance creation of jobs with a sustainable economy for local people can lead to political divisions. Abbett said that union jobs are not limited to traditional construction and manufacturing projects, like hotels, power plants and incinerators. He gave the example of construction and manufacturing jobs that could be created in the green industries sector. "New products and services could be created from our solid waste stream, including upcylced construction components made from discarded plastics, wood and metals," said Abbet. Jobs at a green industries park, contended Abbett, could be union and non-union with training opportunities and apprenticeships in the skilled trades of the unions. "This could create wealth from waste in our communities," he said.
Abbett also said that "solar, an industry that has already emerged and is leading the way," requires union-level skills in carpentry, electrical and metal working.
According to the Cook Lauer story, "Some in Hawai`i County worry that now that the $5 billion Honolulu rail project is moving forward, PRP is concentrating its efforts on another big project on Hawai`i Island, a multimillion-dollar garbage incinerator that Mayor Billy Kenoi calls likely to be the largest public works project built on the island to date." See more at westhawaiitoday.com.
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| Pharmacist Leona Goda with clerk Donna Tsukamoto at the Longs grand opening a year ago. Photo by Julia Neal |
Council candidate Jim Wilson was unavailable to comment on this story.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
LONGS IS A YEAR OLD TODAY in Pahala. The CVS owned pharmacy opened on July 15, 2013 in the Pahala Shopping Center with a pharmacy and additional food, sundry and household items. Pharmacist is Leona Goda. Technicians are Jamie Gutierrez and Candrie Pascubillo. Clerk is Donna Tsukamoto. Office manager is Terri De Sa. Jeff Watts helps in front store. The store is constantly adjusting to fit the needs of the community, said De Sa. She said that Longs appreciates the community input.
Longs operated a pharmacy in Ka`u Hospital and was continually solicited to bring in more Longs items from the Hilo stores. With the closing of the restaurant at Pahala Shopping Center, Longs was able to renovate the space, with help from Taylor Built Construction and provide not only a Longs pharmacy but the larger store as well. Longs does not sell liquor, ice
cigarettes or fishing supplies and numerous other items found at the other two stores in Pahala.
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| Austin Yurong, an avid pig hunter in Ka`u forests, lost his life to a traffic accident over the weekend. Photo from facebook. |
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR WITNESSES to the traffic accident near the corner of Ginger Blossom Lane and Hwy 11 in Ocean View. Twenty-year old Austin Yurong, of Ocean View, died Sunday, following the one-vehicle accident Friday around 11 p.m. when he lost control of the pickup truck he was driving. It crashed into a lava embankment, veered back onto the highway, hit lava again and rolled twice, winding up on its tires in an upright position, according to police reports. Yurong was thrown from the vehicle. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital and transferred to Queens Medical Center on O`ahu where he passed away. Anyone witnessing the accident, which, according to police, may have been related to speedy driving and possibly alcohol, can call Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646, ext. 229. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
POLICE ARE LOOKING FOR WITNESSES to the traffic accident near the corner of Ginger Blossom Lane and Hwy 11 in Ocean View. Twenty-year old Austin Yurong, of Ocean View, died Sunday, following the one-vehicle accident Friday around 11 p.m. when he lost control of the pickup truck he was driving. It crashed into a lava embankment, veered back onto the highway, hit lava again and rolled twice, winding up on its tires in an upright position, according to police reports. Yurong was thrown from the vehicle. He was taken to Kona Community Hospital and transferred to Queens Medical Center on O`ahu where he passed away. Anyone witnessing the accident, which, according to police, may have been related to speedy driving and possibly alcohol, can call Officer Larry Flowers at 326-4646, ext. 229. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
INPUT ON THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE is urged from the public as Ka`u Hospital hosts an annual public meeting of East Hawai`i Regional Board of Directors for Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. this Saturday, July 19 at 2 p.m. Island residents are invited to attend; topics discussed will be specific to Ka`u and its surrounding community.
Covered in a presentation will be an overview of services offered at Ka`u Hospital and its rural health clinic. The floor will be opened for comments and suggestions on providing healthcare for residents of East Hawai`i.For more information, call Terry Larson, Administration Secretary at 932-3103.
HAWAIIAN FLAG DAY WILL BE CELEBRATED at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Thursday, July 31. The event is free, but entrance fees apply. Hawai`i celebrated its first national holiday on July 31, 1843, when the Kingdom of Hawai`i was restored. Kamehameha II, Kauikeaouli, proclaimed, "Ua mau ke ea o ka `aina i ka pono," the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness, which today is the state motto. The ceremony will be from 10 a.m. to noon. To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATION COTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
