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| Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando, at left, joined other National Park Service representatives in accepting honors from Hawai`i Tourism Authority. Photo from HTA |
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| Ala Kahakai, which crosses Ka`u, is one of HTA's honorees. |
One of the honorees was Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. “Home to two of the world’s most active volcanoes, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is well known for its biologic landscapes,” HTA said in its description. “The NPS helps to protect and restore the park’s wide diversity of ecosystems and serves as a refuge for many Native Hawaiian species.”
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, which crosses Ka`u, was another honoree. HTA described it: “Established in 2000 for the preservation, protection and interpretation of traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail is a 175-mile network of culturally and historically significant trails. It traverses through hundreds of ancient Hawaiian settlement sites and more than 200 ahupua`a (traditional sea to mountain divisions).”
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| The state and county will appeal FEMA's denial of federal storm-damage assistance. Photo by Anne Celeste |
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“THE STATE AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I are working together to gather sufficient additional information, including socio-economic data, to justify a successful appeal,” announced Mayor Billy Kenoi and Gov. Neil Abercrombie in a joint statement following Federal Emergency Management Agency’s denial of the state’s request for assistance for victims of Tropical Storm Iselle.
“In the meantime, county, state and other federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, are providing support under their own authorities. The state also remains eligible for a declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which will enable qualified individuals and businesses to receive low-interest loans for repairs.”
In announcing FEMA’s decision yesterday, Administrator W. Craig Fugate said, “It has been determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies.”
“We are very disappointed in FEMA’s decision to deny the state’s request for individual assistance for the victims of Tropical Storm Iselle,” Kenoi said. “Our residents and families suffered destroyed homes, property losses and many other impacts from this historic storm. For many people, their lives have still not returned to normal, and the federal government must help our communities. We strongly urge Gov. Abercrombie to appeal the FEMA decision directly to President Obama. We hope the president will recognize that the residents of Puna need his help, and deserve all the support and assistance that we can give them.”
“THE STATE AND THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I are working together to gather sufficient additional information, including socio-economic data, to justify a successful appeal,” announced Mayor Billy Kenoi and Gov. Neil Abercrombie in a joint statement following Federal Emergency Management Agency’s denial of the state’s request for assistance for victims of Tropical Storm Iselle.
“In the meantime, county, state and other federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, are providing support under their own authorities. The state also remains eligible for a declaration from the U.S. Small Business Administration, which will enable qualified individuals and businesses to receive low-interest loans for repairs.”
In announcing FEMA’s decision yesterday, Administrator W. Craig Fugate said, “It has been determined that the damage from this event was not of such severity and magnitude to be beyond the capabilities of the state, affected local governments, and voluntary agencies.”
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| Services for the late Bob Herkes have been announed. Photo by Julia Neal |
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DETAILS OF SERVICES FOR THE LATE BOB HERKES have been announced. Visitation at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, with services beginning at 11 a.m.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz expressed his sincere sympathy upon the passing of former legislator. “We extend our condolences to the family, many friends and all the people Bob Herkes steadfastly served as a Hawai`i County Council member and Hawai`i state legislator,” Schatz said. “Bob was a plainspoken leader who was simultaneously business- and community-minded. His colleagues always sought his opinion because he was smart, balanced and valued the facts. The more I got to know him, the more I understood his compassion for people most in need and his deep love for our island home. Bob brought a broad talent to public service, and he will be missed.”
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THE STATE LAND USE COMMISSION has regained a quorum and decision-making powers following Gov. Neil Abercrombie nominations of Brandon Ahakuelo, Kent Hiranaga and Arnold Wong, effective immediately. All are interim appointments subject to state Senate approval.
Ahakuelo and Wong were appointed to at-large seats, and Hiranaga to the seat representing Maui County.
With their appointments, there are now seven members on the nine-seat commission, which restores the LUC’s ability to meet quorum and exercise decision-making powers that were lost following five resignations in July.
“The Land Use Commission can resume business thanks to Brandon, Kent and Arnold’s commitment to public service,” Abercrombie said. “Each brings a unique background of experience that will inform land use decisions in the interest of the people of Hawai`i.”
Ahakuelo and Wong were appointed to at-large seats, and Hiranaga to the seat representing Maui County.
With their appointments, there are now seven members on the nine-seat commission, which restores the LUC’s ability to meet quorum and exercise decision-making powers that were lost following five resignations in July.
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| Brandon Ahaku |
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| Arnold Wong |
The State Land Use Law was adopted in 1961, establishing a framework of land use management and regulation in which all state lands are classified into urban, rural, agricultural or conservation districts. The Legislature established the Land Use Commission to administer this statewide zoning law. The commission is responsible for preserving and protecting Hawai`i’s lands and encouraging those uses to which the lands are best suited.
NOW THAT SCHOOL IS BACK IN SESSION, Hawai`i Island police remind the public to follow all traffic laws that apply to operators of bicycles and skateboards and to watch for pedestrians.
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| Bicyclists must ride single-file and as far to the right as possible. Photo from Hawai`i County Police Department |
Bicycles
- Bicyclists must follow all traffic laws that apply to motorists when they travel on public roadways.
- Bicyclists must ride single-file, as far to the right of the road as possible and on bike paths where provided.
- Bicycles may not be ridden on sidewalks or against the flow of traffic.
- Motorists are advised to be aware of bicyclists sharing the road and to drive with caution, especially when passing a bicycle.
- Skates and skateboards are prohibited on all roadways, except in crosswalks, where persons riding them have the same rights as pedestrians.
- Vehicles must stop for pedestrians on the half of the roadway upon which the vehicles are traveling, and shall not proceed until the pedestrian has passed the vehicle and the driver can safely proceed.
- No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close that it is impossible for the driver to yield.
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| Hawai`i Food Forest Project is planning a Ka`u Country Festival at Honu`apo in November. |
THE FIRST ANNUAL KA`U COUNTRY FESTIVAL will be held Saturday, Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Honu`apo Harbor, Whittington Park.
The event features fun activities for keiki, contests, local food, island music, vendors, exhibits, special performances, demonstrations, workshops, a plant and seed exchange and more.
The festival is a fundraiser for Hawai`i Food Forest Project.
For more information, see hawaiifoodforest.com/festival or contact Sharman O’Shea at 808-256-3193 or sharman@turquoise.net.
Donations are tax deductible through the nonprofit Sanctuary of Mana Ke`a Gardens. See hawaiianwellness.com.
ZENTANGLE: ORGANIC GARDEN is the topic tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Participants learn new tangles and practice modifying tangle patterns to create whimsical garden features inspired by Dr. Seuss. $40 VAC members/$45 nonmembers. Register at volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
The festival is a fundraiser for Hawai`i Food Forest Project.
For more information, see hawaiifoodforest.com/festival or contact Sharman O’Shea at 808-256-3193 or sharman@turquoise.net.
Donations are tax deductible through the nonprofit Sanctuary of Mana Ke`a Gardens. See hawaiianwellness.com.
ZENTANGLE: ORGANIC GARDEN is the topic tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Participants learn new tangles and practice modifying tangle patterns to create whimsical garden features inspired by Dr. Seuss. $40 VAC members/$45 nonmembers. Register at volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. |
