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Friday, June 20, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, June 20, 2014

Maintaining healthy reefs is the goal of Hawai`i Island resident Shawn Verne, who has an alternative to saltwater aquariums.
Photo from UNtanked.com
KA`U WILL HAVE TWO RADIO STATIONS by next year, according to Hawai`i Public Radio chief Michael Titterton. He said yesterday that new permits from the Federal Communications Commission and a tower at Kulani will allow broadcast throughout Ka`u for both HPR-One and HPR-Two.
Michael Titterton, of Hawai`i Public Radio
      Currently, the broadcast of HPR-Two, which focuses on news and information, is limited to the Pahala area. Programs include BBC World Service, The Takeaway, All Things Considered and Weekend Edition. It also offers some music programming, including Kanikapila Sunday.
      HPR-One’s programming features many classical music offerings, including Morning Concert, Performance Today, Masterworks Hour and Evening Concert.
      See hawaiipublicradio.org.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A BIG ISLAND RESIDENT IS HOPING TO REPLACE aquarium tanks with digital displays and aims to influence the County Council to ban aquarium fish collecting. Shawn Verne founded UNtanked when living in Florida and moved back to the Big island where he continues the cause. 
      The UNtanked.com website says: “The Stunning High Definition Quality will Relax, Entertain and Educate!
      “UNtanked is your portal to viewing the coral reefs and the tropical fish that live on them without impacting the environment.
      “100 percent real and wild, no aquarium tanks. All UNtanked aquariums are created underwater in the beautiful waters of the Hawaiian Islands. Instantly turn any monitor into a beautiful saltwater aquarium, featuring 100 percent local Hawaiian tropical fishes and corals. No maintenance needed and 100 percent Environmentally Friendly. Adds beauty and ambiance to any setting.
UNtaned.com shows this as an example of a reef without tropical fish.
      “Just plug in an UNtanked system to any monitor and enjoy the benefits of nature’s saltwater aquarium.”
      The website says that “conserving the coral reefs and tropical fish for future generations is everyone’s responsibility. It all starts with public awareness. Decline of corals and tropical fish is not limited to only the aquarium industry, but is also caused by pollution run-off, diver damage, tsunami damage, boat groundings and anchoring on coral, invasive species and other natural and manmade causes. It is going to take effort to minimize the decline already done.
      “The good news is that studies have shown that it is very possible to even reverse the damage already done, so you can make a difference.”
      An UNtanked display has been installed in the West Hawai`i Civic Center, sponsored by the Snorkel Bob Foundation, which has also provided more than $30,000 to the Humane Society of the United States specifically for a campaign to end aquarium fish collecting in Big Island waters.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hawai`i County Fire Chief Darren Rosario
FIREWORKS PERMITS WILL BE ISSUED beginning Sunday, June 29 at Hawai`i Fire Administration Office at 25 Aupuni Street in Hilo. Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Each permit costs $25 and entitles the holder to purchase up to 5,000 individual firecrackers. Permits are issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable and non-refundable.
      Setting off of fireworks is allowed only between the hours of 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. on July 4. Permits should be visibly displayed at the site of use on July 4 at the time of the firing.
      Permits are not required for novelties and paperless firecrackers.
      Fireworks sales begin on June 29 and end at 8 p.m. on July 4.
      It is unlawful to buy, sell, possess, or set off any aerial luminary device such as Sky Lanterns and Hawai`i Lanterns. Any person in possession of these who would like to dispose of them with amnesty can contact the Fire Department at 932-2912.
      Fire Chief Darren Rosario reminds the public that it is illegal for anyone to remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks; throw fireworks from a vehicle; set off any fireworks at any time not within the time period allowed, within 1,000 feet of any operating hospital, nursing home, home for the elderly or animal hospital, in or on any school building or property, on any highway, alley, street, sidewalk or other public way, in any park or within 1,000 feet of a church during the periods when services are held.
      It is also illegal for any person to offer for sale, sell, or give any fireworks to minors, and for any minor to possess, sell, set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult.
      See future Ka`u News Briefs for more on safe use of fireworks.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION has endorsed state Rep. Richard Creagan’s candidacy for the House of Representatives, District Five.
      HGEA said to Creagan, “Thank you for your dedication to improving the lives of working families in Hawai`i and for your commitment to supporting our organization’s mission.”
      Creagan has been previously endorsed by United Public Workers, ILWU, AFL-CIO as well as the Sierra Club.
      “Unions have brought millions into the middle class and kept them there,” Creagan said. “It is therefore imperative that strong unions be part of the fabric of our Hawai’i Culture.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS APPROVED increases in state Department of Education management salaries, including the salaries of Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi, Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe, assistant superintendents and complex area superintendents.
Kathryn Matayoshi
       Beginning July 1, the base salary for DOE Superintendent will be $200,000. Matayoshi was approved for a three-year term at the last BOE meeting on Tuesday, June 3. Nozoe’s salary will move from $140,000 to $160,000, while assistant superintendents and complex area superintendents will see four percent increases.
       The superintendent’s salary was capped in 2000 by the Legislature at $150,000. In the recently completed 2014 legislative session, lawmakers passed HB 2257, which increases the cap to $250,000. Yesterday, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed the bill into law.
       Following the BOE executive session, Chair Don Horner said, “The superintendent’s base salary adjustment reflects several factors. First, the position had not received any increase in 14 years and was well below national comparables. Second, the adjustment reflects the solid performance over the last three years in student achievement, significant improvements in fiscal management and accountability as well as the reorganization of the department in alignment with our strategic plan. Lastly, the adjustment reflects the increased annual plan performance objectives and expectations."
      For more information, see HawaiiPublicSchools.org or contact BOE Executive Director Liann Ebesugawa at 808-586-3334.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

JOE LACEBY DEMONSTRATES CYANOTYPE PRINTING tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

JULIE EVANS AND LOIS AND EARL STOKES teach Zentangle: Zendala tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Sign up at 967-8222.

HUI MALAMA OLA NA `OIWI, the Native Hawaiian Health Care System, offers a free workshop tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Old Pahala Clubhouse on Maile Street. The event features la`au lapa`au (Native Hawaiian herbs) with Kahuna Ikaika Dombrigues, ho`oponopono (spiritual healing) and lomilomi ha ha (massage).
      Light refreshments will be served; participants bring their own lunch.
      The workshop is free, and advance registration is not required.
      For more information, call Julie at 969-9220.

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS SPONSORS a Candidate Forum 
tomorrow. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. at Christ Church,
 81-1004 Konawaena School Road
 in Kealakekua.
      Hawai`i County Council District Six candidates are featured from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. State Representative District Five candidates meet the public from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
      For more information, call 933-VOTE (933-8683).

JIM WILSON, HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL District Six candidate, offers a talk story Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Refreshments will be served.
      For more information, email jimwilsoncouncil@gmail.com.

PEOPLE AND LANDS OF KAHUKU, a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain, takes place Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. Free.

KA`U FARM BUREAU HOLDS A MEETING Monday at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For more information, email President Ralph Gaston at ralph@rustyshawaiian.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.
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