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| In honor of the late Drake Fujimoto, who sponsored numerous community events and programs, Hana Hou and `O Ka`u Kakou will continue his Keiki Christmas event on Wednesday, Dec. 9 in Na`alehu. Fujimoto enjoyed last year's keiki gift giving and feasting. See more below. Photo by Julia Neal |
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE RANGERS are seeking witnesses to a fatal single-vehicle accident that occurred on Hwy 11 near mile marker 30 and the Pi`i Mauna Drive intersection in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Thursday night.
At approximately 9:38 p.m., a female driver traveling south on Hwy 11 crashed into a cluster of large `ohi`a trees and was ejected from the vehicle, a 1992 Honda sedan. Park rangers and County of Hawai`i rescue personnel determined the victim did not survive, and her body was transported to Hilo Medical Center. The identification of the victim is unknown, and an investigation is underway.
Anyone with information regarding the accident is asked to call Park Dispatch at 985-6170.
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| U.S. Supreme Court has halted announcement of Native Hawaiian convention delegates. |
U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE Anthony Kennedy issued an order enjoining the counting of ballots cast and certifying the winners in the Native Hawaiian election for convention delegates. Though the injunction is indefinite pending further action from Justice Kennedy or the full Court, it will prevent the Na`i Apuni election from proceeding with the scheduled ballot count on Nov. 30.
Filed in August, the lawsuit argued that it’s unconstitutional for the state to be involved in a race-based election. Last month, U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that the election may take place as scheduled, saying the election is a private poll not run by the state.
“This is a significant victory for us,” said Keli`i Akina, Ph.D., President of the Grassroot Institute and one of the plaintiffs in the case brought by Judicial Watch. “After a full briefing, Justice Kennedy decided that the issue was worthy of further examination and issued the injunction we requested. We are confident in our position and excited at the possibility that it could go before the full Court.
“We are very grateful for the wisdom of the Court in upholding the Constitution. Today’s ruling from Justice Kennedy is not just a victory for us, but a victory for the many Native Hawaiians who have been misrepresented and overridden by government and special interests determined to create a government-recognized tribe. It’s a victory for all Hawaiians – and all Americans – in its affirmation of racial equality. Finally, it is a victory for the Aloha Spirit which enables people of all backgrounds to live and work together in harmony.”
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“This is a significant victory for us,” said Keli`i Akina, Ph.D., President of the Grassroot Institute and one of the plaintiffs in the case brought by Judicial Watch. “After a full briefing, Justice Kennedy decided that the issue was worthy of further examination and issued the injunction we requested. We are confident in our position and excited at the possibility that it could go before the full Court.
“We are very grateful for the wisdom of the Court in upholding the Constitution. Today’s ruling from Justice Kennedy is not just a victory for us, but a victory for the many Native Hawaiians who have been misrepresented and overridden by government and special interests determined to create a government-recognized tribe. It’s a victory for all Hawaiians – and all Americans – in its affirmation of racial equality. Finally, it is a victory for the Aloha Spirit which enables people of all backgrounds to live and work together in harmony.”
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| Joe Elm, of the State Department of Health, explains steps taken in a dengue fever investigation. Image from DOH |
THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED cases of dengue fever continues to rise. As of yesterday, Hawai`i Department of Health reported a total of 107 cases, of which 93 are residents and 14 are visitors. The latest date of onset of illness so far is Nov. 18. According to DOH, symptoms usually start five to seven days after being bitten by infected mosquitoes, but the onset can range from three to 14 days.
State epidemiology specialist and field investigator Joe Elm gives an overview of the steps taken in a dengue fever investigation. When DOH is notified of a suspected case, an investigator is assigned to interview the person regarding expose, signs, and onset of symptoms. Information is then passed to a lab for testing and to Vector Control, which sprays to reduce mosquito populations.
The lab then educates the infected person about how to help control the outbreak and reinforce mosquito control measures.
See health.hawaii.gov.
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| Ahi will be available through the holidays under an agreement reached with fishermen and National Marine Fisheries Service. |
HAWAI`I’S LONGLINE FISHERMAN can continue to catch ahi. Audrey McAvoy, of Associated Press, reported that the National Marine Fisheries Service is allowing fishermen to attribute 1,000 metric tons of their bigeye tuna catch to Guam. Fishermen in turn agreed to support development of the fishing industry in Guam with $200,000.
“We want to inform the public that fish will continue to be available through the holidays,” Mike Tosatto, National Marine Fisheries Service regional administrator for the Pacific Islands, told McAvoy.
In August, Hawai`i fishermen met their annual quota but resumed catching tuna in October when NMFS instituted a rule allowing fishermen to report some of their catch as from the Northern Mariana Islands.
David Henkin, an attorney for Earthjustice, told McAvoy, “There’s just absolutely no way to reconcile that behavior with what the science says, which is that all fishing nations – including the United States — need to show some restraint and need to reduce catch, not increase catch, which is what the fisheries service is allowing to happen here.”
Earthjustice represents several environmental groups that are suing NMFS to stop attributing catches to U.S. territories.
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In August, Hawai`i fishermen met their annual quota but resumed catching tuna in October when NMFS instituted a rule allowing fishermen to report some of their catch as from the Northern Mariana Islands.
David Henkin, an attorney for Earthjustice, told McAvoy, “There’s just absolutely no way to reconcile that behavior with what the science says, which is that all fishing nations – including the United States — need to show some restraint and need to reduce catch, not increase catch, which is what the fisheries service is allowing to happen here.”
Earthjustice represents several environmental groups that are suing NMFS to stop attributing catches to U.S. territories.
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| Chefs Dave Anderson and Rod Ducosin swirl through the kitchen as they prepare Thankgiving dinner for more than 450 people. Photo from OVCA |
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION served over 450 people at its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. More than 50 of those were take-out trays for other folks that couldn’t make it to the center.
“Captain Dave Anderson and Chef Rod Ducosin did a wonderful job,” OVCA President Sandi Alexander said, “with very moist turkey (even the white parts), along with stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, fruit salad, green salad, cornbread and especially Chef Rod’s made-from-scratch turkey gravy that went on everything!” Dessert included pumpkin pies, cookies, cakes, apple pies, pumpkin souffle and “tons of Cool Whip,” Alexander reported.
Volunteer decorators made the place look beautiful with yellow, orange and red table cloths, with matching napkins and lots of donated flowers.
“We cannot thank enough all the volunteers that helped out,” Alexander said. This event would not be such a success for the whole community without all these helpers.”
Volunteer pianist Kirk serenaded diners softly in the background. Donations poured into OVCA’s ‘need a new roof fund for the CC’ at over $400.
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Volunteer decorators made the place look beautiful with yellow, orange and red table cloths, with matching napkins and lots of donated flowers.
“We cannot thank enough all the volunteers that helped out,” Alexander said. This event would not be such a success for the whole community without all these helpers.”
Volunteer pianist Kirk serenaded diners softly in the background. Donations poured into OVCA’s ‘need a new roof fund for the CC’ at over $400.
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KEIKI CHRISTMAS at Hana Hou Restaurant in Na`alehu will be held this year on Wednesday, Dec. 9 in honor of its founder Drake Fujimoto. The Christmas gathering, with gifts for keiki, music, food and fellowship, is co-sponsored by Patty Fujimoto and the Hana Hou staff, as well as the community group `O Ka`u Kakou and its president Wayne Kawachi. Music led by Uncle Ernie Kalani and Santa will greet the crowd. Santa will pose for photos with the keiki, who will also receive gifts. Police will offer families photo IDs for keiki. Everyone can enjoy a free meal. It begins at 5 p.m.
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| U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard supports Small Business Saturday. |
U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD ENCOURAGES Hawai`i residents to buy local. “In Hawai`i, small businesses are the heart of our economy and our community,” Gabbard said. “Overall, they represent over 90 percent of employers and provide jobs for over 50 percent of our private sector workforce. #ShopSmall today to show support for them on Small Business Saturday – and the rest of the year too!”
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SEN. MAZIE K. HIRONO JOINED other U.S. lawmakers in introducing the Minority-Serving Institution Fairness Act in the Senate and House of Representatives, legislation that would make Minority-Serving Institutions eligible to compete for and receive multiple federal grants for the purpose of serving a wider range of minority students.
Currently, there are seven grants available to MSIs, each targeted towardsa specific ethnic minority student population. However, under current law, while an MSI may have a diverse student body made up of different ethnicities, most are limited to receiving grants that serve one population at a time. For example, institutions with both a high Hispanic and Asian population currently have to choose which population to serve with MSI funding. The Minority-Serving Institution Fairness Act would allow MSIs to compete for funding for both types of grants for which they qualify, improving educational opportunities for a wider range of students on their campuses.
Currently, there are seven grants available to MSIs, each targeted towardsa specific ethnic minority student population. However, under current law, while an MSI may have a diverse student body made up of different ethnicities, most are limited to receiving grants that serve one population at a time. For example, institutions with both a high Hispanic and Asian population currently have to choose which population to serve with MSI funding. The Minority-Serving Institution Fairness Act would allow MSIs to compete for funding for both types of grants for which they qualify, improving educational opportunities for a wider range of students on their campuses.
“Hawai`i’s colleges and universities serve diverse populations of students, and they shouldn’t be limited to supporting just one student population with MSI funding,” Hirono said.
“Targeted outreach to minority students is proven to work. The University of Hawai`i system and other Minority-Serving Institutions are currently forced to make the difficult decision of choosing which student population to serve. Our bipartisan legislation will allow these colleges and universities to improve student success by better serving the needs of multiple, diverse student populations.”
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VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Tour & Sale continues through tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Meet artists in their studios throughout the village. For a map and more information, call 987-3472 or 985-7487, or see VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.
CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY continues at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Tomorrow, Christine Taylor Sprowl Tetak signs copies of her children’s book, Legend of The Hula Moose. This fictional book contains many true facts, along with illustrations by Diane Lucas. Parents and grandparents will enjoy sharing this story with their keiki.
Also tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gretchen Grove helps participants make holiday cards and gift-wrap to accompany gifts purchased at VAC Gallery. Supplies are provided; no purchase necessary.
The gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily.
Events are free; park entrance fees apply.
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/KauCalendar_November2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf. |
