Ka`u News Briefs April 14, 2011

The Air National Guard could help with a second well in
 Ocean View.  Photo from bigislandliving.blogspot.com

THE LIST OF PROJECTS IS GROWING for the proposed Air National Guard’s Readiness Program, which came from Washington, D.C. to meet with community, business and Marshallese leaders in Ocean View yesterday. Master Sgt. Chip Stoyer and Lt. Col. Dwight Hall represented the Guard.
     Ocean View Community Development Corp. President Loren Heck said the corps of 45 to 50 guardsmen will arrive in Ka`u in the spring or fall of 2012. Priorities for training their men and women involve activities to prepare them for developing water systems after a natural disaster or in remote parts of the world that have never had water systems. They dig wells, lay pipe, and install catchments and cisterns. Heck noted that an old Ka`u-to-South Kona water master plan, for example, shows the installation of gutters along the roads going mauka-makai to catch water and carry it to an open reservoir. Such simple plans could play into the future of water in Ka`u and would be the kind of project for which the Guard could volunteer. 

Kahuku Park could receive upgrades.
Photo by bigislandliving.blogspot.com

     People attending the meeting also supported putting in fire hydrants and water tanks to fight fires. Building a charter school and shelter in Ocean View was also suggested, along with upgrading Kahuku Park with a community garden, a better baseball and soccer field and lights. The Guard is also interested in helping develop the transfer station for Ocean View, Heck said.

MORE CASES OF DENGUE FEVER have been spread by mosquitoes in the Islands. The first recent cases were seen on O`ahu, and now some people have come down with the disease on Maui. State Health Director Loretta Fuddy said, “We need the public’s help to clean up mosquito breeding by emptying all standing water and checking gutters and other areas that collect water. Residents can repair window and door screens to keep mosquitoes from entering indoors. Wear clothing to cover and protect skin from biting mosquitoes.” 

Aedes mosquito carries dengue fever.

     Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by the Aedes mosquito that occurs primarily in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. The illness is characterized by sudden onset of high fever, severe headaches, joint and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and rash. Younger children tend to have a milder illness than older children, and adults and may show no symptoms. Symptoms may last up to 10 days, but complete recovery can take two to four weeks. Treatment consists of rest, fluids, and medications to reduce fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Aspirin should not be used to treat a dengue patient. The health department is interested in finding out who has dengue fever, so if you think you have it, stop by a physicians office or clinic to be tested. 

With no shelter in Ka`u, the Humane Society takes
 most animals to Kona.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE WESTSIDE HUMANE SOCIETY SHELTER will be closer to Ocean View, as the organization has purchased a new site to replace the one next to the green waste dump and the Kealakehe Police Station on county property. The new facility 12 miles south of Kailua-Kona near the 110-mile marker will also be cooler for the animals, as it will be located upcountry at the former location of Fuku-Bonsai and the old quarry. The facility will have a dog park and 60 kennels instead of the current 16 for dogs plus more cages for cats. The property was purchased with help from a generous, anonymous donor. 

THE NEW WALGREENS STORE in Hilo will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, with pharmacy hours from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. This all begins this Sunday at the old Borders bookstore building just off Hwy 11 and comes with a $10,000 donation to the University of Hawai`i College of Pharmacy, also in Hilo. The Walgreens is nearly 15,000 square feet, and its opening follows the opening of the 61,000 square foot Safeway nearby last month.

THE ANNUAL BON DANCE will be Saturday, June 4 at the Na`alehu Hongwanji. Booths are available through Eleanor Powell at 939-7536 or 936-6426 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.

CALLING ALL SUSHI MAKERS and those who want to learn to make sushi. You can volunteer to make sushi on Saturday, May 7 just before Mother’s Day at Na`alehu Hongwanji. Sushi making will begin at 7 a.m., and sushi will be sold until about noon to raise money for the building fund. Call Takumi Shirakawa at 929-7462 to sign up to make sushi. 

KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION is coordinating re-certification classes for Certified Nurse Aides. Any CNAs who are in need of re-certification and are interested can call Jessie Marques at 928-0101 for more information.

COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART holds a District 6 Matters meeting tonight at 7 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira answers questions from the public about Fire Department issues and services. One topic expected to be discussed is the Ocean View Swap Meet that takes place at Pohue Plaza each Saturday. Hawaiian Ranchos Road Maintenance Corp. president Galen Lutz said the swap meet has become so popular that the intersection at Hwy 11 is dangerous. He also said that insufficient parking is making traffic dangerous to pedestrians. 

Medicine for the People performs Friday night at Volcano
   Art Center's Niaulani campus in Volcano Village.

VOLCANO ART CENTER hosts a benefit concert Friday at 6 p.m. at its Niaulani campus in Volcano Village. Medicine for the People will play to raise funds for singer Nahkohe Parayno’s eye surgery. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by calling 967-8222 or at the door. 

THE LARGEST EASTER EGG HUNT in Ka`u will be held this Saturday, April 16 at Na`alehu Park. Sponsored by Ka`u community churches, the event is open to all ages, and everyone is encouraged to bring their own basket. The event features music, games and prizes. For more information contact naalehuag@hotmail.com or call 929-7278. 

THIS SUNDAY there is a plant and seed exchange at the Naohulelua Gardens on Kamaoa Road from noon to 3 p.m. with a talk by Sue Barnett on making the most of your garden, especially for growing food. Call 929-7236.

Ka`u News Briefs April 13, 2011

Council member Brittany Smart

COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART is introducing a resolution to delay general plan amendments and rezoning applications in Ka`u. She wants the Ka`u Community Development Plan to be adopted before any changes are made. Nelson Ho, Smart’s legislative assistant, said the resolution is patterned after similar ones in Kona and South Kohala. Resolution 60-11 is on the Planning Committee’s agenda for Tuesday, April 19. The public is invited to testify at the meeting that begins at 9 a.m. at the West Hawai`I Civic Center in Kona.

REPRESENTATIVES AT THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD Innovative Readiness Program are meeting with Ka`u community leaders at the Ocean View Community Center this morning. The Pentagon has approved the concept of the Guard setting up camp here and volunteering to complete community projects in Ka`u. Some 55 National Guardsmen would live and work here, rotating through Ka`u, over a three to five year period. Ocean View Community Development Corp.

     President Loren Heck said such projects as drilling a second well for Ocean View, building septic systems for the homes of the Marshallese, building roads and bridges and repairing and upgrading community centers and public hospitals are all within the abilities of the Readiness Program. The Guard provides the labor, and the community comes up with the materials. Community groups with ideas can call Deann Canuteson, Project Coordinator of the Ka`u Opportunities and Abilities Project at 936-4925 or 929-9611. 

RADIOACTIVE CESIUM AND IODINE have been found in Big Island milk, but the state Department of Health says the trace amount is not a health risk. Dean Okomoto, president of the Hawai`i Agricultural Foundation, said that all Hawai`i agricultural production is safe. He said he is worried that people will refrain from “buying local,” even though the health risk is negligible.

The amount of iodine 131 radiation found in milk was 18 picocuries per liter. The “action level” which would pull milk from shelves is 4,700 picocuries per liter. The level of cesium-134 and cesium-137 combined found in local milk was 43 picocuries. The federal action level is 33,000 picocuries per liter, said state Environmental Health Services Director Lynn Nakasone. She pointed out that trace levels of radiation have also been found in California milk. Hawai`i milk will be tested again next week. 

THE STATE SENATE approved an $11 billion state budget for fiscal year 2012 and $10.8 billion for fiscal year 2013 yesterday and will work the next two weeks with the state House of Representatives in conference committees. To balance the budget, Gov. Neil Abercrombie, Mayor Billy Kenoi and most of the other county mayors and the Hawai`i Government Employees Association leadership have agreed to a five percent pay cut for state and county HGEA workers. Teachers and United Public Workers are expected to join in the cost saving measure, and all three unions would have to vote on the pay cut. The Senate also voted to cut General Excise Tax exemptions for airlines, contractors, those who sublease and other businesses like shipbuilding and repair enterprises. The measure had strong opposition from business, but support from social service agencies and government worker unions facing pay cuts. It may be modified or taken off the table in the conference committee meetings. Also not included in the Senate budget is raising the General Excise Tax.

Mayor Billy Kenoi

MAYOR BILLY KENOI and other Neighbor Island mayors are expected to keep close track of what happens to the Transient Accommodation Tax income to the state, which is currently shared with the counties and on which Hawai`i County depends to balance its own budget. The Legislature is considering putting a cap on the amount of income given to the counties. 

RETIREES will be keeping a close tab on the effort to tax pension plans. The Senate killed the bill, even though it was only for higher income retirees and would have generated some $17 million for the state. The House kept it alive as one of the options to raise money to pay for the state budget.

COUNCIL MEMBER BRITTANY SMART holds a District 6 Matters meeting tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira answers questions from the public about Fire Department issues and services.

Ka`u News Briefs April 12, 2011

The county goes to trial in an effort to manage Kawa, with its popular surf spot.

THE COUNTY AND ABEL SIMIONA LUI will go to trial June 22 regarding the county’s effort to take possession of more than 234 acres it purchased to make a public park at Kawa. County corporate counsel Joseph Kamelamela said the county presented its testimony to Judge Joseph Florindo in Kona on March 22, contending that the county has clear title to the land that had been owned by Thomas Okuna and sold to realtor Marsha Johnson and then to the county after a successful community effort to raise money to preserve the Ka`u Coast. In 2002, Okuna himself went to court, and the court determined he had clear title to the property. 

A brackish pond at Kawa is used by the public.

     Kawa is a famous surfing beach, and Lui has lived there for some two decades and claims the property belongs to his family. His protestations include signs along the highway.
     The trial will be held in Ka`u District Court, which is currently taking place in Kona rather than Na`alehu. The Olson Trust, which stepped in to purchase and hold more than 200 additional acres at Kawa for the county to buy for a park, is also in court, with a hearing today in Kona. 

Surfers and other members of the public camp at Kawa, where the Olson Trust has land it wants to sell to the county
to be managed as a park.  Photos by Julia Neal

CONGRESSWOMAN MAZIE HIRONO is speaking out in the thick of the budget battles in Washington, D.C. She recently took on House Budget Chairman Paul Ryan, who proposes major slashes in social welfare programs as his fix for the economy. Said Hirono, Ryan “doesn’t propose eliminating tax breaks for the wildly profitable oil and gas industries. He doesn’t consider asking the most fortunate among us to pay a fairer share. In fact, he wants to reduce the top corporate and individual tax rates so that the middle class can pay an even larger share.”
     According to Hirono, Ryan has focused on cutting the safety net programs for seniors and those less fortunate. He plans to turn Medicare into a defined-contribution voucher plan and to dramatically restrict eligibility for Medicaid, Hirono said.
     Hirono also pointed to Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s explanation of the Republicans’ plans for Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security when he said, “Listen, we’re going to have to come to grips with the fact that these programs cannot exist if we want America to be what we want America to be.”
     Hirono told Congress that “it is clear whose side Chairman Ryan and Majority Leader Cantor are on. I stand with our nation’s seniors and the working people who are counting on having Medicare and Social Security when they retire. I am tired of these heartless attacks on the most vulnerable members of our communities. How about a little aloha?” asked the congresswoman who represents Ka`u and rural Hawai`i. 

Kamaoa Road is public, but mostly unpaved and bordered
by ranches.  Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

THE REMNANT END OF KAMAOA ROAD is now open to the public with the gate open. The gate had been closed by ranchers for some 40 years to protect their cattle but was opened after it was revealed that the largely unpaved road actually belongs to the county. It travels past several farms and ranches and dead ends at Kahuku pastures. 

RADIOACTIVITY is likely on some of the debris floating from Japan toward Hawai`i. Scientists say, however, that all of the debris that has a half-life of a month or less will lose its radioactivity by the time it gets here. 

     Water itself does not hold radioactivity, which is one of the reasons water is the primary coolant for nuclear reactors. Radioactivity, however, attaches to particles in water. The half-life of Iodine 131, which accumulates in the thyroid, is eight days, but the half-life of cesium-137, which accumulates in human muscle tissue, is about 30 years, the Japan Times reports. Both have been released by the broken nuclear power plant that was damaged by the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima a month ago.
     On Tuesday, Japan time, the Disaster Level for the nuclear catastrophe was raised from a 5 to a 7, the same as Chernobyl.

THIS MORNING AT 10:30 A.M., Na`alehu Public Library invites the public to hear two narratives from the recently published book Talking Hawai`i’s Stories: Oral Histories of an Island People. The program is in celebration of National Library Week.