Ka`u News Briefs April 16, 2011

The Ka`u Fourth of July Parade will be on Saturday, July 2. Rep. Bob Herkes, who has been raising money for tsunami victims, and his wife Jo-Anna are regulars.  Photo by Julia Neal

REP. BOB HERKES is still receiving checks for his Red Cross fundraiser to bring in money for Hawai`i victims of the March 11 tsunami from Japan. More than $25,000 came in during his Breakfast with Bob, which drew more than 70 people at the Pacific Club in Honolulu. 

#426 American Red Cross Hawai`i Chapter CEO
Coralie Matayoshi and Rep. Bob Herkes

     Herkes said he usually has an annual Breakfast with Bob to raise money for his political campaigns but decided this year to turn all the money over to local tsunami victims. He shared the amazing story of Dustin Ballesteros, who went to Honaunau to save his father's 40-foot double-hull sailing canoe. He took it out to sea the night of the tsunami. When he was coming in the next morning, he saw the tsunami hit. As he got to shore, he thought he saw a pile of rocks but it turned out to be his friend's destroyed house, where Ballesteros and his wife spent their wedding night. 

COUNCIL MEMBERS BRITTANY SMART AND BRENDA FORD co-host a community meeting to provide information on the possibilities for financial or other assistance for damage or destruction created by the tsunami event in March. The meeting is on Monday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at Yano Hall in Captain Cook. 

     The recent announcement by President Barack Obama regarding a Declaration of Disaster for the State of Hawai` i allows federal assistance only to repair county-owned and state-owned infrastructure damaged in the recent tsunami event. Such infrastructure includes roads, bridges, public buildings, and harbors, sewers, and water systems, etc.
     Olivia Humilde, of the Small Business Administration, said there may be some assistance for homeowners, renters, and business owners through the SBA. She encourages everyone who sustained damage to their homes, businesses, rental property, and contents of their buildings to contact the SBA for applications.
     Patrick Hurney, of Habitat for Humanity, will explain their programs to empower families with home ownership and to increase their financial assets. Additionally, some families whose houses were destroyed by the tsunami and who meet Habitat for Humanity requirements may be able to qualify to have a Habitat for Humanity house built as a replacement.

Much of the locally raised cattle are grown without the
constant feeding of antibiotics.  Photo by Julia Neal

A WARNING ABOUT STAPH found in supermarket meats across the country suggests that bloody rare meat may carry much more risk than medium or well-cooked meat. Some of the staph found in the meats tested by scientists turned out to be the drug-resistant variety that can lead to serious long-term illness and infections. They suggest that the antibiotics given to cattle and chickens may create the drug-resistant staph. Among the kinds of staph found was the superbug MRSA, which can be fatal. Cooking thoroughly not only kills the staph but the more common E. coli and salmonella, which contribute to more cases of food-born illnesses than staph. The study was done by Transitional Genomics Research Institute in Arizona. The FDA does not regularly test meat for staph. 

`O KA`U KAKOU IS SPONSORING the 2011 Na`alehu Independence Day Parade July 2 at 11 a.m. Patriotic citizens, businesses, and organizations interested in participating or donating can call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872. Parade entries must be submitted by May 18.

THE LARGEST EASTER EGG HUNT in Ka‘ū is happening today until noon 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. 

AT KA`U MAIN STREET’S monthly plant and seed exchange at the Naohulelua Garden on Kamaoa Road, Sue Barnett explains how to make the most of your garden, especially for growing food. The event takes place tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. Call 929-7236.

Ka`u News Briefs April 15, 2011

Medic Adam Busek stands next to Na`alehu Fire Department's brand new ambulance.  Photos by Ron Johnson

DEREK HARA, one of Ka`u's favorite fishermen, passed away yesterday while free diving off the Ka`u Coast. Hara, owner of MIzuno Superette in Pahala, was spearing fish with friends who found him unresponsive. Word spread throughout the district of the loss of the smiling and humorous fisherman. The Mizuno store shut down to honor his life and re-opened this morning. He and friends were diving at Osaka Flats, makai of Hawaiian Ranchos subdivision in Ocean View. Hara was 46 years of age.

INITIAL CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT dropped 4.5 percent last week over the same week last year on the Big Island, according to the State Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. Statewide, 2,447 initial jobless claims were turned in - down 14.7 percent from claims during the same week last year. Maui had the biggest decrease in claims, down 33.7 percent from last year, Kaua`i was next, down 32 percent and O`ahu followed, down 10.6 percent.

GASOLINE PRICES IN KA`U remain high. Here are the prices per gallon this morning for regular. Kahuku Country market is $4.44, Kahala Gas is $4.50; Ocean View Market will no longer give out gas prices over the phone; the 76 Station in Na`alehu is $4.61; and Ka`u Gas in Pahala is $4.61.

Hawai`i County Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira talks
with the public at Na`alehu Community Center.

HAWAI`I COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT met with the public at Council member Brittany Smart’s District 6 Matters meeting at Na`alehu Community Center last night. Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira announced that a new ambulance is now in service in Na`alehu. Fire Department personnel showed the 2011 Dodge to Ka`u residents. Medic Shane Paulos said it is much more efficient than the previous ambulance, with more organized storage space and an engine that is better for the environment. He invited everyone to stop by the station anytime to see the new ambulance, ask questions and have your blood pressure checked. 

Medic Shane Paulos shows Na`alehu's
new ambulance to Ka`u residents.

     Oliveira announced that a new 2,000-gallon tanker truck is being procured for use in Ka`u to fight fires. He also said that funding has been approved for a fire hydrant at the Ocean View well site.
     Oliveira discussed other projects that the department is working on. He hopes that private land can be used for the permanent lifeguard tower at Punalu`u. Julie Enriques suggested that leased land near the lei stand may be used. Until the permanent tower is in place, they are looking into using a portable one.
     A resident brought up the subject of safety at the Ocean View Swap Meet held each Saturday at Pohue Plaza. She said that people double and triple park and that traffic control is needed. Chief Oliveira said that fire lanes must be kept clear, and that “there is always a way to find a solution and support business.”

THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT has won the support of hundreds of community members who each donated $5 to become Friends of Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant. They raised more than $4,000 to support the event, the activities of the candidates and winners and for scholarships. 

Moa`ula, the Cloud Rest farms where some of the
top Ka`u Coffee is grown.  Photo by Julia Neal

    The pageant is sold out and will be held on Saturday, April 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ka`u High School Gym. The Ka`u Coffee Festival will be May 14 and 15 at Pahala Community Center.

VOLCANO ART CENTER hosts a benefit concert tonight 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‘ū will be held tomorrow at Na`alehu Park. Sponsored by Ka‘ū 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.

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.