Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 18, 2012

February is Humpback Whale Awareness Month. Photo from wayfaring.info

COL. BENEDICT FUATA, of Mt. View, will become the new county Civil Defense administrator. The Hawai`i Army National Guard colonel was appointed by Mayor Billy Kenoi and replaces Quince Mento, who retired in December. Fuata is a logistics director and has commanded the Army Aviation Support Facility in Hilo since 1993. Kenoi described Fuata’s “impressive credentials, both professionally and as a public servant.” 

Civil Defense headquarters during a tsunami
warning. Photo from bigislandvideonews.com

      Fuata was born and raised in Honolulu and is a 1979 graduate of Damien Memorial High School. He graduated from the University of Santa Clara in California with a degree in political science, and received his master’s degree in organizational management in 2000 from University of Phoenix. He serves as a board member for the Hawai`i Island Home for Recovery.
      The Civil Defense administrator directs and coordinates the development and administration of the county’s emergency preparedness and response program to ensure prompt and effective action when natural or man-caused disaster threaten or impact Hawai`i Island. 

Col. Benedict Fuata

     “I’m honored to take this position, and I am looking forward to the challenge,” said Fuata. “Hawai`i County Civil Defense is a first-class operation, and I hope I can do the office justice. But with 29 years of military training, I will be able to adapt.”
      Fuata is 50 and lives in Mt. View with his wife, Teresa, and two daughters.

RAPID POPULATION GROWTH on the Big Island has made plans to improve and expand the state highway system out of date, and the state Department of Transportation will come to the Big Island to give the public an update in Kona and in Hilo. The Kona meeting will be held at the Kona Outdoor Circle building just off Hwy 11on Tuesday, Feb. 28, and the Hilo meeting will be at the Pu`ueo Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 29. Both meetings are from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The DOT plans to create a new plan for the island and return for more public comment this summer.

Lorraine Akiba

THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION has a new member. Gov. Neil Abercrombie appointed Honolulu attorney Lorraine Akiba yesterday to succeed PUC commissioner John Cole when his term ends on June 30. Akiba is a partner in the litigation firm McCorrison Miller Mukai MacKinnon in Honolulu. She handles complex commercial litigation involving environment, natural resources and health care. She co-authored the Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce publication called The Green Book: A Practical Guide to Environmental Law. The composition of the PUC is considered critical to the future of energy and transportation costs in Hawai`i and the development of alternative energies, including geothermal, wind and biofuels. 

      The appointment of Akiba requires confirmation by the state Senate.

THE STATE WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Commission has a new appointment. Gov. Neil Abercrombie yesterday appointed Ted Yamamura, executive vice president and senior appraiser for ACM Consultants, Inc., a real estate valuation and advisory group.

Ted Yamamura

      The company describes itself as “one of the largest and most experienced independent real estate consulting, valuation and research companies in Hawai`i.” It provides research and evaluations to developers, lenders, government entities and private institutions. It does market studies for subdivisions, shopping centers, condominiums and other developments.

      Yamamura’s appointment requires confirmation by the state Senate. 

“RAT RACE WEARY? Could be time to move to a Fantasy Town,” and the Big Island has them, according to USA Today. A USA Today travel article says “Those seeking a tropical paradise should look to Hawai`i’s Big Island, less touristy than others in the state, and home to small, relaxed towns.” It quotes Sunset Magazine, which polled readers on their Fantasy Towns where they dream to live. The Sunset story describes some Big Island communities as sheltering “artists, surfers and disenchanted daily grinders.” Other places that made the list are Nelson, British Columbia; McMinnville, Oregon; and the Whitsunday Islands in Australia.
      An earlier article in National Geographic Traveler described the wonders of Ka`u and called Pahala “the Last Aloha Place.”

HUMPACK WHALE AWARENESS MONTH is all of February, and the declaration was made this week by Gov. Neil Abercrombie. His proclamation states that the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary was established by Congress in 1992 and is the only marine managed area in the nation. He pointed out that the humpback whale is the official state mammal and represents the diversity of ocean life that surrounds the Hawai`i Islands; and humpback whales are majestic cetaceans, known for their haunting songs, and reflect the deep connection the people of Hawai`i share with the ocean. These whales were hunted to the brink of extinction by whalers of the past, but today they are a federally protected species. The Sanctuary will hold another whale count next Saturday, Feb. 25 at Punalu`u, Kalae and inside Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. To volunteer, call 1-888-55WHALE, ext. 253. See hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov. 

RIVER OF LIFE Assembly of God in Pahala hosts a free mini carnival today until 2 p.m. with games, music, prizes and food, while supplies last.

Na`ohuleleua Church is the site of a plant and seed
exchange tomorrow. Photo from Na`alehu Main Street

A HULA KAHIKO PERFORMANCE BY Halau Na Pua Ha`aheo O Kona, under the direction of kumu hula Roy Palacat, takes place at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park today at 10:30 a.m. Hands-on cultural demonstrations take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VAC Gallery. Donations are welcome, and park entrance fees apply. 

NA`OHULELUA HISTORICAL CHURCH’S monthly Plant and Seed Exchange takes place tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. The church is 1.7 miles from Hwy 11 on Kama`oa Road.

SEE OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 17, 2012

A fire at the old sugar mill warehouse in Pahala was quickly extinguished yesterday by firefighters. Photo by Julia Neal

REP. BOB HERKES will run for the new District Two state Senate seat that will cover Ka`u - from Punalu`u through Pahala, then into Volcano and all of Puna. The new District Two is the only new seat being added to the entire state Senate. It was established by the state Reapportionment Commission after the state Supreme Court ruled that the one-person, one-vote rule be followed after the 2010 census showed a 24.5 percent population growth on the Big Island. The first reapportionment scheme adopted by the commission was shot down by the court because it unfairly weighted the O`ahu population by including non-resident military, non-resident students and non-resident people incarcerated there.

Proposed state Senate districts

      Under the new apportionment scheme, in addition to Senate District Two, Ka`u will be served by Senate District Three, which will run from the uninhabited west side of Punalu`u through Na`alehu, Ocean View and up the coast to Kona International Airport. Sen. Josh Green, who now serves Kona but formerly lived in Ka`u and practiced medicine at Ka`u Hospital, said he will run again. Sen. Gil Kahele, who has been serving the Ka`u District since his appointment by Gov. Neil Abercrombie after Sen. Russell Kokubun stepped down to lead the state Department of Agriculture, will be eligible to run for the District One Senate seat in Hilo. Kahele said this morning he is “leaning that way,” to run for the Hilo seat. He said, however, “I won’t forget Ka`u. I enjoy working with the people of Volcano, Pahala and all the way to MiIoli`i. I will still push for restoring the irrigation system for the farmers and with helping the coffee industry and completing the new Ocean View potable water system.” 

Proposed state House districts

      In the House of Representatives, with Herkes leaving his post to run for Senate, an opportunity will open for House District Three, serving Punalu`u, through Pahala, Volcano, Mountain View, Kurtistown and Kea`au, but excluding much of Puna and its coastal communities. Another open seat will be House District Five, from west of Punalu`u into North Kona.
      A public hearing on this new reapportionment regime will be held this coming Tuesday at 6 p.m. in County Council chambers in Hilo with videoconferencing to the Council offices in Kona.

A FIRE AT THE OLD SUGAR MILL WAREHOUSE in Pahala was quickly extinguished yesterday by firefighters. The huge orange-colored building that was used for storing mill equipment parts has been abandoned and the scene of homeless camping and other fires since the mill shut down almost 16 years ago. According to the fire department, there was no damage to anything of any value. Some old abandoned papers were burned, said firefighters.

DONATIONS FOR A RUMMAGE SALE to benefit Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation’s scholarship fund, which assists any Ka`u student enrolled in any medical training program, are being accepted. Items can be dropped off at Kama`aina Kuts behind Na`alehu Ace Hardware through Saturday, Feb. 25. Call Ursula at 896-2624. 

ST. JUDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH in Ocean View celebrates Mardi Gras today at 6 p.m. with Cajun food and music. Tickets are $12 per person or $20 per couple. Call 939-7000.

RIVER OF LIFE Assembly of God in Pahala hosts a free mini carnival tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with games, music, prizes and food, while supplies last.

A HULA KAHIKO PERFORMANCE BY Halau Na Pua Ha`aheo O Kona, under the direction of kumu hula Roy Palacat, takes place at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. Hands-on cultural demonstrations take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VAC Gallery. Donations are welcome, and park entrance fees apply.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS: WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM AND WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 16, 2012

Ash- and SO2-laden plume at Halema`uma`u crater in 2008. Photo by David Boyle/Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park

AIR POLLUTION could elevate risk for stroke and heart attack, and to a decline in attention span and cognitive abilities, according to several new studies. “At levels that the Environmental Protection Agency says are safe, we’re seeing real health effects,” Gregory Wellenius, of Brown University, told the New York Times. His study was in an urban environment. According to the story, “a link between pollutants in the air and declines in cardiovascular health has been suspected since at least the 1990s, when epidemiological research suggested that breathing in tainted air drives up rates of heart disease." Regarding stroke, the study showed a 34 percent higher risk when pollution climbs from “good” to “moderate” on the air quality index. 

            A separate study found that pollutants such as sulfur dioxide raise the immediate risk of a heart attack. Pollutants may cause inflammation, increase in heart rate and thickness of blood. The tiniest particles in the air could infiltrate the body, even getting to the brain through the nasal passage, according to a third study. Decline in memory and such abilities as planning and carrying out strategies occurred when exposed to air pollution. See www.well.blogs.nytimes.com.

MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES can be reviewed through July, under a state program that calls for negotiating with mortgage holders. More than 80,000 mortgage holders facing foreclosure signed up for the program since it was put in place last year. Several million more may qualify for the help. Foreclosures are on the rise as lenders begin to comply with Act 48, which was passed last year and requires lenders to negotiate with borrowers or take the foreclosure to the courts. Hawai`i Island had the worst foreclosure rate in the state in January with one foreclosure filing for every 414 households. This is far better than places like Las Vegas. Nevada had the worst foreclosure rate with one for every 198 households. 

            A federal, state and lender settlement recently tagged $71 million for Hawai`i, which should help those with mortgage problems and provide education to homeowners and prospective homeowners on managing and acquiring mortgages.

A SURCHARGE ON ALL sugar-sweetened beverages sold in Hawai`i could be assessed if Senate Bill 3019 is passed. Last year, in an effort to balance the state budget and fight obesity, Gov. Neil Abercrombie proposed a soda tax. However this year, it was proposed by senators.
      According to state Department of Health director Loretta Fuddy, a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages is one of many public health policies suggested by leading national organizations to battle obesity and sugar over-consumption.
      Health professionals also offered their support. The proposal has drawn opposition from soft drink companies such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi, as well as beverage and retail industry groups.

Food Basket volunteers help the hungry, and some County Council members want to give the organization
$500,000 in funding. Photo from Hawai`i Island Food Basket. See www.foodbaskethi.org.

THERE IS A FOOD EMERGENCY on the island, according to County Council member Pete Hoffmann, who wants the county to kick a half million dollars into the Food Basket. The money would come from the county disaster and emergency funds. 

      The idea to declare an emergency came after Hoffmann’s attempt to put the funds into the county budget failed, with the county attorney’s office saying the Council could not amend the budget. According to a story by Nancy Cook Lauer in West Hawai`i Today this morning, Council member Brenda Ford, who supports the funding, called the back and forth “horsefeathers” and accused Mayor Billy Kenoi of not wanting to feed the homeless. Kenoi later told West Hawai`i Today her statement was “political grandstanding.” 

INFORMATION ON A STABBING is being collected by the Hawai`i Police Department following an incident Monday night at Ocean View Town Center. Biti Biti Jr., 35, is being held on $6,500 bail and was charged yesterday with driving under the influence and without a license, as well as second-degree assault. He allegedly fled in a white pickup truck following the stabbing of a 44-year-old acquaintance and was later arrested at an Ocean View home. Anyone with information can call detective Sean Smith at 326-4646, ext. 262. Those wanting to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo.

THE ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT to benefit Ka`u Hospital tees off tomorrow at Volcano Golf and Country Club. Sign up with Ron Young at 987-2761 or youngron19582@yahoo.com.

ST. JUDE’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH in Ocean View celebrates Mardi Gras tomorrow at 6 p.m. with Cajun food and music. Tickets are $12 per person or $20 per couple. Call 939-7000.

Halau Na Pua Ha`aheo O Kona performs Saturday in Hawai`i Volcanoes
National Park. Photo by Ken Kuroshima from hula-hawaii.net

HALAU NA PUA HA`AHEO O KONA, under the direction of kumu hula Roy Palacat, performs at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Hands-on cultural demonstrations take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at VAC Gallery. Donations are welcome, and park entrance fees apply. 

A FREE MINI CARNIVAL takes place Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at River of Life Assembly of God in Pahala, with games, music, prizes and food, while supplies last. 

SEE OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.