Ka`u News Briefs July 16, 2012

Rep. Bob Herkes with his wife Joanna and mascot nene goose. Photo by David Howard Donald

REP. BOB HERKES has raised the most money among candidates in the race for Hawai`i State Senate’s new District 2 seat, which encompasses Ka`u from Punalu`u through Volcano and into Puna. The primary election is Aug. 11.

Russell Ruderman Photo by
David Howard Donald

       According to campaign spending reports released last week, Herkes took in $21,900 the first six months of this year. His largest donors, each giving $2,000, are HI Carpenters PAC and Michael Matsumoto, an engineer with SSFM International, Inc.

Gary Safarik and his wife Debbie.

      Honolulu lobbyists John Radcliffe and G. A. Morris each gave $1,000. Also providing $1,000 is the health insurer HMSA PAC. Among the 24 individuals and entities each giving $500 to the Herkes campaign during the first half of 2012 are Young Bros, University of Hawai`i Professional Assembly, Tesoro Hawai`i-Non-candidate Committee, Hawaiian Telecom Good Government Club, Hawai`i Association of Realtors, Hawai`i Auto Dealer Election Committee, Hawai`i Funeral Industry PAC and HEMIC, the Hawai`i employers insurance company.

Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a Photo by
David Howard Donald

      Nearly half of donations to the Herkes campaign were given by individual contributors. The majority of the contributions of $100 and more came from Honolulu-based entities and residents, with a few from the mainland, one from Maui, one from Kaua`i and one from Hilo.
      Democratic primary opponent Russell Ruderman raised $4,526 from individuals and $892 from PACs and business entities. Contributions included $700 from Pat Leo, of Pahoa; $500 from Pat Kenneally, of San Francisco; $450 from Kalani Honua Retreat; $312.50 from Volcano Garden Arts; and $250 from Bob Marx, who is running for U.S. Congress.
      State Senate Democratic opponents Gary Safarik and Wendell Ka`ehu`ae`a reported no contributions. The lone Republican, Daryl Lee Smith, raised $2,176 from businesses and individuals.

Ed Case and his wife Audrey at a recent Big Island rally.
Photo by Julia Neal

ED CASE AND MAZIE HIRONO are ranked on being liberal by the National Journal. The publication gave Case a liberal rating of 59.8 when he served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Ka`u and other rural areas in the state of Hawai`i. The National Journal’s most recent liberal ratings rank Congresswoman Hirono at 90.7 percent. 

      The story in this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser by Derek DePledge covers Case’s effort to win the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Dan Akaka. The story focuses on Case’s centrist beliefs and the notion that he can bring people together to solve problems. ‘”Case said both political parties now seem to insist on ‘a purity of thought and action,’” reports DePledge.
      DePledge quotes Case: “If you live at the partisan extremes, the philosophical extremes, you can stand up and give great speeches, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to be part of the solution.
      “You cannot simply ram a distinctly minority viewpoint down the throats of the rest of the country and expect to solve our country’s problems…. And that’s exactly what’s going on. And that’s what’s wrong with Washington.”
      The story is one in a three-part series in the Honolulu Star Advertiser, with Hirono’s story tomorrow and Republican challenger Linda Lingle’s on Wednesday. See them at www.staradvertiser.com.

New Zealand will soon be added to Hawaiian Airlines route map.

THE LAND OF THE MAORI is the latest destination for Hawaiian Airlines to bring the rest of the world to Hawai`i. Hawaiian yesterday announced new non-stop flights between Honolulu and Auckland starting March 13, 2013. Hawaiian is becoming one of the fastest growing airlines on the planet, with many new destinations in the last two years, including Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka and Sapporo, as well as Seoul and Brisbane. Direct New York flights were added this summer. 

      Regarding the connection with New Zealand, Hawaiian Airlines reports that its economy is strong and the market underserved. Tourism to Hawai`i from New Zealand increased by 15.4 percent last year and is up 5.1 percent from January through May, according to Hawai`i Tourism Authority. New Zealanders spent some $38 million in Hawai`i last year.

DANIEL IS A DOWNER for anyone expecting relief from drought in Ka`u. The former hurricane brought some high surf but little precipitation when it passed south of South Point. Former Hurricane Emilia is expected to draw a similar path, becoming but a remnant when she passes south of Ka`u later this week. Hurricane Fabio has taken a turn north off of Mexico and is expected to quickly weaken as he is driven away from a track toward Hawai`i, says the National Weather Service.

Wes Awana

ANOTHER BRUSH FIRE STARTED last night near Makanau along the cane haul road and burned trees on a nearby pu`u. Phil Becker, of Aikane Plantation, reports that the fire is out except for hot spots that firefighters are watching. Crews pumped water overnight from Pahala water hydrants and also kept close watch over the ravine between Hwy 11 and Pahala Transfer Station where brush and rubbish burned.

KA`U COMMUNITY CHORUS rehearses tonight and every Monday at Discovery Harbour Community Hall from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Contact Ka`u School of the Arts at 929-7544.

WES AWANA TEACHES Intermediate `Ukulele for students who have a basic knowledge of chords and strums each Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Classes are $40 per month. Kanikapila Jam Sessions that are open to all musicians follow the classes from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Donations are appreciated. Call 967-8222 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs July 15, 2012

Paul Neves, seated, provided rhythm for his halau at the annual Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Cultural Festival
yesterday. Photo by William Neal

THE FIRE BURNING THROUGH THE GULCH separating two ML Macadamia orchards between Hwy 11 and the road between Pahala Transfer Station and lower Moa`ula burned 60 acres before being mostly extinguished yesterday. According to the Hawai`i Fire Department, brush and trees burned within the ravine and lands surrounding the orchards, but macadamia trees were protected. Police, firefighters from the county and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and ML Macadamia crews worked Friday and Saturday to contain the fire and are dampening hot spots today. The fire department warns that dumping yard and household waste into gulches creates a severe fire hazard. The fire caused a temporary closing of one lane of Hwy 11. The fire department has launched an investigation of the cause of the fire, which starting during heavy winds.

Mayor Billy Kenoi with county workers and friends in a Fourth of July
Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

MAYOR BILLY KENOI raised $97,630 for his re-election campaign during the first six months of the year, according to his report filed with the Hawai`i Campaign Spending Commission. His opponents raised relatively little but claim their campaigns do not rely on money. Former two-term mayor Harry Kim wants his old job back but says he will accept no more than $10 per person from any campaign donor. His campaign spending commission report shows him raising $1,420 during the first six months of this year. County Council chair Dominic Yagong, who is also running for mayor, reports $15,060 in contributions for the first half of 2012. 

      All three are Democrats in the primary election Aug. 11. The last day to register to vote was July 12. Last day to register for the general election is Oct. 8. There could be a run-off if no candidate receives 50 percent plus one vote in the primary.

      Stephens Media reported this morning that most Kenoi contributions, during both his mayoral campaigns, have come from people living off island, while contributions for Kim are more than 98 percent local. Yagong contributions are more than 93 percent local.

County Council chair Dominic Yagong, running for mayor, in the recent
Na`alehu Independence Day Parade. Photo by William Neal

      The Nancy Cook Lauer story in West Hawai`i Today and Hawai`i Tribune-Herald reports that 53.9 percent of Kenoi’s contributions of more than $100 each were from off island. “If the $11,271 in contributions of $100 or less, which don’t have to be identified by donor names and addresses, are all assumed to be from the Big Island, the island’s share rises to 49.3 percent,” Cook Lauer reports.
      The news service also analyzed donations to Kenoi of $100 or more by ZIP code. Cook Lauer writes: “The most, $85,502, came from Hilo’s 96720, with 225 people giving an average of $380 each. Second and third were the Honolulu ZIP codes 96813 and 96814, giving a total of $44,000, followed by Kailua-Kona’s 96740, giving $18,417.”
      The newspaper calls the mayoral campaigns “a lopsided money race.”
      According to the campaign spending reports, Kenoi’s biggest contributions for the first six months of this year included two from entities with connections in Ka`u, Pacific Quest, which operates an outdoor program for troubled youth, and Edmund C. Olson, who owns macadamia and coffee farms, mills and thousands of acres in Ka`u. They each gave $2,000 to the Kenoi campaign.
       Operating Engineers Local Union Number 3, of Honolulu, gave Kenoi the maximum allowed, $4,000. Frank E. Lyon, of the Honolulu engineering, planning and construction management company, gave $3,000. Hawai`i Laborers and Employers Cooperation and Education Trust Fund – a partnership between 5,000 union laborers and 250 union contractors, gave $3,000. Goodfellow Bros, Inc., the construction and heavy equipment company, gave $3,000. The complete list of donors of $100 or more for all candidates is on the State of Hawai`i Campaign Commission’s website.

Former Mayor Harry Kim walks during his
campaign for mayor in the recent Na`alehu
Independence Day Parade. Photo by
William Neal

      Cook Lauer reported that Kenoi said Friday that, during the first six months of 2012, he received contributions from 122 Big Islanders and 24 from off the island. The story quotes the mayor saying: “It’s significant that 70 percent of the contributions (for the first half of 2012) come from the Big Island…. We are humbled by all the support we receive. We’re very thankful that people recognize our hard work and our accomplishments.”

      According to the Stephens Media report, Kenoi’s campaign held two $1,000-per-plate fundraisers in Honolulu, something the other two major candidates say they refuse to do. The story reports Yagong saying he “turned down invitations to hold fundraisers in Honolulu because he believes the race can be won without a lot of money. In the past four years, Yagong has accepted only one off-island contribution, according to the West Hawai`i Today analysis.
      According to his most recent campaign spending report, Yagong took in a $2,000 contribution from Kailua-Kona fish collector James Lovell. He also received $1,000 each from Nadao Honda, a Honoka`a farmer; Larry Ford, an accountant, farmer and husband of County Council member Brenda Ford; and Peter Vanna, a Hilo business executive.
      According to the Yagong report analyzed by Stephens Media, 46 percent of his contributions are $10 or less, 92 percent gave $100 or less while 70 percent gave $50 or less. Yagong told West Hawai`i Today: “The people who donate to my campaign are everyday people, they’re not corporations or PACs or anything like that…. Big Island voters and Big Island people have never been a county that can be bought with big money.”
      The newspaper also reported that Harry Kim’s wife Bobby said that his smallest contribution was 20 cents and that his campaign contributions came from Big Islanders, plus $10 from a California nephew and another $10 from a part-time neighbor in Kapoho, making his contributions 98.6 percent local. See more at westhawaiitoday.com, hawaiitribuneherald.com and on the Hawai`i campaign commission website.

MORE TRAFFIC TRAGEDY YESTERDAY: Hawai`i 24/7 reports that a man was hit by a vehicle and suffered injury to his arm before 1 p.m. near the 85-mile marker north of Manuka State Park. Fire/Rescue crews found the man on the roadside with a companion. The victim was airlifted to Kona Community Hospital, and police are investigating. See more news at hawaii247.com.

Kane and wahine with Paul Neves' halau danced on the hula platform at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park yesterday.
Photo by William Neal

MORE THAN 1,000 people enjoyed Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s 32nd annual cultural festival yesterday with music, hula kahiko and crafts.

NA`OHULELUA HISTORICAL CHURCH AND GARDEN holds its monthly talk story and plant and seed exchange today from noon to 3 p.m. The garden is on Kama`oa Road between Wai`ohinu and Discovery Harbour. For more information, call 929-8164.

A CONCERT on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. features Hilo One, with R. Likeke Teanio on lead guitar and `ukulele, Aaron Agres on electric upright bass and Kahele Miura on electric 12-string rhythm guitar. The concert takes place at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Five-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs July 14, 2012

Police officers help firefighters by pulling hose during yesterday's outbreak of a blaze
 between Pahala Transfer Station and Hwy 11. Photo by Julia Neal

FORGIVENESS BETWEEN FAMILIES emerged after a sentencing hearing yesterday. The case involved marijuana, beer and 70-miles-an-hour reckless driving by a 17-year-old on Kama`oa Road. The modified Honda Civic crashed into a utility pole and flipped, killing 12-year-old Gaycen Jara. According to a story in this morning’s West Hawai`i Today, 21-year-old Kevin R. Galigo was sentenced to one year in prison and five years probation. West Hawai`i Today reporter Chelsea Jensen wrote: “Galigo’s mother, Barbara Galigo, and Jara’s mother, Kekoa, embraced for several minutes outside the courthouse following the hearing. Kekoa said she hopes not only Galigo, but the whole community, will learn from the accident. ‘We were good friends, and I’m so sorry for what happened,’ said Barbara Galigo, who said the two families had been close prior to the accident and forgiveness had since been exchanged. ‘I hope (my son) will come out and go on and be a better person,’” the Chelsea Jensen story reported.
      The crash happened in 2008, and Galigo was indicted this February. His sentence includes yet-to-be-determined restitution, letters of apology to Jara’s family, 200 hours of community service and $860 in fees, the story said. See more at westhawaiitoday.com.

Ka`u Hospital's long-term care facility has received high ratings.

KA`U HOSPITAL IS A FIVE-STAR FACILITY for long-term care services, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The recent ratings are based on health inspections, staffing and quality of care. Ka`u Hospital administrator Merilyn Harris received the accolade, saying, “It’s a great source of pride for the staff that problems such as pressure ulcers, falls and infections, such as methicillin resistant staphaureus - MRSA, which are common in most long-term care facilities, are extremely rare occurrences here.” CMS monitors quality of care through monthly mandatory reporting on a host of indictors of residents’ physical and emotional wellbeing. 

      “The focus on consistently improving quality and patient safety spreads across all departments, and this year’s patient satisfaction surveys bear this out,” said Harris. “Ninety-seven percent of our patients who used the ER were either satisfied or very satisfied with the care they received, and 97 percent would recommend our ER to friends and family. The same high rate of satisfaction has been reported for laboratory, clinic and x-ray services,” reported Harris.

       “Having a staff that really cares is a huge component, and when you add the community support – family members, volunteers and those who raise funds for the hospital – the combination makes for a real success story for a small rural hospital,” said the administrator.
      Improvements for Ka`u Hospital in August will be physical ones thanks to Capital Improvement Funds from the state of Hawai`i, Harris pointed out. The parking lot that has been too dark since the lighting system failed will be safer with new solar lights. A much larger project is renovation of the clinic and outpatient entrances with an ADA compliant wheelchair ramp and automatic doors. “The clinic doors have long been a source of complaint from patients, so this is particularly important,” Harris said. New automatic doors will be installed in the main and ambulance entrances.
      During clinic entrance renovation, patients going to clinic, lab, x-ray or Long’s Pharmacy will enter through the main hospital, she said.

`AINA KOA PONO has gone off the Internet with a message that says: “Coming Soon Aloha! Welcome to `Aina Koa Pono. Thanks for stopping by. We’re working hard on creating a new site with news and updates. Stay Tuned!” The company is reorganizing with new partners, and Hawai`i Electric Co. said in testimony to the state Legislature that it expects `Aina Koa Pono to reapply to the Public Utilities Commission to sell biofuel to the utility. 

      According to the last `Aina Koa Pono plan, the hui wanted to build a refinery along Wood Valley Road and to put thousands of acres into biofuel crops between Wood Valley and Na`alehu. The biofuel would be hauled in tanker trucks up Hwy 11 to the oil-burning power plant near Kona Airport.
      The PUC turned down the proposal, contending that it would have required raising electric rates that are already some of the highest in the country and that the PUC was looking for proposals that would lower electric rates. `Aina Koa Pono is apparently looking at possibly building a smaller test plant of its microwave technology for the mill before considering a full-scale refinery above Pahala. During public meetings in Pahala last year, `Aina Koa Pono said it also was looking to market the biofuel not only for electricity but also for transportation to help relieve Hawai`i’s dependence on fossil fuels.

A 16-YEAR-OLD DRIVER apparently fell asleep, veered off the highway and struck and killed a bicyclist on a tour with overnight stays around the island, including Pahala.  The victim was a 52-year-old marathoner and cyclist from Kailua-Kona identified as Jessie Taylor. The accident happened in North Kona on Akone Pule Hwy near Hawi Thursday afternoon, and no alcohol or drugs are suspected.

Crews battle a fire that broke out near Pahala Transfer Station yesterday. Photo by Julia Neal

A FIRE BURNED INTO THE NIGHT Friday between the highway and the gulch just west of Pahala Transfer Station, shutting down one lane of Hwy 11 and requiring numerous firefighting crews to dampen the flames. The fire started near the transfer station in a gulch where Pahala residents dumped trash for years. Whether the cause was arson or combustion ignited by strong winds is under investigation.

POLICE STATIONS IN PAHALA, NA`ALEHU AND OCEAN VIEW are accepting donations of new and used backpacks from the community July 17 to Aug. 31 to provide to students for fall semester. A statement from the county says: “Once again, the Hawai`i Police Department is proud to participate in a backpack drive to assist less fortunate children in these hard economic times. All police stations around the island will double as drop-off points for those interested in helping children in need.” 

      Backpacks have been identified as the most requested non-food item for charities in Hawai`i. The donated backpacks will be distributed to children at women’s shelters, homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities. This is the fourth consecutive year the Police Department has worked in partnership with HOPE Services Hawai`i (formerly known as the Office for Social Ministry) and From Kids For Kids in the collection and distribution of these items. HOPE Services Hawai`i provides a continuum of homeless and transitional programs from outreach to emergency shelters, including permanent supportive housing placements.

Police Chief Harry Kubojiri

      From Kids For Kids was founded in 2006 by Big Island resident Nani Welch-Keliihoomalu, then 10, who was responsible for distributing backpacks containing books, clothing, art and school supplies. 

      Police Chief Harry Kubojiri offers police stations as drop-off points to make it convenient for anyone who wishes to donate backpacks for the project. “I again ask those of you who have backpacks your child is no longer using to consider donating them to this worthy cause,” Kubojiri said. “In past years your generosity has proven that the aloha spirit is alive and well when it comes to opening our hearts and lending a helping hand.”

Hilo One Photo from NPS

KAHUKU UNIT of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s is the site of a 2.5-mile moderately difficult hike tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Called People and Land of Kahuku, the three-hour hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history. The gate between miles 70 and 71 on Hwy 11 opens at 9 a.m. 

HILO ONE PERFORMS Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The group includes R. Likeke Teanio on lead guitar and `ukulele, Aaron Agres on electric upright bass and Kahele Miura on electric 12-string rhythm guitar. Five-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.