Ka`u News Briefs July 28, 2012

The Primary Election on Aug. 11 will determine the new County Council member, two state senators and two state representatives for Ka`u.  Photo from University of Hawai`i.

COUNTY CLERK JAMAE KAWAUCHI flew to Honolulu Thursday to meet with the state Attorney General regarding the island’s voter registry. According to the Nancy Cook Lauer story in West Hawai`i Today this morning, she told the newspaper, “Based upon my review of the County of Hawai`i voter registry, I found some things I thought should be investigated further, so I contacted the state Office of Elections…. I also met with the state Attorney General’s office.” 

      The story says she asked the AG to “help sort out apparent discrepancies in the county voter registration” after she shut down the voter registration office for a full day last Monday to conduct an audit.
      At least one County Council member has weighed in. According to the Cook Lauer story, council member Dennis Onishi wrote to state chief elections officer Scott Nago requesting that the state assume management of the upcoming Aug. 11 primary election in Hawai`i County. Onishi’s letter, obtained by West Hawai`i Today, says: “I must strongly insist that the state Office of Elections take all control of the operations for the coming elections…. This has put the integrity of the Election Office in shambles. Now, who can say this coming Primary Elections will be fair and open? I feel that transparency of fair and open elections has been lost.”
      Kawauchi was nominated and approved as County Clerk by the County Council majority chaired by Dominic Yagong, who is running for mayor against incumbent Billy Kenoi. Kawauchi declined to comment on whether she thinks Onishi’s characterization of her review of the voter registry is political, according to West Hawai`i Today.
      The newspaper quoted her: “The public is the priority. The Office of the County Clerk wants the public to know we are doing everything we can to make sure that our county has a fair and well-run election,” Kawauchi said, “We will keep the public informed as appropriate.”

Unemployment has gone down during the last two years.

A LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE for Hawai`i continues to register in national statistics. The state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations announced yesterday that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June in Hawai`i was 6.4 percent, a 0.1 percentage point increase from 6.3 percent in May. 

      Statewide, there were 607,800 employed and 41,500 unemployed in June, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 649,350. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.2 percent, the same as in May.
      Initial claims were down 6.1 percent, and weeks claimed were down by 7.8 percent compared to one year ago. Initial claims rose by 4.2 percent, and weeks claimed grew by 1.7 percent in June compared to May.
      The unemployment rate figures for the State of Hawai`i and the U.S. are seasonally adjusted, in accordance with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics methodology. The not-seasonally adjusted rate for the state increased to 7.1 percent in June from 6.3 percent in May.
      In a separate measure of employment, total seasonally adjusted nonagricultural jobs decreased by 1,800 jobs over-the-month.
      Within industry sectors, job gains were experienced in Other Services (+600) and Construction (+100). Employment in Manufacturing, Financial Activities, and Leisure & Hospitality remained stable.
      Job losses occurred in Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-200), Professional & Business Services (-200), and Education & Health Services (-1,000).
      The decrease in Education & Health Services was primarily concentrated in Health Services, as Social Assistance employment (childcare and individual & family services programs) has shifted downward in May-June due to the recent years’ changes in the public school schedule.
      Government jobs contracted by 500 over-the-month, with the bulk of the decline attributed to a drop in hourly workers at the Department of Education. Over-the-year, total seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs have expanded by 7,100, with the largest increases taking place in Leisure & Hospitality (+6,400), Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (+2,700), and Financial Activities (+1,300).

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies depicted in painting by Pegge Hopper.

HEALTHY MOTHERS HEALTHY BABIES COALITION of Hawai`i helps mothers and mothers-to-be in Ka`u with online advice on how to ensure the good health of their babies. The website directory displays phone numbers in Hawai`i that mothers and mothers-to-be might find helpful, including WIC, child care, family services, substance and alcohol abuse groups, Department of Health and many others. There is also information about prenatal health, including eating habits and exercise, and newborn and infant care including child development, breastfeeding, and immunizations. 

      The national organization was founded in 1981 to foster “a child’s right to be born healthy and raised in a safe and nurturing environment, equal access to quality health care, a collective voice to facilitate change, eliminating health disparities among all populations, cultural competence and respect for diversity and education to encourage healthy choices.” For more information, visit hmhb-hawaii.org.

PUBLIC SCHOOL IN KA`U starts Monday at Pahala Elementary & Intermediate, Ka`u High and Na`alehu Schools. A new program for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, called After-School All-Stars Hawai`i, is free and targets middle school youth with three hours of after-school programming Monday through Friday. “It includes academics, enrichment and health/fitness activities,” explained Dawn Dunbar, president and CEO of After-School All-Stars Hawai`i. Initiatives include “service learning, sports-based youth development and career exploration. Our goal is to provide at-risk youth with the opportunities to participate in educational, sports, cultural and community enrichment programs, to build confidence and self-esteem and to encourage youth to say no to gangs, drugs and violence and yes to hope, learning and life,” Dunbar said. 

      From July 30 on, seventh- and eighth-graders at Ka`u Middle School can enroll. All-Stars begins Aug. 13 and meets at the end of each school day until 5:30 p.m. Registration forms, which must be filled out in order for any child to attend the program, were sent with school registration packets, but parents can also contact All-Star Ka`u site coordinator Thu-Tam Doan to arrange for registration at 557-7414 or tdoan@asashawaii.org.
      Five part-time program leaders will be hired for Ka`u. Each leader will work about 15 hours a week depending on the classes he or she teaches and will be paid a minimum of $12 an hour. For more about applying, contact Doan.

Moola Moola joined residents for a  Birthday Bash at CU Hawai`i's
 Pahala branch yesterday. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

CU HAWAI`I’S MOOLA MOOLA BIRTHDAY BASH was held at Na`alehu and Pahala branches yesterday. Kids were offered free cookies and juice, and those under 13 with a CU Hawai`i savings account were able to sign up for the drawing to win a free movie ticket. A winner from each branch was picked at the end of the day. Eight-year-old Dustin Dancel won in Na`alehu, and six-year-old Trulayna Bullo-Saladino won in Pahala. 

      “Moola Moola promotes savings programs for our younger members,” said AVP/Marketing manager Cheryl Weaver. For every five dollars deposited they get a stamp that they can trade in for prizes. Those prizes range from beach balls and coloring books to a maximum of three stamp cards traded for a free movie ticket. “It’s a way of teaching our youngest members financial responsibility,” Weaver added.
      Those interested in opening an account for their children can do so at any of the seven CU Hawai`i branches on the Big Island. To sign up a child, parents are required to present their own valid state I.D. and provide the child’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
      For more information about CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union and their branch locations, visit cuhawaii.com or call 933-6700.

LILA FLOOD facilitates Dances Of Universal Peace at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. This spiritual practice incorporates folk-dance-like steps and sacred mantras that draw from all major spiritual and religious traditions. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome to this free event. Donations accepted. For more call 985-9109 or 967-8222.

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

Ka`u News Briefs July 27, 2012

After burning through the macadamia orchards, the fire burned up Pa`au`au gulch and jumped Hwy 11, threatening Ka`u Hospital and homes. Photo by John Cross

THE MAKAI ORCHARDS that ML Macadamia Orchards was bringing back to health may not survive the June fires, according to ML Vice President Randy Cabral. The makai orchards were cut off from irrigation and access after the 2000 flood that destroyed bridges and roads around Pahala. The orchards were abandoned for a decade but ML recently put them back into production and expected to harvest the macadamia nuts this fall, Cabral told Hawai`i Tribune Herald for a story in this morning’s paper.
      The John Burnett article says ML “ is continuing to tally the losses from fires that started in their Pahala groves last month, but preliminary figures are in the six-figure range for this year’s harvest.” Cabral told the Tribune Herald that the lower 150-acre orchard is probably a total loss, while the 30-acre orchard closer to Hwy 11 may recover but cost the company 140,000 pounds in macadamia nut losses this year. Nuts are selling for 80 cents a pound.
      The story also says that the Fire Department is looking at the possibility that one of the fires stemmed from a problem with heavy equipment. See more at hawaiitribuneherald.com.

Hele-On fleet to get three new buses.
Photo from busesworldwide.org

THREE NEW HELE ON BUSES will be purchased with the help of $1.2 million in federal grant money from the Federal Transit Administration State of Good Repair grant program. The buses will replace three older ones being retired from the Hele On fleet, which features 51 buses carrying 1.2 million passengers a year across Hawai`i Island. The Hele-On provided critical free and inexpensive transportation to connect Ka`u residents with school and work.
      Mayor Billy Kenoi said the county plans to purchase 49-passenger motor coaches to improve and expand upon its island-wide bus service. The new buses will be wheelchair accessible, air-conditioned, and equipped with bicycle racks. “These funds will go a long way in helping us improve our transportation services,” Kenoi said. “They will replace buses that are over 17 years old.”
      Kenoi said U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye was instrumental in securing this grant. A strategic goal of the federal Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration is to assist municipalities with the improvement and maintenance of America’s buses and bus facilities.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN RIGHTS, similar to those guaranteed to other indigenous people, are supported by both U.S. Senate candidates Ed Case and Mazie Hirono. Both, however, said that allowing gambling casinos on Hawaiian lands is unlikely to pass congress and Case said he outright opposes it. The two debated in a statewide telecast last night. During the debate Case promoted his centrist views and said he has the ability to work with Republicans and Democrats while Hirono said she can work well not only with her Democratic caucus but also across the aisle.

Photo from uhero.hawaii.edu

THE VISITOR INDUSTRY is fueling a recovery of the economy in Hawai`i, which is doing better than in many other states, according to the University of Hawai`i Economic Research Organization, which released its quarterly report yesterday. Tourism is expected to break records this year and could continue its upswing as visa restrictions from China are eased and Canada and Australia markets continue to grow. However, to enjoy more than modest growth, other economic sectors will need to turnaround. Construction is already doing better and residential building rates are higher in Hawai`i than nationwide. The economists predict the overall economy in Hawai`i to grow 1.1 percent in 2012 and 2.4 percent in 2013.

JUNE VISITOR ARRIVALS WERE up 11.5 percent statewide and visitors spent more money. The 677,218 tourists statewide set a record, pushing the first six months up 10.2 percent to 3.9 million visitors. The western section of the U.S. sent more visitors to Hawai`i, up 4 percent over last year and spending almost 10 percent more in June. The number of Japanese visitors grew 21.9 percent to 115,788. Japanese spending rose 31.4 percent to $219.1 million.
      Yesterday, the Hawai`i Tourism Authority board predicted that visitors will spend $13.9 billion this year, a gain of 15.4 percent over last year. It set its goal to drawing 7.89 million tourists to the islands this year, a 6.3 percent gain over last year.

Maile David talked story with community
members in Pahala yesterday.
Photo by William Neal

MAILE DAVID held a talk story at Pahala Community Center yesterday and Mayor Billy Kenoi stopped in. David, a candidate for the County Council, told District 6 supporters that credentials as a paralegal and a legislative researcher for the county council make her a good candidate. She said later that she was able to sit down with Ka`u people and find out what issues concerned them. "Many of them are quality of life issues - that's what I got from it and I reassured them that these are what I understand - being raised in a rural community," she said, noting that she saw Kona drastically change right before her very eyes."We have to be the ones to determine the future of our community," she said. Bobby and Phoebe Gomes who organized the event said, “It was a total success.” See more on Malie David at mailedavid.com.

BRADLEY WESTERVELT will host two events tomorrow in his quest for the County Council seat for District 6.
      The first will be at Wai`ohinu Park, from noon until 2 p.m. with a family picnic featuring Flyin’ Hawaiian Coffee, pupus and sandwiches. Families are invited to use the playground, join in a field day and enjoy demonstrations of boomerangs, kites, frisbees and electric motor bikes, weather permitting. A Question and Answer session may continue beyond 2 p.m., as needed, he said.
      The second event is at Discovery Harbour Community Center, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with beverages and desserts. Q&A begins at 7 p.m.
      No donations will be accepted at either event. Events paid for by B4 Council. Debra Cannoles and Lori Lei Shiriakawa are organizing them. Learn more about Westervelt’s campaign through his website at bradwestervelt.com.

Robert Frutos.
Photo from heartofnature.net

A GUIDED HIKE THROUGH KIPUKA`AKIHI is offered tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants explore an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Pre-registration required, call 985-6011.

A WORKSHOP ON CREATING PHOTO IMAGES in the surroundings of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Inspired By Light, takes place tomorrow from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Participants are asked to bring camera, hat, tripod, jacket and water bottle. This Volcano Art Center class, taught by Robert Frutos, includes a picnic dinner. $150 for visitors and $125 for VAC members and kama`aina. Call 967-8222 for more.

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE, facilitated by Lila Flood, starts at 4 p.m. Sunday at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. This spiritual practice incorporates folk-dance-like steps and sacred mantras that draw from all major spiritual and religious traditions. No experience necessary; all are welcome to this free event. Donations accepted. For more call 985-9109 or 967-8222.

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

Ka`u News Briefs July 26, 2012

Jamae Kawauchi grew up in Ka`u and is seen here with her parents David and Jamie when she was sworn in as County Clerk.
Photo by Julia Neal

NEW AND UPDATED ELECTION PRECINCT cards will be mailed to some voters on the Big Island ahead of the Aug. 11 election. County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi said the second mailing is needed for some of the yellow cards since there are some errors following the reassignment of some voters to different polling places in connection with redistricting following the 2010 census. 

      Kawauchi said, “Our goal is 100 percent inclusion in this process.” She said voting “is a very profound thing and a great way to show support for the island. The numbers show how strong we are in our community.” She said the registered voter total reached 101,000 in mid July out of 184,158 people residing permanently on the island.
      The County Clerk said she encourages voting by mail to help foster more participation. The Permanent Absentee Voting by mail applications must be postmarked by Tuesday, Aug. 4 for the Aug. 11 Primary Election. Precinct locations can be found on the county elections website at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lb-clerk-elections/. Call 961-8277 or 323-4400.

THE AFTERSCHOOL ALL-STARS program is coming to Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School and looking to hire energetic and dynamic program leader team members. After-School All-Stars Hawai‘i provides “free structured after-school programming targeting middle school youth – three hours of programming Monday through Friday, which includes academics, enrichment and health/fitness activities,” as explained by Dawn Dunbar.
      Program initiatives include “service learning, sports-based youth development, career exploration and high school transition into the after-school curriculum. Our goal is provide at-risk youth with the opportunities to participate in educational, sports, cultural and community enrichment programs; to build confidence and self-esteem; and to encourage youth to say 'no' to gangs, drugs and violence and 'yes' to hope, learning and life,” Dunbar added.
      From July 30 on, seventh and eighth graders can enroll in the free All-Star program, which, starting Aug. 13, meets at the end of each school day until 5:30 p.m. Registration forms, which must be filled out in order for any child to attend the program, were sent with school registration packets, but parents can also contact All-Star Ka`u Site Coordinator Thu-Tam Doan. Contact Doan at 557-7414 or tdoan@asashawaii.org to register or apply as a part-time team leader.

Hauling garbage to the westside may be less expensive than
H-Power or expanding landfills.
Hilo landfill photo from Geometrician Associates

HAULING TRASH TO THE WESTSIDE is much less expensive than building a new Hilo landfill or an incinerator that would produce electricity, according to a report presented yesterday to the county’s Environmental Management Commission. A story by Nancy Cook Lauer in this morning’s West Hawai`i Today says that Solid Waste Director Greg Goodale plans to present the study to the County Council and mayor before taking it to public meetings. Cook Lauer reports the “the study showed it would cost an average of $52 to $72 per ton to haul all the county’s garbage to the West Hawai`i landfill at Pu`uanahulu. In comparison, a new Hilo landfill would cost $92 to $110 a ton and a waste-to-energy plant would go anywhere from $80 to $210 a ton… Goodale said there have been discussions about expanding the Pu`uanahulu landfill, which still has an estimated 30 years left — if it doesn’t take on any more east-side garbage than it does now. He said the state owns land mauka of the landfill that could be used for expansion and there has also been talk of lowering the sub grade land to allow for greater capacity,” Cook Lauer reported.

Bradley Westervelt hosts Ka`u events on Saturday.
Photo by David Howard Donald

BRADLEY WESTERVELT, County Council candidate for District 6, has announced two meet-the-candidate talk story events this Saturday. One will be at Wai`ohinu Park, noon until 2 p.m. with a family picnic featuring Flyin’ Hawaiian Coffee, pupus and sandwiches. Families are invited to use the playground, join in a field day and enjoy demonstrations of boomerangs, kites, frisbees and electric motor bikes, weather permitting. A Question and Answer session may continue beyond 2 p.m., as needed, he said. The second event is at Discovery Harbour Community Center, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with beverages and desserts. Q&A begins at 7 p.m. No donations will be accepted at either event. Events paid for by B4 Council. Debra Cannoles and Lori Lei Shiriakawa are organizing them. Learn more about Westervelt’s campaign through his website at bradwestervelt.com.

MAILE DAVID, County Council candidate for District 6, will host a talk story session today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. All are welcome to attend. Community members are invited to meet David and learn more about how she can serve Ka`u if elected to County Council. Supporters Bobby and Phoebe Gomes are organizing the event for David, who is running to take the council seat of Brittany Smart. Smart is running for state House of Representative rather than for re-election in the County Council. Learn more about David’s campaign through her website at mailedavid.com.

Inside Kipuka`akihi. Photo from nps.gov

HA`AO SPRINGS/MOUNTAIN HOUSE AGRICULTURAL WATER COOPERATIVE meets today at 2:30 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. Everyone interested in seeing an ag. water system for the area is invited to attend.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets tonight, 5:30 p.m., in the Community Center.

KIPUKA`AKIHI HIKE is offered this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants explore an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest. Pre-registration required, call 985-6011.

INSPIRED BY LIGHT, a Volcano Arts Center workshop taught by Robert Frutos on creating photo images in the surroundings of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, takes place Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Participants are asked to bring camera, hat, tripod, jacket and water bottle. The class, including a picnic dinner, costs $150 for visitors and $125 for VAC members and kama`aina. Call 967-8222 for more.

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