Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Hilo Civil Air Patrol cadets post and retire the colors at Kilauea Military Camp Memorial Day ceremony yesterday.
  Photos by Elene Rizzo-Kuhn/KMC

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES AT KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP yesterday drew stories of honor and remembrance. Guest Speaker TSgt Rita Miller, of the 291st Combat Communications Squadron in Hilo, talked about her cousin who lost his life from small arms enemy fire while serving with the Army, First Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment deployed to Iraq in 2007. She said her own visit to Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near Washington, D.C. helped her to feel very emotional in the presence of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

TSgt Rita Miller, of the 291st Combat
 Communications Squadron, Hilo.

LCDR Shawn Dweese, Commanding
Officer, Coast Guard Cutter KISKA, Hilo

    Keynote Speaker LCDR Shawn Deweese, Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter KISKA in Hilo, talked about his travels throughout the islands and afar, which helped him to understand the importance of standing up for one's beliefs. He commended those who attended the ceremonies yesterday for taking action to honor those who lost their lives in support of their country.

     Ray Gandy performed Taps on trumpet. Raymond Dustin performed Amazing Grace on bagpipes. Hilo Civil Air Patrol cadets, under the direction of Major Ruth Statler, posted and retired the colors.

     The ceremony is usually held on the parade field at KMC but was brought indoors for shelter from rain. About 140 people attended the ceremony. A special Memorial Day dinner followed the ceremony.

Ray Grandy played trumpet and Raymond Dutin played bagpipes at yesterday's
Memorial Day ceremony at Kilauea Military Camp.

THE HAWAI`I REPUBLICAN PARTY has outlined its platform. During its statewide convention held earlier this month on O`ahu, the 300 Republican delegates passed eight resolutions, addressing such issues as reform to the Jones Act, taxes and education. Republicans lauded their major candidate for governor, former Lt. Governor Duke Ainoa, who said recently that the "Republican platform is all about trust, respect and balance."

     The Party also elected a new chair, Pat Saiki, who was the first Republican from the state of Hawai`i to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She also served in the state House of Representatives and Senate. A former Hilo school teacher, she headed the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Presidency of George H.W. Bush.  

     In a statement, Saiki she said that during the convention, Hawai`i Republicans reaffirmed their LLIFE platform "of Liberty, Limited Government, Individual Responsibility, Fiscal Accountability and Equality of Opportunity."

     She and other leaders said the Republicans want to register 25,000 more members before the November General Election.
    One resolution in the new Hawai`i Republican Platform is supported by many Democrats and Republicans. It calls for an adjustment of the Jones Act, which prevents foreign built, owned and managed ships from transporting cargo and passengers between U.S. ports. The Repubican platform calls on congress to exempt Hawai`i, Puerto Rico, Alaska and Guam, allowing them to be served by foreign ships coming from other U.S. ports. Reform could lower the cost of exporting and importing food and other cargo by sea between Hawai`i and the mainland, as well as encourage more cruise ships to come to the islands. It could also lower the cost of energy, by lowering fuel transportation costs. To make the change, the 1920 federal act would have to be amended or repealed by congress. Its original intention was to protect U.S. ship building interests and to preserve a fleet of U.S. owned ships that could be used during emergencies, such as wartime. However, the cost of building ships in the U.S. is much higher than such places as Japan and China, making the cost of domestic ocean transport very expensive.

Hawai`i state's first Republican member to congress, Pat Saiki, was elected recently to chair the Hawai`i Republican Party.
Photo from Hawai`i Republican Party

     As reported today in the Hawai`i Reporter, the new Chair of the Hawai`i Republican Party told Michael Hansen, chair of the Hawai`i Shippers Council, that "Many in politics have expressed their concern over the high cost of living here in Hawai`i. Being the most expensive state in which to live, with goods and services including food costs higher than any other state in the nation, is of real concern to our people. But few in power today have done much to alleviate this situation. Getting an exemption from the Jones Act, as expressed in the Resolution recently passed by our Republican Party is one of the ways by which we can effectively change things for the better. Our Party is committed to finding such solutions to a serious problem and we seek support for our candidates to lead the way," said Saiki.

New Republican Party Chair for Hawai`i, Pat Saiki with Sam Slom, sole Republican
in the state Senate.  Photo from Hawai`i Republican Party

      Candidate Aiona said that “The Jones act is a federal regulation that affects all the people of Hawai`i. It is time for all stakeholders to come together and resolve this issue in a manner that is in the best interests of our state. I am encouraged and excited by the Hawai`i Shipping Council's recent proposal and the Republican Party's resolution relating to the Jones Act. I look forward to providing the leadership needed for this resolution.”

   According to Hawai`i Reporter, U.S. Senatorial candidate Campbell “Cam” Cavasso, a Republican who will likely face either U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz or U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa in November, declared, 'It is time for our Hawai`i to free our people from the bonds of federal regulations which artificially increase the cost of living for every family by multiplied thousands of dollars. It is time to set our people free from extreme, external regulations costing every man, woman, and child in Hawai`i. We can do this now.'"
    Hawai`i Reporter also included remarks by Hawai`i state Rep. Gene Ward, a Republican and minority leader emeritus: "As the cost to feed ourselves escalates and we continue to import over 80 percent of everything we consume, the most sustainable approach to food security in Hawai`i is lowering the cost of living by lowering the cost of shipping. We know we can cut the grocery bills of Hawai`i's struggling families through a minor exemption to the Jones Act-but we have not acted. Now is the time to press for real food security and sustainability by using all the ships in the world to come to our shores, not just a select expensive few under the Jones Act. If only a fraction of the people understood the Jones Act and how it punishes us, Hawai`i would be quick to act for an exemption as we have done with Obama Care to protect our Pre-Paid Healthcare in Hawai`i. National security will not be effected and in their hearts, the naysayers know this is true."

Duke Aiona is the most prominent Republican contender for governor. To his left is
Republican congressional candidate Charles Djou. Photo from Hawai`i Republican Party

    Republican state Senator Sam Slom, minority leader and introducer of a Jones Act reform resolution, told Hawai`i Reporter, "Thanks to the work of the Hawai`i Shippers Council and others, I feel after 20 years of activity, the public has a better understanding of the cost impact of the Jones Act and our options. We welcome support from the Hawai`i Republican Party but reiterate this reform is a non-partisan issue that negatively affects all residents of Hawai`i. We welcome future support from political, social and business organizations. We can win this issue."
    Regarding Memorial Day, Saiki released a statement quoting Ronald Reagan: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."

THERE IS NO POSITION ON GMO LABELING for Ka`u Farm Bureau, said Chris Manfredi, former chief of the organization and now president of the statewide Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation. He was referring to the story in yesterday's Ka`u News Briefs, which stated that the local Farm Bureau opposed labeling. Manfredi said this morning that he has testified on the state level, opposing local GMO labeling laws, saying that labeling should be regulated on a federal level. He said this morning that Ka`u Farm Bureau "has never taken a position on GMO labeling." He said the Farm Bureau supports all kinds of agriculture.

   

  Testimony given by Manfredi last September to the County Council involved a bill to require GMO farms to register. Manfredi submitted testimony on behalf of the Ka`u Farm Bureau stating that the organization opposed registration of GMO farms. He testified, "There are numerous studies that indicate that transgenic crops are safe" and that farmers who register GMO "could become targets of eco-terrorism and enviro-terrorism." See more of his testimony at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2013/09/kaus-county-council-member-brenda-ford.html
     A bill to require registration of GMO farms was introduced by Ka`u County Council member Brenda Ford. Another version that subsequently passed was introduced by County Council member Margaret Wille. It is now tied up in legal proceedings between the county and GMO advocates.

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Ka`u News Briefs Monday, May 26, 2014

Volunteers scoured the South Point coast this past week and hauled away more than 1,700 lbs. of debris.
Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

ALMOST .75 TONS OF GARBAGE WERE REMOVED during the last week from Green Sands -Mahana Bay, from Kaulana Boat Ramp at South Point to `Onikinalu, and from Kaulana Boat Ramp to Ka`ahue. 

Nurdle in the Rough Jewelry company volunteers joined the Ka``u Coast cleanup.
Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund 

The effort, organized by Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, Three Mountain Alliance and state Department of Forestry & Wildlife, drew 18 students and teachers from a field study course at Normandale Community College in Minnesota.  
     On Saturday, 16 island residents and representatives from Sustainable Coastlines Hawai`i, Method Home cleaning products of San Francisco, Nurdle in the Rough Jewelry of Holualoa, and Recycle Hawai`i lent many hands.
     The five miles of coastal cleanup from Kaulana Boat Ramp to `Onikinalu brought in 1,312 lbs of items that washed up or were discarded on the beach. There were 250 lbs of nets, 240 lbs of tar bundles and other non-net debris. The group removed 124 pounds of plastics. Interesting finds included a long gas cylinder, plastic fishing reel from Guayaquiil, Ecuador, a large black fishing lure, a syringe, and a refrigerator door with local graffiti. The trash ranged from six-pack rings, to food wrappers, disposable cigarette lighters, buoys and floats, styrofoam cups and plastic utensils to aerosol cans and a GI Joe American Hero Toy. Tires and flip flops were also hauled away.

     The more than three miles from Kaulana Boat Ramp to Ka`ahue were cleaned of 394 lbs of rubbish including 50 lbs of nets and 344 non-net items. There were lots of cigarette lighters, according to the Hawai`i Wildlife Fund report.

College students from Minnesota helped clean up nets and other debris.
Photo from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund

Hawai`i Wildife Fund will participate on Saturday, June 28 in the Fourth of July Parade in Na`alehu. Another Ka`u community coastal cleanup will be held at Kamilo Point on Sunday, July 13. For more information, contact Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
Also helping over the last week was Nohea Ka`awa, of DOFAW.

KA`U DEMOCRATS FLEW TO HONOLULU for the state Democratic Party Convention over the weekend, to work among 604 delegates statewide to craft a new platform. The new party platform formalizes support for agricultural home rule, for which those wanting limitations to pesticides and genetically engineered crops have lobbied.
       However, the Democrats voted against GMO food labeling, with those in opposition including delegate and state Department of Agriculture Chair Scott Enright who recently spoke at the annual meeting of the Ka`u Farm Bureau.
     The Ka`u Farm Bureau has opposed local  law to register GMO, its then president Chris Manfredi contending in testimony to the County Council last September that  "There are numerous studies that indicate that transgenic crops are safe" and that farmers who register GMO "could become targets of eco-terorism and enviro-terrorism." Regarding GMO labeling, Manfredi, now president of the Hawai`i Farm Bureau, has said that the organization takes the position that labeling should be regulated by the federal government. He said that Ka`u Farm Bureau has not taken a stand on labeling.
       U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who spoke at the Democratic Convention has introduced legislation to congress asking for GMO labeling nationwide.  During the convention, according to Civil Beat, she encouraged the conventioneers not to be discouraged by the "doom and gloom" in Washington, saying there are "undercurrents of hope" inspirational to those considering and working in public service. 

     Resolutions adopted at the Deomocratic Convention also include financial support for public preschools. The new platform recognizes climate change as a "real threat to our islands and the world." It calls for utilities to "open the grid to alternative power sources including solar power and geothermal energy." It brings attention to lobbying and candidate contributions by corporations by stating that "we do not believe that money equals speech or that corporations are people for proposes of First Amendment protections." The Democrats also voted to "support Native Hawaiian rights to self-determination in the formation of the chosen governmental entity."

      Gov. Neil Abercrombie told conventioneers that raising the minimum wage, the state providing funding for pre-schools and such conservation efforts as preserving lands around Turtle Bay on O`ahu are the right thing to do. He said his administration is contributing to the economic health of Hawai`i by "focusing on growth and sustainability....We have the right values, we have the right priorities and I can report to you, you've got the right governor."

Statewid Chair of the Democratic Party is Stephanie Ohigashi.

      Abercrombie's strongest opponent in the Democratic Primary to be held in August is David Ige. A state senator who has served 27 years in the state legislature, he also spoke to the convention. Ige contended that special interests rather than public interest are getting too much attention in state government. He also vowed to incentivize solar power for every home in Hawai`i and to fight invasive species coming into the state, which not only damage agriculture but tourism, he said.

       Ige took issue with Abercrombie's recent fundraising dinner at a mainland home of billionaire Larry Ellison who recently bought the island of Lana`i. "I never wanted a fundraiser at a billionaire's house," said Ige.  According to a story in this morning's Honolulu Star Advertiser, Abercrombie earlier said, "It's not a question of whether someone who supports you has money or not. It's a question of whether those who support you respect campaign spending limitations and campaign contribution limitations."

    The new Democratic Party Chair is Stephanie Ohigashi, who works in the County Council office of Mike Victorino on Maui. She defeated Tony Gill, of Honolulu. She replaces long time Democratic leader Dante Carpenter. In his speech, Carpenter reviewed the history of the Democratic revolution that started around 1954 and led to the toppling of Hawai`i's  "Republican oligarchy," reported Civil Beat.

      U.S. Sen Brien Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who are running against each other for a Senate seat in Washington, also gave political speeches. According to the Civil Beat report, Hanabusa "said the party's commitment to fair wages, workers rights, social equality and building a middle class can be directly traced back to 1954. To Hanabusa, the party's core values are family, respect, hard work, equality and kindness." She also talked about equal pay for women. "It is insulting and absurd women do not earn what men do," she said, according to Civil Beat.

       Schatz also named pay hikes for women as a top priority. He also called for more affordability for higher education and the expansion of Social Security, which he described as  "the most successful anti-poverty program in American history - and we have got to protect it."

Mayor Billy Kenoi and wife Takako at the
Na Hoku Hano Hano event on Saturday.

 more at www.civilbeat.com and www.staradvertiser.com.

NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARDS provided praise and Hokus for the Big Island's Mark Yamanaka who performed at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park last week ahead of attending the award ceremonies on Saturday in Honolulu.
      Yamanaka took the titles Album of the Year for Lei Maile, Male Vocalist of the Year and Hawaiian Music Album of the Year. He is known for his falsetto voice and skill on stringed instruments.
      Yamanaka shares the Male Vocalist of the Year title with Kamaka Kukona, who also won Most Promising Artist of the Year. A band called The Green won Group of the Year and Favored Entertainer of the Year with its reggae music.
     All of the titles are won through voting by the Hawai`i Academy of Recording Artists with the exception of Favored Entertainer by popular vote.  Along with the winners, Hawai`i Mayor Billy Kenoi took the stage as a presenters of Na Hoku Hano Hano awards.

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Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 25, 2014

Amanda, off the west coast of Mexico, is this year's first hurricane. Image from The Weather Channel

INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE will hold its September 2016 World Conservation Congress in Hawai`i. This will be the first time a U.S. location is hosting the WCC since IUCN’s inception in 1948. 

      In February, a four-person delegation from IUCN visited Hawai`i for one week. The delegation toured natural and cultural sites on Hawai`i Island, O`ahu and Kaua`i and held meetings with government, non-government organizations, nonprofit and private industry representatives who will be involved in the planning and execution of the 2016 gathering. The state Department of Land and Natural Resources will continue to lead a multi-agency, private-public sector team up to and through the 2016 World Conservation Congress.

      IUCN World Conservation Congress has two main parts. The Forum is a hub of public debate bringing together people from all walks of life to discuss the world’s most pressing conservation issues. There will be many types of events, which will enable participants to explore the depths of conservation and innovation. The Members’ Assembly is IUCN’s highest decision-making body. A unique global environmental parliament, it involves governments and non-government organizations – large and small, national and international – making joint decisions.
      The WCC is held every four years and is considered the only global summit that represents every aspect of conservation. It aims to improve management of our natural environment for human, social and economic development. The event is considered a place to set aside differences and to work together to provide the means and mechanisms for good environmental governance, engaging all parts of society to share both responsibilities and the benefits of conservation.

      President Barack Obama expressed his support for the decision: “Hawai`i is one of the most culturally and ecologically rich areas in the United States, with a wealth of unique natural resources and a distinctive traditional culture that draws from the United States and the Asia-Pacific region. After successfully hosting the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting, it is appropriate that Hawai`i now turn its focus to the intersection of economic development and environmental sustainability. The diversity and vulnerability of Hawai`i’s natural resources, as well as their importance to the islands’ economy, make Hawai`i a perfect location to discuss these challenges.”

Gov. Neil Abercrombie with Hawai`i IUCN 2016 Steering Committee co-chairs
Chipper Wichman, at left, and William J. Aila, Jr.
Photo from Office of the Governor

      Gov. Neil Abercrombie said, “This is both an honor and opportunity for us to show the entire conservation community, the world over, how Hawai`i has adopted a leadership role in preserving and protecting resources, developing sustainability programs on multiple fronts and addressing many of the issues associated with global climate change. The IUCN World Conservation Congress is the largest and most prestigious of all gatherings of the conservation community. We look forward to welcoming as many as 8,000 delegates to Hawai`i in 2016.”
      William J. Aila, Jr., chair of the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, said, “Hawai`i’s unique culture, location and environment are the perfect attributes for this worldwide conference. We have a lot to offer in how we manage our limited resources and integrate indigenous knowledge and practices in our changing world.” 

      Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “Hawai`i is a top global venue for high profile international events. Hawai`i also faces challenges as our nation’s only island state with unique ecosystems and the highest percentage of threatened and endangered species in the country. Our track record as a gathering place, and in balancing conservation with economic growth, make us a solid choice for the first U.S. host of IUCN. Mahalo to the leaders in Washington and Hawai`i who helped make this momentous announcement possible, including Senators Inouye and Akaka.”
      Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “As the world’s largest and most important conservation event, the WCC will shine a positive spotlight on Hawai`i as leaders from around the world converge on our beautiful islands. … We welcome this exciting news and look forward to hosting these distinguished leaders as we work toward our shared goal of preserving our environment for generations to come.”
      The last World Conservation Congress was held in 2012 in Jeju, Republic of Korea.

Amanda is expected to weaken as she heads north.
Image from The Weather Channel

      For more information, see http://iucn.org.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AMANDA IS THE FIRST HURRICANE THIS YEAR, located in the east Pacific region. According to The Weather Channel, Amanda is the strongest eastern Pacific hurricane on record for the month of May, with wind speeds reaching 155 miles per hour. As it travels north off the coast of Mexico, stirring up cold water and experiencing increased vertical wind shear, it is expected to weaken to a tropical depression and not threaten land.
      See weather.com.

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LIVING IN HARMONY WITH VOLCANOES: BRIDGING THE WILL OF NATURE TO SOCIETY will be the featured theme at the Cities on Volcanoes meeting in September in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on the island of Java, and in the shadow of Merapi volcano. Indonesia, with over 60 historically active volcanoes and the fourth largest population on Earth, all situated on a combined island area about the size of North Carolina, “is clearly a place on the planet that’s acutely aware—on a daily basis—of what living with active volcanoes means,” reports USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory in the current issue of Volcano Watch.

Kawah Ijen, a hot, acidic crater lake in East Java, Indonesia, will be the location of
a workshop studying wet volcanoes. Photo from Wikimedia Commons

      According to HVO, an estimated half-billion people worldwide live on or near active volcanoes. COV meetings, held about every three years, bring together scientists studying volcanic phenomena and emergency managers to exchange ideas on how to meld science and public policy in order to lessen the effects of volcanic unrest on communities worldwide.
      Following the weeklong meeting, there will be several field trips and specialized workshops. “One of the workshops will be dedicated to studying eruptive characteristics on volcanoes that have large-scale systems in which magma and water are continuously in close proximity,” the article states. “Many of these so-called ‘wet volcanoes’ host large crater lakes whose water can be thrown out abruptly when the volcano becomes restless. When wet volcanoes erupt violently, they often produce deadly volcanic mud and debris flows, called lahars, and surges of scorching-hot rock debris. They can also produce gas- or steam-driven eruptions similar to those at Kilauea in 1924.
      “The recent anniversary of Kilauea’s May 1924 explosive summit eruptions reminds us of the sometimes violent interactions that occur when relatively cool water near the Earth’s surface comes into contact with much hotter magmatic material found at depth. … Even relatively small, steam-driven eruptions like those of 1924 can affect people who live on and near active volcanoes.
      “Long before 1924 – indeed for over a thousand years – Hawaiians recognized the significance of magma-water interaction and depicted their understanding through oral tradition and dance. In this way, native Hawaiians have taught, during many generations, that living in harmony with volcanoes like Kilauea and Mauna Loa means respecting their power while appreciating their beauty.”  

      For more, see hvo.wr.usg.gov/volcanowatch.

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Commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter KISKA, LCDR Shawn Deweese,
is keynote speaker at Kilauea Military Camp tomorrow.

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to Kilauea Military Camp’s Memorial Day ceremony on tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the KMC Front Lawn in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. LCDR Shawn Deweese, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter KISKA in Hilo, is keynote speaker. Sgt. Rita Miller, of the 291st Combat Communications, Hilo, is guest speaker. Park entrance fees will be waived from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. for those notifying gatekeepers that they will attend the ceremony. 

A MEMORIAL DAY BUFFET FOLLOWS Kilauea Military Camp’s Memorial Day ceremony Monday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Menu includes Kalua pork sandwich, local-style fried chicken, Volcano chili con carne, tossed salad, potato salad, buttered corn, steamed rice, biscuits and honey, ice cream sundae bar and beverage. $18 adults; $9 children 6-11. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
      Call 967-8356 for more information.

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