Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 14, 2012

The Physician Residency Program could bring doctors in final years of training to Ka`u Hospital. Photo by Julia Neal

THE PHYSICIAN RESIDENCY PROGRAM, which could bring doctors in their final years of training to Ka`u and other rural places around the island, could be included in significant state funding this year. The measure, House Bill 2368, is co-sponsored by Ka`u’s Rep. Bob Herkes and was scheduled for a hearing today before the House Committee on Health and the House Committee on Higher Education. Funding would go to the Family Practice Residency Program, run by Ka`u Hospital’s sister facility, the Hilo Medical Center. With about a quarter of a million dollars inserted annually into the state budget, the program could proceed, say its supporters. Funding so far has come from a health insurance company, $70,000 a year from the state, and more money from such organizations as Rotary and the Hilo Hospital Foundation.
      Anyone can submit testimony by going to capitol.hawaii.gov. Testimony from healthcare providers predicts a loss of 134 physicians a year on the Big Island, as many doctors are headed for retirement.

THE INVEST IN HAWAI`I ACT, which would fast-track $500 million in capital improvements, including deferred maintenance on public facilities around the state, has the backing of Ka`u state Senator Gil Kahele, according to an Erin Miller story in this morning’s West Hawai`i Today. Miller quotes Kahele saying that “part of the thinking is to get things moving…. We all know we need to keep the economy moving.”
      The story also quoted county Planning director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd saying she has some concerns over the same bill exempting these state projects from county building permits. She said the state is less prepared to send out inspectors to make sure county building code is met and asked whether using state, rather than county inspectors, could increase cost. See more at westhawaiitoday.com.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAXES will remain the same rate this year, if a bill that passed the state House of Representatives yesterday passes the Senate. The bill would delay an automatic increase that could have cost an average of $300 a year per employee. The automatic increase would happen in March unless the bill passes the Senate and the governor signs it. 

THE PROPOSED CEDED LAND SETTLEMENT over property claimed by native Hawaiians is moving through the state Legislature. Yesterday, members of the Hawaiian Affairs and the Water, Land & Housing Committees in the state Senate cast unanimous favorable votes. The bill is headed to the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

BUSINESS IS UP IN HAWAI`I, according to state tax revenue statistics for the past six months. General Excise taxes rose 7.5 percent, and the transient accommodation taxes for hotels, bed and breakfasts and vacation rental went up 16.1 percent, according to the state Department of Taxation. The state Council on Revenues estimates that the fiscal year which ends in June will show tax increases of 11.5 percent over the past year.

Hawaiian Airlines CEO Dunkerley, holding his carbon credit certificate,
with state Sen. Kalani English, left, and Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
Photo courtesy of Kalani English

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES became the first air carrier to earn carbon credits for reducing emissions and saving fuel. In a ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaiian was honored for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by almost 22,000 metric tons and saving more than 2.5 million gallons of fuel. Airplane engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney praised Hawaiian CEO Mark Dunkerley in a ceremony yesterday in Honolulu. 

      The carbon reduction and energy savings comes from a new EcoPower engine washing routine used on Hawaiian’s larger aircraft when they are on the mainland. Dunkerley said he wants to eventually bring the equipment to Hawai`i.

DID PASSING THE NEW COUNTY BUILDING CODE violate the state Sunshine Law? According to a story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, the state Office of Information Practices is looking into whether the amended building code was provided to the public in a way that could be understood and commented on before it was passed. The new code was adopted in a 7 to 2 vote, with South Kona Council member Brenda Ford, who is running for the Ka`u seat this year, voting “No,” along with Council chair Dominic Yagong. Both said they were willing to listen to additional amendments from the members of the public, who have been testifying to change the code to make housing more affordable. The state Office of Information Practices has written to the Council asking for a copy of the bill, meeting agenda and “relevant communications,” the Nancy Cook Lauer story says. See more at hawaiitribuneherald.com.

Ed Case

ED CASE has earned the University of Hawai`i Professional Assembly endorsement in his run for the U.S. Senate. The 4,000-member union said in a statement that it chose Case “based on who could best represent the interests of the University of Hawai`i faculty, the students, and the role of public higher education in Congress, now and into the future.” Case responded that he believes “deeply in the role of higher education in growing our economy and bettering our country. He said he wants to further the accomplishments and fulfill the promise of the University of Hawai`i not only here in Hawai`i but nationally and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Case, a Democrat, faces U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono in the primary, and the winner will likely face former governor and Republican Linda Lingle.

VALENTINE’S DAY is being celebrated throughout Ka`u today.
      Hana Hou Restaurant’s has specials of prime rib, fresh ono, pork tenderloin and surf and turf combos from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
      South Side Shaka’s offers prime rib and crab from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call 929-7404 for reservations.
      Dinner at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café begins at 6 p.m., with entertainment by Lito Arkangel. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for reservations.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park features Capt. Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa, of Honu`apo, discussing Hawaiian canoes, from the first arrivals to working fishing vessels, giant war canoes and the sleek modern racing craft of today. Two-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

Image from amazon.com

MARK YAMANAKA shares songs from his debut Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning CD, Lei Pua Kenikeni tomorrow from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Donations support future `Ike Hana No`eau programs, and park entrance fees apply. 

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

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

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 13, 2012

Hawaiian Electric says it will not raise rates to make up for lost revenue from solar. Photo from ecohomemagazine.com

NO INCREASE IN ELECTRIC BILLS will be levied to recover lost income from people installing solar energy. This is the word from Hawaiian Electric Industries. Proposals were reported last week and could have hiked the average Big Island bills by $1.01 a month. However, a Pacific Business News story by Duane Shimogawa says that HEI notified him that it won’t seek new rates to cover the “lost contribution to fixed costs.”
      HEI spokesman Peter Rosegg told PBN, “It is true that there is currently a small cost to all electric customers to cover the fixed costs of generation, transmission and distribution facilities that must still be available to serve those who have solar photovoltaics when their systems are not generating energy.
      “Currently, the value of adding more customer-sited renewable energy and using less oil is considered to outweigh this lost contribution to fixed cost,” the utility executive wrote.

PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS are going back to the bargaining table with the state. A letter to teachers from the union’s Hawai`i State Teachers Association president Will Okabe says the union took in 5,000 surveys from teachers when it toured the state for listening sessions, including a meeting here at Ka`u High School. He says there is clear consensus among teachers, and the union plans the following: accept Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s offer to return to bargaining; expand the union’s Negotiations Team to include State Officers of the union and a representative from its Negotiations Committee; and put any agreement before the Negotiations Committee before sending it to a vote by union members. Okabe also vowed to make sure teachers understand any tentative agreement before it goes to a member vote. The union is also continuing legal action with the state Labor Board, contending that the state violated the rights of union members by forcing teachers back to work after they voted against a settlement.

SCHOLARSHIPS FROM THE BIG ISLAND PRESS CLUB are available to college students with Hawai`i Island ties who seek careers in journalism. The press club is comprised of Big Island media professionals and supporters of open government. Offered are the $1,500 Robert C. Miller Memorial Scholarship, the $1,000 Bill Arballo Scholarship, and $500 each in the name of the late Jack Markey and the late Yukino Fukabori. For an application go to bipc.wordpress.com and click on Scholarship Info and Apply for Scholarships. Deadline is June 9. 

HMSA’S KAIMANA AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS deadlines are Feb. 17. The program, sponsored by the health insurer and the Hawai`i High School Athletic Association, promotes physical activity at Hawai`i high schools, rewards achievements of student athletes and supports education for coaches.

Kealani Gangwes

      Among Ka`u High’s veteran outstanding athletes was Kealani Gangwes, who received a Kaimana Award for her excellence in soccer and track and field in 2006.
      Kaimana is the Hawaiian word for diamond, and the awards are accompanied by a crystal trophy. High school seniors are eligible to apply for Kaimana scholarships. Each scholarship is worth $3,000, with an additional $2,000 awarded to scholarship recipients with exceptional qualities. Scholarship selection is based on students’ individual athletic and academic achievement, sportsmanship, and community involvement, with special focus given to students in lower-profile sports. Applicants must maintain a grade-point average of at least 2.75 and participate in one or more sports. Applications are available on the Hawai`i High School Athletic Association website at www.sportshigh.com.
      HMSA also has a new website called Health Care Plain and Simple to answer questions about healthy living and choosing healthcare plans. See HMSA.com. 

RAT LUNGWORM DISEASE remains a problem, particularly on the Big Island. The debilitating parasitic affliction damages the nervous system and can kill its victims. It comes from eating wild or farmed fruit and vegetables that have not been washed thoroughly, and from drinking untreated water. The parasites are carried by tiny slugs that have been exposed to rat feces. A story in this morning’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser by Leila Fujimori reveals the horrific tale of a horticulture student from Minnesota who came to Puna to intern at an organic farm last fall and thinks he contracted the disease from eating a wild guava or passion fruit. He was hospitalized for months and needed life support. Thirty-four cases have been confirmed on the Big Island since 2005. One infant died from the disease. Some who recovered have had to learn to walk again.

VALENTINE’S DAY will be celebrated throughout Ka`u tomorrow.
      Hana Hou Restaurant’s menu includes prime rib, fresh ono, pork tenderloin and surf and turf combos. The specials will be available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
      South Side Shaka’s has Valentine’s Day dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The menu includes prime rib and crab. Call 929-7404 for reservations.
      Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café offers dinner at 6 p.m., with entertainment by Lito Arkangel. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for reservations.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK tomorrow night features Capt. Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa, of Honu`apo, discussing Hawaiian canoes, from the first arrivals to working fishing vessels, giant war canoes and the sleek modern racing craft of today. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

Mark Yamanaka

MARK YAMANAKA shares songs from his debut Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning CD, Lei Pua Kenikeni on Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Donations support future `Ike Hana No`eau programs, and park entrance fees apply. 

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

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

Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 12, 2012

Ka`u homeowners whose houses have less value their mortgages may be able to get some relief from their lenders.

KA`U HOMEOWNERS whose houses are underwater, meaning their value is lower than their mortgages, may be able to get some relief from their lenders. Last week, the federal government announced that Hawai`i will receive $71 million as part of a $25 billion settlement between the fed and five mortgage companies accused of abusing the foreclosure process, fraud and unscrupulous lending practices. Hawai`i attorney general David M. Louie said the the settlement “puts a stop to the bad practices of many banks, and puts into place a comprehensive set of reforms for how banks must treat homeowners with mortgages.” 

      About $8.2 million is expected to go directly to homeowners who have the following mortgage holders, which can be contacted: Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup and Ally Financial.

Mitsunaga  & Associates designed this recreational center
in Manoa Valley. Photo from mitsunagaassociates.com

THE KA`U REGIONAL DISASTER SHELTER AND GYM plan will be available for public comment for 30 days beginning Feb. 23, according to Tammy Kapali, who is working on the Environmental Assessment for consultants PBR Hawai`i. The EA will be posted on the state Department of Health website under the Office of Environmental Quality Control’s public notice section.
      The community facility, which will be run by the county Department of Parks & Recreation, will serve as the Ka`u High and elementary school gymnasium, a public gymnasium, community events venue, community sports and activities center, and a shelter from vog and other natural disasters. It will be the only FEMA-certified disaster shelter in all the District of Ka`u.
      The plan should reveal how much of the facility will be equipped with air cleaners for vog, how much of the land around the building will be paved for parking and whether there will be lighting that protects the clear night skies of Ka`u. The planners, Mitsunaga & Associates, have promised a traditional-looking building that fits in with the historic village architecture. Whether there will be photovoltaic panels to cut the cost of electricity during normal use and to generate electricity during a disaster, since Ka`u is far away from power plants, should also be revealed when the study is published.
      The disaster shelter and gym complex is being built with more than $17 million in state money released to the county after being funded by the Legislature primarily as a disaster shelter.

MUSICIANS WHO FREQUENT KA`U with performances, classes and music workshops are attending the Grammy Awards tonight in Los Angeles. George Kahumoku, Jr. is up for a Grammy for Wao Akua: The Forest of the Gods. The album, in the top five for the Regional Roots category is Hawaiian slack key guitar instrumentals. It is aimed at instilling “a sense of peace, harmony, and lokahi (unity), found within the Wao Akua, the Forest of the Gods,” he said. 

      Keoki Kahumoku, who is traveling with his father to the Grammys today and performed on five Grammy-winning Hawaiian albums, said that even though Hawaiian music and many other regional genre categories were dropped this year, he is happy to see Hawaiian albums still being nominated in the more general categories.
      Daniel Ho, who has taught music composition in Ka`u, is up for Best Pop Instrumental Album for E Kahe Malie. The traditional and original compositions are arranged and performed for solo piano. See more at www.danielho.com.

      The Descendants, which also has music from such composers as Dennis Kamakahi and performers like Cyril Pahinui, who also teach in Ka`u, could be up for Grammys in 2013.

HANA HOU RESTAURANT has early Valentine’s Day specials today from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The menu includes prime rib, fresh ono, pork tenderloin and surf and turf combos. On Tuesday, the specials will be available from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 929-9717 for reservations.

SOUTH SIDE SHAKA’S has Valentine’s Day dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday. The menu includes prime rib and crab. Call 929-7404 for reservations.

LITO ARKANGEL entertains during Valentine’s Day dinner at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café. Seating starts at 5:30 p.m., and dinner is at 6 p.m. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for reservations.

Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa

CAPT. KIKO JOHNSTON-KITAZAWA, of Honu`apo, takes the audience on a voyage of Hawaiian canoes, from the first arrivals to working fishing vessels, giant war canoes and the sleek modern racing craft of today, at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Na Wa`a: The Canoe is an epic, multi-generational presentation on Hawaiian canoes, their various methods of construction, and the formative influence of the canoe on Hawai`i’s past, present, and future. After Dark in the Park takes place at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply. 

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