Ka`u News Briefs July 12, 2012

Aerial hunting to eradicate invasive animals is used across the country.
Photo from National Resources Defense Council

AERIAL SHOOTING OF GAME FOR ERADICATION OR SPORT became illegal under county law yesterday when Mayor Billy Kenoi signed the bill that was passed unanimously by the County Council. It bans “any person to engage in the eradication of any animal for any reason while being transported by helicopter, airplane or any similar means.” However, the measure could have no impact on the state Department of Land & Natural Resources or the federal government when they use helicopters to eliminate invasive feral animals such as sheep and goats from lands where they are attempting to protect and revive native plants and animals. 

Goats are hunted by air in hard to hike to places.  
Photo from care2.com

      The county law has no jurisdiction over animal control on state and federal lands, according to state attorneys. In fact the state Department of Land & Natural Resources is required by the federal government to conduct aerial hunting to protect the habitat of the endangered palila bird.
     The new county law, however, declares aerial hunting as conflicting “with the cultural and traditional values of the people of Hawai`i County.” It also claims aerial hunting risks “human life, while also disturbing endangered flora and fauna” like the palila bird.
 

Ed Case
Photo by Julia Neal

ED CASE AND LINDA LINGLE are neck and neck in a poll released by the Lingle campaign for Hawai`i U.S. Senator yesterday. The poll conducted by the Voter/Consumer Research polling firm showed the Republican Lingle one point behind Democratic primary contender Ed Case and five points ahead of his opponent Mazie Hirono.

Mazie Hirono
Photo by William Neal

      Members of the Democratic Party have been asking the question: If Hirono wins the primary on Aug. 11, could Lingle beat her? A Republican winning in the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the Democrat Dan Akaka could lead to Democrats losing their majority in the U.S. Senate. Republicans controlling both houses of congress would put a stranglehold on initiatives by Pres. Barack Obama and threaten his efforts to be elected to his second term, Gov. Neil Abercrombie reminded voters when addressing the annual Democratic Party July 4 picnic on the Big Island last week.

Linda Lingle

     A statement from Lingle said, “I am very pleased to see that my message of bipartisanship and common-sense solutions to our state and nation’s problems is resonating with the voters of Hawai`i. The momentum and confidence that is building for our campaign are reflected in the polling numbers we received.”

UP TO 20 STUDENTS FROM KA`U, grades 6 – 12, are invited to Na Pua No`eau to engage in Mauka Makai enrichment sessions in the Kohala district Friday, July 27 through Sunday, July 29. Transportation will be provided to students in Ka`u. `Opio (youth) can contact Tiffnie Kakalia at 974-7678 or email tiffnie@hawaii.edu. See the Na Pua No`eau registration form and send it in by fax, scan or mail to ensure each child's participation. Confirmation of attendance will be sent as soon as the completed 2012/2013 registration form is received in the Hilo office.
      A special invitation is being offered to select past NPN students with high interest in learning more about their culture and place. The program is sponsored by University of Hawai`i Center for Gifted and Talented Native Hawaiian Children, Na Pua No`eau.

Police are warning of scams that exploit elders.

UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS ARE SCAMMING Big Island senior citizens, the Hawai`i Police Department warns. A statement from HPD says the scammers ask to be paid up front for such jobs as power washing and painting homes, paving driveways, performing auto body and mechanical repairs. They claim that material and supplies need to be purchased in advance. “The potential victim verbally agrees and often pays the subject, who completes only a portion of the agreed upon work and leaves, claiming that he will return later to complete the job. The victim makes several attempts to contact the subject, who never returns to complete the job,” says the HPD statement.
      A variation on this scam is one in which the victim makes full payment in advance—often an exorbitant amount—and then receives shoddy results.
     Police caution the public against agreeing to having residential improvements done without first conducting their own research. Although many unlicensed contractors perform excellent work, the remedies are few if an unlicensed contractor performs substandard work.
     Consumers can ask for documents of identification from the individuals performing any work and only sign a written contract that specifies conditions of the project, including a deadline.
      Police ask that anyone who may have been victimized in a similar scam call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or go to the nearest police station to file a complaint.
      Consumers may also call the division of the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) of the State of Hawai`i Department of Commerce & Consumer Affairs (DCCA) at 808-587-3222. The RICO web address is hawaii.gov/dcca/rico/.

U.S. Passports or other documents are required to
prove legal authorization to be in the country when
applying for or renewing Hawai`i driver's licenses
or permits.

ONLY THOSE LEGALLY AUTHORIZED to be in the United States are allowed drivers licenses and learning permits, according to new and tougher federal and state mandates. Individuals applying for or renewing a Hawai`i driver’s license or permit are required to provide proof of identity, date of birth, Social Security Number, and legal presence. Proof of an individual’s legal presence includes a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport or other documents.
      Meetings to explain these new requirements and to answer questions on applying for or renewing driver’s licenses and permits will be held in Hilo on Tuesday, July 24, from 5p.m. to 6 p.m.
 Aupuni Center Conference Room
 101 Pauahi Street and in Kona on Thursday, July 26, 5p.m. to 6 p.m. 
at County Council Room in Building A of 
West Hawai`i Civic Center, 
74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Kailua-Kona.
     Information about the new requirements is available online at http://hawaiicounty.gov/finance-dl-hi-legal-presence. Ask questions by emailing vehiclerl@co.hawaii.hi.us.settings.

REMNANTS OF FORMER HURRICANES DANIEL AND EMELIA heading this way prompted a statement about disaster preparedness from Hawai`i Electric Light Co. yesterday. The company noted that helcohi.com offers a consumer guide to emergency preparedness that includes phone numbers to have on hand, checklists for emergency supplies such as a home survival and first aid kits, electrical safety information, power outage preparedness and recovery, household and food safety tips, and references and links to related resources such as the American Red Cross, Federal Emergency Management Agency and civil defense agencies.
      For those without Internet, HELCO has a free Information Handbook for Emergency Preparedness at their customer service offices in Hilo, Waimea, and Kona or by calling 969-0127.
     Both the website and handbook answer questions and concerns, including how to protect electronic equipment from power disturbances, how to use emergency generators safely, what to do during a power outage, and water use and safety during and after an extended power outage.

Tropical Depression Daniel nears Hawai`i this morning. Image from NOAA

     If power should go out, HELCO reminds customers:
 Use flashlights instead of candles as an open flame may create a fire hazard. Keep refrigerators closed and avoid peeking inside which allows cold air to escape. Turn off as many lights or appliances as possible – leaving one light switched “on” so you know when power is restored – and unplug computers, televisions and other high-tech equipment to avoid damage from a possible surge as power is restored.
     Those who must leave home are reminded to unplug or turn off appliances.
 If a member of a household is on life-sustaining electrical equipment, an emergency plan for an outage is recommended. Those needing emergency transportation to a hospital or other facilities with emergency generators, call 911.
     When moving around outside, stay away from downed power lines. Assume they are energized and dangerous. If someone is injured after touching a downed power line, call 911 for help; don’t try to rescue them as the rescuer could become a victim. Report downed power lines by calling HELCO at 969-6666.
     During and after a storm, stay tuned to local media reports on HELCO’s progress in assessing and repairing major damage.

HA`AO/SOUTH POINT AG WATER CO-OP meets today at 2:30 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. The group plans to work on bylaws and assembling a board of directors. Contact Alison Yahna at beeoracle@hotmail.com.

A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER meeting will be held tonight at HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office, 7 p.m., for all those interested in volunteering and taking Red Cross training. Call Hannah Uribes 929-9953 for more.

Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa displas his canoe at the
 Cultural Festival. Photo by Jay Robinson/NPS

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S CULTURAL FESTIVAL is this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can enjoy hula kahiko and music by: Keiki o Halau o Kekuhi, Halau Ulumamo o Hilo Paliku, Hula Halau `O Kahikilaulani, Halau Ha'akea o Kinohi, Manailehua and Diana Aki. Visitors are also invited to watch skilled practitioners demonstrate their art and learn how to beat kappa, weave a coconut basket and a lauhala hat or bracelet, sew a feather kahili and traditional lei, create a native garden, and learn the medicinal qualities of plants. Visitors can also play Hawaiian games and taste taro, sweet potato, sugar cane and breadfruit. The festival is free and entrance fees are waived for the day. To find out more call 985-6011.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND needs volunteers for the Saturday Ka`u beach cleanup. Meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. Sign up with Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

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

Kau News Briefs July 11, 2012

Theresa Alderdyce (pointing to the fundraiser check) ran Ka`u Family Center in Na`alehu for more then 20 years, helping with food banks and many projects and services for women, children and fathers. It shuts down on Friday.

FAMILY SUPPORT HAWAI`I is unable to keep Ka`u Family Center in Na`alehu open despite a grant of $30,000 from Hawai`i County for next fiscal year. The majority of funding for Family Support comes from state of Hawai`i contracts and federal money. It also receives grants from United Way, which has been able to fund all its programs, said Charmaine Shigemura, a United Way board member and staff member in Mayor Billy Kenoi’s office. Shigemura said such programs are high on the mayor’s list of priorities, that he has helped get funding for such programs. “We’re happy we’ve been able to sustain the program for so long. It’s really hard in these times of working with less.” she said. 

      The shutdown is planned for Friday and longtime employee Theresa Alderdyce is set to lose her job. Petitions have gone out to the mayor, governor and other public officials.

MONEY APPROVED BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO FIGHT COFFEE BERRY BORER was vetoed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie who said it could have taken $196,000 away from a revolving loan for farmers seeking financing for agricultural endeavors. Instead, the governor said, $200,000 will become available for coffee berry eradication from a barrel tax and will be administered by the state Department of Agriculture, under the leadership of Russell Kokubun.

Coffee berry borer ravaged Hawai`i Island, most likely after
being imported in coffee used to blend with Kona.
Photo from the International Coffee Organization

GRADE AND ORIGIN OF HAWAI`I-GROWN COFFEE no longer require state inspection and certification before shipping. However, the new law makes false labeling a third-degree felony. Gov. Neil Abercrombie yesterday let the bill become law without his signature, following protests from the Kona Coffee Farmers Association, which wanted the bill vetoed. The association claimed that blenders and brokers wanted the inspection requirement removed in order to ease government regulations and oversight. They also said that inspections protected their regional brand names on which they depend for their high-end market. The organization posted on its website: “Very sad day. Our Governor of Hawai`i allowed HB280 to become law today. Processors may now self-certify for origin and quality. The integrity of Kona Coffee is allowed to be compromised by big $$ interests.”
      The Hawai`i Coffee Association and several other groups, largely comprised of mills and wholesalers, contended that a lack of inspectors was holding up coffee going to market. Chris Manfredi, who represents the owners of the land where much of the award winning Ka`u Coffee grows, supported the elimination of the required inspections for origin and quality.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie parades along Big Island roads. Photo by William Neal

The governor stated that the bill “marks the beginning for the Department of Agriculture to work with stakeholders and develop the framework for what is necessary to protect our state products.” The bill that ends the required inspections is one of six that became law yesterday without the governor’s signature. Others include:

A BOOST FOR AG TOURISM is a new law that allows vacation rentals on agricultural land – starting with Maui county. The governor allowed the bill to become law without signing it but asked that all the counties review their laws in anticipation of the Maui experiment succeeding and becoming a possibility for other islands. 

LOCAL CONTACTS FOR owners of vacation rentals are required under the new law. This bill originally started with a mandate that each vacation rental owner living off island engage an on island realtor for each transaction. The state wants to make sure it receives transient accommodations taxes due from out of state owners but settled for an on-island contact rather than a realtor. All advertising, including internet sites, must also show the transient accommodations license number for the accommodations.

IGNITION INTERLOCK to prevent drunken driving is on its way to becoming available in Hawai`i, as the governor allowed the bill to pass without his signature. Repeat intoxicated drivers would be allowed to drive again with ignition interlock devices in their vehicles. The driver must breathe into the device to measure alcohol level. If it is high, the car won’t start. 

The Ignition Interlock will prevent a vehicle from starting if
 the driver'sbreath registers an illegal alcohol level.
Photo from safedriveschools.org

SMOKING IN PUBLIC HOUSING will still be allowed as Gov. Neil Abercrombie vetoed a bill that would have prohibited smoking outside of designated areas. Abercrombie said that he would like smoking to be reduced over time and eventually establish a ban. Supporters argued that the state is liable for the health of children and adults living in its public housing.

BILLS SIGNED INTO LAW include measures that add penalties for negligent homicide in the first and second degrees and negligent injury in the first degree when the incident involves a vulnerable highway user such as a bicyclist; a new traffic law requiring drivers to move over when passing a stationary emergency vehicle on a highway; and a ban on aerial luminaries, including ignition, possession and selling them. The lanterns that float into the sky are considered a fire hazard. Another new law requires the state Department of Education to create a Safe Routes to School program.

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE for the Aug. 11 primary election is tomorrow, July 12. Those who can register to vote must be a citizen of the United States of America; a legal resident of Hawai`i; and at least 16 years of age (pre-registration is allowed at age 16, however all must be 18 years old by election day to vote).

     Convicted and confined felons and those declared mentally incompetent are not eligible. Those who have changed their names or moved residence are also required to register.
     To download the Wikiwiki voter registration form, go to
http://hawaii.gov/elections/forms/voter_application.pdf

KITV CHANNEL 4 remained off the air this morning with no word on when a dispute between Time Warner cable and content company Hearst Television would be resolved. Hearst said that Time Warner cable was tripling the cost it charges Hearst to carry its broadcast in a market where more than 95 percent of viewers depend on cable and satellite. KITV is still available online and through DISH Network and DirecTV satellite service. Also off the air are affiliate stations Me TV; its HD signals; analog Channel 4 and the ABC programming scheduled for Primetime on Demand. Hawai`i joins other television markets where ABC is off cable during the dispute: Kansas City, Louisville, Cincinnati and Pittsuburgh; as well as Plattsburgh New York; Hartford, Vermont; Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Lincoln, Nebraska and Portland, Maine. 

Daniel will pass south of Hawai`i this weekend and Hurricane Emilia is expected to weaken before reaching here.
Image from National Weather Service.

DANIEL, the former hurricane, now downgraded to a depression, is already sending high surf to South Point and the eastern shores of Ka`u. The National Weather Services issued a high surf warning at midnight, extending it through 6 p.m. Friday, as high waves from the east are expected to keep building today and reach a peak on Thursday and Friday. Ocean and beachgoers are advised to use caution to avoid rip currents and beach erosion by surf. Daniel may also bring some rain relief to Ka`u. Hurricane Emilia is following Daniel and also expected to weaken.

High surf advisory through Friday, courtesy of Daniel.
Light purple is the small craft advisory areas.
Image from Nation Weather Service

HA`AO/SOUTH POINT AG WATER CO-OP meets tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. The group plans to work on bylaws and assembling a board of directors. Contact Alison Yahna at beeoracle@hotmail.com.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND needs volunteers with four-wheel-drive vehicles for the Saturday Ka`u beach cleanup. Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park and should be back by 3 p.m. Sign up with Megan Lamson. There is currently room for a dozen more volunteers who don’t have four wheel drive. Contact kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629. HWF will also sponsor an anchialine pool workday on July 25.

A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER meeting will be held tomorrow at HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office at 7 p.m. It is for all those interested in volunteering and taking Red Cross training. Call Hannah Uribes 929-9953.

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

Ka`u News Briefs July 10, 2012

First container from Pasha lands in Honolulu. Photo from Pasha

EMILIA IS A CATEGORY FOUR HURRICANE moving west-northwest toward Hawai`i. This morning, winds were clocked at 130 mph with higher gusts. Emilia is expected, however, to weaken before it reaches Hawaiian waters and may be just a tropical storm or depression when passing by. Daniel, meanwhile, is now a tropical storm and could pass farther south of the Big Island toward the end of this week than earlier expected. Daniel is expected to bring hazardous coastline conditions for boaters, shore fishermen, opihi pickers, snorkelers, divers and surfers later this week.

Mayor Billy Kenoi and his County of Hawai`i contingent
in a Fourth of July Parade. Photo by Julia Neal

MAYORAL CANDIDATES DIFFERED on trash, land preservation and funding retiree health care during a forum held in Kona last night as the Aug. 11 primary election approaches. A report by Chelsea Jensen in this morning’s West Hawai`i Today says the “three leading candidates butted heads.”

Harry Kim

      Regarding health care, County Council chair Dominic Yagong has been trying to get the administration to pay ahead on health insurance payment for county retirees and pushed the point during the forum. Mayor Billy Kenoi has said the payments are on time but not ahead during this time of county fiscal restraint. Yagong has argued that advance payments are made to help cover shortfalls with possible rising prices in the future. West Hawai`i Today reports him saying last night: “My father always told me, ‘Never leave the problem to the next man. You do what you can today even if it’s only a portion.’ Making some kind of payment is something we should be doing as a government.” Former Mayor Harry Kim, who is running to win his seat again after serving the maximum allowable consecutive terms, said, “It should be paid,” the story reported him saying.

Dominic Yagong greeted residents watching a Fourth of
July Parade. Photo by William Neal

      Regarding the 532 tons of trash generated by island residents and visitors each day, the Jensen story reported the former mayor saying, “I firmly believe the worst thing we can do is continuing land-filling.” Yagong said that new technology should be adopted to defer trash from landfills but said Hilo landfill should be expanded temporarily to give the county time to solve the problem. Kenoi said that Hilo International Airport is too close to the landfill to allow expansion and that the leaching of substances from the trash is a problem, the story reported.

      Regarding land preservation, the West Hawai`i Today story reported that Kim said he’d like to see the coastline open for the people, but was sad the state Land Use Commission turned down a recent development that would benefit Kona and the island. Regarding 300 acres at O`oma site near Kona, Yagong said he supports development mauka and open space on the coast. Kenoi, while saying conservation land should be protected, said there is potential for commercial development fronting Queen Kaahumanu Highway, the Jensen story reported.

CHANNEL FOUR, KITV was dropped by Oceanic Cable TV as a result of a contract dispute between Hearst Television and Time Warner Cable. “The ownership of KITV has forced us to stop carrying this channel. “Visit www.twcconversations.com/local,” says the message from the cable company on the blackened screen. The agreement between Time Warner and KITV owners apparently ended at midnight. KITV.com continued to operate this morning online.

PASHA HAWAI`I is heating up competition in the ocean shipping business by adding containers to its offerings on routes between Hilo, Kahului, Honolulu and Nawiliwili and San Diego, Los Angeles and Northern California. The next Hilo arrival dates are July 20, Aug. 2 and Aug. 16. The company previously handled cars, motorcycles and boats but refitted the MV Jean Anne ship to take on up to fifty 40-foot containers each way, plus the vehicles. Pasha serves San Diego, while Matson, Inc. serves Long Beach, Oakland, Portland and Seattle. Pasha is also a major shipper for the military. See more at pashahawaii.com.

FALLING OIL PRICES have brought a slight reduction in electric bills, but the average price per household statewide is over $200 a month. On the Big Island, rates for homes dropped to 41.4 cents a kilowatt-hour. The rate last month was 42 cents. The average bill remained at $258.68, higher than rates on Kaua`i, Maui and O`ahu.
      While rates fell this month statewide, they are still higher than last year and remain highest in the country. On the mainland, the average residential rate was 12 cents per kilowatt-hour in April. In Hawai`i the rate was 37.5 cents.

HAWAI`I’S BIRD POLLINATORS: A LOVE STORY is the title of tonight’s program at After Dark in the Park. UH-Hilo professor Jonathan Price explains the connection between Hawai`i’s native endemic birds and ancient flowers 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.

Volunteers remove derelict nets during a previous
Ka`u beach cleanup. Photo from HWF

HA`AO/SOUTH POINT AG WATER CO-OP holds a meeting Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. The group will discuss bylaws and begin to assemble a board of directors. Contact Alison Yahna at beeoracle@hotmail.com.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND is looking for volunteers with four-wheel-drive vehicles for this Saturday’s Ka`u beach cleanup. Volunteers meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park. The group should be back at the park by 3 p.m. To be sure of a ride to the remote site, sign up with Megan Lamson at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629. HWF also sponsors anchialine pool workdays tomorrow and again on July 25.

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