Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Dec. 13, 2013

Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School is one of five Big Island schools where students are unable to access campus libraries during school hours, unless accompanied by a teacher, because there is no school librarian. The library is also a place where anyone can
follow the state legislature online. Photo from Hawai`i State Library System

“THE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE in the legislative process are you and me,” said Suzanne Marinelli at a workshop on how the public can participate in lawmaking and tracking legislation in Hawai`i. Marinelli, who heads Hawai`i’s Public Access Room at the state Legislature, said that in order for the process to work, “the Legislature needs you to add your voice.” She suggested that the best time to talk to state representatives and senators is when the Legislature is not in session, when they are in their districts rather than at the Capitol in Honolulu. That time is now. The 2014 Hawai`i State Legislature begins Wednesday, Jan. 15. 

      Martinelli noted that Hawai`i has the most transparent legislative process in the country in that anyone, even in a remote place like Ka`u, can go online at capitol.hawaii.gov to testify and search for any word, from surfing to taxes, and find out all the legislation proposed and where it is in the process. Those without computers can go to Pahala Library, which has many computers for public use.

      As well as talking with their senators and representatives, members of the public can also discuss issues with others involved in the legislative process. Marinelli suggested finding out who is on committees that would be involved in an issue and contact them. For example, if someone has an idea for a law regarding traffic, that person could contact members of the Transportation and Public Safety Committees.
      Marinelli also said it’s good to get to know representatives’ and senators’ staff members.
      She also gave tips on submitting testimony for bills:

• Testimony can be submitted at capitol.hawaii.gov. 
• Call or write a letter instead of emailing. 
• If sending email, include your name. 
• Be brief, clear and to the point. 
• Direct testimony to the relevant committee. 
• Instead of following a form letter, use your own words. 
• Explain your position and why it matters. 
• Include return address or contact information.

      The workshop included an overview of the Legislature’s website at capitol.hawaii.gov, where the public can find a wealth of information on current and past Legislatures, track measures and sign up for email notification of progress of measures as they go through the legislative process.

Hawai`i State Legislature's website at capitol.hawaii.gov offers a wealth of information
for citizens who want to follow the upcoming legislative session.

       Marinelli encouraged the public to be persistent, pointing out that during each two-year legislative cycle, a bill that did not make it through the first session automatically comes up for reconsideration in the second year. If it doesn’t make it through the second year, then it dies. Even then, it is possible to continue trying to have an idea considered in future sessions. “Bills die, but ideas never die,” Marinelli said.
      Among those who attended the workshop were Ka`u Farm Bureau vice president Phil Becker, Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative and Friends of Ka`u Libraries member Ann Fontes, South Point Road resident Paul Komara of No GMOs Hawai`i, Ka`u Scenic Byway committee member Lynn Hamilton and former head of the local Democratic party Sara Witt.
      PAR’s website is hawaii.gov/lrb/par. For more information, call 974-4000 x 7-0478 or email par@capitol.hawaii.gov. 

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

LIMITED PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT ACCESS to Pahala Public & School Library and other Big Island libraries is the topic of a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. The library is part of the state library system, and because the school has no school librarian, “students are unable to visit the libraries during normal school hours unless accompanied by a teacher or school administrator,” the story says. 

      According to reporter Megan Moseley, funding of a school librarian position is decided by each school’s administrators, and funding comes from the Department of Education. While Hawai`i State Public Library System is separate from the DOE, but both institutions report to the Board of Education.
      Moseley said Hawai`i Island BOE representative Brian De Lima was aware of a similar situation at Pahoa, where “they have a public library that’s attached to the school, and it presents some challenges for that school, and is something we really need to take a look at,” he said.

   According to the story, De Lima later said he was not aware of any complaints concerning availability of the libraries at the other four schools discussed in the story, including the Pahala campus. “The only concerns that have been raised have been at Pahoa, and issues haven’t come up elsewhere,” he said.

      The subject had previously come up during the 2012 state Legislature, when the state was considering transferring Pahala Public & School Library from the state library system to the DOE. In her testimony, Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School principal Sharon Beck said, “When the school could no longer afford to fund the librarian’s position, the library would not allow students to use the facility without DOE personnel accompanying them.”   

      Pahala Public & School Library, which had until recently been open 15 hours a week, is now open 34 hours a week. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesday 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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Sen. Mazie Hirono 

PROVIDING EXPEDITED TAX RELIEF for Americans making charitable donations in support of Typhoon Haiyan recovery efforts in the Philippines is the purpose of the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act, bipartisan legislation co-introduced by U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono. The bill is intended to spur donations to charitable organizations by allowing taxpayers who donate to the relief efforts to receive tax benefits nearly a year faster than usual.

 

      “With up to 6,000 casualties, almost 1,800 missing people and more than a million destroyed houses in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, it is clear that our work to help this community rebuild is not over,” Hirono said. “We simply cannot wait to support recovery efforts in the Philippines. To help all families during the holiday, the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act will boost charitable giving by providing tax relief this year for those who donate to help communities rebuild homes, schools and roads.”
      Edmund Aczon, chair of the Filipino Community Center Board of Directors, sent a mahalo to Hirono and her colleagues for encouraging Americans to contribute this holiday season. “It has been truly heartbreaking to witness the death and destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Many families are still struggling to rebuild their lives, facing displacement and hunger. Everybody can make a difference, even if it’s donating just a little bit.”
      Taxpayers can claim a tax deduction for contributions they make to charities, but they receive the tax incentive many months later after they file their tax returns the following year. The Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act would eliminate this delay by allowing taxpayers who donate to the relief efforts in the Philippines before March 1, 2014 to take the charitable deduction when they file their 2013 tax returns.
      Original co-sponsors of the bill also include Rep. Colleen Hanabusa.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Arlene Araki and Dick Hershberger sing and play horn for Ka`u Chamber
of Commerce last night in Ocean View. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE held a meeting and Christmas celebration for the public yesterday at Tiki Mama’s in Ocean View, featuring Christmas music with baritone horn, trumpet, accordions, baritone `ukulele, washboard bass and electric bass, drums and piano. A general membership meeting will be announced for January, when The Directory 2014, the Ka`u phone, business and community organization guidebook, will be presented and distributed, said Chamber president Dallas Decker.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE LATEST draft document for the Ka`u Community Development Plan is due this Monday, Dec. 16. Appendix V4C: Local Economic Development Plan Analysis is available to read at area libraries and community centers and online at kaucdp.info. The public can submit testimony using feedback forms found with the reference documents and on the website.
      The appendix discusses opportunities in various sectors of Ka`u’s economy, including construction.
      While the construction sector is still struggling, particularly with new homes, and “it is unlikely any immediate substantive increase in jobs related to construction will be seen in Ka`u, there may be limited opportunities” in this economic sector, according to the analysis. The draft document mentions the possibility of an increase in home remodeling, both from local residents and secondary homeowners.
      Another area of construction possibilities may come from growth in other sectors including renewable energy, health and wellness, education and research, visitor and retail, the document states. 

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

BIG ISLAND POTTERS TR ANDREWS, Ron Hanatani, Shannon Hickey and Carol Yamashita show and sell a variety of their functional and sculptural work at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus on the lawn beside Hale Ho`omana from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. tomorrow during the Second Saturday Volcano Pottery Sale. 

THY WORD MINISTRIES PRESENTS CHRISTMAS IN KA`U tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji. The event offers free lunch plates while supplies last, live entertainment and a craft fair.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION’S Keiki Christmas Party begins at 11 a.m. tomorrow at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Bring lunch to this free program. Call 985-6011 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013

Hundreds of keiki and adults enjoyed a free Christmas dinner and gifts for the kids at the annual Hana Hou Christmas gathering
last night in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

     LORETTA FUDDY, DIRECTOR OF HAWAI`I’S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, died in a plane crash off the coast of Moloka`i yesterday after a Makani Kai Air flight took off on its way to Honolulu. Maui County Fire Department reported that all of the eight other people onboard, including DOH deputy director Keith Yamamoto and the pilot, were rescued after Moloka`i firefighters and the

Coast Guard found them in the ocean, wearing life vests.

    Donna Kekoa, who works at Ka`u Hospital Rural Health Clinic, said "Diliana (Fuddy's first name) "was a pilar of leadership. She cared about the children and famililes of Hawai`i. She was unwaiving in her expectation that we work together to improve the environment and conditions in which people live so that everyone in our state can have the benefit of good health and a good life." Kekoa said that Fuddy helped with the Ka`u Local Consortium, which sponsors activities for childbearing teens and women of Ka`u. She was a beautiful, passionate woman and very down to earth."
    Merilyn Harris, administrator of Ka`u Hospital,  said, “Fuddy was well loved by everyone and well respected by all who worked with her because she was so dedicated and focused on improving the health of the community. Her passion was those people who are the most vulnerable, certainly those who are disadvantaged. She was very active with programs that champion mothers, newborns and early childhood care.”  

Diliana "Loretta" Fuddy and Gov. Neil Abercrombie who chose her to lead the state
Department of Health. Photo from Hawai`i Childrrens Trust Fund

     Nona Wilson, deputy administrator and chief of Nursing at Ka`u Hospital, said Fuddy “had such a fantastic reputation as a community leader. but I knew her more on a personal level. She was from Kaimuki, where I am from, and my sister also graduated from Kaimuki. Loretta and I talked about small kid time. She was a local girl, very personable, very in touch with the community needs from a local perspective. She was a home-grown girl. I knew her on that level.”

     Wilson said that despite the tragedy, the pilot of the plane should be commended. “In a smaller aircraft, he did what Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger did on the Hudson, getting everyone in their life jackets and gliding the plane to safety in the water. From an airline perspective, that is pretty awesome.”

    “Our hearts are broken,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie, who appointed Fuddy as head of DOH in 2011. “Loretta was deeply loved and respected. She was selfless, utterly dedicated and committed to her colleagues in the Department of Health and to the people of Hawai`i. Her knowledge was vast; her counsel and advice always given from her heart as much as from her storehouse of experience.

    “We send our best thoughts to her family and will do all in our power to reflect her professionalism, her love of Hawai`i and the high standard she set for herself and all of us,” Abercrombie said.

      Fuddy was chair of the Hawai`i Public Health Association, president of the Association of State & Territorial Public Health Association and treasurer and secretary of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs. She was recognized for her dedication to public service, advocacy on behalf of children and efforts to expand health care services for the poor.

Free photos and a shaka with Santa
drewkeiki to the Hana Hou event.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Fuddy was at Kalaupapa for an annual meeting of Hansen’s disease patients. As head of DOH, she served as mayor of Kalawao County, where the Hansen’s disease settlement is still run by DOH. Kalaupapa was also the home of two saints; Father Damien and Mother Marianne Cope both served the leprosy patients there.
      U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono said Fuddy “was a dedicated public servant who spent most of her life working to improve public health on behalf of Hawai`i’s families. It was a privilege to work with Loretta since my time in the Hawai`i State Legislature. She touched so many lives and will be missed.”

      State Senate President Donna Mercado Kim said Fuddy “embodied the very spirit and character of public service, dedicating her life to the health and well-being of all of Hawai`i’s people. Under her leadership, she fostered a transparent and collaborative environment, engaging with lawmakers, community members, health care providers and social service organizations.“

      Alice Hall, acting president and chief executive officer of Hawai`i Health Systems Corp, said Fuddy “devoted her life to all facets of healthcare improvement for Hawai`i, including healthcare provisions that HHSC has benefited from. Loretta also has served on the HHSC Corporate Board of Directors, as an ex-officio representative, since 2011. She was a wise, sincere, wonderful person who will be greatly missed.”

Keoki Kahumoku's `ukulele kids provided entertainment at Hana Hou last night. Photo by Julia Neal

      In a story yesterday about Hawai`i’s recent number one ranking in U.S. health care by United Health Foundation, The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs quoted Fuddy telling the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, “This reminds us how fortunate we are to live in the Aloha state.” She noted that state government has long helped the needy with coverage through Med-Quest and the state child health insurance programs.
      “We do very well for the population that’s economically challenged,” Fuddy said.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Free keiki IDs from police officers are
another Christmas gift at the Hana Hou
event. Photo by Julia Neal

THE ANNUAL HANA HOU CHRISTMAS GATHERING for keiki and their families fed close to 1,000 people last night in Na`alehu. Gifts for the kids, with funding donated by community groups and individuals, included a total of about 50 scooters and bikes, large stuffed animals, blankets, electronics and many other keiki items including coloring books. Photos with Santa and free keiki id's, courtesy of police officers were on the agenda. The meal included turkey, veggies, rice, hot dogs, chili, mac and cheese, cake and a Filipino dessert. The event is organized each year by Hana Hou owners Patty and Drake Fujimoto.

PUNALU`U BEACH REOPENED TODAY AT NOON after a county fire helicopter flyover this morning showed no presence of sharks in nearshore waters. 

      Yesterday, a body boarder was attacked by a tiger shark estimated to be between 10 and 12 feet long. Friends took him to Ka`u Hospital, where he received around 40 stitches. According to Department of Land & Natural Resources director William Aila, Jr., the victim was carrying a bright yellow camera, which could have attracted the shark.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

“FARMERS AND OTHER AG AND BUSINESS PEOPLE on the Big Island are in disbelief – to put it mildly – that Mayor Kenoi signed Bill 113, the anti-GMO bill, last week, without first putting together a group to research the science and investigate the serious, unintended consequences we know will result,” says Hamakua Springs Country Farms owner Richard Ha on his blog at hahaha.hamakuasprings.com. “Farmers are very practical and play the position that exists on the chessboard, not the position they wish they had. Most of us are moving into strategic contraction mode now.” 

      Ha decribes the current “level of uncertainty” as comparable to the Great Depression and points to it in deciding to subdivide 264 acres on his farm rather than dedicate them as agricultural land in perpetuity “so we have options as we go forward into a future that has some new uncertainties,” Ha says.

Hamakua Springs Country Farms owner has decided to leave
 his land open for subdivision rather than preserve it in perpetuity
for agriculture. Photo from hahaha.hamakuasprings.com

      “If there’s an upside to the mayor signing the bill, it’s that maybe now we will finally take a real look at the current Peak Oil crisis and how it affects the Big Island’s food self-sufficiency situation, and come to grips with finding long-term solutions.”
      “Being open to safe scientific advances when needed (a.k.a. biotech or 'GMO') would have been a way to decrease our dependence on petroleum products, such as pesticides and fertilizers, and increase our island’s food self-sufficiency.
      “This is not about the sky falling. It’s about common sense. It’s all a matter of how much risk we are willing to take,” Ha writes.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

COFFEE GROWERS AND OTHER KA`U FARMERS are invited to U.H. Cooperative Extension Service’s free Proper Pesticide Use and Safety Workshop Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. 

      Presenters will talk about Federal Worker Protection Standards for ag workers and pesticide handlers, use, application, storage and disposal, “which are major production, labor, marketing, legal and financial risks that growers face,” says a flyer on the program.
      For coffee growers in Ka`u who participated in the Synergist Hawai`i Agriculture Council program, this pesticide safety workshop is required for participation in the current county beauveria program as well as for consideration of future pesticide assistance programs, according John Ah San. For more information, contact him at 928-8188 or jlahsan.coffee.co@hotmail.com.
      Farmers are asked to bring their pesticide cards.
      To register, call 322-4892 or email ginab@hawaii.edu by Tuesday, Dec. 17.

      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

NA`ALEHU SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCIL meets today at the school’s Computer Lab at 5 p.m. The topic is a school data presentation. Coffee and cookies provided. For more information, call 939-2413.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE holds its annual dinner and meeting today at Tiki Mama’s, near the corner of Aloha and Hwy 11 in Ocean View. Cost is $12 per person for dinner. Entertainment at 5 p.m. features live music by the Last Fling Dance Band and magic by Allan Humble. Dinner and voting for new officers are at 6 p.m. RSVP to cytodbd@aol.com or 930-4697.

HAWAI`I LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU’S Public Access Room offers free training to help the public follow the 2014 state Legislature today from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The training demystifies the state lawmaking process and demonstrates ways people can participate in the Legislature. 

SECOND SATURDAY VOLCANO POTTERY SALE will be held at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus on the lawn beside Hale Ho`omana from 9 a.m. to 4 pm. this Saturday. Big Island potters TR Andrews, Ron Hanatani, Shannon Hickey and Carol Yamashita will show and sell a variety of their functional and sculptural work in this outdoor setting.

HOLIDAY EVENTS IN KA`U this Saturday include Christmas in Ka`u from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwanji. The event sponsored by Thy Word Ministries offers free lunch plates while supplies last, live entertainment and a craft fair.
      Ocean View Community Association’s Keiki Christmas Party begins at 11 a.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013

Sunset at South Point, Kalae, last night, captured by Ka`u photographer Peter Anderson.

SHARK SIGHTING - KEEP OUT signs are posted at turtle laden Punalu`u Beach today following a tiger shark biting a bodyboarder 20 yards off shore in 8 feet of water at Ninole Horseshoe  around 8 a.m.. The 29 year-old Captain Cook man was paddling out to bodyboard for his second session with two friends when a shark knocked him off his board.  According to police reports, companions of the surfer identified the attacker as a tiger shark about ten to 12 feet long. Friends escorted the victim to  Ka`u Hospital where he was treated in the Emergency Room, receiving stitches and released.
      As a precaution, the lifeguard at Punalu`u posted signs along the waterfront. Swimming, wading, diving and surfing are prohibited. If no sharks are seen following a helicopter flyover tomorrow by the county fire department, the beach could be reopened by noon.
      Punalu`u waterman Guy Enriques said his sons saw a tiger shark in the bay earlier this week when they were diving at Punalu`u. This is the fourteenth shark attack in the state this year, eight of them in waters off Maui, including one leading to the death of a kayak fisherman. Until this year there were no fatal shark attacks in Hawai`i in a decade. In August, a surfer at Dead Trees in Poho`iki suffered bites to his leg and was hospitalized and recovered.
     O Ka`u Kakou, the community organization, has volunteered to help warn the public to stay out of the water at Punalu`u until the beach reopens, a statement from the State Department of Land & Natural Resources reports. Punalu`u is a favorite spot for sea turtles and hawksbill turtles, a favorite food of tiger sharks.

THE VACANT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SEAT to be left by Denny Coffman, who is resigning to help his family, will be determined through the district’s Democratic party members interviewing prospective candidates and submitting three names directly to Gov. Neil Abercrombie. The governor will make the appointment of the new House member to serve west Ka`u and Kona.
     Names mentioned so far include current County Council member Brenda Ford, who said she plans to stay on the council, south Kona organic coffee farmer Una Greenway; Maile David, who ran to be Ka`u’s County Council member last election and now works for the county clerk; and Dru Kanuha, serving his first term in the County Council.

Denny Coffman resigns to care for his
 family. Photo by William Neal

     The former County Council member for Ka`u, Brittany Smart, who has been living on Maui for the last four months, called it “surreal” that her name was listed as a possibility by Civil Beat other news organizations. She said this morning that she would be unable to take the legislative position with her and her husband’s work commitment on Maui. Smart and her husband were both transferred by their company to its Maui EKO Systems composting facility. Living on Maui, she is ineligible to represent District 5 on the Big Island.
     Smart praised Coffman for his work in the legislature and said, “My heart goes out to Denny and his struggles with his family.” This could not have happened to a nicer guy.
    Chair for the Ka`u area for the Hawai`i County Democrats Committee is Dr. Richard Creagan. Chair for the island is David Tarnas.

HAWAI`I RANKS AT THE TOP AS HEALTHIEST PLACE TO LIVE in 2013, according to United Health Foundation’s annual America’s Health Rankings, released this morning. At the bottom is Mississippi. During the last 24 years, Hawai`i reached number one four times and ranked in the top six in every one of the last 15 years.
    In major measures, Hawai`i ranks third in the country for the least number of smokers and third for the least number of obese people. Hawai`i ranks seventh in the fewest number of people with diabetes. It ranks second in the determinants of good health, with a high rate of health insurance coverage and access to health care. It has one of the lowest rates for cancer and cardiovascular disease. Hawai`i boasts the highest rate of childhood immunization in the country. Eighty-two percent of people exercise regularly in Hawai`i, compared to 77 percent nationally.

Hui Malama provides health services and education in Ka`u.
Photo by Julia Neal

These are more of the Hawai`i highlights, which also show some challenges, according to the America’s Health Rankings report:
• In the past year, smoking prevalence decreased from 16.8 percent to 14.6 percent of adults; however, more than 150,000 adults still smoke.

• Nationally, Hawai`i has one of the lowest prevalence of obesity; however, there are almost 250,000 obese adults in the state.
• In the past year, the violent crime rate decreased from 287 to 239 offenses per 100,000 population.
• In the past five years, levels of air pollution increased from 4.6 to 9.1 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter.
• Hawai`i has the lowest rate of preventable hospitalizations in the nation. In the past 10 years, preventable hospitalizations decreased from 34.8 to 27.4 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees. 

     In addition to the low rate of obesity within the population dominated by Asian, multiracial and Caucasian residents, the health of Native Hawaiians, who have previously registered some of the shortest life spans in the country, has also improved in the last decade, Hawai`i based studies show.
     Local education through Native Hawaiian programs, such as Hui Malama, based in Na`alehu, urges and supports preventative care and teaches a move away from fast foods toward simpler, locally grown nutrition, which gave Hawaiians a healthy and fit lifestyle in ancient times. While obesity rates among Hawaiians are going down, obesity rates within the U.S. population are soaring, rising from around 13 percent in 1990 to 28 percent in 2011. 

    Nationally, diabetes rates have risen since 1996 from under 5 percent to around 9 percent.
     Another organization deep into health education is Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc., which is helping local residents sign up for insurance through the Hawai`i Health Connector. Its executive director Jessie Marques also helps organize health fairs, training for careers in health and organizing studies of lung health in the wake of volcanic emissions. See www.krhcai.com.
     Reaching out to the community to improve health care is Ka`u Hospital which urges residents to fill out its survey online or in person. See surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX.

        Another advance in Ka`u health care is the recent opening of the new Bay Clinic facility in Na`alehu for medical, dental and mental health services. The staff sees patients regardless of whether they have health insurance. 

     Making a big impact on preventative health care is the HMSA health van which gives free physicals to student athletes in Ocean View and on the campus of Ka`u High School, as well as free care to anyone.
     The 2013 America's Health Rankings are not only based on lifestyle choices, availability of medical and preventative care, but also the amount of pollution in the environment. Hawai`i has a low rate of pollution, but more particulates in the air in recent years due to the ongoing volcanic eruption.    

    According to a story in the Honolulu Star Advertiser this morning, State of Hawai`i Director of Health Loretta Fuddy said the number one ranking “reminds us how fortunate we are to live in the Aloha State.” She noted that state government has long helped the needy with coverage through Med-Quest and the state child health insurance programs.
     "We do very well for the population that's economically challenged," Fuddy said.

A STRONG VOICE FOR CLIMATE PREPAREDNESS AND RESILIENCE is what Gov. Neil Abercrombie calls his participation in the President’s Task Force on the issue. Abercrombie attended the first meeting yesterday at the White House’s Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. On the task force are seven other governors, numerous mayors and Native American tribal officials.
   A statement from Abercrombie said, “The President established the task force to advise his administration on how the federal government can respond to the needs of communities nationwide that are currently dealing with or anticipate extreme weather, sea level rise, and other impacts of climate change.”
 Named to the task force last month, Abercrombie attended along with Deputy Chief of Staff Blake Oshiro and Hawaii State Sustainability Coordinator Jacqueline Kozak Thiel.
     Cited as factors in his selection for the task force were Abercrombie’s congressional experience (including serving on the Armed Forces Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces, and as a senior member on the Natural Resources Committee) “along with his ability to provide insight into the needs of the Asia-Pacific region,” the statement from his office said.

HAWAI`I LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU’S Public Access Room offers free training to help the public follow the 2014 state Legislature tomorrow, Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The training demystifies the state lawmaking process and demonstrates ways people can participate in the Legislature.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL WAHINE VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM fell to the Konawaena Wildcats last night, 11 - 69. Denisha Navarro led the Trojans , scoring 6 points. Ka`u Wahine basketball will host the Kea`au Cougars on Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL team spent four days at the Waiakea - Kea`au Classic Basketball tournament in Hilo from Dec. 4 - 7. On Wednesday, Ka`u defeated Kea`au Two, 57 - 41. On Thursday, Konawaena defeated Ka`u, 58 - 20. On Friday, Kea`au Defeated Ka`u 59 - 40, and on Saturday, Kaiser defeated Ka`u 69 - 32. The next preseason tournament will be on Dec. 19 - 21 hosted by St. Joseph High School.

Drake Fujimoto invites all keiki to the annual Hana Hou Christmas party today
 at 5 p.m. Photo by Julia Neal

HANA HOU RESTAURANT’S KEIKI CHRISTMAS PARTY is today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Na`alehu. The annual event includes buffet dinner, lucky number prizes, keiki ID and photos with Santa. Call 929-9717 for more information.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE holds its annual dinner and meeting tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 12 at Tiki Mama's, near the corner of Aloha and Hwy 11 in Ocean View. Cost is $12 per person for dinner. Entertainment at 5 p.m. will feature live music by The Last Fling Dance Band and magic by Allan Humble. Dinner and voting are at 6 p.m. RSVP to cytodbd@aol.com or 930-4697.

SECOND SATURDAY VOLCANO POTTERY SALE will be held at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus on the lawn beside Hale Ho'omana, from 9 am - 4 pm. this Saturday, Dec. 14. Big Island potters TR Andrews, Ron Hanatani, Shannon Hickey and Carol Yamashita will show and sell a variety of their functional and sculptural work, in this outdoor setting.

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park continues its exhibit featuring artist-designed holiday wreaths and ornaments continues, in addition to the fine art that the gallery features year-round. The gallery is open from 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. every day but Christmas Day from now until the end of the year.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.