Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Susan the Silent (Susie Halemano) wants to share a secret with everyone in KDEN's production of 
Finian's Rainbow. The show runs through July 23 at KMC's Kilauea Theatre. See below.

NATIVE KOA BURNED, along with ‘ōhi‘a in a quarter acre forest fire Tuesday behind a cabin at Nāmakanipaio Campground in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park officials are seeking witnesses and report that the fire started behind Cabin 3 shortly before 3 p.m., and was human-caused. A female and several children told firefighters they saw how it started, but left the scene before anyone could get her name and contact information. The fire was quickly doused with water by County of Hawai‘i Engine 19, Volcano volunteer company 19, and National Park Service resources. No structures were burned, although flames came close to Cabin 3. No closures or evacuations were required.

Smoke obscures the koa and ‘ōhi‘a forest at 

Nāmakanipaio Campground on Tuesday 

afternoon. NPS Photo/Luke Kittle

      An investigation is underway. Witnesses and anyone with information about the fire are encouraged to call Park Dispatch at 808-985-6170. Callers may remain anonymous. “With a hot and dry summer upon us, we’re definitely at an increased risk for fire in the park, and across the island,” said Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Fire Management Officer Greg Funderburk. “It’s important to remember that while parts of the island might be getting rainfall, other areas are very dry and quite susceptible to fire,” he said.

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THE VICTIM LEFT A NOTE, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park revealed yesterday. They identified the 38-year-old man recovered early Sunday morning near the bottom of Kīlauea caldera as Gregory Michael Ure, also known as Leo Michael Adonis, of California. His last known address was La Mesa, CA.

     Park officials confirm the finding of a note in the backpack belonging to the victim. Details concerning the note and circumstances of the death will not be publicly discussed until the National Park Service has concluded its investigation and the county pathologist has ruled on the cause of death. Last Saturday, two visitors discovered a backpack on Crater Rim Trail at approximately 7 p.m. Park dispatch was notified, and rangers searched the caldera rim and floor on foot, but were unable to locate its owner. The search was suspended due to unsafe conditions at night, and resumed at dawn on Sun., July 9. Rangers aboard a helicopter found the victim about 250 feet below the caldera rim, in an area that is not currently erupting, around 5:35 a.m. Sunday.

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TROPICAL STORM FERNANDA is headed toward Hawai`i and is predicted to become a major hurricane by Monday evening. Though still too far away for any accurate prediction, Fernanda is the first of this Hurricane season to take aim at the Hawaiian Islands and could enter the Central Pacific in about a week.

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DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN HAWAI`I ARE LOW compared to much of the United States, Hawaiʻi  ranks 43rd in the nation, the rank remaining steady over the past six years, even though drug overdose rates continue to rise across the nation.

      However, drug overdose remains the leading form of injury-related deaths for Hawaiʻi residents, accounting  for 23 percent of all fatal injuries, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch. While heroin-related overdoses are much less frequent in the state, Hawaiʻi is experiencing an increase in deaths from heroin overdoses, which mirrors the alarming national trend.

      The rates include deaths from prescription opioids, and regular use of prescribed opioids can lead to dependence. This has resulted in a national epidemic of overdose incidents and deaths.

       A statement on Wednesday from Hawai`i's Gov. Davud Ige says that he and the state Department of Health are  taking an aggressive approach to prevent Hawaiʻi from experiencing the same rate of opioid-related overdoses and deaths as other states. “This is a challenge that requires the best minds working together in our islands,” said the governor. “We can stem the tide by taking action now and working collaboratively across multiple state agencies to prevent harm and save the lives of Hawaiʻi’s people.” On Wednesday, he brought together heads of agencies, departments, and key partners from across Hawaiʻi to kick off this coordinated opioid abuse initiative. 

     Led by the state Department of Health, the group includes representatives of the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division, and Department of Public Safety Narcotics Enforcement Division. The two areas within the Department of Health facilitating this effort with the support of federal grant funds are the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division and the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch.

     The newly expanded initiative includes a strategic planning session to support a comprehensive statewide plan. The group will build on policy initiatives that align with those recommended by the National Governor's Association to prepare proposals for the 2018 legislative session, said Ige.

          So far, the effort in Hawai`i has achieved expanded access to drugs that can prevent opioid-overdoses (known as “opioid antagonists”) to health care professionals, harm reduction organizations, pharmacists, all first responders and any person positioned to prevent an opioid-related drug overdose mortality. Opioid antagonists are prescription medications that help to reverse the toxic effects of opioid over-medication and overdose. Laboratory research and clinical trials have also shown that opioid antagonists enhance the pain-killing capabilities of opioids, such as morphine and oxycodone.

Chloe Gan wins a $2,000
scholarship from AAUW.

       Another hallmark is the legislature passing Act 218 to reduce inappropriate prescribing of opioids. It limits the prescribing of schedule II narcotic drugs, including schedule II opioids, except in cases where the patient is certified as terminally ill or when the single-dose packaging exceeds the limit; requires that controlled substances registrants obtain access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program as part of the State of Hawai`i controlled substances registration process; allows pharmacists and physicians to appoint staff members who can access PDMP information as a delegate of the physician or pharmacist delegate; broadens access to PDMP information by allowing the Narcotics Enforcement Division Administrator to give access to government regulatory agencies during joint investigations; and requires prescribing health care providers to adopt and maintain policies for informed consent to opioid therapy.

     "These early successes and the work that the opioid initiative will do in the coming months will result in a comprehensive, coordinated action plan to aggressively counteract the increased abuse of opioids in Hawaiʻi," said the statement from the governor's office.

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CHLOE GAN, OF KA`U HIGH SCHOOL, was one of  three  students from West Hawai`i schools to receive a $2000 scholarship from the Kona chapter of the American Association of University

Women to assist with future educational goals. The other two recipients were Neena Charles from Mauka Lani Christian Academy and Komela McAuliffe from Honokaa High School.

      Gan, who graduated in 2017, loves science and will study mechanical engineering at the University of Portland. She was at the top of her class, won Best in Engineering/Environmental Science at Hawai`i District Science Fair, earned the Legislator of the Year award in youth and government, is a member of the National Honor Society, a youth mentor, and helped organize a community event that showcased local youth talent. 

     According to Madalyn McWhite-Lamson, coshair of the AAUW sholarship committee, Gan "is described as one of the most intellectual, sincere, and dedicated students " and also was very involved in social justice issues, participated in 4H, and was captain of the cross country team. Gan hopes to return to Ka'u and help empower youth and to improve the lives of the people around her, said McWhite-Lamson.

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Ihe cast finishes  "Great Come-and-Get- It- Day" one of the 

numbers  in KDEN's production of Finian's Rainbow.

The show continues its run through July 23.

FINIAN'S RAINBOW CONTINUES ITS RUN at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater through July 23rd with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, and are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea’au Natural Foods, and the Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

Red Cross Volunteer meeting, Thu, July 13, 7 p.m., HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office. For volunteers and those interested in becoming volunteers. Hannah Uribes, 929-9953

Papa ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Fri, July 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. This beginning Hawaiian language course continues for eight weeks. $90/$80 VAC members. 967-8222

Recycling at Nā‘ālehu School, Sat, July 15, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nā‘ālehu School Gym. Redeem your HI-5 sorted by type; receive 5 cents per container and additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. 939-2413, ext. 230.Hula Performance, Sat, July 15, 10:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kumu hula Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Halauolaokalani. Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu & ‘ohana, 11a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mongolian BBQ, Sat, July 15, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356 for more details.

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Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, July 11, 2017

The KAHU Radio Station Building is on old Pahala sugar mill property presented for acquisition on Monday
to the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Commission.
Local shows were broadcast with such hosts as the late Bobby Gomes who invited keiki to play music.
It still serves as the relay station for Hawai`i Public Radio and for emergency broadcasting.
Photo by Julia Neal 

SUPPORT FOR KA`U SUGAR MILL PARK was presented to the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Commission on Monday. The 60-plus acres are up for auction on July 28, following foreclosure on owners who had planned to build a water bottling plant.

Clyde Silva speaking of Ka`u's
history during Plantation Days.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Testimony from Pahala resident Clyde Silva said, "This site of the former sugar factory, mill yard and old plantation camps offers this community and island a rare opportunity to remember and reflect on an era that is so rich in the history of our community and its people. A way of remembering where we came from, and who are are. It would serve as a way to teach the young generations and generations to come, of the history and culture of the area and the state of Hawai`i, which is offered nowhere else on this island."

    "The park could also provide for recreation and community events and camping," recommended Silva.

Volunteers and contractors using Civil Defense money moved equipment

in October 2011 to a communications tower to provide a broader reach

for KAHU-FM Radio. Photo by Julia Neal

    Other testimony included support to preserve the old KAHU radio station building, which is now the location for Hawai`i Public Radio broadcasting into Ka`u. The radio station building from the early 1900s was Hilo Bank, then Bank of Hawai`i, a dentist office, pool hall, economic development classroom and radio station. It features a mural of plantation days and the old sugar camps where the grandparents and great grandparents of many Pahala residents lived as immigrants to Hawai`i.

    The building supports Civil Defense through emergency radio transmissions. Civil Defense funds were used to establish the station since Ka`u was otherwise without emergency broadcasting. It was also a community radio station where the late Bobby Gomes and other hosts invited keiki to play music on the air.

     Kamuela resident Lynn Fraguen who visits Ka`u, wrote the commissioners: "The old mill and Ka`u residents have been a highly ignored part of the history of our state. Respect for this part of our history needs to be preserved and honored in such a way that both look back and look forward." 

    Pahala residents Gabriel and Cheryl Cuevas sent in a number of ideas for the land, including: camping area for guest visitors
with historical info on area, including how residents overcame losing their main employer - the sugar mill - to become successful coffee growers and how they built a coffee industry where there was none; a skate park and possibly small dirt bike course; amphitheater for arts and entertainment, including local musicians and hula halau; small studio type shops for commercial use on a small scale; a visitor info center focusing on Ka`u.

A Ka`u sugar truck comes past the old sugar mill site
during Plantation Days. Photo by Julia Neal

     They also suggested development of an outdoor venue for such events as vintage car and motorcycle shows. They said the old mill site could be  a "Place to gather outside of the busier towns," a place for recreation in a more relaxed rural area.

     They wrote that "small shops or small business incubators could be developed," and the mill site could provide a place for such enterprises as car repair, solar energy, contracting and other small businesses.  A trade school could be located on the land. 

     The suggestion for the site becoming a park, presented to the commission by Dorothy Silva, of Pahala, also mentioned the spring as a possible back up water source for the community. 

      Should there be a willing seller of the property the Open Space Commission members will likely visit the property as it plans to prioritize suggestions for acquisitions of property around the island.

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GOV. DAVID IGE VETOED THE TINY HOUSE AND AQUARIUM COLLECTION BILLS ON Tuesday along with 11 more bills on his veto list. 

    Two of the bills on his veto list, he signed into law. HB 523, Relating to Recycling, allows the state Department of Accounting and General Services to set up recycling at properties it manages. HB 575 Relating to Public Lands allows the state to extend leases of commercial, hotel, resort and industrial state owned properties when lessees make substantial improvements. This was supported by the Hawai`i County administration and County Council along with SB1184, which establishes a Redevelopment District and Fund for Hilo waterfront and HB 1469 which sets procedures for other redevelopment districts.

A bill to allow 500 square feet or smaller homes on ag
land for workers and ag families was vetoed.
Photo from Tiny House Hawai`i

 VETO OF TINY HOUSE BILL: Explaining his veto of HB 2, the governor said that it would have authorized the placement of “tiny homes” of 500 square feet or less of living space within the state agriculture district of Hawai‘i County. These “tiny homes” would have been used by farm workers or their immediate families on land currently being used for agricultural production.

      According to the rationale of the governor, "Hawai‘i County Zoning Code (HCC Chapter 25) already allows for a farm dwelling as a permitted use of agricultural-zoned lands. By Zoning Code definition, a farm dwelling means a single-family dwelling located on or used in connection with a farm, or if the agricultural activity provides income to the family occupying the dwelling."

     The governor's office reports that in 2015 and 2016, a total of 27 additional farm dwellings were approved by the County of Hawai‘i Planning Department. During that period, all applications for farm dwellings were granted. "The administration is committed to working with Mayor Harry Kim and the County of Hawai‘i on addressing the affordable housing issue for farm workers on Hawai‘i Island," says the statement from the governor's office.

      VETO OF FISH COLLECTION BILL: Explaining his veto of SB 1240 , Relating to Aquatic Life, the governor explained that the bill would have required the Department of Land and Natural Resources to define “sustainable” and establish a policy for sustainable collection practices through take limits. It also would have prohibited the DLNR from issuing new aquarium fish permits to use fine meshed traps or fine meshed nets and prohibits the transfer of permits after five years.

Gov. Ige said he received thousands of calls and emails regarding the
aquarium fish collection bill before he gave it his veto on Tuesday.
Photo from NOAA

   A statement from the governor said that "Since the release of the Intent to Veto List on June 26, this issue has been highlighted across numerous local and national media outlets. The Office of the Governor has received thousands of phone calls and emails from constituents expressing their support for and opposition to this bill. The one thing everyone can agree on is that one of Hawai‘i’s most valuable resources, the coral reef, must be protected. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Gov. Ige agree that sustainable policies and practices are needed. The governor has no objection to the first part of the bill that requires the DLNR to define 'sustainable' and establish policies for sustainable collection."

Coral reefs, where most aquarium fish are caught in Hawai`i.
Photo from NOAA

     According to the governor, the DLNR is committed to "working with all stakeholders to come up with a better solution. Discussions have begun on 'limited entry' aquarium fisheries, expanding Fishery Replenishment Areas (FRAs) to O‘ahu, capping permit numbers, addressing catch limits, and establishing permit fees." Gov. Ige is committed to introducing legislation and/or administrative rules that will "properly address all concerns, and create policy that will establish Hawai‘i as the best managed sustainable nearshore fishery in the world," the statement says.

      "Regarding this measure, the governor has concerns that the science does not support the claims made in this bill. In West Hawai‘i, where approximately 80 percent of Hawai‘i’s aquarium catch comes from, FRAs were established to reverse the decline in fish populations. The Division of Aquatic Resources and the DLNR have collected data over 17 years and completed more than 6,700 surveys in this area, and have found that aquarium fish populations are generally stable or increasing. Based on the extensive scientific data from West Hawai‘i, it would be premature to phase out aquarium collecting permits," the governor's statement concludes. 

    "Furthermore, it must be understood that this bill does not prohibit fish collecting. It simply prohibits the issuance of new permits to use small meshed nets and traps. The meshed nets and traps are an important tool for aquarium fish collectors. There is hope that this will eventually phase out the industry. This would take decades as currently proposed. The worldwide demand for aquarium species could lead to new and more destructive ways of collection," sates Ige.

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Lei Making Demo, Wed, July 12, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local cultural practitioner Pua O’Mahoney teaches how to make traditional Hawaiian lei with natural materials that include leaves, flowers and more. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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Ka`u News Briefs Monday, July 10, 2017

Wahine get ready to compete at the annual July 4  Rodeo in Na`alehu held this Saturday and Sunday.
Photo by Gabriel Cuevas

KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION'S great family, paniolo rodeo drew many riders, ropers and muggers to Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds on Saturday and Sunday. Families stayed the weekend through hot, dusty fun days. Keiki calf riders, teen and adult wranglers showed off their ranching and equestrian skills.  Rodeo Queen was Beanna Gomes.

Before he went wild and scattered
the crowd. Photo by
Gabriel Cuevas

Brown and blue are the colors of this year's Ka`u Roping
and Riding Association 4th of July Rodeo.
Photo by Gabriel Cuevas

     Near the close of the rodeo, an angry bull showed off his jumping skills by leaping a fence just before a paniolo was going to ride him. The bull ran across the arena into the the roping events starting gate near the food concession. Trapped, he charged the fence with horns and hoofs. People yelled, "Run," and the crowd scattered, including the food vendor with her money bag.

Rodeo Queen
Breanna Gomes
Photo by Gabriel
Cuevas

Keiki stands tall to watch the rodeo.
Photo by Gabriel Cuevas

    The bull became entrapped in a narrow shoot and began to destroy it. About a half dozen paniolo on horseback surrounded and lassoed him, while others cut away fencing to free him.

   Here are the winners and sponsors of the Ka`u Roping & Riding Association's July 4 Rodeo:

       Dummy Roping, 4 and under, winner was Manaia Balucan, sponsored by Wikiki 76. 

      Dummy roping 5 to 8 went Mauka Balucan, sponsored by Kaiser Motorcycles.

     Goat Undecorating, 4 and Under, went to Manaia Balucan, sponsored by Zia Tita Wroblewski.

     Goat Undecorating, 5 to 8, went to Mauka Balucan, sponored by Punalu`u Bake Shop.

           Po`o Wai U first place went to Lexis Andrade, sponsored by Mona Wroblewski.

    Team 90s winners were Danny Joseph, sponsored by 3-D Welding and Bill Derasin, and

Tying the ribbon on the tail of the steer is a favorite
 rodeo event. Photo by Gabriel Cuevas

Dusty Miranda, sponsored by Steven and Phina Wroblewski.

     Youth Barrels winner was Mauka Balucan, sponsored by Zia and Li`i Wroblewski Kaluna.

     Kane Wahine Day winners were Keola Loando, sponsored by Ka`u Andrade Contracting and Macey Loando, sponsored by Pahala Pops.

    Open Daly winners were Brian Dematto, sponsored by Umi Ranch- Robert Kawamoto, and Gregg Mehino, sponsored by Edwin DeLuz Trucking.

This calf waits peacefully after being
lassoed and tied.
Photo by Gabriel Cuevas

   Kane Wahine Mugging winners were Jere Benevides, sponsored by Ryan  Towing, and Chelsey Fuerte, sponsored by Ryan Auto Parts.

     Double Mugging winners were Lexis Andrade, sponsored by Al and Nancy Cabral, and Kaumaka Bean.

     Tie Down winner was Keola Loanda, sponsored by CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union.

     Wahine Mugging winners were Nane Nobriga and Corina Stevens. Sponsors were  Kim J. Iona, Christine Beck, Denicia Derasin and Gen Shibuiya.

     Wahine Breakaway winner was Macey Loando.

     Calf Riding winner was Chance Miranda, sponsored by Hana Hou Restaurant.

     See more in upcoming Ka`u News Briefs.

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WOULD FBI DIRECTOR NOMINEE Christopher Wray be an independent check on the Trump administration? On Monday, Sen. Mazie Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pressed Wray on his commitment to supporting the independent investigation into Russian interference with the 2016 election and fighting hate crimes. Hirono will have further opportunity to question Wray at his nomination hearing Wednesday.

Sen. Mazie Hirono interviewed FBI Directory nominee Chris Wray.

      “The unprecedented circumstances surrounding Mr. Wray’s nomination require a commitment to the rule of law," said Hirono. “During his hearing, I will ask him more about his ability to be an independent check on this administration and his approach to fighting the influx of hate crimes we’ve seen since the election.”

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THE BODY OF A 38-YEAR OLD MAN was recovered by park rangers early Sunday morning near the bottom of Kīlauea caldera, reports Jesica Ferracane, Public Affairs Specialist for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

     On Saturday, July 9, two visitors discovered a backpack on Crater Rim Trail at approximately 7 p.m. Park dispatch was notified, and rangers searched the caldera rim and floor on foot, but were unable to locate the owner. The search was suspended due to unsafe conditions at night, and resumed at first light yesterday morning, Sun., July 9.

      Rangers aboard a helicopter, around 5:35 a.m., found the victim about 250 feet below the caldera rim, in an area that is not currently erupting.

      The victim’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. An investigation is underway.

Lei Making Demo will be Wednesday at Hawai`i Volcanoes.
NPS Photo 

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What We Can Do Now to Data Recorded Way Back When, Tue, July 11, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geophysicist Paul Okubo describes a current look into seismograms from HVO’s first 100 years. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Lei Making Demo, Wed, July 12, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local cultural practitioner Pua O’Mahoney teaches how to make traditional Hawaiian lei with natural materials that include leaves, flowers and more. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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