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| Applications are being taken fro the state Senate seat of Russell Kokubun (l), who resigns to head the Department of Agriculture. Sen. Dwight Takamine resigned to head the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. |
THE SEARCH IS ON for a new senator to represent Ka`u, Volcano, Puna and South Hilo. Steven Pavao, Hawai`i County chair of the Democratic Party, announced yesterday that all members of the Democratic Party who have been members and residents of Senate District 2 for at least six months can apply to be nominated for the state Senate seat being vacated by Senator Russell Kokubun.
Precinct officers from Ocean View, Na`alehu, Pahala, Volcano, Mountain View, Kurtistown and into Puna and Hilo will review resumes and interview candidates. They will vote on the candidates, and three names will be presented to Governor Neil Abercrombie, who will make the final selection. Resumes must be turned into Pavao no later than midnight on Monday, January 3, with a cover letter including a summary of qualifications, activities in support of the Democratic Party over the last three years, demonstration of support for the Democratic platform, and the applicant’s top three legislative goals. These can be emailed to pavaos002@hawaii.rr.com.The new senator will serve for two years, as all state senators sit for a shorter term this time since reapportionment will change district boundaries for the 2012 election.
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| Buying locally grown food can put more money into Hawai`i's economy. |
RUSSELL KOKUBUN becomes head of the state Department of Agriculture at the end of December, after resigning from his Senate seat. He is serving as Department of Ag interim chair and director until confirmation by the senate, probably in February. He said he is particularly inspired by Governor Neil Abercrombie’s New Day in Hawai`i plan for agriculture that seeks food and energy self-sufficiency, to conserve agricultural lands and to rehabilitate old plantation water systems to support agriculture. Hawai`i consumes $3 billion in imported food each year – money that could go to local farms and ranches, said the governor.
“Our dependency on imported food is a problem we ignore at our peril,” said Abercrombie, noting that as recent as 50 years ago, Hawai`i grew half its food. Now it is only ten to 20 percent, with a week or two of food on hand should shipping be blocked by disaster, an international crisis, or a labor dispute.
THE KEAUHOU BIRD SANCTUARY in Volcano, where young endangered birds are raised and placed back into the wild, is the topic of After Dark in the Park tonight at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center Auditorium. The presentation begins at 7 p.m.
LOOKING FOR A NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION? Kilauea Military Camp has a New Year’s Eve fish luncheon from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., a New Year's Eve party, and a New Year's Day dinner buffet. Hana Hou in Na`alehu will feature Ernie Kalani and his Back to the 50s trio and a special meal on New Year's Eve. Shaka's in Na`alehu plans food and dance music to ring in the New Year.
THE HAWAI`I FIRE DEPARTMENT is reminding everyone that fireworks are legal only between 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year's Day. Stay 1,000 feet away from the hospital, senior housing and school grounds, as the law protects these places. Most fireworks are being banned on O`ahu, and the same could happen here if the rules are disregarded.
THE OCEAN VIEW FOOD BASKET at the community center is open today from noon to 2:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS TREES without ornaments and flocking are being accepted for recycling daily at Wai`ohinu transfer station.
THE KEAUHOU BIRD SANCTUARY in Volcano, where young endangered birds are raised and placed back into the wild, is the topic of After Dark in the Park tonight at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center Auditorium. The presentation begins at 7 p.m.
LOOKING FOR A NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION? Kilauea Military Camp has a New Year’s Eve fish luncheon from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., a New Year's Eve party, and a New Year's Day dinner buffet. Hana Hou in Na`alehu will feature Ernie Kalani and his Back to the 50s trio and a special meal on New Year's Eve. Shaka's in Na`alehu plans food and dance music to ring in the New Year.
THE HAWAI`I FIRE DEPARTMENT is reminding everyone that fireworks are legal only between 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year's Day. Stay 1,000 feet away from the hospital, senior housing and school grounds, as the law protects these places. Most fireworks are being banned on O`ahu, and the same could happen here if the rules are disregarded.
THE OCEAN VIEW FOOD BASKET at the community center is open today from noon to 2:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS TREES without ornaments and flocking are being accepted for recycling daily at Wai`ohinu transfer station.