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| State Senator Russell Kokubun on the night before the Nov. 2 general election. |
SENATOR RUSSELL KOKUBUN has been nominated chairman and director of the state Department of Agriculture. The state senator, who lives in Volcano, headed the 2050 sustainability commission, has worked on water issues statewide and is experienced as a farmer and community planner. He was most recently vice-president of the state Senate. A new senator for Ka`u and Puna will be appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie from three names submitted by the Democratic Party. The new Senator will serve for two years, until the next General Election, when she or he could run for elected office. Kokubun said he has the highest respect for the new governor and is looking forward to working with him. Kokubun's nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Abercrombie also nominated more people to his cabinet: Bruce Coppa to head the Department of Accounting and General Services, Sunshine Topping for Department of Human Resources Development, Keali`i Lopez for Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Fred Pablo for state Department of Taxation.TOMORROW is the first day for the new County Council, with Brittany Smart taking office to represent Ka`u. Her legislative coordinator will be Nelson Ho, former Deputy Director of the Department of Environmental Management. Her staff will also include Jen Knippling, who managed her successful campaign. The swearing in will take place at the civic auditorium in Hilo at noon, and everyone is invited.
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| The Salter property in Volcano is one of the first two conservation easements for the Kipuka Mosaic Project. Photo by John Henshaw/TNC |
VOLCANO RESIDENT DAN TAYLOR was honored yesterday for dedicating the treetops on his property to remain as a flyway for birds and a pathway for other native species between Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Kahauale`a Natural Area Reserve and the Ola`a Forest Reserve. Called the Kipuka Mosaic Project, it welcomes other houselot owners to do the same by donating easements that require the forest to remain on the property around the houses, even in housing subdivisions. The project began when the Salter property was bequeathed to The Nature Conservancy. The Volcano Community Association, The Nature Conservancy and Hawai`i Island Land Trust are involved. Anyone interested can call Doug Sensenig at 430-4994 or Jody Kaulukukui at 808-587-6233.
During a discussion about preserving the forest canopy in housing subdivisions, the possibility of county and state tax incentives for people who establish easements - even on small houselots - was suggested. Easements for forest canopy are similar to easements the electric company owns for power lines, but these conservation easements are given over to a land trust to take care of them. Nature Conservancy representative John Henshaw said that his organization goes to the legislature each year with suggestions for tax incentives. Incoming County Council member Brittany Smart said she would look into the possibilities at the county level.
PLANS ARE BEING FINALIZED for Governor Neil Abercrombie's visit to Ka`u next Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. This extension of his inauguration ceremonies will be held at Pahala Plantation House, where the governor, his wife Nancie and Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz will arrive. Gil Kahele, of Miloli'i, will emcee. Aunty Pele Hanoa will lead the opening pule. Kilohana Domingo, of Ka Lae, will present the ole. Ana Carriaga's gifts and chant from the keiki will be presented. The governor will give a brief talk to the people of Ka`u and will meet them in a reception line. Everyone is invited.
JUNGLE EXPRESS HUNTING tournament results are in from yesterday's weigh-in at Honu`apo. Heaviest Overall was taken by Donald Mello. Heaviest Boar by Chezeray Moses, Heaviest Sow by Donald Mello, and Longest tusk by Darrel Shibuya. Larry Galban won The Nature Conservancy’s raffle of a GPS.
A FUNDRAISER FOR KAHU radio station co-manager and beloved singer and composer Demetrius Oliveira is being held today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to raise money for critical surgery to restore his health. Everyone is welcome to enjoy live entertainment and craft sales at the KAHU Radio building on Maile Street in Pahala. Drop off donations at the radio station or at the Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Pahala, Na`alehu or Ocean View. The fundraiser seeks to match a $5,000 challenge by December 7 from the Olson Trust.
THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will have its monthly meeting tomorrow at Ocean View Community Center at 7 p.m. The mayor’s information officer will be the keynote speaker and will discuss the temporary transfer station at the county’s Kahuku Park. Note the time has been changed from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
PLANS ARE BEING FINALIZED for Governor Neil Abercrombie's visit to Ka`u next Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon. This extension of his inauguration ceremonies will be held at Pahala Plantation House, where the governor, his wife Nancie and Lieutenant Governor Brian Schatz will arrive. Gil Kahele, of Miloli'i, will emcee. Aunty Pele Hanoa will lead the opening pule. Kilohana Domingo, of Ka Lae, will present the ole. Ana Carriaga's gifts and chant from the keiki will be presented. The governor will give a brief talk to the people of Ka`u and will meet them in a reception line. Everyone is invited.
JUNGLE EXPRESS HUNTING tournament results are in from yesterday's weigh-in at Honu`apo. Heaviest Overall was taken by Donald Mello. Heaviest Boar by Chezeray Moses, Heaviest Sow by Donald Mello, and Longest tusk by Darrel Shibuya. Larry Galban won The Nature Conservancy’s raffle of a GPS.
A FUNDRAISER FOR KAHU radio station co-manager and beloved singer and composer Demetrius Oliveira is being held today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to raise money for critical surgery to restore his health. Everyone is welcome to enjoy live entertainment and craft sales at the KAHU Radio building on Maile Street in Pahala. Drop off donations at the radio station or at the Ka`u Federal Credit Union in Pahala, Na`alehu or Ocean View. The fundraiser seeks to match a $5,000 challenge by December 7 from the Olson Trust.
THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE will have its monthly meeting tomorrow at Ocean View Community Center at 7 p.m. The mayor’s information officer will be the keynote speaker and will discuss the temporary transfer station at the county’s Kahuku Park. Note the time has been changed from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.