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| With stricter immigration laws, Ka`u Coffee farmers are now more dependent on Marshallese for coffee picking crews to harvest the cherry. |
KA`U’S MARSHALL Islanders, known for their music, dance and hard work on local coffee farms, will have better health care. A federal court has halted a practice by the outgoing state administration that limited their health benefits to a dozen outpatient visits, four medication prescriptions per month, and ten hospital days a year. U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright issued a preliminary injunction yesterday, stating that many diseases like diabetes and cancer need more care. The U.S. is required to provide Marsallese and Palau migrants with health care equal to Medicaid for U.S. residents. The requirement stems from a treaty following the U.S. using their Pacific Islands for testing nuclear weapons in the 1940s and '50s, forcing residents to leave some islands that were poisoned with nuclear waste. The attorney for the case is Paul Alston, who has a home here in Volcano. Ka`u schools also receive funding to educate Marshallese students.
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| Gov. Neil Abercrombie promised to protect Hawai`i and help Ka`u. |
THE GOVERNOR’S VISIT TO KA`U on Sunday has received coverage online, on television and in newspapers. On the steps of Pahala Plantation House, Neil Abercrombie said he was overwhelmed with a beautiful day in paradise. He said that he knew from early in his campaign when he stood on those same steps that change was coming. “I am merely a catalyst,” he said. “It’s nothing – I’m a bridge, I’m a means - a vehicle,” stated the governor.
He said we all have in our hearts the vision of Pupukahi Kehola Moa: “United we will move forward for Hawai`I Nei. That is what we are going to do, starting here today in Ka`u,” he said.
The duty of the Kia’aina is to protect Hawai`i,” said Abercrombie. He called his visit to Pahala “a happy day. Yes. There are tears in my eyes. I can’t help it. I am so grateful,” he said, stating that for the first time in his life he understands in his na`ao (his gut) what the word humble is supposed to mean. “Every breath I take will be for Hawai`i. Everything we do together will be for Hawai`i and for each other. Lokahi. All will be pono,” he promised.
“Everything will blossom in Ka`u. All of the hopes and dreams of Ka`u are going to come to fruition,” he promised. “We are going to make it happen,” he said.
The governor reminisced about an earlier visit: “At the beginning of our campaign I said here on these steps so many months ago that your vote was an act of faith and an act of trust and we would honor and respect that trust, and that is exactly what we are going to do. All of us in the canoe, paddling together, to reach the shore…. We will not let you down: Imua Hawai`i, Imua Ka`u,” he proclaimed.
SPEAKING OF THE FUTURE, THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee is meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center, and the public is invited to attend. This is the first time the group has met in many months. The steering committee is assigned with guiding the county to create a plan for Ka`u’s development, conservation, preservation and the economy. Here are the steering committee members representing the residents of Ka`u:
Donna-Marie Ambrose, of Greensands, has served as president of Greensands Community Park and Garden, director of Ka`u Rural Health Community Association and secretary of Ka`u Main Street.
Patti Barry, a Realtor, lives in Hawaiian Ranchos. She has served as president of Ocean View Community Development Corporation, director of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce and Ocean View Community Association.
John Cross, who has farmland in Ka`u, is a horticulturalist and land manager for the Edmund C. Olson Trust II. He also managed property for the C. Brewer sugar company and is considered an historian of land use in Ka`u. He serves on the area water cooperative committee and the Ka`u Farm Bureau board.
Bob Damate, of Kona Gardens, is past president of Ho`opuloa Hawaiian Civic Club and member of `Aha Moku Kahuku and `O Ka`u Kakou.
Ron Ebert, of Punalu`u, heads the Pahala Volunteer Fire Department, is minister of Ocean View Church of Christ, and director of Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation.
The duty of the Kia’aina is to protect Hawai`i,” said Abercrombie. He called his visit to Pahala “a happy day. Yes. There are tears in my eyes. I can’t help it. I am so grateful,” he said, stating that for the first time in his life he understands in his na`ao (his gut) what the word humble is supposed to mean. “Every breath I take will be for Hawai`i. Everything we do together will be for Hawai`i and for each other. Lokahi. All will be pono,” he promised.
“Everything will blossom in Ka`u. All of the hopes and dreams of Ka`u are going to come to fruition,” he promised. “We are going to make it happen,” he said.
The governor reminisced about an earlier visit: “At the beginning of our campaign I said here on these steps so many months ago that your vote was an act of faith and an act of trust and we would honor and respect that trust, and that is exactly what we are going to do. All of us in the canoe, paddling together, to reach the shore…. We will not let you down: Imua Hawai`i, Imua Ka`u,” he proclaimed.
SPEAKING OF THE FUTURE, THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee is meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center, and the public is invited to attend. This is the first time the group has met in many months. The steering committee is assigned with guiding the county to create a plan for Ka`u’s development, conservation, preservation and the economy. Here are the steering committee members representing the residents of Ka`u:
Donna-Marie Ambrose, of Greensands, has served as president of Greensands Community Park and Garden, director of Ka`u Rural Health Community Association and secretary of Ka`u Main Street.
Patti Barry, a Realtor, lives in Hawaiian Ranchos. She has served as president of Ocean View Community Development Corporation, director of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce and Ocean View Community Association.
John Cross, who has farmland in Ka`u, is a horticulturalist and land manager for the Edmund C. Olson Trust II. He also managed property for the C. Brewer sugar company and is considered an historian of land use in Ka`u. He serves on the area water cooperative committee and the Ka`u Farm Bureau board.
Bob Damate, of Kona Gardens, is past president of Ho`opuloa Hawaiian Civic Club and member of `Aha Moku Kahuku and `O Ka`u Kakou.
Ron Ebert, of Punalu`u, heads the Pahala Volunteer Fire Department, is minister of Ocean View Church of Christ, and director of Ka`u Hospital Charitable Foundation.
Leina`ala Enos, of Wai`ohinu, manages a macadamia farm and has served as president of the Hawaiian Civic Club, Council chair of Na`alehu Methodist Church and member of the Ka`u Community Partnership.
Michelle Galimba, of Hilea, is a rancher. She serves on the state Board of Agriculture, is president of Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, works on the Ka`u Coffee Festival Committee and the Ka`u Farm Bureau Board. She has served on the board of the Hawai`i Cattlemen’s Association and numerous other community organizations.
Eldridge Naboa, of Na`alehu, has worked for The Nature Conservancy, coached cross country, served as president of the Ka`u Rural Health Community Association and director of Ka`u Federal Credit Union.
Marino Ramones, of Pahala, is pastor of Pahala Baptist Bible Mission and Na`alehu Baptist Mission. He is a member of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Ka`u Rural Health Community Association.
Michelle Galimba, of Hilea, is a rancher. She serves on the state Board of Agriculture, is president of Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo, works on the Ka`u Coffee Festival Committee and the Ka`u Farm Bureau Board. She has served on the board of the Hawai`i Cattlemen’s Association and numerous other community organizations.
Eldridge Naboa, of Na`alehu, has worked for The Nature Conservancy, coached cross country, served as president of the Ka`u Rural Health Community Association and director of Ka`u Federal Credit Union.
Marino Ramones, of Pahala, is pastor of Pahala Baptist Bible Mission and Na`alehu Baptist Mission. He is a member of the Filipino Chamber of Commerce and Ka`u Rural Health Community Association.
Simon Torres, Junior, of Pahala, is a hunter and backcountry enthusiast. He is a supervisor mechanic with the Hawai`i Air National Guard.
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| Places like Honu`apo are preserved with help from open space funding that comes from county tax income. |
ANOTHER GROUP involved with planning for Ka`u is the county Open Space Committee, which prioritizes county acquisition of lands for parks, protecting cultural sites, beaches and water resources. County Council member Brittany Smart said a new representative from this area will be selected by Mayor Billy Kenoi as Bill Gilmartin, of Volcano, is stepping down. Anyone interested can email or call Smart’s council office at 961-8263.