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| Hawai`i County's first double-decker bus is now in service after traveling through Ka`u on a trip around the island. |
FORMER HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYOR and attorney Stephen Yamashiro passed away Tuesday night after suffering from pneumonia. He served on the Hawai`i County Council from 1976 to 1990, as its chair for more than a decade, and was mayor from 1992 until 2000. He was born in Honolulu and schooled at University School, Punahou and University of Hawai`i at Manoa. He became a U.S. Army officer after graduating from Officers Candidate School. He graduated from law school at Willamette University.
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| Stephen Yamashiro |
Mayor Billy Kenoi released a statement saying, “Mayor Yamashiro loved this community, and was a loyal friend and mentor to many. He was always ready with advice and suggestions, sharing generously of his many years of experience as a community leader. He will be missed, and I want to offer my condolences to his wife Della.
“As Hawai`i County Council chairman and mayor, Mayor Yamashiro led our community through a very difficult transition period. As the last of the plantations closed in the 1990s, the Big Island was searching for new directions, and Mayor Yamashiro helped steer our island community into the future. His support and advocacy of sectors such as diversified agriculture, forestry and geothermal power are still paying dividends for our residents today. He knew where we needed to go, and he led the way. We are grateful for Mayor Yamashiro’s many contributions to our community,” said Kenoi. Funeral services are pending.
THIRTEEN MILLION DOLLARS in federal funds to support Hawai`i small businesses are expected to be matched 10-to-1 by private investors over the next seven years. This could lead to $130 million in new funding for small businesses in Hawai`i, Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced yesterday. “Now is the time for us to invest in industries that will move Hawai`i’s economy forward,” he said. “We have tremendous opportunities and potential in our clean energy, film, high-tech and other innovative industries. We must take advantage of these opportunities that will create good paying jobs for our local families, lead our drive toward self-sufficiency and bring dollars into our economy.”
The funding comes as the result of the U.S. Department of the Treasury approving Hawai`i’s application to the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which was established by the Federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The Hawai`i Strategic Development Corporation will use the funds for its venture capital investment program. HSDC is an attached agency of the state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism that supports economic development in Hawai`i by investing in local business ventures in partnership with private funds.
“As Hawai`i County Council chairman and mayor, Mayor Yamashiro led our community through a very difficult transition period. As the last of the plantations closed in the 1990s, the Big Island was searching for new directions, and Mayor Yamashiro helped steer our island community into the future. His support and advocacy of sectors such as diversified agriculture, forestry and geothermal power are still paying dividends for our residents today. He knew where we needed to go, and he led the way. We are grateful for Mayor Yamashiro’s many contributions to our community,” said Kenoi. Funeral services are pending.
THIRTEEN MILLION DOLLARS in federal funds to support Hawai`i small businesses are expected to be matched 10-to-1 by private investors over the next seven years. This could lead to $130 million in new funding for small businesses in Hawai`i, Gov. Neil Abercrombie announced yesterday. “Now is the time for us to invest in industries that will move Hawai`i’s economy forward,” he said. “We have tremendous opportunities and potential in our clean energy, film, high-tech and other innovative industries. We must take advantage of these opportunities that will create good paying jobs for our local families, lead our drive toward self-sufficiency and bring dollars into our economy.”
The funding comes as the result of the U.S. Department of the Treasury approving Hawai`i’s application to the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which was established by the Federal Small Business Jobs Act of 2010. The Hawai`i Strategic Development Corporation will use the funds for its venture capital investment program. HSDC is an attached agency of the state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism that supports economic development in Hawai`i by investing in local business ventures in partnership with private funds.
“We need to create an environment in Hawai`i for innovative industries to thrive. This investment will raise productivity and create good jobs in all areas of the economy and for all people,” said Richard Lim, DBEDT Director.
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| Michael Soto. Photos by Geneveve Fyvie |
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| Soto's winning Tiramisu with Raspberry Coffee Sauce |
MICHAEL SOTO, OF PAHALA, WON FIRST in the Dessert I category of the Ka`u Coffee Festival Recipe Contest for his Tiramisu with Raspberry Coffee Sauce, second in the Pupu category for a Rosemary & Garlic Sautéed Shrimp with Spicy Lilikoi Coffee Sauce and third for his Braised Beef with a Cinnamon Coffee Sauce.
Soto just graduated from Hawai`i Community College and plans to be a chef. “There’s always an art when you put something on a plate. There’s no such thing as secret ingredients,” he said. “You have to believe in what you’re doing.” Contact Soto about his recipes at 333-2960.
THE FIRST DOUBLE-DECKER BUS in Hawai`i County stopped at Malama Market in Ocean View last week on its first trip around the island. It also stopped at Cooper Center in Volcano Village, and passengers, comprised of county officials and kupuna, collected food for the Hawai`i Island Food Basket. The new Hele-On bus seats 89 passengers. It is 14 feet in height and cost under $900,000. Just like other buses in the county transportation system, the fare will be zero until July 1. The County Council is still deciding whether to charge for the ride. The mayor proposes that $1 be charged for all Hele-On buses, with students, the elderly and disabled riding for free. If no decision is made, fares would go up to as high as $6 per ride. Council member Brittany Smart asked that the council take another vote on the issue, which will come up soon before the County Council.
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY OF CLASSES at Ka`u’s public schools. Students will have more than two months before returning to school on Monday, August 1.
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| U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono and State Rep. Bob Herkes joined KMC's Memorial Day ceremony last year. |
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP HOSTS A TRIBUTE to those who made the ultimate Sacrifice for Freedom’s Sake in a special Memorial Day Ceremony to be held on Monday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the KMC front lawn. LTC Rolland Niles, Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area, will deliver the keynote address. Representative Clift Tsuji of House District 3 will also be a guest speaker. Other participants include Pastor Bob Bruzelius, Erin Gallagher, Josh Timmons, Brianne Schlegelmilch, and the Waiakea High School Naval JROTC. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Koa Room inside the lobby.
A SPECIAL MEMORIAL DAY BUFFET following the ceremony features beef pot roast, mahi mahi, clam chowder, salads, and more. The buffet will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Crater Rim Café. Cost is $13.75 for adults and $7.75 for children 6 to 11 years old.
KMC invites the public to attend. For more information, call 967-8371. Park entrance fees apply.