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| “Did you feel it?” is a program produced by Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. HVO recently upgraded its seismic monitoring network. Here, HVO staff, assisted by an HVO volunteer, installs the solar panel and antenna for one of the upgraded seismic stations on Kilauea. The website for the program is http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi. Photo by Janet Babb/USGS |
THE STATE REAPPORTIONMENT COMMISSION meets again next Monday and is expected to use whatever data it can round up to redraw state House of Representatives and Senate district lines. The Supreme Court ruled last week that it must exclude non-permanent resident military and non-permanent resident student populations in counting the population in order to adhere to the one-man, one-vote promise of the U.S. Constitution. The military and the University of Hawai`i are expected to provide their numbers regarding how many of their people are not Hawai`i residents. The Supreme Court in its ruling last week said that theRreapportionment Commission does not have to have exact numbers to make the changes. The Big Island is expected to have an additional Senate seat and possibly a House seat.
Rep. Bob Herkes said he is hoping that the redrawing of the lines will leave him in a district he has long held, which includes all of Ka`u. The redistricting thrown out the by Supreme Court cut off the Na`alehu through South Kona side of his district.
GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE delivered his second State of the State address before the state Legislature on Monday, promising investments to build upon the economic progress during the last year.
“There was no way for us to have balanced our budget and achieved today’s fiscally favorable outlook without the commitment of everyone,” said Abercrombie, who thanked state employees and recognized the Legislature for its support.
Abercrombie proposed numerous initiatives, including:
Work with the Legislature to identify and approve Capital Improvement Projects which, the governor promised, will result in construction jobs and address critical infrastructure needs.
Invest $5 million toward the preservation and protection of the state’s watersheds.
Make the TV and Film Tax Credit permanent.
Invest $1 million into early childhood education and health initiatives.
Invest $1.4 million to establish Aging and Disabilities Resource Centers to assist kupuna who face the challenges of aging and restricted mobility.
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Gov. Abercrombie gives 2012 State of the State. Photo by Ricky Li |
“There was no way for us to have balanced our budget and achieved today’s fiscally favorable outlook without the commitment of everyone,” said Abercrombie, who thanked state employees and recognized the Legislature for its support.
Abercrombie proposed numerous initiatives, including:
Work with the Legislature to identify and approve Capital Improvement Projects which, the governor promised, will result in construction jobs and address critical infrastructure needs.
Invest $5 million toward the preservation and protection of the state’s watersheds.
Make the TV and Film Tax Credit permanent.
Invest $1 million into early childhood education and health initiatives.
Invest $1.4 million to establish Aging and Disabilities Resource Centers to assist kupuna who face the challenges of aging and restricted mobility.
An emergency appropriation for a grant of $1.8 million to support the National Kidney Foundation of Hawai`i in light of the closure of two Hawai`i Medical Center hospitals. A new kidney transplant center is likely to be established.
Improve the criminal justice system as proposed by the Justice Reinvestment Initiative.
Support an undersea cable that can connect our island grids to provide stable, reliable electricity between islands.
The governor stated that it is hard for many “to see beyond today’s needs when today’s needs loom so large and immediate, but unless dealt with now, today’s challenges can only multiply in difficulty. This is not acceptable.
“We have an obligation to make a better future for our children. We live in paradise and taking care of each other is a value that is fundamental to the aloha spirit.”
In addition to the measures covered in his speech, Abercrombie said he would submit additional legislation, including a bill to make appropriations for fiscal years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 to recapitalize the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund and the Hawai`i Hurricane Relief Fund.
The governor’s office also plans to introduce a resolution to study the efficacy of combining state government health policy, planning and purchasing into a single agency in order to advance transformation of Hawai`i’s Healthcare System and universal access.
The governor’s slate totals about 15 pieces of legislation out of the approximately 3,000 submitted each year. To view the Governor’s State of the State address and photos from the ceremony, visit: hawaii.gov/gov.
A PILLAR OF SMOKE rose above Pahala on Sunday, and residents rushed to the first gulch on Wood Valley Road to find an abandoned vehicle that apparently was set on fire. The fire department quickly put out the blaze and is looking for clues to who would set old cars on fire, creating the danger of burning forests, orchards, farmland and homes. Clues can be provided by calling 932-2913.
THE KOHALA CENTER invites high school students to apply for scholarships to residential engineering and environmental science summer programs. These opportunities are offered in partnership with Cornell University, Brown University, and the University of California, San Diego.
At the Brown Environmental Leadership Lab at Brown University, students learn how human demands on the environment often compromise long-term ecosystem health and about the policies, practices, and emerging technologies that can help reduce humankind’s ecological impact. Mentored by Brown faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students, participants will also develop leadership skills to tackle pressing environmental problems in their home communities.
The CURIE Engineering Academy at Cornell University is a one-week residential engineering program for high school girls who excel in math and science and want to learn more about opportunities in engineering in an interactive atmosphere.
The CATALYST Academy for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors is a one-week summer residential engineering program
In UCSD Academic Connections, students experience courses taught by UCSD graduate students or work side-by-side with UCSD researchers in their labs on specific projects.
Another UCSD Academic Connections program is a one-week pre-college summer academic experience for college-bound high school students in grades 9 - 12 that examines the diverse ecosystem and climate zones of Hawai`i Island. Students will travel around the island studying geology, volcanology, marine science, and Hawaiian history.
More information and application forms for all programs can be found at www.kohalacenter.org, by calling 887-6411 or emailing Erica Perez, eperez@kohalacenter.org.
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| Gov. Abercrombie celebrated Chinese New Year yesterday at the Hawai'i State Capitol with a Lion Dance blessing of the executive offices. Photo by Ricky Li |
Support an undersea cable that can connect our island grids to provide stable, reliable electricity between islands.
The governor stated that it is hard for many “to see beyond today’s needs when today’s needs loom so large and immediate, but unless dealt with now, today’s challenges can only multiply in difficulty. This is not acceptable.
“We have an obligation to make a better future for our children. We live in paradise and taking care of each other is a value that is fundamental to the aloha spirit.”
In addition to the measures covered in his speech, Abercrombie said he would submit additional legislation, including a bill to make appropriations for fiscal years 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 to recapitalize the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund and the Hawai`i Hurricane Relief Fund.
The governor’s office also plans to introduce a resolution to study the efficacy of combining state government health policy, planning and purchasing into a single agency in order to advance transformation of Hawai`i’s Healthcare System and universal access.
The governor’s slate totals about 15 pieces of legislation out of the approximately 3,000 submitted each year. To view the Governor’s State of the State address and photos from the ceremony, visit: hawaii.gov/gov.
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| Firemen put out the flames in a fire believed to have been set near the first gulch up Wood Valley Road. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE KOHALA CENTER invites high school students to apply for scholarships to residential engineering and environmental science summer programs. These opportunities are offered in partnership with Cornell University, Brown University, and the University of California, San Diego.
At the Brown Environmental Leadership Lab at Brown University, students learn how human demands on the environment often compromise long-term ecosystem health and about the policies, practices, and emerging technologies that can help reduce humankind’s ecological impact. Mentored by Brown faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students, participants will also develop leadership skills to tackle pressing environmental problems in their home communities.
The CATALYST Academy for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors is a one-week summer residential engineering program
In UCSD Academic Connections, students experience courses taught by UCSD graduate students or work side-by-side with UCSD researchers in their labs on specific projects.
Another UCSD Academic Connections program is a one-week pre-college summer academic experience for college-bound high school students in grades 9 - 12 that examines the diverse ecosystem and climate zones of Hawai`i Island. Students will travel around the island studying geology, volcanology, marine science, and Hawaiian history.
More information and application forms for all programs can be found at www.kohalacenter.org, by calling 887-6411 or emailing Erica Perez, eperez@kohalacenter.org.
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| Ab and Pua Valencia |
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW the volcano in your backyard? Volcanologist Frank Trusdell discusses Mauna Loa’s eruptive history and current status tonight at 7 p.m. during After Dark in the Park at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National. $2 donation supports park programs, and park entrance fees apply.
KUMU HULA Ab Kawainohoikala`i Valencia and his wife, Puamae`ole O’Mahoney, share the traditions of lei making for hula tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon on the Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free, and park entrance fees apply.