Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 14, 2012

The Physician Residency Program could bring doctors in final years of training to Ka`u Hospital. Photo by Julia Neal

THE PHYSICIAN RESIDENCY PROGRAM, which could bring doctors in their final years of training to Ka`u and other rural places around the island, could be included in significant state funding this year. The measure, House Bill 2368, is co-sponsored by Ka`u’s Rep. Bob Herkes and was scheduled for a hearing today before the House Committee on Health and the House Committee on Higher Education. Funding would go to the Family Practice Residency Program, run by Ka`u Hospital’s sister facility, the Hilo Medical Center. With about a quarter of a million dollars inserted annually into the state budget, the program could proceed, say its supporters. Funding so far has come from a health insurance company, $70,000 a year from the state, and more money from such organizations as Rotary and the Hilo Hospital Foundation.
      Anyone can submit testimony by going to capitol.hawaii.gov. Testimony from healthcare providers predicts a loss of 134 physicians a year on the Big Island, as many doctors are headed for retirement.

THE INVEST IN HAWAI`I ACT, which would fast-track $500 million in capital improvements, including deferred maintenance on public facilities around the state, has the backing of Ka`u state Senator Gil Kahele, according to an Erin Miller story in this morning’s West Hawai`i Today. Miller quotes Kahele saying that “part of the thinking is to get things moving…. We all know we need to keep the economy moving.”
      The story also quoted county Planning director Bobby Jean Leithead Todd saying she has some concerns over the same bill exempting these state projects from county building permits. She said the state is less prepared to send out inspectors to make sure county building code is met and asked whether using state, rather than county inspectors, could increase cost. See more at westhawaiitoday.com.

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE TAXES will remain the same rate this year, if a bill that passed the state House of Representatives yesterday passes the Senate. The bill would delay an automatic increase that could have cost an average of $300 a year per employee. The automatic increase would happen in March unless the bill passes the Senate and the governor signs it. 

THE PROPOSED CEDED LAND SETTLEMENT over property claimed by native Hawaiians is moving through the state Legislature. Yesterday, members of the Hawaiian Affairs and the Water, Land & Housing Committees in the state Senate cast unanimous favorable votes. The bill is headed to the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

BUSINESS IS UP IN HAWAI`I, according to state tax revenue statistics for the past six months. General Excise taxes rose 7.5 percent, and the transient accommodation taxes for hotels, bed and breakfasts and vacation rental went up 16.1 percent, according to the state Department of Taxation. The state Council on Revenues estimates that the fiscal year which ends in June will show tax increases of 11.5 percent over the past year.

Hawaiian Airlines CEO Dunkerley, holding his carbon credit certificate,
with state Sen. Kalani English, left, and Gov. Neil Abercrombie.
Photo courtesy of Kalani English

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES became the first air carrier to earn carbon credits for reducing emissions and saving fuel. In a ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaiian was honored for reducing carbon dioxide emissions by almost 22,000 metric tons and saving more than 2.5 million gallons of fuel. Airplane engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney praised Hawaiian CEO Mark Dunkerley in a ceremony yesterday in Honolulu. 

      The carbon reduction and energy savings comes from a new EcoPower engine washing routine used on Hawaiian’s larger aircraft when they are on the mainland. Dunkerley said he wants to eventually bring the equipment to Hawai`i.

DID PASSING THE NEW COUNTY BUILDING CODE violate the state Sunshine Law? According to a story in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, the state Office of Information Practices is looking into whether the amended building code was provided to the public in a way that could be understood and commented on before it was passed. The new code was adopted in a 7 to 2 vote, with South Kona Council member Brenda Ford, who is running for the Ka`u seat this year, voting “No,” along with Council chair Dominic Yagong. Both said they were willing to listen to additional amendments from the members of the public, who have been testifying to change the code to make housing more affordable. The state Office of Information Practices has written to the Council asking for a copy of the bill, meeting agenda and “relevant communications,” the Nancy Cook Lauer story says. See more at hawaiitribuneherald.com.

Ed Case

ED CASE has earned the University of Hawai`i Professional Assembly endorsement in his run for the U.S. Senate. The 4,000-member union said in a statement that it chose Case “based on who could best represent the interests of the University of Hawai`i faculty, the students, and the role of public higher education in Congress, now and into the future.” Case responded that he believes “deeply in the role of higher education in growing our economy and bettering our country. He said he wants to further the accomplishments and fulfill the promise of the University of Hawai`i not only here in Hawai`i but nationally and throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Case, a Democrat, faces U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono in the primary, and the winner will likely face former governor and Republican Linda Lingle.

VALENTINE’S DAY is being celebrated throughout Ka`u today.
      Hana Hou Restaurant’s has specials of prime rib, fresh ono, pork tenderloin and surf and turf combos from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
      South Side Shaka’s offers prime rib and crab from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Call 929-7404 for reservations.
      Dinner at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café begins at 6 p.m., with entertainment by Lito Arkangel. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for reservations.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK tonight at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park features Capt. Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa, of Honu`apo, discussing Hawaiian canoes, from the first arrivals to working fishing vessels, giant war canoes and the sleek modern racing craft of today. Two-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

Image from amazon.com

MARK YAMANAKA shares songs from his debut Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning CD, Lei Pua Kenikeni tomorrow from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Donations support future `Ike Hana No`eau programs, and park entrance fees apply. 

THE ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT to benefit Ka`u Hospital takes place this Friday at Volcano Golf and Country Club. Sign up with Ron Young at 987-2761 or youngron19582@yahoo.com.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM AND WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM.