Ka`u News Briefs April 19, 2012

Mayor Kenoi talked story in Na`alehu last month about the county budget, which is currently being scrutinized by Hawai`i County Council. Photo by Julia Neal

MAYOR BILLY KENOI’S $365.3 million county budget is being scrutinized by Hawai`i County Council. The budget is based on a projected decrease in property taxes of $8.8 million and keeps property tax rates the same. Issues of contention include deferral of advance payments on retiree health care and the number of employee positions that need to be cut. Finance Committee reviews continue today and Friday. Updated tax revenue information is due this week, with an amended budget to follow next month before going into effect July 1. 

Sen. Gil Kahele
Photo by Julia Neal

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE is releasing Capital Improvement Project funding for Ka`u. Funding includes $500,000 for plans and design for improvements to Ka`u Irrigation System, including renovation of the existing water tunnel system. Ka`u Hospital receives $284,000 for installation of solar-powered parking lot lights, replacement of hospital doors, renovation of entrance ramps and installation of a wireless repeater for advanced communications.

      Projects in the Waimea area are also receiving funding. “There are people who are under-employed and unemployed in the trades industry on Hawai`i Island, and these capital improvement projects will provide jobs that they so urgently need,” said Sen. Gil Kahele.

APRILLE ROSE CARIAGA, of Ka`u High School, has received a Citizenship Award in recognition of her service to school and community. The Citizenship Award, which marked its eighth year, is a collaboration between the Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism Association, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, and Department of Education.

Aprille Rose Cariaga (center) of Ka`u High has received
a Citizenship Award. Photo from Hawai`i
Lodging & Tourism Association

      Forty-two seniors, one from every public high school in Hawai`i, received Citizenship Awards at a luncheon on April 15 at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa. Cariaga’s award was sponsored by the University of Hawai`i’s School of Travel Industry Management.
      A $1,000 scholarship was awarded to each senior. The awards honor young people “who have contributed to making Hawai`i a better place and who best exemplify the Department of Education’s vision of a model public high school graduate who, among other things, exercises the rights and responsibilities of citizenship,” according to a statement from Hawai`i Lodging & Tourism Association president Mufi Hannemann.

Lee Segawa

REPRESENTATIVES OF KA`U COFFEE have arrived in Portland, Oregon for the Specialty Coffee Association of America convention. Three Coffee of the Year awards went to Ka`u Coffees. Miller and chief roaster Lee Segawa has been at Ka`u Coffee Mill since its inception. He began with the planting and has seen the farm grow to become a lush orchard of coffee interspersed with taro, tea, bananas and other edible crops, surrounded by macadamia orchards. 

THE PUBLIC IS INVITED to meet County Council District 6 and Prosecuting Attorney candidates tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Candidates for the Council seat are Marie Burns, Maile David, Brenda Ford, Lee McIntosh and Bradley Westervelt. Candidates for Prosecuting Attorney are Lincoln Ashida, Paul Dolan and Mitch Roth. For more information, call 929-7236 or email marge@hawaii.rr.com.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION holds the first of regular barbecues on the third Saturday of each month this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The barbecues replace previously held monthly pancake breakfasts. This fundraising Grand Re-opening BBQ and Open House celebrates recent improvements to the building. Call 939-7033 for more information.

THE MONGOLIAN BBQ at Cooper Center on Saturday evening promises great food, entertainment and fun. Along with veggies, beef, pork and tofu, this time the menu includes fresh fish. The cost is 75 cents per ounce, with funds raised going to Cooper Center. Visit thecoopercenter.org.

Halema`uma`u Photo by Jay Robinson, HVNP

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entrance fees beginning Saturday and continuing through Sunday, April 29 in celebration of National Park Week. This year’s theme, Picture Yourself in a National Park, encourages visitors to share photos or videos of themselves, their families and friends exploring and enjoying the park during National Park Week on the park’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/hawaiivolcanoes.com.

HALAU HULA KA NOEAU, with kumu hula Michael Pang, performs at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Hands-on cultural demonstrations take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the gallery’s porch. Donations are welcome.

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