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| Hale Ho`omana, at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, is the site of the fourth annual Volcano Pottery Sale. Photo from ryhpottery.com |
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| Youth are engaging in less risky behavior according to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Photo from CDC.gov |
RISKY BEHAVIORS by Hawai`i middle and high school students have declined dramatically, according to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Suicide attempts dropped from 13 percent in 2009 to nine percent. The number of high school students who drink alcohol is lower, and the number of those who have had sex is less that the national percentage. The survey also shows improvements in diet and exercise.
The survey is taken every two years and is used to target prevention and treatment efforts. It is available online at cdc.gov/healthyyouth.
RETIREE PRE-PAYMENTS got preliminary approval from the County Council yesterday. Annual payments to the county employee retirement fund have been deferred to balance the county’s previous and current operating budgets.
Council chair Dominic Yagong introduced the bill that requires a minimum payment to be made to the GASB 45 fund if, at the end of the fiscal year, the operating budget has in excess of $5 million, which would be applied toward GASB 45 obligations unless the county includes at least 50 percent of the actuary’s recommended payment in the operating budget.
The Council must pass the bill a second time before sending it to Mayor Billy Kenoi for his signature or veto.
RETIREE PRE-PAYMENTS got preliminary approval from the County Council yesterday. Annual payments to the county employee retirement fund have been deferred to balance the county’s previous and current operating budgets.
Council chair Dominic Yagong introduced the bill that requires a minimum payment to be made to the GASB 45 fund if, at the end of the fiscal year, the operating budget has in excess of $5 million, which would be applied toward GASB 45 obligations unless the county includes at least 50 percent of the actuary’s recommended payment in the operating budget.
The Council must pass the bill a second time before sending it to Mayor Billy Kenoi for his signature or veto.
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| CTAHR offers many programs in Ka`u, such as this one held at coffee farms above Pahala. Photo from CTAHR |
KA`U COFFEE FARMERS are taking part in a workshop sponsored by UH – Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture & Human Resources in Pahala today. Topics include Understanding and Managing Agricultural Risk, Preparing for the Four D’s, High Risk Areas for Ka`u Producers, Applicability of Crop Insurance to CBB & How to File a Claim, Grower Panel Discussion about Crop Insurance, Reimbursement Transportation Cost Program for Farms, Hawai`i County Ag Programs and Marketing, Value Adding and Ag Tourism.
A trade show features agricultural chemical companies, agricultural government agencies and various CTAHR extension programs.
IMAGES FROM THE EDGE can be seen today through next Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibit includes photography of multiple finalists who submitted work to Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s first annual photo contest. The exhibit is free, and park entrance fees apply.
IMAGES FROM THE EDGE can be seen today through next Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The exhibit includes photography of multiple finalists who submitted work to Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s first annual photo contest. The exhibit is free, and park entrance fees apply.
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| Pottery by Jamie Stokes. Photo from ryhpottery.com |
ELEVEN BIG ISLAND potters and ceramicists display and sell their works at the fourth annual Volcano Pottery Sale today and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Call 985-8530 or visit http://ryhpottery.com/volcano_pottery_sale.
KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS celebrates King Kamehameha Day on Monday with Summer Creations. The free event at Pahala Plantation House is held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. All ages are invited to engage in guided activities in a safe, encouraging environment. Alma Gorali, Jym Duncan, Terri Chapot, Bobbie Beebe, Suzshi Lang, Suzanne Dix Kaliko, Pops Hosoi, Kepi Davis, Kirsi Klein and others will guide participants in art activities during the event. Some activities may have a modest materials fee. Call 929-7544 for more information.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.