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| The 34th annual Fourth of July Rodeo saw action all day Saturday and Sunday. Photo by William Neal |
A PETITION TO SAVE THE FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES branch in Na`alehu is circulating throughout the community. Losing her job is Teresa Alderdyce, the staff person covering Ka`u for more than 20 years who helps with such programs as the Emergency Food Pantry, prenatal counseling, youth development, parent education, family counseling, the Fatherhood Initiative and home visits to families with children from birth to age five. The facility has been scheduled for closing this Friday, July 13, according to Kepi Davis, who is helping to organize the petition drive. A petition with signatures collected to date is being sent to the governor and mayor today. For more, contact Davis at kepimilton52@gmail.com or 929-8215 or Anthony Rendon, the islandwide director, at 323-228-2188.  |
| Hurricane Daniel is one of two hurricanes that could bring rain, wind and surf. Image from NOAA |
TWO HURRICANES ARE EAST of the Big Island, and both are expected to pass south of Ka`u as tropical storms, depressions or remnant lows, perhaps bringing much needed rain to the drought-stricken region. Daniel is a Category One hurricane with maximum winds of 85 mph and is expected to weaken and pass some 250 miles south of South Point Friday or Saturday, spinning off some heavy rains, winds and waves to the Big Island. Emilia, following behind Daniel, strengthened to a Category Two this morning with maximum winds at 100 mph and is expected to become a Category Four before weakening. See more at National Hurricane Center’s website at www.nhc.noaa.gov.
NO MORE THAN $10 PER PERSON is being taken for his mayoral campaign, said candidate and former Hawai`i County mayor Harry Kim, who is running in the Aug. 11 primary. Kim reported to the campaign spending commission that he raised $1,420 through June. 30. Kim
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| Harry Kim, riding a bike as he campaigns for Mayor. Photo by David Howard Donald |
BIGISLANDRADAR.COM takes complaints about dangerous drivers and poor road conditions. Its crew uses radar to document speeding, makes videos of speeding cars and trucks and posts them online. The organization calls up offenders and employers to complain, works with police officers and state and county highway officials to solve problems, and posts issues and lists of offenders online. Its slogan is Safe Driving, Community Awareness.
A story in West Hawai`i Today this morning by Carolyn Lucas-Zenk quotes deputy prosecuting attorney Dale Ross praising the work of two brothers, Jon and Wilson Pepper, who founded BigIslandRadar.com. It “helps the community in remaining vigilant in communicating and reporting concerns,” said Ross.
A recent example of a BigIslandRadar.com community concern focused on commercial trucking:
“Wow, just read your worst offenders list for the Kawaihae Road, and you have confirmed my suspicions – those logging trucks are out of control, and we must take our road back for the safety of all. There is no excuse for professional drivers to exceed the speed limit by such a large margin. We are not supposed to be in a rush living in Hawai`i. These drivers are going to get somebody killed.
“We live just up from the Anna Ranch, and we are sick and tired of the engine braking noise! Our kids walk up to the Waimea Park, and every day I fear for their safety because of these speeding trucks. One of our neighbors is a policeman, and I am directing him to your website tonight. If my family can help your organization in any way, please let us know. We must do something about these truck drivers.”
The website notes that drivers are disqualified from operating commercial motor vehicles for not less than 60 days if they commit two serious traffic violations in three years or for not less than 120 days if they commit three serious traffic violations in three years. Serious includes exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph and reckless driving.
BigIslandRadar.com also issues praise. Jon Pepper posted: “Our hat’s off to some really good drivers at Kona Trans! They do ‘set the standard’ of ‘driving safety excellence’ on the Big Island, by a commercial operator.”
“Wow, just read your worst offenders list for the Kawaihae Road, and you have confirmed my suspicions – those logging trucks are out of control, and we must take our road back for the safety of all. There is no excuse for professional drivers to exceed the speed limit by such a large margin. We are not supposed to be in a rush living in Hawai`i. These drivers are going to get somebody killed.
“We live just up from the Anna Ranch, and we are sick and tired of the engine braking noise! Our kids walk up to the Waimea Park, and every day I fear for their safety because of these speeding trucks. One of our neighbors is a policeman, and I am directing him to your website tonight. If my family can help your organization in any way, please let us know. We must do something about these truck drivers.”
The website notes that drivers are disqualified from operating commercial motor vehicles for not less than 60 days if they commit two serious traffic violations in three years or for not less than 120 days if they commit three serious traffic violations in three years. Serious includes exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph and reckless driving.
BigIslandRadar.com also issues praise. Jon Pepper posted: “Our hat’s off to some really good drivers at Kona Trans! They do ‘set the standard’ of ‘driving safety excellence’ on the Big Island, by a commercial operator.”
See more at www.westhawaiitoday.com and at www.BigIslandRadar.com.
WINNERS FOR THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE have been announced by organizer Lee McIntosh and his family. Ka`u Auto Repair won the category for most unique, earning a $100 gift certificate from Wiki-Wiki Mart #7 in Na`alehu and an Avon gift basket of bug spray from Crystal McIntosh. Robert Williams won the category for most patriotic. He earned a $100 gift certificate from Island Market in Na`alehu, two $5 gift certificates from Coffee Grinds in Ocean View and an Avon gift basket of bug spray from Crystal McIntosh.
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| Teams rope ahnd tackle steers at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena. Photo by William Neal |
RODEO RESULTS ARE IN for the two-day event held at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena over the weekend.
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| Cloe Velez, Rodeo Queen for Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal |
· Team 90s - Chad Serion and Hugh Hill
· Double Mugging - Kevin Aguiar and Bronson Branco
· Ranch Mugging - Greg Menino and Bronson Branco and Kevin Aguiar
· Wahine Mugging - Chelsea Branco and Shannon Carmichael
· Rescue Race - Braiden and Jyrus Malicki
· Wahine Breakaway - Chelsea Branco
· Chute Dogging - Kevin Hill
· Po`o Wai U - Keola Loando
· Tie Down Roping - Kevin Hill
· Dummy Roping - (four years of age and under) Darsen Nobriga
· Dummy Roping (five to eight) Kale Onaka
· Goat Undecorating (four years of age and under) Nainoa Kahele
· Goat Undecorating (five to eight) Blayk Hanoa
· Mutton Busting - Nainoa Kahele
· Junior Bulls - Westin Joseph
· Bulls - Kaukane Waiwaiole
The rodeo queen was Cloe Velez.
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| Professor Jonathan Price Photo from UH-Hilo |
UH-HILO PROFESSOR Jonathan Price discusses the connection between Hawai`i’s native endemic birds and the ancient flowers they pollinate at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Two-dollar donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND sponsors cleanup events in Ka`u throughout this month. Anchialine pool workdays take place this Wednesday and again on July 25. A beach cleanup is scheduled this Saturday, July 14. Volunteers for the events meet at 7:45 a.m. at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool to the remote sites. Sign up with Megan Lamson at meghwf@gmail.com or 769-7629.
SEE OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.