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| Pinwheels of Peace, crafted by Na`alehu School students line the rails
to celebrate International Peace Day today. Art teacher Hettie Rush followed the initiative of teacher Tabitha Dalhstedt. An International Day of Peace celebration takes place this afternoon at Honu`apo Park. Photo by Nalani Parlin |
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| Shary Crocker, one of the International Day of Peace Honu`apo event coordinators, makes peace signs for participants to take home. Photo from Shary Crocker |
On display at Na`alehu School today are student-made pinwheels for peace that are attached to railings of the outdoor hallways. Students crafted them in Hettie Rush’s art class, a project initiated by teacher Tabitha Dahlstedt.
The Honu`apo event begins at 3 p.m. and the first 60 people to arrive receive one of three block printed peace flags to take home. The human peace sign photo will be taken at 4 p.m. Participants are asked to wear white. For more call 939-9461.
CONGRESSWOMAN MAZIE HIRONO said today that she opposes bills in congress that “would roll back environmental protections that help keep families safe from pollution.” The bill called The Stop the War on Coal Act “fails to take a balanced approach to our need for affordable, clean energy and undermines laws protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. It’s no wonder the Obama Administration strongly opposes this bill,” said Hirono.
The Honu`apo event begins at 3 p.m. and the first 60 people to arrive receive one of three block printed peace flags to take home. The human peace sign photo will be taken at 4 p.m. Participants are asked to wear white. For more call 939-9461.
CONGRESSWOMAN MAZIE HIRONO said today that she opposes bills in congress that “would roll back environmental protections that help keep families safe from pollution.” The bill called The Stop the War on Coal Act “fails to take a balanced approach to our need for affordable, clean energy and undermines laws protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink. It’s no wonder the Obama Administration strongly opposes this bill,” said Hirono.
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| Of the top six states most dependent on petroleum for electricity, Hawai`i has the highest dependence. Image from Maize Hirono |
Hirono contended that “families and businesses in Hawai`i know that the key to a sustainable economy is to continue our progress on renewable energy, respecting our environment, and managing our natural resources responsibly. That’s the type of energy bill I’d like to see, not one that makes it easier for power plants to release mercury and other toxic pollutants into the air.” She pointed to her own report called the Path to Sustainability.
In the report, she sates: “We can’t continue to rely on importing so much of the energy and food that we consume from other places if we want to preserve Hawai`i’s quality of life and ensure that our keiki have the opportunities and security that previous generations have enjoyed. Therefore, we need to continue the progress that we have made—and we need federal policies that will help us get there.”
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| Mazie Hirono. Photo from Mazie Hirono |
She writes about a system made up of four separate and small smart grids. “Hawai`i can serve as a world-class test bed for developing smart grid technologies. Investments in our energy grid, particularly smart grid technology, will allow our people to utilize more Hawai`i-made energy while adapting their energy use to reduce costs and boost efficiency.”
The report says that the federal Department of Energy has provided $7 million for Maui, $5.5 million for Kaua`i and $5 million for O`ahu smart grid systems. The Big Island is expected to be next.
The report says that the federal Department of Energy has provided $7 million for Maui, $5.5 million for Kaua`i and $5 million for O`ahu smart grid systems. The Big Island is expected to be next.
Hirono explains that a smart grid “communicates with homeowners, businesses, and the utility about how power is flowing through the system. It would operate somewhat like the Internet by linking to computer systems that help to control and monitor the grid.” The information helps everyone to tailor energy usage more effectively – leading to lower electricity bills. It also lets the utility know instantly when there are outages.
Read Hawai`i’s Energy and Agriculture Sectors: Path to Sustainability at http://hirono.house.gov/uploadedfiles/mazie_hirono_sustainability.pdf
UNEMPLOYMENT IN HAWAI`I is one of the lowest in the nation, dropping to 6.3 percent in August, according to statistics released yesterday by the state and federal governments. Hawai`i Island’s unemployment rate, which is traditionally higher than O`ahu’s dropped from 9.2 percent in July to 8.3 percent in August. O`ahu’s rate dropped from 5.6 percent to 5.1 percent.
The nationwide unemployment rate is 8.1 percent. Hawai`i ranks in the top ten with lowest unemployment. Number one is North Dakota with 3.6 percent, followed by South Dakota with 4.4 percent. Third is Nebraska with 4.7 percent, followed by New Hampshire with 5.8 percent and Vermont with 6.0 percent. Hawai`i is sixth, followed by Kansas with 6.5 percent, Wyoming with 6.7 percent and Minnesota with 6.8 percent.
Hawai`i and Maryland are ranked as the states with the most number of millionaires per population.
Read Hawai`i’s Energy and Agriculture Sectors: Path to Sustainability at http://hirono.house.gov/uploadedfiles/mazie_hirono_sustainability.pdf
UNEMPLOYMENT IN HAWAI`I is one of the lowest in the nation, dropping to 6.3 percent in August, according to statistics released yesterday by the state and federal governments. Hawai`i Island’s unemployment rate, which is traditionally higher than O`ahu’s dropped from 9.2 percent in July to 8.3 percent in August. O`ahu’s rate dropped from 5.6 percent to 5.1 percent.
The nationwide unemployment rate is 8.1 percent. Hawai`i ranks in the top ten with lowest unemployment. Number one is North Dakota with 3.6 percent, followed by South Dakota with 4.4 percent. Third is Nebraska with 4.7 percent, followed by New Hampshire with 5.8 percent and Vermont with 6.0 percent. Hawai`i is sixth, followed by Kansas with 6.5 percent, Wyoming with 6.7 percent and Minnesota with 6.8 percent.
Hawai`i and Maryland are ranked as the states with the most number of millionaires per population.
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| Ocean View Water Well blessing drew public officials and long time advocates to the new filling station in July. The filling stations experienced trouble this week but drinking water spigots remained open and water hauling resumes Monday. Photo by the Charles Tobias |
THE DEEP WELL WATER SYSTEM at Ocean View is back up and running, but commercial hauling remains closed until Monday, according to a release from the county Department of Water Supply late yesterday. The statement says, “DWS is closely monitoring the operations of the system to ensure the current electrical problem is completely resolved. When the repair is deemed complete, the tank will be restored to full capacity. When the tank is full, water hauling at the standpipe can resume. It is estimated water hauling may resume on Monday, Sept 24, at 7 a.m.”
Drinking water spigots remain open for community access. However, water hauling is diverted to standpipes at alternate facilities in Na`alehu and Ho`okena. For additional information, contact Daryl Ikeda at 961-8790.
Drinking water spigots remain open for community access. However, water hauling is diverted to standpipes at alternate facilities in Na`alehu and Ho`okena. For additional information, contact Daryl Ikeda at 961-8790.
A FOOTBALL GAME TONIGHT AT KA`U HIGH pits the Trojans against Kamehameha Schools, starting at 7 p.m. Tomorrow’s Trojan events include: a girl’s volleyball match versus Makualani at Konawaena at 10 a.m., a cross-country match at Waiakea at 10 a.m., and bowling matches at Kona Bowl against Makualani and Kealakehe.
STUDIES TO IMPROVE GRASS FED BEEF PRODUCTION are being sponsored by the Ulupono Initiative, the fund co-founded by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.
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| The Galimba family raise grass-fed beef in Ka`u. Photo from kuahiwiranch.com |
The study will focus on large-scale, grass-fed beef production on the Big Island. Parker Ranch, Hawai`i Beef Producers and Kamehameha School have signed on to conduct trials on grasslands that will be fertilized, both irrigated and not irrigated. According to a report in Pacific Business News, the results will be provided to the Hawai`i Cattlemen’s Association and University of Hawai`i’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to improve quality and lower production costs of grass-fed beef in Hawai`i.
KICK ICE SIGN WAVING is today from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in front of Na`alehu School gym.
NA`ALEHU HONGWANJI MINI-BAZAAR is tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donated items, from clothes to boats, will be sold. For more, call 928-7236.
A WRITING FAMILY HISTORY & PERSONAL MEMOIR workshop is tomorrow at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The workshop, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is led by Tom Peek who will teach techniques to overcome barriers that cause writer’s block, self-censorship, or lack of depth in personal topics. Topics include writing with emotional power, bringing back the past with photographs and memorabilia and find truths (and lies) and old myths. No previous writing experience needed. Open to all levels. The course is $76.50 for VAC members and $85 for the general public. For more, call 967-8222.
KICK ICE SIGN WAVING is today from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in front of Na`alehu School gym.
NA`ALEHU HONGWANJI MINI-BAZAAR is tomorrow from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donated items, from clothes to boats, will be sold. For more, call 928-7236.
A WRITING FAMILY HISTORY & PERSONAL MEMOIR workshop is tomorrow at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. The workshop, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is led by Tom Peek who will teach techniques to overcome barriers that cause writer’s block, self-censorship, or lack of depth in personal topics. Topics include writing with emotional power, bringing back the past with photographs and memorabilia and find truths (and lies) and old myths. No previous writing experience needed. Open to all levels. The course is $76.50 for VAC members and $85 for the general public. For more, call 967-8222.
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| Line Dancing will be hosted tomorrow at Kilauea Military Camp. Photo from selu.edu |
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE HOSTS A CHUCK WAGON FEAST tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. followed by Line Dancing Roundup and Country Western Dancing from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The feast is $10 a person and there is no cover charge for dancing. A contest for best cowboy hat, best cowboy boot, and best yodeler will also be held. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8371.
A U.S. SENATE AND HOUSE FORUM will be hosted at Kealakehe High School at 2 p.m. Sunday. Other events at Kealakehe High include: Hawai`i County Mayor and Hawai`i County Prosecutor at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1; and Hawai`i County Council District 6 (Volcano through South Kona) and District 9 (Waikoloa, Kohala) 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED to pre-register for a ranger-guided hike through an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This Kipuka`akihi Hike is scheduled for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration required, hike is free to all. For more, call 985-6011.
A U.S. SENATE AND HOUSE FORUM will be hosted at Kealakehe High School at 2 p.m. Sunday. Other events at Kealakehe High include: Hawai`i County Mayor and Hawai`i County Prosecutor at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1; and Hawai`i County Council District 6 (Volcano through South Kona) and District 9 (Waikoloa, Kohala) 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED to pre-register for a ranger-guided hike through an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This Kipuka`akihi Hike is scheduled for Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration required, hike is free to all. For more, call 985-6011.