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| NOAA map shows debris reported as possibly resulting from the Japanese tsunami in March 2011. |
PUBLIC LAND DEVELOPMENT CORP’S major supporter in the state Senate said yesterday that he would consider repealing the law. Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that the implementation of the law, the way it is written, could be inconsistent. According to the report by Star-Advertiser reporter Derrick DePledge, “Dela Cruz said that the PLDC, the development arm of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, has not done anything definitive in the year since it was created to establish itself as an entity poised to develop significant projects. He said that he and other lawmakers had to help craft a strategic plan and a public information strategy for the PLDC.”
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| Donovan Dela Cruz |
Ka`u’s incoming state Senators Josh Green and Russell Ruderman both told The Ka`u Calendar that they would seriously consider repealing the law. Ka`u member to the state House of Representatives Denny Coffman says he opposes the PLDC law and has apologized for supporting in last year. New state Rep. Richard Onishi said he has not yet made up his mind.
According to the Star-Advertiser story, Dela Cruz “has also urged the PLDC’s five-member board to develop criteria to annually evaluate the performance of Lloyd Haraguchi, its executive director.” The story quotes Dela Cruz saying: “We’re not talking about projects; we’re talking about organization. So the fact that the Public Land Development Corp. has not been able to organize, has not been able to develop an operational strategy, is disturbing.”
“Asked whether he would call for a repeal, the senator said, ‘I think at this point, until they can prove that this idea can be properly implemented, then maybe that has to be put on the table,’” reports DePledge.
The Star-Advertiser also reports that Department of Land & Natural Resources director William Aila “said the Abercrombie administration and the PLDC would like the opportunity to work with all parties to try to resolve concerns. ‘I don’t think that a repeal is necessary at this point.’”
See more at www.staradvertiser.com.
“Asked whether he would call for a repeal, the senator said, ‘I think at this point, until they can prove that this idea can be properly implemented, then maybe that has to be put on the table,’” reports DePledge.
The Star-Advertiser also reports that Department of Land & Natural Resources director William Aila “said the Abercrombie administration and the PLDC would like the opportunity to work with all parties to try to resolve concerns. ‘I don’t think that a repeal is necessary at this point.’”
See more at www.staradvertiser.com.
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| Only 15 of more than 1,000 reported items have been confirmed asJapanese tsunami marine debris. Map from NOAA |
SINCE THE JAPANESE TSUNAMI in March 2011, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration has received over 1,000 reports of debris from the general public and partners at sea and on shore. While many of these objects may fit the profile of tsunami debris, only a few can be traced back to the disaster with 100 percent certainty based on a clear fingerprint, such as a government registration or personal information. The latest report shows only 15 items confirmed as Japanese tsunami marine debris.
The only confirmed sighting in Hawai`i is a small plastic box found on O`ahu used to store seafood. A large yellow cylinder that washed up along the Ka`u Coast is unconfirmed as being from Japan, and DLNR is soliciting bids for its removal.
The only confirmed sighting in Hawai`i is a small plastic box found on O`ahu used to store seafood. A large yellow cylinder that washed up along the Ka`u Coast is unconfirmed as being from Japan, and DLNR is soliciting bids for its removal.
Sightings of marine debris can be reported at disasterdebris@noaa.gov. More information is available at marinedebris.noaa.gov.
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| The large yellow cylinder on the Ka`u Coast is unconfirmed as being from Japan. DLNR is soliciting bids for its removal. |
County Civil Defense is working with other agencies to keep track of tsunami debris and to plan for its removal, according to the mayor’s office.
A RECENT CHANGE IN HAWAI`I COUNTY’S ELECTRICAL CODE removes the requirement for an architect or structural engineer’s seal on building plans and specs for residential photovoltaic installations. The change, signed into law by Mayor Billy Kenoi, became effective November 8.
With this change in the electrical code, homeowners and installers can get photovoltaic systems on homes more quickly. “Residential photovoltaic systems are an important part of reducing our island’s dependence on imported fuels and easing the burden of high electricity prices on our Hawai‘i Island families,” said Kenoi.
A RECENT CHANGE IN HAWAI`I COUNTY’S ELECTRICAL CODE removes the requirement for an architect or structural engineer’s seal on building plans and specs for residential photovoltaic installations. The change, signed into law by Mayor Billy Kenoi, became effective November 8.
With this change in the electrical code, homeowners and installers can get photovoltaic systems on homes more quickly. “Residential photovoltaic systems are an important part of reducing our island’s dependence on imported fuels and easing the burden of high electricity prices on our Hawai‘i Island families,” said Kenoi.
The law did not change the requirement for an architect or structural engineer’s seal on building plans and specs for non-residential photovoltaic installations. Building and electrical permits are still required for residential and non-residential photovoltaic installations, as well as an electrical engineer’s stamp for electrical design drawings.
Electrical and building applications may be completed and tracked online through the Papa Aukahi web portal at papaaukahi.hawaiicounty.gov. Public computers within the Hilo and Kona Building Division offices are available to create and track online permit applications.
Front desk support for permit applications is available from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of Wednesday in Hilo and Thursday in Kona, when the desk closes at noon. All other Public Works divisions remain available weekdays until 4:30 p.m. for code questions, consultation, and drop off and pick up for plans and permits.
Electrical and building applications may be completed and tracked online through the Papa Aukahi web portal at papaaukahi.hawaiicounty.gov. Public computers within the Hilo and Kona Building Division offices are available to create and track online permit applications.
Front desk support for permit applications is available from 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of Wednesday in Hilo and Thursday in Kona, when the desk closes at noon. All other Public Works divisions remain available weekdays until 4:30 p.m. for code questions, consultation, and drop off and pick up for plans and permits.
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| Vickie Crosby holds her Hawai`i Nurse Practitioner of the Year award received from (l) Angela Golden, president of AANP and Yvonne Geesey, AANP Hawai`i state representative. Photo from Rick Crosby |
VICKIE CROSBY, CERTIFIED FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER and founder of Ocean View Family Health Clinic, has been named Hawai`i Nurse Practitioner of the Year by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. This honor is awarded annually during National Nurse Practitioner Week to one of Hawai`i’s outstanding nurse practitioners for leadership, innovation and service to his or her community. Crosby serves over 3,000 patients every year in the Ocean View area and is a clinical preceptor for nurse practitioner students from University of Hawai`i. She is also vice president of Ka`u Rural Health Association.
According to AANP, more and more people are choosing NPs as their primary, acute and/or specialty healthcare provider. In addition to being healthcare providers, NPs provide comprehensive, personalized health education and counseling and assist patients in making better lifestyle and health decisions.
“By providing high-quality care and counseling, NPs can lower the cost of health care for patients,” said Ocean View Family Health Clinic manager Rick Crosby. “For example, patients who see NPs as their primary care provider often have fewer emergency room visits, shorter hospital stays and lower medication costs.”
“By providing high-quality care and counseling, NPs can lower the cost of health care for patients,” said Ocean View Family Health Clinic manager Rick Crosby. “For example, patients who see NPs as their primary care provider often have fewer emergency room visits, shorter hospital stays and lower medication costs.”
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| A Land Worth Fighting For, by Kamrie Koi, is one of eleven short films comprising the Digital Mountain Film Festival. |
ELEVEN SHORT FILMS CREATED by island students for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Digital Mountain Film Festival are ready for viewing and voting on YouTube. Each film is approximately three minutes in length.
The last day to vote is Monday, Nov. 26. Send votes to Park Ranger Kupono McDaniel by email at kupono_mcdaniel@nps.gov.
The fourth annual Digital Mountain Film Festival takes place at the park’s Kilauea Visitor Center, on Saturday, Dec. 1. A potluck celebration starts at 5:30 p.m., and the film festival gets underway at 6 p.m. Winners, who have a chance to win Mac laptop computers and digital cameras, will be announced at the festival.
“It’s very inspirational and enlightening to see how our island youth perceive Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. They understand the park isn’t just for tourists but is their park, too. I hope everyone has a chance to vote for their favorite film and come and celebrate our talented youth at the film festival,” McDaniel said.
The fourth annual Digital Mountain Film Festival takes place at the park’s Kilauea Visitor Center, on Saturday, Dec. 1. A potluck celebration starts at 5:30 p.m., and the film festival gets underway at 6 p.m. Winners, who have a chance to win Mac laptop computers and digital cameras, will be announced at the festival.
“It’s very inspirational and enlightening to see how our island youth perceive Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. They understand the park isn’t just for tourists but is their park, too. I hope everyone has a chance to vote for their favorite film and come and celebrate our talented youth at the film festival,” McDaniel said.
See the films at http://www.youtube.com/user/DigitalMountain2012?feature=watch.
For more information, contact McDaniel at 985-6015 or kupono_mcdaniel@nps.gov, and visit the festival’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DigitalMountainFilmFestival.
ALL AGES ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE in the annual Rubberband Turkey Shoot today from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Call 928-3102 for more information. For more information, contact McDaniel at 985-6015 or kupono_mcdaniel@nps.gov, and visit the festival’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/DigitalMountainFilmFestival.
KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park hosts a concert by Kalapana `Awa Band this evening at 6:30 p.m. The event is free, and park entrance fees apply.
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| Caren Loebel-Fried illustrated Legend of the Gourd. |
WOODBLOCK PRINT ARTIST CAREN LOEBEL-FRIED signs books and prints Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Her most recent image, Ho`ailona, Hawaiian Monk Seal, is a hand-pulled, hand-colored, limited-edition block print created for Conservation Council for Hawai`i’s annual wildlife poster. Loebel-Fried demonstrates her process and has both original and giclee images available for purchase. Park entrance fees apply. For more visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.
VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Art Studio Tour & Sale is Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors meet artists in their studios and see pottery, raku masks, hand-blown art glass, wood and metal sculpture, hand-tooled metal, fiber art, photographs, paintings, drawings and block prints. A special drawing for pieces contributed by the artists is held on the last day of the event. Maps are available at local businesses and VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.
KIPUKA`AKIHI HIKE is scheduled Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants explore an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Pre-registration is required at 985-6011.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI Art Studio Tour & Sale is Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors meet artists in their studios and see pottery, raku masks, hand-blown art glass, wood and metal sculpture, hand-tooled metal, fiber art, photographs, paintings, drawings and block prints. A special drawing for pieces contributed by the artists is held on the last day of the event. Maps are available at local businesses and VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.
KIPUKA`AKIHI HIKE is scheduled Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants explore an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Pre-registration is required at 985-6011.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT WWW.PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND WWW.KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.