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| Gas emissions from Pu`u `O`o, in the foreground, and Halema`uma`u, in the background, are the topic at a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory program Wednesday at Pahala Community Center. Photo from USGS/HVO |
“We are very disappointed with the outcome of the launch and offer our sincere regrets to our customer, Intelsat, and their spacecraft provider, Boeing,” Kjell Karlsen, president of Sea Launch AG, said in a statement.
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| Sea Launch rocket lifted off yesterday from the Odyssey floating launch pad 1,311 miles south of Ka Lae, but fell back into the Pacific Ocean. Photo from Sea Launch |
“The cause of the failure is unknown, but we are evaluating it and working closely with Intelsat, Boeing, Energia Logistics, Ltd and our Zenit-3SL suppliers. We will do everything reasonably possible to recover from this unexpected and unfortunate event.”
According to a BBC report, “Sea Launch had not long returned from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A spectacular rocket failure on its converted oil rig in 2007 forced the firm to restructure its finances as orders slowed and debts mounted. It re-emerged in 2011 and had lofted four satellites successfully from the Odyssey platform before Friday’s loss,” wrote BBC.
Sea Launch says it “offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites, providing diversity of supply, affordability and flexibility for the industry’s satellite operators.” See www.sea-launch.com.
According to a BBC report, “Sea Launch had not long returned from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A spectacular rocket failure on its converted oil rig in 2007 forced the firm to restructure its finances as orders slowed and debts mounted. It re-emerged in 2011 and had lofted four satellites successfully from the Odyssey platform before Friday’s loss,” wrote BBC.
Sea Launch says it “offers the most direct and cost-effective route to geostationary orbit for commercial communications satellites, providing diversity of supply, affordability and flexibility for the industry’s satellite operators.” See www.sea-launch.com.
HAWAI`I’S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION has received recognition from the U.S. Department of Education for a number of major accomplishments made through August 2012 in the Race to the Top program.
HIDOE received recognition for a number of major accomplishments over that time period in the following areas:
HIDOE received recognition for a number of major accomplishments over that time period in the following areas:
- Transitioning to College and Career-Ready Standards
- Building Better Data Systems
- Supporting Great Teachers and School Leaders
- Turning Around Low-Performing Schools
- Expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education
“Hawai`i has shown promising growth in their second year under Race to the Top, and we are optimistic about their framework for continuing this progress,” U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. “We will continue to work closely with Hawai`i to ensure they are enacting reforms that will improve student achievement and empower teachers to prepare all students for college and careers.”
“We are pleased that federal officials recognize the continued progress in our schools and the ongoing transformation of the Hawai`i State Department of Education,” superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie stated, “Secretary Duncan’s comments about Hawai`i’s progress are reassuring and demonstrate the positive transformations taking place in our public schools. We will continue to work collaboratively with the U.S. Department of Education to further improve Hawai`i’s status. Race to the Top has served as a catalyst to improve Hawai`i’s public education system and represents an immense opportunity to invest in the professional growth of Hawai`i’s educators by providing measurable, long-term benefits for our students.”
Gov. Neil Abercrombie stated, “Secretary Duncan’s comments about Hawai`i’s progress are reassuring and demonstrate the positive transformations taking place in our public schools. We will continue to work collaboratively with the U.S. Department of Education to further improve Hawai`i’s status. Race to the Top has served as a catalyst to improve Hawai`i’s public education system and represents an immense opportunity to invest in the professional growth of Hawai`i’s educators by providing measurable, long-term benefits for our students.”
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| Sen. Josh Green |
STATE SENATOR JOSH GREEN yesterday announced his package of bills intended to address the epidemic of childhood obesity in Hawai`i.
“Childhood obesity has a terrible human cost,” Green said. “It can lead to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and other deadly diseases. We cannot stand by and do nothing while our children are getting sicker and their lives are getting shorter, so today I am declaring war on childhood obesity.”
Green, a practicing physician and chair of the Senate Committee on Health, is proposing a variety of measures to combat childhood obesity in Hawai`i, including legislation that would require public schools to offer healthier beverage choices to students allowing only milk and juice to be served during school hours, a ban on the use of harmful trans-fats in schools and a measure that would allow a tax exemption for fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Nutritional literacy and education is important for every family and school in Hawai`i, and exercise has a vital role to play in our children’s health, but as parents and responsible adults, we must address the consumption of harmful substances by our children,” Green said. “The epidemic of childhood obesity we see today is the result of our children consuming too many refined sugars and harmful fats. Eating a calorie of broccoli does not have the same effect on human health as eating a calorie of refined sugar. Sugar is bad for the body.”
On Wednesday, Feb. 6 the Senate Committee on Health will hear legislation proposed by the governor that would establish a fee on sugar-sweetened beverages and a Special Fund on Obesity Prevention under the Department of Health.
“We are facing an extremely serious problem that requires a comprehensive approach,” Green said. “A healthy diet, exercise, and nutritional education all have a part to play, but consumption of refined sugars and harmful fats is at the root of the problem. Doctors, parents, teachers, elected officials and nutrition professionals must all be fully involved in fighting this epidemic. Our children’s lives are at stake.”
Green, a practicing physician and chair of the Senate Committee on Health, is proposing a variety of measures to combat childhood obesity in Hawai`i, including legislation that would require public schools to offer healthier beverage choices to students allowing only milk and juice to be served during school hours, a ban on the use of harmful trans-fats in schools and a measure that would allow a tax exemption for fresh fruits and vegetables.
“Nutritional literacy and education is important for every family and school in Hawai`i, and exercise has a vital role to play in our children’s health, but as parents and responsible adults, we must address the consumption of harmful substances by our children,” Green said. “The epidemic of childhood obesity we see today is the result of our children consuming too many refined sugars and harmful fats. Eating a calorie of broccoli does not have the same effect on human health as eating a calorie of refined sugar. Sugar is bad for the body.”
On Wednesday, Feb. 6 the Senate Committee on Health will hear legislation proposed by the governor that would establish a fee on sugar-sweetened beverages and a Special Fund on Obesity Prevention under the Department of Health.
“We are facing an extremely serious problem that requires a comprehensive approach,” Green said. “A healthy diet, exercise, and nutritional education all have a part to play, but consumption of refined sugars and harmful fats is at the root of the problem. Doctors, parents, teachers, elected officials and nutrition professionals must all be fully involved in fighting this epidemic. Our children’s lives are at stake.”
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| Pueo McGuire describes surfing at Kawa as a Native Hawaiian cultural activity. Photo by Julia Neal |
PUEO MCGUIRE and the group Na Mamo O Kawa have started meeting with members of families associated with Kawa in an attempt to become a liaison between the county and every interest group. McGuire said, “We want to see what they want done, how they want to see Kawa managed. He said he and other members of the new organization are talking with “the families, the young, the recreational users and surfers. McGuire talked about surfing at Kawa as more than recreation. “It is not like we are out there playing. It is a spiritual activity. It is a Native Hawaiian cultural activity that we do down there.” He and member Lui Sales said that in addition to the families, the group will be talking with Karen Teshima and other representatives of Kawa as the planning goes forward.
MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR KAWA BAY will be hired by the county Department of Parks & Recreation, according to an invitation for Bid NO. 2881from Hawai`i County. The bids were opened last Tuesday, and the low bidder was announced as Ali`i Security for $552 per night, followed by RMP Enterprise at $566.40 and Global Protective, with a bid of $840 a night, according to a report in West Hawai`i Today. See more at www.westhawaiitoday.com.
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| Gladys Yonemitsu |
GLADYS’ KITCHEN is the new cookbook that honors Gladys Yonemitsu, a teacher for many years at Na`alehu School. Yonemitsu died last year, and her love of cooking is remembered in a cookbook dedicated to her memory. Many of Gladys’ favorite recipes were collected by another Gladys, friend Gladys Nakamura, and these form the core of the publication. Many of Gladys Yonemitsu’s friends contributed favorite recipes of their own. The book contains 240 recipes, all someone’s favorites.
Gladys’ Kitchen has an emphasis on Japanese cuisine, with a chapter called The Art of Japanese Cooking by the Rev. Earl Ikeda. Many recipes are adapted to Hawaiian tastes and availability of spices and other ingredients. Many recipes come from other cultures. The recipes were compiled and edited by the Rev. David Fujimoto, Carol Tsunezumi and Marge and Dennis Elwell. Each section is introduced by a line drawing by Masako Sakata.
Gladys’ Kitchen sells for $10.00 plus shipping, and orders can be sent to Marge Elwell at PO Box 1043, Na`alehu HI 96772. They can also be placed by phone at 929-7236 or by email at marge@hawaii.rr.com. Checks should be made out to Gladys’ Kitchen. Proceeds go to the Buddhist Women’s Association scholarship fund.
USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY geochemists Jeff Sutton and Tamar Elias explain how vog forms and what has been learned about its effects on our island environment during a program at Pahala Community Center Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. This is HVO’s second program in Pahala, and they hope to have more in the area depending on interest from the local communities.
A WALK INTO THE PAST is again being performed in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park after ending a seven-year run in May 2012, due in part to construction at Volcano House. Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network presents the living history program that features Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger, dressed in period costume, bringing back to life Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and a prominent figure in the history of the study of volcanoes. Free performances are held Feb. 5 and 19 and every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center. The program is free, and park entrance fees apply.
Gladys’ Kitchen sells for $10.00 plus shipping, and orders can be sent to Marge Elwell at PO Box 1043, Na`alehu HI 96772. They can also be placed by phone at 929-7236 or by email at marge@hawaii.rr.com. Checks should be made out to Gladys’ Kitchen. Proceeds go to the Buddhist Women’s Association scholarship fund.
USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY geochemists Jeff Sutton and Tamar Elias explain how vog forms and what has been learned about its effects on our island environment during a program at Pahala Community Center Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. This is HVO’s second program in Pahala, and they hope to have more in the area depending on interest from the local communities.
A WALK INTO THE PAST is again being performed in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park after ending a seven-year run in May 2012, due in part to construction at Volcano House. Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network presents the living history program that features Ka`u resident Dick Hershberger, dressed in period costume, bringing back to life Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and a prominent figure in the history of the study of volcanoes. Free performances are held Feb. 5 and 19 and every other Tuesday at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. Meet at Kilauea Visitor Center. The program is free, and park entrance fees apply.
KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK also presents the musical comedy Nunsense by Dan Goggin at Kilauea Military Camp’s Kilauea Theater beginning Friday and running through Sunday, Feb. 24. Nunsense begins when the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover that their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God, accidentally killed the other fifty-two residents of the convent with her tainted vichyssoise. The nuns decide to stage a variety show to raise funds for the last four burials. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea`au Natural Foods, Paradise Plants, The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door. For ticket information and reservations, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.
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