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| A monk seal from Moloka`i visited Punalu`u Black Sand Beach yesterday. Photo by Carrie & David Berry |
SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN meets with the public on Tuesday, Feb. 26 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. The meeting takes place during the state Legislature’s mandatory five-day recess, which provides legislators an opportunity to schedule public meetings in their districts to brief their constituents on major issues facing the Legislature. The recess is intended to encourage the public to review bills still moving through the Legislature. No formal floor action takes place during this recess.
Here are some of the bills introduced by Ruderman that have passed their first readings:
Ruderman said he encourages everyone to get involved by following legislation and providing testimony on these and other bills by registering at www.capitol.hawaii.gov/login/register.aspx; by subscribing to hearing notices and by providing testimony. He said the public can contact him by phone, email or mail to voice concerns about District 2, Puna through Ka`u, and also about statewide legislation.
His email is senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov. His phone numbers are 808-974-4000, ext. 6-6890 and 808-586-6890. His mailing address is State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania Street, Room 217, Honolulu, HI 96813.
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| Sen. Russell Ruderman |
- Senate Bill 367 involves Home-based Food Production and Sales. It would allow home-based baking businesses to sell food items directly to consumers provided certain conditions are met;
- SB 365 would eliminate the exemption to the state’s General Excise Tax currently extended to GMO seed export crops grown in Hawai`i on an estimated $225 million in gross income per year;
- Senate Bill 370 attempts to gain more protection of agriculture products against invasive species. It would require a permit from the state Department of Agriculture to import, introduce or develop any new species of genetically engineered organism. The department would conduct a public hearing to determine whether to grant a permit;
- SB 374 would prohibit the taking of reef fish for sale for aquarium purposes.
Ruderman said he encourages everyone to get involved by following legislation and providing testimony on these and other bills by registering at www.capitol.hawaii.gov/login/register.aspx; by subscribing to hearing notices and by providing testimony. He said the public can contact him by phone, email or mail to voice concerns about District 2, Puna through Ka`u, and also about statewide legislation.
His email is senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov. His phone numbers are 808-974-4000, ext. 6-6890 and 808-586-6890. His mailing address is State Capitol, 415 S. Beretania Street, Room 217, Honolulu, HI 96813.
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| Gov. Neil Abercrombie and teens launched a campaign against obesity. Photo from Office of the Governor |
DURING A PREMIERE at the state Capitol, Gov. Neil Abercrombie and the Hawai`i State Department of Health on Thursday launched a new teen-focused multi-media campaign to combat obesity. The campaign is part of a comprehensive set of interventions being implemented by DOH to address obesity prevention.
Students, legislators, media and obesity prevention advocates got a preview of many of the television, radio, print and movie theater ads that will run statewide. The campaign began Friday and runs through May to reach youth ages 12 to18. The campaign will also use social media outlets to reach the target audience.
“It is essential that these messages resonate, starting with Hawai`i’s teens, so we enlisted their help in creatively developing how they will be presented,” said Abercrombie. “This campaign represents an ideal nexus of state government working with local students to ensure that public information messages intended for teens are effective and impactful.”
Students, legislators, media and obesity prevention advocates got a preview of many of the television, radio, print and movie theater ads that will run statewide. The campaign began Friday and runs through May to reach youth ages 12 to18. The campaign will also use social media outlets to reach the target audience.
“It is essential that these messages resonate, starting with Hawai`i’s teens, so we enlisted their help in creatively developing how they will be presented,” said Abercrombie. “This campaign represents an ideal nexus of state government working with local students to ensure that public information messages intended for teens are effective and impactful.”
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| Images from Rethink Your Drink #1 and #2 |
The campaign’s TV, radio and print ads were produced with the help of Hawai`i middle- and high-school students. After initial focus-group testing with teens to determine the concept, 10th graders from Island Pacific Academy acted as youth advisors for the campaign, advising DOH staff on the look and feel of the logos and print ads.
The theater ads were entirely student-produced videos. “The campaign counters the attractive promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks that are popular with our teens,” said Health director Loretta Fuddy. “Our goal is to begin the conversation with our youth on how marketing influences their over-consumption. We have found that Hawai`i teenagers have a great deal of purchasing power, so it’s important that they are made aware of how their decisions are swayed.”
The theater ads were entirely student-produced videos. “The campaign counters the attractive promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks that are popular with our teens,” said Health director Loretta Fuddy. “Our goal is to begin the conversation with our youth on how marketing influences their over-consumption. We have found that Hawai`i teenagers have a great deal of purchasing power, so it’s important that they are made aware of how their decisions are swayed.”
DOH reports that consumption of some unhealthy items, such as sugary drinks, is highest in the teen population, with nearly all teens (93 percent) reporting consumption within the past week. One-half (48 percent) reported consuming of at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day.
A 2012 survey of over 600 Hawai`i teenagers also found that 63 percent of teens have more than $11 each week to spend any way they want to; over one-half of these had more than $20 of disposable income each week.
According to DOH, while 27 percent of high school students are currently overweight and obese, the figure is much higher among adults at 57 percent – more than one of every two adults. “With overweight and obesity rates more than double between high school and adulthood, it is important to address the issue with teens while they’re young and before they grow into adults,” added Fuddy.
The Office of the Governor says marketing messages around healthy eating and active living are a nationally recognized strategy to address obesity and a fundamental part of Hawai`i’s Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan. The state’s media campaign is integral to a comprehensive effort to reduce obesity and the chronic disease in Hawai`i.
The theater, television, radio, and print ads are funded with Tobacco Settlement funds.
A 2012 survey of over 600 Hawai`i teenagers also found that 63 percent of teens have more than $11 each week to spend any way they want to; over one-half of these had more than $20 of disposable income each week.
According to DOH, while 27 percent of high school students are currently overweight and obese, the figure is much higher among adults at 57 percent – more than one of every two adults. “With overweight and obesity rates more than double between high school and adulthood, it is important to address the issue with teens while they’re young and before they grow into adults,” added Fuddy.
The Office of the Governor says marketing messages around healthy eating and active living are a nationally recognized strategy to address obesity and a fundamental part of Hawai`i’s Physical Activity and Nutrition Plan. The state’s media campaign is integral to a comprehensive effort to reduce obesity and the chronic disease in Hawai`i.
The theater, television, radio, and print ads are funded with Tobacco Settlement funds.
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| Darryl Castillo performs Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Darryl Castillo |
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND INVITES VOLUNTEERS to anchialine pool workdays Tuesday and Wednesday, when they will remove invasive weeds and excessive sediment by hand. To sign up, contact Megan Lamson at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.
HWF staff also invite Ka`u residents to stop by their informational booth at Malama Kanaloa Ocean Day Festival along Hilo bayfront Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features free games, activities and live music for the whole `ohana.
ISLAND MUSIC SINGER/SONGWRITER Darryl Castillo performs Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Castillo has been featured in numerous television programs, including Jake and the Fatman and Island Son. His two albums, Follow the Light and Son Crazy, both garnered Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominations for Best Inspirational Album. His CDs will be available for purchase. This Na Leo Manu – Heavenly Voices program is free, and park entrance fees apply.
HWF staff also invite Ka`u residents to stop by their informational booth at Malama Kanaloa Ocean Day Festival along Hilo bayfront Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features free games, activities and live music for the whole `ohana.
ISLAND MUSIC SINGER/SONGWRITER Darryl Castillo performs Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Castillo has been featured in numerous television programs, including Jake and the Fatman and Island Son. His two albums, Follow the Light and Son Crazy, both garnered Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominations for Best Inspirational Album. His CDs will be available for purchase. This Na Leo Manu – Heavenly Voices program is free, and park entrance fees apply.
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| Patricia Hoban teaches Process Painting Saturday. Photo from VAC |
PROCESS PAINTING - SPIRIT OF CREATIVITY is the topic at a workshop Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Patricia Hoban encourages participants to experiment, explore, discover and play. No previous art education or experience needed. $45/$40 for VAC members plus $5 supply fee. Advance registration is required at 967-8222.
RED HAT LADIES OF KA`U and Ka Lae Quilters continue fundraising efforts for Ka`u Hospital's emergency room with their seventh annual Spaghetti Dinner Saturday at 4 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. Call Barbara Beatty at 929-9072 for more information.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.