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| Jon Cran, of Kapapala Ranch, has been named Pa`u Queen for the 2013 Merrie Monarch Royal Parade to be held Saturday, April 6. Photo by Julia Neal |
“PUT ON A HAPPY FACE,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie told reporters yesterday at the end of a press conference held to comfort Hawai`i residents. He said his administration has set aside $25 million a year to help weather federal sequestration of funding that went into effect at midnight. The governor said he will look for support from the 2013 Hawai`i Legislature to help fund local programs that usually depend on money from Washington, D.C.
Sequestration means $85 million across the board cuts in the federal budget. Federal projects in Hawai`i will be stalled, and expenditures on education, health and other social services reduced. Abercrombie held his press conference before Pres. Barack Obama was forced to sign the federal spending cuts yesterday, following months of congressional gridlock.
Sequestration means $85 million across the board cuts in the federal budget. Federal projects in Hawai`i will be stalled, and expenditures on education, health and other social services reduced. Abercrombie held his press conference before Pres. Barack Obama was forced to sign the federal spending cuts yesterday, following months of congressional gridlock.
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| Gov. Neil Abercrombie holds press conference on sequestration. |
The governor urged Hawai`i residents “to take a deep breath and understand that we are on this on a daily basis.” Abercrombie said he plans to establish a Sequestration Impact Response Team comprised of public and private stakeholders to analyze the funding cuts coming Hawai`i’s way. The task force will measure the expected impact on reduced spending by the military, which shores up a large sector of Hawai`i’s economy. Some or all of the 19,000 civilian workers for the U.S. Department of Defense serving the military’s U.S. Pacific Command could face furloughs, costing workers $138 million in wages, another loss to the local economy. Army bases in Hawai`i could lose more than $100 million in federal funds. The governor said, “We understand the Department of Defense will be issuing letters later this month to notify those who are going to be furloughed.”
Abercrombie said he has “contacted local financial institutions to encourage them to assist federal workers in the islands who may experience financial difficulty. This is a time when we need to show and practice aloha to those directly affected by these nationwide cuts.”
Another $4.7 million in federal funding for the statewide school system could be gone, as well as federal money for environmental protection, meals for seniors and health care for the needy.
Kalbert Young, director of the state Department of Budget & Finance, said, “It is not presumed that every program that loses federal funds will be able to be accommodated to maintain their current operational level.” He predicted a two-year loss of up to $45 million in direct federal grants to Hawai`i that may be at risk. “Sequestration will likely impact everyday activities, whether it be going to the airport, law enforcement support, border protection, food security issues,” the budget director said.
However, Abercrombie predicted that sequestration will not endure, saying that Congress will most likely come to an agreement. “No one wants to be on the receiving end of the blame if stubborn clinging to this confrontational attitude continues in Washington,” said Hawai`i’s governor.
Abercrombie said he has “contacted local financial institutions to encourage them to assist federal workers in the islands who may experience financial difficulty. This is a time when we need to show and practice aloha to those directly affected by these nationwide cuts.”
Another $4.7 million in federal funding for the statewide school system could be gone, as well as federal money for environmental protection, meals for seniors and health care for the needy.
Kalbert Young, director of the state Department of Budget & Finance, said, “It is not presumed that every program that loses federal funds will be able to be accommodated to maintain their current operational level.” He predicted a two-year loss of up to $45 million in direct federal grants to Hawai`i that may be at risk. “Sequestration will likely impact everyday activities, whether it be going to the airport, law enforcement support, border protection, food security issues,” the budget director said.
However, Abercrombie predicted that sequestration will not endure, saying that Congress will most likely come to an agreement. “No one wants to be on the receiving end of the blame if stubborn clinging to this confrontational attitude continues in Washington,” said Hawai`i’s governor.
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| Wendy Spencer |
KA`U’S CONGRESSWOMAN TULSI GABBARD yesterday announced federal grants for two Big Island organizations. The Hawai`i County Office of Aging will receive a $68,254 Senior Corps 2013 RSVP grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support senior volunteer activities.
“Empowering and supporting community service leaders of all ages is our responsibility and privilege,” said Gabbard. “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. The CNCS service grant will allow for our Senior Corps volunteers to continue their great work in serving those in need, and inspiring others to do the same.
Wendy Spencer, CEO of Corporation for National and Community Service, said, “At a time of increased need and declining resources, volunteers age 55 and over continue to step in to fill the gaps. Today, more than ever, communities need the talents and skills of all Americans to help move this nation forward. Senior Corps volunteers are delivering enormous social and economic benefits to our communities and demonstrating that service is good for the nation and those who serve.”
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will receive a $275,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to improve infrastructure and access to the historic 175-mile trail.
“Support for the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will protect cultural and natural resources and enhance visitors’ experiences, while honoring Native Hawaiian culture and the environment. Preservation of the trail will ensure that it will be enjoyed and valued for years to come,” said Gabbard.
“Empowering and supporting community service leaders of all ages is our responsibility and privilege,” said Gabbard. “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. The CNCS service grant will allow for our Senior Corps volunteers to continue their great work in serving those in need, and inspiring others to do the same.
Wendy Spencer, CEO of Corporation for National and Community Service, said, “At a time of increased need and declining resources, volunteers age 55 and over continue to step in to fill the gaps. Today, more than ever, communities need the talents and skills of all Americans to help move this nation forward. Senior Corps volunteers are delivering enormous social and economic benefits to our communities and demonstrating that service is good for the nation and those who serve.”
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will receive a $275,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to improve infrastructure and access to the historic 175-mile trail.
“Support for the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will protect cultural and natural resources and enhance visitors’ experiences, while honoring Native Hawaiian culture and the environment. Preservation of the trail will ensure that it will be enjoyed and valued for years to come,” said Gabbard.
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| Genevieve "Jon" Cran |
KAPAPALA RANCH’S GENEVIEVE “JON” CRAN has been named Pa`u Queen for the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade to be held on Saturday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo. The parade begins and ends at Pauahi Street and winds through downtown Hilo along Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street, Waianuenue Avenue and Kamehameha Avenue. Cran will be accompanied by two ladies in waiting, a page and two gentlemen escorts. The horses and riders will be adorned with lei made by Mona Chow. Cran is the wife of the late Gordon Cran, who served as pa`u marshall of the Merrie Monarch parade. The Cran family operates the 32,000-acre Kapapala Ranch between Pahala and Volcano.
Also in the parade from Ka`u will be contestants in the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant, which is scheduled for Friday, April 27 at Pahala Community Center.
RECYCLE HAWAI`I INVITES KA`U STUDENTS to enter its 8th annual Art of Recycling School Competition, open to all students ages six to 18 on Hawai`i Island. Free registration takes place throughout this month.
Original creations made from recycled or reusable materials are submitted to the appropriate district site with an ARSC entry form. For West district of Na`alehu to Kailua-Kona, entries go to Kona International Market in Kailua-Kona on Friday, April 12 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For East district of Pahala to Hilo, entries go to Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo on Friday, April 19 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Also in the parade from Ka`u will be contestants in the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant, which is scheduled for Friday, April 27 at Pahala Community Center.
RECYCLE HAWAI`I INVITES KA`U STUDENTS to enter its 8th annual Art of Recycling School Competition, open to all students ages six to 18 on Hawai`i Island. Free registration takes place throughout this month.
Original creations made from recycled or reusable materials are submitted to the appropriate district site with an ARSC entry form. For West district of Na`alehu to Kailua-Kona, entries go to Kona International Market in Kailua-Kona on Friday, April 12 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For East district of Pahala to Hilo, entries go to Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo on Friday, April 19 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
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| Kiko Opala by Janessa Tupe Photo by J West |
Entries focus on themes of reduce, reuse, recycle, island sustainability, preserving and protecting Hawai`i’s natural environment or zero waste. Entries are judged on originality, theme, personal expression, execution of materials and artistic merit. Outstanding entries for individual and group categories in elementary, middle, and high school levels are awarded prizes.
For complete details including registration and entry forms visit www.recyclehawaii.org and click on Art of Recycling. For questions call 985-8725 or email hiartrecycle@gmail.com. This program is funded in part by the Hawai`i County Department of Environmental Management (www.hawaiizerowaste.org).
THE BUILDING OF A WILDLIFE PRESERVE and the Three-Mountain Alliance is the topic at Tuesday’s After Dark in the Park program. The Ka`u Preserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state. Made up of four separate parcels of forested land, this Nature Conservancy preserve features mountainous ridgelines with narrow plateaus framed by steep valleys. A closed-canopy koa and `ohi`a forest shelters a lush understory of native ferns, where rare plants thrive, along with endangered forest birds like `apapane, `i`iwi, `elepaio, `amakihi and `akepa.
John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, addresses how the TNC Preserve in Ka`u became a preserve and how the Three-Mountain Alliance has played an important role in this endeavor. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.
For complete details including registration and entry forms visit www.recyclehawaii.org and click on Art of Recycling. For questions call 985-8725 or email hiartrecycle@gmail.com. This program is funded in part by the Hawai`i County Department of Environmental Management (www.hawaiizerowaste.org).
THE BUILDING OF A WILDLIFE PRESERVE and the Three-Mountain Alliance is the topic at Tuesday’s After Dark in the Park program. The Ka`u Preserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state. Made up of four separate parcels of forested land, this Nature Conservancy preserve features mountainous ridgelines with narrow plateaus framed by steep valleys. A closed-canopy koa and `ohi`a forest shelters a lush understory of native ferns, where rare plants thrive, along with endangered forest birds like `apapane, `i`iwi, `elepaio, `amakihi and `akepa.
John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, addresses how the TNC Preserve in Ka`u became a preserve and how the Three-Mountain Alliance has played an important role in this endeavor. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.
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| Ka`u senior Shaylin Navarro received All BIIF girls basketball honorable mention. Photo by Jemy-Ray Palancia |
IN SPORTS, SENIOR SHAYLIN NAVARRO, of Ka`u High School, received All BIIF girls basketball honorable mention. Navarro is a multi-sport athlete for the Trojans, playing all four years of her high school career. She also served as team captain. Coach Cy Lopez noted her leadership and positive attitude, helping to keep morale high. He said that even when the team was down, “they never gave up.”
KA`U HIGH’S SOFTBALL TEAM has a home game against Kea`au Tuesday at 3 p.m. then travels to Hilo High Thursday.
THROUGH SHAVE ICE SALES, `O Ka`u Kakou recently raised $1,016 for the Ka`u High wrestling team so the team could go to states. They also raised $859 for South Side volleyball club’s trip to a mainland tournament and $150 for Ka`u Parks & Recreation Track and Field team transportation costs.
KA`U HIGH’S SOFTBALL TEAM has a home game against Kea`au Tuesday at 3 p.m. then travels to Hilo High Thursday.
THROUGH SHAVE ICE SALES, `O Ka`u Kakou recently raised $1,016 for the Ka`u High wrestling team so the team could go to states. They also raised $859 for South Side volleyball club’s trip to a mainland tournament and $150 for Ka`u Parks & Recreation Track and Field team transportation costs.
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