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| Ka`u High boys soccer team members celebrate on of the nine goals they made against HAAS yesterday. Photo by Dave Berry |
THE BIGGEST WAR GAMES IN HAWAIIAN WATERS to date invite military ships from all over the world for this summer’s RimPac. Gov. Neil Abercrombie suggests private-government partnerships, the state providing land (possibly on this island) for military housing as 2,700 marines are expected to move from Okinawa to Hawai`i. The governor says the state supports developing the Pohakuloa Training Area along Saddle Road into a premier, 132,000-acre military exercise facility.
These are some of the prospects put forth at the Hawai`i Military Conference on O`ahu yesterday, sponsored by the state of Hawai`i and the Hawai`i Chamber of Commerce. It drew hundreds of military, business and government representatives to Hilton Hawaiian Village. |
| This year's Rimpac is expected to be the biggest to date in Hawaiian waters. Photo from U.S. Navy |
The goal of the state and the Chamber is to retain and possibly increase the $8.8 billion spent annually in Hawai`i by the U.S. military, according to a story about the conference in this morning’s Honolulu Star Advertiser. “Adm. Harry B. Harris, head of U.S. Pacific Fleet, called Hawai`i the ‘gateway’ to America’s re-balance to the Pacific.” He also cautioned that “it would be a mistake for anyone to assume that because our nation is re-balancing to the Asia-Pacific, Hawai`i will easily be able to maintain the resources that we have become accustomed to,” reports the story by Star-Advertiser reporter William Cole.
The writer notes that “the death of powerful U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye in late 2012 was noted more than once” during the conference and that Abercrombie’s former chief of staff, Jennifer Sabas, “detailed an initiative to establish new committees within the chamber’s expanded military affairs council.” Cole reports her saying, “It’s going to take all of us. It’s going to take us to be focused. It’s going to take us to reach out much broader than we’ve ever had to.”
According to the Star-Advertiser story, one of the new chamber committees “will take on training range and ‘encroachment’ issues — a term used for civilian conflicts with military bases.” The story also reports the governor saying that he will seek $525,000 in state funding for “liaisons” in Hawai`i and Washington, D.C. “to protect and enhance and advance the military presence in Hawai`i.”
The Rim of the Pacific (RimPac) war games in Hawaiian waters are expected to draw 23 nations this summer with new participants China and Brunei.
See more at staradvertiser.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
The writer notes that “the death of powerful U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye in late 2012 was noted more than once” during the conference and that Abercrombie’s former chief of staff, Jennifer Sabas, “detailed an initiative to establish new committees within the chamber’s expanded military affairs council.” Cole reports her saying, “It’s going to take all of us. It’s going to take us to be focused. It’s going to take us to reach out much broader than we’ve ever had to.”
According to the Star-Advertiser story, one of the new chamber committees “will take on training range and ‘encroachment’ issues — a term used for civilian conflicts with military bases.” The story also reports the governor saying that he will seek $525,000 in state funding for “liaisons” in Hawai`i and Washington, D.C. “to protect and enhance and advance the military presence in Hawai`i.”
The Rim of the Pacific (RimPac) war games in Hawaiian waters are expected to draw 23 nations this summer with new participants China and Brunei.
See more at staradvertiser.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Greggor Ilagan |
HAWAI`I ISLAND’S GMO BAN MADE the New York Times recently. A story by Amy Harmon followed Hawai`i County Council member Greggor Ilagan in his quest for information about genetically modified organisms. Ilagan represents eastern Puna, home of many genetically modified Rainbow papaya farmers.
The story says that after Kohala Council member Margaret Wille introduced the proposal for a GMO ban in May, about 200 papaya farmers appeared, “pacing restlessly,” outside Mr. Ilagan’s office. “They wanted to be sure he understood that genetically modified papayas … account for three-quarters of the 30 million pounds harvested annually here.”
Ilagan talked about his inbox being full of letters is support of the ban. “Do the right thing,” one woman wrote, “or no one will want to take a toxic tour of your poisoned paradise.”
The story also follows his research and discussions with scientists about claims that GMOs cause superweeds and cancer in rats and cross-pollinate with other crops.
“It takes so much time to find out what’s true,” Ilagan told Harmon.
The story says that after Kohala Council member Margaret Wille introduced the proposal for a GMO ban in May, about 200 papaya farmers appeared, “pacing restlessly,” outside Mr. Ilagan’s office. “They wanted to be sure he understood that genetically modified papayas … account for three-quarters of the 30 million pounds harvested annually here.”
Ilagan talked about his inbox being full of letters is support of the ban. “Do the right thing,” one woman wrote, “or no one will want to take a toxic tour of your poisoned paradise.”
The story also follows his research and discussions with scientists about claims that GMOs cause superweeds and cancer in rats and cross-pollinate with other crops.
“It takes so much time to find out what’s true,” Ilagan told Harmon.
Ilagan ultimately voted against the ban that became law when Mayor Billy Kenoi signed the bill.
See more at nytimes.com.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTS a Volcano Awareness Month program this evening, with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volcanologist Frank Trusdell discussing Mauna Loa’s eruptive history and current status at 6:30 p.m.
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT IS SCHEDULED Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply.
UNITED WAY BENEFIT CONCERT is coming up this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Entertainment includes Just in Case, JR Band, Keaiwa, Boni Narito, Honokua, Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko, Ka`u High School ensemble class and more. There will be vendors, games, raffle tickets and prizes. Call producer Kamrie Koi at 430-4964 or Jolene Koi at 936-6249 for more information.
See more at nytimes.com.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Pasha no longer offers interisland shipping service. |
PASHA HAWAI`I TRANSPORT LINES ended its interisland shipping service in Hawai`i at the end of 2013 and won’t reapply for a permanent permit to resume service according to a story in Pacific Business News.
Pasha began shipping among the islands in 2011 after a state Public Utilities Commission’s interim decision allowed the shipper to operate interisland service.
The PUC’s Sept. 2010 decision allowed Pasha to operate between Honolulu and Kahului Harbor on Maui, Hilo Harbor on the Big Island and Nawiliwili Harbor, without serving ports deemed unprofitable, such as Moloka`i, Lana`i and Kawaihae on the Big Island. The permit was granted on an interim basis after Young Brothers Ltd., the state’s largest interisland shipper, opposed the application, saying Pasha chose only the profitable interisland routes.
Critics, however, viewed it unfair that other companies like Young Brothers Ltd. were required to serve unprofitable destinations while Pasha did not. Pasha claimed that its only vessel was too large to service the smaller ports.
The PUC’s Sept. 2010 decision allowed Pasha to operate between Honolulu and Kahului Harbor on Maui, Hilo Harbor on the Big Island and Nawiliwili Harbor, without serving ports deemed unprofitable, such as Moloka`i, Lana`i and Kawaihae on the Big Island. The permit was granted on an interim basis after Young Brothers Ltd., the state’s largest interisland shipper, opposed the application, saying Pasha chose only the profitable interisland routes.
Critics, however, viewed it unfair that other companies like Young Brothers Ltd. were required to serve unprofitable destinations while Pasha did not. Pasha claimed that its only vessel was too large to service the smaller ports.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Ka`u High boys soccer team scored big against HAAS yesterday, with a final score of 9 - 0. Photo by Dave Berry |
KA`U HIGH BOYS SOCCER TEAM WON BIG in their match against HAAS at home yesterday. The final score was 9 – 0, with goals scored by seven Trojans. David Pilette and Andrew Garcia scored two goals each. Players scoring one goal each were Kupono Palakiko, Anthony Emmsley-Ah Yee, Carlos Uribe-Bounos, Thanchit Khofaklang and Raycin Salmo-Grace.
The teams' next matches are Saturday, when they host Kealakehe.
In other Ka`u High sports, boys basketball travels to Kea`u Friday. On Saturday, girls basketball travels to Hilo, and wrestlers go to Kealakehe. BIIF Invitational Swim Meet takes place at HPA.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
ITEMS FOR VOLCANO ART CENTER’S Colossal Rummage yART Sale are being accepted at the Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village today and tomorrow for the event this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Call 967-8222 for more information.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER HOSTS a Volcano Awareness Month program this evening, with Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volcanologist Frank Trusdell discussing Mauna Loa’s eruptive history and current status at 6:30 p.m.
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT IS SCHEDULED Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply.
UNITED WAY BENEFIT CONCERT is coming up this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Entertainment includes Just in Case, JR Band, Keaiwa, Boni Narito, Honokua, Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko, Ka`u High School ensemble class and more. There will be vendors, games, raffle tickets and prizes. Call producer Kamrie Koi at 430-4964 or Jolene Koi at 936-6249 for more information.
THE COLOR OF SACRED OPENS SATURDAY with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Christina Skaggs presents new art. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-7565 for more information.
TOM PEEK OFFERS A WRITING WORKSHOP Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. In Tapping Your Creative Right Brain, participants learn to unlock the part of their minds that holds wild dreams, fascinating associations, deep metaphors and other gems of imagination, then apply them to writing. Open to all levels and genres; no writing experience necessary. Register at 967-8222.
KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline has been extended to Jan. 31.
SEE THE DIRECTORY from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at http://snack.to/fzpfg59c.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
TOM PEEK OFFERS A WRITING WORKSHOP Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. In Tapping Your Creative Right Brain, participants learn to unlock the part of their minds that holds wild dreams, fascinating associations, deep metaphors and other gems of imagination, then apply them to writing. Open to all levels and genres; no writing experience necessary. Register at 967-8222.
KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline has been extended to Jan. 31.
SEE THE DIRECTORY from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at http://snack.to/fzpfg59c.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
