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| A new National Park Service report shows the economic impact of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park in communities near the park. NPS photo by Michael Szoenyi |
A NEW NATIONAL PARK SERVICE REPORT for 2012 shows that the 1,483,928 visitors to Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park spent $113,376,400 in communities near the park. That spending supported 1,353 jobs in the local area.
“It’s always exciting to share how much of a positive impact our national and international visitors have on the economic viability of our island community,” said park superintendent Cindy Orlando. “On the same note, it’s also worth contemplating what the park means to our Hawai`i Island residents. That’s difficult to define with a dollar amount,” she said. Ross Birch, executive director for the Big Island Visitors Bureau, acknowledged the park’s impact on the island economy.
“Hawai`i Island has been on an upward trend in arrivals and spending over the past few years, and a major contributor driving this demand is Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. As the number one attraction for the island, and sometimes the state, it is not a surprise to see the economic impact the park has on our community,” said Birch. “Big Island Visitors Bureau is very grateful to have such an asset, and we appreciate the excellent working relationship with Cindy Orlando and her team to perpetuate these great results,” he said.
U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas, Christopher Huber and Lynne Koontz conducted the peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis for the National Park Service. The report shows $14.7 billion of direct spending by 283 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 243,000 jobs nationally, with 201,000 jobs found in these gateway communities, and had a cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy of $26.75 billion.
According to the report, most visitor spending supports jobs in restaurants, grocery and convenience stores (39 percent), hotels, motels and B&Bs (27 percent), and other amusement and recreation (20 percent).
The report, available at nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm, includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.
To learn more about nation parks in Hawai`i and how the National Park Service works with Hawai`i communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment and provide outdoor recreation, see nps.gov/hawaii.
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| Sen. Brian Schatz |
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| Rep. Colleen Hanabusa |
THE RACE FOR U.S. SENATE between U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz and U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa is analyzed in a Roll Call story today. According to the story, the election “is being waged over who can a carry on a legacy of securing crucial federal funding.”
Reporter Kyle Trygstad said Schatz has increased his name recognition across the state and is working to build a legislative resume. “Schatz is shining a spotlight on the relationships he’s fostered with Capitol Hill power brokers a little more than a year into his tenure, including a recent tour of O`ahu’s military facilities with Senate Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin,” Trygstad said.
“Everybody in Hawai`i was thrilled that the lead appropriator on defense was able to visit Hawai`i,” Schatz told Roll Call. “He certainly understands how important the military presence is to the Hawai`i economy.”
Hanabusa told reporter Kyle Trygstad she’s not approaching the race as the challenger. “I’ve always said that this is an election that’s the first time the people of the state of Hawai`i are going to have an opportunity to determine who should fill the remaining term of Sen. Inouye’s seat,” Hanabusa said.
Trygstad reports that Schatz has raised $2.4 million for his campaign, while Hanabusa has $900,000. Schatz is expected to have more of a media presence than Hanabusa, but Hanabusa does not consider media to be a major way to get her message out. “We’ll hold our own, but I really do believe Hawai`i has been and always will be a field operation and ground game,” she said. “Each island is very different, and that’s why the ground game matters.”
Both candidates have received important endorsements. Former Sen. Daniel Akaka has endorsed Hanabusa, saying “she has made a great impression in the Congress of the United States. … Colleen has been a proven leader.” Former Hawai`i governors George Ariyoshi and Ben Cayetano also support Hanabusa.
Endorsements for Schatz have come from the progressive group Democracy for America, MoveOn.org, the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
“Everybody in Hawai`i was thrilled that the lead appropriator on defense was able to visit Hawai`i,” Schatz told Roll Call. “He certainly understands how important the military presence is to the Hawai`i economy.”
Hanabusa told reporter Kyle Trygstad she’s not approaching the race as the challenger. “I’ve always said that this is an election that’s the first time the people of the state of Hawai`i are going to have an opportunity to determine who should fill the remaining term of Sen. Inouye’s seat,” Hanabusa said.
Trygstad reports that Schatz has raised $2.4 million for his campaign, while Hanabusa has $900,000. Schatz is expected to have more of a media presence than Hanabusa, but Hanabusa does not consider media to be a major way to get her message out. “We’ll hold our own, but I really do believe Hawai`i has been and always will be a field operation and ground game,” she said. “Each island is very different, and that’s why the ground game matters.”
Both candidates have received important endorsements. Former Sen. Daniel Akaka has endorsed Hanabusa, saying “she has made a great impression in the Congress of the United States. … Colleen has been a proven leader.” Former Hawai`i governors George Ariyoshi and Ben Cayetano also support Hanabusa.
Endorsements for Schatz have come from the progressive group Democracy for America, MoveOn.org, the Sierra Club, the League of Conservation Voters and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.
See rollcall.com.
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NA`ALEHU SCHOOL TRACK TEAM, led by Bob Martin and Ame Long, cleaned up last month at the P&R age-group track meet, heading home with dozens of medals.
Fifth-grader Vivianne Long reclaimed her place as a Triple Jump champ, winning the event twice in the last three years. She jumped a distance of 17’ 3” for ages 9-10. Long also claimed a silver medal, running the girls 200-meter in 34 seconds. Chauna Velez, of Ka`u All-Stars team, also repeated as champion of the girls running long jump.
Here are the results:
In Ranch Mugging, Justin Amaral and Boots Kaapana came in fourth.
Boots Kaapana and Rigan Kaapana came in 19th out of 30 in open team roping. Justin Amaral and Denicia DeRasin came in 29th.
In Double Mugging, Alan Hanoa came in 11th with team member Michael Thorton. Boots Kaapana and Troy Manaloniz came in 17th, and Kapapana came in 29th with partner Kawehi Garo.
Alan and Warren Hanoa came in seventh in Open Team Roping.
The rodeo featured nationally known rodeo clown JJ Harrison.
The weekend event was held at the Panaewa Equestrian Center.
HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE is available tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Na`alehu United Methodist Church. Kamehameha Schools representatives meet with students who want to pursue education beyond high school and families who want help with summer program applications and more information about resources. Call 935-0116.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists Jim Kauahikaua and Janet Babb discuss the origin and history of lava flows along Highways 11 and 190, and recount the stories of people impacted by the eruptions that created the volcanic landscape at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
$2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.
See the March issue of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| Justin Kripps plans to return to Ka`u after participating in the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. |
JUSTIN KRIPPS, WHO SUFFERED A WIPEOUT when his four-man bobsled rolled over in the Olympics last month, told media he plans to recover by coming home to Ka`u. The bobsled pilot and team captain was born here and attended Na`alehu School. His parents still live in Ka`u, and Kripps said he plans to bring teammates here to hunt pig.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
NA`ALEHU SCHOOL TRACK TEAM, led by Bob Martin and Ame Long, cleaned up last month at the P&R age-group track meet, heading home with dozens of medals.
Fifth-grader Vivianne Long reclaimed her place as a Triple Jump champ, winning the event twice in the last three years. She jumped a distance of 17’ 3” for ages 9-10. Long also claimed a silver medal, running the girls 200-meter in 34 seconds. Chauna Velez, of Ka`u All-Stars team, also repeated as champion of the girls running long jump.
Here are the results:
- Girls 6-8 Softball Throw: Chelsea Velez gold (73-01);
- Boys 6-8 4x50m Relay bronze: Derek Lang, Myles Long, Christian Ogle, Owen Flores;
- Girls ages 9-10 4x50m Relay silver: Vivianne Long, Kaialani Okamura, Roselintha Ken, Linna Ading;
- Girls 9-10 Long Jump silver: Amber Sugrue (6-0);
- Girls 11-12 4x50m Relay silver: Jayme Kaneshiro, Sepe Levi, Destinie Alani-Horan, Maliah Ababa;
- Girls 11-12 4x50m Relay Bronze: Caitlin Long, Jahlysha Gouveia, Chesatie Kai, Faith Johnson;
- Boys 11-12 4x50m Relay Gold: Rio Chopot, Anthony Ysawa, Daniel Ahuna, Takios Paul;
- Boys 11-12 4x50m Relay Silver: Cecilio Jelke, Henry Miranda, Joe Riklon, Nelson Boaz; and
- Gold Boys 11-12 400m & Gold Boys 11-12 Running Long Jump: Kainakoa Kane-Broadfoot, of Ka`u Middle School (1:09.00 & 14-01).
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| Famous rodeo clown JJ Harrison joined Ka`u paniolo at the rodeo in Pana`ewa. Photo from JJ Harrison |
KA`U COWBOYS HEADED TO PANA`EWA Feb. 15 and 16 to compete in the 21st annual Hawai`i Horse Owners Panaewa Stampede Rodeo.
In Double Po`o Wai U, Rigan Kaapana came in third, Evan Manoha fifth and Boots Kaapana sixth.In Ranch Mugging, Justin Amaral and Boots Kaapana came in fourth.
Boots Kaapana and Rigan Kaapana came in 19th out of 30 in open team roping. Justin Amaral and Denicia DeRasin came in 29th.
In Double Mugging, Alan Hanoa came in 11th with team member Michael Thorton. Boots Kaapana and Troy Manaloniz came in 17th, and Kapapana came in 29th with partner Kawehi Garo.
Alan and Warren Hanoa came in seventh in Open Team Roping.
The rodeo featured nationally known rodeo clown JJ Harrison.
The weekend event was held at the Panaewa Equestrian Center.
The next rodeo in Ka`u is planned for Fourth of July weekend at the Nā‘ālehu rodeo arena.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HIGHER EDUCATION ASSISTANCE is available tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Na`alehu United Methodist Church. Kamehameha Schools representatives meet with students who want to pursue education beyond high school and families who want help with summer program applications and more information about resources. Call 935-0116.
USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists Jim Kauahikaua and Janet Babb discuss the origin and history of lava flows along Highways 11 and 190, and recount the stories of people impacted by the eruptions that created the volcanic landscape at After Dark in the Park tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
$2 donations support park programs; park entrance fees apply.
See the March issue of The Ka`u Calendar newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.