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| Walter Nishioka, founder of International Karate League, conducted classes at Pahala Dojo recently. Photo from Cliff Field |
HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE HAS APPROVED a bill that would broaden an individual’s significant privacy interest under the Uniform Information Practices Act to include records that if disclosed would create a substantial and demonstrable risk of physical harm to that individual.
HB 287 is intended to protect judges who could be placed at risk after sentencing criminals. “I don't think it’s appropriate for people to know where judges live,” Judiciary Committee Chair Karl Rhoads told Kevin Dayton, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “I think there is a legitimate concern that they could be harmed if we’re not protective of their personal information.”
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| Karl Rhoads |
Susan Pang Gochros, chief staff attorney and head of the Judiciary's Department of International and Community Relations told Dayton that “judges have endured threats and security concerns that serve as constant reminders of our need to promote security and safety.”
Gerald Kato, associate professor of journalism at University of Hawai`i School of Communications, said the law is not needed because personal information about public workers, including home addresses of judges, is already withheld from the public because it is private information under the public records law.
Kato told Dayton he is concerned about the possibility of a “slippery slope” argument that would lead to restrictions by other branches of government on the release of other kinds of information that should be public.
“We should be very careful about making these sort of changes in the freedom of information law," he said.
The law already denies release of information relating to medical, psychiatric or psychological history, diagnosis, condition, treatment or evaluation, other than directory information while an individual is present at such facility; information identifiable as part of an investigation into a possible violation of criminal law, except to the extent that disclosure is necessary to prosecute the violation or to continue the investigation; information relating to eligibility for social services or welfare benefits or to the determination of benefit levels; information in an agency’s personnel file, or applications, nominations, recommendations or proposals for public employment or appointment to a governmental position; information relating to an individual’s nongovernmental employment history except as necessary to demonstrate compliance with requirements for a particular government position; information describing an individual’s finances, income, assets, liabilities, net worth, bank balances, financial history or activities or creditworthiness; information compiled as part of an inquiry into an individual’s fitness to be granted or to retain a license; Information comprising a personal recommendation or evaluation; and Social Security numbers.
The bill is now being considered by Gov. David Ige.
Gerald Kato, associate professor of journalism at University of Hawai`i School of Communications, said the law is not needed because personal information about public workers, including home addresses of judges, is already withheld from the public because it is private information under the public records law.
Kato told Dayton he is concerned about the possibility of a “slippery slope” argument that would lead to restrictions by other branches of government on the release of other kinds of information that should be public.
“We should be very careful about making these sort of changes in the freedom of information law," he said.
The law already denies release of information relating to medical, psychiatric or psychological history, diagnosis, condition, treatment or evaluation, other than directory information while an individual is present at such facility; information identifiable as part of an investigation into a possible violation of criminal law, except to the extent that disclosure is necessary to prosecute the violation or to continue the investigation; information relating to eligibility for social services or welfare benefits or to the determination of benefit levels; information in an agency’s personnel file, or applications, nominations, recommendations or proposals for public employment or appointment to a governmental position; information relating to an individual’s nongovernmental employment history except as necessary to demonstrate compliance with requirements for a particular government position; information describing an individual’s finances, income, assets, liabilities, net worth, bank balances, financial history or activities or creditworthiness; information compiled as part of an inquiry into an individual’s fitness to be granted or to retain a license; Information comprising a personal recommendation or evaluation; and Social Security numbers.
The bill is now being considered by Gov. David Ige.
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| Richard Abbett |
KA`U RESIDENTS GAVE IMPASSIONED testimony to Hawai`i County Council today regarding an entry in the county budget that provides for purchase of the herbicide glyphosate to spray along highways and at other locations. The council is holding a special meeting to consider the proposed budget.
Green Sands subdivision Olivia Ling said her first experience with Roundup was an asthma attack after following sprayers on the highway. When she saw county workers spraying along Ka`alu`alu Road as schoolchildren were walking, she gave a fact sheet to their supervisor about problems with glyphosate exposure, including reductions of spider populations and alterations in frogs. “We don’t need poisons; there are plenty alternatives,” Ling said.
Samantha Shurline said, “Monsanto is evil all over the world.” She said she has seen bees lying on sidewalks after weeds were sprayed.
“We have a paradise here that Monsanto is killing,” she said. “We need to take care of our `aina. There are alternatives that are not more expensive.”
Samantha Shurline said, “Monsanto is evil all over the world.” She said she has seen bees lying on sidewalks after weeds were sprayed.
“We have a paradise here that Monsanto is killing,” she said. “We need to take care of our `aina. There are alternatives that are not more expensive.”
Michael Shurline said, “It’s not just Roundup; its not just Monsanto; it’s all poisons.” He suggested using manual labor to control weeds where mowers cannot.
Another resident from Green Sands said the people have spoken, “We are against this.”
KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee seeks public feedback on the draft Ka`u CDP. Comments are due by June 1. The CDP Steering Committee will review all of the feedback and make final decisions about CDP revisions before recommending that the county adopt the CDP. A series of Steering Committee meetings is scheduled to start on June 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The meetings will be open to the community, with public testimony welcome.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT continues Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 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.
KAI HO`OPI`I RETURNS TO SHARE music of his `ohana from Maui Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Richard Abbett said that at some point, “we will be required to stop spraying. We can either do it now or later.” He said that he has gone through similar situations when he was working with fishing and similar environmental issues in the Pacific Northwest.
The meeting is streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
Testimony can be provided via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center during the meeting.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Testimony can be provided via videoconferencing at Ocean View Community Center during the meeting.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Ka`u High boys volleyball team went to states and placed fifth. Photo by Taylor Sport Photography |
KA`U HIGH SCHOOL BOYS VOLLEYBALL TEAM became statewide HHSSA Division II tournament consolation winners, finishing in fifth place at Neal Blaisdell Arena on O`ahu Saturday. They won the Battle of the Big Island consolation game against Hawai`i Preparatory Academy 25-22 and 25-19. HPA previously overpowered Ka`u to take Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division II champions.
At states, Ka`u went against Hana, ultimately losing after five sets. Scores were 25-15, 23-25, 25-20, 22-25 and 8-15. Cameron Enriques had 41 kills and 25 digs.
Following their loss to Hana, Ka`u played a consolation game against Castle, winning both sets 25-17 and 25-10.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Following their loss to Hana, Ka`u played a consolation game against Castle, winning both sets 25-17 and 25-10.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
WALTER NISHIOKA, FOUNDER of International Karate League, visited Pahala Dojo this week and conducted two nights of classes. While here, he presented Francisco Villa his Shodan (first degree) black belt certificate. Francisco successfully passed his exam in February after many years of hard work.
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| Francisco Villa receives a black belt certificate from IKL founder Walter Nishioka. Photo from Cliff Field |
Nishioka is referred to as Shihan (Master) and continues to actively visit IKL dojos throughout Hawai`i and the mainland. Nishioka Shihan trained with many famous martial artists as a young man when he frequently visited Japan and was on active military duty with the Strategic Air Command during the Korean War. He was encouraged by these teachers to develop his own school, which eventually resulted in the International Karate League. IKL is registered in Japan and was one of the first karate schools in the United States. Many attribute Nishioka Shihan with being one of the first to introduce karate to the United States. The mainstay philosophy of IKL is to build character and good citizenship in its students and to operate as a not for profit organization.
Pahala Dojo was started in 2009, and the Sensei is Cliff Field. The dojo is open to new students from age five through adult throughout the year. Classes are every Tuesday and Friday at 5:30 at Pahala Community Center.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Pahala Dojo was started in 2009, and the Sensei is Cliff Field. The dojo is open to new students from age five through adult throughout the year. Classes are every Tuesday and Friday at 5:30 at Pahala Community Center.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN Steering Committee seeks public feedback on the draft Ka`u CDP. Comments are due by June 1. The CDP Steering Committee will review all of the feedback and make final decisions about CDP revisions before recommending that the county adopt the CDP. A series of Steering Committee meetings is scheduled to start on June 9 at 5:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The meetings will be open to the community, with public testimony welcome.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT continues Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 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.
KAI HO`OPI`I RETURNS TO SHARE music of his `ohana from Maui Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
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| Stained glass is the topic at an upcoming Volcano Art Center workshop. Photo from VAC |
VOLCANO ART CENTER PRESENTS A Stained Glass Workshop May 21, 23 and 24. Before spending a fortune on tools, participants can try making stained glass art in this workshop for beginners. All of the basic techniques will be covered, from glass cutting, foiling, soldering and completing with patina and polishing compound.
Glass artist Claudia McCall will share her expertise and knowledge, teaching students skills involved in working safely with stained glass and creating a beautiful, sturdy piece of art.
Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday evening and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Class fee is $150 or $135 for VAC members. Attendees are asked to wear long pants, covered shoes and safety glasses. Advance registration is required and limited to six adults.
Hours are 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday evening and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Class fee is $150 or $135 for VAC members. Attendees are asked to wear long pants, covered shoes and safety glasses. Advance registration is required and limited to six adults.
See volcanoartcenter.org for more information and to register.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Kau_Calendar_May2015.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf. |
