Friday, October 30, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Oct. 30, 2015

Tiger sharks pup and migrate to the main Hawaiian Islands in the fall, increasing the population during this time of year. See story below. Photo by Albert Kok from Wikipedia
TWO CASES OF DENGUE FEVER are confirmed on Hawai`i Island. The state Department of Health is also investigating four more probable cases of the disease in Hawai`i residents and visitors that were acquired on the island. Further testing and confirmation at the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention is pending. The department sent out a medical advisory to Hawai`i County clinicians yesterday to alert them and urge them to report suspect dengue fever cases.
Aedes aegypti carried dengue fever. Photo from Wikipedia
      “Although dengue is not endemic to Hawai`i, we do have the mosquito species capable of transmitting the disease,” state Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Park said. “It’s likely an infected traveler infected the local mosquito population, which led to this cluster, so we want the public to be aware of this mosquito-borne disease and the steps they can take to prevent infection.”
      Hawai`i District Health Officer Aaron Ueno said local environmental health assessments have not found significant mosquito activity in the affected area, but the department is conducting mosquito prevention activities such as spraying with consent from property owners.
      Travelers to areas with infected mosquitoes where dengue fever is endemic are at the highest risk of acquiring the disease. Mosquitoes breed in areas of standing water, such as planters, old tires and pet water bowls.
      Hawai`i DOH recommends using mosquito repellents containing 20–30 percent DEET and wearing long sleeves and pants in areas where mosquito-borne disease is a concern.
      For tips on mosquito control, see http://health.hawaii.gov/san/files/2013/06/Vector-mosquitohandout.pdf.
      For more information on dengue fever, see health.hawaii.gov/docd/dib/disease/dengue.
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FOLLOWING THE SEVENTH HUMAN/SHARK encounter in the state this year, Dr. Carl Meyer, of the Hawai`i Institute of Marine Biology, said there are more tiger sharks in water surrounding the main islands now than at other times of the year. “Tiger sharks pup during the fall, and migrations from the northwestern Hawaiian Islands … during this time of year are proven facts. Native Hawaiian oral traditions clearly link the fall months to a risk of shark bites. This traditional knowledge is reflected in our current shark incident statistics.    
      “In recent decades, almost one third of all shark bites in Hawai`i have occurred during the months of October and November. It is also important to remember that shark bites occur in all months of the year in Hawai`i and that the number of encounters at any time of the year is extremely low compared to the number of people in the water.”
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono
      In December 2013, a tiger shark bit a bodyboarder at the Ninole Horseshoe area of Punalu`u. The 29-year-old Captain Cook man was paddling out for his second session with two friends when a shark knocked him off his board. He received stitches at Ka`u Hospital.
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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO VOTED EARLY this morning to support a budget agreement that removes caps put in place by the Budget Control Act for two years and keeps the country from defaulting on its debt. The measure overwhelmingly passed the Senate 64-35.
      “This bipartisan measure is a reasonable compromise that protects our seniors, keeps our economy on track and takes a number of manufactured crises off the table for two years,” Hirono said. “By removing harmful sequester caps on both military and domestic spending, this legislation is the first step to enacting a National Defense Authorization Act that appropriately supports our military and avoiding a government shutdown in December. While this agreement is not the one I would have written, it is a pathway to negotiating appropriations bills that adequately fund priorities like education, housing and community development, medical research and job creation.”
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U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz
SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ VOICED his opposition to the Obama Administration’s announcement that it will deploy a small number of Special Operations Forces to Syria.
      “The Administration’s announcement that it will deploy Special Operations Forces into Syria to combat ISIL marks a major shift in U.S. policy – a shift that is occurring without congressional debate, is unlikely to succeed in achieving our objective of defeating ISIL and instead threatens to embroil the United States in Syria’s civil war and could bring us into direct confrontation with the Russian Federation military and Syrian government forces,” Schatz

 said.
      “In the 16-months since the United States began its participation in the regional fight against ISIL, our military involvement has escalated without a clear sense of how our escalating involvement will achieve our strategic objectives. With ISIL’s control of northern Syria, we cannot reasonably expect that the deployment of Special Operations Forces would be limited in scope or duration.
      “As we have seen from our failed train-and-equip program, U.S. support for moderate Syrian opposition has its limits. Rather than ratchet up our own involvement, we must look for other opportunities to strengthen the coalition’s ability to effectively prosecute the fight against ISIL. 

 “This shift in policy is a strategic mistake. Regardless of my views, the War Powers Resolution requires Congress to debate and authorize the escalation of U.S. military involvement in Syria.”
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NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION offers tips on keeping safe this Halloween. 
      When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long-trailing fabric. If you are making your own costume, choose material that won’t easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or flame.
      Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costumes. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so he/she can see clearly out of it.
      Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters.
      It is safest to use a glow stick or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns, use long fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter. If you choose to use candle decorations, make sure to keep them well attended at all times. Do not leave them near flammable objects or where trick-or-treaters may walk. Remind your children to avoid open flames. Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit.
      Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
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Yoga participants at Na`alehu Hongwanji use a variety of props to maintain
alignment and avoid injury. Photo from Stephanie Pepper
IYENGAR YOGA TEACHER Stephanie Pepper now offers Gentle Senior classes on Monday as well as Wednesday from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Na`alehu Hongwangi. Pepper uses props to help students get into proper alignment safely, avoiding injury. All props are provided, and the first class is free. 
      Donations are $10 for 10 classes for participants over 65 and $5 per class for those 65 and under.
      On Wednesdays, Velvet Replogle leads a meditation class for about an hour.

KA`U LIBRARIES CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN this afternoon.
      Na`alehu library holds its Halloween party from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. with goodies, crafts, activities and a costume contest.
      Call 939-2442 for more information.
      Pahala Library’s Halloween Bash is from 2:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. The event features two Halloween movies, games and a snack-making demonstration.
      For more information, call 928-2015.

KA`U ARTISTS CAN DROP OFF THEIR Beauty of Ka`u entries today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. for the Monday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 5 show at CU Hawai`i in Na`alehu.
      See more in ad below, at kauchamber.org, or call Donna Masaniai at 238-0505.

SOUTH SIDE SHAKA’S Restaurant in Na`alehu celebrates Halloween today. Call 929-7404 for more information.

Janice Morimoto
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Halloween Party is today from 7 p.m. to 12 p.m. DJ Thomas Ramirez keeps the music going in the Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Entry is $3 for partiers in costume; $5 without. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
      Call 967-8371 for more information.

AUNTIE JAN READS ISLAND KINE STORIES a week from today on Friday, Nov. 6, at 1:30 p.m. at Pahala Public & School Library. Janice Morimoto shares humorous folktales, poetry and participatory games from around the world adapted to local style. The program is suitable for ages 5 and older, and parents or caregivers must accompany young children.
      Call 928-2015 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.






See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_October2015.pdf.
See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.