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| Ka`u residents can learn how to participate in restoration of `Imakakoloa Heiau Saturday at 12 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. See more below. Image from Heiau of the Island of Hawai`i, by John F.G. Stokes |
SHOULD HAWAI`I COUNTY HAVE its own Agriculture Department? The County Council’s Committee on Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability considered the question yesterday. Kohala Council member Margaret Wille introduced a bill calling for a charter amendment to be place on the November ballot.
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| Maile David Image from BIVN |
Several council members had questions about the measure. How much will it cost? What will be its responsibilities? How will it work with the state Department of Agriculture?
Nancy Cook Lauer, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, reported Ka`u’s Council member Maile David saying, “We do have an overlapping jurisdictional issue (with the state). This (bill) doesn’t really say what you want this department or commission to address.”
Big Island Video News recorded David saying, “Something this huge should be a task for the Charter Commission, which will probably be coming up in a couple of years.”
According to, Cook Lauer, Wille said she introduced a similar measure during the 2010 Charter Commission, but it was not approved.
The council postponed the measure for further review by Wille.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com and bigislandvideonews.com.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Big Island Video News recorded David saying, “Something this huge should be a task for the Charter Commission, which will probably be coming up in a couple of years.”
According to, Cook Lauer, Wille said she introduced a similar measure during the 2010 Charter Commission, but it was not approved.
The council postponed the measure for further review by Wille.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com and bigislandvideonews.com.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I COUNTY HAS THE STATE’S second-best physical environment, according to a new report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation entitled County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. The category considered air pollution, drinking water, housing and commute times.
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| An Action Cycle shows steps to improve community health. |
The report suggested that Hawai`i County could reduce its rates of adult smoking and excessive drinking, which are slightly higher than state averages.
It also compared county socioeconomic factors with those statewide. While the percentage of high school graduates is the same at 83 percent, only 53 percent of the county’s students go on to college, compared to 67 percent statewide. Hawai`i County also has a higher unemployment rate, more children in poverty, more income inequality and more children in single-family households.
The foundation proposes an Action Cycle to improve community health available at countyhealthrankings.org. Steps include Work Together, Assess Needs & Resources, Focus on What’s Important, Choose Effective Policies & Programs, Act on What’s Important, Evaluate Actions, and Communicate. Guides are available for businesses, community development, community members, educators, government, public and private health care professionals and advocates, nonprofits, and philanthropists.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
It also compared county socioeconomic factors with those statewide. While the percentage of high school graduates is the same at 83 percent, only 53 percent of the county’s students go on to college, compared to 67 percent statewide. Hawai`i County also has a higher unemployment rate, more children in poverty, more income inequality and more children in single-family households.
The foundation proposes an Action Cycle to improve community health available at countyhealthrankings.org. Steps include Work Together, Assess Needs & Resources, Focus on What’s Important, Choose Effective Policies & Programs, Act on What’s Important, Evaluate Actions, and Communicate. Guides are available for businesses, community development, community members, educators, government, public and private health care professionals and advocates, nonprofits, and philanthropists.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Certain lots of tuna are being recalled. Image from Bumble Bee |
KA`U RESIDENTS ARE ASKED to watch out for canned chunk light tuna that is being recalled. Bumble Bee Foods is recalling products with three specific UPC codes due to process deviations that were part of the commercial sterilization process and could result in contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens, which could lead to life-threatening illness if consumed. There have been no reports of illness associated with these products to date. No other production codes or products are affected by this recall.
The products subject to this recall are marked with a can code that starts with a T and have the following UPC codes: 8660000020, 8660000021 and 8660000736.
The recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution due to possible under-processing of the affected products discovered during a routine quality audit.
Consumers are advised to throw away the recalled product. Those looking for more information on reimbursement or who have questions may contact Bumble Bee at 888-820-1947 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST seven days a week or visit www.bumblebee.com/recall-march-2016.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
The recall is being initiated out of an abundance of caution due to possible under-processing of the affected products discovered during a routine quality audit.
Consumers are advised to throw away the recalled product. Those looking for more information on reimbursement or who have questions may contact Bumble Bee at 888-820-1947 between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EST seven days a week or visit www.bumblebee.com/recall-march-2016.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono |
SEN. MAZIE HIRONO VOTED against legislation that would override state laws requiring labeling of genetically modified food products. The legislation would establish a voluntary national labeling standard and would only create a mandatory disclosure program if, three years after enactment of the law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture finds insignificant adoption of the voluntary standard by industry. The measure failed to advance in the Senate with a vote of 48-49.
“As a longtime advocate for consumer choice, I support a mandatory federal label that will allow families in Hawai`i and across the country to make more informed decisions about the foods they choose to buy,” Hirono said. “I opposed Sen. Roberts’ proposal because it would override state labeling laws and prevent states from being able to take future action on the issue without requiring a strong federal alternative. I look forward to considering alternative proposals that empower consumers.”
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
WANT TO LEARN BASIC COMPUTER and Internet skills? Want to learn more about the public libraries online resources?
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| Pahala Library offers basic computer classes next month. Photo by Julia Neal |
Pahala Public & School Library will be offering free computer classes on Tuesday evenings beginning Tuesday, April 5. Half-hour sessions will run from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
All that is needed is prior knowledge of the computer keyboard, how to use a mouse and a Hawai`i State Public Library card.
To get a card, take a valid photo ID and proof of current mailing address to the library and fill out an application. Cards are issued within five minutes. Lost cards cost $5 to replace.
To make an appointment for a 30-minute computer session, call Pahala Library at 928-2015, and ask for Debbie.
Pahala Library has 24 laptops and four desktops that are available anytime during open hours with a library card. Also available is free Wi-Fi connection with a library card.
While in the library, check out the books, CDs and DVD collection. DVDs are loaned for one week with a $1 charge.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
To get a card, take a valid photo ID and proof of current mailing address to the library and fill out an application. Cards are issued within five minutes. Lost cards cost $5 to replace.
To make an appointment for a 30-minute computer session, call Pahala Library at 928-2015, and ask for Debbie.
Pahala Library has 24 laptops and four desktops that are available anytime during open hours with a library card. Also available is free Wi-Fi connection with a library card.
While in the library, check out the books, CDs and DVD collection. DVDs are loaned for one week with a $1 charge.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KUMU HULA MOSES Kaho`okele Crabbe, of Halau Ke Ola o Ka Lani, shares his extensive knowledge to teach the basics of hula, language and chant tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery.
Free; park entrance fees apply.
DR. JOHN FRIDAY, PhD, of University of Hawai`i at Manoa and Komohana Research and Extension Center in Hilo, discusses Rapid `Ohi`a Death tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.
Call 939-7033 for more information.
Call 939-7033 for more information.
AS PART OF ITS FIND YOUR PARK on the Big Screen series, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers a free screening of The Soul of Kalaupapa: Voices of Exile tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
Park entrance fees apply.
Park entrance fees apply.
BIG ISLAND SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL presents Splash Bash Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Na`alehu Park. The drug- and alcohol-free event features music, a photo booth, water slides and games. Cotton candy, shave ice, hot dogs and water will be available for $1.
Bus transportation is available during the event. The first pick-up is at 9:30 a.m. from Pahala Community Center and the Park-&-Ride gravel lot across from Ocean View Shopping Center. The last drop-off to both locations leaves Na`alehu at 2:15 p.m. Those leaving their cars in Pahala should note that Pahala Community Center gates will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Call 969-9994 for more information.
Call 969-9994 for more information.
VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park presents hula kahiko Saturday at 10:30 a.m. on the nearby hula platform. Kumu hula Pele Kaio and students of Unulau and Papa Hu`elepo perform.
Kumu hula Ab Valencia and members of Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu present Na Mea Hula at 11 a.m. on the gallery porch.
Kumu hula Ab Valencia and members of Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu present Na Mea Hula at 11 a.m. on the gallery porch.
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| Ira Ono Photo from the Artist |
IRA ONO DEMONSTRATES Japanese paste paper collage Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The demo is in association with the current Sightlines exhibit featuring works by members of Volcano Village Artists Hui. The exhibit closes on Sunday.
Free; park entrance fees apply.
`IMAKAKOLOA HEIAU RESTORATION is the topic of a meeting Saturday at 12 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. Edith Kanaka`ole Foundation provides information and ways for residents to help.
For more information, email kalahoohie@gmail.com, or call 936-0213.
For more information, email kalahoohie@gmail.com, or call 936-0213.
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/KauCalendar_March_2016.pdf. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html. |
