Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016

Keiki on the rocks and limu practice a catch and release at the annual O Ka`u Kakou Keiki Fishing Tournament coming up Jan. 21.
Photo by Peter Anderson

TELEHEALTH AT KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION will be sponsored by HMSA. The first telehealth online kiosk in Ka`u will be dedicated at the Ka`u Rural Health Community Association's Resource Distance and Learning Center on Friday, Jan. 13. The public is invited to the ceremony and also to video chat with a doctor at no cost. The dedication, ceremony and
demonstration of online telehealth care begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. The location is 96-3126 Puahala St., Pahala, near the Pahala Library.    

Ka`u Rural Health Community Association will
host the telehealth kiosk, sponsored by
HMSA. Photo from Ka`u Rural Health

     Hawai`i Medical Service Association's certified and approved telehealth services are open not only for HMSA subscribers but also the general public, starting in January. HMSA officials say they are motivated to provide health care close to people's homes.
     HMSA's description of its telehealth services states that consumers can talk to local credentialed physicians from HMSA's participating provider network, live on-demand. Sessions will be secure and private, using internet-based videoconferencing, secure chat, or telephone. Physicians can review claims and other health information the patient makes available, talk with patients, prescribe medications as physicians deem appropriate and consistent with standards of care, and recommend follow-up care. Session notes will be maintained electronically, and can be forwarded upon patient request to primary care physicians.
     HMSA's telehealth program is overseen by an executive board and government health care regulators, much like visits to a doctor in an office, clinic or hospital.
     On its website, HMSA states that telehealth helps achieve affordable visits without an appointment. "Online Care doctors can help with sudden or acute conditions like bronchitis, or ear and sinus infections." They can help with "chronic conditions like allergies, diabetes or hypertension; common conditions like headaches, colds, or the flu, and managing multiple medications, side effects or drug interactions." Online care can also help in "Getting you on track with your health and well-being goals," according to HMSA.
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THE NUMBER OF BARRELS OF IMPORTED OIL TO HAWAI`I has been cut by 41 percent since 2006, according to a new report from the the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism.  In 2015 Hawai`i imported 28.8 million barrels, nearly half of the 49 million barrels imported in 2006. The speedy growth of renewable sources of energy has driven down demand for oil over the past ten years, but the drop in the price of oil in 2015 has lead to an increase in consumption in 2015. The average oil price decreased by 47.5 percent to $48.8 per barrel in 2015 from $93 per barrel in 2014.
     The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s Hawai1i State Energy Office has released its 2016 Energy Resources Coordinator’s Annual Report, which highlights the policies and activities that have advanced the state approximately a quarter of the way toward its target of achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2045.

Pakini Nui Windfarm is the largest in Ka`u and helps reduce the number of barrels of oil shipped here.
Photo by Peter Anderson

     The 86-page report covers a wide variety of energy issues and highlights Hawai`i’s clean energy progress in the last 12 months. It showcases the Hawai`i State Energy Office’s policy and programs position the state as a clean energy leader. It is a fund of figures and statistics.

    “Hawai`i`’s push to create a clean energy future is becoming a reality,” said Luis P. Salaveria, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism. “The state made tremendous strides to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, with about 25 percent of all electricity sales coming from renewable sources. We will continue to work toward our 100 percent renewable energy goal by engaging all stakeholders with collaboration, innovative thinking and a strong entrepreneurial drive.”
     The 25 percent figure applies to the state of Hawai’i, where other islands lag behind the big island in terms of the percentage of electricity coming from renewable resources. The Big Island’s figure is 48.7 percent, while Maui’s is 35.4 [ercemt, Kaua`i’s is 27.3 percent and O`ahu is 17.2 percent. 

Hawai`i is considered an ideal environment for
electric vehicles, with moderate temperatures and
high gas prices. Image from hawaiienergy.com

     There is also good news to report in the effort to reduce petroleum use in the transportation sector. The popularity of electric vehicles continues to grow, with EV registrations accelerating at a double-digit pace in 2016. By year’s end there were more than 5,000 EVs registered in Hawa`ii, a 26 percent increase over the same period a year earlier. Hawai`i is second in the nation (after California) in per capita EV registrations and a leader in charging facilities.
      The report shows a map of all the renewable energy projects on all the islands. Of the state's 65 renewables projects, the Big Island has 17 projects generating a total of about 85 megawatts. The largest is in Ka`u. The Pakini Nui Wind Farm generates over 20 megawatts. There is no mention of the solar farm in Miloli`i which should contribute 1.25 megawatts to the grid, unless it is curtailed.
     The report gives details of a “Billionaire Buy-in”, whereby wealthy individuals are investing in technology to counter the threat of climate change. 

THE NINTH ANNUAL KEIKI FISHING TOURNAMENT, presented by `O Ka`u Kakou, for children one to 14 years of age will be on Saturday, Jan. 21 at Punalu`u Beach Park Pavilions.

An aerial of the annual Keiki Fishing Tournament at Punalu`u
Photo by Vernon Harvey

    Registration forms can be picked up and dropped off at Na`alehu Elementary School, Na`alehu Ace Hardware, Pahala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pahala, Pahala Gas Station, Wiki Wiki Mart in Na`alehu, Wong Yuen Store in Wai`ohinu, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View and Ocean View Auto Parts.
    Families are urged to register early as children pick their prizes in the order they are registered. Pre-registration ends at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18.
     The fishing guidelines require hand pole fishing with barbless hooks; hand polls, fishing gear and bait provided by the tournament or brought from home. Those needing fishing equipment may be accommodated on a first-to register basis.
     All fishing is catch and release.
     The Keiki Fishing Tournament also involves a canned food drive for the needy.
For more information, contact Guy Enriques at 217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773.
     Sponsors include Pacific Quest, S. Tokunaga Store, Ka`u Royal Hawaiian Cofee & Tea, LP, Suisan Co. Ka`u Mahi, County of Hawai`i, and state Department of Land & Natural Resources Marine Wildlife Program.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY is ongoing through the holidays at Volcano Art Center in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

VOTE FOR THE BEST DECORATED Kilauea Military Camp cottage through the holidays.

See www.kaucalendar.com