The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island: Apr 28, 2016

Koa and `ohia trees line the entrance to Namakanipaio Campground, which was closed to remove dangerous, invasive eucalyptus trees. Photo from NPS

COUNTY PROSECUTOR MITCH ROTH met with about 50 Ocean View residents yesterday. Topics ranged from preventing crime, domestic violence and setting up more Neighborhood Watch teams to increased communication between the community and the prosecutor’s office.
County Council member Maile David also attended and said she is working on controlling drinking at the county Kahuku Park in Ocean View.

Roth said the root of much of the crime is domestic violence. Youth coming from homes with domestic violence are six times more likely to commit suicide, 24 times more likely to become sex abuse victims or offenders and 60 times more likely to be involved with drugs.

Mitch Roth

He encouraged community members to keep the prosecutor’s office up-to-date in its relationship with the Hawai`i Police Department and the efforts of the police department, successful and unsuccessful, in solving crimes. He encouraged residents to give their opinions to the prosecutor’s office on how well or poorly the police are performing. Numerous people said that they felt that police officers were often unhelpful.

One resident said she had a garage sale and that an attendee stole her belongings. When the police officer arrived, she claimed, instead of going after the thief, he asked to see her permit to sell items and said that maybe the thief needed the money more than she did. Despite her having a video of the theft, the woman claimed that the police officer was uncooperative and even said he wanted to see whether her tax returns showed garage sale income.
Roth said that when he ran for prosecutor four years ago, he said, “The system is broken, and we need to fix it.” Making such reports to the prosecutor’s office could help, he said.
A crime at the community center 13 months ago has not been solved, community member Ron Gall said. Roth promised to get back to the community on the status of the case within a week.
A Neighborhood Watch coordinator for the island urged Ocean View residents to become involved by setting up and supporting Neighborhood Watches. The Ocean View meeting is first Thursday of each month at Ocean View Community Center, downstairs at 7 p.m. The coordinator also stated that the island needs more police officers. For all of Ka`u, there are only two officers on duty at any given time. “We have to help ourselves,” she said.
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WITH NO REPORTS OF RECENT INCIDENTS of locally acquired dengue fever in 30 days, the state and County of Hawai`i announced that they are standing down certain emergency response activities related to the outbreak. This decision rests on the fact that three periods of the maximum human incubation period of ten days have passed. The final day of the infectious period for the last reported case was March 27. However, as per routine operations, the state Department of Health continues to immediately investigate all travel-related cases and conduct mosquito assessments and/or treatment of potential areas of mosquito exposure.

Gov. David Ige announced that response to mosquito-borne
illnesses will continue.

While the outbreak seems to have come to a halt, Gov. David Ige, along with other state and local officials, caution the public not to let their guard down in the fight against mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit.

“This milestone could not have been reached without the diligent efforts and teamwork by the Department of Health and the Hawai`i County Civil Defense Agency,” Ige said. “While this outbreak seems to be ending, our statewide response to mosquito-borne diseases must continue. We must remain vigilant in our mosquito prevention and abatement practices, be ready to respond to the Zika virus, and continue working together as a state to ‘Fight the Bite.’”

As of yesterday, 264 cases of locally acquired dengue fever have been confirmed on Hawai`i Island, with illnesses occurring as early as Sept. 11, 2015.

Government officials urge Hawai`i Island
residents to continue to Fight the Bite.

“By no means are we out of the clear,” said Darryl Oliveira, administrator of the Hawai`i County Civil Defense Agency. “Cooperation and collaboration between the state and county have been exemplary, but we continue to identify actions and efforts that we can improve on in the future. We appreciate the tremendous initiative shown by the community in assisting with mosquito abatement and encourage everyone to continue taking proactive measures around their homes and neighborhoods to keep our state safe.”

Over the course of the outbreak, DOH’s Vector Control team surveyed a total of 523 private properties and 310 public spaces. Of that count, 220 private properties and 65 public spaces were sprayed and/or treated for mosquitoes. A total of more than 1,900 reported potential cases were evaluated and/or tested by DOH disease investigators and state Laboratories Division staff.
Health Director Dr. Virginia Pressler said, “The fight against mosquitoes is far from over, and we must do everything in our power to protect ourselves and our communities from the risk of mosquito borne diseases. We continue to receive and investigate reports of travel-related suspect cases of dengue fever, Zika virus and chikungunya on all islands. As Zika continues to spread rapidly overseas, we must take precautionary measures to prevent any locally acquired cases from taking hold in our state.”

As part of a supplemental proclamation to extend the state’s emergency period for mosquito-borne illnesses, a statewide public awareness and education campaign will kick off this year to ensure people understand the risks of such diseases and how to best prevent them in Hawai`i.

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Freshly cut ucalyptus logs line the road to Namakanipaio tent sites
and pavilion. Photo from NPS

NAMAKANIPAIO CAMPGROUND in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park has reopened. Hawai`i Volcanoes Lodge Company, which manages the campground under a concession contract for the park, is taking reservations immediately.

The popular campground has been closed since last September for removal of large, falling and hazardous non-native eucalyptus trees in the area.

Originally scheduled to reopen last Thursday, workers discovered unforeseen electrical issues that delayed reopening.
“We mahalo the public for their patience while we ensure the campground is safe again,” said Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando. “We are delighted to reopen ahead of summer.”
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RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY on the body of a man who died Monday while in police custody outside of a house in Ocean View are inconclusive pending toxicology results. The medical examiner determined that 46-year-old Jonathan Watson, of Ocean View, had a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his left leg. According to police, evidence found at the scene indicated that the wound was most likely accidentally self-inflicted.
The Police Department’s Area II Criminal Investigations Section is conducting an investigation into the death and the circumstances leading to it, and the Office of Professional Standards is conducting an administrative investigation.
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Learn professional brewing techniques
at the Ka`u Coffee Experience.
Photo from Ka`u Coffee Festival

KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL invites everyone to the Ka`u Coffee Experience and Ka`u Coffee College.

The Ka`u Coffee Experience takes place during the Ho`olaule`a on Saturday, May 21 at Pahala Community Center. “The Ka`u Coffee Experience is one of our most popular events,” said festival organizer Chris Manfredi. “It will again feature locally grown coffees prepared in a number of ways during guided tastings by accomplished baristas. From pour-over to French Press, cold-brew and espresso drinks, you can explore the best ways to brew Ka`u coffee to unlock all of the distinctive and complex flavors.”
On Sunday, May 22, also at Pahala Community Center, is Ka`u Coffee College. Said Manfredi, “the theme this year is ‘Coffee Quality.’ Guest speakers include UH-CTAHR extension agent Andrea Kawabata paired with Greenwell Farms biologist Arturo Ballar. They will discuss how to maximize efficiencies surrounding Integrated Pest Management.”
Also at Ka`u Coffee College, local coffee professionals will team to present a coffee quality workshop where producers can enhance and maintain high quality and recognize and minimize defects. “If you’re in the coffee business, these sessions should not be missed,” Manfredi said.
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DONATIONS FOR DOLLARAMA can be dropped off at Ocean View Community Center tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. At the event on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., everything is $1 or less, including food and beverages. Funds raised go toward a new roof for the facility.

TOMORROW IS MEMBER APPRECIATION DAY at CU Hawai`i. Chartered in 1955, CU Hawai`i has been serving its membership for over 60 years.

Tomorrow is Member Appreciation Day at both
Ka`u branches of CU Hawai`i.
Image from CU Hawai`i

“From our very humble beginnings, we now have over 26,000 members, and that is something to celebrate!” said a statement from the credit union. “On this very special day, we want to say ‘Mahalo’ to all of our members across Hawai`i Island.”

At each of its branches, including Na`alehu and Pahala, the day features refreshments and member gifts while supplies last. Members can also enter to win a grand prize of $200 at each branch. Grand prize winners will be announced on Monday, May 2.

SAVE THE SUMMIT UNDERSTORY during Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Centennial Hike Saturday at 9 a.m. Meet near the flagpole outside Kilauea Visitor Center to lop invasive Himalayan ginger from the native Hawaiian rainforest.
Free; park entrance fees apply.

TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE for Jazz in the Forest. Two shows on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village feature guitarists Reggie Griffin and Curt Warren with Volcano Art Center's Jazz Ensemble.

See volcanoartcenter.org, or call 967-8222.

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