Ka`u News Briefs Friday, May 5, 2017

Papahānaumokuākea is a National Marine Monument, created by Pres. George W. Bush, its status in jeopardy
under an Executive Order from Pres. Donald Trump to review the status of five marine monuments in the U.S.

NATIONAL MONUMENT STATUS OF PAPAHANAUMOKUAKEA'S 60,938,240 acres, the largest marine protected area in the U.S., may be rescinded. Papahānaumokuākea educates the public with its Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo and online at www.papahanaumokuakea.gov. It is a World Heritage site and one of the largest marine preserves in the world.

     Pres. Donald Trump signed an Executive Order and directed the Department of the Interior to reconsider all National Monuments of more than 100,000 acres that were established since 1996.
     Papahānaumokuākea in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands was established after 1996 by Pres. George W. Bush with support from Hawai`i's Republican Gov. Linda Lingle. It was doubled in size by Pres. Barrack Obama with support from Hawai`i's Democrat Gov. David Ige.

     A statement from the Department of the Interior issued today says that the reason for the review is "to determine whether the designation or expansion was made without adequate public outreach and coordination with relevant stakeholders.

Each year, some 50 tons of marine debris are removed from the
National Marine Monument Papahānaumokuākea. Photo from NOAA

     "A public comment period is not required for monument designations under the Antiquities Act; however, Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke and President Trump both strongly believe that local input is a critical component of federal land management," said the statement from the Department of the Interior. Along with Papahānaumokuākea, the Trump Administration plans to reconsider the status of other National Marine Monuments in the Pacific Ocean: Mairanas Trench, Rose Atoll in American Samoa, and Pacific Remote Island. There is one in the Atlantic called Northeast Canyons and Seamounts.  

      Said the Secretary of the Interior: “The Department of the Interior is the steward of America’s greatest treasures and the manager of one-fifth of our land. Part of being a good steward is being a good neighbor and listening to the American people who we represent. Today’s action, initiating a formal public comment process finally gives a voice to local communities and states when it comes to Antiquities Act monument designations. There is no pre-determined outcome on any monument. I look forward to hearing from and engaging with local communities and stakeholders as this process continues.”

Papahānaumokuākea protects marine heritage and 

marine life. Photo from NOAA

     The review of the monuments marks the first ever formal public comment period for members of the public to officially weigh in on monument designations under the Antiquities Act of 1906.    

     Comments may be submitted online after May 12 at http://www.regulations.gov by entering “DOI-2017-0002” in the Search bar and clicking “Search,” or by mail to Monument Review, MS-1530, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.
    The Interior Department promised to soon publish a notice in the Federal Register officially opening the public comment period. Written comments must be submitted within 60 days of that date.

     In addition to the Marine National Monument, the Trump administration is reconsidering the status of 22 land-based National Monuments: Basin and Range in Nevada; Bears Ears in Utah; Berryessa Snow Mountain in California; Canyons of the Ancients in Colorado; Carrizo Plain in California, Cascade Siskiyou in Oregon; Crates of the Moon in Idaho; Giant Sequoia in California, Gold Butte in Nevada; Grand Canyon-Parashant in Arizona; Grand Staircase-Escalante in utah; Hanford Reach in Washington; Ironwood Forest in Arizona; Mojave Trails in California; Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks in New Mexico; Rio Grande del Norte in New Mexico; Sand to Snow in California; San Gabriel Mountains in California; Sonoran Desert in Arizona; Upper Missouri River Breaks in Montana; and Vermilion Cliffs in Arizona. 

Papahānaumokuākea is the home to millions of seabirds, many of them nesting there.
Photo from NOAA

    Those considered for review are "designations or expansions of designations under the Antiquities Act made since January 1, 1996, where the designation covers more than 100,000 acres, where the designation after expansion covers more than 100,000 acres, or where the Secretary determines that the designation or expansion was made without adequate public outreach and coordination with relevant stakeholders, to determine whether each designation or expansion conforms to the policy set forth in section 1 of the order. Among other provisions, Section 1 states that designations should reflect the Act’s 'requirements and original objectives' and 'appropriately balance the protection of landmarks, structures, and objects against the appropriate use of Federal lands and the effects on surrounding lands and communities.'” 

Manta rays are protected at Papahānaumokuākea. Photo from NOAA

     Those reviewing the designations are expected to consider whether the reservations of land exceed

 “the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected;”
whether designated lands are appropriately classified under the Act as “historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, [or] other objects of historic or scientific interest;"  and the effects of a designation on the use and enjoyment of non-Federal lands within or beyond monument boundaries;
     The statement also says that the review will take into consideration the "concerns of State, tribal, and local governments affected by a designation, including the economic development and fiscal condition of affected States, tribes, and localities;  and the availability of Federal resources to properly manage designated areas."

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DORIS "DD" DAVIS IS THE BIG ISLAND'S OUTSTANDING OLDER AMERICAN WAHINE. Ceremonies were held today at the Hilton Waikoloa Village. Davis, 85, a Pahala resident, will be attending statewide ceremonies and a luncheon with Gov. David Ige in Honolulu.

Doris Davis is Outstanding Older
 American Wahine.

     Says her description from the Hawai`i Couny Office of Aging, since moving to Pahala in 2013, Davis "has made a big impact on the community she now calls home. Whether it is serving meals or assisting with sewing and art classes at the Pahala Nutrition site or helping with the home delivered meal program, DD is always willing to help.

     "She has held two leadership positions at the Pahala Senior Club serving as Secretary in 2014 and currently as Vice President. In consecutive years since 2014, Ms. Davis has served as Secretary, President, Treasurer and Chair of the Membership Committee for Friends of the Ka`u Libraries.

     "She is also very active at Bahai Faith Spiritual Assembly for Ka`u where she teaches children and is an Adopt-a-Highway volunteer.

     "While she is certainly busy with her many volunteer commitments, DD still finds time to express herself artistically. She paints in both the oil and acrylic mediums, has learned to play the `ukulele and has even written memoirs about her time living in Ghana, West Africa."
      Davis lives in Pahala with her daughter Kerry Pitcher, her grandson Kyle Pitcher and her son-in-law Alan Moorse.

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LILLIAN T. ARATANI, 93, of Pahala, was a nominee for 2017 Outstanding Older American for Hawai`i Island. According to her description by the County Office of Aging:

   "Lillian Aratani brings a great energy to the many organizations she serves and was a very familiar face at Ka`u Hospital where she served as a weekly volunteer for over 17 years visiting with patients and helping with activities. She also served as a volunteer with Ka`u Community Voices Council, The Ka`u Calendar newspaper, Mala Lulima Senior Community Garden and the Intergenerational Program at the Ka`u High School SHOUT.

     "For the past 16 years, Lillian has been an active member and volunteer with the Pahala Senior Club, Hawai`i County Nutrition Program and RSVP program.

     "Ms. Aratani is doing her part to preserve the history of her community. She served as the Historian of the Pahala Senior Club for several years and helped organize photo albums to chronicle the Club's history.

     She is also vital in passing along the story of the historic Pahala Hongwanji where she is a Fujinkai member and valued volunteer. Lillian enjoys traveling and pending time with her family in Hilo over the holidays."

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Paint Your Own Silk Scarf, Sat, May 6, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Patti Pease Johnson helps students open up their creativity and challenge themselves. $50/$45 VAC members. 967-8222

Stewardship at the Summit, Sat, May 6, 12, 20, 26; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers clear ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo Realms & Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, May 6, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Pu‘u Kahuku Trail explores the traditional Hawaiian land classification system. Free. nps.gov/havo 

Realms & Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, May 6, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Pu‘u Kahuku Trail explores the traditional Hawaiian land classification system. Free. nps.gov/havo 

Ham Radio Operators Potluck Picnic, Sun, May 7, Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. Dennis Smith, 989-3028 

Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sun, May 7, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps. gov/havo.

Ka`u News Briefs, Thursday, May 4, 2017

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said she supports an Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, rather than the Trumpcare
bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday. Photo from National Nurses Union

A TRUMPCARE BILL TO REPEAL THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, and was sent to the U.S. Senate, which is less likely to pass it. 

Officially called the American Health Care Act, the Trumpcare bill passed the House by a vote of 217-213.

Sen. Mazie Hirono said she
will "stand strong" to protect
affordable health care.

     Sen Mazie Hirono reacted swiftly: “Today, I’m thinking of the thousands of Hawai`i residents I’ve heard from who are living in fear of losing their insurance and other protections they’ve received thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Constituents like Kathryn, a teacher and single parent, who is afraid of losing her insurance because of a preexisting condition; and Anne, who gave birth to a healthy baby boy thanks to Medicaid coverage. The fight to save the Affordable Care Act in the Senate starts today. I will stand strong to ensure Trumpcare does not undermine Prepaid Health Care and Affordable Care Act protections for Hawaii families.”

    Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted: "This is a loss, no doubt. But now we dust ourselves off and use this against them. The resistance grows strong every day. Especially today." Schatz said the "age tax is one of the most offensive parts of this awful bill," and retweeted another Senator's comment, "Trumpcare would mean insurers could charge older Americans 5 x more than they charge younger Americans. Five Times." 

     Referring to allowing for insurers to charge higher health insurance rates for those with

Sen. Brian Schatz called the "age
tax the most offensive part
of this awful bill."

preconditions, and also referring to a group of Republicans applauding the House vote Thursday at a White House hoopla before another congressional vacation, Schatz tweeted: "They are making healthcare more expensive for sexual assault survivors. Then they are celebrating it. Then they are taking 10 days off."

     U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted,  "Our healthcare system is broken. The AHCA 217 R's voted for today just makes it worse. Let's continue our push for #HR676 - #MedicareForAll." She also tweeted that #AHCA is a giveaway for pharma & ins companies on the backs of the people;" and " #AHCA is worse for our kūpuna, those with preexisting conditions, & those who need maternity, substance abuse, & mental health care."

     This being National Nurses Week, Gabbard, who co-chairs the National Nurses Caucus, urged Congress to pass the Title XIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act "that trains our nurses. Passing it will help fill the one million nursing jobs needed by 2022."

     After voting against Trumpcare,  Gabbard issued a statement: “The bill that passed today is not a healthcare bill—it’s a big handout to insurance and pharmaceutical companies. This bill slashes $880 billion from Medicaid, strips away health benefits like maternity care, substance

Rep. Tulsi Gabard wants
universal health care.

abuse treatment, and mental health services, expands a crippling age tax on our seniors, eliminates healthcare tax credits for over 7 million veterans, and breaks the bank for those with pre-existing conditions. 

     "While corporations rake in over $600 billion in tax breaks, many low-income Americans will see their coverage drop completely. This partisan bill was rushed through, resulting in corporate benefits on the backs of the people. We need real healthcare reform that brings down costs, increases access to quality care, and ensures basic health services are available to all Americans. 

     "As a cosponsor of H.R.676, the Expanded & Improved Medicare for All Act, I’m working towards a system that will provide universal healthcare to all Americans—a standard met by nearly every other industrialized nation.” 

     The Trumpcare bill is opposed by AARP, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Nurses Association, the National Nurses Union United, the National Disability Rights Network, the AFL-CIO, the National Farmers Union, the National Education Association and many other organizations. 

     The National Nurses Union United issued a list of Trumpcare bill concerns, contending it would:

     Eliminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which will worsen the health of communities, spread infectious disease, and increase health system costs;

Add caption

     Phase out coverage for Medicaid expansion in Medicaid expansion states beginning in 2020, while preventing new states from receiving enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage in order to expand Medicaid;
     Institute a per capita cap for Medicaid, along with the option for states to use a block grant instead. Both options will reduce coverage for the most vulnerable, shift care from clinics to emergency rooms, increase system costs for the chronically ill as they defer treatments because of cost, and unfairly shift the burden of costs to the states;
     Empower individual states to determine eligibility, scope and benefits for Medicaid as per their own discretion, but there will be no increase in federal monies to cover expanded eligibility;
     Eliminate funding to Planned Parenthood which will worsen women’s health, and create burdens for women, families and society from unsafe pregnancies and other health conditions no longer treated;

National Nurses Union came out with a list of concerns over the health

care bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives.

Photo from National Nurses Union

     Eliminate the definition of “essential benefits” – a move that makes all patients vulnerable to the distortions and marketing games of insurance companies;
      Repeal the cost-sharing subsidies of the ACA, and destroy the ability of 80 percent of people currently buying insurance on the Exchanges to maintain coverage;
     Open the door for junk insurance. The bill includes a penalty for lack of continuous coverage, creating a big incentive for patients to buy low-cost, no-coverage plans;
     Fail to encourage low-cost coverage, because the legislation shifts thousands of dollars in spending from insurance company spending to the individual’s out of pocket costs;
     Reproduce the failed “high – risk pools” of the 1990’s and 2000’s, through the “Patient and Stability Fund, ” stating that "it is inevitable that the number of eligible patients will overwhelm the resources of these high risk pools;"
     Repeal the Medicare Hospital Insurance Tax, which will reduce funding and destabilize the Medicare program that our nation’s seniors rely on;
     Allow insurers to charge seniors five times the amount of a younger person. "This revision will prove to be deadly for our nation’s seniors, and it reveals the extent to which this reform will benefit the profit margins of insurance companies, at the expense of patients’ lives," stated the National Nurses Union.

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A 14.1 PERCENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FIREARMS registered statewide in 2016 was announced by the Hawai`i Attorney General yesterday. The annual report details state and county firearms registration statistics for calendar year 2016, showing that 53,400 firearms were registered. 

Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin

    A total of 21,408 personal firearm permit applications were processed statewide during 2016, marking an 8.4 percent increase from the tally in 2015. Of the applications processed in 2016, 95.7 percent (20,488) were approved and resulted in issued permits; 2.8 percent (592) were approved but subsequently voided after the applicants failed to return for their permits within the specified time period; and 1.5 percent (328) were denied due to one or more disqualifying factors. 

    About half (26,616, or 49.8 percent) of the firearms registered during 2016 were imported from out-of-state, with the remainder accounted for by transfers of firearms that were previously registered in Hawai`i. Firearm registration activity increased dramatically over the course of the 17 years for which these data have been systematically compiled and reported. 

     Statewide, from 2000 through 2016, the annual number of statewide permit applications processed climbed 341.1 percent, the annual number of firearms registered soared 392.2 percent, and the annual number of firearms imported surged 368.2 percent. 

     It is a misdemeanor in the State of Hawai`i to provide falsified information on firearm permit applications, unless the falsified information pertains to criminal or mental health histories, in which case it is a felony offense. In 2016, falsified criminal or mental health information or both were provided in 60.1 percent (197) of the 328 denial cases; falsified information pertaining to anything other than criminal or mental health histories was provided in 1.5 percent (5) of the cases; and no falsified information was provided in 38.4 percent (126) of the cases. 

Makana Kamahele will emcee the Ka`u Coffee
Festival Ho`olaulea, May 27.
 Photo by Eric Einwiller

     Persons with documented mental health histories; those who within one year of their applications were medical marijuana patients; and those with documented alcohol and/or substance abuse treatment histories were the top three types of applicants whose permit applications were denied in 2016. 

     The report Firearm Registrations in Hawai`i 2016 provides a range of additional statistics and analyses focused on firearm permits/licenses, registrations, and denials in the State of Hawai`i and its four counties. The full report can be downloaded from the Department of the Attorney General’s Research and Statistics Branch web site at http://ag.hawaii.gov/cpja/rs.

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THE ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP FOR KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL has been announced for the Ho`olaulea on Saturday, May 27, all day at Pahala Community Center, beginning at 9 a.m. 

     Makana Kamahele is emcee. 

The talent from hula to Hawaiian music and jazz, features: Ab Valencia and Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika'iu; Hands of Time; Foggy; Halau Hula O Leonalani, with Debbie Ryder; Keaiwa with Demetrius Oliveira; Harry Evengelista and Tui Masaniai; Hannah's Makana `Ohana Halau with Joe Ooka; Jean Pierre Thoma & the Jazz Tones; Sammi Fo and Halau Kahokukauahiahionalani; the Larry Dupio Band and Back Yahd Bruddahs.

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Ocean View Cinco de Mayo Party, Fri, May 5, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church. Enchiladas, refried beans, salad, beverage & dessert. $8 per person, $15 for two, $20 for family at the door. 939-7555

Paint Your Own Silk Scarf, Sat, May 6, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Patti Pease Johnson helps students open up their creativity and challenge themselves. $50/$45 VAC members. 967-8222

Stewardship at the Summit, Sat, May 6, 12, 20, 26; 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers clear ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo Realms & Divisions of Kahuku, Sat, May 6, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Pu‘u Kahuku Trail explores the traditional Hawaiian land classification system. Free. nps.gov/havo