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| Speaker of the state House of Representatives Scott Saiki proposes a "use fee on visitors who use parks, state trails and other state resources." Photo from Hawai'i Public Radio |
THE OPENING OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE ON WEDNESDAY saw the two officials elected to represent Kaʻū, state Sen. Dru Kanuha and state Rep. Jeanne Kapela, begin this year's session. The event was the first open to the public since COVID and brought back some of the flair of pre-covid ceremony at the Hawai'i Legislature. Citizens filled the gallery of the House Chamber as the 32nd Hawai'i Legislature began with hula and flowers.
Beach, park and trail protection received much support in speeches with Senate Pres. Ron Kouchi stating, "Visitors should be paying for their impact on our natural resources." He said he opposed charging visitors a landing fee when they arrive in Hawai'i. House Speaker Scott Saiki proposed "a use fee on visitors who use parks, state trails and other state resources."
Suggestions of tax breaks for middle and low income came from Democrats, while eliminating income tax altogether, came from Republicans. Also proposed is free public pre school.
Kaʻū's state Senator is the Majority Leader. Kanuha recently presented the priorities of the Democratic Caucus:
Regarding the Environment & Natural Resource Management, Kanuha pointed to: Exploring carbon offsets, carbon capture technology and carbon tax and addressing existing and future problems due to rising sea levels and other climate change impacts.
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| Kaʻū's state Sen. Dru Kanuha is the Majority Leader |
Regarding Agriculture, Kanuha pointed to increasing personnel at Dept. of Agriculture Division of Aquaculture and transferring land from Department of Land & Natural Resources to Dept. of Ag. He said the caucus supports "Reimagining the management of the state's agricultural industry by focusing efforts on the impacts of climate change and invasive species/pests." Another goal is "Developing necessary infrastructure to empower local farmers to produce value-added products to market, including the farm-to-school initiative."
Regarding Housing, Kanuha said the caucus supports planned housing projects to provide residents with affordable rent or purchase options and developing workforce housing solutions to support residents employed in high demand sectors. He said the caucus seeks opportunities for residents in middle-income brackets to purchase homes and ensuring that affordable housing remains affordable in perpetuity. He said the legislators want to collaborate with the counties to reform the permitting process for affordable housing development.
Regarding Health, Kanuha said the caucus is focusing on addressing gaps in the health continuum of care, expanding healthcare workforce training and education on the Neighbor Islands in rural and underserved communities. He said there is focus on improving mental health by establishing annual mental health checkups as a mandatory covered health insurance benefit.
Regarding Education, Kanuha said the caucus will addres teacher shortages and retention through programs such as dedicated affordable housing and educational pathways, support early childhood education initiatives, including universal Pre-Kindergarten programs. He said the caucus will coordinate with state agencies to establish educational vocational tracks in K-12 schools for emergencies. There is also a goal of pursuing "school-level accountability."
Regarding Economic Development & Infrastructure, Kanuha said the Senate wants to partner with counties, state agencies and private sector to identify key industries and economic drivers that "can be properly aligned with education and workforce development in each specific county." He said the caucus suggests developing microgrid technology to provide "reasonable, reliable energy to rural communities." Improving infrastructure through state Dept. of Transportation projects for airports and state roads, as well as developing aquaculture through research were other goals.
DEADLY FENTANYL IS THE SUBJECT OF THREE PRESENTATIONS IN KA'Ū. The first is this Saturday, Jan. 21 with a giveaway of Narcan, the nasal spray used to save lives from fentanyl overdose. The drivethru is from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. at Hawai'i Island Community Health Center, formerly Bay Clinic at 95-5583 Mamalahoa Hwy in Na'alehu. Trained personnel will provide quick, complete instructions and take the time to answer questions. The aim is to help the community to become better prepared in the event people encounter "someone down and not breathing" due to fentanyl. The protocol is to call 911 and administer Narcan.
Next Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. at the Herkes Kaʻū District Gym in the multipurpose room will be a public presentation on fentanyl and a free dinner. The session will focus on dangers of fentanyl and how to save lives. It follows a 1 p.m. student and staff presentation for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School.
Making culturally and age appropriate presentations is Dr. Kimo Alameda, former chief of Bay Clinic.
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| Dr. Kimo Alameda is helping to lead education on deadly fentanyl and emergency help with Narcan. |
A statement from the Hawai'i Island Fentanyl Task force says, "There's been quite a bit of very alarming news coverage in recent months - locally and nationally - about deadly Fentanyl - it's taking at least one life on Hawai'i Island every 11 days. The Hawai'i Island Fentanyl Task Force, working in partnership with emergency responders, medical professionals, DOH, and many others have been actively reaching out to better educate our island community."
To schedule a future presentation on fentanyl, email Dr. Kimo Alameda at adrkimo@icloud.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
To schedule a future presentation on fentanyl, email Dr. Kimo Alameda at adrkimo@icloud.com.
NEW LAW AND RULES ON VACATION RENTALS, ALONG WITH FINES TO ENFORCE THEM, are in the process of being passed. This Friday, Jan. 20 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. County Council members Ashley Kierkiewicz and Heather Kimball, along with the Hawai'i County Department of Planning, will
hold a second informational session on the draft transient accommodation rental proposal. Those interested in attending the webinar can register at: tinyurl.com/4ycnwfcu.
In addition to the webinar, the council members have created an informational webpage at hawaiicountytar.com with the latest draft proposal, frequently asked questions, and a form to submit questions or comments on the proposal. "This webpage is provided for informational purposes only, is subject to change, and is not an official webpage of the County of Hawai'i," says a statement from the county.
Kierkiewicz and Kimball hosted a community informational briefing on the proposed changes late last year. The audio is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Yf3LoWmY4.
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| Image from BuzzFeed |
In addition to the webinar, the council members have created an informational webpage at hawaiicountytar.com with the latest draft proposal, frequently asked questions, and a form to submit questions or comments on the proposal. "This webpage is provided for informational purposes only, is subject to change, and is not an official webpage of the County of Hawai'i," says a statement from the county.
Kierkiewicz and Kimball hosted a community informational briefing on the proposed changes late last year. The audio is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Yf3LoWmY4.
There have been 41 major accidents so far this year compared with 26 during the same period last year, an increase of 57.7 percent.
To date, there have been three fatal crashes, resulting in three fatalities, compared with two fatal crashes, resulting in two fatalities for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 50 percent for fatal crashes and 50 percent for fatalities. Police promise to continue DUI roadblocks and patrols island wide.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View. Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.
OUTDOOR MARKETS
Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.
Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.
Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.
'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.
Ocean View Swap Meet at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks required.
The Book Shack is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauaha'ao Congregational Church grounds at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Wai'ōhinu.
