Ka`u News Briefs June 23, 2011

The annual Independence Day weekend rodeo in Na`alehu will be held July 2 and 3 at the rodeo grounds. Photo by Julia Neal

WHERE SHOULD PUBLIC HEARINGS BE HELD concerning Hawaiian Electric Co.’s proposal to raise rates across its customer base to help pay for the $350 million proposed refinery and energy farm near Pahala? This is one of the questions before the state Public Utilities Commission, which is reviewing plans by Hawaiian Electric and ‘Aina Koa Pono to produce biofuel here.        

     Jeffrey T. Ono, Executive Director of the state Division of Consumer Advocacy, said hearings should be held on the Big Island, Maui, Lana`i, Moloka`i and O`ahu – all places where electric rates are likely to rise to help pay for the Ka`u project. Ono submitted testimony on June 17, saying, "The HECO Companies' proposed Biofuel Surcharge Provision intends to establish a new rate, fare or charge that will likely increase the overall amounts paid by the consumers or patrons in the HECO Companies' service territories."

         Ono wrote that his “recommendation is predicated on the belief that allowing public hearings would offer the customers likely to be impacted an opportunity to better educate themselves on the issues as well as to voice their testimonies on those issues.” HECO’s brief to the PUC argues that Hawai‘i law does not require a public hearing. However, the electric company would “agree” to have public hearings on O`ahu and the Big Island. The PUC has given HECO another deadline, which is today, for HECO to submit more information on the issue.

Information is needed regarding the deadly accident on Hwy 11.

MORE INFO ON THE FATAL ACCIDENT on June 12 on Hwy 11 is being provided by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Chief Ranger Talmadge Magno. He said that 19-year old Julien Quiocho of Hilo was apparently the driver, survived the crash, and was airlifted to Queen’s Medical Center on O`ahu. He reportedly suffered serious brain and spinal injuries and is apparently still hospitalized. Magno said that Quiocho was "in too much pain” to give a statement before being flown to O`ahu. Rangers attempted to contact Quiocho at Queen's, but doctors said he was unable to be interviewed. Several witnesses have come forward to provide information on the crash, but the full story of what happened that night is still unclear, said Magno. Anyone who may have any information about the incident is encouraged to call 985-6001.

         The passenger who died at the scene was 20-year old Bryson Areola, of Kea`au. Car racing has been suspected in connection with the accident and police and rangers are urging the community to discourage drag racing along the highway, which apparently happens most often on weekend, full-moon nights when the Hilo drag strip is closed.

“DO YOU COUGH EACH DAY?” was one of the questions Dr. Bernadette Longo asked during the Pancake Breakfast in Ocean View last weekend. She also took blood pressure and pulse readings for her research: The CARE-Vog Study: Cardiorespiratory Assessment of Residents Exposed to Vog. Longo, Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Reno, has a PhD in public health, is a Hawai’i registered nurse, and researcher on Volcano health studies. Her husband, a volcanologist, offered graphs showing evidence of particulates and sulfur dioxide in the air for Pahala, Ocean View and Kona. 

Dr. Bernadette Longs will take blood pressure and gather other data for
her vog and health study. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

         Longo hopes the study will help researchers gain an understanding of any effects of air pollution from Kilauea Volcano on the health and wellbeing of nearby residents. 

    People volunteering to participate must be over 20 years of age, and residents of Pahala, Ocean View, Honoka'a, Mountain View or on the Kona Coast for at least seven years. Participants’ identities are protected and information gathered is confidential. Participating in the study is free and those examined receive a record of their pulse and blood pressure- which, if taken to a doctor, could detect early signs of long-term illness. Anyone interested in can call 775-815-9162.

CONGRESSWOMAN MAZIE HIRONO says she supports President Barack Obama’s plan, announced yesterday, to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. “I strongly support President Obama’s decision to bring 10,000 of our brave men and women in uniform home from  Afghanistan and 30,000 by the end of 2012. The President has successfully dealt with Osama bin Laden, and this is the right time to focus on responsibly winding down our mission in Afghanistan,” said Hirono.

THE HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds a workshop about wildfire preparedness tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. It covers strategies to protect homes and families against wildfires. Call Carolyn at 885-6354.

Patriot marches in local parades. Photo by Julia Neal

COUNTY MASS TRANSIT is conducting a Community Outreach Campaign to assess the transportation needs of the community, particularly the route from Volcano into Hilo. Community members can call 961-8744 or visit heleonbus.org and click on the Volcano to Hilo Bus Service Survey.

IT’S TIME TO GET READY for the July 2 and 4^th Independence Day Parades. The Na`alehu Parade travels down Hwy 11 on July 2 beginning at 11 a.m. and is sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou.The deadline to enter is July 1 by calling 929-9872. The Volcano Parade is at 9 a.m. starting at the Volcano Post Office on Old Volcano Hwy. Participants can show up at 8 a.m. Call 967-7800.

THE ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY RODEO will be held on July 2 following the parade in Na`alehu. The rodeo will take place both Saturday and Sunday, with roping, mugging, barrels and other paniolo events for men, women and children. The rodeo grounds are next to Na`alehu Community Center.

Ka`u News Briefs June 22, 2011

  R.I.P. means Rest In Peace and was painted on Hwy 11 by friends the car crash victim. Photo by Bobby Tucker

THE DEADLY CRASH ON HWY 11,allegedly related to full-moon midnight car racing, between Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Pahala is the subject of a community outreach to find out more about the accident and to discourage racing on the highways. The latest theory is that the crash on June 12 was precipitated by an earlier accident the same night at milepost 31, also involving car racing. Allegedly, two youth in the first racecar called for help from their friends. Their friends raced to help them, crashing themselves into the lava between mileposts 35 and 36 on Hwy 11.

            Coincidentally, drivers of an ambulance, which happened to be transporting a patient from Ka’u Hospital to Hilo, discovered the fatal accident near milepost 35 around 1:30 a.m. and called for more help. When the Medic 19 ambulance from Kilauea Military Camp was approaching the crash site, they came first upon the earlier accident and found two unharmed men. Medic 19 proceeded to the second accident and found the passenger, 20-year old Bryson Areola of Keaau, dead at the scene. Driver, 19-year old Julien Quiocho of Hilo, was airlifted to Queen’s Medical Center on O'ahu with reportedly serious brain and spinal injuries.

            Police and National Park officials are encouraging all the community to help discourage racing. Apparently, when no races are scheduled at the track in Hilo, some of the racers dive to the straight-aways on county and state roads in Kapoho and Ka`u, usually on a full moon weekend.

            In lieu of specific evidence surrounding the crash, rangers believe the victims may have speeding and lost control of the vehicle, causing them to crash. Their bodies were thrown from their vehicle into the lava field. The victims may also have been under the influence of alcohol. However, HVNP and HPD officials are still investigating. Anyone who may have witnessed the accident or have any information about the incident is encouraged to call 985-6001.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK has hired 12 of the 22 Ka`u High School juniors and seniors trained this spring for summer employment. Kupono McDaniel, Supervisor Ranger, said that 17 of the 22 students completed the training program and the top 12 individuals were selected. The hired students are approved for 24 hours a week or paid employment for a duration of eight weeks. McDaniel hopes the other five trainees will be hired on by other non-profit organizations in Ka`u or become volunteer rangers at the park. 

Daniel Elmore, of Ocean View, guides visitors at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park
during last year's Summer Youth Employment Program.    

            Mentoring the students is Gorge Zamudio, of Ocean View, a participant in last year’s Summer Youth Employment Program. He is now a full-time employee through a Hawai`i based non-profit called KUPU, which empowers youth through environmental stewardship. Permanent rangers mentor new hires while the park’s five new university student hires cover the front desk. There are three student temporary employees, two from University of Hawai`i-Hilo and one from Hilo Community College. Two additional U.H.–Hilo interns were hired through KUPU. For more information about the program call McDaniel at 985-6015.

NOONE WILL HAVE to worry about going to county offices and finding them closed on a Friday. Furlough Fridays are pau, the last one shutting down county offices just last week. With the new fiscal year arriving July 1, county workers will have their regular schedule and pay restored. The Furlough Fridays were enacted to save about $7 million a year through cutting worker wages and reducing utility bills. The County Council wanted to continue Furlough Fridays, with Chairman Dominic Yagong saying it was the best option for cutting the budget again next year.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL plans an emergency meeting this Friday to go over Mayor Billy Kenoi’s veto of the County Council budget and to consider the possibility of hiring an outside attorney.  The mayor claimed the council’s version of the budget is fraught with illegalities. Since the mayor and the council have the same attorney, there is confusion on why this possible problem was not handled by county attorneys before the budget was passed and vetoed. Council Chair Dominic Yagong has long contended that the mayor and council need independent attorneys to avoid a conflict of interest and potential allegiance to either the administration or council when representing both arms of county government.

Rep. Bob Herkes and his Nene goose are regulars at July 4 parades in Volcano and and Na`alehu.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE JULY 2 AND 4 INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADES, first in Na`alehu, then in Volcano are open for participants. Community groups, clubs, schools, ranches, farms and other businesses are invited to represent their interests.

            The Na`alehu Parade on Saturday, July 2 at 11 a.m. is sponsored by O Ka`u Kakou and the deadline to enter is July 1 by calling 929-9872.  The parade will include the Hawai‘i County Band, Ka‘u Hospital, KAHU Radio, Summer Fun, Boys & Girls Club, and 18 riders on horseback representing the Paniolo community.

Summer Fun marches in the July 2 Independence parade in Na`alehu. Photo by Julia Neal

            The Volcano Independence Day Parade, on Monday, July 4, at 9 a.m., is sponsored by the Volcano Community Association. It starts at the Volcano Post Office and winds up at Cooper Center for food, entertainment, crafts and displays. To participate in the parade, show up 8 a.m. at Volcano Post Office or call 967-7800. Among the participants are Volcano Art Center, Hawai`i County Band, Volcano School of Arts and Science, Volcano Rotary, floats, antique cars, fire engines, bicycles, horses, animals in costumes, dancers and musicians.

Ka`u News Briefs June 21, 2011

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is waiving entrance fees today to celebrate the first day of summer. Here, Halema`uma`u is seen from the Kilauea Iki Overlook.  Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE has signed 15 more bills passed by the 2011 Hawai`i State Legislature, bringing the total signed this year to 146. 

     One of the Acts stiffens penalties for labor trafficking and is, in part, a response to the Global Horizon case that is in federal court and involves a labor company that provided Thai workers for macadamia and coffee in Ka`u and elsewhere.
     This House Bill 141 establishes class A and B felony offenses for labor trafficking; establishes an offense for nonpayment of wages; and establishes an offense for unlawful conduct with respect to documents.
     Here are the other recently signed Acts and what they mean: 

Gov. Neil Abercrombie

* House Bill 953 recruits Board of Education staff positions by amending the salary cap. 

* Senate Bill 1282 provides schools the option – but no requirement – to administer a test that compares each Hawai`i student nationally.
* Senate Bill 806 changes term lengths on the Hawai`i Teachers State Board.
* Senate Bill 1068 makes killing or attempting to kill the pet of another person without their consent animal cruelty in the first degree.
* Senate Bill 1489 attaches attorney’s liens to proceedings after commencement of arbitration proceedings, and orders settlements and awards pursuant to an arbitration proceeding. Also, removes the deadline to file a notice of claim of the attorney’s lien.
* Senate Bill 1089 allows the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations penalizes businesses that fail to give notification of 60 days before relocating or ending their operations.
* House Bill 747 relates to liquor liability insurance by removing the definition of convenience minimarts.
* House Bill 663 requires clear and conspicuous disclosure of automatic renewal clauses and cancellation procedures for all consumer contracts and offers with an automatic renewal provision.
* House Bill 909 authorizes family court to issue financial restraining orders.
* House Bill 1333 increases the maximum monetary claim that may be filed in small claims court.
* House Bill 1613 requires an application to register to vote to include a space to request a permanent absentee ballot.
* House Bill 716 establishes new election deadlines to comply with state primary election date required by federal law (for overseas military voters).
* House Bill 1107 authorizes members of the Army and Air National Guard who are qualified by training and authorized by their commanders to use electric guns subject to state law when assisting civil authorities in disaster relief, civil defense, or law enforcement functions.
* House Bill 240 gives the Attorney General and City Prosecutor more tools to combat prostitution by providing security and protection to witnesses in cases that involve promoting prostitution.
     See more at http://capitol.hawaii.gov.

Barbara Chung Ho

SUMMER READING WORKSHOPS AT KA`U LIBRARIES will feature Barbara Chung Ho. Admission is free. 

     Chung Ho will present two interactive and customized workshops: The Folk Art of Chinese Knotting and The Folk Art of Chinese Paper Cutting. Chung Ho will share history of folk art and conduct step-by-step demonstrations on basic techniques of Chinese knotting and paper cutting.
     The one-hour workshops are suitable for ages 12 and older. Supplies will be provided. Interested children and adults can call the Pahala Library at 928-2015 for the Monday, June 27 event at 1 p.m. or the Na`alehu Library at 939-2442 for the Tuesday, June 28 event at 10 a.m.
     Performances by Chung Ho and other featured artists from the Statewide Cultural Extension Program are co-sponsored by the University of Hawai`i’s Outreach College, Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

TO MARK THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is waiving entrance fees today. Also, Kilauea Military Camp, inside the park, is making all of its facilities and services available to the general public for the day. For more information call 967-7315.

THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT airs on Na Leo O Hawai`i Community Television channel 54 tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Learn how to protect against wildfire Thursday evening at Na`alehu
  Community Center. Photo courtesy of Hawai`i Wildfire Management Org.

THE HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds a workshop about wildfire preparedness on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The workshop covers strategies to protect homes and families against wildfires. To register, call Carolyn at 885-6354.