Ka`u News Briefs March 2, 2013

Jon Cran, of Kapapala Ranch, has been named Pa`u Queen for the 2013 Merrie Monarch Royal Parade to be held Saturday, April 6. Photo by Julia Neal

“PUT ON A HAPPY FACE,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie told reporters yesterday at the end of a press conference held to comfort Hawai`i residents. He said his administration has set aside $25 million a year to help weather federal sequestration of funding that went into effect at midnight. The governor said he will look for support from the 2013 Hawai`i Legislature to help fund local programs that usually depend on money from Washington, D.C.
      Sequestration means $85 million across the board cuts in the federal budget. Federal projects in Hawai`i will be stalled, and expenditures on education, health and other social services reduced. Abercrombie held his press conference before Pres. Barack Obama was forced to sign the federal spending cuts yesterday, following months of congressional gridlock.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie holds press conference on sequestration.

      The governor urged Hawai`i residents “to take a deep breath and understand that we are on this on a daily basis.” Abercrombie said he plans to establish a Sequestration Impact Response Team comprised of public and private stakeholders to analyze the funding cuts coming Hawai`i’s way. The task force will measure the expected impact on reduced spending by the military, which shores up a large sector of Hawai`i’s economy. Some or all of the 19,000 civilian workers for the U.S. Department of Defense serving the military’s U.S. Pacific Command could face furloughs, costing workers $138 million in wages, another loss to the local economy. Army bases in Hawai`i could lose more than $100 million in federal funds. The governor said, “We understand the Department of Defense will be issuing letters later this month to notify those who are going to be furloughed.”
      Abercrombie said he has “contacted local financial institutions to encourage them to assist federal workers in the islands who may experience financial difficulty. This is a time when we need to show and practice aloha to those directly affected by these nationwide cuts.”
      Another $4.7 million in federal funding for the statewide school system could be gone, as well as federal money for environmental protection, meals for seniors and health care for the needy.
      Kalbert Young, director of the state Department of Budget & Finance, said, “It is not presumed that every program that loses federal funds will be able to be accommodated to maintain their current operational level.” He predicted a two-year loss of up to $45 million in direct federal grants to Hawai`i that may be at risk. “Sequestration will likely impact everyday activities, whether it be going to the airport, law enforcement support, border protection, food security issues,” the budget director said.
      However, Abercrombie predicted that sequestration will not endure, saying that Congress will most likely come to an agreement. “No one wants to be on the receiving end of the blame if stubborn clinging to this confrontational attitude continues in Washington,” said Hawai`i’s governor.

Wendy Spencer

KA`U’S CONGRESSWOMAN TULSI GABBARD yesterday announced federal grants for two Big Island organizations. The Hawai`i County Office of Aging will receive a $68,254 Senior Corps 2013 RSVP grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to support senior volunteer activities.
      “Empowering and supporting community service leaders of all ages is our responsibility and privilege,” said Gabbard. “Volunteers are the backbone of our communities. The CNCS service grant will allow for our Senior Corps volunteers to continue their great work in serving those in need, and inspiring others to do the same.
      Wendy Spencer, CEO of Corporation for National and Community Service, said, “At a time of increased need and declining resources, volunteers age 55 and over continue to step in to fill the gaps. Today, more than ever, communities need the talents and skills of all Americans to help move this nation forward. Senior Corps volunteers are delivering enormous social and economic benefits to our communities and demonstrating that service is good for the nation and those who serve.”
      Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will receive a $275,000 U.S. Department of Transportation grant to improve infrastructure and access to the historic 175-mile trail.
       “Support for the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail will protect cultural and natural resources and enhance visitors’ experiences, while honoring Native Hawaiian culture and the environment. Preservation of the trail will ensure that it will be enjoyed and valued for years to come,” said Gabbard.

Genevieve "Jon" Cran

KAPAPALA RANCH’S GENEVIEVE “JON” CRAN has been named Pa`u Queen for the Merrie Monarch Royal Parade to be held on Saturday, April 6 at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo. The parade begins and ends at Pauahi Street and winds through downtown Hilo along Kilauea Avenue, Keawe Street, Waianuenue Avenue and Kamehameha Avenue. Cran will be accompanied by two ladies in waiting, a page and two gentlemen escorts. The horses and riders will be adorned with lei made by Mona Chow. Cran is the wife of the late Gordon Cran, who served as pa`u marshall of the Merrie Monarch parade. The Cran family operates the 32,000-acre Kapapala Ranch between Pahala and Volcano.
      Also in the parade from Ka`u will be contestants in the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant, which is scheduled for Friday, April 27 at Pahala Community Center.

RECYCLE HAWAI`I INVITES KA`U STUDENTS to enter its 8th annual Art of Recycling School Competition, open to all students ages six to 18 on Hawai`i Island. Free registration takes place throughout this month.
      Original creations made from recycled or reusable materials are submitted to the appropriate district site with an ARSC entry form. For West district of Na`alehu to Kailua-Kona, entries go to Kona International Market in Kailua-Kona on Friday, April 12 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. For East district of Pahala to Hilo, entries go to Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo on Friday, April 19 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Kiko Opala by Janessa Tupe
Photo by J West

      Entries focus on themes of reduce, reuse, recycle, island sustainability, preserving and protecting Hawai`i’s natural environment or zero waste. Entries are judged on originality, theme, personal expression, execution of materials and artistic merit. Outstanding entries for individual and group categories in elementary, middle, and high school levels are awarded prizes.
      For complete details including registration and entry forms visit www.recyclehawaii.org and click on Art of Recycling. For questions call 985-8725 or email hiartrecycle@gmail.com. This program is funded in part by the Hawai`i County Department of Environmental Management (www.hawaiizerowaste.org).

THE BUILDING OF A WILDLIFE PRESERVE and the Three-Mountain Alliance is the topic at Tuesday’s After Dark in the Park program. The Ka`u Preserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state. Made up of four separate parcels of forested land, this Nature Conservancy preserve features mountainous ridgelines with narrow plateaus framed by steep valleys. A closed-canopy koa and `ohi`a forest shelters a lush understory of native ferns, where rare plants thrive, along with endangered forest birds like `apapane, `i`iwi, `elepaio, `amakihi and `akepa.
      John Replogle, of The Nature Conservancy, addresses how the TNC Preserve in Ka`u became a preserve and how the Three-Mountain Alliance has played an important role in this endeavor. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.

Ka`u senior Shaylin Navarro received All BIIF girls basketball honorable
mention.  Photo by Jemy-Ray Palancia

IN SPORTS, SENIOR SHAYLIN NAVARRO, of Ka`u High School, received All BIIF girls basketball honorable mention. Navarro is a multi-sport athlete for the Trojans, playing all four years of her high school career. She also served as team captain. Coach Cy Lopez noted her leadership and positive attitude, helping to keep morale high. He said that even when the team was down, “they never gave up.”

KA`U HIGH’S SOFTBALL TEAM has a home game against Kea`au Tuesday at 3 p.m. then travels to Hilo High Thursday.

THROUGH SHAVE ICE SALES, `O Ka`u Kakou recently raised $1,016 for the Ka`u High wrestling team so the team could go to states. They also raised $859 for South Side volleyball club’s trip to a mainland tournament and $150 for Ka`u Parks & Recreation Track and Field team transportation costs.

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

ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.

Ka`u News Briefs, March 1, 2013

THE MAYOR’S PROPOSED COUNTY BUDGET was sent to the County Council yesterday. The $370,778,473 in spending from July, 2013 through June 30, 2014 would be 8 percent less than the operating budget in effect when Mayor Billy Kenoi took office. “It marks the fifth consecutive year of our efforts to control the cost of government in a strategic and responsible manner that maintains critical infrastructure and public services. This proposed balanced budget does not require any increase in property taxes,” the mayor said.
     Kenoi noted that “For the fifth straight year, the County of Hawai‘i will collect less in property taxes than it did when this administration began in 2008. Tax collections in Fiscal Year 2008-09 were $225.9 million and are expected to total $200.6 million during Fiscal Year 2013-2014. This continuing lag in tax collections has been coupled with years of cost increases in areas such as employee health care and retirement costs and unpredictable fluctuations in utilities and fuel. In short, it will cost us more to deliver the same services next year, and there will be approximately the same amount of money available to provide these services,” the budget message said.
     Kenoi said the admnistration’s proposed budget “represents the fifth year of our continuing effort to control and reduce spending wherever possible. Overtime spending has been reduced by 36 percent during this period, for a reduction of $5.1 million since Fiscal Year 2007-2008.”

      A cut that is expected to raise eyebrows in the County Council is a plan to discontinue funding for recycling centers based at county solid waste transfer stations, and to reduce county funding for soil and water conservation districts. The proposed budget also restricts out-of- state travel, cancels or delays vehicle purchases and the replacement of aging computers and software, and employee training has been deferred or eliminated, the budget message reports.
      It points out that 256 vacant positions have been unfunded during the first four years of the Kenoi administration. The mayor puts forth that “Unfunding positions has made it more difficult to provide County services, but we intend to again hold as many positions unfilled and unfunded as possible to provide for the largest possible savings.” The employee count for the County of Hawai‘i decreased from 2,787 on Nov. 30, 2008 to 2,582 as of Feb. 28, 2013.
      However, the mayor proposes eliminating county furloughs by increasing the budget by about $4.2 million. Other increases include non- discretionary expenses such as debt service, retirement system contributions and the new transfer to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Maintenance Fund. The increased costs “had to be offset with further spending cuts in order to stay within available revenue to generate a balanced budget,” the mayor said.

REVENUE CHANGES for county income areprojected in Mayor Billy Kenoi’s proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. He wrote that real property taxes are expected to increase by 1.2 percent, or $2.4 million with an estimated 1 percent rise in taxable values and a slight increase in interest payments. The Public Utilities Franchise Tax is expected to increase by $1.0 million, or 9.4 percent in franchise tax revenue. Increases in building permit revenue ($400,000), liquor license fees ($350,000) and vehicle weight tax revenue ($200,000 are expected to bring in $1.1 million, or a 7.0 percent increase.
        According to the mayor, “a higher projection of carryover savings is attributed to the cumulative effect of successful cost cutting measures for the past several years and additional spending restrictions in the current year.”
   
ADDITiONAL SPENDING on county government is proposed in Mayor Billy Kenoi’s budget released yesterday. He said that appropriations are increased by $1.3 million for anticipated property purchases under the geothermal relocation program through which the county buys properties in areas affected by geothermal operations.
      Fire Department spending would increase by approximately $200,000, primarily for fire protection costs. Funds are also budgeted to pay $350,000 of the cost to renovate the Hilo office of the Liquor Commission and to remove asbestos. Additional funds would be appropriated in subsequent years to complete payment of the full cost. Additional grant funding revenue of about $400,000 is anticipated and appropriated for various programs at the County Prosecuting Attorney’s office.

    Highway funding would increase by about $200,000. Debt service will increase with the beginning of principal payments on bonds issued in 2010. Contributions to the employee retirement system will increase by approximately 4.5 percent as the result of rate increases established by the state Legislature.
     Concerning vacation pay, payouts for employees separating from the County would be reduced by $500,000. Concerning insurance claims and judgments, the appropriation to cover those against the County would be reduced by $200,000.
      Regarding the Wastewater Replacement Reserve Account, funding appropriated to set aside for large equipment rehabilitation and replacement must be reduced by approximately $900,000 as the Sewer Fund fund balance and replacement reserve fund balance have been exhausted, the mayor reported.
      The mayor said that in order to keep the county funded, “We will continue to work closely with our state Legislators to maintain the County of Hawai‘i’s share of the Transient Accommodations Tax, which is critically important to maintain our balanced budget. We also continue to work with our Congressional delegation to secure federal resources as we work to expand our transportation infrastructure and build important capital improvement projects." He said and the county staff  “look forward to working closely with the County Council as we seek to address both new and continuing demands for public services while also maintaining a balanced and responsible budget.”

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE encourages Ka`u students, your and adults to apply for its annual scholarship program. The Ken Wicks Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship is available not only to high school juniors and seniors, but also to adults seeking to re-enter the educational system. Preference will be given to those who intend to remain in or return to Ka`u and live there. Scholarship money can be used for all college and vocational training and will range from $250-$1,000. The deadline is May 1, 2013. For more information and to download the application, visit the Ka`u Chamber website athttp://kauchamber.org/?page_id=4 or call Lee McIntosh at 929-9872.

VOLCANO VARIETY SHOW takes place this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Acts include sketch, comedy, music and dance and are appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 children under 17. Call 967-8222.

A NIGHT OF IMPROV is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Alohaha’s Improv-Sketch-Comedy troupe performs a series of improvisational games and original comedy sketches. $10 tickets are available at the door at 7 p.m. for adults 18 years old and over. For more, call 345-2571 or email thealohahas@gmail.com.

MAKING FOOD PRODUCTS through agriculture in Ka`u is a workshop open to the public. Farmers who want to sell a product to the public can learn from value-added and specialty foods consultant Lou Cooperhouse when he presents Food Business Basics: Getting Started and Finding Your Niche in the Specialty Foods Business. The workshop to be held at Pahala Community Center on Wednesday, March 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is designed for farmers seeking to develop their raw product into a value-added product and bring it to market, entrepreneurs and restaurateurs interested in diversifying their revenue streams with specialty food products, and established producers looking to take their food businesses to the next level. To register call 443-2755 or visit http://laulimacenter.org/foodbasics.html

Ka`u News Briefs, Feb. 28, 2013

Ka`u Hospital & Rural Health Clinic could be privatized if bills pass the Hawai`i State Legislature this session. Photo by Julia Neal

SHOULD KA`U HOSPITAL BE PRIVATIZED? This is one of the subjects for which Sen. Russell Ruderman, who serves the district where Ka`u Hospital and Rural Health Clinic are located, would like input from Ka`u residents. He brought up the issue at a meeting with Ka`u residents this week in Pahala.
      Another facility used by Ka`u residents that could also be acquired by Arizona company Banner Health is Hilo Medical Center. Legislation in both the state Senate (SB 1306) and the state House of Representatives (HB1483) would allow the transition from management by the non-profit Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation to Banner. The proposed legislation would allow any of the Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation regions or their health facilities to transition to non-public status. The transition would occur through the sale, lease, or transfer of assets, except for real property, which would only be transferred by lease.
      All liabilities of the transitioning region or facility that were transferred to HHSC upon its creation by Act 262, SLH 1996, and all collective bargaining contracts negotiated by the State, however, would remain the responsibility of the State. Subject to legislation appropriation, the State would be required to continue funding operating support subsidies and capital improvements for any of the new entities.

Kalbert Young, state Budget Director

    Kalbert Young, Director of the state Department of Budget and Finance, testified that his agency is concerned about the proposed requirement for the state to be responsible for previously negotiated labor contracts and continued subsidies and capital improvements for the health facilities. He also noted that employees have accrued benefits under the state’s Employees Retirement System and Employer-Union Trust Fund. He asked what would happen to these benefits?
      Young also wrote that many buildings at the medical facilities were financed with tax-exempt general bonds and that a transfer to a private entity could make the bonds no longer qualify for tax exemption. In addition, some facilities are on ceded lands, for which payments to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs have not been made as the health care serves Hawaiians and other members of the public. Should the facilities be privatized, OHA could demand payments.
      The board of the Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. took no stand on the issue, saying it plans to review the bill or come up with a board position, and that its supports “continued discussions with private entities for potential partnerships and relationships.”

Randy Perreira heads the HGEA

      Yesterday, the Senate Ways and Means Committee passed S.B. 1306 with Ruderman in favor, with reservations. Ka`u’s previous senator, Gil Kahele, who now represents Hilo, voted against the measure. The House Finance Committee passed the bill.  East Ka`u’s Representative Richard Onishi voted aye.
      United Public Workers state Director Dayton M. Nakanelua, who represents many health care facility employees, submitted opposition testimony. He said the bill  “undermines prior commitments made to public employees, eliminates the merit principle, and nullifies the right to engage in collective bargaining.” He wrote that Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. was created by the legislature in 1994 “to provide better health care for all the people of the State…by freeing the facilities from unwarranted bureaucratic oversight.” He said it was understood that Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. would maintain a “corporate-wide hospital personnel system …..and that no employee of the State having tenure with the state would suffer any loss of seniority, prior service credit, vacation, sick leave or other employee benefits or privileges as a consequence.” He said that a decision by the Hawai`i Supreme Court determined that “privatization violates the constitutionally established merit principle” under the Hawai`i constitution and eliminates “openness, merit, and independence” in public administration, which is promoted by the constitution.
           Hawai`i Government Employees Association union chief Randy Perreira also wrote in opposition: “The Hawai`i Health Systems Corporation operates a system of community hospitals primarily on the neighbor islands. That network provides a safety net of health care, with a Hawai`i State Constitutional mandate to ensure access to health care for all citizens. In many instances, care is provided without payment, a cost that our state taxpayers bear to ensure care for all.
         “To preserve the safety net for the neighbor islands the system must remain intact. If one or more regions were to withdraw from the system, it will create instability through the whole system, both financially and in the types of and mix of services available to local communities. A fragmented health care system is a disservice to Hawai`i's people and threatens the long-term viability of the entire health care delivery system. Further, the effort to divest our state from being involved in our health care, and put that responsibility on an Arizona-based provider is short-sighted and not in the best interest of our communities. It is unthinkable that our state will be better off with health care decisions for neighbor islanders being made out of state.”
      Numerous testimonies from workers opposing the bill and many testimonies asking for the partnership to improve health care are posted on the www.capitol.hawaii.gov website under SB1306 and HB1483.

Pahala Volunteer Firefighters fought a string of fires around the village that damaged eucalyptus, coffee and macadamia
and threatened the town. Photo by Julia Neal

THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT will be supported by a huge rummage sale on Friday through Sunday, March 15-17, at Discovery Harbour Community Association clubhouse. Donations will be taken on Wednesday and Thursday, March 13-14. “We are looking for anything you want to get rid of that is clean and in working condition,” said rummage sale organizer Elizabeth Girard. The sale typically has good deals including CDs, DVDs, jewelry, artwork, electronics, exercise equipment, furniture and clothes, said Gerard. The Discovery Harbour Social Committee will sell $5 hot dog lunches.
     Proper firefighting gear is expensive and “many of our volunteers in Kaʻū are not rich. The county tried to provide equipment, but has a limited budget. A good pair of boots costs $300,” she said. Using fundraiser money the Discovery Harbour volunteer fire brigade was able to purchase seven 3M full-face respirator masks.
      ʻO Kaʻū Kākou has donated three 3M full-face respirator masks to the Pāhala volunteer fire department and three to the Nāʻālehu volunteer department. The masks cost  $1250. “It will help with health issues..,.not having to breath the smoke,” said Pāhala volunteer fire captain Ron Ebert. Breathing smoke - “you just start coughing and it zaps your energy. Breathing clean air, you can do a better job.,” he said. Mask shields also keep ash off of faces of the firefighters.

Fundraising has led to the purchase of respirators to
protect volunteer firefighters. 

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS ARE NEEDED. Pāhala and Nā’ālehu have three volunteer firefighters and Discovery Harbour has four. Ocean View also has fewer than a full company of 12. Discovery Harbour volunteer captain Terry James reported that during the huge dual fire blaze in Pāhala this past June, “more volunteers were needed.
      Said Ebert, “Volunteers are essential. They go out in very unpleasant conditions and fight fires to save people’s property. I can’t say enough about the people who do it.” He urged people to join “if you have the desire to serve your community in a very special way.”
     The mean age of Kaʻū volunteers runs between 55- and 60-years-old, said James. While the ranks would love young volunteers to join, the departments are calling to any male or female over the age of 18 to sign up. Volunteers need to be U.S. citizens and have valid driver’s licenses. At training sessions,  third Tuesday of each month, potential applicants can meet other volunteers and learn more on what is involved. Those interested can call one of the Kaʻū volunteer captains: Pāhala Ron Ebert, 928-0027; Nāʻālehu Wade Baji, 929-9923; Discovery Harbour Terry James, 895-8133; and Ocean View Mack Goddard, 939-7602.

VOLCANO VARIETY SHOW takes place this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Acts include sketch, comedy, music and dance and are appropriate for all ages. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 children under 17. Call 967-8222.

A NIGHT OF IMPROV is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Alohaha’s Improv-Sketch-Comedy troupe performs a series of improvisational games and original comedy sketches. $10 tickets are available at the door at 7 p.m. for adults 18 years old and over. For more, call 345-2571 or email thealohahas@gmail.com.

WOMEN’S ENERGY WORKSHOP takes place Sunday, March 3 from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Shizuno Nasu’s Volcano Village Dance Studio. The workshop features yoga and dance meditation with Nasu and Debra Serrao focusing on the Sacred Feminine. $55 includes lunch; space is limited. Register with Debra at 985-7545 or debwhiteflower@hotmail.com or Shizuno at 967-8574 or shizunodance@gmail.com.