Ka`u News Briefs July 6, 2012

Ocean View Water Well blessing drew public officials and long time advocates to the new filling station yesterday.
Photo by the Charles Tobias

WATER FOR OCEAN VIEW became a reality yesterday with a celebration and a dedication of the new well and spigots mauka of Hwy 11 on Lehua Lane. The mayor, county council members and Rep. Bob Herkes, who long lobbied for the funding were on hand along with Ocean View residents who have worked towards potable water for the community for several decades.

Ted Blanco, Department of Water Supply Chief Quirino Antonio
and Harvey Galapir will operate the Ocean View Water Station.
Photo by Julia Neal

     County water department officials and the workers who will operate the system showed off the water filling station to the hundred people who attended the ceremony.
      The $6 million project establishes a basic drinking water system complete with a well, storage tank, transmission pipeline, and fill station for the Ocean View community.

SEN. JOSH GREEN is applauding Gov. Neil Abercrombie for signing a bill that will require private hospitals to pay up to 3 percent of their receipts to the state, which will allow more Medicaid funding to come to Hawai`i from the federal government. The money is expected to help such remote facilities as Ka`u Hospital.

      The hospitals could pay some $42 million in provider fees and bring in $77 million from the fed.
      Green, a physician who serves Kona, is running in the Aug. 11 primary for a Senate District that will extend from Honu`apo to Kona. He told the Honolulu Star Advertiser: "This was the Health Committee's most important bill. It brings in millions of federal dollars to keep our hospitals across Hawai`i open and to help us hire needed new physicians. The governor stepped up and did the right thing for our health care system."

DISPARATE TREATMENT OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS is the subject of meetings held by the Native Hawaiian Justice Task Force tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the West Hawai`i Civic Center and next Saturday, July 14, at the Department of Education annex on Wainuenue Ave. in Hilo. A statement from the task force says the meeting will give voice to residents on neighbor islands who have longstanding concerns about “the disproportionate number of Native Hawaiians who are in prison in Hawai`i and the U.S. mainland.”
      Task Force Chair Michael Broderick said the task force “is working hard to fully understand why Native Hawaiians are over-represented in the criminal justice system.” Broderick, who is also CEO of the YMCA of Honolulu, said “The numbers are clear, undisputable, compelling and disturbing. Less clear are the reasons for this tragedy.”
      The Office of Hawaiian Affairs issued a report titled: The Disparate Treatment of Native Hawaiians in the Criminal Justice System.

PRESERVATION OF COASTAL PARCELS in Kahuku and South Kona made progress in the County Council this week. In a measure introduced by County Council member Brittany Smart, the council voted and authorized the county finance Director to enter into negotiations to acquire access and a portion of the 16,000 acres around Pohue Bay at Kahuku. The report says that the acquisition of this parcel “would benefit the island community as well as nearby towns by allowing access to Pohue Bay, which is currently under private ownership.”

Pohue Bay may open to the public with purchase of the surrounding
lands by the county. Photo from gladtravel.com

     A separate proposal, initiated by council member Brenda Ford, was also approved for the acquisition of three forest parcels in the ahupua`a of Waikaku`u South Kona. Waikaku`u, is an old growth rainforest on the southern slopes of Mauna Loa. It is considered a critical watershed for Miloi`i and for the springs that support the ulua fishery. It is a home to a thousand year-old `ohi`a and kopiko forest. 

A BILL TO GIVE THE HAWAI`I COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT COMMISSION more opportunity for review and input passed the first reading at the County Council. Initiated by council member Brittany Smart, the bill states that the environmental management commission shall advise the department on solid waste and wastewater programs and include any pilot projector program. The bill is in reaction to the county conducting a pilot program that delivered some 80 percent of the island’s trash to the Westside landfill, without notification to the council or committee.

THE HONOLULU FIRE DEPARTMENT has donated equipment to the Big Island fire departments. To fight wildfires and or backup for the county, Hawai`i County will receive two 1,500 water tankers and three Class A Pumpers, which the County Council voted to accept this week.

ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FRONT, the County Council voted to allow the FBI to use office space in the Hilo Police Department in order to share resources to enhance investigations and cooperation between county, state and federal law enforcement.

THE GAME MANAGEMENT BILL will go on the ballot this fall. The measure, initiated by County Council Chair Dominic Yagong, would set up a Game Management Commission appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council consisting of nine members. It would “advise County, State and Federal agencies on matters relating to the preservation of subsistence hunting and fishing, as well as protecting traditional and cultural gathering rights.”

Royden Okinishi hunts with Bow and Arrow in Ka`u.
Photo from Royden Okinishi

      Meetings like the ones coming up in Hilo and Kona will also be held on other islands and follow a two-day summit on the issue held at the Hawai`i State Capitol in June.

THREE HYDROGEN POWERED buses are on their way to the Big Island, two for use in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and a third for the county Hele On Bus system. According to a Peter Sur report in this morning’s Hawai`i Tribune Herald, the Hawai`i Natural Energy Institute of the University of Hawai`i helped organize $5 million in funding from government agencies and fuel taxes. An electrolyzer-based hydrogen production system at Puna Geothermal Venture will be installed, along with a filling station at the National Park and at the county bus base yard.

SHIZUNO NASU TEACHES DANCING IN THE EARTH, an all-level class on creative flow and dance – including warm-up and expressive dance movements based on Hara Tanden chi energy. Classes are tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., $45 for general public and $40 for Volcano Arts members. For more, call 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

A BARRY FLANAGAN CONCERT is tomorrow at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, starting at 7 p.m. The singer-songwriter, musician and founder of HAPA has composed some of Hawai`i's popular songs of the last three decades. Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org for more.

NA MEA HAWAI`I HULA KAHIKO will bring traditional hula, chant and cultural demonstrations to Volcano Art Center tomorrow, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Audience is encouraged to bring mats for sitting on the grass and be prepared for variable weather conditions. Hawaiian arts and craft demonstrations will also be held on the front porch of the Volcano Art Center Gallery from 9:30am to 1:30pm.
      As park entrance fees apply and parking is limited, carpooling is strongly recommended. For more information, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org or contact Julie at 967-8222 or julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

THE 34th ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY RODEO, by The Ka`u Roping & Riding Association, is tomorrow and Sunday at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena. Slack roping starts at 8 a.m., with the show kicking off at noon. New events to this year's rodeo include: Chute Dogging and Rescue Race. Other events include Open Dally, Team 90’s, Double Mugging, Ranch Mugging and Wahine Mugging. Entry to the rodeo is $6 before the event and $7 at the gate.

The 34th annual Fourth of July Rodeo, Saturday and Sunday in Na`alehu.
Photo by Julia Neal

SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK is this weekend from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. within Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This three-mile round-trip hike visits Pu`u Huluhulu. Participants meet at Mauna Ulu parking lot. The event is free for Friends members; non-members welcome to join Friends in order to attend. Park entrances fees apply. For more, call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org.

AUDITIONS FOR WOMEN IN COMEDY are this Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Open to all women and “wanna-be” women. This audition is to fill an all-woman comedy show being held over Labor Day weekend.

MEDICINE FOR THE MIND will be held Sunday, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at Kilauea Military Camp Chapel in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Buddhist healing meditation topic: Island of Jewels – Our Precious Human Life. Fee. For more, call 985-7470 or email joyfulpath@aol.com.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs July 5, 2012

Gov. Neil Abercrombie tells loyal Democrats that the Senate and possibly Pres. Barack Obama's future are at stake.
Photo Julia Neal

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE came to the Big Island yesterday and urged voters in the August primary to elect Democrats to the U.S. Senate. Speaking at the annual Fourth of July picnic hosted by the Democratic Party, Abercrombie said that Hawai`i could be the state where the country will be waiting to see if the Republicans take over the Senate. 

Gov. Neil Abercrombie
Photo by Julia Neal

If former Gov. Linda Lingle wins her bid for retiring Sen. Dan Akaka’s senate seat, the Democrats could lose the Senate. The Republicans, should they win the House of Representatives again, could control both houses in the U.S. Congress. Abercrombie said that Republican control could mean trouble for the re-election of Pres. Barack Obama as the congress would try to roll back his initiatives including his health care legislation. 

THE COUNTY PROSECUTORS OFFICE shut down a drug house in Ocean View recently, according to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Mitch Roth. He said a rarely used nuisance abatement injunction was issued by Judge Glenn Hara to allow eviction of everyone living on the property.
     With the belief that dangerous drugs were being promoted in the area, the prosecutors office asked and received and eviction order for 90 days. The prosecutors are also asking the judge to keep them not only off the drug house property permanently, but also to ban them from the four block area around the property, Roth said. The Deputy Prosecutor said that "Since we kicked them off the property, burglaries have gone down" in the neighborhood.

Mitch Roth, running for
Prosecuting Attorney
Photo by Julia Neal

    He also said that prior to the eviction, police raided the property and found stolen goods and drugs, including meth amphetamine. Roth said that the out of town owner was apparently oblivious to the crimes and “did not know what was going on.” He described the property as having a makeshift structure that the people evicted tore down before they left. According to Roth, neighbors said they were being “threatened by drug dealers and had just about given up on their property and are totally happy that the situation has changed.”
     According to Roth, some of those who hung out at the property are out on bail, some are still incarcerated and some are awaiting trials.
 
VOLCANO CELEBRATED INDEPENDENCE DAY during its annual parade yesterday, the largest ever and filled with candidates for the primary election on Aug. 11. The parade down Old Volcano Road saw sunny skies and wrapped up with food and entertainment including songs from the upcoming Kilauea Drama and Entertainment Network production of the Rogers & Hammerstein musical Cinderella, which opens July 13 at Kilauea Military Camp Theatre.

Akira Yamamoto, Grand Marshall of Volcano Fourth of July Parade.
Photo by David Howard Donald

KUMU MAILE YAMANAKA shares history, legends and songs of Hilo tomorrow at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village at 11 a.m. Call 937-4249 for more.

DANCING IN THE EARTH, an all level class on creative flow and dance taught by Shizuno Nasu from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The class includes warm-up and expressive dance movements based on Hara Tanden chi energy. Classes are $45 for general public and $40 for Volcano Arts members. For more, call 967-8222 or email julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

AN INTIMATE EVENING IN CONCERT WITH BARRY FLANAGAN is Saturday at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village, starting at 7 p.m. The singer-songwriter, musician and founder of HAPA has composed some of Hawai`i's popular songs of the last three decades. Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org for more.

Barry Flanagan

NA MEA HAWAI`I HULA KAHIKO will bring traditional hula, chant and cultural demonstrations to Volcano Art Center Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Halau Na Pua ‘O Uluhaimalama performs Hula Kahiko under the direction of kumu hula Emery Aceret. Audience is encouraged to bring mats for sitting on the grass and be prepared for variable weather conditions. Hawaiian arts and craft demonstrations will also be held on the front porch of the Volcano Art Center Gallery from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Demonstrations include hands-on displays and lessons where all ages are invited to meet, learn from and talk story with friendly and knowledgeable locals.
      Na Mea Hawai`i Hula Kahiko is a free community event presented in cooperation with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and supported in part by the County of Hawai`i's Department of Research and Development and the Hawai`i Tourism Authority. As park entrance fees apply and parking is limited, carpooling is strongly recommended. For more information, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org or contact Julie at 967-8222 or julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

The 34th Annual Fourth of July Rodeo is Saturday and Sunday in Na`alehu
Photo Julia Neal

THE 34th ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY RODEO, by The Ka`u Roping & Riding Association, happens Saturday and Sunday at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena. Slack roping starts at 8 a.m., with the show kicking off at noon. New events to this year's rodeo include: Chute Dogging - wrestling a steer charging out of a chute to the ground - and Rescue Race - paniolo race across the arena, lift partner up onto the back of the horse and race back. Other events include Open Dally, Team 90’s (both partners’ cumulative age must be 90 and above), Double Mugging, Ranch Mugging and Wahine Mugging. Entry to the rodeo is $6 before the event and $7 at the gate.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.

Ka`u News Briefs July 4, 2012

Hawai`i Volcaones National Park led the annual Independence Day Parade in Na`alehu. Volcano Parade is today.
Photo by William Neal

HAWAI`I COULD BECOME A SOURCE OF BREADFRUIT TREES to grow in countries with hungry people, according to a story in latest ArcNews. The article entitled Will Breadfruit Solve the World Hunger Crisis? Includes results of recent global mapping showing suitable conditions to grow breadruit spanning the tropics and north to Hawai`i.

      Authors Matthew P. Lucas and Diane Ragone, of National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kaua`i, extol many qualities of breadfruit beyond providing food. Breadfruit are multipurpose trees that “improve soil conditions and protect watersheds while providing food, timber, and animal feed. All parts of the tree are used—even the male flowers, which are dried and burned to repel mosquitoes. Because of its simple uses and long, productive, low-maintenance life, breadfruit was spread throughout the tropical Pacific by intrepid voyagers.”

Breadfruit trees grown in Hawai`i  could be shipped for farms in poor countries.
Photo from Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden

      The article mentions Hawai`i as “…one of the many island chains where breadfruit, or ulu in Hawaiian, was cultivated as a major staple.”       PTBG promotes conservation and use of breadfruit for food and reforestation. Its Breadfruit Institute is the world’s largest repository of breadfruit with 120 varieties from throughout the Pacific. PTBG receives requests from foreign countries wanting varieties for their own tree-planting projects.

      The Breadfruit Institute is meeting increased demand through propagation methods, making it possible to produce and ship thousands, or even millions, of breadfruit plants anywhere in the world. According to the article, most of the world’s one billion hungry people live in the tropics, the ecological zone where breadfruit grows best.

A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN won unanimous approval from the state Board of Education yesterday. A statement from the BOE says that “it builds on key strengths and reform initiatives to ensure all students graduate ready to succeed in college or careers.”Statewide schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi said, “Our plan sets bold and clear student-centered strategies and targets through 2018.”  She said the plan “sharpens our collective focus on implementing a rigorous curriculum, and providing educators the tools to identify and address students’ needs in real time until graduation.”The Strategic Plan aligns three main Department of Education goals with three BOE committees  - Student Achievement, Human Resources, and Finance and Infrastructure -  to increase accountability and efficiency, the statement says. Gov. Neil Abercrombie applauded the plan, saying,  “At various levels, our state government is working in unison to transform our educational system with the main goal of creating a better system that supports teachers and fosters student achievement.”

BLESSING FOR THE OCEAN VIEW WATER WELL and distribution system is set for tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Lehua Lane and Hwy 11. The long awaited potable water will save homeowners business operators and commercial water haulers from having to drive to Wai`ohinu or other water spigots to fill up their tanks and trucks. The effort to obtain potable water for Ocean Views started decades ago and its history includes a band of OV residents flying to Honolulu and holding signs in front of the state Capitol building.

SOUTHSIDE VOLLEYBALL 13 and Under boys took fourth today at the 33rd annual USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championships in Dallas,Texas. This is Southside’s fifth year at the competition, under the direction of Coach Guy Enriques. The tournament brings top young players from across the country to different venue each year. The 15 and Under team was still playing today and has a chance at placing, Enriques said.

FUN ON THE FOURTH from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at Na`alehu Park features hot dogs and games for keiki and bingo for seniors. It’s sponsored by O Ka`u Kakou.
ANNUAL VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE begins at 9 a.m. and is followed by food, games, sales and entertainment at Cooper Center.

Horses and riders are on display at parades and this weekend's rodeo in
Na`alehu. Photo by William Neal

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP hosts a dinner at 5 p.m. and Hoedown and western dance at 7 p.m. at the Lava Lounge.

MANY KA`U DEMOCRATS       and candidates for office are headed for the eleventh annual Hawai`i County Democrats Picnic at 2:15 p.m. at Old Airport park in Kona and the annual Kona Fourth of July parade this evening on Ali`i Drive.

NA MEA HAWAI`I HULA KAHIKO will bring traditional hula, chant and cultural demonstrations to Volcano Art Center this Saturday, July 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Halau Na Pua ‘O Uluhaimalama will perform Hula Kahiko under the direction of kumu hula Emery Aceret. “Our halau carries on the tradition of the late kumu hula Rae Kahikilaulani Fonseca, descending from the lineage of Merrie Monarch co-founder Uncle George Naope to perpetuate the legacy of Her Majesty Queen Liliuokalani through performances of hula.” states Aceret.

      Volcano Art Center has been inviting hula from all over Hawai`i to perform at the stone hula platform, which is reserved exclusively for the perpetuation of traditional hula and chant.  Audience is encouraged to bring mats for sitting on the grass and be prepared for variable weather conditions. Hawaiian arts and craft demonstrations will also be held on the front porch of the Volcano Art Center Gallery from 9:30am to 1:30pm. Demonstrations include hands-on displays and lessons where all ages are invited to meet, learn from and talk story with friendly and knowledgeable locals.

       Na Mea Hawai`i Hula Kahiko is a free community event presented in cooperation with Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and supported in part by the County of Hawai`i's Department of Research and Development and the Hawai`i Tourism Authority. As park entrance fees apply and parking is limited, carpooling is strongly recommended. For more information, visit www.volcanoartcenter.org or contact Julie at 967-8222 or julie@volcanoartcenter.org.

THE 34^th ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY RODEO will be held all day this Saturday and Sunday at Na`alehu Rodeo Arena. Slack roping starts at 8 a.m., with the show kicking off at noon. The Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association is spicing up this local tradition with new events, including chute dogging - wrestling a steer, charging out of a chute, to the ground - and rescue race - paniolo race across the arena to their partner, lift them up onto the back of their horse and race back.

      Other events include Open Dally, Team 90’s (both partners’ cumulative age must be 90 and above), Double Mugging, Ranch Mugging and Wahine Mugging. Entry to the rodeo is $6 before the event and $7 at the gate.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM.