Ka`u News Briefs July 5, 2013

Miss Ka`u Coffee Tiare-Lee Shibuya waves to the public during Volcano's Fourth of July Parade yesterday, riding
Aikane Plantation Coffee's Corvette driven by police officer Dane Shibuya. Photo by David Boyle

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS MADE INTERIM APPOINTMENTS to the state Board of Education.

Patricia Halagao

Amy Asselbaye

      Amy Asselbaye fills the board’s O`ahu seat. Asselbaye previously served as a congressional aide to Abercrombie and at the state Capitol.
      She recently resigned as U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s Hawai`i-based chief of staff to devote more time to her position as director of strategic and community development at the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, reports Nanea Kalani, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
      Patricia Halagao was named to an at-large seat. Halagao is an associate professor in curriculum studies at UH-Manoa’s College of Education.  The appointed members must be approved by the state Senate.
      See more at staradvertiser.com.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park personnel dressed as native species in
Volcano's Fourth of July Parade. Photo by David Boyle

COMPUTERIZING MEDICAL RECORDS has given Ka`u Hospital and its sister health institutions Hilo Hospital and Hale Ho`olaulea Hamakua a head start on complying with the new national health care reform law, according to an Associated Press story being carried by newspapers across the country.
     Hospitals and physicians are required to computerize all medical records by January 2015. Ka`u Hospital and its sisters, Hilo Medical Center and Hale Hoola Hamakua computerized in 2010, along with 11 outpatient clinics, earning them $3 million in early adopter incentives, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.
      “The conversion process took four years and cost $20 million,” the AP story reported. According to the story, “About 65 percent of physicians across the Big Island have implemented their own electronic medical records systems, East Hawai`i Regional CEO Howard Ainsley said in an interview last month. “Getting 100 percent compliance could be difficult, he said. Some doctors are near retirement and aren’t comfortable with technology,” he said.

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park personnel promoted their plan to fence
areas to protect native species. Photo by David Boyle

      Ainsley told Hawai`i Tribune Herald: “What is concerning, not only for the Big Island but the whole state, is that there are doctors who will be frustrated with some of these new requirements and they will look to leave medicine."
      The rest of the state’s public hospitals are further behind in their conversion process, the stories reported.
      See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.

PRIVATIZING KA`U AND THE OTHER 13 state-affiliated hospitals in Hawai`i has apparently led to controversy between management and the board of Hawai`i Health Systems Corp., which has ousted its chief executive officer Bruce Anderson. “HHSC board chairman Avery Chumbley confirmed the board has taken action to remove Anderson as president and CEO," according to a story in the Honolulu Star Advertiser. Chumbley is acting CEO.
      Anderson is former director of the state Department of Health. He became HHSC chair in March 2011.
      “Anderson was at odds with the board over a controversial move to privatize part of the HHSC system with Banner Health, according to sources involved with HHSC who asked not to be identified because the information hasn’t been publicly released,” Kristen Consillio reported.
      “HHSC also has faced scrutiny because the cost to convert to electronic medical records at its 14 public hospitals will likely exceed $100 million over five years, nearly double earlier projections,” the newspaper stated.
    However, West Ka`u state Sen. Josh Green stated that Anderson had improved the hospitals and was doing a good job.

Participants at Science Camps based at Pahala Plantation Cottages helped
prepare sea turtles for release during Turtle Independence Day.
Photo from Michael Richards

STUDENTS ATTENDING SCIENCE CAMPS based at Pahala Plantation Cottages helped prepare five sea turtles for their release during Mauna Lani Resort’s Turtle Independence Day yesterday.
      Sea Life Park on O`ahu sends three- to five-month-old turtles from its captive breeding program to the resort, where they live in ponds until they are grown enough to be released.
      “This event is all about education — not only in Hawai`i but all over the world,” Mauna Lani Resort marketing manager Susan Bredo told John De Groote, of Stephens Media. “People come through and leave with stories and memories that they will share back home.”
      “It’s great for the kids, and it helps people see the culture of Hawaii,” said Pii Laeha, who manages the resort’s turtle program. “The bigger picture is that we are trying to raise awareness not only about the turtles, but our environment in general.”
      The released turtles are tagged and tracked.
      More than 200 turtles have been released into the wild since the program began, Laeha said.
      See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      For more information about Science Camps, see sciencecampsamerica.com.

Keoki Kahumoku and students performed as they marched in Volcano's
Fourth of July Parade. Photo by David Boyle

HAWAI`I POLICE DEPARTMENT IS PARTICIPATING in a backpack drive for children who cannot afford to buy them. Persons interested in helping children in need can drop off backpacks at Ka`u police station between July 8 and Aug. 30.
      “I again ask anyone who has backpacks their child is no longer using to donate them to this worthy cause,” said Police Chief Harry Kubojiri. “In past years your generosity has proven that the aloha spirit is alive and well when it comes to opening our hearts to children in need.”
      This is the fifth consecutive year the Police Department has worked in partnership with HOPE Services Hawai`i (formerly known as Office of Social Ministry) and From Kids For Kids in the collection and distribution of these items.
      Backpacks have been identified as the most requested non-food item for charities in Hawai`i. The donated backpacks will be distributed to children at women’s shelters, homeless shelters and transitional housing facilities around the Big Island.
      Hope Services Hawai`i provides a continuum of homeless and transitional programs from outreach to emergency shelters, including permanent supportive housing placements.
      From Kids For Kids was founded in 2006 by Big Island resident Nani Welch-Keliihoomalu, then 10, who was responsible for distributing backpacks containing books, clothing, art and school supplies.

Volcano School of the Arts and Sciences supporters surround the school's
float in Volcano's Fourth of July Parade. Photo by David Boyle

KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION’S Fourth of July Rodeo will be held at Na`alehu Arena tomorrow and Sunday. Events include Open Dally, Kane-Wahine Dally, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Ribbon Mugging, Wahine Mugging, Rescue Race, where riders race to the other end of the arena and pick up a partner who rides behind them, Po Y U, Tie Down Roping, Wahine Barrels, Youth Barrels, Senior Dummy Roping, Dummy Roping for the Keiki, Goat Undecorating, Mutton Busting and Junior Bulls.
      Tickets are $6. Rodeo Queens are selling tickets. Slack roping begins at 8 a.m., and finals are Sunday at 11 a.m.

THE COMMUNITY BOOKSTORE AT KAUAHA`AO CHURCH in Wai`ohinu is open tomorrow and the first Saturday of each month, as well as each Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 938-0411 for more information.

It's rodeo time in Na`alehu this weekend. Photo by Julia Neal

COUNTRY DANCE PARTY WITH DJ TIKI takes place at Kilauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow at 6 p.m. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 967-8365 after 4 p.m.

PEOPLE AND LANDS OF KAHUKU, a guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the human of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’ Kahuku Unit. The hike is scheduled for Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 985-6011 for more information.

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 July 4, 2013

KAHU-FM Radio station volunteers marched in a Fourth of July Parade in Volcano in 2011. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U COMMUNITY RADIO is likely to experience a rebirth as one of the Hawai`i Public Radio stations, broadcasting from Honolulu around the state. According to Michael Titterton, president and general manager, HPR “is prepared to become the licensee of KAHU-FM (Pahala). HPR will pay the current licensee, Ka`u Community Radio (KCR) $20,000 on closing.” He said that HPR’s Washington, D.C. attorney has drawn up the appropriate papers and that KAHU manager Christine Kaehuaea has initiated the transfer with the FCC.
   KAHU was founded and originally managed by Wendell Kaehuaea with board members under the umbrella of the Haola native Hawaiian community organization. Wendell Kaehuaea was one of the original managers, broadcasters and drivers to create the station also known as "The Shepherd." He was succeeded by his daughter Christine.

      In a letter to Christine Kaehuaea, Titterton wrote that, “although HPR plans to completely re-equip the broadcast equipment of KAHU, it is HPR’s intention to provide broadcast service as soon as possible to the community of license, once the license transfer is complete, using the equipment as currently installed, in order to provide both programming and Civil Defense access to this completely terrain-shielded (and otherwise radio-less) area.

      “The program service provided will be that of HPR-2, currently heard over KIPO (Honolulu), KIPM (Wailuku), KIPH (Hana), and KHPH (Kailua-Kona).”

Volunteers and contractors using Civil Defense money moved equipment
in October 2011 to a communications tower to provide a broader reach
for KAHU-FM Radio. Photo by Julia Neal

      When asked whether local programming would be possible, Titterton said that the long-range plan is for local origin programs to be broadcast from various communities around the state, but establishing them could take five to ten years.
      KAHU offered local talent and community members the opportunity to broadcast music, interviews and news to Pahala and beyond. Over its several years of operations, the radio station took in grants, donations and underwriting, with at least one local resident donating more than $40,000.
       Most of its staff volunteered, including Bobby and Phoebe Gomes, The Ka`u Calendar newspaper staff, Demetrius Oliveira, Harry Evangelista, Bobby Tucker, Kahea Dolan, Nadine Ebert and Mike Munnerlyn, who donated his construction and repair skills as well as broadcasting sporting events from Ka`u High School. Camille Marie Rupe, Leonida Hill, Joannie Shellhorn, JWayne Ryker, Manny Pascua, Papa Joe Demoruelle, Shammah Haynes, Kala Kaluna, Shanell Leilani Dedman, Adam Zaki, Dean Nagasako, Mika Mulkey, Alan Sebastian and Denise “The Deeva” were among the other broadcasters. Other volunteers helped put up the radio tower on Maile Street in Pahala, build out the studio and make upgrades and repairs.
      Much of the equipment purchased with local donations, grants, loans and Civil Defense funding has been sold, and KAHU went dark months ago, leaving Pahala and surrounding areas – as far as the radio signal reached – without Civil Defense and local origination programming. The state Civil Defense office provided more than $70,000 to help the station reach more of Ka`u, but equipment was taken off the communications tower near the cane road between Pahala and Na`alehu when radio station management was unable to pay the monthly bill. Hawaiian Electric Co. followed up by turning off the electricity.
      Kaehuaea made numerous appeals for more funding but said she faced more than $80,000 in debt. Many are local small businesses waiting to be paid through the $20,000 of income from selling the Ka`u Community Radio license.

Maile David and Brenda Ford both received public funding to run for
County Council last year. Photo by Charles Tobias

THE TEST PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES PUBLIC FUNDING to Hawai`i County Council candidates may not be available during next year’s elections, reports Nancy Cook Lauer in West Hawai`i Today. According to the story, the fund has less that $3.1 million and is required by state law to have $3.5 million in order to be usable. 

      In last year’s election for Ka`u’s County Council seat, Brenda Ford and Maile David each qualified for $48,893 in public funding for the primary and general elections, the most of all candidates running for Council islandwide.
      While the public funding came from $3 donations checked off on state tax returns, the amounts for each district varied. District 6 had the most funding, which is based on the amount of private money raised for Council campaigns before public funding started. In one election, Guy Enriques raised a large sum for his County Council campaign, more than any other candidate around the island, leading to the big publicly funded money pot for Ka`u Council District candidates.

Brenda Ford waves to onlookers at last year's Volcano Fourth of July
Parade. Photo by David Howard Donald

      Gary Kam, general counsel for Hawai`i Campaign Spending Commission, told Cook Lauer that partial public funding is available through another program based on the number of registered voters in each district. It provides less money but lets candidates raise private funds, as well.
      See more at westhawaiitoday.com.

AFTER HEARING TESTIMONY FROM HUNDREDS of people for two straight days at meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, Hawai`i County Council has delayed voting on a bill banning GMOs on Hawai`i Island.
      Ka`u’s Council member Brenda Ford, chair of the Public Safety and Mass Transit Committee, which held the meetings, said, “It is time for us to deliberate, and this is what we’re going to do.”
      Kohala Council member Margaret Wille said she plans to propose amendments, including removal of a requirement for buffer zones for existing GMO crops, which are exempted from the ban. Wille also said she wants to exempt floral crops from the ban.

VOLUNTEERS CUT INVASIVE KAHILI GINGER along park trails in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center. Call 985-6172 for more information.

Volcano Art Center hosts a Rock 'n' Roll Dance Party tomorrow.
Photo from VAC

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DANCE PARTY takes place for tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Liz Miller, Cookie, Michael Miller, Peggy Stanton and Maj Balej offer a night of fun. Tickets are $10 or $9 for VAC members. For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222. 

KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION’S Fourth of July Rodeo will be held at Na`alehu Arena this Saturday and Sunday. Events include Open Dally, Kane-Wahine Dally, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Ribbon Mugging, Wahine Mugging, Rescue Race, where riders race to the other end of the arena and pick up a partner who rides behind them, Po Y U, Tie Down Roping, Wahine Barrels, Youth Barrels, Senior Dummy Roping, Dummy Roping for the Keiki, Goat Undecorating, Mutton Busting and Junior Bulls.
      There will be a food booth, and tickets are $6. Rodeo Queens are selling tickets. Slack roping begins at 8 a.m. Sunday finals are at 11 a.m.

THE COMMUNITY BOOKSTORE AT KAUAHA`AO CHURCH in Wai`ohinu is open the first Saturday of each month, as well as each Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 938-0411 for more information.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE in Hawai`I Volcanoes National Park host a Country Dance Party with DJ Tiki Saturday at 6 p.m. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 967-8365 after 4 p.m.

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 July 3, 2013

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park rangers rappelled nearly 200 feet into this remote pit crater to "rescue" seeds and
cutting from four extremely rare plants. NPS Photo by Mark Wasser

IT’S NOT ALWAYS LOST OR INJURED HIKERS who get rescued by park rangers. 

      Rangers from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park rappelled nearly 200 feet into a remote pit crater last week to “rescue” seeds and cuttings from four extremely rare Hawaiian plants in the national park. The park will use the seeds and cuttings to help re-establish these species.

      During the mission, seeds and cuttings from haha, Cyanea stictophylla, a federally endangered shrub found only on Hawai`i Island, were carefully collected. This plant is extremely rare, and in 1996, only 20 plants were estimated to survive in the wild.

Ranger Jon Maka`ike collects seeds from haha.
Photo from NPS

      Seeds and cuttings from other rare species collected included a species related to haha, Cyanea pilosa, an odorless Hawaiian mint, Phyllostegia sp., and a native shrub in the African violet family, ha`iwale, Cyrtandra lysiosepala.
      Although 4,000-foot elevation and steep, sheer walls of the forested pit crater aid in protecting its ecology, those conditions make it challenging to retrieve cuttings and seeds. Two specialized teams from the national park, the Natural Resources Management rappel team and the Search and Rescue team, descended into the crater, retrieved the seeds and cuttings, and returned safely to the surface – a 12-hour mission.
      Joining rangers were members of Hawai`i County Fire Department and Pohakuloa Training Area’s fire management team. This enabled the project ample contingency resources in the event of an incident, and fostered interagency cooperation that will be seeds in themselves for future mutual assistance.

AS A RESULT OF CONTINUED MODERATION of bunker fuel prices, Matson has announced it is lowering its fuel surcharge for its Hawai`i service by two percentage points, from 36.5 percent to 34.5 percent, effective this Sunday.
      “This marks the third consecutive decrease in 2013 of our Hawai`i fuel surcharge,” said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president of ocean services. “For most customers, this downward adjustment represents a reduction in shipping costs ranging from $45 to $80 per container. We continue to be encouraged by the recent moderation in bunker fuel prices, and remain focused on diligently exploring ways in which we can maximize fuel efficiency for our fleet. Matson has made a practice of giving 30 days notice for upward rate adjustments, but passes on downward adjustments to our customers as soon as possible. We will continue to monitor fuel costs and adjust the surcharge accordingly.”
      Matson’s last adjustment to its fuel surcharge was a decrease of 3.5 percentage points effective April 28.  See more at 
matson.com.

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS SIGNED one bill relating to tax deductions resulting from donations to charitable organizations and two bills related to law enforcement.
      HB430 exempts charitable deductions from the itemized state income tax deduction caps.
      “With the state economy and revenue picture greatly improved since I took office, we now have an opportunity to further support nonprofit and charitable organizations in their efforts for the greater good,” Abercrombie said. “The measure is a result of a partnership between charitable organizations, the Legislature and the Administration.”
      SB69 closes a loophole regarding fingerprint, photograph and background checks for those bringing firearms into Hawai`i, providing consistency with firearms obtained locally.
      SB2 amends the offenses of terroristic threatening in the first degree and robbery in the first degree to include the use of simulated firearms.  “These bills assist law enforcement in their duty to serve the public and keep people safe,” Abercrombie said.

Sen. Mazie Hirono is profiled at www.makers.com.

IN A VIDEO ON A WEBSITE CALLED MAKERS.COM, Hawai`i’s U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono shares her story “of immigrating to America with her single mother from Japan, learning English and discovering her knack for politics, first as a campaign manager and eventually as the first Asian-American woman elected to the Senate.”

      The website also gives a biography of Hirono:
      “Hirono was born in the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan and spent her early years on her grandparents’ rice farm. She immigrated to Hawai`i with her mother at the age of eight, without knowing a word of English. 

      “Hirono eventually put herself through the University of Hawai`i at Manoa, earning a B.A. in psychology, then law school at Georgetown University. 

      “Hirono is the first Asian-American woman, the first Buddhist and the first woman from Hawai`i to be elected to the United States Senate. 

      “After ten years of running other people’s campaigns, Hirono decided it was time to run for office herself. She served in the Hawai`i House of Representatives from 1981 to 1995 and as lieutenant governor of Hawai`i from 1994 to 2002. In 2006, Hirono won the U.S. House of Representative seat for Hawai`I’s 2nd congressional district, which she re-won for three terms. 

      “In May 2011, Hirono announced her candidacy for open Hawai`i U.S. Senate seat. With 63 percent of the vote, Hirono became the first Asian-born immigrant elected to the Senate.”  

      Others featured on the website include Nobel Prize-winning biologist Elizabeth Blackburn, Author and activist Rita Mae Brown, Star Trek actress and NASA recruiter Nichelle Nichols and vice-presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro.

Miss Ka`u Coffee Tiare-Lee Shibuya rode in Na`alehu's parade last Saturday and will also ride in Volcano Village's Fourth of July
Parade tomorrow. Photo by Julia Neal

MISS KA`U COFFEE TIARE-LEE SHIBUYA will represent the Ka`u coffee industry tomorrow at the Fourth of July parade in Volcano. She will be riding in the Corvette convertible donated by Aikane Plantation Coffee. The driver will be police officer Duane Shibuya, the father of Miss Ka`u Coffee. The coffee queen rode in the Na`alehu Independence Day parade last weekend and has been visiting churches and community groups as Miss Ka`u Coffee. She plans to be at the starting line of the Volcano Rain Forest Runs on Aug 17. Other venues include Kamehameha School and the Heart Walk. Last weekend Dexter Lee, of Pahala, drove her in his classic 50s Corvette convertible. The Volcano Fourth of July Parade starts at 9 a.m. and is followed by festivities at Cooper Center on Wright Road. 

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S CRATER RIM CAFÉ in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers a Fourth of July buffet tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu includes local-style fried chicken, barbecue pork ribs, buttered corn on the cob, salad bar, rice, homemade biscuits and honey, ice cream and coffee, tea or a fountain drink. Price is $16.50 for adults $16.50 and $8.50 for children 6 – 11. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests, and park entrance fees apply. 967-8356

VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME TO JOIN Stewardship at the Summit Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants meet at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park to cut invasive Kahili ginger along park trails. Call 985-6172 for more information.

Fourth of July Rodeo happens this weekend in Na`alehu.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL DANCE PARTY takes place for Friday at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Liz Miller, Cookie, Michael Miller, Peggy Stanton and Maj Balej offer a night of fun. Tickets are $10 or $9 for VAC members. For more information, see volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222. 

KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION’S Fourth of July Rodeo will be held at Na`alehu Arena this Saturday and Sunday. Events include Open Dally, Kane-Wahine Dally, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Ribbon Mugging, Wahine Mugging, Rescue Race, where riders race to the other end of the arena and pick up a partner who rides behind them, Po Y U, Tie Down Roping, Wahine Barrels, Youth Barrels, Senior Dummy Roping, Dummy Roping for the Keiki, Goat Undecorating, Mutton Busting and Junior Bulls.
      There will be a food booth, and tickets are $6. Rodeo Queens are selling tickets. Slack roping begins at 8 a.m. Sunday finals are at 11 a.m.

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.