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| Runners head to the trail at yesterday's Ka`u Coffee Trail Run. See more below. Image from video by Vernon Harvey. |
OCT. 4 IS THE DEADLINE to finish the new Ka`u High School gym, Nancy Cook Lauer reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.
According to Cook Lauer, the county is paying overtime to contractors who are rushing to finish to project. |
| Hawai`i County P&R Director Clayton Honma. Image from youtube |
“The pending cost attributed directly to OT is approximately $97,000,” Parks and Recreation Director Clayton Honma told Cook Lauer. “Please understand that the county is only paying for the overtime premium (the ‘half’ in the ‘time-and-a-half’) as the contractor’s contract includes the straight-time cost component for the work.”
Several delays have caused the project to be two years behind schedule. During grading, a lava tube and burial site was discovered. County inspectors also required contractors to remove and reinstall more than 21,000 square feet of the new concrete floor.
Hawai`i County’s contract with Summit Construction is $17.1 million, and the project is at least $228,000 over budget, Cook Lauer said. The state allocated $18 million for the gym and shelter.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO SECURED HAWAI`I priorities in a wide-ranging bill to improve water resources. The Water Resources Development Act of 2016 creates a program to repair high hazard dams, promote green infrastructure and support public-private partnerships. The bill authorizes over $12 billion in funding for the Army Corps of Engineers and supports water infrastructure projects across the country.
Hawai`i County’s contract with Summit Construction is $17.1 million, and the project is at least $228,000 over budget, Cook Lauer said. The state allocated $18 million for the gym and shelter.
See westhawaiitoday.com.
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| Billy Barnett won the Ka`u Coffee Trail Run Half Marathon. Photo by Peter Anderson |
KA`U COFFEE TRAIL RUN RESULTS ARE IN. Bill Barnett won the Half Marathon at the third annual event with a time of 1:39:05. He also won in 2014. Michael Sullivan followed at 1:42:27, and Alex Richardson crossed the finish line with a time of 1:55:08.
Amy Young placed first in the women’s division of the Half Marathon at 1:59:27. Gillian Wood and Jacqueline Anton ran a close race for second place, with times of 2:17:22:0 and 2:17:22:7, respectively.
In the 10K men’s division, first through third places went to Patrick Baker, 54:59; Keith Mackenzie, 58:49; and Nathaniel Hepp, 59:48.
Women’s division winners were Abigail Rothoiz, 1:01:02; Megan Lamson, 1:01:55; and Cary Aurand, 1:04:52.
Michael Schueller won the 5K with a time of 20:36. Kevin Sun came in second at 23:41, and Sampson Soder place third at 23:59. Megan Denny was the first women to finish the 5K at 27:46. Antonia Villa, 28:35, and Sheena Flores, 28:47, followed.
In the 10K men’s division, first through third places went to Patrick Baker, 54:59; Keith Mackenzie, 58:49; and Nathaniel Hepp, 59:48.
Women’s division winners were Abigail Rothoiz, 1:01:02; Megan Lamson, 1:01:55; and Cary Aurand, 1:04:52.
Michael Schueller won the 5K with a time of 20:36. Kevin Sun came in second at 23:41, and Sampson Soder place third at 23:59. Megan Denny was the first women to finish the 5K at 27:46. Antonia Villa, 28:35, and Sheena Flores, 28:47, followed.
Vernon Harvey’s aerial footage of the event can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=9-8FsDDHTFY.
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| Austrian Hermann Dittrich, here with Myra Jean Sumida, won first in his age group. Photo from Hermann Dittrich |
THREE-TIME WINNER among 60-69-year-old men in yesterday’s Ka`u Coffee Trail Run Half-Marathon is Hermann Dittrich, of Austria. Dittrich plans to live on this island until March and run in the Honolulu Marathon in December.
A vegan who runs four times a week, Dittrich comes to Hawai`i each winter and grows his own food while training. He does the same in spring and summer in Austria.
A vegan who runs four times a week, Dittrich comes to Hawai`i each winter and grows his own food while training. He does the same in spring and summer in Austria.
Dittrich is a retired attaché with the Austrian Army.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION is teaming up with Hawai`i County Police Department and child passenger safety advocates to promote National Child Passenger Safety Week, today through Saturday.
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| Children should use booster seats until they can use seat belts correctly. Photo from Parents Central |
During the week and throughout the year, Hawai`i’s child passenger safety technicians are dedicated to helping parents and caregivers learn how to correctly install child safety seats and properly buckle up their keiki, whether it’s in child safety seats, booster seats or when using the vehicle’s seat belts.
“Hawai`i’s keiki are our most precious asset. We can and need to do better to give them the future they deserve,” said HDOT director Ford Fuchigami. “Parents and caregivers can improve their child’s safety by simply using child safety seats, booster seats and seat belts properly.”
In Hawai`i, children under four years old are required to ride in a child safety seat, and children four through seven years old must ride in a child passenger restraint or booster seat. Violators are required to appear in court, and if convicted, must attend a four-hour class. They may also be assessed a penalty of up to $500.
According to 2014 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 24 percent of children ages four through seven years old were prematurely moved to seat belts, and nine percent were unrestrained. Children should remain in booster seats until they are four feet nine inches tall and can use seat belts correctly without the booster seat.
In Hawai`i, children under four years old are required to ride in a child safety seat, and children four through seven years old must ride in a child passenger restraint or booster seat. Violators are required to appear in court, and if convicted, must attend a four-hour class. They may also be assessed a penalty of up to $500.
According to 2014 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 24 percent of children ages four through seven years old were prematurely moved to seat belts, and nine percent were unrestrained. Children should remain in booster seats until they are four feet nine inches tall and can use seat belts correctly without the booster seat.
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| HDOT Director Ford Fuchigami |
Before a child can be moved from a child safety seat to a booster seat, parents and caregivers should check that the lap belt fits across the child’s upper thigh, the shoulder belt fits across the child’s shoulder and chest, the child’s knees bend comfortably at the edge of the seat when his or her back and bottom are against the vehicle seat back, and the child can stay seated properly during the entire trip.
Additionally, the American Academy of Pediatrics is now advising that children ride rear-facing until at least the age of two. To educate the public about this recommendation and Hawai`i’s child restraint law, HDOT is airing public service announcements on television and in movie theaters statewide.
Hawai`i has more than 340 certified child passenger safety technicians, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, medical professionals and parents. All technicians have been trained to provide instruction on choosing the right car seat, installing it and using it correctly.
“Each county has child restraint inspection stations and community car seat checks to ensure that all children return home safe,” Fuchigami said. “Parents and caregivers should utilize these free resources to better protect their children.”
Free public car seat check events will be held on National Seat Check Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Target stores in Hilo and Kona.
Hawai`i has more than 340 certified child passenger safety technicians, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, medical professionals and parents. All technicians have been trained to provide instruction on choosing the right car seat, installing it and using it correctly.
“Each county has child restraint inspection stations and community car seat checks to ensure that all children return home safe,” Fuchigami said. “Parents and caregivers should utilize these free resources to better protect their children.”
Free public car seat check events will be held on National Seat Check Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Target stores in Hilo and Kona.
For more on child safety, as well as a list of child restraint inspection stations and community car seat check, see www.kipchawaii.org or www.safercar.gov/parents.
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IN SPORTS, KA`U HIGH’S EIGHT-MAN football team hosted Pahoa yesterday. The Trojans racked up 14 points, but fell to the Daggers, who ended up with 18 points. Zachary Kai and Jacob Flores scored one touchdown each, and Kai scored with a two-point conversion.
Next Saturday, the team travels to Kohala.
Also yesterday, wahine Trojan volleyball teams went north to play Kohala. Varsity scores of 10, 18 and 21 fell short. Junior varsity won their first game, but then Kohala won the second and the tie-breaker, with final scores of 25-22, 3-25 and 10-15.
Hosting Hilo on Tuesday, varsity scored 17, 11, and 17 in their three games, and junior varsity scores were 8 and 9 in their best of three games match.
Next Saturday, the team travels to Kohala.
Also yesterday, wahine Trojan volleyball teams went north to play Kohala. Varsity scores of 10, 18 and 21 fell short. Junior varsity won their first game, but then Kohala won the second and the tie-breaker, with final scores of 25-22, 3-25 and 10-15.
Hosting Hilo on Tuesday, varsity scored 17, 11, and 17 in their three games, and junior varsity scores were 8 and 9 in their best of three games match.
This week, the teams head to Konawaena on Wednesday and Kohala on Saturday.
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| U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono |
“Hawai`i residents know too well the dangers that flash floods present to life and property. It’s critical that we upgrade our water infrastructure to ensure that families are protected,” Hirono said. “I’m proud to have successfully fought for programs to keep another Kaloko Dam disaster from occurring, support projects like the Ala Wai Flood Mitigation Program and dedicate funding to maintaining rural harbors.”
Call 929-8571 for more information.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings this week. Committees meet Tuesday, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development at 9 a.m.; Public Works & Parks & Recreation, 9:15 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 9:45 a.m.; Planning, 10:30 a.m.; Environmental Management, 1 p.m.; and Finance, 2 p.m.
Sunalini Menon, Sarah Allen, Sarah Grant and others will join the event sponsored by Barista Magazine and Ka`u Specialty, LLC.
Sunalini Menon has been in the coffee industry since graduating in food technology from the University of Madras, India in 1972. She has spent more than 40 years in coffee in the arena of coffee quality.
Sarah Allen, editor and co-founder of Barista Magazine, has been a driving force in the international barista movement from its outset.
Sarah G. Grant is an assistant professor of cultural anthropology at California State University, Fullerton. She studies the industrial grade and burgeoning specialty coffee industries in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Vietnam.
See mauliolafestival.com for more information and tickets.
The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. See hawaiicounty.gov for agendas and live streaming of the meetings.
All meetings take place at West Hawai`i Civic Center in Kona.
Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building. See hawaiicounty.gov for agendas and live streaming of the meetings.
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| Sunalini Menon Photo from Mauli Ola Festival |
MAULI OLA FESTIVAL OPENS WEDNESDAY evening at Wood Valley Farm. The festival brings people together to celebrate, learn and generate new conversations about coffee, human rights and earth-friendly practices like permaculture and Leave No Trace.
A community discussion about how to improve human rights in the coffee industry takes place at 5:30 p.m. following the opening oli at 5 p.m. Sunalini Menon, Sarah Allen, Sarah Grant and others will join the event sponsored by Barista Magazine and Ka`u Specialty, LLC.
Sunalini Menon has been in the coffee industry since graduating in food technology from the University of Madras, India in 1972. She has spent more than 40 years in coffee in the arena of coffee quality.
Sarah Allen, editor and co-founder of Barista Magazine, has been a driving force in the international barista movement from its outset.
Sarah G. Grant is an assistant professor of cultural anthropology at California State University, Fullerton. She studies the industrial grade and burgeoning specialty coffee industries in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on Vietnam.
See mauliolafestival.com for more information and tickets.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| Click on document to enlarge. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |
