Ka`u News Briefs July 29, 2012

A report from North Hawai`i Outcomes Project shows Ka`u as the district with the highest poverty rates on the island, contributing to health challenges.

THE HEALTH PROFILE OF HAWAI`I COUNTY has improved by some measures and worsened by others, according to the recently released 2012 Community Health Profile Report. 

      The report, which can be read online at nhop.org, was put together by the North Hawai`i Outcomes Project and leads with the saying, “Community health is profoundly affected by the behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs of everyone who lives in the community.” It also says poverty contributes to health challenges and shows Ka`u as the district with the highest poverty rates on the island.

Chart from North Hawai`i Outcomes Project
shows factors that determine health.

      The study shows that confirmed child abuse cases are decreasing. Traffic deaths dropped by half during the last decade. However, diabetes rates doubled statewide, and suicide rates in this county increased, the study says. Project director, Dr. Sharon Vitousek, said that suicide rates are 20.7 deaths per 100,000 Big Island residents. This far exceeds the statewide average of 12.8 per 100,000 and slightly exceeds the nationwide average of 20 per 100,000.
      The study ties higher suicide rate on the neighbor islands to economic challenges, with 50 to 70 percent tied to alcohol, drugs and depression. The 2005 rate for suicide in Hawai`i County was five per 100,000 residents.
      Diabetes continues to be a problem, and the lack of primary care physicians may mean that some people are not getting diagnoses of diabetes early, leading to a higher rate of people being hospitalized for diabetes than in other counties. Ten percent of Big Islanders have reported a diagnosis of diabetes.
      The overall population of Hawai`i County is shown to be less healthy than the overall state, attributing the problem to “lower income per capita, more income disparity, higher smoking and binge drinking rates, higher obesity rates and significantly lower access to healthcare.”
      It suggests public policy interventions to improve education; economic development of education, science, energy and health sectors; and workforce development of the same sectors.

Ed Case
Photo by William Neal

ENDORSEMENTS FOR U.S. SENATE candidates are building. 

      Ed Case recently won the endorsement of West Hawai`i Today and also Maui News and the University of Hawai`i Professional Assembly, as well as Elevator Constructors Local 126 and Veterans in Politics International. 

Mazie Hirono
Photo by William Neal

      Mazie Hirono last week received the endorsement of U.S. House Rep. Don Young, a Republican from Alaska, drawing criticism from his party and from Hawai`i Republican senatorial candidate Linda Lingle. Hirono also has endorsements from the Honolulu Star Advertiser, League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, Ocean Champions, Women’s Campaign Fund and numerous unions, including AFL-CIO, Hawai`i Laborers Union, Hawai`i Government Employees Association, Hawai`i State Teachers Association, Hawai`i Firefighters Association, United Public Workers and International Longshore & Warehouse Union.

Linda Lingle supporters marched in a Fourth of July Parade.
Photo by William Neal

Linda Lingle has been endorsed by U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Hawai`i Restaurant Association, State of Hawai`i Organization of Police Officers and Honolulu Fire Department Retirees. 

THE STEERING COMMITTEE of the Ka`u Agricultural Water Cooperative District is moving forward, with its subgroups coming up with articles and bylaws for managing water systems for crop and orchard irrigation and livestock. Dennis Horita, of Honolulu, is expected to send a crew soon to survey the tunnels and waterways from the old plantation water system between Kapapala, Na`alehu and Wai`ohinu. The water sources have such names as Ali`i Springs, Ha`ao Springs and Noguchi Tunnel.
      During the July meeting, the Moa`ula group members reported that they were awaiting legal review of their articles and bylaws. The Ha`ao group reported their articles and bylaws are ready for review.
       Melanie Bondera, of the Kohala Center, offered advice and direction on organizing co-ops. She shared water rules and membership agreements developed by the East Kauai Water Users’ Cooperative as examples for the regional entities. She presented a sample irrigation survey that could be distributed to members and prospective members to measure interest in the organization and willingness to contribute with time and/or finances.
       The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 9 at 4 p.m. at the ML Mac Nut Field Office. For more information, contact Jeff McCall at 928-6456.

Bradley Westervelt

COUNTY COUNCIL CANDIDATE BRADLEY WESTERVELT held two talk story events in Ka`u yesterday. He reports “a rising tide of support,” with the events being well attended. He said supporters are looking for a candidate “who is not a bureaucrat or career politician.” Among the topics discussed were the county’s landfill issue and residents’ visions of sustainability. Sustainability is one of Westervelt’s key platform topics. “We must prioritize resources toward sustainability for our economy, our environment and most importantly, the people,” he says on his website. He co-authored Resolution 167-11, the sustainable habitat resolution calling upon Public Works to create an owner option alternative building code for supporting structures on ag-zoned parcels, which passed County Council in last September. He is director and treasurer of Hawai`i Sustainable Communities Alliance. See more at bradwestervelt.com.

EARLY ABSENTEE WALK-IN VOTING begins tomorrow and runs through Thursday, Aug. 9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include Saturday, Aug. 4. The ballot includes choices for a new County Council member, mayor, state senator and representative and U.S. senator and representative. Pahala Community Center walk-in early voting has been cancelled. Voters can cast ballots at West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room, Waimea Community Center and Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo. Absentee voting can also be done by mail. 

SOUTHSIDE ALATEEN MEETS tomorrow and every Monday at 7 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View. The meetings for teenagers who are affected by family members’ heavy drinking provide a safe place to talk and share experiences. For more information, call Sandy at 557-9847.

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

Ka`u News Briefs July 28, 2012

The Primary Election on Aug. 11 will determine the new County Council member, two state senators and two state representatives for Ka`u.  Photo from University of Hawai`i.

COUNTY CLERK JAMAE KAWAUCHI flew to Honolulu Thursday to meet with the state Attorney General regarding the island’s voter registry. According to the Nancy Cook Lauer story in West Hawai`i Today this morning, she told the newspaper, “Based upon my review of the County of Hawai`i voter registry, I found some things I thought should be investigated further, so I contacted the state Office of Elections…. I also met with the state Attorney General’s office.” 

      The story says she asked the AG to “help sort out apparent discrepancies in the county voter registration” after she shut down the voter registration office for a full day last Monday to conduct an audit.
      At least one County Council member has weighed in. According to the Cook Lauer story, council member Dennis Onishi wrote to state chief elections officer Scott Nago requesting that the state assume management of the upcoming Aug. 11 primary election in Hawai`i County. Onishi’s letter, obtained by West Hawai`i Today, says: “I must strongly insist that the state Office of Elections take all control of the operations for the coming elections…. This has put the integrity of the Election Office in shambles. Now, who can say this coming Primary Elections will be fair and open? I feel that transparency of fair and open elections has been lost.”
      Kawauchi was nominated and approved as County Clerk by the County Council majority chaired by Dominic Yagong, who is running for mayor against incumbent Billy Kenoi. Kawauchi declined to comment on whether she thinks Onishi’s characterization of her review of the voter registry is political, according to West Hawai`i Today.
      The newspaper quoted her: “The public is the priority. The Office of the County Clerk wants the public to know we are doing everything we can to make sure that our county has a fair and well-run election,” Kawauchi said, “We will keep the public informed as appropriate.”

Unemployment has gone down during the last two years.

A LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE for Hawai`i continues to register in national statistics. The state Department of Labor & Industrial Relations announced yesterday that the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for June in Hawai`i was 6.4 percent, a 0.1 percentage point increase from 6.3 percent in May. 

      Statewide, there were 607,800 employed and 41,500 unemployed in June, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 649,350. Nationally, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.2 percent, the same as in May.
      Initial claims were down 6.1 percent, and weeks claimed were down by 7.8 percent compared to one year ago. Initial claims rose by 4.2 percent, and weeks claimed grew by 1.7 percent in June compared to May.
      The unemployment rate figures for the State of Hawai`i and the U.S. are seasonally adjusted, in accordance with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics methodology. The not-seasonally adjusted rate for the state increased to 7.1 percent in June from 6.3 percent in May.
      In a separate measure of employment, total seasonally adjusted nonagricultural jobs decreased by 1,800 jobs over-the-month.
      Within industry sectors, job gains were experienced in Other Services (+600) and Construction (+100). Employment in Manufacturing, Financial Activities, and Leisure & Hospitality remained stable.
      Job losses occurred in Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-200), Professional & Business Services (-200), and Education & Health Services (-1,000).
      The decrease in Education & Health Services was primarily concentrated in Health Services, as Social Assistance employment (childcare and individual & family services programs) has shifted downward in May-June due to the recent years’ changes in the public school schedule.
      Government jobs contracted by 500 over-the-month, with the bulk of the decline attributed to a drop in hourly workers at the Department of Education. Over-the-year, total seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs have expanded by 7,100, with the largest increases taking place in Leisure & Hospitality (+6,400), Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (+2,700), and Financial Activities (+1,300).

Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies depicted in painting by Pegge Hopper.

HEALTHY MOTHERS HEALTHY BABIES COALITION of Hawai`i helps mothers and mothers-to-be in Ka`u with online advice on how to ensure the good health of their babies. The website directory displays phone numbers in Hawai`i that mothers and mothers-to-be might find helpful, including WIC, child care, family services, substance and alcohol abuse groups, Department of Health and many others. There is also information about prenatal health, including eating habits and exercise, and newborn and infant care including child development, breastfeeding, and immunizations. 

      The national organization was founded in 1981 to foster “a child’s right to be born healthy and raised in a safe and nurturing environment, equal access to quality health care, a collective voice to facilitate change, eliminating health disparities among all populations, cultural competence and respect for diversity and education to encourage healthy choices.” For more information, visit hmhb-hawaii.org.

PUBLIC SCHOOL IN KA`U starts Monday at Pahala Elementary & Intermediate, Ka`u High and Na`alehu Schools. A new program for sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders, called After-School All-Stars Hawai`i, is free and targets middle school youth with three hours of after-school programming Monday through Friday. “It includes academics, enrichment and health/fitness activities,” explained Dawn Dunbar, president and CEO of After-School All-Stars Hawai`i. Initiatives include “service learning, sports-based youth development and career exploration. Our goal is to provide at-risk youth with the opportunities to participate in educational, sports, cultural and community enrichment programs, to build confidence and self-esteem and to encourage youth to say no to gangs, drugs and violence and yes to hope, learning and life,” Dunbar said. 

      From July 30 on, seventh- and eighth-graders at Ka`u Middle School can enroll. All-Stars begins Aug. 13 and meets at the end of each school day until 5:30 p.m. Registration forms, which must be filled out in order for any child to attend the program, were sent with school registration packets, but parents can also contact All-Star Ka`u site coordinator Thu-Tam Doan to arrange for registration at 557-7414 or tdoan@asashawaii.org.
      Five part-time program leaders will be hired for Ka`u. Each leader will work about 15 hours a week depending on the classes he or she teaches and will be paid a minimum of $12 an hour. For more about applying, contact Doan.

Moola Moola joined residents for a  Birthday Bash at CU Hawai`i's
 Pahala branch yesterday. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

CU HAWAI`I’S MOOLA MOOLA BIRTHDAY BASH was held at Na`alehu and Pahala branches yesterday. Kids were offered free cookies and juice, and those under 13 with a CU Hawai`i savings account were able to sign up for the drawing to win a free movie ticket. A winner from each branch was picked at the end of the day. Eight-year-old Dustin Dancel won in Na`alehu, and six-year-old Trulayna Bullo-Saladino won in Pahala. 

      “Moola Moola promotes savings programs for our younger members,” said AVP/Marketing manager Cheryl Weaver. For every five dollars deposited they get a stamp that they can trade in for prizes. Those prizes range from beach balls and coloring books to a maximum of three stamp cards traded for a free movie ticket. “It’s a way of teaching our youngest members financial responsibility,” Weaver added.
      Those interested in opening an account for their children can do so at any of the seven CU Hawai`i branches on the Big Island. To sign up a child, parents are required to present their own valid state I.D. and provide the child’s name, date of birth, and Social Security number.
      For more information about CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union and their branch locations, visit cuhawaii.com or call 933-6700.

LILA FLOOD facilitates Dances Of Universal Peace at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. This spiritual practice incorporates folk-dance-like steps and sacred mantras that draw from all major spiritual and religious traditions. No experience is necessary, and all are welcome to this free event. Donations accepted. For more call 985-9109 or 967-8222.

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

Ka`u News Briefs July 27, 2012

After burning through the macadamia orchards, the fire burned up Pa`au`au gulch and jumped Hwy 11, threatening Ka`u Hospital and homes. Photo by John Cross

THE MAKAI ORCHARDS that ML Macadamia Orchards was bringing back to health may not survive the June fires, according to ML Vice President Randy Cabral. The makai orchards were cut off from irrigation and access after the 2000 flood that destroyed bridges and roads around Pahala. The orchards were abandoned for a decade but ML recently put them back into production and expected to harvest the macadamia nuts this fall, Cabral told Hawai`i Tribune Herald for a story in this morning’s paper.
      The John Burnett article says ML “ is continuing to tally the losses from fires that started in their Pahala groves last month, but preliminary figures are in the six-figure range for this year’s harvest.” Cabral told the Tribune Herald that the lower 150-acre orchard is probably a total loss, while the 30-acre orchard closer to Hwy 11 may recover but cost the company 140,000 pounds in macadamia nut losses this year. Nuts are selling for 80 cents a pound.
      The story also says that the Fire Department is looking at the possibility that one of the fires stemmed from a problem with heavy equipment. See more at hawaiitribuneherald.com.

Hele-On fleet to get three new buses.
Photo from busesworldwide.org

THREE NEW HELE ON BUSES will be purchased with the help of $1.2 million in federal grant money from the Federal Transit Administration State of Good Repair grant program. The buses will replace three older ones being retired from the Hele On fleet, which features 51 buses carrying 1.2 million passengers a year across Hawai`i Island. The Hele-On provided critical free and inexpensive transportation to connect Ka`u residents with school and work.
      Mayor Billy Kenoi said the county plans to purchase 49-passenger motor coaches to improve and expand upon its island-wide bus service. The new buses will be wheelchair accessible, air-conditioned, and equipped with bicycle racks. “These funds will go a long way in helping us improve our transportation services,” Kenoi said. “They will replace buses that are over 17 years old.”
      Kenoi said U.S. Sen. Dan Inouye was instrumental in securing this grant. A strategic goal of the federal Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration is to assist municipalities with the improvement and maintenance of America’s buses and bus facilities.

NATIVE HAWAIIAN RIGHTS, similar to those guaranteed to other indigenous people, are supported by both U.S. Senate candidates Ed Case and Mazie Hirono. Both, however, said that allowing gambling casinos on Hawaiian lands is unlikely to pass congress and Case said he outright opposes it. The two debated in a statewide telecast last night. During the debate Case promoted his centrist views and said he has the ability to work with Republicans and Democrats while Hirono said she can work well not only with her Democratic caucus but also across the aisle.

Photo from uhero.hawaii.edu

THE VISITOR INDUSTRY is fueling a recovery of the economy in Hawai`i, which is doing better than in many other states, according to the University of Hawai`i Economic Research Organization, which released its quarterly report yesterday. Tourism is expected to break records this year and could continue its upswing as visa restrictions from China are eased and Canada and Australia markets continue to grow. However, to enjoy more than modest growth, other economic sectors will need to turnaround. Construction is already doing better and residential building rates are higher in Hawai`i than nationwide. The economists predict the overall economy in Hawai`i to grow 1.1 percent in 2012 and 2.4 percent in 2013.

JUNE VISITOR ARRIVALS WERE up 11.5 percent statewide and visitors spent more money. The 677,218 tourists statewide set a record, pushing the first six months up 10.2 percent to 3.9 million visitors. The western section of the U.S. sent more visitors to Hawai`i, up 4 percent over last year and spending almost 10 percent more in June. The number of Japanese visitors grew 21.9 percent to 115,788. Japanese spending rose 31.4 percent to $219.1 million.
      Yesterday, the Hawai`i Tourism Authority board predicted that visitors will spend $13.9 billion this year, a gain of 15.4 percent over last year. It set its goal to drawing 7.89 million tourists to the islands this year, a 6.3 percent gain over last year.

Maile David talked story with community
members in Pahala yesterday.
Photo by William Neal

MAILE DAVID held a talk story at Pahala Community Center yesterday and Mayor Billy Kenoi stopped in. David, a candidate for the County Council, told District 6 supporters that credentials as a paralegal and a legislative researcher for the county council make her a good candidate. She said later that she was able to sit down with Ka`u people and find out what issues concerned them. "Many of them are quality of life issues - that's what I got from it and I reassured them that these are what I understand - being raised in a rural community," she said, noting that she saw Kona drastically change right before her very eyes."We have to be the ones to determine the future of our community," she said. Bobby and Phoebe Gomes who organized the event said, “It was a total success.” See more on Malie David at mailedavid.com.

BRADLEY WESTERVELT will host two events tomorrow in his quest for the County Council seat for District 6.
      The first will be at Wai`ohinu Park, from noon until 2 p.m. with a family picnic featuring Flyin’ Hawaiian Coffee, pupus and sandwiches. Families are invited to use the playground, join in a field day and enjoy demonstrations of boomerangs, kites, frisbees and electric motor bikes, weather permitting. A Question and Answer session may continue beyond 2 p.m., as needed, he said.
      The second event is at Discovery Harbour Community Center, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with beverages and desserts. Q&A begins at 7 p.m.
      No donations will be accepted at either event. Events paid for by B4 Council. Debra Cannoles and Lori Lei Shiriakawa are organizing them. Learn more about Westervelt’s campaign through his website at bradwestervelt.com.

Robert Frutos.
Photo from heartofnature.net

A GUIDED HIKE THROUGH KIPUKA`AKIHI is offered tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants explore an isolated refuge of rare plants in a remnant old-growth forest in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Pre-registration required, call 985-6011.

A WORKSHOP ON CREATING PHOTO IMAGES in the surroundings of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Inspired By Light, takes place tomorrow from 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Participants are asked to bring camera, hat, tripod, jacket and water bottle. This Volcano Art Center class, taught by Robert Frutos, includes a picnic dinner. $150 for visitors and $125 for VAC members and kama`aina. Call 967-8222 for more.

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE, facilitated by Lila Flood, starts at 4 p.m. Sunday at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. This spiritual practice incorporates folk-dance-like steps and sacred mantras that draw from all major spiritual and religious traditions. No experience necessary; all are welcome to this free event. Donations accepted. For more call 985-9109 or 967-8222.

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