Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 11, 2012

Sen. Gil Kahele at yesterday's rally in Hilo Bandstand. With reapportionment, Kahele will no longer represent Ka`u if he is elected to the state Senate. Photo by William Neal

THIS IS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, and polls opened at 7 a.m. at the following locations in Ka`u: Pahala School Cafeteria, Na`alehu Elementary School and Ocean View Community Center. Toward Kona, polling places are at Miloli`i Halau, Ho`okena Elementary School and St. Benedict Catholic Church. In Volcano, voting takes place at Cooper Center in Volcano, toward Hilo at Mt. View Elementary School.
      See yesterday’s news briefs for candidates for Hawai`i County Mayor and County Council, and Thursday’s briefs for state House and Senate candidates. Here are candidates for:

HAWAI`I COUNTY PROSECUTOR:

LINCOLN ASHIDA, County Corporation Counsel, said he wants to look at “getting back to the basics.” He said he would start by building a team of prosecutors and support staff that understands the stress that crime creates for individuals and communities. He also wants to focus on training of prosecutors. “Our community demands and expects the best attorneys,” he said. See ashidaforprosecutor.com.

PAUL DOLAN describes himself as a rural lawyer. He said that “the prosecutor’s principal role is to assist the court to arrive at the truth and to do justice between the community and the accused according to law and the dictates of fairness.” He said he maintains zero tolerance for drug dealers and empathizes with drug users. He said law enforcement should focus on ice eradication and that a top priority of his campaign is decriminalization of marijuana. See pauldolanforprosecutingattorney.com.

MITCH ROTH, a deputy prosecuting attorney, wants to make neighborhoods safe by closing drug houses, recording drug forfeitures so that drug money fights crime, performing nuisance abatement and doing hands-on community training. In an interview with Sherry Bracken, he said his main priority is “to change the culture in the Prosecutor’s Office to a focus on keeping the island safe and healthy, to have the prosecutors be not just case processors but problem solvers.” See mitchroth.org.

Brittany Smart is running for state
House from Punalu`u into Puna.
Photo by William Neal

Richard Onishi is running for the new
House seat formerly held by Bob
Herkes. Photo by William Neal

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
Kawika Crowley, of Hilo;
Matthew DeGeronimo, of Honolulu; Rafael Del Castillo, of Honolulu; Tulsi Gabbard, of Kapolei; Mufi Hannemann, of Aiea; Esther Kia`aina, of Kapolei; Bob Marx, of Hilo; Miles Shiratori, of Kaneohe.

U.S. SENATE: Heath Beasley, of Ewa Beach; John Carroll, of Honolulu; Ed Case, of Honolulu; Charles Collins, of Pahoa; Michael D. Gillespie, of Honolulu; Antonio Gimbernat, of Kihei; Mazie Hirono, of Honolulu; Linda Lingle, of Honolulu; Eddie Pirkowski, of Honolulu; Arturo Reyes, of Waipahu; John Roco, of Waianae.

DRIVE WITH EXTREME CAUTION is the warning from Police Chief Harry Kubojiri. He issued a personal plea this week for all Big Island motorists, noting that traffic fatalities so far this year have surpassed totals for all of 2011 and are approaching totals for all of 2010.
      As of Aug. 8, deaths totaled 24 on Hawai`i County roads this year. That compares with 22 deaths for all of 2011 and 27 deaths for all of 2010. Police analysis of the traffic fatalities during the past 2.5 years shows that the following substances have been factors in the following number of fatal crashes:
Alcohol – 35 (30 drivers and 5 pedestrians); prescription drugs – 21 (20 drivers and 1 pedestrian); marijuana – 17 (16 drivers and 1 pedestrian); methamphetamine – 6; amphetamine – 4; cocaine – 1.
      In many cases, multiple substances were factors in the same crash. Kubojiri said that police statistics do not include impaired passengers who may have contributed to traffic fatalities. In some of the more recent crashes, police have not yet received toxicology results to determine whether dangerous substances contributed to the tragedies, so the substance count could increase.
      Other contributing factors in the fatalities were speed (23) and not wearing a seat belt (25) or a motorcycle helmet (13). “The victims in the fatalities ranged from six months old to 88 years old. Their deaths caused unspeakable pain to their families and friends,” said the police chief.

Police Chief Harry Kubojiri, at right, has issued a personal plea to Big
Island motorists to be extremely cautious.

      Police are stepping up DUI enforcement, but it will take a community effort to reduce the traffic death toll. Kubojiri said drinkers should arrange for a designated driver if they plan to consume alcohol. “When they get behind the wheel of a vehicle, they and their fellow motorists are operating lethal machinery.
      “Try to anticipate erratic driving and be mentally prepared for unexpected dangers,” Kubojiri said. “Practice safe, defensive driving and help reduce needless loss of life. Together, all of us can make a difference as we travel our Big Island roadways.”

KA`U’S KULEANA LANDOWNERS are invited to learn how the Office of Hawaiian Affairs can help them to apply for property tax exemption. Kuleana lands are usually small parcels handed down through Hawaiian families for generations. They are often surrounded by larger tracts of property and sometimes are landlocked.
      OHA will host a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
      OHA trustee Rowena Akana and Ka`u’s state Sen. Gil Kahele worked at the 2012 state Legislature to pass a resolution supporting the protection and preservation of Kuleana Lands.
      Kuleana Lands became exempt from real property taxes on O`ahu in 2007. “Native Hawaiian families who had been caring for their Kuleana lands for generations are now protected from sky-rocketing property taxes caused by luxury resorts and shopping malls being built around them. If the exemption didn’t pass when it did, more Kuleana lands would have fallen out of Hawaiian hands,” said Akana.
      “Since most of the Kuleana lands were carved up, taken away or abandoned, the impact on tax revenues was predicted to be extremely minimal, so OHA argued that there should be no reason why the ordinance shouldn’t pass. This has in fact been proven to be the case,” Akana said. For more information, call 808-594-1967.
      See the County of Hawai`i’s form called Claim for Kuleana Land Exemption at http://www.hawaiipropertytax.com/Forms/pdffiles/RP%20Form%2019-89.5%20_Claim%20for%20Kuleana%20Land%20Exemption_.pdf.

KA`U ORGANIZATIONS are invited to join the East Hawai`i Chapter of Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster. VOAD is having a quarterly general meeting on Tuesday, August 21, at 10 a.m. at the county Civil Defense at 920 Ululani Street.
      VOAD is the forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle — preparation, response and recovery — to help disaster survivors and their communities. Members of VOAD form a coalition of nonprofit organizations that respond to disasters as part of their overall mission. All interested organizations are welcome to attend and become members.
      For more information, call Suzi Bond at 982-7344 or Bill Hanson, of Hawai`i County Civil Defense, at 935-0031.

KA`U CDP STEERING COMMITTEE meets Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Agenda items include an update on progress of the draft CDP, updates on initiatives in Ocean View, recommendations to the Planning director regarding forecasted CDP project expenses for the 2013-2014 County budget and Sunshine Law amendments. For more information, contact Ron Whitmore at 961-8137 or rwhitmore@co.hawaii.hi.us.

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Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 10, 2012

Dominic Yagong, Harry Kim and Billy Kenoi vie for Hawai`i County mayor in tomorrow's primary election.

TOMORROW IS PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Polling places in Ka`u are at Pahala School Cafeteria, Na`alehu Elementary School and Ocean View Community Center. Closer to Kona, polling places are at Miloli`i Halau, Ho`okena Elementary School and St. Benedict Catholic Church. In Volcano, votes are cast at Cooper Center. Another polling place is at Mt. View Elementary School.
      See yesterday’s news briefs for state House and Senate candidates. Here are candidates for Hawai`i County mayor and County Council District 6 on the ballot tomorrow:

HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYOR:

INCUMBENT BILLY KENOI lists his priorities and accomplishments on his website. These include continuing “to provide core county government services to the people of Hawai`i Island while shrinking the size and cost of government,” “improving the efficiency of government and sound fiscal management,” securing more than $115 million in federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for projects like the Ane Keohokalole Highway in Kona, expanding the Hele-On Bus system, opening and improving parks and playgrounds, taking care of vulnerable neighbors, friends, and family by preserving social safeguards under Social Services and continuing to invest in public safety infrastructure and equipment. See billykenoi.com.

HARRY KIM, former two-time Hawai`i mayor and former county Civil Defense director, bases his campaign on refraining from taking any more than $10 a person for campaign donations. During his term as mayor he also refused the typical freebies, even lunch at such nonpolitical events as credit union meetings where he was giving public speeches. Kim recently re-entered public debate over the state’s proposal to exempt geothermal drilling from environmental reviews. He flew to Honolulu and gave an impassioned speech objecting to such exemptions, leading to the state Department of Health’s Environmental Council rejecting the exemptions. Kim said he is not against geothermal and other alternative energies for the Big Island but wants to make sure they are done safely for people and the environment. He is also campaigning against continued use of landfills, saying he would like to see a garbage-to-energy plant on the island, according to a report at bigislandnow.com. 

COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER DOMINIC YAGONG’S website outlines his plans. He wants to develop a public/private partnership for government services “that produces jobs in the private sector.” Regarding the county budget, Yagong wants to reduce government perks and entitlements, redirect money to core county services and reduce the number of high-salaried positions. He supports sustainable agriculture and wants to make public lands available at affordable terms for farmers. Yagong promotes renewable energy development including solar, hydro, wind, ocean biofuels and geothermal. He also wants to create a public/private partnership to achieve maximum recycling and diversion from landfills. See dominicyagong.com.

COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 6:

Maile David, who works for the County Council's legislative office, seeks
a first term as County Council member.  Photo by Charles Tobias

MAILE DAVID said she advocates and supports: cultural sustainability and economic self sufficiency; sustainable, diversified agriculture; programs that utilize natural and cultural resources as learning classrooms; energy sustainability programs; product branding and truth in labeling; aggressive federal, state and county collaboration to address and minimize the impact of invasive species; watershed protection; preservation of natural and cultural resources; safe routes to school programs; and planned growth consistent with Community Development Plans. David stresses her heritage and connection with Hawai`i. She said she supports an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed refinery along Wood Valley Road above Pahala. See mailedavid.com.

Three-time County Council member Brenda Ford seeks office in the new
District 6. Photo by David Howard Donald

BRENDA FORD lists her top priorities as: construct Ocean View Transfer Station; create a teleconferencing site in Ka`u so residents can conveniently testify before governmental agencies; complete construction of Pahala Emergency Shelter and Gym; complete Mamalahoa bypass road to Napo`opo`o junction; pass Volcano Village Community Plan; support truth in labeling and country of origin labeling for any agricultural products with a Hawaiian regional name; start partnership with county, state, UH, and private enterprise to build West Hawai`i University campus. She said she supports an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed refinery along Wood Valley Road in Pahala. See brendaford.org.

Lee McIntosh, a landscaper, cartoonist and volunteer, seeks a first term as
County Council member. Photo by Charles Tobias

LEE MCINTOSH says his priority issues are: “Life - government derives its power from you, the people; liberty - the purpose of government is to protect your God-given rights; limited but effective government - big government continually encroaches upon your liberty; individual responsibility - I trust you more than the government to make better decisions about your life; fiscal accountability - government should be held responsible for how your tax dollars are spent; and equality of opportunity - you should be allowed the chance to succeed in life.” See leemcintosh.org

Bradley Westervelt, former County Council legislative assistant and
former owner of PT Cafe, seeks a first term.
Photo by David Howard Donald

 BRADLEY WESTERVELT says his key platform topic is sustainability for the economy, environment and people, which he proposes to achieve by: reducing inefficiency and waste in government; streamlining processes; reducing homeownership costs; balancing the budget; investing in infrastructure; better branding county and exploring tourism opportunities; building incentives to buy local; re-establishing role of government to one that serves its people; balancing conservation and opportunities for the people; and focusing Council on problems that help the economy and community. He said there probably should be an Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed refinery along Wood Valley Road above Pahala. See bradwestervelt.com.

Kawa Flats Final EA is available online.

KAWA FLATS FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT is available for review by the public at oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov. The state Department of Transportation plans to raise Hwy 11 above the low-lying lands where flooding cuts off transportation around the island and cuts off communities from emergency services. The EA includes a summary of the early history of Ka`u.

LEILEHUA YUEN AND MANU JOSIAH present a 50-minute narrated demonstration of the preparation, protocol and offering of traditional hula and chant tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. at the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Hands-on cultural demonstrations take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the gallery’s porch. Donations are welcome, and park entrance fees apply.

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Ka`u News Briefs Aug. 9, 2012

The remains of what looks like a whale washed up makai of Johnson Pond yesterday along the Ka`u Coast. Photo by Julia Neal

IT LOOKS LIKE A WHALE – or a big chunk of deteriorated whale blubber – that washed into the little cove by Johnson pond at Punalu`u yesterday. The white mass being pushed by waves onto the rocky shoreline caught the eye of shore fishermen and hikers along the coast. Such marine remains are left for nature to recycle unless they pose a hazard to people. The remains were so deteriorated, it was difficult for wildlife experts to initially confirm the species of the animal. Green sea turtles swam around the carcass.

ACTIVITIES AT VOLCANO HOUSE at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park could begin as early as Aug. 18, with the reopening of the gift shop, according to a story in this morning's Hawai`i Tribune Herald. "A new concessioner is set to take the reins Monday. Pending Congressional approval, Hawai`i Volcanoes Lodge Co. LLC will assume operation of the historic hotel and restaurant overlooking Kilauea Caldera. Once the company has taken possession, it will begin an estimated year-long process of renovating the property," the article reports, referencing Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando.
      The new concessioner selected by the National Park Service, following a long stint by Ken Fujiyama and his Ken Directions, Inc., is a partnership between mainland based Ortega National Parks, LLC and Honolulu based Aqua Hotels & Resorts, Inc.. The contract is for 15 years. Previous concessioners included Sheraton Hotels and “Uncle” George Lycurgus.

The plan to reopen Volcano House is in phases,
with limited retail beginning Aug. 18
Photo by Julia Neal

      “The contract should be signed by Monday the 13th,” Orlando told the Tribune Herald on Wednesday. “We’ll get notification from Washington, D.C., and then we’ll hand it over to them (Hawai`i Volcanoes Lodge Co.). She said the gift shop will have a "soft opening" with sandwiches, drinks and some limited retail sales. The Namikanipaio campgrounds with its ten cabins could also be open by the end of August with new floors and mattresses, the Tribune Herald story reports.
      The first hotel-style accommodations to reopen, perhaps by the end of the year, will be the eight rooms in the Volcano House annex located between Volcano House hotel and the Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center. The other 32 rooms will be renovated, along with the dining room, a lanai eating area and other areas in Volcano House and could be completed sometime in 2013, the story says.
      Volcano House shut down after New Years Eve in 2009 and the National Park Service invested $4 million in safety and seismic upgrades. It also processed three rounds of bidding on the concessioner contract before settling on Ortega and Aqua.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB invites parents and other interested community members to Na`alehu Community Center this Friday at 6 p.m. for a needs assessment session. The public can weigh in on ways to help the youth of Ka`u. A second session will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at Pahala Community Center at 6 p.m. Food will be served at both sessions and participants are asked to call in to reserve a meal at 961-5536.
   
      TODAY IS THE LAST DAY FOR EARLY WALK IN VOTING before the Primary Election this Saturday, Aug. 11. Early walk in voting is available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Thursday at West Hawai`i Civic Center Community Room, Waimea Community Center and Aupuni Center Conference Room in Hilo. The Pahala early walk is not offered this election.
     Polling places in Ka`u for this Saturday’s primary are at Pahala School Cafeteria, Na`alehu Elementary School and Ocean View Community Center. Closer to Kona, polling places are at Miloli`i Halau, Ho`okena Elementary School and St. Benedict Catholic Church. In Volcano, the polling place is at Cooper Center with the next location towards Hilo at Mt. View Elementary School. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Here are the state House and Senate candidates running to represent Ka`u:

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 2, Punalu`u-Puna: Bob Herkes (D), the current state Representative for District 5 from Puna to North Kona; Wendell Ka‘ehu‘ae‘a (D), co-founder of KAHU, Ka‘ū Community Radio; Russell Ruderman (D), is founder and president of Island Naturals markets; Gary Safarik (D), who served three terms on County Council and was a police officer with Honolulu Police Department; and Daryl Smith (R), a disabled Vietnam veteran and general contractor, who says he builds homeless shelters around the island.

STATE SENATE DISCTRICT 3, HONU`APO – NORTH KONA: Josh Green (D), incumbent senator for District 3 and a former doctor at Ka‘ū Hospital; Jeff LaFrance (R), founder of nonprofits focusing on education, sustainable farming, local economic development, alternative energy and housing, health and assisted living for older persons; Michael Last (N), advocate for cheaper energy, lower taxes, and buying local; and John Totten, a retired real property appraiser for the Hawai‘i County, a veteran and vocal Christian.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 5. Honu`apo - Keauhou: Dave Bateman (R), owner of Heavenly Hawaiian Coffee Farms., former attorney, and retired U.S. Air Force colonel who advocates for local coffee farmers; Denny Coffman (D), who has served in the state House of Representatives since 2008, chairs the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, and serves on the House Committee on Water, Land and Ocean Resources; and Leolani Oyama (D), who worked at the state Legislature and advocates for better education.

Footprints Trail in the Ka`u Desert.
Photo from National Register of Historic Places

STATE REPRESENTTIVE, DISTRICT 3, Punalu`u – Waiakea uka: Fred Fogel (L), a retired strategic planner and quality advisor to the adjutant general of state Department of Defense who advocates for county school boards, paying teachers based on merit, protecting the Ka‘ū Coffee name and making ag land the cheapest tax rate; Marlene Hapai (R), who earned a doctorate in biology and taught at UH-Hilo and Mānoa, who says the community should determine its wants and needs in the way of jobs; Richard Onishi (D), an Information System Analyst for County of Hawai‘i who advocates to ensure the economy supports local businesses and products
, environment is preserved
, and access to first-rate medical services; and Brittany Smart (D), who represents District 6 of Hawai‘i County Council, who says she works toward more public participation and governmental transparency, increased government efficiency via technology, and environmental and waste reduction solutions.
     See more on other candidates in tomorrow’s news briefs. 

FOOTPRINTS TRAIL will be the hike for Sunday Walk in the Park this weekend, sponsored by Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Volcanologist Cheryl Gansecki, who will lead the four-mile excursion, has a Ph.D. in geology from Stanford University and a bachelor’s in earth science and archaeology from Wesleyan University.  Along Footprints Trail, hikers will examine textural details of an ‘a‘a lava flow. Descending to the desert sand, walkers will view footprints preserved in the muddy ash from the 1790 eruption. Around Mauna Iki, hikers will see a pahoehoe lava field before climbing up the little mountain and may come across Pele’s hair from the Halema`uma`u plume. Sunday Walk in the Park is free for Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes Park members, and non-members are welcome to join the nonprofit organization and attend. Annual memberships are $30 for individuals and $45 for families. To register, call Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes Park at 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org.

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