Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014

Democratic candidates and new Ka`u County Council member Maile David (second from left) rallied supporters at Mo`oheau
 Bandstand in Hilo last night in advance of today's General Election. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR OFFICE and those already elected, including incoming Ka`u Council member Maile David, Sen. Russell Ruderman and Mayor Billy Kenoi, converged on the Mo`oheau Bandstand in Hilo last night. It was the traditional election eve rally that has drawn candidates and sitting elected officials since 1954. They gave speeches under a banner, “Moving Forward Together Because People Matter Most.”

Sen. David Ige, candidate for govermor.
Photo by Julia Neal

Rep. Richard Onishi
Photo by Julia Neal

      Hawai`i County's mayor, not up for election this year, said he would never miss the iconic, historic event at the bandstand. Kenoi said he was first brought there as a child by his father. Several speakers mentioned that this was the first bandstand rally without the late Sen. Dan Inouye. His successor, Sen. Brian Schatz, gave a Democratic rallying speech along with Sen. Mazie Hirono.
      The rally honored the late Piggy Kaleohano, who was the regular sound man for the rally for years and also supported many events in Ka`u.
     Ikaika Mahoe, Chair of Hawai`i Island Young Democrats, said the bandstand is a place where hope has been defended for 60 years. “Hope is when a mother goes to work hoping to be paid the same as her male counterpart. Hope is what a U.S. senator has when he stays up all night trying to convince fellow congressmen that climate change is real. Hope is when Mayor Billy says ‘No can? Always can!’”
      Hirono called Hawai`i Emergency Management Agency chief Darryl Oliveira “man of the hour” for his work on the Puna lava flow. She praised gubernatorial candidate David Ige: “He is going to make our economy strong (and) take care of our kupuna. ... We are going to elect David Ige. ... Going to govern collaboratively. ... College affordability will be at the forefront.”
      East Ka`u Rep. Richard Onishi and other Democrats described the Democratic Party as a group who cares about other people. West Ka`u Rep. Richard Creagan, who was described by Hawai`i Island Democratic Chair David Tarnas as being in a tight race, answered his own question of why he is running: “I want to have a good life, and a big part of that for me is helping others to have a good life. That is what I tried to do as a Peace Corps volunteer, doctor and teacher, and that is what I am trying to do as a state representative.”
     He also said the most important race is for governor. Creagan said Ige “is a good man who wants his fellow citizens to have a good life. We need to elect a Democratic team led by David Ige.”

Sen. Russell Ruderman
Photo by Julia Neal

Rep. Richard Creagan
Photo by Julia Neal

      East Ka`u and Puna Sen. Russell Ruderman played guitar with his band to start off the evening. He later talked about the lava threat. “We’re going to be asking for your kokua; we’re going to need the help of our statewide partners and our federal partners. When this lava flow is no longer in the news and there’s no longer hurricanes in the news, we’re still going to need serious help. We’re going to ask you folks to be good Democrats, good human beings, and help us out, and in return, I know that we’re going to learn lessons that will help other neighborhoods when they’re hit with disasters. We’re going to learn some lessons about how to pull together and support each other.”

      Missing was Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, whose representative said she had been called up as a Hawai`i Army National Guard police captain to be deployed to Puna ahead of the lava flow. She will join about 80 soldiers and airmen already on the ground. During this time, her offices in Hawai`i and Washington, D.C. will remain open and serving her constituents. The duration of her duty is yet to be determined.

      Sample ballots for today’s General Election are available at hawaii.gov/elections. Local polling places at Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau are open until 6 p.m.

Hawai`i Army National Guard member walks with other disaster workers toward lava
that recently covered Apa`a Street in Puna. Photo from Big Island Video News

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA YESTERDAY SIGNED a Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance in response to Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s Oct. 24 request for federal aid to supplement local emergency protective measures in response to the June 27 lava flow that continues to threaten Pahoa. The declaration allows for emergency protective measures under the Public Assistance Program and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to assist Hawai`i County.

      Emergency protective measures undertaken by Hawai`i County include repair, restoration and re-establishment of alternate routes in and out of affected communities. State efforts include measures to accommodate approximately 900 schoolchildren who will be displaced by the lava flow, and support to county requests for additional air quality monitoring.
      Kenneth K. Suiso has been named coordinating officer for federal recovery operations in the affected area. Suiso said additional designations may be made at a later date if requested by the state and warranted by results of further damage assessments.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

HAWAI`I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE REPORTS that the flow front remains active but has not advanced since yesterday. Activity has been limited to breakouts along the margins or sides of the flow as well as on the flow surface. Additional breakouts upslope of the flow front are being monitored, and those breakouts currently do not present an immediate threat to area residents.

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A VICTORY EIGHT-MAN FOOTBALL banquet on Sunday celebrated Ka`u High School Trojans’ Big Island Interscholastic Federation championship. It is the first BIIF football title for the Trojans since 1962. 

Kainalu Ke shared a Samoan siva dance with his family after
 the awards ceremony. Photo by Tanya Ibarra

      Held at Na`alehu Community Center, the event recognized all team players. Kaimanu Medeiros-Dancel is Outstanding Senior. Trieson Pascubillo is Outstanding Junior. Kali`i Aipia-Dolan is Outstanding Sophomore. James Kuahiwinui-Kaimanu is Outsanding Freshman. Cy Tamura scored Most Touchdowns.

Kupono Palakiko-Leffew is
All-around player.
Photo by Tanya Ibarra

      Evan Manoha earned Best Defensive Player. Rodney Kuahiwinui, Jr. earned Best Offensive Player. Kainalu Ke showed Best Academic Improvement. Kupono Palakiko-Leffew is Best All-Around Player. Rigan Kaapana earned title of Hardest Worker. Kaweni Ibarra earned Coaches’ Choice Award.

  Each player received a certificate of recognition signed by each of the nine County Council members. The County Council invited the Trojans to a reception on Dec. 18 to honor their achievements and announce their victory.

      Among special guests on Sunday, Thane Milhoan from Sportz Viz spoke about college football opportunities.

Carlos Uribe-Bounces
shares his music.
Photo by Tanya Ibarra

    Also recognized on Sunday were members of past Trojan championship teams. Class of 2014 Trojans Jamal Buyuan and Rigan Kaapana received recognition along with their fathers from a previous JV winning team. Anthony Emmsley Ah-Yee received recognition, along with his grandfather, who played on the 1962 winning Trojan team. 

   Carlos Uribe-Bounces shared his musical skills with the crowd at the banquet honoring Ka`u High's football champions. Also recognized were Ka`u Lions Pop Warner coaches Sonny Breithaupt and Daniel Bivings for their team’s performance this year. High school coach Kainoa Ke said, “The Pop Warner League is where our players start now. It’s up to them to get ready for high school football there, then when they come up, they play.”

      This story was written by Ka`u High School journalism intern Kaweni Ibarra.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Dennis Kamakahi's son David will play at a memorial
 concert for his late father this Saturday in Pahala.

A CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE of the late Dennis Kamakahi takes place this Saturday, Nov. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana features John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi, Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more. Donations will be accepted.

JELENA CLAY HOLDS HER EVER-POPULAR Holiday Wreath Workshop Saturday, Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village.
      For over 15 years, Clay has been teaching workshops at Volcano Art Center on how to create one-of-a-kind wreaths with a variety of native and non-native foliage. This classic workshop demonstrates techniques to create beautiful holiday wreaths. Participants learn how to twist cordage and create roses out of natural materials. These are skills that can be used for many other things including gift wrapping and lei making. The workshop includes tips on plant gathering and how to dry wreaths so they will last.
      Students are encouraged to bring seed pods, liko, mossy branches, etc. Cost for the workshop is $30 for VAC Members and $35 for non-members, plus a $20 supply fee.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Nov. 3, 2014

Youngsters frolic during Saturday's Ka`u Country Festival at Honu`apo. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES AND SUPPORTERS head to Hilo Bandstand today to speak at the classic rally, including contenders statewide for Congress, governor, state Senate and state House of Representatives. Democratic candidates on ballots in Ka`u are U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, state Sen. David Ige (running for governor), state Sen. Clayton Hee (running for lieutenant governor), state Sen. Josh Green and state Reps. Richard Onishi and Richard Creagan.

The late Sen. Dan Inouye attended a previous
Democratic rally at Hilo Bandstand.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Speeches begin at 5 p.m.
      Sample ballots for tomorrow’s General Election are available at hawaii.gov/elections. Local polling places at Cooper Center in Volcano, Ka`u High School cafeteria, Na`alehu School cafeteria, Ocean View Community Center and Miloli`i Halau are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

JON LALANNE, LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE for west Ka`u’s state House District Five, discusses his candidacy at Facebook.com/jonalalannelivefreeandprosper.
      LaLanne, of Ocean View, has lived in Hawai`i for seven years. His varied career includes being a professional surfer, owning a pool service business, working in the health and fitness industry and playing and singing with a rock band.

Jon A. LaLanne

      “This country has given me so much, and now I want to give back,” LaLanne said. “I was actually part of the middle class, not a career politician. In 2006, I started reading dozens of books on economics and American history. After feeling the effects of 2008, I put my college education to work researching even deeper into what had happened and how to fix it. I had the good fortune of rooming with an Austrian economics major my whole time at Pepperdine University. Through osmosis, this helped me to comprehend the laws of basic economics called supply and demand. Nothing would make me happier than to give the people and especially the youth of Hawai`i the opportunities I once had in this once-great nation.

Vendors offered Healthy Habits Global Hawai`i coffee products
at Ka`u Country Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

      “It is not my intention to question the morality of social welfare, nor is it my intention to take people in need off it. However, in my seven years on this Island, I have seen businesses close around me like bank vault doors. I have seen masons, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, artists and many other talented people out of work. Almost everyone I come across tells me the same thing: Hawai`i is not a business-friendly state. I as a business owner have witnessed this first-hand. Our wealth has been chased away by unreasonably high taxes and petty regulations. Hawai`i’s debt is on the moon, and there is no end in sight. If we continue on our current path, where is the capital going to come from?

      “Something has to give. There are a lot of talented, hardworking people on this island, but who is going to employ them? How will we take care of the people that really need help? Human nature dictates that higher taxes drive businesses away. While we bounce back and forth between two parties, the middle class continues to suffer, and the state continues to sink itself into a blue rock hole of debt.

Participants sanpled various Paniolo Potion products
at Ka`u Country Festival. Photo by Julia Neal

      “If it is change you seek, elected officials backed by special interest have no interest in the people they rule. I happen to be backed by the ‘original’ Constitution of the United States. I’m backed by the Constitution that the founders intended, the Constitution that once provided so much for so many. If the free market were once again allowed to do its job without the interference of government, the wealth in our state would expand like nothing we have seen in over two generations.”
      LaLanne also compares the U.S. government with Communism. He presents Karl Marx’s Ten Planks of the Communist Manifesto along with what he calls “the American-adopted counterpart for each of the planks.
      “From comparison, it’s clear most Americans have by myths, fraud and deception, under the color of law by their own politicians in both the Republican and Democratic and parties, been transformed into Communists,” LaLanne said. “Another thing to remember, Karl Marx in creating the Communist Manifesto designed these planks as a test to determine whether a society has become communist or not. If they are all in effect and in force, then the people are practicing communists.

Poi balls were some of the treats available at Ka`u Country Festival.
Photo by Julia Neal

      One of the 10 planks LaLanne discusses is centralization of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly. “Americans call it the Federal Reserve,” LaLanne said, “which is a privately owned credit/debt system allowed by the Federal Reserve act of 1913. All local banks are members of the Fed system and are regulated by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, another privately owned corporation. The Federal Reserve Banks issue Fiat Paper Money and practice economically destructive fractional reserve banking.”
      LaLanne concluded, “Communism, by any other name, is still communism, and is very, very destructive to the individual and to the society.”

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sharman O'Shea, of Hawai`i Food Forest.
Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I FOOD FOREST, the idea of Sharman O’Shea, who plans to establish an agricultural and learning center off South Point Road, drew music, vendors and supporters last weekend at Honu`apo Park. She is raising money at http://www.gofundme.com/40mjfc. The site describes the program as Hawai`i Food Forest, Innovation Center and Thrival Gardens and promises to provide “outside-of-the-box opportunities and ongoing mentoring for Hawai`i’s young people by providing a place where they can create a new sustainable economy and self-sufficiency for themselves. By expressing their unique creativity through innovation, ingenuity, entrepreneur endeavors, community building, inter-connectedness and living in harmony with the land and all beings.” 

    O’Shea writes, “Back to Eden style gardening, Permaculture and Natural Farming methods will be incorporated into the Forest Gardening Concept, which provides a low-maintenance, sustainable, plant-based organic food production system based on tropical ecosystems, incorporating fruit and nut trees, shrubs, herbs, vines and vegetables which have high yields directly useful to human consumption. Making use of companion plantings, these can be intermixed to grow in a succession of layers, to build a woodland habitat that has been known to thrive for centuries.”
      See hawaiifoodforest.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

CERT volunteer speaks with a Alfred Lee, who has become famous for defending his
family home in Pahoa by building a berm. Photo from Big Island Video News

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists report that breakouts of lava are occurring behind the stalled flow front in Pahoa and along the side margins of the flow. Interior areas of the flows continue to inflate as molten lava continues to reach them. A county Civil Defense overflight on Monday morning noted continued activity of the lava flow lobe north of Ka`ohe Homesteads, away from any imminent risk.
     Big Island Video News covered the Community Emergency Response Team's door to door walk in Pahoa, interviewing residents, including Alfred Lee, who built a berm around his house and has been fighting off the lava with his heavy equipment and water, the flow now stalled around his property. See more at bigislandvideonews.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HISTORIAN BOYD D. BOND DISCUSSES EVENTS that led to statehood for Hawai`i at After Dark in the Park tomorrow. 

      The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support After Dark programs.

John Keawe performs Saturday.

A CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE of the late Dennis Kamakahi takes place this Saturday, Nov. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana features John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi, Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more. Donations will be accepted. 

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK announces upcoming holiday events.
      Volcano Festival Chorus presents its twenty-first annual Christmas concert Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. “It is our annual holiday gift to the community,” said Roch Jones, choir director. “We are fortunate to have been able to entertain the community for so many years.”
      Volcano School of Arts & Sciences holds a Middle School Theater Night on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 6 p.m. at KMC’s theater.
      The fifth grade presents The Santa Claus Twins by Jane McGowan, and the sixth grade presents Toy School by Paul Collette and Robert Wright.
      Seventh- and eighth graders help with costumes, sets, props and other technical aspects of the show.

      For more information, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.   

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014

Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists stand on new lava behind older rocks that got thrown several yards during a methane explosion in front of the shrub at center. Photo from USGS/HVO

ADVANCING LOBES OF LAVA COULD MERGE with the flow front that has stalled 480 feet away from Pahoa Village Road, report Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists who are monitoring the distal end of the June 27th lava flow today. The lobes, at short distances behind the flow front, were moving at a rate of about 5.5 yards per hour yesterday evening.

Lava continues to ooze upslope of the flow
front in Pahoa. Photo from USGS/HVO

      At hvo.wr.usgs.gov, the scientists also reiterate the dangers of getting too close to the lava flow field, showing rocks as large as 1.5 feet in diameter that were thrown several yards by a methane explosion.

      CNN’s Martin Savidge interviewed students from Hawai`i Academy of Arts & Sciences, commending them for their idea of wrapping utility poles with insulating material and cinder to protect them when lava passes by.

      The HAAS students also are developing a program to offer guide service across hardened lava as a way for the public to travel on Pele’s pavement after it crosses roads.

      HAAS at one time considered opening a satellite school in Ka`u.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

WEST KA`U’S CANDIDATES FOR THE STATE HOUSE have final thoughts leading up to the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
     REPUBLICAN DAVE BATEMAN told The Ka`u Calendar newspaper that his assessment after months of campaigning is that “we have many serious social, family, `ohana issues. We are still poverty-stricken. Seventeen percent of families of four are earning $24,000 or less, which, according to the federal government, is not sustainable income – poverty. Yet we are in the highest cost-of-living state in the U.S. We pay the highest state income taxes right behind New York and very high GE tax – also the highest energy cost by a factor of four,” said Bateman. “This compounds the financial plight of all our families.”

     Bateman contended that “65 percent of kids in North and South Kona down to Ocean View go to school hungry and get their two basic meals at school. On the south side of the island, from Na`alehu to Puna, 85 percent of the students go to school hungry,” he said. “This is totally unacceptable.”

     Bateman said his goals include working to improve agriculture. “My plan for all of Hawai`i is to replace 85 percent of food we import with food we produce here. ‘Grow Local. Buy Local.’ This is a $3 billion a year economy; we’ll keep the money here. Spin that once, that is $6 billion infused into the economy of the Big Island.”

Dave Bateman marched in Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade.

      The candidate said he wants to “keep the money in our pockets by cutting taxes. The effective rate of 8.5 percent should be 6.5 percent for most people. All of the personal income taxes should come down 20 percent. This will help small businesses that pay taxes through personal income.”
      Bateman said that regarding the General Excise Tax, he would like to eliminate taxes on food, medicines and medical supplies. He also said he would like to support farm-to-table buying by exempting the GE tax for the first sale of products off of ranches – meaning farm-to-consumer direct sales. He said he calls his proposal for agriculture the Hawai`i Agricultural Recovery Act.

     Regarding education, Bateman said he has talked to many teachers, “and they all like my idea of eliminating the only remaining vertical education system in the U.S. – to move education to local control at the county level so parents, teachers and principals can work together to determine what classes should be taught to local students.”

     For Ka`u and South Kona, he said, “There needs to be new education in agricultural sciences and businesses, two-year agricultural degrees.”

Dave Bateman  

     Bateman claimed he can help turn the economy around. “The current and past leadership has failed to do this. We are in serious financial straights.” He pointed to Republican legislative leader Sam Slom who “has predicted that by 2016, revenues to the state will be down $264 million through GET and income tax collection reductions. The solution is to increase new investments, but we can’t do that if we are the fiftieth state – least desirable place to do business. Overburdening and overtaxing businesses have led to the reputation.”
      Bateman also talked about legalizing marijuana, which he said he totally opposes. He said he served as a military attorney who prosecuted drug cases and is confident that marijuana is a gateway drug.
     Regarding the quasi-state Hawai`i Health Systems Corp., which runs Hilo, Ka`u and Kona hospitals, he said, “I believe we need to transition the state out of the health care business under the HHSC and bring in qualified, knowledgeable and experienced not-for-profit provider(s) who have the know-how and purchasing power to begin to turn around these deficits. There are at least two qualified care providers on O`ahu who could be a partner. We don’t need to reach out to out-of-state providers. I favor joining with a local private partner so all of the income generated by the new partner stays here in the state. Existing Hawai`i Government Employees Association (union) employees under HHSC would be vested to their earned state retirement plans. They will transition over to the new private partner and start with new retirement plans. This should help reduce the high labor cost factor.”
      Bateman declared that “the vision of the leadership over the last 50 years has been short-sighted and not helpful to improving quality of life for residents of Hawai`i. We need new vision, new direction, and we won’t get that unless we have new political and business vision at the state Capitol. I represent that vision and change for a new and better Hawai`i.”

      DEMOCRAT RICHARD CREAGAN, who currently holds the state House of Representatives seat for west Ka`u and South Kona, told The Ka`u Calendar newspaper that as a physician, he has been weighing in on the Ebola issue: “While it is unlikely that Ebola would come here from Africa, our state needs to be ready, and we should take this opportunity to improve our policies and our infrastructure.

Rep. Richard Creagan rode a patriotic truck in Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade.

      “One of the things we have to consider is that Ebola could be used by a bioterrorist organization. When I worked for the Health Department as a Bioterrorism Preparedness Epidemiological Investigator, one of the scenarios we reviewed was of a terrorist who was willing to die infecting him or herself with Ebola and then coming to America during the incubation period and then when they became sick spreading the virus around before they died.” 

     Creagan said he would like to see “better screening at airports, quarantine locations at airports (our new Kona airport fire station has such a quarantine room), and a unit set up at one of our major O`ahu hospitals to deal with infections caused by Biosafety Level-3 (BL-3) and Biosafety Level-4 (BL-4) diseases. We really have no dedicated unit that is properly set up for such emergencies. While our legal infrastructure and laws were strengthened during and after the SARS epidemic, we need to look at that again and improve its functionality.

     The candidate said that wastewater treatment is a big issue. “The proposed changes to the wastewater treatment rules are an egregious attempt by a lame-duck administration to ram through draconian measures that will hurt homeowners throughout Hawai`i, but especially on the Big Island (estimated 50,000 cesspools). At a recent gubernatorial forum in Kailua-Kona, all candidates asked that the Health Department defer any decisions or rule making until a new administration was in place.”

State Rep. Richard Creagan

     Creagan called for home rule on wastewater regulations. “I believe that Hawai`i Island is different enough geologically and demographically that we should be able to determine our own rules on this issue. This is another area where home rule is needed.”
     A second potable water well at Ocean View is an important goal, Creagan said. “I was able to have appropriated $725,000 to plan and do site development for a second well for Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. On Oct. 23 Loren Heck chaired a meeting of the ad hoc committee of volunteers who will develop a plan for this second well. I have discussed this with Quirino Antonio, the head of the Department of Water Supply, and he strongly supports this well and the community involvement and will be available to meet with the ad hoc committee. I have assurances from my House colleagues that funding to finish the well should be available when the planning is completed. The reality of the House with 44 out of 51 members being Democrats – it is extremely unlikely that a Republican could obtain funding for a project in his or her district. That is why there are (Republican) representatives and senators only on O`ahu, where CIP money is less important and religious issues such as gay marriage can predominate,” Creagan said. 

     Regarding truth in labeling in the coffee industry, Creagan said that “Brenda Ford achieved a stunning result with her coffee labeling resolution and has provided a clear mandate for the Legislature. It is of note that in the final hearing on that bill there were 17 testifiers in support, but only David Bateman testified against. He is of course supported by the coffee blenders. This is the clearest mandate to improve the labeling of all Hawai`i’s coffees, but it may be another issue that would be best decided on an island basis, i.e., the Legislature could within an overarching framework allow the counties to decide on laws for products from their respective islands. Hawai`i Island’s Kona and Ka`u coffees might benefit more from labeling protection than coffees from other islands.

A concert this Saturday honors the late Dennis Kamakahi.

      Concerning medical marijuana, Creagan stated, “It is likely that medical marijuana will be expanded in terms of the amounts that can be possessed, dispensaries and indications for its use in this Legislature. The issue of decriminalization will also be raised again. While I think it is perhaps premature to consider legalization because of possible unintended consequences, we will undoubtedly have informational briefs from Colorado and Washington people as we look at what they are doing, the problems and the possibilities for Hawai`i.

     See tomorrow’s Ka`u News Briefs for thoughts from Libertarian candidate Jon LaLanne.

     To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE of the late Dennis Kamakahi takes place this Saturday, Nov. 8 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pahala Plantation House. Dennis Kamakahi lost his battle with lung cancer on April 28 during a career in which he was famous for slack key, `ukulele, harmonica, singing and songwriting.

      Sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, the concert and kani ka pila with `ohana features John Keawe, Diana Aki, Martin Pahinui, Ben Ka`iwi, Dennis’ son David Kamakahi, Keoki Kahumoku, Peter deAquino, Kai Ho`opi`i, the Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt and more. Donations will be accepted.

HISTORIAN BOYD D. BOND DISCUSSES EVENTS that led to statehood for Hawai`i at After Dark in the Park Tuesday.
      The free program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support After Dark programs.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.