Ka'u Calendar News Briefs, Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015

Keiki meet Santa Ocean View Community Center. Photos from OVCA

SANTA ARRIVED AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, driven by helper Ron in a bright shiny red pickup. More than 300 keiki lined up almost to the road last weekend, waiting to get inside for stockings, food, face painting, tattoos, music and presents, along with a picture with Santa next to the Christmas tree beside a fireplace.

Parents take photos of their keiki with Santa.
Photos from OVCA

    The number of kids surprised volunteers, more than two and a half times the 118 last last year. While everyone enjoyed food, music and activities, gifts ran out. "While we prepared for double the gifts, we apologize that we did not expect this many," said Ocean View Community Association President Sandi Alexamder. A new plan will be made for next year. "Thanks so much to all our volunteers and donors for helping out, and supporting this community center," Alexander said. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

RAPID OHIA DEATH IN KA'U, Kona and Puna has already killed many thousands of trees, including a 6,000-acre forest. The state has placed a ban on shipping ohia, even ohia furniture, flooring and other creations interisland to keep the disease from infecting other places.

Even making Ohia foliage wreaths that will be distributed
around the island is considered a risk for spreading rapid
ohia death fungus, which is decimating forests. 
Photo from Big Island Video News

    During press conferences yesterday at the U.S.Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center in Hilo and in Honolulu, teams of government agencies and academics presented the situation to the public. They said that rapid ohia death is able to kill an ohia tree in weeks. They urged people to refrain from moving ohia logs and even ohia foliage for Christmas wreaths from forests to any other place. The fungus can be carried on vehicles,clothing, tools.
  State Department of Land & Natural Resources chair Suzanne Case and state Department of Agriculture Chair Scott Enright  are coordinating the effort. Case noted that Ohia covers about one million acres in the Hawaiian islands and is critical to watersheds. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

DENGUE DEFENSE SHUTS DOWN MILOLI'I BEACH, county Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira announced yesterday. Aedes Aegypti, the more aggressive of the two mosquitos that carry dengue fever, has been identified at the beach park and village known for its fishing community of native Hawaiians. The county and state Department of Health are spraying for mosquitos and handing out educational materials, encouraging residents to cover the tanks where they store drinking water, to prevent the standing water from hosting dengue larva.

Miloli'i is a renowned fishing village and residents are
urged to fix screens, cover water tanks, and use spray
to prevent being stung by dengue-carrying mosquitos.
Photo by Kaiali'i Kahele

     Dengue is spread when the mosquito bites an infected person and passes it on to another biting victim. Symptoms of dengue include a high fever, intense headache and joint pain, and rash on the arms. Those who suspect they'd may have dengue are encouraged to contact health care providers and remain indoors to prevent the possibility of being bitten and infecting mosquitoes,which carry it to other people. Dengue is not transmitted through the in the air, water or personal contact.he disease is common in tropical places on the planet, hitting hard this year with wetter and warmer weather.Both Miloli'i and the park at Ho'okena park, which shut down in early November to prevent dengue spread, are popular visitor destinations from which hikers walk to more remote beaches along the coast. 

       A statement from the county says, "The response to the Dengue Fever outbreak continues and as a proactive and preventative measure, Miloli'i Beach Park will be closed until further notice. This action is necessary to allow for health and parks department staff to conduct mosquito control and pesticide treatments. In addition, the Ho'okena Beach Park also remains closed until further notice. Access to both the areas will be limited to local residents only. We apologize for any inconvenience with these closures."      At 1 p.m. yesterday, the Department of Health reported six additional confirmed cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases since the beginning of the outbreak to 176. The cases involve 158 residents and 18 visitors. Of 176 confirmed, 8 are recent and could be in the stage of illness in which they can infect mosquitoes, which could, in turn speed it to others.

At least two Miloli'i residents have contracted dengue
and the beach park is closed to outsiders.
Photo by Kaiali'i Kahele

     In addition to Department of Health spraying and treating areas connected to confirmed cases to reduce mosquito populations, Civil Defense teams are inspecting areas of high mosquito presence reported by the community. When teams visit homes,!they leave notes and encourage residents to follow instructions on the notes and to contact the appropriate agency.
     "While these efforts lower risk by reducing mosquito populations, the most effective method to reduce the spread of dengue is for everyone to avoid and prevent mosquito bites. Fight The Bite wearing clothing that minimizes exposed skin, using mosquito repellent, and avoiding activities in areas of high mosquito concentration during the early morning and late afternoon periods when mosquito activity is greatest," says the statement released yesterday.
     For additional information on dengue and preventing the spread, go to health.hawaii.gov or call the Department of Health at 974-6001. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

LARRY MEHAU DIED THIS WEEK. The former Board of Land & Natural Reaources chair and owner of a statewide security company Hawaii Protective Association, Ltd, Mehau was also a Big Island rancher. He was famous for the legends that called him the godfather of organized crime in Hawai'i, which he denied. Mehau was 86.

ELECTRIC BILLS COULD DROP islandwide an average of $1.40 a month and customers could save $42 million over 15 years if Hawaii Electric Light Co. succeeds in taking some big equipment in house, states HELCO. The two combustion turbines, steam generator and two heat recovery steam generators in Hamakua are owned by Hamakua Energy Partners and HELCO plans to purchase them. They have the capacity to make 23 percent of the Big Island's energy needs and produced 16 percent of it in 2013, according to statement from HELCO. The Public Utilities Commission would need to approve the transaction. The purchase would also give HELCO more flexibility on how much of the energy to use as more alternative energy sources become available. It would also allow HELCO to save money through buying fuel for the plant directly. Oill prices have plummeted. The plant currently uses a naphtha fuel. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.

ALYSHA GUSTAFSON-SAVELLA was top scorer for Trojan girls basketball at Tuesday's home game against Konawaena. She scored five. However the Trojans lost in both the jayvee and varsity contests.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers Christmas Day Buffet, Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. As. Opting for Christmas lights at the cottages continues. Menu includes prime rib, roast turkey with stuffing and lamb stew. Adults, $26.95; children 6 – 11, $13.50. 967-8356. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015

Hawai`i County's latest map updated yesterday provides more statistical information than previous ones. 

BASED ON DATES OF ONSET OF ILLNESS, Hawai`i Department of Health yesterday reported that only three individuals on Hawai`i Island with dengue fever are potentially infectious. Those individuals became ill as late as Dec. 14. Of 170 past and present confirmed cases, 167 are no longer infectious. 

      Dengue fever is hitting many places much harder than Hawai`i, according to the international Break Dengue organization, which attributes increases to higher temperatures in which mosquitoes thrive. Also, over the past 50 years, dengue has spread from nine to over a hundred countries, making it the most rapidly spreading vector-borne disease. The cases have risen from 15,000 per year in the 1960s to 390 million today. Over 40 per cent of the world’s population is at risk from dengue. The overall disease burden varies from region to region, with Asia-Pacific housing 75 per cent of those at risk.
      Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and India are some of the worst hit countries. World Health Organization reported that Malaysia had than 107,000 cases and more than 293 deaths as of Nov. 21, up nearly 18 percent from 2014. The Philippines reported more than 142,000 cases and 411 deaths as of Oct. 31, an almost 50 percent rise in cases. Vietnam reported 58,633 cases and 42 deaths up to the end of October, a sharp rise in close to 19,000 cases that month.
      India has been hit hard, too. Extended warm weather has led to more than 90,000 cases as of late November, more than doubling the around 40,500 cases the country saw during all of 2014. New Delhi and Punjab are worst affected, with New Delhi facing its worst dengue outbreak in almost two decades.
      While the number of new confirmed cases has begun to slow, DOH Director Virginia Pressler said the outbreak would not be considered over until a month goes by without any new cases.
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Keli`i Akina

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAI`I yesterday filed a motion at the U.S. Supreme Court for civil contempt in the lawsuit Akina v. Hawai`i, according to several media outlets, including Civil Beat. The Supreme Court previously issued an injunction against Na`i Aupuni holding an election for Native Hawaiian convention delegates. Rather than continue the election, Na`i Aupuni decided to allow all delegate candidates to participate in the convention scheduled for February. 

      According to reporter Chad Blair, Grassroot Institute argued in its motion that canceling the election is in violation of the “letter and spirit” of the court’s injunction.
      “It’s outrageous that Na`i Aupuni and state agencies such as Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission have ignored and defied the Supreme Court of the United States,” Grassroot head Keli`i Akina said. “All citizens of Hawai`i, including native Hawaiians, should be appalled at the contempt our own state government is showing to the U.S. Constitution.
      “The majority of Native Hawaiians, in particular, have made it clear that they do not support and are not represented by those trying to push through a state-sponsored, racially discriminatory government-creation process.”
      Defendant Na`i Aupuni responded, “The Supreme Court’s Dec. 2 order enjoined Na`i Aupuni from counting the ballots cast in, and certifying the winners of, the election until the Ninth Circuit (Court) could rule on Hawai`i Federal Judge Seabright’s denial of the Akina plaintiffs’ motion to enjoin the start of the election. Thereafter, on Dec. 15, Na`i Aupuni terminated the election and offered all candidates — none of whom were elected by voters — an opportunity to gather to discuss, among other matters, a path to self-governance.
      “Nothing in the Supreme Court order prohibits Na`i Aupuni from making this offer and organizing the gathering. Civil contempt is only appropriate where the court order clearly and unambiguously prohibits the proposed action. Akina plaintiffs’ motion is without merit, and we will oppose the motion to ensure that the February gathering will go forward.”
      See civilbeat.com.
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Darren Rosario 

WITH FIREWORKS GOING ON SALE Saturday, Hawai`i County Fire Chief Darren Rosario reminds the public of legal uses and safety precautions. 

      It is illegal for anyone to remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework; throw fireworks from, at or into any vehicle; set off any fireworks at any time not within the specified time periods, within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter, or church when services are held; on any school property without authorization from the said school official; or on any Public way such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk or park.
      It is also illegal to offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors; or for any minor to possess, purchase, sell or set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult; set off any aerial luminary devices, commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawai`i Lanterns, or any other aerial devices, such as bottle rockets, sky rockets, roman candles, cakes, mortars or shells.
      Hawai`i Fire Department asks everyone to please kokua in helping to prevent fires and also to avoid the unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year. The public can help by using extreme care when setting off fireworks. Children playing with fireworks should be under an adult’s close supervision at all times. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause severe injuries that will quickly ruin the holidays.
      Fireworks should be set off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials. Be sure fireworks are completely extinguished before being disposed of. And most importantly, have a fire extinguisher and/or a water hose ready to use in the event of an unplanned or unexpected fire. Be sure the water hose can reach all areas of where fireworks activities are being conducted, especially around the entire house. It’s also a great idea to wet down any dry, grassy area before and after setting off fireworks. Doing it before will also let you know the capability of your water source.

Share the Love through Dec. 31.

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SUBARA'S SHARE THE LOVE event continues through Dec. 31. Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, which holds many Ka`u Coast Cleanups and stewards anchialine ponds in the district, is one of the organizations Ka`u residents can vote for during the event. A $5,000 donation will be given to the nonprofit with the most votes at the end of the promotional period. 

      The next Ka`u Coast Cleanups is coming up in February. See subaruhawaii.com/share-the-love and wildhawaii.org.

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KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers Christmas Day Buffet, Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Menu includes prime rib, roast turkey with stuffing and lamb stew. Adults, $26.95; children 6 – 11, $13.50. 967-8356. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

Ken Charon offers Draw from Nature.
Image from VAC

KA`U’S ARTISTIC NATURAL LOVERS are invited to Draw from Nature in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday, Dec. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ken Charon teaches others how to gain inspiration from the stunning natural environment of Kilauea in this free instructional outing. 

      The class meets on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery and is open to park visitors and island residents over eight years of age. Charon covers basic drawing techniques and other helpful tips before leading participants to a scenic location around the caldera to witness the creative forces of Kilauea and develop the ability to capture its unique natural beauty.
      For those who have attended this popular offering in the past, coming back is sure to be a new and enriching experience. Charon likes to switch locations to keep things exciting and inspiring.
      Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the class. Arrive prior to the start time to ensure a place. Bring a sketch pad, pencils, eraser, sharpener and a folding chair or mat for sitting, if necessary. Dress for both warm sun and chilly rain, as weather is unpredictable.
      Park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 967-7565 or see www.volcanoartcenter.org.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015

Santa and Frosty the Snowman greet Pahala residents and visitors as they enter the village on Kamani Street. Photo by Julia Neal

GOV. DAVID IGE SUBMITTED his supplemental budget to the state Legislature yesterday. The proposal covers the Supplemental Fiscal Year. 

      “When I ran for governor, I made a promise to the people of Hawai`i,” Ige said. “I said that we would get our government house in order, honor our obligations and commitments and act to improve the lives of Hawai`i’s people. The budget I am submitting this year keeps that promise.

      “This is a supplemental budget year, a year when we make targeted changes to the budget adopted last year. We are focused on areas where government can make a real difference in the lives of Hawai`i’s citizens.”

Gov. David Ige presented his supplemental budget yesterday.
Photo from Office of the Governor

      The budget provides additional amounts of $729 million for to improve basic infrastructure and economic development to support the keys to the economy; $161 million to support affordable housing; $247 million to address critical health care needs, particularly for those among us least able to help themselves; and $248 million for education, which Ige said remains one of his highest priorities and on which a lot more needs to be done in the years ahead. 

      In addition, substantial monies are being set aside to honor financial commitments and to keep the state’s fiscal house in order. The administration is proposing to act aggressively, while the economy is healthy, to pay down debts used to fully fund employee retirement obligations.
      “This is the part of my work that is not glamorous or exciting; it is however the only responsible act to take.
      “I look forward to working with the Legislature on this budget in the 2016 session, to a healthy exchange of views on these and other issues, and to my upcoming State of the State Address which will allow me to place this budget in the larger context of the bills we will introduce and the administrative actions we are taking,” said Ige.
      Supplemental budget highlights include $31 million in capital improvement funds to make improvements to public housing and 64 staff positions supported by $4.5 million in revolving funds, $26.5 million in operating funds for the Weighted Student Formula to allow public school principals to decide how to spend this portion of the Department of Education’s budget and how to best meet the needs of their students, $6 million in operating funds for Preschool Open Doors to help families who need it most send their children to preschool, $30 million in capital improvement funds heat abatement in public schools and $60 million in capital improvement funds for renewal and deferred maintenance at UH campuses.

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Katsu Goto Photos from Baron Sekiya

DANNY MILLER, DIRECTOR & EDITOR of Saving Ka`u’s Coast and The Punalu`u Experience, is working on a new film about Katsu Goto, an early Japanese immigrant who came to Hawai`i in 1885 aboard the City of Tokio, the first ship of the Kanyaku Imin (contract laborers), to work on sugar plantations in Hawai`i. 

      After enduring a three-year labor contract at Soper, Wright & Co. along the Hamakua Coast, Goto became a successful businessman and labor leader. He was killed via a lynching in Honoka`a in 1889 while helping Japanese sugar plantation workers.
      Bringing the Legacy of Katsu Goto to Life is the first documentary of his story presented by the Katsu Goto Memorial Committee of Honoka`a Hongwanji Mission.
      A 25-minute preview as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the documentary on features a fundraising campaign to document the story on film. The preview will run four times on Nippon Golden Network Channel 677 on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 9:35 p.m. and on Sunday, Jan. 3 at 12 a.m., 6 a.m. and 3:15 p.m.
      The previews are airing during Nippon Golden Network’s Freeview period when NGN will be available for free to all Oceanic Time Warner subscribers in Hawai`i. Interviews will be captioned for Japanese and English speakers. 

      The preview features interviews with Goto’s descendants, academic and historical scholars, community members and the film’s production team.

      “As a film director, you look for those really beautiful stories that come together to make a movie, and I think we really have those powerful stories in this film,” Miller said.
      “We still have new immigrants coming to Hawai`i all the time, so it is important for us to remember our history so we do not repeat some of the mistakes we have made in the past, producer and writer Baron Sekiya said. 

Danny Miller and Patsy Iwasaki

      It was Goto’s knowledge of the English language and Western laws that thrust him into his role as a bridge between Japanese contract laborers and plantation management as he fought for workers’ rights. “I feel that my life is in danger by being here, but I am not afraid,” Goto said while meeting Japanese laborers accused by plantation management of arson of a canefield, according to court documents. Goto was ambushed then lynched from a telephone pole in Honoka`a after this late night meeting.
      KGMC is seeking individual, foundation, corporate or organizational sponsors to provide production and completion funds and welcomes public participation to bring this story to film. Executive producer and writer Patsy Iwasaki strongly believes “his story has become a legacy. It’s a Hawai`i story, it’s an immigrant story, it’s a national story, it’s a story that needs to be told,” she said.
      To make a tax-deductible contribution, make checks payable to Katsu Goto Memorial Committee, c/o Honoka`a Hongwanji Mission, PO Box 1667, Honoka`a, HI 96727 or make a contribution via Paypal at KatsuGotoMovie.org.
      For more information, email patsy@KatsuGotoMovie.org.

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HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE ARE CONDUCTING islandwide DUI checkpoints throughout the holiday season. The effort is part of a national and statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. The campaign runs through Jan. 3. 

      Sergeant Robert Pauole, head of the Hawai`i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section, points out that drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs, have been factors in nearly 65 percent of the 17 traffic fatalities so far this year. Pauole also points out that motor vehicle fatalities are among the leading causes of death in the state over the past 15 years. Other leading causes are suicide (2,330), drowning (997) and firearms (616). Traffic fatalities over the past 15 years for the state stand at 1,868, which is more than drowning and firearms deaths combined.
      Hawai`i Police Department wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH added four new cases of dengue fever on Hawai`i Island yesterday, bringing the total to 167. The latest onset of illness was Dec. 13. As many as three of the confirmed cases are potentially infectious to mosquitoes. All others are no longer infectious.

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POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA OFFERS several opportunities for young hunters to hone their skills over the holiday weekends. 

      Youths ages 10 to 15 are invited to participate in bird hunting or bow hunting of mammals on Dec. 26-27 and Jan. 2-3. Bird hunts will be offered in the Ahi unit (training areas 9, 12-16 and 18), and bow hunting will be open in the Humu`ula and Menehune units (training areas 1-6) for both weekends. Hunters must check in at the Army check station across from Mauna Kea State Park.
      All youth hunters must have a valid state hunting license and must be accompanied by an adult with a valid state hunting license. Adults will participate in a mentor capacity, only, and are not permitted to harvest any animals during this hunt.
      Reservations are required for bow hunting. A maximum of 15 youth bow hunters will be allowed each day. Reservations are not required for bird hunting. To make a reservation, call 315-1545. Callers should have the names and hunting license numbers for each youth hunter and adult mentor and a contact number ready when calling.
      The initiative is part of the Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance its local hunting program, according to John Polhemus, manager of the U.S. Army Garrison-Pohakuloa’s public hunting program.
      “There hasn’t been much focus on youth hunting in the past, but that’s something we want to change,” Polhemus said. “Our goal is to offer more opportunities for youths to apply safe hunting techniques and experience hunting in a low-pressure, uncrowded environment.”
      Adult hunting activity will resume on Jan. 9-10 pending availability of hunting areas.

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Artistic wreaths are on display at Volcano Art Center Gallery.
Photo from VAC

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY’S annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit continues through Jan. 3 during Christmas in the Country. The exhibit presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional. 

      “You’ll be amazed at what some artists choose to include in their highly creative concepts of ‘wreath’,” Gallery Manager Emily Catey said. “Those looking for truly original wreaths will want to be among the first to see and choose from the exhibit.”

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PARTICIPANTS LEARN HOW TO TRANSFORM coconut fronds into fun items and take home creations tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_December2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.