Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, July 13, 2017

Thy Word Ministries was one of two winners in the Independence Day Parade last Saturday
in Na`alehu. There were two judges and each picked a winner. Photo by Ron Johnson

THE PROPOSED KA`U SUGAR MILL PARK in Pahala has more support in letters provided to the county  Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. Glenn Okumuara, of Pahala, wrote. "The sugar industry is a big part of Hawai`i history. Ka`u sugar was the last mill to close on Hawai`i Island, closing a chapter in the lives of the people in Ka`u, Hawai`i Isalnd, the State of Hawai`i and the nation. Please consider this acquisition."
     Gay Polido Scott wrote, "This is my request and stated interest that the Preservation Commission please purchase this land for community use."

Ka`u Auto Repair was one of two winning
entries in the annual Na`alehu Independence Day Parade
sponsored by O Ka`u Kakou. Photo by Ron Johnson

     The 60 plus acres are in foreclosure and are scheduled for a courthouse sale in Hilo on July 28. On the land are remains of the sugar mill and camp housing, as well as several commercial buildings, one of them housing Hawai`i Public Radio and emergency broadcasting. 

      For the county to purchase it, the owner of the property must be willing to sell it at an appraised price and the county must approve the purchase. 

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OPIOD-RELATED HOSPITALIZATIONS AND EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS have more than doubled in the last decade, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard told the U.S. House of Representatives today. She reported that more people are now dying from overdoses than motor vehicle accidents. This opioid epidemic is killing 91 Americans all across this country every single day.

Thy Word Ministry was co-winner of first place in the Independence 
Day Parade in Na`alehu last Saturday. Photo by Lee McIntosh

      She took on pharmaceutical companies: “For years, companies like Purdue Pharma, which is the maker of the commonly known drug, OxyContin, have profited off the suffering of millions of Americans who are dealing and struggling with opioid addiction. Now Purdue and others are going overseas, targeting foreign populations, using the very same shady marketing tactics, lies, and false advertising that helped them get rich at the expense of the American people.

     “This is absolutely unacceptable. We can't just keep wringing our hands about the opioid crisis without actually tackling the cause of it. Purdue and those responsible should be prosecuted for the deaths and lives that have been ruined as a result of their lies."

Ka`u Auto Repair was co-winner of first place in the annual Na`alehu 

Independence Day Parade last Saturday. Photo by Lee McIntosh

 Gabbard has cosponsored legislation like the STOP OD Act (H.R.664) to help state and local governments raise awareness of the dangers of opioids like fentanyl, oxycodone and heroin, expand educational efforts to prevent opiate abuse and promote treatment and prevention.  She also voted to pass a series of bipartisan measures in the 114th Congress to address some of the widespread problems that have caused and perpetuated the national opioid crisis, including the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (S.524) signed into law in July 2016, and has continued to call for drug companies perpetuating the crisis to be held accountable.  

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NEW FLOOD INSURANCE MAPS for Ka`u and the rest of the island were presented this week in Hilo at meetings sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Administration, the county and state. The new maps will go into effect an play a role in the cost of flood insurance starting Sept. 29. Department of Land and Natural Resources explained to residents the flood risks of their homes to show them how their area was rated for flood insurance. A FEMA representative said that flood maps change with development and changes in streams and the shoreline.

Local residents check out the FEMA flood insurance maps.
Photo from David Corrigan/Big island Video News

The flood maps can be viewed online at at gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat. To learn how to view the preliminary maps using the FHAT, click on the tutorial link provided on the Hawai‘i NFIP Website dlnreng.hawaii.gov/nfip/.

    Areas that have a one percent chance of flooding every year are considered the highest at risk areaa with the highest insurance rates.

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FINIAN'S RAINBOW CONTINUES at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater through July 23rd with performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, and are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea’au Natural Foods, and the Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

Papa ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Fri, July 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. This beginning Hawaiian language course continues for eight weeks. $90/$80 VAC members. 967-8222

Recycling at Nā‘ālehu School, Sat, July 15, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nā‘ālehu School Gym. Redeem your HI-5 sorted by type; receive 5 cents per container and additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. 939-2413, ext. 230.Hula Performance, Sat, July 15, 10:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kumu hula Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Halauolaokalani. Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu & ‘ohana, 11a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mongolian BBQ, Sat, July 15, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356 for more details.

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Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, July 12, 2017

Susan the Silent (Susie Halemano) wants to share a secret with everyone in KDEN's production of 
Finian's Rainbow. The show runs through July 23 at KMC's Kilauea Theatre. See below.

NATIVE KOA BURNED, along with ‘ōhi‘a in a quarter acre forest fire Tuesday behind a cabin at Nāmakanipaio Campground in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park officials are seeking witnesses and report that the fire started behind Cabin 3 shortly before 3 p.m., and was human-caused. A female and several children told firefighters they saw how it started, but left the scene before anyone could get her name and contact information. The fire was quickly doused with water by County of Hawai‘i Engine 19, Volcano volunteer company 19, and National Park Service resources. No structures were burned, although flames came close to Cabin 3. No closures or evacuations were required.

Smoke obscures the koa and ‘ōhi‘a forest at 

Nāmakanipaio Campground on Tuesday 

afternoon. NPS Photo/Luke Kittle

      An investigation is underway. Witnesses and anyone with information about the fire are encouraged to call Park Dispatch at 808-985-6170. Callers may remain anonymous. “With a hot and dry summer upon us, we’re definitely at an increased risk for fire in the park, and across the island,” said Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Fire Management Officer Greg Funderburk. “It’s important to remember that while parts of the island might be getting rainfall, other areas are very dry and quite susceptible to fire,” he said.

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THE VICTIM LEFT A NOTE, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park revealed yesterday. They identified the 38-year-old man recovered early Sunday morning near the bottom of Kīlauea caldera as Gregory Michael Ure, also known as Leo Michael Adonis, of California. His last known address was La Mesa, CA.

     Park officials confirm the finding of a note in the backpack belonging to the victim. Details concerning the note and circumstances of the death will not be publicly discussed until the National Park Service has concluded its investigation and the county pathologist has ruled on the cause of death. Last Saturday, two visitors discovered a backpack on Crater Rim Trail at approximately 7 p.m. Park dispatch was notified, and rangers searched the caldera rim and floor on foot, but were unable to locate its owner. The search was suspended due to unsafe conditions at night, and resumed at dawn on Sun., July 9. Rangers aboard a helicopter found the victim about 250 feet below the caldera rim, in an area that is not currently erupting, around 5:35 a.m. Sunday.

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TROPICAL STORM FERNANDA is headed toward Hawai`i and is predicted to become a major hurricane by Monday evening. Though still too far away for any accurate prediction, Fernanda is the first of this Hurricane season to take aim at the Hawaiian Islands and could enter the Central Pacific in about a week.

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DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS IN HAWAI`I ARE LOW compared to much of the United States, Hawaiʻi  ranks 43rd in the nation, the rank remaining steady over the past six years, even though drug overdose rates continue to rise across the nation.

      However, drug overdose remains the leading form of injury-related deaths for Hawaiʻi residents, accounting  for 23 percent of all fatal injuries, according to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health’s Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch. While heroin-related overdoses are much less frequent in the state, Hawaiʻi is experiencing an increase in deaths from heroin overdoses, which mirrors the alarming national trend.

      The rates include deaths from prescription opioids, and regular use of prescribed opioids can lead to dependence. This has resulted in a national epidemic of overdose incidents and deaths.

       A statement on Wednesday from Hawai`i's Gov. Davud Ige says that he and the state Department of Health are  taking an aggressive approach to prevent Hawaiʻi from experiencing the same rate of opioid-related overdoses and deaths as other states. “This is a challenge that requires the best minds working together in our islands,” said the governor. “We can stem the tide by taking action now and working collaboratively across multiple state agencies to prevent harm and save the lives of Hawaiʻi’s people.” On Wednesday, he brought together heads of agencies, departments, and key partners from across Hawaiʻi to kick off this coordinated opioid abuse initiative. 

     Led by the state Department of Health, the group includes representatives of the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division, and Department of Public Safety Narcotics Enforcement Division. The two areas within the Department of Health facilitating this effort with the support of federal grant funds are the Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division and the Emergency Medical Services and Injury Prevention System Branch.

     The newly expanded initiative includes a strategic planning session to support a comprehensive statewide plan. The group will build on policy initiatives that align with those recommended by the National Governor's Association to prepare proposals for the 2018 legislative session, said Ige.

          So far, the effort in Hawai`i has achieved expanded access to drugs that can prevent opioid-overdoses (known as “opioid antagonists”) to health care professionals, harm reduction organizations, pharmacists, all first responders and any person positioned to prevent an opioid-related drug overdose mortality. Opioid antagonists are prescription medications that help to reverse the toxic effects of opioid over-medication and overdose. Laboratory research and clinical trials have also shown that opioid antagonists enhance the pain-killing capabilities of opioids, such as morphine and oxycodone.

Chloe Gan wins a $2,000
scholarship from AAUW.

       Another hallmark is the legislature passing Act 218 to reduce inappropriate prescribing of opioids. It limits the prescribing of schedule II narcotic drugs, including schedule II opioids, except in cases where the patient is certified as terminally ill or when the single-dose packaging exceeds the limit; requires that controlled substances registrants obtain access to the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program as part of the State of Hawai`i controlled substances registration process; allows pharmacists and physicians to appoint staff members who can access PDMP information as a delegate of the physician or pharmacist delegate; broadens access to PDMP information by allowing the Narcotics Enforcement Division Administrator to give access to government regulatory agencies during joint investigations; and requires prescribing health care providers to adopt and maintain policies for informed consent to opioid therapy.

     "These early successes and the work that the opioid initiative will do in the coming months will result in a comprehensive, coordinated action plan to aggressively counteract the increased abuse of opioids in Hawaiʻi," said the statement from the governor's office.

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CHLOE GAN, OF KA`U HIGH SCHOOL, was one of  three  students from West Hawai`i schools to receive a $2000 scholarship from the Kona chapter of the American Association of University

Women to assist with future educational goals. The other two recipients were Neena Charles from Mauka Lani Christian Academy and Komela McAuliffe from Honokaa High School.

      Gan, who graduated in 2017, loves science and will study mechanical engineering at the University of Portland. She was at the top of her class, won Best in Engineering/Environmental Science at Hawai`i District Science Fair, earned the Legislator of the Year award in youth and government, is a member of the National Honor Society, a youth mentor, and helped organize a community event that showcased local youth talent. 

     According to Madalyn McWhite-Lamson, coshair of the AAUW sholarship committee, Gan "is described as one of the most intellectual, sincere, and dedicated students " and also was very involved in social justice issues, participated in 4H, and was captain of the cross country team. Gan hopes to return to Ka'u and help empower youth and to improve the lives of the people around her, said McWhite-Lamson.

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Ihe cast finishes  "Great Come-and-Get- It- Day" one of the 

numbers  in KDEN's production of Finian's Rainbow.

The show continues its run through July 23.

FINIAN'S RAINBOW CONTINUES ITS RUN at Kilauea Military Camp's Kilauea Theater through July 23rd with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 general, $15 for seniors 60 plus and students and $12 for children 12 and under, and are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea’au Natural Foods, and the Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo and at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, contact KDEN at 982-7344 or kden73@aol.com.

Red Cross Volunteer meeting, Thu, July 13, 7 p.m., HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office. For volunteers and those interested in becoming volunteers. Hannah Uribes, 929-9953

Papa ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, Fri, July 14, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. This beginning Hawaiian language course continues for eight weeks. $90/$80 VAC members. 967-8222

Recycling at Nā‘ālehu School, Sat, July 15, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nā‘ālehu School Gym. Redeem your HI-5 sorted by type; receive 5 cents per container and additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. 939-2413, ext. 230.Hula Performance, Sat, July 15, 10:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kumu hula Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Halauolaokalani. Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu & ‘ohana, 11a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mongolian BBQ, Sat, July 15, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356 for more details.

www.kaucalendar.com

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, July 11, 2017

The KAHU Radio Station Building is on old Pahala sugar mill property presented for acquisition on Monday
to the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Commission.
Local shows were broadcast with such hosts as the late Bobby Gomes who invited keiki to play music.
It still serves as the relay station for Hawai`i Public Radio and for emergency broadcasting.
Photo by Julia Neal 

SUPPORT FOR KA`U SUGAR MILL PARK was presented to the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resource Preservation Commission on Monday. The 60-plus acres are up for auction on July 28, following foreclosure on owners who had planned to build a water bottling plant.

Clyde Silva speaking of Ka`u's
history during Plantation Days.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Testimony from Pahala resident Clyde Silva said, "This site of the former sugar factory, mill yard and old plantation camps offers this community and island a rare opportunity to remember and reflect on an era that is so rich in the history of our community and its people. A way of remembering where we came from, and who are are. It would serve as a way to teach the young generations and generations to come, of the history and culture of the area and the state of Hawai`i, which is offered nowhere else on this island."

    "The park could also provide for recreation and community events and camping," recommended Silva.

Volunteers and contractors using Civil Defense money moved equipment

in October 2011 to a communications tower to provide a broader reach

for KAHU-FM Radio. Photo by Julia Neal

    Other testimony included support to preserve the old KAHU radio station building, which is now the location for Hawai`i Public Radio broadcasting into Ka`u. The radio station building from the early 1900s was Hilo Bank, then Bank of Hawai`i, a dentist office, pool hall, economic development classroom and radio station. It features a mural of plantation days and the old sugar camps where the grandparents and great grandparents of many Pahala residents lived as immigrants to Hawai`i.

    The building supports Civil Defense through emergency radio transmissions. Civil Defense funds were used to establish the station since Ka`u was otherwise without emergency broadcasting. It was also a community radio station where the late Bobby Gomes and other hosts invited keiki to play music on the air.

     Kamuela resident Lynn Fraguen who visits Ka`u, wrote the commissioners: "The old mill and Ka`u residents have been a highly ignored part of the history of our state. Respect for this part of our history needs to be preserved and honored in such a way that both look back and look forward." 

    Pahala residents Gabriel and Cheryl Cuevas sent in a number of ideas for the land, including: camping area for guest visitors
with historical info on area, including how residents overcame losing their main employer - the sugar mill - to become successful coffee growers and how they built a coffee industry where there was none; a skate park and possibly small dirt bike course; amphitheater for arts and entertainment, including local musicians and hula halau; small studio type shops for commercial use on a small scale; a visitor info center focusing on Ka`u.

A Ka`u sugar truck comes past the old sugar mill site
during Plantation Days. Photo by Julia Neal

     They also suggested development of an outdoor venue for such events as vintage car and motorcycle shows. They said the old mill site could be  a "Place to gather outside of the busier towns," a place for recreation in a more relaxed rural area.

     They wrote that "small shops or small business incubators could be developed," and the mill site could provide a place for such enterprises as car repair, solar energy, contracting and other small businesses.  A trade school could be located on the land. 

     The suggestion for the site becoming a park, presented to the commission by Dorothy Silva, of Pahala, also mentioned the spring as a possible back up water source for the community. 

      Should there be a willing seller of the property the Open Space Commission members will likely visit the property as it plans to prioritize suggestions for acquisitions of property around the island.

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GOV. DAVID IGE VETOED THE TINY HOUSE AND AQUARIUM COLLECTION BILLS ON Tuesday along with 11 more bills on his veto list. 

    Two of the bills on his veto list, he signed into law. HB 523, Relating to Recycling, allows the state Department of Accounting and General Services to set up recycling at properties it manages. HB 575 Relating to Public Lands allows the state to extend leases of commercial, hotel, resort and industrial state owned properties when lessees make substantial improvements. This was supported by the Hawai`i County administration and County Council along with SB1184, which establishes a Redevelopment District and Fund for Hilo waterfront and HB 1469 which sets procedures for other redevelopment districts.

A bill to allow 500 square feet or smaller homes on ag
land for workers and ag families was vetoed.
Photo from Tiny House Hawai`i

 VETO OF TINY HOUSE BILL: Explaining his veto of HB 2, the governor said that it would have authorized the placement of “tiny homes” of 500 square feet or less of living space within the state agriculture district of Hawai‘i County. These “tiny homes” would have been used by farm workers or their immediate families on land currently being used for agricultural production.

      According to the rationale of the governor, "Hawai‘i County Zoning Code (HCC Chapter 25) already allows for a farm dwelling as a permitted use of agricultural-zoned lands. By Zoning Code definition, a farm dwelling means a single-family dwelling located on or used in connection with a farm, or if the agricultural activity provides income to the family occupying the dwelling."

     The governor's office reports that in 2015 and 2016, a total of 27 additional farm dwellings were approved by the County of Hawai‘i Planning Department. During that period, all applications for farm dwellings were granted. "The administration is committed to working with Mayor Harry Kim and the County of Hawai‘i on addressing the affordable housing issue for farm workers on Hawai‘i Island," says the statement from the governor's office.

      VETO OF FISH COLLECTION BILL: Explaining his veto of SB 1240 , Relating to Aquatic Life, the governor explained that the bill would have required the Department of Land and Natural Resources to define “sustainable” and establish a policy for sustainable collection practices through take limits. It also would have prohibited the DLNR from issuing new aquarium fish permits to use fine meshed traps or fine meshed nets and prohibits the transfer of permits after five years.

Gov. Ige said he received thousands of calls and emails regarding the
aquarium fish collection bill before he gave it his veto on Tuesday.
Photo from NOAA

   A statement from the governor said that "Since the release of the Intent to Veto List on June 26, this issue has been highlighted across numerous local and national media outlets. The Office of the Governor has received thousands of phone calls and emails from constituents expressing their support for and opposition to this bill. The one thing everyone can agree on is that one of Hawai‘i’s most valuable resources, the coral reef, must be protected. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and Gov. Ige agree that sustainable policies and practices are needed. The governor has no objection to the first part of the bill that requires the DLNR to define 'sustainable' and establish policies for sustainable collection."

Coral reefs, where most aquarium fish are caught in Hawai`i.
Photo from NOAA

     According to the governor, the DLNR is committed to "working with all stakeholders to come up with a better solution. Discussions have begun on 'limited entry' aquarium fisheries, expanding Fishery Replenishment Areas (FRAs) to O‘ahu, capping permit numbers, addressing catch limits, and establishing permit fees." Gov. Ige is committed to introducing legislation and/or administrative rules that will "properly address all concerns, and create policy that will establish Hawai‘i as the best managed sustainable nearshore fishery in the world," the statement says.

      "Regarding this measure, the governor has concerns that the science does not support the claims made in this bill. In West Hawai‘i, where approximately 80 percent of Hawai‘i’s aquarium catch comes from, FRAs were established to reverse the decline in fish populations. The Division of Aquatic Resources and the DLNR have collected data over 17 years and completed more than 6,700 surveys in this area, and have found that aquarium fish populations are generally stable or increasing. Based on the extensive scientific data from West Hawai‘i, it would be premature to phase out aquarium collecting permits," the governor's statement concludes. 

    "Furthermore, it must be understood that this bill does not prohibit fish collecting. It simply prohibits the issuance of new permits to use small meshed nets and traps. The meshed nets and traps are an important tool for aquarium fish collectors. There is hope that this will eventually phase out the industry. This would take decades as currently proposed. The worldwide demand for aquarium species could lead to new and more destructive ways of collection," sates Ige.

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Lei Making Demo, Wed, July 12, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Local cultural practitioner Pua O’Mahoney teaches how to make traditional Hawaiian lei with natural materials that include leaves, flowers and more. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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