Kaʻū News Briefs March 8, 2024

Hawai‘i Public Radio ran a story about the Punalu]u development issue on Friday with this photo and caption, saying, "A controversial proposal for development near Punaluʻu Beach Park has sparked overwhelming opposition from the community, while some longtime Kaʻū families see it as an opportunity for jobs and economic investment in the community." 
Photo by Kelsey Hiraishi/HPR

THE PUNALU‘U ISSUE DREW COVERAGE BY HAWAI‘I PUBLIC RADIO ON FRIDAY. HPR reporter Ku‘uwehi Hiraishi quotes Ikaika Ka‘ili‘awa of Nāʻālehu and Sophia Hanoa, of Pāhala, and writes the following:
    "The fate of a controversial development on the south side of Hawaiʻi Island remains in limbo after a public hearing in Hilo stretched more than eight hours into Thursday evening.
    "The developer, Black Sand Beach LLC, is seeking a permit from Hawaiʻi County to build a residential and commercial community on 434 acres of land at Punaluʻu.
    "Overwhelming amounts of public testimony and limited time forced the Hawai’i County Windward Planning Commission to postpone a decision on the future of a controversial development in Punaluʻu.

Ku‘uwehi Hiraishi writes about Punalu‘u
for Hawai‘i Public Radio.

    "Nāʻālehu resident Ikaika Kaʻiliʻawa-Smith said his opposition stems from a history of extractive developers using the land for profit.
"When C. Brewer developed Punaluʻu as a playground for the rich, they bulldozed graves, ancient home sites and heiau. When they extracted all the wealth that they could out of Kaʻū and its people, they left a mess in their wake. They left asbestos-built huts, gravel-filled ponds, and a leaking sewage system," Kaʻiliʻawa-Smith said.
    “Now this foreign developer wants us to ignore all of this. We cannot in good conscience allow this development to continue.”
    "Black Sand Beach LLC owner Eva Liu is proposing 225 residential and short-stay units, a village and wellness center, retail stores, and rehabilitation of the golf courses on the former Sea Mountain at Punaluʻu resort area.
    "Liu is requesting a special management area or SMA permit for the project.
    "However, not everyone from Kaʻū is opposed to the project. Sophia Hānoa, 59, whose family stewards land at Punaluʻu that has been in her ʻohana for generations, said there can be a win-win situation."
    The story quotes Hanoa saying, “Well, we must protect the wahi pana of Punaluʻu. No question. Where I stand on this development is if they do get the SMA approval, they will be doing things that will benefit the community. If they don’t get the approval, then nothing gets fixed, nothing gets repaired.”
Hānoa said, “There is a way through this, but everybody has to be able to sit down and see the bigger picture. What’s going to benefit future generations?”
      The story reported that the "commission adjourned Thursday evening with nearly 50 testifiers remaining. "There's no set date for the next meeting, but public notice needs to be sent out at least 48 hours in advance."

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A STATEMENT ON PUNALU‘U CAME FROM REP. JEANNE KAPELA on Friday. She serves Kaʻū in the state House of Representatives and writes:

    "We must preserve Punalu‘u. I stand with the hundreds of people who testified yesterday in opposition to Black Sands, LLC’s proposed commercial development in Ka‘ū. Our kuleana is to protect our heritage and our pristine coastline. The environment of Ka’ū is fragile and home to many sacred Hawaiian cultural sites, including important Native Hawaiian burial sites.

    "Moreover, this project is not sustainable. It does not contain provisions that align with our county's or our state's clean energy goals. Already, the Ka‘ū area faces difficulty in sustaining local infrastructure. This project would be an additional drain on our precious energy and water resources. Instead of investing in private development that primarily benefits tourists, we should strengthen public facilities that uplift our community's and our keiki's health and well-being.
    "Ka‘ū is a region in which people have carefully cultivated the land for generations. It is one of the few places not overrun by the visitor industry. We need to keep our community in the hands of its ancestral caretakers, not corporations from the continent. The Punalu‘u coast also harbors numerous endangered spaces. Moving forward with this project without conducting another environmental impact statement would be reckless and a slap in the face of the families who have lived here for hundreds of years.
    "Planning Commission members should not rely on an outdated environmental impact statement to determine the course of our future. They must listen to the voices of the people, who are fiercely proclaiming that this proposal is not pono. Far too long, Hawaiians and rural residents have been silenced in our pursuit of a regenerative future. We will not be silent any longer. We will fight tirelessly to ensure the character of Ka’ū is determined by our community, not by nonresident corporations. And we will not back down."

 

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Volunteers can help make the Kahuku-Pōhue trail. This photo is from the first day of trail work.
Photo from National Park Service

VOLUNTEERS FROM KAʻŪ ARE INVITED TO THE KAHUKU-PŌHUE unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to help with trail maintenance, building a small rock wall, and ʻōpala (rubbish) clean-up .

The volunteer event at the newly acquired Kahuku-Pōhue unit is Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participate in one or both days. Meet at the Kahuku Visitor Contact Station. The park will shuttle all volunteers to and from the site.
    The park, with kōkua from Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, and National Park Service staff from Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, and Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site, have begun work on a 0.3-mile trail that will eventually allow pedestrian access to the Pōhue Bay area.
    Volunteers are asked to be prepared for rugged uneven terrain, very little shade and warm weather. Water, gloves and tools will be provided. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring lunch and snacks, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment with written consent is required.
    Canʻt make it but want to help? Let the organizers know so they can make contact for future volunteer opportunities. To register and for more information, contact Park Ranger Travis Heinrich via email: Travis_Heinrich@nps.gov.

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Kaʻū News Briefs March 7, 2024

The county building in Hilo, overflowing with people, mostly there to show opposition for
development at Punalu‘u at Thursday's public hearing. Photo from Kaʻū Bulletin Board

PUNALU‘U DEVELOPMENT PUBLIC HEARING WILL EXTEND TO ANOTHER TIME TO BE ANNOUNCED, following a full day on Thursday of mainly opposition testimony. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to extend the hearing and to consider holding it in Kaʻū on a weekend, as suggested by several of those who testified, to avoid people having to take off from work. 

    The question is whether to issue a Special Management Area permit for commercial development near the black sand beach, 225 accommodations inland and creation of a wellness center, along with resurrection of the old golf course, Aspen Center and other abandoned facilities on the property. The land is all within the Special Management Area, which is designed to protect the coast. It is in need of repair of its sewage, water and fire hydrant systems, which developers promise to repair.
     The Windward Planning Commission meeting on granting a Special Management Area permit to Black Sand Beach, LLC started at 9 a.m. and ended at 5 p.m. after 82 people spoke with more than 50 still waiting to testify. An online petition with 10,000 in opposition was presented to the Planning Commission. Of those who testified at the hearing, 74 were in opposition while eight supported the development.
    Written testimony is posted on the Planning Commission website. at https://records.hawaiicounty.gov/WebLink/1/fol/126393/Row1.aspx?dbid=1&startid=126393&row=1

People listened to testimony outside as they waited to give their
own, with 82 speaking and more than 50 still waiting. The meeting
will be continued on another date. Photo from Kaʻū Bulletin Board

   See the entire video of the public hearing at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfA6VoyabyE&t=37s.

    Lori Lee Lorenzo, who grew up in Pāhala and is well known in rodeo, said she will graduate from Hawai‘i Community College in May with a Degree in Tropical Ecosystems and Forestry Management with an Academic Certificate in Sustainability. She said, "Kaʻū is one of the last undeveloped districts on this island and in the State of Hawai‘i. We have a peaceful rural community surrounded by Agriculture and Conservation lands, and we wish to keep it this way. Building a resort would make this area overcrowded and would disturb our native species and destroy many of our natural resources and the natural beauty of this landscape. 

    "One of our most important natural resources is fresh water. We are in danger of losing much of our watershed system due to Rapid Ohia Death and I don't feel we have the water needed to support this type of large resort development. We need to protect the water that we do have for the local residents, and for the farmers and ranchers that are working hard to make our island more self-sustainable. 

    "People who want to work in hotels or resorts have many job opportunities in the area that are already developed. We need to save and take care of our precious natural resources and our pristine undeveloped ‘Āina. Keep Kaʻū Country."

        Katherine Okamura, who works full-time for the county and part-time at the Black Sand Beach lei stand, wrote, "I was born and raised in Kaʻū and currently live in Pāhala. I oppose any kind of development down at Black Sand Beach. I live in Kaʻū because I love the country lifestyle. Building a resort will only bring more people to our already overcrowded beach. You have an obligation to follow the Kaʻū Community Development Plan for the sake of the residents of Kaʻū."

People filled the County Council chambers in Hilo on Thursday to 
testify, mostly in opposition of development at Punalu‘u.
Photo from Kaʻū Bulletin Board

    Demetrius Oliveira, of Pāhala, is a well-known musician who has provided music and often met with Black Sand Beach, LLC representatives. He supported the development and wrote, "This project holds the potential to rejuvenate Kaʻū, offering opportunities for its residents and fostering much-needed employment." He also said, "Recognizing the delicate balance between economic advancement and culturally significant sites of Punalu‘u exemplifies commendable stewardship, a rarity in past land development endeavors. Furthermore, their exceptional receptiveness to community feedback demonstrated through meticulous plan adjustments, merits acknowledgement."

    Laura Wong of Nāʻālehu testified, "I object to the development of Punalu‘u as described by landholder Eva Liu and her developer partners.

     "I demand that the county hold another meeting on a Saturday or a Sunday to allow the working people the opportunity to attend the meeting. Furthermore said meeting should be held in Kaʻū at Pāhala or Nā‘ālehu. I demand an updated shoreline certification to reflect the massive tidal actions of the past 36 months on the Kaʻū coastline. I demand a new shoreline certification be made prior to considering any additional building within one mile of the newly aligned coastline. 

    "I strongly object to any allowances for any building to occur in designated special use management coastline of the District of  Kaʻū. I do not support this development at Punalu'u."

     See more testimony in upcoming Ka'u News Briefs.

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Kumano I Ke Ala in Waimea Canyon on Kaua‘i hosted Kaʻū Future Farmers during the recent Future Farmers of America state convention. The students volunteered to clean the lo‘i where kalo, taro, is grown. Photo from Kumano I Ke Ala

KAʻŪ FUTURE FARMERS HELPED CARE FOR KALO GROWING IN WAIMEA CANYON and competed in Future Farmers of America events on Kaua‘i last weekend during the state convention.They

Vladimir Fedoruk, Aljshae Barrios and Ezekiel
Kaawa-Kamimura took first in Chapter Records.
Photo from Kaʻū FFA

also met with Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami. 

    They volunteered to clean the lo‘i - the taro patch where kalo is grown under the guidance of Kumano Ike Ala, an organization dedicated to sustainability and food sovereignty.      

   FFA reporter Alajshae Barrios reported that 12 students from Kaʻū attended the State Convention at Kapa‘a Kaua‘i. They were supervised by Kaweni Ibarra, Jesse Denny, and Aunty Cynthia.
   FFA members participated in competitions called the Creed, Educational Exhibit, Floriculture, Chapter Records, Essay, and Quiz. Sherwin Agpaoa won third place in the Creed. Alajshae Barrios, Vladimir Fedoruk, and Ezekiel Kaawa-Kamimura won first place in Chapter Records. 

    Barrios reported: "On the first day of our arrival our chapter headed to Waimea, Kaua‘i to volunteer to help clean the lo‘i with Kumano Ike Ala, It was truly an amazing experience. The following day we completed Community Service at Kapa‘a High School's garden, working as a team with other chapters from other schools and bonding with them."
     Kaʻū students who attended FAA's State Convention were: Sherwin Agpaoa, Vladimir Fedoruk, Desmond Camba, Zayden Gallano, Alajshae Barrios, Shaylie Martinez, Ezekiel Kaawa-Kamimura, Jacelyn Jara, Triton Blanco, Delisa Breithaupt, Laci Ah-Yee, and Dreana Vierra- Mukini.

 Kaʻū FFA students and leaders at a kalo farm in Waimea Canyon on Kaua‘i. Photo from Kaʻū FFA

       

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Kaʻū News Briefs March 6, 2024

Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach. Photo by Peter Anderson

THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY HAS FILED LEGAL INTERVENTION OPPOSING BLACK SAND BEACH, LLC'S request for a Special Management Area permit for its proposal for Punalu‘u. In representing itself and several community members, the Center issued a statement saying that the project would be at "one of Hawaiʻi's most renowned black sand beaches" and "would harm local residents and jeopardize threatened and endangered species, including green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals."

    The Windward Planning Commission will hold the public meeting this Thursday at  9 a.m. March 7 at Hawai'i County Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni St., in Hilo. It will be live-streamed on YouTube at  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAFoRMb3rfWLQMPd6TAkEGA?view_as=subscriber.
    Maxx Phillips, Hawai‘i Director and Staff Attorney at Center for Biological Diversity, said, "The vibrant biodiversity and rich cultural history of Punaluʻu needs to be protected for generations to come, not developed for private interests. Hundreds of people have mobilized to protect this spectacular place and protest this reckless development. The community and wildlife of Punaluʻu deserve so much more and we'll do everything possible to see they get it."

Maxx Phillips, Hawai‘i Director and Staff Attorney for
 Center for Biological Diversity, will testify for a contested
case for Punalu‘u at the SMA hearing on Thursday.

 If the contested case is approved by Hawai‘i County's Windward Planning Commission, "Thursday's action would allow the Center and local residents to formally challenge the 400-acre project site development in Punaluʻu, starting with the March 7 commission meeting. Developers want to build 225 residential and short-stay units, a commercial center, retail shops and a golf course that would harm local residents and Hawaiʻi's native threatened and endangered species," said the Center's statement.
    "Nestled on the southeastern Kaʻū coast, Punaluʻu is celebrated for its breathtaking beauty, cultural significance and unique ecological diversity. This coastal haven is home to rare and endangered native animals, including hawksbill sea turtles, green sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, native bees and orange-black damselflies. Punaluʻu's shores are vital nesting grounds for the sea turtles.
    "Developers are relying on an outdated environmental analysis and the permit application they filed with the county fails to consider harms to the local community. Increased traffic and a surge in visitors will compromise the residents' quality of life and exacerbate existing challenges faced by Punaluʻu's fragile ecosystem," said the Center's statement.

    "My beloved mother Pele Hanoa and sister, Keolalani Hanoa worked tirelessly for many years to preserve Punaluʻu," said Elsa Kalanikauleleiaiwi Dedman, a direct descendant of Punaluʻu and a Center for Biological Diversity member. "The magic of Punaluʻu, the piko of Kaʻū, is home to some of the rarest animals in the world. I am one with my ancestors to protect the legacy of our cultural treasures on Hawaiʻi island's longest undeveloped coastline."

    Nohea Ka‘awa, a community member supporting approval of the contested case, said "There are many issues that need to be addressed before even thinking about approving the special management area use permit or considering any type of development at Punaluʻu. Our Kaʻū community is expressing concerns about the lack of a disaster mitigation plan. Emergencies like fire, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruption have not been considered. There's no burial treatment plan in place to protect our ancestors. The sewage system is leaking into our ocean as we speak, yet the developer wants us to believe that there will be no impacts. This development will lead to overpopulation and a rise in land taxes so local people cannot stay. The decision-makers have a big responsibility on their shoulders, and with the proper steps taken beforehand, a disaster waiting to happen can be prevented."

    The legal challenge calls for "a thorough reevaluation of the potential environmental and cultural harms from the development. It aims to ensure that responsible and sustainable practices are adopted to protect the delicate balance of Punaluʻu's ecosystem and the native species that depend on it to survive," says the Center's statement. 

    Guy Enriques, President of Malama Pono Punalu‘u, said, "This development goes against all the values of the Kaʻū Community Development Plan, I strongly believe that the character of these developers will always put Kala (money) before the people and lands of Kaʻū. This development will put the place that we love and cherish in jeopardy."

    Black Sand Beach, LLC has been contacted for a response to the statement from the Center for Biological Diversity. The Black Sand Beach team contended earlier that its plan will help manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic to help protect wildlife and will maintain access to the entire shoreline for the local community.

    According to Deputy Planning Director Jeff Harrow, contested case proposals should not stop or delay pro and con testimonies from being heard at the hearing on Thursday. In addition to the filing from the Center for Biological Diversity, a contested case filing has come from the seven-member board of the condo association at Punalu'u, with several non-board members expressing to the Planning Commission their opposition to the filing. 

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Reflections of Punalu‘u during its heyday as a destination for tourist dining and family events, with canoe in the pond, hale in the background. Black Sand Beach, LLC wants to bring back some of the elements of those times. Shoreline changes, visitor crowding, endangered species and other environmental considerations are also at hand, with public hearing coming up on a development plan at 9 a.m. Thursday in Hilo County Council Chambers, and by Zoom at Nāʻālehu Community Center and Kai'Lokis in Ocean View. Photo from Black Sand Beach, LLC

BLACK SAND BEACH, LLC, WHICH PROPOSES A PROJECT UP FOR PUBLIC HEARING THURSDAY, released this letter to the Kaʻū community on Wednesday evening:
    Dear Kaʻū Community,
    Over the past month, various opinions and demonstrations have emerged in our Kaʻū community regarding the public hearing on the Punalu‘u SMA, transforming our once beautiful and friendly town into a place filled with tension. Many in the community have expressed regret and sadness over this. We do not wish to see strife within the community; we have chosen to be quiet and listen.    

    Over the past four years, we have communicated numerous times with the community about our development plan for Punalu'u. We understand the situation and needs of our community. More importantly, we chose to come to Puanalu'u not just as developers, but also as individuals who aspire to be permanent residents and good neighbors. Therefore, we have strived to help our community with limited development, bringing convenience to everyday life and good job opportunities, allowing parents to avoid spending 3-4 hours commuting to work each day.
    In the past few years, when communicating our development plans with the community, the most common and heartfelt response we received was: "You can't please everyone." However, we have still tried to communicate as widely as possible with the community. After four years, we have finalized our current plan. We are grateful to the community for appreciating us as the first developer willing to communicate deeply with them.

Old days of the restaurant, museum, shop at Punalu‘u Black
 Sand Beach Pond. Photo from Black Sand Beach, LLC

    After extensive communication with the community, we know that the aspects of development in Punalu‘u that are of greatest concern to the community are: the coastal area, the number of units in the project, and the area of the old restaurant, which represents the history and culture of Punalu‘u.
    Here are the key decisions we have made for our Punalu‘u development plan:
    1. The entire coastline will be permanently open to the community and not privatized.
   2. The units will total 225, which is 7.5% of the 1967 development plan and 12.3% of the 2006 development plan.
   3. The old restaurant will be restored as the Punalu‘u Garden, primarily open to the community as an information center, a center for historical and cultural education, and a venue for various community gatherings. After multiple discussions with the principals of Nāʻālehu and Pāhala schools, part of the area will be made available to the schools as a base for student learning and education.
     It's important to note that on the other side of the old restaurant area, we plan to establish an open market. This will provide equal and favorable business opportunities for every small and medium-sized enterprise in the community.
    Additionally, we welcome and hope to hear various opinions and suggestions from the community. For example, a community member kindly raised issues about sewage treatment, clean energy, and sustainable development. We will answer these as best as we can. 

The feast in the days of the Punalu'u Village Restaurant. Photo from Black Sand, LLC

    We will present more details at the public hearing tomorrow through the Planning Department and our team. We look forward to your attention and participation, as well as hearing your views. Even if not everyone can speak, each person can fully hear about our Punalu'u development plan and the voices from the community.
    Friendly Reminder 1: We thank Uncle Guy for gathering friends from all over the Big Island and Hawai‘i last Saturday to attend the Punalu‘u public hearing. He also plans to provide bus services to bring interested attendees to the meeting center. We deeply appreciate this thoughtful arrangement, as it will enable them to understand the development plan for Punalu‘u correctly and make their own judgments and statements based on the information they hear.
    Friendly Reminder 2: In last Saturday's demonstration against the development of Punalu‘u organized by Uncle Guy, there was strong opposition to the open market plan. This issue is difficult to address because the open market plan was formed through communication with the community. It is specially designed for the entire community to have fair business opportunities and will belong to the whole community, not just one family.

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TO COMBAT AGRICULTURAL THEFT, KAʻŪ'S COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER MICHELLE GALIMBA and Councilwomen Heather Kimball and Cynthia Evans have funded three certified agricultural produce scales. 

    Hawai'i Police Department sent out a mahalo, noting that each portable scale can weigh more than 500 pounds of produce and print out a receipt showing the total poundage. The three scales, valued at $1,500 each, will be kept at the Hilo, Kona, and South Kohala police stations for use by police investigating agricultural thefts. “It’s a really great tool that helps both police and prosecutors,” said Lieutenant William Derr of HPD’s Hilo Community Policing Section.“We can take the scale to remote parts of the island or farmers markets, weigh the produce on the spot, and return it to its rightful owner.”
    The collaborative effort to procure the scales was spearheaded by retired Hawai‘i County Prosecutor and community advocate Charlene Iboshi, along with the County of Hawai‘i Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, and the County Office of Research & Development. Council members used their discretionary funds to pay for the equipment.
    The scales, which the police department received at the end of February, were quickly put to use and already instrumental in prosecuting a case, said the HPD statement. 

HPD Lieutenant William Derr, Glenn Sako, County Office of Research and Development, Charlene Iboshi, Councilwoman Heather Kimball District 1, Councilwoman Michelle Galimba District 6, Councilwoman Cindy Evans District 9, Shane
Muramaru, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney. Photo from HPD

    “The day after we received the scale at the Hilo station, we received a call from officers in the Hāmākua district requesting to use it in an agricultural theft case involving more than 100 pounds of bananas,” said Derr.
    Additionally, HPD recently collaborated with the Office of Research and Development on a new, online, and fillable self-reporting form regarding agricultural theft. The form is available on the County’s website, https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/Home/Components/News/News/3557/, and simplifies the reporting process for victims, police officers, and prosecutors.
    Hawai‘i Police Department is committed to working diligently on addressing agricultural theft, a frequently underreported, yet devastating crime that impacts our island’s farmers and ranchers.
    “With the certified scales the prosecution of offenders can now be carried out more successfully, thanks to the council members’ gracious contributions,” said Derr. “We are optimistic about our ongoing collaboration with Hawai‘i County Council members and fellow county departments as we continue to develop additional innovative solutions to combat this type of crime.”

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BE ON THE ALERT FOR MEASLES, as international and continental U.S. outbreaks increase, That's the message from the state Department of Health on Wednesday. DOH noted that 16 states are affected as of Feb. 29. DOH also sent an advisory to physicians, urging them to be vigilant.

    "Hawai‘i has not experienced any recent outbreaks or spread of measles within the state, but infection can be just a plane ride away," said State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble. "Current outbreaks in the U.S.

Measles can a rash all over and conjunctivitis in the eyes. Some cases
lead to death. Photo from American Optometric Association

and abroad are a serious concern because of our popularity as an international and domestic travel destination and our frequent traveler resident population. Both groups have the potential to introduce and spread measles."
    According to the Department of Health, "The best way to prevent measles is to get vaccinated with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. DOH encourages everyone to check their records and contact their healthcare provider if they need to be immunized. Before international travel or travel to areas experiencing a measles outbreak, infants ages six through 11 months should receive one dose of MMR vaccine. Children ages 12 months and older, as well as teenagers and adults without evidence of immunity, should receive two doses of MMR vaccine separated by at least 28 days."
    MMR coverage rates have dropped among children globally, nationally, and locally here in Hawai‘i since pre-pandemic years. Based on recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Hawai‘i's 2022-2023 kindergarten coverage rate is estimated to be 86.4%, which is nearly 10% lower than the 95% coverage level recommended for community protection. Hawai‘i had the largest increase in non-medical kindergarten vaccine exemptions nationally from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023. "Staying up to date on routine vaccinations is an effective way of protecting our families and the larger community from measles outbreaks," said the DOH statement.

"The decline in routine childhood vaccination rates is concerning for a potential measles outbreak in Hawai‘i," said Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of Health. "Whereas unvaccinated and immunocompromised individuals can be protected by community immunity, weʻre now below that threshold for measles putting this group at risk. Vaccination helps protect the person vaccinated and the community. I encourage parents who are hesitant about vaccination to discuss their concerns with their child's healthcare provider."
    Measles was declared eliminated in the United States in 2000, but remains a very contagious disease that is caused by a virus and can be serious. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Measles starts with fever, followed by cough, runny nose, and redness in the white parts of the eyes. Then a rash of tiny, red spots breaks out. It starts at the head and spreads to the rest of the body.
    Measles can cause serious health complications, especially in children less than a year old, pregnant individuals, and persons who have a weakened immune system. According to the CDC, one out of every 20 children with measles gets pneumonia, and one out of 1,000 develops encephalitis (swelling of the brain). Nearly one to three out of 1,000 children who become infected with measles, will die from respiratory and neurologic complications.
    More information about measles is available at https://www.cdc.gov/measles/index.html.

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