Kaʻū News Briefs March 24, 2024

Seaula Jr. Tupa'i took his mayoral campaign Saturday to Discovery Harbour. He travels Wednesday to Cooper Center in Volcano.
Photo from Tupa'i for Hawai'i County Mayor

MAYORAL CANDIDATE SEAULA JR. TUPA'I CAME TO DISCOVERY HARBOUR CENTER on Saturday and plans another meet-and-greet this Wednesday, March 27 at Cooper Center in Volcano at 6 p.m.
    At Discovery Harbour, he was accompanied by Nāʻālehu team member Ikaika Kailiawa-Smith and BJ Penn, the famous retired mixed martial arts fighter who has run for public offices on the Republican ticket in recent years. Tupa'i, who ran for Lt. Governor in 2022 as a Republican, is not required to name a political party affiliation in the nonpartisan mayoral race. Two other candidates, incumbent Mitch Roth and Dr. Kimo Alameda, are running as Democrats. The top two candidates in the primary election Aug. 10 will move on to the runoff in the General Election on Nov. 5.

    At Discovery Harbour, the Jr. Tupa'i team talked about a Tupa'i administration with a focus on accountability for tax-payer money and the need to grow food on the island, with its cost being so high. Food production is one challenge where government could be more involved, they said, and gave the example of providing land for community gardens. An attendee said she has access to a seed bank in Kaʻū and would like to see a community garden growing food in Discovery Harbour.
    The Jr. Tupa'i team questioned accountability for millions of dollars in grants spent by the county and through contracts to non-profit organizations. They said they want an audit and to see results of the money spent. They said that should Tupa'i be elected, county employees would be reviewed for their qualifications and accountability before being affirmed to continue their work.
    They talked about working people knowing how to get things done and pointed to broken lights at the Nāʻālehu and Pāhala ballparks that hinder sports for youth at night. They talked about poor conditions of playing fields. Baseball Coach Josh Crook said that he and his volunteers have helped to improve the ballfields in Kaʻū.
    Ka'iliawa-Smith gave the example of a ramp for the Wai'ohinu transfer station. He said he was able to install it it himself as part of his job for the county, cutting red tape to get it done affordably -for $1,000 after putting in a ramp was delayed for many months.

    Regarding affordable housing, the county code came up with some of the team suggesting that single wall houses, like the old plantation homes, be allowed for new construction. Regarding cost of land, it was suggested that foreigners pay much higher property taxes or be prohibited from owning land here.
    Tupa'i's campaign website says this about Tupa'i's background:

Jr. Tupa'i and BJ Penn at Saturday evening's campaign
 event for Tupa'i run for mayor. Photo by Julia Neal

Seaula Jr. Tupa'i was born and raised in California. His parents Seaula and Tina Tupa'i moved from American Samoa and his father became pastor of a Samoan Assemblies of God church in Monterey. "Growing up in that environment of faith, worship, and sports, Jr. gravitated towards football and music, while his love for God stayed with him throughout his life."
    He graduated from Washington state University where he played football and received a Master's Degree in music. He moved to Hilo in 2007. He worked at Hawai'i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy and coached football at Kamehameha School for one season and Hilo High for nine.

    Tupa'i became Senior Pastor at Overcoming Faith Center in Hilo. "He understands that as a public servant, the emphasis should be on serving...For far too long, servants in office have not listened to the people and have forgotten what it means to serve. It's about time to put people in office who are close to the pulse of the community."

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PUNALU'U PUBLIC HEARING EXTENSION WILL NOT BE ON THE AGENDA for the Windward Planning Commission in April and may be held during the May meeting or on a separate date, according to Deputy Planning Director Jeff Darrow. The March 7 hearing ended with 50 people waiting to testify and a new date to continue the hearing was promised. The hearing is for public comment on a proposed Special Management Area permit for a development at Punalu'u. During the March hearing eight supported and some 80 other testifiers opposed the project. 
    Read the Punalu‘u Village proposal by Black Sand Beach LLC to receive an SMA permit at https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7pd2i9x0uu9bl348lyebt/SMA-Major-Use-Permit-Application-for-Black-Sands-LLC-Complete-2023.12.18.pdf?rlkey=okd8wklno9p4rnss3alqwsz8r&e=1&dl=0. See the live testimony from the March 9 hearing at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfA6VoyabyE.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS VARSITY BASEBALL PLAYS AT KAMEHAMEHA ON TUESDAY, followed by two home games on Wednesday, April 10 at 3 p.m. and Saturday April 13 at 1 p.m. The record is three wins and one loss.
    On Tuesday, March 19th, the Trojans played Kohala Cowboys at Kohala. The game ended in the 8th after the Cowboys tied Kaʻū in the 7th and took the game to extra innings with a score of 15-10 Trojans. Caleb Crook started the game pitching, giving up 7, including a few unearned runs. He went 3 for 6, with a single, double, and triple, a home run short of the cycle. Koch, who batted first in the lineup, went 4 for 6 with a sacrifice fly and one ground out. Koch also turned a double play for the Trojans. Koch closed the game out, pitching and ending the game by striking out the Cowboys. Koch had two strikeouts while

 Kaʻū Trojan baseball plays Kamehameha on Tuesday, 
with two home games coming up April 10 and 13.

pitching. Senior starters Joe Buyuan, TJ Faafia, Ocean Sesson, Jaestin Karasuda, and Dominic Decalio all had a productive game. Karasuda got on base five times, scoring four runs and stealing multiple bases. Faffia had two base hits, a walk, and one strikeout. Buyuan went 4 for 5 with two base hits, two walks, and a strikeout. Freshman Ian Beck of Kaʻū caught a great game against the Cowboys. He didn't allow any stolen bases.
   Saturday, March 9th, Trojans played the Hilo High Vikings at home. Coming into this game, Coach Josh Crook said, "We knew this game would be tough; Hilo teams are usually really good." Offensively, the Trojans were pretty quiet. Defensively, they performed fairly well.
    Sophomore Caleb Crook of Kanu o ka ʻĀina took the hill and went into the 4th inning, giving up 8 runs with 3 home runs. Sophomore Riley Koch of Kaʻū closed the game, giving up three runs and one home run. Koch and Sophomore Devin Alpin of Kaʻū gave the Trojans the only hits of the game , each scoring 1 run. The game ended with a score of 11-1.
    "Although it appeared to be a blowout, it was a great performance by the Trojans defensively," said the coach. The majority of the runs came by way of long balls over our short right-field fence. These would have been fly ball outs on other fields. We have a lot of work to do offensively, but overall, it was a pretty 
positive performance," said the Coach.

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SUBMITTING BUILDING PERMITS WILL BE OFFLINE for county Department of Public Works Building Division with a scheduled maintenance outage of the EPIC Permitting system from 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25 until 8 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27. Access to the EPIC system will be unavailable during this time.
    Public Works issued a statement saying it "would like to thank you for your understanding while we

Nakuina will be featured this Tuesday
at After Dark in the Park.

continue to make improvements to enhance the EPIC application."

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EMMA KA'ILIKAPUOLONO NAKUINA will be featured as an Extraordinary Woman of Hawai'i on Tuesday, March 26 from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Nakuina was many things: Museum Curator under Kalakaua, author, and Commissioner of Water Rights under the Territorial government. Born in 1847, throughout her long life, her work and her writing illuminated Hawaiian culture from a Hawaiian point of view. Join Park librarian, Martha Janet Hoverson as she highlights the life of one of the most influential women in Hawaiian history. Free. Park entrance may fees apply.

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See presentations on https://www.youtube.com/@malamakai

 

Kaʻū News Briefs March 23, 2024

Sen. Mazie Hirono announced that the Marine Mammal Center will receive $880,000 to work with local cultural advisors, academics, and other stakeholders and partners to design a data-driven behavior change campaign focused on protecting monk seals from harmful human behavior. See more funding below. Photo from Marine Mammal Center.

 

MORE HELP FOR THE MARSHALLESE and the folks from Federated States of Micronesia and Palau came this month when Congress passed and the U.S. President signed the 20-year renewal of the
Compacts of Free Association. With $6.5 billion in funding, Department of the Interior manages the program for these Pacific Islanders who live in their home islands, for some 20,000 who live in Hawai'i and for those who live in other places in the U.S. In Kaʻū, these Pacific Islander populations are largely concentrated in Ocean View. The relationship that allows them to live in the U.S., with this country providing funding for them and their home islands, is based on U.S. military bases there and nuclear testing on some of the islands more than a half century ago.             

    Their funds are ensured by Hawai'i Sen. Mazie Hirono's wording in the Compact Impact Fairness Act, which aims to lessen burdens on communities where the islanders are living and provides programs to help lift them out of poverty. The funding was included in the federal budget that passed this week.

Marshallese family members congratulate their 
 Kaʻū High graduate last May. Photo by Julia Neal

    Hirono is a champion of assisting Pacific Islands and said, “These renegotiated Compacts of Free Association will continue the United States’ decades-long relationship with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. In addition to solidifying our relationship with the Compact nations for the next 20 years, this agreement corrects a nearly 30-year old policy failure that has prevented the tens of thousands of COFA citizens who live, work, and pay taxes in the U.S.—many of whom choose to build their lives in Hawai'i—from accessing federal benefits."
    Hirono said, "I’m glad that after years of advocacy to restore these benefits, and following restoration of eligibility for Medicaid, this bill includes my provision to provide access to federal benefits—including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and more—for COFA citizens living in the U.S. This change will make life better for thousands of COFA citizens in Hawai'i. I’ve appreciated the partnership of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and thank the many advocates—in Hawai'i and in COFA communities across the country—whose hard work made this victory possible.”

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THE FEDERAL BUDGET THAT PASSED THIS WEEK includes nearly 50 projects for Hawai'i submitted by Sen. Mazie Hirono. She said, “These projects will help strengthen our conservation efforts, protect native species, upgrade infrastructure, and support programs that serve our keiki, kupuna, and local families. As we continue working to fund the federal government, I’ll keep fighting to secure crucial federal investments for Hawai'i’s families, children, and communities.” The projects include:

    Hawai'i Land Trust - $1,097,000 to install predator proof fencing to protect native forest species from invasive predators.

    Aha Punana Leo - $1,050,000 to improve the infrastructure of Hawaiian language medium facilities and consolidate parcels to better suit the needs of the Hawaiian language community.
    MA'O Organic Farms - $567,000 to construct an Agroforesty Training Baseyard as proper infrastructure to support a new offshoot of youth workforce programs.

    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources - $300,000 to evaluate the potential of using native Hawaiian aquatic plants to sequester carbon in freshwater and estuarine ecosystems.

    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Water Resources - $350,000 to improve the state of understanding of the complex hydrologic systems in Hawai'i and use sound science to manage and protect water resources into the future.
    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources - $700,000 to establish varieties of limu (native seaweed) stocks in a secure laboratory setting, maintain a repository of culturally and ecologically important limu, and adapt standard plant tissue culture techniques to maintain diverse limu seed stocks.
    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Aquatic Resources - $750,000 to restore two native estuarine

habitats on Hawai'i Island and to increase educational opportunities and public awareness about the cultural, historical, and ecological importance of these habitats.
    University of Hawai'i System - $2,250,000 to use remote sensing and data modeling to forecast and monitor the spread of rapid 'ohia death (ROD) across native 'ohia forests throughout the islands.
    The Marine Mammal Center - $880,000 to work with local cultural advisors, academics, and other stakeholders and partners to design a data-driven behavior change campaign focused on protecting monk seals from harmful human behavior.
    County of Hawai'i, Department of Water Supply - $1,000,000 to invest in watershed protection and restoration in West Hawai'i.
    The Nature Conservancy Hawai'i & Palmyra - $1,000,000 to support the establishment of community-organized post-storm response and coral restoration groups, baseline reef monitoring, and watershed, coastal habitat, and marine restoration projects throughout Hawai'i.

    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Forestry & Wildlife - $700,000 to protect wetland that is home to many birds, invertebrates, and aquatic species including 12 endangered species by constructing a predator exclosure fence.

    Department of Land and Natural Resources, Water Resources - $2,400,000 to decommission unused and abandoned wells across the state that pose a serious threat to drinking water aquifers as pollutants have a direct conduit to the aquifer via an unmaintained well.
    County of Hawai'i, Department of Environmental Management - $2,035,000 to renovate an existing sewage pump station and force main (pipeline) that are both about 50 years old.
    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Forestry & Wildlife - $2,500,000 to continue the effort of releasing sterile male mosquitoes across the islands to save native honeycreepers from extinction.
    County of Hawai'i, Department of Environmental Management - $1,000,000 to upgrade a pump control system, as the system is obsolete and replacement parts can no longer be acquired.

    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Water Resources - $959,757 to support upgrades and improvements to water systems based on the results of Annual Water Audit data.
    Department of Land & Natural Resources, Water Resources - $959,757 to support the construction of 1-two new Drinking Water Monitors statewide, with a focus on areas experiencing an increased demand on water resources or are targeted for increased development, to monitor the health of Hawai'i’s drinking water aquifers.

    Child & Family Service - $1,000,000 to undertake demolition and infrastructure work on Child and Family Service’s existing property in an effort to build a new youth residential crisis stabilization facility for children in crisis.

    YWCA of Hawaii Island - $1,500,000 to replace a defunct swimming complex with a new, modern preschool, including age-appropriate play areas and a commercial kitchen.
    Hui Malama O Ke Kai Foundation - $785,000 to construct a multi-purpose pavilion with a certified commercial kitchen and multipurpose space for educational and community activities.
    Residential Youth Services and Empowerment (RYSE) - $3,000,000 to build and renovate facilities to address youth homelessness through small census living models and residential care, programming, and supportive services.
    Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i - $1,500,000 to purchase and renovate a building to create a new headquarters for Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai'i. The headquarters will serve as a space to host youth programs, to facilitate community and family workshops, to distribute resources, and as a hub for mentoring services for youth and teens.
    Island of Hawai'i YMCA - $625,000 to acquire parcel of land adjacent to the existing Island of Hawai'i YWCA, allowing the organization to expand program access.
    Child & Family Service - $2,000,000 to contribute to the construction of a 6,000 sq ft walk-in service and resource center adjacent to the organization’s existing location.

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PONO KEKELA, CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HAWAI'I ISLAND, reminds

Pono Kekela, Chair Hawai'i Democratic Party

members that deadline to sign up to serve on the Hawai'i County Pre-Convention and Convention Resolutions or Platform Committee is noon, this Sunday, March 24.

    County Convention Registration opens this Monday, March 25. See Democratic Party's county website: https://www.hawaiicountydemocrats.net. The party is also working to finalize rosters for its eight Hawai’i County Districts and County and State Convention Delegates and is emailing County party members. The party is open to accepting new members to volunteer during "this critical election year," says the statement. 

    Kekala said, "There will be tremendous challenges that we will face this election cycle, but I believe that by working together and leaning on the manaʻo of our leaders before us, we can be the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi to once again serve as the Party of the People." Reach the County Chair at onokekela@gmail.com.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. See 7,500 copies the mail and on stands

See presentations on https://www.youtube.com/@malamakai

Kaʻū News Briefs March 22, 2024

Truth in labeling of Hawaiian Macadamia products is addressed by a bill moving through the
2024 Hawai'i Legislature. Photo from Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Co.

LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THE MACADAMIA NUT INDUSTRY THROUGH TRUTH IN LABELING is moving forward during the 2024 Hawai'i Legislature. The macadamia nut industry is one of the largest employers in Kaʻū.
    House Bill 2278 would require the country of origin to be included on the principal display panel of a consumer package of raw and processed macadamia nuts.
    Testimony from local supporters of the measure came from Macadamia Nut Services, LLC, Edmund C. Olson Trust 2, OK Farms, Hamakua Macadamia Nut Co., Kaʻū Farms Management, LLC; Kapāpala Ranch; Hawai'i Farm Bureau; Hawai'i Farmers Union United, Macadamia Growers of Hawai'i and more organizations, farms and individuals.
    Opposition came from Hawaiian Host Group, which purchased Mauna Loa and MacFarms and is known to import nuts to use in its Hawai'i-labeled macadamia products. Submitting testimony against the bill were numerous workers at its Kapua Orchards and Hawaiian Host's management team, claiming they could use their jobs if their company was not allowed to use foreign nuts, when needed.

Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Co. and Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Services,
which sell 100% Hawaiian, fear a shut down if products are labeled
Hawai'i when most of the mac nuts come from other countries.
Photo from Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Co.

    Reggie Souza, Orchard Manager for Macadamia Nut Services, LLC, which farms thousands of acres in Kaʻū, wrote, " I am a farmer of Hawai’i-grown macadamia nuts in the districts of Kea‘au and Kaʻū on the Big Island. I am pleading with you to strongly support HB2278 HD2, Relating to Labeling of Macadamia Nuts. I have farmed macadamia nuts for 36 years. Throughout all of these years, I have witnessed so many challenges that our macadamia nut industry has had to endure, especially after the covid pandemic. 

    "Today, the Hawai‘i macadamia nut farmers like me are facing the greater challenge of having to compete with low-cost foreign kernels. Well-known local brands have replaced our nuts with foreign macadamia nuts in their products but have continued to market their products as Hawai'i-grown nuts. This is deceptive to Hawai‘i’s people and visitors. 

    "Growers are just asking that companies be required to label the origin of their nuts. HB2278 HD2 will give Hawai‘i growers a chance to keep our jobs and save Hawai'i’s macadamia nut industry. Like many of our employees, I too have family members working for our company.

    "My wife, sons, daughter, and son-in-law all work in the industry. Employees who live and work in  Kaʻū are proud of what we do and have virtually no other job options in the area because Kaʻū is an hour and a half drive from Hilo and it’s also an hour and a half drive to Kona. 

    "Pāhala is a small rural community that is an old sugar plantation farming town that farms coffee and macadamia nuts. We currently employ multiple families in this area. What will happen to these families if we can no longer stay in business? 

    "As a macadamia nut farmer, my biggest fear is that we will end up just like sugar and pineapple; closed down. We have 180 employees, and the majority of them are ILWU members. This also affects the smaller local macadamia farmers. Some of them have suffered so badly that they have now begun to clear off the macadamia nut trees from their land. It’s sad to see these trees that have taken nearly 20 years to reach maturity be cut down."

    The House of Representatives Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce issued a statement saying, "Hawai'i is currently the fifth largest producer of macadamia nuts in the world, but the macadamia nut industry faces significant environmental and economic pressures, including competition from out-of-state and foreign macadamia nut growers. 

   "Your Committee further finds that certain businesses may be using company names with Hawaiian words or images of Hawai'i to mislead consumers into thinking that the macadamia nuts in their products were grown in Hawai'i when in fact they were not. This measure bolsters the State's existing protections

on the labelling of the origin of macadamia nuts to protect the Hawai'i brand."

   The Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee approved the bill and referred it to the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs. The measure went before the Senate Committee on Commerce & Consumer Protection on Wednesday and was approved for further consideration.

    The Hawai'i Legislature issued a report saying: The legislature finds that Hawai'i-grown commodities of the State are an important sector of Hawai'i’s economy and the branding of these commodities is critical to protect and safeguard consumers. The macadamia nut production industry in Hawai'i is one such example.

    According to statistics from the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, the value of the macadamia-nut crop in Hawai'i in 2022 totaled $33,200,000. Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to enhance, preserve, and protect the premium brand and cachet of Hawai'i grown macadamia nuts by clarifying the labeling requirements for macadamia nuts, including requiring the country of origin to be included on the principal display panel of a consumer package of raw or processed macadamia nuts."

    Follow the bill and see all the testimony at https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2278&year=2024

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MAYOR MITCH ROTH DELIVERED HIS STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS on Friday, focusing on Malama ʻĀina, Hawaiian culture, the county workforce, affordable housing, building permitting, homelessness, parks and recreation, infrastructure, safety and the cost of living.

    Regarding environment and Malama ʻĀina, the Mayor's list of accomplishments includes acquisition of more land for Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resource Preservation than any previous administration, preserving over 4,100 acres for future generations. He also pointed to plans to acquire four new electric buses and one new hydrogen bus for the free county Hele On service. He noted that Hele On will remain free at least through 2025. He also pointed to the formation of Office of Climate, Sustainability, Equity & Resilience, led by Director Bethany Morrision "to ensure continuity of sustainability-focused initiatives beyond the current administration."

   Regarding Hawaiian culture, the Mayor pointed to establishment of an Indigenous Data science Division at Department of Research & Development led by Director Doug Adams and Deptuty Frecia Cevallos. He said the initiative Pehea Ka ʻĀina, Ola Ka ʻĀina, led by indigenous data specialists Hokulani Fortunato and Malia Silva-Meeken, focuses on "transforming governance on Hawai'i by fostering a deep connection between the land and its people." 

    He said the initiative Ku'ikahi Na'auao provides, "county employees with opportunities to learn

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, left of Mayor Mitch Roth at the State of the
County address on Friday. Photo by Cyrus Johnasen

Hawaiian culture, including lei-making, hula, oil (chanting) and significant events in Hawaiian history. Incorporation of cultural practices such as oli and piko protocol into County events" provides employees with "a deeper understanding of Hawaiian culture," says the statement from the Mayor's office.

   Regarding the county workforce, the Mayor pointed to "Creation of opportunities for greater work flexibility, including telecommuting, flexible work schedules and an Alternative Work Schedule Pilot Program with the union, Hawai' Government Employees Association. The program is led by Department of Human Resources Director Sommer Tokihiro and Deputy Danny Patel. He also addressed a Professional Intern Pilot Program, starting in July and enhancements to the Tuition Reimbursement Program and a $1 million employee training fund for county employees.

   Regarding affordable housing, the Mayor highlighted the Office of Housing & Community Development's efforts, led by Susan Kunz and Harry Yada, in increasing the affordable housing pipeline from 1,200 to over 6,100 homes. Over 300 units have been completed with 660 more slated for local, working-class families this year.

   Regarding building permits, the Mayor said permitting time for single-family homes has ben reduced to an average of 42 days from 200 days. He said the time could be reduced again by one third through legislative changes and also credited Building chief Julann Sonomura. He also pointed to new county legislation to allow Accessory Dwelling Units on existing parcel to alleviate housing shortage and the effort to encourage more vacation rental owners to rent long term.
   Regarding homelessness, the Mayor said a comprehensive approach has been taken by his administration, resulting in capacity building of service providers and increasing affordable housing. He pointed to $19 million provided to programs and organizations addressing homelessness, plus completion of the first phase of the Kūkuiola Emergency Shelter and Assessment Center, with the second phase set to add 48 affordable permanent housing units.

Keiki singing at the State of the County address on
Friday. Photo by Cyrus Johnasen

    Regarding parks and recreation, Roth discussed his commitment to enforcing parks' rules for the safety of all park-goers. He highlighted major park projects, including playground and field upgrades, new community centers, and emergency swimming pool repairs. The county pool at Pahala is currently under repair.
    Regarding public safety, the Mayor pointed to investments, including a new joint dispatch center and fleet upgrades with new helicopter, brush trucks fire engines, tankers and ambulances, aiming to improve emergency response and coordination between police and fire departments. He emphasized pedestrian safety enhancements. He vowed to fill police vacancies "with plans to expand police services and reduce response times."

     Regarding infrastructure improvements, the Mayor pointed to improving the water system and conducting islandwide inventory of water laterals for clean drinking water. He also noted the Connect Kakou Initiative, a partnership with Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke to expand broadband and digital literacy, providing high-speed intenet to 40 county-managed facilities, plus free wireless access. He pointed to numerous road pavings, bridge repairs and wastewater system redesigns, including those for Nāʻālehu and Pāhala.   

    Regarding cost of living, the Mayor said he and his administration are committed to ease the financial burden on residents, including a potential decrease in property tax rates for homeowners, "reflecting a commitment to ensuring a more equitable future for all residents of Hawaiʻi Island," said the statement from his office.

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CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR JR. TUPAI comes to Discovery Harbour Center at 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 and the public is invited. His topic is Community Development and Growth: Fostering a Thriving Local Community. The address is 94-1604 Makali'i St.

See presentations on https://www.youtube.com/@malamakai