TUESDAY, NOV. 2, 2010 - NEWS BRIEFS

Brittany Smart was the only County Council candidate to give a speech at the traditional statewide Democratic Party rally in Hilo the night before the election.

IT’S A HOLIDAY AND ELECTION DAY IN KA`U - NEI: The polls opened at 7 a.m. all over Ka`u and will close at 6 p.m. Candidates urge everyone to vote at Ka`u High and Na`alehu Community Center, Ocean View Community Center and Cooper Center in Volcano. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CANDIDATES ARE CAMPAIGNING UP AND DOWN THE HIGHWAYS AND along streets leading to polling places. Na`alehu resident Brittany Smart, who is endorsed by the Democratic Party, is taking on incumbent County Councilman Guy Enriques, of Punalu`u mauka, who is running on his record of bringing government spending to the district and is endorsed by a number of unions.
 

MOST OF THE LOCAL CANDIDATES traveled to Mo`ohea Band Stand in Hilo last night to join Democrats who flew in for the traditional last day rally before the statewide election. Ka`u's representatives - state Senator Russell Kokubun, state Representative Bob Herkes, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, and council candidate Brittany Smart gave fiery speeches, along with Senator Dan Inouye and Senator Dan Akaka, leading up to candidate for governor - Neil Abercrombie and his running mate Brian Schatz. Mufi Hanneman, who campaigned hard in Ka`u when he was running governor, urged everyone to vote for Abercrombie.

Senator Inouye pointed out that the bandstand was flush with secret service agents as Inouye is now the third person in line for the U.S. presidency and is provided with heavy security. If the President and Vice President were to go down - yes - Senator Daniel Inouye from Hawai`i would become the President of the United States. 

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR DUKE AIONA, who recently visited Ka`u, campaigned yesterday on O`ahu, while his running mate Lynn Finnegan, led a sign waving campaign along the bay front in Hilo. Aiona has promised to help small businesses, farmers and revamp education. 

COUNTY COUNCIL INCUMBENT Guy Enriques has been working not only on his campaign but also on bringing the Air National Guard to help build infrastructure to Ocean View. He said they could help build a new community center and shelter and help with roads and possible the water system.
 

CHARTER AMMENDMENTS are also on the ballot. If you haven't read them, see the November Ka`u Calendar newspaper for a description and YOU decide whether to vote yes or no.
 

THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN is fired up again with the next steering committee meeting set for next Tuesday, November 9th at 5:30 p.m. at the Na`alehu School Cafeteria. It is open to the public and plans the future or our district.
 

NOVEMBER 15 IS THE NEW DEADLINE TO GET ALL YOUR INFORMATION IN TO THE KA`U DIRECTORY. It includes Ka`u business listings, information about non-profit organizations and all the contact information. It is sponsored by the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce. Call 928-6471.
 

MANTRACKER - the hit reality TV show with local paniolo Leon Chow shows off Ka`u next Tuesday, November 9th as Chow and Canadian tracker Terry Grant chase down human prey. The Ka`u episode premiers on the Discovery Science Channel at 4 p.m. local time and will be repeated throughout the week. Check Discovery TV listings for time.
 

WANT TO HELP KEIKI WITH THEIR GARDEN? The community is invited to help with Na`alehu School Garden this Saturday, Nov. 6 at 8 a.m. The keiki will be preparing the ground for planting. Luck the rains came back to nourish the healthy food growing.
 

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE STILL AVAILABLE for Ka`u students for the annual music workshop organized by Keoki Kahumoku and his Ohana. Some of the masters of `ukulele, guitar and music composition will be in Pahala for a week of classes and concerts, starting Nov. 6. For scholarships, call Kahumoku at 960-8385.
 

SHARING PLANTATION DAYS is the name of a celebration planned for fifteenth anniversary of Ka`u Sugar shutting down in 1996. If you have old photos, stories or interested in volunteering call Dorothy Kalua at 928-8486.
 

KA`U FAMILY HEALTH CENTER has received millions of dollars in funding to build a new Bay Clinic in front of the two story building along Hwy 11. The house will be retained for community services, while the new clinic will have six medial exam room, two dental offices, counseling rooms and labs.
 

THE NEXT CLEAN UP AT KAALUALU BAY has been set by the Hawaii Wildlife fund for Saturday, Nov. 13. The last cleanup hauled in 1,000 nets and more than 3,000 pounds of rubbish that washed up on our southern shoreline. To help out, meet at Wai`ohinu Park at 8:45 a.m. or call Megan Lamson at 769-7629.