Ka`u News Briefs Feb. 7, 2011

Technical teachers could have more opportunities to teach in public schools
if legislation passes this year. At Ka`u High a construction academy
has trained students for years.

NATIVE HAWAIIANS may soon be beneficiaries of affordable rental housing from the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. Alapaki Nahale-a, the new director of the agency, said that a rental option is necessary since many Hawaiian families have found it hard to qualify to purchase houses, even on Hawaiian Homelands. He said, however, that renting would be planned as a transition to eventual home ownership. 

Alapaki Nahale-a

     An example of Hawaiian Homelands offering lots for sale with few native Hawaiians able to qualify to build homes is at Discovery Harbour. 

     Nahale-a grew up in Keaukaha and Pana`ewa and directed and served on the Hawaiian Homes commission, Hawai`i County Charter Commission and as executive of the Hawai`i Charter School network. He was also director of Ka Umeke Kaeo Hawaiian Immersion Public Charter School. Nahale-a was named to the post last November by Governor Neil Abercrombie and unanimously confirmed by the state Senate.

THE VISITOR INDUSTRY saw an increase in the last week in January as the Big Island’s occupancy rate reached 62.4 percent, more than ten points higher than the same week last year. The Big Island topped Kauai’s 54.8 percent occupancy rate, but remained under Maui’s occupancy of 74.9 percent. The Big Island also posted the most affordable average hotel room rate on the Neighbor Islands, at $191.10, while Maui’s was $233 and Kaua`i room rates averaged $211.

NUMEROUS OPPORTUNITIES to weigh in on bills before the state Legislature are available by submitting testimony over the Internet. Bills that could affect Ka`u include:
· Tax breaks and variances from subdivision laws for biofuels companies;
· The creation of a state vog task force;
· The restoration of Kulani Prison as a correctional facility to help bring back prisoners from the mainland;
· A bill to encourage agriculture at public schools;
· Money for more construction at Na`alehu School;
· Money for new classrooms at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences;
· Money to restore the irrigation system between Pahala and Na`alehu; and
· The certification of agricultural inspectors, supported by Ka`u Coffee farmers who now must take their coffee being sent to the mainland to Kona first for inspection.

SEE MORE DETAILS ON THESE BILLS at kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com.

A BILL SUPPORTING VOCATIONAL AND TECHNICAL education is being heard today at the state Legislature. It would encourage people with skills but without bachelor’s degrees to become licensed to teach their skills in public schools.
     Another education bill would encourage teachers retiring from years of service to continue teaching for up to nine more years, even after retirement. Another attempts to establish stronger rules against bullying in the public schools, including cyber bulling.

A SUMI-E JAPANESE Brushstroke Painting class is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 8 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Hongwanji.

John Keawe singing with his wife Hope and
granddaughters at Punalu`u.

Hope Keawe dancing with her
grandaughter at Punalu`u.

TOMORROW NIGHT, JOHN AND HOPE KEAWE perform in concert at After Dark in the Park. The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.