Ka`u News Briefs March 30, 2011

Voting for One Journey, which made the finals to Brown Bags to Stardom, begins tonight.  Photo by Julia Neal

Sen. Dan Akaka reintroduces
the Akaka Bill to the Senate.
Photo by Julia Neal

Rep. Mazie Hirono will
reintroduce the Akaka Bill.
Photo by Julia Neal

SENATOR DAN AKAKA is reintroducing the Akaka Bill today on the U.S. Senate floor, and Rep. Mazie Hirono plans to reintroduce it in the House later this week to give federal recognition to Native Hawaiians. The measure is deemed important now since Akaka, the champion of the bill, plans to retire after his current term. The Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act would give Hawaiians many of the same privileges as Native American Indians. Many Hawaiian groups, including the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, supports the bill, while most Republicans oppose it, and some sovereignty activists think it would block their efforts to restore the Hawaiian Kingdom. When Gov. Neil Abercrombie served in Congress he helped build support for the Akaka Bill. 

EMERGENCY RELIEF for people whose property and businesses were damaged by the tsunami from Japan will be offered at the Old Kona Airport Pavilion again today between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. with state, county and private agencies on hand. You can also call 211 or contact Civil Defense. Civil Defense Director Ed Texeira said that so much has already been done with people helping people. 

     Both Rep. Bob Herkes and Sen. Gil Kahele have introduced a tsunami emergency bill in the state Legislature asking for funds as well as fast tracking permits to make repairs. The resolution also asks Congress to refrain from cutting money for the tsunami Pacific System.
     Councilwoman Brittany Smart asked the governor to help Ka`u prepare for any future disaster by providing funds to build a $20 million shelter and gym in Pahala next to the school grounds.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS introduced by Sen. Gil Kahele and Rep. Bob Herkes that are still alive at the Legislature include $2.5 million for the Ka`u irrigation system, $6.7 million for buildings at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences, $10 million for the Na`alehu School Administration and Library and $250 million for a U.H. Ag Research station in Volcano.

THE STATE COUNCIL ON REVENUES met yesterday and said that the possible reduction in tax revenues from Japanese canceling vacations to Hawai`i because of the tsunami is unknown since it is unclear when they will start traveling again or how much they will continue to travel. However, the council is worried because state tax revenues collected in February were down, even before the tsunami. As a result the Council on Revenues has readjusted its prediction of state income downward, making an even more difficult challenge for the state Legislature. Ideas to raise money to balance the budget range from gambling, to establishing a lottery, to ending Hawaiian Air’s tax relief and to raising the four percent excise tax. 

THE HAWAI`I 2050 Sustainability plan may get more teeth from the state Legislature if SB 283 passes. The bill incorporates definitions, guiding principles and goals of the 2050 Sustainability Plan into the Hawai`i state planning act. Department of Agriculture Chair Russell Kokubun, who helped craft the plan when he was a state senator, submitted testimony. He said the Department of Ag is “committed to the re-establishment of agriculture as essential to the well being of our island society by rejuvenating the economy, protecting important resources and gaining greater self-sufficiency in food production and alternative energy development.”
     The Nature Conservancy also testified in support of the 2050 legislation, saying “the health of Hawai`i’s unique but threatened natural resources directly affects our economy and quality of life. Residents and visitors alike are awed and inspired by the Hawaiian Islands natural wonders. Beyond breathtaking beauty, these resources provide essential natural benefits that make life possible in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean. From native forests that give us fresh water, erosion control and cultural treasures to abundant coral reefs that provide food, recreation and protection from storms, we all depend daily on nature to sustain us,” The Nature Conservancy testified.

A mobile care van similar to the one that will come here.

A HEALTH BILL championed by Rep. Bob Herkes supports tele-health services coverage for Medicaid and Quest patients through a new mobile health van that will come to Ka`u from Kona Hospital. The measure passed the state Senate and is in the House of Representatives. The Hawai`i Association of Health Plans testified that the Big Island of Hawai`i’s geography and sparsely distributed population may translate into barriers to care for some. Bringing access to medical care to the neediest of populations via a mobile medical van makes sense to improve health of rural underserved populations. It was noted that the Big Island of Hawai`i represents over 65 percent of all the landmass in the state and also has lowest population density. 

     The purchase of the van is funded by $350,000 appropriated previously by the Legislature.

VOTE FOR ONE JOURNEY tonight, if you like, as Brown Bags to Stardom music video competition among the finalists kicks off at 7:30 p.m. The Ka`u High School music group One Journey has made the top six, and their music video is being shown on OC16 television. Anyone with an email address or access to the Internet can vote. Log onto brownbagstostardom.com to see the video Lover’s Dream, written by Eunice Longakit and James Tyson. You can also vote through watching OC16 and using your interactive remote control. The band, under the direction of Ka`u High School teacher Laura Saijo, has been raising money to fund its trip to the Brown Bags to Stardom talent contest on O`ahu on April 23. The band also hopes to print more copies of the CD, which sold out at its recent fundraiser at KAHU-FM 91.7 radio.