Ka`u News Briefs April 16, 2011

The Ka`u Fourth of July Parade will be on Saturday, July 2. Rep. Bob Herkes, who has been raising money for tsunami victims, and his wife Jo-Anna are regulars.  Photo by Julia Neal

REP. BOB HERKES is still receiving checks for his Red Cross fundraiser to bring in money for Hawai`i victims of the March 11 tsunami from Japan. More than $25,000 came in during his Breakfast with Bob, which drew more than 70 people at the Pacific Club in Honolulu. 

#426 American Red Cross Hawai`i Chapter CEO
Coralie Matayoshi and Rep. Bob Herkes

     Herkes said he usually has an annual Breakfast with Bob to raise money for his political campaigns but decided this year to turn all the money over to local tsunami victims. He shared the amazing story of Dustin Ballesteros, who went to Honaunau to save his father's 40-foot double-hull sailing canoe. He took it out to sea the night of the tsunami. When he was coming in the next morning, he saw the tsunami hit. As he got to shore, he thought he saw a pile of rocks but it turned out to be his friend's destroyed house, where Ballesteros and his wife spent their wedding night. 

COUNCIL MEMBERS BRITTANY SMART AND BRENDA FORD co-host a community meeting to provide information on the possibilities for financial or other assistance for damage or destruction created by the tsunami event in March. The meeting is on Monday, April 18 at 6 p.m. at Yano Hall in Captain Cook. 

     The recent announcement by President Barack Obama regarding a Declaration of Disaster for the State of Hawai` i allows federal assistance only to repair county-owned and state-owned infrastructure damaged in the recent tsunami event. Such infrastructure includes roads, bridges, public buildings, and harbors, sewers, and water systems, etc.
     Olivia Humilde, of the Small Business Administration, said there may be some assistance for homeowners, renters, and business owners through the SBA. She encourages everyone who sustained damage to their homes, businesses, rental property, and contents of their buildings to contact the SBA for applications.
     Patrick Hurney, of Habitat for Humanity, will explain their programs to empower families with home ownership and to increase their financial assets. Additionally, some families whose houses were destroyed by the tsunami and who meet Habitat for Humanity requirements may be able to qualify to have a Habitat for Humanity house built as a replacement.

Much of the locally raised cattle are grown without the
constant feeding of antibiotics.  Photo by Julia Neal

A WARNING ABOUT STAPH found in supermarket meats across the country suggests that bloody rare meat may carry much more risk than medium or well-cooked meat. Some of the staph found in the meats tested by scientists turned out to be the drug-resistant variety that can lead to serious long-term illness and infections. They suggest that the antibiotics given to cattle and chickens may create the drug-resistant staph. Among the kinds of staph found was the superbug MRSA, which can be fatal. Cooking thoroughly not only kills the staph but the more common E. coli and salmonella, which contribute to more cases of food-born illnesses than staph. The study was done by Transitional Genomics Research Institute in Arizona. The FDA does not regularly test meat for staph. 

`O KA`U KAKOU IS SPONSORING the 2011 Na`alehu Independence Day Parade July 2 at 11 a.m. Patriotic citizens, businesses, and organizations interested in participating or donating can call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872. Parade entries must be submitted by May 18.

THE LARGEST EASTER EGG HUNT in Ka‘ū is happening today until noon at Na`alehu Park. Sponsored by Ka`u community churches, the event is open to all ages, and everyone is encouraged to bring their own basket. The event features music, games and prizes. 

AT KA`U MAIN STREET’S monthly plant and seed exchange at the Naohulelua Garden on Kamaoa Road, Sue Barnett explains how to make the most of your garden, especially for growing food. The event takes place tomorrow from noon to 3 p.m. Call 929-7236.