Ka`u News Briefs June 2, 2011

Ala Kahakai Trail in Ka`u.  Photo by Julia Neal

THE COUNTY COUNCIL passed the 2011-2012 budget this week, which left Mayor Billy Kenoi saying he is “baffled and outraged.” Kenoi said he submitted a $367 million balanced budget and asked all of his department heads to open up the books and cooperate with all Council members during the budget-making period. He also took the budget islandwide to community meetings. He said his administration cut $35 million, or nine percent, off the budget that was in place when he took office. He said the council is increasing the budget without offering specific ideas of how to reduce the cost of government. The mayor’s budget cut 97 positions this year, 78 last year and 55 positions the year before. He said the council has changed the government by creating a “negative” account and put $5.6 million in it. He said no county government nor the state has ever done that. He called it an “accounting gimmick to avoid making tough decisions to reduce the cost of government. He did not say whether he would veto a budget he called “unbalanced” and “confusing.” He has ten calendar days to veto, let it pass without his signature or sign it into law. The mayor’s budget would have deferred $20 million in payments to the next fiscal year, and the Council objects. The mayor said if they want the $20 million to be paid this year, then where are they cutting government to come up with the $20 million? 

U.H. Extension provides help for farmers from growing feed
for cattle to food for people.  Photo by Julia Neal

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE has released $2 million to renovate U.H. Manoa’s Komohana Research and Extension Center in Hilo. The extension center is well known to farmers in Ka`u. It provides county agents for individual consultations and can provide educational workshops and short-courses. It helps with 4-H and other youth activities, nutrition, and health. Educational materials such as brochures, publications, and videos are available at county extension offices. Services provided by county agents are generally free of charge. An Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center provides insect identification, nematode counts, and disease diagnosis; soil, plant, water, and feed analysis; and sales of seeds of vegetable and papaya cultivars developed by the college. 

     The governor also released more than $4.1 million for construction of a system-wide information technology center at UH-Hilo. 

HELE-ON BUS FARES go up to $1 beginning July 1 except for anyone 55 or older, students, children under five, and the disabled. A 25 percent discount will be available to everyone else through a $7.50 purchase of a book of 10 tickets or a $30 monthly pass for unlimited rides. The County Council voted this week to increase the fare to raise some money to pay for it and to avoid even steeper fares that would have resumed at the end of this month. Council member Brittany Smart originally voted against the $1 fare hike without realizing that fares would have soared otherwise. She moved to change her vote, which put the issue back on the table. Council member Pete Hoffmann said he was clear on what the original vote meant and voted against the rate hike. He introduced a measure to continue free bus service, but withdrew it after the one dollar fares were approved. Council members Brenda Ford and Dennis Ikeda also voted against raising the bus fares. The buses have been free for more than six years. Ikeda said that it could cost the county more than it takes in, since there are so many discounts and so many people will still ride for free. 

David Fujimoto (l) will be the new minister for the Honpa
Hongwanji congregations in Pahala and Na`alehu
beginning in mid-August.

MEMBERS OF THE HONGWANJIS in Pahala and Na`alehu expect their new bishop, Eric Matsumoto, to visit soon. Matsumoto grew up on the Big Island and is the 16th Bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawai`i. 

     The two hongwanjis in Ka`u also will have a new reverend, David Fujimoto, who takes Rev. Earl Ikeda’s place in mid-August. Rev. Ikeda’s whose station is on O`ahu.

MORE THAN 40 PEOPLE filled the Ka`u Hospital day room for the third annual May Day Celebration last Friday. King Cesar Duldulao and Queen Brenda Mendoza presided over the event. 

     Activities coordinator Jessica Camba-Penera introduced a full line-up of entertainers. Rebecca Escobar, who was crowned Miss Ka`u Peaberry in April, danced hip-hop. Young Miss Ka`u Coffee Dayse Andrade danced to the song Nobody, and Miss Ka`u Coffee Brandy Shibuya danced hula to Poliahu. Mark Galacio followed up with a dance to the song My Girl. 

     Hospital employees Esmenia Hernandez and Emily Bolaoen offered a Filipino folk dance. 

Ka`u Hospital May Day King
Cesar Duldulao with his
 sister, Marie Flores.

Ka`u Hospital May Day Queen
Brenda Mendoza with hospital
employees. Photos by Elena Cabatu

     Next on the program were the kupuna of Hula Halau O Mahealani, dancing to Papalina Lahilahi and Nani O Manoa. Hospital resident Al Tehero, on the bongos, followed in a duet performance of Drop Baby Drop with Ti Chun. Chun then accompanied Maggie Martinez in a rendition of God Bless My Daddy.
     Kailee Kuhaulua-Stacy offered a poi ball performance and also played `ukulele. She participated in the Miss Ka`u Peaberry Pageant last year and will be competing in the Pacific International Pageant this month.
     For the final performance, Jennifer Oliveira danced hula to Ka Uluwehi O Ke Kai.
     The band Keaiwa was on hand to perform while attendees enjoyed pupus.
     Camba-Penera thanked everyone involved for their efforts in putting on the successful event.

THE FIRST WEEKLY GREEN MARKET at Ocean View Community Center is tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Some of the items for sale include fresh produce, herbs, flowers, plants and honey. Call 939-7033 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS WILL CLEAN UP Kamilo Beach near South Point on Saturday at an event sponsored by Hawai`i Wildlife Fund. To date, HWF and hundreds of volunteers have removed 130 tons of marine debris from the Ka`u Coast. Sign up with Megan at 769-7629 or kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

THE FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK sponsor a hike along the Ka`u Coast this Saturday. The five-mile round-trip interpretive program, led by park ranger Jay Robinson, follows the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail from Punalu`u to Kamehame. Call 985-7373 or visit fhvnp.org to register.