Ka'u News Briefs Nov. 23, 2011

Floating Lantern Ceremony will be held this Saturday at Punalu`u.  Photo by Matt Coats

LEE MCINTOSH IS THE FIRST CANDIDATE TO ANNOUNCE entry into the 2012 County Council race for District 6. A resident of Discovery Harbour, McIntosh said his campaign “will seek to qualify for comprehensive public funding.” A small businessman, McIntosh owns and operates his own landscaping business in Ka`u. He volunteers time as a member of `O Ka`u Kakou, as a board member of the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce and its Scenic Byways Committee, as well as the Discovery Harbour Common Grounds Committee. 

Lee McIntosh

     Among his supporters is Nadine Ebert, who said she supports McIntosh because “he is of good moral standing,” and because “he knows the problems that come with trying to have a business in this county and state. He lives in Ka`u and works with service groups in the area as well as with his church.”
     A statement from his campaign says that McIntosh “believes that moderation must be restored to the Council. As a problem solver, he will thoroughly explore all the options available before making a decision. Liberty, limited government, personal responsibility, and fiscal accountability are just some of the core values that are part of the foundation that will guide Lee as he searches for solutions,” the statement says.
     Another supporter, Carol Massey, said, “Lee is genuinely interested in the well being of our community. He keeps informed of the issues facing us, and will work hard for District 6.”
     Said McIntosh, “There are several issues that have plagued our island for years. It’s time to identify sensible solutions and start taking action.” For more, see www.LeeMcIntosh.org.
     McIntosh could be running against one or two incumbents, as Council member Brittany Smart and Brenda Ford are both in District 6 under the new redistricting boundaries.

Dominic Yagong

IDEAS TO CHANGE THE BUILDING CODE are due Dec. 28, but County Council chair Dominic Yagong is asking people in the building trades to get involved now to help make buildings more affordable but safe. According to a Stephens Media story by reporter Nancy Cook Lauer, Yagong said, “I think the building code could be the catalyst to economic recovery.” He asks that the public send in ideas to his office ahead of a Council meeting on the building code on Dec. 6 in Hilo Council Chambers. 

     According to the Stephens Media story, “Hawai`i County administrators and corporation counsel have repeatedly told the county any changes must be more stringent than the state code.” The story quotes Yagong saying, “It just seems like they purposely obstruct the Council’s authority.” He said the public and the Council have an opportunity to tailor the code to the Big Island and to help make housing more affordable.

QUEST, the quasigovernmental health insurance plan that serves under-employed and small business people and their families in Hawai`i, may tighten up its eligibility requirements and eliminate some 3,000 low-income adults, according to a report in Pacific Business News this morning. With tough economic times, since 2008 Quest has seen an increase of 34 percent in the number of people it insures. Quest insures about 20 percent of Hawai`i residents and has been touted as one of the best plans in the country to prevent families from living without health insurance. 

MATSON CONTAINER SHIPPING FEES are going up again. Rates are going up $225 for containers coming from the mainland and $110 for containers going from Hawai`i to the mainland. The increase involves a rate adjustment and increased handling charges, raising the total cost by 5.6 percent. The base terminal charge is $1,075 plus the increased and other fees related to the type of goods being shipped. “While Matson recognizes this is a difficult time economically, this rate adjustment is consistent with our long-standing philosophy of implementing modest, incremental increases as necessary to maintain the highest level of service to our customers,” a company spokesman said.

DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER is the slogan for the Hawai`i Police Department, which will conduct DUI checks around the island over the Thanksgiving weekend. In Kona and Hilo various restaurants and bars plan to distribute coupons for free taxi rides for those too inebriated to drive home.

THE ANNUAL KA`U CHRISTMAS PARADE is gearing up, with Eddie Andrade organizing the decades-old event for Sunday, Dec. 11. The Boys & Girls Club, Catholic Church, Keoki Kahumoku and his `ukulele students, Ka`u Coffee Mill and many others are planning their floats and their marching groups. The parade goes to homes throughout Pahala and makes a stop at Ka`u Hospital to visit with patients before finishing with refreshments at the Catholic Church.

PAHALA COMMUNITY CENTER’S annual Rubberband Turkey Shoot is scheduled for today at 3 p.m. All ages are welcome. Call Nona at 928-3102 to sign up.

THANKSGIVING DAY DINNERS are offered throughout Ka`u:
     Hana Hou Restaurant serves up a buffet from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a dinner from 2 p.m. to closing. Call 929-9717 for reservations.
     South Side Shaka’s Restaurant offers a Thanksgiving dinner from noon to 9 p.m. Call 929-7404.
     Ocean View Community Center puts on its free annual Thanksgiving feast from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Call 939-7033 to volunteer.
     Kilauea Military Camp serves a Thanksgiving Day Buffet at the Crater Rim Café from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The menu includes turkey, fettuccine, salads, desserts and more. Fees apply.

Volcano Village Artists Hui member
Mary Goodrich's Koa Forest.

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI opens up studios and workshops for its 25th Annual Tour & Sale Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Meet the artists and see and purchase their works in many media at seven studios in Volcano Village. Maps are at local businesses and at volcanovillageartistshui.com. 

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY continues at the Volcano Art Center Gallery Friday through Sunday. See the annual invitational wreath exhibit, art demonstrations and print and book signings by gallery artists, plus handcrafted decorations and gifts offered only during the holiday season. Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park entrance fees apply. 

A FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY at Punalu`u will honor loved ones who have passed on this Saturday from 11 a.m. at the beach park. Taiko drumming, dance, interfaith chants and prayers will precede the release of the tiny floating lanterns into the ocean. Registration is required, and donations are being taken for college scholarships for health careers. It is sponsored by Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, the American Cancer Society and HMSA. Call 928-0101.