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Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Ka`u News Briefs June 21, 2011

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is waiving entrance fees today to celebrate the first day of summer. Here, Halema`uma`u is seen from the Kilauea Iki Overlook.  Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE has signed 15 more bills passed by the 2011 Hawai`i State Legislature, bringing the total signed this year to 146. 
     One of the Acts stiffens penalties for labor trafficking and is, in part, a response to the Global Horizon case that is in federal court and involves a labor company that provided Thai workers for macadamia and coffee in Ka`u and elsewhere.
     This House Bill 141 establishes class A and B felony offenses for labor trafficking; establishes an offense for nonpayment of wages; and establishes an offense for unlawful conduct with respect to documents.
     Here are the other recently signed Acts and what they mean: 
Gov. Neil Abercrombie
* House Bill 953 recruits Board of Education staff positions by amending the salary cap. 
* Senate Bill 1282 provides schools the option – but no requirement – to administer a test that compares each Hawai`i student nationally.
* Senate Bill 806 changes term lengths on the Hawai`i Teachers State Board.
* Senate Bill 1068 makes killing or attempting to kill the pet of another person without their consent animal cruelty in the first degree.
* Senate Bill 1489 attaches attorney’s liens to proceedings after commencement of arbitration proceedings, and orders settlements and awards pursuant to an arbitration proceeding. Also, removes the deadline to file a notice of claim of the attorney’s lien.
* Senate Bill 1089 allows the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations penalizes businesses that fail to give notification of 60 days before relocating or ending their operations.
* House Bill 747 relates to liquor liability insurance by removing the definition of convenience minimarts.
* House Bill 663 requires clear and conspicuous disclosure of automatic renewal clauses and cancellation procedures for all consumer contracts and offers with an automatic renewal provision.
* House Bill 909 authorizes family court to issue financial restraining orders.
* House Bill 1333 increases the maximum monetary claim that may be filed in small claims court.
* House Bill 1613 requires an application to register to vote to include a space to request a permanent absentee ballot.
* House Bill 716 establishes new election deadlines to comply with state primary election date required by federal law (for overseas military voters).
* House Bill 1107 authorizes members of the Army and Air National Guard who are qualified by training and authorized by their commanders to use electric guns subject to state law when assisting civil authorities in disaster relief, civil defense, or law enforcement functions.
* House Bill 240 gives the Attorney General and City Prosecutor more tools to combat prostitution by providing security and protection to witnesses in cases that involve promoting prostitution.
     See more at http://capitol.hawaii.gov.

Barbara Chung Ho
SUMMER READING WORKSHOPS AT KA`U LIBRARIES will feature Barbara Chung Ho. Admission is free. 
     Chung Ho will present two interactive and customized workshops: The Folk Art of Chinese Knotting and The Folk Art of Chinese Paper Cutting. Chung Ho will share history of folk art and conduct step-by-step demonstrations on basic techniques of Chinese knotting and paper cutting.
     The one-hour workshops are suitable for ages 12 and older. Supplies will be provided. Interested children and adults can call the Pahala Library at 928-2015 for the Monday, June 27 event at 1 p.m. or the Na`alehu Library at 939-2442 for the Tuesday, June 28 event at 10 a.m.
     Performances by Chung Ho and other featured artists from the Statewide Cultural Extension Program are co-sponsored by the University of Hawai`i’s Outreach College, Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

TO MARK THE FIRST DAY OF SUMMER, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is waiving entrance fees today. Also, Kilauea Military Camp, inside the park, is making all of its facilities and services available to the general public for the day. For more information call 967-7315.

THE MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT airs on Na Leo O Hawai`i Community Television channel 54 tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Learn how to protect against wildfire Thursday evening at Na`alehu
  Community Center. Photo courtesy of Hawai`i Wildfire Management Org.
THE HAWAI`I WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION holds a workshop about wildfire preparedness on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Na`alehu Community Center. The workshop covers strategies to protect homes and families against wildfires. To register, call Carolyn at 885-6354.