About The Kaʻū Calendar

Thursday, November 08, 2012

Ka`u News Briefs Nov. 8, 2012

Mitch Roth and his wife Noriko Yamada Roth during the campaign. Roth won the election by .2 percent over Lincoln Ashida.
Photo from facebook.com/mitchroth1
NEW COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY MITCH ROTH promises more problem solving and community work in preventing crime. Roth, a longtime deputy county prosecutor with a history of working in crime prevention and mentoring of Neighborhood Watch and other citizen initiatives, won the general election on Tuesday. The victory was narrow with Roth taking 44.4 percent of the vote with a total of 28,311 votes in his favor and runner up Lincoln Ashida bringing in 44.2 percent of the vote with a total of 28,184.
      During his campaign Roth said he wants to make neighborhoods safe by closing drug houses, recording drug forfeitures so that drug money fights crime, performing nuisance abatement and doing hands-on community training. Roth said he wants to change the culture of the Prosecuting Attorney's office. Roth said prosecutors should be more than case processors. “They should be problem solvers.”

COUNTY CHARTER AMENDMENTS:

TWO PERCENT: AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTY CHARTER public land stewardship laws passed in the general election. One for the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation fund won 55 percent of the vote, with 35,069 in favor. The other, a fund for maintaining public lands managed by the county, won with 36,057, representing 56.5 percent of the vote. The two amendments make it clear that 2 percent of property taxes in Hawai`i County will go toward purchasing easements and lands for public parks, preserves, rights of way, and preserving natural resources. The other sets up a fund to take care of these places owned and managed by the county and community groups.  Examples in Ka`u include Honu`apo and Kawa.

A GAME MANAGEMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION will be established with a charter amendment passing with 58.6 percent in favor, casting 37,366 votes. Proposed by out-going County Council chair Dominic Yagong, the amendment gives hunters and game management officials a forum to interact and make recommendations regarding hunting when public policy issues and new developments arise. Issues discussed at public hearings on the proposal included aerial hunting of sheep, pigs and axis deer, rather than allowing local hunters to eliminate these invasive species from protected areas.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL, BOARD OR COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE NOTICE of any regular, special, rescheduled or emergency meetings, according to the provisions of the Hawai`i Revised Statutes charter amendment passed with 62.1 percent or 39,599 votes in favor and 24.8 percent or 15,813 votes opposing. This charter amendment, which passed on Tuesday, eliminates a requirement for six days notice for meetings online and on radio, which is seen as a hurdle when emergency meetings are required.

COUNTY REDISTRICTING COMMISSIONERS will be prohibited from running for County Council the year following the redrawing of the district lines for elected officials. The amendment received 62.8 percent in favor, 40,048 votes, and will affect redistricting in 2021, following the 2020 U.S. census.

VOTERS TURNED DOWN an amendment that would have given the County Council the power to establish special funds without permission from the mayor. The general election results showed 64.8 percent against, with 41,324 votes cast in opposition.

IN ORDER FOR STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS TO PASS Hawai`i law requires at least 50 percent of the total votes cast be in favor. None passed on Tueday.

THE HAWAI`I DAM AND RESERVOIR OWNERS ASSISTANCE AMENDMENT failed to pass even thought there were 48.7 percent (212,395) yes votes and 40.3 percent (175,952) opposing votes. The amendment would have authorized the State to issue special purpose revenue bonds and use the proceeds from the bonds to assist dam and reservoir owners make their facilities compliant with current safety standards.

THE HAWAI`I APPOINTMENT OF RETIRED JUDGES AMENDMENT nearly passed the 50 percent requirement, with  49.6 percent (216,655) of the votes n favor 39.9 percent (174,190) against. The amendment would have authorized the Chief of Justice of the  Hawai`i Supreme Court to appoint retired judges to temporary stations, even after the mandatory age of retirement.

A CROP INSURANCE WORKSHOP is offered, by University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Horticultural Research, in Pahala on Monday, Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center. The workshop is also offered from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at the Kona Cooperative Extension Service in Kealakekua.
      Bonnie Lind provides a presentation and answers audience questions and concerns. Anyone interested in leaning about crop insurance, has questions about it or has any questions about a current policy is encouraged to attend one of the workshops. Lifectahr.blogspot.com says the "deadline to apply for crop insurance policies starting Jan. 2013 is Dec. 31, 2012. Crop Insurance doesn't have to be expensive. One grower pays under $40 a year for her coffee insurance." Hawai`i has policies for AGR-Lite, Macadamia Nut tree and nut, Banana tree and fruit, Coffee tree and fruit, and Papaya tree and fruit.
      Those interested in attending are asked to respond by emailing andreak@hawaii.edu or by calling 322-4894. Leave a message with names of attendees, the workshop location and time and a contact number.

One of Patricia Hobans students paints in the workshop.
Photo from Patricia Hoban
PROCESS PAINTING - SPIRIT OF CREATIVITY is Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center's Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Patricia Hoban teaches an explorative art process that encourages participants to experiment, explore, discover and play. No previous art education or experience needed. The class is $45 for the general public, and $40 for VAC members. A $5 supply fee is also assessed. For more, call 967-8222.

DREAMTIME CONCERT starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. John Dumas brings his mystical Shamanic Journeys to concert-goers through the use of his handmade flutes and didgeridoos, rattles, drums and chanting. The concert is $12 for the general public and $10 for VAC members. Call 967-8222 for more.

A FREE CONCERT HONORING VETERANS is offered at the Pahala Plantation House this Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Center for Hawaiian Music Studies presents many musicians, students and participants in the Kahumoku `Ohana Hawaiian Music & Lifestyle Workshop, which is currently in session this week. Water and plate lunches will be available for purchase. For more, call Tiffany Crosson at 938-6582.

FEE-FREE DAYS, where Hawa`i Volcanoes National Park waives entrance fees during Veterans Day holiday weekend are this Saturday through Monday, Nov. 12.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S OPEN HOUSE is scheduled for Veterans Day, Nov. 11. KMC invites all park visitors to experience how KMC supports America’s troops by utilizing any of KMC’s facilities and services.

A VETERANS DAY CEREMONY is held Sunday afternoon, at 3 p.m, by KMC's flagpole. A Veteran's Day buffet will follow at 4:30 p.m. at KMC's Crater Rim Cafe. The menu offers prime rib, spinach and mushroom fettuccini, breaded ono, roasted rosemary red potatoes, bacon green beans, French onion soup, rice, fruit cocktail cake, ice cream and beverage. Entry for the buffet is $23.95 for adults and $12.50 for children 6-11. Public is invited to attend.

SUNDAY WALK IN THE PARK is set for Nov. 11 in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park explore Palm Trail, a 2.6-mile loop with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku offers. Free to members; membership available at event. Call 985-7373 or email admin@fhvnp.org for more.

PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU is Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park between miles 70 and 71 on Hwy 11. The guided 2.5-mile moderately difficult hikes over rugged terrain focus on the area’s human history. The hike is also offered Nov. 25. For more, call 985-6011.

LUNCH WITH A RANGER is also Sunday, starting at 12 p.m. in the Kahuku Visitor Greeting Area. Rangers choose varied topics ranging from land management and conservation issues to environmental and cultural history and guide an open discussion with visitors over a bring-your-own-bag lunch. Check the Activities Boards at the Kahuku Visitor Greeting Area for the day’s Lunch With a Ranger topic and location. Lunch with a Ranger is also offered Nov. 18.

MEDICINE FOR THE MIND is Sunday from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Free Buddhist healing meditation for beginners and advanced. Call Patty Johnson for more, 985-7470.

VISIT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COMAND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.