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NEWS
FLASH - BREAKING NEWS FROM MAUI COUNTY
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| NEW FOR 2010: Maui TV News Breaking News stories are now being archived. Click here to scan through all the Breaking News items for 2010. Aloha!
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June
22 - 29, 2010 NEWS FLASH - June 28, 2010 2:05 p.m. HST DLNR Plans Public Meeting on 'Iao Park Fee Proposal HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources will hold a public information meeting on Thursday July 1, 2010 on Maui to explain plans by the Division of State Parks to begin charging entry fees for non-residents and commercial tour vehicles going to ‘Iao Valley State Monument. The meeting will occur from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Maui Waena Intermediate School, 795 ‘Onehe‘e Street, in Kahului. “Funding for operation and maintenance of state recreational facilities such as parks, small boat harbors and forest trails has been drastically reduced in the current biennium budget. To ensure that these areas can be cared for and remain open, the Department is moving forward with its Recreational Renaissance plan, which will generate new revenues to offset the cost of managing them,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson. “Through implementation of small entry or parking fees for non-resident visitors to high traffic parks, we can apply revenues to repairs and maintenance to help the park system become more self-sufficient,” Thielen said. At the Maui meeting, State Parks staff will explain that DLNR is only charging out-of-state visitors and commercial tour companies, and how the fees will be structured. In April, the Parks division received a proposal for parking management of ‘Iao Valley State Monument on Maui. Staff is currently reviewing the proposal. Implementing fees for non-residents at ‘Iao Valley will begin once a revocable permit is finalized for a private sector parking company to manage the fee collection. The State Office of Tourism Liaison will also coordinate a meeting with State Parks staff and the commercial ground transportation tour companies on Maui. Background:
The Board of Land and Natural Resources authorized the Division of State Parks to set either parking fees or entry fees (but not both at the same location) at specific state park locations across the state. The Parks division identified parks with high volume non-resident traffic to implement either parking or entry fees. Currently, an entry fee is charged at Diamond Head State Monument and in March, a new parking fee for non-Hawaii residents began at Nu‘uanu Pali State Wayside. Other parks identified for future implementation of a non-resident entry or parking fee include, Akaka Falls and Hapuna on Hawai‘i Island; Ha‘ena and Kokee/Waimea on Kaua‘i; and Makena on Maui. Prior to implementation of a non-resident fee collection process, the Division of State Parks will host a community meeting in each area with the public and the commercial tour industry. For more information call the Division of State Parks at (808) 587-0300. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Land and Natural Resources) NEWS FLASH - June 28, 2010 12:05 p.m. HST Lahaina Emergency Siren Sounds Off By Mistake The public is advised that an emergency warning siren in Lahaina inadvertently sounded this morning due to a malfunction. County of Maui Civil Defense staff are currently working to resolve the situation as soon as possible. (Information Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 28, 2010 11:15 a.m. HST Moloka'i Man Charged With Attempted Murder, Assault, Abuse On Saturday around 10 p.m, a reported stabbing call was reported to have occurred at the location known as the Kawela Barns, Kawela, Moloka’i. Patrol officers responded and met with an adult female who had sustained multiple abrasions to her facial area as a result of being punched several times by her boyfriend. The female victim also sustained serious lacerations to her right facial cheek and left forearms as a result of being sliced with a knife, also by her boyfriend. Another female also sustained lacerations to her hands while trying to intervene and subdue the knife from the responsible male. Both females were transported to Moloka’i General Hospital where the most seriously injured female was treated for her life threatening injuries. The second female victim was treated at the hospital as well and later released. The responsible male, later identified as John Henry SARDINHA (52 yrs), fled the scene prior to police arrival but was later apprehended at his residence in Hoolehua, Moloka’i, by patrol officers on scene. SARDINHA was taken into custody and later charged for Attempted Murder II, Assault II and Abuse of Household Family Member. His total bail is set at $52,000.00. (Report Provided by the Maui Police Department) NEWS FLASH - June 28, 2010 8:45 a.m. HST Water Main Leak Closes Road in Haiku (Editor's Note: Repairs were completed and the road reopened at noon today) Motorists in Haiku are being cautioned to choose an alternate route this morning. A water main break has closed a portion of Kauhikoa Road between Kane Street and Haiku Road. Crews expect to complete repairs by 1 p.m. (Information Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 28, 2010 6:55 a.m. HST Senator Byrd's Death Leaves Inouye Most Senior in Office, Third in Succession Hawaii Sen. Daniel K. Inouye is being sworn in today as president pro-tempore of the Senate, following the death of Sen. Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia. As Senate president pro-tempore, Inouye is now third in line to become president should something happen to President Obama. Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi are ahead of him. Inouye succeeded Byrd as chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations and is now the most senior member of the U.S. Senate. Inouye, elected in 1962, becomes the longest-serving current Democrat in the Senate. "My heart is heavy with sadness following the passing of a dear friend," said Inouye in a written statement. "We have been friends for nearly 50 years and I am overcome with memories. Nearly 48 years ago Senator Byrd was one of the first to greet me in the chamber of the United States Senate. "Since that first moment of friendship we have worked together on many projects. And since those early days, I have called him, 'my leader.' "He was my mentor. Over the years he provided me countless opportunities and tasked me with positions of critical national oversight while guiding my actions with the temperance he learned as the longest serving Senator in history." Inouye, 85 and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for service in World II, added: "He was a Senator's Senator. His many accomplishments were historic and he fought tirelessly to improve the lives of working families in West Virginia. We shared the belief that we must provide for the people who trust us to represent their communities in Washington. I owe much to my leader, Senator Byrd. He will forever have my gratitude and respect and I will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers are with the Byrd family during this difficult time." As president pro tempore, Inouye will preside over the Senate in the absence of the vice president. Inouye became chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee when Byrd stepped down because of deteriorating health in 2008. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - June 27, 2010 9:40 p.m. HST Moloka'i Man Charged With Attempted Murder A 52-year-old Molokai man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly slashing his girlfriend with a knife Saturday. John Henry Sardinha, of Ho'olehua, faces charges of second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault, and abuse of a family or household member. He is being held on $52,000 bail. Police said the attack happened about 10 p.m. in Kawela Barns in Kawela, where Sardinha punched his girlfriend and slashed her with a knife. Another woman, who intervened and eventually took the knife away, was cut on both hands, police said. Responding officers found Sardinha's girlfriend had abrasions to her face from being punched and serious cuts to her right cheek and left forearm. Both women were taken to Molokai General Hospital, where Sardinha's girlfriend was treated for life-threatening injuries. The other woman was treated and released. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - June 27, 2010 10:20 a.m. HST Wailuku Teen's Crown Raising Awareness of Role of Hearing Impaired Wailuku girl Lena Merrill may not have been able to hear the applause, but she felt the love when she was crowned Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen earlier this month. And when the 14-year-old travels to Orlando, Fla., in August, she will be the first deaf person to compete for the national title of Miss America's Outstanding Teen in the pageant's history. Merrill, who was born profoundly deaf, said she entered the pageant to compete for scholarships and to have a new experience, and that it was a "dream" to win. "I cried," she said. "I was proud of what I accomplished by stepping out of the box and doing this." Merrill spoke in American Sign Language for an interview at The Maui News, with mother Kaulana Merrill serving as her "voice." Last week she recalled that, in the moments after the judges called her name, she didn't realize right away that she had won. Her sign language interpreter got so excited that she started crying and "waving her arms all over the place," so that Merrill couldn't understand what she was signing. Merrill now begins her "year of service" as Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen, where she plans to focus on spreading awareness about her platform: "quality education for all deaf children." "I would like to see the system change, so we can bring it to a higher level for all children in Hawaii" - both deaf and hearing, she said. Merrill said she struggled as a young child at Wailuku Elementary School, where she didn't have a deaf-education teacher who could help her understand her lessons. She fell behind in her English and reading skills. "They had no experience in teaching a deaf-ed class," she said. "It was hard for me to learn." That began to change when she moved to Maui Waena Intermediate School. Merrill's family credits Principal Jamie Yap for recognizing Lena's needs and arranging for a qualified deaf-education teacher to come from the Mainland to work with her. He also assigned her a certified sign language interpreter to be her voice in the classroom and on the playground. "It made Lena feel perfect with the girls in the hearing world," father Jaye Carmen said. "They were able to communicate." And, he said, Merrill has blossomed since she started commuting to Oahu in the 8th grade to study at the Hawaii School for the Deaf and the Blind. She boards at the school during the week and flies back from Oahu on weekends to stay with her family in Wailuku, and will be entering the 10th grade this fall. Outside of her studies, Merrill plays volleyball for Kalani High School in Honolulu, and dances with Maui's Tava Nui, a Tahitian group. "I love dancing Tahitian," she said. "The drums are loud, so I can feel it in my heart." Merrill said she entered the Outstanding Teen pageant, which is staged under the Miss America and Miss Hawaii organizations, because she was interested in the scholarship opportunities and she wanted to stretch herself. The biggest challenge was competing against hearing girls, she said. Merrill had to participate in an opening dance routine with all the other contestants, even though she couldn't hear the music. To learn the song, she pressed her hands against the speakers as they were turned up to full volume so she could feel the beat, then during the performance she watched the other girls and timed herself to their movements. But Merrill's deafness didn't stop her from making close friends among her pageant "sisters." "I taught them sign language," she said. "We were like a family." For the competition, she was judged on scholastic achievement, an interview with the judges, a talent segment, lifestyle and fitness, and her answers to onstage questions. Pageant director Raine Arndt said Merrill's talent was performing a "lyrical monologue," which she signed, about her experience as a deaf person. Arndt said the judges were looking for a contestant with "that special something they feel would make her stand out on the national stage and be a great role model." She said that Merrill made a big impression on the judges. "On a personal level, I think she just blows you away when you meet her," Arndt said. "Her approach is not to be afraid, and I think she has a great way of showing people that there really is no difference." As the winner of Miss Hawaii's Outstanding Teen, Merrill receives a $1,000 cash scholarship to the school of her choice. She also is offered a scholarship to Chaminade University worth more than $30,000, if she chooses to attend that school. Merrill also won the title of "Miss Congeniality," for which she received a $250 cash scholarship. She will now spend the next two months preparing for the national competition, which will be held between Aug. 24 and 28. Arndt said there has never before been a contestant who was either deaf or hearing impaired that won a state crown and advanced to the national Outstanding Teen pageant, which she described as "sort of the Miss America of the teen world." People who are profoundly deaf, like Merrill, have no hearing at all, while the hearing-impaired can hear some sounds, often with the help of a cochlear implant. Merrill said she was inspired by Heather Whitestone McCallum, a hearing-impaired woman who was crowned Miss America in 1994. "She was a role model for me," she said. She said she plans to enter more pageants in the future, including the Miss Hawaii pageant when she is old enough. Carmen said his daughter has already begun her community involvement as part of her year of service, visiting Pomaikai Elementary School last week to share her experience with the younger children. "They were just starry-eyed," he said. Ilima Loomis can be reached at iloomis@mauinews.com. (Report Provided by The Maui News) NEWS FLASH - June 27, 2010 7:10 a.m. HST Season's First Hurricane Downgraded to Tropical Storm Celia Tropical storm Celia is expected to weaken to a tropical depression today in the eastern Pacific, the National Weather Service said. The storm, which had been a category 5 hurricane, was downgraded to a tropical storm yesterday as it moved over cooler waters. With maximum sustained winds of 65 mph, Celia was moving west at 7 mph, the Weather Service said. The storm is about 2,160 miles east of the Big Island and is predicted to weaken even further tomorrow. Celia was the first hurricane in the Pacific this season. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - June 26, 2010 4:45 p.m. HST Bird Sucked Into Engine During Pago Pago Flight Landing PAGO PAGO, American Samoa - A bird was sucked into the engine of a Hawaiian Airlines plane as it landed at the airport in American Samoa. The incident Thursday night delayed the flight's departure out of Pago Pago until Friday. The flight from Honolulu arrived around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. Passengers were told that as the aircraft was coming in to land at Pago Pago International Airport, a bird was sucked into one of the plane's engines. An agent with Hawaiian in Pago Pago confirmed to Samoa News that a bird flew into an engine. The aircraft landed safely. The flight departed for Honolulu around 6 p.m. Friday. Hawaiian operates three weekly roundtrip flights to Pago Pago during the summer. The airline provides the only air link from the territory to the United States. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - June 26, 2010 9:40 a.m. HST Scientists Update Info on Solomon Islands Quake HONIARA, Solomon Islands - A powerful earthquake struck underwater off the Solomon Islands, but there was no immediate word of damage and no tsunami alert was issued. Saturday’s quake had a magnitude of 6.9, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It was centered 35 miles west-southwest of San Christobal in the Solomon Islands at a depth of 22 miles under the ocean’s floor. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach said there was no major tsunami threat from the quake, which struck at 5:30 a.m. in the Solomon Islands (7:30 p.m. Friday in Hawaii.) The Solomon Islands’ National Disaster Council spokesman Julian Makaa said he had had no early reports of damage or injury in the wake of the temblor. “We did feel the earthquake (in the capital) ... and people in the affected area said they felt a big earthquake,” Makaa told The Associated Press by telephone from the capital, Honiara. “We’re checking by radio links and by telephone, but we haven’t received any reports of damage,” he said, adding that the council was “still monitoring the situation.” In April 2007, more than 50 people were killed and thousands lost their homes when a magnitude 8.1 quake hit the western Solomon Islands, sending waves crashing into coastal villages. The Solomons comprise more than 200 islands with a population of about 552,000 people. They lie on the “Ring of Fire” — an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim and where about 90 percent of the world’s quakes occur. (Report Provided by The Associated Press)
Visitor Spending Up - But Needs to Increase More - HTA
An increase in visitors from every major market in May - except the U.S. East - boosted arrivals by 6.5 percent and spending by 17.4 percent from the year-ago period, according to data released yesterday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Total visitor arrivals rose to 549,954, and spending from visitors who came by air to Hawaii increased to $860.7 million, according to the HTA. May, traditionally a slower tourism month, exceeded expectations, said state tourism liaison Marsha Wienert. May's increase in visitor spending was the largest gain in expenditures that the state has seen since before tourism began declining in 2008, Wienert said. "Tourism's positive performance in May reinforces our optimism in Hawaii's improving economy," she said. Still, Hawaii is "not out of the woods yet," according to HTA President and Chief Executive Officer Mike McCartney. May's spending increase helped boost total expenditures for the first five months of 2010 to $4.3 billion; however, year-to-date visitor spending has underperformed HTA's target by 11.1 percent. If it continues at its current pace, visitor spending will only attain $11.4 billion of the HTA's $11.8 billion year-end spending target. That's bad news for a market that ultimately gauges growth by spending, the true measure of a destination's performance. Hawaii's visitor industry was forced to focus on putting heads on beds after the collapse of Lehman Bros., the global recession and the heyday of H1N1 took their toll on the arrivals. Now that the tourists have begun to come back, increased spending will become the key to recovery. Since hotels are traditionally a visitor's largest spending category, much will depend on their ability to increase rates, said Barry Wallace, executive vice president for hospitality services for Outrigger Enterprises Group. "Occupancy is back or ahead of last year, but the price has not come back," Wallace said. While most hotels are within 4 or 5 percent of last year's average daily room rates, many are still down 25 percent - more than the profit margin for most hotels - from the visitor industry's last peak in 2007 and 2008, he said. "We're at the lowest level that we've been since 2003, and we're still going down on price," Wallace said. "There are a lot of hotels that aren't bringing in enough revenue to pay their mortgage." At this rate, Wallace said he anticipates that it could take Hawaii hotels another 10 years to get back to peak 2007 rates. Hotel occupancy in Hawaii fared better than competitive destinations such as Las Vegas, Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean, Florida, Italy, France, Sydney, Guam, Shanghai, Seoul and Bangkok, according to HTA's visitor data through May. However, the average daily room rate paid for a hotel room in Hawaii remained lower than these competitors. While hotel discounting has resulted in increased arrivals, spending has not kept pace, said Kelvin Bloom, president of Aston Hotels & Resorts. "It demonstrates the fact that other markets have recovered quicker and that they have greater pricing power than we do," Bloom said. While arrivals from the U.S. East market dropped 2.9 percent, arrivals from Hawaii's core U.S. West visitor market rose 2.4 percent and they were up 25.6 percent from Japan, 14.6 percent in Canada and 6.5 percent in the cruise market. As a result, spending for every market except the U.S. East rose by double digits. Reach Allison Schaefers at aschaefers@staradvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - June 25, 2010 7:25 p.m. HST South Pacific Quake Poses No Tsunami Threat Here A strong earthquake struck off the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there is no threat of a Pacific-wide tsunami. The quake, with an estimated magnitude of 6.9, struck at about 5:30 a.m. Saturday (7:30 p.m. Friday Hawaii time) and was centered about 35 miles west-southwest of San Cristobal in the Solomon Islands, and about 1,280 miles north-northeast of Queensland, Australia, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of damage. The tsunami warning center in Ewa Beach issued a statement saying, "Based on all available data a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected and there is no tsunami threat to Hawaii." The Solomon Islands is a country of nearly 1,000 islands that lie on the "Ring of Fire" -- an arc of earthquake and volcanic zones that stretches around the Pacific Rim and where about 90 percent of the world's quakes occur. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - June 25, 2010 5:45 p.m. HST County of Maui Distributes Volunteer Resource Directory WAILUKU - The County of Maui Department of Housing and Human Concerns’ Volunteer Center announced today that the Maui County Volunteer Opportunities Resource Directory is available. The directory, created through a partnership with Tri Isle Resource and Conservation Development, Inc., is designed to aid members of the community in finding a volunteer opportunity that is right for them. The Resource Directory is available at www.mauicounty.gov/volunteercenter, at the Maui County Volunteer Center (One Main Plaza-2200 W. Main, Ste. 601, Wailuku), at local libraries, Kaunoa Senior Center, West Maui Senior Center and at the County of Maui Information Booth in the lobby of the County Building at 200 South High Street in Wailuku. For more information, call the Maui County Volunteer Center at 270-7150 or 270-8257. (Information Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 25, 2010 3:15 p.m. HST County Offers 'Inclusive Swimming,' Water Aerobics Programs at Kahului Pool KAHULUI, Maui, Hawaii-The County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation today announced the start of a pilot program offering lap swimming and water aerobics for individuals with disabilities. The inclusive swimming program will be offered at Kahului Pool on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the month of July, with lap swimming held from noon-1:30 p.m. and water aerobics from 1:30 - 2:45 p.m. The pilot program is made possible through the assistance of the State Workforce Development Summer Employment Program which is funding two full-time Inclusion Recreation Aides for the month of July, 2010. County Inclusion Specialist Tara Sabado and the two summer aides will staff the pool programs at each session. Individuals needing help with lifting or hygiene must be accompanied by a personal assistant or support person. Kahului Pool offers saline water (instead of chlorine) and two water entry points: stairs and a pool access chair for those who need help entering the water. The pilot pool programs are designed to offer support and minimize safety concerns for disabled individuals. Due to class size requirements, registration will be limited. Pre-registration is requested so appropriate support devices can be prepared to meet each participant’s needs. To pre-register for both the lap swimming and water aerobic programs, call 270-7979 or email tara.sabado@mauicounty.gov. (Information Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 25, 2010 12:45 p.m. HST Maui Leads Continued Growth in Visitor Spending HONOLULU – Total air visitor spending for the month of May 2010 increased 17.4 percent or $127.7 million, from May 2009, to $860.7 million. Total expenditures by visitors who came by air in the first five months of 2010 was $4.3 billion, 6.4 percent higher compared to year-to-date 2009, according to preliminary statistics released today by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. The increase in visitor expenditures for May 2010 resulted from higher average daily visitor spending ($176 per person, up from $160 per person in May 2009) and a 6.5 percent increase in visitor arrivals by air. Arrivals by air grew for the sixth consecutive month, to 400,579 visitors. Among the top four visitor markets, arrivals by air from Japan (+25.6%), Canada (+14.6%) and U.S. West (+2.4%) rose but arrivals from U.S. East (-2.9%) declined compared to May 2009. Visitors who came by cruise ship also grew. In total, there were 549,954 air and cruise visitors in May 2010, up 6.5 percent compared to the same month last year. Maui again saw strong growth in total visitor arrivals (+9.8%) in May year-over-year. In particular, Maui-only visitors increased 14.8 percent. Maui was the only island with continuous arrival growth since the beginning of 2010. All other major islands showed fluctuating growth. • Total visitor spending for the month of May 2010 increased on the four larger islands: Maui (+45.6%), Hawai‘i Island (+22.4%), O‘ahu (+9.0%), and Kaua‘i (+6.5%). Year-to-date spending on the four major islands was also up in May 2010 over the same time last. Report Highlights for Maui: • Growth in Maui visitors (+9.6%) was fueled by increased visits from all major markets. In particular, U.S. West visitors to Maui increased 13.2 percent. • The number of visitors who went to Maui only in May 2010 increased extensively. U.S. West was up 17.7 percent, and U.S. East (+5.2%) and Canada (+22.5%) also grew. • For the first five months of 2010, Maui saw positive arrivals growth from all top four visitor markets that outpaced the statewide results for these markets. (Report Provided by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority) NEWS FLASH - June 25, 2010 7:50 a.m. HST One Mauka Lane Of Haleakala Highway Still Closed (Editor's Note: Police opened the road completely at 2 p.m. today) Maui Police report that on Haleakala Highway, only one lane is open, mauka bound, due to traffic accident that occurred earlier. Both makai bound lanes are open. Maui Electric crews are making repairs to poles. Estimated completion timeis two hours. No word on any injuries, or the cause of the accident have been released. (Information Provided by the Maui Police Department) NEWS
FLASH - June 25, 2010 6:10 a.m. HST
State Census Project Wraps Up As the state's happiest group of newly unemployed celebrate the completion of 2010 census work in Hawaii, statisticians, policymakers and others are hoping that an improved participation rate will pay off in a better accounting of Hawaii's population and the economic benefits that go with it. Workers from the Waianae Census Office completed a massive door-to-door campaign last week in which census takers visited -- and often revisited -- an estimated 120,000 residences on the west and north shores of Oahu as well as neighbor islands that did not return a census via mail. The office finished its last bit of business, double-checking vacant homes, this week. The Honolulu Census Office completed its business earlier this month. The end comes more than a month ahead of schedule. And while that means the staffs of both offices, as well as some 3,000 front-line census takers, will no longer be employed by the U.S. Census Bureau, the feeling in Waianae was of relief and elation for a job well done. "We had potluck in the office," said manager Kathleen Popa. "It was a big celebration. I'm surprised they didn't hear us all the way in Honolulu." While Hawaii still ranked near the bottom in mail response rate this year, it looks to improve significantly on the 64 percent overall response rate it recorded in the last decennial count. According the Census Bureau, 64 percent of Hawaii households returned a census form via mail by the April 16 deadline this year. Popa said her enumerators were able to make contact with 58 percent of the remaining households in her district during door-to-door follow-ups. Honolulu Census Office manager Winnie Wilson has previously said that the overall state participation could exceed 80 percent this year. Even accounting for changes in how participation is now measured, Hawaii is already ahead of where it was in 2000. That improvement will likely mean a significant increase in federal funds designated for the state. The Census Bureau estimates that each person who is not counted represents a loss of $1,200 to $2,500 in federal funds each year. Census officials estimated that Hawaii lost out on $310 million over the last 10 years due to undercounting in the 2000 census. Accurate population enumeration is also critical to state agencies, social service organizations and others that use census data for planning and budgeting purposes. The state recently released its final population estimates based on the 2000 census, with some surprising results. The estimate indicated a rise in the state's white population and declines in its Asian and native Hawaiian populations. However, Eugene Tian, acting economic research administrator for the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said the estimate might be misleading because of incomplete population recording 10 years ago. Tian said tax return data, birth and death statistics, and other measures of comparison suggest that the estimate is inaccurate. "This is an estimate based on the 2000 census, and Hawaii had a low response rate that year," he said. "We want to see if the 2010 Census supports this. The low response rate last time may have skewed the results. The native Hawaiian response rate was low, and this may have had an impact." Reach Michael Tsai at mtsai@staradvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - June 25, 2010 4:20 a.m. HST Accident Reduces Flow Along Haleakala Highway Maui Police say a traffic accident along Haleakala Highway overnight has closed traffic down to a single lane. No other details have been provided. (Information Provided by the Maui Police Department) NEWS FLASH - June 24, 2010 8:35 p.m. HSTHurricanes Darby, Cecelia Strengthen in Eastern Pacific MEXICO CITY - Hurricane Darby formed in the Pacific off Mexico's southwest coast today, while Hurricane Celia strengthened into a powerful Category 5 storm farther out at sea. Neither posed an immediate threat to land. Darby, a Category 1 hurricane with winds of 90 mph (150 kph), was located about 255 miles (410 kilometers) south of Acapulco this evening, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami. It was expected to strengthen over the next two days as it heads west-northwest. The hurricane center projected the storm could take a sudden eastward turn early next week, putting it on a path toward Mexico's southern Pacific coast. Meanwhile, Celia became a Category 5 hurricane -- the strongest designation on the Saffir-Simpson scale, used to measure wind speed-- as it headed west across the open Pacific. Its maximum sustained winds increased to 160 mph. It was located about 785 miles south-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula and more than 2,500 miles from Hawaii. (Report Provided by The Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - June 24, 2010 2:10 p.m. HST Hirono Announces Grant for MEO for Local Farmworkers WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) today announced the awarding of a $331,137 U.S. Department of Labor grant to Maui Economic Opportunity, Inc. for the purpose of assisting low-income farm workers by paying for their job training, educational costs, housing assistance, and in some cases childcare. This grant is awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP). The NFJP is a nationally-directed program of job training and employment assistance for migrant and seasonal farm workers that helps these workers acquire new job skills in occupations that offer higher wages and more stable employment, or upgrades their existing agricultural job skills. Family members of eligible farm workers may also be eligible for this assistance. Through the years, the NFJP in Hawaii has assisted macadamia nut pickers, coffee growers, pineapple harvesters and flower nursery workers, along with their families. Maui Economic Opportunity (MEO) encourages everyone across the state of Hawaii who has been employed as an agricultural worker over the past two years to apply for this assistance. Anyone who believes they may be eligible to participate in this farm worker jobs program is urged to call MEO at 249-2970 on Maui. The statewide toll free number is 1-877-795-4354. The MEO website is http://meoinc.charityfinders.org. In all, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the awarding of $78,410,000 for 2010 National Farm worker Jobs Program grants, nationwide. (Report Provided by the Office of Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono) NEWS FLASH - June 24, 2010 8 a.m. HST 'Red Flag' Fire Danger Continues 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has continued the Red Flag Warning for leeward sections of Maui and Molokai, in effect until 6:00 p.m. this evening. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create rapid fire growth potential. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts. 2. EFFECTS: Critical fire weather conditions are expected for leeward sections of all islands until this evening. 3.INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or access NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. The NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. The NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided By Maui County Civil Defense)
Governor Reveals 'Short List' of Chief Justice Nominees HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today released a list of judicial nominees that was provided to her by the Judicial Selection Commission to fill the position of chief justice of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court. Governor Lingle is making the list available to the public to encourage public comment on the nominees as part of her review and selection process. The list of six nominees is the product of the Judicial Selection Commission’s review of the background and qualifications of all applicants and its evaluation of each applicant. The Commission does not rank the candidates. Nominees for the judicial office of chief justice of the Hawai‘i Supreme Court: Bert I. Ayabe – Current position: circuit judge, Circuit Court of the First Circuit. Prior experience: district judge, District Court of the First Circuit; partner, Dandar & Ayabe; private practice, Bert I. Ayabe, Attorney at Law; partner, Hisaka Furosho Ayabe & Goto; associate, Kim Sterns Lines & Moore; associate, Bollington Stilz & Bloeser; associate, Kobayashi Watanabe Sugita & Kawashima. Daniel R. Foley – Current position: associate judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals. Prior experience: partner, Partington & Foley; solo practitioner; adjunct professor of civil rights, University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law; legal director, ACLU Hawai‘i; legal counsel to various Micronesia government bodies; associate, Carrow Jones Applen & Forest, Marin County, California. Katherine G. Leonard – Current position: associate judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals. Prior experience: attorney, Carlsmith Ball LLP; law clerk, Hawai‘i Supreme Court and First Circuit Court. Craig H. Nakamura – Current position: chief judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals. Prior experience: associate judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals; assistant United States attorney; adjunct professor, University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law; associate, Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel; law clerk, Judge Herbert Choy, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Richard W. Pollack – Current position: circuit judge, Circuit Court of the First Circuit. Prior experience: state public defender, Office of the Public Defender; deputy public defender, Office of the Public Defender; adjunct professor, University of Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law; associate, Sherman S. Hee, A Law Corporation; associate, Morris J. Pollack, Attorney at Law. Mark E. Recktenwald – Current position: associate justice, Hawai‘i Supreme Court. Prior experience: chief judge, Intermediate Court of Appeals; director, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; assistant United States attorney; partner, Marr Hipp Jones & Wang; associate, Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel; law clerk, Chief Judge Harold Fong, U.S. District Court. The Governor has 30 days from receipt of the list (June 23, 2010) to make her selection. Public comments on the nominees may be sent via e-mail to joy.watari@hawaii.gov or by fax at 808-586-0006. All comments should be submitted by the close of business on Monday, July 12. (Report Provided by the Office of Governor Linda Lingle) NEWS FLASH - June 24, 2010 7:20 a.m. HST New Law Exempts Some Imports from Pest Inspections Gov. Linda Lingle has signed into law a measure exempting some bulk freight from pest inspection, quarantine and eradication fees. Lingle approved Senate Bill 2523 yesterday, saying these bulk shipments carry a low risk of spreading invasive species. The exemption applies to aggregate bulk freight, cement bulk freight, coal bulk freight and liquid bulk freight. The law attempts to fight invasive species and strengthen agricultural inspection laws by imposing fines on failure to pay fees and requiring that money raised by agricultural inspections go into an eradication fund. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Clift Tsuji said the law gives the Department of Agriculture more resources to focus on agriculture inspection and biosecurity. (Report Provided by the Associated Press) NEWS FLASH - June 24, 2010 6:50 a.m. HST Abercrombie Fined For Late Filing Notice Former Congressman Neil Abercrombie's campaign for governor will pay a $50 fine for filing notice for an April fundraiser in Washington, D.C., several hours late. Candidates are required by state law to file notice in advance of fundraisers with the state Campaign Spending Commission. Violators have typically paid a $50 fine. Laurie Au, a spokeswoman for the Abercrombie campaign, announced Tuesday night that the campaign would pay the fine. Message-wise, the timing is unfortunate for Abercrombie. Abercrombie and his allies have been critical of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann's campaign for the handling of a fundraiser in Pittsburgh earlier this month. The Hannemann campaign apparently filed notice late by listing the incorrect date for the event. Hannemann has said he would not accept any donations from the Pittsburgh fundraiser to avoid any cloud over the rest of his mainland trip, which involved stops in Washington, D.C., related to the city's rail project and in Oklahoma for a U.S. Conference of Mayors event. Although other issues have been raised about the Hannemann fundraiser, unless they pan out after investigation, the Hannemann campaign might only have to pay a $50 fine like Abercrombie's. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - June 23, 2010 5:45 p.m. HST New Law Prevents Future Tax Refund Delays Honolulu, Hawaii. Governor Lingle today signed into law HB1948, a bill that requires the Department of Taxation to provide refunds to taxpayers in a timely manner. The legislation, now Act 171, states that the department must provide refunds within 90 days from the date the tax return is filed, or the due date of the tax return, whichever is later. “One of the main benefits is that the state must pay interest to the taxpayer if the return is not paid within the required time frame,” said Rep. Pono Chong, the introducer of the bill. “The legislature was concerned that using the refunds as a way to balance the budget was merely delaying our fiscal responsibility. In addition, I think most taxpayers understand that the overpayment to the government is their money and they expect a return in a reasonable period. The bill also requires that all general revenues collected from an increase of any general excise or use tax be used first to pay tax refunds delayed from fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2010. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Legislative Branch) NEWS FLASH - June 23, 2010 3:55 p.m. HST State Reps Coming to Maui to Explain Budget Balancing Steps
Monday, June 28, 2010 •
Pukalani Elementary Cafeteria – 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 29, 2010 • Cameron Center in
Wailuku – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
ClickHere for a Detailed report on this year's budget balancing procedure. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Legislative Branch) NEWS FLASH - June 23, 2010 3:05 p.m. HST County Fair Parade Applications Available Now Wailuku,
Maui, Hawaii (June 23, 2010) - Be a part of the biggest parade
on Maui! It's not too early to start thinking about your float
for the traditional Maui County Fair Parade that will take place
on Thursday, September 30, 2010. Gain exposure for your group
or organization while having fun participating in an exciting
extravaganza that brings out all of Maui County's citizens, and
kicks off the Fair weekend. And remember, parade participants
are granted free entry into the Fair on Thursday evening! (Report Provided by the Maui County Fair) NEWS FLASH - June 23, 2010 2:50 p.m. HST Medicare Recipients Cautioned About Potential for Scams HONOLULU --The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP Hawai‘i), a program in the State Executive Office on Aging, is alerting residents to scams that may try to profit off the federal government’s $250 rebate to Medicare Part D enrollees that reach the coverage gap in 2010. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the federal government will mail out $250 rebate checks to Part D drug plan enrollees after they enter the coverage gap or “donut hole” in 2010. Checks will begin rolling out in mid-June. This one-time-only rebate will continue throughout the year as Part D enrollees get to the donut hole. In Hawai‘i, roughly 16,500 Part D enrollees fell into the donut hole last year. In Medicare Part D, a drug plan member falls into a “coverage gap” or “donut hole” after the plan’s payments plus the member’s share of drug costs add up to $2,380. In the coverage gap, the member pays the full cost of prescription drugs unless the member has Extra Help. Extra Help, also called Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), is financial assistance with drug plan costs for qualifying individuals. Part D enrollees with Extra Help will not reach the donut hole and will not receive the rebate. Medicare will track drug plan costs for the period January 1-December 31, 2010 and will mail a one-time-only $250 check to Part D enrollees automatically if they qualify for the rebate. SMP Hawai‘i points out that scammers have seized upon government benefits as opportunities for victimizing citizens, as with the “Cash-For-Clunkers” and “Economic Recovery” programs. As for the $250 Medicare rebate, SMP Hawai‘i wants residents to be aware of scams that might take the following forms: • Persons that telephone, email, or come to your door and offer to help you get your rebate check, if you pay a fee. This is a scam. You will get your rebate check automatically, within 45 days after you reach the coverage gap. No forms to fill out. No fees to pay. • Persons that say they are from the government and ask for your Medicare number or Social Security number in order to make sure you get your rebate check. This is a trick to steal your Medicare and Social Security benefits. The government already has this information. • Persons that ask you for your bank account number in order to deposit the rebate check into your bank account. They want to clean out your bank account. There is no direct deposit. If you qualify for the rebate, the federal government will issue a paper check made out to you. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will mail the check to you at the address the Social Security Administration has for you. Look for the HHS logo on the envelope. • Persons that use the $250 rebate to mislead you into buying an insurance plan. Watch out for fraudsters that try to sign you up for what they say is a new government health care plan called “Obamacare.” It does not exist. Information about the $250 rebate check and scam activity can be found on the SMP Resource Center website at www.smpresource.org and www.healthreform.gov/fraud.html. The Senior Medicare Patrol is a national program, established in 1997 and funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. The program trains retired professionals to educate seniors about health care fraud. SMP Hawai‘i encourages residents to report suspicious activity related to the $250 rebate check to any of the following government entities: Medicare
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Health) NEWS FLASH - June 23, 2010 2:10 p.m. HST New Laws Help in Fight Against Invasive Species Honolulu, Hawaii. Governor Lingle today signed into law a bill that will help to fight invasive species by strengthening Hawaii’s agricultural inspection and biosecurity laws. SB2523, now Act 173, does the following: •
Exempts aggregate bulk freight, cement bulk freight, coal bulk
freight and liquid bulk freight from the pest inspection, quarantine
and eradication service fee. Imposes fines for failure to pay,
bill or remit in a timely manner the same fee. “SB2523 was one of the most important bills for the agriculture industry in the 2010 legislative session,” said Rep. Clift Tsuji, Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture. “This new law gives the Department of Agriculture greater resources to focus on agriculture inspection and biosecurity. The legislature is greatly concerned about the impact of invasive species on agriculture and our natural environment.” The other critical piece of legislation for agriculture and invasive species is HB1684, signed into law as Act 128 in May. That bill established fines and penalties for the intentional spreading or introducing of invasive species. “Invasive species harms not only our environment, but our economy, our health and the lifestyle of Hawaii’s people,” said Rep. Tsuji. “We felt greater fines and penalties are warranted given the serious impact to the state.” (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Legislative Branch) NEWS FLASH - June 23, 2010 11:50 a.m. HST MECO Lowers Rate Increase Request Maui Electric Co. said it has scaled back its request for a rate hike under an agreement reached with the state Consumer Advocate. MECO is seeking a 3.3 percent increase, down from the 9.7 percent hike it had sought in its original request filled with the Public Utilities Commission last fall. The revised rate hike request would generate annual revenue of $10.3 million compared with $28.2 million in the original request, MECO said. The majority of the difference is the result of MECO revising its sales and expenses estimates since the case was filed, the utility said in a filing Monday with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For example, MECO agreed to limit the investment in a heat and power system installed at a Maui hotel to $3.5 million. The actual cost of the system was $4.8 million. As a result, MECO said it plans to write off $1.3 million of the investment. The PUC is expected to issue an interim ruling in the case by late summer. MECO also has a second rate case pending before the PUC. The case filed in 2007 calls for a 3.7 percent rate increase. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - June 23, 2010 6:50 a.m. HST 'Red Flag' Fire Warning Still Up 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has continued the Red Flag Warning for leeward sections of Maui and Molokai, in effect until this evening at 6:00 p.m. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create rapid fire growth potential. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts. 2. EFFECTS: Critical fire weather conditions are expected for leeward sections of all islands today. 3.INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or access NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. The NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. The NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided By Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 9:45 p.m. HST Traffic Accident Closes Pi'iholo Road in Makawao (Editor's Note: Repairs were completed and the road opened at 9 a.m. Wednesday) Maui Police report that a traffic accident has closed Pi'iholo Road in Makawao. No further details are available at this time. (Information Provided by the Maui Police Department) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 6:30 p.m. HST MEO Offering Assistance to Maui Farmworkers Maui Economic Opportunity is putting another call out across the state of Hawaii for anyone that has ever worked that land as an agricultural worker in the last two years. Those that have may be able to qualify for federal assistance as part of the US Department of Labor’s National Farmworkers Jobs Program. The program can help low-income farm workers by paying for their job training, educational costs, housing assistance, and in some cases childcare. The goal of the program is to assist farm workers who have lost their jobs or who are under-employed by helping to get them employed and may even train them for a new career. Even family members of eligible farm workers may take advantage of this assistance. “This is a great opportunity to assist people with a hand up,” said C.E.O. Sandy Baz. “The funding is here but we need to get the word out and people need to apply for it. The sooner the applications come in the sooner we can help people help themselves back into the workforce with a new set of skills.” M.E.O.’s farmworker program has been around for 30 years however, Baz says funding is likely to increase this year and he would like to see applications increase as well. There is no cap to the amount individuals may receive and funding in the past has paid up to $3,500 for nurse aide training, commercial drivers licensing and other educational programs. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, The NFJP is a nationally directed program of job training and employment assistance for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. It is authorized by Congress in the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Section 167 to counter the impact of the chronic unemployment and underemployment experienced by migrant and seasonal farmworkers who primarily depend on jobs in agricultural labor. Since its inception with the passage of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, the NFJP has been an integral part of the national workforce strategy. Among the farm positions the NFJP in Hawaii has assisted in the past are, macadamia nut pickers, coffee growers, pineapple harvesters and flower nursery workers along with their families. Anyone who wants to check if they are eligible for the NFJP is urged to call M.E.O. at on Maui at 249-2970 or statewide toll free at 1-877-795-4354. Or please check our website at http://meoinc.charityfinders.org/. (Report Provided by Maui Economic Opportunity) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 6:25 p.m. HST Ag Department Proposing Bug Release to Control Strawberry Guava HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has posted a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the release of a natural predator (Tectococcus ovatus, a Brazilian scale insect) for the sustainable management of strawberry guava in Hawai‘i. This action is proposed to mitigate the impacts of strawberry guava on native forests, the water supply, and agriculture. The draft EA is available in the Environmental Notice on the Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Quality Control (OEQC) website and will be open for public comment for one month, June 23-July 23, 2010. Visit the OEQC website at http://hawaii.gov/health/environmental/environmental/oeqc/index.html Only written comments will be accepted, and may be submitted to the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture Plant Pest Control Branch at 1428 S. King St. Honolulu, HI 96814, with a copy sent to the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813; or emailed to hdoa.ppc@hawaii.gov. (Report Provided by the State of Hawai'i, Department of Land and Natural Resources) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 5:45 p.m. HST Central Maui Brush Fire: 5:45 p.m. UPDATE Fire officials report that the brush fire is 100 percent contained. Firefighters are conducting mop up operations and will monitor the burn area for flare-ups. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire crews from Kahului, Paia, Makawao and Wailea received assistance today from State Division of Forestry and Wildlife personnel, two helicopters, and heavy equipment from Hawaiian Commercial and Sugar Company and the County's Department of Public Works.For more on the brush fire, see related stories below. (Information Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 4:45 p.m. HST Central Maui Brush Fire: 4:45 p.m. UPDATE Maui Police report that Hana Highway is now open to traffic in both directions. Motorists can expect reduced visibility due to smoke from the brush fire that broke out around 1:25 p.m. today. Hansen and Pulehu Roads are also open. Police advise that, should conditions warrant, any of the roads could be closed again. For more on the 25-acre fire, see below. No word on the cause of the blaze. No injuries or damage have been reported. (Information Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 4:20 p.m. HST Wind Advisory Extended Through Tomorrow Morning 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has continued the WIND ADVISORY for the SUMMIT of HALEAKALA in effect until 6:00 a.m. Wednesday. A Wind Advisory means that winds of 30 mph are expected. 2. EFFECTS: Easterly winds across the summit of Haleakala will be 30 to 35 mph with higher gusts of 40 to 45 mph through early Wednesday morning. 3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION. SECURE ANY LOOSE OBJECTS THAT MAY BECOME AIRBORNE OR MOVE THEM INDOORS. 4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or access NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. The NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. The NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided By Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 4:10 p.m. HST Central Maui Brush Fire: 4:10 p.m. UPDATE Two helicopters and over 30 firefighters are responding to the brush fire. Heavy equipment and water tankers are assisting multiple fire engine companies from Kahului, Paia, and Makawao. Gusty wind conditions are reported to be a factor. Fire officials report that the fire has burned approximately 25 acres. Maui Police have opened an alternate route to accommodate motorists traveling to and from Paia and the north shore area. Police have also opened Hansen Road to traffic. A section of Hana Highway remains closed at this time from Dairy Road to Hansen Road. According to Kahului Airport Manager Marvin Moniz, flights to and from Kahului airport have not been affected. The public should expect slow moving traffic through the area. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if travel is not necessary. See below for more fire details. (Information Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 3:40 p.m. HST Central Maui Brush Fire: 3:40 p.m. UPDATE No reports on the cause of the fire. No damage or injuries have been reported. See below for more fire details. (Information Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 2:40 p.m. HST Central Maui Brush Fire: UPDATE Motorists are advised to avoid Hana Highway and Haleakala Highway. mauka side of Kahului airport and heliport. A brush fire first reported at 1:25 p.m. today has impacted traffic through the Kahului area. Motorists travelling into and out of Paia and Upcountry Maui will not be able to via Kahului. Heavy smoke and high winds are affecting Hana Highway and Haleakala Highway in the vicinity behinid of the Kahului Heliport. Hansen Road has been reopened from Pu'unene to Pulehu Road. Pulehu Road to Upcountry Maui is also open but motorists should expect heavy traffic. Fire crews are on scene and the public is thanked for their cooperation until the area can be made safe. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 1:50 p.m. HST Brush Fire Closes Stretch of Hana Highway A large brush fire in the vicinty of Kahului Airport has closed a portion of Hana Highway. Maui Police closed Hana Highway from the junction with Haleakala Highway to Dairy Road while fire crews fight a large fire that started near the Haleakala Highway extension. No word on when the road may reopen, nor on the extent of damage from the fire. (Information Provided by the Maui Police Department) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 12:45 p.m. HST Electronics Recycling Event Set for Lanai WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii -- The County of Maui Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division, today announced an “E-cycling” electronics recycling event on Lanai, scheduled for Wednesday, June 23, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. - noon at Central Services in Lanai City. The recycling event will allow the public to recycle electronic equipment, including any device with a circuit board such as computers, televisions, stereos, and any equipment that attaches to such items. Also recyclable: copiers, fax machines, point-of-sale (POS) systems, cell phones and office equipment. There is no charge to recycle electronics. For more information, call (808) 270-7880. Lanai residents may call toll-free: 1-800-272-0125 and request extension 7880. For general recycling information, visit www.mauicounty.gov/recycle or call the Recycle Maui County hotline at (808) 270-7880. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 12:05 p.m. HST Partial Lunar Eclipse Forecast for Early Sunday Morning Islanders going to bed late Saturday or rising before dawn Sunday may see a partial eclipse of the moon if clouds don't obscure it. Considering Hawaii's recent lack of rain, "odds are in favor" of good viewing conditions, said Mike Shanahan, Bishop Museum director of exhibits, education and planetarium. It's been several years since Hawaii residents have had a chance to see the Earth's deep shadow blocking out the moon. But it won't be a total eclipse here, Shanahan said. "It will be a partial one but it will be a pretty good show, I'm hoping." He said viewing should be best at 12:16 a.m. Sunday when the moon starts moving into the deep inner shadow of the earth. "If there is any visible darkening, it would begin to be noticeable." The maximum point will be at 1:45 a.m. with just under half of the moon under the earth's dark inner shadow, he said. "There should definitely be a noticeable change in the brightness of the moon." It will be entirely out of the earth's dark inner shadow at 2:59 a.m. A lunar eclipse only happens during full moons and it will be high overhead with a better chance of seeing it, Shanahan said. Lunar eclipses are followed by solar eclipses and what is expected to be a spectacular solar eclipse will occur July 11 over Easter Island, he said. It will be visible in some parts of the Cook Islands and viewed as a deep partial solar eclipse in the rest of the Cook Islands and Tahiti, he said. It's the last total solar eclipse on earth for 29 months so there is a lot of interest in it with tours and cruises scheduled out of Papeete, Tahiti, into the path of totality, Shanahan said. For more information, see bishopmuseum.org, and click to the planetarium page. Reach Helen Altonn at haltonn@staradvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 11:10 a.m. HST Refuse Not Picked Up in Kula Areas KULA - Scheduled Tuesday trash pickups were not made today in some Kula areas due to mechanical problems, the County of Maui’s Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division, announced today. The affected areas include Upper and Lower Kimo Drive, Lower Kula Road, Omaopio Road, Piliwale Road, Kula Manu Circle, Ainakula Road, Pulehu Road, Holopuni Road, Akea Place, Ka Drive, Kulalani Circle and Kulalani Drive. The Solid Waste Division apologizes for the inconvenience, and will make every effort to pick up the refuse on Wednesday. For more information, please call the Department of Environmental Management, Solid Waste Division, at 270-7875. (Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 11:10 a.m. HST Wind Advisory Posted for Haleakala Summit 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a WIND ADVISORY for the SUMMIT of HALEAKALA in effect until 6:00 a.m. Wednesday. A Wind Advisory means that winds of 30 mph are expected. 2. EFFECTS: Easterly winds across the summit of Haleakala will be 30 to 35 mph with higher gusts of 40 to 45 mph through early Wednesday morning. 3. PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION. SECURE ANY LOOSE OBJECTS THAT MAY BECOME AIRBORNE OR MOVE THEM INDOORS. 4. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or access NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. The NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. The NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided By Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 8 a.m. HST 'Red Flag' Up for Fire Danger on Leeward Sections 1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Red Flag Warning for leeward sections of Maui and Molokai, in effect until this afternoon. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create rapid fire growth potential. A Red Flag Warning does not predict new fire starts. 2. EFFECTS: Critical fire weather conditions are expected for leeward sections of all islands. 3. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or access NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates. The NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. The NOAA Weather Internet services can be found at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl. Pre-recorded advisories and notifications are available 24-hours a day on the Maui County Automated Information System (AIS) by calling 986-1200. The same information is available on the Maui County website at www.mauicounty.gov. (Report Provided By Maui County Civil Defense) NEWS FLASH - June 22, 2010 6:50 a.m. HST HB 444 Deliberations 'Most Difficult' Of Governor's Career Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday that she had not made up her mind on civil unions and described her deliberations on the bill as perhaps the most difficult of her political career. The governor placed the bill on her potential veto list, which gives her 10 working days -- or until July 6 -- to decide whether to veto, sign or allow the bill to become law without her signature. Lingle, who leaves office after two terms later this year, has said she did not want civil unions to be her legacy. But she has not tried to minimize the impact of her decision and said yesterday she has gone back and forth in her mind. Lingle has described civil unions as drafted in the bill as equivalent to same-sex marriage, which she opposes. "I've been in public office a very, very long time. And my personal opinion is not necessarily the one that I end up with, and especially in important cases," the governor said at a news conference at the state Capitol. The bill would grant same-sex and heterosexual couples the ability to enter into civil unions and receive the same rights, benefits and responsibilities as marriage under state law. Lingle said she is taking the full amount of time available under state law not just because of the public interest or to make the best decision, but to present her decision in an appropriate way. "When the decision gets made, we all have to live together here in Hawaii," she said. "Whichever way this goes, we're still one ohana. You may disagree with me, but we're still living on an island together." The governor will likely have the final word on civil unions this year. State House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro (D, Aiea, Halawa Valley, Aiea Heights), the bill's sponsor, said the House does not have the two-thirds' vote necessary to override a veto. State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa (D, Nanakuli, Makaha) said she believes she has the two-thirds' vote for an override. But the Senate would likely not act unless it was clear both chambers would override. "We're hopeful that she will eventually veto it," said Francis Oda, chairman of the Hawaii Family Forum, which opposes civil unions. "We're praying. That's what we do." Tambry Young, the lead advocate for Citizens for Equal Rights, which supports the bill, said she is encouraged that Lingle is keeping her options open. "I want her to do as much as she needs to do to pass this bill," Young said. "That's my main concern. We know she is a governor of the people and we want to stay focused on it being an equal rights issue." Meanwhile, five more Hawaii Business Roundtable members have distanced themselves from the organization's call to Lingle to veto the civil unions bill. The companies are: » Alexander & Baldwin Inc., which released a statement yesterday that it did not participate in any discussion regarding the bill. » Foodland, which said to supporters that it had no part in asking for a veto of the bill. » Hawaii Pacific Health, which in a letter to civil union supporters said it does not endorse the letter. » Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Inc., which sent a letter to Lingle, citing the company's policies on nondiscrimination. » Kyo-ya Company LLC, which said in a letter to supporters and Lingle that it was "disappointed" with the letter. Roundtable Executive Director Gary K. Kai sent the veto request to the governor on June 4. He said last week that the executive committee stands by the letter. Whatever Lingle decides, activists on both sides will likely make civil unions an issue in the September primary and November general election. State House and Senate leaders said they hoped civil unions, while an important issue, would not be the only issue voters consider. "I would hope that this never becomes a litmus test for the effectiveness of a legislator," said Oshiro, who is likely facing City Councilman Gary Okino, an opponent of civil unions, in a House primary. Majority Democrats in the House and Senate are scheduled to meet in private caucuses today to review the governor's veto list. Star-Advertiser reporter Gene Park contributed to this report. Reach Derrick DePledge at ddpledge@staradvertiser.com. (Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser) NEWS FLASH - June 21, 2010 5:30 p.m. HST Leaders Mark Passing of Former State Chief Justice Governor Linda Lingle issued the following statement today on the death of former Hawai‘i State Supreme Court Chief Justice and Lt. Governor William S. Richardson. “I join the people of Hawai‘i in mourning the death of former Chief Justice and Lt. Governor William Richardson. The former Chief Justice played an integral role in shaping Hawai‘i’s political and legal landscape. He will best be remembered for his unwavering advocacy for the establishment a law school at the University of Hawai‘i. I extend my deepest sympathies to Chief Justice Richardson’s family and friends.” Governor Lingle will order flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Richardson on July 9, when a memorial service and private burial will be held. Congresswoman
Mazie K. Hirono issued this statement on the passing of Chief Justice
Richardson (Reports Provided by The Offices of Gov. Linda Lingle and U.S. Rep Mazie K. Hirono)
NEWS FLASH - June 21, 2010 4:30 p.m. HST UHMC Students Install Campus System's First PV Array While the sun shining on the photovoltaic array pumped energy into the University of Hawai`i Maui College system on Monday, a small gathering of UHMC and community leaders dedicated the UHMC Campus Photovoltaic System. Just after noon, the array of 84 Kyocera KC175GT photovoltaic panels had generated nearly 45 kilowatt hours of electricity, with another half-day of sunshine to go. The panels are installed on a Sustainable Technology classroom building at the UH Maui College campus in Kahului. As important as the energy produced may be – reducing UH Maui College’s energy footprint by hundreds of pounds of CO2 – Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto said the PV array represents the College’s commitment to programs that expand Maui County’s capabilities in renewable energy. “This
demonstrates the power that is available and the potential for renewable
energy in Maui County,” he said. He cited the premiere last week of a documentary, “Ho`okele Wa`a (Turning the Canoe),” which highlights solutions for blocking degradation of the natural environment of the islands and reversing threats to natural and cultural resources. “Ho`okele Wa`a” was produced by Alex de Roode, former director of the Sustainable Living Institute of Maui, and co-written by Dr. Janet Six, UHMC archaeology instructor. “This is another demonstration of what we want to do, to be turning the canoe in the direction of positive approaches for solving the problems of the island, the county and the state of Hawaii,” he said. Matias Besasso, a principal with Rising Sun Solar and consultant on the UHMC Sustainable Technology program, said it was a learning process for his company as well as for the college faculty involved in developing a curriculum for a new program. Having a background as an electrical contractor, Besasso said he recognized major obstacles, but he agreed to serve as a co-instructor for the classes, as an engineering consultant and in providing technical supervision of the installation work by the students. “When it started, we were talking about putting students on a roof, 20 feet off the ground, dealing with electrical power. That was a nonstarter,” he said. But working with UHMC Project Coordinator Stuart Zinner and with support of other UHMC faculty and programs, he said the program was developed and implemented, with a crew of students in Sustainable Technology Energy classes installing the PV panels during the Spring 2010 semester. “There were a lot of obstacles that were saying this thing can’t be done, but we said we have to get it done,” Besasso said. “We
knew it can be done. We are grateful we have had a small part in
a very big thing.” By installing the system on the campus, he said UH Maui College is proving what is possible to the potential market while training the workforce. “It’s
a testament on what can be done on a small scale, but it’s a scalable
approach,” he said. (Report Provided by UH Maui College) |
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