County Seeking Charter Commission Panelists

WAILUKU, Maui, Hawaii-Mayor Charmaine Tavares announced today that applications are now being accepted for the Maui County Charter Commission, which is convened every 10 years. Deadline to apply is Wednesday, December 22, 2010.

The Charter Commission will begin meeting March 31, 2011.

Every 10 years, the Mayor, with the approval of the Council, appoints a Charter Commission composed of 11 members to study and review the operation of the County government, and to propose Charter amendments or to draft a new charter.

Applications are available online at www.mauicounty.gov (click on the Boards and Commissions box on the lower right) and at the following locations: the Information Booth (Lobby level) and Office of the Mayor (9th floor) of the Kalana O Maui (County) Building at 200 S. High Street, Wailuku; all public libraries; County Council Services Offices in Hana and on Molokai and Lanai; and at Parks and Recreation Permit Offices in Wailuku at the War Memorial Gym, in Makawao at the Eddie Tam Gym, in Lahaina at the Lahaina Civic Center, in Kihei at the Kihei Community Center, in Hana at the Hana Community Center, on Molokai at the Mitchell Pauole Center, and on Lanai at the County Gym.

Applications may be mailed by Wednesday, December 22, 2010 to: Mayor Charmaine Tavares, County of Maui, 200 South High Street, Ninth Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793, or faxed to (808) 270-7870.

For more information, call the Office of the Mayor at (808) 270-7855 or visit www.mauicounty.gov.

(Report Provided by the Maui County Office of Information)

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Big Island Considering More Wind Power

The Hawaii County Department of Water Supply is considering building a wind farm to power its South Kohala wells.

The department would lease about 80 acres of state land next to its Lalamilo wells and have a developer build the wind mills.

The project would create 50 construction jobs and three permanent jobs.

Department energy management analyst Julie Myhre says a wind farm built on the site in the mid-1980s has been decommissioned and the site has been cleaned up.

West Hawaii Today reported Monday the wind farm would save about $500,000 a year in electricity costs for the next 20 years.

A department spokeswoman says it's too early to tell if the facility would generate excess energy to sell to Hawaii Electric Light Co.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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NEWS FLASH - November 30, 2010 7:10 a.m. HST

Plans Afoot to Make Walking, Cycling Safer in Central Maui

WAILUKU - Maui is considering making walking more pleasant for pedestrians and bicycle riding nicer for cyclists.

One idea is to install raised speed tables — which are similar to longer, flatter speed bumps — in Wailuku, according to the Maui News. Another is to plant trees along sidewalks in Kahului and Wailuku.

The Nutrition & Physical Activity Coalition of Maui County and the urban planning firm Chris Hart & Partners are studying ways to make it safer and easier to walk or ride a bicycle. They hope to help people be active on a daily basis.

Organizers are holding a meeting in Kahului on Thursday to hear public comment. They hope to compile their recommendations by June and submit them to county and state officials.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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NEWS FLASH - November 29, 2010 4:40 p.m. HST

Abercrombie Staff Fills In 'Communications' Slots

HONOLULU, HI – Governor-Elect Neil Abercrombie today announced three key communications positions in Governor’s Office: Josh Levinson, Communications Director; Laurie Au, Deputy Communications Director; and Donalyn Dela Cruz, Press Secretary.

“Our campaign began a long conversation with the people of Hawaii that will continue in the Governor’s Office,” Governor-Elect Abercrombie said. “Our team will inform and engage the public with the goal of building community in Hawaii.”

Levinson will oversee the Governor’s communications team, coordinating all aspects of communications between the Office of the Governor and the public and state government. Levinson, the Field Organizer for the Abercrombie for Governor campaign, will be the third generation in his family to work for the State of Hawaii. Prior to the campaign, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Links Hawaii. Levinson, 34, was the Deputy Director of a public interest advocacy firm in Washington, D.C., before moving back home to Hawaii with his wife and two young children. He is a graduate of Punahou School, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Laurie Au, Press Secretary for the Abercrombie for Governor campaign, will be the Deputy Communications Director. She will be the team’s primary writer, policy researcher and member of the media strategy team. Au, 26, is a former reporter for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and a graduate of Pearl City High School and the University of Maryland, College Park.

Dela Cruz will be the Governor’s spokesperson and primary media contact when Governor-Elect Abercrombie is sworn in on Dec. 6. Dela Cruz is the Public Affairs Director for Bishop Museum and Senior Associate for the native advocacy firm, TiLeaf Group. She has also served as Press Secretary to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka and Communications Director for the Democratic Party of Hawaii. Dela Cruz, 35, worked at KHON as a reporter, producer and associate producer. Dela Cruz, a graduate of Leilehua High School, received her Bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

(Report Provided by the Office of Neil Abercrombie)

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Abercrombie Names Key Cabinet Members

HONOLULU, HI – Governor-Elect Neil Abercrombie today appointed five Cabinet members in his first announcement on leadership positions in the Abercrombie Administration.

Governor-Elect Abercrombie’s appointments are William J. Aila Jr. as the Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Richard Lim as the Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; Jodie Maesaka-Hirata as the Director of the Department of Public Safety; and Alapaki Nahale-a and Bobby Hall as the team leading the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands as its Director and Deputy Director, respectively.

“We are forming a team of strong leaders who are the right people to help move Hawaii out of these difficult times,” Governor-Elect Abercrombie said. “These are talented, creative individuals who have pledged to work together to fulfill our vision of A New Day in Hawaii.”

The selections come after a process that began with every considered applicant submitting his or her resume through the transition website, NewDayHawaii.org. The process, led by Abercrombie Transition Director Bill Kaneko, includes input from the community and several rounds of interviews before Governor-Elect Abercrombie makes the final decision. As of today, more than 3,500 resumes were submitted through the transition website.

“We’re continuing to receive applications from people who are inspired by Governor-Elect Abercrombie’s call for public servants,” Mr. Kaneko said. “We are making good progress on identifying and interviewing individuals for the Abercrombie administration. We continue to encourage everyone to participate by applying or providing input and advice.”

The current priority is to select directors and deputy directors through this transition process. Department directors will have to be confirmed by the State Senate.

Governor-Elect Abercrombie departs tonight to attend the Democratic Governors Association Annual Meeting on Dec. 1 in Washington, D.C. Governor-Elect Abercrombie will also attend a meeting at the White House for Governors-Elect on Dec. 2. Governor-Elect Abercrombie will return to Honolulu on Friday, Dec. 3.

ABOUT THE APPOINTEES

WILLIAM J. AILA JR. (DLNR) is the longtime and respected harbor agent for Waianae Boat Harbor. Mr. Aila, 52, has worked for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for more than 23 years in the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation. His responsibilities include managing, operating and maintaining 31 acres of fast and submerged lands. Mr. Aila has served on national, state and community advisory groups for more than 20 years, which has given him the opportunity to interact and listen to concerns expressed by different stakeholders affected by DLNR regulations and policies. As president of Mohala I Ka Wai, Mr. Aila worked with the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Army, community groups and private landowners to create the Waianae Mountains Watershed Partnership, an organization dedicated to protecting Hawaii’s forest, streams and drinking water. Mr. Aila, a Waianae High School graduate, received his Bachelor’s degree in General Tropical Agriculture from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

RICHARD LIM (DBEDT) has over 30 years of experience in banking and financial services. Mr. Lim, 59, is a co-founder of Sennet Capital, a Hawaii-based merchant banking firm that provides assistance to Hawaii companies with respect to mergers and acquisitions, capital sourcing and strategic planning. Prior to founding Sennet Capital, he was the president and chief operating officer of City Bank until its merger with Central Pacific Bank in 2004. Mr. Lim came to City Bank via International Holding Capital Corporation (the parent of International Savings and Loan) where he was president and chief operating officer from 1987 to 1994. Mr. Lim has been an active member of the community and currently serves on the boards of the Hawaii Institute for Public Affairs, the Pacific Asian Affairs Council, the Hawaii Technology Development Venture, the Korean American Foundation and the board of governors of Chaminade University. Earlier in his career, he served on a number of boards and organizations that provide him with a broad perspective of Hawaii economy, including the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation, the National Energy Laboratory of Hawaii, the Community Based Economic Development board, HiBeam, UH Connections and Enterprise Honolulu. Mr. Lim holds degrees from Santa Clara University and Chaminade University.

JODIE MAESAKA-HIRATA (Public Safety), an 18-year veteran of the state Department of Public Safety, is the acting warden of Waiawa Correctional Facility. In August 2008, with the support of the surrounding community, Ms. Maesaka-Hirata launched an offender re-entry program that successfully reintegrated offenders by providing them job experience while they were still incarcerated. Ms. Maesaka-Hirata first began her work in public service at Halawa Correctional Facility in 1989 as a social worker. Ms. Maesaka-Hirata, 44, a Pearl City High School graduate, received her Bachelor’s degree in social work from UH-Manoa and her Master’s degree in criminal justice administrator from Chaminade University.

ALAPAKI NAHALE-A (DHHL Director), a Hilo resident, is the Executive Director of the Hawaii Charter Schools Network, which provides support for Hawaii’s charter schools and the charter school movement. Prior to this, he was the director of a Native Hawaiian community driven public charter school Ka Umeke Kaeo in Hilo for six years. Mr. Nahale-a, 42, is also a Department of Hawaiian Home Lands Commissioner, a Hawaii County Charter Commissioner, and a board member for the Kuikahi Mediation Center. In years prior, Mr. Nahale-a held a series of community development positions with Hawaii Community College, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and the Rural Community Assistance Corporation. He served the Hawaii County Council for five years as a legislative auditor assistant and fiscal/program review auditor. Mr. Nahale-a graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1986 and then earned his Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania.

BOBBY HALL (DHHL Deputy) has more than 30 years of service with the State of Hawaii, including 15 years at the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Mr. Hall, 57, began working at the state as a clerk at DHHL. His expertise is in affordable housing, development, construction, community relations and financing. His accomplishments include developing the initial concept and scope for DHHL’s Home Ownership Assistance Program (HOAP), which assists Native Hawaiian families to become successful homeowners; and forming the first public housing Neighborhood Watch Program at Mayor Wright homes, which paved the way for other programs like Weed and Seed, that won him a national award in 1989 for drug prevention from U.S. Housing and Urban Development. A graduate of Saint Louis High School, Mr. Hall studied Hawaiian Studies and liberal arts at UH-Manoa.

(Report Provided by the Office of Neil Abercrombie

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NEWS FLASH - November 29, 2010 7:10 a.m. HST

More 'Qualified' Teachers Now, More needed

Public schools have made progress in making sure core classes are taught by fully certified teachers, but officials acknowledge there is lots more work to do.

Not least of the concerns, they say, is addressing the large number of teachers hired before completing a teacher education program or taking all the tests to demonstrate content knowledge in the subjects they teach.

Such "emergency hires" made up 43 percent of new teachers brought into Hawaii public school classrooms in the 2009-10 school year -- down from 65 percent four years ago, according to a new Department of Education employment report.

Still, Hawaii falls short of a federal mandate that all students be taught by a "highly qualified" teacher in core subjects such as English and math.

"In a fantasy world we have people who have already passed all the tests standing up to go teach everywhere we want them to teach," said Robert Campbell, DOE executive assistant for strategic reform. "We're a bit from that at this point."

Under the federal No Child Left Behind law, "highly qualified" teachers are those who have a bachelor's degree or higher, are fully licensed, have demonstrated subject matter competency in the courses they are teaching and have passed required teaching exams.

Emergency hires, therefore, are considered not highly qualified. Even licensed teachers could be deemed not highly qualified if teaching outside their area of expertise.

While Hawaii falls short of the 100 percent goal, it has seen improvement in recent years. Last school year, 81 percent of classes statewide were taught by highly qualified teachers, compared with 74 percent in the 2008-09 school year and 70 percent in 2007-08.

And the percentage of new hires who are licensed has risen to 57 percent in 2009-10 from 35 percent in the 2005-06 school year. The increase is largely attributable to fewer teachers being hired overall because of the recession, cutting the need for emergency hires.

While the number of licensed teachers hired each year has held steady at about 500 to 550, the number of emergency hires declined from 1,050 four years ago to 382 last year.

As part of the state's $75 million Race to the Top education reform grant, the DOE has pledged to boost student achievement through a host of initiatives aimed at ensuring all schools have effective teachers who meet No Child Left Behind requirements.

Those initiatives include offering bonuses of $3,000 to highly qualified teachers in hard-to-staff schools and bolstering other methods of recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers, such as adding alternate routes to teacher certification.

Campbell said the state also plans to work more closely with teachers to help them "overcome whatever obstacle" they have to becoming highly qualified.

Wil Okabe, president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association, said the department and union are in collective bargaining discussions on some of those key issues.

He said incentives are important to keep good teachers in place.

Okabe also pointed out that teachers who put off retirement because of the recession will likely start leaving over the next few years, potentially creating a wave that could slow DOE efforts to put highly qualified teachers in every classroom.

At some schools the shortage of highly qualified teachers remains acute.

Just 46 percent of classes at Nanakuli High and Intermediate School were taught by highly qualified teachers in the 2009-10 school year.

At Kahuku, Pearl City and Waialua high schools, the figure was 69 percent.

Hawaii has for years had a lower percentage of classes taught by highly qualified teachers than the national average.

Officials say part of the problem is Hawaii's high teacher turnover, something the DOE attributes to the large number of teachers from the mainland and Hawaii's high cost of living.

Nationally, 96 percent of core academic classes were taught by highly qualified teachers in 2008-09, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

Campbell said one way the DOE is attacking the shortage of highly qualified teachers is rethinking the routes to teacher certification.

In the coming school year, the state plans to kick off a "residency-based alternative education program" to attract career changers with on-the-job training that would end with them receiving a teaching certificate.

"The traditional route (of teacher certification) just isn't producing the number of teachers that we need," said Campbell.

Most new teachers are young. In 2009-10, 70 percent of newly hired Hawaii teachers had no previous teaching experience, the DOE employment report shows. More than half were between 21 and 30 years old, and nearly one-quarter were between 21 and 25.

Of the emergency hires brought in last school year, 75 had not completed a teacher education program.

The majority, about 182, were unlicensed because they had not taken all the necessary teaching exams for licensure.

The DOE can consider emergency hires when it is unable to get enough applicants who are fully licensed. Emergency hires have three years to complete the requirements needed to secure a teaching license.

Meanwhile, the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board is trying to streamline its licensure requirements.

Part of that work includes surveying requirements for teacher licensure in other states and figuring out how they match up to Hawaii's standards.

Lynn Hammonds, executive director of the board, said the body is trying to ease the path to licensure.

"On the other hand, they have to uphold the integrity of the process," she said.

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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NEWS FLASH - November 28, 2010 9:20 a.m. HST

Pukalani Man Gets 6 Months for Punching Tourist, Stealing Bag

WAILUKU — A 19-year-old Pukalani man was sentenced to six months in jail for punching a tourist in the face and stealing his shoulder bag.

The Maui News reports as part of a plea arrangement with prosecutors, Shane Keoho was sentenced Tuesday after pleading no contest to second-degree robbery in connection with the incident in April.

Prosecutors dropped a third-degree assault charge against Keoho.

The judge in the case gave him credit for time served, while allowing him to report to jail Monday.

Keoho will also be on probation for five years.

(Report Provided by The Maui News)

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NEWS FLASH - November 28, 2010 7:10 a.m. HST

Abercrombie Eyeing State Senators for Cabinet Positions

Gov.-elect Neil Abercrombie is meeting with advisors this weekend and considering putting two and perhaps three state senators in his cabinet.

According to two sources, Abercrombie is considering Big Island Democratic Sens. Dwight Takamine and Russell Kokubun for positions with his new administration.

Takamine is under consideration as head of the state Labor Department and Kokubun would lead the Department of Agriculture.

There had been early speculation that Sen. Josh Green, also a Big Island Democrat and an emergency room physician, was under consideration for a position as the state director of health.

Green would not comment, saying only that he was proud that his Senate colleagues had selected him as chairman of the Senate Health Committee.

Also mentioned for a possible administrative position is long-time Manoa Democrat Sen. Brian Taniguchi, who, according to one Democratic source, is under consideration to the state Labor Relations Board.

If the senators do accept positions with the Abercrombie administration, they would have to resign from the Senate and Abercrombie would be able to name replacements. Abercrombie already is expected to name a replacement for Senate President Colleen Hanabusa, who will leave the state position when she is sworn in to Congress in January.

Kokubun, Takamine and Taniguchi did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for Abercrombie said the governor-elect was still interviewing candidates and "any announcement now would be speculation."

Takamine is a labor attorney practicing in Hilo. He was first elected to the state House in 1984 and then elected to the Senate in 2008. He was an active campaigner for Abercrombie during the primary and general election.

Kokubun was appointed to fill a vacancy in the state Senate in 2000 and has served ever since then. He is a former Big Island County councilman.

Reach Richard Borreca at rborecca@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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NEWS FLASH - November 27, 2010 10:45 p.m. HST

Warriors Share WAC Crown with Win Tonight

Alex Green broke a 60-year-old rushing record today in leading Hawaii to a 59-24 victory over New Mexico State as the Warriors clinched a share of the Western Athletic Conference football championship.

Green rushed for 327 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries to break Pete Wilson's team mark of 270 rushing yards set against Brigham Young University in 1950. Green now has 1,032 yards for the season to become the first UH player to break the 1,000-yard mark since Travis Sims managed 1,498 in 1992.

The win gives Hawaii a 7-1 record in conference and 9-3 mark overall. New Mexico State finished 2-10 for the season and 1-7 in league action. Hawaii holds a half-game lead over Nevada and Boise State, both nationally ranked. Nevada plays at Louisiana Tech next Saturday. Boise State hosts Utah State. Hawaii closes its regular season with a home game against Nevada-Las Vegas and will play a Conference USA team on Christmas Eve in the Hawaii Bowl.

After missing a scoring opportunity on the Warriors' opening series, they put together a nice seven-play, 72-yard drive that culminated with an 11-yard touchdown run by Green, who has 16 for the season. Scott Enos added the PAT to give Hawaii a 7-0 advantage with 7:01 left in the first quarter.

Hawaii extended the lead to 10-0 on a 27-yard field goal by Enos with 3:10 left in the opening quarter. Green set up the score on a 30-yard draw play, the first of many big carries for the afternoon.

The Aggies came back with their first scoring drive of the game on a good mix of run and pass. Running back Marcus Allen scored from 5 yards out off a reverse to draw the Aggies to within three at 10-7 with 12:32 left in the half.

Hawaii answered with a five-play, 91-yard scoring drive where Green displayed his talents once again. He had a 62-yard run off another draw where he broke several tackles along the way.

It set up a 12-yard touchdown pass to fellow running back Chizzy Dimude, the 29th scoring toss of the season by UH quarterback Bryant Moniz to make it 17-7 Hawaii with 10:18 left in the second quarter.

New Mexico State responded with another good drive led by freshman Andrew Manley, who, like Moniz, is a former Leilehua High signal-caller. Hawaii stopped the drive that began at the Aggies' 41, forcing a 37-yard field goal by Tyler Stampler, his 16th of the season in 19 attempts. It cut the Warriors' lead to 17-10 with 5:12 left in the half.

Hawaii responded with another score just 55 seconds later thanks to a two-play 54-yard drive that was all Green. After gaining 9 yards on the first carry, Green exploded through a huge hole and went untouched for 45 yards for his second score of the game.

Enos added the extra point as Hawaii extended its lead to 24-10 with 4:17 left in the half. Green was averaging 21.1 yards a carry after that score as the Aggies did their best to hang with their league counterparts.

But after Hawaii held New Mexico State to a three and out, the Warriors went right back at it, marching 72 yards on only four plays. The last one was a 15-yard touchdown toss from Moniz to Kealoha Pilares to give Hawaii a 31-10 advantage with 1:10 left in the half.

It was more of the same in the second half. Hawaii began its opening series after intermission with a 72-yard run by Green that set up a 3-yard scoring pass from Moniz to Greg Salas as Hawaii built an insurmountable 38-10 lead with 13:25 left in the third quarter.

That's a good thing for the Warriors as New Mexico State came back with a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown by Davon House. It was the third pick-six of his career, two against Hawaii, as the Aggies cut the UH lead to 38-17 with 8:42 left in the third quarter.

Hawaii made House pay for it on the ensuing offensive series as the Warriors drove quickly down the field again. The final play of the drive was a 33-yard touchdown pass from Moniz to Royce Pollard, who beat House on the play, as Hawaii extended its advantage to 45-17 with 6:25 left in the third.

Green added to the fun with a 33-yard touchdown run with 7:52 left in the game to build Hawaii's lead to 52-17 on Enos' seventh PAT for the day. Linebacker Aaron Brown also got into the act, returning a tipped Manley pass 34 yards for a score. It was his second interception return for a touchdown this season as Hawaii led 59-17 with 5:06 remaining in the game.

New Mexico State added a touchdown late on a 1-yard run by Seth Smith with 41 seconds left in the game.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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Warriors Can Share WAC Crown with Win Tonight

LAS CRUCES, N.M. » Soon after arriving in the parking lot of Aggie Memorial Stadium yesterday for a walk-through practice, the members of the Hawaii football team headed toward a gate in front of a ramp leading to the field.

Told that New Mexico State -- today's host -- was occupying that area, the Warriors went in the other direction, then walked down the stadium steps.

"That's called respect," UH associate head coach Rich Miano said.

It also was symbolic of the different paths of the Western Athletic Conference opponents.

Following Nevada's upset of Boise State last night, the Warriors can earn a share of the WAC's regular-season title with a road victory over the Aggies today. The Warriors also have clinched a berth in the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

The Aggies, who have lost 16 of their past 18 games dating to middle of the 2009 season, have not played in a bowl since 1960, Dwight Eisenhower's last year of presidency.

Both will start former Leilehua High quarterbacks. UH's Bryant Moniz, a fourth-year junior, leads the nation in total offense, averaging 362.73 yards per game. Last week, he set a UH single-game record with 560 passing yards. NMSU's Andrew Manley, a true freshman, has thrown for a total of 469 yards in three games and one series.

Still, UH head coach Greg McMackin has refused to look at the standings. Before the start of the walk-through, McMackin gathered the players, then implored them to focus only on the game.

"We're here for business," said McMackin, his raspy voice at full ferocity.

The UH coaches scheduled position meetings during the same time as the telecast of last night's Boise State-Nevada game, an outcome that impacted the Warriors' title chances.

"Our entire focus is on our game, not anyone else's," McMackin said.

At 8-3 overall and 6-1 in the WAC, the Warriors are assured their first winning season in McMackin's three years as UH head coach. They were 7-7 in 2008 and 6-7 last year.

With the regular-season finale against Nevada-Las Vegas next week and the bowl game against a Conference USA opponent, the Warriors have an opportunity to match the second-most victories in a UH season.

For that to happen, Moniz said, "We have to win our game against New Mexico (State)."

The Warriors have won all six meetings between the teams; the average margin has been 18 points.

Two Warriors have a chance to break school records today. Slotback Greg Salas needs 74 receiving yards to pass Jason Rivers' 3,919 career yards.

Scott Enos has converted 50 extra-point attempts in 2010, tied for the most in a row in a single season. He has not missed a PAT during his 24-game UH career.

"It's all about the snap and the hold," Enos said. "Those guys" -- he pointed to long-snapper Luke Ingram and holder Shane Austin -- "are like a machine."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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Hawai'i Nissan Dealers Not Sure When 'Leaf' EV Will Blow In

Local Nissan dealers still haven't been told by the automaker how many Leaf electric vehicles they will be receiving in the first shipment scheduled in January or exactly when the cars will arrive.

And some residents who have put down $99 refundable deposits for the much-anticipated Leaf say they are frustrated by the lack of information being provided by Nissan on the timing of their orders.

Nissan announced earlier this year that it would roll out the Leaf in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Tennessee in December, followed by Hawaii and Texas in January.

But questions began surfacing in recent weeks in online forums about how many cars Nissan would be able to deliver in its initial shipment from Japan. The VentureBeat website quoted a Nissan dealer in Seattle as saying he was told by the automaker that the five initial states will get just one Leaf per state in December.

In Hawaii, 300 residents have put down deposits for the Leaf, the highest number per capita of any of the launch markets. Bill Mickelsen, general manager of King Windward Nissan in Kaneohe, said Nissan has not told him how many Leafs to expect in the first delivery.

"We've been getting calls from customers. We reassure them that they will get their car. They just need to be patient," Mickelsen said. "The only frustrating thing for us is that we don't know where they (the customers) are on the waiting list."

A sales manager at New City Nissan in Kalihi said he also hasn't been give a firm number of cars or a date by Nissan.

For its part, Nissan North America has been attempting to keep customers informed of the delivery status of their vehicle via e-mail.

Those with Leaf reservations receive the following notice when they log on to the Nissan site: "As your Leaf is being built and shipped, we will continue to update your vehicle's status. So make sure to sign in to 'my account' to stay current with your estimated delivery date. For whatever reason, should your delivery date change by more than two weeks, we will send you an e-mail to notify you of the change."

Manoa resident Duane Preble, who put down his $99 deposit in May, said when he clicks on the button labeled "Estimated Delivery," he is told his order is "pending." When he called Nissan to ask when he would be getting his Leaf, he was not given a firm date.

Preble said the situation is frustrating because the electrical contractor, who is installing a charging station at his home, won't do the job until he commits to buying the car. But Preble said he first wants to know when he'll be getting the car.

Mickelsen from King Windward Nissan said because Hawaii residents who reserved Leafs were never given a firm delivery date, many of the 300 incorrectly assumed that they would get their vehicle in January.

"We were told that the first cars would arrive in January, but the 300 figure is for the whole year," he said. "Everyone will eventually get their car. In the worst-case scenario the delivery will be delayed."

Reach Alan Yonan at ayonan@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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Matson Cargo Ship 'Delivers' Black Widows to Guam

HAGATNA, Guam >> A cargo ship from Honolulu has arrived in Guam with hitchhikers — at least one large adult black widow spider and numerous baby kin.

Stevedores found the spiders Tuesday after opening a hatch on the Matson MV Manukai. A University of Guam entomologist identified them as black widows, which are poisonous.

Officials say once all but the affected cargo is off-loaded, the vessel will be fumigated.

In July, authorities in the U.S. territory turned away a South Korean ship after thousands of spiders overflowed from its cargo.

Guam officials are especially sensitive to invasive species. A lone brown tree snake hitched a ride in cargo decades ago, and since then, hundreds of thousands of them have populated the island.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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NEWS FLASH - November 26, 2010 8:15 a.m. HST

Nature Conservancy on Moloka'i Harnesses Sun

The Nature Conservancy's Molokai office will be running its lights, air conditions and electronics on the power of the sun.

The conservation organization had Maui's Rising Sun Solar install a 8.88-kilowatt photovoltaic system on the roof of its office in Molokai Industrial Park.

The Nature Conservancy said Wednesday the solar panels will cover all of its energy needs and put a cap on its energy costs.

The office will remain connected to Maui Electric's grid so that it can still buy power from the utility on cloudy days.

This also allows the organization to sell excess power to the utility on days when the office isn't using much power.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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NEWS FLASH - November 26, 2010 6:45 a.m. HST

Black Friday Draws Throngs In The Dark

Bargain shoppers, braving rain or frigid weather, crowded the nation's stores in the wee hours of the night to get their hands on deals from TVs to toys on Black Friday.

Early signs pointed to a solid turnout for the traditional start to the holiday shopping season. In an encouraging sign for retailers and for the economy, more shoppers appeared to be buying for themselves than last year, when such indulgences were limited. Lengthened hours that pushed some store openings into Thanksgiving also appeared to pay off.

Toys R Us, which drew in shoppers with 50 percent discounts on such toys as Buzz Lightyear and Barbies, was counting on getting an extra boost by opening 24 hours straight, starting at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving.

Toys R Us' 10 pm. opening at its flagship store in Times Square drew 1,500 shoppers, says CEO Jerry Storch.

"Where there are bargains, there are people looking to gobble them up," said Marshal Cohen, chief analyst for market research firm NPD. Though people were mostly sticking to their lists, some were picking up small extras. However, "the consumer is still very calculated."

The earlier hours were an enticement to shoppers like Jessica Marshburn, who was armed with a Rockstar energy drink and an advertising insert from a newspaper.

"It's easier this year. I just stayed up," said Marshburn, who was at Washington Square mall in Tigard, Ore., for its midnight opening. Her game plan? Kohl's, Target, and Best Buy, as they opened. She and her friend Cristy Doering were shopping for themselves while keeping their eyes open for any deals that might make good gifts.

At the Walmart store in Columbia, Md., customers came in waves, with a big rush at midnight when toys and apparel went on sale and then another surge beginning just before the cut-rate electronics were hauled out at 5 a.m. Parking spots were in short supply and shopping carts were even more scarce, as people stalked the exits waiting for discarded ones.

The chain averted the dangers of years past by keeping its doors open all night to head off potential stampedes. While there was a steady influx of shoppers, no one dashed through aisles or shoved. Instead, they lined up for tickets entitling them to heavily discounted TVs and computers and then camped out in cordoned-off aisles.

While the system kept things orderly, some shoppers didn't appreciate it.

Kelly Miller was looking to do some marathon gift shopping, but ended up buying just a few toys, including a game of Candyland marked down to $4.

"I might have picked up more," she said, "if I could have found what I wanted without stepping on people lying on the floor. I got fed up."

Retail analyst Cohen, who had a team of consultants monitoring 11 regions in the country, estimated that 15 percent of purchases so far on Friday were items for themselves, up from about 9 percent last year on the same day. On Black Friday 2008, he estimated it dropped to about 5 percent. In good economic times, such purchases run about 26 percent, Cohen said.

Kevin Jones, a Black Friday first-timer, was at Walmart in Columbia, Md., to buy a 42-inch Emerson LCD television for $398 for his new apartment.

"This year, I'm taking care of me first. I deserve a little gift," he said.

The fierce battle for shoppers' wallets promises savings for those willing and able to buy amid an economy that's still worrying many.

The good news is that retailers are heading into the season with some momentum after a solid start to November. Shoppers who can afford it are buying more nonessentials, like jewelry and luxury goods. That's helping to lift their spirits about the holiday season, which is expected to generate revenue gains modestly higher than a year ago.

Still, nearly 15 million are unemployed, and concerns about job security cloud consumer confidence. Spending may be picking up but has not returned to pre-recession levels.

"It's a dogfight between retail companies," said Chris Donnelly, a senior executive in consulting group Accenture's retail practice. "This year is the first time that there's a little more money in the marketplace so they're being more aggressive about getting the last dollar. At the end of the day, they're going to outweigh people who are pulling back."

Many stores pushed more exclusive deals online on Thursday in a bid to rope in shoppers before Black Friday. It apparently worked. According to IBM's Coremetrics, online sales soared 33 percent on the holiday compared with Thanksgiving 2009.

Consumers began shopping earlier in the day on Thursday compared with a year earlier. And the average order was $182.74, up from $159.81 on last year's Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving weekend is huge for retailers. In recent years, so-called Black Friday has been the busiest shopping day of the year, according to data from research firm ShopperTrak. But it doesn't necessarily provide a complete forecast of holiday sales. In fact, shoppers seem to be procrastinating more every year, so the fate of the holiday season is increasingly down to the last few days before Christmas.

Retailers do study buying patterns for the weekend to discern shoppers' mindset. This year, that means taking the measure on their willingness to spend just a little bit more.

Last year, the Thanksgiving shopping weekend accounted for 12.3 percent of overall holiday revenue, according to ShopperTrak. Black Friday made up about half of that.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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NEWS FLASH - November 25, 2010 7:45 a.m. HST

Miracle Rescue of New Zealand Teens at Sea Follows Eulogy

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Three teens who have been missing in the South Pacific for 50 days — and were already eulogized in a memorial service — have been found alive by a New Zealand fishing boat.

The boys — two 15-year-olds and a 14-year-old — disappeared while attempting to row between two islands in the New Zealand territory of Tokelau in early October and were given up for dead after an extensive search involving the country's air force.

Their craft had drifted 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) to a desolate part of the Pacific northeast of Fiji, when the crew of a tuna boat saw them frantically waving for help on Wednesday afternoon.

"In a physical sense, they look very physically depleted, but mentally ... very high," Tai Fredricsen, first mate of the San Nikuna, told New Zealand Radio on Thursday.

The rescue came not a moment too soon: Fredricsen said they had begun to drink sea water because it hadn't rained in the past few nights.

Local media also reported that the boys survived by eating a seagull that had landed on their boat.

Fredricsen said the boys were dehydrated, sunburned and very thin, but otherwise seemed OK. The tuna boat's crew gave them small portions of fruit and fluids.

The boys will be taken to a hospital in the Fijian capital of Suva on Friday.

(Report Provided by The Associated Press)

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NEWS FLASH - November 25, 2010 6:50 a.m. HST

Strong Winds Expected at Haleakala Summit

1. EVENT: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a WIND ADVISORY for the Haleakala Summit, in effect until 6:00 a.m. Friday. The Wind Watch has been cancelled.

A Wind Advisory means that winds of 30-39 mph are expected.

2. EFFECTS: Low pressure aloft approaching the main Hawaiian Islands from the east, together with high pressure aloft building to the west, will increase northeasterly winds across the summit of Haleakala today and tonight. Wind speeds will remain at potentially hazardous levels at least through tonight.

Expect wind speeds of 30 miles an hour with gusts to around 50 miles an hour today. By tonight, wind speeds may reach 40 to 45 miles an hour with gusts to around 55 miles an hour.

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 NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates.

NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. 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)

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NEWS FLASH - November 24, 2010 7:20 p.m. HST

Duke Aiona's Mom Passes Away

HONOLULU - The Office of the Lieutenant Governor today announced that Lt. Governor James “Duke” Aiona’s mother, Frances Helena Lum Aiona, passed away due to natural causes on Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at the age of 93.

“My mom was my hero and our entire ‘ohana is deeply saddened by her passing,” said Lt. Governor Aiona. “She was an extraordinary woman and a compassionate, tireless educator who instilled in me a lifelong love for learning and mentorship. I am at a loss for words to describe how important she was in my life and the lives of countless others. During this difficult time, Vivian and I humbly ask for privacy while we make final arrangements.”

In lieu of flowers, the Lt. Governor’s family suggests a donation to the Reid J.K. Richards Foundation, which was Frances Aiona’s favorite charity. The foundation was established on behalf of the Lt. Governor’s nephew Reid, who passed away at the age of 33. He was survived by his wife and his two young children. The foundation assists those who have lost a mother or father to cope with the grieving process.

(Report Provided by the Office of Lt. Gov. James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr.)

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NEWS FLASH - November 24, 2010 5:30 p.m. HST

Toddler Dies in Napili Traffic Incident

A toddler was accidentially run over and killed this morning in West Maui. Police say that 22 month-old Sophia Vermey was struck and killed by a 2000 Toyota 4Runner SUV as it was traveling along a shared driveway at a residence in Napili.

According to the police report, a 32 year-old woman was driving the SUV along the shared driveway at 95 Hui Road in Napili when it impacted the little girl. The girl was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center where she died from her injuries. The driver of the SUV was not injured.

This is Maui County's 13th traffic-related fatality of 2010, compared to 20 at this time last year.

(Information Provided by the Maui County Police Department)

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Governor, LG Issue Thanksgiving Message

"As the holiday season approaches, we would like to offer our best wishes for a happy Thanksgiving. We are grateful that our state’s rich mix of cultures and traditions cultivates a unique harmony, reflecting the countless blessings we enjoy.

"For the past eight years, the Lingle-Aiona Administration has been honored to serve the people of Hawai‘i. During our time, we remained firm in our commitment to improving the quality of life for Hawai‘i residents. We are pleased to have been able to initiate major upgrades to our airports, harbors, public schools, highways, state parks, hospitals and other public facilities.

"In Hawai‘i, the stunning beauty of our islands, a diverse culture which welcomes new friends and old, and the ideals of ‘ohana, which tie us to this special place we call home, are among the many blessings for which we can be thankful. Let us also take a moment to express our appreciation for our men and women in uniform, serving both at home and abroad, who have volunteered to sacrifice time with their families to serve our nation and provide a warm blanket of safety for all of us.

"We are truly grateful to the people of Hawai‘i for allowing us to serve as your Governor and Lt. Governor for eight years. It is the tremendous people who make our state an exceptional place to live, work and raise a family. Best wishes and happy holidays."

Aloha,

Linda Lingle
Governor, State of Hawai‘i

James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr.
Lieutenant Governor, State of Hawai‘i

(Report Provided by the Office of Governor Linda Lingle)

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Matson Plans 10 Percent Shipping Rate Increase

Matson Navigation Co. said it plans to raise the basic shipping rate and terminal handling charge on containers bound for Hawaii by $295, or roughly 10 percent for an average container, on Jan. 2.

The average cost to ship a 20-pound bag of rice to Hawaii will go up by 13 cents, Matson said. The cost of an 8-foot-long 2-by-4-inch piece of lumber will rise about 8 cents. A 12-ounce can of soda will go up about half a cent.

The state's largest ocean cargo company said the base rate increase -- which is $120 per westbound container and $60 per eastbound container -- works out to an average hike of 3.8 percent per container. The terminal handling charges will go up by $175 per westbound container to $1,025, a 20.6 percent rise, and $85 per eastbound container.

The combined increases add up to about a 10 percent price hike for an average Hawaii-bound container, which costs roughly $3,000 to ship.

Matson does not need approval for the rate increase, but files the information with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

"This rate increase will help offset rises in operating costs and support ongoing investments in our Hawaii service," said Dave Hoppes, senior vice president of Matson's ocean services.

The terminal handling charge was started in 2003 and is designed to recover a portion of the costs associated with the movement of cargo through terminal facilities on the West Coast and in Hawaii. The charge, which is standard in the industry, is a separate line item that appears at the bottom of a customer's freight bill. Terminal handling costs make up more than 40 percent of Matson's overall operating costs, Hoppes said.

The cost to ship a privately owned vehicle in a container will rise to $1,107 from $1,072, Matson said.

The basic rate and the terminal handling charge are separate from a fuel surcharge paid by Matson customers. The fuel surcharge is currently 21.75 percent.

Revenue from Matson was a primary driver in a surge in third-quarter profit at the company's parent company, Alexander & Baldwin Inc. However, the improvement was mostly in Matson's China business, which was expanded in September. Both container and automobile volumes on Matson's Hawaii service were down in the third quarter.

A&B's shares fell 54 cents, or 1.5 percent, yesterday to close at $35.17 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Reach Alan Yonan at ayonan@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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NEWS FLASH - November 24, 2010 6:35 a.m. HST

Native Hawaiian Group Suing UH Over Haleakala EIS

A native Hawaiian practices organization is suing the University of Hawaii and the state to require an environmental impact statement on the proposed management plan for a Haleakala observatory on Maui.

The lawsuit, filed by the Native Hawaiian Legal Corp. on behalf of Kilakila o Haleakala, which says it conducts customary and traditional native Hawaiian practices on Haleakala, names as defendants the university, UH Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources and board Chairwoman Laura Thielen.

The management plan does not need an EIS because it does not propose any new facilities atop Haleakala, said Mike Maberry, assistant director of UH's Institute for Astronomy.

UH needs Land Board approval of the management plan because the Haleakala High Altitude Observatory Site is on conservation land.

The item was on the Land Board's Monday agenda, but the board delayed discussion of the topic until its meeting next Wednesday.

Even though it was not required, Maberry said UH conducted an environmental assessment that concluded the proposed management plan will have no significant impact. An environmental assessment is less stringent than an EIS.

A separate item involving Haleakala on the Land Board's Monday agenda also was moved to next Wednesday. UH is requesting board approval to construct an Advanced Technology Solar Telescope atop Haleakala.

The proposed project has already undergone state and federal environmental impact statements. And because the project will use federal money, it must meet National Historic Preservation Act requirements, Maberry said.

He said UH had 30 formal and informal consultations with native Hawaiians and signed agreements with the National Science Foundation, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, the State Historic Preservation Division and native Hawaiians.

The lawsuit also mentions the possibility of another new telescope that could have significant impact on Haleakala: the Panoramic Telescope & Rapid Response System for detecting asteroids and comets that might pose a danger to Earth.

The state Office of Environmental Quality Control published a notice in 2007 of UH's intent to conduct an EIS for Pan-STARRS. Mauna Kea is the preferred site, with Haleakala listed as an alternate. The Air Force was to provide the funding.

Maberry said UH withdrew the notice because it is seeking alternative funding.

Reach Nelson Darancing at ndarancing@staradvertiser.com.

(Report Provided by The Honolulu Star-Advertiser)

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NEWS FLASH - November 23, 2010 8:20 p.m. HST

Quake Magnitude Downgraded Slightly, No Tsunami Expected

1. EVENT: The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center at Ewa Beach has issued a TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT for the Hawaiian Islands.

2. EFFECTS: An earthquake has occurred at 6:34 p.m. HST on November 23, 2010 at the island of Kahoolawe with a 4.6 magnitude measurement. No tsunami is expected. This will be the only statement issued for this event unless additional data are received.

3. INFORMATION: Maui County Civil Defense will continue to monitor the situation. Please listen to your local radio and TV stations or NOAA Weather Radio broadcasts for any updates.

NOAA Weather Broadcasts can be reached by calling 1-866-944-5025. 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)

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4.7 Kaho'olawe Quake Felt Across Maui County

Maui residents have reported to Police and to Maui TV News that they felt the earth shake a short while ago. The US Geological Survey confirms that a magnitude 4.7 quake struck at 6:34 this evening.

The quake was centered on the southwest shore of Kaho'olawe, at a depth of 11 miles. For reference, the quake was centered 30 miles SSW of Wailuku; 30 miles SE of Lana'i City; 45 miles WSW of Hana and 95 miles SE of Honolulu.

Reports of shaking have come from Kahului, Kihei and Wailuku. There have been no reports of injuries or damages.

(Information Collected from USGS and MPD Sources)

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NEWS FLASH - November 23, 2010 3:40 p.m. HST

ACLU Plans TSA Info-Rally at Honolulu Airport

HONOLULU – Criticizing the new Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) measures to screen airline passengers as an unacceptable choice that violates fundamental rights, provides a false sense of security and is particularly harsh on Hawaii residents and visitors, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii (“ACLU”) will be at Honolulu International Airport tomorrow handing out its “Travelers, Know Your Rights at the Airport” flyers from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on the sidewalk outside Lobby 4 on the Second Floor.

Many airline travelers have already undergone naked scans of their bodies or intrusive and humiliating manual searches by TSA. The ACLU is receiving an increasing number of complaints from travelers upset about how they were searched and others who want to know what to do if they object.

“Given the intrusive nature of these searches, we want travelers to be informed about what they may experience at the airport. The ACLU is very concerned that these unlawful, invasive and ineffective TSA searches provide a false sense of security,” said Laurie Temple, ACLU staff attorney.

“Hawaii residents and visitors to the islands are amongst those who are hardest hit – there is no choice but to fly and suffer through a degrading physical groping and massive invasion of privacy. These new TSA policies violate any standard of decency in addition to eroding the fundamental right to privacy and to be free from unreasonable searches.

The ACLU’s action tomorrow will also encourage travelers to contact their elected officials to demand that Hawaii’s airport officials remove the current body scanners and cancel plans to implement more. The ACLU has conveyed its concerns to Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a member of the Senate Subcommittee on Aviation Operations, Safety and Security, and plans to contact the rest of the congressional delegation.

The national American Civil Liberties Union and state affiliates have received hundreds of complaints from travelers about TSA’s new policies and procedures and use of “Advanced Imaging Technology” body scanners. Scanners currently in use by TSA at the Honolulu and Lihue airports produce naked pictures of passengers’ bodies as they pass through security checkpoints. These graphic images show highly personal details like colostomy bags, adult diapers and mastectomy scars and have not been proven to be effective in preventing terrorist attacks. Passengers who “opt out” of the body scanners are subject to “advanced” pat-down searches that involve open-palmed patting and squeezing of the entire body, including genitals and breasts. These manual searches have been likened to sex assaults and, while offensive to everyone, are particularly traumatizing for children, individuals with prostheses and other medical devices, those who believe the policies violate their religious beliefs, and those who have been sexually assaulted.

With serious questions being raised about the effectiveness of the naked body scanners and invasive pat-downs, the government must consider alternate security measures that will actually make us more secure without compromising our privacy and dignity.

For more information on the ACLU and its actions to press for effective national security measures, please visit www.aclu.org/TSA.

The mission of the ACLU of Hawaii is to protect the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the U.S. and State Constitutions. The ACLU of Hawaii fulfills this through legislative, litigation, and public education programs statewide. The ACLU of Hawaii is a non-partisan and private nonprofit organization that provides its services at no cost to the public and does not accept government funds. The ACLU of Hawaii has been serving Hawaii since 1965.

(Report Provided by the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i)

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Breaking News Archives

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