http://www.thehawaiiindependent.com/local/kauai News • Culture • Community English news@thehawaiiindependent.com Copyright 2011 The Hawaii Independent Corporation Thursday, February 9 2012 9:05 AM /story/state-says-planned-pv-installations-at-kauai-schools-will-save-30-million /story/state-says-planned-pv-installations-at-kauai-schools-will-save-30-million HONOLULU—Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Schools Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi today announced that the state Department of Education (DOE) is working to significantly reduce the cost of school operations and, as a first step, has awarded a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) contract to install photovoltaic (PV) systems at 15 Kauai schools. Under the agreement, the installation of the PVs at the schools will be completed at no cost to the State, officials said. “The State Department of Education is committed to utilizing clean, renewable energy sources and finding ways to strategically reduce the cost of school operations,” Matayoshi said in a statement. “Over the next decade, the DOE plans to aggressively expand its photovoltaic project statewide to all schools.” DOE awarded a PPA contract to Hawaii Pacific Solar, LLC, for installation of PV systems at no cost to the following Kauai schools: Eleele Elementary; Hanalei Elementary; Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle; Kalaheo Elementary; Kapaa Elementary; Kapaa High; Kapaa Middle; Kaua’i High; Kekaha Elementary; Kilauea Elementary; King Kaumualii Elementary; Koloa Elementary; Waimea Canyon Elementary; Waimea High; and Wilcox Elementary. The PV installation at these schools will begin in January 2012 and is expected to be completed by summer 2014. Once the solar panels are operational, the DOE will purchase power at a rate of about 16.9 cents per kilowatt hour. This rate will rise to 28 cents per kilowatt hour over the course of the 20-year contract period. The DOE said it will save an estimated $30 million over the life of the project, taking into account a projected 3 percent yearly increase in commercial electricity rates. Based on current Kauai Island Utility Cooperative circuit capacity, the new 2.4 megawatt system will generate 4 million kilowatt hours of electrical power per year equal to 60 percent of the 6.6 million kilowatt hours used by Kauai DOE schools annually. The DOE will reduce its dependency on oil imports by more than 6,414 barrels and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 6,081,390 pounds annually. By entering into a PPA, the State will receive solar power without any up-front costs, and the third-party providers will be afforded a mechanism to claim tax credits. In 1997, Act 96 established a photovoltaic pilot program to set up solar PV installations in each county.  According to the act, solar PV installations would generate adequate energy savings to be self-sufficient. The DOE’s PPA agreement achieves the purpose and goals of Act 96. The DOE also announced that a pilot PPA project on Oahu, involving four high schools (Aiea High, Kahuku High and Intermediate, Kaimuki High and Waianae High), is underway and expected to be completed in 2012. The administration is working towards fulfilling Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative’s goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030, through energy efficiency and the development and implementation of renewable energy sources. News Culture Community Thursday, December 15 2011 2:10 AM /story/kauai-community-forum-lawmakers-to-talk-about-budget-highway-projects /story/kauai-community-forum-lawmakers-to-talk-about-budget-highway-projects KAUAI—State lawmakers will host a Kauai Community Forum for all county residents at the Aston Aloha Beach Hotel in the Alii Room on Wednesday, September 7 at 5:00 p.m. On the agenda will be a presentation from House Committee Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro (D) on how the State budget was balanced. A question and answer session will follow. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Highways Kauai District Engineer, Ray McCormick, will also have a display of upcoming highway projects on Kauai and will be available to the community for questions. Kauai Representatives Derek Kawakami (D), Dee Morikawa (D), and James Tokioka (D) are sponsoring the event and will also be there to answer questions and speak with residents about their concerns. “This is a great opportunity for all Kauai residents to engage with the House Finance Chair Marcus Oshiro on the State budget,” said Tokioka, who represents District 15—Lihue, Koloa. “We encourage all residents to attend and greatly appreciate your thoughts and comments.” Also in attendance will be House Finance Committee members Rep. Pono Chong (D), Repl Isaac Choy (D), Rep. Ty Cullen (D), Rep. Sharon Har (D), Rep. Jo Jordan (D), Rep. Gil Riviere (R), and Rep. Kyle Yamashita (D). News Culture Community Saturday, September 3 2011 12:33 AM /story/lgbt-labor-leadership-training-workshop-on-kauai-for-the-first-time /story/lgbt-labor-leadership-training-workshop-on-kauai-for-the-first-time With the passage of legislation creating civil unions in Hawaii and the signing of a law making employment discrimination on the basis of gender identity and expression illegal in the State, LGBT workers have achieved important steps toward equality recently. However, LGBT working people continue to suffer the effects of homophobia and transphobia across the United States. In a 2010 national survey, transgender workers reported unemployment levels at twice the rate of the general population, while 90 percent of those who are working reported experiencing harassment, mistreatment, or discrimination on the job. A 2009 survey found the national poverty rate for lesbians and bisexual women to be 24 percent (compared to 19 percent for heterosexual women and 13 to 15 percent for men), while the poverty rate for families led by lesbian couples was 9.4 percent (compared to 6.7 percent for families with opposite-sex couples). 75 percent of Asian and Pacific Islander LGBT people reported facing harassment or discrimination based on their sexual orientation in a nationwide 2007 survey. Recent attacks on the most basic rights of workers to collectively bargain put at risk many gains LGBT workers have made through their union contracts, including domestic partnership health coverage and family leave, mandated anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, and transgender health care.  It is the mission of Pride At Work Hawaii (P@WHI) to mobilize support between the labor movement and the LGBT communities. To enable that mission on Kauai, P@WHI will be presenting a three-hour interactive LGBT labor leadership workshop. In August, P@WHI is inviting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Intersex, Transgender, Mahu and Queer labor activists and Straight allies on Kauai to learn how to organize for their rights on the job and in their union. Through the support of a grant from the Ah Quon McElrath Fund for Economic and Social Justice, P@WHI will be training participants in developing organizational and leadership skills to effectively raise and address LGBT issues in the workplace and labor unions. The workshop will be held in Lihue on Saturday, August 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and costs $15 (scholarships are available).  Topics to be covered include: * The union difference for LGBT workers. * Tools for confronting homophobia and transphobia in unions and workplaces. * Talking with union leaders and messaging with other workers about LGBT issues. * Key national and local issues affecting LGBT workers. For more information, or applications for the workshop, visit www.hawaflcio.org/PAWHI. The application deadline is August 15. LGBT Labor Leadership Training Workshop Saturday, August 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. $15 (scholarships are available) Lihue, Kauai Contact prideatworkhawaii@hawaiiantel.net or (808) 543-6054 for more details News Culture Community Thursday, July 28 2011 2:15 AM /story/hmsa-foundation-awards-hawaii-non-profit-programs-with-237714-in-grants /story/hmsa-foundation-awards-hawaii-non-profit-programs-with-237714-in-grants HONOLULU—The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) Foundation announced that it awarded $237,714 in grants to 11 health programs and community organizations in the second quarter of the year. The HMSA Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable foundation that supports efforts across the state to improve the health of Hawaii’s people. HMSA Foundation grants made in the second quarter include: · Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii—The grant supports the Healthy Lifestyles program for young members with activities that focus on health, exercise, and nutrition. The goal is to reduce childhood obesity and create healthy lifestyle choices that last into adulthood. Grant amount: $25,000. · Chaminade University of Honolulu—The grant supports the “Staying Alive for One to Four Minutes” project that provides automated external defibrillators (AED) for use on the Chaminade campus and at three off-site residence halls. Grant amount: $23,000. · Hawaii Meals on Wheels—The grant supports the “Hot Meal, Home Delivery and Route Expansion” program that delivers more than 1,700 hot, nutritious meals to elderly and homebound residents. It expands the service area to include two additional routes to meet the needs of Oahu’s aging population. The funds will also be used for recruitment and training. Grant amount: $15,000. · Help, Understanding & Group Support(HUGS)—The grant supports the Maldonado Airfare Fund, which helps families that must transport a seriously ill child to Oahu from the Neighbor Islands or from any island to the Mainland for life-saving treatment or surgery. The fund provides up to $2,500 per family, per calendar year. Grant amount: $10,000. · Kapiolani Community College—The grant supports the “5-2-1-0 Let’s Go Digital Video Development Project.” Videos of the 5-2-1-0 theme song, dance exercises, and flash mob performances will be disseminated through the 5-2-1-0 website, social media, and Share Your Table TV channel and website (www.ShareYourTable.tv). The videos target children and youth. Grant amount: $25,000. · Kapiolani Health Foundation—The grant supports a study called “Utilizing Biomarkers to Improve the Cervical Cancer Prevention Process.” It evaluates the effectiveness of a new Pap smear tool. By reducing the number of women who receive unnecessary procedures, significant cost savings may be realized over time. Grant amount: $11,214. · Lanai Community Health Center—The grant supports a project called “Improving Patient Care & Chronic Disease Outcomes through Chronic Care Model and Electronic Patient Registries.” It develops and implements a wellness education program for patients with diabetes and cardiovascular disease, utilizing electronic medical record and patient registry programs. The project aims to improve the health of patients at the Lanai Community Health Center. Grant Amount: $50,000. · National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii—The grant supports the “Kidney Disease in the Pacific—Meeting the Challenge” conference. It brings together providers who treat chronic diseases from Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa, enhances professional development, and provides an opportunity to network among colleagues in the nephrology profession. The conference also features the latest in products and technology in the dialysis field. Grant amount: $5,000. · Philippine Medical Association of Hawaii Foundation—The grant supports the “Healthy in Hawaii” conference, which updates health care providers on current developments in the treatment of thyroid cancer, osteoarthritis, menopause, and osteoporosis. It also focuses on nephrology, immunizations, infectious diseases, pediatric obesity, and cardiology. Grant amount: $2,500. · Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific—The grant supports a project called “Building Capacity and Improving Outcomes for Patients with Neurological Vision Impairments.” It brings the latest neurological vision therapy to Hawaii by establishing the first vision clinic in an acute rehabilitation setting. Grant amount: $56,000. · Women In Need—The grant supports the “Substance Abuse Relapse Prevention” program, which provides tools, knowledge, and a support system to help prevent substance abuse relapse on Kauai and Oahu. Twenty individuals on each island will participate in the project. Grant amount: $15,000. The HMSA Foundation is a nonprofit, tax-exempt private charitable organization. It was founded in Hawaii in 1986 as a public foundation with the goal of stimulating research aimed at some of the pressing issues that confronted Hawaii’s health care industry. In 1997, the Foundation was converted to a private foundation to allow for larger contributions from donors, such as HMSA. The mission of the HMSA Foundation is to extend HMSA’s commitment to provide community access to cost-effective health care services, promote health, provide health education and relevant research, and improve social welfare in Hawaii. Health plan dues from HMSA members and employer groups are not used to fund Foundation grants.  Foundation grants are funded with annual investment income earned on its original endowment.  For more information on the HMSA Foundation, please visit www.hmsafoundation.org. News Culture Community Monday, July 18 2011 11:44 PM /story/kauai-gmo-free-seed-and-plant-exchange-sunday-in-kapaa /story/kauai-gmo-free-seed-and-plant-exchange-sunday-in-kapaa Kapaa, KAUAI—A collective of community groups on Kauai will hold the Seed and Plant Exchange on Sunday, June 12 at Keiki o Ka Aina in Kapaa. This event in designed to facilitate local growers in the ongoing stewardship of valuable plant diversity by producing, saving, and sharing seeds and other plant materials with island neighbors. Check-in of plant material will begin at noon, and the seed and plant exchange will begin after the 2:00 p.m. group blessing. A lecture by One Song Farm’s Lisa Fuller will follow. All seeds and plants at the exchange will be given freely or traded. Participants are asked to bring only pre-cleaned, non-invasive, GMO free materials. Live music will be featured, as will food from Papaya Natural Foods. The community groups behind the Seed and Plant Exhange are Regenerations Botanical Garden and Kauai Community Seed Bank, GMO free Kauai, Akamai Backyard, and Na Keiki O Ka Aina. For more information, click here. Sunday, June 12 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Na Keiki O Ka Aina 4-831 Kuhio Hwy. Related Story: In the seed lies the life and the future News Culture Community Thursday, June 9 2011 9:52 PM /story/soul-surfer-embraces-familys-faith-through-tragedy /story/soul-surfer-embraces-familys-faith-through-tragedy Hawaii Catholic Herald’s Darlene J.M. Dela Cruz reported on “Soul Surfer,” a film based on the story of Kauai native Bethany Hamilton and her struggle and recovery after losing her left arm in a 2003 shark attack. News Culture Community Tuesday, April 19 2011 7:33 PM /story/missile-defense-test-uses-pearl-harbor-destroyer /story/missile-defense-test-uses-pearl-harbor-destroyer Officials say the U.S. military’s sea-based missile defense system successfully intercepted an intermediate-range missile for the first time during a test more than 2,000 miles off Hawaii, Associated Press reported. The Missile Defense Agency said the USS Hopper destroyer equipped with the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense system radar tracked the target, which was launched from a Marshall Islands atoll about 2,300 miles south of Hawaii. The U.S. Navy has deployed 21 destroyers with the Aegis system and Standard Missiles made by Waltham, Massachusetts- based Raytheon Co. (RTN), primarily designed to shoot down short- and medium-range missiles, Bloomberg reported. Newer versions of the interceptor are designed to hit enemy missiles with longer ranges. Comments on the military and political significance of the test were made in a statement by Riki Ellison, Chairman and Founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA), on Kauai: “Validation of Phase I of President Obama’s Phased Adaptive Approach (PAA) for Europe has been achieved with this successful demonstration. Phase I is the deployment of an Aegis BMD ship with SM-3 Block IA missiles in the Eastern Mediterranean, coupled with forward based AN/TPY-2 radar in either Turkey or Bulgaria, to provide defensive capability against Iran for southern Europe by the end of this year. “This demonstrated ‘launch on remote’ capability will provide immediate protection for Israel, where an AN/TPY-2 radar is already based. There is another forward-based radar in Shariki, Japan, that could be configured to offer the same early information to the Aegis BMD ships in their mission to protect Japan, Guam, South Korea and the U.S. forward operating bases there. “The launch on remote’ demonstration displays the proven capability of the Aegis BMD system, AN/TPY-2 radar and SM-3 Block IA interceptors to track and defeat missiles like the Iranian Sejil-2 and currently deployed North Korean ballistic missiles. Upcoming future deployments of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) batteries and their forward-based X-band radars in the Persian Gulf and in the Far East, combined with the current Aegis BMD system, will provide much greater extended protection for our troops, forward bases and allies. “Having this proven capability to defeat the best missiles that Iran and North Korea currently have in place sends a strong message of deterrence and counter-proliferation that will help stabilize these volatile regions.” News Culture Community Friday, April 15 2011 11:49 PM /story/corporate-lies-the-real-scoop-on-kauais-grove-farm /story/corporate-lies-the-real-scoop-on-kauais-grove-farm News Culture Community Thursday, April 7 2011 12:52 AM /story/kauais-derek-kawakami-appointed-to-state-house /story/kauais-derek-kawakami-appointed-to-state-house HONOLULU—Derek Kawakami, former Kauai County Councilmember, has been appointed as the newest member of the State House of Representatives. Kawakami was appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie to fill the vacant seat of former Rep. Hermina Morita (District 14—Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa, Waipouli) with a term expiring November 6, 2012. Morita stepped down after the Governor appointed and the State Senate confirmed her as the Public Utilities Commission Chair. “I am pleased to welcome Derek Kawakami to the House of Representatives,” said Speaker of the House Calvin K.Y. Say. “Mr. Kawakami joins the Legislature during a critical session, with our main focus on balancing the budget and revitalizing the economy. He has already proven his dedication to the public good through his service on the Kauai County Council.”  Rep. Derek Kawakami’s committee assignments will be set later this week. He can be reached at the State Capitol in Room 314, (808) 586-8435, and at repkawakami@capitol.hawaii.gov. News Culture Community Tuesday, April 5 2011 1:01 AM /story/alert-flash-flood-watch-for-oahu-kauai /story/alert-flash-flood-watch-for-oahu-kauai HONOLULU—The National Weather Service in Honolulu announced a Flash Flood Watch through the afternoon of Friday, March 4 for Kauai and Oahu. A Developing low pressure system west of the islands has drawn moist and unstable air from the tropics to Kauai County and Oahu today. A front associated with this low pressure system is expected to reach Kauai Friday, bringing possibly more heavy rainfall to the western islands. Moist and unstable atmospheric conditions will persist, increasing the potential for localized heavy showers. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding, a very dangerous situation. Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should a Flash Flood Warning be issued. For updated weather information, click here News Culture Community Thursday, March 3 2011 8:08 PM /story/van-cliburn-silver-medalist-joyce-yang-to-perform-at-uh /story/van-cliburn-silver-medalist-joyce-yang-to-perform-at-uh MANOA—Critically acclaimed as “the most gifted young pianist of her generation,” pianist Joyce Yang captivates audiences around the globe with her stunning virtuosity combined with heartfelt lyricism and interpretive sensitivity. Just 24, she has established herself as one of the leading artists of her generation through her innovative solo recitals and notable collaborations with the world`s top orchestras. In 2010, Yang was awarded an Avery Fisher Career Grant, one of the most prestigious prizes in classical music.  University of Hawaii at Manoa Outreach College, in association with the Hawaii Music Teachers Association, presents pianist Joyce Yang in concert on Friday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Orvis Auditorium on the UH Manoa campus. Yang came to international attention in June 2005 when she became the Silver Medalist of the 12th Van Cliburn International Competition. As the youngest contestant, Yang swept two additional awards as an all-around winner, receiving the Steven De Groote Memorial Award for Best Performance of Chamber Music with the Takacs Quartet, and the Beverley Taylor Smith Award for Best Performance of a New Work. Born in Seoul, Korea, Yang received her first piano lesson at age four from her aunt. She quickly took to the instrument, which she received as a birthday present. Over the next few years, she won several national piano competitions in Korea. By age 10, she had entered the School of Music at the Korea National University of Arts and subsequently made a number of concerto and recital appearances in Seoul and Daejon. In 1997, Yang moved to the United States to begin studies at the Pre-College division of the Juilliard School in New York with Dr. Yoheved Kaplinsky. During her first year at Juilliard, she won its Pre-College Division Concerto Competition, resulting in a performance of the Haydn Concerto in D major with the Juilliard Pre-College Chamber Orchestra. In April 1999, Yang was invited to perform at a benefit concert with the Juilliard Orchestra, conducted by Leonard Slatkin. Winning the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Greenfield Competition led to a performance of the Prokofiev Piano Concerto No. 3 with the Philadelphia Orchestra when she was just 12. She recently graduated from Juilliard with special honor, as the recipient of the 2010 Arthur Rubinstein Prize. In just a few short years, Yang has performed in various high-profile venues, such as Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center. In November of 2006, Ms. Yang made her New York Philharmonic debut with Lorin Maazel at Avery Fisher Hall and performed on their Asian tour, making a triumphant return to her hometown in South Korea. Since then, she has appeared with them frequently, including the opening night of the Leonard Bernstein Festival in September 2008 at the special request of Lorin Maazel in his final season as Music Director. The New York Times called Yang`s rendition of Bernstein`s Age of Anxiety a “knock-out.” In the summer of 2010, Yang made her San Francisco Symphony debut with Alondra de la Parra, returned to the Chicago Symphony under James Conlon at Ravinia and the Aspen Festival Orchestra led by Leonard Slatkin at the Aspen Music Festival. Other highlights of the 2010-2011 season include performances in the United States, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Tel Aviv. An avid chamber musician, she continues her longtime collaboration with the Takacs Quartet, and tours with violinist Stefan Jackiw and the Miro Quartet.  In the 2009-2010 season, Yang performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl and Walt Disney Hall, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, The Hague Symphony Orchestra in The Netherlands, the Lexington and Naples Philharmonics, and the Sarasota, Milwaukee, New Mexico, Syracuse, Signature, Tucson, Duluth-Superior, Elgin and Louisville Symphonies. In addition, Yang debuted in Budapest, Hungary, playing in the historic Bela Bartok Concert Hall with the Danubia Symphony. Her recital for the Frederic Chopin Society in Minneapolis has been featured on American Public Media`s nationally syndicated radio program Performance Today, where she is a frequent guest.  Yang has been continually engaged by orchestras across the United States and abroad and has performed with the Chicago Symphony, National Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony, BBC Philharmonic, Colorado Symphony, Houston Symphony, National Orchestra of Brazil, Estonian Symphony Orchestra, and Hong Kong Philharmonic. As a frequent recitalist, Yang has appeared in Chicago Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Tonhalle in Zurich, and the Metropolitan Museum in New York City.  Yang is also featured in In the Heart of Music, the film documentary about the 2005 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Her debut disc, distributed by harmonia mundi usa, includes live performances of works by Bach, Liszt, Scarlatti, and the Australian composer Carl Vine. A Steinway Artist since 2008, Yang currently resides in New York City. Tickets range in price from $10 to 25, and are available at etickethawaii.com, by phone at (808) 944-2697, or at any UH Ticket outlet. Service fees apply. Call (808) 956-8246 for more information or visit www.outreach.hawaii.edu/community. Yang will also appear at UH Hilo Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 6, and at Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 13.   News Culture Community Thursday, March 3 2011 1:33 AM /story/musings-rich-and-poor /story/musings-rich-and-poor News Culture Community Monday, February 28 2011 8:02 PM /story/engineering-firm-to-study-restoring-poipu-beach /story/engineering-firm-to-study-restoring-poipu-beach News Culture Community Monday, February 28 2011 7:57 PM /story/alert-flash-flood-watch-in-effect-for-all-islands-heavy-rains-and-thunderst /story/alert-flash-flood-watch-in-effect-for-all-islands-heavy-rains-and-thunderst HONOLULU—A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for Kauai, Niihau, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Hawaii Island, and Oahu through late Wednesday night. Moist and unstable atmospheric conditions associated with an upper level trough will maintain the possibility of heavy rainfall and a slight chance of thunderstorms. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding, a very dangerous situation. Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. For updated information from the National Weather Service, click here News Culture Community Tuesday, February 22 2011 7:49 PM /story/alert-flash-flood-watch-for-kauai-and-niihau-through-friday-morning /story/alert-flash-flood-watch-for-kauai-and-niihau-through-friday-morning HONOLULU—The Honolulu National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Watch for Kauai and Niihau through the morning on Friday, February 18. A moist and unstable atmosphere will bring a threat of heavy showers and flash flooding. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding, a very dangerous situation. Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should a Flash Flood Warning be issued. For updated information from the National Weather Service, click here The storm passing through the islands is a slow moving cold front that will move gradually through the islands from Thursday night to Friday morning. There may be brief heavy downpours which can temporarily reduce visibilities and produce ponding that can make driving difficult. A high surf advisory also is in effect throughout the islands (North and Windward sides) until 6:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18. Surf 6-to-9 feet will be joined by rip currents that can easily overpower even strong swimmers. Minor coastal erosion along shores are also expected. News Culture Community Friday, February 18 2011 4:37 AM /story/abercrombie-taps-hermina-morita-to-head-public-utilities-commission /story/abercrombie-taps-hermina-morita-to-head-public-utilities-commission HONOLULU—Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the appointment of State Rep. Hermina Morita as the chair of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC). Carlito Caliboso has been PUC Chair since 2003. Morita’s appointment fills the remainder of a six-year term ending June 30, 2014 and requires confirmation by the State Senate. The PUC, comprised of three members, is a rate-setting agency for franchised or certificated public service companies that operate in the State. The PUC also determines the allowable rate of earnings and issues guidelines concerning the management of utility businesses. It also acts on requests for the acquisition, sale, disposition or other exchange of utility properties, including mergers and consolidations. “The PUC is a critical economic driver for the State and its decisions affects all residents and businesses throughout Hawaii,” Morita said. “It oversees essential services such as electricity, the state’s communications, and barge-cargo system throughout our islands.” Morita’s appointment leaves a vacancy in the State House of Representatives for District 14, which includes Hanalei, Anahola, Kealia, Kapaa, and Waipouli. According to state law, the governor will appoint her replacement after receiving a list of candidates from Morita’s district and the Democratic Party. Morita was first elected to the Hawaii State House of Representatives in 1996. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection and is a member of the Water, Land Use, and Ocean Resources; Housing; Judiciary; and Consumer Protection Committees. She has been a longtime advocate for the use of renewable energy as a pathway to peace, economic stability and social justice. Morita has served on the Kauai Planning Commission and Kauai Police Commission. “Under Chair Caliboso’s thoughtful and steady leadership, the PUC has been evolving to keep up with changing technology and innovation to meet the state’s changing policies and consumer demands,” Morita said. “I hope to build on that foundation and continue the move toward a more self-sufficient Hawaii.” News Culture Community Friday, February 4 2011 3:41 AM /story/hawaiian-policy-center-launches-litigation-awareness-project-to-amplify-an /story/hawaiian-policy-center-launches-litigation-awareness-project-to-amplify-an HONOLULU—The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement (CNHA) and its Policy Center have adopted a project to increase understanding on a variety of legal cases moving through the court system involving Native Hawaiian trust assets. The Policy Center Litigation Awareness Project will convene Hawaiian leaders statewide three times a year, to receive briefings on cases, including information on plaintiffs, defendants and the core tenets of each case. “There are a number of court cases that are powerfully important to Native Hawaiian communities, and most certainly our trust assets,” said Robin Puanani Danner, CNHA President. “Rather than read about them sporadically in the newspaper, we decided that more directly involving and informing our members and communities on the basics of some of these court cases is the best approach.” The Policy Center will convene on the court cases at the end of January, in May, and in September for the 2011 calendar year. The first case to be reviewed in substance is the Nelson case, filed by beneficiaries to ensure that the Hawaiian Home Land trust is adequately funded by state government as provided by in the state of Hawaii constitution. The Lingle administration vehemently fought the premise of the case. “We should never, ever, let State agencies, in this case the Lingle Attorney General’s office, be the sole voice on the potential solutions or results of these kinds of cases.” “I’m really looking forward to reviewing the Nelson case and becoming more aware of where it has been over the last several years, and where it is today,” Danner continued. “I’m a big proponent of litigation being a last resort approach to settling differences, and frankly, as Native Hawaiian leaders, we have been remiss in raising the awareness of this case. We should never, ever, let State agencies, in this case the Lingle Attorney General’s office, be the sole voice on the potential solutions or results of these kinds of cases.  We have a responsibility as leaders of our communities, to educate ourselves and to be knowledgeable of what these cases mean, and what arguments are being made for or against our trust assets.” To read more about the Nelson case, click here The Policy Center Litigation Awareness Project will not only host the three annual briefings for its leadership, but will also coordinate publication of summaries and updates on the status of court cases it includes, to the larger membership of CNHA and partner organizations. CNHA is a national network of Native Hawaiian Organizations, providing assistance in accessing capital and technical resources, and is a policy voice on issues important to Native Hawaiian communities. Its mission is to enhance the well-being of Hawaii through the cultural, economic, and community development of Native Hawaiians. For more information about the CNHA Policy Center, the Litigation Awareness Project, or any program of CNHA, contact policy@hawaiiancouncil.org, (808) 596.8155, toll-free at 1 (800) 709.2642, or visit www.hawaiiancouncil.org. News Culture Community Thursday, January 27 2011 8:07 PM /story/high-surf-throughout-hawaii-going-into-this-weekend /story/high-surf-throughout-hawaii-going-into-this-weekend HONOLULU—The National Weather Service in Honolulu this morning issued a High Surf Warning for north and west facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai and for north facing shores of Maui until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 21. A High Surf Warning was also issued for west facing shores of Hawaii Island until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 22. Surf will see peak heights of 22-to-30 feet lowering to 15-to-25 feet along north and west facing shores of Kauai and Niihau and along north facing shores of Oahu, Molokai, and Maui. Peak heights of 15-to-22 feet lowering to 12-to-18 feet are expected along west facing shores of Oahu and Molokai. Surf will gradually ower but remain large through at least Friday. Coastal erosion and wave run-up is expected to occur in coastal areas exposed to the swell. A High Surf Warning indicates that dangerous, battering waves will pound the shoreline. This will result in very dangerous swimming conditions and strong rip currents. Avoid entering the water and remain alert for wave run-up if headed to the beach to view the surf. For updated information from the National Weather Service, click here News Culture Community Friday, January 21 2011 9:52 PM /story/flash-flood-watch-for-maui-and-hawaii-island-high-surf-throughout-the-state /story/flash-flood-watch-for-maui-and-hawaii-island-high-surf-throughout-the-state HONOLULU—Big waves and storm clouds are passing through the islands going into Wednesday, January 19. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Hawaii Island and Maui. A cold low aloft will move southward over Maui and Hawaii Island late Tuesday, January 18 and continue through the following day bringing the threat of heavy showers and thunderstorms that may produce flash flooding. The Flash Flood Watch remains in effect from midnight tonight through Wednesday afternoon. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued. For updated weather information, click here A High Surf Warning is in effect from noon on Wednesday, January 19 to noon on Friday, January 21. Surf will increase rapidly Wednesday afternoon and evening, reaching 30 to 40 feet along north and west facing shores of Kauai, 25 to 35 feet along Oahu’s North Shore, and 20 to 30 feet along west shores of Oahu as well as north shores of Molokai and Maui. The swell will reach Kauai first, building rapidly Wednesday afternoon as it spreads to islands farther to the east. The incoming swell has a westerly component that will produce larger-than-normal surf along west facing shores. Some wave run-up is possible along Leeward Oahu. This will result in very dangerous ocean conditions and deadly rip currents. News Culture Community Wednesday, January 19 2011 4:26 AM /story/flash-flood-wednesday-thursday /story/flash-flood-wednesday-thursday HONOLULU—The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flash Flood Watch for all islands from the morning on Wednesday, January 12 through the afternoon on Thursday, January 13. A strong cold front approaching from the northwest will bring the threat of heavy rainfall and flash flooding. The western portion of the state will see the greatest flood risk Wednesday with a continued threat of heavy rain on Thursday. A Flood Advisory has been issued for Oahu until 4:45 p.m. on Monday, January 10. At 1:30 p.m. today, radar showed moderate rain moving over Oahu from east to west. The showers are expected to continue through late afternoon. A Flood Advisory has also been issued for Molokai until 6:45 p.m. on Monday, January 10. At 3:42 p.m. today, spotters reported heavy rain over Molokai moving east at 15 mph. The advisory may need to be extended beyond 6:45 p.m. if heavy rain persists. The words “watch” and “warning” are used for two different levels of flood alerts. A Flash Flood Watch or flood watch means that flooding or flash flood is possible in the area. The basic message of a flood watch is exactly what it sounds like: “Watch closely, conditions suggest a high likelihood of flooding.” When the word “watch” is replaced by the word “warning,” flooding or flash flooding is imminent or already beginning to occur. If you are in a low-lying or flood-prone area, act immediately to ensure the safety of your family. When a warning is issued, it is too late to prepare property to withstand flooding. You may have only seconds to act. Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot. Flash floods occur during extended rainfall events or within a few hours after the rainfall, according to the Pacific Disaster Center. Generally, if rainfall is of long enough duration, it will eventually cause flooding along the rivers, creeks, and streams draining the catchment area where the rain is being collected. But if the intensity of the rain—the number of inches of rain falling in a given time frame—is too great for the stream system, including flood plains, to carry the water away, flash flooding occurs. High Surf Advisory The National Weather Service also issued a High Surf Advisory beginning midnight tonight, Monday, January 10, for North and West facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Molokai. A series of storms moving across the western and central Pacific have generated large west-northwest swells that will arrive tonight and last through Wednesday, January 12. Rough surf created by a mix of long and short period swell will increase further on the night of Tuesday, January 11, possibly pushing surf to warning levels. Waves along north-facing shores will increase to 15 to 20 feet. West facing shores will increase to 10 to 15 feet. Surf will rise on Kauai and Oahu during the evening and surpass advisory levels after midnight tonight. A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion. Small Craft Advisories have also been issued throughout the state as locally strong and gusty winds near the front combined with the northwest swell will create dangerous seas. The large swell will linger through Wednesday then gradually diminish. Wind Advisory A Wind Advisory is also in effect for Haleakala Summit and Hawaii Island summits through midnight tonight with southwest winds from 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. Operatrs of high profile vehicles should drive with caution. Visitors to the summits should prepare for windy and cold conditions. A Wind Advisory means that winds of 30 mph are expected. Winds this strong can make driving difficult. Use extra caution. For updated information, visit http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/ News Culture Community Tuesday, January 11 2011 1:25 AM