Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Thursday, July 14, 2016

KA`U RANCHERS FACE NEW water lease challenges. Sophie Cocke, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, reported this morning that farmers and ranchers applying for long-term state water leases could be required to conduct  environmental reviews and consulting with Native Hawaiians to ensure that traditional farming and other practices can remain.

      State legislation passed this year requires those who have month-by-month revocable water use permits from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources to obtain long-term leases before a three-year deadline arrives. The legislation is the result of Alexander & Baldwin’s longtime use of water on Maui for irrigation during the sugar era, which resulted in diversion of streams from their natural flow and from areas traditionally used for farming such local crops as taro.  Environmentalists and farmers challenged the diversion and the court ordered the water to be returned to the streams for traditional use and willdlife. Since the ruling, A&B has announced the shutdown of its sugar operations but wants to keep control of the water. The legislation gives A&B three more years.
     In Ka`u, the situation  affects the Edmund C. Olson Trust, Wood Valley Water and Farm Cooperative, Kuahiwi Contractors and Kapapala Ranch.
      See staradvertiser.com.
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GOV. DAVID IGE VETOED SEVERAL bills as the deadline for such action set in the state Constitution loomed this week.

      House Bill 1850 would have allowed transient accommodations brokers to register as tax collection agents with the state.

      “Looking at this bill from the single lens of taxes owed to the state, this measure did provide a mechanism to achieve that goal,” Ige said. “However, the use of an intermediary system, such as “’ax accommodations brokers’ as tax collection agents also provided a shield for owners who do not currently comply with county laws. This could have also encouraged owner-occupants to choose ‘transient accommodation renters’ at a time when affordable rental housing in our state is severely stressed and homelessness remains a critical concern statewide.”

      HB 1739 would have prohibited employers from accessing or obtaining employees’ social media accounts and passwords by coercion or other means.
      “It remains unclear the extent to which this is occurring in workplaces at a level that requires state intervention at this time,” Ige said. “While the intent of this bill is commendable, it contains no provisions for enforcement or due process. The measure states that ‘an employer found in violation … shall be subject to a fine of not less than $25 and not more than $100, to be collected by the director of the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.’ However, DLIR does not currently have the staff, resources or expertise to administer the measure, which would include taking complaints, determining violations, education of rights, determination and collection of fines and administrative review.
      HB 1747 would have authorized police officers to request towing of motor vehicles if a driver is arrested for driving under the influence.
      “This measure would have authorized police to tow vehicles only for the offense of driving under the influence,” Ige said. “This severely limits this bill, particularly for repeat offenders. The original intent of this bill was to allow police to tow for various traffic offenses, including driving without a license, habitually driving under the influence and operating a vehicle while a license has been revoked.
      “This bill would have also undermined a law that permits towing of a vehicle when an operator has been driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, without a valid driver’s license or with fraudulent license plates or registration emblems.”
      A complete list of vetoed and approved bills can be found at http://governor.hawaii.gov/.
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THE U.S. SENATE YESTERDAY UNANIMOUSLY passed a bill authored by Sen. Mazie Hirono to award Filipino World War II veterans who fought for the United States the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian award that Congress can bestow. A broad, bipartisan coalition of 71 senators co-sponsored the legislation, which recognizes Filipino soldiers who fought alongside Americans during World War II.

      “The Senate provided recognition to Filipino World War II veterans for their brave and courageous service to the United States,” Hirono said. “These veterans were instrumental to an Allied victory in the Pacific theater, but their fight didn’t end with the war. For decades, they have continued to fight for the benefits they have earned and to be reunited with their families in the United States. I thank my Senate colleagues for joining me in recognizing these veterans’ service and sacrifice with the Congressional Gold Medal, one of our nation’s highest civilian honors.”
      The Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2015, recognizes over 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-duty and fought under the American flag during World War II. Last August, Senator Hirono held an informational briefing in Hawaii for Filipino World War II veterans and their families to learn more about this bill.
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KA`U `OHANA BAND and many musicians taught, mentored and led by Cinnie Decker will hold an event in her honor on Saturday, July 30 at 10 a.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Decker was the founder of the Ka`u `Ohana Band and taught music on many instruments at her Ocean View home. She recently passed away on the mainland. Her husband Dallas Deckar will attend the gathering, and the public is invited.

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VOLCANO ART CENTER’S FIRST ANNUAL quilt show opens tomorrow with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Volcano Village. The free exhibit is open to the public. It will be on display from July 16 to Aug. 6, except Sundays and Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

      Over 20 quilters are showing 40 of their finest work, some for the first time in public. This year’s special theme, Find Your Park, highlights the centennial celebration for Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park as well as the National Park Service. A number of designs will be on display, inspired by dramatic scenery in the park. The quilts include traditional as well as contemporary Hawaiian quilts, wearable art, bed runners and some very small quilts.

      Also on display will be two antique Hawaiian quilts on loan from master quilter Roberta Muller, as well as old quilting paraphernalia.
      Muller shares basic quilting techniques on Saturday, July 16 during two-hour sessions from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Honu (turtle) Design Kits will be on sale for $10 and will include honu applique, fabric, batting, backing, needles and thread.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL District VI candidates meet constituents during a forum at Ocean View Community Center tomorrow at 5:30 p.m.

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT Network’s run of Meredith Willson’s The Music Man continues through July 24 at Kilauea Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

      Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
      Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for seniors and students and $10 for children 12 and under. Pre-sale tickets are available at Kilauea General Store, Kea`au Natural Foods and The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo. Tickets are also available at the door.
      For more information, call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.

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