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| Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School staff and teachers prepare for students to arrive Wednesday. See more below. Photo from KHPES |
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| Sen. Russell Ruderman and supporters at Volcano Independence Day Parade. Photo from Sen. Ruderman |
Ilagan, who currently heads the county Planning Committee, was elected to the seat in 2012.
Ruderman told Eagle that he’ll support raising Hawai`i’s minimum wage to $15. “We’re constantly talking about homelessness and poverty,” he said. “There’s nothing we can do as significantly or quickly as increasing the minimum wage.”
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| State Senate candidate Greggor Ilagan with Ka`u supporters. Photo from Greggor Ilagan |
“I want to represent my community, which I love very much and has been horribly underserved for the past 30 years,” Ruderman told Eagle.
Ilagan told Eagle that he wants to help Hawai`i County secure more revenue from state transient accommodations taxes, streamline government services, fight rapid `ohi`a death, bolster medical residency programs and improve residents’ financial literacy. “I feel that in this modern age, now we have a tendency to swipe our credit cards and all of a sudden we have a hard time managing our finances,” he said. “A lot of the problems we have … are financial problems.”
See civilbeat.com.
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| Mike Kagami with Ka`u volunteer firefighters last month in Na`alehu. Photo by Ron Johnson |
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| Mitch Roth and friends. Photo from Mitch Roth |
Incumbent Mitch Roth credited the Big Island Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center with a 50 percent drop in juvenile court caseloads since he was elected in 2012 and a non-recidivism rate of 94 percent. “It’s easier to build strong youth than it is to build broken adults,” Roth told Burnett. He said he brings “a more complete toolbox” to the race than challenger Mike Kagami.
Kagami touted his experience in felony jury trials. He said he thinks Roth has prioritized community programs over prosecution. “That’s our only mandate in the County Charter: Investigate and prosecute crime,” Kagami said. “You know, community programs are important, but that shouldn’t be our main focus. … It’s great Mitch says recidivism for juveniles is down, but, you know, crime still happens. The murder rate has gone through the roof in the past few years, especially in Puna.”
Roth cited convictions of two men in murders of their wives and indictments in the 1997 murder of Peter “Peter Boy” Kema, Jr. and a woman in the 2009 shooting death of her friend.” He said Kagami reviewed those cases and concluded that convictions couldn’t be done. “We looked at those cases with fresh eyes and decided they could. And we got justice” with the convictions, Roth told Burnett.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
Kagami touted his experience in felony jury trials. He said he thinks Roth has prioritized community programs over prosecution. “That’s our only mandate in the County Charter: Investigate and prosecute crime,” Kagami said. “You know, community programs are important, but that shouldn’t be our main focus. … It’s great Mitch says recidivism for juveniles is down, but, you know, crime still happens. The murder rate has gone through the roof in the past few years, especially in Puna.”
Roth cited convictions of two men in murders of their wives and indictments in the 1997 murder of Peter “Peter Boy” Kema, Jr. and a woman in the 2009 shooting death of her friend.” He said Kagami reviewed those cases and concluded that convictions couldn’t be done. “We looked at those cases with fresh eyes and decided they could. And we got justice” with the convictions, Roth told Burnett.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
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| Tropical Storm Howard is expected to weaken as it heads toward Hawai`i. Map from NOAA |
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A PIANIST JOINS A SOPRANO, violinist and cellist for Hawai`i International Music Festival’s engagement in Pahala.
After opening its inaugural season at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Concert Hall in Honolulu, the special concert at Pahala Plantation House on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. honors the 20th anniversary of Ka`u Coffee. The concert will help raise awareness for donations for Hawai`i Public Radio’s efforts to bring a stronger and more reliable signal to this community and the entire state.
The concert features Amy Shoremount-Obra (soprano and daughter-in-law of Lorie Obra, of Rusty’s 100% Hawaiian Coffee), Eric Silberger (violin), Daniel Lelchuk (cello), and Mikayla Sager (soprano). Special guests include internationally acclaimed pianist Ian Parker, who has appeared as soloist with Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra. Carlin Ma is artistic program director.
Tax-deductible donations of $25 each may be made for tickets at himusicfestival.bpt.me. To make a larger donation to HPR, contact Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net.
The festival kicks off on Monday, Aug. 8 at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where Silberger, who recently made international press for playing inside Icelandic Volcano Thrihnukagigur, plays violin at various locations around the park in celebration of the park’s and National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. At 7 p.m., he presents a free concert at Volcano House, with Kilauea Caldera and Halema`uma`u Crater as his backdrop. The concert will include the world premiere of a composition dedicated to the park’s centennial. Park entrance fees apply.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
After opening its inaugural season at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Concert Hall in Honolulu, the special concert at Pahala Plantation House on Saturday, Aug. 13 at 6 p.m. honors the 20th anniversary of Ka`u Coffee. The concert will help raise awareness for donations for Hawai`i Public Radio’s efforts to bring a stronger and more reliable signal to this community and the entire state.
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| Pianist Ian Parker |
Tax-deductible donations of $25 each may be made for tickets at himusicfestival.bpt.me. To make a larger donation to HPR, contact Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net.
The festival kicks off on Monday, Aug. 8 at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where Silberger, who recently made international press for playing inside Icelandic Volcano Thrihnukagigur, plays violin at various locations around the park in celebration of the park’s and National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. At 7 p.m., he presents a free concert at Volcano House, with Kilauea Caldera and Halema`uma`u Crater as his backdrop. The concert will include the world premiere of a composition dedicated to the park’s centennial. Park entrance fees apply.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
REGISTER NOW FOR KA`U COFFEE Trail Run. The third annual run celebrates award-winning Ka`u Coffee. All proceeds from the event sponsored by `O Ka`u Kakou stay in Ka`u to benefit the Ka`u community.
On Sept. 17, Ka`u Coffee Trail Run offers moderate to highly challenging 5K, 10K and Half Marathon races through macadamia nut and coffee fields along Ka`u’s beautiful slopes. Races begin and end at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The course starts with a family-friendly 5K, continues uphill through a moderately challenging 10K and reaches a 3,100-foot elevation in the vigorously exhilarating Half Marathon.
Each runner receives a massage, lunch and a goodies bag, including a T-shirt.
Regular registration ends Aug. 15, and late registration ends Sept. 12. Race day registration ends at 6:30 a.m.
Races begin at 7 a.m. The 5K is a family-friendly, run/walk trail through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields. The 10K is a moderate run through macadamia nut groves, coffee fields and a eucalyptus tree forest. The Half Marathon follows the 5K and 10K course, then continues up to an elevation of 3,100 feet, traverses onto a four-wheel-drive access road, marked trails undulating through grazing pastures, former sugarcane fields and winding down through newly planted coffee fields.
Awards go to top three men and women overall and in age groups from 19 and under to 70 and over. Fun for the whole family includes live entertainment, silent auction, local food, awards and door prizes (must be present to win).
For more information and to register, see race360.com/21357.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK waives entry fees today to celebrate its 100th birthday.
On Sept. 17, Ka`u Coffee Trail Run offers moderate to highly challenging 5K, 10K and Half Marathon races through macadamia nut and coffee fields along Ka`u’s beautiful slopes. Races begin and end at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The course starts with a family-friendly 5K, continues uphill through a moderately challenging 10K and reaches a 3,100-foot elevation in the vigorously exhilarating Half Marathon.
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| Register now for next month's Ka`u Coffee Trail Run. Image from OKK |
Regular registration ends Aug. 15, and late registration ends Sept. 12. Race day registration ends at 6:30 a.m.
Races begin at 7 a.m. The 5K is a family-friendly, run/walk trail through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields. The 10K is a moderate run through macadamia nut groves, coffee fields and a eucalyptus tree forest. The Half Marathon follows the 5K and 10K course, then continues up to an elevation of 3,100 feet, traverses onto a four-wheel-drive access road, marked trails undulating through grazing pastures, former sugarcane fields and winding down through newly planted coffee fields.
Awards go to top three men and women overall and in age groups from 19 and under to 70 and over. Fun for the whole family includes live entertainment, silent auction, local food, awards and door prizes (must be present to win).
For more information and to register, see race360.com/21357.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
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Although Hawai`i National Park was established in 1916, the dedication ceremony didn't take place until 1922 and was held on the rim of Kilauea caldera. NPS Photo archives |
EARLY WALK-IN VOTING for the Aug. 13 primary election begins today and continues on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 11. Hours are 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. For election information, call 961-8277.
HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYORAL candidate Marlene Hapai meets Ka`u voters this evening at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.
HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYORAL candidate Marlene Hapai meets Ka`u voters this evening at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 for more information.
KA`U STUDENTS START SCHOOL this week. Ka`u Learning Academy welcomed students back today. Na`alehu School opens for students tomorrow, and Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary students return Wednesday.
Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School holds a back-to-school kick-off today. The event begins at 3 p.m. with an Informational Fair until 5 p.m. and light dinner and welcome at 5:15 p.m. Participants may visit classrooms and meet teachers from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Call 313-4100 for more information.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council meetings this week. Videoconferencing is available at Na`alehu State Office Building.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Committees meeting tomorrow are Public Safety & Mass Transit at 1 p.m. and Finance at 1:30 p.m. The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Agendas and live streaming of meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo. Committees meeting tomorrow are Public Safety & Mass Transit at 1 p.m. and Finance at 1:30 p.m. The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
Agendas and live streaming of meetings are available at hawaiicounty.gov.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/news/news.html. |
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| See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf. |
