Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, Oct. 14, 2016

Learn about the People and Lands of Kahuku Sunday. See more below.
NPS Photo by Julia Espaniola

HAWAI`I HAS LAUNCHED AN ENHANCED 911 service allowing residents to report an emergency as a text message. Text-to-911 can support plain text Short Messaging Services messages only and is limited to 160 characters per text. Pictures, videos and emojis currently cannot be processed. In addition, callers must have active wireless service including a text or data plan, and the device’s location service must be turned on. Text-to-911 may not be available if the wireless phone is roaming or outside of the provider’s coverage area.

Ka`u's U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said Hawai`i is leading
the way for Text-to-911 services.
Photos from Gov. Ige's Office

Consumers are advised to call 911 when possible because calling is a faster, more efficient way to relay an emergency as the caller’s location isn’t automatically sent to emergency responders in a text.

“While voice calls are always best, text-to-911 service provides practical mobile emergency communications for our deaf, hard of hearing and speech-impaired communities,” Gov. David Ige said.
Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “Given Hawai`i’s unique and rural geography, technology advances and the hearing/speech-impaired members of our community, it’s critical that we close the gap to ensure everyone has access to our first responders. The Text-to-911 service is a revolution in how we alert the authorities to emergent, life-or-death situations that do not allow for a caller to speak to a dispatcher, such as with home invasions, domestic violence cases or active shooter scenarios. This new service will help save lives all across Hawai`i. As one of only seven states to implement this program, Hawai`i is leading the way in serving all members of our community.”

E911 Board chair and Hawai`i County Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Ferreira reported a total cost of over $3 to $4 million dollars per local area public safety answering points to upgrade the Computer Assisted Dispatch software systems and infrastructure that can now receive text messages.

Hawai`i County Police Department Deputy Chief Paul Ferreira
speaking at the launch of Text-to-911.

Steve Schutte, Verizon government account manager, represented private telecomm service providers and acknowledged HawaiianTel support in achieving this technological challenge. Extensive testing with all wireless carriers was conducted at all PSAP locations prior to this statewide launch, and ongoing testing continues to ensure smooth operations. “As Hawai`i’s only local service provider, our team is dedicated to leveraging the power of technology to meet the needs of our customers and our community,” he said.

“Text messaging is one of the primary ways we communicate today, and texting 911 can save lives when it’s safer not to speak such as a home invasion or situations involving domestic violence or an active shooter,” said Courtney Tagupa, Executive Director of Hawai`i’s Enhanced 911 Board. “We’re grateful to our telecommunications service providers and all of our PSAPs for their leadership and dedication to this important project.”
According to the Federal Communications Commission, Hawai`i joins New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Indiana, New Jersey and North Dakota as states where text-to-911 is available statewide.
For more information about text-to-911, see hawaiitextto911.com.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES stated that it is aware of allegations regarding working conditions on commercial fishing vessels and efforts by various government agencies and the industry to investigate these allegations and take appropriate actions. According to DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, it does not have the authority to investigate immigration and labor issues. Its main focus is enforcement of state laws and rules relating to the state’s natural resources.
On Sept. 21, five people submitted a petition to the Board of Land and Natural Resources requesting rule amendments relating to commercial marine licensing procedures. These proposed amendments relate to the issuance of the Commercial Marine License to foreign nationals who are hired on Hawai`i-based longline vessels who land their catches in Hawai`i. The domestic longline fleet is the state’s largest fishery in terms of landings and ex-vessel value. Last year, longliners landed 34 million pounds with an ex-vessel value of $94.2 million.

Dr. Bruce Anderson

DLNR Division of Aquatics Administrator Dr. Bruce Anderson explained, “The petition’s amendments appear to focus on labor issues that are not part of DLNR’s jurisdiction.” DLNR does issue CMLs to individuals who conduct fishing activities in marine waters (regardless if caught within or outside state waters) and the marine life is landed in Hawai`i for commercial purposes. Applicants for the CML are required to provide relevant information on, among other things, identity and immigration status. Applicants who are foreign nationals must provide their passports and the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection form I-95 ‘Crewman’s Landing Permit’ as qualifying documents.

DLNR provides the documents to the applicant to sign, and their signature indicates their agreement to the CML terms and conditions. The terms and conditions pertain to fishing for marine life for commercial purpose. Other terms relate to non-transferability, lawful admittance into the U.S., license fees and fishing report requirements.
DLNR’s conducts boardings of commercial fishing vessels independently and jointly as part of a Joint Enforcement Agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Crew members who don’t have valid CMLs can be warned or cited. Acting DOCARE Enforcement Chief Jason Redulla said, “We have cited crew members for not possessing a CML, and since many crew members do not have entry visas, the owner or captain of their vessel has to coordinate with U.S. Customs and Border Protection for court appearances and to ensure compliance with federal laws.
“While we are clearly concerned about recent media reports regarding working conditions on fishing vessels, our responsibilities currently involve enforcing DAR CML rules and any violations associated with the Joint Enforcement Agreement with NOAA,” Anderson said.

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The Trojans played the Daggers at Kea`au.
Photo from KHPES

TROJAN JACOB FLORES SCORED THREE TOUCHDOWNS to win a rematch against Pahoa Daggers’ eight-man football team Wednesday. With a score of 14-14 at the end of the fourth quarter, the game went into double overtime.

Flores’ first run into the end zone was during the second quarter. Another one in the third quarter brought the score to 12-14, and a 91-yard safety by Ka`u added two more points.
Flores ran six yards for a touchdown in double overtime to bring the final score to 20-14.
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HAWAI`I FARMERS UNION UNITED’S sixth annual convention continues through Sunday afternoon at OK Farms in Hilo. Events tomorrow include presentations by Ka`u's state Sen. Russell Ruderman and Sen. Mike Gabbard and continuing education breakout sessions.

See hfuuhi.org.

Byron Yasui Photo from NPS

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S CURRENT artist-in-residence Byron Yasui invites musicians to bring their `ukulele to a Kani Ka Pila for players of all skill levels. The objective is to have fun and learn easy-to-finger chords as an accompaniment to singing simple songs. Kilauea Theater at Kilauea Military Camp is the site of the event tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

HALAU NA KIPU`UPU`U UNDER THE DIRECTION of Kumu hula Micah Kamohoali`i performs tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. on the hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND INVITES KA`U RESIDENTS to celebrate 20 years of environmental work tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mokupapapa Discovery Center in Hilo.

Purchase tickets at wildhawaii.bpt.me and at the door.

LEARN ABOUT THE PEOPLE & LANDS OF KAHUKU Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history.

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