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| During an event in Phoenix, Ariz., judges awarded first place to this Mercedes-Benz 300S restored by Ka`u resident Mark Passarelli, at right. Photo by Joe Iacuzzo |
FOLLOWING INTRODUCTION OF A BILL by Ka`u’s County Council member Brenda Ford banning genetically modified organisms, Kohala Council member Margaret Wille has introduced a new version of her own bill. Wille had withdrawn her original bill earlier this month and said she would work on a new one.
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| Ka`u's Council member Brenda Ford picking coffee. |
Ford told Tom Callis, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, that “once she (Wille) withdrew the bill against my advice, I said, ‘That’s it. I don’t know if she will do it again.’ I can’t trust that. I’m getting a tremendous amount of pressure from the anti-GMO contingency.”
While Ford’s bill would ban all outdoor GMO crops, Wille’s new bill would allow GMO papaya to be grown. Both bills call for a $100 GMO crop registration fee and penalties of up to $1,000 per day per violation, according to the story. Ford’s bill includes an option of up to 30 days in jail, Callis said.
Although an agenda has not yet been released, the Public Safety & Mass Transit Committee will consider the measures and hear public testimony Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m., according to the story.
See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
While Ford’s bill would ban all outdoor GMO crops, Wille’s new bill would allow GMO papaya to be grown. Both bills call for a $100 GMO crop registration fee and penalties of up to $1,000 per day per violation, according to the story. Ford’s bill includes an option of up to 30 days in jail, Callis said.
Although an agenda has not yet been released, the Public Safety & Mass Transit Committee will consider the measures and hear public testimony Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 1:30 p.m., according to the story.
See more at hawaiitribune-herald.com.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| New pesticide labels intend to protect bees. Photo from All About Feed |
IN AN ONGOING EFFORT TO PROTECT BEES and other pollinators, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed new pesticide labels that prohibit use of some neonicotinoid pesticide products where bees are present.
“Multiple factors play a role in bee colony declines, including pesticides. The EPA is taking action to protect bees from pesticide exposure, and these label changes will further our efforts,” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.
Kathleen Johnson, EPA’s Enforcement Division director for the Pacific Southwest, said, “The proper use of pesticides is critical for the protection of honeybees and the crops that depend on them for pollination. We will be working with our state partners to ensure the pesticides subject to these new labeling requirements are applied correctly.”
The new labels will have a bee advisory box and icon with information on routes of exposure and spray drift precautions. Today’s announcement affects products containing the neonicotinoids imidacloprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin and thiamethoxam.
The EPA will work with pesticide manufacturers to change labels so that they will meet the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act safety standard.
In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and EPA released a comprehensive scientific report on honeybee health, showing scientific consensus that there are a complex set of stressors associated with honey bee declines, including loss of habitat, parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure.
The agency continues to work with beekeepers, growers, pesticide applicators, pesticide and seed companies, and federal and state agencies to reduce pesticide drift dust and advance best management practices.
The EPA recently released new enforcement guidance to federal, state and tribal enforcement officials to enhance investigations of bee-kill incidents.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Kathleen Johnson, EPA’s Enforcement Division director for the Pacific Southwest, said, “The proper use of pesticides is critical for the protection of honeybees and the crops that depend on them for pollination. We will be working with our state partners to ensure the pesticides subject to these new labeling requirements are applied correctly.”
The new labels will have a bee advisory box and icon with information on routes of exposure and spray drift precautions. Today’s announcement affects products containing the neonicotinoids imidacloprid, dinotefuran, clothianidin and thiamethoxam.
The EPA will work with pesticide manufacturers to change labels so that they will meet the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act safety standard.
In May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and EPA released a comprehensive scientific report on honeybee health, showing scientific consensus that there are a complex set of stressors associated with honey bee declines, including loss of habitat, parasites and disease, genetics, poor nutrition and pesticide exposure.
The agency continues to work with beekeepers, growers, pesticide applicators, pesticide and seed companies, and federal and state agencies to reduce pesticide drift dust and advance best management practices.
The EPA recently released new enforcement guidance to federal, state and tribal enforcement officials to enhance investigations of bee-kill incidents.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Ka`u School Community Councils begin meeting next month. |
SCHOOL COMMUNITY COUNCILS will soon start meeting for the fall semester. The first meeting for Na`alehu School will be on Thursday, Sept. 5 at 3 p.m. in Room 35. Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary will hold its first meeting on Monday, Sept. 16 at 4 p.m. in the SCC room near the main office. Elections are expected soon for officers of both School Community Councils.
According to the Hawai`i State Department of Education School Community Council Handbook, procedures to implement school community councils include the following:
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- Principals and Complex Area Superintendents must actively support School Community Councils by providing the necessary resources to recruit, elect, educate, run and renew their Councils.
- School leadership must welcome participation in the process by demonstrating the values and skills that facilitate inclusion of all members.
- School Community Councils must keep their attention on student achievement by focusing their work on the development, support and monitoring of the school’s Academic and Financial Plan.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Ocean View Baptist Church provided school supplies at its annual Back to School Bash July 20. Photo from Connie Landry |
OVER 400 BAGS OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES and 400 pairs of slippers were given out at Ocean View Baptist Church’s annual Back to School Bash July 20 at Ocean View Community Association Center. “This helps meet the needs of a lot of families in Ocean View,” said Pastor Mike Landry. “Our church has a desire to ease the financial burden of our families in Ocean View. It is difficult for families to provide all the supplies needed for their children for school and especially hard for our larger families. “We know the importance of education and enjoy helping the children get off to a good start with the supplies that are needed.”
To make the day special for the keiki, there was shave ice, hot dogs and inflatable bounce houses. Many area businesses provided door prizes that were a great hit with everyone. “Dr. Madd” entertained with science experiments that taught good life lessons for everyone in attendance.
Pastor Landry thanks the church, local business sponsors and parents who brought their children to participate in this event.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Pastor Landry thanks the church, local business sponsors and parents who brought their children to participate in this event.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Passarelli restored this 300SL Gullwing coupe, the first to break the million-dollar barrier at auction. Photo from Joe Iacuzzo |
KA`U RESIDENT MARK PASSARELLI is recognized around the globe for his expertise and craftsmanship in the world of classic Mercedes-Benz. Passarelli’s shop in Ka`u, Hale Merced, is home to several classic Mercedes-Benz restoration projects. He most recently completed a 280SL roadster for the president of the Tori Richard company. Passarelli’s cars have won many awards, been featured in books and magazines and have even been used in advertisements by Mercedes Benz.
Last week at the Pebble Beach, Calif. Concours d’Elegance, the premier classic automobile event held in North America, Passarelli’s work once again set an auction record for value. A 1963 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster that Mark restored several years ago sold for over $1.3 million. Last year, a 300SL Gullwing coupe restored by Passarelli was the first to break the million-dollar barrier, selling for $1.4 million.
To comment on or “Like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| Trisha Macomber |
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI`I’S TRISHA MACOMBER, author of Guidelines on Rainwater Catchment Systems for Hawai`i, presents a number of options for insuring safe, clean drinking water for the future at this evening’s After Dark in the Park program. Guests receive all the free rainwater they can drink.
The program takes place at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park at 7 p.m. $2 donations support park programs, and park entrance fees apply.
GOVERNOR NEIL ABERCROMBIE INVITES KA`U to join in the worldwide Let Freedom Ring 50th anniversary commemoration and “ring a bell” tomorrow at 3 p.m., a half-century to the minute after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech. The governor also requests that places of worship, government buildings and all facilities in Hawai`i with the capability join in this gesture.
HA`AO SPRINGS AND MOUNTAIN HOUSE Agriculture Water Cooperative meets at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Wai`ohinu Park.
NA`ALEHU PUBLIC LIBRARY OFFERS free, family-friendly movies for all ages every Thursday at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call 939-2442.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
GOVERNOR NEIL ABERCROMBIE INVITES KA`U to join in the worldwide Let Freedom Ring 50th anniversary commemoration and “ring a bell” tomorrow at 3 p.m., a half-century to the minute after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his historic I Have a Dream speech. The governor also requests that places of worship, government buildings and all facilities in Hawai`i with the capability join in this gesture.
HA`AO SPRINGS AND MOUNTAIN HOUSE Agriculture Water Cooperative meets at 4 p.m. tomorrow at Wai`ohinu Park.
NA`ALEHU PUBLIC LIBRARY OFFERS free, family-friendly movies for all ages every Thursday at 2:30 p.m. For more information, call 939-2442.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
ALSO SEE KAUCALENDAR.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/KAUCALENDAR.
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