Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, January 22, 2020

The State of the State, presented in the Hawaiʻi Capitol on Tuesday. See story below and in Tuesday's Kaʻū News Briefs. Photo from Hawaiʻi House of Representatives

A FLU VACCINATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THIS YEAR with the threat of the novel coronavirus (2019nCOV), according to the state Department of Health. DOH issued a statement today, advising physicians statewide to be alert for patients who traveled from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. DOH provided a detailed medical advisory to healthcare providers on reporting, testing, specimen collection, and interim healthcare infection control recommendations. DOH advised providers to notify DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division immediately if a patient meets the case criteria.

Coronavirus advisory was issued today by the state Department of Health. Photo from WebMd

     DOH advises everyone (six months and older), especially those who travel, to receive a flu vaccination. Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist, said, “With the current flu activity, there will likely be crossover in clinical presentation so the more people vaccinated against flu, the more helpful that will be.”
    DOH promised to closely monitor the outbreak of 2019-nCoV in China and to regularly coordinate with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to issuing the Medical Advisory, DOH is coordinating with Emergency Medical Service personnel/first responders, the Department of Transportation, and infection control partners in medical facilities throughout the state. DOH is also monitoring its respiratory surveillance network which reviews flu activity in the state. Online resources for the 2019-nCoV are posted at health.hawaii.gov/prepare/cdc-issues-warning-about-pneumonia-cases-in-wuhan-china-caused-by-novel-coronavirus/.
     The outbreak of a 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China has been developing since December 2019. At lease 300 confirmed infections and several deaths in China are confirmed along with cases in Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and U.S. with one case in Washington state. While human-to-human transmission appears limited, the situation

New Conovirus spread from China to Thailand, Korea, Japan, and U.S. State Department of Health recommends the flu shot. Map from Center for Disease Control

continues to evolve. Nearly all travelers from China enter the state from other U.S. or international ports of entry that are being monitored, stated the DOH statement.
     DOH recommends for anyone who traveled to Wuhan and feels sick: Seek medical care right away. Before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and report recent travel and symptoms. Stay home. Except for seeking medical care, avoid contact with others. Do not travel while sick. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue or sleeve (not hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
     For more information, including information for clinicians and public health professionals, please go to the following CDC and WHO webpages:
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/novel-coronavirus-china
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel-coronavirus-2019.html
www.who.int/csr/don/05-january-2020-pneumonia-of-unkown-cause-china/en/


AGRICULTURE AND SELF SUFFICIENCY were addressed by Gov. David Ige in Tuesday's State of the State. He gave special recognition to Kaʻū's members of the state House of Representatives - Rep. Richard Creagan, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee, and Rep. Richard Onishi, who serves on it.
     Ige said, "Perhaps the longest transition we have experienced recently has been the transformation of our agricultural industry from large-scale farming to more diversified farms. But there is one important difference in today's efforts from yesterday's, and that's technology. As in other fields, we have seen the rise of technology change the face of everything in society. In agriculture, it too has been a game changer. It has enabled farmers to produce higher yields in the field and more precise targeting strategies in the marketplace. Consequently, we are seeing a greater willingness to invest in local agricultural endeavors."

Rep. Richard Onishi serves east Kaʻū and on the Agriculture Committee. Photo from Onishi

     The governor pointed to recent agricultural start-ups. "Mahi Pono, which bought 41,000 acres of former sugar cane land, is raising potatoes in central Maui. And they want to plant another 120 acres of citrus trees and 20 acres of non-GMO papayas. Their plans also include growing avocados, bell peppers, guava, lilikoi, oranges, lemons and limes.
     "Sensei Farms is transforming agriculture on Lanaʻi by using a mix of proven and innovative technology to power its hydroponic greenhouses on former pineapple fields. This mix of traditional farming and new technology is the wave of the future for agriculture throughout the state." En Young of Sensei Farms attended the State of the State with recognition from Ige.
     Ige contended that "More than at any other time in our history, local farmers have it within their grasp to make a difference in our drive toward self-sufficiency."
     Sustaining the economy and lifestyle was another topic in the governor's address: "You know, we can initiate a host of activities to encourage local food production, stimulate our economy, and protect our environment. But the key has always been whether we are able to keep those initiatives going. And so sustainability has been an integral part of our efforts.
    "How do we sustain our economy, our lifestyle and our natural environment? We do it first by developing clean energy sources. With a flurry of commercial solar projects in the pipeline and local homeowners' enthusiasm for residential solar power, we will meet our 2020 energy goal of attaining 30 percent of our energy needs from renewable sources."

Dr. Richard Creagan serves West Kaʻū, leads Committee on Agriculture.

     The governor insisted that "The significance of this initial pivot to clean and renewable energy cannot be overstated. We have become a leader in this effort, and our actions have inspired other states to follow. Since we set a goal to become carbon negative by 2045, four other states have followed our lead. So far, we have successfully reduced our greenhouse gas emissions and will meet our goal for 2020. And our utilities are meeting our clean electricity goals faster and at record low prices.
     He gave some examples: "Today, 37 percent of Oʻahu's single-family residences have rooftop solar. On certain days, Kauaʻi is already achieving 100 percent of electricity from clean energy sources, decades ahead of when we thought this would be possible.
     "We will continue to aggressively engage in actions that will continue to de-carbonize our economy and make our environment whole.
     "Sustaining our economy has replaced the old mantra of growing the economy," proclaimed the governor.  He pointed to a "shift in focus in our biggest industry. In 2019, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority shifted its priorities from increasing visitor arrivals to improving the visitor experience, while supporting the quality of life for residents. Through HTA's Aloha ʻĀina program, 28 nonprofit and government agencies were given funding for programs to help protect Hawaiʻi's natural resources.
     "For example, the authority is working to repair and improve hiking trails like those at Mānoa Falls. Through its Kūkula Ola program, the authority has funded 28 programs this year and committed to fund 43 more programs in 2020 that perpetuate Hawaiian culture. The beneficiaries are programs and groups like the Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center, Hula Hālau O Molokai, Hana Arts, the Edith K. Kanakaʻole Foundation, the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society, and so many more."

The governor said that small diverse farming is more likely now than ever and praised Mahi Pono, which delivered 30,000 pounds of potatoes grown in Hawaiʻi to the Food Bank this month. Photo from Food Bank

     The governor also gave his latest view on Maunakea. "While we are on the subject of Native Hawaiian culture, let me digress for just a moment and speak on the Thirty Meter Telescope and Mauna Kea. Emotions have run high on both sides. The arguments are strong on both sides, and that's what makes the situation so difficult. There is no easy answer or quick solution. We will have to work hard if we want to resolve this conflict. But I truly believe it can be resolved, if we put our heads and our hearts together.
     "There are some who have encouraged me to take strong measures against those who are protesting on Mauna Kea. That would have been the easier course. But it is not just the authority of the law that is at stake. It is much more than that.
     "What is also at risk is the glue that has always bound us together: our sense of aloha. It is the thing that underpins our laws and gives them meaning and an ethical foundation. That trust in each other is also sacred. And I will not break that bond, no matter how convenient or easy.
     "At the heart of our dilemma is both the history of wayfinding and discovery and the future of wayfinding and discovery. If we have lost our way, we must find our way back."
     "To do this, we must be open hearted, as well as open minded. We must listen, as well as speak with conviction, and we must have aloha for each other, in spite of our differences. I am of that mind, and I ask all to join me in continuing to look for a way forward. I stand ready to work with any and everyone who refuses to let this issue divide us. Let us together find a way forward," said the governor in concluding his speech.

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To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.