Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, April 19, 2014

      Yager says McGilvray also considers it important to gather information from as many sources as possible regarding health of the fisheries. “We have no idea — only anecdotal figures — about how many fish are coming out of the water,” McGilvray said. “How can we manage our fisheries without this information? We just can’t. We know the government has to play a part. We know the community has to play a part. We’re still trying to find that sweet spot. It has to be what the community wants.”
      McGilvray also wants to increase collaboration between divisions in the Department of Land & Natural Resources. “When it rains up-country, it all runs down,” he said. “So if you have problems with the forest, it all runs down to the reef. These agencies have to work together. One department can’t solve all these issues.
      “Change has to come to link land and water.”
      West Hawai`i Regional Fishery Management Area runs from Ka Lae to `Upolu Point in North Kohala and from the highwater mark on shore seaward to the limit of the state's management authority.
      SCUBA spearfishing was banned in the Management Area last year by the Board of Land and Natural resources. West Hawai`i is the only area in the state to ban the practice. Other areas where it is also banned include Australia and Palau.
      Other prohibitions in the Management Area include:

• To take, kill, possess, sell, or offer for sale, any specimen of Hawaiian stingray, broad stingray, pelagic stingray, spotted eagle ray, blacktip reef shark, gray reef shark, whitetip reef shark, tiger shark, whale shark, horned helmet, and Triton's trumpet; 
• To possess more than five yellow tang larger than 4.5 inches total length, or more than five yellow tang smaller than two inches total length;
 
• To possess aquarium collecting gear, or take or possess any specimen of aquatic life for aquarium purposes between sunset and sunrise, without a valid aquarium permit or in violation of its conditions, or while on a vessel that does not conform to registration requirements; and
 
• To possess or use any net or container underwater to capture or hold aquatic life alive for aquarium purposes, which is not labeled with the commercial marine license number(s) of the person(s) owning, possessing, or using the equipment. 

      For more on the Management Area, see state.hi.us/dlnr/dar.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.
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KA`U’S NEW COUNCIL MEMBER to be elected this year would make more money than its current Council member, Brenda Ford, under a plan being considered by the county Salary Commission to give raises to county officials. Ford is ineligible to run again due to having reached her term limit.
      According to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, the 8.3 percent raise would bring Council members’ salaries to $52,000 per year.
      Reporter Nancy Cook Lauer said Council chair would get an 11.5 percent increase, to $58,000 per year.

      Cook Lauer also reported other raises being considered: Mayor, 19.8 percent to $130,818; Managing Director, 6.1 percent to $110,244; Deputy Managing Director, 5.8 percent to $104,736; and department heads who didn’t get raises last year, unspecified amounts.
      Before voting on its plan, the commission holds a meeting on Monday, April 28 at 10 a.m. in County Council chambers in Hilo, when it will accept public comment.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.

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NA`ALEHU NATIVE AMANDA DAHLSTEDT CIULLA was recently honored as finalist for EMT of the Year by her fellow medics at Acadian Ambulance. The company, which provides emergency and non-emergency medical transportation in Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi, recognizes exceptional medics for their tireless work ethic and dedication to their jobs.
      Finalists are known as outstanding medics who display exemplary attitudes and provide excellent patient care. Ciulla was nominated by her fellow medics to represent Acadian’s Houston operations, which include Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Walker, Galveston and Liberty counties.
      Ciulla grew up in Na`alehu and now lives in Conroe, Texas. She began working in health care as a medical assistant before joining the Acadian team in December 2012 as an EMT-Basic. She has since received her EMT-Intermediate certification and is working on her paramedic certification.
      “I am extremely honored and happy to be chosen by my peers as an EMT of the Year finalist,” Ciulla said. “It means so much to me to know that I have made a positive impression on my fellow co-workers.”