Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2022

A portable container provides water to a hovering helicopter to fight the wildfire. Photo from DLNR

TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT THE KIND OF FIRE THAT HAS RIPPED FROM PŌHAKULOA TOWARD PU'UANAHULU, warn state, federal and county officials. The Leilani Wildfire, which started at Pōhakuloa Military Training Area, has drawn National Park Service, County of Hawaiʻi, state and military firefighters. It has burned on federal and state lands, has run through trees and is mostly destroying invasive fountain grass, according to the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.
"The fast-moving, wind whipped wildfire on Hawai‘i Island has federal, state, and county firefighters preparing for a prolonged, intense firefight. From Wednesday night, it grew from an estimated 700-acres in size to 9,800 acres Thursday afternoon. Burning west of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway (Saddle Road) and south of State Highway 190, the fire actually started several weeks ago on the Pōhakuloa Training Area. There was no smoke visible, as the fire apparently lay dormant until this week’s high winds whipped it into a frenzy," says the DLNR statement.
Thirty-three firefighters are receiving support from nine private contract bulldozers, building a fire line around the perimeter of the fire. Two Hawaiʻi Fire Department helicopters and five U.S. Army choppers have flown multiple missions, taking 80-gallons of water at a time from portable dip tanks, and flying them to the active fire to try and cool it down. "This fire comes one year after the massive Mana Road Fire, that scorched some 40,000 acres in July and August 2021. That fire and this one demonstrate the mutual aid and unified command system utilized on Hawai‘i Island," says the DLNR statement.

Winds whipped this fire and spread it from 700 acres to some 10,000 overnight from Pōhakuloa toward Pu'uanahulu.
Photo from DLNR

Steve Bergfeld, island manager for state Department of Forestry & Wildlife, said, “This is an all-hands effort. We’re watching the winds this afternoon send towering columns of smoke into the air. So far, the fire is burning mostly in invasive fountain grass. It is not currently endangering any private property or homes and eventually may be contained by lava flows."

“It’s tricky,” DOFAW protection forester Don Yokoyama explained, “because right now the winds are causing it to burn in three different directions."

This fire comes one year after the massive Mana Road Fire, that scorched some 40,000 acres in July and August 2021. "That fire and this one demonstrate the mutual aid and unified command system utilized on Hawai‘i Island," says the DLNR statement.
Commander of U.S. Army Garrison Pōhakuloa Training Area, Lt. Col. Kevin Cronin, said, "This fire is very significant and it is taking this entire team of first responders to collectively contain its advances."

The fire was "observed mid-day in the western portion of Pōhakuloa Training Area," the Army says. The blaze “traveled west at a high rate of speed given winds in excess of 30 mph and the extremely dry conditions.”
A statement from Pōhakuloa said that on Wednesday, "First responders on the ground and in the air immediately began fighting the blaze, and continued through the night, with assets from the U.S. Army, Hawaiʻi County, State DOFAW, the National Park Service, and local volunteer firefighters. Ground units are focusing on firebreaks ahead of the fire to prevent it from advancing, and aircrews are dropping large buckets of water to douse advancing flames.
Cronin said, “Working with the team of first responders here, our number one priority is the safety and well-being of the local community. The weather conditions are making this fight difficult to slow the advance of the fire, and our combined efforts are working to prevent it from reaching or crossing Highway 190.”

By Thursday afternoon, the winds subsided and the fire was being contained, a mile from Hwy 190 and three miles from Pu'uanahulu.

The Ka‘ū area has also been on a fire alert much of this week and Civil Defense recommends extreme caution and advises: Limit any activity that involves using open flames such as grilling and camp fires. Do not park cars on dry grass after a trip.

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VOTING IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR HAWAIʻI CITIZENS at Voter Service Centers through election Day, this Saturday, Aug. 13.
Eligible voters, registered and unregistered, 18 years and older, can take Hawaiʻi drivers license or state ID and social security number to the County Ahupuni Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St. #1 in HIlo; or West Hawai'i Civic Center, Community Room, Bldg G, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Kailua-Kona. Hours are this Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

VICKY CAYETANO'S CAMPAIGN ISSUED A STATEMENT on Thursday, two days before the 2022 results to determine the Democratic candidate for Governor of Hawaiʻi. The campaign for the
businesswoman and former First Lady of Hawaiʻi, with roots in the Chinese and Filipino community, and known for her work in non-profit organizations, concerned with economic development, wrote:

"Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates announced today it has endorsed Democrat Vicky Cayetano for the Governor’s race in the Primary Election, to be held Saturday, August 13."

Cayetano said, “I am very pleased and honored to receive this endorsement from Planned Parenthood. As a woman, mother and grandmother, I feel so strongly that every woman deserves to make this choice, this decision free of any interference.
"Historically, Hawai’i was the first state to legalize a woman’s right to choose and we will remain vigilant in keeping this option available and accessible to all women.” See her platforms at: https://vickyforgovernor.com/

JOSH GREEN'S CAMPAIGN ISSUED A STATEMENT on Thursday, two days before the 2022 election results to determine the Democratic candidate for Governor of Hawaiʻi. Green is Hawaiʻi's Lieutenant Governor, with past service as a physician in Ka‘ū, member of the state House of Representatives and Senate, and known for his role in leading the state through the Covid pandemic and his work with the homeless and many other issues. The Green for Hawaiʻi post is about his endorsement by Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates:

Green said, “I will always stand up for women’s rights, including a woman’s right to make her own reproductive healthcare choices. That’s why I’m so proud to receive the endorsement and support of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates - Hawai‘i. We share the same goal of protecting women’s reproductive rights and providing safe, accessible care to women and families in our state and across the country.”

The post points out that Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates - Hawai‘i "is an independent, not-for-profit organization that engages in legislative, educational, and limited electoral activity. Planned Parenthood Votes Hawai‘i PAC is a separate segregated fund of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates - Hawai‘i, which supports pro-choice, pro-family planning, pro-equality candidates for state, legislative and municipal office. Planned Parenthood is part of a national organization that reaches a network of over 11 million supporters across the country, and one in five American women has visited a Planned Parenthood affiliate health center in her lifetime." See his platforms at www.greenforhawaii.com

KAI KAHELE ISSUED A STATEMENT on Thursday, two days before the 2022 election results to determine the Democratic candidate for Governor of Hawai'i. The U.S. Congressman and former state Senator, with roots in Miloliʻi and a record of helping with land preservation, Ka‘ū Coffee farmer issues and many other aspects of life in Ka‘ū, wrote:
"Ulu o ka lā. The sun is growing beyond the horizon, bringing with it a new day for our Hawaiʻi nei.
To say a simple mahalo to each of you for your continued trust and support would be a disservice. The are no words, Hawaiian, English, or otherwise, that could express how much it means to Maria, ʻAleʻa, 'Iolana, Nāmaka, and myself to have you behind us on this journey to return Hawaiʻi to the people.
"When I chose to leave Washington after one term, it was not an easy decision. People had placed their trust in me, and frankly, our team was poised to do great things for this Country and our State. But, I knew that I could do more with my feet in the loʻi here in Hawaiʻi than I could from the dull and distant halls of congress.
"Maria and I believe that the Hawaiʻi we know and love is fleeting before our eyes, and because of that,

we agree that this is the most consequential election in our State's history. The challenges we face as Hawaiʻi families are great and beginning to feel insurmountable.
"We know in our naʻau that what matters most in this election is that local values are restored to the helm of our State. That the essence of aloha is prevalent in every action taken by the incoming administration.
"What we are prepared to bring to this State is leadership that is grounded, dedicated, and created by this place and its families. Leadership that is driven by our keiki and your keiki's futures.
"Our administration will be one that is willing to invest in our keiki and their education. One willing to work diligently to protect our natural and cultural resources. One that looks at how many roofs are over local families' heads, rather than simply the number of roofs we build. One that listens to our diverse communities, and acts according to their needs and not our own agenda. One that inspires new schools of thought and constantly challenges the status quo.
"What we are looking to do is bold, and will take every ounce of our collective willpower to make happen. But, I believe without question that we can do this together. That we can pull ourselves up from the lepo and rise to the summits of our mountain peaks.
"Let's make history this election. Let's do something that no one thought possible. Let's return Hawaiʻi to those who make it so special.
"This is our Hawaiʻi and we will fight to the very last aloha ʻāina."
See Republican Election Week statements in Friday's Ka‘ū Calendar News Briefs.

WITH A STATEWIDE SHORTAGE IN MEDICAL PERSONNEL, Gov. David Ige approved and signed, on Thursday, emergency rules authorizing out-of-state nurses to temporarily practice in Hawaiʻi upon meeting certain requirements without applying for and obtaining a license.
Enacted through the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the rules amend Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules Chapter 16-89, to allow for nurses to practice temporarily by endorsement and

Medical staff at Ka‘ū Hospital and sister facility Hilo Medical
Center are assisted by traveling medical personnel. Gov. David Ige
made it easier for licensed nurses from other states to work here
when he signed emergency rules on Thursday. Photo from HMC

submission of a list of required information from a health care entity. Each health care entity would submit a credentialed list containing the names of each participating nurse, the nurse's home state, a residential address, an email address, the nurse's active license number, and a signed verification that the nurse meets certain established criteria set forth in the emergency rules.
"The COVID-19 virus continues to cause a strain on the state's healthcare system with hospitals throughout our communities reporting serious staffing challenges and conditions," said Ige. "This action addresses the immediate peril to public health and ensures that medical professionals may focus on providing critical care to patients."
"We thank the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Department of Health and Gov. Ige for understanding the urgent need for additional healthcare staff in Hawaiʻi," said Healthcare Association of Hawai'i President and CEO Hilton Raethel. "We are very appreciative of the work done by the state to identify this solution. Our hospitals continue to be very full, and we continue to have significant numbers of staff out because of exposure to COVID-19, or with COVID-19 symptoms. This will allow us to bring in the staff we need to continue to ensure that our patients and community receive the care they need."
The rules went into effect for a period no longer than 120 days. The nurse's authorization to practice is valid for 90 days after the required confirmation.
The emergency rules are available online at: https://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/files/2022/08/2022-Nurses-Emergency-Rules.pdf.

THE PUBLIC MEETING ON STEWARDSHIP OF THE KAHUKU-PŌHUE AREA OF HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is this Saturday, Aug. 13 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. The newly protected 16,451 acres includes Pōhue Bay. See story on the acquisition at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_08_05_archive.html.
A second meeting will be offered via virtual webinar on Wednesday, August 17 at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Zoom, https://zoom.us/j/97789413155; or call in to (346) 248-7799, webinar ID: 977 8941 3155.