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| Masako Sakata, seen here with Keoki Kahumoku at last year's Triple C Recipe Contest, and Alice Yonemitsu have donated their winnings to this year's Miss Ka`u Coffee education scholarship fund. Photo by Julia Neal |
HAWAI`I HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE APPROPRIATED $102 million for 2015 to Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. The funding is $48 million less than the state hospital system requested.
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| Shyann "Makamae" Flores-Carvalho is one of three Miss Ka`u Coffee contestants. |
“We believe all our services are essential,” Hall said. “But we must examine all options in order to make up for the huge deficit that we’re anticipating for next year.”
The Legislature rejected a proposal to allow HHSC to partner with a local nonprofit provider such as Hawai`i Pacific Health, the Queen’s Health Systems or Kaiser Permanente Hawai`i.
Unfunded wage increases negotiated through collective bargaining make up most of the shortfall, Hall said. “The way our system is set up right now is unsustainable. We did come up with what we think is the best solution, but then it died at the last minute. These are major changes, and it takes a long time for people to be comfortable with major changes.”
Hall said HHSC will ask for an emergency appropriation for next year.
Unfunded wage increases negotiated through collective bargaining make up most of the shortfall, Hall said. “The way our system is set up right now is unsustainable. We did come up with what we think is the best solution, but then it died at the last minute. These are major changes, and it takes a long time for people to be comfortable with major changes.”
Hall said HHSC will ask for an emergency appropriation for next year.
See staradvertiser.com.
TASTING SUCCESS: THIRD ANNUAL KA`U FARMERS’ TABLE is set for Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Kalaekilohana Inn & Retreat . The event, which has been sold out every year, features locally sourced fine dining, and premium, live entertainment.
See kau-hawaii.com or call 939-8053 for more information.
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INDUSTRIAL HEMP WILL BE USED IN HAWAI`I for soil remediation and biofuel crop research, following Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s approval of Senate Bill 2175 (Act 56). The measure allows University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to establish the two-year program.
Act 56 authorizes the growth and cultivation of industrial hemp in accordance with requirements established by the federal Agriculture Act of 2014, which allows higher education institutions and state departments of agriculture to conduct industrial hemp research.
“Hawai`i’s environment and economy will benefit from this research,” Abercrombie said. “Industrial hemp can be used to decontaminate soil and increase the state’s production of biodiesel, therefore reducing our dependency on imported fuel.”
INDUSTRIAL HEMP WILL BE USED IN HAWAI`I for soil remediation and biofuel crop research, following Gov. Neil Abercrombie’s approval of Senate Bill 2175 (Act 56). The measure allows University of Hawai`i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources to establish the two-year program.
Act 56 authorizes the growth and cultivation of industrial hemp in accordance with requirements established by the federal Agriculture Act of 2014, which allows higher education institutions and state departments of agriculture to conduct industrial hemp research.
“Hawai`i’s environment and economy will benefit from this research,” Abercrombie said. “Industrial hemp can be used to decontaminate soil and increase the state’s production of biodiesel, therefore reducing our dependency on imported fuel.”
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| Gloria Ornelas is participating in Sunday's Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant. |
Act 56, which takes effect July 1, requires the state Department of Agriculture to certify the industrial hemp seed stock and verify that plants grown are not marijuana. The program will be limited to one test site. It also states that the dean of the UH CTAHR must submit a final report, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature prior to start of the 2016 legislative session.
With the state Legislature adjourning today, more bills approved by the House and Senate are on their way to Abercrombie. The governor can sign bills into law, allow them to become law without his signature, or veto them.
With the state Legislature adjourning today, more bills approved by the House and Senate are on their way to Abercrombie. The governor can sign bills into law, allow them to become law without his signature, or veto them.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
BEFORE ITS REJECTION AT THE U.S. CONGRESS, Sen. Brian Schatz called on Republicans to pass legislation to raise the national minimum wage. Schatz cosponsored the Minimum Wage Fairness Act, legislation that would raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 and increase earnings for more than 28 million workers across the country, while helping grow our economy. The Hawai`i Legislature passed a bill raising the state’s minimum wage to $10.10.
“Hawai`i showed leadership again on an issue that’s important to families and our economy by increasing the state’s minimum wage and giving workers a raise,” Schatz said. “Nobody who works full time should be in poverty. It’s time Republicans do the right thing and allow more Americans across the country a fair shot to support their families.”
President Barack Obama had also praised Hawai`i’s Legislature for its work on minimum wage increases.
President Barack Obama had also praised Hawai`i’s Legislature for its work on minimum wage increases.
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KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL EVENTS BEGIN TOMORROW and fill the weekend.
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| Amery Silva is a Miss Ka`u Coffee candidate. |
TOMORROW IS THE PA`INA OPEN HOUSE at Pahala Plantation House. The Miss Ka`u Coffee Scholarship fundraiser includes music, hula, refreshments and house tours. Candidates for Miss Ka`u Coffee and Miss Peaberry are introduced. Performers include Bolo presenting his new CD, Keoki Kahumoku and his `Ukulele Kids and Halau Hula O Leionalani. New Ka`u products, including Ka`u Coffee Mill’s Ka`u Coffee Singles and Alan Moores’ Iki Art, are introduced. Co-sponsored by Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, the event takes place Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
TASTING SUCCESS: THIRD ANNUAL KA`U FARMERS’ TABLE is set for Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Kalaekilohana Inn & Retreat . The event, which has been sold out every year, features locally sourced fine dining, and premium, live entertainment.
See kau-hawaii.com or call 939-8053 for more information.
TRIPLE C RECIPE CONTEST takes place Sunday at noon at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Discovering the top original recipes for cookies, candies and cakes infused with a Ka`u Coffee flavor is the goal of the contest. Participants can earn up to $500 in prizes for the best recipes in adult and student categories. The event includes free coffee and recipe tastings.
Among those donating to the Miss Ka`u Coffee Scholarship Fund are Masako Sakata and Alice Yonemitsu, who won at last year’s Triple C Recipe Contest. Sakata and her mentor Alice Yonemitsu will be named for a $250 scholarship. Sakata, with the help of Yonemitsu, created Ka`u Coffee Cookie Delights to take first place in the Amateur Cookie category and win $150. She also took second place and $100 in the Amateur Cracker category with her Coffee Icing on Cracker. Sakata said she wants her donation to go toward the Education Scholarship for Miss Ka`u Coffee.
See more scholarship donators in future Ka`u News Briefs.
MISS KA`U COFFEE CANDIDATES are in their final days of preparation for the pageant. Doors at Ka`u Coffee Mill open at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Shyann “Makamae” Flores-Carvalho, age 16, is daughter of Helena Carvalho and Glen Hashimoto and sister to Buddy Flores and Andre Carvalho. She lives in Pahala and is a junior at Ka`u High School. “I like playing basketball, riding horses and spending time with my family and friends,” said Flores-Carvalho. After she graduates from high school, she plans to study nursing. Her talent is Tahitian dance.
Gloria Ornelas, age 16, is daughter of Osamea Ornelas and granddaughter of Memmy and Mario Ornelas. She has one brother, Carlos. She lives in Wai`ohinu and is a sophomore at Ka`u High. “I play volleyball for Ka`u High. I love coaching T-ball, and I love to spend time with family,” she said. Ornelas aspires to be a nurse or lawyer. Her talent is hula.
Amery Silva, age 21, is daughter of Michael Silva and Wendylee Napoleon. She lives in Pahala, is a member of Halau Hula O Leionalani and works as retail associate at Ka`u Coffee Mill. “I want to attend college to study business management,” Silva said. Her siblings are Kavelle, Kevey, Savannah, Cameron, Chisum, Shanialee and Wrangler. She said she is enjoying running in the pageant with her little sister Shania, who is a Miss Peaberry candidate. Her talent is hula and singing.
Amery Silva, age 21, is daughter of Michael Silva and Wendylee Napoleon. She lives in Pahala, is a member of Halau Hula O Leionalani and works as retail associate at Ka`u Coffee Mill. “I want to attend college to study business management,” Silva said. Her siblings are Kavelle, Kevey, Savannah, Cameron, Chisum, Shanialee and Wrangler. She said she is enjoying running in the pageant with her little sister Shania, who is a Miss Peaberry candidate. Her talent is hula and singing.
See Miss Peaberry candidates in future Ka`u News Briefs.
To comment on or like these Ka`u Coffee Festival events, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park hosts a Dinner & Guitar Night tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. Dinner is available at Crater Rim Café, followed by Hawaiian slack key and Italian finger-style guitar playing at KMC Theater. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.
KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS SPONSORS its Spring Fling Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the gardens of Punalu`u Back Shop. The event features art and entertainment by Ka`u residents. For more information, call 854-1540.
HAWAI`I COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL representatives, including founder George Yokoyama, discuss OEOC programs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS SPONSORS its Spring Fling Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the gardens of Punalu`u Back Shop. The event features art and entertainment by Ka`u residents. For more information, call 854-1540.
HAWAI`I COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL representatives, including founder George Yokoyama, discuss OEOC programs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pahala Community Center.
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| Kamalani Fujikawa sits surrounded by family, Ka`u High School administrators and her volleyball coach as she signs her letter of intent to attend Shoreline Community College. Left to right behind her are Terrie Louis, Principal Sharon Beck, her mother Shaunda Fujikawa, Athletic Director Kalae Namohala, grandmother Wendy Davis, father Kamake Fujikawa and Coach Joshua Ortega. |
KA`U HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR KAMALANI FUJIKAWA, of Wai`ohinu, has accepted a scholarship offer to play volleyball at Shoreline Community College. Fujikawa signed a letter of intent on April 16 and will join the Dolphins for the 2014 – 2015 volleyball season. Known for outstanding outside hitting and defense for the Trojans, Fujikawa participated in four years of girls high school volleyball. An all-around athlete, she also competed for two years of soccer and three years of varsity softball. She received Division II, Second Team honors her junior and senior years for volleyball and was named to the Honorable Mention team for soccer both years.
Shoreline Community College’s women’s volleyball team is coached by a husband and wife team comprised of Mark West and former Olympian Raquel Chumpitaz-West. The Dolphins team is a member of the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.
The college is located in Shoreline, Washington, 12 miles north of Seattle.
Fujikawa said she plans to pursue a degree in psychology. She is the daughter of Shaunda and Kamake Fujikawa and grandaugher of Wendy Davis.
Fujikawa said she plans to pursue a degree in psychology. She is the daughter of Shaunda and Kamake Fujikawa and grandaugher of Wendy Davis.
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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| See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf. |