Kaʻū News Briefs May 9, 2024

TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CU HAWAI'I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION HAS DONATED $20K on Hawai'i Island. The donation goes to Hawai'i Island Community Development Corp, leveraging a matching grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. CU Hawai'i’s donation and matching grant to HICDC will support the development of additional self-help housing units. HICDC’s mission is to facilitate the development of housing for low- and moderate-income households on Hawaiʻi Island through direct development and self-help development coordination. HICDC Executive Director Keith Kato said, “These matching gifts will help our organization create more housing for those in our community who many times need the most help to become homeowners.”
    CU Hawai'i serves Kaʻū through a location in Nāʻālehu on weekdays and a location in Pāhala on Fridays.

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Bob Northrop, killed by dogs in OV. Under new law such a death would likely bring a felony charge to dog owners.

OWNERS OF DOGS WHO SEVERELY INJURE OR KILL A PERSON would be subject to felony penalties under the new law passed by the 2024 Hawai'i Legislature. Gov Josh Green is expected to sign the bill into law. Under current law, owners whose dogs seriously injured or killed a person are subjected to a petty misdemeanor. The new Class 3 felony requires incarceration for no less than one year and up to five years in prison. The fine is no less than $1,000 and as steep as $10,000.

     One of the tragedies that prompted the passing of the new law was the death of Bob Northrop, father of Shannon Madson. She lobbied for the tougher penalties with help from attorney Teresa Tico who was also attacked by a vicious dog. 

    Northrop died after being attacked by a pack of dogs while walking to a friend's house in Ocean View.

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    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

JOHN P. ALAMODIN IS THE NEW DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF VETERANS' SERVICES for the state of Hawai'i. Gov. Josh Green appointed him and said he will will start on June 16. OVS is a division in the State of Hawai‘i, Department of Defense and Alamodin will oversee a staff of 25. The longtime former Director, COL (RET) Ron Han, passed away in August of 2023.
    Alamodin comes to the state from the Good Samaritan Society – Pohai Nani where he served as the Senior Director since 2022. Alamodin is currently a Major in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard as serves as a Behavioral Health Officer. He has over eight years in the Hawai‘i Guard and served as the Headquarters Commander of the Medical Readiness Detachment. He has supported state responses such as COVID-19 and as the Senior Behavioral Health Officer in the Hawai‘i National Guard’s Joint Task Force Maui for a multi-governmental agency during the Maui wildfires recovery effort.

John Alamodin is new Diretor of Veterans' Services for State of Hawai'i.

    Some of the previous civilian positions he held were as Clinic Director for the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Child and Family Service, as the Deputy Director for the Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Centers in Wailuku, a Training and Community Outreach Coordinator for the Lincy Institute (UNLV), Senior Social Worker for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Dallas, and as the Director of Health, Human Services and Housing for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
    In 2011, Alamodin direct commissioned into the Army for active duty service at Fort Hood, Texas. Alamodin has deployed three times, initially in 2012-13 in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom as a Behavioral Health Officer in Charge with the 44th Medical Brigade. In 2014, he transitioned to the Texas Army National Guard and deployed in 2017-18 as a Behavioral Health Officer in Charge for the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade in Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield in Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait. Following his return, he inter-state transferred back home to the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard. In 2022-23, he deployed again with the Texas Army National Guard and the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade for Joint Task Force Mustang in Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Kuwait, and served as Senior Field Grade Officer in Charge of a Combat Aviation Combined Joint Task Force for 1,500 Soldiers from Texas, Maryland, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New York, Puerto Rico, and Hawai‘i Army National Guard units deployed in theater for Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield.
    The Office of Veterans’ Services has its main office at the Tripler Army Medical Center. They are responsible for development and management of policies and programs related to Veterans’, their dependents, and/or survivors. OVS acts as a liaison between the Governor and veterans’ organizations and between the Department of Veterans Affairs and individual veterans. OVS has counselors on Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and two on Hawai‘i. OVS also manages the Hawaiʻi State Veterans Cemetery in Kāneʻohe.