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| It's time to nominate Big Trees to raise awareness of the importance of healthy trees and forests. Photo from DLNR |
LINDA ROSEN IS THE NEW CEO of Hawai`i Health Systems Corp., which operates Ka`u Hospital and 12 other state-owned hospitals. She is a physician with a masters degree in public health and has worked in numerous positions for the state Department of Health. Lorin Eleni Gill, of Pacific Business News, reports that Rosen was a member of the board of HHSC, which faces a $48 million shortfall in the current fiscal year, for which it has petitioned the state Legislature for emergency funds. Rosen is currently director of the state Department of Health, appointed by Gov. Neil Abercrombie in February of this year.
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| Linda Rosen, new CEO of Hawai`i Health Systems Corp. Photo from Office of Gov. Neil Abercrombie |
“We’re very pleased that Dr. Rosen was able to join our organization because she brings a lot of skills sets and understanding of our challenges to the table,” said Carol A. VanCamp, chair of HHSC’s board. “Many of our hospitals work cooperatively with the Department of Health and with Dr. Rosen directly, and when she applied for the position, they already had the knowledge and understanding of her qualifications and experience. She really reached out while she was on the board to help in any way she could.”
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THE HOLIDAY SEASON MARKS THE BEGINNING of the annual Hawai`i Big Tree Competition. Sponsored by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and American Forests, the program focuses attention on the largest trees in each species as a way to raise awareness about the importance of healthy trees and forests. In 2014 Coco, a coconut palm in Hawai`i Kai, was crowned national Big Tree winner and National Ultimate Big Tree after several weeks of online voting.
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THE HOLIDAY SEASON MARKS THE BEGINNING of the annual Hawai`i Big Tree Competition. Sponsored by the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and American Forests, the program focuses attention on the largest trees in each species as a way to raise awareness about the importance of healthy trees and forests. In 2014 Coco, a coconut palm in Hawai`i Kai, was crowned national Big Tree winner and National Ultimate Big Tree after several weeks of online voting.
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| This mamane in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park is on the National Registry of Big Trees. |
One of Hawai`i’s biggest trees is the national champion koa, located in south Kona at the 8,089-acre Kona Hema Preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy in Na`alehu. The koa is 115 feet tall with a circumference of 343.3 inches and a crown spread of 93.3 feet. The koa was nominated in 2012.
Species eligible for nomination are Koa, Lama, Wiliwili, `Ohi`a ha, `Ohi`a ai, Koki`o ke`oke`o, Ma`o hau hele, Aloalo, Kawa`u, Kolea lau nui, Olopua, Papalakepau, Nenelau, Lonomea, Mamane, A`e, Wauke, Niu, Hau, Manele and `A`ali`i. To replace a current champion, the challenging tree must have more total points. Total points equals trunk circumference in inches plus height in feet plus one-quarter average crown spread in feet.
To nominate a tree, contact Hawai`i Big Tree coordinator Kylee Ah Choy at 808-587-0164 and provide the tree height, trunk circumference and average crown spread. Also, provide the tree’s specific location (GPS coordinates are helpful).
For more on the Hawai`i Big Tree Program see dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/info/big-tree/. For more on the National Big Tree Program, see www.americanforests.org/bigtrees/bigtrees-search/.
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CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY continues at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The event features handmade ornaments, wreaths and other pieces.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
Species eligible for nomination are Koa, Lama, Wiliwili, `Ohi`a ha, `Ohi`a ai, Koki`o ke`oke`o, Ma`o hau hele, Aloalo, Kawa`u, Kolea lau nui, Olopua, Papalakepau, Nenelau, Lonomea, Mamane, A`e, Wauke, Niu, Hau, Manele and `A`ali`i. To replace a current champion, the challenging tree must have more total points. Total points equals trunk circumference in inches plus height in feet plus one-quarter average crown spread in feet.
To nominate a tree, contact Hawai`i Big Tree coordinator Kylee Ah Choy at 808-587-0164 and provide the tree height, trunk circumference and average crown spread. Also, provide the tree’s specific location (GPS coordinates are helpful).
For more on the Hawai`i Big Tree Program see dlnr.hawaii.gov/forestry/info/big-tree/. For more on the National Big Tree Program, see www.americanforests.org/bigtrees/bigtrees-search/.
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U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN TULSI GABBARD and a colleague have introduced legislation to recognize #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday, the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving, kicks off the holiday giving season with a global day dedicated to charitable giving and volunteerism to follow the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The #GivingTuesday resolution recognizes that philanthropy and charitable giving knows no party divide, as giving has the ability to transcend any differences of political ideologies and has the power to unite people across boundaries.
“There are too many things that cause divisions within our communities, but one thing that can bring us together toward a common goal is that of giving to others and making a positive impact on their lives,” Gabbard said. “We should always be looking for opportunities to serve others and give generously of our time and resources to worthy causes. Giving Tuesday is a great way to raise awareness of our responsibility to serve others before ourselves and give back to our communities. I encourage everyone to embrace these values and the spirit of Giving Tuesday.”
The #GivingTuesday resolution recognizes that philanthropy and charitable giving knows no party divide, as giving has the ability to transcend any differences of political ideologies and has the power to unite people across boundaries.
“There are too many things that cause divisions within our communities, but one thing that can bring us together toward a common goal is that of giving to others and making a positive impact on their lives,” Gabbard said. “We should always be looking for opportunities to serve others and give generously of our time and resources to worthy causes. Giving Tuesday is a great way to raise awareness of our responsibility to serve others before ourselves and give back to our communities. I encourage everyone to embrace these values and the spirit of Giving Tuesday.”
Now in its third year, #GivingTuesday is a worldwide movement with over 16,000 U.S.-based partners that celebrates the power of giving in all its forms. Launched by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation in 2012, this worldwide movement harnesses the power of social media and the generosity of people around the world to bring about real change in their communities and celebrates the power of giving in all its forms.
For more information, including background, partner information, tools and updates, see www.givingtuesday.org.
For more information, including background, partner information, tools and updates, see www.givingtuesday.org.
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THE NEW HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL takes charge on Monday, Dec. 1. A final meeting of the previous Council is scheduled for 9 a.m., and the new Council has its first meeting at 3 p.m.
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| New County Council member Maile Medeiros David plans to meet with constituents after taking office Monday, Dec. 1. Photo by Julia Neal |
Ka`u’s Council member Brenda Ford turns over her responsibilities for District Six to newly elected Maile Medeiros David. Medeiros David, of Captain Cook, was elected in the August primary election in, winning a majority against candidates Richard Abbett, of Ocean View, and Jim Wilson, of Volcano.
Medeiros David said she will be traveling throughout the district in December and looks forward to hearing from citizenry about all the issues.
“I also want to wish everyone Happy Holidays as I begin the next two years as your member of the Hawai`i County Council,” she said.
Medeiros David said she will be traveling throughout the district in December and looks forward to hearing from citizenry about all the issues.
“I also want to wish everyone Happy Holidays as I begin the next two years as your member of the Hawai`i County Council,” she said.
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THE KOHALA CENTER, WHICH IS DEVELOPING recommendations and solutions to overcome barriers faced by Hawai`i’s value-added food producers, invites the public to provide feedback about recommendations on homemade food operations in Hawai`i that were developed by several members of the Hawai`i cottage food industry group in response to a legislative mandate. These recommendations propose a new regulatory framework for homemade food operations.
THE KOHALA CENTER, WHICH IS DEVELOPING recommendations and solutions to overcome barriers faced by Hawai`i’s value-added food producers, invites the public to provide feedback about recommendations on homemade food operations in Hawai`i that were developed by several members of the Hawai`i cottage food industry group in response to a legislative mandate. These recommendations propose a new regulatory framework for homemade food operations.
In developing the recommendations, the industry group was guided by the following principles: food safety is essential; education and training are important means of achieving food safety; proper product labeling is necessary; permits can help promote regulatory compliance; local food production is integral to Hawai`i’s economic development and food security; and Hawai`i Department of Health requires sufficient resources to implement laws and regulations.
The industry group also acknowledged state and federal mandates to increase local food production, including:
The industry group also acknowledged state and federal mandates to increase local food production, including:
- Hawai`i’s Increased Food Security and Food Self-Sufficiency Strategy, which notes that replacing just 10 precent of the food Hawai`i currently imports would amount to approximately $313 million dollars remaining in the state’s economy (Office of Planning, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism); and
- The United States Department of Agriculture’s allocation of $27 million in competitive grants to support local food efforts such as food hubs and local processors.
In order to mitigate the challenges facing value-added food producers in Hawai`i, the group proposes recommendations for a new regulatory framework for homemade food operations in Hawai`i, defined as an enterprise that produces – in a home or farm kitchen that conforms to the building code of the county in which the kitchen is located – allowable foods for sale to the public. Regulations applicable to homemade food operations would not apply to temporary food establishments.
See www.surveymonkey.com/s/cottage-food-survey for more information and to comment.
See www.surveymonkey.com/s/cottage-food-survey for more information and to comment.
To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KA`U FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY is a week from today on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The event at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach Park features taiko drummers, local entertainers and a community potluck. $15 is the suggested donation.
Call sponsor Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. at 928-0101.
Call sponsor Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. at 928-0101.
KA`U HIGH SCHOOL’S SECOND ANNUAL Food Drive & Preseason Basketball Tournament continues today. Sponsored by the girls team under Head Coach Cy Lopez, today’s food drive continues until 2 p.m. with the last game beginning at 4 p.m. Teams participating are Ka`u, Pahoa, Kealakehe and Hana, Maui.
CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY continues at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The event features handmade ornaments, wreaths and other pieces.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
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. |