Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014

KA`U RESIDENTS COULD SEE improvements in Hele-On bus service following the county’s purchase of three new buses and donation of five more by Honolulu’s transit system. Nancy Cook Lauer reports in West Hawai`i Today that the donated buses will be used as backups and put into service when other buses are being repaired.
      The county purchases the new buses, which cost $450,282 each, with federal funds.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.

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WITH HAWAI`I COUNTY RESIDENTS preparing for New Year’s Eve festivities, Fire Chief Darren Rosario ask for everyone’s kokua in helping prevent fires and also to avoid unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year. 

      It is illegal for anyone to:

• Remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework; 
• Throw fireworks from, at or into any vehicle; 
• Set off any fireworks: 

1. At any time not within the specified time periods; Within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter or church when services are held; 
2. On any school property without authorization from the said school official; 
3. On any public way such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk, or park. 
4. Offer for sale, sell or give any fireworks to minors; or for any minor to possess, purchase, sell, or set off, ignite or otherwise cause to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult; 
5. Set off any aerial luminary devices, commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawai`i Lanterns, or any other aerial devices, such as bottle rockets, sky rockets, roman candles, cakes, mortars or shells. 

      Use extreme care when setting off fireworks. Children playing with fireworks should be under an adult’s close supervision at all times. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause severe injuries that will quickly ruin the holidays.
      Fireworks should be set off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials.
      Be sure fireworks are completely extinguished before being disposed of.
      Have a fire extinguisher and/or a water hose ready to use in the event of an unplanned or unexpected fire. Be sure water hoses can reach all areas where fireworks activities are being conducted, especially around the entire house. It’s also a great idea to wet down any dry, grassy area before and after setting off fireworks.

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A STATE ATTEMPT TO TRY TO EXTEND PROTECTION of endangered palila, whose critical habitat is on Mauna Kea, outside its habitat has been stopped by a state judge, according to a story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. 

      Currently, state employees and contractors can hunt sheep, goats, cattle and axis deer from the air within the birds’ critical habitat through an exemption to a ban on aerial hunting. The state wanted to extend the area available for aerial hunting to keep ungulates from migrating to palilas’ habitat, where they destroy mamane trees, palilas’ main food source. However, Hilo Circuit Court Judge Glenn Hara ruled that state law doesn’t “specifically provide an exemption for the state from the aerial hunting ban” outside of the critical habitat.

      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

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KA`U’S U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD is visiting India at the invitation of the country’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who she recently met with during his visit to the U.S. During their first meeting, the two spoke of the priorities shared by India and the U.S., including defeating threats posed by ISIS and other Islamic extremists, collaborating to address environmental concerns and maximizing economic opportunities. Gabbard’s visit to India as the Prime Minister’s guest will work towards these efforts.

 

      “The potential for the relationship between the United States and India is extremely bright, and I wish to enhance this important partnership through my visit to India,” said Gabbard. “I was honored to accept the invitation of Prime Minister Modi and look forward to meeting with him again. Throughout this visit, I will have the opportunity to meet with a variety of people from different industries in five major cities, with the objective of investing in and strengthening the relationship between the world’s largest and oldest democracies.”


      While in India, Gabbard will build relationships with high ranking officials in government and the military, as well as meet with individuals and leaders in different industries, agencies and organizations that promote business, technology and innovation, renewable energy, tourism, education, opportunities for women and children and environmental protection. She will address the India Ideas Conclave in Goa, deliver welcoming remarks at the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Conference, speak to students at Goa University and participate in the Bangalore Innovation and Start-Ups technology conference. She will also meet with leadership of the Indian Film Industry to create more opportunities for the industry in Hawai`i, as well as promote eco-tourism and other investments in the Aloha State.


      Gabbard serves on the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans, which was established in 1994 and has been the driver of the India-U.S. bilateral relationship. Gabbard said that, due to increased efforts of this Caucus, among other things, the friendship and opportunities between these two countries has been strengthened and continues to grow.



      Gabbard will return to Washington, DC before Congress reconvenes on Jan. 6. No U.S. tax dollars are used to fund the travel and associated costs of her trip to India.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER hosts its annual keiki Christmas party today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event includes gifts, a visit from Santa Claus, food, fun and celebration. Volunteers are still welcome to help with the event.

Yellow `ohi`a lehua are one of many forms participants learn about tomorrow. Photo by David Boyle

LUCKY LIZARDS PERFORM TONIGHT at Gilligan’s Café in Discovery Harbour. The restaurant is open Friday and Saturday nights from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. to support Ka`u Learning Academy.

PARTICIPANTS BRING LUNCH AND LEARN about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower during a free program tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 985-6011

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.