Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014

Gov. David Ige has reappointed Scott Enright as chief of the state Department of Agriculture, which is stewarding rehabilitation of Ka`u's Old plantation water systems for irrigation of diversified agriculture. Photo from the Olson Trust

BIG ISLANDER SCOTT ENRIGHT will continue as state Department of Agriculture chief. Enright, a veteran of the sugar industry, has been involved in stewarding rehabilitation of Ka`u’s old plantation water systems that were comprised of horizontal shafts dug into the side of Mauna Loa Volcano, where water would flow out into flumes used to carry sugar cane to the mills. The plan is to use the water for diversified agriculture, and millions of dollars have been approved and surveys completed for tunnels between Kapapala and Wai`ohinu.

Scott Enright

Enright has held the position since Jan. 1, 2014. Formerly deputy to BOA Chair Russell Kokubun, he was the administrator of the state Department of Agriculture Divisions of Plant Industry and Agricultural Development, managed USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant funding program and directed Human Resources for the Office of the Chair. He also directed biosecurity programs and led initiatives to revitalize the state’s livestock industry with special focus on developing the dairy and grass-fed beef industries.
Gov. David Ige today announced Enright’s appointment yesterday, along with five others.
“All of these appointees display a leadership style that will move Hawai`i forward for the benefit of the public interest,” Ige said. “There is hard work to be done, and together we will address the issues facing our state in a direct and forthright manner.”
Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser will join Enright as deputy director. The longtime Hawai`i agriculture advocate currently serves as president of Mikilua Poultry Farm in Waianae and vice president of Associated Producers Corp. in Honolulu. Shimabukuro-Geiser is a member of Hawai`i Farm Bureau Federation, World Poultry Science Association and Gamma Sigma Delta Agricultural Honor Society.

Jobie Masagatani

Jobie Masagatani will be retained as chair of Hawaiian Homes Commission and director of Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Masagatani previously served as deputy director at DHHL from 1995 to 2002 and as director since 2012. Additionally, Masagatani was the special assistant to the CEO of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, an assistant to the president and CEO of The Queen’s Health Systems, where she focused on Native Hawaiian health and a land investment analyst for Kamehameha Schools.
Serving as deputy to Masagatani will be William Aila, Jr. The former chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and head of the Department of Land and Natural Resources planned and directed the various activities of the department encompassing public lands of the state; water resources and minerals thereon; forest, fish and game resources of the state; and management of the forest reserve, state parks, small boat harbors and historic sites. Aila was integral to the International Union for Conservation of Nature decision to hold its 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawai`i.

Catherine Awakuni Colon

Catherine Awakuni Colón has been appointed director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Currently, Awakuni is cable administrator in DCCA’s Cable Television Division and served as the department’s executive director for its Division of Consumer Advocacy from 2006 to 2009. She previously served as chief legal counsel and commission counsel for Hawai`i Public Utilities Commission. Awakuni holds her J.D. from University of Hawai`i’s William S. Richardson School of Law.

Jo Ann Uchida Takeuchi continues her service as deputy director of DCCA. Takeuchi has been with the DCCA for nearly 25 years, serving in various staff and leadership capacities. Prior to her appointment as deputy director in 2012 she was the complaints-and-enforcement officer with DCCA’s Regulated Industries Complaints Office. Prior to that position, Takeuchi was executive director of DCCA’s Office of Consumer Protection after having served as a senior attorney to the OCP.

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KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE has completed design of the Na`alehu Park kiosk and is awaiting approval from County Parks & Recreation Department.
A graphic of an underwater cliff at Ka Lae from Frank Trusdell at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park has been approved for inclusion on the information panel.
Committee member Rita Pregana announced at the committee’s December meeting that she has retired from Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Keola Awong is replacing her on the byways committee.
The committee has removed graffiti damage from signage at the Ocean View turnout. Graffiti on metal posts was removed with a solvent, scratches in the frame were painted over, and paste wax used to fill etched damage on panels themselves.
Chairman Rich Morrow has been working on posting the byways guide on the website. The committee gave its approval to move forward and, if possible, link to The Ka`u Calendar’s website.

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Santa Eddie Andrade, flanked by Pahala Community Association members
Sec. Maria Aurielio, Advisor Lita Eugeno, Treas. Suliana Mitsunaga,
Prs. Hilaria panglao, Advisor Pauline Enriques and keiki
Chesea Aurelio and Emerald Aurelio.

PAHALA FILIPINO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION wishes everyone a happy New Year following its annual Christmas Party. Pres. Hilaria Panglao said the organization is a nonprofit, self-help association and accepts honorary members who enjoy the multicultural experience. The goal is to help members and their families, including school children and those bound for higher education.
Pahala Filipino Community Association offers up to three higher education scholarships per year. “We help children, their families and others to build a stronger community,” she said.

Panglao thanked outgoing officers: Vice President Gary Tomondong, Secretary Ella Louis and Treasurer Sally Louis “for their love and care to our association.”
As returning President, Panglao also welcomed new officers: Vice President Jerry Villa, Secretary Alita Aurelio, Treasurer Suliana Mitsunaga and Advisors Pauline Enriques and Lita Eugenio.
For more information and to join, call Panglao at 928-8261.
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FIREWORKS PERMITS ARE AVAILABLE for purchase through midnight on New Year’s Eve at the following locations for the upcoming New Year’s celebration:
Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2501, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, 29, 30, and 31; and
Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawai`i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Bldg E, second floor, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, 29, 30, and 31.

Fireworks permits are available through New Year's Eve.

Fireworks permits are also sold at the following firecracker vending outlets:

TNT Tent, Waiakea Center Parking Lot, 325 Maka`ala Street, Hilo;
TNT Tent, Kona Crossroads Parking Lot, 75-1027 Henry Street, Kailua-Kona;
KTA Puainako, 50 E. Puainako Street, Hilo
Pacific Fireworks Kona, 75-5629 Kuakini Hwy, Kailua-Kona;
KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd. Kailua Kona;
Long’s Drug Prince Kuhio Plaza, 111 E. Puainako St., Hilo.

Each permit costs $25 and will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers. Multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits shall only be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable and non-refundable. Permits are not required for purchasing novelties and paperless firecrackers. Setting off of fireworks are allowed between the hours of 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Permits shall be visibly displayed at the site of use during the time of the firing.
For more information on purchasing fireworks permits or use of fireworks, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2912 in Hilo or 323-4760 in Kona.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers a moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike to the top of Pu`u o Lokuana tomorrow from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The grassy cinder cone features the formation and various uses of the hill over time and a breathtaking view of lower Ka`u.

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