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| Ka`u Hospital's East Hawai`i Regional Board voted this week to look for a partner for Hilo, Ka`u and other East Hawai`i medical care facilities. Photo by Julia Neal |
KA'U HOSPITAL'S parent organization, East Hawa'i Regional Board for the Hawai'i Health Systems Corp., voted this week to seek partnerships with outside health care providers. Among those apparently being considered is Castle Medical Center's parent Adventist Health. Gov. David Ige announced today that similar negotiations would begin today between HHSC's Maui hospitals and Kaiser Permanente.
East Hawai'i Board Chair Kurt Corbin said the strategy for Hilo, Ka`u and health providers here is to “secure our financial situation and preserve patient care services.” The vote followed a Hilo meeting with Ka'u Rep. and physician Richard Creagan and the state House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance members who toured the Big Island. At the meeting, East Hawaii Regional CEO Dan Brinkman predicted a $7 million shortfall next fiscal year. A shortfall of $7 million this year led to 87 job and other cutbacks. The state legislature's approval of union negotiated pay and retirement benefit increases has led to the hospital system seeking funding from the legislature to fund the shortfall.
In a memo to employees, reported in Hawai'i Tribune Herald by Colin M. Stewart, , Corbin wrote, “This year-to-year cycle of financial uncertainty, as well as the limited availability of state funds, is of great concern to our board. They take very seriously their responsibility to preserve and enhance the health-care services in our community. At our board meeting (Wednesday), they approved a motion that directed our region to actively explore partnerships with other health-care entities as a strategy to secure our financial situation and preserve patient care services. As a part of our next steps, we will be working to have legislation introduced and passed that will allow our region and other regions to enter into partnerships.
“We are still at the start of this journey that involves many steps and many decisions. Our board and executive management team are committed to doing all that we can to ensure the health of our community and the well-being of our employees. I strongly believe that these two objectives can be accomplished in a way that is fair to our employees and their families and still preserves the essential services so vital to our community.
“As we talk further with Adventist and other potential partners, we will actively inform and communicate new developments. Our board and executive team are committed to an open and transparent process. After all … we are all in this together.” See more at http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/hospitals-board-votes-pursue-mergers. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
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“We are still at the start of this journey that involves many steps and many decisions. Our board and executive management team are committed to doing all that we can to ensure the health of our community and the well-being of our employees. I strongly believe that these two objectives can be accomplished in a way that is fair to our employees and their families and still preserves the essential services so vital to our community.
“As we talk further with Adventist and other potential partners, we will actively inform and communicate new developments. Our board and executive team are committed to an open and transparent process. After all … we are all in this together.” See more at http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/hospitals-board-votes-pursue-mergers. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
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| Shaka has a clean bill of health, mistaken in news reports for a Shaka's in Pahoa. |
SHAKA SOUTH SIDE RESTAURANT & BAR meets waste disposal standards, has a clean bill of health, and is not the recipient of state Department of Health fines. Owner Rory Koi reported this morning that television news repo broadcast that a Shaka restaurant on the Big Island was fined more than $80,000 by the health department for illegal use of a gang cesspool. Koi stated this morning that the Shaka's Bar & Grill referred to is in Pahoa and that he has asked news outlets for clarification. Koi said that Shala's in Na'alehu spent more than $20,000 to install a new sewage system and does not use a cesspool.
Na'alehu town is also in line to receive a public sewage treatment plant for homes and businesses. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
ANTI-SOLAR HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC describes the utility, according to Alliance for Solar Choice. The organization has filed a law suit objecting to the cap on net metering, which allows residents to sell existing rooftop solar energy back to the electric company, according to a Pacific Business News story this morning.
Alliance for Solar Choice members Sunrun, SolarCity and others sued the Public Utilities Commission, objecting to the recent decision. Reporter Duane Shimogawa wrote that the "program has been one of the main drivers behind the record-breaking growth of rooftop solar in the state, the solar group said Wednesday."
"The lawsuit seeks an injunction on the decision, and alleges that the PUC exceeded its statutory authority, violated state and federal law and violated constitutional due process requirement."
Na'alehu town is also in line to receive a public sewage treatment plant for homes and businesses. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
Alliance for Solar Choice members Sunrun, SolarCity and others sued the Public Utilities Commission, objecting to the recent decision. Reporter Duane Shimogawa wrote that the "program has been one of the main drivers behind the record-breaking growth of rooftop solar in the state, the solar group said Wednesday."
"The lawsuit seeks an injunction on the decision, and alleges that the PUC exceeded its statutory authority, violated state and federal law and violated constitutional due process requirement."
In a public statement, Alliance for Solar Choice spokesman Bryan Miller wrote, “We’re acting on behalf of Hawaii residents like Marge Tam, who are denied the opportunity to install solar because of an unlawful and flawed decision. The PUC decision goes far beyond anything proposed by even notoriously anti-solar Hawaiian Electric.”
See more at http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2015/10/21/group-files-lawsuit-seeking-injunction-on-rooftop.html?ana=e_lulu_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2015-10-22&u=jHGEhsiEHoSS7JAcLV44hlCEoOy&t=1445538228 Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
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HURRICANE OLAF was spinning at 110 mph, some 710 miles east southeast of South Pont at 11 a.m. today and still expected to veer northeast of the Hawaiian islands, but weakening. Some high surf and rain are expected.
HAWAIIAN TELCOM OUTAGES were reported today. A statement from the company said, the "telephone communication system is currently experiencing difficulties and the disruption may affect the ability to place a call to the 9-1-1 system. Hawaiian Telcom Technicians are currently troubleshooting the problem. This disruption may also affect some cellular telephone services. For persons needing emergency assistance anywhere on Hawaii Island and unable to place a call through the 9-1-1 system, please report to the nearest police or fire station." Repairs were completed by mid day.
SOCIAL SECURITY PLANNING workshops are open to the public this evening at The Cooper Center in Volcano Village and Friday at Ocean View Community Center. All sessions are from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. See ad below for topics covered. Reserve at 327-5410.
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HOW TO PROVIDE TESTIMONY AND KEEP UP with the Hawai'i Legislature is the workshop Friday at 11 a.m. at Ocean View Community Center and 2:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The free sessions will be led by Keaunu Young, of the state Legislature’s Public Access Room. He will explain easy-to-use tools on the state Legislature’s website during the workshops entitled We the Powerful. At capitol.hawaii.gov, Ka`u residents can access information easily, keep track of it and deliver testimony efficiently. The dashboard allows the public to access everything the website offers from a single screen. Tracking lists help residents assess the status of numerous pieces of legislation and provide an easy format for downloading.
See par@capitol.hawaii.gov or 974-4000 x7-0478 for more information. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
KA`U COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE announces that Anna-Lisa Okoye, a rural business development specialist with The Kohala Center, will provide a farm finances workshop on Sunday, October 25, 2015 from 12 Noon to 4:00 PM at the Pahala Community Center. The workshop will cover farm financing options, including The Kohala Center's microloan program, Kiva Zip, and loans from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and USDA Farm Service Agency. The training will also provide an introduction to business financial statements and developing a farm financial recordkeeping system to track income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. Refreshment will be served. For more information call Ann Fontes at 808 987-7448. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
See more at http://www.bizjournals.com/pacific/news/2015/10/21/group-files-lawsuit-seeking-injunction-on-rooftop.html?ana=e_lulu_rdup&s=newsletter&ed=2015-10-22&u=jHGEhsiEHoSS7JAcLV44hlCEoOy&t=1445538228 Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
HAWAIIAN TELCOM OUTAGES were reported today. A statement from the company said, the "telephone communication system is currently experiencing difficulties and the disruption may affect the ability to place a call to the 9-1-1 system. Hawaiian Telcom Technicians are currently troubleshooting the problem. This disruption may also affect some cellular telephone services. For persons needing emergency assistance anywhere on Hawaii Island and unable to place a call through the 9-1-1 system, please report to the nearest police or fire station." Repairs were completed by mid day.
SOCIAL SECURITY PLANNING workshops are open to the public this evening at The Cooper Center in Volcano Village and Friday at Ocean View Community Center. All sessions are from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. See ad below for topics covered. Reserve at 327-5410.
HOW TO PROVIDE TESTIMONY AND KEEP UP with the Hawai'i Legislature is the workshop Friday at 11 a.m. at Ocean View Community Center and 2:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The free sessions will be led by Keaunu Young, of the state Legislature’s Public Access Room. He will explain easy-to-use tools on the state Legislature’s website during the workshops entitled We the Powerful. At capitol.hawaii.gov, Ka`u residents can access information easily, keep track of it and deliver testimony efficiently. The dashboard allows the public to access everything the website offers from a single screen. Tracking lists help residents assess the status of numerous pieces of legislation and provide an easy format for downloading. See par@capitol.hawaii.gov or 974-4000 x7-0478 for more information. Read comments, add your own, and like The Ka`u Calendar News Briefs on Facebook.
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| A finance workshop for coffee farmers will be held Sunday at Pahala Community Center. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
CHICKEN SKIN: OBAKE STORIES will be shared Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Master storyteller, kumu and actor Lopaka Kapanui tells true ghost stories of Hawai`i. Tickets are $20 in advance at CD Wizard and Irie Hawai`i; $25 at the door. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for more information
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TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE for Jazz in the Forest on Saturday. Keahi Conjugacion performs with Volcano Art Center’s Jazz Ensemble with a matinee at 4:30 p.m. And evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Matinee tickets are $15 for VAC members ($20 non-members). Evening tickets are $20 for VAC members ($25 non-members). Tickets are available at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village, VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and online at volcanoartcenter.org through Friday. Tickets will be sold at the door if not sold out.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.
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TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE for Jazz in the Forest on Saturday. Keahi Conjugacion performs with Volcano Art Center’s Jazz Ensemble with a matinee at 4:30 p.m. And evening performance at 7:30 p.m. Matinee tickets are $15 for VAC members ($20 non-members). Evening tickets are $20 for VAC members ($25 non-members). Tickets are available at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village, VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and online at volcanoartcenter.org through Friday. Tickets will be sold at the door if not sold out.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
FOR AFFORDABLE COMPUTER HELP, call John Derry at 936-1872.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for Retail Sales Associate: Full-Time, Competitive Wages, Medical & Dental Plans. Apply at Ka`u Coffee Mill. Call 928-0550 for an appointment.
