Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2015

      Regarding the status of East Hawai`i system’s union Civil Service employees under such an arrangement, Beehler told Stewart, “Adventist prefers to have a direct relationship with its employees.”
      He said an independent review mandated by the state Legislature in 2009 identified HHSC’s employment costs as the primary factor causing financial losses. “It said that if you continue with this current model, with Civil Service driving an expense base, with pensions, benefits and these work rules, it creates a lack of flexibility that becomes an equation that’s difficult to balance if you’re in a market that isn’t that great with demographics,” Beehler said. “It’s going to be not sustainable.”
      He said an arrangement like the one currently being pursued by Maui Region and Kaiser Permanente could also work in East Hawai`i, as long as legislators acknowledge that “some level of reduced subsidy will be necessary, because the demographics (in East Hawai`i) are not as good as Maui.”
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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THIRTY METER TELESCOPE will be the last telescope site on Mauna Kea. In a letter to Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case, University of Hawai`i President David Lassner confirmed that the Thirty Meter Telescope project site is the last new area on the mountain where a telescope project will be contemplated or sought. 

      Lassner’s letter stated that it “shall constitute a legally binding commitment and may be regarded as a condition of the University of Hawai`i’s current lease(s) and of any lease renewal or extension proposed by the University.”
      The commitment fulfills the second point of Gov. David Ige’s 10-point “Way Forward” plan that addresses future management and stewardship of Mauna Kea. UH has also fulfilled the third point of the plan, officially identifying three telescopes that will be decommissioned and permanently removed before TMT begins operations.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH reported one more confirmed case of dengue fever on Hawai`i Island today. Of the 93 cases, 80 are residents, and 13 are visitors.
      According to the Centers for Disease Control, dengue is endemic in environments housing about one third of the world’s population, mostly tropical and subtropical places that spawn about 400 million cases annually. Unusual amounts of rain this year has made the Ka`u climate more tropical and more friendly to mosquitoes that can spread the disease.
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AN EARTHQUAKE AWAKENED SOME KA`U residents in the middle of last night. The magnitude-2.8 quake struck at 3:26 a.m. in the mountains mauka of Pahala. According to Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, low levels of seismic activity continue on Kilauea.

      Those who felt the quake can report it at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

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THE SEASON FOR `AMA`AMA (striped mullet) closes on Tuesday, Dec. 1 and re-opens on Friday, April 1 of next year. `Ama`ama are about to enter their peak spawning season, which increases their vulnerability to fishing pressure. The annual winter closure is designed to help the fish reproduce successfully and protect the species from overfishing.
      Criminal and civil penalties apply to seasonal violations. Criminal penalties are a petty misdemeanor punishable by fines of up to $500 per violation and/or 30 days in jail. There is no per specimen fine. First offense civil penalties are up to $1,000 per specimen and $1,000 per violation.
      “We ask the public’s compliance with the closed season,” DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources administrator Bruce Anderson said. “While it’s DLNR’s job to protect our marine resources, everyone shares in the responsibility to take care of important fish species like `ama`ama to ensure their survival into the future.”
      Copies of statewide fishing regulations for ‘ama‘ama and all other marine species are available in Honolulu at DAR offices. Fishing regulations can also be found on the DAR website at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar. To report violations of fish catch size or net use, call DLNR’s enforcement hotline at (808) 643-DLNR (643-3567). 

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U.S. SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ TRAVELED to Germany and Jordan on a fact-finding mission to meet with German and Jordanian government leaders and non-governmental officials over the weekend. He discussed regional and international efforts to combat the threat of terrorism and address the growing refugee crisis affecting Europe and the Middle East. 

      During his visit to the two counties, Schatz toured German relocation and Jordanian refugee facilities and met with German, Jordanian and UN officials to discuss daily operations of the centers and challenges they face in assisting the growing number of families seeking refuge and asylum. During his tours, Schatz also met with refugee families and listened to their experiences of coping with being displaced in Jordan and Germany.
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U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD MET with Egypt President el-Sisi and other leaders in Cairo. After conducting meetings in Paris with senior level government leaders in the wake of recent terrorist attacks there, Gabbard, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, traveled to Cairo to discuss the threat of ISIS and Islamic extremist groups, how to strengthen the U.S.-Egypt relationship to ensure stability in Egypt and the importance of religious freedom.

      Gabbard had a discussion with President el-Sisi about how important Egypt’s stability and success is for the region and for the world. President el-Sisi “would like to strengthen and restore U.S.-Egypt relations so that we may work together urgently to ‘decimate’ ISIS and other Islamic extremist groups who pose a threat to us and to the world,” Gabbard said. “The recent attacks in Paris and Mali are just two examples of the devastation these groups have caused. President el-Sisi has shown great courage and leadership in taking on this extreme Islamist ideology, while also fighting against ISIS militarily to keep them from gaining a foothold in Egypt. The U.S. must take action to recognize President el-Sisi and his leadership, support Egypt’s progress and stability, and stand with him in this fight against ISIS, al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, and other Islamic extremists who are our common enemy.”
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LEARN TO PLAY `OHE HANO IHU tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Participants learn about traditional uses of `ohe (bamboo), including its use in creating musical instruments like the Hawaiian nose flute.
      Free; park entrance fees apply.

EVERYONE IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN Pahala Community Center’s annual Rubberband Turkey Shoot tomorrow from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Register today at 928-3102. 

THANKSGIVING DINNER OPTIONS are bountiful in Ka`u.
      In Na`alehu, Shaka’s Restaurant offers a special for lunch that starts at 11 a.m. with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, yams, cranberries and pie for $16.95. Dinner for $19.95 starts at 5 p.m. and adds soup or tossed green salad. For more information or reservations, call 929-7404.
      Hana Hou Restaurant is preparing its annual “all ya can stuff in” feast for $18 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The buffet includes turkey, spiral ham and salad bar. Reservations are suggested. Call 929-9717.
      Ocean View Community Center’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner takes place from 1 pm. to 5 p.m. Turkey and all the fixings are free; donations appreciated. For more, call 939-7033.
      Thanksgiving Buffet is available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Menu items include roasted turkey, pineapple honey-glazed ham, sweet and mashed potatoes, steamed rice, green bean casserole, corn chowder, salad bar, desserts and a beverage. Cost is $19.95 for adults and $9.95 for children six to 11 years old. No reservations required. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for more information.