Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015

U.S. SUPREME COURT JUSTICE Anthony Kennedy issued an order enjoining the counting of ballots cast and certifying the winners in the Native Hawaiian election for convention delegates. Though the injunction is indefinite pending further action from Justice Kennedy or the full Court, it will prevent the Na`i Apuni election from proceeding with the scheduled ballot count on Nov. 30. 

      Filed in August, the lawsuit argued that it’s unconstitutional for the state to be involved in a race-based election. Last month, U.S. District Court Judge J. Michael Seabright ruled that the election may take place as scheduled, saying the election is a private poll not run by the state.
      “This is a significant victory for us,” said Keli`i Akina, Ph.D., President of the Grassroot Institute and one of the plaintiffs in the case brought by Judicial Watch. “After a full briefing, Justice Kennedy decided that the issue was worthy of further examination and issued the injunction we requested. We are confident in our position and excited at the possibility that it could go before the full Court.
      “We are very grateful for the wisdom of the Court in upholding the Constitution. Today’s ruling from Justice Kennedy is not just a victory for us, but a victory for the many Native Hawaiians who have been misrepresented and overridden by government and special interests determined to create a government-recognized tribe. It’s a victory for all Hawaiians – and all Americans – in its affirmation of racial equality. Finally, it is a victory for the Aloha Spirit which enables people of all backgrounds to live and work together in harmony.”
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THE NUMBER OF CONFIRMED cases of dengue fever continues to rise. As of yesterday, Hawai`i Department of Health reported a total of 107 cases, of which 93 are residents and 14 are visitors. The latest date of onset of illness so far is Nov. 18. According to DOH, symptoms usually start five to seven days after being bitten by infected mosquitoes, but the onset can range from three to 14 days.

      State epidemiology specialist and field investigator Joe Elm gives an overview of the steps taken in a dengue fever investigation. When DOH is notified of a suspected case, an investigator is assigned to interview the person regarding expose, signs, and onset of symptoms.  Information is then passed to a lab for testing and to Vector Control, which sprays to reduce mosquito populations.

      The lab then educates the infected person about how to help control the outbreak and reinforce mosquito control measures.

      See health.hawaii.gov.
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HAWAI`I’S LONGLINE FISHERMAN can continue to catch ahi. Audrey McAvoy, of Associated Press, reported that the National Marine Fisheries Service is allowing fishermen to attribute 1,000 metric tons of their bigeye tuna catch to Guam. Fishermen in turn agreed to support development of the fishing industry in Guam with $200,000. 

      “We want to inform the public that fish will continue to be available through the holidays,” Mike Tosatto, National Marine Fisheries Service regional administrator for the Pacific Islands, told McAvoy.
      In August, Hawai`i fishermen met their annual quota but resumed catching tuna in October when NMFS instituted a rule allowing fishermen to report some of their catch as from the Northern Mariana Islands.
      David Henkin, an attorney for Earthjustice, told McAvoy, “There’s just absolutely no way to reconcile that behavior with what the science says, which is that all fishing nations – including the United States — need to show some restraint and need to reduce catch, not increase catch, which is what the fisheries service is allowing to happen here.”
      Earthjustice represents several environmental groups that are suing NMFS to stop attributing catches to U.S. territories.
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OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION served over 450 people at its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday. More than 50 of those were take-out trays for other folks that couldn’t make it to the center. 

      “Captain Dave Anderson and Chef Rod Ducosin did a wonderful job,” OVCA President Sandi Alexander said, “with very moist turkey (even the white parts), along with stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, fruit salad, green salad, cornbread and especially Chef Rod’s made-from-scratch turkey gravy that went on everything!” Dessert included pumpkin pies, cookies, cakes, apple pies, pumpkin souffle and “tons of Cool Whip,” Alexander reported.
      Volunteer decorators made the place look beautiful with yellow, orange and red table cloths, with matching napkins and lots of donated flowers.
      “We cannot thank enough all the volunteers that helped out,” Alexander said. This event would not be such a success for the whole community without all these helpers.”
      Volunteer pianist Kirk serenaded diners softly in the background. Donations poured into OVCA’s ‘need a new roof fund for the CC’ at over $400.
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