Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015

Hawai`i County's latest map updated yesterday provides more statistical information than previous ones.

BASED ON DATES OF ONSET OF ILLNESS, Hawai`i Department of Health yesterday reported that only three individuals on Hawai`i Island with dengue fever are potentially infectious. Those individuals became ill as late as Dec. 14. Of 170 past and present confirmed cases, 167 are no longer infectious.

Dengue fever is hitting many places much harder than Hawai`i, according to the international Break Dengue organization, which attributes increases to higher temperatures in which mosquitoes thrive. Also, over the past 50 years, dengue has spread from nine to over a hundred countries, making it the most rapidly spreading vector-borne disease. The cases have risen from 15,000 per year in the 1960s to 390 million today. Over 40 per cent of the world’s population is at risk from dengue. The overall disease burden varies from region to region, with Asia-Pacific housing 75 per cent of those at risk.
Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam and India are some of the worst hit countries. World Health Organization reported that Malaysia had than 107,000 cases and more than 293 deaths as of Nov. 21, up nearly 18 percent from 2014. The Philippines reported more than 142,000 cases and 411 deaths as of Oct. 31, an almost 50 percent rise in cases. Vietnam reported 58,633 cases and 42 deaths up to the end of October, a sharp rise in close to 19,000 cases that month.
India has been hit hard, too. Extended warm weather has led to more than 90,000 cases as of late November, more than doubling the around 40,500 cases the country saw during all of 2014. New Delhi and Punjab are worst affected, with New Delhi facing its worst dengue outbreak in almost two decades.
While the number of new confirmed cases has begun to slow, DOH Director Virginia Pressler said the outbreak would not be considered over until a month goes by without any new cases.
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Keli`i Akina

GRASSROOT INSTITUTE OF HAWAI`I yesterday filed a motion at the U.S. Supreme Court for civil contempt in the lawsuit Akina v. Hawai`i, according to several media outlets, including Civil Beat. The Supreme Court previously issued an injunction against Na`i Aupuni holding an election for Native Hawaiian convention delegates. Rather than continue the election, Na`i Aupuni decided to allow all delegate candidates to participate in the convention scheduled for February.

According to reporter Chad Blair, Grassroot Institute argued in its motion that canceling the election is in violation of the “letter and spirit” of the court’s injunction.
“It’s outrageous that Na`i Aupuni and state agencies such as Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Native Hawaiian Roll Commission have ignored and defied the Supreme Court of the United States,” Grassroot head Keli`i Akina said. “All citizens of Hawai`i, including native Hawaiians, should be appalled at the contempt our own state government is showing to the U.S. Constitution.
“The majority of Native Hawaiians, in particular, have made it clear that they do not support and are not represented by those trying to push through a state-sponsored, racially discriminatory government-creation process.”
Defendant Na`i Aupuni responded, “The Supreme Court’s Dec. 2 order enjoined Na`i Aupuni from counting the ballots cast in, and certifying the winners of, the election until the Ninth Circuit (Court) could rule on Hawai`i Federal Judge Seabright’s denial of the Akina plaintiffs’ motion to enjoin the start of the election. Thereafter, on Dec. 15, Na`i Aupuni terminated the election and offered all candidates — none of whom were elected by voters — an opportunity to gather to discuss, among other matters, a path to self-governance.
“Nothing in the Supreme Court order prohibits Na`i Aupuni from making this offer and organizing the gathering. Civil contempt is only appropriate where the court order clearly and unambiguously prohibits the proposed action. Akina plaintiffs’ motion is without merit, and we will oppose the motion to ensure that the February gathering will go forward.”
See civilbeat.com.
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Darren Rosario

WITH FIREWORKS GOING ON SALE Saturday, Hawai`i County Fire Chief Darren Rosario reminds the public of legal uses and safety precautions.

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 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; on any school property without authorization from the said school official; or on any Public way such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk or park.
It is also illegal to 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; 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.
Hawai`i Fire Department asks everyone to please kokua in helping to prevent fires and also to avoid the unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year. The public can help by using 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. And most importantly, have a fire extinguisher and/or a water hose ready to use in the event of an unplanned or unexpected fire. Be sure the water hose can reach all areas of 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. Doing it before will also let you know the capability of your water source.

Share the Love through Dec. 31.

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SUBARA'S SHARE THE LOVE event continues through Dec. 31. Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, which holds many Ka`u Coast Cleanups and stewards anchialine ponds in the district, is one of the organizations Ka`u residents can vote for during the event. A $5,000 donation will be given to the nonprofit with the most votes at the end of the promotional period.

The next Ka`u Coast Cleanups is coming up in February. See subaruhawaii.com/share-the-love and wildhawaii.org.

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KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers Christmas Day Buffet, Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Menu includes prime rib, roast turkey with stuffing and lamb stew. Adults, $26.95; children 6 – 11, $13.50. 967-8356. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371

Ken Charon offers Draw from Nature.
Image from VAC

KA`U’S ARTISTIC NATURAL LOVERS are invited to Draw from Nature in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday, Dec. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Ken Charon teaches others how to gain inspiration from the stunning natural environment of Kilauea in this free instructional outing.

The class meets on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery and is open to park visitors and island residents over eight years of age. Charon covers basic drawing techniques and other helpful tips before leading participants to a scenic location around the caldera to witness the creative forces of Kilauea and develop the ability to capture its unique natural beauty.
For those who have attended this popular offering in the past, coming back is sure to be a new and enriching experience. Charon likes to switch locations to keep things exciting and inspiring.
Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis the day of the class. Arrive prior to the start time to ensure a place. Bring a sketch pad, pencils, eraser, sharpener and a folding chair or mat for sitting, if necessary. Dress for both warm sun and chilly rain, as weather is unpredictable.
Park entrance fees apply. For more information, call 967-7565 or see www.volcanoartcenter.org.

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