Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016

Kilauea's Current Eruptions is the title of Tuesday's After Dark in the Park program. See more below. Photo from USGS/HVO

KA`U’S STATE SEN. JOSH GREEN is considering running for higher office, Tom Callis reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald.
Green told Callis that he has concerns about the current administration’s responses to the dengue fever outbreak and telescope construction on Mauna Kea.

Sen. Josh Green

“From dengue to the way the leadership from O`ahu governs, sometimes it’s not thoughtful enough of how the rest of us are living our lives in the rest of the state,” Green said. “I take that to heart, and I would not hesitate to run against an incumbent if I thought they weren’t treating people well enough.”
If he doesn't run for governor, Green said he may consider running in 2018 for lieutenant governor if Shan Tsutsui decides not to pursue a second term.
See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
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HAWAI`I DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH will be conducting a public informational meeting to discuss proposed changes to cesspool rules on Friday, Jan. 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.
Major proposed changes include the following:

Prohibiting installation of new cesspools in all areas of the state. Currently, new cesspools are still allowed in parts of Hawai`i and Maui Counties, and up to 800 new cesspools are being installed each year. Hawai`i is the only state that still allows new cesspools, according to DOH.
Adding requirements as the Legislature directed to implement Act 120 of 2015 for certification of qualified cesspools and qualified expenses. Act 120 provides a temporary income tax credit of up to $10,000 for the cost of upgrading or converting a qualified cesspool to a septic tank system or an aerobic treatment unit system, or connecting to a sewer system.
Clarifying that when a building modification would change the nature or quantity of the wastewater flowing into an individual wastewater system, DOH may require upgrading the system.

Other changes are summarized in a rationale paper found at http://health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/public_notice/. A copy of proposed rules is also provided on the website.
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GOV. DAVID IGE REVIEWS EFFORTS to make government more efficient and effective in the January issue of Capitol Connection.

Gov. David Ige, at right, discusses updated information technology with staff.
Photo from Office of the Governor

“I firmly believe that we can’t get lasting results without fundamental change,” Ige says. “That means cutting waste, modernizing systems and making state government more productive. In November, we completed the first bond sale of our administration — $750 million issued at 2.6 percent — one of the lowest interest rates in the history of the state. We’ve restructured our payments for the pension fund to make better use of your tax dollars. We’ll save more than $1 billion over the next 20 years.

“Modernizing the tax system for roll-out in 2016. This was an area where government has failed in the past, but our restart is now on track. We have added staffing to answer questions from the public and tax preparers and found $21.5 million in tax fraud.

“Changing the way we handle information technology and improving services. This means cancelling procurement of systems we can’t afford, terminating contracts and seeking recovery of funds when consultants fail to perform. It also means using less paper and improving public access to information and services.
“Managing our prisons better. We reduced overtime by 16 percent, saving $1.4 million. More importantly, we have not cancelled family visitations due to staff shortages at any facility since last January.
“Expanding the safety net. We just received a check for $660,422 for our improved work on a public assistance program and earned federal recognition for being among the top six (states) in the nation for timely applications. We’re also helping spearhead juvenile justice reform and creating an integrated, long-term care program for the state’s Medicaid beneficiaries.
“Supporting agriculture statewide. We’re working to double local food production in the future and acquire land for smaller, diversified agriculture. We’ve also formed a fact-finding group on Kaua`i to examine possible health and environmental effects of pesticide use in genetically modified crops.
“Our goal for this first year was to make state government more productive and service-oriented. In the coming years, our priorities will include more funds for our schools as well as housing and homelessness, work-force development, improved social and health services, and advancing the state’s economy through innovation and global initiatives. We’ll keep working toward a clean energy future while we protect these islands we call home.”

See governor.hawaii.gov.

Hawai`i County Council holds its first meetings of the New Year this week.
Photo from Hawai`i County

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KA`U RESIDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE in Hawai`i County Council’ first meetings of the New Year this week via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building. Meetings are also streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.

Committees meet Tuesday: Public Safety & Mass Transit, 9 a.m.; Planning, 9:30 a.m.; Public Works/Parks & Recreation, 11:15 a.m.; Government Relations & Economic Development, 1:30 p.m.; and Finance, 2:15 p.m.
The full Council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m.
All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo.
Agendas for committees are currently available at hawaiicounty.gov.

Glenn Yamanoha teaches Mokuhanga.
Photo from VAC

MOKUHANGA: TRADITIONAL JAPANESE Woodblock Printmaking is the subject of workshops at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The relief printing technique uses Japanese tools and natural materials. Instructor Glenn Yamanoha introduces the basic process in five hands-on sessions.

Participants learn the fundamental techniques of Mokuhanga such as cutting with chisels, preparing blocks and paper, registration and printing with a baren (printing pad). They’ll even learn how Hokusai made his classic Great Wave off Kanagawa. This technique of woodblock print has inspired artists from French impressionists to modern artists.
Mokuhanga differs from western woodblock in that it is water-based printing with sumi ink, watercolor and nori (rice paste), so no toxic solvents are used. It is printed with a handheld baren rather than a press and employs the accurate kento registration method, cut directly into the block. By utilizing non-toxic, green materials, it readily combines traditional processes with new printing technologies.
The workshop consists of five two-hour classes starting on Jan. 14 and continuing each Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. through Feb. 11. Course fee is $80 or $72 for VAC members plus a $25 supply fee. No experience is necessary for this introductory workshop.

AFTER DARK IN THE PARK on Tuesday presents a Volcano Awareness Month program.
Kilauea has been erupting nearly continuously since 1983 when a vent, now called Pu`u `O`o, opened on the volcano's East Rift Zone. Then, in 2008, a second vent opened at the summit of Kilauea within Halema`uma`u Crater. Both eruptions continue today.
Tina Neal, Scientist-in-Charge of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, describes the history of these two eruptions and provides in-depth accounts of volcanic activity during the past year, including the ongoing East Rift Zone lava flow that threatened the community of Pahoa until March 2015 and the overflow of the summit lava lake in April-May 2015.

The program begins at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. $2 donations support park programs.

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