Scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory are again warning the public about the dangers involved in getting close to where lava meets the sea.

The missive in HVO’s latest Volcano Watch column notes that there have been four deaths related to the ocean entry of Kilauea volcano.

“Most of us feel fortunate if we never go near a dangerous battlefield. Yet, dozens, if not hundreds, of people are knowingly — or unwittingly — doing just that every day on Kilauea Volcano,” the column said.

It said HVO has repeatedly cautioned people about the hazards of ocean entries in previous “Volcano Watch” articles.

“But Hawai‘i residents and visitors — as individuals and in groups — continue to put themselves at risk by approaching Kilauea’s current ocean entry too closely, both by land and by sea,” the column said.

It cited as a recent example kayakers who paddled just feet from lava streaming into the ocean.

“Then, further risking their lives, they went ashore, walking across new land built by the ocean entry and scooping molten lava with their paddles. Their actions were unsafe and cause for grave concern — not to mention, culturally insensitive.”

HVO noted that the lava “benches” are unstable, and at times as much as 44 acres of newly formed land have collapsed with virtually no warning.

Also, at least two people have died from inhaling the plume generated by the ocean entry as it contains hydrochloric acid and tiny particles of volcanic glass.

And even getting to the volcanic activity can be deadly.

Although last week’s fatality on the lava plain was not directly related to the ocean entry, “it underscores the need to be fully prepared for a long, hot hike if you plan to trek across Kilauea’s lava flow field,” scientists said.

The Canadian man whose body was recovered by rescue crews on May 7 had apparently become overheated and disoriented.

A police spokeswoman said the department is still awaiting a report on the results of an autopsy performed on the visitor.

It’s been a tough month for Naniloa Volcanoes Resort owner Ken Fujiyama.

On Friday, May 10, the state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted to require that Fujiyama’s company, Hawaii Outdoor Tours, must pay $500,000 to restore its performance bond to its original amount of $1 million.

In 2011, the land board granted Fujiyama’s request to use half of the bond to pay overdue lease payments.

However, a condition of that arrangement was that the board could order him to bring the bond back to its original amount if the Naniloa was again in default of any conditions of its state lease.

The hotel was found delinquent on rent again in March 2012. Although the hotel’s mortgage-holder, First Citizens Bank & Trust, eventually made good on that payment, that meant the Naniloa was again in default of its lease which triggered last Friday’s board action.

Neither Fujiyama nor the bank’s attorneys could be reached to determine how the bond would be made whole.

To protect its interests, First Citizens has been covering recent lease payments.

And on Thursday, Third Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura ruled on a foreclosure action filed by First Citizens in August 2012, saying that Hawaii Outdoor Tours owes the bank $10.7 million on what was originally a $10 million loan.

However, further foreclosure actions apparently remain on hold because of Hawaii Outdoor Tours’ Nov. 20, 2012 filing for reorganization of its debts through Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

On March 20, Fujiyama filed a 132-page reorganization plan calling for the Naniloa to repay creditors over a five-year period using revenues from the operation of the Banyan Drive hotel and golf course, or from the possible sale or refinancing of the Naniloa property.

Fujiyama reportedly said this week that he would sell other assets and not the Naniloa to satisfy those debts.

In a “disclosure statement” filed with the reorganization plan, Fujiyama said he intended to transfer 1,952 acres of land in Ka`u owned by another of his companies, Ken Direction Corp., to the Naniloa for “additional collateral” for First Citizens.

However, the March 20 disclosure statement also said he intends to submit the property for the county to purchase under its open lands program funded by the annual appropriation of 2% of property tax revenue.

The statement said the property is “conservatively” worth $8 million.

The shoreline property, which contains a volcanic feature known as the “Great Crack,” was previously the subject of tentative acquisition by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which it abuts.

Park officials said a deal was almost reached on the park’s purchase of the property in 2000 until Fujiyama changed the terms.

Since then, park Superintendent Cindy Orlando told Big Island Now, the park has again attempted to acquire the parcel but Fujiyama has maintained the property is worth “far more” than the amount determined by appraisals conducted by the National Park Service.

In other recent developments, Wagner Choi & Verbrugge, the Honolulu law firm that has represented Fujiyama during the bankruptcy, on April 29 asked bankruptcy Judge Robert J. Faris for permission to withdraw from the case.

Citing “irreconcilable differences” regarding the future course of the case, the law firm requested and received an expedited hearing on its motion to withdraw as Fujiyama’s counsel.

The motion to withdraw was granted on May 7.

Maui attorney Ramon J. Ferrer has since taken over as Fujiyama’s attorney.

Earlier this month, Faris also appointed David Farmer as trustee for the Naniloa bankruptcy.

Abreu batted .322 with a home run and 13 runs batted in. He was the only member of head coach Joey Estrella’s squad to play in all 44 of the team’s games. The senior led the Vulcans with 48 hits and eight doubles.

Before his junior and senior seasons at UHH, Abreu bounced around by spending a year each at City College of San Francisco and Eastern Arizona College. He graduated from Mililani High School on Oahu.

California Baptist, Grand Canyon, and Hawai`i Pacific took home portions of the league’s big awards. Cal Baptist’s Zach Esquerra won the conference’s Player of the Year Award while teammate Jon Bengard won Pitcher of the Year.

HPU’s Marvin Campbell, a Division I transfer from Las Vegas, won the conference’s Newcomer of the Year award. Grand Canyon’s Andrew Naderer won Freshman of the Year while head coach Andy Stankiewicz won Coach of the Year. The Antelopes are leaving the conference to move up to Division I status.

2013 PacWest Baseball Awards

All-PacWest First Team

First Base – Kale Sumner, Hawai`i Pacific

Second Base – Colton Yack, Dixie State

Second Base – Brett Bishop, Fresno State

Shortstop – Ryan Cathers, California Baptist

Third Base – Blair Moore, California Baptist

Outfield – Marvin Campbell, Hawai`i Pacific

Outfield – Luke Esquerra, California Baptist

Outfield – Zach Esquerra, California Baptist

Catcher – Steven Swingle, Grand Canyon

Pitcher – Jon Bengard, California Baptist

Pitcher – Coley Bruns, Grand Canyon

Reliever – Garrett Levsen, Point Loma Nazarene

Designated Hitter – Garrett Jeffries, Grand Canyon

Second Team

First Base – Kevin Kline, Dixie State

Shortstop – John Abreu, Hawai`i Hilo

Third Base – Kale Sumner, Hawai`i Pacific

Outfield – Jordan Hanley, Dixie State

Outfield – Cedric Johnson, Dixie State

Outfield – Matt Kimmel, Azusa Pacific

Catcher – Mitch Manning, Dixie State

Pitcher – Andrew Naderer, Grand Canyon

Pitcher – Tyler Garkow, Point Loma Nazarene

Reliever – Josh Mooney, Dixie State

Designated Hitter – Kris Kaplan, Dixie State

Third Team

First Base – Matt Daugherty, California Baptist

Second Base – Russell Doi, Hawai`i Pacific

Shortstop – Steven Moon, Fresno Pacific

Third Base – Yuko Kata, Dixie State

Outfielder – Harlyn Griffiths, Grand Canyon

Outfielder – Kaohu Gaspar, Fresno Pacific

Outfielder – Trey Hunt III, Point Loma Nazarene

Catcher – Jordan Inamasu, Hawai`i Pacific

Pitcher – Sam Friend, Dixie State

Pitcher – David Herd, California Baptist

Reliever – Ryan Cheek, Fresno Pacific

Designated Hitter – Richie Brown, Azusa Pacific

Player of the Year – Zach Esquerra, California Baptist

Pitcher of the Year – Jon Bengard, California Baptist

Newcomer of the Year – Marvin Campbell, Hawai`i Pacific

Freshman of the Year – Andrew Naderer, Grand Canyon

Coach of the Year – Andy Stankiewicz, Grand Canyon

Wong hasn’t had an at-bat all season, but the freshman for Bob Coolen’s team finds a way to get on the field by scoring when her number is called.

Wong entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as a pinch-runner for Kayla Wartner and scored when Jessica Iwata punched a two-run single into center field. The Rainbow Wahine defeated Minnesota 3-0 in the NCAA Softball Regional held in Seattle, WA.

The game featured a pitcher’s duel between Hawai`i ace Kaia Parnaby and Minnesota standout Sara Moulton. Offense was minimal until the bottom of the fifth inning when Karla Kliebenstein struck a double into the left-center field gap with one out. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, fellow freshman Keiki Carlos reached on an infield single, scoring Kliebenstein to put Hawai`i up 1-0.

Wong pinch-ran for Wartner, who earlier walked, at second base when Iwata opened up the lead with her two-run single. It was Wong’s ninth run scored on the season.

Hawai`i advances to the winner’s bracket of the Seattle regional. The Rainbow Wahine will face either host Washington, seeded 11th in the entire tournament, or Portland State at 10:00 a.m. Hawai`i time Saturday.

Minnesota 000 000 0 – 0 4 0

Hawai`i 000 030 x – 3 6 0

In other positive economic news, Zippy’s started recruiting this week for its new location in Hilo, while Big Island Brewhaus in Waimea is expanding its distribution statewide.

Here’s a look at what else is happening in the business world around Hawai‘i Island.

Tourism Exec Forms Consulting Firm

The longtime executive director of the Big Island Visitors Bureau has created his own consulting business on the eve of stepping down from the bureau.

George Applegate has launched George Applegate Consulting LLC, according to a report in the Pacific Business News.

Applegate, 66, who retires from the BIVB at the end of the month, will continue to work on tourism issues affecting the state. The newspaper reports that Applegate’s clients will include the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau and its island chapters.

Ross Birch will replace Applegate as president of BIVB effective May 31. Birch was formerly the general manager of the Makalei Golf Club.

Roy Ishihara Joins Y. Hata

Y. Hata & Co., Ltd. announced that Roy Ishihara has joined the organization as general manager of its retail division. Prior to accepting this position, Ishihara was vice president of operations for Marukai Corporation.

The firm created this new position as a result of expanding business. 2013 marks the 100-year anniversary of the establishment of the Hilo-based food service distributor.

Waikoloa Grill’n Bar For Sale 

The owners of the Waikoloa Grill’n Bar have put the casual fine dining establishment on the market in order to retire. Photo Courtesy Waikoloa Grill’n Bar.

Waikoloa Grill’n Bar, located across from the Waikoloa Hilton Resort, is on the market.

Cindy and Dickie Furtado, who own the casual fine-dining restaurant, are selling the business in order to retire.

Located at the edge of the beach golf course, the stand-alone building is within walking distance of most Waikoloa resorts and condos.

The restaurant, which grosses over $1 million a year, is being offered turnkey at $225,000. Harold Meltzer, of Real Estate Consultants of Kona, is representing the couple in the sale.

Farm Supply Cooperative Moving

As of next Monday, the Farm Supply Cooperative will be operating from a new location in Hilo.

The cooperative, which provides fertilizer, herbicides and nursery products,  is moving to the former Machida Inc. building at 60 Holomua St.

Although a member-owned cooperative, the store’s advertised and store-special prices are available to the general public. The store will be closed tomorrow during the move and will reopen Monday in the new location.

2013 Consumer Action Handbook Now Available

Looking for more information on consumer rights or how to file a consumer complaint?

USA.gov has released the 2013 Consumer Action Handbook, which has been updated to include the latest information on banking, housing and protection of privacy. It also offers tips on the latest frauds and scams.

The Handbook’s Consumer Assistance Directory provides information needed to contact corporate consumer affairs departments, national consumer organizations, and local, state and federal government offices.

It also includes a sample letter for filing of complaints about a purchased product. Click here to order a free copy, or download a PDF file of the 160-page handbook.

If your business has an opening, closing, promotion, retirement, new product release, special event, award, new location, or expansion, please let us know. Email us at newsdesk@Bigislandnow.com.

The Waimea-based brewery, located on Mamalahoa Highway, has recently started bottling its beer and self-distributing throughout Hawaii.

Currently, the brewery operates a 10-barrel brewhaus. Its beers were previously available only in keg barrels or on tap at the brewpub or at select bars on island.

“This is the first time Big Island Brewhaus has bottled beer,” said Ralph Louis, restaurant manager/executive chef.

“Now that bottling is up and running, we can distribute a fresh product statewide,” added Louis, who noted that the beers feature locally sourced ingredients.

“Everything is local,” said Lewis. “It’s locally brewed, bottled and distributed.”

At any given time, Big Island Brewhaus offers upwards of 15 beers at the brewpub, including ales, lagers and Belgian-style beers.

Louis said they currently have nine varieties of beer on tap at the Brewhaus and plan to have an additional six beers on tap in the next week.

Big Island Brewhaus bottling line. Photo credit Big Island Brewhaus.

According to Tom Kerns, owner and head brewer of Big Island Brewhaus, the brewery is bottling three beers year-round: White Mountain Porter, Overboard IPA, and Golden Sabbath, with other seasonal and special releases throughout the year.

A micro-brewer for more than 20 years, Kerns managed the award-winning Maui Brewing Company for several years before he and his wife, Jayne, bought Tako Taco Tacqueria in 2008.

In 2011, they added the brewery to the well-known Mexican restaurant and changed the name to Big Island Brewhaus.

Within six months of launching the brewery, Big Island Brewhaus beers were winning national awards. Overboard IPA won a gold medal at the US Open Beer Championships, with its White Mountain Porter and Red Giant taking silver medals in the same event.

Kerns is currently on Maui preparing for this weekend’s fifth annual Maui Brewers Festival at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

The Hawaii Police Department has released its weekly alphabetized list of some of the people wanted on outstanding warrants as of May 17.

The individuals, who are innocent until determined to be guilty in a court of law, are:

• Albert Nobriga, 69, of Honaunau
• Elswood E.K. Noeau, 33, of Pahoa
• Leighton Noji, 45, of Waikoloa
• Travis Nordling, 41, of Kailua-Kona
• Janice M. Norman, 33, of Pahoa
• Kyle R. Norman, 23, of Kailua-Kona
• Kanio K. Nosha, 23, of Hilo
• Uman Nosonap, 22, of Ainaola
• Wilton Note, 21, of Kailua-Kona
• James J. Noyes, 25, of Kailua-Kona
• William Noyes, 27, of Kailua-Kona
• Joseph W. Nullar, 38, of Ocean View
• Steven G. Nunez, 41, of Captain Cook
• Joseph S. Nuualofa, 42, of Kailua-Kona
• Bernardino Nuuan, 51, of Kailua-Kona
• Dana J. Nyman, 21, of Kailua-Kona
• Blayne Y. Obasa, 33, of Keaau
• Sundown C. Obomsawin, 32, of Hilo
• Donald W. Obrien, 58, address unknown
• Francesca A. Obrien, 64, of Pahoa
• Kelly Obrien, 51, of Arizona
• Chris S. Ocallaghan, 48, of Kailua-Kona
• Matthew F. Ocallaghan, 25, of Captain Cook
• Alex Occoner, 44, of Hakalau or Kailua-Kona
• Jon M. Odell 43, of Baton Rouge, LA

Police ask that anyone who knows the whereabouts of a person on this list call the police department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. They may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Persons who know a warrant is out for their arrest are advised to report to the nearest police station to avoid having an officer go to their home or workplace to arrest them.

A search for a 62-year-old man reported missing after going swimming off Waipio Valley early this week will continue today in a reduced form.

While the US Coast Guard called off its participation as of Thursday night, the Hawaii Fire Department will look for another day at the request of the victim’s family, Battalion Chief Michael Hayashida told Big Island Now this morning.

Meanwhile, questions remain regarding the missing man’s identity.

The Hawaii Police Department on Wednesday identified the man as Kevin Devlin, also known as Shawn Devlin, of Honoka`a.

Police spokeswoman Chris Loos said that was based on identification found with the man’s possessions which the fire department reported were found “neatly stacked” by the shoreline.

She said the name was found on a picture ID in those possessions. It was not a driver’s license issued by the state of Hawaii.

Police continue to investigate the matter, Loos said this morning.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard since Thursday has been identifying the missing man as John Spillane.

Petty Officer Eric Chandler of the 14th Coast Guard District Public Affairs Office said that its command center is convinced that Spillane is the man’s name, but Chandler could not provide information as to why.

The photos of the missing man provided by both police and the Coast Guard appear identical.

The fire department said Tuesday that the man had been reported missing by a friend at 10:05 that morning. The friend said that he had last seen the man at about 6:30 p.m. Monday when the man said he was going for a swim.

In the days since, the fire department conducted an intensive search from the shoreline, on the water and from the air.

The Coast Guard said since its assistance was requested at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday it has covered an area of more than 3,750 square miles using boats and aircraft. The effort included using computer software and data buoys to gauge currents and calculate the most likely areas to search.

***Updated at 10:07 a.m. to clarify the type of identification found by firefighters at the Waipio Valley shoreline.***

Police are asking for the public’s help locating suspects in several criminal cases dating back to 2010.

One is 47-year-old Rexford Milo, who is wanted for allegedly assaulting a 64-year-old Leilani Estates man in August 2010.

Police said Milo threatened the man with a shotgun and knocked him to the ground. He then allegedly tied the man up and stole cash, identification and credit cards before driving off in the victim’s pickup truck.

Milo is described as Caucasian, 5-foot-10 and 145 pounds.

Police said he may be in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates area, and should not be approached as he may be armed.

The victim’s pickup truck is still missing. It was described as a dark green, four-wheel-drive Toyota Tacoma model.

Also being sought is 30-year-old David Botelho, who is wanted on a $20,000 bench warrant in connection with a burglary, theft and credit-card investigation.

Botelho, a Honoka`a resident, is 5-foot-5 and 150 pounds, with short black hair and hazel eyes.

Police are asking for the public’s help identifying this suspect. HPD photo.

Police are also looking to identify a suspect in a theft case involving an unauthorized ATM transaction that occurred in April 2010.

Surveillance video showed the suspect allegedly making illegal withdrawals.

Anyone with information of the wanted men can call the police department’s non-emergency number at 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.

All three cases are included in the latest edition of “Hawaii Island’s Most Wanted,” a television show produced by Crime Stoppers Hilo Inc., a partnership of the business community, media and police.

It airs on Na Leo O Hawaii Community Television Channel 54 on Sundays at 5 p.m., Fridays at 5:30 p.m. and intermittently on Channel 53.

A Hawaiian hawk is currently under treatment at a Kona exotic animal sanctuary after being shot with a pellet gun.

The bird is the second to be treated at the Three Ring Ranch in the past two months for similar injuries.

Hawaiian hawks or io are listed as an endangered species.

Because one of the io was found near a residence where chickens were being raised, Three Ring Ranch curator Ann Goody believes the hawks may have been shot to keep them from attacking the fowl.

Such actions are not only illegal, but also unnecessary, she said.

“Hen shelters are easy and cheap to build and save the chickens from being predated on by hawks,” Goody said.

The hawk currently under her care was found on April 26 in a yard in Kailua-Kona. It was unable to fly and cats were circling around it.

It had an injury to its wing and an x-ray showed a pellet lodged in its chest.

The first io was found mauka of Kailua-Kona on March 20 with an injured wing. It recovered and has since been released.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is investigating the incidents.

]]> http://bigislandnow.com/2013/05/16/agency-investigating-hawaiian-hawk-shootings/feed/ 0 http://bigislandnow.com/2013/05/16/hilo-airport-field-office-included-in-audits-criticism/ http://bigislandnow.com/2013/05/16/hilo-airport-field-office-included-in-audits-criticism/#comments Fri, 17 May 2013 02:38:40 +0000 dave.smith http://bigislandnow.com/?p=89133

Hilo International Airport did not escape the attention of state auditors critical of the management of the state Department of Transportation.

The report by acting State Auditor Jan Yamane found fault with the DOT’s handling of construction projects, saying it allowed a contractor to make key decisions in the 12-year, $1.7 billion modernization of Honolulu International Airport.

While the size of the project mandated the hiring of a third-party manager, the DOT’s removing of itself from some of the decision-making resulted in “questionable allowances.”

The result was that the manager hired, Parsons Transportation Group, improperly received rent-free offices and reimbursement of $570,000 in office renovation expenses as well as $21,000 for “team-building” training.

The over-reliance on contractors also resulted in time and cost over-runs, the audit said.

That included the DOT’s failure to procure a new contract for airport security which the audit said resulted in the old contract being extended three times at a total cost of $37.7 million.

Yamane was also critical of the department’s failure to perform proper analyses for the construction of modular field offices on the neighbor islands.

The audit said the DOT’s bundling of the office construction with larger projects likely resulted in higher costs.

Those projects at the Hilo, Lihue and Kahului airports cost a combined $1.3 million.

In the case of Hilo’s airport, the nearly $183,000 spent on a 1,056-square-foot field office was included in a $10.9 million contract awarded to Isemoto Contracting Co. for replacement of the terminal’s roof.

“Separate procurement of the field offices would have encouraged competition and likely resulted in lower bids by other vendors,” the audit said.

“Further, Airports [Division] could not provide us with any cost analyses for constructing pre-engineered structures versus buying or renting trailers, thus raising additional questions as to the economic benefit of constructing new field offices,” it said.

In Lihue, the $125,000 field office was part of a $7.8 million heliport improvement project.

In both Hilo and Lihue, the specifications for the field offices called for a single-story building measuring 44 feet by 24 feet, and said that the “Huaka Gable” home package from HPM Building Supply was acceptable without further approval.

The audit said that while DOT officials had found that $180,000 was the average price to construct a 1,400-square-foot home, based on a 2002 price list, they had incorrect information regarding the purchase of a similar-sized trailer that could be used as an alternative structure.

The DOT said purchase of a similar-sized trailer would cost $178,000, but auditors estimated that a trailer half the size of the home package would cost about $39,000.

Nearly $974,000 was earmarked for a field office out of a $24.7 million contract for improvements at the Kahalui airport.

That was nearly 30 times what the auditors estimated it should have cost.

The auditors said that based on a site visit to the 1,764-square-foot Kahului facility, and on an interview with a construction manager there, it appeared that one 48-foot by 12-foot trailer would be sufficient for the “intermittent use by a few individuals.”

The audit said the DOT did not disagree with or dispute its findings.

Construction on a traffic signal at a major intersection of the new Ane Keohokalole Highway in Kona will get underway on Monday.

The traffic light will replace a four-way stop at the intersection of the highway and Kealakehe Parkway, said Noelani Whittington, spokeswoman for the county Department of Public Works.

During construction, one-lane closures will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekdays.

The $1 million project is expected to be completed in mid-September.

The clinic will be held at the Leilani Estates Community Center from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Puppies must be at least nine weeks old in order to spayed or neutered. Clinic fee is $50.

Owners need to pre-register their dogs for the event. Dogs should not be given food or water after 8 p.m. the night before the surgery and they need to be brought to the clinic in between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

So far this year, the group has offered spay/neuter clinics on a near-monthly basis, with clinics for cats and dogs on alternating months.

Next month, Rainbow Friends will hold a spay/neuter clinic for cats at a location yet to be announced. There is a flat fee of $30 for the cat spay/neuter clinic, with financial assistance available.

“We are trying to cut down on the population of unwanted dogs and cats and have found that this is the best way to accomplish that,” said clinic coordinator Sandi Alstrand.

“We’re so excited that we’re able to provide these clinics on a monthly basis to the community, and hope to continue them throughout the year.”

Rainbow Friends, a no-kill animal sanctuary located in Kurtistown, currently houses 80 dogs and 250 cats, the majority of which are available for adoption.

To register for the clinic, or for more information, call Alstrand at 896-5816 or Rainbow Friends Animal Sanctuary at 982-5110.

The rate is a 20% reduction compared to the same month a year ago.

Hawaii’s unemployment rate is significantly lower than the national average. Last month the national seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.5%, compared to 7.6% in March.

According to the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the last time the unemployment rate in Hawaii was 4.9% was in October 2008.

Statewide, there were 614,000 employed and 31,850 unemployed in April, for a total seasonally adjusted labor force of 645,850.

The unemployment rate figures for the state and the US are seasonally adjusted, in accordance with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics methodology.

The non seasonally adjusted rate for the state decreased to 4.5% in April, down from 5% in March.

Breakdown of unemployment rates per island across the state. Image courtesy DLIR.

Hawaii County had the second-highest unemployment rate in the state last month at 6.6%.

The island of Molokai had the highest rate of unemployment at 8.5%.

Across the islands, Lanai had the lowest unemployment rate with 2.4%, followed by Oahu at 3.9%, Maui island at 4.8%, and Kauai at 5.7%.

County and island rates of unemployment are not seasonally adjusted.

Four faculty members were recognized for excellence Saturday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s spring graduation ceremonies.

Rayna Morel received the Chanellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.

An instructor of communication, Morel was described as a teacher who engages students using clear and relevant examples to simplify abstract concepts.

Kalena Silva, a professor and former director of the Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elekolani College of Hawaiian Language, was given the Board of Regents Award for Excellence in Teaching.

University of Hawaii Regent Barry Mizuno, left, presents Hawaiian studies professor Kalena Silva with the Board of Regents Award for Excellence in Teaching. Courtesy photo.

Described as a “teacher, first and foremost,” Silva was recognized for teaching with the use of historical language resources and helping his students understand the relevance of such materials. Silva also helps students relate those resources to contemporary times and to understand the importance of viewing Hawaiian as a living, evolving language, school officials said.

Other honors bestowed Saturday included the awarding to Norman Arancon of the Chancellor’s Special Recognition Award for Contribution on Campus and Community.

Arancon, an assistant professor of horticulture, has pioneered research into the use of an earthworm-worked soil amendment – known as vermicomposts – which has benefitted Hawaii’s agriculture industry as well as local communities.

Students in his courses grow produce on campus that is shared with students in residence halls and sold at a student-organized farmer’s market.

Faith Mishina, assistant professor of Spanish, received the Frances Davis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching.

Mishina was described as a “committed teacher who helps students learn another language by using it as a window into the larger world of global opportunities.”

A strong south swell prompted the National Weather Service to issue a high-surf advisory this afternoon.

The advisory will be in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Saturday.

Wave heights are anticipated to be in the 6- to 10-foot range.

Because of the possibility of a wrap-around effect, almost the entire Big Island is included in the advisory issued at  3:40 p.m.

The weather service said the advisory will likely be extended because of the possibility of bigger surges on Saturday.

A small-craft advisory also remains in effect for leeward and southeast sections of the Big Island through at least 6 p.m. Thursday.

The Hawaii County Council today confirmed Mayor Billy Kenoi’s appointment of Laverne Omori as director of the Department of Research and Development.

Omori has been acting director of the department since December when Research and Development chief Randy Kurohara was named the county’s deputy managing director.

She had served as the department’s deputy director since January 2010.

Kenoi, posting on his Facebook page, said Omori and her team “have an important job – investing in our island’s economy by supporting critical sectors like agriculture and hospitality.”

Omori has spent more than two decades working for the county.

Prior to becoming deputy director, Omori served for three years as an economic development specialist for R&D. She has also been a a planner in the Office of Aging and a program director for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Omori holds a bachelor’s degree in human development from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

A team of student computer programmers from the University of Hawaii at Hilo has won first place in the 2013 US Microsoft Imagine Cup Championship.

The Imagine Cup competition honors technological innovation in the creation of applications using Microsoft resources to address world problems.

At Monday’s US final in San Jose, Calif., the top 10 teams pitched their ideas and solutions to investors, entrepreneurs and technology professionals.

Team Poliahu from UH-Hilo came out on top with its application “Help Me Help,” which focused on community aid for disaster relief efforts.

According to a statement from the university, the program aids the community and emergency response personnel in disaster situations by allowing users to upload images of nearby hazards through the use of smart phones.

Team Captain Mike Purvis said the idea grew out of a senior project to design software that could track native and invasive plant species.

“We realized tracking that kind of information could be applied to a larger scale with more impact,” Purvis said. “So we decided to rewrite our entire idea for disaster response.”

Purvis, who is a senior, was joined on the team by fellow seniors Kayton Summers and Wallace Hamada, and junior Ryder Donahue.

The team’s advisor is Keith Edwards, an associate professor in the UH-Hilo computer science department.

“As a professor, I am always the most pleased when students are able to transcend the material taught in the classroom to develop knowledge and capabilities beyond what is presently known,” Edwards said in the statement.

“The success achieved by these students is a perfect representation of how the tremendous creative possibilities at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo can have a worldwide impact,” Edwards said.

The UH-Hilo entry beat out finalists from the universities of Virginia, Colorado, Arkansas, Chicago and Florida State as well as Harvard, Rice and Boston universities.

Team Poliahu will represent the US in the Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals to be held in St. Petersburg, Russia from July 8-11.

A member of the 2012 worldwide Imagine Cup champion team from the Ukraine demonstrates the winning application during the finals held last year in Australia. Microsoft photo.

As a worldwide finalist, Team Poliahu will also have the opportunity to apply for Microsoft Imagine Cup Grants as part of a three-year, $3 million investment by Microsoft to help students turn their ideas into reality.

The winner of last year’s Worldwide Imagine Cup was Team quadSquad from the Ukraine. Its winning project was Enable Talk, which transformed sign language into speech using sensor-quipped gloves and a mobile device.

]]> http://bigislandnow.com/2013/05/15/uh-hilo-wins-us-imagine-cup-trip-to-finals-in-russia/feed/ 0 http://bigislandnow.com/2013/05/15/hilos-carter-waiakeas-caleb-freitas-fields-on-all-tourney-baseball-list/ http://bigislandnow.com/2013/05/15/hilos-carter-waiakeas-caleb-freitas-fields-on-all-tourney-baseball-list/#comments Thu, 16 May 2013 01:30:22 +0000 josh http://bigislandnow.com/?p=89055 The Big Island Interscholastic Federation was one inning away from a member school making a second straight trip to the Wally Yonamine Foundation / Hawai`i High School Athletic Association Division I Baseball Championship Game.

A member of the team that got close this year, Hilo’s Jodd Carter, and Waiakea’s Caleb Freitas-Fields, who hoped to help the Warriors repeat as state champions, were still recognized, however, as members of the All-Tournament team following Tuesday’s championship game, which was won by Mid-Pacific Institute.

Carter’s Vikings fell in the semifinals to eventual state runner-up Mililani, but the junior outfielder provided a steady bat to keep Hilo in the running for a championship berth. The Vikings’ left-fielder batted 5-for-7 in the tournament with three doubles and four runs batted in.

The Vikings have lost in the semifinals in each of the last two seasons. Hilo’s third-place game against Campbell was cancelled because of poor weather and field conditions in Maui.

Freitas-Fields, a freshman pitcher / outfielder, was called to pitch in the Warriors’ loss to Mid-Pacific on short rest and notice after Kodi Medeiros was not able to pitch the game. He took the loss in the Owls’ 5-1 victory in the tournament’s quarterfinals.

In the Warriors’ only win of the tournament, a 14-3 win over Leilehua in the opening round of the tournament, the youngster batted 3-for-5 with four runs batted in.

Waiakea was eliminated from the tournament after losing to Maui High School on Friday in a consolation bracket game. They finished the tournament with a 1-2 record.

Wally Yonamine Foundation / HHSAA Division I Baseball All-Tournament Team

Infield – Daniel Fentriss, Mid-Pacific

Infield – Quintin-John Collier, Mid-Pacific

Infield  – Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Mid-Pacific

Infield – Troy Kakugawa, Mililani

Infield – Jamesson Madrid, Mililani

Outfield – Ali`i Pedrina, Campbell

Outfield – Jodd Carter, Hilo

Outfield – Ekolu Ramos, Mililani

Pitcher – Kanoa Hironaka, Mililani

Pitcher – Brent Sakurai, Mid-Pacific

Designated Hitter – Sean Sonognini, Mililani

Utility – Caleb Freitas-Fields, Waiakea

Most Outstanding Player -  Trey Saito, Mid-Pacific

The Tacoma, Washington-based firm made the announcement Tuesday, stating the agreement calls for the recruiting of six physicians for the 94-bed hospital.

Included among the six physicians will be a chief hospitalist as well as a dedicated hospitalist registered nurse, whose role is to increase patient satisfaction.

“We’re excited to partner with Kona Community Hospital in their mission to provide quality-driven, customer-focused, cost-effective health care services for patients, the providers and the community,” said Sound Physicians Chief Executive Officer Robert Bessler, MD, in a press release.

Dr. Kathleen Rokavec, medical director at Kona Community Hospital, stated, “we chose Sound Physicians for its strong leadership and recruiting expertise.

“We’re confident that Sound Physicians’ approach to hospital medicine with proven tools and workflows will allow for the best possible care of our patients.”

Working with Kona Community Hospital’s leadership team, the company will work to improve inpatient care as well as the hospital’s financial outlook.

A private, public benefit health care facility accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations, Kona Community Hospital includes an on-site skilled nursing facility and 24-hour emergency services.

Operated by Hawaii Health Systems, its current staff includes 400 employees and 100 medical practitioners.

In an effort to stem the “silent epidemic,” the state Department of Health will offer free hepatitis screenings statewide on Monday, May 20, as part of National Hepatitis Testing Day.

According to state health officials, between 1% and 3% percent of people in Hawaii have hepatitis B, and approximately 23,000 are living with hepatitis C.

The disease is the most common known cause of liver cancer in Hawaii, and Hawaii has the highest rate of liver cancer in the United States.

“Often called the silent epidemic, most people with hepatitis B or C don’t have symptoms for many years,” said Health Director Loretta Fuddy. “People with hepatitis B and C shouldn’t wait until they feel sick to be tested because there are many things, including treatment, they can do to take care of themselves before they become ill.

“The earlier people know they have hepatitis, the better the outcome,” Fuddy said.

 Hepatitis B and C are spread through contact with blood and body fluids.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that anyone who has been exposed to blood through needle use, blood transfusion, non-sterile equipment or tattooing should be tested for both hepatitis B and C.

Also, anyone born in a country with high rates of hepatitis B, especially countries in Asia and the Pacific, should be screened for hepatitis B.

Anyone born from 1945-1965 (“baby boomers”) should also get a one-time test for hepatitis C, regardless of any known risk.

“If you are at risk, you should ask your doctor to get tested for hepatitis B or C,” Fuddy said. “Putting off this simple test now can have dangerous health implications later on, such as liver disease and cancer.”

Free screening locations on the Big Island include:

• Waiakea Health Center at 191 Kuawa St. in Hilo, for hepatitis B and C. Call 974-4247 for an appointment.
• Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation at 16-204 Melekahiwa Pl., #1, in Keaau, for hepatitis C only. Open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 982-8800 for information.
• Hawaii Island HIV/AIDS Foundation at 75-240 Nani Kailua Dr., #5, in Kailua-Kona, for hepatitis C only. Open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 331-8177 for information.

Testing will be based on eligibility and availability at each site.

Individuals without insurance also may call Aloha United Way 211.

For more information about National Hepatitis Testing Day, go to www.cdcnpin.org/HTD.

For more information about hepatitis resources and events in Hawaii, go to www.hepfreehawaii.org.

Konawaena first baseman / outfielder  Kileona Manzano and Kamehameha-Hawai`i second baseman Chad Teshima were listed on the 12-player team, voted on by on-site staff of the HHSAA.

Manzano has been described by his coach, Dave Distel, as a tough hitter to retire at the plate. The senior batted .500 during the three-day tournament, collecting four hits in eight at-bats and driving in four runs. He was listed as an outfielder in the all-tourney class.

On the season, Manzano led the team with a .493 batting average, hitting 34-for-69 on the season. He hit a home run and drove in 30 runs, also a team lead.

Konawaena finished the tournament in sixth place after falling to Kapa`a by the score of 3-2 in six innings Saturday.

Teshima, the second base selection on the all-tourney team, helped guide his team to the state championship game, where they lost to Maryknoll 14-0 Saturday night in five innings. The senior batted 1-for-1 in the title game and pitched an inning of scoreless relief in the losing effort.

Maryknoll starting pitcher Chase Uyema was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Uyema picked up a pair of wins in the tournament against Konawaena and Kamehameha-Hawai`i to secure the Spartans’ second championship and first since 2009.

Wally Yonamine Foundation / HHSAA Division II All-Tourney Team

First Base – Nick Tabura, Kapa`a

Second Base – Chad Teshima, Kamehameha-Hawai`i

Third Base – Phil Aylward, Maryknoll

Shortstop – Trevor Hirano, Maryknoll

Outfield – Brent Hironaga, Maryknoll

Outfield – Kileona Manzano, Konawaena

Outfield – Brayden Willing-McCutcheon, Moloka`i

Catcher – Wayne Silva, Wai`anae

Pitcher – Chase Uyema, Maryknoll

Pitcher – Tavita Lalau, Wai`anae

Designated Hitter – Justin Ushio, Maryknoll

Utility – Sheaven Delima-Ferreira, Wai`anae

Most Outstanding Player – Chase Uyema, Maryknoll

The 2013 Big Island Taiko Festival is about to rattle the rafters of the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center.

Taiko (太鼓) in Japanese refers to a drum, and the art of taiko drumming finds its roots everywhere from the battlefields of feudal Japan to Buddhist rituals, with performers eventually fusing modern ensemble techniques with both traditional and original rhythms.

Four different Big Island drumming groups will take the stage on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, to showcase a variety of percussion and dance styles.

Taishoji Taiko, representing the Taishoji Soto Mission of Hilo under the direction of Chad Nakagawa, will display an energetic and dramatic style that festival producer Lee Dombroski claims “will have you feeling the rhythm right to your core!”

Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko, directed by Milton Yafuso and Troy Sakihara, will showcase a drumming style based on Okinawan martial arts. According to Yafuso, the group pursues taiko performances in order to promote and preserve “the interest in and appreciation for the history” of Okinawan culture.

Taiko drums. Image courtesy Daifuji Taiko.

The Puna Hongwanji Taiko Club, under the direction of Rev. Earl Ikea, Paul Sakamoto and Lani Tak, features drummers of all ages and experience. Kona Daifukuji Taiko, founded by Rev. Ryuji Tamiya of Japan, is comprised of youth from elementary through high school grade levels.

Festival performances are scheduled for June 8 at 7:30 p.m. and June 9 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $10 general, $5 seniors and UH/UHH students, and $5 for children 17 or under.  To purchase, call 974-7310 or order online.

***Updated at 8:34 a.m. Thursday, May 16.***

A second day of searching Wednesday found no sign of a Honoka`a man missing after going for a swim off Waipio Valley.

Kevin Devlin, 62, was last seen at about 6:30 p.m. on Monday.

The search organized by the fire department’s Rescue Company 2 based in Hilo got underway at 6 a.m. using a rescue boat, divers and Chopper 1.

A department spokesman said while a ground search was conducted across the valley’s beach, the aerial search extended a mile offshore in the area from Laupahoehoe Nui in Hamakua to Hapuu Bay near Kapaau in North Kohala.

SCUBA divers and the rescue boat covered the area from Waialeale to the east to Waimanu Bay to the west, the spokesman said.

The search resumed early this morning.

***Updated with the identity of the missing person at 8:46 a.m. Wednesday, May 15.***

A search of the shoreline and waters around Waipio Valley Tuesday failed to turn up any sign of a missing 62-year-old Honoka`a man, a spokesman for the fire department said.

The missing person, identified by police Wednesday morning as Kevin Devlin, also known as Shawn Devlin, was last seen at about 6:30 p.m. Monday when he told a friend he was going for a swim.

His campsite was later found undisturbed with his belongings “neatly stacked” near the shoreline, the fire department spokesman said.

Devlin was described as Caucasian, 5-foot-10 and 160 pounds with short, thin white hair.

A fire department rescue boat and both of the department’s rescue helicopters aided in the search that began shortly before 11 a.m. Tuesday.

The search resumed at first light Wednesday.

Anyone with information on Devlin is asked to call Officer Dion Santiago at 775-7533 or the police department at 935-3311.

The fire department search for a 62-year-old Honoka`a man entered its third day this morning.

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2013 Monty Richards Hawaii Island Community Award.

The Bank of Hawaii awards for non-profit organizations provides one or more grants of up to $25,000.

Eligible organizations in Hawaii County are invited to apply by July 5. Nominations may be made by the public or by the 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organizations themselves.

The award was established in 2008 in honor of Herbert “Monty” Montague Richards Jr., a North Kohala rancher, dedicated Big Island community leader and former longtime board director for Bank of Hawaii.

Award selection will be based on exemplary fulfillment of the organization’s mission, leadership demonstrated by the organization’s executive director and board and the organization’s engagement in community development, education or human services.

Additional consideration will be given to organizations that also focus on community development through financial education programs.

Application forms are available at all Hawaii Island branches or by calling (808) 854-2029 or (808) 854-2021.

Nomination materials should be submitted to: Bank of Hawaii, Attn: Monty Richards Award, P.O. Box 305, Hilo, Hawaii 96721.

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