News 2008-08-17 Andanh.com

Hoffmann: 'Bad precedent' set in ballot initiative process Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:20:40 -1000
HILO -- A "bad precedent" was set when the Hawaii County Council voted 5-4 this week to place a petition-driven initiative on the November ballot, Council Chairman Pete Hoffmann, Kohala, said Friday.

Accident leaves Palani Road residents in the dark Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:20:38 -1000
A Palani Road accident Saturday night left hundreds of people in the dark.

Council members fund pet projects Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:20:45 -1000
HILO -- All but two Hawaii County Council members spent every penny of their $300,000 discretionary accounts this past budget year, according to a review of the district funds.

Burglaries down 25 percent in last three years Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:20:18 -1000
HILO -- The number of burglaries reported on the Big Island have declined 25 percent over the past three years -- because of residents' diligence as much as the police department's effort, said Hawaii's police chief.

In Brief - Big Island Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:20:13 -1000
Ocean View structure fire under investigation

Paniolo knives: A slice of history Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:19:07 -1000
Famous chefs travel with their favorite cutlery, musicians prefer familiar instruments and carpenters carry their most trusty hammers on their belts. Favorite tools can become an integral part of a person's identity. Just as a businessman might feel naked without his Blackberry, a Hawaiian cowboy, or paniolo, might feel undressed without his knife.

A discussion of male rites of passage into manhood: finitude Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:18:44 -1000
Finitude means limits. No boy can become a man unless he comprehends this paradox: He is not nothing; he is not everything.

There's no reason to forgive someone who tells you 'no' Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:18:45 -1000
Q: In regards to (one of your columns), I really did like it. I have that (David Gates/Bread) album and have listened to ("It Don't Matter to Me") quite a bit in the past. The song was going through my head as I read. I agree with your sentiment, it does matter to me as well. And when that person leaves to find whatever they are looking for and they don't return, how do you forgive them? -- S., Las Vegas

Baxter leading Hamakua Lions Club Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:10 -1000
The Hamakua Lions Club held its installation banquet recently at the Hotel Honokaa Club banquet hall. The candlelight ceremony following protocols of Lion International, was conducted by Region Eight Chairwoman Gail Dochin and Past Zone Chairman Kimo Hodykios.

Grant funds summer reading programs Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:08 -1000
The Hawaii State Public Library System is the recipient of 50 Apple iPod Shuffles, nearly 400 Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf thermal beverage tumblers, plus hundreds of other reading incentive rewards, courtesy of a major grant from the Friends of the Library of Hawaii for the recently-concluded 2008 HSPLS Summer Reading Programs.

General tax relief needed by Hawaii's families Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:22 -1000
Last week we noted how the general excise tax has a characteristic similar to a retail sales tax in that since it is imposed on transactions or sales, the tax tends to be regressive, taking more out of a low-income family's budget than the percentage it takes out of a more affluent family's budget.

Support Hawaii agriculture: buy fresh -- buy local Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:13 -1000
There's tremendous interest here, nationwide and, no doubt, many other places, for eating locally grown or raised food and buying local products. Support for agriculture is vital to our economy and lifestyle, not to mention our bodies.

Early detection, disease treatment important for plant health Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:23 -1000
Every year, Kona Outdoor Circle chooses several landscapes in Kona to receive beautification awards because they are deemed valuable additions to maintaining Kona's beauty. This year the Kona Outdoor Circle Beautification Awards were expanded to honor four different Kona landscapes.

Earl's Garage captures double first place awards Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:18 -1000
More than 5,000 miles away from the Beijing Olympic Games, the Earl's Garage Botball Team captured a different kind of gold medal. Actually, two of them.

Volcano Community Association receives grant Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:11 -1000
The Volcano Community Association recently received a $2,000 grant from the Healing Our Island Community Grant Fund, a State Grant in Aid project administered by the Hawaii County Resource Center, a program of the Department of Research and Development.

Coming Up Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:25 -1000
Kona Singles Club meets Tuesday Kona Singles Club meets at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at La Pasta Ristorante.

Kona District Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:09 -1000
The Hawaii County Police Department is asking for the public's help in processing court bench warrants.

Gladys Yoshihara Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:21:12 -1000
Gladys Hatsuko Yoshihara, 97, of Hilo, died Aug. 12 at Hilo Medical Center. Born July 17, 1911, in Pahoa, she was a retired bookkeeper, member of Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin and Kapiolani Kumiai.

Sandra Alatani Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:21:10 -1000
Sandra "Sandie" Lee Alatani, 65, of Pahoa, died Aug. 10 at Hilo Medical Center. Born May 17, 1943, in Hilo, she was a retired employee of the state of Hawaii Social Services Department, vice president of Alatini Tree Experts Inc. and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Pahoa Ward.

Kolu Sabedong Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:21:13 -1000
Kolu Duke Sabedong, 78, of Pahoa, died Aug. 11 at Hilo Medical Center. Born in Ohio, he retired from Hawaii State Corrections, worked in the tour industry and was a professional heavyweight boxer.

Ayame Tsunezumi Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:21:11 -1000
Ayame Tsunezumi, 89, of Hilo, died Aug. 2 at Life Care Center of Hilo. Born Feb. 8, 1919, in Pepeekeo, she was a retired barber and housemaid and member of the Higashi Hongwanji Mission and Nohea Kumiai.

In every volcanic paradise, a little vog must fall Sun, 17 Aug 2008 07:48:55 -1000
Locally, the term "vog" has become a household word, with a rash of media articles and even a respectable Wikipedia entry online. After 25 years of nearly continuous eruption on Kilauea's east rift zone and over six months of increased gas emissions from Kilauea's summit, most Hawaii Island residents and many visitors are well acquainted with this volcanic air pollution.

Hawaii plan tackles public housing crisis Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:19:00 -1000
As far back as the early 1970s, lawmakers, advocates and residents were decrying backlogged maintenance, deteriorating buildings and rising crime at public housing projects statewide.

Hawaii coach Bolla under investigation Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:05:00 -1000
The University of Hawai'i athletic department recently completed a formal investigation into allegations that Rainbow Wahine basketball head coach Jim Bolla mistreated players during his four-year tenure with the team.

Hawaii rail transit a presidential issue Sun, 17 Aug 2008 00:32:00 -1000
Honolulu's $3.7 billion mass-transit project, whether it makes the November ballot or not, will likely be a measuring stick in the mayor's race and could spill into many City Council and state House and Senate campaigns this fall.

Reluctant turnovers defeat housing's goal Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:14:00 -1000
Public housing was designed in the 1930s as a stopgap for families facing homelessness or living in overcrowded, substandard conditions. It was supposed to help them move up — then they were supposed to move out.

Police conduct questioned Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:19:00 -1000
Gov. Linda Lingle said yesterday that it would be a serious breach of the oath taken by Ho-nolulu Police officers if reports are true that an officer stood by and did nothing while a palace employee was roughed up during a takeover of 'Iolani Palace by an activist group on Friday.

Guinness-size hug for troops Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:34:00 -1000
It was the sort of ear-splitting roar normally reserved for rock stars and Olympic sports heroes.

Panel's decision on Koko Crater tramway expected soon Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:15:00 -1000
A committee considering the fate of an abandoned tramway along the 1,208-foot summit of Koko Crater is expected to finalize its recommendations by the end of next month.

Woman critical after being hit by truck Sun, 17 Aug 2008 06:17:00 -1000
An 86-year-old woman remained in critical condition last night after being hit while riding a power chair in a crosswalk near the Wal-Mart store on Ke'eaumoku Street.

Democrats soften stance against offshore oil drilling Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:32:00 -1000
Democrats' stance against offshore drilling has shifted more, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signaling yesterday her willingness to consider opening up more coastal areas to oil and gas exploration.

Obama raises $24M more in July than GOP rival McCain Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:30:00 -1000
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama raised more than $51 million in July and the Democratic National Committee reported $27.7 million in donations last month, putting Obama in a strong position for the fall campaign.

Candidates split on abortion, style in church forum Sat, 16 Aug 2008 23:29:00 -1000
Barack Obama and John McCain briefly shared a stage at Orange County's cavernous Saddleback Church yesterday as they discussed what their faith means to them and highlighted their vastly different views on issues, none more stark than abortion.

Driver dies in crash on Maui highway Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:55:00 -1000
A man was killed in a Maui traffic wreck early yesterday morning, police said.

Community Calendar Sat, 16 Aug 2008 22:54:00 -1000

'So close, so, so close' Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:11:43 EDT
Principals at five Maui County public schools are appealing their schools' ratings under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The principals question the way their students' test results were counted and say they want to clear the record while keeping annual yearly progress results in proper perspective. "It's a window. It's a snapshot of the day the tests are taken," said Lahaina Intermediate

As prices go up, so does potential Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:16:18 EDT
KAHULUI - There is enough fertile land in Hawaii to feed the state's entire population, but it will take even greater plummeting economics to force Hawaii residents, farmers, businesses and the government to make seismic shifts in their approaches to food and fuel, a Pacific islands expert said Saturday. "I don't know how you would induce it," said Michael Hammett during his keynote address for t

Rain helps water situation Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:17:47 EDT
WAILUKU - Periodic showers in the East Maui watershed are maintaining flows into Upcountry reservoirs, but Maui remains in a drought overall, with Central Maui and west Molokai still rated as in severe drought. In his weekly report, Water Director Jeff Eng said demand on the Upcountry system remained stable but he expressed concern over a spurt in consumption on the Central Maui system that serv

Maui jobless rate dips in July Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:18:37 EDT
WAILUKU - The unemployment rate for Maui County in July was 4.4 percent, a decline of 0.2 points from June. Overall, unemployment is still up, compared to a rate of 3.1 percent in July 2007. And the figures released Thursday by the State Department of Labor and Industrial Relations do not include the elimination of 274 positions by Maui Land & Pineapple Co. While the layoffs were announced July