Video by Darryl Lee, Sativa Sultan

HILO, Hawaii: It was chaos in Hilo’s county building on Wednesday, when protest erupted during a vote on adopting a new building code for Hawaii Island.

This group – the same group that has been actively involved in the the crafting of the new codes – demanded the council “Kill the Bill”, forcing the council meeting to shut down, the chamber to close, and police to be called to the scene.

The new codes have been debated, vetted, voted, and reconsidered time and again for the past two years.

We will have more on this in the coming days…

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

HILO, Hawaii: A crowd was out along the shore in Keaukaha on Saturday, watching the waters for Humpback Whales.

It was the kick-off of the 2012 Sanctuary Ocean Count, and there were plenty of volunteers here at Onekahakaha Beach Park.

And there was some action, out in the distance on Hilo Bay.

The Sanctuary Ocean Count project offers the community a chance to monitor humpback whales from the shores of O`ahu, Hawaii and Kauai. The count is held the last Saturday of January, February, and March – during peak whale season – from 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

The enjoyable day at the beach helps to provide important population and distribution information on humpback whales around the Hawaiian Islands.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

HILO, Hawaii: The 2012 Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day was held at the University of Hawaii – Hilo on Saturday.

Hundreds of educators and students filled the campus theater for the opening general assembly, and shared in the memories and inspiration of Ellison Onizuka, who was born and raised in Kealakekua, and grew up to become NASA’s first Japanese-American astronaut.

The 12th annual event is held on the same day that – 26 years ago – the tragic Challenger Space Shuttle explosion claimed Onizuka’s life along with 6 other crew members.

The featured speaker was Astronaut Michael Fincke, who shared his own story with the young men and women in attendance.

One of Onizuka’s mentors, a recognizable figure from South Kona – Norman Sakata – spoke about corresponding with the young astronaut in the days before his scheduled mission to space.

By David Corrigan, Stephanie Salazar and Baron Sekiya

[Ted Hong video courtesy Baron Sekiya, Hawaii247.com]

HILO, Hawaii: A prominent Hilo attorney is now representing two county Elections Office workers who claim they were wrongfully terminated.

Ted Hong held a press conference at the Hilo county building on Friday, saying that two of the four fired county employees will file their initial claims against the County of Hawaii.

“An inexperienced county clerk,” Hong read from a statement, “unfamiliar with civil service law or collective bargaining agreements, acting like she was  the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, pointing to my clients and shouting ‘off with their heads’!”

The terminations are reportedly in connection to what has been described as a warehouse scandal, first reported on by Stephens Media newspapers.

The 2,000-square-foot warehouse located at 210 Makaala Street is supposed to store voting equipment. However, the building was allegedly also used to house a sign-printing business and store alcohol.

The terminations include Pat Nakamoto, the elections program administrator, and three other employees: warehouse manager Glen Shikuma; Shyla Ayau; and Elton Nakagawa… according to a follow up article by Jason Armstrong published in the paper.

In July, Council chair Dominic Yagong and County Clerk Jamae Kawauchi – heads of the Legislative branch that oversees the elections program – ordered the locks changed and an investigation be conducted.

The termination notices reportedly went out a few weeks ago.

Hong says his clients, elections administrator Patricia Nakamoto and Glen Shikuma, will be claiming damages in the amount $500,000.

The Hawaii County Charter requires the employees to file a claim with the County Clerk’s office before they can file their lawsuit in the Circuit Court in Hilo.

During the press conference, Hong addressed some of the alleged details surrounding the scandal, like the use of and storage of alcohol at the location. Hong also addressed the allegation that the warehouse was being used for a private sign making business by Shikuma.

The county’s legislative branch has been quiet as far as details concerning the termination may go. We recently asked Council Chair Dominic Yagong – who sits as the head of the legislative branch – about the firings during the announcement of his bid for mayor.

When asked about the possible motivations behind the terminations, Hong had this response.

“I think the reasons for the terminations will be pretty apparent by the people they appoint to the positions after my clients. If these are all people connected to or tied to certain politicians on the County Council than I think its relatively obvious.”

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

HILO, Hawaii: The members of the Hawaii State Teachers Association have voted “no” to ratification of a proposed new contract.

According to the union, 67% voted no, while only 33 % voted yes.

At this voting location at Hilo Intermediate School, teachers cast their decision by ballot Thursday evening…

We spoke to a few supporters of the proposed contract, but as the final results suggested, we found many more who had voted down the latest offer.

In a message to teachers posted to Facebook, HSTA president Wil Okabe said after the vote, “I talked to hundreds of you this week personally and at some of the polling locations. I could tell from the questions many teachers had that the vote would be against ratification.”

Okabe went on to write “… beginning tomorrow, I will initiate a union-wide conversation about our options going forward, listen to your suggestions, roll up my sleeves, and get back to work. Many of you have suggested that we return to the negotiating table. Others of you believe a strike vote should be our next step. And still others have suggested that we continue with our legal challenges. Each of these points of view should be considered and discussed.”

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

HILO, Hawaii: Monday was the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday… that means all federal, state and county offices were closed.

Public and private schools were also closed on Hawaii Island, but that doesn’t mean they were empty.

Here at Waiakea High School, physicians and staff members with Kaiser Permanente joined students, teachers, and members of the Hawaii Island School Garden Network, to refurbish the school’s garden.

Its become an annual ritual for these Kaiser employees, volunteering where they are needed at schools around the island… as you can see, its lots of work for a supposed day off.

Eight years ago, in honor and recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his advancement of civil and human rights, Kaiser Permanente established an annual Day of Service that takes place on MLK Day.

Similar efforts were underway at Waimea Middle and Kahakai Elementary Schools.

Koby Kobayashi, Waiakea’s teacher of what is now called the Natural Resources course, says this type of hands on education is important for the future of agriculture on the island.

Donna Mitts, with the Kohala Center’s Hawaii Island School Garden Network, agrees…

The Day of Service was not just limited to professional adults. The youth played a big role in the day’s work… for some, tending the school garden has become a passion that even a “day off” cannot obstruct.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

HILO, Hawaii: It was a day of celebration in Hilo on Tuesday, as the maile lei was untied on the rehabilitated “E Komo Mai Apartments”.

The 45-unit affordable multifamily apartment community on Kinoole Street has just undergone a massive modernization, and a grateful set of tenants have moved back in.

The refurbished apartments are the result of a partnership between “Urban Housing Communities” the Big Island Housing Foundation, Hunt Building Company, the Hawaii Housing Finance & Development Corporation, Hawaii Community Reinvestment Corporation, and the County of Hawaii. For those who have worked on this project, today was a long time coming.

From the Hunt Capital Partners:

A special blessing ceremony was held Tuesday for the E Komo Mai Apartments located in Hilo, Hawai’i. The 45-unit, two-building apartment complex, originally built in 1971, underwent a $3 million rehabilitation and upgrade thanks to a development partnership between Urban Housing Communities (Anaheim, CA) and Big Island Housing Foundation (Hilo, HI). Hunt Capital Partners provided $6 million in Tax Credit equity financing. Additional financing was provided by Hawai’i Housing Finance & Development Corporation (HHFDC) under its Rental Housing Trust Fund program. Construction was completed by Hunt Building Company.

Kahu Gaymond Apaka officiated over the dedication, which was attended by Hunt representatives and the construction team. Local government officials and tenants also attended the blessing.

“This blessing is not only a big day for residents here at the E Komo Mai Apartments, but also for all of us at Hunt,” said Bud Waters, executive vice president of Hunt Building Company. “We’re blessed to have been given the opportunity to transform these residents’ homes into an improved, healthier and safer place to live as we have a strong commitment to improving the quality of life on the Big Island and the state of Hawai’i.”

The E Komo Mai Apartments consists of one- and two-bedroom units restricted to tenants earning at or below 30, 50 and 60 percent of the area median income, including nine units that are further subsidized by a Section 8 rental housing assistance program. Aside from completely upgrading the units with Energy Star appliances and new finishes inside and out, the project’s common areas were enhanced with fresh landscaping and additional amenities that include a new management office and recreation facilities. All of the project’s 45 units have already been completed and turned over to its residents. A rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system, also financed by Hunt Capital Partners, will help reduce common area operating expenses.

Meanwhile, another housing project sitting just a few blocks away still needs some help.

Since Big Island Video News began covering Hawaii Island in 2008, the community has been wrestling with what to do with the mostly abandoned neighborhood.

At Tuesday’s “E Komo Mai” celebration, State Senator Gil Kahele vowed to do something about the situation.

A look back on ten memorable moments – for better or for worse – covered by Big Island Video News in 2011

HILO, Hawaii: For the next two weeks, we will be taking a look at the moments that mattered over the past year, paying special attention to every region of Hawaii Island.

Today, we focus on Hilo… which is in the midst of re-inventing itself as a university town, an overnight destination, and a center of the Hawaiian cultural renaissance.

Here, now, is our top 10 stories of 2011.

The TOP 10 – HILO 2011

10. Target

MORE: New Target store belssed in Hilo

9. UH-Hilo College of Paramacy

MORE: UH-Hilo history, first Doctors of Pharmacy graduate

8. Occupy Hilo

MORE: Hawaii ralies behind Occupy Wallstreet

7. Surfers vs SUP

MORE: Surfers clash with stand up paddlers on Hawaii waves

6. Helping Homeless

MORE: HOPE Services Hawaii homeless survey

5. Rare corpse flower bloom, twice

TAG: Corpse Flower

4. Peace Corps reunion

MORE: JFK monument re-dedicated at Hilo Peace Corps reunion

3. Hawaiian Language building breaks ground

MORE: UH College of Hawaiian Language breaks ground in Hilo

2. Voyagers land at Hilo Bay

MORE: Pacific canoe voyagers land in Hilo, Hawaii

1. Direct Flights arrive

TAG: Continental Airlines

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

HILO, Hawaii: The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands met the community of beneficiaries at Keaukaha Elementary School Cafeteria on Thursday evening.

Hawaiian Homes Commission Chairman Alapaki Nahale-a, a native of the area, was joined by DHHL staff, in unveiling details of the trust’s “Kauhale Pilot Project,” which presents a new style of Hawaiian homesteading opportunity.

Kauhale were traditional Hawaiian homesteads that consisted of multiple structures that served specific purposes, like sleeping, eating and cooking.

The modern adaptation of Kauhale will feature multiple residential units that incorporate common living areas to be shared among an extended family on a single homestead lot.

The Hawaiian Home Lands Trust is looking to develop the pilot project Keaukaha in Hilo and/or Waimea. Multiple lessees will likely be connected to the Kauhale homestead.

DHHL reps didnt have any plans or illustrations to show, but they wanted to let everyone in attendance know that the process will be open and will require the input of the beneficiaries. As DHHL planner said Kaleo Manuel, not only is the kauhale rooted in historic Hawaiian Culture… but its the way many families are living today.

Officials showed those in attendance how to go about signing up if they are interested.

The meeting was also held in order for officials to hear from the “top 100″ applicants on the Hawaii Island waitlist to assess how the department can best address the needs of applicants longest on the waitlist.

It didnt take long for the officials to get what they asked for…

Some beneficiaries wondered where in Keaukaha will this new pilot project by built?

Chair Nahale-a said DHHL is not sure, yet, where that will be, but noted that part of the problem is unoccupied vacant homestead lots, which triggered a warning to homesteaders from local leader Uncle Patrick Kahawaiola`a.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by Adam Palumbo]

HILO, Hawaii: It was an innovative evening of fine wine, food, and fashion in Downtown Hilo this weekend, all for a good cause.

Mahealani Over Hilo, a formal affair held at the Kaikodo building on Saturday night, was a benefit for the American Cancer Society in honor of Denise Lynne Lambeth-Manny.

Denise passed in August 2010. Members of her family were in attendance. Organizers of the event say Denise wanted nothing more but to help educate and maybe save some time for others fighting this terrible disease.

The event was put together by Sig Zane Designs and AlohaMondays and there was a strong turnout, as friends shared emotional thoughts with those in attendance.

Organizers hoped to raise over $20,000 on the evening and plan to make Mahealani Over Hilo an annual event that people mark on their calendar 12 months in advance.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by David Corrigan]

HILO, Hawaii: The torrential downpour was not enough to halt the Rock & Roll Motorcycle Club’s 16th Annual Toys for Tots motorcade and rally on Sunday.

This year, the hundred or so participants – down a bit from the usual numbers, probably because of the weather – departed from Aunty Sally’s Lu’au Hale on Pi’ilani St.

The riders – including mayor Billy Kenoi – suited up for the elements and followed the direction of Ellsworth Fontes, the organizer of the rally, before heading out.

The convoy headed down Kalanikoa St. towards Kamehameha Ave. where it turned right and headed out towards Keaukaha along Kalaniana’ole Ave.

The group eventually u-turned at 4 Miles beach, rumbled through Banyan Drive and onto Manono Street, back to Aunty Sally’s.

While the bikers were gone, the unwrapped gifts continued to pile up, as did the gift bicycles… all donated for the island’s needy keiki.

Its an event that everyone looks forward to. But, all this almost didn’t happen this year.

In November, the Hawaii Tribune Herald reported that organizers had cancelled the much anticipated event due to permitting discrepancies with the Hawaii Police Department, having to do with limiting the number of participants, which in years past have totalled four or five hundred. However, the county reported that all conflicts were ironed out and the show will go on.

A turn of events that means many happy children in Hilo this holiday season. And even the weather couldn’t stop these guys from spreading the holiday cheer.

[File Video by David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar, photos courtesy UH-Hilo]

Media release from University of Hawaii-Hilo:

HILO, Hawaii: Robert K. Iopa, the Big Island-born architect who designed the College of Hawaiian Language and Pharmacy Buildings at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo gives the keynote address at this year’s fall commencement, scheduled for Saturday, December 17 at 9 a.m. in the UH Hilo New Gym.

A total of 300 students have petitioned for a variety of degrees and/or certificates. The undergraduates and their respective colleges include: College of Arts and Sciences (153), College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management (15), College of Business and Economics (36), Ka Haka `Ula O Ke`elikolani College of Hawaiian Language (7) and the College of Pharmacy (49). Another 40 students are candidates for various post-graduate degrees or other honors.

Iopa currently serves as president and principal of WCIT Architecture on O`ahu, a start-up group he founded in 2000. Specializing in planning, entitlements and design, Iopa maintains a lead role in all of the firm’s projects and heads the design effort for over a dozen projects in Hawai`i. His design for the College of Pharmacy Building was recently featured in Honolulu Magazine, while his plans for the College of Hawaiian Language Building captured the “2010 American Institute of Architects (AIA) Honolulu Design Award” in the category of “Commissioned Work to be Built.” Both projects reflect his philosophical approach, which strives to create unique, special places and environments rooted in the Hawaiian way of life and sustainability.

In addition to Hawai`i, Iopa has led and participated in the development of projects throughout Asia, South America and the South Pacific. His work has earned him numerous awards and recognition, including being named one of Hawai`i’s brightest young leaders (40 under 40) by Pacific Business News, one of the State’s most Influential Leaders for the Next Twenty-Five Years (25 for the next 25) by Hawai`i Business Magazine and the 2008 SBA Business Person of the Year for the City and County of Honolulu.

Clinton K.V. Tavai, affectionately known as “Kahōkū,” represents the graduating class as student speaker. Tavai has maintained a 3.28 GPA majoring in Hawaiian Studies and Communication.

Tavai’s campus and community service activities reflect his values rooted in the Hawaiian culture and language, which he credits with helping him grow extensively as a humble individual. He participated in the restoration of the Hale O Lono fishpond in Keaukaha, along with the UH Hilo Hawaiian Club/Kipuka Mala and Waipi`o clean-ups, and assisted the Kamehameha Schools Teacher Induction Program and Kele Kanahele, master Ni`ihau shell maker.

His commencement speech will be delivered in both Hawaiian and English.

For more information on Commencement, contact Mary Ann Tsuchiyama at (808) 974-7555 or email commence@hawaii.edu. For special accommodations, contact Susan Shirachi at (808) 933-0816 (V) or (808) 933-3334 (TTY). Requests should be made at least 10 business days prior to the event.