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…

Video by David Corrigan

HILO, Hawaii: A group of parents, students and teachers at Laupahoehoe High and Elementary School took their grievances to Bayfront Highway in Hilo on Wednesday.

A quick look at the signs they were waving reveals which side of the recent charter school conversion debate they are on.

Emotions are running high and moral at the school is reportedly running low, after yet another decision by the Board of Education overruling the Charter School Review Panel.

This time, the BOE declared that Laupahoehoe will open as a charter school in July 2012. The sudden decision was made after the charter school’s Interim Local School Board appealed to the BOE, after the review panel ruled that the school must operate for another year under the Department of Education before converting to a charter. Three C.S.R.P. board members resigned over the decision.

These demonstrators are not happy with the Board of Educations’ actions.

The community is also torn over the charter school’s refusal to hold an election to install a permanent Local School Board. It was presumed by many that the permanent Local School Board elections would be held before the charter school year began. But the interim school board has resisted holding the elections, saying that the stakeholders have not been identified. The Board of Education apparently agrees.

Meanwhile, the Interim Board is pushing forward, encouraging current teachers to submit letters of interest and resumes by February 15, 2012.

The Interim Local School Board issued this release today:

Local parents and their families are excited about the opening of Laupahoehoe Community Public Charter School in July 2012. Parent and Laupahoehoe High & Elementary School graduate Kaihi Francisco recently stated: “My family and I thank those who worked hard and diligently for our charter school, and thank the Board of Education for their approval to open in July. We are happy and excited!”

The Laupahoehoe Charter School Interim Local School Board (ILSB) supports citizens in their exercise of their first amendment rights of free speech, freedom to assemble and to petition their government and respects the right of individuals to express their objection to the Laupahoehoe Charter School opening in July 2012. It is with aloha that the ILSB welcomes dialog about any concerns that exist within the community and the school.

Francisco and his family stated: “We feel saddened that our enthusiasm is not shared by all in the community. We hope that those who continue to hinder the progress of better opportunities for our youth will see the vision and give their support to our Charter.”

Parent Phoebe Mills went further, saying: “I’ve heard that a few teachers at the school are encouraging the kids in their classes to oppose the charter-conversion. I’m sure that most teachers would never do this, but if it’s true, it’s appalling. The students should not be dragged into this on school time. “

The ILSB welcomes anyone with questions about the school opening or process to go to the website (www.laupahoehoecharterschool.com) or call 808-430-8699. Questions and concerns about the charter school may be presented at the public ILSB meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00pm (the website will list the most up to date information).

Interest in the charter school is widespread. Numerous inquiries have come in from prospective parents and teachers who are enthusiastic about becoming part of an innovative community school. To kick off the Charter’s hands-on learning approach, an exciting outdoors experience for high school students is planned for this summer.

An upcoming presentation by Board of Education Chair Don Horner & Vice Chair Brian DeLima will be held in February in the Laupahoehoe area to help the community to move forward.

The school encourages this year’s teachers to consider teaching at the charter school when it opens in July, 2012 and to submit letters of interest and resumes by February 15 2012. Inquiries regarding student registration or employment for qualified State teachers and staff should be directed to info@laupahoehoecharterschool.com.

KEAUHOU Hawaii: Hawaii County Police have issued this media release in regards to an overturned double hull canoe at Keauhou Pier on Wednesday morning that reportedly led to the death of a man.

From the media release:

Big Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest case in connection with the death of a canoe paddler.

Kona Patrol officers responded to the Keauhou Pier at approximately 7 a.m. Wednesday (February 1) after receiving a report of an overturned double hull canoe.

When officers arrived, Coast Guard personnel were already on scene. All 10 paddlers from the canoe were back on shore by 7:45 a.m.

A 67-year-old Keauhou man who was non-responsive at the scene was transported by ambulance to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 7:58 a.m. His identity is being held pending notification of his next of kin.

Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

HONOLULU, Hawaii: The Hawaii State Department of Transportation has issued the following media release, announcing an increase in the monthly parking fees at four neighbor island airports, starting March 1st, 2012.

From the DOT media release:

The state Department of Transportation (DOT) advises users of Kahului and Kapalua Airports on Maui, Lihue Airport on Kauai, and the Hilo and Kona International Airports on the Big Island, that monthly parking rates at these locations will increase from $90 to $160 beginning Thursday, March 1, 2012.

The monthly rate increase is proportionate to daily and hourly rate increases that went into effect at airports statewide on May 1, 2011. The monthly parking rate increase at Honolulu International Airport to $240 went into effect June 1, 2011.

For more parking rate information at these airports, please contact the offices below.

• Lihue Airport, Kauai: AMPCO System Parking, (808) 245-8716
• Kahului and Kapalua Airports, Maui: Standard Parking, (808) 871-0610
• Hilo International Airport, Hawaii: AMPCO System Parking, (808) 969-6642
• Kona International Airport, Hawaii: AMPCO System Parking, (808) 329-5404

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video courtesy University of Hawaii Systems]

KONA, Hawaii: The Hawaii Community College Pālamanui campus in West Hawaii has taken a big step forward.

The University of Hawaii received $9.68 million from Pālamanui LLC — a partnership between Hunt Companies and Charles R. Schwab — to begin construction of the first phase of the planned HCC campus in Kona, the university’s first permanent physical campus on the west side of the Big Island.

A ceremonial check presentation was held at the West Hawaii Civic Center on Tuesday.

University of Hawaii Board of Regents Vice Chair James H.Q. Lee joined UH President M.R.C. Greenwood in receiving the symbolic check, alongside Big Island Mayor Billy Kenoi.

“Today marks the realization of a dream—that of access to higher education for West Hawai‘i’s underserved youth. The outlook for our children’s future just got brighter,” commented Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi. “Building this new Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus makes higher education possible for hundreds of local families. Our children will be able to learn skills and new technologies so they can compete for higher paying jobs. I commend Pālamanui LLC and its partners and appreciate their honorable fulfillment of promises made.”

“A college education creates opportunities for a better life,” said Lee in a media release. “Community colleges, with their low cost and open access, are the entry point for many who have traditionally been left out of higher education. We are gratified by and appreciative of the efforts of all who helped bring this promise to the residents of West Hawai‘i. Our West Hawai‘i Regent, Carl Carlson, Jr., is out of state today but he, Chair Eric Martinson and the entire Board send their thanks to the many who made today possible.”

“This new campus is a powerful example of the university’s efforts to bring higher education and access to a college degree to underserved areas,” stated University of Hawai‘i President M.R.C. Greenwood. “We are absolutely committed to doing that as part of the university’s mission. The new Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus will provide educational pathways to a better future not just to Hawai‘i island residents, but to the residents of the entire state.”

The University says an initial contribution of more than $5.2 million was delivered to the university this week. An additional $4.4 million has been placed in escrow and will be released to the university upon completion of the mid-level road connecting Kona Palisades to the new campus, which the university is building and expects to complete in April.

Officials say Pālamanui LLC will soon begin infrastructure improvements worth another $10 million for the university to connect to electricity and water lines. This necessary infrastructure will increase the Pālamanui investment to nearly $20 million and will enable the completion of the planned first phase of the campus.

Representing Palamanui LLC, Hunt Companies Hawai‘i Division President Steve Colon said, “On behalf of Hunt Companies and Charles R. Schwab, I am thrilled to announce that Pālamanui has honored its commitment to provide the financial catalyst to make the Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus a reality. This campus has been a dream for many in the West Hawai‘i community for a long time, and it is especially gratifying to know that our efforts will guarantee its fruition.”

The Hawai‘i Community College Pālamanui campus has been in the development stage for eight years. Officials say comprehensive building plans are now being finalized and should be completed in February.

UH will apply for building permits and will put the first phase of the project out to bid in the first quarter of 2012. A blessing, groundbreaking and the start of construction for the campus is expected this summer.

Once completed, Palamanui will become the 11th campus comprising the University of Hawai‘i System.

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]

HALAWA, Hawaii: In North Kohala, a celebration was held at the Tong Wo Society building in Halawa in honor of Chinese New Year.

Shortly after 10 a.m., with a large crowd gathered around the yard of the building on the only day it is open to the public, the bang of firecrackers roused the lion dancers, who swirled around the pyrotechnics to the din of the drum.

The lion dancers also turned their attention to the Tong Wo Society building, going through the structure to offer a blessing.

Built in 1885, the building is said to be the state’s oldest Chinese building. The Tong Wo Society is currently hoping to raise $25,000 in order to purchase and install a new roof for the building.

The people also had a chance to feed envelopes of money and dollars bills to the lion dancers outside. A potluck followed the activities.

The Chinese New Year is a 15-day celebration that begins with the first new moon in January and ends with the first full moon. Also known as the Spring Festival, this marks Chinese year 4710, or the Year of the Dragon.

The Chinese lunar-solar calendar rotates through 12 zodiacal animals: the rat, the ox, the tiger, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the sheep, the monkey, the rooster, the dog and the pig. Legend says these animals were chosen simply because they were the only creatures to accept Buddha’s invitation to gather on the new year.

The holiday is marked by rituals, traditions and community celebrations intended to foster health, happiness, prosperity and luck. And of course… plenty of firecrackers!

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 and Stephanie Salazar

[Video courtesy USGS-Hawaiian Volcano Observatory]

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK, Hawaii: January is Volcano Awareness Month on Hawaii Island and 2012 also marks the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

So why not share some of the latest mesmerizing lava lake video, from the fiery pit of Halemau’ma’u on the summit of Kilauea.

This footage shows vigorous spattering along the south margin of the Halema`uma`u lava lake. Lava is upwelling in the northern portion of the lake which is out of view, and slowly migrates to this southern margin where it sinks back into the conduit.

According to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory’s Kilauea status report for Thursday the spattering sink on the southeastern edge of lake continued building a small spatter rampart and feeding very small lava flows on the inner ledge. The lava level is estimated to be 260 feet below the floor of Halema`uma`u Crater.

The HVO also says the most recent sulfur dioxide emission rate measurement was 1,500 tonnes per day on January 22… new measurements must await the return of moderate trade winds, scientists say.

By Daryl Lee, Dave Corrigan, and Stephanie Salazar

[Video by Daryl Lee]

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Hawaii: A bad accident to report in Mountain View, and Big Island Video News has the video of the tense rescue.

This collision on Route 11 near the 13th mile marker shut the highway around 10 in the morning on Thursday, as vehicles were detoured around the scene.

You can see fire and rescue crews working hard to save a woman, who was stuck in her sedan after a reported head on collision with a dump truck.

The woman was pinned under the vehicle, and firefighters used the jaws of life to successfully extricate her. She was reportedly taken to Hilo Medical Center in critical condition.

Meanwhile, the dump truck that was involved in the crash was fully engulfed in flames, and Hawaii County fire crews worked to hose it down.

The dump truck lost a wheel in the crash and firefighters believe the sparks from the metal may have ignited the fuel line.

Fire officials report that the effort to extinguish the fire was delayed because there were live electrical wires on the ground.

The driver of the dump truck was not hurt, but his truck was destroyed, amounting to a loss of $100,000, according to a fire news dispatch.

Hazmat crews provided information to the trucking company for containment and cleanup of spilled diesel fuel and oil.

After the accident was cleared, state highway crews performed a clean up of the roadway.

The road was eventually re-opened.

By David Corrigan and Stephanie Salazar

[Video courtesy the White House and U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Robert Bush]

POHAKULOA, Hawaii: Meanwhile, in Obama’s State of the Union speech… the focus healing the economy took some of the spotlight away from the mention of decreased military spending.

The AP was reporting on Wednesday that The U.S. Army plans to slash the number of combat brigades from 45 to as low as 32 in a broad restructuring.

The Defense Department must come up with $487 billion in savings over the next decade, as order by Congress.

However, military officials have time and again stressed the importance of the Pacific – and Hawaii – to U.S. military interests.

That means training sessions like Lava Viper here at Pohakuloa will continue into the foreseeable future.

This footage, filmed on January 19th, shows U.S. Marines with the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment moving to a notional enemy position during the Lava Viper exercise at the Pohakuloa Training Area.

The troops trudge and scramble in formation over the rugged terrain taking aim at targets.

If you listen closely, you can hear the troops make mention of the precautions being taken to make sure the endangered Hawaiian nene goose are not harmed during the exercises.

Lava Viper is a battalion level combined arms training exercise to better prepare Marines for upcoming deployments.

11:40 am | Senate Order of the Day

HOLOLULU, Hawaii: Some bills of interest to Hawaii County:

SB2989: Campaign Spending; Hawaii County Council Public Funding Pilot Program

Amends public funding pilot project for Hawaii county council elections to repeal the requirement of a minimum fund amount; extend the period for signature collection; clarify provision for matching funds; and clarify that the formula to determine the amount of funds given to a publicly funded candidate is based on the prior two general elections held for the county council seat in that district.

SB3003: Geothermal Resources; Exploration; Subzones

Differentiates between “geothermal resources exploration” and “geothermal resources development” for purposes of mining leases and exploration permits. Designates “geothermal resources exploration” and “geothermal resources development” as permitted uses in all state land use districts and conservation district zones. Repeals geothermal resource subzone provisions under state land use law. Exempts geothermal resources exploration from environmental assessment and environmental impact statement requirement.

SB3016: Public Lands; Kulani Correctional Facility

Requires the Department of Public Safety to plan for a model wellness center that employs native Hawaiian cultural practices on state land and to submit a report to the legislature prior to the 2013 legislative session.

SB3037: Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems

Transfers the Pacific international space center for exploration systems from the University of Hawaii to DBEDT’s office of aerospace development. Establishes a PISCES board of directors.

9:55 a.m. | Okamoto Confirmed as Dept. of Water Supply Deputy Manager

HILO, Hawaii: The County of Hawai‘i Water Board unanimously confirmed Keith Okamoto as the Deputy Manager of the Department of Water Supply at their monthly meeting yesterday.

In a letter addressed to the Water Board, newly selected Manager – Chief Engineer Quirino Antonio detailed the many reasons for his selection of Okamoto as his Deputy. In his letter, Antonio wrote about Okamoto’s beginning at the Department in 1996 as a licensed civil engineer in the Water Resources and Planning Branch of the Engineering Division. Then, in 2000, Okamoto was promoted to the supervisor of the Water Quality Assurance and Control Branch in the Engineering Division. The main task of this Branch is to insure the Department remains compliant with the numerous rules related to the Safe Drinking Water Act. In this capacity, Okamoto represented the Department as liaison with the State of Hawai‘i regulating authority, the Safe Drinking Water Branch of the Department of Health.

From there, Okamoto was promoted to Assistant Engineering Division Head in 2003. In this role, Okamoto assisted the Engineering Division Head in all duties of the position, including budget and personnel needs. He was also specifically assigned to oversee the status of the Department’s CIP projects as well as professional services procurement.

Throughout the various capacities in which he has served at the Department, Okamoto has developed in-depth understanding and knowledge of the potable drinking water industry, applicable Federal and State laws, County codes and ordinances, Departmental rules and regulations, and various policies.
After yesterday’s confirmation, Manager – Chief Engineer Antonio offered the following congratulatory remark, “I feel very confident that we complement each other well and will make a great team in moving the Department in a positive direction.”

Originally from O‘ahu, Okamoto has lived on Hawai‘i Island for 15 years.

(Source: Hawaii County)