HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Bureau of Conveyances has launched two new online services to improve the recording and research of real property transactions in Hawai‘i.

Effective immediately, businesses and individuals can file financing statements, a.k.a. Uniform Commercial Code form 1 (UCC-1) forms completely electronically at boc.ehawaii.gov

The Bureau’s existing online document search has also been upgraded, enabling anyone performing ownership / licensing research to bypass the public access room and run their searches on the 9.6 million documents 24-hours a day, 7-days-a-week.

“This is the beginning of major modernization efforts at the Bureau which were made possible when electronic storage of documents became a legal option as a result of changes passed by the 2009 Legislature and approved by the Governor,” said DLNR Chairperson Laura H. Thielen. “We are moving quickly to enable the electronic submission of more Bureau documents this year.”

The Bureau examines, records, indexes, and microfilms 300,000 Regular System and Land Court documents and maps annually; issues Land Court certificates of title; certifies copies of matters of record; and researches UCC requests. Hawai‘i is the only state in the nation with a single statewide recording office.

Bureau of Conveyances Online Services provides:

• Electronic Filing of UCC-1 Filings: Eliminates the need for mail or a physical visit
• Search the Bureau’s 9.6 million documents online: No need to visit the Public Access Room; run searches any time/day
• Pay for searches/ filings online: Pay for filings using a credit card or subscriber account with eHawaii.gov.

Hawai‘i’s official Internet portal, ehawaii.gov, is managed by the Hawai‘i Information Consortium, LLC (HIC). HIC works with state and county agencies to enable them to conduct government business online and improve public access to government information.

Users can access Bureau of Conveyances services at boc.ehawaii.gov and learn more about Hawai‘i online services at www.ehawaii.gov.

…HIGH SURF ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR EAST FACING SHORES OF KAUAI OAHU MOLOKAI MAUI AND THE BIG ISLAND…

KAUAI WINDWARD-OAHU KOOLAU-OLOMANA-MOLOKAI WINDWARD- MAUI WINDWARD WEST-WINDWARD HALEAKALA-SOUTH BIG ISLAND- BIG ISLAND NORTH AND EAST-
340 PM HST TUE MAR 9 2010

…HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST WEDNESDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HONOLULU HAS ISSUED A HIGH SURF ADVISORY… EFFECTIVE UNTIL 6 PM HST WEDNESDAY.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A HIGH SURF ADVISORY MEANS THAT HIGH SURF WILL AFFECT BEACHES IN THE ADVISORY AREA…PRODUCING RIP CURRENTS AND LOCALIZED BEACH EROSION.

MEDIA RELEASE

Dominating pitching performances and dangerous offensive performances delivered the University of Hawaii at Hilo another pair of 8-0 TKO wins over Dominican University in Pacific West Conference games on the UHH softball field.

The Vulcans improve to 12-5 overall and 8-4 in the PacWest while the Lady Penguins are 1-7 overall and 1-5 in the PacWest.

The Vulcans pounded out 21 hits over the two games and produced 12 RBI yet still stranded 16 batters.
“I like to do a lot of bunting and running,” said UHH head coach Gwen Kagaoan. “We did that very well this four-game series. We pushed runners to scoring positions and were able to capitalize on that. The girls were very focused and our goal was to get timely hits which we did at times.”

Dana Lee led the team in the first game with three singles while Nicole Alconcel and Sierra Green collected two hits each. Alconcel delivered a 2-run homerun.

In the second game, Brittany Spencer collected three hits while Alconcel, Bryanna Hardy and Aisha Sueda paired hits. Hardy also had four RBI.

Both Amber Waracka and Christina Pedroza tossed one-hitters with Waracka striking out six in game one and Pedroza tallying three in game two.

“The pitchers were hitting their spots,” said Kagaoan. “Their number one job is to induce the ground balls and flyouts and that’s what they did.

“We’re very sound defensively, and with everything working together and our pitching we’re going to be tough to beat.”

Hawaii Hilo at Dominican (Game 1)
Mar 09, 2010 at Hilo, HI (Vulcan Softball Stai)

Score by Innings                R  H  E
---------------------------------------
Hawaii Hilo......... 006 002 -  8 11  0
Dominican........... 000 000 -  0  1  1
---------------------------------------

Hawaii Hilo at Dominican (Game 2)
Mar 09, 2010 at Hilo, HI (Vulcan Stadium)

Score by Innings               R  H  E
--------------------------------------
Hawaii Hilo......... 220 13 -  8 10  0
Dominican........... 000 00 -  0  1  2
--------------------------------------

More than 99 percent of the biomass that remains after harvesting, processing, roasting and brewing coffee is discarded. An estimated 12 million tons of agricultural waste from worldwide coffee production rots and generates millions of tons of methane gas, contributing to climate change.

Professor Gunter Pauli, founder of Zero Emissions Research & Initiatives (ZERI) and author of “The Blue Economy” shares his third of 100 innovations, that coffee biomass provides the ideal medium to stimulate the growth of mycelium – mushroom spawns.

According to one of Hong Kong’s leading fungi scientists, Professor Shuting Chang, the world market for mushrooms surpassed $17 billion in 2008. Demand, especially for tropical varieties such as shiitake, maietake and ganoderma, has seen double digit growth for decades. Pauli sees potential for tropical fungi to outpace coffee and metals as a world commodity within a generation.

Quality tropical mushrooms are farmed on hardwoods like oak. Hardwood trees are harvested, ground, and converted into artificial logs. It takes up to nine months to fruit shiitake or ganoderma. In coffee production, prunings, husks, pulp, and after brewing, grounds are by-products. All are enriched with caffeine.

This biochemical has been proven to stimulate the growth of mycelium and mushrooms pop out as quickly as three months after seeding. This generates more rapid cash flow and offers a competitive alternative to traditional mushroom farming techniques.

Moreover, the leftovers after harvesting mushrooms are enriched with essential amino acids, including lysine which can be converted into quality animal feed for farm cattle or pets at home.

In 2009, more than 100 companies in the Colombian coffee region of El Huila began taking coffee waste and converting methane-producing biomass into revenue generating fungi.

According to the Hawaii Coffee Association, there are 6,500 acres planted in coffee statewide from small family farms to large mechanized estates. Annual production is 6 to 7 million pounds green bean. Among the growers is Doutor Coffee, the “Starbucks of Japan,” with a large growing operation on Big Island.

Pauli projects that such companies may be delighted to have their reputation for quality extended to the quality of mushrooms farmed from their coffee waste while generating new product and jobs. There is potential added value generated for all partners since restaurants and cafes would pay for disposing of the raw material (coffee grounds) while paying to offer mushroom delicacies on their menus.

—

The World Congress on Zero Emissions Initiatives – Launching “The Blue Economy” is slated Sept. 13-17, 2010 at the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu. The Congress will focus on design of an economic system driven by innovations, generating jobs and building social capital.

The Blue Economy is based upon 100 plus breakthroughs in businesses that have proven their competitiveness. The innovations being addressed at the World Congress are related to Energy, Food, Health, Housing, Transportation, Waste and Water, and how these innovations integrate and provide new job opportunities in today’s changing world. Concrete case studies from around the world will inspire entrepreneurs to follow suit.

An added aspect of this particular World Congress and its location in Hawaii is the opportunity to integrate protocols of the host Hawaiian culture and the opportunity for delegates to learn from a prosperity model of ancient Hawaii known as the ahupuaa system.

Furthermore, this Congress will set new levels of close to zero waste at the Hawaii Convention Center while establishing best practices and standards for future conferences, conventions and meetings including locally-sourced food offerings during the Congress dates. Pre and post World Congress opportunities on all Hawaiian Islands will allow delegates to experience actual innovations while also enjoying much of what Hawaii has to offer.

Sponsors of The World Congress on Zero Emissions Initiatives – Launching “The Blue Economy” include CT & T America, the world’s largest producer of electrical vehicles; First Wind, focused exclusively on the development, ownership and operation of wind energy projects; Blue Planet Foundation, seeking to foster systemic change in how Hawaii generates and uses energy; Hawaiian Electric Company, committed to meeting the long-term energy needs of Hawaii; Puna Geothermal Venture, the only commercial producer of geothermal energy in Hawaii; and SOPOGY, focused at developing the new sector of solar known as Micro-Scaled Concentrating Solar Power or “MicroCSP.”

Early registration is open until April 15. Register online at: zeroemissionshawaii.org/

Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii, March 9, 2010 . . . In a move to minimize environmental impact, Kona Brewing Company has announced its award-winning beer will be produced in glass bottles that are 11% lighter than before. The company, Hawaii’s largest brewer, has reduced its bottle weight from 8 ounces to 7.3 ounces for all Kona brands. The new lightweight Longboard Island Lager bottles will begin hitting shelves of grocers and specialty beer stores in early March, and the new bottle will be virtually identical to current bottles in look and feel. The new weight Fire Rock Pale Ale and Wailua Wheat Ale bottles will be on shelves by late March.

The flavors of Kona brands will be completely unaffected, and no changes will be made to the brewing process, quality or recipes of the beers. Like many sustainability programs the brewer has implemented, such as its new solar energy generating system at the brewery on Hawaii’s Big Island, the savings on the new lightweight bottle will be great for both the company and the environment. The reduction in bottle weight will save 3,375 tons of CO2 emitted per year, which is the same as the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a car traveling 8 million miles and equates to taking 511 cars off the road for a year. Seen another way, the savings also equates to easing the workload of 154,688 trees, which would have been taxed with offsetting the CO2 emitted by production of bottles, shipping and fuel.

“I am absolutely thrilled this day has come,” said Kona Brewing Company’s President and CEO Mattson Davis. “As we have gained in popularity on the mainland, sustainability is even more important in getting our beer out there responsibly, and I’m proud Kona has found ways to protect the flavor of our beers while reducing use of unnecessary materials.”

Kona Brewing Company was started in the spring of 1994 by a father and son team that had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. It is a Hawaii-born and Hawaii-based craft brewery that prides itself on brewing the freshest beer of exceptional quality, closest to market. This helps to minimize its carbon footprint by reducing shipping of raw materials, finished beer and wasteful packaging materials. The company is headquartered where it began, in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island. It has grown into Hawaii’s largest brewery, has three restaurant sites in Hawaii and beer distribution reaching 28 states and Japan. The brewery was named the fastest growing top-50 craft brewing company in the country based on 2008 sales figures. It posted 19.8 percent year over year growth in 2009. For more information call 808-334-BREW or visit www.KonaBrewingCo.com

The Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization hosts an informational meeting seeking community input to a community wildfire protection plan (CWPP) for Ka‘u communities 6:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday March 10 in the Naalehu Community Center Clubhouse.

The area covered in the CWPP spans from Kahuku to the Volcano National Park Boundary. (Ocean View already has a CWPP). Residents in communities in or around Kahuku, Kiolakaa, South Point, Naalehu, Waiohinu, Honuapu, Ninole, Punaluu, Sea Mountain, Discovery Harbor, Mark Twain Estates, Pahala, Wood Valley, and Kapapala are encouraged to attend.

Ka‘u residents are greatly impacted by wildfires. Homes and structures have been lost, communities evacuated, and roads closed during past wildfires. A CWPP will identify mitigation projects to reduce the threat of wildfire to Ka‘u communities.

The meeting is sponsored by the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, (HWMO) a non-profit dedicated to protecting communities and natural resources from the devastating effects of wildfire.

HWMO’s Board of Directors includes representatives from the Hawaii County Fire Department, the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the U.S. Army, the University of Hawaii Cooperative Extension, ranchers, scientists, and community members.

CWPP’s are a great planning tool for a community and they have become a prerequisite in order to receive federal funding for wildfire mitigation projects. A CWPP assists a community in identifying and prioritizing areas for hazardous fuel reduction treatments; assess values at risk such as wildlife habitat, other natural resources, recreation and scenic values; as well as economic issues. It’s a collaborative effort with input from community members, firefighting agencies, and related organizations.

These plans are becoming increasingly important because in the future many granting sources will only give funding to those communities that have completed a CWPP.

Miles Nakahara, HWMO Board President, points out that a CWPP isn’t just another federal study.

“A CWPP is a short and simple document outlining risks to a community and projects that can reduce those risks. CWPPs are meant to tie into existing or planned projects,” Nakahara said. “Many communities are developing disaster plans or long-range community plans, and the CWPP will compliment those plans. It’s a useful tool for community members to help make Hawaii’s neighborhoods fire safe.”

For more information regarding the informational meeting or the Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Ka‘u, contact Elizabeth Pickett, CWPP Project Manager, at 443-8303 or elizabethpickett@gmail.com; or Miles Nakahara, HWMO president, at 937-9161.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI) was joined by a majority of Committee members in recommending a $380 million increase in discretionary funding above the President’s VA budget proposal.

This recommendation came in the Committee’s views and estimates letter on the Fiscal Year 2011 budget for veterans’ programs, submitted Friday, March 5 to the Senate Budget Committee.

“We can never forget that caring for veterans is a cost of war, and must be treated as such,” Akaka said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Administration to build on the President’s strong VA budget proposal. Our recommendations are for stronger funding to help disabled veterans train for new careers, provide support to family caregivers, and invest in medical and prosthetic research.”

Akaka was joined in signing the letter by the following Committee members: Senators John D. Rockefeller IV (D-WV), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jon Tester (D-MT), Mark Begich (D-AK), Roland W. Burris (D-IL), and Arlen Specter (D-PA).

Akaka and co-signers recommended the following additional discretionary investments for veterans programs:

* Upgrading an Aging Hospital Infrastructure: $235 million for VA construction;
* Supporting Family Caregivers: $57 million for a new program to support family caregivers, tied to Akaka’s effort to establish a permanent caregivers support program;
* Helping Disabled Veterans Train for new Employment: $20.5 million for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment;
* Improving Technology: $30 million for Information Technology;
* Investing for the Future: $25.5 million for VA Research;
* Strengthening Oversight within VA: $12 million for the Office of Inspector General

Akaka and co-signers also recommended the budget provide mandatory funding to avoid imposing a Cost-of-Living Adjustment round-down in the coming fiscal year and to support a reasonable increase in the Specially Adapted Housing Grant programs, which make it possible for severely disabled veterans to live more independently in residential housing.

During the week of March 1, 2010, through March 7, 2010, Big Island police arrested 23 motorists for drunk driving. Seven of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes. Five were under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 294 DUI arrests compared with 235 during the same period last year, an increase of 25.1 percent. The numbers of arrests by district were:

DUI Arrests by District
District	Weekly Total	Year to Date

Hāmākua 	0		3
North Hilo	0		1
South Hilo	6		88
Puna    	2		31
Ka'ū    	0		11
Kona    	14		128
South Kohala	1		30
North Kohala	0		2

Island Total	23		294

There have been 247 major accidents so far this year compared with 313 during the same period last year, a decrease of 21.1 percent.

So far this year, there were eight traffic fatalities on the Big Island compared with four during the same period last year, an increase of 100 percent.

DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

…RED FLAG WARNING FOR LEEWARD SECTIONS OF ALL ISLANDS…

.STRONG AND GUSTY TRADE WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITIES WILL CREATE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY…ESPECIALLY THE LATE MORNING AND AFTERNOON HOURS.

KAUAI LEEWARD-OAHU SOUTH SHORE-WAIANAE COAST-MOLOKAI LEEWARD- MAUI LEEWARD WEST-MAUI CENTRAL VALLEY-LEEWARD HALEAKALA-KONA- SOUTH BIG ISLAND-KOHALA-
426 AM HST TUE MAR 9 2010

…RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING…

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW…OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF STRONG WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AND WARM TEMPERATURES WILL CREATE RAPID FIRE GROWTH POTENTIAL. A RED FLAG WARNING DOES NOT PREDICT NEW FIRE STARTS.

An autopsy conducted Monday (March 8) on Kimo K. Elderts, 28, who was involved in a two-vehicle crash on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, .3 miles south of the 71 mile-marker on Saturday (March 6) concluded that he died of natural causes and not from injuries sustained in the crash.

The traffic fatality count was reduced to eight compared with four at this time last year.

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (3/8/10)

Police traffic investigators have identified a 28-year-old Hilo man who died Saturday (March 6) from injuries he sustained in a two vehicle crash on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway, .3 miles south of the 71-mile marker.

The victim was identified as Kimo K. Elderts of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 1:15 a.m. call, South Kohala patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1989 Honda four-door sedan and traveling north on the highway when he crossed the centerline and collided with a 2010 Kia multi-purpose vehicle traveling south.

The driver of the Kia, a 21-year-old woman from Kailua-Kona, and her passenger, a 28-year-old man from Kamuela, were transported by Fire Rescue personnel to North Hawaii Community Hospital.

The woman was flown to The Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu and was listed in critical condition.

The passenger was still confined to North Hawaii Community Hospital.

Both drivers were not wearing their seat belts while the front seat passenger was.

The victim was pronounced dead at 5:28 a.m. at Kona Community Hospital.

It is unknown at this time if alcohol or drugs were involved but speed was a factor in this crash.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The name of the victim is being withheld pending notification of the next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding this crash is asked to call Officer Andres Fojas at 961-8889.

Media Release compiled by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Fire/rescue crews responded to a 1:14 a.m. alarm Saturday (March 6) for a two car high speed crash on the Queen Kaahumanu Highway near the 72 mile marker which closed the roadway.

Two compact vehicles were involved in the head-on collision. One car had a lone driver pinned in the vehicle and pronounced dead on the scene.

The second car had a driver in serious condition who was pinned in the vehicle. A front seat passenger was in serious condition and free from the vehicle.

The highway was closed to traffic during the rescue of the pinned victims, to clear debris and for the police investigation. Both the driver and passenger of the second vehicle were taken to North Hawaii Community Hospital by medic units.

Hawaii County Civil Defense reported that police re-opened the highway to traffic at 6:40 a.m.

The U.S. Department of Labor has released state-by-state figures on the number of individuals who will lose their unemployment benefits in the coming days if Congress fails to extend unemployment insurance benefits.

If Emergency Unemployment Compensation and full federal funding for the Extended Benefit program are not extended, 400,000 Americans will lose unemployment benefits during the first weeks in March. By May, nearly 3 million people could be left without these benefits.

Furthermore, if the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act subsidy under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is not extended, thousands of families will lose access to affordable health care.

If the extension is not approved, an estimated 500,000 workers who lose their jobs will be ineligible for subsidies to cover the cost of health care over this month. Over the rest of 2010, an estimated 5 million workers will be ineligible for the Recovery Act COBRA subsidy that covers 65 percent of the cost of coverage.

Without this assistance, many of these families will be forced to join the ranks of the uninsured.

“It is essential that Congress extend the unemployment insurance and COBRA subsidy programs that are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act,” said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. “The consequences of partisan obstructionism could not be clearer. If the extension is not approved immediately, millions of Americans could lose the safety net programs they deserve and desperately need.”

Last month, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a bill to temporarily extend crucial benefits — including unemployment insurance.

In the Senate chamber, however, Sen. Jim Bunning of Kentucky is blocking the extension. Senate leadership has called for the Senate to unanimously move this package on multiple occasions, but Sen. Bunning has blocked the process each time.

Without an extension, the number of Americans who lose unemployment insurance benefits will increase to 1.5 million within a month. Within two months, nearly 3 million Americans will have lost their benefits.

Even if Congress acts down the road to retroactively reinstate UI benefits, a gap in the program forces administrative burdens onto states, which may cause significant delays in getting checks to unemployed individuals.

— Find out more:
U.S. Department of Labor: www.dol.gov/index.htm

HONOLULU – The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold public hearings statewide, starting March 16, on proposed amendments to bottomfish administrative rules.

The proposed rule amendments would: establish a new section to open and close the bottomfish season; change commercial reporting of bottomfish catches from monthly reports to trip reports to the State; change the non-commercial bag limit from only ehu and onaga to all deep-seven species; change the bottomfish vessel registration requirement from “one-time” to annual renewal; and allow for the use of certain nets to take Kona crab while on a bottomfish vessel.

“These proposed rule amendments are intended to make state laws more consistent with existing federal laws, and provide more timely fisheries information,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson. “They will also help us improve management of the bottomfish fishery in the main Hawaiian Islands.”

Each meeting will begin with a public information presentation at 6 p.m., followed by the hearing at 6:30 p.m.

Following are the meeting and hearing dates and locations:
March 16, Kona — Kealakehe High School; 74-5000 Puohulihuli Street,
March 16, O‘ahu — Stevenson Middle School; 1202 Prospect Street, Honolulu
March 18, Lana‘i — Lana‘i High School and Elementary School; 555 Fraser Avenue
March 19, O‘ahu — Ben Parker Elementary School; 45-259 Waikalua Road; Kane‘ohe
March 22, Maui — Maui Waena Elementary School; 795 Onehe‘e St.; Kahului
March 22, Hilo – ‘Aupuni Conference Room; 101 Pauahi Street; Hilo, Hawai‘i
March 23, Moloka‘i — Mitchell Pau‘ole Center; 90 ‘Ainoa Street; Kaunakakai
March 23, Kaua‘i –Wilcox Elementary School; 4319 Hardy Street; Lihu‘e.

All interested persons are urged to attend the public hearing to present relevant information and individual opinion for the DLNR to consider. Persons unable to attend or wishing to present additional comments, may mail written testimony by Friday, April 9, 2010 to the Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR), 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.

Anyone with a hearing impairment who desires to attend the public hearing may request assistance of a sign language interpreter. The request may be made in writing (to the DAR address in the preceding paragraph), or by calling 587-0100 (voice or TDD) in Honolulu. The request will need to be received at least 7 days before the hearing is scheduled to start.

Additional information or a copy of the proposed rule changes is available at www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dar or will be mailed at no charge upon receipt of verbal or written request to the DAR address.

Average retail gasoline prices in Hawaii have risen 3.9 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.50/g. This compares with the national average that has increased 4.5 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.74/g, according to gasoline price website HawaiiGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Hawaii during the past week, prices today are $1.11/g higher than the same day one year ago and are 5.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago.

The national average has increased 9.5 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 80.6 cents per gallon higher than this day a year ago.

GasBuddy.com operates more than 200 live gasoline price-tracking Web sites, including HawaiiGasPrices.com.

Total expenditures by visitors who came by air in January 2010 rose 3.5 percent ($33.5 million) from the same month last year to $983.3 million, according to preliminary statistics released by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

This was the second straight month of positive growth in visitor spending since ATA and Aloha airlines ceased operations in April 2008.

Contributing to the growth in visitor spending in January 2010 was a 2.9 percent increase in total visitor days. In total, there were 532,737 visitors in the islands up 2 percent from January 2009.

Among the top four visitor markets, arrivals by air from U.S. West rose 2.2 percent from January 2009. Arrivals from U.S. East (-2.7%) and Japan (-0.6%) were lower compared to last January while arrivals from Canada increased by 17.7 percent.

Highlights:

* Higher average daily spending ($146 per person in January 2010, versus $137 per person in January 2009) and increased visitor arrivals (+2.2%) contributed to an 8.5 percent growth in total spending by U.S. West visitors to $315 million in January 2010. Also contributing to the increased spending was a 5.1 percent growth in visitors to Maui. On average Maui visitors spend more than visitors to the other islands.

* U.S. West visitor arrivals increased eight out of the past nine months since May 2009. In January 2010 arrivals from the Pacific region rose 3.6 percent due to positive growth in visitors from Oregon (+8.7%), Washington (+6.9%), Alaska (+4.4%), and California (+1.2%). Arrivals from the Mountain region were down 2.5 percent from last January.

* Fewer U.S. West visitors in January 2010 stayed in hotels (-1.4%) while more stayed in condominium (+5.2%) and timeshare (+1.7%) properties compared to January 2009.

* Total spending from U.S. East visitors in January 2010 decreased 2.9 percent to $283.5 million.

* Losses in arrivals were not evenly distributed across U.S. East, with greater declines from the second tier Mid Atlantic (-8.4%) and West North Central (-7%) regions. Decreases from the top U.S. East regions of East North Central (-1.5%) and South Atlantic (-2.8%) were not substantial while arrivals from the West South Central (+4.3%) and East South Central (+1.9%) regions showed positive growth compared to last January.

* Total spending by visitors from Japan fell 17.3 percent to $132.7 million in January 2010. The decrease was largely due to much lower daily spending by these visitors ($262 per person) compared to $308 per person in January 2009. The higher visitor spending in January 2009 was attributable to a rapid decrease in the yen to dollar exchange rate that resulted in a surge in yen buying power. While the yen to dollar exchange rate remains strong, its value has stabilized resulting in a more controlled visitor spending pattern.

* Japanese visitor arrivals have been relatively stable with small decreases in January 2010 (-0.6%) and December 2009 (-0.6%) proceeded three consecutive months of positive growth from September to November 2009, compared to the double-digit losses earlier in 2009.

* Much of the improvement in Japanese arrivals was due to a large increase in Free and Independent Travelers. In January 2010, more Japanese visitors came as independent travelers (+43.3%) compared to last January. This was the seventh consecutive months of strong growth since July 2009.

* The number of Japanese timeshare visitors for all of 2009 jumped 74.8 percent from 2008. This trend continued in January 2010 with a 91.2 percent surge in Japanese timeshare visitors compared to a year ago.

* Total spending by Canadian visitors in January 2010 climbed 23.6 percent to $105.9 million. Higher average daily spending by these visitors ($151 per person, compared to $141 per person in January 2009) contributed to this increase.

* The 17.7 percent growth in Canadian arrivals was the largest increase since July 2008 (+19.8%).

* The Canadian market is typically seasonal with December through March being the busiest months for visits to Hawaii. In 2009 spending by Canadian visitors accounted for about 6 percent of total spending by all visitors. In comparison, in January 2010 the share of Canadian visitors spending rose to 10.7 percent of total visitor spending.

* The main neighbor islands saw positive visitor arrival growth in January 2010, led by Hawaii Island (+4.8%), Maui (+2.4%) and Kauai (+1.4%). In contrast, total visitor arrivals to Oahu were flat (-0.2%) but visitor days rose 3.8 percent due to a longer average length of stay by visitors on this island (8.26 days versus 7.94 days in January 2009).

* There was a substantial increase in total visitor spending on Hawaii Island (+15.3% to $144.8 million) and Maui (+5.7% to $267.5 million) compared to last January. Increased arrivals from international visitors who are typically higher-spenders, contributed to the growth in visitor expenditures on these islands.

* U.S. West arrivals on Maui rose 5.1 percent compared to January 2009, higher than the statewide increase of U.S. West visitors of 2.2 percent.

* Arrivals from U.S. East was flat on Kauai and were much lower on all other islands relative to the statewide decline of 2.7 percent for this visitor market.

* Japanese arrivals to Maui rose by double digits (+20.4%) and increased 2.2 percent on Hawaii Island but declined on Kauai (-13.5%) and Oahu (-3.5%) compared to January 2009.

• Arrivals from Canada showed significant increases on Hawai‘i Island (+37.7%) and Kaua‘i (+24.4%) compared to last January, largely due to more seat capacity.

* Total air seats for January 2010 increased 2.1 percent from last January.

* Seat capacity from U.S. East jumped 54 percent from last January due to more flights out of Houston and Charlotte. There were also more seats from Canada (+60.5%) with additional service out of Calgary and Victoria; and Other Asia (+20.9%).

* A total of 20,297 visitors came by cruise ships or arrived by air to board a Hawaii home-ported cruise ship in January 2010, an increase of 5 percent from last January.

* The number of cruise visitors who came by air to board cruise ships in the islands increased 20.4 percent from January 2009.

* Visitors who came by cruise ships declined 9 percent from last January to 9,193 in January 2010 even though the number of cruise ships remained the same (6 ships). Two out of the six ships that came in January 2010 were small (capacity of less than 1,000 passengers), while all six ships in January 2009 were large ships.

Mainstreet Pahoa Association, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office, will be holding a Green and White Day Parade at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 20.

Anybody and everybody who can help with this is encouraged to attend the 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 9 annual Mainstreet Pahoa Association meeting at the Pahoa Neighborhood Facility (also known as the Pahoa Community Center).

If you cannot attend the meeting, prepare your Pahoa business with as much decoration for Pahoa pride (i.e., green and white) on or before Saturday, March 20.

MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii at Hilo sent off their seniors with a 79-54 win over Chaminade University in a Pacific West Conference game in the UHH Gymnasium.

The Vulcans’ season ends at 8-19 overall and 5-11 in the PacWest while the Silverswords hit the showers with a 1-23 overall record and 0-16 mark in the PacWest.

Senior Hina Kimitete and Mana Camara made their final marks on the program with Kimitete scoring a team-leading 16 points and Camara adding seven points and a team-high three assists.

CUH-WBB vs University of Hawaii at Hilo
03/08/10 5:30 pm at Hilo, HI

CUH-WBB 54

University of Hawaii at Hilo 79

MEDIA RELEASE

University of Hawaii at Hilo seniors Bryan Ngo and Kevin Bruce gave it their all in a last second gasp as the Vulcans fell short in their season finale, a 66-63 loss to Chaminade University in a Pacific West Conference game in the UHH gymnasium.

The Vulcans finish the season at 13-13 overall and 7-9 in the PacWest while the Silverswords are 10-15 overall and also 7-9 in the PacWest.

With seven seconds left on the clock and down by three, Ngo poked the ball away from Silversword guard Steven Bennett. Bruce tracked the ball down and kicked it back to Ngo. Prevented from driving to the basket and needing a 3-pointer to send the game into overtime, Ngo got the ball to Bruce whose shot bounced off the front of the rim.

Justin Smith led the Vulcans with 20 points and was a perfect 9 for 9 from the field and 2 for 2 at the charity stripe. The junior forward also pulled in seven rebounds and dished out three assists.

Lavell Shipman added 13 points while Bruce had 11 points.

Chaminade vs University of Hawaii at Hilo
03/08/10 7:45pm at Hilo,HI

Chaminade 66

University of Hawaii at Hilo 63

Gov. Linda Lingle has released $17,250,000 to the Department of Education for capital improvement projects (CIP) and new construction at public schools on Maui, Lanai, Hawaii and Oahu.

The four projects are:

* Kihei High School – $8 million will be used to acquire land for a new high school in Kihei, Maui. The campus will support the growing student population in the area. Currently, Kihei area students must commute to Maui High School in Kahului. The release of funds will enable the Department of Land and Natural Resources to proceed with the appraisal of the lands to be purchased. In 2006, Lingle released $700,000 in planning funds. The total cost of the project is estimated at $145.5 million.

* Lanai High and Elementary School – $8 million will go toward the construction of a six-classroom building at Lanai High and Elementary School. The building will include science, general education and special education classrooms. The total cost of the project is estimated at $8,616,000.

* Hilo High School – $1 million has been released for the design and construction of a new gymnasium at Hilo High School. It will also serve the community as an emergency shelter. The governor released $1,100,000 in 2007 for the design of the gym. An additional $10.9 million was released in January 2008 for the construction and equipment. The current gym was built in 1937 and is undersized in comparison with standard high school gyms today. The total cost of the project is estimated at $13 million.

* Webling Elementary School – $250,000 has been released for the construction of two portable classrooms at Webling Elementary School in Aiea. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $872,000. The governor previously released design and construction funds for this project in 2007 and 2009. This additional $250,000 is needed to complete the project.

“As part of our ongoing effort to stimulate the economy and create jobs, we remain focused on accelerating public construction projects, especially the repair and maintenance of our schools as well as new construction to meet the needs of growing communities throughout the state,” Lingle said.

The Lanai High and Hilo High projects are among those targeted by the state as part of a plan launched in December 2008 to accelerate public infrastructure and construction to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Since the CIP plan was launched, the state has successfully opened bids for, awarded contracts for or started construction on 702 capital improvement projects, totaling $1,683,363,188.

By Debbie Hecht

The developer at O’oma is asking for reclassification of almost 300 acres of shoreline between Kaloko-Honokohau National Park and the airport from conservation to urban to build between 950 and 1,200 units.

This includes:
* 450-560 single-family residences
* 160-200 multi-family residences
* 320-400 units in the Mauka mixed-use village
* 20-40 units in the Makai mixed-use village
(Source: O’oma Web site: www.oomavillage.com/faq/ )

This development is less than one mile from the airport. People that purchase homes will be in the path of aircraft and hear the noise at the airport.

Mitigation measures for people who live with this type of noise are to insulate houses and use double pane windows. If you open your windows to let the sea air cool your home, you will hear the noise of aircraft landing and taking off.

Ever been to the beach at NELHA? You cannot even hold a conversation when the planes fly over.

This subdivision is right where the traffic is worse at rush hours (between Costco road and the airport). Traffic engineers estimate 10 car trips per day per home. Twelve hundred homes will add 12,000 car trips per day to Queen Kaahumanu Highway.

Kealekehe schools are full now, where will these children go to school? In the final Environmental Impact Statement it is unclear how fresh water will be supplied to these homes.

The developer promises more jobs, but there are plenty of houses that are vacant now. Will this be another stopped/ failed subdivision like Kohanaiki or Hokulia?

My opinion: This is a good design, it’s just in the wrong location.

Mahalo for your interest in our community!

Residents along the Hamakua Coast and as far away as Kona felt the evening quake.

The 4.4M temblor was followed by at least two more in the area: a 1.9M at 6:38 p.m. and a 2.4M at 9:39 p.m.

No tsunami warnings or advisories were issued.

MEDIA RELEASE

A light earthquake occurred at 6:29:57 PM (HST) on Monday, March 8, 2010 .
The magnitude 4.4 event occurred 9 km (5 miles) SSW of Keanakolu.
The hypocentral depth is 31 km (19 miles).

For more information and to report that you felt this quake:

tux.wr.usgs.gov/Quakes/hv00036744.html

TSUNAMI SEISMIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NUMBER 1
NWS PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER EWA BEACH HI
634 PM HST MON MAR 08 2010

TO – CIVIL DEFENSE IN THE STATE OF HAWAII

SUBJECT – LOCAL TSUNAMI INFORMATION

THIS STATEMENT IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NO ACTION REQUIRED.

AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS

ORIGIN TIME – 0630 PM HST 08 MAR 2010
COORDINATES – 19.9 NORTH 155.4 WEST
LOCATION – IN THE HAMAKUA COAST REGION OF THE BIG ISLAND
MAGNITUDE – 5.0

EVALUATION

NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED. REPEAT. NO TSUNAMI IS EXPECTED. HOWEVER…SOME AREAS MAY HAVE EXPERIENCED SHAKING.

THIS WILL BE THE ONLY STATEMENT ISSUED FOR THIS EVENT UNLESS ADDITIONAL DATA ARE RECEIVED.

The next Fern Acres Community Yard Sale-a-bration, sponsored by Fern Acres Community Association, is Saturday, March 13 and will include a community officer hosting the keki identification booth.

The focus will be on children so will have a fun fair with games and prizes. There will be a booth to register children for free school supplies and free tutoring.

Organizers are looking for child related vendors/agencies such as the Boys and Girls Club, YWCA Teen Court…. If you know of an agency or anyone that makes a difference in a child’s life, contact shellylsherman@hotmail.com.

The event is a fundraiser toward the paving goal for the Volunteer Fire Department Fire Garage.

MEDIA RELEASE

The University of Hawaii at Hilo delivered early knockout blows as they TKOed Dominican University twice in a Pacific West Conference doubleheader on the UHH Softball Field.

With the 8-0 and 14-0 victories, the Vulcans improved to 10-5 overall and 6-4 in the PacWest while the Lady Penguins are 1-6 overall and 1-3 in the PacWest.

Amber Waracka tossed a no-hitter in the shortened first game and allowed only one runner to reach base. She struckout eight over the five innings while walking one.

Sierra Green and Kanani Numata led the way with three hits each while Nicole Alconcel added two hits and a pair of RBI.

The Vulcans racked up 13 hits in the second game with Alconcel and Green picking up three hits each. Amanda Tellez and Aisha Sueda added two hits each while Tellez picked up a homerun and four RBI while Sueda had two RBI. Numata added a homerun.

Christina Pedroza got the start in the second game and gave up two hits and two walks over five innings while striking out two.

“The team did very well hitting from the get go,” said UHH head coach Gwen Kagaoan. “Christina’s outing was very encouraging for us.

“Hopefully she can build on this and do her job tomorrow. She’s been struggling and this outing is definitely a confidence builder for her.”

Game 1

Score by Innings               R  H  E
--------------------------------------
Dominican........... 000 00 -  0  0  3
Hawaii Hilo......... 001 25 -  8 12  0
--------------------------------------

Game 2

Score by Innings               R  H  E
--------------------------------------
Dominican........... 000 00 -  0  2  0
Hawaii Hilo......... 320 9X - 14 13  1
--------------------------------------

…STRONG NORTHEAST TRADE WINDS CONTINUE INTO TONIGHT…

.STRONG HIGH PRESSURE FAR TO THE NORTH OF THE ISLANDS AND A TROUGH TO THE NORTHEAST WILL CONTINUE THE STRONG AND GUSTY NORTHEAST WINDS THROUGH THIS EVENING. WINDS OVER THE SUMMITS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN STRONG THROUGH EARLY TUESDAY MORNING.

HALEAKALA SUMMIT-
348 PM HST MON MAR 8 2010

…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST TUESDAY…

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN HONOLULU HAS ISSUED A WIND ADVISORY…WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST TUESDAY.

WINDS WILL BE SUSTAINED NEAR 35 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 50 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

LANAI MAKAI-LANAI MAUKA-KAHOOLAWE-MAUI LEEWARD WEST- MAUI CENTRAL VALLEY-LEEWARD HALEAKALA-BIG ISLAND NORTH AND EAST- KOHALA-
348 PM HST MON MAR 8 2010

…WIND ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT HST TONIGHT…

THE WIND ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT HST TONIGHT.

TRADE WINDS WILL BE SUSTAINED NEAR 30 MPH…WITH LOCALLY HIGHER GUSTS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

BIG ISLAND SUMMITS-
348 PM HST MON MAR 8 2010

…WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST TUESDAY…

A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM HST TUESDAY.

WINDS WILL BE SUSTAINED NEAR 35 MPH WITH GUSTS AS HIGH AS 50 MPH.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WINDS OF 30 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT…ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.

* 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, Makaeo Events Pavilion, Old Kona Airport Park.

How can the Little Red Fire Ant be found and controlled? What is the most effective treatment method for Coqui frogs? What other invasive species should we be concerned about?

Guest speakers include: Brenda Ford, Councilmember, South Kona; Cas Vanderwood, Ant Specialist, Hawaii Department of Agriculture; Page Else, Public Outreach Specialist, Big Island Invasive Species Community; Mark Munekata and Raymond Deguire, Coqui Committee; Una Greenaway, Kona County Farm Bureau; and Chris McCullough, Hawaii Island Landscape Association.

Kona Town Meetings are presented by Community Enterprises, a non-partisan, non-profit organization, to provide vital information on community concerns to Kona citizens. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Fred Housel at 331-8602.

The meeting agenda is available at www.konatownmeeting.org/next.htm

—

Background information:

Last month, the state Department of Agriculture reported its four-month effort to eradicate a type of stinging ant on Maui is proving to be highly successful.

Little fire ants (LFA) were reported on a farm in Waihee in October 2009, with an area of infestation covering about a half acre. HDOA initiated a rapid response plan to contain and eradicate the ants and after four treatments, no ants have been found at the site. Treatments will continue for at least eight more months to help ensure that LFA has been eradicated. To date, LFA has not been detected anywhere else on Maui.

Since the LFA was discovered at the Waihee site, HDOA personnel from Maui, Oahu and Hawaii Island have been working to treat the area and prevent the infestation from spreading to other areas. A key component of the treatment plan has been a special experimental ant bait developed by HDOA scientist Cas Vanderwoude to control ants in trees. HDOA obtained a special experimental permit from the Environmental Protection Agency to test this method.

“The experimental bait has been very effective,” said Neil Reimer, Ph.D., manager of HDOA’s Plant Pest Control Branch. “Until now, there were ground treatments but no effective treatment method to control little fire ants nesting in trees. There is no chance of eradication without a treatment on trees.

“We also appreciate the continuing cooperation of the property owner during our eradication effort,” Reimer added. “Their assistance made our job easier and contributed greatly to the success in eliminating this serious infestation.”

Originally from South America, LFA is considered among the world’s worst invasive species.

LFA are tiny ants, measuring 1/16th inch long, are pale orange in color and move slowly. They can produce painful stings and large red welts and may cause blindness in pets. They can build up very large colonies on the ground and in trees and other vegetation and completely overrun a property. They will also freely move into homes.

The first detection of LFA in Hawaii was in the Puna area in 1999. Surveys determined that LFA appeared to have been on the west side for several years prior to their initial detection and was widely distributed in Puna.

Attention was then focused on controlling ant populations and preventing the spread to uninfested areas on the island and to other islands; however, containment on Hawaii Island has progressed beyond the capacity of HDOA. In January 2010, LFA was found at two locations in Kona and it is believe more infestation sites are likely.

“The apparent success of the effort on Maui demonstrates how we have a better chance at eradicating invasive pests if they are recognized and reported before they become widely established,” said Sandra Lee Kunimoto, chairwoman of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “We need everyone to be looking out for unusual or new pests and to report it.”

HDOA, Maui County, the Maui Invasive Species Committee and the U.S. Geological Survey are working together to survey areas on Maui and to develop public awareness programs.

Suspected LFA or other stinging ants should be reported to:
HDOA Maui Office – 873-3962
HDOA Hawaii Island Office – 974-4140
State toll-free PEST HOTLINE at 643-PEST (7378)

HONOLULU — Licensed commercial fishers can now submit their monthly commercial fishing reports on-line using a new system implemented by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). There is no charge to the fishers to use this new on-line system.

“DLNR is providing fishers this new on-line system as a quick and convenient alternative method of submitting monthly commercial fishing reports, which are required by law,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.

“On-line filing is a tool that facilitates the collection of fishing reports, which provide invaluable data for both State and federal government agencies that manage fisheries in Hawaiian waters,” Thielen said. The on-line system is part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s continuing efforts to make more state government services available on-line to increase convenience to the public and improve government efficiency.”

The web-site address is dlnr.ehawaii.gov/cmls-fr. Only fishers with a valid commercial marine license issued by DLNR will be able to submit on-line reports, and must enter identifying information to log in to the secured system via their license record.

Some of the features of the on-line fishing report system include:
Ability to view report submission status;
Easy to submit “Did Not Fish” report for months in which a fisher had no activity;
Drop down windows for area fish code, gear, landing port and species to facilitate report completion;
An option to save data entries for each individual fishing trip until a fisher is ready to submit their report at end of the month;
Ability to print a copy of the monthly report for the fisher’s business records;
Option to download an extract of the fishing report record for import into the fisher’s favorite software so they can analyze their own fishery performance;
A link to the DAR on-line commercial marine licensing system that allows renewal of a commercial marine license on-line.

During the initial phase of this on-line project, only the fishing report form can be submitted on-line. Other report forms, including the commercial aquarium catch, deep-sea hand line trip, tuna hand line trip, net/trap/dive activity reports, will be available for on-line reporting in the near future.

DLNR is hoping to have a high adoption rate among the 2,500 licensed commercial fishers, who can now convert from paper reporting to on-line reporting. In addition, on-line reporting is expected to reduce expenses for both fishers and DLNR through lower costs for postage and printing of report booklets.

By submitting complete and accurate fishing reports every month before the reporting deadline (the 10th day of the following month), commercial fishers will avoid license renewal refusal, or fines administered by the department’s Civil Resources Violation System.

Commercial fishers who need assistance in using the new on-line system may contact the Division of Aquatic Resources statistical unit in Honolulu at (808) 587-0108, or 587-0595, or 587-0084, or 587-0594 from Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., except holidays and “furlough Fridays.” Questions may be e-mailed to the Fishing Report hotline at fishrpt@hawaii.gov.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority welcomed news that President Obama has signed the Travel Promotion Act into law. The new legislation will create economic growth and thousands of new American jobs by welcoming millions more international travelers to the United States.

“The Travel Promotion Act is a victorious development for the state of Hawaii. International visitors are a significant part of Hawaii’s visitor industry, accounting for almost 33 percent of Hawaii’s visitor arrivals and contributing $3.7 billion in expenditures. This new legislation will contribute to our efforts to attract more international visitors to the islands,” said Mike McCartney, president and CEO of HTA. “We appreciate the efforts of Hawaii’s Congressional delegation for their hard work to get this bill passed.”

The Travel Promotion Act is consistent with the direction of HTA’s strategic plan, which focuses on improving Hawaii’s tourism economy, generating more taxes, and most importantly, more jobs. Currently, tourism accounts for nearly 17 percent of the state’s economy and for more than 151,000 Hawaii jobs.

The Travel Promotion Act establishes a public-private partnership to promote the United States as a premier international travel destination and communicate U.S. security and entry policies.

According to analysis by Oxford Economics, the bill is estimated to drive $4 billion in new consumer spending annually, provide $321 million in new federal tax revenue each year and create 40,000 U.S. jobs nationwide.

Further, it is expected to reduce the federal budget deficit by $425 million over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Overseas visitors spend an average of more than $4,000 when they visit the United States.

The Travel Promotion Act is modeled after successful state-level initiatives and is funded through a matching program featuring up to $100 million in private sector contributions and a $10 fee on foreign travelers who do not pay $131 for a visa to enter the United States.

The fee is collected once every two years in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization. No money is provided by U.S. taxpayers.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority was created in 1998 to ensure a successful visitor industry well into the future. Its mission is to strategically manage Hawaii tourism in a sustainable manner consistent with our economic goals, cultural values, preservation of natural resources, community desires, and visitor industry needs.

— Find out more:
HTA: www.hawaiitourismauthority.org
Travel Promotion Act: www.ustravel.org./news/press-releases/president-obama-signs-first-ever-travel-promotion-program

Unbelievable! HMSA is asking for yet another rate increase instead of initiating internal cost cuts on themselves! Enough is enough!

All HMSA rates went up 12.1% last year. Eight months later, they are asking for another increase on various plans by 7.8% to 15.1%. If approved, this is an obscene rate increase of 19.9%% to 27% plus in less than a year.

Let’s state the facts. Nothing HMSA has done has cut member prices while providing “affordable, quality, health care” which they state as their non-profit mission.

President and CEO Robert Hiam received a total of $1.3 million this past year, Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer, Michael Gold received $965,219, Steve Van Ribbink, HMSA’s Executive VP and Chief Financial Officer, received $633,660 and on it goes.

HMSA needs a huge reality check – in this recession, they need to pay themselves less, (just like the rest of us do), cut out the waste, the ridiculous amounts of mailings and redundant print materials (including the glossy little magazine), the TV ads, and the excessive expense of web designing and maintaining of a site that offers medical advise over the internet (incidentally, this is the same information that you can get for free on MSN.Health or Health.Nih.Gov).

They have increased our rates while pushing dubious generics, Internet medical advise, and decreased benefits while upping prescription co-pays and their salaries, all the while lobbying to influence attempts to reform health care which included increased medical reimbursements to doctors.

A summary of the last decade of HMSA rate increases is incredulous, starting with the year 2000, up 8.5%; 2001, up 9%; 2002, up 5.8%; 2003, up 9.9%; 2004, up 7.7%; 2005, up 5.0%; 2006, up 3.8%; 2007, up 6.7%; 2008, up 10.4%; 2009, up 12.1%; 2010, depending on your plan type, up 7.8%, 10.5%, or 15.1%. (Source: HMSA)

Can anyone name another industry that can jack up rates every single year as much as HMSA does and still stay in business? No wonder they say Hawaii is such a hard place to do business. Undoubtedly, many small businesses will be forced to cut back full-time employees to 20 hours or less which means more people without insurance. (Health care reform, anyone?)

HMSA’s tax exempt status gives them an $80 million a year exemption. Great! I want them to build their reserves, I don’t even mind that a “non-profit” can pay it’s CEOs so well, but when that pay comes at the cost of consistently screwing over member business owners and doctors to pay themselves more while masquerading as a non-profit, it’s illegal.

I think it’s insane that Gov. Linda Lingle doesn’t demand a public audit for the State’s largest insurer. A public and/or private audit with transparency is long overdue. Also long overdue is the State Insurance Division’s reply which should just be “NO”.

Kristi Van Pernis is a resident of Kailua-Kona

Dr. Daniel Belcher

Hilo Medical Center’s Chief of Staff Dr. Daniel Belcher has received the University of Hawaii at Hilo’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He was nominated by his peer, Dr. Lynda Dolan, who is also a former hospital chief of staff.

Belcher attended University of Hawaii at Hilo for three years before transferring to University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he earned a B.A. in chemistry and a B.S. in biology in 1974. He then received his Doctor of Medicine in 1978 from the Vanderbilt University’s School of Medicine.

After graduating from medical school and completing his residency and internship in internal medicine at Vanderbilt University, he returned to Hilo in 1981 to start his professional career.

Since the beginning of the year, he has been Hilo Medical Center’s chief of staff and has served on various committees including: Medical Executive Committee (Chair), Quality Management Committee, Credentials Committee, and Physician Advisory Group Committee.

His role as chief of staff includes: serving as the leading voice and primary ear for the hospital’s medical staff; bridging relationships with nursing and other patient care departments; reviewing applications for physicians seeking hospital privileges; working closely with the hospital’s Regional Board, CEO and Executive Management Team to improve patient care and physician practice; and keeping everyone focused on the best interests of the patients and his or her family members.

In addition to his commitment to the hospital, he continues to personally care for his own patients at the hospital and long-term care facilities in Hilo. He also participates in the HMC’s Long-Term Care Physicians Group by caring for patients who do not have their own primary care physician and who need continued care at the hospital’s Extended Care Facility.

“The awards gala was truly an evening to remember,” said Howard N. Ainsley, East Hawaii Regional CEO of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation. “I learned that in addition to being an outstanding physician and chief of staff, Dr. Belcher is an involved and dedicated member of our community. Hilo Medical Center is very fortunate to have him a part of our team.”

“Dr. Belcher is a consummate physician leader in our community,” said Dr. Robert Irvine, chairman of the East Hawaii Regional Board. “His recognition is well deserved.”

He also devotes his time to the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene and John Burns School of Medicine, where he is an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and its residency program. He has received physician recognition awards from the American Medical Association and the American Association of Family Physicians.

In addition to his many professional and community activities, he enjoys soccer, camping, hiking and reading. Belcher and his wife, Sylvia, have two sons, Thomas and William.

KiMOBEAN will open a new espresso cafe this summer at The Shops at Mauna Lani. (Photo courtesy of The Shops at Mauna Lani)

MEDIA RELEASE

The Shops at Mauna Lani is welcoming a new espresso bar and cafe. KiMOBEAN, set to open in early summer, will serve premium coffees from select estate farms on Kona, Maui, Molokai and Kauai.

In addition to fresh drip brew coffee, KiMOBEAN’s menu will include a full complement of espresso drinks, coffee freezes and other specialty drinks. KiMOBEAN’s food offerings will include locally baked and made pastries, sandwiches and desserts.

KiMOBEAN Hawaiian Coffee has been operating espresso bars and cafes in Hawaii since 1993 and currently has seven stores on Oahu and the Big Island.

“KiMOBEAN’s dedication to Hawaii, the Aloha Spirit, and a superior cup of coffee perfectly compliments The Shops at Mauna Lani experience,” said Bill Borkan, owner of The Shops at Mauna Lani. “This level of attention to the art of coffee, served with Aloha, is grounds for celebration.”

The announcement comes on the heels of the addition of two restaurants – Monstera, an “izakaya-style” Japanese eatery, and Juice 101, a casual food, juice and smoothie bar slated to open in March – and “The Great 4-D Movie Ride,” Hawaii’s first and only 4-D theater, which opened in late 2009.

The Shops at Mauna Lani is the premier destination on the Kohala Coast for live island music, world-class shopping and fine dining. Restaurants include Tommy Bahama’s Bar & Restaurant and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.

The Shops is also home to Hawaii’s most distinct art galleries, including Peter Lik Gallery, Third Dimension Gallery and Lahaina Galleries, as well as popular merchants such as Oasis Lifestyle and Foodland Farms gourmet market.

— FInd out more:
The Shops at Mauna Lani: 885-9501, www.shopsatmaunalani.com
KiMOBEAN: www.kimobean.com

iPhone version of video
Video by David Corrigan | Big Island Video News

By Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

A community meeting Saturday morning (March 6) at SPACE (Seaview Performing Arts Center for Education) focused on the recent cease and desist order issued by the county Planning Department curtailing some activities at the center.

Leading the rally of supporters in the video above is HVC (Hawaii Volcano Circus) Founding Member and Executive Director Graham Ellis.

According to an e-mail notice and HVC Web site, the organization was granted a SUP (Special Use Permit) in 2001 in Seaview for a community arts center and home for the Hiccup Circus. The SPACE facility was later built to host the growing number of classes and events. SPACE has also been hosting weekly farmer’s markets, night bazaars, community meetings and charter school activities.

Messages in the online forum Punaweb cite noise, the influx of people, vehicles and parking issues in the residential community, extending beyond the private property and SUP as the impetus for the cease and desist order by the county.

Because of the order SPACE has cancelled the farmer’s markets and night bazaars, although charter school activities will continue as Mayor Billy Kenoi has made activities at the center by HAAS (Hawaii Academy of Arts and Sciences) exempt from the order.

SPACE supporters have started a petition to urge Kenoi to revoke the cease and desist order.

— Find out more:

SPACE Web site: hvcircus.org/arts_center.htm