Representative Mark Nakashima and Senator Dwight Takamine announced today that they will hold Community and Senior Club meetings prior to the convening of the 2010 Legislature on January 20, 2010. Meetings scheduled throughout the First District are:
Community Meetings:
Jan 4, 2010 Mon 5:00 PM Kohala (Rep Nakashima) at Kohala Senior Ctr
Jan 4, 2010 Mon 6:30 PM Waimea (Sen Takamine) at Waimea Elem School Cafe
Jan 5, 2010 Tues 7:00 PM Rural S. Hilo at Kalanianaole School Cafeteria
Jan 6, 2010 Wed 7:00 PM Honoka‘a at Honoka‘a School Cafeteria
Jan 7, 2010 Thur 6:00 PM N. Hilo Comm. Council at Laupahoehoe HS Humanities Rm
Senior Centers Meetings:
January 4, 2010 Monday Kohala Seniors (Rep) 9:00 AM
January 5, 2010 Tuesday Paauilo Seniors 9:00 AM
January 6, 2010 Wednesday Honoka‘a Seniors 9:00 AM
January 8, 2010 Friday Laupahoehoe Seniors 9:00 AM
January 12,2010 Tuesday Waimea Seniors (Sen) 9:00 AM
January 12,2010 Tuesday Hakalau Seniors 10:30 AM
January 14,2010 Thursday Papa‘ikou Seniors 9:00 AM
January 14,2010 Thursday Pepe‘ekeo Seniors 10:30 AM
Rep. Nakashima and Sen. Takamine would like to hear from the community their concerns and issues prior to the start of the legislative session. Mark and Dwight will also share information about issues facing state government in these challenging economic times as well as new legislative proposals.
Wailea Village 12th annual mochi-tsuki celebration in making traditional rice cakes the “old-fashioned” way. The oldtimers shared their stories of plantation era times and everyone took their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck.
NWRS 2009 Employee of the Year Award The Employee of the Year Award is presented each year to an individual whose career has shown a commitment to the conservation of our natural resources and superior effectiveness in advancing the cause of wildlife conservation.
Baron Horiuchi, Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii
As the only horticulturist in the Fish and Wildlife Service, Baron Horiuchi has spent the last 13 years developing and implementing propagation and out-planting methods for endangered Hawaiian plants at the Hakalau Forest NWR in Hawaii. He has created a unique program that engages many conservation partners and volunteer groups in the management of the Hakalau Forest greenhouse operation.
Through his exceptional effort and experience in plant propagation, Horiuchi has aided in the recovery of seven species of endangered plants, including two species with fewer than three individuals remaining in the wild. Horiuchi actively experiments with new ways to germinate, propagate, and out-plant endangered and common native plant species.
Horiuchi has a wonderful ability to engage all age groups, with a special talent for interpreting the conservation challenge of the greenhouse and out-planting operation, and getting people involved in the recovery effort. Every year, hundreds of individuals under Baron’s direction experience the satisfaction of helping to restore Hawaiian forest habitats for the benefit of endangered birds and increasing the population of extremely rare endemic plant species at Hakalau NWR.
Thanks to Horiuchi’s work, Hakalau serves as an inspiring model for how the restoration of Hawaiian forest plants may prevent many Hawaiian bird species from becoming extinct.
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge consists of the 33,000-acre Hakalau Forest Unit and the 5,300 acre Kona Forest Unit, located at elevations between 2,000 and 6,600 feet on the east and west sides of the island of Hawaii. The sloping terrain is forested with some of the finest remaining stands of native montane rainforest in Hawaii.
Sue Irvine, of Hilo, left, swings a mallet to pound sweet steamed rice into mochi as Brad Kurokawa wets his hands between turning the hot rice dough. Kurokawa has to be quick and in sync with Irvine so his hand isn't turning the dough when the mallet hits it. (Photos and video by Baron Sekiya/Hawaii247.org)
The crowd gathers to watch the 11th Annual mochi pounding event held by the Wailea Community Association in Hakalau. Rice steams in wooden boxes, right, in preparation of more mochi making.
Wailea Village’s 11th annual mochi-tsuki celebration in making traditional rice cakes the “old-fashioned” way. The old-timers shared their stories of plantation era times and everyone took their turn at pounding the glutinous sticky rice for good luck.
Due to continuing dry weather conditions, the Department of Water Supply is urging consumers in the Upper Kaieie area in Papaikou along and immediately surrounding Kaieie Road, and from Homestead Road to Upper Kaieie in South Hilo, to conserve water.
Also, due to repairs of the Hakalau Iki Spring Source, the Department of Water Supply urges consumers in the entire Hakalau and Wailea areas of South Hilo to conserve water while the repairs are being made.
Agricultural users should irrigate from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., which will reduce water loss due to evaporation and minimize water system drain during peak demand.
This Water Conservation Notice calls for a voluntary action to reduce water usage by 10 percent in the affected areas.
For customers in the area of the Water Conservation Notice, here’s a list of ways to reach the 10 percent reduction goal:
* Wash full loads of laundry only.
* Wash full loads of dishes only.
* Serve drinking water only when requested.
* Do not let the faucet run unnecessarily.
* When bathing, use water only to wet and rinse off.
* Do not fill up the bathtub.
* Use a glass to rinse when brushing your teeth.
* Do not flush toilets unnecessarily.
* Stop lawn sprinkling.
* Stop car and boat washing.
* Stop dust control watering.
* Use drinking water wisely.
For further information, call Clyde Young of the Department of Water Supply at 961-8790.
