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Labor union members joined newspaper workers in picketing the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo Wednesday (March 17). Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7.

By Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Signs for the picketers created by Hawaii Newspaper Guild members earlier in the week.

A crowd of various labor union members joined the Hawaii Newspaper Guild workers to picket the Hawaii Tribune-Herald Wednesday (March 17) but it didn’t quite live up to the hype in emails sent to guild members and the media hoping for a huge, noisy gathering with politicians hopefully showing up to join them.

The crowd of about 60-70 sign wavers lining the sidewalks of Mamo and Kinoole Streets fronting the newspaper building and parking lot was civil, carried signs, waved a few signs, waved to drivers, some shouted out to drivers which got a some supportive honks back from vehicles. A media release by the Guild lists over a dozen different labor unions said to have voted to support the Newspaper Guild members.

No politicians were seen, though an email from the union said they have letters of support from Senators Dwight Takamine and Russell Kokubun, and Representatives Jerry Chang, Faye Hanohano, Clift Tsuji and Mark Nakashima; County Council Chair J Yoshimoto and County Council member Guy Enriques.

The loudest, most outspoken person on the sidewalk was a random person passing by yelling to support the Tribune-Herald as he drowned-out the sign-wavers and made them turn around to see who was yelling.

Picketers on Mamo Street in front of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald building.

The informational picketing was to show unity amongst the labor unions and to inform the public about the working conditions at the newspaper. Signs read that Newspaper Guild members have not had a raise for over eight years at the paper. The Hawaii Tribune-Herald cancelled their contract with the union on December 22, 2009 but are still in negotiations with the Guild which continues to represent about 45 workers at the paper.

Wayne Cahill, administrative officer for Hawaii Newspaper Guild, said if negotiations between the Newspaper Guild and Stephens Media (parent company of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald) failed then actions may be taken against the Tribune-Herald and other Stephens Media companies on the Big Island such as West Hawaii Today in Kona. Urging the public to drop their subscriptions and for businesses to pull advertising in the newspaper were cited as possibilities.

Negotiations between Stephens Media and the Hawaii Newspaper Guild are being held in Hilo Thursday and Friday (March 18-19).

Stephens Media

Hawaii Tribune-Herald News (Guild members website)

MEDIA RELEASE

7th anniversary of the Iraq war (in conjunction with marches and rallies in Washington and other cities around the U.S.)

“There will be a Hilo Peace Rally on Saturday, March 20th from 10 a.m. till noon under the Bayfront monkeypod trees at the intersection of Pauahi St. and Kamehameha Ave.” said Jim Albertini of Malu ‘Aina, sponsor of the event. Albertini said “the rally will consist of sign holding against the wars, music and speakers.” Albertini noted the portable sound system for the rally has been charged using solar power. Music will be provided by Kaliko Guys. Speakers include: Roslyn “Bunny” Smith, Lee Bowden, Danny Li, and others

Albertini asked the question –”How many more deaths? Current figures stand at 4,701 U.S. military personnel sacrificed in the war on Iraq, and 1,266,350 Iraqis slaughtered since the U.S. invaded Iraq on March 19, 2003. Albertini said a further question is how many more trillions of dollars will be wasted on death and destruction while schools and libraries close, jobs and health insurance are lost, homes and businesses foreclosed, human services cut back, and taxes raised for war and Wall Street bankers?

Albertini said, “It’s time to speak out to stop these wars by cutting off the war funds and redirecting those funds away from killing to life affirming purposes.” Albertini said he “is concerned there is similar rhetoric today about attacking Iran like we heard prior to the U.S. attack on Iraq in 2003. Now it’s been revealed that hundreds of powerful US “bunker-buster” bombs are being shipped from California to the British island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean in preparation for a possible attack on Iran. See www.heraldscotland.com/news/world-news/final-destination-iran-1.1013151

Albertini said “the rally is open to all. It’s a family affair. Peace is everybody’s business.

MEDIA RELEASE

Hilo High School students were among 2,500 young adults island-wide who were recently treated to an educational, yet entertaining presentation on safe dating sponsored by the YWCA of Hawaii Island. Taking the Pledge 4 Action to healthy relationships are Hilo High's (left to right) Daniel Santana, Linaray Mareko, Presenter Mike Domitrz of Date Safe Project, Orion Sergeant and Ed Lassiter.

Almost 2,500 intermediate, high school and college students across the Big Island were encouraged to take the Pledge for Action for healthy relationships and safe dating in a program put on by the YWCA Hawai’i Island last Wednesday and Thursday. Mike Domitrz, executive director of the Date Safe Project (DateSafeProject.org) spoke to students in Kona, Pahoa, Keaau and Hilo about “Asking First,” “Being a Friend,” and “Opening a Door for Survivors”, components for healthy relationships and helping friends who are victims of sexual assault. Mr. Domitrz provided his message in a lively, comedic and interactive presentation drawing students from the audience to convey his message. He closed his presentation by asking students to take the “Pledge 4 Action” which consists of four parts: 1. Respect Yourself; 2. Respect Your Partner; 3. Ask Before You Act; and 4. Respect the Answer.

Student responses to the presentation were enthusiastic and an 18 year old senior who attended the presentation stated, “It really made me think and Yes! I deserve to be asked and I can say no.”

The “Can I Kiss You?” presentation was put together by the YWCA of Hawai’i Island with support from The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, the Hawai’i Department of Health, the University of Hawai’i at Hilo’s New Student Department and Women’s Center and the Friends of the West Hawai’i Children’s Justice Center. This event is the first of several planned events to build awareness of sexual assault – a growing issue in our community directly linked to current economic stresses – leading into April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The YWCA of Hawai’i Island, along with other partner agencies, will be sponsoring Men Can Stop Rape Training on April 12 and 13 at the YWCA, 145 Ululani Street; a showing of Open Window, a film about the effects of sexual assault on April 1 at the University of Hawai’i, Hilo campus and on April 21 at the University of Hawai’i West Hawai’i Campus.

YWCA Hawai’i Island is a not-for-profit membership organization whose mission is the elimination of racism and empowerment of women. Established in 1919, the organization offers services and programs which include: a nationally accredited preschool; an aquatics center; the only island-wide 24×7 rape crisis center; the only Teen Court for the Big Island; and the only home visitation new mother and baby support program for all of East Hawai’i.

The YWCA Hawai’i Island is part of the YWCA USA, the oldest and largest national women’s organization. Nationally, the YWCA serves 2.5 million women and girls each year. Globally, the YWCA USA is a member of World YWCA, which has affiliates in 122 countries that serve 25 million women and girls worldwide.

For more information about the YWCA, visit www.ywcahawaiiisland.org Contact: Jeanine Atebara, CEO at 808 935-6067, ext 102 or jatebara@ywcahawaiiisland.org. YWCA Hawai’i Island, 145 Ululani St., Hilo, HI 96720.

Sign wavers along Kamehameha Avenue remind motorists of the danger of impaired driving.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawai’i County Impaired Driving Task Force organized a sign-waving event on Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo on Monday (March 15). This event was to remind motorists that Spring Break has officially begun on our island and to make everyone aware of the danger of drinking and driving.

The Impaired Driving Task Force was supported by MADD’s new Hawai’i Island program coordinator, Lisa Onorato; Hilo High School Key Club Advisor Charlene Masuhara and club members; a Kamehameha High School student; members of the Office for Social Ministry; Traffic Services Sergeant Kelly Ka’aumoana-Matsumoto, Community Police Officers and officers of the Traffic Enforcement Unit.

In the first 10 weeks of 2010, there were eight traffic fatalities—twice as many as in the same time period last year. At least half of them involved alcohol, drugs or both. In light of this, the sign wavers’ key message to motorists was clear and simple: “Don’t drink and drive!”

Dieter Blattler, traffic safety coordinator at the Hawai’i Police Department, pointed out that it’s not only alcohol and illegal drugs that lead to impaired drivers. “I would like to remind everybody that prescription drugs can cause impairment and make people not fit to drive,” Blattler said. “Always check with your doctor about driving when a new drug is prescribed.”

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Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

The majority of humpback in the North Pacific migrate to the main Hawaiian islands each year between November through May.

The round-trip distance they travel during this annual migration from their feeding grounds in Alaskan waters is approximately 4,000 miles, one of the longest migration distances of any animal species. And, considering a humpback in the wild lives between 30 and 40 years, that’s a lot of commuting!

During their stay in Hawaii, they do not feed, but rely on energy stored in their blubber. Near the islands, the whales devote most of their time to mating and giving birth to calves.

A mature humpback whale measures about 45 feet in length and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Their calves weigh around 3,000 pounds at birth and nourish off their mother’s high-fat milk for six to eight months, consuming 100 to 130 gallons per day.

Studies indicate whale-watching tours attract about 1 million passengers each year, contributing more than $80 million to the state’s coffers.

— Find out more:
hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov

A humpback whale shows off March 14, 2010 in Hilo Bay. (Photography special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

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Video by David Corrigan | Big Island Video News

Supporters rallied around the Hawaii County Band Saturday (March 13) in Hilo as budget cuts threaten the existence of the 127 year-old tradition. The band played a concert at the Mooheau Park Bandstand.

Upcoming budget cuts have the axed the band after June 30, 2010. Supporters have created a petition online and are asking members of the public to support the band by contacting politicians.

Save the Hawaii County Band petition – www.petition.fm/petitions/savetheband/0/13/

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Video by David Corrigan | Big Island Video News

HPA's Rokas Cesnulevicius draws a hard foul from Kamehameha's Jayce Carvalho as East met West in Saturday night's All-Star Basketball Classic held at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium. The West team beat the East 77-59. Photography by Tim Wright | Special to Hawaii 24/7

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Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Results of the matches
Hawaii Prep 14, Hilo 12
Kamehameha-Hawaii 15, Waiakea 12
Kealakehe 20, Ka‘u 5
Waiakea 11, Hawaii Prep 10
Hilo 22, Ka‘u 14
Kameahameha-Hawaii 15, Kealakehe 8

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Photography by Rick Ogata | Special to Hawaii 24/7

The Boys & Girls Club Big Island All-Star Basketball Classic couldn’t have started any better. In the Girls Senior Division, the East All-Stars defeated the West All-Stars by a score of 57-55.

The Senior All-Stars were comprised of high school juniors and seniors from the schools on the Big Island. The high scorers for the East were Jackie Kaio-Goo (Keaau) 15 points and Kamie Imai (Waiakea) with 10 points. Taylor Wang (HPA) had 13 points and Anuhea Wall had 11 points for the West All-Stars.

Earlier in the Rising All-Star game (freshman and sophomores) the West defeated the East by a score of 46-44. High scorers for the West were Konawena’s Dawnyelle Awa with 14 and Lia Galdeira with 12 points. Waiakea’s Tricia Amuimuia and Deven Namohala-Roloos had 8 points a piece

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Photography by Rick Ogata | Special to Hawaii 24/7

MEDIA RELEASE

After a slow start the University of Hawaii at Hilo pulled out a sweep of Notre Dame de Namur University in a Pacific West Conference doubleheader on the UHH softball field.
Game scores were 1-0 and 8-0 (TKO).

The Vulcans improved to 14-5 overall and 10-4 in the PacWest while the Argonauts are 4-12 overall and 2-6 in the PacWest.

The first game started out as basic Vulcan softball with lead-off batter Sierra Green getting to on base this time after being hit by a pitch. Amanda Tellez moved her to second on a ground out. After a wild pitch, Green scored on Bryanna Hardy’s single.

Following that opening the Vulcans went on to strand 11 base runners while collecting just four more hits. Both Green and Aisha Sueda collected two hits each.

Fortunately, Amber Waracka had her game going as the sophomore struck out eight batters while giving up five hits and two walks.

In the second game, a 4-run, 6-hit fourth ended a string of three consecutive three-up, three-down innings.

The flow continued into the fifth inning as Hardy added an RBI double and 8Kanani Numata* hit here sixth homerun of the season to give the Vulcans a 7-0 lead.

The game ended on Hardy’s bases-loaded single in the sixth.

Tellez, Hardy and Numata paired hits for the Vulcans while Christina Pedroza allowed just two batters to reach base. She gave up two hits and struck out four.

Game 1

Score by Innings                  R  H  E
-----------------------------------------
Notre Dame de Namur. 000 000 0 -  0  5  1
Hawaii Hilo......... 100 000 X -  1  8  1
-----------------------------------------

Score by Innings                R  H  E
---------------------------------------
Notre Dame de Namur. 000 000 -  0  2  0
Hawaii Hilo......... 000 431 -  8 11  0
---------------------------------------

COASTAL HAZARD MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU HI
336 AM HST THU MAR 11 2010

…HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS 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-
336 AM HST THU MAR 11 2010

…HIGH SURF ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM HST THIS EVENING…

SURF HEIGHTS ALONG EAST FACING SHORES WILL BE 5 TO 8 FEET TODAY.

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

Tearon Pacheco-Fernandez

The Hawai’i Police Department is searching for a 14-year-old girl reported as missing from Hilo since November 13.

Tearon Pacheco-Fernandez, is described as 4-foot-9, about 110 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Police ask that anyone with information on her whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.