A Special Weather Statement was issued today, Wednesday, February 17, 2010, following a number of water rescues in Maui County. The Maui Police Department reported a drowning and several rescues resulting from adverse wind, wave and water conditions.
At 11:56 a.m., Lahaina Patrol Officers were aassigned to a possible ocean rescue as two people were observed yelling for help from the area known as Black Rock in West Maui.
When police arrived at the scene, the victim was being pulled out of the ocean. Attempts were made to resuscitate the victim at the scene, however, they were unsuccessful. The victim was transported to Maui Memorial Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
The victim was later identified as Daniel Barney, 54, of Spokane, Washington.
County officials are advising the public to be extremely cautious of ocean conditions for the remainder of the day.
Swimmers, surfers and other marine interests are advised to be mindful of their skill level and remain out of the water and well away from areas of potential danger.
Beach goers are also urged to stay out of the water and well away from the shore break due to hazardous wave action and strong rip currents.
The advisory states: If caught in a rip current, do not try to swim against the current. Instead, swim parallel to shore until you are out of the current and then swim toward shore.
Maui Media toured the new Whole Foods Market in Kahului today that will become the chain’s first Maui store when it officially opens on February 24th. The 26,366 square-foot store will offer an array of natural and organic health and body care products. The inventory includes products from 44 local farmers, 29 of which are Maui based. The vendor list is even larger with more than 200 Hawaii vendors being used to stock shelves, 60 of whom are locally based Maui producers.
Courtesy Photo: Whole Foods Market Kahului.
Local products include orchids by Fragrant Orchids of Maui, jams and jellies by SoMoor, kombucha by Maui Kombucha and more.
“Whole Foods Market celebrates the great variety of local businesses and farms in Hawai`i that grow and make wonderful food, drink and body care products. We are delighted to continue to expand our selection of special local products for our shoppers’ enjoyment,” said Claire Sullivan, Whole Foods Market’s vendor and community relations coordinator.
“Opening our first Maui store presents a particularly exciting opportunity to support and highlight Maui producers, especially those in the farming and ranching community who contribute to the unique beauty and agricultural character of this island.” added Sullivan.
Much of the healthy kale and chard at the Kahului store’s produce department is grown at Rice Farms in Kula. Since 2006, Tom Rice has worked to create a diversified farm on his family property, learning which crops are happiest in the cool, sunny Upcountry climate.
Courtesy Photo: Whole Foods Market Kahului.
Located in Ulumalu in north Maui, Fragrant Orchids of Maui will supply the company’s Kahului store with a selection of potted orchids. The orchids will also be available for shipment to family and friends on the mainland.
Since 1997joy’s place has been offering meals on Maui’s south shore in Kihei, driven by a commitment to helping individuals achieve optimum health by serving food that has been simply prepared using fresh, organic ingredients. Whole Foods Market Kahului will be the second outlet for the line of live foods recently created by Joy and her partners Joe and Tyua. These live foods are nutrient-dense, plant-based foods that have been crafted without exposure to high temperatures, so they’re high in flavor, color and nutrition.
Pala`au, which means to heal with plants, is a line of Maui-made body care products that will be available at the Kahului store. They are based on a foundation of traditional beliefs, techniques and ceremonial processes from Hawaiian and Amazonian healers. Owner Stephanie Montanez creates and brews the products by hand in small batches on full moons. She makes them with focused herbal intentions, controlling their vibrancy, potency and freshness.
Maui producers whose items will be available at Whole Foods Market Kahului include:
Healing Dragons (vog tea)
Pala`au (body care)
Bee Kine (surf wax)
Rainbow Ridge Farm (goat milk soap)
Kula Herbs (soap)
Noni Biotech (noni juice)
Top Maui Restaurants (restaurant guidebook)
Aftersea Aesthetics (glass water bottles)
Ali`i Kula Lavender (lavender culinary creations)
Surfing Goat Dairy (goat cheese)
Maui Brewing Co. (beer)
Tedeschi Vineyard (wine)
Maui Cattle Company (beef)
Scott McKay (kiawe wood)
Anuhea Farms (asparagus)
Coca Farms (veggies)
Evonuk Farms (herbs and beans)
Fresh Island Herbs (vegetables & citrus)
Greenleaf Farm (yacon)
Zuhair Tamimi (tomatoes)
Hali`imaile Pineapple Co. (pineapples)
Hana Fresh (vegetables)
Hana Herbs and Flowers (pohole fern)
Kahanu Aina Sprouts (sprouts)
Kanoa Enterprises (taro, luau leaf & chili peppers)
Kapalua Farms (vegetables & fruit)
Kula Country Farm (strawberries, onions & daikon)
Kula Grown Organic Produce (zucchini, cucumber & lettuce)
Kumu Farms (papaya, herbs, tomatoes & pesto)
Kupa`a Farm (vegetables & fruit)
Maui Farmers Cooperative Exchange (cabbage & other vegetables)
The Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Maui meets today, Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 5 p.m. at the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center.
Guest speakers will include:
Anna Mae Shishido, Maui port supervisor, Plant Quarantine Branch, Department of Agriculture, will speak on the agricultural inspection services on Maui.
File Image.
Warren Watanabe, president of the Maui Farm Bureau, will address issues facing Maui farmers.
Henry Oliva, deputy director, State Department of Human Services (DHS), and Sandie Hoback, a consultant, will speak on the DHS proposal for a reorganization of public assistance eligibility processing functions.
Governor Linda Lingle created councils of neighbor island advisors to give neighbor island residents a stronger voice in state government. The Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Maui holds monthly public meetings to seek community input, advise the Governor of important issues and make recommendations for state boards and commissions.
The members of the Governor’s Council of Neighbor Island Advisors for Maui are: Madge Schaefer (chair), Kathryn Ghean, John Henry, Lori Ululani Sablas, Gail K. Takeuchi and Leona Rocha Wilson.
Hawaiian Airlines filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking approvals to introduce nonstop flights between Honolulu and Tokyo’s Haneda International Airport. If approved, the new service would provide twice-daily flights starting in late October.
The flight schedule is designed to meet the needs of travelers originating from the Tokyo area, with departures following a full day of work and dinner, and mid-day arrivals in time for hotel check-in and a first afternoon in Hawaii.
Both of Hawaiian’s proposed daily flights would depart Haneda shortly before midnight and arrive in Honolulu around noon the same day. The return flights would both depart Honolulu around 6:45 p.m. and arrive at Haneda around 10:00 p.m. the next day.
Mark Dunkerley, Hawaiian’s president and CEO, said, “This new service combining the convenience of Haneda with Hawaiian Airlines’ award winning service would offer a new, superior travel product that will increase travel to Hawaii from Japan.”
The new route is in keeping with Hawaiian’s long-term vision to expand its service in Asia and create new economic and cultural opportunities for Hawaii. Japan is Hawaii’s second-largest market for visitors.
Hawaiian plans to serve the Honolulu-Tokyo route with its 264-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, and new 294-seat Airbus A330-200 aircraft, the first three of which will join the fleet in April, May and November of this year.
Some familiar names have surfaced on the campaign trail as election season gets underway on Maui. While as many as 20 people had pulled papers, only two had filed for candidacy so far, according to the last candidate report issued Thursday, February 11, 2010 by the State Office of Elections.
Board of Education Maui Representative Mary Cochran filed papers to run for the Makawao-Haiku-Paia Council seat that will be vacated by Councilmember Mike Molina, whose term limit expires this year. Others pulling papers for the seat include: Kahekai Nishiki and Leona Nomura, both of Haiku.
Term limits for Councilmember Jo Anne Johnson also leaves the West Maui seat up for grabs this year. Five people have already pulled papers for the seat, with Lahaina resident, Alan Fukuyama going one step further by filing papers for the post. Those pulling papers are: Eve Clute, Eleanora Cochran, Jonah Kapu and Paul Laub.
Other Familiar faces include Former East Maui Councilman Robert Carroll who pulled papers for his old seat; and former candidate Don Couch who pulled papers for the South Maui seat he sought in 2008.
The only incumbent Councilmember to pull papers was Michael Victorino, who currently represents Wailuku-Waihee-Waikapu on the County Council. Those seeking office have until July 20 to file nomination papers.
In the race for Mayor, three people have pulled papers since the Office of Elections opened candidate filing on February 1, 2010. Those pulling papers include: Valarie Aquino of Lahaina, Orion Kopelman of Kula and Harold Miller of Kihei.
In the race for the 2nd District U.S. Congressional House seat currently held by Rep. Mazie Hirono, three Maui residents and one Honolulu man have pulled papers. They are: Patric Brock (L) of Kihei, Antonio Gimbernat (R) of Makawao, Andrew Von Sonn (N) of Paia, and John Willoughby (R) of Honolulu.
Three Maui residents have pulled papers for House Seats including: Natalie Kama (D) of Wailuku for District 8; Ramon Madden (R) of Lahaina for District 10; and George Fontaine (R) of Kihei for District 11.
The Primary Election is set for September 18 with the General Election on November 2, 2010.
Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares will testify today before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Finance at the State Capitol. Tavares is expected to comment on House Bill 2598 Relating to Transient Accommodations Tax or TAT- which proposes to suspend the distribution of revenues to the counties. The three year suspension, if approved, would run from July 1, 2010 to June 30 2013.
Tavares said that even with the county’s share of the TAT, Maui is facing a significant revenue shortfall of around $53 million. “Without the TAT, our shortfall jumps to $70 – $73 million,” said Tavares. “Making up for these shortfalls puts a huge burden on county taxpayers,” she said.
In written testimony dated February 16, 2010, Tavares said, “The TAT is not a hand out from the State to the Counties—it is a share of what is generated in each county.”
“The visitors will continue to pay the taxes, but if the State takes back our share, we will have an additional 17-20 million dollar shortfall that will have to be made up by County taxpayers,” said Tavares.
Tavares estimates that under the current formula, Maui County would receive 84 cents out of the $12.25 collected in taxes on a room that costs $100 per night.
Tavares said Maui County invests over $3 million in county funds to support the visitor industry. “We recognize the importance of this industry to the economic well-being of our County,” said Tavares. She continued, “The investment directly impacts how much TAT is collected.”
In her testimony, Tavares urged the legislature to examine all sources of state revenue including special funds and the state’s own taxing authorities.
“Shifting the responsibility from the State to the County property tax payers and the fee/rate payers for County services, is not fair and undermines the partnership with the State that we have enjoyed in the past,” said Tavares.
The County of Maui is demanding a jury trial in a lawsuit it filed last week against Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc. The county claims it was stranded with $44.2 million in debt instruments when the firm abandoned its practice of supporting auctions for the SLARS or Student Loan Auction Rate Securities.
According to the docket filed with the U.S. District Court of Hawaii, the County of Maui purchased the securities on or after August 16, 2007. The suit claims the firm abandoned its practice of supporting SLARS auctions on or about February 13, 2008, claiming it could no longer sell the securities at par.
Today, the County of Maui owns $32 million of SLARS that are not liquid.
The County of Maui further claims it would not have purchased SLARS at all if it had known of the grown risks associated with the investments.
SLARS are secured by pools of student loans guaranteed by government agencies under the Federal Family Education Loan Program.
Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares is expected to comment on the litigation during a press conference in Honolulu later today.
A Forum on the Akaka Bill will be held tonight, Tuesday, February 16, 2010, with speakers presenting both sides of the debate. The bill was crafted to establish a process for Native Hawaiians to gain federal recognition.
Flyer Courtesy: MCC Hawaiian Studies Dept.
Speakers in support include Boyd Mossman, Robin Danner, and Blossom Feiteira; those against include Kaleikoa Ka’eo, Henry Noa and Leon Siu.
The Akaka Bill forum runs from 6 to 8 tonight at the Student Lounge, Pilina Building at Maui Community College. The event is sponsored by the MCC Hawaiian Studies and Hawaiian Language Departments, as well as the Ho’okahua Project.
Maui County began work today on a sidewalk installation project on Kea Street in Kahului. The new sidewalk is being installed on Kea Street between Holua Street and Papa Avenue.
Photo by Wendy Osher.
The contract was awarded to Zoe Builders and is expected to be completed by February 26, 2010, barring any weather delays.
Work will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
Motorists and pedestrians are advised to use alternate routes during the construction period. Those traveling through the area should expect delays, due to lane closures, and should use caution and observe all signs and traffic control personnel in the area.
(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy County of Maui)
The 2009 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational basketball tournament hosted by Chaminade University, generated an estimated $6 million in visitor spending and revenue for Maui businesses. According to the latest data released by the Maui Visitor’s Bureau, the tournament welcomed thousands of out-of-state visitors, each spending an average of six days on Maui.
Since its inception, the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational has generated more than $140 million for Maui’s economy.
“The EA SPORTS Maui Invitational is an unbeatable marketing tool for the island of Maui,” said Chip Bahouth, general manager of The Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. “It is an invaluable event for Ka’anapali and the entire island of Maui, because it brings the beauty and magic of Maui to millions of viewers. We are very fortunate to have such an iconic event and hope that it stays in Ka’anapali for many years to come,” said Bahouth.
In 2009, the tournament was viewed by an estimated television audience of 4.4 million via the ESPN network.
“The Tournament has been a part of Maui’s economic landscape for nearly 30 years,” said Tom Valdiserri, senior vice president of KemperSports, operator of the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational. “We were proud to partner closely with fantastic Maui businesses to support positive momentum in travel and tourism in the fourth quarter of 2009,” said Valdiserri.
The 2010 EA SPORTS Maui Invitational will celebrate a powerhouse year as Connecticut, Kentucky, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Virginia, Washington, Wichita State and host Chaminade University of Honolulu vie for the coveted early-season title Nov. 22-24 at Maui’s Lahaina Civic Center.
(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information courtesy: EA SPORTS Maui Invitational)
ESPN today announced it will air the season opening game of USC at Hawaii on Thursday, September 2nd. The game was included on the network’s 2010 college football schedule, and is also posted on the USC athletic department website. The game time has not yet been announced.
Forty-five Youth Conservation Corps members will participate in a day of service on Monday, February 15, 2010 to restore Maui’s Kanaha Pond in Kahului. The group will work to remove invasive plants, plat native species, and remove a fence to improve accessibility for future restoration efforts.
Kanaha Pond is a 234-acre wetland adjacent to industrial buildings, commercial centers, and the Kahului Airport. The pond is home to three endangered Hawaiian birds: the Hawaiian coot (‘alae ke‘oke‘o), Hawaiian stilt (ae‘o), and Hawaiian duck (koloa). More than 80 species of migratory shorebirds, waterbirds, and ducks also frequent the pond. Native plants including makaloa and kaluha, species favored by Hawaiians for mat making, are also found at Kanaha.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife was awarded funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to engage the youth in protecting and preserving Hawai‘i’s natural and cultural resources as members of the Recovery Youth Conservation Corps. The Corporation for National and Community Service awarded the competitive funding to DLNR.
In her fourth State Of The County Address today, Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares challenged the state administration and the Legislature to examine other sources of revenue before cutting the counties share of income from the hotel room tax.
Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares, State of the County 2010. Photo by Wendy Osher.
“Taking away the TAT revenue from the counties breaks a promise and shifts the tax burden for these costs from the visitors to local residents,” said Tavares.
Tavares said, without the Transient Accommodation Tax revenues, the county’s shortfall will rise from $50 million to $70 million. Fellow Mayor Mufi Hannemann agreed with Tavares saying the counties at the end of the day are the key to the visitor industry.
“You can do all the marketing in the world. But if people don’t feel that it’s safe to visit Maui, the Big Island, Kauai and Honolulu, they will not come. That’s what we do: we’re the home of the first responder, we fix the infrastructure, we maintain the parks, we’re there 24-7. So that’s a very important message that was said today,” said Hannemann.
In addressing the county’s economic climate, Tavares said she wants no part of the layoffs seen at the state level. She said the options are simple: a combination of raising revenues and cutting spending.
“In my mind, we must have a combination of those choices—reduce services and raise revenues—to find a balance that will enable us to keep our community strong,” said Tavares.
Looking ahead to the future Tavares said, the county’s “quest for energy independence through renewable energy resource development is one of the most important programs our county can pursue to ensure success in the future.”
Legendary singer and heartthrob, Julio Iglesias, will make Maui a stop on his 2010 Starry Night World Tour. Iglesias will serenade Maui audiences in Castle Theater at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center on Tuesday, March 16, 2010.
Photo courtesy MACC.
The new world tour was named “Starry Night” after Iglesias’ third English album, which earned record-breaking sales in more than 50 countries. As part of the tour, Iglesias performs in concerts on all five continents in a variety of intimate settings featuring his romantic songs.
In his 42 year career, Julio Iglesias has garnered 2,600 platinum and gold records, performed more than 5,000 concerts in 600 cities around the world, and more than 60 million people have seen him perform live.
Julio has sold more albums that any other Spanish-speaking artist in history. His hits include Hey!, Manuela, Me Olvidé de Vivir, Abrázame, Un Canto a Galicia, To All the Girls I’ve Loved Before, and Crazy.
Tickets go on sale to MACC members on Wednesday February 17 and will be available to the public on Wednesday, February 24 for $65, $80, $95 and $125. To order, call the Box Office at 808-242-SHOW (7469) or go online to MauiArts.org. Presented by the Maui Arts & Cultural Center; a Tom Moffatt Production.
Hawaii local census offices are hoping to hire more than 3000 temporary workers to assist in the effort of counting the state’s population for the 2010 Census. Officials say an estimated 300-400 people will be hired in Maui County. Temporary jobs of up to two months include census takers, enumerators and crew with pay ranging from $12.75 to $20 per hour.
“We need to hire more than 1400 workers to provide coverage to the neighbor islands and the Waianae coast of Oahu, as well as 1700 part time census workers to canvass local communities in Honolulu,” said Kelly Kaawa, Waianae’s Assistant Manager for Recruitment.
The recruitment effort is focused on finding workers who come from the communities they will serve and whose language skills match local areas. Neighborhoods in particular which need census workers include: Hanalei, Kauai; Puna and Kau, Hawaii; Hana and Waiehu, Maui; the entire island of Molokai and the Waianae coast of Oahu.
Workers will be paid for training and receive weekly paychecks. The new hires, whose jobs begin in May, will follow up with residents who do not complete and return the 2010 Census questionnaire. The questionnaires are expected to reach Hawaii mailboxes in mid to late March.
The Maui Toyota dealership in Kahului began processing fixes on the 2010 Prius Hybrid yesterday, just hours after a voluntary recall went into effect. By early afternoon five Prius owners had already taken their vehicles in for recalibration and an upgrade on the vehicle’s anti-lock break software.
Photo by Wendy Osher.
The Kahului dealer has also extended hours of service with mechanics working from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In all there are about 460 cars in the state that are affected by the latest recall. Nationwide, there are an estimated 133,000 2010 Model Year Prius Vehicles affected.
The Kahului service department began calling Maui customers on Tuesday, notifying them to come in as soon as possible for the update. Owners will also receive notifications by mail in the next few weeks as the company ensures owner notification to those registered through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
In a notification released by the company yesterday, officials said, “Maui Toyota thanks their customers for their continued loyalty and patience during this recall and will do their best to remedy this situation as quickly as possible.”
The State Department of Taxation will delay payment of tax refunds for 2009. The action to delay payment until July 1, 2010 is being taken to mitigate the state’s projected $721 million revenue shortfall. Tax officials say delaying the refunds will provide an estimated one-time savings of $275 million which will go towards balancing the state budget.
The Tax Department will release refunds beginning in July on a first-in-first-out basis, ensuring that early filers receive their refunds first.
State tax officials say the action complies with the legally allowed 90-day refund period. Under current Hawai‘i law, if the director of taxation approves a refund voucher within 90 days from the due date or the date the return is filed, whichever is later, and the refund check is mailed 45 days from the date of the director’s approval, no interest is paid. However, if either of these time limits is exceeded, interest will be paid.
For faster receipt of refunds, taxpayers are advised to have their refunds directly deposited into their bank account by providing their bank routing number and account number and indicating the type of account (savings or checking) on their individual net income tax returns. Direct deposits will be the most efficient way to receive refunds.
The refund delay was originally announced in the executive supplemental budget that was submitted to the Legislature on December 21, 2009. Beginning July 2010, taxpayers may contact the Taxpayer Services Call Center during business hours at 808-587-4242 or 1-800-222-3229 (toll free) for information on the status of their refunds.
The Olowalu Cultural Reserve on Maui will get more than $44,000 in the latest round of grants announced today by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. The money will be used for the reconstruction of the ahupua’a at Lihau, Olowalu. The project is aimed at perpetuating traditional and customary practices of Kanaka Maoli and protecting natural resources.
Another project exclusive to Maui and included on the list of grant recipients is the Kihei Youth Center. The facility is earmarked for $48,000 in grants to support the MERITS after-school homework assistance program at the Kihei Youth Center.
OHA trustees approved a total of $2.2 million in community grants for 35 projects aimed at supporting non-profit community groups who work to make a difference in the lives of Native Hawaiians, and ultimately the community at large.
OHA Chairperson Haunani Apoliona said the OHA is pleased to support those who make a difference in the midst of a struggling economy, “The $2.2 million will fund projects ranging from mobile health screening for diabetes to substance abuse rehabilitation to the promotion of innovative, culturally-based curriculum development at Hawaiian immersion schools,” said Apoliona.
In selecting grant recipients, the OHA Board of Trustees gave full consideration to projects that would ensure that Native Hawaiians have continued opportunities in health care, human services, education, housing, economic development, native rights and cultural preservation.
“With resources dedicated to these critical arenas, Native Hawaiians will be in a better position to contribute to the state’s economic recovery and OHA is thankful that it is able to come through with help during these tough economic times,” Chairperson Apoliona added.
The complete list of Office of Hawaiian Affairs Community Grants Program Recipients for fiscal year 2010 is as follows:
Aka‘ula Middle School – $86,076 for PRISM, a culturally responsive educationalprogram. (Moloka‘i)
Alu Like, Inc. – $49,605 for coordination of ten workshops to help küpuna managechronic disease. (O‘ahu, Moloka‘i)
American Diabetes Association of Hawai‘i – $34,350 for the Vision Project, providinga mobile retinal scan screening unit for early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. (Allislands)
American Lung Association of Hawai‘i – $28,843 for Maopopo Oli Hänö, a school-based asthma education and management program. (O‘ahu, Maui & Hawai‘i Island)
Arizona Memorial Museum Association – $100,000 to support a Pearl Harbor VisitorCenter display on the Hawaiian cultural significance and history of the Pu‘uloa area(O‘ahu)
Bay Clinic – $42,000 to support expansion of a diabetes self-management program in thePuna district, targeting high-risk Native Hawaiians (Hawai‘i Island)
Boys and Girls Club of Hawai‘i – $58,650 to improve the new Youth Education Town(YET) with support for certification in LEED (leadership in energy and environment design)and Native Hawaiian-focused stewardship projects for youth. (O‘ahu)
Family Support Services of West Hawai‘i – $57,500 to support Nä MakuakäneMaika‘i O Hawai‘i, a program to increase parenting skills for fathers throughculturally-based practices and program support. (Hawai‘i Island)
God’s Country Waimänalo – $61,000 to support a hands-on learning program incultural activities, including: ka ‘äina (growing potted gardens), ke kai (ocean skillbuilding), and mea ha‘i‘ölelo (story-telling/communication). (O‘ahu)
Hale ‘Öpio Kaua‘i – $45,350 for implementation of Ke Kahua O Ka Mälamalama,an afterschool program to engage students in Native Hawaiian cultural practicesand values. (Kaua‘i)
Hawai‘i Maoli on behalf of the Ko‘olaupoko Hawaiian Civic Club – $47,269 for acivic club multi-purpose cultural project and installation of ahupua‘a highwayboundary markers. (O‘ahu)
Ka ‘Aha Hui Na‘auao – $30,678 for Ka Papa ‘Oihana or Perpetuating traditionalHawaiian Knowledge, Cultural and Natural Resources, an instruction program intraditional hale construction and wood sculpture. (O‘ahu)
Ka Hale Pömaika‘i – $100,000 for the expansion of substance abuse treatment andrecovery services. (Moloka‘i)
Ka Meheu ‘Ohu O Ka Honu on behalf of Ho‘omanao I Nä Wä I Huliau – $65,000to support the traditions and culture of Native Hawaiians through the re-creation ofvisual images via photographs, written text, and storytelling. (All islands)
Kaua‘i Economic Opportunity, Inc. – $58,745 to support the operation of theMana‘olana emergency homeless shelter on Kaua‘i. (Kaua‘i)
Kawaikini New Century Charter School – $55,250 to support curriculumdevelopment and a pilot project for 3rd and 4th graders. (Kaua‘i)
Keömailani Hanapï Foundation – $91,500 for the Native Hawaiian art educationproject, HOEA, including operational support and the establishment of acommunity art space and storage facility. (Hawai‘i Island)
Kïhei Youth Center – $48,000 to support the MERITS after-school homeworkassistance program at the Kïhei Youth Center. (Maui)
Külia Nä Mamo – $50,000 to support equitable employment for the transgenderedand homosexuals through employers on how to retain those employees. (O‘ahu)
Leadership Kaua‘i – $25,000 for the annual Adult Leadership Program and Pi‘inaHökü Youth Leadership Program. (Kaua‘i)
Lunalilo Home – $100,000 to provide financial assistance to indigent Hawaiianküpuna not able to afford care at Lunalilo Home. (O‘ahu)
Lyman Museum – $59,328 to support protection and restoration of Hawaiiancultural artifacts in the museum’s collections. (Hawai‘i Island)
Narconon Hawai‘i – $49,500 to support the outpatient drug rehabilitation programlocated in Kalaeloa. (O‘ahu)
National Tropical Botanical Garden – $62,522 for the cultivation of native plantsin Hä‘ena to be made available and used as resources by the Native Hawaiiancommunity. (Kaua‘i)
Neighborhood Place of Kona – $99,648 to support the prevention of child abuseand provide child abuse prevention information to rural areas. (Hawai‘i Island)
Olowalu Cultural Reserve – $44,530 for reconstruction of the ahupua‘a at Lïhau,Olowalu, to perpetuate traditional and customary practices of Kanaka Maoli andprotect natural resources. (Maui)
Pacific American Foundation on behalf of Digitalmoku.net – $49,720 to establishan Internet site on the history of the Kohala district with online access toethnographic interviews with cultural experts and community members. (Hawai‘IIsland)
Pacific Health Ministry – $38,241 to support mobile and free blood pressurescreenings, health assessments, and health referrals for low-income, elderly andhomeless populations living on beaches and in transitional housing. (O‘ahu)
PA‘I Foundation – $49,600 to support MAMo 2010: a month-long celebration ofNative Hawaiian arts and culture intended to highlight contemporary NativeHawaiian artists. (O‘ahu)
Partners In Development Foundation – $99,984 for Kökua ‘Ohana, a program toincrease the number of licensed Native Hawaiian families providing homes forNative Hawaiian foster children. (O‘ahu)
Tri-Isle Resource Conservation and Development Council, Inc. on behalf of Lanaihale Forest & Watershed Project – $89,770 for the Läna‘ihale Forest andWatershed Project to protect the habitat of the endangered Hawaiian Petrel bird(‘ua‘u) and recharge the Läna‘ihale watershed by removing invasive species.
Wai‘anae Coast Coalition on behalf of Wai‘anae Coast Family Center (Pa‘a Hala) – $100,000 to provide family conferencing and cultural classes and support thegoal of establishing a Hawaiian cultural center for farming and monthly hö’ike.(O‘ahu)
Waimänalo Health Center – $100,000 to support Kü I Ka Mana, a NativeHawaiian mentoring program for Waimänalo Middle School students to increaseknowledge of healthy living and make positive lifestyle choices. (O‘ahu)
Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) of Kaua‘i – $50,000 to supportdomestic violence intervention and sex offender treatment programs. (Kaua‘i)
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) is implementing new measures to improve its management of the Kealakekua Bay State Historic Park and better protect the sensitive natural, historic and cultural resources of the area.
To prevent damage to the shoreline and coral reef and accidental destruction of significant historic and cultural sites by large numbers of visitors, DLNR is now requiring that visitors to the park receive information regarding the sensitive sites and guidance on how to assist in preserving the area during their visit. Effective February 23, 2010 information will be provided through a simple permit system for people seeking to land vessels along the Ka‘awaloa shoreline or moor at the wharf adjacent to the Captain Cook Monument in the bay.
“Residents can easily access free education and cultural practices permits that will provide guidance to ensure there is no accidental damage to the cultural sites,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairperson.
Signs will be posted at entry locations along the bay to notify people of this system and provide information on how they can obtain a permit. The same notice has been posted and distributed by DLNR enforcement officers at Napo‘opo‘o Pier.
Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park and Ka‘awaloa peninsula within the bay have an abundance of fragile and significant archaeological sites. Ka‘awaloa is the shoreline commonly used to access the famous Captain Cook Monument from the bay. Boaters also use the shoreline to beach their vessel before snorkeling at Ka‘awaloa Cove.
DLNR is informing kayak rental vendors of the new permit requirement, and has also conducted recent law enforcement actions at the pier in cooperation with Hawai‘i County Police to address illegal commercial kayak rentals.
Home sales on Maui dropped in January to 46 following December’s 17-month high of 90 homes sold. Officials at the Realtor’s Association of Maui say the results were possibly caused by sellers and buyers timing transactions to close in 2009 for tax reasons.
Home prices also slipped slightly in January to $469,000, while condos rose to $424,000. Condo sales also dropped slightly to 71 units sold in January compared to 80 in December.
In a nutshell, the Realtor’s Association of Maui says the market seems to be getting its footing with median prices bouncing along the bottom. The inventory includes many short sales and REO bank owned properties that the association says must be absorbed as sales before the island can move ahead to a more normal marketplace, at which time prices will eventually start to rise. The association says interest rates remain at historic lows, however qualifications are stiffer.
The majority of home sales in January were in Kihei where 10 homes were sold for a median price of $419,000. Central Maui and Pukalani both recorded 7 homes sold.
As for condos, Kihei led the market as well with 28 condos sold for a median of nearly $327,000. There were a dozen condos sold in the Napili/Kahana/Honokowai area and 8 sold in Kaanapali.
PRG NEWS WITH WENDY OSHER 