October 30th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
Amid an economic crunch and a budget shortfall, Maui County is getting recognition for its Financial and Budgeting efforts.
Photo Courtesy: County of Maui. L-R: Budget Director Fred Pablo (standing); Helene Kau, Assistant Budget Director; Mayor Charmaine Tavares; Ty Yoshimi, Accounting System Administrator; Kalbert Young, Finance Director (standing).
The county received two national awards:Â A Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and a Distinguished Budget award for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2009, both from the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA).
According to the GFOA, the awards represent the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting, financial reporting and budgeting. The County’s FY 2007-2008 comprehensive annual financial report and FY 2009-2010 annual budget met all mandatory criteria and were rated proficient in all categories.
“We are proud of the efforts of County staff to continually improve the quality of our financial reporting and budgeting,” said Mayor Tavares. “I would like to recognize the diligent work of our Finance Department, led by Director Kalbert Young, Deputy Director Agnes Hayashi and Accounting System Administrator Ty Yoshimi. On the Budget side, Budget Director Fred Pablo, Assistant Budget Director Helene Kau and their dedicated team not only assembled a nationally-recognized document, but have already begun taking proactive measures on the next budget cycle by coordinating the series of Budget Community Meetings that we held throughout Maui County. I am proud of our achievements in meeting and exceeding the expectations for effective financial reporting and budgeting.”
The County’s annual financial report, which has been honored for 26 consecutive years, was acknowledged for demonstrating a “constructive spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the financial report. The County’s annual budget was judged on how well it serves as a policy document, financial plan, operation guide and communications device.
The Government Finance Officers Association is a non-profit professional organization serving over 17,600 government finance professionals throughout the country. The GFOA established the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Program (CAFR Program) in 1945 to encourage and assist state and local governments to go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles to prepare comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure and then to recognize individual governments that succeed in achieving that goal.
More than 3,500 governments participate in the awards programs each year.
(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information provided by the County of Maui)
Tags: Association of the United States and Canada, budget shortfall, CAFR, CAFR program, Certificate of Achievement, Charmaine Tavares, County of Maui, distinguished budet award, Distinguished Budget, excellence in Financial Reporting, Fred Pablo, GFOA, Helene Kau, Kalbert Young, KJKS, KJMD, KLHI, KMVI, KNUI, KPOA, Maui budget, Maui County, Maui County Budget, Maui Mayor, maui news, Maui Now, maui today tv, maui tv, maui video, MauiNOW, mauinow, mauinow.com, Mauitoday.tv, Native 92.5 FM, Native fm, Pacific Radio Group, The Maui News, Ty Yoshimi, Wendy Osher
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October 30th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
A northwest swell is expected to reach Maui Saturday afternoon bringing advisory level surf.
The swell is being generated by a former typhoon that turned into a powerful storm off the Western Aleutian Islands earlier this week.
High Surf will first affect Niihau and Kauai on Saturday morning with surf rising to 12 to 15 feet. Surf on other islands, including Maui will increase to 10 to 15 feet along exposed northwest shores on Saturday afternoon and evening.
A High Surf Advisory was issued by the National Weather Service from 6 a.m. Saturday, October 31, 2009 to 6 p.m. Monday, November 2, 2009.
A High Surf Advisory means that high surf will affect beaches in the advisory area, producing rip currents and localized beach erosion.
(Posted by Wendy Osher)
Tags: Aleutian Islands, High Surf Advisory maui, High surf maui, Kauai, KJKS, KJMD, KLHI, KMVI, KNUI, KPOA, Maui, maui news, Maui Now, maui today tv, maui tv, maui video, MauiNOW, mauinow, mauinow.com, Mauitoday.tv, National Weather Service, Native 92.5 FM, Native fm, Niihau, northwest swell, Pacific Radio Group, storm, swell Maui, The Maui News, typhoon, Wendy Osher
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October 30th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
The Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs holds its 50th Annual Convention on Maui November 1-8 at the Makena Beach and Golf Resort. Speakers will address the challenges and opportunities of balancing Hawaii’s economic development and cultural sustainability. The AHCC is the oldest Hawaiian community based grassroots organization and is dedicated to civic service in the Native Hawaiian community.
Image courtesy: Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs
The theme of this year’s event, Aloha ‘Ä€ina, speaks of the love for the land and respect for ancestors.
Among the list of Keynote Speakers are Dr. Noa Emmett Aluli, who will share the work of the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission and the sacrifices made for the survival of the island and the spirit of the Native Hawaiian. Office of Hawaiian Affairs Administrator Clyde Namuo will update attendees on the critical issues facing the Hawaiian community and OHA initiatives. And a host of other guest speakers will be on hand for break out sessions throughout the week.
Three taro farmers, Jim Cain, Waipio Valley; Jerry Konanui, Kauai; and Ke’eaumoku Kapu, Maui have devoted their lives to the sustainment and cultivation of taro. They share with us the important work of the Taro Security and Purity Task Force and of its recommendations on Wednesday November 4 from 9-10 a.m. at the Kahili Court.
The topic of contemporary activism comes to light as three leaders in the community discuss the kuleana of Native Hawaiians in fulfilling their obligations as envisioned by the kumulipo in the face of a contemporary society and new methods for generating energy for our island community…two from the perspective of managing large tracts of land by their organization, one from the perspective of the land and its relationship to the health of our people. The Panel includes: Neil Hannahs, Director of Land Assets Division Kamehameha Schools Bishop Estate; Kaulana Park, Chair, Hawaiian Homes Commission, Dept of Hawaiian Home Lands; and Hardy Spoehr, Executive Director, Papa Ola LÅkahi. The discussion gets underway at 8:10 a.m. at the Plenary on Friday, November 6, 2009.
Welcoming remarks will be made by U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka, America’s first Senator of Native Hawaiian ancestry. Additional remarks will also be made by Lt. Governor James “Duke” Aiona, Jr., Representative Mele Carroll and Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares.
For a complete list of Convention activities, click on the following link: to the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.
(Posted by Wendy Osher)
Tags: 50th Annual Convention, AHCC, Aloha Aina, AOHCC, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Charmaine Tavares, Clyde Namuo, Daniel Akaka, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Emmett Aluli, Hardy Spoehr, James Duke Aiona, Jerry Konanui, Jim Cain, Kahili Court, Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission, Kamehameha Schools, Kauai, Kaulana Park, Keeaumoku Kapu, KJKS, KJMD, KLHI, KMVI, KNUI, KPOA, kuleana, kumulipo, Makena Beach and Golf Resort, Maui, Maui Mayor, maui news, Maui Now, maui today tv, maui tv, maui video, MauiNOW, mauinow, mauinow.com, Mauitoday.tv, Mele Carroll, Native 92.5 FM, Native fm, Native Hawaiian, Neil Hannahs, Noa Emmett Aluli, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, OHA, Pacific Radio Group, Papa ola Lokahi, Senator, taro, Taro Security and Purity Task Force, Taro Task Force, The Maui News, Waipio Valley, Wendy Osher
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October 30th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
Crews are working this morning (Friday, October 30, 2009) to repair a 12″ broken water line on Kaahumanu Avenue fronting the Checkers Auto Store in Kahului.
The break resulted in the closure of 2 of 3 lanes on Kaahumanu Avenue and affected water service to a portion of the Maui Mall. Mall officials say part of the mall is on a different waterline and those businesses are not affected.
Vehicle traffic through the area is impacted while County crews work to complete repairs.
Offices and services located at Kahului Harbor will have low water pressure until repairs are completed.
The Department of Water Supply estimates that water service will be restored around noon when repairs are projected to be complete.
(Posted by Wendy Osher)
Tags: Checkers Auto Store, Department of Water Supply, Kaahumanu Avenue, Kahului, Kahului Harbor, KJKS, KJMD, KLHI, KMVI, KNUI, KPOA, mainline break, Maui Department of Water Supply, Maui Mall, Maui Mall water, maui news, Maui Now, maui today tv, maui tv, maui video, Maui Water department, MauiNOW, mauinow, mauinow.com, Mauitoday.tv, Native 92.5 FM, Native fm, Pacific Radio Group, road closure, The Maui News, water break Kahului, water Kahului, waterline break, Wendy Osher
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October 29th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
The state is seeking bids from companies interested in linking Maui County to Oahu using a system of undersea cables.
File Photo by Wendy Osher. Governor Linda Lingle (L) touring the Kaheawa Wind Power facility in Maalaea in February of 2008.
The proposed project was unveiled a year ago when the state entered into an agreement with Hawaiian Electric companies to connect the islands into one electrical grid, allowing renewable wind power generated in Maui County to be transmitted to Oahu for consumption.
Those opposed to the project rejected the concept of valuable resources begin shipped off island; and argued that resources should benefit the respective islands first.
Governor Linda Lingle voiced her support for the project saying, “The interisland cable project is an important piece of infrastructure needed to achieve the goal of the Hawai’i Clean Energy Initiative of 70 percent clean energy by 2030.” Â ”We are committed to making sure all environmental, economic, cultural and community issues are fully addressed,” she said.
“As the most oil-dependent state in the nation, a clean energy future is no longer simply a desire, it is an absolute necessity. Â The State-Hawaiian Electric energy agreement represents a bold step towards achieving energy security, and the progress made over the past year demonstrates that Hawai’i can serve as a clean energy role model for the rest of the nation,” said Lingle.
Hawaiian Electric Executive Vice President Robbie Alm said, “This achievement – and achievements yet to come – depend on an unprecedented unity of purpose and willingness to cooperate among individuals, businesses, institutions and government in Hawaii. Whether oil prices go up or down, we must stay focused on making the long-term investments to get to a clean energy future.”
In September, the PUC issued its decision and order on the feed-in tariff principles, which provides a price guarantee for electricity produced by sun, wind and hydroelectric sources that Hawaiian Electric companies will pay for renewable energy fed into the electricity grid. Â The set rate under the feed-in tariff provides an incentive for renewable energy developers to invest in Hawai’i by creating certainty and transparency.
In addition, Clean Energy Scenario Planning and Advanced Meter Infrastructure or “Smart-Grid” (planning ahead to enable more distribution of renewable energy on the grid) are among the other PUC proceedings underway.
Maui already has a 30 megawatt wind farm located in the hills above Ukumehame. First Wind’s Kaheawa facility became the first operating wind farm in the United States to have a habitat conservation plan.
The EIS for the Undersea cable project will consider the impacts from the installation, operation, maintenance, possible repair, and potential long term development envisioned for the interisland power cable, mitigation strategies, and alternatives. Â A contract award is expected by the end of this calendar year.
(Posted by Wendy Osher; Supporting information provided by the Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii)
Tags: Clean Energy Initiative, EIS, First Wind, First Wind Energy, Governor, Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative, Hawaiian Electric, HECO, Kaheawa Wind Farm, Kaheawa Wind Power, KJKS, KJMD, KLHI, KMVI, KNUI, KPOA, Linda Lingle, Maalaea, Maui County, maui news, Maui Now, maui today tv, maui tv, maui video, MauiNOW, mauinow, mauinow.com, Mauitoday.tv, Native 92.5 FM, Native fm, Pacific Radio Group, Public Utilities Commission, PUC, Request for Proposal, RFP, Robbie Alm, The Maui News, undersea cable, undersea cable Hawaii, Wendy Osher
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October 29th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
The U.S. House passed an Interior Appropriations bill that helps to secure $12.3 million for six Hawaii projects. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono lobbied for the inclusion of the projects that at aimed at enhancing wildlife habitat, combating invasive species, protection island waters, and preserving historical sites.
Surviving structure at the Honouliuli Internment Camp. August 28, 2009. Photo Courtesy: office of U.S. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono.
Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono is briefed by Brian Niiya of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii at the Honouliuli Internment Camp site on Oahu. August 28, 2009. Courtesy photo.
Another highlight of the bill was the inclusion by Senator Inouye of an authorization for a special resource study of the site of the former World War II era Honouliuli Internment Camp. This will accomplish the goals of Senator Inouye’s Honouliuli Internment Camp Special Resources Study Act of 2009 (S. 871); Congresswoman Hirono introduced the House companion to that bill (H.R. 2079). The study will determine the historical significance of the Honouliuli site related to the forcible internment of Japanese Americans, European Americans, and other individuals.
“I consider every one of these projects essential in preserving our island environment, natural resources, and historic locations,” said Congresswoman Hirono. “I recently visited the site of the Honouliuli Internment Camp where some of the camp structures still stand. While the confining of Japanese-Americans during World War II is seen as a dark chapter in Hawaii’s history, and the history of our country, preserving such locations is important to ensure that type of injustice never happens again.”
Specific projects included in the bill are:
$7,400,000 for James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
This funding will be used to finalize the acquisition of remaining land (to a total of approximately 1,100 acres) on Oahu’s north shore in order to complete the establish of the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge as a natural coastal dune and wetland ecosystem. Established in 1976, James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge is considered one of the premier endangered Hawaiian waterbird recovery areas in the state.
$1,460,000 for Construction of a Research and Education Center at the Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest
These funds are an addition to the U.S. Forest Service’s budget designated to establish and build a Research and Education center necessary to achieve the potential of the recently established Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest on the island of Hawaii. The new facility will serve as a center for long-term research as well as a focal point for developing and transferring knowledge and expertise for the management of tropical landscapes.
$1,000,000 for Invasive Species Management
This represents additional funding to the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife budget to continue its ongoing efforts to address invasive species issues in the State of Hawaii. These funds are needed to reduce the impact of invasive species already present and the potential of future introductions on Hawaii’s endangered species, insular ecosystems, and human health, as well as the viability of its tourism and agriculture-based economy.
$1,000,000 for Kilauea Point Lighthouse Restoration
This funding will go toward the cost of restoring Kilauea Point Lighthouse, which is part of the Kilauea Point Light Station National Historic Site on this island of Kauai. The lighthouse, which was built in 1931 has national significance as a historical landmark based on its associations with the evolution of trans-oceanic commerce, architectural merit, special role in the history of the Army’s Air Corps, and contribution to the island’s visitor industry.
$1,000,000 for Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
These funds will assist the County of Kauai in meeting design and construction costs for expansion of the Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant on the island of Kauai. The total project cost is $12,000,000. The Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was originally constructed in the 1970s and has a capacity of 300,000 gallons per day (gpd), an average daily flow. Currently, the plant is operating at approximately 90 percent capacity, and the County is restricting new sewer service connections due to the lack of available WWTP capacity. Funds are needed to expand the capacity of the WWTP by approximately 700,000 gpd.
$500,000 for Native Hawaiian Arts and Culture Program
This funding will help fuel the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program in order to foster a greater sense of cultural awareness and ethnic pride among Native Hawaiians. NHCAP’s efforts are focused on assisting Hawaiians to be practitioners of the culture in a rapidly changing multicultural world. The program also aims to share knowledge of and celebrate Hawaiian art and culture, which include educational programs, exhibits, publications, and increased access to Bishop’s Museum’s vast cultural collections (artifacts, documents, and images).
The legislation passed out the House by a vote of 247 yeas to 178 nays.
(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information provided by the office of U.S. Congresswoman Mazie Hirono)
Tags: Army air corps, Bishop Museum, hawaii, Hawaii Experimental Tropical Forest, Honouliuli, Honouliuli Internmnet camp, Interior Appropriations Bill, internment camp, internment camp hawaii, invasive species, James Campbell, Japanese Americans, kilauea point, Kilauea Point lighthouse, Kilauea Point lighthouse resotration, KJKS, KJMD, KLHI, KMVI, KNUI, KPOA, maui news, Maui Now, maui today tv, maui tv, maui video, MauiNOW, mauinow, mauinow.com, Mauitoday.tv, Mazie Hirono, National Wildlife Refuge, Native 92.5 FM, Native fm, Native Hawaiian Culutre and Arts Program, NHCAP, Pacific Radio Group, Senator Daniel Inouye, The Maui News, U.S. House, Waimea Watewater treatment, Wendy Osher, World War II, WWII
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October 29th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
State and County workers on Maui gathered for a special training session to battle Maui’s newest pest, the invasive Little Fire Ant, which was discovered on a farm in Waihee earlier this month.
Mach Fukada (R) shows County employee Tamara Wells a live specimen of the Stinging Nettle Caterpillar, another pest species of particularly high concern because of its ability to deliver painful stings to people and its impact on the agricultural industry. Photo courtesy County of Maui.
More than 50 employees attended the meeting at the Waikapu Community Center on Wednesday. The session was set up by Maui Mayor Charmaine Tavares as a way to ensure the safety of field employees and increase the county’s ability to detect and report sightings as well as prevent widespread establishment of the species.
The ant, which is smaller than a grain of rice, has a painful bite that can result in intense itching for two or more weeks in humans, and can cause blindness or death in pets and livestock.
“We want to make sure that our employees are informed about Little Fire Ants and taking all the necessary precautions to protect themselves while working in areas that may be infested or may become infested with them,” Mayor Tavares said.
“At the same time,” Tavares said, “they can assist the Department of Agriculture by keeping a lookout for LFA and reporting suspected sightings. Early detection and rapid response will be the key to controlling their populations before they become too wide-spread and established.”
The session was led by Maui County’s sole entomologist with the Department of Agriculture, Mach Fukada, who was laid off effective mid-December due to State budget cuts.
Attendees were provided with informational brochures and preserved specimens of Little Fire Ants to assist with identification while working in the field. County employees from the Department of Environmental Management, Fire & Safety, Housing & Human Concerns, the Mayor’s Office, Parks and Recreation, Planning, Public Works, Risk Management and Water Supply attended, as well as employees from the State Department of Land & Natural Resources, Forestry & Wildlife and Land Divisions.
(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information provided by the County of Maui)
County of Maui Environmental Coordinator Kuhea Paracuelles (standing, left) addresses County and State employees at the Little Fire Ant training led by entomologist Mach Fukada (standing, right). Photo Courtesy County of Maui.
Tags: blindness, Charmaine Tavares, Department of Agriculture, DLNR, entomologist, entomologist Maui, Farm, fire ant, fireant, KJKS, KJMD, KLHI, KMVI, KNUI, KPOA, LFA, Little Fire Ant, Maui Mayor, maui news, Maui Now, maui today tv, maui tv, maui video, MauiNOW, mauinow, mauinow.com, Mauitoday.tv, Native 92.5 FM, Native fm, nettle caterpillar, Pacific Radio Group, painful sting, pest hawaii, stinging caterpillar, Stinging Nettle Caterpillar, Tamara Wells, The Maui News, Waihee, Waikapu Communiyt Center, Wendy Osher
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October 29th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
Courtesy Graphic.
‘A’ole loa! ‘A’ole loa! The Queen’s Women: A reenactment of the 1897Anti-Annexation Meeting comes to Maui. This presentation comes to Maui on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 7 p.m., at Maui Community College Ka Lama room 103.
Reporter Miriam Michelson visits Hawaii to attend the meeting of the Women’s Hawaiian Patriotic League to protest against the annexation of Hawaii to the United States.
Her article, “Many Thousands of Native Hawaiians Sign a Protest to the United States Government Against Annexation,” is published in The San Francisco Call on Thursday, September 30, 1897. The reenactment portrays this meeting as described in her article.
Dr. Keanu Sai will begin the presentation to set the historical context for the reenactment.
The event is presented by the Kaleimaileali’i Civic Club and sponsored by the Ho’okahua Project, the Hawaiian Studies Department, MCC and Ho’a. Call 984-3709 for more information.
Tags: 1897, anti annexation, anti annexation meeting, Hawaii Annexation, Hawaiian Studies, Hoa, Hookahua Project, Kaleimailealii Civic Club, KJKS, KJMD, KLHI, KMVI, KNUI, KPOA, Many Thousands of Native Hawaiians Sign a Protest to the United States Government Against Annexation, Maui Community College, maui news, Maui Now, maui today tv, maui tv, maui video, MauiNOW, mauinow, mauinow.com, Mauitoday.tv, MCC, Miriam Michelson, Native 92.5 FM, Native fm, Pacific Radio Group, reenactment, reenactment annexation, The Maui News, The queen's Women, United States, Wendy Osher, Women's Hawaiian Patriotic League
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October 28th, 2009 by MauiNOW staff
A brush fire in Lahaina burned 30 acres before being contained at around 6 p.m. Wednesday night (October 28, 2009).
The fire was first reported at 1:48 p.m. in an area off of Lahainaluna Road. Nearly 30 firefighters responded to the incident along with the county’s Air One helicopter that was on hand to conduct water drops. The effort also included heavy equipment and water tankers from the County Department of Public Works, Goodfellow Bros., and West Maui Land Company.
The County of Maui closed the Lahaina Aquatic Center as a precautionary measure, and the pool was utilized by Air One as a source of water as it conducted water drops throughout the afternoon.
At 3:20 p.m., police closed a portion of Lahinaluna Road between Kalena and Kuialua Streets. The road was reopened by police by 4:13 p.m.
“We’re fortunate that the winds were light today,” said Battalion Chief Kimo Kino. “Our personnel will patrol and monitor the area tonight and mop-up operations will continue through the evening,” he said.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information provided by the County of Maui)
Tags: Air One, brush fire, brush fire Maui, brushfire, bursh fire Lahiana, Fire Lahaina, fire maui, kaialua Street, Kalena Street, Lahaina Aquatic Center, Lahainaluna road, Maui Department of Fire and Public Safety, Maui Fire Department, MFD, water drop, Wendy Osher
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