Residents and businesses in North Kona will have to deal with an emergency water restriction for at least a week after another pump failed over the weekend. A contractor started pulling up the massive motor and pump from the Honokohau Deepwell that stopped working on Sunday, affecting nearly 30,000 customers. Since January, four other wells in North Kona have been out of service due to broken motors or pumps. "What's really baffling us is that they're failing in such a short period of time. we don't have an answer," said Keith Okamoto, manager-chief engineer of Hawaii County's Department of Water Supply. "But what we do know is that we can't have pumps and motors only lasting between six months to two years. The latest breakdown means all North Kona customers must restrict their water use to drinking, cooking and hygiene needs only. DWS officials are also suspending accounts for temporary service and irrigation. "For coffee farmers and those that use water for their essential daily needs, no watering during the day, minimize any water overuse," said Okamoto. The community faced the same severe water restriction in late June when the Keauhou Deepwell failed and emergency repairs took place. "There's no excuse to have 5 out of 13 wells down. I don't care what the system is. That's just not something we can tolerate," said state Sen. Josh Green (D-Kona, Kau). Once the damaged equipment from the Honokohau well reaches the surface in a couple of days, crews will install spare parts diverted from a project in Waimea. Okamoto said if nothing else goes wrong, the emergency restriction could be lifted on August 20 or 21. "They're going to have to devote all of their resources to fixing up water for West Hawaii. It won't be cheap, but the consequences of not doing it would be catastrophic," said Green. #HonokohauDeepwell #KeithOkamoto #Honokohau #NorthKona #joshgreen

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING DATE: Monday, August 14, 2017 TIME: 10:00 a.m. PLACE: Auditorium at the State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street A G E N D A The purpose of the informational briefing is to allow the legislature to obtain information and facts regarding the City and County of Honolulu's rapid transit system. Due to the increasing skepticism over the management of the rail system and the credibility of the information provided to the legislature, this will be an open meeting to provide pertinent information in preparation for the legislative special session. Public testimony will be accepted however, please avoid repetitive and duplicative testimony. Testimony must be submitted via email to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Energy at: TRETestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov. Testimony may be submitted. If you require auxiliary aids or services to participate in the informational briefing (i.e. ASL or foreign language interpreter, or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the committee clerk at least 24 hours prior to the briefing so that arrangements can be made. For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6697. COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND ENERGY Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, Chair Senator Will Espero, Vice Chair Sen. J. Kalani English Sen. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro Sen. Breene Harimoto COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, INTERGOVERNMENTAL, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS Senator Clarence K. Nishihara, Chair Senator Glenn Wakai, Vice Chair Sen. Rosalyn H. Baker Sen. Laura H. Thielen Sen. Les Ihara, Jr. COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice Chair Sen. J. Kalani English Sen. Michelle N. Kidani Sen. Brickwood Galuteria Sen. Gil Riviere Sen. Breene Harimoto Sen. Maile S.L. Shimabukuro Sen. Lorraine R. Inouye Sen. Glenn Wakai Sen. Kaiali‘i Kahele COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION Rep. Henry J.C. Aquino, Chair Rep. Sean Quinlan, Vice Chair Rep. Tom Brower Rep. Joy A. San Buenaventura Rep. Mark J. Hashem Rep. Bob McDermott Rep. Nadine K. Nakamura COMMITTEE ON FINANCE Rep. Sylvia Luke, Chair Rep. Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice Chair Rep. Romy M. Cachola Rep. Nicole E. Lowen Rep. Isaac W. Choy Rep. Nadine K. Nakamura Rep. Lynn DeCoite Rep. James Kunane Tokioka Rep. Cedric Asuega Gates Rep. Sean Quinlan Rep. Daniel Holt Rep. Kyle T. Yamashita Rep. Jarrett Keohokalole Rep. Andria P.L. Tupola Rep. Bertrand Kobayashi Rep. Gene Ward Rep. Matthew S. LoPresti

A joint legislative committee conducted a hearing on the status of federal funding for impoverished residents throughout the state. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. The Community Services Block Grant – CSBG -- was created by Congress in 1964 as part of the War on Poverty. The state’s Office of Community Services receives $3.7 million in federal funding annually. OCS executive director, Rona Suzuki, says the state’s application is completed but the funding is uncertain. “This is one of the programs that is not included in the President’s budget at this point in time. But this money is important to Hawai’i. It’s been a steady source of funds to support the low income community more effectively and to support our partner agencies. If it does not get funded, it’s not pretty. We will have to reduce services and that’s what’s gonna happen.” Suzuki says programs differ from island-to-island. They include social services as well as funding for the Big Island’s Hele-On bus service. “It’s primarily a county contract but CSBG funds do help support the bus service because not all contracts will necessarily pay for administrative costs and so CSBG funds are more flexible and so we’re able to do different things with this money.” The OCS distributes the federal funds to 4 nonprofit Community Action Agencies in the counties. The Honolulu Action Program receives more than $2-million each year and employs 300 workers. Director of Community Services,Tehani Diaz, says federal funding cuts have not been formally announced but the impact would be program-wide. “We have 5 different district centers, one is in Wai’anae, another one is in Ai’ea, one is on the windward side, we have one in Palolo Valley and then the Kalihi area. Agency-wide we serve about 20-thousand individuals and families throughout the year. So it would probably impact the types of programs and services that we are able to provide in the community.” A joint House and Senate Committee was briefed on the state’s application to the U-S Department of Health and Human Services. Senate Labor Committee Chair, Jill Tokuda, says CSBG funds impact tens of thousands of the most vulnerable individuals and families. “The big concern I have, really, is 5-thousand miles away in Washington DC. Three-point-seven million may not sound like much in the guise of a $750 million overall budget for the federal program but to Hawai’i, the nonprofits, to the people that they serve on every island, these are serious issues when you look at the potential cut or elimination of funds.” Tokuda intends to work with OCS and the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to look at ways to minimize the potential impact of federal budget cuts. Executive Director Suzuki says the OCS and its Community Action partners are also being proactive. “We’re working with our Congressional Delegation, we’re working with our National Association in order to ensure our continued funding for this program.” Audio Link: #StanleyChang #JillTokuda #DanielHolt #WayneYoshioka #HPR #HawaiiPublicRadio #HawaiiSenate #HonoluluActionProgram #TehaniDiaz

By Ferd Lewis July 28, 2017 “The long and the short of it is that UFC is very, very interested in having a (Max Holloway) fight here and having it at Aloha Stadium,” state Sen. Glenn Wakai told the Aloha Stadium Authority Thursday. Wakai (D, Kalihi, Salt Lake, Aliamanu) said he and Aloha Stadium manager Scott Chan took part in a recent conference call with Peter Dropick, UFC senior vice president event development and operations, and the prospects were good for a Holloway fight in the spring or summer of 2018. “The only thing that could mess things up is if Holloway gets injured,” Wakai said. Waianae’s Holloway, the UFC featherweight champion, is expected to fight later this year, and Wakai said “whether he wins or loses that fight, as long as he doesn’t get injured” the chances for a fight were promising. Holloway has campaigned to bring a title fight here and Wakai has become what stadium authority chairman Ross Yamasaki called, “our point man,” in exploring the possibilities. Earlier this month UFC President Dana White told MMAjunkie.com the prospects of holding a fight at open air Aloha Stadium were not good. “It’s tough, it’s a tough one to pencil,” White said. Wakai, a frequent critic of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said he has approached the HTA about whether it would be willing to “pony up some money to support the fight” and came away doubting the HTA’s interest in a UFC event. But HTA board chairman Rick Fried said, “We’d certainly be very open to considering having the UFC bring a fight here. We have a strict process for proposals and contracts…we need to follow.” Fried said, “We get tons of proposals but we’ve never had one from the UFC.” Wakai said third party data for a 2014 UFC event in Las Vegas showed that UFC fans “generated $190 million in economic activity and spent almost three times what average visitors spent.” Moreover, they stayed an average of 4.9 nights compared to 3.3. Yamasaki said, “I’m really interested in hearing what the (UFC’s) requirements would be. But we’d have to see how it pencils out and that’s always the toughest part.” #GlennWakai #MaxHolloway #Waianae #MMAJunkiecom #HTA #HawaiiTourismAutority #UFC #RossYamasaki

Funds will provide parallel route, highway widening, emergency access roadway HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Wai‘anae Coast residents can anticipate much-needed traffic relief as several projects are being planned with millions of dollars in funding provided for traffic improvements including creating a parallel roadway for daily use, highway widening, and improving our emergency access roads. A meeting held earlier this week regarding traffic relief for the Wai‘anae community was coordinated by State Senator Maile Shimabukuro (Dist. 21 - Kalaeloa, Honokai Hale, Ko ‘Olina, Nanakuli, Ma‘ili, Wai‘anae, Makaha, Makua) and State Representative Cedric Gates (Dist. 44 - Wa‘ianae, Makaha, Makua, Ma‘ili). Also in attendance were representatives from the office of Honolulu City Councilwoman Kymberly Marcos Pine and the office of Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL), the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation to discuss how best to use the funds to benefit Wai‘anae Coast commuters. “Solving traffic congestion is a challenging and complicated matter, so this collaboration between city, state and federal officials shows there is a team of people who understand the needs of our community and are working together towards improving the quality of life for residents on the Wai‘anae Coast,” said Sen. Shimabukuro. “It’s heartening to see the support we’re getting to ease the traffic congestion our community has to deal with on a daily basis,” said Rep. Gates. “By addressing the traffic problem from a variety of angles with meaningful solutions, Wai‘anae residents will hopefully soon have a smoother commute and more quality time with family.” In the 2017 Legislative Session, Rep. Gates secured $3 million towards creating a parallel route for daily use for the Wai‘anae Coast. A portion of these funds will be used for planning and design, including environmental studies for a parallel road between the entrance to Nanakuli and Lualualei Naval Road. This would include a bridge over Nanakuli Stream. This effort to reduce traffic congestion on the Wai‘anae Coast will likely be phased over several years. “The need for a secondary access way to serve the roughly 51,000 residents of the Leeward Coast is long overdue and sorely needed. I fully support efforts to alleviate the traffic burden and address the safety risks that the status quo poses. This funding is a positive step forward,” said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (Hawai‘i -02) In a joint effort, Sen. Shimabukuro and Councilwoman Pine were able to secure $6 million which was allocated in 2016 to extend and improve the Wai‘anae Coast Emergency Access Road (WCEAR). DHHL is taking the lead in a study to build a WCEAR extension road which connects Helelua Street to Haleakala Avenue, via the Pu‘u Heleakala recreational park and Door of Faith Church. DHHL has met with the Pu‘u Heleakala Board and Door of Faith Church to discuss this plan. Officials are also considering amending the Environmental Assessment for WCEAR to allow for its use during planned roadwork lane closures. Currently, this practice is only allowed after a lengthy process and is technically considered an exception to the allowable use. “I’m a firm believer that it takes a team effort to make positive changes,” said Councilwoman Pine. “By working together, we can ensure that the money allocated toward mitigating traffic is used in the most efficient and effective way. I am pleased we are moving in that direction.” Sen. Shimabukuro and Rep. Gates were able to secure $3 million in Highway Revenue Funds in 2017 to widen Farrington Highway by extending the fifth lane which is currently being constructed at the beginning of Nanakuli to Hakimo Road. HDOT proposed this project as part of an Ige Administration directive to support cost-effective operational improvements and Rep. Gates and Sen. Shimabukuro will continue to work to obtain funding to support this much-needed relief. At the completion of the project to add the fifth lane, the intersections between Helelua Street and Nanakuli Avenue will have closed circuit connectivity to the traffic management center, as well as new thermal detectors to improve the efficiency of traffic flow. Since August 10, 2016, HDOT has been operating a westbound contraflow lane in Nanakuli from Piliokahi Avenue to Lualualei Naval Road in an attempt to reduce the daily commute time for the more than 51,000 residents that live along the Wai‘anae Coast. This federally funded project allows for additional capacity to Farrington Highway and has resulted in an average time savings of 11-minutes for Wai‘anae bound commuters during peak afternoon traffic periods. With Administration and Legislative support, HDOT is considering an extension of the Nanakuli Contraflow, which was originally planned to end once construction on the fifth lane on Farrington Highway was completed. Other improvement projects currently in the works for the Wai‘anae Coast include the replacement of Maipalaoa Bridge and the resurfacing of Farrington Highway from Satellite Tracking Station Road (Kaena Point) to Kili Drive. Additional resurfacing and safety improvements along this corridor from Kahe Point to Hakimo Road and from Hakimo Road to Kili Drive are planned and HDOT is seeking community feedback on the safety improvement concept, which can be found at https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/files/2017/07/Farrington-Corridor-Safety-Study.pdf. “HDOT thanks Senator Shimabukuro and Representative Gates for the collaboration and their continued support for improvement projects along the Waianae Coast,” said HDOT Deputy Director for Highways, Ed Sniffen. “Our primary focus remains safety and preservation of our existing roadways, and we continue to support opportunities for cost effective projects that result in improved quality of life for Hawaii commuters.” Other traffic mitigation efforts currently being reviewed includes a possible extension of the contraflow lane on Farrington Highway, traffic cameras at Nanakuli intersections, tow truck service, LED lighting, resurfacing, bridge repair, WCEAR signage, pedestrian safety measures, bus stop relocations, and a bike path. # # # #MaileShimabukuro #Waianae #trafficcongestion #CedricGates #Nanakuli

HONOLULU - Deaths by drug overdose are at a new high in Hawaii. Governor David Ige introduced a new initiative in hopes of turning back the tide. The Governor's plan will allocate $10 Million to a collaboration of State health agencies to fight Opioid addiction. Drug overdose accounts for 23 percent of all fatal injuries according to the Department of Health. Hawaii ranks 43rd in the nation for these types of deaths but a collective of lawmakers and doctors think the problem could be subdued even further because of the Governor's initiative. "This is hitting families. It's tearing families apart. It really is ripping into all of our communities. So this is about getting ahead of the curve and making sure we can address this as from a multi-departmental approach," Sen. Jill Tokuda said. Lawmakers and Health experts agree that increasing the quality of education and treatment to drug addiction in Hawaii needs to improve in lieu of litigation. http://www.kitv.com/story/35873132/governors-plan-will-allocate-10m-to-fight-opioid-addiction #opiod #jilltokuda #DavidIge #drugaddiction #KITV

And now for some good news for anyone who values women’s health. Earlier this week Hawaii Governor David Ige signed SB 501 into law. Now known as the Act 200, the new law now requires so-called “limited service pregnancy centers (LSPCs)” to offer complete information about reproductive health services to any women who come in seeking help (click here for a story we published in February on this bill). Though they seem to look like standard reproductive health centers like Planned Parenthood, LSPCs (like Malama Pregnancy Center of Maui in Wailuku, pictured above) are actually a creation of abortion opponents–women who walk in their door seeking guidance and assistance on reproductive health instead get an earful of anti-abortion rhetoric. “We are thrilled that these protections are now the law of the state,” said Laurie Field, Hawaii Public Affairs Manager at Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii (PPVNH), which pushed hard for SB 501. “Women who enter LSPCs are walking into a trap. Thankfully, our elected officials recognized this and, in passing this law, ensured that everyone has access to accurate and private information about their bodies and their health care.” According to the Act 200 text, the law “Requires all limited service pregnancy centers to disclose the availability of and enrollment information for reproductive health services” and “Establishes privacy and disclosure requirements for individual records and information.” The new law also contains enforcement provisions and penalties. “Now, limited service pregnancy centers (LSPCs) in Hawaii must protect the privacy of health care information, ensure notification for consumers that publicly-funded family planning services are available through the state, and provide them with immediate pregnancy test results,” stated a separate July 13 PPVNH email to supporters. “LSPCs include anti-abortion organizations that promote themselves as health care providers and offer free pregnancy tests and ultrasounds but do not follow health care and privacy regulations.” Joy Wright, the executive director of Malama Pregnancy Center of Maui, declined to comment for this story, citing pending litigation. Earlier this year, she submitted testimony in opposition to SB 501. “Pregnancy centers do not charge for their services and clearly relay that they do not perform or refer clients for abortions,” Wright said in her written testimony. “Thus, the client is not mislead regarding services offered. Many pregnancy centers including the Malama Pregnancy Center of Maui are transitioning to operating under a state licensed Medical Doctor with a licensed nurse on staff. Pregnancy centers are nonprofit life-affirming faith based ministries that care about women holistically, the preborn, men, and the family unit.” As it turned out, SB 501 passed easily through the Hawaii Legislature (in fact, all three of Maui’s state Senators–Roz Baker, J. Kalani English and Gil Keith-Agaran–were listed as introducers for the bill). This is in marked contrast to the U.S. Congress, which is hell-bent on defunding organizations like Planned Parenthood. “While the U.S. Senate continues to fight over unpopular health care legislation with devastating consequences, Hawaii is forging ahead to ensure all women have access to accurate, comprehensive reproductive health care information,” said Field. Photo of Malama Pregnancy Center of Maui: MauiTime https://mauitime.com/news/health/hawaii-gov-david-ige-signs-pregnancy-center-protection-bill/ #jkalanienglish #RozBaker #malamapregnancycenter #maui #lauriefield #plannedparenthood #ACT200 #JoyWright #SB501

The state officially launched a multi-governmental initiative today to address drug abuse prevention in Hawai’i. HPR’s Wayne Yoshioka reports. Strategic Planning Group, Seated L-R: Dr. Judy Mohr Peterson, administrator of Med-QUEST; Rep. Gregg Takayama; Dr. Ginny Pressler, director, Department of Health; Sen. Jill Tokuda; Rep. Della Belatti; Sen. Josh Green. Standing, L-R: Dr. Alvin Bronstein, chief of EMS and Injury Prevention; Dan Galanis, state Epidemiologist; Eddie Mersereau, division chief at Alcohol & Drug Abuse Division. Drug Poisoning is the leading cause of fatal injuries in Hawai’i, surpassing death by motor vehicles dating back ten years. Department of Health director, Dr. Ginny Pressler, is heading a strategic planning group to leverage federal resources and address drug abuse prevention and treatment. “We have been fortunate in getting some federal dollars adding up to almost $10 million through multiple sources to address the opioid addiction problem. And we are using that opportunity to pull all the parties involved in this issue to address addiction in a broader context.” Hawai’i ranks 43rd in the nation for drug overdose deaths. But, State Epidemiologist, Dan Galanis, says 23 percent of fatal injuries in Hawai’i over the last 5 years were drug overdoses. “The peak ages for both fatal overdoses and overdoses that have a nonfatal event , 45-to-60 and slightly higher for males. You don’t see much in residents under the age of 18 years of age, but from 20 up to 50 is comparable throughout that sort of age range.” Senator Josh Green is an Emergency Room Doctor at Kohala Hospital on the Big Island. He says a more comprehensive approach to prevention is required. “Fifty percent of all the pills that get into people’s bodies don’t even come from the prescription that came from a provider, nurse practitioner or doctor. We know kids in Hilo getting pills, dollar a milligram. They buy the pills, they crush them and put them into Coca Cola and then we see the overdoses at schools and kids get wheeled into my ER.” Green says 10 percent of Americans have a drug addiction problem. Representative Della Au Belatti chairs the House Health Committee. She says the legislature has enacted laws to limit the number of narcotic pain pills that can be prescribed and also implemented a drug monitoring program. Now, she says, it’s time for a more comprehensive plan. “It’s so important here to have all the public health agency branches within the Department of Health, the medical community, as well as people who are on the front lines in the health care clinics, in the substance abuse treatment programs to which things like the drug courts are referring people to. So this really is across executive and judicial branches so that we’re treating this as a public health problem and making sure people are getting the treatment that they need.” The Strategic Planning Group will develop recommendations for the upcoming legislative session scheduled to adjourn in January. Dr. Pressler says the group’s approach is to take the initiative. “The really important aspect of what we’re doing here today is to look at all addiction as a chronic disease. And I’m very excited that Hawai’i, we’re getting ahead of the whole problem, so that we can take a very proactive approach before this becomes as big a problem as it is in other states in the nation.” According to the State Department of Health, on average,13 people die each month in Hawai’i from drug poisoning. Wayne Yoshioka, HPR News. #HawaiiPublicRadio #WayneYoshioka #drugpoisoning #GinnyPressler #DanGalanis #Opioid #JoshGreen #KohalaHospital #JillTokuda

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – The sacrifices of Filipino soldiers who fought alongside the United States and allied forces to bring an end to World War II are now being recognized and their final wishes of being buried in their homeland granted with the signing of House Bill 1420 (Act 105) into law. The Filipino soldiers played a vital role in the Allied victory of the Pacific as their numerous guerrilla actions provided the United States forces with time to build and prepare for the Allied counterattack. Although Filipino soldiers displayed tremendous courage and risked their lives to win the war in the Pacific, many of these soldiers were denied full veterans benefits, including burial benefits, which had been promised to them by the United States. While Filipino soldiers meeting specific requirements were eventually provided with burial benefits at national and state veterans cemeteries at no cost, similar to other veterans of the United States Armed Forces, the wish of some Filipino soldiers who were living in Hawai‘i was that their remains be returned to their homeland. However, this benefit of returning the remains of Filipino soldiers to their homeland for burial was not provided to them. Under Act 105, an appropriation of $50,000 of general revenues for fiscal year 2017-2018 will be made available for burial grants for Filipino-American veterans of WWII. The grants cover funeral and burial costs, including the cost of returning their remains to the Philippines for burial, provided that federal funding remains unavailable for this purpose, there remains eligible Filipino-American veterans living in the State of Hawai‘i and the appropriation shall be matched on a one-to-one basis from private sources. “These brave Filipino World War II veterans deserve the respect to have their last wish granted to be buried in the Philippines,” said Sen. Donna Mercado Kim (Dist. 14 - Kapalama, ‘Alewa, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, portions of Halawa and ‘Aiea). “Fewer and fewer of them remain with us, many whom are well into their 90’s. Granting their last wish to be reunited with their families in death seems like a small sacrifice for the State compared to the larger sacrifices they made for our nation.” “The signing of this measure not only symbolizes a much overdue recognition of their sacrifices for our country’s freedom, it also provides justice for the Filipino-American veterans of the second World War,” said Sen. Clarence Nishihara (Dist. 17 - Waipahu, Crestview, Manana, Pearl City, Pacific Palisades) Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental, and Military Affairs. # # # #DonnaMercadoKim #ClarenceNishihara #LorraineInouye #Hawaiisenate #FilipinoVeterans #FilipinoSoldiers #HB1420 #FilipinoAmerican

WAHIAWA, Hawai‘i - The University of Arkansas Community Design Center's (UACDC) master plan for the Whitmore Agribusiness Technology Park has been named to the 2017 World Architecture Festival Awards' shortlist in the category of Future Projects – Master Planning. The World Architecture Festival is the world's largest, live, inclusive and interactive global architectural awards program and festival. Since September 2016, the UACDC, in partnership with UA Office for Sustainability and UA Resiliency Center, has been working with the Agribusiness Development Corporation and various state and county agencies to develop the proof-of-concept master plan. The Agribusiness Development Corporation is the client and sponsor of the project that is being developed for the State. Local farmers in Hawai‘i face challenges today such as complying with food safety standards and reaching optimal economic scale. To address these challenges, the Agribusiness Development Corporation is taking a holistic approach so multiple issues can be solved through a consolidated facility in Whitmore Village. The future facility includes plans for processing and packaging facilities, retail areas for value-added products, and farmer workforce housing. Furthermore, ADC is currently in the process of purchasing over 1,500 acres of agricultural land in Central Oahu that will be leased out to local farmers for scaled production. “I am very proud to see the progress of this project being recognized on an international platform,” said Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz (Dist. 22 – Mililani Mauka, Launani Valley, Wahiawa, Waipi‘o Acres, Wheeler, Whitmore Village). “I look forward to the future of Whitmore Agribusiness Technology Park and how it will have a positive effect on the future of Hawai‘i's agriculture industry. The University of Arkansas Community Design Center will be invited to present their designs to a jury of more than 100 international judges, who will then determine the best projects within 32 completed and future project categories. The festival will take place on November 15-17 at the Arena Berlin, Germany. For more information on the World Architecture Festival, please visit www.worldarchitecturefestival.com # # # #DonovanDelaCruz #WhitmoreVillage #UniversityofArkansasCommunityDesignCenter #hawaiiSenate

Bolstered by the passage of a similar measure on Maui, the Hawaii County Council on Friday moved an amended version of a bill banning polystyrene foam food containers to the Environmental Management Commission. The measure, Bill 13, will return to the council later this summer for further action on first reading. If passed, it would go into effect July 1, 2019, with an educational program initiated that January. Maui’s bill, passed unanimously by that council and signed last month by Mayor Alan Arakawa, goes into effect Dec. 31, 2018. This makes Maui the first county in the state to pass a ban, while Hawaii County has been struggling with it for several years. Puna Councilwoman Eileen O’Hara, the bill sponsor, asked that the bill go to the Environmental Management Commission, whose members previously complained they’d had no input. O’Hara had led an ad hoc committee of stakeholders after the bill bogged down on a split vote last year. Testifiers have been overwhelmingly in favor of the ban. The only testifier opposed to the measure Friday was Joy Gold, who represents an Oahu foam food container manufacturer. She said the ban doesn’t make sense because the county doesn’t have a compost facility to handle the compostable alternatives. In fact, she said, the polystyrene foam containers are seen as a valuable feedstock for waste-to-energy plants such as one in the works for a site near the Puuanahulu landfill in West Hawaii. Gold said East Hawaii businesses buy 80 percent locally distributed polystyrene and 20 percent compostable or other paper-based products. The opposite is true in West Hawaii. Foam food containers account for less than 1 percent of waste in Big Island landfills, she said. She said compostable products can cost $40 to $65 more a case containing 200 to 500 units. “Smaller mom and pop operators must outlay cash to purchase cases of product in advance of sales,” she said in testimony. “This impacts thin profit margins and raising the cost of plate lunches is not always a competitive option.” Other testifiers disagreed. State Sen. Russell Ruderman, D-Puna, speaking as an individual, said it’s been more than 18 years since his Island Naturals stores opened, using almost no polystyrene food containers. “I’ve been watching with humor as folks say we can’t do it,” Ruderman said. “It’s fear-mongering that’s been going on. It’s not reality.” Steve Hirakami, director of Hawaii Academy of Arts &Science Public Charter School, disputed figures provided by opponents. He said his school switched from foam to alternative containers for its 637 students after he saw prices dropping because of more competition among manufacturers. While the containers once cost an average of 34 cents compared to 11 or 12 cents for foam, the price has now dropped to 18 cents, he said. Some council members didn’t think the cost difference was too great. “The cost to the environment and sea life is more important than a few more cents on a product,” said North Kona Councilwoman Karen Eoff. Eoff, along with two other current council members, had voted for the ban last year. Some other council members still aren’t ready to decide, and one member, Hilo Councilman Aaron Chung, has said repeatedly he is opposed. Some council members want further tweaking. “The exemptions bother me,” said Tim Richards, vice chairman of the ad hoc committee. “If we’re going to be a county that embraces it, we should embrace it wholeheartedly.” The bill as written exempts ice chests and coolers, county facility users and food vendors with county approval and providers of supplies during county emergencies declared by the mayor. Email Nancy Cook Lauer at ncook-lauer@westhawaiitoday.com. #RussellRuderman #EileenOHara #EnvironmentalManagementCommission

A law targeting the illegal wildlife trade in Hawai‘i has taken effect as of June 30, 2017, after passing the 2016 legislative session. The measure is “the most comprehensive U.S. state law targeting the illegal wildlife trade” according to a press release from the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). Senate Bill 2647 (Act 125), sponsored by Senator Mike Gabbard, prohibits the sale, offer for sale, purchase, trade, possession with intent to sell or barter for any part or product of any species of elephant, mammoth, rhinoceros, tiger, great ape, shark and ray, sea turtle, walrus, narwhal, whale, hippopotamus, monk seal, lion, pangolin, cheetah, jaguar and leopard. These animals are recognized as endangered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and the Endangered Species Act. The law provides for continued exemptions for bona fide antiques, musical instruments, guns and knives, and traditional practices. It does not prohibit possession of these species of animals. “I worked on this issue for a number of years after learning that a 2008 investigation identified Hawai‘i as having the third largest ivory market in the U.S., only behind New York and California,” said Sen. Gabbard. “Many may not be aware that globally, wildlife trafficking falls right behind, and often hand-in-hand with illegal drugs, weapons and human trafficking crimes. Act 125 now serves as a model for other states and nations to emulate.” “Wildlife trafficking remains a high priority for enforcement,” said DLNR Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement Chief Robert Farrell. “We support any legislation that recognizes the importance of protecting species that are at risk of exploitation. Hawai’i is doing its part to be globally aware of this issue.” Enforcement of the new law was delayed until the end of June this year to allow individuals and businesses who possess wildlife products to lawfully dispossess them. During the last four years, several U.S. states have pushed for stricter laws on illegal wildlife trafficking including New York, New Jersey, California and most recently, Nevada. These states have passed laws against the purchase and sale of products made of elephant ivory, rhino horn and other endangered species. Washington and Oregon have enacted similar measures through ballot initiatives. The newly implemented Hawai‘i law was supported by local residents and grassroots and national conservation animal protection groups including The Humane Society of the United States, Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, NSEFU Wildlife Foundation and the Global March for Elephants and Rhinos, Vulcan Inc., International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Humane Society International (HSI), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). https://bigislandnow.com/2017/07/08/nations-broadest-wildlife-trafficking-ban-takes-effect-in-hawaii/ #mikegabbard #ConventiononInternationalTrade #EndangeredSpeciesAct #Ivory #SeaTurtle #DLNR #NSEFUWildlifeFoundation #NaturalResourcesDefenseCouncil