Fred Blas | Hawaii News and Island Information

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Kahalu’u Educational Complex Community Meetings to be Hosted by Kamehameha Schools

Posted on October 11, 2013 by Damon

Kamehameha Schools has scheduled two public meetings for community members to discuss plans for the development of the Kahalu’u Educational Complex on lands of former hotel sites in Kahalu’u.

The community meetings are scheduled for Thursday evening, October 17 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, and Friday morning, October 18 from 8:30 to 9:30 am at the Sheraton Kona Resort & Spa Convention Center Keauhou Ballroom 1.

Community participants will receive an update on the Kahalu’u ma kai project, review project timelines, learn more about the vision for the educational project and share mana’o (feedback).

“We encourage everyone who is interested to attend and learn more about our vision for Kahaluu ma kai, and especially our evolving Kahalu’u Manowai education plans. Come talk-story with our team about how we are protecting the cultural, historical and environmental assets during demolition,” stated Kamehameha Schools Director of Strategic Initiatives for West Hawai’i Ka’eo
Duarte. “We’re looking forward to advancing the educational legacy of Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop in West Hawai’i by restoring and re-energizing this very special place.”

As stated by Kamehameha Schools, the vision for the Kahalu’u educational complex is to restore the cultural landscape of Kahalu’u ma kai to an intrinsically Hawaiian place in which opportunities for applied learning, teaching, and knowledge creation are rooted in tradition while advancing learners and lahui (assemble) toward innovation, leadership and a sustainable future.

Those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP by emailing Denise Kauhi at dekauhi@ksbe.edu or calling 808-322-5301.

Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Big Island, Community, Education, Fred Blas, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Kona, Something New? | Tagged: Bernice Pauahi Bishop, Kahalu'u Educational Complex, Kamehameha School | Leave a comment »

Kauai’s South Shore Shearwater Colony Decimated By Dogs and Cats

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Damon

State urges pet owners to help protect native birds, which aid local fisherman

A large colony of Hawaiian ‘ua‘u kani (wedge-tailed shearwaters) located along a coastal path on the south shore of Kaua‘i has been decimated in two attacks this summer by dogs and feral cats.

Shearwater killed in its coastal habitate. DOFAW photo

Recently, several more freshly killed birds were found in the area, suggesting that the colony is still being hit hard by dogs and cats. At the same time state biologists searching wedge-tailed shearwater burrows in the area known to have been active this year, found that the burrows were now abandoned, many with dead eggs inside.

Earlier, in July and August, more than 80 of the native seabirds (many of them actively breeding) have been found slaughtered in their nesting area. Injuries sustained by the birds showed that they were killed by dogs and feral cats.

“It appears that the entire colony in this area has been severely depleted, and it is likely that very few breeding birds now remain,” said Thomas Kaiakapu, Kaua‘i wildlife manager for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW).

The wedge-tailed shearwater, also known as “matori” to local fishermen, is one of the more familiar seabirds on Kaua‘i, with large concentrations of the birds seen off shore in the late afternoon as they gather to return to nest sites at night. At this time of year, the birds are either sitting on eggs or raising very small chicks, making them particularly vulnerable to dogs and cats.

“Large feeding flocks of matori, or ‘ua‘u kani, help fishermen to locate feeding schools of tuna,” said William J. Aila, Jr., DLNR chairperson. “The birds use tuna to drive their prey (small fish and squid) to the surface where they can catch them. We ask that fishermen speak to their neighbors about keeping their dogs and cats under control so that these important friends to fishermen can survive.”

“There are signs placed along the south coast path asking dog owners to keep their dogs on leashes and their cats indoors. No matter how friendly or docile you think your dog may be, if it gets near a nesting seabird the dog will kill it – it’s as simple as that. We ask the general public to act responsibly in these areas with their pets to prevent similar instances from happening again.”

“While this large kill of shearwaters is particularly alarming, we unfortunately get reports of mass kills of this species every year on the island,” said Kaiakapu. “As these birds breed in dense colonies along the coast, they are particularly vulnerable to dogs that have been let off of their leashes or feral cat colonies located near the breeding areas.”

Filed under: Announcements, Fred Blas, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Kauai, Legal, State Affairs, Sustainable Living, Unexplained Phenomenon | Tagged: ‘ua‘u kani, Feral cat, Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kauai Dogs and Cats, Shearwater, Wedge-tailed Shearwater | 2 Comments »

Pahoa Community Comes Out in Support of New Community Park

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Damon

Tuesday night at the Pahoa Community Center, Councilman Fred Blas and members of the Hawaii County Parks Department discussed plans for the proposed 56 Acre Community Park that will be located in Pahoa.

The Pahoa Community Center was packed with community members

Parks official talked about the plans for the 56 acre park that included three multi-use covered tennis courts.

Park officials show the blueprint to the multi-use tennis courts

Folks talked about how the parks gave their children opportunity to expand and how the Pahoa community badly needed the facility. In this video, community leader Aunty Maave talks about how much this is needed.

[youtube=http://youtu.be/lHUz2BJ9oaA]

I asked County Council Candidate James Weatherford what he thought of the proposal and he said:

Pahoa and the surrounding Puna communities need recreation facilities that offer well-rounded opportunities — indoor and outdoor activities, sports and arts, for families young and old and in between.

The proposed indoor playcourts and athletic field fulfill part of that need.

The perimeter trail, the arts and cultural center, and the keiki play area identified as community priorities are also part of that need and must be funded sooner rather than later.

Community members listen to the presentation and testimony

It seemed as though all of the speakers were very much in support of the park, although one resident discussed the concerns that there was no plans for restrooms which brought a silence to the crowd.

Community member Rene Siracusa spoke up in favor of the park

Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Big Island, Community, Entertainment, Environment, Fred Blas, Hawaii, Kids, Pahoa, Something New? | Tagged: Fred Blas, Pahoa Community Center, Pahoa Community Park | Leave a comment »

Pahoa Gets Legitimate Bus Stop Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Damon

With much cooperation from the local councilman (Fred Blas), the mayor (Billy Kenoi), the Department of Public Works, the county mass transit coordinator and the county engineers… the Rotary Club of Pahoa sunset has successfully installed a first class bus stop shelter on Old Pahoa Village Road adjacent to the Woodlands Center (near the new Pahoa Longs).

The new Pahoa Bus Stop located in front of Pahoa Auto Parts courtesy of the Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset

We expect to be able to install another on the high school end of town. The property for the shelter was graciously ceded by the Pahoa Auto Parts store owners. This is the pilot of our project we are working on a plan to install shelters of our own conforming design on Leilani Ave

Alan Lakritz
Rotary Club of Pahoa Sunset

Reuse Center at the Pahoa Recycling and Transfer Station Will be Closed Temporarily Beginning This Week (damontucker.com)
Pahoa Self Storage Has Its Grand Opening (damontucker.com)
Pahoa High and Intermediate Student Body Government Using Facebook as a Tool to Spread the Word (damontucker.com)

Filed under: aloha, Community, Environment, Fred Blas, Guest Commentator, Pahoa, Something New?, Transportation | Tagged: Big Island Transportation, Busses on the Big Island, Pahoa Bus Stop, Rotary Club | 1 Comment »

Historical Map Donated to Hawaii County

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Damon

Media Release:

Artist Blaise Domino utilizes the authority and grace of an old map as a canvas and utilizes his ability as an artist to cover it with beauty. The result brings history to life.

Through the use of visual vignettes depicting historical personalities, events and ecological and cultural conditions of the past, Domino’s collectible prints turn the two-dimensional tool that is a map into a stimulating teaching instrument that is a work of art in itself.

Councilman Fred Blas, Blaise Domino and Mayor Billy Kenoi

Domino recently donated two of his framed “giclée” – a high quality print of an art work – to the County of Hawaii. The pieces, which depict the history of Hawaii Island, will be hung in the Mayor’s Offices in Hilo and Kona.

“’Island of Hawaii’ is my fifth in a series of my historical maps of Hawaii,” said Domino, who publishes these maps through his Picture Map Company, located in Honolulu. “At first glance, it would appear to be quite busy with content, but unlike other art forms, maps are to be poured over and studied with relish.”

On Thursday morning, Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi presented the artist with a certificate of appreciation at an unveiling ceremony in Hilo. “On behalf of the County of Hawai’i, it is an honor and a privilege to showcase this unique and beautifully detailed map of our Hawai’i Island, and we are grateful for Mr. Domino’s very generous gift,” Kenoi said.

Following the Hilo unveiling, Mr. Domino travelled to the West Hawai’i Civic Center for a reception that afternoon with the Kona staff of the Mayor’s Office. Domino’s giclée is the first work of art that visitors will encounter as they enter the mayor’s offices in Hilo and Kona.

For more information on Mr. Domino’s work, visit www.blaisedomino.com, or email him at blaise@blaisedomino.com, or call him at (808) 737-3777. For more information on the donation to the county, contact Charmaine Shigemura, Executive Assistant, at (808) 961-8503 or email cshigemura@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Big Island, Fred Blas, Kenoi | Tagged: Blaise Domino, Hawaii County, Old Maps | Leave a comment »

The Pahoa Recycling and Transfer Station Blessing

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Damon

The newly upgraded Pahoa Recycling and Transfer Station was blessed today.

More people showed up then expected as trash and recycling seems to be a hot topic these days.

It began with Kumu Moses Kaho’okele Crabbe circling the Pahoa Transfer Station and tossing salt in all corners of the transfer station

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwVpms7fkZs]

Mayor Kenoi was on hand as well as his assistants. Desiree Cruz opened the ceremony by thanking the community for showing up.

Mayor Kenoi was announced and he ran to the microphone to say a few words about how Puna has needed this for quite some time now.

Pahoa’s Council Representative, Fred Blas, thanked the businesses and individuals throughout Puna for assisting with volunteering their time and food for projects throughout the community as well as former 5th District Councilwoman Emily Naeole for getting the ball rolling on the project.

Environmental Management Director Frank DeMarco welcomed folks to the transfer station and mentioned how this was one of the nicest ones.

Kumu Moses Kaho’okele Crabbe then blessed the Transfer Station with a Hawaiian Pule (Prayer)

And then assisted with the untying of the maile lei.

The total cost for the project was $3.9 million dollars and folks were saying the place was so nice… that they could have a luau up there!

I wouldn’t suggest it, but if I were to have a luau here… I’d be certain to use this part of the facilities!

I just wish that the HI-5 Redemption center here was open more then just weekends… I mean they have a nice new office for it!

I mean technically they even have “Recycling” before the word Transfer in its own title!

Feel free to click on any of the pictures below for a larger image:

Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Big Island, Community, Environment, Fred Blas, Kenoi, Pahoa, Something New? | Tagged: Pahoa Recycling and Transfer Station, Pollution Prevention and Recycling, Waste Management | Leave a comment »

2011 Montessori Country School Ho’olaule’a

Posted on March 26, 2011 by Damon

Today was the 2011 Montessori Country School annual Fundraiser Ho’olaulea.

Councilman Fred Blas was in attendance

There was a little bit of everything from horseback rides to plant and bake sales.

My wife always picks up a few of the "Bacon Quiche Pies"

Entertainment played throughout the day and despite there being on and off rain storms… the kids had a great time.

Entertaining the crowd

It wouldn’t be a Ho’olaule’a without someone painting kids faces!

Jennifer Mydock paints a childs face

The thing that I like most about this Ho’olaue’a is the steak plates… which of course I forgot to take a picture of but it consisted of corn, baked beans, french bread, rice and of course… an awesome steak!