Three Hawaii University Campuses Join EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Damon

As part of the agency’s expanding efforts to reduce food waste across the state of Hawaii, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Kapiolani Community College, and Hawaii Pacific University as the newest participants in the agency’s Food Recovery Challenge program.

As participants, UH, KCC and HPU join over 90 other colleges and universities nationwide in pledging to reduce wasted food. In addition to higher education institutions, other participants include grocers and entertainment venues, such as professional sports venues.

Food Recovery“Food waste that ends up in landfills is a particular problem for Hawaii, where disposal capacity is very limited,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “EPA is proud to partner with these universities as they support the environment and their communities by reducing food waste.”

Nationally, food waste is the single largest type of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, accounting for 25 percent of all materials sent to landfills and incinerators. When excess food, leftover food, and food scraps are disposed of in a landfill, they decompose and become a significant source of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. In turn, limiting wasted food will reduce methane emissions.

Communities and businesses across the nation are working toward zero waste to landfills and incinerators to protect the environment and create local jobs. Zero waste initiatives design and procure products that reduce waste and implement strong reuse, recycling, and composting programs. Many zero waste communities are reaching over 50 percent diversion from landfills and incinerators, with some achieving as high as 80 percent diversion.

“The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) and Kapiolani Community College have had a great year by assisting with the drafting of the first sustainability policy of the UH system. The UHM Sustainability Council the UHM administration also followed through with a commitment to ban styrofoam containers at on-campus dining locations,” said Doorae Shin, of the university’s campus wide Hawaii Student Sustainability Coalition. “A system wide sustainability policy in its final stage, and momentum is building up to ensure that our campuses practice environmental stewardship.”

“Hawaii Pacific University is excited to work with the EPA on the Food Recovery Challenge. Food waste is an important environmental issue, and HPU is committed to working towards long-term solutions that reduce the environmental impact of our dining operations,” said Josh Prigge, HPU’s Sustainability Coordinator.

Key Hawaii Food Recovery Non-profit Partners include: Rewarding Internship for Sustainable Employment (RISE), which provides paid internships to implement a variety of sustainability projects across the state including a Food Recovery internship; Aloha Harvest, which gathers quality, donated food and delivers it free of charge to social service agencies feeding the hungry of Hawaii; and The Green House, which runs programs to support sustainable living, gardening, and recycling.

The Food Recovery Challenge is part of EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Program, which seeks to reduce the environmental impact of food and other widely-used everyday items through their entire life cycle, including how they are extracted, manufactured, distributed, used, reused, recycled or composted, and disposed.

For more information on the Food Recovery Challenge, visit:
http://www.epa.gov/foodrecoverychallenge/

For more information about the RISE Program, visit: http://www.RISEHI.org
For more information about Aloha Harvest, visit: http://www.alohaharvest.org
For more information about The Green House: http://www.thegreenhousehawaii.com

Filed under: Agriculture, Announcements, Environment, Food & Drink, Hawaii, Health, Kids, National Affairs, Opala in Paradise, Something New?, Sustainable Living, UH | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Senator Hirono Again Pushes To Make Immigration Bill Fairer For Women

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Damon

Senator Mazie K. Hirono today took to the Senate floor to highlight a major flaw in the immigration reform bill currently being debated in the Senate.

Comprehensive

In her remarks, Hirono pointed out how the new merit-based immigration system that gives preference to potential immigrants with high level education and technical expertise would heavily disadvantage women, since women across the globe do not have the same educational and career opportunities as men.

“Too many women overseas do not have the same educational or career advancement opportunities available to men in those countries,” Hirono said. “This legislation increases the amount of employment based visas, immigration avenues that favor men over women by nearly a four to one margin. Using the past as our guide, it’s easy to see how the new merit-based system with heavy emphasis on factors like education and experience will disadvantage women who apply for green card status.”

Senator Hirono said she is working with her female colleagues to introduce an amendment that would correct this unfairness.

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Governor Abercrombie Signs Bill Vital to Hawaii’s Honeybee Industry

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Damon

In conjunction with “Hawaii Pollinator Week,” which recognizes the role of honeybees and other primary pollinators as essential to many agricultural and horticultural operations, Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed Senate Bill 482 into law to ensure the continued viability of honeybee operations in the state.

Gov. Abercrombie holds up the proclamation

Gov. Abercrombie holds up the proclamation

“We must encourage beekeeping operations of all sizes to ensure that honeybee stocks thrive in both managed apiaries and the wild, especially as bee populations have declined due to disease and invasive predators,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “SB482 will make beekeeping more financially viable for beekeepers to legally extract, bottle and sell honey by minimizing unnecessary administrative and bureaucratic requirements in ways that will not affect public safety.”

SB482, enacted today as Act 131, clarifies the maximum number of gallons of honey that can be sold by a certified honey house or food processing establishment without obtaining a permit from the state Department of Health (DOH). The measure also exempts from permit requirement sales of honey directly to retail stores that, in turn, sell the honey directly to consumers. In addition, the act provides for consumer protections by requiring honey producers to include appropriate labeling of each container of honey, take a food safety class, and make records available to DOH.

“Many small beekeepers have been unable to successfully navigate current regulatory hurdles required to operate a certified food-processing establishment on their own premises for the extraction and bottling of honey, which has resulting in many giving up beekeeping entirely,” said Hawaii Board of Agriculture Chairperson Russell S. Kokubun. “SB482 provides needed clarification to state law and greater flexibility to Hawaii’s honeybee farmers as not only a growing facet of our local agriculture industry but also a fundamental part of the long-term sustainability of the industry and the protection of our native habitats.”

Bee Polinator Week

After signing the bill, Gov. Abercrombie officially proclaimed June 17 through 23 “Hawaii Pollinator Week” to recognize the vital role of bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles in maintaining healthy, diverse ecosystems and productive farms in Hawaii and elsewhere throughout the world. Through the observance, all citizens are encouraged to be mindful of the habitats and public lands, such as forests and grasslands, and the conservation assistance provided by the State of Hawaii to promote wise conservation stewardship, including the protection and maintenance of pollinators.

Pollinator Week was first designated by the U.S. Senate and U.S. Department of Agriculture in June of 2007 and has been promoted annually by the Pollinator Partnership to address the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. Varroa mites, small hive beetles, and nosema have decimated honeybee populations on the continental United States and recently throughout Hawaii.

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Hawaii to Observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Damon

Hawaii will join communities across the globe in observing June 15, 2013, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), which recognizes the significance of elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)

“World Elder Abuse Awareness Day encourages the people of Hawaii to recognize our kupuna as an integral part of island lifeand deserving of their rights to safety and dignity,” said Gov. Abercrombie, who has issued a proclamation making the observance official in the islands. “Elder members of our community link us to our history, culture and genealogy. We all have a role to play in protecting these valued members of our society by remaining vigilant and connected to those living within our communities and networks.”

First observed in 2006, the day supports the United Nations International Plan of Action and is an annual event vital to creating awareness of elder abuse.

This year’s theme is “My World… Your World… Our World- Free of Elder Abuse.” Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons are largely under recognized or treated as an unspoken problem. Unfortunately, no community is immune from this public health and human rights crisis.

According to The National Elder Mistreatment Study published in the American Journal of Public Health in 2010, 7.6 -10 percent of study participants experienced abuse in the prior year. The Metlife Study of Elder Financial Abuse reports the annual financial loss by victims of elder financial abuse is estimated to be at least $2.9 billion dollars, a 12 percent increase from $2.6 billion estimated in 2008. Affinity Fraud Presentations The

State of Hawaii Executive Office on Aging partnered with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs in offering  presentations at local senior centers that educate kupuna about protecting themselves from “Affinity Fraud.”

These educational sessions are designed for seniors as well as the general population and are available throughout the year. For more information, contact the Executive Office on Aging at (808) 586-0100 or a local Area Agency on Aging by visiting the Aging and Disability Resource Center at http://www.hawaiiadrc.org.

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Hawaii Health Insurance Marketplace on Track for October Launch

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Damon

abercrombieheader

The State of Hawaii and the Hawaii Health Connector today received the next stage of approval from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to launch Hawaii’s new online health insurance marketplace on Oct. 1, 2013.  The Connector had received conditional federal approval in January following the submission of its marketplace operating plans.

“This is an important step in our progress to transform healthcare in Hawaii,” said Gov. Neil Abercrombie. “Every resident deserves a good, equitable system of healthcare, and this new online marketplace requires insurers to offer better benefits and reward quality.”

When launched, the online marketplace will serve as a convenient, one-stop resource for eligible individuals, families and small businesses to browse and purchase health insurance. The Connector will be the only place where individuals and small businesses can qualify for tax credits, subsidies and cost sharing reductions, per the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) is implementing a state-of-the-art eligibility system, integrated with The Connector, which includes an online application. DHS will determine eligibility for Medicaid and federal subsidies to purchase health insurance through this new online marketplace.

“DHS has fully seized the opportunity to use available federal funding to modernize its IT systems to better serve Hawaii residents,” said DHS director Patricia McManaman. “An estimated 300,000 Medicaid beneficiaries will be the first to benefit from this service.”

“Today’s announcement signals that we have made significant progress toward the delivery of a state-based insurance marketplace to our community by October 1,” said Coral Andrews, executive director of the Hawaii Health Connector. “Achieving this milestone is a reflection of tremendous collaboration by stakeholders engaged at all levels. It is another step toward enabling access to affordable health insurance coverage statewide.”

The Connector, DHS, the Governor’s Office, the Office of Information Management and Technology, and other state departments have been working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services and the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight to ensure Hawaii is ready for open enrollment through its online marketplace. Plans purchased through the Connector from Oct. 1, 2013 will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

For more information about the ACA and Hawaii’s implementation, visit the DHS website at: humanservices.hawaii.gov/aca/ and the Hawaii Health Connector website at HawaiiHealthConnector.com.

 

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Erika Stein Selected as Superintendent of Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Damon

Erika Stein has been selected as the new superintendent of Kalaupapa National Historical Park on the island of Moloka`i in Hawai`i. She replaces Steve Prokop who was recently selected as superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks.

Erika Stein

Erika Stein

“Erika’s educational and professional background makes her the ideal candidate for this position. She is a well-respected leader with a proven track record of working collaboratively with the Kalaupapa community,” said Pacific West Regional Director Chris Lehnertz. “I’m delighted that she has accepted this assignment.”

Stein is currently the acting superintendent at Kalaupapa. She has worked at the park for more than five years, first as an archaeologist, then as the Cultural Resource Program Manager, before accepting her present temporary assignment. During her time at Kalaupapa she has been instrumental in growing the park’s cultural resource program, as well as its interpretation and education program. Among her accomplishments are her work with the Hawaiian Legacy effort to perpetuate traditional knowledge and skills, and her involvement with cultural resource education with local student groups. Stein was also part of the planning team for events celebrating the canonization of Saints Damien and Marianne. She will transition into the superintendent position permanently in late June.

“I’m so grateful to Kalaupapa and its community for all the opportunities, support, and encouragement that have already been afforded to me,” said Stein. “I look forward to guiding this richly diverse park, with all its astounding cultural and natural resources, and will continue to work with the staff and community to preserve this very sacred place.”

Prior to working for the National Park Service Stein was a contract archaeologist in Hawai`i and California. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of California in Santa Barbara, and a Master’s Degree in Maritime Archaeology from James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. As part of her graduate education she participated in a field program in ethnography and marine sciences in the Solomon Islands.

Stein will be getting married on July 5th on the island of Moloka`i. She has a cat that has traveled with her since her graduate school days in Australia, as well as two dogs. She enjoys being active – she’s a regular participant in endurance events, such as running, ocean swimming, and triathlons – and has been a regular hiker of the Kalaupapa Trail for the past six years. She also loves yoga and dancing hula with others in the Kalaupapa community.

The primary story at Kalaupapa is the forced relocation from 1866 to 1969 of people from Hawai`i afflicted with Hansen’s disease (leprosy) to the remote northern Kalaupapa Peninsula on the island of Moloka`i. Today, Kalaupapa serves as a place for education and contemplation, where many families can reconnect with an ancestor once considered “lost”.

Before Kalaupapa became a settlement for individuals with Hansen’s disease it was home to Native Hawaiians who lived within the boundaries of what is now the park for more than 900 years. Structural remnants built and used over centuries are everywhere within the park and illustrate how early Native Hawaiians lived their daily lives.

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Kalaupapa National Historical Park

Kalaupapa National Historical Park was designated as a unit of the National Park System on December 22, 1980. The park’s authorized boundaries encompass 8,725 acres of land and 2,000 acres of water, though only a small part of the park – 23 acres – is owned by the National Park Service. The remainder is owned by various other government and private organizations, which work cooperatively with the National Park Service in managing the landscape. Parts of the park hold designations at both the state and federal level, including status as a state Natural Area Reserve, Forest Reserve, and Hawai`i State Seabird Sanctuary, as well as designation as a National Historic Landmark and National Natural Landmark.

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NSA Whistleblower is Hawaii Resident – Honolulu Civil Beat

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Damon

“Breaking news this morning on the whistleblower behind the leaks of secret National Security Agency documents.

The revelations that the federal government has been routinely monitoring phone records and Internet use of citizens has been blowing up this past week, sending President Barack Obama and federal officials scrambling to defend such a widespread domestic surveillance operation.

On Sunday, the Guardian newspaper named the source as Edward Snowden, a disclosure the paper says is being done at Snowden’s request.”

More Here:
NSA Whistleblower is Hawaii Resident – Honolulu Civil Beat
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2013/jun/09/nsa-whistleblower-edward-snowden-interview-video

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Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on Secret Domestic Surveillance Activities Being Carried Out by Obama Administration

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Damon

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today released the following statement about the reported secret domestic surveillance activities being carried out by the Obama administration to obtain phone records from Verizon customers.

My son with Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard at the State Capital

My son with Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard at the State Capital

 “The American people deserve answers. It is absolutely unacceptable for our government to spy on millions of innocent Americans and indiscriminately obtain all of their cell phone records. This type of over-reach fuels the distrust people have in their government. According to intelligence experts, only a fraction of the information collected in this broad sweep is even used to pursue those suspected of terrorism.

“I understand the value of using counter-terrorism tactics and strategies in dealing with 21st century threats. However, we must not sacrifice the constitutionally protected privacy and freedoms for which so many have fought and given their lives. I will work with my colleagues in Congress to investigate this intrusion, and fulfill our oversight responsibilities.”

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Waimea Youth Receives National Scholarship

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Damon

The Pantry collaborative nonprofit is proud to announce that Matt Horne, a student at Kanu O Ka ‘Āina New Centry Public Charter School has been awarded a scholarship from Community Anti-drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) to attend its mid-year training program July 21-25, 2013 in Austin, Texas.

Scholarship recipient Matt Horne was a part of the Project SAM forum last March, that brought U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy to Waimea.

Scholarship recipient Matt Horne was a part of the Project SAM forum last March, that brought U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy to Waimea.

A member of The Pantry’s active youth group, the Friday Night Crew, Horne, 14, participated in the Project SAM (Smart Approaches to Marijuana) forum in March, 2013.  He introduced Project SAM co-chairs, former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy and former White House drug policy advisor Dr. Kevin Sabet, to community leaders at the event.

At the encouragement of Project SAM organizers, Horne will help with their presentation about Hawaii’s Project SAM to the CADCA assembly during the training program.  He and other youth will also take part in intensive professional training in prevention and capacity-building to bring back and put into action in their community.

Horne will receive a full scholarship to the training programs in Austin, although travel expenses are not included.  Fundraising work is underway to assist Horne, and to support additional youth participants and chaperones.

The Pantry is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which comprises The Friday Night Crew youth group and community coalition, Waimea Artists’ Guild and Mama’s House Thrift Store.  The Friday Night Crew coalition is a collaboration of youth and adult organizations for the purpose of prevention, mentoring, recovery, community awareness and creative activism.  For additional information, or to make a donation, please contact: Beth Mehau at The Pantry, 887-2289.

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Governor Abercrombie Signs Bill Establishing ‘Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day’

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Damon

Recognizing the actions of individuals who have fought for the constitutional and civil rights of all Americans, Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed a bill establishing Jan. 30 each year as “Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day.” While not a state holiday, the observance is intended to celebrate, honor and educate the public about these individuals’ commitment to preserving civil liberties.

Abercrombie Signs

“Civil Liberties and the Constitution Day will serve to recognize and remind us of the courage of those who remained committed to freedom, even when their own civil liberties and rights were being challenged,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “It is the actions of these individuals – these brave ‘resisters’ – that best reflect the ideals of the U.S. Constitution.”

Senate Bill 856, enacted as Act 94, was passed by the 2013 Legislature without dissenting votes and was supported by the American Civil Liberties Union, Hawaii Council for the Humanities, Japanese American Citizens League, Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education, State Civil Rights Commission, and University of Hawaii.

The bill references actions of the United States government, including the internment of Americans of Japanese ancestry during World War II. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066 on Feb. 19, 1942, authorizing the removal of any or all individuals from military areas as deemed necessary and desirable and mandating the forced internment of Americans of Japanese ancestry. Hawaii and the entire West Coast of the United States would later be defined as a military area, resulting in the relocation of more than 110,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry to internment camps. One month later, on March 21, 1942, United States Congress passed Public Law 77-503, which established penalties for violations of Executive Order 9066.

Karen Korematsu, daughter of the late Fred Korematsu and co-founder the Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education, stands with Gov. Neil Abercrombie after he signs SB856 into law.

Karen Korematsu, daughter of the late Fred Korematsu and co-founder the Fred T. Korematsu Institute for Civil Rights and Education, stands with Gov. Neil Abercrombie after he signs SB856 into law.

The legislation also notes the efforts of several Americans of Japanese ancestry who challenged the validity and constitutionality of those wartime actions:

Fred Korematsu, a Japanese-American, was living on the West Coast of the United States during World War II, when he was arrested and convicted of defying government orders to report to an internment camp. He appealed and lost his case at the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled his incarceration was warranted. Forty-one years later, on Nov. 10, 1983, U.S. District Court Judge Marilyn Hall Patel vacated Korematsu’s conviction, an action considered pivotal in civil rights history.

Gordon Hirabayashi, born in 1918 in Washington State to Japanese parents who had immigrated to the United States, was charged by a federal grand jury in Seattle with violation of Public Law 77-503. He appealed his case to the U.S. Supreme Court in the first challenge to Executive Order 9066 but lost his appeal when the Supreme Court unanimously ruled to uphold Hirabayashi’s conviction for violating the order. Forty-four years later, in September 1987, his conviction was vacated.

Min Yasui was born in 1916 in Oregon to Japanese parents and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Infantry Reserve. Although receiving orders to report to Fort Vancouver in Portland, Yasui was told that he was unacceptable for service and was immediately ordered off the base. Yasui was turned away eight more times after offering to fulfill his service to his country. On March 28, 1942, Yasui directly challenged the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066 and was arrested. Although his case was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Yasui for violating Executive Order 9066. Forty-two years later, in 1984, the courts vacated his conviction.

Mitsuye Endo, a native of Sacramento, was the only female resister of Executive Order 9066. Endo’s case reached the U.S. Supreme Court and was the only internment case in which the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the plaintiff. Endo’s petition before the Supreme Court forced federal authorities to re-examine the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066 and ultimately resulted in a decision by the Supreme Court that officially re-opened the West Coast of the United States for resettlement by Americans of Japanese ancestry.

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Malama Honua Worldwide Voyage Public Celebration – Hōkūle‘a in Hilo

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Damon

The Polynesian Voyaging Society Canoe “Hōkūle‘a” is currently in Hilo at Palekai, Radio Bay in Keaukaha.

Her sister canoe, the  Hikianalia will depart Kawaihae today at 5 PM and be in Hilo sometime Saturday.  All events are subject to change, of course, mostly due to the weather.

On Sunday, June 9th, a big community event in Hilo will include the Hōkūle‘a launch ceremonies.  Everyone is invited.

Hokulea in Hilo

It is being hosted by Keaukaha community, ‘Ohana Wa‘a and the canoe clubs there.  There will be guest speakers that include Mayor Kenoi, a couple of the Ocean Elders and others.

The window of opportunity for the actual departure is between June 10-14, but the official ceremonies will take place Sunday.

According to Hawaii News Now:

…There are 22 legs planned for Hokulea’s voyage around the world, but the first and final are both right here at home.  Crew members say it’s about honoring our community and showing Hawaii’s people their gratitude.

Over the next four years, Hokule’a and her escort boat and sister canoe, Hikianalia, will travel to 28 countries and stop at 85 international ports – sailing more than 45,000 nautical miles around the world.

“We want to go. It’s time to go,” said navigator Nainoa Thompson, Hokulea’s Captain.

But before they set sail for international waters, Hokule’a and Hikianalia will spend the first five months of their journey right here at home.

“Around Hawai’i sail is the first leg.  It’s only a thousand miles, probably the shortest of all of them, but it’s the most important,” described Thompson, before adding this portion of the voyage is crucial to making sure all 250 crew members are trained and prepared before heading to the South Pacific next May.

“In many ways we could go to Tahiti right now.  We’re safe enough to do that, but I think this engagement with home is a crucial piece to earning that voyage,” explained Thompson.

“Malama Honua”, or “Care for the Earth”, defines the worldwide voyage’s mission and crew members say that starts here in the islands with “Malama Hawai’i”…

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Hawaii Participates in Multi-State, Multi-National Case Against Deceptive Travel Promoters

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Damon

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection announced Thursday that it joined in a multi-state, multi-national law enforcement initiative, coordinated by the Federal Trade Commission, to combat deceptive travel promoters.

statelogo

The state wants consumers to be alert to unscrupulous promoters tricking consumers into purchasing deeply discounted or “free” vacation packages or future travel-related products or services supposedly worth thousands of dollars.

However, most consumers are required to attend lengthy high-pressure sales presentations and often receive nothing of value after paying thousands of dollars in fees.

Thursday’s announcement coincides with the announcement of more than 80 civil enforcement actions by the FTC and 28 states; more than 58 criminal prosecutions brought by U.S. attorneys nationwide and local law enforcement agencies; and 24 enforcement actions by international law enforcement agencies in eight countries.  

Travel Scams
To protect themselves against deceptive travel offers, Bruce Kim, Executive Director of the Office of Consumer Protection, advises consumers look out for these warning signs:

  • You “won a free vacation,” but you have to pay some fees first.
  • The prize company wants your credit card number.
  • They cold-call, cold-text, or email you out of the blue.
    • Before you do business with any company you do not know, call the Attorney General and local consumer protection agencies in the company’s home state to check for complaints; then search online for consumer complaints.
  • They do not — or cannot — give you specifics.
  • You get pressure to sign up for a travel club for great deals on future vacations.
  • You get a robocall about it.
    • Robocalls from companies are illegal if you have not given a company written permission to call you, even if you have not signed up for the national Do Not Call Registry.

“Before signing anything, check the company out with the BBB or the DCCA for consumer complaints against the company.  You should ask to see the company’s written cancellation policy and ask a lot of questions, including that they put all their promises in writing before you agree to anything,” Kim said.

Consumers are also advised to consider making travel arrangements through licensed travel agents.  They will provide more protection from scams, and they earn their commissions through the business that consumers patronize, not the individual consumer.

If anyone believes he or she has been a victim of deceptive sales practices, please contact the DCCA’s Consumer Resource Center at 587-4272 and file a complaint.

Visit FTC.gov/travel to learn more about travel scams.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Office of Consumer Protection is responsible for reviewing, investigating and prosecuting allegations of unfair or deceptive trade practices in consumer transactions.  It has jurisdiction over a wide range of businesses and commercial activities.

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Gov. Abercrombie to Honor Former Councilman Pete Hoffmann and Shirley Ito for “Older Americans Month”

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Damon

Gov. Neil Abercrombie will be traveling to Kailua-Kona tomorrow, May 28 to honor Older Americans Month Hawaii County awardee Peter Hoffmann in a ceremony and reception at the County Council Chambers in the West Hawaii Civic Center.

Council Pete Hoffman

Former Councilman Pete Hoffmann

Every year, eight kupuna ‒ one male and one female from each county ‒ are selected as Older American volunteer honorees for the exemplary work they do to aid and support their individual communities. The female honoree for Hawaii County, Shirley Ito of Hilo, will be meeting with the Governor at a later date in Hilo in recognition of her volunteer work.

Hoffman, who is from Waikoloa, was nominated for this award by the Waikoloa Senior Center. He organized the local senior center and was the founding and continuing president through mid-2006. He presided over the monthly meetings, drove the van on monthly outings, arranged for speakers, and took charge of most of the activities. He was the sweat equity of the senior center.

At the youthful age of 72, Hoffman has committed his time and energy to numerous other community programs including the School Supply Drive, the Waikoloa Village Association, the Waikoloa Community Development Corporation, and the 21st Century Learning Center out of the Waikoloa Elementary School. Additionally, he serves as cantor at the Puako Ascension Catholic Church where he was named Island Treasure by the Diocese two years ago.

Wes Lum, director of the Executive Office on Aging, and Alan Parker of the Hawaii County Office on Aging will be joining Gov. Abercrombie in the celebration honoring Hoffmann.

“Older Americans Month celebrations acknowledge the value that older adults continue to bring to our communities by applauding recent achievements of local kupuna and inviting them to share the activities they do to unleash the power of age,” said Wes Lum, director of the Executive Office on Aging.

After proclaiming May as “Older Americans Month” in Hawaii on May 3, the Governor recognized honorees from Honolulu, Betty Goya and John McGuire, and Kauai County, Dr. Lucy Miller and William Neil Rapozo, Sr. at events on their respective islands. Honorees from Maui County, Diane Logsdon and Richard Endsley, will be meeting with the Governor in a ceremony on Maui in July.

This year’s Older Americans Month theme –“Unleash the Power of Age” –emphasizes the important role of our kupuna. Seniors across the nation are being recognized as productive, active, and influential members of society.

For more information and to find ongoing opportunities to celebrate and support older Americans, contact the Executive Office on Aging at (808) 586-0100 or local Area Agency on Aging by visiting the Aging and Disability Resource Center at http://www.hawaiiadrc.orgor (808) 643-2372.

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New Navy Destroyer to Be Named After Late Senator Daniel Inouye – USS Daniel Inouye

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Damon

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today the next Arleigh Burke-class destroyers (DDG) will be named USS Paul Ignatius and USS Daniel Inouye.

Inouye Cover
“As secretary of the Navy it is my privilege to name these ships to honor a respected naval leader and a true American hero.” Mabus said. “For decades to come, the future USS Paul Ignatius and USS Daniel Inouye will represent the United States and enable the building of partnerships and projection of power around the world.”

The future USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) honors Paul Ignatius who served as secretary of the Navy 1967–1969 and as assistant secretary of defense under President Lyndon Johnson. The future USS Daniel Inouye (DDG 118) is named to honor former Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii. Inouye was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Tuscany, Italy, during World War II and later became a U.S. senator. USS Paul Ignatius and USS Daniel Inouye will be the first naval ships to bear these names.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers conduct a variety of operations from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. They are capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and contain a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare.

DDG 117 and DDG 118 are part of the DDG 51 multiyear procurement with the contract award to the building yard pending. The ships will be 509 feet long, have a beam length of 59 feet and be capable of operating at speeds in excess of 30 knots.

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Settlement in Excess of $16.5 Million Reached in Irish Christian Brothers Sexual Abuse Bankruptcy

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Damon

Offenders operated schools in 17 U.S. States and Canada including Damien Memorial High School in Honolulu

The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors for The Christian Brothers Institute and The Christian Brothers of Ireland, Inc. have approved the terms and conditions of a consensual reorganization plan in the Chapter 11 cases of The Christian Brothers Institute and The Christian Brothers of Ireland, Inc.

Damien Memorial

Over 400 survivors of sexual abuse are included in the group of unsecured creditors that will share in a financial settlement in excess of $16.5 million—an amount that will be paid by the international Catholic religious order and one of its insurance carriers.

Attorney Jeff Anderson of the St. Paul, Minnesota-based law office of Jeff Anderson & Associates who represented 92 of the sexual abuse survivors who filed claims in the bankruptcy said the settlement will still allow sexual abuse survivors to continue lawsuits involving other parties, including schools and dioceses who share responsibility for decades of abuse staffed by members of the order including schools in: CA, HI, IL, MI, NJ, NY, and WA.”

“What this settlement demonstrates, Anderson added, “is how courageous survivors are able to effectively seek justice and accountability from even the largest international religious institutions who endanger children.  The clear message being that no institution should ever be allowed to be a safe haven for adults who hurt children.”

A detailed plan is anticipated to be filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of New York within the next three weeks and provides concrete measures for past accountability and to safeguard children from future abuse.

Hawaii lawsuits against Damien Memorial High School by Jeff Anderson and Hawaii Attorneys Mark Gallagher and Ben Ignacio to continue to seek additional justice. 

Jeff Anderson is an internationally known St. Paul, Minnesota-based trial lawyer widely recognized as a pioneer in sexual abuse litigation and has earned a reputation as a tireless champion of civil rights for children and the under-privileged. One of the first trial lawyers in America to publicly and aggressively initiate suits against religious organizations and hold them responsible by utilizing the American civil justice system, Anderson has represented thousands of survivors of sexual abuse by authority figures and clergy.

 

Contact Jeff Anderson: Office/651-227-9990       Mobile/612-817-8665

Contact Michael Reck: Office/646-649-4960        Mobile/714-742-6593

Contact Mark Gallagher: Office/808-535-1500    Mobile/808-779-5012

For a complete list of schools associated with the Irish Christian Brothers, please visit:
http://www.omnimgt.com/cmsvol/cmsdocs/pub_46342/288432_revised%20list%20of%20cbi-cboi%20schools.pdf

 

 

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Hawaii Included in Foster Farms Chicken Breast Recall

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Damon
Foster Farms is recalling approximately 6,165 pounds of ready-to-eat grilled chicken breast strips that contain wheat and soy, known allergens, which are not declared on the product label, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service  announced Tuesday.
The following product is subject to recall:
4.5 lb. cases containing 12, 6-oz. trays of “FOSTER FARMS GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS BONELESS & SKINLESS WITH RIB MEAT 97% FAT FREE,” with an identifying case code of “000606.”
Foster Farms

Foster Farms

The recalled product bears the establishment number “P-20923″ inside the USDA mark of inspection and a use-by date of “JUN 22 2013″ printed on each tray. The product was produced on April 23, 2013, and was distributed to retail establishments in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Consumers with questions about the recall should contact Teresa Lenz, the company’s Consumer Affairs Manager, at 209-394-6914. Media with questions about the recall should contact Lorna Bush, with Fineman PR, at 415-326-3199.

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U.S. DOE Approves Hawaii’s New School Accountability and Improvement System – Strive HI Performance System

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Damon

Strive HI Performance System replaces components of federal NCLB requirements

The Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) is pleased to announce it has received federal approval today for a new Strive HI Performance System designed to ensure all students graduate college- and career-ready. The redesigned school accountability and improvement system approved by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE) replaces many of the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) with multiple measures of success to meet the needs of Hawaii’s students, educators and schools.

“Approval to move forward with the Strive HI Performance System validates our strategic direction and allows us to build on Hawaii’s successes,” stated Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi. “With the new system, we are more focused on college- and career-readiness, rewarding high-performing schools and customizing support to students, educators and schools with strategies proven in the Zones of School Innovation.”

After winning a Race to the Top grant in 2010, HIDOE established two Zones of School Innovation (ZSI) that targeted support for struggling schools in rural or remote, hard-to-staff areas serving the largest population of native Hawaiian and economically-disadvantaged students in the state.

The Strive HI Performance System is a culmination of work by Hawaii educators, parents, community groups, and higher education. It replaces NCLB’s most ineffective and outdated components with meaningful benchmarks aligned with goals of the HIDOE/Board of Education State Strategic Plan:

NCLB

The Strive HI Performance System not only reflects the State Strategic Plan, it aligns and connects with state education policies and initiatives including Common Core State Standards, updated assessments, more rigorous diploma and graduation requirements, successful school improvement strategies in the ZSI and robust teacher and principal evaluation and support systems.

“We are proud of the work happening at every level of Hawaii’s public education system to prepare students for real-world demands and provide better data, tools and support to students, educators and schools,” Deputy Superintendent Ronn Nozoe noted. “Now, with the approval of the Strive HI Performance System, we’ve unlocked the potential of all these efforts to work together in a coherent way to support success.”

HIDOE will host a webinar on May 28, 2013 to provide more information about the new system.

Webinar: Overview of Strive HI Performance System: Hawaii’s new school accountability and improvement system
Date: May 28, 2013
Time: 9 – 10 am HST
Register now:
https://hvln.webex.com/hvln/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=733937907

event password: striveHI
HIDOE will work closely with Complex Area Superintendents and principals this summer to ensure school leaders and educators are positioned for successful implementation of the Strive HI Performance System in the coming school year.

For more information, visit HIDOE’s new Strive HI Performance System webpage at www.hawaiidoe.org/strivehisystem.

 

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Tomorrow: Free Hepatitis Screenings Available to the Public – National Hepatitis Testing Day

Posted on May 19, 2013 by Damon

National Hepatitis Testing Day will be observed in Hawaii on Monday, May 20, 2013. In collaboration with Hep Free Hawaii, Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) clinics and other community-based sites are offering free hepatitis screenings to the public on May 20 to encourage people to find out their hepatitis B and C status. National Hepatitis Testing Day events will also help to raise awareness within communities and remind people with insurance to get tested through their primary care provider.

Hepatitis Testing

“Often called the silent epidemic, most people with hepatitis B or C don’t have symptoms for many years,” stated Health Director Loretta Fuddy, A.C.S.W., M.P.H. “People with hepatitis B and C shouldn’t wait until they feel sick to be tested because there are many things, including treatment, they can do to take care of themselves before they become ill. The earlier people know they have hepatitis, the better the outcome.”

According to DOH Immunization Branch estimates, between 1 and 3 percent of people in Hawaii have hepatitis B, and approximately 23,000 are living with hepatitis C. Hepatitis B and C are the most common known causes of liver cancer in Hawaii, and Hawaii has the highest rate of liver cancer in the United States.

Hepatitis B and C are spread through contact with blood and body fluids. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that anyone who has been exposed to blood through needle use, blood transfusion, non-sterile equipment, or tattooing should be tested for both hepatitis B and C. Anyone born in a country with high rates of hepatitis B, especially countries in Asia and the Pacific should be screened for hepatitis B. Anyone born from 1945-1965 (“baby boomers”) should also get a one-time test for hepatitis C, regardless of any known risk.

“If you are at risk, you should ask your doctor to get tested for hepatitis B or C. Putting off this simple test now can have dangerous health implications later on, such as liver disease and cancer,” said Fuddy.

Individuals without insurance may call Aloha United Way 211 or go to www.hepfreehawaii.org to find the free screening location nearest them (flyer attached). Not all sites will offer hepatitis B testing. Testing will be based on eligibility and availability at each site.

For more information about National Hepatitis Testing Day, go to http://www.cdcnpin.org/HTD.

For more information about hepatitis resources and events in Hawaii, go to http://www.hepfreehawaii.org.

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Filed under: Announcements, Community, Hawaii, Health, Kids, National Affairs, State Affairs | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

UH Hilo Captures Microsoft Academic National Championship

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Damon

A student team from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo recently won the prestigious 2013 U.S. Microsoft Imagine Cup Championship held in San Jose, California. The team now heads to St. Petersburg, Russia for the Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals in July.

Imagine Cup is Microsoft’s premier student technology competition that honors technology innovations addressing the world’s toughest problems as student innovators from around the world use Microsoft resources to take their one-of- a-kind, ground breaking application ideas from concept to the marketplace. The national finals featured the top 10 U.S. teams pitching their ideas and solutions to investors, entrepreneurs, and technology professionals for a chance to win cash prizes and support for their businesses.

Team Poliahu - Featured from left to right: Ryder Donahue, Kayton Summers, Wallace Hamada, Professor Edwards and Mike Purvis.

Team Poliahu – Featured from left to right: Ryder Donahue, Kayton Summers, Wallace Hamada, Professor Edwards and Mike Purvis.

UH Hilo’s Team Poliahu, comprised of seniors Mike Purvis, Kayton Summers, Wallace Hamada and junior Ryder Donahue from the UH Hilo Computer Science Department, topped the field of competition with their application entitled “Help Me Help,” which focused on community help for disaster relief efforts. The program aids the community and emergency response personnel in disaster situations by allowing users to upload images of nearby hazards through the use of smart phones.

Team Captain Purvis said the idea grew out of a senior project to design software that could track native and invasive plant species.

“We realized tracking that kind of information could be applied to a larger scale with more impact,” said Purvis. “So we decided to rewrite our entire idea for disaster response.”

Team Adviser Dr. Keith Edwards, associate professor, computer science, said the student’s achievement is evidence of what hard work and creative thinking can accomplish.

“As a professor, I am always the most pleased when students are able to transcend the material taught in the classroom to develop knowledge and capabilities beyond what is presently known,” Edwards said. “The success achieved by these students is a perfect representation of how the tremendous creative possibilities at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo can have a worldwide impact.”

 

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Fukushima Friends Benefit Concert – Japan Kids to Come to the Big Island for Respite, Rest and Fun

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Damon

Please help the children and young adults that desire to come to the Big Island from the disaster area of Fukushima, Japan, in July and August, 2013 by attending the Fukushima Friends Relief Concert on May 26th at the East Hawaii Center for Spiritual Living.

Fukushima Benefit Concert

About 20 young people with chaperones from 5th grade up are coming to the Big Island to receive respite, rest, and fun from July 15-Aug 26.

A group will be providing food, shelter, and transportation for one month which is costly.  In addition, some of you may not know, but, these children and young adults have suffered the earthquake, tsunami, family suicides, survival camps, and high radiation exposure for 2 years.  They are in need of fresh air, ocean swimming, and rest for their physical and mental health.  They have been living inside locations without being able to play outside, touch the ground, or eat Fukushima food because of the radiation dangers.  Please help us provide for these young people.  Please come to the concert or you may donate any amount to the fund.

 

Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Big Island, Community, Entertainment, Hawaii, Kids, National Affairs, Puna | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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