Mayor Mufi Hannemann

See his web site, www.mufihannemann.com, for a look at his background, education, and background in private industry and in government--federal, state, and local.

Mufi Hannemann's work with C. Brewer: he was Vice President of Corporate Development and Marketing, which included overseeing Punalu'u Sea Mountain Resort here on the island. He also lobbied Congress to impress upon the importance of agriculture to Hawaii and seek funding. Mayor Hannemann started the Punalu'u Bake Shop and Sweetbread Factory Visitor Center in Na'alehu.

Why did Mayor decide to resign his position midway through his term and run for Governor (a note, the law requires him to resign if running for another seat): he felt the time was right for what he feels is his collaborative leadership style, working with the legislature, county mayors, and federal congressional delegation. He says he made it clear when he ran for Mayor in 2008 that he might not complete his term.

Will Mayor Hannemann fulfill his term as Governor if election (he indicated ambitions to the U. S. Congress)? He says he commits to the four year term and then will go from there.

How can voters best assess a candidate's values and character as we decide for whom we'll vote? Mayor Hannemann says he suggests voters look at one's upbringing and education (Hannemann was raised in Kalihi, went to public schools, then to Iolani and then Harvard). He says his parents impressed upon him and his six siblings the importance of "giving back" to the community. He invites a look at his record of involving people from all parties and his track record of credibility.

Mayor Hannemann says look at his record in working with the other county mayors to keep the state legislature from removing the Transient Accommodations Tax from the counties (for Hawaii County, that's around $18 million dollars) and other projects to see how he will work and support the neighbor islands as well as Oahu.

Key initiatives: his "3 Es" are the economy, education, and environment. He says the economy is his first priority to provide funds for education. He says here on Hawaii Island, he wants to find a way to stop JAL from stopping direct air service to the island from Japan, to help improve tourism.

Re education, he will treat the school superintendent as a cabinet member.

The environment: on Oahu, he has an award-winning 21st century ahupua'a project, combining best practices with cultural preservation. He includes energy in the environmental "e".

How will he put people back to work? He wants to strengthen tourism. He has already lobbied to bring APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) to Oahu. He wants to restore the Superferry to provide alternatives for interisland transportation and another method for farmers to get products to market. He wants to get a long term Pro Bowl contract for Oahu but find ways to involve the neighbor islands, such as sending some of the players to neighbor islands to focus tourism everywhere.

His first priority: a statewide audit, which he thinks will take 3 months, to find easy ways to save money. He says he did the same in Honolulu, that resulted in eliminating a 20-year-old payroll system with better technology, he combined some telephone systems for efficiency and cost saving of over $1 million. He says he would not wait til the end of the audit to implement cost savings--some should be obvious.

The Governor must submit a budget 20 days after taking office and Mayor Hannemann would submit the current Administration's budget, but inform the legislature he may not agree with all.

Education, for pre school through 12--what really has to happen? Hannemann promotes public school education and feels having a Governor be a strong champion of education is critical. He also wants to leverage more Federal grants. He also says the State Administration currently has held onto grant funds, even federally funded grants, rather than pass those grants through to the requesting agencies--schools and other agencies.

How does Mayor Hannemann answer critics who say he's crossed the line of propriety with what was reported as inappropriate fundraisers by those who may have a stake in the Honolulu Rail project? Mayor Hannemann says look at his record, he has had no whiff of scandal, he's been forthright in all things. The Pittsburgh fundraiser was put on by somebody who's no longer involved with the Rail contractor, and because of the controversy, Mayor said he's accepted no funds from that fundraiser. He says there will be no "pay for play" in his administration.

Other listener questions: a union steward was upset about furloughs and cessation of automatic pay raises--a small business owner felt state employees are treated very generously and that's driving our state budget too high. Mayor Hannemann says he's asking nothing of unions that he won't ask of himself, and he'll work with the unions and the individuals to have everybody be realistic and work to make our state be efficient. He also feels his "open book" attitude will help--he welcomes looks at all the finances. He also says he will have an open door policy, with conversations both on the record and off the record.

Is there a conflict as a result of Mayor's many union endorsements? Mayor Hannemann says he's proud of the union endorsements. He says his track record shows that he can work with the unions to get better services for Honolulu and he can do the same at state level.

Energy: Mayor Hannemann applauds the Hawaii Clean Energy Act, which is intended to move our state from 90% dependency on imported oil. He plans to take the agreement signed by Governor Lingle to the next level. He also says Governor Lingle formed a partnership with Okinawa for clean energy, and he wants to continue and advance that as well. He also wants the counties to be more involved in creating clean, renewable energy.

What is Mayor Hannemann most proud of? He's proud that he entered public service and stayed with it. He feels he's handled very controversial issues and done so effectively.

Learn more: www.votemufi.com or www.mufihannemann.com.

Lieutenant Governor James "Duke" Aiona was our guest. Lt. Governor is running for Governor. He received his nickname after the baseball player Duke Snider. He was born and raised on Oahu, and worked as an attorney and judge prior to his 2002 election as Lt. Governor, serving with Governor Linda Lingle.

How can voters assess the character and values of the candidates? LG agrees that's an appropriate assessment, as issues come and go and change in intensity. LG is a father to four, married 29 years, a strong member of the Catholic Church, a coach and mentor, an attorney and judge for both Family Court and Circuit Court. LG says those experiences have shaped his life and values.

What are LG's key goals if elected? Ensuring we have balance, integrity, and good judgment in government; creating jobs; investing in the quality of education.

Regarding education, preschool through 12: the first thing he would do is call for a comprehensive, independent audit of the Department of Education, by an outside firm. Right now, it's not clear who's accountable for public education--Superintendent? Board of Education? Legislation? Governor? ... and where is the money? LG says the parties involved (DOE) have not agreed to such an audit; his goal would be to get that agreement for a very independent audit, not done by the internal legislative auditor. From that, changes can be made. He wants Principals to be fully in charge of the school, including the money and authority to hire/fire teachers, and be judged on the objectives.

Principals and teachers are in unions (different ones). How will LG deal with that, as now the unions are pretty much in control. LG said we're the only state with principals in a union--therefore no worry about job security nor performance. He said the solution is to work closely with the unions and try to get common ground.

Test results for our schools were good, just released Friday July 16(the day we recorded the interview). LG isn't sure if furloughs are good are bad--he says some students really hate furloughs, for less learning time, and other students love furloughs, more chance to catch up, breathe, relax. LG feels the people need

In November we'll vote for a constitutional amendment to have an elected or appointed school board. LG says having an appointed school board is one positive step but not the only answer.

Union shop steward question: what about furloughs being forced on state workers; what will LG do to restore automatic pay raises and eliminate furlough days for the state's union workers? LG said the Governor went to the unions and said labor costs, the biggest expense of our state, had to be cut in face of declined revenues. She proposed graduated pay cuts, less for lower-paid workers. The unions initially asked for a same percent cut across the board, then came back and wanted furloughs, pay cut but days off.

Lt. Governor Aiona has visited more than 100 businesses across all islands. He visited several businesses here on the island, in International Marketplace, Sig Zane, tourist businesses by Kailua Pier and Honokohau Harbor. Two messages from businesses: cut unemployment taxes and eliminate red tape required for permits. LG intends to work on that as Governor.

I asked LG how he can be successful with the legislature when Governor Lingle has had initiatives blocked. LG said they have been more successful than obviously seen; many of the initiatives are initially rejected then reintroduced by the Legislature as "their own."

Are there steps aimed at helping small businesses on our island? LG said they last year introduced PACE, a program to help offset taxes for installing energy efficient systems; didn't pass this year, he'll try again next year.

Republican strategist Karl Rove was recently with LG Aiona on Oahu, hosting a fundraiser. Is there a role for Karl Rove in LG's campaign for Governor? LG Aiona said no, and that Karl Rove will not be involved in how LG campaigns.

Civil unions: Governor Lingle recently vetoed the Civil Unions Bill, HB 444, which would have allowed two people of opposite gender or same gender to declare themselves a "civil union" and have certain rights, priviliges, and responsibilities. LG said this is a bill that must go to voters. He said the bill said "civil unions" but really meant "marriage," becoming available to couples of same gender. Although in 1999 the voters passed a constitutional amendment giving the Legislature the power to declare marriage as between a man and a woman. The following year, the state passed a Reciprocal Benefits Law, giving couples of same/opposite gender certain rights and priviliges. LG urges all to read HB 444 and see that it equates civil unions with marriage. Note, I consulted with three law professors at University of Hawaii Law School who said the bill was about civil rights and discrimination, not about marriage. Their concern was leaving any civil rights issue to a popular vote. The example: if there had been a popular vote (vs legislative mandate), it's felt women would not have been given the vote, people of color would not be able to vote, inter-racial couples might not be able to marry, there would have been no Civil Rights Act of 1964. A Star Advertiser editorial on July 7 pointed out that voters vote on whim, on the mode of the day...legislators are supposed to rise above.

Energy independence: LG Aiona says this is a major reason why he wants to be Governor, to continue the work of the Clean Energy Initiative, an agreement between the State, the US Department of Energy, and the electric utilities in the states.

Hawaii Island already has more than 30% renewable energy resources, thanks to Puna Geothermal, an amazing and endless resource. LG said there is a proposal now to link a cable between Oahu, Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i to bring renewable energy to Oahu. No plans to link to Hawaii Island at this point. For now, he says we want to develop energy resources on Hawaii Island so it can become the first island with 100% renewable resources.

What has LG done of which he's most proud? The Clean Energy Initiative, the first drug control plan in the state using various stakeholders working together, and the state's healthy initiatives.

Re the LG's Healthy Initiatives program: will he continue that? And can we get the State Department of Transportation to follow through with promises to put bike paths and walking paths in? DOT removed the bike / walking path intended to run parallel to Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway; will LG get them to restore such plans? LG said from now on, all roads will include paths and bikeways. Not only is this good for health, it's good for the environment. LG recommends we all get out there and move more!

With Oahu having the bulk of the population, and our island having 165,000 people: how likely is it that our or any neighbor island will get money, attention, and resources from the state in this time of challenged budgets? LG said each island should get what it needs. He used examples of recent fund releases for UH Hilo, Hawaii Community College at Palamanui.

Why a Republican Governor? Balance, and life values such as assuming individual responsibility.

LG said from statehood (1959) to 2002, the legislature overrode 120 Gubernatorial vetoes. From 2002 to present, they overrode 1 veto. He said that's not a good check/balance system, it needs to be more balanced.

LG Aiona says he takes this responsibility of running for Governor very seriously. He always wants to do what's best for the people.

More about Duke Aiona online, www.dukeaiona.com.

Senator Daniel K. Inouye and his wife, Irene Hirano Inouye, came to our Kona studio on Monday, July 5. On July 4, Senator was Grand Marshal for the Kailua-Kona Independence Day Parade. Their entry was followed by members of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, in which Senator served during World War II. Prior to the parade, Senator met with the men of the 442nd at Kona's Kekuaokalani Gym.

How did Senator like reuniting with his 442nd comrades? Senator said it was the best welcome he's had in a long, long while, coming home to Hawaii to be with his buddies. He noted the numbers are dwindling--the first time he came to Kona after the war, he said there were hundreds. He said the average age of the 442nd men now is 88.

Senator said he really liked his parade experience--he said although Kona is known as a small resort town, there were thousands lining the parade route.

On June 28, with the death of Robert Byrd, Senator Inouye became the longest serving member of the United States Senate. He is now President Pro Tempore. Some of his duties are administrative; Senator Inouye must now sign all bills and resolutions for the Senate. That means he may be called upon to sign bills anytime of day or night.

One change is that Senator is now third in line of succession to the U. S. Presidency, after the Vice President and the Speaker of the House. Senator said the change in his lifestyle has been dramatic and drastic...for one thing, he's now protected 24 hours a day by United States Capitol Police. Senator is no longer allowed to drive himself, and Capitol Police will travel with him, they are with him 24 hours a day.

Senator noted that during any joint session of Congress, such as during the State of the Union address, the President Pro Tempore is not present--he's in a secret bunker as all other key cabinet officers are present.

Senator said he's made it clear to Capitol Police he wants to be accessible to his constituents, to the public. But he is protected, front and back, all the time.

Senator is head of Senate Appropriations Committee, the largest and most powerful committee in the Senate. Senator signs off on all expenditures, all appropriations. Senator said he has 12 subcommittees, each dealing with one area of appropriations. Last year, 9 of the 12 were unanimous in agreeing about expenditures; 3 subcommittees had only one dissenting vote. Senator was proud of the bipartisan nature of his committee.

Washington Post columnist David Broder wrote an interesting column about the responsibility of the Senate, to rise above populist issues and focus on the good of the nation. The Senate Republicans, prior to the recess, did not bring a bill forward to extend unemployment benefits to 1.3 million unemployed people..the bill had been passed by the House...so benefits for unemployed will stop for a period. Senator said it was not a good move, and the Senators did not follow the law in extending unemployment benefits.

Senator has said he wants to "return the Appropriations Committee to the traditions of regular order." What does this mean? Senator said in the past, oftentimes the Senators would not come to agreement on appropriations, and they would just do blanket funding of programs from the previous year, whether or not they were current. They also would provide an "omnibus" bill, just put all the money in, and divide it between the states. Senator said he wants to have a current budget for each year, based on current issues.

Senator's goals for his ninth term, for which he's running in November: Saddle Road, completing projects here on the island such as continued funding for UH Hilo. From a national standpoint, the Pacific Rim is now considered an area of major concern. The Admiral of the Pacific Command looks at half of the world, and this includes countries often at odds with each other...China, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam...Senator wants to focus on keeping the peace, and feels Hawaii and the military's Pacific Command are instrumental in this effort.

Akaka Bill: at the time of the recording on Monday July 5, Senator told us that Governor Lingle would shortly announce her support based on changes to which Senator Akaka, Senator Inouye, and Attorney General Mark Bennett had agreed. On Wednesday, July 7, Governor did indeed announce her support.

Both our Senators have served for years, in a governmental system that rewards seniority. When our Senators retire at some point, what will happen to the money that comes in? Senator said he assumes our Hawaii house members will be more senior and start chairing key committees. Senator said he's also brought along younger members from the state by including them on his staff, grooming them to serve not only in politics but to serve as leaders within the community: Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, Honolulu Managing Director Kirk Caldwell, who's running for Honolulu Mayor, and others.

Senator married Irene Hirano Inouye two years ago. Mrs. Inouye is highly educated (bachelors and masters at USC), and has had more than 30 years in public service and public administration. She was the founding chief executive officer of the Japanese American National Museum. Mrs. Inouye said although it's in Los Angeles, it's really a national museum, focusing on the hidden stories of Japanese Americans. One of their earlier projects was the Kona Coffee Story. It also focuses on the World War II story, the incarceration of Japanese Americans and the service of the 442nd members as examples.

The museum contains a barracks from Heart Mountain, Wyoming, moved piece by piece from Wyoming by a team that included former residents of the Heart Mountain camp. If you visit Los Angeles, try visit...their information is online, www.janm.org.

Mrs. Inouye is president of the Japanese American Council, an organization focusing on developing people-to-people relationships...not just government based, but personally based.

After a 57-year marriage to his late wife, Maggie, Senator married a career woman. In his first marriage, Senator said he never entered the kitchen...never knew how to use a microwave or the dishwasher. How do the Inouyes manage their now two-career family? Senator said he now makes the bed every day, uses the microwave, and loads the dishwasher.

Senator said he's lucky...he's had a great career, unheard-of opportunities, a good family, and great friends. Mrs. Inouye said she loves being home in Hawaii, and is always gratified to see how people approach Senator and are grateful for the funds Senator has provided to advance our island infrastructure and facilities.

My guest was Ted Coombs, author of the book Banyan Drive: the Stories of Incredible People. Ted lives in Puna, and previously wrote 13 books, in the "For Dummies" series.

The lava flow that makes up the Waiakea area was from around 610 AD, from Mauna Loa. It created everything east of Kilauea Avenue.

Reed's Bay: on Banyan Drive across from Ken's House of Pancakes, was named after William Reed. He moved to Hilo 1840s, and was an industrialist, building bridges and buildings. He married the widow of the missionary the first Shipman. He was the grandfather of Herbert Shipman.

The ice pond name of Reed's Bay is because of cold freshwater springs in the Bay which makes the water really pretty chilly.

Ted says the area was considered sacred. There were several heiau, including a sacrificial heiau, where the ancient Hawaiians would drop a large stone or stones on prostrate Hawaiians who had violated the kapu.

When the earliest banyan trees were planted, in the 1930s, there was no Banyan Drive as we know it. Ted said there were some vacation shacks, and the area was covered by strawberry guava. On maps, it was called "government land." There were some parks, the start of what is now Lili'uokalani Park, and some fishing ponds, and fishing shacks.

Hilo Yacht Club started in 1897. They built the first clubhouse, a small two story building, where the Naniloa Volcanoes Hotel is now. They actually had yachts back then...as opposed to now, with no yachts. Eventually Dudley Childs bought the building and started the hotel. The Yacht Club then moved to their current location in Keaukaha.

Banyan Drive has hotels now, Hilo Hawaiian and Naniloa. The only big hotel for a long time was the Naniloa, although there were some small hotels..Orchid, Travelodge, both gone, one now turned into condos.

How did the idea of planting the banyan trees come up? The County Parks Commission wanted to beautify the area, and decided in 1933 they would plant banyan saplings 110' apart, and that someday, they would have a road connecting the banyans. Herbert Shipman was a member of the Parks Commission. Cecil deMille was on the island in 1933, filming a movie called Four Frightened People. He was using Shipman's properties, and Shipman thought it would be good to honor Cecil B. DeMille and some of the actors, including William Garghan, Herbert Marshall, Edna Best, Leo Carillo, and Mary Boland.

How did the luminaries get selected for banyan tree plantings? The week after the first planting, Babe Ruth was here on the island (!) and planted a tree. The tree in front of the Hilo Hawaiian is the Babe Ruth Tree. As famous people came to the island, they planted trees.

Banyan Drive came about thanks to Franklin Roosevelt. He came to the island to fish on the Kona side. Hired 80 people, using Federal Works Projects funds, to tear out the strawberry guava and pave the road with crushed coral. Annabelle Ruddle, on the Parks Commission, went to Kona, met with the president, and convinced him to come to Hilo.

When excavating, several Hawaiian burial sites were found during the excavations. There were many caves, and they found many Hawaiians buried standing up, in the style of the ancients.

Knefler McGinnis was a Naval Aviator who flew sea planes. In 1934, sea planes were quite slow. He flew an entire squadron of sea planes across the ocean from California to Hawaii, to Kaneohe Bay. The Navy put ships across the ocean every hundred miles, to keep an eye on the planes and provide fueling stops for the planes.

Juliette Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts. As a baby, the nurse cleaning her ears made her deaf in one ear. At her wedding to Mr. Low, some thrown rice went into her other ear, deafening her!

About 70 trees have been planted, with around 50 still standing. Some are on the golf course.

V. A. Carvalho, Virginio, the founding principal of the Prince Jonah Kalanianaole School. He was friends with Prince Jonah, and oral family tradition has it that Carvalho actually wrote the Hawaiian Homelands Act which Prince Jonah then introduced and passed. Carvalho was honored because he had five sons who joined Hawaiian National Guard at the same time.

Benjamin Bond was a doctor in Kohala, missionaries. One of Bond's loves was plants, inherited from his mother. Many sea captains came to Kohala and many stayed with the Bonds. The ship captains would often bring back flowers and plants from the far East; Mrs. Bond is credited with being the first on the island to plant white ginger. His goal was to reforest the island.

Thomas Jaggar: he was part of the MIT Astronomy Center which came here in 1911. It was through his strength and genius

Princess Abigail Kawananakoa: a well loved monarch. She formed one of the four Ali'i Beneficial Organizations, Hale O Ali'i o Hawaii.

Who made decisions on the trees? The Hilo Women's Club was very powerful; sugar was king, there was a lot of money in Hilo town. Hilo Women's Club brought culture to Hilo, one way by bringing well known speakers to the island. Amelia Earhart, when here to teach some classes at the university, spoke to the women's club and had a tree planted.

Uncle Billy Kimi, owner of the Uncle Billy Hotels Hilo and Kona. He pretty much decided he wanted a banyan, so Uncle Billy took some of the hanging roots from the Knefler McGinnis tree and moved them and helped them root. The tree is right in front of Uncle Billy's Hotel.

Helene Hale: Helene, around 90 today, has been in Hawaii politics as a member of Hawaii County Council and the State House. Helene started United Nations Council, and remains active in promoting world involvement.

Kent Warshauer. His was the last to be dedicated. Ken died in 2006 of cancer. He wrote the Hawaii Tribune-Herald column called "The Sugar Mill Spy", all about Hilo's history, the great bits and pieces about what used to be in East Hawaii. Ted met Kent when he was writing the book, and Ted says he learned a lot from Kent. Kent also gave him all his research two weeks before he died.

Hilario C. Moncado was a Filipino sugar worker, but quickly became a labor organizer. He was loved by the Filipino workers. He moved to California and organized the Filipino workers there. He met a spiritual worker, and they formed a coalition in which it was claimed that Moncado was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Moncadistas continue to believe.

Ted Coombs is in the Guinness Book of World Records. In 1979 he roller skated across the United States. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Coombs

The book is Banyan Drive: the Stories of Incredible People. You can get it at Basically Books in Hilo, also try Book Gallery, at Lyman Museum, and Kona side, at Kona Stories in Kainaliu. I recommend it--a great look at interesting information about Hilo's history.

Our guests were County Fire Chief Darryl Oliveira, and members of the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization: Executive Director Gail Byrne, board members Mike Nakahara and Pohakuloa Training Area Deputy Fire Chief Eric Moller.

Fire Chief Oliveira gave us some general updates. Ka'imi the Arson Detecting Dog is more than earning his keep. He's the only fire dog in the state. He's been called out to around 70 fire scenes, and has found evidence of arson in 22 of those. He's been to Kaua'i and Maui to help. Recently when he and handler Captain Bobby Pereira were on a training trip to Missouri--on the way back they stopped in Las Vegas and Ka'imi's services were requested by the Las Vegas Fire Department!

Budget: Fire Chief says his department is tightening its belt, like all departments, but they feel they can effectively serve at the budget level they've forecasted. (As a note, we did not discuss this, but the Daniel Sayre Foundation has an annual fundraiser, coming up early September, at Fairmont Orchid that raises funds to provide additional equipment for Hawaii County Fire and Rescue teams.)

Weather: we are in a drought...with Hawaii Island being the driest place in the United States. Fire Chief said the National Weather Service even had to update its drought maps--they initially did not include Hawaii (what a surprise...). Forecasts are for this drought to continue, even though Kona is starting to get its traditional summer rain. Even Hilo is way dryer than usual.

Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization is the only such group in the state. They started to provide information and assistance in helping prevent wildfires, which can be very serious here. The group includes fire professionals, ranchers, conservationists. They encourage people in fire-prone areas to clear firebreaks around their homes, to plant natives and succulents, which are more drought tolerant and more fire resistant, and to have family evacuation plans.

They encourage adherence to the nationwide "Ready-Set-Go" plan. That encourages families to know what the dangers might be, have a plan, and if a fire starts--evacuate. Gail pointed out part of our island's fire danger is because of poor planning--witness the Waikoloa Village area, with one road in and out. Fire Chief said the alternate access road is available, but only when the gate is opened during an evacuation situation. Fire Chief said do not wait to be told to evacuate if it's obvious you should go.

Fireworks: please be very very careful with such dry conditions...please buy only legal fireworks...and take advantage of watching our island's spectacular professional displays. Lehua Jaycees and Hawaii County will have fireworks over Hilo Bay, starting July 4th around 8 to 8:30ish. Big Island Honda, Kona Commons, Hawaii County, and many generous donors have enabled fireworks over Kailua Bay, with Hawaii Pyrotechnics doing the work, starting around 8:30 p.m. Simultaneous patriotic music on LAVA 105.3 fm! Chief and all say, please have water close if you're doing your own fireworks and watch the keiki.

Contact Hawaii Wildfire Management Organizaton: 885-0900, or their web site, www.hawaiiwildfire.org

Governor Cayetano published his memoir last year: Ben, A Memoir, from Street Kid to Governor. It received two major awards from the prestigious Hawaii Publishers Association. I read it and found it fascinating (very detailed, be prepared).

How did he have such recall? He used the Honolulu Advertiser Archives and the journals given to each legislator for each year they're in office. He talked to lots of people. (He said legislators then, his time, made way more speeches than legislators now!)

Governor Cayetano said our state governor is one of the most powerful in the country because in Hawaii, many functions typically handled at local county level (roads, education) are handle here at state level. He said there is not much issue difference between Democratic candidates, and that most who run for Governor are smart. He said the challenge is uncovering their character--do they have the political will to "do the right thing" even if it's hard? Do they keep their word? Will they be beholden to special interest groups...or can they do what is right for the people in this state?

Education: Governor Cayetano has joined with former Governors Waihe'e and Ariyoshi to create a white paper on reforming education. They believe an appointed, not elected board is proper: they feel the elected board members can be subject to political pressure.

Governor says the teachers' union is an issue (note, the teachers union endorsed Cayetano for every office, and he says he has a soft spot in his heart for them.)

Governor feels the board of education should be appointed, not elected. He feels the current board responds to every special interest group in a way that takes them away from the basic mission.

Get Ben Cayetano's book, Ben, A Memoir: From Street Kid to Governor at the usual online sources or Borders or Basically Books or Kona Stories locally.

Note, you can see our talk story with Congressman Abercrombie at our web site, www.lava1053.com

My guest was former United States Congressman Neil Abercrombie, who is running for the Democratic nomination to be on the General Election Ballot as the Democratic candidate for Governor. We recorded the interview Saturday afternoon, June 12. His major opponent, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann, will be our guest towards the end of July. Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona, the presumptive Republican nominee, has not yet selected a date.

Why does he want to be governor? He feels there's a void in leadership in the state, and a leader is needed who will do the right thing relative to education, energy independence, and more. He felt he needed to run for the job to leverage his Washington, DC experience for the benefit of the state. Our relationships in Washington are not being fully utilized now.

Congressman was criticized for leaving his US Congress job early. What was his decision process? He feels the campaign is a referendum on leadership. Congress passed several recovery programs, yet back here in Hawaii, we did not utilize the funds as we could. Example: State Department of Business Development only used 2% of money available to the state, creating only 12 jobs. Abercrombie feels he can help the state get and use the money more effectively. He says he was tired of helping pass important bills that could bring money in and over the past couple of years, seeing the money underutilized. He also said he had voted on all major votes, including Health Care Reform, prior to resigning. He also said he felt it would be dishonorable to stay in his job and pretend to focus on it while campaigning, he could not look at himself in the mirror.

How could Congressman ask the state to spend $1 million on a special election? He said it was far less than $1 million, and the funds were provided by the Federal Government, not the state. Congressman pointed out the irony...he was elected in 1986 in a special election when Cec Heftel resigned to run for Governor...Mufi Hannemann ran in that race for US Congress, too.

Honolulu Star Advertiser columnist David Shapiro wrote a recent column, saying Abercrombie had called for a "re-establishment of a public conscience". What does that mean? Congressman said the examples are those pointed out by Shapiro...while the state legislature agreed to take a 36% pay raise, they were asking others to cut their salaries; there are other examples at state and county levels. Abercrombie says the phrase was one he used in a speech at the Democratic convention, and says we also have to act with civic courage. There were two people who inspired and informed his thinking in this. One was Dietriech Von Hoffer, a pacifist minister involved with trying to assassinate Hitler...a man whose principles had been so sorely tested he felt he needed to do something. Frances Perkins, first secretary of labor, said in the midst of the depression, said we must have a public conscience--that the government is there to work with the people on their behalf. We need to take courage in ourselves and our capacity to deal with the current issues. An example: if we truly value children and education, how could we possibly put instruction days on the bargaining table?

My scheduled guest next week is former Governor Ben Cayetano (full disclosure, Congressman Abercrombie wrote the introduction to Ben Cayetano's recent book). In my advance discussions with Gov Cayetano about being on Island Issues, he said it's really challenging for Governor candidates to deliver every single thing they say they will. He said we should look at candidates' character, not just what they say they will do. What decision process will Congressman expect to use if elected? He said all decisions must go back to the basic values of the state, and of the party, and of the people in the state. Priorities become clear if values are the benchmark. He also says since he's not going to run again for another office, his decisions will not be based on what comes next, but what comes now. He feels he can act on behalf of the community interest.

A union steward submitted a question asking what Congressman Abercrombie would do to eliminate union worker furloughs and the hold on automatic raises currently in effect. Congressman Abercrombie said we must go back to values and priorities, and eliminate the thought that we can do nothing about our current poor economy. He feels utilizing the public workers' expertise and ideas more robustly will help to look for other ways to approach the work--restructuring work days and times, other things. The main thing: get revenues moving in the state so we do not have to have furloughs...take advantage of federal funding, move faster on new projects like the Thirty Meter Telescope. Leadership from the Governor is required to get things moving, and increase those revenues.

Key points of Congressman Abercrombie's energy independence plan: use the resources of the Big Island--geothermal epecially, plus wind. Be aggressive. The state has reports making back to 1978 saying the same thing...but Abercrombie says the Governor needs to get things moving.

Congressman Abercrombie has an extensive background in education (teacher, assistant to School Superintendent, head of state legislative committees on education). Congressman said he'd prefer to appoint the Superintendent of Education, but doubts that will happen. There is aproposition on the November ballot to have the board named by a State Legislative Committee, who would select names, send them to the Governor, who would send them back to the Senate for review and approval. Congressman says that is unworkable and he hopes that proposition does not pass. He intends to appoint whoever the Superintendent of Education is to his Cabinet and truly include them in decision making.

Why so much time on the Big Island? Congressman said he HAS been spending a lot of time on the Big Island and appreciates and likes it. But....is this part of a political strategy, to spend time here when clearly there are so many votes on Oahu, not as many here. Abercrombie says he feels the neighbor islands will determine who gets the Democratic nomination. He also said it's crystal clear that all neighbor islanders feel state government is very Honolulu (not just Oahu) centric. He feels our state is the Hawaiian Islands...in the plural...he wants to not have such a Honolulu-centric government. He wants to find ways to more easily enable neighbor islanders to participate, via video testimony, in state government...he feels neighbor islanders have been disadvantaged. He feels neighbor islanders will conclude that Neil Abercrombie will be the their best friend at Washington Place (the Governor's residence).

Honolulu Advertiser writer Derrick DePledge (now Star Advertiser) wrote that Mufi Hannemann's gubernatorial announcement implied that Congressman did not have the stamina to run for Governor. I asked, does he have the energy and stamina to run for and perform as Governor? Abercrombie laughed...he said he has more energy now than ever, and challenges anybody to meet him at his gym and be on the recumbent bike for 45 minutes! He said his health is good, and his energy and spirit have never been better.

How would his colleagues view him relative to his ability to keep his word, to do the right thing for the public? Congressman says he always kept the mission at the forefront...what is the objective...and feels he was able to work bipartisanly to get the job done for the people.

Please plan to vote...primary is September 18, walk in balloting starts September 3, general is November 2. We need to have a voice in our state government, which we can if we vote. Stay tuned for future talk stories with Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann and Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona.

North Hawaii Community Hospital is a nonprofit hospital (not part of the state hospital system) in Waimea, on Mamalahoa Highway. They have 39 beds; usual occupancy is 20. John White has been the CEO for about a year. They have an Emergency Department, OB/GYN, surgery, regular inpatient services, radiology. They have an orthopedic surgeon, general surgeon, thoracic surgeon, a variety of docs. Oncology (cancer) care is offered by Dr. Tony DeSalvo, who also practices at Kona Community Hospital. They offer chemo at NHCH but radiation is offered at Kona Hospital.

They have two cardiologists, one full time, one visiting weekly from Oahu. Cardiology is an area, island-wide, where more docs would be desirable.

The annual budget for NHCH is around $40 million dollars. 2008 (prior to John White's arrival), they lost $10 million. This past year, they lost $5 million. Their goal this year: lose only $2.5 million. In 2008, they had some one-time costs for information systems, but John said that kind of loss is unsustainable.

They recently had some layoffs. John pointed out their business has been down--fewer docs in town, therefore fewer patients, people deferring elective surgery. Recent layoffs were not in core hospital services, they were in rehab and home health care. John feels the cuts will not affect basic service. He says they do not anticipate future layoffs (barring any unforseen developments).

Where do they get money to cover shortfalls? Generous donors, grants. However, John pointed out the $2.5 million anticipated loss this year is partly an accounting loss, so for actual cash flow--money in and out--they'll about break even. (Good news for us on the island, as we need all 3 of our hospitals).

NHCH used to be managed by Adventist Health Care, more recently by Quorum Health Resources...they no longer hire folks through QHR. John and others are all direct employees of NHCH, thus eliminating the cost of using a management company. They do continue to use Quorum's purchasing network, to get the benefit of bulk purchasing.

In addition to finances, physician shortage continues to be a huge issue. NHCH is bringing in physicians as employees, as a solution to the problem. They've recently brought in two new Ob/Gyns, and a new orthopedic surgeon and hand doctor (Dr. Diane Payne!!, do you think she selected this profession because of her name??).

Other key focus items: quality and safety, including infection control. They have a Comprehensive Unit Based Safety Program, intended to reduce bloodstream infections--and NHCH has not had such an infection in two years. They use checklists extensively to ensure everybody is following the right procedures, all the time. (A note, the "new thing" hospital industry-wide, is reliance on checklists, just ensuring procedures are the same, every time. For more, see the book The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande.)

Impact of health care reform on NHCH? First known impact, a huge plus, the 340B Drug Program allowing NHCH to purchase drugs at a much greater discount. That will make a $15K to $20K per month difference in NHCH's finances. They're also getting help as a result of the federal program to encourage hospitals to use electronic records, which are more efficient and cheaper.

Trauma Care: NHCH, like Kona and Hilo hospitals, is Level 3 Trauma. They, like the others, must transport to Oahu if someone comes in with a brain injury, serious head wounds, as we have no neurosurgeon here on the island. They do have a General Surgeon 24/7, so can treat many problems without transporting.

Blood: NHCH has around 88 units of blood on hand, about a week's supply, at all times. If they need more blood immediately, they can get it from the other two hospitals. They restock Tuesdays.

Air Ambulance service: if one needs transport to Oahu, they go by ambulance from NHCH to the Waimea Airport, then they fly in the special Air Ambulance, then by ambulance to Queen's Medical Center. We have several small planes for ambulance service. John said if he wanted to make an improvement, he'd have a medical helicopter with overwater capability here, so transport from the scene of an accident directly to Oahu could happen.

Community Outreach: they have quarterly update meetings, the public is invited. Mr. White also welcomes calls and emails.

For more, call NHCH at 881-4400, go to the web site www.nhch.com, or email John White directly at whitejr@nhch.com. John's assistant is Rachel Black-Santiago, and very very knowledgeable and helpful.

Dr. Gary Ten Eyck joined the faculty of University of Hawaii Hilo School of Pharmacy in January. Dr. Ten Eyck came to UH Hilo most directly from New York University. For more than 15 years, Dr. Ten Eyck has been researching the coqui frog.

Dr. Ten Eyck said his wife started the move to Hawaii by taking the family on a surprise vacation to Oahu in 2006. When he learned of the expansion of UH Hilo School of Pharmacy, he decided to come here. His location here provides him direct access to the coqui frog--no longer does he need to fly to Puerto Rico. He also will be involved directly with undergraduates in the Pre Pharm program, those students taking courses to help them enter the School of Pharmacy. He said he likes the challenge. Additionally, there is a new PhD program coming on line with which he wants to be involved, focusing on cancer research. And, he is excited about joining a relatively new program and helping grow it.

What prompted Dr. Ten Eyck to start studying coqui? He said at University of South Dakota, his advisor brought back coqui from Puerto Rico and they turned out to be great research subjects. They have interesting behaviors, different from other frogs.

Dr. Ten Eyck is a neuropharmacologist. That's using drugs to influence the brain. For example, he's using certain drugs to try to influence the coqui. That work is difficult to do with humans (obviously) but easy to do with coqui.

What were Dr. Ten Eyck's initial goals in coqui research? As a graduate student in South Dakota, he was intrigued that coqui have no tadpoles. At that time he was working on bone and cartilage development, and that progressed to looking at coqui brains, specifically seratonin and dopamine. He was comparing the coqui to "regular" frogs.

Coqui is a frog that develops directly, egg to frog...no tadpole. The 1/4" eggs are transparent, and you can even see the mini frogs inside. The father sits on the eggs...another way they are different (usually it's the Mom). The dad sits on, guards, broods, keeps them from drying out, and maybe other things yet to be determined. The dad typically stays at the nest for 3 or 4 days after the eggs hatch (and doesn't eat them, which is remarkable). When the frogs are hatched, their seratonin systems are developed enough for functioning, but in the first 3 to 5 days, the brain systems and seratonin grow fast. It appears the dad stays til the brain chemicals are developed, to protect the young frogs.

How are Puerto Rican frogs different from Hawaii coqui? Not at all, per Dr. Ten Eyck. He thinks the coqui use our lava pukas, not available in Puerto Rico, to hide during the day. He says that has not really been studied nor documented.

Where is Dr. Ten Eyck's research leading? Coqui frogs are good models to study stress and aggression. The calls stake out territory...a signal to both males and females. Males will challenge other mails, and Dr. Ten Eyck is looking at brain chemistry changes at that time. The thought is the study of aggression may be able to translate to humans, looking primarily at seratonin and dopamine.

Dr. Ten Eyck introduces stresses to the coqui in natural ways by exposing them to another male or a female while the dad is sitting on the eggs. If the approaching male calls (ko-kee), the dad will be stressed, and may flee, or eat the eggs, or dad can just hunker down on the nest. They've created a model system to use a speaker to bring the call to the sitting male...and they can adjust the intensity, volume of the call to see dad's different reactions. They can then look at the effects of the stress. Some of the males attack the speakers! It's all about sound, not appearance.

Can Dr. Ten Eyck's work lead to practical applications for us here, to control or diminish or silence the frogs? He says the research can lead to ways to stress the dads to abandon the nest. His goal, however, is to study the frogs, not kill them. They are doing research in drugs to silence them, that turns the seratonin system on and keeps them quiet. One drug they are testing is Prozac, a human anti-depression drug! Males given Prozac are less aggressive. They do the studies by injecting the frogs with Prozac or, as a control, a saline solution.

Although Dr Ten Eyck says the coqui is a great research subject, it is a non native, alien species in Hawaii, and it should be eradicated. Of course, he acknowledges it's the noise that's a huge issue for humans.

Practical applications of his work? Paternal stress...and how brain chemicals change during times of aggression.

Dr. Ten Eyck had high praise for the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy program and for the students in the program--bright and intelligent and fun.

Hawaii County spends a tremendous amount of money on energy: the power bills for the year ending June, 2008: over $4 million on energy for its buildings and facilities, $1.4 million on traffic signals and street lights, and $18 million for the Department of Water Supply. Mayor Billy Kenoi appointed some County employees to focus on energy efficiency, and they hired Kailua-Kona energy consultant Alex Woodbury to perform an Energy Audit. Woodbury audited ten sites...only...and from those sites alone made recommendations that can save Hawaii County $500,000 per year. Wow!

Wil Rolston, Energy Coordinator, is in the County's Research and Development Department. His job is to find ways to help the County become more sustainable. Alex Frost coordinates the County's Green Team, a group of interdepartmental folks who focus on reducing energy use within their departments.

Alex Woodbury with Woodbury Consulting was hired by the County to conduct an Energy Audit on ten County facilities. Mr. Woodbury says he's probably the only person on the island with his unique qualifications. Woodbury Consulting does home inspections. In 2005, they realized energy use was a huge issue. Alex became a Certified Home Energy Rater, one of fewer than 3,000 in the country. He has LEAD accreditation (a program designed by US Green Building Council). Woodbury does energy consulting for both businesses and residences, for existing and being-built homes and buildings. Energy usage cripples many here...our rates are 25% higher than Honolulu and up to three times higher than other places in the country. (Note, I will be having Alex Woodbury back as soon as we can arrange it to discuss more general energy saving issues.)

The ten sites were the biggest energy users in the county, those with the highest bills (except for Department of Water Supply). They include the Kona Pool, Pahoa Pool, Kona Police, Hilo Police/Civil Defense, Hilo Armory (Office of Housing), Department of WS, Aupuni Center, Hilo Athletic Complex.

County spends $18 million for supplying water to the county. Wil Rolston said this audit did not include that, but the Water Department has its own energy engineer, Julie Myhre, with whom Wil coordinates. I have heard the Water Department is the biggest energy waster in the county--Wil said he believes that's changing due to focus on being more efficient.

The audit began October, 2009; the last audit completed March, 2010. The county paid Woodbury $22,000. As a note, Woodbury found a $5,000 credit due the county, PLUS the Hawaii Energy Corporation will likely reimburse the County $10,000 for conducting the audit.

Woodbury said there are three broad categories of facilities in his audit: pools, 24-hour offices (police), and 8-10 hour offices (normal office hours).

Pool key findings: they can install newer technology pumps, plus use solar water heating instead of propane to heat water for the showers. Pahoa Pool is not heated. Kona Pool has to be heated 80% of the time and ....cooled!...20% of the time. Woodbury suggested pool covers to reduce water evaporation, understanding that requires manpower.

Office buildings: Woodbury said energy usage typically is 1/3 to cooling the building, 1/3 to light the building, 1/3 to operate office equipment. He said most buildings could benefit from adding occupancy sensors that turn off lights when the building is unoccupied. He also suggested at night, they can light only those occupied desks. He also agreed the county offices are often too cold, but the air conditioning systems are often quite advanced and the employees need to learn how to operate the systems. There are county employees in some buildings who actually have been using space heaters because the buildings are kept so cold...obviously that uses way more energy. Woodbury also suggested that office equipment should be turned OFF when people go home--not in sleep mode, but turned off. There are "smart" power strips that can do this automatically. And these items are apparently fairly low cost. He mentioned there are "vampire" devices that use power even when theoretically off (such as our home DVD players and DVRs).

Are there plans to actually implement Woodbury's recommendations? Wil Frost said there is a workshop in Hilo June 8 for county workers, at Aupuni Center Conference Room. They will discuss the energy saving measures. They will ask all employees to adhere to power saving measures, and discuss actions for individual facilities that are free or low cost to implement. There are no plans at this time to do such a workshop Kona side.

Wil Rolston said the audit has been shared with Mayor Billy Kenoi, Department Head Randy Kurohara, and will be shared with the County Council at the next committee meeting for Energy Sustainability. The Council members are also invited to the workshop June 8. Wil Rolston said Mayor Kenoi is 100% supportive of this initiative and full implementation. So, who will follow up and audit implementation? Wil Frost says that's his job as Energy Coordinator.

The in-progress West Hawaii Civic Center is expected to be very energy efficient, and is being constructed as a LEAD Silver building.

Alex Woodbury says significant rebates are available to businesses and residences, through the third party company Hawaii Energy. Formerly HELCO handled rebates, but now, Hawaii Energy--Alex said they've been "neat" to work with and are most eager to give rebates. The money comes from US...anybody in the state (except Kauai) who pays an electric bill pays into the rebate fund.

Federal grants? The County has received a $700,000 federal grant (stimulus funds) and will use $500,000 of it to upgrade street lights to LEDs, more energy efficient.

Green Team is doing a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory ... the first County in the State to do this.

Alex Woodbury said the County is actually being quite proactive in approaching energy efficiency...surprisingly to him, way more involved than many private businesses.

Alex Woodbury's company is online, woodburygreen.com. As I mentioned above, before Alex left he agreed to schedule another interview--we'll try to get the Hawaii Energy organization in with Alex to talk about energy efficiency, rebates, and more.

A note of apology: my fault, operator error, another yet-to-be-edited program starting running on LAVA 105 at 8 a.m....we started this one around 8:15. You will be able to hear my excellent interview with Ted Coombs about his Banyan Drive book in late June or early July, and I encourage you to listen.

Our guests were the Hawaii Family Health Clinic Director, Dr. Lucy Bucci, and Boyd Morayama, from Hilo Medical Center's business side.

Hawaii Island Family Health Center is a medical practice, providing care to all ages from newborns to elderly, including delivering babies. Their focus is on the care of the whole family.

They are not a federally qualified community health center like Bay Clinic or West Hawaii Community Health Center. They are affiliated with Hilo Medical Center, USERA (University Clinical, Education Research Associates), and John A. Burns School of Medicine (University of Hawaii). .

They opened in April, 2009, located at 45 Mo'ohuli Street, by Hilo Urgent Care. The long term plan is to have the clinic be part of a certified medical residency program, where doctors who have gone to medical school, received their MDs (Medical Doctors) or DOs (Doctor of Osteopathy) come for additional training. It would be a three year training program, the length determined by the subjects to be covered. The plan is to start with four residents. The core learning must in Hilo at either Hilo Medical Center or the clinic, all under supervision. It is possible they may rotate to other facilities here, but the focus will be on the two key learning facilities.

Staffing: office manager, receptionist, two physicians (Dr. Jaynelle Nishiyama and Dr. Lucy Bucci), currently hiring an RN clinic manager who will supervise the clinic alongside the medical director. They also have a visiting Psychiatrist in collaboration with the John Burns School of Psychiatry. They're recruiting a Nurse Practitioner. They plan to recruit two more full time family medicine physicians, and then will apply for accreditation as a Residency Program. They'll also work with the Nursing School and School of Pharmacy (currently they have Pharmacy students rotating through).

What kind of training will Residents get? The supervision is 100%, although as the Residents get more skilled and competent, the direct hands-on supervision will decrease.

There's been a move to get a Residency program here since the 1990s. Dr. Bucci said the benefit is that Residents tend to stay and practice where they train (about 80%, history shows); this is one way to address the statewide physician shortage. The goal is to have them stay in the State, if not the Big Island.

Boyd Moriyama is the Medical Group Practice Director for Hilo Medical Center. As such, he focuses on issues such as physician recruitment, opening clinics, and helping get the Residency program to fruition. He came from Wilcox Memorial Hospital on Kaua'i (where he was born), and prior to that was at UCSF Medical Center (San Francisco).

Dr. Bucci said the patients for the clinic are bringing in all the usual diseases. There are many with chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems, and more. They also have people with psychiatric programs, also known as behavioral health problems.

Once the Clinic submits its application to be a Residency program, the governing body has up to a year to review the application. Dr. Bucci said it will take up to two to three years to have the Residency program up and running.

Funding:is a challenge. Hilo Medical Center is the responsible financial party. Boyd Moriyama says they're applying for grants and seeking private donations to cover the expense of the program, which includes paying the Residents as well as supporting the faculty and staff and physical facility. There will be a $550,000 shortfall annually, which is the amount above that which would be reimbursed by insurance, or patients paying bills. Dr. Bucci said HMSA Foundation has given some generous grants to outfit the space, plus provided seed money for faculty recruitment and faculties. Tri West has also been generous.. The program is seeking State support, but who knows if the State can/will support.

Odds of success? Boyd believes the community has and will show great support. Hilo Medical Center Foundation is also helping. Those who wish to donate, please contact Hilo Medical Center Foundation...935-2957.

Barriers to success? Dr. Bucci said it is difficult to recruit physicians, that's a challenge; funding must be there; but Dr. Bucci said things are promising and there is a positive attitude about the ability to succeed.

Hilo Family Health Clinic is at 769-6100, 45 Mo'ohuli Street, Hilo, HI 96720. They ARE accepting new patients! And this is a better way to find a doctor instead of going to the emergency room.

Our guests were Hilo Medical Center CEO Howard Ainsley and Chief Nurse Executive Dan Brinkman.

Hilo Medical Center has 275 beds; the Veterans Home has 95 beds. Ka'u Hospital is also under the aegis of Hilo Medical Center. HMC is the second state-run hospital on our island (along with Kona Community Hospital).

When we last talked a year ago, HMC was facing a $7 million shortfall. This year, the year ending June 30, 2010, Mr. Ainsley believes they'll be close to breaking even. They've had no layoffs, but they've cut costs in other ways. They would like to be less dependent on state funding. One way they want to do that is bring in more services to HMC so patients do not have to go off-island for services.

Hilo Medical Center has been given authority by the state to reform itself as a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. Mr. Ainsley said there is no plan to do that at this time. HMC does have a nonprofit foundation (Hilo Medical Center Foundation) which does raise funds to help HMC. They're working on a plan to remodel the lobby now.

A year ago, HMC had around 35,000 emergency room visits, and was just finishing remodeling the Emergency Room. Dan Brinkman said the ER is on track to see 38,000 patients this year. The facility with its remodel is quite capable. Additionally, they've instituted some new procedures which has helped make their average Emergency Room wait time to be seen is 21 minutes (below the national standard of 30 minutes). It used to be hours. They've also instituted a triage system so patients with minor issues to be "fast tracked", to get treated sooner. Average in time to out time for those, 2 hours. They have 28 beds (formerly 14, pre-remodel).

Trauma care: a portion of cigarette taxes goes to improve trauma care. Trauma is defined as any sudden, severe injury--from a fall to a car accident to a skateboard accident.

Level 1 trauma care, not available in Hawaii, is a facility with all specialties available fast. Level 2 trauma care in the state is provided at Queen's Medical Center (Dan said Queen's is, in his mind, capable of Level 1 but has to complete some requirements to prove it). HMC is 2 years into a 5 year state plan to upgrade all trauma care. Dan said today, HMC's trauma care is sort of like the TV shows where when you arrive, you're greeted by the entire team. The EMTs call the hospital en route, so the hospital can call in the specialists needed and be ready to go. Dan said the ER team has really stepped up and they do a great job.

Howard Ainsley commented that a helmet law here would help cut down on head trauma cases, most of which must be transported to Queen's Medical Center where a neurosurgeon is available.

When someone does need to be transported, it's done so after consultation with Queen's. Factors considered when deciding to send someone to Oahu: injuries (head trauma), need for surgery with multiple specialties, plus weather and and travel conditions.

HMC has cardiologist on staff, Dr. William Sammond. HMC can now do angiograms (cardiac catheretizations) to analyze heart problems. They've done 100 so far. HMC now can do telemetry to monitor heart problems; they have 34 monitoring devices which can be put on patients.

The only Veterans Home in the state is at Hilo Medical Center. This is essentially a nursing home for veterans. They have a new director, Juan Babiac (spelling probably not correct), coming on board to replace the retiring director. They're at 90% occupancy.

Mr. Ainsley said "Inside Hospitals" magazine recognized HMC as bringing good service to the community and how they've met the challenges of physician shortage and more.

HMC has just implemented an Electronic Medical Record system, the first state-run hospital to implement such a system.

HMC was recognized by American Heart Association for upgrading its cardiac care and stroke services.

Both Howard and Dan had high praise for all the HMC employees.

Our guest was Chief Executive Officer Earl Greenia.

Financials: all the Hawaii state run hospitals have significant financial challenges. Kona Hospital is at this moment operating in the black, a good thing, although they are facing a cash shortage as we approach the end of the fiscal year (June 30). At the beginning of last fiscal year they owed vendors $6 million, but are keeping up with payments.

Does the cash crisis have implications such as layoffs? Earl Greenia said NO, no layoffs foreseen. But he said they'll be conservative with spending, try to push expenses to July 1. They will get around 15% of their income from the state, and they have been funded by this year's legislature (which just completed their work two days ago). They have money set aside for payroll, physicians, and a contingency fund. Day to day operations will continue uninterrupted.

Structure: Kona Hospital (and other state hospitals) are now run by local boards of directors, rather than run by the central Hawaii Health Systems Corporation out of Oahu. The challenge is that now the regional boards need to work together, rather than getting tops down direction. Will Kona Hospital become a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization? The state will allow that to happen but has provided no funding to help make it happen. It may happen down the road. Senator Josh Green, the only medical doctor in the State Senator, introduced a bill to provide funding for study of the transition, but it did not make it through. Benefits to the hospital(s) to become nonprofits? They can get direct donations from foundations and donors, perhaps more easily.

There is a nonprofit foundation, Kona Hospital Foundation (president Jim Higgins) does solicit tax deductible donations for the hospital. Currently they're doing an "adopt a room" project, and upgrading hospital rooms, costing around $25,000 each for the upgrade for new bed, equipment, decor, etc.

Earl said over the past two years their internal maintenance department have completed 20,000 work orders, routine maintenance and upgrading. Earl said the hospital is clean, and their infection control practices are top notch.

Last year Mr. Greenia told us their plan was to not have long term care (nursing home type care) in the hospital. Three months ago, they transitioned their remaining long-term nursing home patients to private facilities. They still do Skilled Nursing Facility, which is short term, 5 to 7 day stays where the patient is in recovery from surgery and needs less than acute care but cannot yet go home. There are some new small nursing homes on the island which have taken longer term nursing home patients. Mr. Greenia also praised Life Care of Kona, one of two Life Care facilities here on the island, for their good patient care. There is also a plan in play by a private organization to build another skilled nursing facility, completely separate from the hospital.

Traums care: all three island hospitals are working to upgrade their traums care. Kona Community Hospital is the first Hawaii Island hospital to begin operating as a Level III Trauma Center, capable of providing a certain level of service, having a surgeon available 24/7/365 for emergency services. There is only one Level II Trauma Care Center in the State, at Queen's Medical Center on Oahu. The state is funding our island hospitals to upgrade their trauma care. Mr. Greenia praised Wendy Wagner and Dr. Rich McDowell for their work to make it happen.

Does the Trauma Care designation change where the EMTs might take a patient after an accident? No, Mr. Greenia said they'll take them to the nearest facility, whether North Hawaii Commuity Hospital, Kona Community Hospital, or Hilo Medical Center. If the problem cannot be handled, the patient will be medi-vac'd to Oahu, to Queen's.

Kona Community Hospital is working with John A. Burns School of Medicine (University of Hawaii) to bring third and fourth year residents here to the hospital to do rotations in pediatrics or other areas. They're also working with A. T. Skill University, which offers the D. O. degree (Doctor of Osteopathy). Two students from there have rotated through so far.

Kona Hospital have partnered with West Hawaii Community Health Center to bring in a pediatric dentist. They've done 21 dental surgeries on children over the past couple of months, services the keiki would not have been able to get otherwise.

Cancer: what facilities does Kona Hospital provide? Mr. Greenia said their cancer program is robust. Oncologist Dr. Tony DeSalvo works both at Kona Hospital and up in Waimea. He's a superb physician, with the hospital 3 years. Kona Hospital has a linear accelerator and can provide radiation, chemotherapy, etc. The hospital is pursuing a certification in cancer treatment. They've also re-established a "Tumor Board," where up to 25 specialists meet on any one cancer case to review/discuss and come up with the best treatment, using the best ideas. North Hawaii Community Hospital takes part in the Tumor Board. (Note, these nationwide have proven to be superb ways to improve cancer care.)

Clinical scores: Kona Community Hospital and Hilo Medical Center both have improved clinical scores, as measured by Medicare. All hospitals nationwide are part of this. In 25 measures, KCH has been at or above 90% for the past six quarters.

Biggest challenges? Money continues to be the biggest challenge. That's pretty much true nationwide for hospitals. Earl praised the hospital employees for their dedication, and for their willingness to accept pay cuts to get through this tough economy. In spite of the challenges, the latest employee survey showed a 4% increase in satisfaction...Earl said the employees are THE BEST, and they are the folks who really make the difference.

Community outreach is high on the agenda, with programs in diabetes education, CPR, palliative care, available. They're also sponsoring a management leadership mini MBA program for hospital and other medical professionals.

Last week, National Volunteers Week. Earl praised all the volunteers, including his board. Coming up, Nurses Week and National Hospital Week. Earl said the nurses also truly make the difference. Every job in the hospital is important.

Our guests were police Chief Harry Kubojiri and County Prosecutor Jay Kimura. My request to them was predicated on the two fairly recent horrible West side drunk driving accidents, the one over a year ago where the suspected drunk driver killed a baby at the Lako/Kuakini intersection, and the one in February where the 17-year-old Kealakehe girl, Angela Apostidero, was killed by a suspected drunk driver on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway.

Distracted driving: effective January 1, it's illegal to use a hand-held device while driving. Police Chief said his officers have given 188 tickets since January 1.

When we talked with Dr. Sharon Vitousek two weeks ago, she said we on the island had the highest-in-the-nation impaired driving fatality rate through 2008. Police Chief says in 2009, our rate was down slightly. In 2010, rates are up.

Police chief brought statistics which we did not mention on the radio, but which he gave to me: in 2009, of 19 crashes with fatalities, 15 involved the use of alcohol or drugs or both.

Prosecutor Kimura said keiki on our island are exposed to alcohol at early ages, they have more access. There are efforts to reduce sales to underage people, via stings and education.

Police Chief says the police department places a high priorities on stopping impaired driving. Officers are all trained in use of the intoxylyzer, plus drug recognition which is a presumptive test (ie not like the intoxylyzer breath test). Prosecutor said the courts recognize the presumptive tests for drugs as probable cause (ie dilated pupils, red eyes, whatever).

Police are regularly doing DUI checks, pulling over traffic at random, asking for the license and insurance during which time they look for signs of intoxication.

If a driver is suspected of being impaired in an accident, with an injury or fatality or not, the officers will put the driver through a field sobriety test (finger to nose, walk the straight line) plus they look for other signs of drinking. There is a law if there is an injury, the officer can direct the hospital to draw blood to test for blood alcohol. Blood alcohol testing must be done, by law, within three hours.

Police Chief said for a person of his size, 6' tall, 200 lbs, it would take only four beers, continuous drinking, for him to exceed the legal limit. Members of the judiciary and lawyers with whom I've talked made the comment: we should all know how much we can drink safely--and not exceed that. The comment has also been made that drinking and driving should never be acceptable.

When does the Prosecutor's Office get involved? Prosecutor Kimura's team is on call 24/7, and police will call the on-duty prosecutor to consult when there is an accident and discuss the evidence to ensure there's enough cause to arrest.

Why does it take so long for suspected drunk drivers to be indicted, when in some cases the arrest is immediate. Prosecutor said each case is individual (obviously my questions were focused on the fairly recent situations, but we did not want to discuss the specifics of those so Prosecutor was answering in general).

How to get convicted DUI drivers off the road? Prosecutor said they often still have access to vehicles. Taking away one's license doesn't really do it, as one can driver without a license. However, starting January 2011, Hawaii has an Interlock Ignition law. Those convicted of driving under the infuence will have the device on their car and must blow into the tube in order to be able to start the vehicle. (Note, Dr. Vitousek told us such a law became effective in Australia and significantly reduced the impaired driving fatalities.)

Vehicle impounding? Ontario, Canada has a law allowing vehicles of drunk drivers to be impounded. Should we have that? Police Chief said there are storage issues and also vehicle access issues, meaning convicted drunk drivers may use another car. It sounds like our upcoming Ignition Interlock law may be our best solution.

Police chief said all resources and testing is available here on the island. He said it often takes time to get the indictment because of complex tests required, such as mechanics certifying the vehicle, it can take time.

The statues in our state regarding drunk driving are voluminous, myriad, and complex. I began to develop more appreciation for how challenging the job of the police and prosecutors can be because of the complexity of the laws. Oftentimes drunk drivers are charged with multiple offenses, 8 or 9 charges. I asked for definition of two terms. Negligent homicide: death because of intoxication. Manslaughter requires recklessness, such as gross deviations from a normal standard of conduct, maybe including drinking, gross disregard of traffic laws, prior warnings or convictions.

How do we keep drunk/impaired drivers off the road? Police Chief said we need to develop more personal responsibility. People often consume more than they should without planning for a Designated Driver, but ... those are individual choices we make. Prosecutor said it's everyone's individual responsibility but also the community's responsibility. Do not glamorize drinking. Recognize that drinking and driving often leads to deaths. Drinking and driving should not be normal. A judge recently said that we need more public outrage about drunk driving.

Get statistics about drunk/impaired driving at the North Hawaii Outcomes Project web site, www.nhop.org.

Sherry's note: I had a heart-wrenching phone call a few days ago. Angela Apostidero's Dad called, as he'd heard we were doing this interview. Mr. Apostidero's 17-year-old daughter was killed in a horrible crash in February, where suspected drunk driver Joseph Edgar Jr. slammed into the cab driven by Angela's Mom on Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway near Kukio. Mr. Edgar's trial is slated for July. I told Mr. Apostidero the hearts of island residents are with him, his wife, and his family.

Our guests were John deFries, president of Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association and Paul Horner, General Manager of Outrigger Keauhou Beach Hotel.

John is also the CEO of Hokulia, so my first question was, what's up with Hokulia? For the past 27 months, the bank holding the Hokulia notes has been going through restructuring, which should be completed in 90 days. At that point, construction at Hokulia should restart. John says there are still 2 1/2 miles to complete the Mamalahoa Bypass, which should take about 3 years. The Bypass Road is currently open between the south end of Ali'i Drive to Haleki'i Street, southbound only, 3:30 til 6:30 p.m. workdays. Why not both ways? John said he's working with Hawaii County to help improve the northbound route so both ways can be open.

Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association evolved from conversations starting in 1994, that the visitor industry needed to focus more on Hawaiian culture. Key drivers were Kenneth Brown, chairman of Mauna Lani, Dr. George Kanahele, a pioneer of Hawaiian values in the executive setting.

Key elements: the place and the host, who has the kuleana to protect the place and welcome the guests--the third key element. Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association works with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and therefore Hawaii Island Visitors Bureau, under contract to bridge the visitor industry with the Hawaiian community, including training and familiarization.

John said not all hotels need embrace the principls of NaaHHA; some are very successful without that. But some properties lend themselves more than others to embracing the principles--such as Outrigger Keauhou Beach Hotel, which just celebrated 40 years. John said the lands on which the hotel are built are sacred and special, and that this hotel is leading the way in including Hawaiian culture as part of the guest and resident experience.

How does John see the visitor industry espousing the principles? First, understand the grounds on which you're located. It's easier on the Big Island as we're less developed, but John said it's even possible in the highly-developed Waikiki. We must orient to place names and landmarks, which is achievable on every island.

The owner of the Outrigger Keauhou Beach Hotel is Kamehameha Investment Corporation, the for-profit subsidiary of Kamehameha Schools. They have spent the last four years restoring several significant and very large heiau on the property.

Paul Horner has been General Manager for a little over 2 years. He has family roots in the Keauhou area. He's worked at hotels on Lanai and the mainland, but now feels he's "home"at this hotel.

What was the reaction of KIC and Outrigger Hotels when Paul proposed creating more cultural programs (they've had few since 9/11/2001)? Paul said both organizations embraced his vision because of the place.

Mahealani Pai with KIC has been responsible for restoring the heiau. Within easy sight of the hotel are four very large heiau--one has walls 32 feet thick. KIC researched the history of the land; it's very unusual to have so many heiau situated so closely together. Mahealani said he was able to find marker stones that indicated where the heiau boundaries were. Paul said they also found every stone they needed; they brought in no stones. Niho stones, the marker stones, resemble teeth (niho is the Hawaiian word for tooth).

Paul said every day they give tours of the property for guests OR local residents, who are welcome to participate in the hotel's no-charge cultural programs which include ukulele, hula, language, lei making (ti leaf lei), and more. Programs are under the direction of Kumu Keala Ching, a renowned kumu, who himself studied under Frank Hewitt. He includes chant and hula kahiko, not usually included.

Is this positively impacting the bottom line? Paul says at this point they are getting the most positive feedback ever from guests, and they believe it will translate into the appropriate profits.

Hotel employees are involved--each employee participates in language classes once or twice a month.

Does this exclude non-Hawaiian employees? Paul and John both said this excludes nobody--we're a multi-ethnic state and the Hawaiian culture is important to everybody, no matter their ethnic background.

Prior to Paul's coming to the hotel, John addressed the board of KIC with a key question: do you consider the Keauhou lands to be wahi pana, a sacred place, which has hotel space on it, OR, is this a hotel property with wai pana? KIC clearly believed the Keauhou lands are wai pana. John said if you likened Kona to Rome, Keauhou would be like the Vatican. He said Paul Horner is the "right" manager for the property, with his roots in the property.

John invited anybody in the visitor industry to take part in trainings on how to include Hawaiian principles in guest offerings April 29, 10 to 2:30, about Pamela 808-628-6375.

Paul Horner said in addition to the currently free cultural programs, the hotel is implementing an additional program, called Huaka'i, a fee-based lecture about the history of the Keauhou and Kahalu'u area. Two offerings, 10:30 (with lunch) and 2 p.m. Those interested should call the hotel, 322-3441.

Learn more about Native Hawaiian Hospitality Association online, www.nahha.com

Dr. Sharon Vitousek is Executive Director of North Hawaii Outcomes Project. This is an initiative of Earl and Doris Bakken, our wonderful philanthropic island residents. Their focus is part of the Bakken's focus on improving health for island residents, focusing on prevention and health improvement.

Impaired driving: anyone with Blood Alcohol Content of 0.08. It also includes use of drugs, both non prescription or prescription. The North Hawaii Outcomes Project does not at this time separate out "distracted driving" and does not collect data on this.

How bad is our impaired driving? Our death rate from motor vehicles crashes is three times worse than Honolulu, twice that of Maui and Kaua'i. More than half are attributed to impaired driving from alcohol. Between 2002 and 2008, Hawaii County had 59% of fatal crashes attributed to impaired driving. National average is 40%. Hawaii County has the worst record in the country.

This problem goes back on our island...Peter Sur with Hawaii Tribune Herald found editorials from 1935 decrying drunk driving; even in 1960s our island accident from impaired driving stats were per capita worse than Honolulu.

Why is the problem so much worse here on the island? It appears there may actually be more binge drinkers (more than 5 drinks a day) plus unforgiving roads--undivided roads.

Who are the impaired drivers? 75 to 80 percent male, 20 to 35. Recent data from emergency rooms indicates more women are drinking more, too.

Do people on our island accept drinking and driving better? Dr. Vitousek says that may be. We also have less public transportation as an alternative. Dr. V says we must change the social norms; there must be peer pressure that driving impaired is NOT ok.

Blood alcohol levels on our island from some of the drunk drivers is as high as .15, more than twice the "legal limit." Dr. V says this indicates chronic drinkers; most social drinkers with a level that high would be comatose. Queens Medical Center has started a program called screening and intervention in the Emergency Room. If someone comes into the ER because of an accident, they're screening for drugs/alcohol and using that moment to try to get somebody to acknowledge their problem and get into a treatment program.

Police, enforcement, laws--a big part of the solution. Hawaii County Police have significantly stepped up their efforts; since 2005, they're up 30% over previous times periods.

Prosecutors and courts are working diligently, too. [Note, in two weeks I'm scheduled to talk with Police Chief Harry Kubojiri and County Prosecutor Jay Kimura about this topic.]

Dr. Vitousek says there is good cooperation, that has improved markedly over the past years, among all the different involved agencies.

How do we address the issue of personal responsibility? There is no easy answer on how to get to people who disregard the law. In Ontario, Canada, they impound the car of those driving as repeat DUI offenders. Dr. Vitousek said the new upcoming Hawaii Ignition Interlock law is coming in January, 2011. DUI offenders will be required to install a device on their ignition requiring blowing into the device; if the driver's BAC is above a certain level the car will not start.

Education: are we doing enough? No data, but clearly we have a problem with young people. Dr. Vitousek said schools can also implement programs that if a student has been using drugs or alcohol they can take away privilege to participate in intramural sports (proven to help in other places).

Emergency response: our local EMS providers can play a role, not just in life saving, but in noting when alcohol/drugs are involved in a trauma. Doing screening and intervention is an area where they can help. Our fatality rate for those killed at the scene is five times higher than in Honolulu. One reason: undivided highways. If two cars collide at 60 mph, it's 120 mph total impact.

There's one Level Two trauma center in the state--Queen's Medical Center. If someone needs treatment more than that which can be provided at Hilo Medical Center, Kona Community Hospital, or North Hawaii Community Hospital, they must go by air, thus increasing time to treatment. That said: our island hospitals have an ongoing project to improve trauma care here on the island.

Most dangerous roadways: Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, some locations in Ka'u (see map, reference below).

Are there other success stories? New Mexico and Sweden have been successful in reducing impaired driving deaths via ignition interlock. Australia has cut impaired driving deaths in half through better coordination with police/courts.

We as individuals need to apply more pressure, we need to not let friends drive drunk, we need to do more to individually help stop this island problem. Employers and schools can have stringent policies in place, too.

See the North Hawaii Outcomes Project traffic data at their web site: www.nhop.org -- look for "traffic safety." Also the Mothers Against Drunk Driving web site can be helpful.

Mark Munekata is a former US Department of Agriculture employee and now a volunteer with Hawaii Island Economic Development Board. He's been involved with coqui observation and research for over five years. He even raises coqui to study them!

Where are coqui on Hawaii Island? After arriving at a nursery in Kea'au in 1988, they've spread around the island. The first nursery brought them in with a shipment of bromeliads from Puerto Rico. They're now as high as Saddle Road and Volcano and go down to sea level. They're very adaptable. Places that say they don't have too many coqui include Waikoloa, Waimea, and places on the Kona side. NOT having them seems to be related to dryness and neighbor diligence at getting them as soon as they're heard.

They're prolific breeders. Out of 30 eggs, you can have a 90% hatch rate and 80% survival rate. They don't start "calling" until around 8 months old. The females lay the eggs under a rock or on a rolled up leaf (no tadpole stage), then the male comes, fertilizes, and sits on the eggs. But Mark says our climate here means they can hatch even if the male doesn't sit on the eggs.

Coquis eat almost anything, but not much that people would like to see eaten (mosquitoes). They will eat fast moving insects, including the all-important honeybees. They are not deterred by being stung, by the way.

How do we identify coqui? They have no design on the belly (like small toads). Nursery or greenhouse frogs are close relatives, but they're a bit smaller and sound like a singing bird, a gentle soft whistle. Coqui make the loud "ko kee" sound. Size--they're getting bigger, some as big as 3" across, but some small dime to quarter size.

Coqui live: trees, rock walls, leaf litter, buckets in the garage, trucks, pantries. They're adapting like crazy to the island, and they're getting bigger. Mark has seen some 3" across!

How is our island drought in some areas affecting coqui? In dry areas, the eggs may dry up. But, coqui can easily go into hibernation. They don't call in drought, and don't call at 60 degrees or lower.

There are those on the island who like the coqui and feel we should not try to control or eradicate. Mark says the problem is, these frogs are reproducing so rapidly, eating everything including insects that birds might normally eat, and their loud "ko-kee" call can be incredibly disruptive. The coqui disrupt our ecosystem.

Is the coqui affecting ag exports? Other islands have talked about banning shipments from the Big Island, and California has now named the coqui as a banned creature. California has not yet banned shipments from the island but their law allows them to do so if they wish.

Both males and females make calls. Females make a raspy gecko-like sound. Males can do the "ko kee" or the "ko" or just the "kee."

The coqui is native to Puerto Rico. Those who have lived in Puerto Rico say the situation is quite different in Puerto Rico. With natural predators, the coqui population is really kept down, whereas here on the island, with no predators, the coqui population on an acre can number 10,000.

Can coqui be eliminated? Mark says yes, but first step, educate the public, and then focus on control methods. Some control methods: homeowners and nursery owners can spray or spread citric acid, hydrated lime, acidified calcium sulfate, or baking soda. Dipping plants in 160 degree water also works. Mark said the state has not ok'd baking soda as a solution, whereas they have approved citric acid and hydrated lime. However, USDA Wildlife studies have shown that baking soda is 100% effective in getting rid of the frogs. Mark would like to see the legislature give a tax credit to homeowners or nursery owners who eliminate coqui--the tax credit would be for buying the material. You can buy lime and citric acid at BEI and many places; Costco sells baking soda in big containers.

Chickens: Walker Sanders in Honoka'a is a chicken wrangler who moved his free range chickens from place to place, putting the chicken scratch near where the coqui were...and his neighborhood, after having hundreds of coqui a year ago, is now silent. Coffee grounds: Bob McDonald in Captain Cook says it works to spread coffee grounds around the ground under trees. Bob also said they now will pinpoint the location of the coqui, ie which trees they're in, at night--mark the spots with flags--then in the morning spread baking soda around the ground. They find baking soda to be VERY effective.

Eating coqui? Mark says they're nontoxic, and he'd be pleased to judge a coqui as food contest.

Mark is trying to set up a procedure to ship coqui frogs back to Puerto Rico.

Amphibian Arc Project: world zoos have gotten together to raise $400M to $500M to have zoos each save one endangered species. Mark has suggested they set up a frog zoo on the dry Kona side for endangered frogs--NOT for coqui.

Reach Bob McDonald of the Captain Cook Coqui Coalition if you want to borrow a sprayer or spreader or learn more, 328-9619 Mark Munekata's blog: www.coquifrognews.blogspot.com Note that there are also many organizations which commercially eliminate the frogs--Kaohi Coqui Control of Holualoa is one with which I consulted in preparation for the program.

Mark gave kudos to State Rep Clift Tsuji, County Councilwoman Brenda Ford, State Reps Gene Ward and Clayton Hee for their efforts to get state and county involvement to eliminate the noisy pest.

My guest, from the U. S. Census Bureau, was John Ho'omanawanui, a census "partnership specialist."

The United States Constitution requires a census every 10 years. Our first was in 1790, when George Washington was president. The concept of census goes back to before Roman times (remember that Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem because of the census!) John also said Hawaiians traditionally have taken census...under King Umi here on the island, families would bring rocks representing the size of their families to be counted.

Why the census? It helps determine how much Federal Funding we get for infrastructure, roads, hospitals, map making, forecasting, and more. It also determines how many United States Congressional Representatives we get. Regarding US Reps, John said we get one for each million people--so with our population statewide being around 1.3 million, we are likely to keep our reps at 2 for quite a long time (unless we get more than 2 million people).

Census data is not shared with any other federal, state, or private entity (including social services, Immigration, with anybody). The only way the data used is in aggregate, as numbers, no names associated with data.

In between the every-ten-year census, the US Census Bureau conducts a variety of other surveys, including the much more detailed American Community Survey (which includes lengthy, detailed questions about employment, activities, residences, and more).

It's important to respond to the census because our state needs federal funding and accurate data.

You should have received your census form. EVERYBODY who lives here should be counted, citizen or not, with a home or not...everybody. Please return it by April 15. If you have not received a form, call the census folks,call them at 1-877-808-697-7200 or cell, 808-342-9092. You can also get help at Office of Hawaiian Affairs Hilo and Kona, Sacred Heart Church in Na'alehu, Kona United Methodist Church. By the way, they're still hiring here on the island--if you'd like a job with the census folks, 1-866-861-2010. You can also look up information about the census online www.census.gov.

Dr. Alistair Bairos, a local surgeon and wound care specialist with Ali'i Health on the Kona side, recently spent 9 days in Haiti on a medical mission.

Ali'i Health is a nonprofit medical practice, an affiliate of Kona Hospital and Hawaii Healthcare Systems. There are 12 or 13 docs, multi specialty, employees of Ali'i Health rather than being independent practitioners.

Board Certification: doctors take special tests to ensure they have qualifications in a specialty. Dr. Bairos is one of only 25 physicians in the United States with certification in Advanced Wound Care. Impressive!

Dr. Bairos' trip came about because he got an email from a wound care group asking if he'd go. He said yes.

Dr. Bairos was in Haiti for 9 days about 5 weeks after the Januar 12, 2010 earthquake. The team flew from Miami to Port au Prince, but the on-ground airport officials could not get the landing lights to work. (Dr. Bairos said in the city of well over a million people, there were hardly any lights, it was almost pitch dark with few scattered lights.) The pilot made arrangements to land in the Dominican Republic (Santa Domingo), and the team was allowed to spend the night in the airport. Without food. But at least they were on the ground.

Port au Prince is on a large bay, with mountains 7,000 feet high, completely denuded of trees. Similar to Los Angeles, the town is in a basin on the leeward side of the island. The mountains trap smoke and dust, and now with no electricity, people cook with twigs and sticks, creating more smoke. Dr. Bairos said the city was just massive devastation--block after block. The town is larger than Honolulu, and he said virtually every building was either collapsed or massively damaged. There is deconstruction, bulldozers knocking things down, but no official building.

The work environment: American Association for the Advancement of Wound Care went down in conjunction with University of Miami. UM had been Four large circus-style tents: a ward, an operating room, a supply tent (their Costco), and a living tent for the 140 medical volunteers. They were right next to the airport, so once the airport lights went back on, planes came and went 24 hours a day. The ground inside the tents was dirt/grass with stumps, but they did have air conditioning. Dr. B said it was 92 to 98 degrees and very very muggy.

The patients: 95% were those with problems left over from the earthquake, some of whom had NEVER seen a doctor even though it was 5 weeks post earthquake. They also saw people who'd not been able to get treatment in Haiti, some with cancer who for several years had been unable to see a doctor in Haiti, and some with injuries from car accidents.

There are several makeshift clinics bow, but the coordination is not great. They had limited cell phone service.

When patients came in, there was an Emergency Room intake, which would determine (triage) how to handle the patient--treat in the ER, admit to the hospital, or what.

Dr. Bairos said this is the first time a wound care team has ever been assembled and sent to a disaster, and since they could help all other docs with wound care, it was a first time and a good thing.

Wound care: why different from other medical specialties? Wound care is a fairly new specialty. Dr. B said most of us have wounds that heal naturally, whether created by surgery or by accident or injury. But some wounds do not heal well...and that's where Dr. Bairos' specialty comes in. Sometimes the biology of the patient and the wound do not allow healing, and Dr. B and his colleagues develop techniques to help the wound heal.

Typical day in Haiti: they'd get up around 6 or 6:15, they'd have coffee, then they'd be on their own for breakfast--Dr. B took boxes of Tiger Milk Bars with him and sometimes they'd have military MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). The medical team would assemble at their picnic table for a status meeting, then each specialty would have their own discussion of patients, supplies, etc. Then they'd work from around 7 til 4 or 5 pm, nonstop, seeing patients. They'd have an hour or two dinner break.

Supplies: Dr B said people and companies around North America most especially have been quite generous in sending supplies. The biggest problem was figuring out what they had because it wasn't very organized. But by the end of the week, the docs had some shelves built and had started organizing supplies.

Dr B was involved mostly with wounds created by crush injuries from those trapped in rubble, and wound infections from amputations as a result of people being trapped. They also saw people who'd been run over by cars or trucks, sometimes while they were in their tents because the tents are so close to the street.

The Haiti medical infrastructure is not existent. The major medical hospital was rubble, and nobody would go inside. They lost many medical professionals, including those in training, to the earthquake. Rebuilding will be a major challenge. Right now there is lots of help, and help will be required in Haiti for years to come.

The Haiti government was not involved in anything these doctors did. Dr B said he couldn't really comment, but their translators said they fear the government does not have the capacity to deal with all this.

The doctors found so many daunting situations--people whose families had been killed who wanted to go back with the docs to the U.S., a mother who brought in her twin babies to ask a nurse to take one of them away to give them a better life.

Was Dr. B concerned about his own health? He said no, but he'd had all the appropriate vaccinations prior to going--and the doctors followed all the universal precautions such as hand washing, glove wearing.

Dr. B said there is a huge concern about patients who were treated and then released--would they be able to come back for followup care? Would their conditions at "home" supportive of healing (understanding that nobody has a home anymore and most are living in tents).

The medical professionals' housing: All 140 slept in one tent, in cots, six inches apart. They did have adequate fresh drinking water. Restrooms and showers: short showers, lots of porta potties.

Dr. Bairos' final thoughts: we are very blessed to live where we do. The Haitian people were very appreciative of everything that was done for them.

Would Dr. Bairos return? He said yes--here on the Big Island he helps people. But there, helping people would often save their lives. Without the volunteers, some of these people would have no medical treatment at all, in the face of life and death issues. There, a doctor has a direct, dramatic, total impact.

Kona side Estate Planning Attorney Kimberly Jackson was our guest again, a continuation of our March 7 discussion. We recapped a couple of items (what are wills and trusts) and then discussed what changes for 2010 will most impact us. See notes from March 7 for definitions of what wills and trusts are.

One important thing is to realize that family members often have differing memories about "who was supposed to get what asset" after somebody dies...writing it down, via will or trust, is important. It's also important to note that a living trust negates the need to go through probate, which is a costlier post-death process to validate a will. Also, a living trust can negate the need for probate in multiple states if one owns real estate in multiple states.

Wills or trusts can include specific provisions for tangible assets such as jewelry, artwork, etc. In the state of Hawaii, a "Tangible Personal Property List" can be an addendum to a will or trust, listing personal property and who should get it.

Living trusts can not only provide for disposition of assets after one's death, but they can provide for a trustee to handle one's affairs in the event of illness or lack of capacity. (Note: in my own family situation, a living trust worked well--after my Dad died, I became Trustee of Mom and Dad's trust, and managed my Mom's financial affairs, paid her bills, etc. The Living Trust made that process easy.)

In 2010, there is no federal inheritance tax. In 2009, only assets greater than $3.5 million were subject to Federal Estate Tax. In 2011, the law is currently set up that assets over $1 million will be subject to Federal Estate Tax of 55%. (Yikes!)

Basis: in 2009 and prior years, and slated to return in 2011, Federal tax law allowed a "step up in basis." In 2010, there is NO step up in basis. Why this is important: when there was a step up in basis, assets such as real estate or stocks or other appreciating assets were valued as if they were purchased on the date of death of the person who died. With no step up in basis, assets are valued as of the actual original purchase date. So, in 2009, if somebody died and heirs sold the assets, the capital gains tax they owed was based as if the property was purchased in 2009. This year, with no step up in basis, if somebody died and heirs sell the assets (stock, real estate), the capital gains tax is based on the difference between the ACTUAL purchase price, whenever the asset was purchased...2000, 1990, 1960, whenever) and the current sales price. This means there could be a significant hit, significant capital gains tax due. There are some minor step up in basis, but it's complicated. For spouses, there is some step up in basis. However, apparently the law requires that a will or trust allow the trustee, have wording in it, to enable the trustee to do the step up in basis. (Very very confusing!! requires us to probably redo trusts/wills or hope nobody dies this year.)

United States Congress MAY repeal the law this year, may institute an estate tax for this year and may re-establish the "step up in basis". But...who knows if Congress will act? Ms. Jackson said no attorney believed legislators would allow this to go into effect and that's why there was absolutely no publicity about this major change in the rules regarding the basis of assets.

Ms. Jackson said for some of her clients she's created provisions in trusts, this year, to say "If there is an estate tax, do A, if there is no estate tax and no step up in basis, do B."

Gifts: people may give a non-taxable gift of $13,000 to any other individuals each year. A benefit is, this can reduce the size of the ultimate estate at one's death. If one gives more than $13,000, the giver is supposed to file a gift tax form 709, as long as the cumulative value of such gifts do not exceed $1 million.

In 2011, the exemption from estate tax is $1 million. That sounds "big," but it isn't really--if you consider the value of a home, all other assets, AND life insurance. There are some ways to deal with this--if you think your estate may run to over $1 million, and life insurance is part of your assets, you can do an "ILIT", Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust, which apparently can move the life insurance proceeds out of being considered part of one's assets. There are also ways to divide up asset ownership so values look and are less for IRS purposes.

Be sure to consult an attorney regarding your own situation...this has become incredibly complex. Good for the attorneys, challenging for those of us not attorneys. If you do consult an attorney about these matters: make sure the attorney is an expert in estate planning; have an idea of what your assets are; have an idea who you want to get your assets; who do you want to be your estate manager, or trustee. Be prepared to reduce your billed hourly time with the attorney! Ms. Jackson said costs are not able to be absolutely given in advance, but generally she says an attorney-made will is usually $500-$750; a trust would likely cost $3,000 to $4,000.

Our guest was Kona-side estate planning attorney Kimberly Jackson. She's a member of the bar in several states in addition to Hawaii. This is Part 1 of a two part talk story about a complex issue; we'll hear the rest Sunday, March 14.

Wills: formal written document that says who gets our "stuff" when we die. Each state has requirements to make a will valid. If one dies without a will, the state decides to whom assets are given, generally blood-related family members. Wills also appoint guardians for young children, those under 18. One disadvantage of a will is that it must still go to the court, a process called probate, when somebody dies for the court to confirm the will. Probate is fairly costly as an attorney must be involved. Some states, such as California, set attorney fees for probate--and they seem high--but Hawaii has changed their law and no longer sets attorney fees for probate. Attorneys in Hawaii will generally charge an hourly rate (often around $400 per hour) to handle probate.

Online wills, are they legal and effective? Ms. Jackson says the issue with online wills is verification of signature, and ensuring the form is legal in the state. The court will do a "proof" process to ensure the signature is legal, the will properly witnessed as required by law.

Revocable living trust: sometimes called a will substitute, also says who gets our "stuff" when we die. With a living trust, there is no need for probate. Although it's more Another benefit of a trust is that even if someone is still alive, the trustee of the trust can manage the person's assets and affairs if they are sick, in the hospital, incapacitated for some reason.

Who should do a revocable living trust? If any real estate involved, or children under around 25, a trust is preferable, per Ms. Jackson. All real estate MUST go through probate, per Hawaii law, unless it is in the deceased person's living trust.

What if we die without a will or trust, what will the court decide? With no will or trust, usually the property goes to a spouse. But if there are children involved, the court usually will split assets. If there is a blended family, if there are hanai relationships, the court may make decisions not in accordance with what our wishes might be. Also, for those people who live together without being married, whether same or opposite sex, or good friends who live together, perhaps share a house--it is critical to have wishes written down as the Hawaii courts do not recognize those not related by blood as entitled to inherit or even use property after somebody's death. It's also important for grandparents raising grandchildren...if the grandparents die, the courts may leave the property to children and neglect the grandchildren.

At what age should we have a will or trust? Ms. Jackson said once one turns 18, one should have powers of attorney for health care decisions (Advanced Directives) to ensure they appoint somebody to manage their health decisions and life decisions if they are incapacitated. Also, once one acquires any assets at all, whether real estate or a 401K or other retirement account or bank savings accounts--a will or trust will ensure those assets go where you want them to do.

Tax law changes in 2010: the federal inheritance tax, the estate tax, the federal gift tax, all the same thing: most years the tax over a certain excluded amount has been around 50% for many years. In 2010, there is NO inheritance tax. (Note, federal legislators may reinstate the estate tax for 2010 and make it retroactive to January 1, but it's not clear if they will nor if that would withstand a constitutional challenge if someone has died and the assets distributed and proper tax forms filed.) In 2009, there was a $3.5 million exclusion, meaning the first $3.5 million has no estate tax; anything over that would have been taxed at around 50%. For 2011, the way the law is set up now, there is a $1 million exclusion, meaning there is no inheritance tax on the first $1 million. Anything above that will be taxed at 55%, with an additional 5% above $10 million. This is NOT income tax. Income tax is paid on all income.

State inheritance taxes? No Hawaii state inheritance tax at this time. Some states have inheritance tax, some states take it out from the 50%, some add it to the 50%. Ms. Jackson says Hawaii State Inheritance Tax is due to return in 2011...at this time.

How are assets determined, what goes into determining how much the assets are worth and therefore how much is subject to exclusion in years with an inheritance tax? The value of the assets is determined on the appraised value of assets on the decedent's date of death. That includes life insurance. Therefore, those with homes, a retirement account, possible life insurance, etc. So it could be easy starting next year to reach that $1 million exclusion.

Next week we'll talk about another hugely significant change in estate law for this year, which has to do with a change in how the federal government determines the BASIS of assets...which comes into play when an heir needs to sell those assets.

Note, this information is general only and not specific legal advice. Please consult with an attorney, preferably one familiar with and specializing in estate planning and estate tax issues, with questions about your own will, trust, and tax situation.

Neale Donald Walsch has written 22 books, 7.5 million sold, translated into 37 languages. He's here on the island for a talk next Saturday, March 6, at Keauhou Beach Hotel as part of the two day wellness seminar.

Mr. Walsch first heard God's voice over his right shoulder one evening at a moment of great despair. It was 4:15 in the morning, and he said the voice moved from outside his head to inside his head. He asked serious life-affecting questions. He said the answers came faster than he would write them down. He started writing his questions and the answers down. The initial writings, 3,000 pages, have become 22 books.

What did the voice sound like? Mr. Walsch describes it as a "voiceless voice", the sound of his own thoughts.

Why him? Mr. Walsch says God talks to all of us, and the question is, whether we listen. The voice of God is within us, bearing wisdom and truth.

Mr. Walsch's early life: born and raised a Roman Catholic. He wanted to be a priest when he was 14, but his father refused to let him make that commitment til he was 18, by which time he was no longer interested. But he's always been interested in the deeper questions of life, and a keen interest in finding God.

Neale's life at the time God first spoke to him: he had lost his job, his relationship, his health was failing, he was homeless. He asked God why all this was happening to him, what had he done to deserve this life where bad things were happening. He began to be open to the possibility that wisdom and spiritual understanding could be available to all of us. Whatever we believe God to be, whoever we believe God to be, Neale says that is within each of us. God brought him wisdom, love, compassion, and the power and resources to implement what he had learned.

If Neale recognizes all traditions, why such purely Christian concepts in his books--example, the Holy Trinity, the concept of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit? Neale says every one of the world's major religions holds part of the truth, and all of them hold the truths, though he feels religions do not have as complete an understanding of "truth" as they could. He says the concept of triune is present everywhere. Father, or Father/Mother, describes the Creator. Father/Son an effort to describe physicality, including the physical form of Jesus Christ, the created. Holy Spirit, the aspect of the triune reality that translates as pure energy, or spirit, or energy, that animates the other two.

How did this become a book? Neale said he believed he was writing his own journal. But God told him his writings would be a book. He gave it to a stenographer to type. She was very moved by the writings, leading Neale to believe it might have value for others. He sent it to a publisher, and within two weeks the publisher called and said he would publish it. Neale said he sent it off partly to test God, to test what had been said...and found out God was right, it would indeed become a book (or 22). Within 6 months the book was on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Key learnings: there is only one thing in the universe, and we're all part of it; out of this grows the awareness that we are all part of the one thing; there is enough of everything we imagine we need to be happy; there is nothing you have to do. The highest level of being is pure love. If we can move into doing love, life will give us a form where that makes sense for each of us.

Neale believes we live many lives, not limited to one time through, so we have eternity to get it right, whatever "right" is.

That which we call God, Krishna, Allah, that which is seeks to express and experience itself through life itself, of which we are a part. We express divinity in whatever way feels most natural to us.

If we all have the capacity to know the way of good and love within us, why do people do bad things? Neale says God doesn't "let" people do bad or good things. People do bad things out of incredible fear, out of having been hurt so badly they need to hurt others. They act out in ways that demonstrate their incredible lack of understanding.

Role of organized religion: provide structure and foundation. He said many children today do not get such a foundation therefore have no idea how to seek higher levels of understanding. Organized religion creates a foundation for humanity to seek truth not verifiable by scientific method, to ask questions. Organized religion runs into trouble when it closes off truth seeking and question asking. Organized religion needs to demonstrate true love, not closing off access or making rules to exclude people. Examples: excluding gay people from full participation, denying people the right to marry if from different races, condemning them for violating form versus embracing content.

Neale's latest book: When Everything Changes, Change Everything. It focuses on giving people tools to deal with our rapidly changing world, to change their own reality to adapt.

If you'd like to see Neale Donald Walsch next Saturday at Keauhou Beach Hotel, or attend the two day wellness expo, info and tickets online, www.totalwellbeingexpo.com. You may purchase Neale's books at local book stores or go online, www.nealedonaldwalsch.com/

Our guests were Ka Hana No'eau program director David Fuertes, assistant director Dennis Matsuda, and program participant Bert Kanoa Jr., 15 and a sophomore at Kohala High School.

Ka Hana No'eau is a youth mentoring program running out of Kohala Intergenerational Center, now in its fifth year. They have 8 mentoring groups. They do two groups in Honoka'a, the rest are all out of Kohala. They also manage a program called AVID at Kohala High and Honoka'a High. AVID is an elective course, Advanced Via Individual Determination. It's a college prep course, which helps the kids learn how to take notes, organize their thinking, and prepare for college. The AVID program includes the Cornell University note taking system, which includes the main ideas, summaries, and questions. The AVID program is run by teachers at the schools whom Ka Hana No'eau has sent to the mainland to learn about the AVID teaching method. Kids in the program have a higher college-entry rate.

Ka Hana No'eau is part of Partners in Development, a 501C3, started by Jan Dill in 1997. The cornerstone program of PID is Tutu and Me, a traveling preschool operating in 13 communities in the state (including ours). The goal of PID is to strengthen and empower families, initial focus Native Hawaiian families and others as well. Jan Dill, who started the program, is a visionary and also someone who knows how to find grants to fund the programs.

There are around 45 kids in Ka Hana No'eau. David and Dennis recruit at the local schools, looking at students from 8th grade to 12th grade. Both students and the parents must commmit to the program. So far, kids in the program have stayed in for their four years of high school. Results show their grades improve. Those who've graduated from the program have gone on to college, except two, who are seeking scholarships and currently working for Americorp in Kohala Watershed Project.

The mentors are Kohala folks who teach the students skills in saddlemaking, fishing, agriculture, aquaculture, hula, light machinery, sustainable gardening. Part of the focus is on creating a sustainable Kohala.

Dennis was in Hawaii County Park and Rec for 33 years following graduation from UH. David's background was as a teacher and Future Farmers of America leader.

Bert Kanoa Jr. takes two workshops with Ka Hana No'eau, saddlemaking (to preserve his paniolo background) and light machinery (his future career plan).

What makes Hawaiian saddles different from Western saddles? Bert told us that Hawaiian saddles are constructed using pieceparts that enable replacement of a part if one breaks. Western saddles, Bert says, are far more complicated because they're hard to repair.

How is Bert's life different as a result of Ka Hana No'eau? Bert says he was undirected prior to the program. Now, he knows more about his Hawaiian culture and has goals.

David Fuertes told us the kids in the program are committed to improving themselves and want to learn about their culture and the 'aina (the land). He said the teaching style in the mentoring program is more the Hawaiian style--do then learn how math, science, language apply. The kids are required to create business plans and do science projects.

Monthly, the groups do ohana dinners to help their parents and family members learn what the kids are doing.

Partners in Development provides funding, and Ka Hana No'eau also seeks grants independently. They also welcome community members becoming involved with the kids as mentors or in other ways. Annual budget around $250,000 or $300,000, which includes the AVID program as well as Ka Hana No'eau's programs. The program was recently featured in a Hawaiian Airlines inflight video.

Learn more about Ka Hana No'eau: www.pidfoundation.org (click on Ka Hana No'eau) or call 884-5838.

Our guests were Hawaii Island Food Basket Executive Director Nani Lee (a social worker, PhD, attorney) and Hawaii County Councilman Pete Hoffman, who has volunteered for Food Basket for more than ten years.

Food Basket is a food bank. The name came when the food bank moved from being part of the Catholic Church's Office of Social Ministry, and contest for young people resulted in the name Food Basket. Food Basket is the warehouse, the fundraiser, they get the food that ultimately goes to feed needy, low income folks on the island. The food gets to the ultimate recipients via 85 local organizations which provide 95 different feeding and food distribution organizations.

Dr. Lee said the Food Bank here on the island started under the Catholic Church's Office of Social Ministry out of necessity, and the plan was always to become an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The change occurred around 2006. The board is made up of local residents: Barry Taniguchi, Tom Whittimore, Warren Lee, Debbie Mayava Ching, Carol Ignacio.

The national organization Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) serves as a nationwide umbrella food bank organization. They set up certain principles by which food banks are established, based on population, geography, etc. They also seek national contacts and contracts and grants to help provide food for the local food banks, including our Food Basket.

Hawaii Island Food Basket is the only food bank in our state to have received a refrigerated van, which they obtained via a grant from Paul Newman's Foundation. Paul Newman had a deal with Ford to provide the vans. The Food Basket has a brand new, 2009 refrigerated van. Dr. Lee said the grant was spearheaded by Dr. Bob Nishimoto, who serves as the Food Basket's Development Director.

Who are the providing organizations? There are 85 organizations providing 95 food programs, which include senior food distribution programs, programs that provide complete meals (example, Kealakehe Intermediate School has a Wednesday "meet and eat" program), school snack, breakfast, and lunch programs. Food Basket monitors the organizations to ensure the food is getting to the people who need it, that the organizations are properly storing and serving, and that the programs reach out to those who need food. To find a food program near you, call Food Basket, 933-6030. Also check their web site, http://www.foodbaskethi.org.

How many on the island get food from Food Basket? Dr. Lee tells us: 30,000 people, which is between 1 out of 5 or 1 out of 6 island residents--wow, what a high number. Food Basket distributed 1,400,000 pounds of food in 2009, up 200,000 pounds from 2008.

Who are the recipients? children, many of whom get fed at school, elderly, sometimes working people for whom the money just does not go far enough (Furlough Fridays can be particularly hard for those children who as a result do not get fed on Friday nor Saturday nor Sunday)

Food Bank annual budget is around $900,000. Last year they spent $60,000 actually purchasing extra food, and they have expenses to warehouse the distribute the food. The receiving organizations pay around 18 or 19 cents per pound for food they pick up, to help defray the warehousing costs. Food Basket has a warehouse in Hilo and in Kona. When they purchase food they get the best price possible. They sometimes get food from national sources.

Fundraising: they seek grants, they seek individual and corporate donations. They have frequent "food a thons" for people to donate nonperishable food--canned food, rice, etc. Now through February 19 there's a food drive at KTA stores.

February 22 is the annual food basket golf tournament at The Club at Hokulia. Shotgun start at 10 a.m. preceded by continental breakfast, followed by a sumptuous buffet at Hokulia Pavilion (the food courtesy of Hokulia, a generous gift on their part). The $300 entry fee includes all that, plus a tee prize, believe it not, some golf shoes!! If you get a hole in one on the 13th green, Mazda will give you a car. It's a tax deductible donation, and helps this worthy organization. Sign up for the golf tournament--call Harry Welch at 326-1189 or Pete Hoffman at 883-8547 (Pete says he promises not to talk politics).

If you wish to just make a monetary donation, send your check to Hawaii Island Food Basket, 140-B Holumua St. Hilo, HI 96720, or go online to their web site--you can donate via Pay Pal--www.foodbaskethi.org. To donate food, take nonperishable food at any time to any fire station or to KTA. For unusual or large donations (if you'd like them picked up) call 933-6030.

Mayor Billy Kenoi was our guest, once again...sooner than expected, but I heard him talk at Kona Kohala Chamber of Commerce on January 28 and thought listeners might like to hear some of the things he talked about.

Mayor recently was at the White House, at the Conference of Mayors. He heard from many in the Administration and met President Obama. He said when he introduced himself to the President, President Obama flashed the shaka! Now, how many Presidents would do that? In any case, President Obama reinforced his desire to find a way for stimulus and federal funding to most definitely reach the counties and citizens (ie not get stopped at state level).

Mayor said the President was dynamic and confident, he engaged all the Mayors in an open Q and A with give and take. Mayor said the impression was quite positive.

Re federal funds: Mayor also met with our United States Senators, one topic being how to get funds to flow to counties and not get stopped at the State level. Senator Inouye told Mayor that the job creation bill in the Senate now will have funds going directly to cities and counties.

The contract has been awarded for the Ane Keohokolole Highway (Kona's mid level road, above Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway, from Palani to Kealakehe Parkway and ultimately to Hina Lani). Winner was Nan, Inc., an Oahu-based contractor. Mayor said he was pleased it was a Hawaii state contractor (ie because this is a Federally funded highway, award goes to lowest bidder, and there was a Reno company bidding). Nan, Inc., bid $29.8 million ($35 million had been budgeted). Nan, Inc. has done several military contracts, they've recently completed the $26 million renovation of the Hawaii County Building at 25 Aupuni Street. They're also working right now on the Keaokaha Military Reservation by Hilo Airport. They delivered the County building project on time, on budget. One of the problems with Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway was that local contractors who did not get the bid sued, holding up the process and making it hugely more expensive. Mayor Billy said you can never tell if someone will sue, but they created the bid to extremely tight specs to try to avoid that. Nan, Inc. has demonstrated by previous projects that they do hire local subcontractors (ie Hawaii Island), and Mayor said he's made it crystal clear to Nan, Inc., that this is his expectation.

Budget: our county budget cycle is July 1 to June 30. Mayor has to submit a balanced budget for July 1, 2010-June 30, 2011, by March 1 to County Council. Current budget is $386.4 million. Mayor said he expects a $44.8 million dollar shortfall for the next budget, resulting from increased expenses and potentially lower revenues. The County's only revenue sources of significance: property taxes (County controls), Transient Accommodations Tax ($17.4 million, collected by the state from those renting hotel rooms and rental cars). Mayor said he's asked his immediate staff to do furlough days, which for them means working but not getting paid. He said last year he cut 55 vacant positions, and will cut more. He also said they cut out 77 warm body positions, ie 77 fewer employees (through retirements, attrition).

State has announced they want to NOT give the counties the Transient Accommodation Tax. Is this a grant, a gift from the State? Mayor said the TAT was initially established for three reasons, per the legislative records: fund Hawaii State Convention Center, provide marketing dollars to the Visitors Bureau, and third, a reliable permanent source of funding for each County. It was recognized that visitors use County facilities (roads, beaches, emergency services) with no income to the County--so the TAT was established for that, per the Mayor. He and the other County Mayors are united that it is inappropriate for the State now to say they will not pass it through to the Counties. Will the Counties prevail? We shall see what the legislature says. (Editorial comment: we hope our own State reps and senators support the revenues staying on the island.)

Property taxes, which is the sole revenue generator controlled by the County: Mayor said they may raise tax RATE to account for lower tax ASSESSMENTS, so that I may have a lower assessment on my house, but with a higher tax rate, my actual tax should be same as last year.

Higher education: UH Hilo, is Mayor of the belief UH Hilo will continue to get appropriate State support? Yes, but Mayor also advocates a University Improvement District around UH Hilo which will provide tax benefits for those wishing to build student housing. Mayor feels having higher education is critical. UH Hilo provides some world class programs: astronomy, the UH Hilo College of Pharmacy as examples (Dean of Pharmacy Dr. John Pezzuto is a rock star in his field). Re West Hawaii, Mayor says the development at Palamanui will include a new campus for University of Hawaii-West Hawaii (a community college). That's a definite.

NFL Pro Bowl clinics are coming up on the island Tuesday at Kealakehe High at 3 pm, Wednesday at Kea'au High at 3 p.m. Mayor started this program when he was Mayor Kim's executive assistant. NFL Youth Clinic coordinator Nate Moore, former Miami Dolphin, established some good relationships over the past 7 years and quite nicely for our island youth, wanted to continue the program even though Hawaii does NOT have the Pro Bowl this year. 350 kids from 6th through 12th grade can take part. To get in, call Rita Miller with National Guard, 937-3815 or come on down, bring a parent or guardian. (Editorial comment: I spoke with Nate Moore, talked to him in Miami where he was conducting a clinic at a Haitian community center. He was a Miami Dolphin during the Joe Marino-Bob Griese days--look him up on Wikipedia for more. He said he was raised in the inner city, with few opportunities, and sports gave him motivation and opportunity. The clinics are to encourage kids to stay in school, work hard, and follow their dreams.)

Mayor closed with a positive note--times are challenging, but we must work together to get through it all. Mayor maintains a positive attitude.

Last November 22, we aired a talk story with Kona attorney Darl Gleed and Dr. Dickran Boranian. We talked about Advanced Health Care Directives from the legal and the medical perspective. My Mom was recently sick, and in the hospital and a nursing home, and we were so grateful that we'd discussed end-of-life issues and that Mom had an Advanced Health Care Directive. We rebroadcast the program to help people focus on how important these issues are.

See the summary below from the November 22 program.

Our guests again were Dr. Barry Blum (orthopedic surgeon, founding member of Kona Beth Shalom), Pastor Sonny Shimaoka (Police Chaplain, pastor of Waimea's New Hope Chapel), and Cynthia Taylor (Pastoral Associate, St. Michael's Catholic Church).

Dr. Blum commented that prayer when asking God to help us win or help defeat another is divisive, not only generally but within one's self.

Pastor Shimaoka said he feels prayer should be aligned with the will of God. Why be contrary to the will of God? He used the example of the Jews in the desert, who asked God for things they did not need--Pastor Shimaoka said God answered their prayers with what they truly needed. Dr. Blum pointed out that it's not always possible to know the will of God, and it's dangerous and arrogant to think we can always know "what God wants."

Dr. Blum also said he feels religions must learn to find accommodations, ways to get along--although those of different faiths often use their faith as reasons to disagree.

Cynthia Taylor: feels all religions, including and especially here on the Big Island, must work together. She said the Catholic Church on the Big Island is working more towards being inclusive, recognizing we're all member of the island ohana, the island community.

Living on the island means we need each other more than other areas. Dr. Blum said the concept of the places of refuge is not just a Hawaiian concept, it's a Biblical concept.

Is there evidence that prayer works? Dr. Blum said he had an experience with a patient many years ago, who needed orthopedic surgery. The patient asked his friends to pray for him. When Dr. Blum went to operate, he took another xray and determined surgery was not needed...did the patient's situation truly change, or did Dr. Blum see a different view? Pastor Sonny said God does answer prayers...of course not necessarily as we want them answered!

Ms. Taylor said letting go is important, having faith, having trust. Cynthia said she's been at prayer healing services, and people truly do sometimes get "healed". Is that the power of the mind? Is it God's hand? Cynthia said the abandonment of self is what's critical, to allow conversion and transformation take place.

Dr. Blum said we must remember that God works in different ways--including sending doctors, operations, help in ways not necessarily expected.

All agreed that gratitude is a form of prayer. If people have hard lives, how can they find gratitude? Pastor Sonny said as hard as lives can be here, they are so much harder in many other third world countries. Dr. Blum said when it's hard to survive, it's hard to be grateful, yet we do see people in challenging, awful circumstances who still seem to be able to find gratitude and express faith.

Dr. Blum referred to a book by Rachel Remen, a doctor, My Grandfather's Blessings, which talks to being able to see blessings even in bad situations.

Cynthia Taylor has spent time in Kenya, and said the poverty there is beyond anything she's ever seen in the United States. She said the one thing she remembers if the joy and faith among those people, who had little to nothing.

Pastor Sonny said the most important things in life are not things, they're people, those close to us. He feels we can get through tough times by clinging to each other. Dr. Blum had a quote from Dr. Remen's book which backed that up.

Cynthia Taylor said when times are tough, the opportunities for spiritual growth are great.

Pastor Sonny closed with "Never let your problems become excuses; look at problems as opportunities to grow, to find new ways to do things, new ways to solve problems."

The February 20 broadcast from Kahilu Theater will also showcase the Honoka'a High Jazz Band.

Guests: Dolly Strazer, Director of Lyman Museum, and Judith Kirkendall, former UH Hilo Dean and professor and still teaching at UH Hilo.

Lyman Museum's mission: preservation of our culture, starting withe the Lyman Museum Mission House. It was build around 1860 by the Lyman family, who lived there til 1885. In the 1930s, the County was contemplating tearing it down. Descendants of Mrs. Lyman, the Wilcox sisters of Kaua'i, were instrumental in preserving the house, getting it turned 90 degrees and keeping it in place as Haili Street was extended.

Domestic structures: homes, hales. Although no thatched huts remain, some of the oldest examples of early residents after western contact are intact. These include Japanese homes and plantation style dwellings. One of the plantation style homes included on the tour is one in which the 91-year-old resident's parents lived, and he's lived there his whole life.

Stone structures: mostly heiau and churches. Many churches used stones from heiau.

Public structures: anywhere people gather. A prime example is the Hilo Post Office, built in the 1930s. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, president at the time, came and delivered the opening address when the post office opened. The tour includes the inside, built initially as the court house, with magnificent koa benches and interesting lighting. The exteriors of many of the downtown buildings have not changed much over the years, so although internally they may have changed, externally you can "see" old Hilo. The Kress Building is also remarkable, now housing Connections Charter School...it's very art deco.

The main thing is, to really look...and see.

If you'd like to join the architecture tours hosted by Lyman Museum on January 30 (stone structures) and February 27 (public structures) call them at 935-5021. I'd recommend you go to the Lyman Museum if you have not--it's an island treasure. More online, www.lymanmuseum.org.

Additionally, there is a federally-funded program to fully pay for a solar hot water heater for renters or owners, four people or more in the household, who make less than $52,700 (different dollar levels for different number of residents). Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council representatives Mary Finley and Yen Chin told us about the program and about the support offered by this private, nonprofit agency to help people apply and get the water heaters installed. **This is an amazing opportunity--if you might qualify, what a deal! Call Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, 961 2681 X412. This program goes through August of 2010, so call now.

Mayor Billy Kenoi was installed December 1, 2008, one year ago.

Re trash: Mayor said he does NOT plan to charge Hawaii Island residents to throw trash away. There are several recommendations contained in the new Solid Waste Management Plan, which is mandated by state law. The consultant CH2M Hill created the proposal with citizen input and this suggestion is in the plan. So for now, at least, we can continue to take our trash to the transfer stations at no cost. However, Mayor reinforced we must recycle and reuse to reduce waste. He also said there will be painful changes, reducing transfer station hours among them, to help reduce cost given the dire situation of our county budget. Mayor said he recently visited Kealakehe school, and they've been able to take 30 pounds of trash and get it to 2 pounds of actual trash--the rest could be reused.

The infamous bulldozer: the county purchased a bulldozer in 1991 for around $256,000. They sold it six years ago to Ishii Contracting, and proceeded to lease it back at a cost that has now exceeded $400,000. What's the plan? Mayor Billy said the county does lease equipment, and have negotiated a low bid contract with Ishii for leasing many different kinds of heavy equipment. Mayor said he and Lono Tyson, Director of Environmental Management, agree that this bulldozer needs to be removed from discussion. Lono is working to prepare a purchase contract. For now, they lease another bulldozer only when the two existing county-owned bulldozers are not working. Mayor said this is a sad example of government inefficiency that he is trying to correct.

Recent audit by independent auditor Colleen Schrandt, for the period ending June 2008 for Department of Public Works was very critical of lack of leadership, inefficiency, etc. Mayor said he and Public Works Department Head Warren Lee and his division chiefs have discussed the audit with Auditor Schrandt and they welcome the suggestions. Mayor said we must improve county efficiency. Mayor said inside Public Works there are many areas he and Director Lee are working on, to consolidate services and try to be more efficient.

In the 8 years preceding this administration, the most challenging budget year was 2001, with a %7.4 million deficit. This year our budget deficit is $33 million. Next year, we're expecting a $44 million deficit. Mayor said this is why we need to be more efficient.

The state is pondering taking away the county's Transient Accommodation Tax to save the state $100 million next year. However, this would leave the county still providing services for visitors, who stay at the hotels and generate this tax, with no revenue. TAT is the second highest revenue generator for the County, after property tax.

County labor costs equal around 59% of our county budget. Now there is a two day a month furlough agreed upon by HGEA, and talks are going on with UPW to do the same. Total if both agree, $5.5 million savings. The executive committee is taking furlough days every month, and Mayor has asked, and the salary commission has agreed, not to raise executive salaries.

Property taxes: mayor said yes, he is intending to keep property taxes the same, even though property values have declined. That will save the county $17 million.

The first budget is due March 1, amended budget May 1. Mayor said they started reviewing the budget last September, and they'll be working with County Council to figure out how to ensure the County continues to function even with a declining budget.

Hiring freeze: Mayor said a hiring freeze means any department head who needs to hire MUST go through the Mayor's hierarchy to justify filling the vacancy. It does not mean nobody gets hired, but it means the only hires are those that are critical. Last year there were two positions whose funding was used to help purchase a helicopter for the Fire Department, to replace the aging helicopter. Other than that, no salary money was used to pay for operations.

Mayor said they have hired a wastewater engineer, and that resulted in getting $7.5 million in federal stimulus monies to fix wastewater problems, specifically getting rid of gang cesspools. Note: we are the first county in the state to receive such funds, and the reason is that the projects were "shovel ready," thanks to having a wastewater engineer.

What is Mayor most proud of in his one year in office? He is proud of his executive team and his department heads. He says everybody has a "can do" attitude. This is the first year of an entire four year term so one of Mayor's goals has been to ensure the county has good relationships with State and Federal agencies to ensure we get funding. Example: the largest infrastructure project in the state using Federal Stimulus Funds is the Ane Keohokolole Highway (Kona's mid level road). Nobody believed the County could get this project shovel ready, but Executive Assistant Bobby Command was charged with getting it done. He and Wally Lau worked closely with DHHL, OHA, the burial council, the lineal descendants to help get positive support. The funding was announced about three weeks ago.

Queen Ka'ahumanu Highway (a state project) has been held up constantly by the contractors suing the state and each other when they did not like who got the project. Mayor said his team is working with the state to try to make the bids solid and try to avoid such suits which cost tremendous amount of money and waste time, not serving the citizens.

Mayor is proud that the bus system has now hit 1 million passengers, remains free, is building 18 new bus stops, and bringing in 5 new buses. He and his team have held 24 community meetings in the past year and he wants to continue that, islandwide. He's proud he's not had to raise taxes (yet) even in this year's budget challenge.

Upcoming significant challenges? Ensuring our county remains healthy and safe. Mayor says we must grow the economy and address quality of life, and stabilize tourism and hospitality, our two largest employers. There are many new flights coming in from the mainland, and County is working with JAL to get more flights from Japan. He's also focusing on alternative energy and higher education.

Mayor bought a dog two weeks ago for his children. His three children had been lobbying for a dog. The dog is now in the family, following the keiki signing a contract for care. Hoku I Kekoa Kenoi is in the family, but Mayor is realistic that the dog will likely be cared for by Mayor and his wife!

Mayor continues to maintain a positive attitude, and wants everybody to embrace their ohana. He also reminded us: do not drink and drive. Over Labor Day there were several island fatal accidents...that is horrible for our island. Mayor said the county has a shared ride taxi program this year if someone needs help getting home and is too impaired to drive.

Keep track of the County's news online, www.hawconews.com

Our guests were Enid Kassner from AARP's Washington DC office, and Alan Parker with Hawaii County Office on Aging.

Long Term Care has a much broader definition than I had realized: it's anything to help people live comfortably and have a good quality of life as they get older. That can range from help in the home with cooking/cleaning and personal care to living in an Assisted Living Facility or Nursing Home, depending on one's needs. Kassner said most people prefer to age in their home, but some may choose to make their home in a more social setting of an Assisted Living Facility or Group Home.

The cost of such facilities can be upwards of $137,000 a year. Here in the state, costs of everything is more than on the mainland (which is ironic since salaries generally tend to be lower).

Hawaii County Office on Aging, a county agency that operates using a lot of federal funds, can assist with information on many different options.

Doc Shay is a surfer, a paddler (just did her 30th Moloka'i Paddle!), a physician. She is medical director of the emergency department of Hale Ho'ola Hamakua Hospital in Honoka'a. Dr. Bintliff was the first female chair of a clinical department at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine. She was also director of the Birth Defects Clinic at Kapiolani Medical Center.

Dr. Virginia Apgar developed the standard neonatal test used on every newborn to determine their level of health at 1 minute and 5 minute. Doc Shay met Dr. Apgar at medical conferences in connection with Doc Shay's work with birth defects and with March of Dimes.

When Doc Shay's youngest son was in college, she decided to do a residency in Emergency Medicine, leaving pediatric birth defects. She quickly realized how stressed the doctors were in the Emergency Room. Doc decided to develop a way for doctors to assess their level of emotional wellness, modeling the APGAR test developed by and named after Dr. Apgar. Doc Shay's test applies to everybody, not just doctors. It has five components, each starting with the letters of Dr. Apgar's name. For each area, give yourself an Almost Always, Sometimes, Hardly Ever to help determine your own level of Global Wellness.

A=Access (tapping into one's feelings, one's emotional state; being able to deal with anger and stress; knowing what one's own feelings and emotions are). This allows one to minimize the amount of stress one carries by recognizing the emotions.

P=Priorities (satisfaction with knowing what's important to you and then acting on those values)

G=Growth (change is inevitable--it's the growth that's optional; we must take charge of changes and determine and dictate how change affects us). Doc Shay says it's better if we can be the "change agent."

A=Assistance (we need to ask for help if we need it, personally or professionally). Part of this is trusting your friends and colleagues and being comfortable in seeking help. Do men have more trouble asking for help? Oftentimes yes, because of cultural pressure.

R=Responsibility (you are satisfied with your self care, your self esteem, making sure you have proper diet-recreation-weight-financial security-quiet time alone to seek one's own spiritual sanctuary)

Doc Shay also created a corresponding tool, called The Twelve Commandments of Wellness

1. Practice Quality

2. Set Priorities.

3. Establish Support Groups

4. Help Your community

5. Healthy Lifestyle (including keeping toxic substances and people out of your life)

6. Working Conditions

7. Time Off

8. Deal with Anger (pushing anger inside negatively affects our physical well being)

9. Hobbies (whether reading, sports, crafts, community activities, do something outside of work)

10. Honesty (with self and others; trying to fool oneself)

11. Be Happy, Don't Worry (not originated by songwriter Bobby McFerrin, but by Meher Baba, an Indian spiritual master in the 30s and 40s)

12. Be Patient with Compassion

Doc Shay has no specific mention of belief in a higher power, or a God; Doc Shay said she believes everybody has an internal spirituality and it's up to each person to develop their own belief (or non-belief) system.

Doc Shay published a book of poems, Soular Energy, dedicated to her late granddaughter, who died at age 11. Doc Shay took up writing as a child, as a way to express her voice and establish herself.

Doc Shay, like everyone, has experienced loss in her life. How do people survive loss? Some rely on God or a higher power, for support-meaning-answers; other people get support from family. Grief that follows such an experience is universal. It's ok to grieve, and important to grieve, and to continue to walk through it. Eventually, one sees the light on the other side...but grief can come at any time, uncontrollably--it's important to know that you will get through it.

Doc Shay's final thoughts: Wellness is not a destination, but a daily journey. Doc Shay encourages us all to find our deepest sense of who we are.

Our guests were Kona side attorney Darl Gleed and physician Dr. Dickran Boranian. Advanced Health Care Directives are legal documents in which you appoint an agent to make decisions on your behalf relative to your health care if you cannot make those decisions. It usually includes specific wishes, such as one's desire to be fed intravenously (or not) and other specifics.

The Living Will has been replaced by the Advanced Health Care Directive, which also folks in the Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions. Darl said such information shouldn't be in a will, which is read after death and does not deal with healthcare issues. A regular power of attorney, or Durable Power of Attorney, is designed for real estate, legal, and financial matters.

Anybody who is 18 or older can have an Advanced Health Care Directive, and Darl recommends it. Lawyers can prepare the form, or you can get it directly off the Hawaii State Department of Health web site. Forms are also available at all hospitals and healthcare institutions.

Dr. Boranian said the form is an important opportunity to begin a discussion with your loved ones as to what you might wish to happen. Also, it's critical that the form appoints an agent, because not every situation can be spelled out in such a directive. Both Dr. Boranian and Darl said one generally appoints someone close to them but who will adhere to your philosophical wishes.

Do different states have different forms, and will the forms "travel" between states? Within the United States, most states allow a form executed in one state to be used elsewhere. However, if you spend a significant amount of time in two states (snowbirds) Darl said you should execute one in each state. In Hawaii, the law changed in 1999, so if you've not redone your form since them--you should.

Is this contrary to letting nature take its course, is this in conflict with God's will? Darl, a man of faith, said he believes God would not want us or our loved ones suffer at the end of life. Dr. Boranian said if you have the directive, you decide; if not, others will "play God" for you. Both Darl and Dr. Boranian suggested consulting with your religious advisor if you have questions.

The form itself says "primary physician determines that I'm unable to make ... decisions." First, who is the primary physician? It is considered to be whomever is treating at the time. As far as "unable to make decisions," that's if someone is unconscious and cannot communicate their wishes. Darl said the determination is much easier than it was under earlier laws.

Dr. Boranian said it's important for the family to be united in their views. If a family member challenges, often doctors will not proceed even with the Advanced Health Care Directive. (Doctors are always concerned about lawsuits.)

Dr. Boranian said sometimes an opportunity to allow someone to die without aggressive intervention can be lost. Very very few people regain consciousness from brain dead coma. Dr. Boranian had an example of a patient at the hospital, a young man who hanged himself in jail, who was nonresponsive and brain dead. His family chose to leave him on life support long enough for his primitive brain to regain the ability to breathe. He lived on in a nursing home, unconscious, vegetative, and unresponsive to his family, for years. It's a daunting decision to remove someone from life support, but sometimes necessary and appropriate.

Darl said many clients discuss the issue of being in a coma, so he encourages people to write in a time frame where they'd be in a coma before being taken off life support and allowed to live or die.

Provision of or withholding of artificial nutrition and hydration: providing nutrition and hydration will possibly keep the person alive. Dr. Boranian said there is little evidence to suggest that people close to the end of life suffer from withdrawal of hydration and nutrition. Dr. B said breathing patterns give clues to suffering.

The forms allow for provision of drugs to relieve suffering--drugs like morphine or valium. Do they hasten death? Dr. said both meds can decrease the respiratory drive, reduce the brain stem's sense that it needs to make you breathe, so yes, they could "hasten" death, but they do make the patient calmer and appear to relieve suffering.

Dr. Boranian said when someone may be brain dead, there are specific tests that can be performed in the ER, checking blood gas, turning off the ventilator, checking blood gas again; they recommend performing tests 12 hours apart. Brain scans also tell. These are usually used in cases of accident.

What if the hospital staff does not wish to adhere to the patient's wishes (example, giving morphine to relieve pain). Dr. Boranian said that situation does occur, where some hospital staff are acting out of their own ethical concerns, and you need to just get the higher authority at the hospital and insist the Directive be followed and the agent be listened to.

Both Dr. Boranian and Darl Gleed said the family communication is important, critical. Darl said another form to review is the Do Not Resuscitate, DNR, which says if you fall unconcious, your order is not to have extraordinary life saving measures used...a form used more often with older people or terminally ill people. The State Department of Health has such forms, and they also have bracelets people can wear that communicate this information, call 808-733-9210.

See the law online (go to hawaii.gov and search for Advanced Health Care Directive). The form is online hawaii.gov/health/eoa/Docs/AHCD.pdf

What is drug court? Judge Ibarra: a specialty court (over 2,000 in the US) focuses more involvement by judges, prosecutors, others, to work with offenders who have substance abuse problems. Drug court addresses the issues wholistically, substance abuse-criminal activity-need for housing-family support-jobs. When the person graduates, they have a true second chance in life. The program is quick, intensive supervision of the offender with quick intervention. Judge Nakamura: Drug Court is a good program. The program includes a whole team approach, plus frequent testing, immediate consequences, and frequent contact between the clients and the Drug Court team members.

How many in the program? Hilo side, 47 adults, 6 children. Kona side, 56 adults, 4 children. Note, the Juvenile Drug Court program is separate from the adult program, but still under direction of these two judges, the only Drug Court judges on the island.

Who can be part of Drug Court? Defendants who have committed non violent crimes, and have a substance abuse problem. They cannot have a previous conviction nor weapons involved. Their attorney or public defender will ask, usually there is a referral from Criminal Court judges, and if the Drug Court team determines they think the client is serious and willing to put in the work, they may be admitted into Drug Court. The program is intense...weekly judge's review, probation, testing, classes, requirements to find jobs and housing...and lasts a minimum of 12 months. Average 18 months, time is increasing. (I forgot to ask why.) It will last until the team feels the client is ready to move on. They do screen for mental illness, but said it's difficult as many offenders have learned to mask mental illness and the symptoms get confused with substance abuse.

What substances? Crystal methamphetamine is the biggest problem, but also marijuana and alcohol are high on the list--but Judge Ibarra said it's almost anything.

Post drug court: they are monitored,a transition...random drug testing, and if the client is successful, they are on their own. There is a Drug Court Alumni Program and they usually stay involved.

How many total have gone through Big Island Drug Court? 220 in, graduated 104..34 were terminated for violations--crimes, drugs. The balance are actively in the program. Judge Nakamura said the program actively works to help clients be successful. Recidivism rate is 6.7%, compared to a greater-than-50% recidivism rate for "regular" probationers.

Cost to treat a drug court person, $6,500 per year, vs $40,000 to incarcerate a prisoner. Judge Ibarra said that does not count the non-financial factors: less crime, fewer drug-affected babies, family reunification, better employees...many more.

State Senate President Colleen Hanabusa mentioned the Judiciary may need to cut "non essential" programs, and she included Drug Court in that. Is Drug Court in jeopardy? Judge Ibarra's diplomatic answer was, the Judiciary will work with the legislature to get to the right answer. But both judges said they firmly believe in Drug Court, believe it work...they had good anecdotal stories about heartwarming and positive successes.

Do family members have a role in Drug Court? Both judges encourage family members attendance and participation.

Judge Nakamura said one surprise he's gotten from Drug Court--seeing formerly successful individuals lose everything--truly hit rock bottom. Judge Ibarra said he notes the positive changes in those at rock bottom as they slowly rebuild their lives--the changes are surprising.

Visit Drug Court: Judge Ibarra invites you to come to Drug Court, Monday mornings, 9:30. Judge Nakamura invites you to come Thursdays, 1 p.m.

Friends of Drug Court is an islandwide group that helps provide incentives (coupons, movie tickets,support) to provide small rewards for Drug Court participant successes. To learn more or help Friends of Drug Court, call Carol Van Camp, President--982-9958.

Judge Nakamura says Drug Court is the most effective program. Judge Ibarra said they still need community support--jobs, housing, and overall community support. He noted that those who employ Drug Court participants are getting the double benefit of weekly Drug Court supervision and drug testing!

Our guests were The Meth Project director, Cindy Adams (who lives here on the island), addiction specialist Dr. Kevin Kunz, and Vice Detective Shari Bird, who's part of the Ice Task Force.

The Meth Project is a multi state program that started in Montana in 2005. It is designed to prevent first time use of crystal methamphetamine (meth or ice) among teens . In Montana, there's been a 63% reduction in teen meth use, 62% reduction in related crime, and a 70+% reduction in adult meth use since the project launched. Although Adams says they cannot attribute the success solely to The Meth Project, they do feel the project has been successful. Who uses meth? Cindy Adams says all ages, genders, ethnicities. Hawaii ranks #5 in meth users ages 12 to 18.

What is the "pleasure" of using meth? Surveys say: weight loss, increased energy, and euphoric feelings.

The focus is on meth because it is very addictive, and because it tends to drive crime up.

Dr. Kevin Kunz said crystal meth mimics the brain's dopamine sytems, and makes users initially feel "whole," satisfied with life, gives energy, makes one feel invincible, and makes problems seem to disappear. Dr. Kunz said the brain changes with use, there is an actual physical change in the brain as observed on PET and MRI tests. Dr. Kunz said if one uses meth and stops, then one often feels alone, dark, and miserable, and the adapted brain, once it's gotten used to the "high," the pleasurable feelings, then wants more, in larger amounts and more often.

One side effect is often "meth mouth," a degeneration of the teeth which essentially rot away. Dr. Kunz said although teeth can be replaced with artificial teeth, that's not the case for the brain. Meth modifies thoughts and feelings and behaviors, and judgment gets skewed--the brain is broken. Does Dr. Kunz see the same impact with other drugs--cocaine, heroin, marijuana? Dr. Kunz said meth works faster than any...people get addicted so quickly, and then cannot stop.

Detective Shari Bird said we have meth problems here on the island. The Ice Task Force focuses more on distributors than users. User behaviors include paranoia, secretiveness, lying, rejection of former friends and family members. It causes users to neglect their families, including their children. Everything else becomes less important than pursuit of the drug.

Dr. Kunz said any drug user, whether it's use of alcohol, cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, can act "normal"...but once they overuse, and the behaviors and symptoms are evident, it becomes much more difficult to get help. Dr. Kunz said the energy we have should be put into prevention--there are inadequate treatment resources almost everywhere.

Do Hawaii Police see a crime rise due to meth? Detective Bird said they see car breakins from time to time by meth users. Meth users are often more violent than other drug users or criminals.

Parents and family members need to be aware of the pressures on teens, and watch for signs of drug use--a challenge all the time!

Marijuana advocates say the police focus on marijuana eradication leads to more use of meth. True? Dr. Kunz said drug users often take what they can get, and the disease of addiction will drive drug use. Marijuana is a problem on the island and the state and impairs judgment and causes accidents. Detective Bird said in Guam, they conduct marijuana eradication only once a year, yet they continue to have their biggest problem with meth use--not marijuana, even though marijuana is more readily available. Cindy said most kids in their surveys say they started with marijuana before seeking a different high with meth.

Dr. Kunz said all drugs have side effects, with meth often leading to heart problems and stroke. Dr. Kunz said drug use is NOT the normal state--we as a country are too accepting of drug use.

Where does crystal meth come from? Most crystal meth is coming in from the mainland or Mexico or Asia. Cindy Adams said a significant effort was put forth statewide years ago to get rid of meth houses that made meth here.

Why "not even once"? Cindy Adams said the users say they had no idea they'd get addicted so very quickly. Dr. Kunz said treatment does work, both settling down the brain hardware from its drug "injury" and the software has to be reprogrammed, the people need to find a new way to live. With young people, once their brain has been affected in its still-developing stage, that's much more difficult. What our state has started via Drug Court and Judge Steve Ahm at the First Circuit Court (Honolulu) is doing, is once a person on probation or in Drug Court fails a drug test, they immediately get put back in jail, even if for just days--quick response, certain consequences. Dr. Kunz said the programs for drug-addicted physicians and pilots have been effective because of immediate consequences of taking away their licenses to work.

What is the best deterrent? Cindy says education, especially in the home, discussions of why NOT to use drugs, and public service messaging campaigns such as the television and radio ads by The Meth Project. Initial funding has been provided by the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation.

Learn more: www.hawaiimethproject.org or google "crystal methamphetamine" online. Call (877) 445-METH (6384). Locally, go to Big Island Substance Abuse Council, Lokahi Treatment Centers. Dr. Kunz said there are several different addiction doctors on the island including him-- Dr. Steve Denzer, Dr. Mike McGrath, Dr. Chris Lyndon.

Kyle Garlett started his career after college with Fox Sports, as a writer. He wrote for the on air personalities. He went to Azuza Pacific College, and worked for Fox Sports as an intern and then got a "real job" there. One of the interesting people for whom he wrote is Keith Olbermann, who now does political commentary for MSNBC. But he used to be a sports announcer, starting with ESPN, went into political commentating, then to Fox Sports. Kyle said Keith has a photographic memory and is one of the most brilliant minds he's seen.

Kyle has written two books, "What Were They Thinking--Brainless Blunders in Sports History" about some of the odd/dumb moves made in sports and "The Worst Call Ever" about bad sports officiating. One interesting example of sports blunders: not one, but TWO Canadian Football League teams managed to draft players ... who were deceased. Kyle said the CFL just doesn't have the scouting network as does the NFL, and they just made some bad mistakes. But of course they took a lot of razzing for those mistakes.

Kyle is a four time cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma when he was 18, a senior in high school. There's no such cancer in his family history, but Kyle said Hodgkins Lyphoma doesn't usually stem from genetics. His senior year in high school was pretty much spent doing radiation--every day after school. During the radiation, he met, almost daily, a mom with her 5-year-old who had a brain tumor. Kyle said that helped him realize that any possible thoughts of "why me" were pointless. The five year old's prognosis was not good; Kyle knew he had a good chance of recovery. Kyle said that helped him keep things in perspective and recognize how lucky he was.

Kyle's Hodgkins Lymphoma came back in 1991 and 1994. In 1991 he had intense chemotherapy, with all the side effects. In 1994, he was devastated. The treatment then: bone marrow transplant.

How did Kyle stay positive? He said his friends and family helped a lot. He also said the fight for life was worth it--he enjoyed living. Did he consider giving up? No. He said he had times of thinking he'd lose the fight, but he never wanted to give up.

Was there a religious or spiritual element that helped him stay the course? Kyle said he is a Christian, but he never believed that God spared him and allowed others to die because they were somehow unworthy or had nothing to contribute and that he was somehow more deserving.

Carrie and Kyle Garlett met in 2002; Carrie was working with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society on their marathon training program. Kyle was a motivational speaker for her group. They got married courtesy of the television show Extreme Makeover Wedding Edition, with Liza Minelli singing at their wedding!

All the chemotherapy weakened Kyle's heart, specifically adriamycin. The drug was necessary to save Kyle's life, but damaged his heart so he needed a transplant. He was on the waiting list for a heart for 5 1/2 years. On October 10, 2006, he got his heart. He did not meet the donor's family, but sent them a thank you letter thanking them for their generosity and kokua.

Why triathlon? Kyle said he hates running, but figured if he could add the bike and swim the run would be tolerable. He said he was never athletic--but decided he wanted to do triathlon. He said the week after the heart transplant he and Carrie were already planning for their first triathlon. By the way, the chemo drugs also meant he had to have a shoulder transplant and a hip transplant!

Kyle and Carrie both do triathlon (Carrie has a full Ironman coming up in Arizona next month). Kyle did not meet the Ironman swim cutoff time of 2 hours 20 minutes. He missed it by 8 seconds. He was devastated, but even so, felt that day was one of the best days ever--he is so grateful to be alive. He said he had no idea he was close to missing the swim cutoff time. Ironman rules meant he could not continue.

Kyle and Carrie said no matter what, their Kona experience was wonderful. The volunteers and local residents showed them so much kokua. They said on race day they lunched at Fishhopper on Ali'i Drive. The employees there recognized Kyle as the heart transplant recipient who missed the swim cutoff--and fashioned a hand-made card for him while he was there. Kyle and Carrie said that gave them chicken skin--and exemplified how good the people of the island have been to them.

Learn more about Kyle Garlett or contact him via his web site: www.ironmankyle.com

Our guest was head of the University of California observatories and University of California at Santa Cruz astronomer Dr. Michael Bolte (Bol Tee). Dr. Bolte is on the board of the Thirty Meter Telescope, one of three astronomers on the board. He's been involved with defining what the TMT will do, scientifically.

Status of TMT: started 2000, planning the next generation telescope. TMT will be the largest, most capable telescope in the history of mankind. (Wow!) They're midway through money raising, and they've been working for more than 5 years on the technical details.

Money: around $1 Billion. Money from Gordon and Betty Moore...Gordon was one of the founders of Intel. The Canadian Government, and some from National Science Foundation (U.S.).

What will TMT look like? 30 meters, 100 feet, is the diameter of the mirror. It will be in a structure inside a dome which will protect it from wind and weather. Two of the largest optical telescopes today are already on top of Mauna Kea--the Keck telescopes, at 10 meters.

Dr. Bolte said the plan looked for places on Mauna Kea with the least cultural impact, and no burials (the site is in a slight valley that is solid lava). The dome is designed to reflect sky and ground and be a "stealth" telescope--be visually unobtrusive. They also have designed it to have the lowest dome possible.

TMT started considering Mauna Kea as a location around 5 years ago, and have spent much time talking with people on the island--Dr Bolte said the team knew they needed a strong local perspective, needed to understand local needs and concerns.

Why Mauna Kea? Above much of the earth's atmosphere (which distorts the light of stars), a smooth flow of wind, cold and consistent temperatures to keep the equipment from expanding and contracting too much.

Other telescopes atop Mauna Kea include the two Keck telescopes, Canada-France-Hawaii, Subaru, University of Hawaii, some radio telescopes. It's a superb site, Dr. Bolte said.

Other possible sites, and why Mauna Kea? Chile--3 possible mountaintops. Chile is very dry with a high number of clear nights, and very cold--cold is good because it reduces infrared light (earth heat) which can interfere with the observations. One mountain was higher than Mauna Kea, leading to concern about worker capability at high, oxygen-deprived altitudes. Two were lower than Mauna Kea, just not as good. But a huge reason: partner synergies--many of the institutions atop Mauna Kea now are involved with TMT.

Cal Tech has a radio telescope on Mauna Kea now, but will dismantle it in several years. Cal Tech will still be a major TMT partner.

Light pollution: with all the city lights these days, light can affect observations. Most observatories work with surrounding communities to select the types of lights to be least interfering and to shield lights...Dr. Bolte noted that lighting ordinances have been in place here on the Big Island for years to protect the observatories' observations. He said the Big Island has been very accommodating.

Dr. Bolte explained that this telescope isn't one people will look through--the images are captured by the telescope and then studied by astronomers.

Dr. Bolte told us this is the 300th anniversary of Galileo inventing the telescope. With a 3" telescope, Galileo could see sunspots, the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, and discovered the sun was the center of the universe (not the earth). Imagine what a 30 meter telescope can see and discover! We can learn more about the origins of the universe with TMT.

Science goals: first light--looking back in time, light years, to see galaxies as they used to be, and see the origins of the universe. Dr. Bolte thinks it's great that mankind has the curiosity and the intelligence to seek answers to such questions, to want to know where we came from.

Observations will generally be made from base stations at Waimea and at U. H. Hilo, or even on the mainland. Dr. Bolte feels the entire U. S. astronomy community will use TMT from their home bases or here. There will be a local support staff--maintenance, accounting, administration, technical support--140 employees full time.

Cultural/historic concerns: placement is based on working with local members of Hawaiian community to find the lowest impact places; they will facilitate access as needed for cultural practices; they want to build the TMT to be as visually low impact as possible.

Next steps: final Environmental Impact Statement; summit management plan (currently being challenged in court); conservation district use permit; earliest for permit probably 1 year; design is ready now--once construction starts, should take 7 years.

Dr. Bolte got his B. S. and Masters in Physics in Florida, and his PhD in Astronomy and Astrophysics at University of Washington. Dr. Bolte said this is the usual path to being an astronomer. He said astronomy is THE most exciting branch of physics.

Is there other intelligent life in the universe? Dr. Bolte said he doesn't know, but feels TMT will be able to give insight if such is the case.

Learn more: www.tmt.org. Dr. Michael Bolte: http://www.ucolick.org/~bolte/home.html

Father Damien will be canonized in Rome on Sunday, October 11. Father Damien came to Hawaii in 1864, spending 9 years here on the Big Island in Puna and Kohala. His next stop was Moloka'i. There he ministered to the spiritual and physical needs of those with

Pamela is on the official Bishop Larry Silva pilgrimage. Today, October 4, the 500+ on this trip are in Tremelo where there will be a huge celebration which includes hula and a celebration of Fr Damien's life. There are 11 Kalaupapa patients on the trip (with caregivers and a doctor, Kalani Brady).

This is the third pilgrimage. The first was in 1994 when Pope John Paul II was to go to Tremelo to beatify Damien...but he broke his leg and cancelled the event. However, because all the Hawaii folks already had tickets, they went anyway. In 1995, everybody went back to Tremelo for the actual beatification.

Pamela said the people of Tremelo have always been warm and welcoming. She said they especially embrace those from Kalaupapa. She mentioned sadness that some of the Kalaupapa residents have recently died.

Canonization: the process can begin as soon as 5 years after a candidate's death. That did not happen. Damien was not exactly a favorite of his superiors because he was so contentious and confrontational with them. The process was started by the Belgian priests at Damien's home order of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Pamela said at the time of Damien's death, Hawaii was in turmoil...9 years after his death, Hawaii was annexed by the United States. She felt the Diocese here was not in a position to really contribute to Damien's being proposed as a saint.

What was it about Joseph DeVeuster, who took the name Damien when he became a priest, that made him worthy of sainthood? Pamela said he served the patients at Kalaupapa, Catholic or not, unselfishly. He would perform services, then visit the patients and bathe their wounds, change their bandages, and eat with them.

To be a saint, the candidate must have two certified "miracles" attributed to them, to their personal intervention with God. The second miracle for Damien was the cure of Honolulu resident Audrey Toguchi, who had been diagnosed with incurable hip cancer which had spread to her lungs.

How could such a medical miracle be attributed to Damien? When Audrey was diagnosed and told she needed chemotherapy, she said no, she'd just pray. She said she prayed to God for strength, she prayed to Damien to "put in a good word," and she went to Kalaupapa to pray. There was no other explanation for Audrey's miraculous cure. Pamela said this Pope, Benedict, was also sympathetic to the cause of a man who worked with lepers. She also said it was Mother Teresa who asked Pope John Paul II to favorably consider Damien as a Saint. (Who could say no to Mother Teresa??)

Pamela said Damien was always sort of an outsider. He idolized his older brother, who became a priest before him. However, he struggled at his studies, and it wasn't expected he would ascend very high in the church because of his lack of schooling. He also had a rough childhood, with a very dysfunctional family. His coming to Hawaii was an accident--his older brother was to come, but contracted typhus, and Damien begged to come in his place. And it was ideal--Damien was raised to run his family's farm, so had the skills to survive both on the Big Island and on Moloka'i. He was a grower and a builder. On the Big Island, he built a church every year he was here. On Moloka'i, he built dwellings and caskets for those there. Pamela reminded us that every 3 days, somebody in Kalaupapa died.

Were there other churches working on Moloka'i? Other ministers and doctors would come, but none stayed, and all were very fearful of leprosy. Some of the doctors wouldn't even touch the patients--they would lift the bandages with sticks!

Pamela said the Kalaupapa patients feel this canonization will validate the struggles of all the patients who were exiled to Moloka'i. They do have concerned about possible influxes of tourists. However, as Pamela pointed out, Damien served on the Big Island and was ordained on Honolulu--so the hope is that tourism will increase, to other places in our state as well.

Father Damien will be the 9th American Saint (though Belgium shares him), and only the first from Hawaii. There is a second "saint in waiting" from Hawaii, Mother Marianne Cope, who also worked on Kalaupapa. Pamela (a non-Catholic) said she feels Damien is not just a saint for Catholics, but he's a significant Hawaii historical figure whom all in Hawaii can embrace for his good works.

Additional resources: Holy Man by Gavan Daws and Molokai: the Story of Father Damien by Hilde Eynikel; there will be several television specials coming up. Pamela Young has features on every newscast this week. Saturday evening, 9 pm, there's a special bio of Father Damien on OC16, followed by the 10 pm canonization live on ETW Cable Channel 408 from Rome (10 am in Rome on Sunday October 11). The full canonization is scheduled to repeat on Sunday, October 11, 7:30 a.m. on ETW Cable 408. Also, KITV will broadcast part of the canonization on Saturday evening, October 10, 10 p.m., with more of a focus on the Hawaii delegation and the patients.

Linda mentioned that Recycling is critical, but more important is reducing waste by reusing items, donating them, re-employing in some way. She said we in this county generate TWICE the amount of waste of any similar-size community. There are no restrictions on what people throw away, so part of the job is educating everybody on how better to deal with items one no longer needs.

Recycle Hawaii is a private nonprofit company that works closely with the County and administers some of the County's recycling and re-use programs.

Linda said over the past 5 years we have doubled the landfill diversion rate--31%--though County goal is 50%. Of course, that is only tracking through large businesses or recycling companies--adding in individuals, that makes our rate higher. Linda said recycling at the transfer stations has doubled over the last five years. Angela said most businesses also recycle. Businesses like Walmart, Target, Home Depot and other large retailers usually ship their cardboard back to the mainland.

One issue: although keeping items out of the landfill is good, the County gets money from large haulers or businesses that use the County landfill, and as they reduce what goes in, County revenues go down. However, reducing use of the landfill is important...landfills are expensive in that the County has to maintain them forever.

Linda told us the current Solid Waste Management Plan calls for adding charges to using the landfill or adding on a fee to landfill use to support recycling.

What happens to items that go into recycle bins? HI 5 items (plastic bottles, glass bottles, aluminum cans): some glass stays on the island and is used in construction but most is shipped to the mainland for re-use and remanufacturing into glass. The County uses Far West Fibers near Portland and also a company in Long Beach. Plastic and aluminum baled and shipped to Far West Fibers. Cardboard is crushed and baled; other materials are crushed and packed; a company called Business Services ships it to Shipman Yard in Hilo and then sent to Far West Fibers.

Far West Fibers has a plant that then un-bale all the recylable material and it's hand sorted to separate it out. Angela said the job ratio is 10:1: for every one job in solid waste there are 10 recycling jobs.

The numbers in triangles on the plastic containers indicate what kind of plastic it is. We in this county recycle numbers 1, 2, 5, plus 4 which are plastic film and plastic shopping bags. I confessed that I have thrown all plastic containers into recycling, regardless of number--Linda said it's expected there are some improperly discarded containers. So for the future, let's look for containers that are 1, 2, or 5. She also pointed out the plastics are petroleum based, they come from oil.

Can recycling pay for itself? Linda said managing waste is expensive, and you cannot look at JUST recycling, you must look at the entire way we manage waste. We (County) subsidize recycling but it's part of the overall cost. Linda said the County would like to see private companies step in and find ways to make money from recycling.

Curbside pickup? no time soon from the County. Perhaps private garbage companies will do. Recyling bins at shopping centers or other public areas? Linda said it's expensive...they're considering schools..but nothing is firm.

Does the County dump the recyclables into the landfill? Linda said absolutely NO.

Listener question: why not just build new landfills--we have plenty of open space? Angela and Linda said landfills are extremely expensive. Federal regulations require lifetime monitoring and management. That's an expense. They also generate greenhouse gases and sometimes leak into the rock--and possibly ocean. As a note, Lono Tyson previously stated that dealing with the ongoing fire in the Kona Landfill would be at least $20 to $40 million dollars.

The County Department of Environmental Management does keiki education at schools and do school tours.

These days there are many uses for recycled materials--food goes to pig farms, plastic bags into benches, old athletic shoes into playground equipment.

Hazardous waste (household cleaners, paint, oil, battery acid, etc.): hazardous waste dropoffs once a year Waimea and Pahoa, two times a year at the Hilo and Kealakehe Transfer Stations--next is December 5 in Hilo, in Kona at Kealakehe Transfer Station December 12, 7:30 til 3. The County brings in hazardous waste disposal specialists from Oahu to handle the material.

Citizens can learn about and weigh in on the Solid Waste Management Plan Tuesday September 29 at Kona Outdoor Circle, 5:30 til 7:30; Wednesday September 30 at Aupuni Center, 5:30 to 7:30.

Learn more: www.hawaiizerowaste.org, or call 961-5044.

Why do we need healthcare reform? Greg said many people in the US are not covered (some without health insurance use emergency rooms when they are sick, meaning each of us pays the tab ultimately. Many people do not have coverage, many are losing coverage either by virtue of losing their job or losing hours that make them eligible for employer health coverage. Greg said about 20% of people are responsible for about 80% of the care accessed in any year, meaning 80% of the people use health insurance minimally--regular health checkups, some or no prescriptions, etc. But many people are finding that when they have serious problems--their insurance is falling short. Greg also said it's very difficult for those without insurance to even purchaser it--insurers disqualify because of "pre-existing conditions" ranging from diabetes to cancer to broken bones, or because of age!

Greg said there are currently 3 bills in the House, 2 in the Senate. Very soon, the House and the Senate will narrow down to one bill each. Then they go to Conference Committee, with members from the Senate and the House, and they will work on a final version. If/when passed by both houses, the president will then get it to sign and veto. President Obama hopes to do that by Thanksgiving. Any bill will be effective the day after it is signed, but Greg said (as several US Senators and Congresspeople have said) there will likely be many amendments, and three to four years of work to determine "how" the bill gets effectively implemented.

Greg said some changes will happen immediately. Currently both houses cocur that those under Medicare Part D, prescription drug coverage, will get some immediate assistance to help with what's called the Donut Hole. (The Donut Hole: those on Medicare get some amount of money paid towards prescription drugs, but then get to a point where Medicare pays nothing...but then kicks in again later.)

Single payer option: US Government takes over all health care as single provider. Greg said this is NOT being considered.

Public option: a cousin of Single Payer. That's an alternative to private insurance, ie I can look to private companies or to the US Government to provide a Medicare-sort of coverage.

Insurance Exchange: an open marketplace where private insurance companies would sell insurance to those not covered by their employers, Medicare, Medicaid, or other insurance. If consumers need/want health coverage, these companies would be required to sell it--no worries about pre-existing conditions, for example. The Public Option could/would be one of the choices.

Barbara Kim Stanton said Hawaii's pre-paid healthcare act of 1974 will continue to exist; this is the law that requires employers to pay insurance for full time workers and part timers 20 hours or more.

Medicare: a recent national survey showed that 2/3 of doctors like the medical decision freedom Medicare gives them. But Medicare reimbursements are often too low, not close to the costs borne by doctors or hospitals. Will reimbursements improve? Greg said there is work in that area...AARP supports.

Listener question: to what degree do any of the bills encourage and promote wellness rather than just promote treating disease? Greg said the

Death panel? Greg said there are NO "death panels," and all those saying there are--political rhetoric for political gain only. What IS proposed: doctors will be reimbursed for their time in talking with patients if the patient wants to talk about an Advanced Health Care directive. Advanced Health Care directives are documents that individuals sign to tell their loved ones and their doctors what they want to happen to them if/when they are injured or ill and unable to communicate their choices. (Note: my husband and I both have Advanced Health Care directives--I recommend this--I've read about too many situations where a patient had not left such a directive and the families agonized over having to make such decisions.)

Rationed health care? Talk of "rationing" is, Greg said, "political." Today health care is rationed just by virtue of not having an infinite number of doctors and medical professionals to treat somebody RIGHT NOW...we may get an appointment tomorrow or next week or next month, depending on what specialty, what problem we have.

Greg and Barbara said the AARP position is to lobby Congress to ensure all medical decisions are just between doctor and patient, NOT having insurance companies make such decisions.

Barbara Kim Stanton said here on the island, 49% of 18-and-over Kona side people need to leave the island to get medical treatment; 42% of Hilo side people need to leave the island. Only 6% of Oahu people need to leave their island for medical treatment.

High cost of drugs: Greg said high drug costs are a huge driver of increasing medical/health insurance bills. AARP is fighting for any bill to allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate with drug companies to allow the US to buy drugs in bulk and offer at lower costs. They are also asking for rules allowing drugs to be brought in from another country, such as Canada...laws do not allow that now, even if one can get an identical drug cheaper in Canada. They're also lobbying to have the time shortened for drug companies to have an exclusive right to offer a new drug, shorten the time to approve generic drugs.

Cost: can we afford as a country to reform health care? Greg said the cost of health care is doubling every 7 years! Premiums are becoming almost unaffordable for families, businesses, states and federal government. He said health care reform is mandatory to get costs under control. Greg (like many Democratic and Republican legislators I've heard on the talk shows) said now is the time--it must happen.

Learn more about healthcare reform: www.healthactionnow. org, 1-866-227-7449 Honolulu office of AARP: 808-545-6000

West Hawaii Humane Society is not connected with Hawaii Island Humane Society. West Hawaii Humane Society used to have the contract to manage the shelters, but no longer does.

Foster families: you can provide foster care for young puppies or kittens until they are ready to be adopted. Susy Chillingworth Ruddle said she's a foster parent and takes in puppies and socializes them and gets them ready to be adopted. Susy said snowbirds, temporary residents are invited to be foster families, as well as local fulltime residents.

Animals taken in annually: 15,000. The number has increased from 13,000 to 14,000 a few years ago. The jump is likely based on the economy, people no longer able to afford their pets.

Dropping off animals: if a family drops off a pet, they are usually ready for immediate adoption. If someone brings in an animal, HIHS must look for the owner before allowing the animal to be adopted. Best if any animals have licenses or microchips so the owners can be found.

Microchips: the size of a grain of rice, injected between the shoulder blades. Donna said only about 20% of animals they receive have microchips. Microchips are critical. Example: in Hurricane Katrina, animals often ended up miles or states away and microchips were the only way to reunite with owners.

HIHS is able to adopt out 87% of those adoptable animals they receive.

How many animals at each shelter? Kea'au and Kona, 75, Waimea 25. If they get more animals than they can handle, they find foster families.

What kind of animals are available? Purebred dogs (25% of those they receive), poi dogs, cats are most predominant. Plus rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchilla, goats, sheep, horses. The larger animals are placed in appropriate homes.

Adoptable animals are those without health problems, those without behavior problems, those that are socialized and ready for family living.

Those not adoptable are euthanized. The majority of these are feral cats, which make up 2/3 of those 15,000 animals received annually--or 10,000 a year! Feral cats are too wild, too unable to live in a home, to be adoptable. What about the Trap, Neuter, Release plan? Donna said the ideal is to release a neutered feral cat back into an established colony, with a known caretaker who will monitor the health of the colony. It is a huge problem for people to just randomly feed feral cats--the known feral cat caretakers ensure the colony members are caught and neutered. Just feeding is not helpful.

Timeframe/process on euthanization: many owners bring in elderly or ill pets to be euthanized. Some pets are euthanized because they have bit or attacked humans or other animals. They do not euthanize because they run out of space. But, some animals if left too long in captivity get depressed or too agitated. Euthanization is a shot that puts the animal to sleep in a painless, fast way, a humane way to die.

There's a conference coming up in October to discuss feral cats, statewide. Some express concern that feral cats eat birds. Donna said the statewide groups will try to decide what's best to deal with the feral cat issues.

Adopting: go in, if you have specific pet characteristics or breeds, they will help find the right pet for you. Humane Society will guide with discussing the owner's living situation and the needs of the pet.

How does HIHS keep dog fighters or others who abuse animals from adopting? HIHS has a "do not adopt" list, 75 or so on it, those not allowed to adopt pets. The three shelters share a list.

Education: HIHS has a full time educator, Barbara Ackerman, and an education dog, Bagels. They do tours with school and community groups. They do a "read with dog" program, where young kids read to Bagels. (Early education programs show that children learn to read best when reading to a non-judgmental listener--like a dog!) Bagels and Barbara also educate on proper animal care and on the value of volunteering.

Adult education programs? Most programs are geared towards children, but Barbara and Bagels also train shelter volunteers and train adults in how to care for animals.

Spaying/neutering: all animals should be spayed or neutered, in the view of the HIHS.

Funding is from grants, donations, plus the county contract for animal control officers.

Events: Macy's Shop with a Cause October 17 at Kona Macy's will donate funds to HIHS; October 31 they'll do a pet walk with pet costume contest at Hale Halawai; they are considering similar events at Waimea and Kea'au. Pet calendars come out annually. The 2010 calendar is pau for now, but for next year, if you want your pet to be considered as a calendar model, next spring is the time. HIHS has its major annual fundraiser in May, Tropical Paws at Four Seasons Hualalai and they have Dog Days in Hilo at Hilo Hawaiian November 15, an afternoon event with pupu and music and an auction.

The main message HIHS wants to get out is to spay and neuter your pets. That would very much cut down on the 15,000 animals abandoned and turned in to HIHS here on this island.

They also need volunteers at all three shelters to walk the dogs, clean the kennels, and love the animals.

Learn more: 329-1175, www.hihs.org

As an aside, NELHA is a state agency that currently leases space to companies that use the NELHA deep sea water, brought up by large pipes, to grow lobsters, abalone, algae, and more.

Biofuels: fuels made from biomass--ie plants--grown specifically for the purpose. Sugar cane, palm, corn are examples. How are biofuels different from fossil fuels? Fossil fuel is also made from plants, algae, but very very old. Plants underground for millions of years get compressed and turn into crude oil, from which petroleum is made. The current thought is that making biofuel from algae will create less CO2 to be released into the atmosphere than fossil fuels do. A note, although gas and oil are called fossil fuel and lead people to think it's all made from dinosaurs--it's really made from plants.

Gabriel de Scheemaker is a 20 year Royal Dutch Shell employee. Shell scientists are looking for "moon shots," ideas that can dramatically transform an industry. They're looking for ways to create fuel that won't compete for space or water...and decided algae was it.

UH Scientist Mark Huntley created this technology and was doing so at NELHA. Dr. Huntley was looking at commercializing the production of algae. Shell scientists felt Dr. Huntley's technology was THE best technology. Cellana is owned jointly by Royal Dutch Shell and Dr. Huntley's company HP Biodiesel. Shell is putting up the bulk of the money. Gabriel reinforced that such a venture requires "big players," those who can invest the kind of money to turn algae production into viable commercial production. Industrial players who can handle the risk and build commercial plants are those best suited, per Gabriel.

Operations Manager Avery Kramer worked as an intern for Dr. Mark Huntley in college, and then went to California and worked for startups. In 2007 Avery returned to start this venture with Dr. Huntley.

The process: they grow marine algae in ponds at NELHA. The algae cultures are started indoors, designed to create way more algae than might grow in one's pond or birdbath. They use the algae to create vegetable oil (algae oil), and then refine it to create biofuel. They decide in advance what kind of fuel they wish to create. In this case, their first focus is biodiesel for automotive applications. Biojet fuel is another future target. Gabriel said if they are successful in creating a commercially viable biodiesel, other applications will come easy.

The name Cellana: it's the scientific name for opihi--appropriate because Shell is a shareholder, and opihi is a shelled organism that eats algae.

Why Natural Energy Lab? Gabriel said Dr. Mark Huntley was already working at NELHA. NELHA is the place to be, they said, for algae production. Other companies such as Cyanotech are creating algae for medical applications.

Gabriel said there are 3 criteria to meet for this project to succeed: profitability; creating more energy than they use to produce the product; creating less CO2, greenhouse gases, than they use to grow the product or tha alternatives. If this pilot phase meets the criteria, they will then advance to look at commercial production.

Science News has an article about algae-biofuel in its August 1 issue (I recommend the article). Gabriel said Cellana is targeting at least 65% better than petroleum alternatives in the area of CO2 production. Compared to using other plant materials--Gabriel said algae produces way more biomass than other plant alternatives.

There are several universities involved in researched: UH Manoa, Duke, Dalhousie, University of Mississippi. These universities are bringing leading algae experts to guide the work. Royal Dutch Shell scientists continue to be closely involved. As Gabriel pointed out, it's not just growing the algae that's important--but they must use existing technologies to move into commercial production. Gabriel said Shell is extremely serious about this venture, and continues to look at many different alternatives to traditional fossil fuel. However--Gabriel said it's very clear, if this does not turn out to be profitable--Shell will not continue.

Environmental protection: Avery said Cellana is working closely with State Department of Health to ensure appropriate measures are taken to protect the ocean and environment. Most of their 60 employees (half from the Big Island) are ocean scientists, all concerned with protecting the resources and doing the right thing.

Cellana is still under construction. They have raised photo bioreactors, used to grow algae in a closed environment. They also have ponds, similar to those at Cyanotech, with paddle wheels.

Avery Kramer is passionate about creating science careers here in Hawaii. He also feels algae is a real potential winner, that Kona can be used so well for algae research. He feels the research at NELHA using algae can positively impact the world. Gabriel said they feel algae is THE technology to create biofuel.

Timeline: meeting the three criteria is critical, and Gabriel said he hopes to be able to demonstrate success in 18 months or so.

In parallel, Shell is working on the design for a commercial plant. They hope by 2015 they can break ground for such a facility. Is Hawaii a candidate for the future big plant, should the science work? Gabriel said they need a site with easy access to CO2--connected to an industrial complex that can produce it, a refinery or power plant, to feed the algae. [Editor note, something I learned after the interiew, my physicist husband tells me the power plant most likely to be appropriate would be a coal or oil burning plant, most of which are fairly close to water because of the need for water for cooling.] They are also looking for a site where governmental would welcome such a plant, demonstrated with financial (tax) incentives.

More online, www.cellana.com. Also, google "algae biofuel" and there are many sources. You can reach local operations manager Avery Kramer at 334-1690 x342.

Our guests: Carol Ignacio, with the Catholic Church's Office for Social Ministry, and Brandee Menino, administrator of the OSM's Care A Van program.

Carol started Hawaii Island Foodbank, started the island's first transitional housing, founded the island's Dental Care program.

What is the Office for Social Ministry? It's a department of the Catholic Diocese, and Carol has been director since 1986 on the island and is now the director statewide.

When Carol started in 1986, she said there were only a few homeless people--it was a new phenomenon. Carol talked to everybody she could to begin to approach the problem. In 1987, she opened the first emergency shelter--finding a place for it to be was a challenge, based on NIMBY (Not In My Backyard). Foodbank opened in 1989. Has the County given over dealing with the homeless situation to the Catholic Church? Carol said no, they are partners. The County has programs, OSM administers.

Care A Van: Brandee's been with the program for 8 years. Initially it was homeless outreach, going to where the homeless live (beach, lava tubes, forests). Now they also manage emergency shelters and community reintegration programs for prisoners coming back to the community post prison. Care A Van also helps those with mental challenges manage their finances and lives. They provide renters' education for both landlords and tenants. They also subsidize rents for low income people.

There is no requirement for service based on religion, gender, sexual preference, ethnicity.

How many homeless people are there on the Big Island? Carol said there are periodic surveys done statewide, they take one day and go to homeless shelters, to residences (beaches, cars, tarps in the forest, lava tubes, parks). This year, last week January 2009, unsheltered - 615, sheltered- 321. Male, 411, female 350, children to 5, 80, 6-12 65, 13-17, 40. The two largest ethnicities: Caucasian and Native Hawaiian. Carol said OSM served over 2031 homeless in the past fiscal year, discreet individuals, so the "count" is likely low.

How many homeless folks are mentally ill? Brandee said 50% with severe mental illness such as depression, bipolar. She also said drug problems exist, some in the same population, between 50% to 65%. Many of the homeless have come directly out of prison, and most got no treatment in prison. The OSM "re-entry program" is critical, therefore.

Around 33% of the homeless are employed!

Shelters: one homeless shelter in the County that serves 16 families, in Hilo, allows 6 week stay. Three transitional housing: can stay for 24 months. Kona side has a 31-bed dormitory style shelter under construction, in Kona's Old Industrial Area on Pawai Place. There's also a Kaloko Housing project above Costco being planned. There's a current shelter at Kawaihae that is being phased out because it has a cesspool, no longer allowed. OSM works with those in the shelters to help people return to productivity in the community; everybody is evaluated every 3 months. If serious, they stay, get services, and make progress. If not serious, after 3 months, they must leave.

Brandee said the needed solution to homeless is affordable, ie cheap, housing. There are new low income apartments Kona side, Lokahi Apartments, but they're not being filled--OSM wants to work to get people aware of their existence and get them filled. If families cannot afford the $675 studios, OSM can help subsidize.

What do homeless folks feel they need? Both agreed: employment. Or school, to develop better skills. And to live in homes, not shelters.

Carol reminded us that being homeless brings a whole range of problems, including just being depressed about being homeless, not having transportation, and more.

There are many success stories--the director of the Maui homeless shelter used to be homeless himself!

How do the homeless people find OSM for help? Carol said communicating, mostly the coconut wireless. The OSM staff also does outreach, they go find the people to help build trust.

The OSM staff continues to interact with others across the country, at conferences or via visits, to find all the best practices. Carol said we're actually doing a good job here but the capacity for sheltering is too limited. The homeless used to be a single male; now it's more families. Having multiple programs available is critical.

How can the public help? OSM welcomes donations and is prudent with financial donations. They also want people to read to the homeless keiki, to do classes for the homeless on life skills (budgeting etc.), to help host parties for the families. If people can volunteer even one hour a week..you are welcomed. Carol reminded this is a community issue, not a government nor Catholic Church issue. Call Office for Social Ministry: 935-3050, talk to Yvonne, the receptionist--she can direct you to Carol or Brandee or another appropriate staff member.

Health care reform: Senator said there's lots of input now, and although he believes we WILL have reform--he says nobody knows what the finished product will look like. He feels reform is critical because our country was not intended to be a country of "haves and have nots." With 14,000 people a day losing healthcare coverage, and hundreds of thousands not covered--40 million estimated for future--he says it's critical. He says a plan must provide competition plus freedom of choice. (Senator acknowledged that he personally has free health care for life due to his war injuries.) Re Congress exempting themselves from health care reform...Senator said whatever health care reform is arrived at should be equal to what the Senate has (although I was not clear whether US Congress will continue to have a separate program).

Can interstate highway funds be used to subsidize air travel (since our state's "interstate highway" is via air)? Senator said we get plenty federal funds for highways--Saddle Road, harbor facilities to connect to a ferry (of course now nonexistent with the demise of Super Ferry,which Senator should should have had an EIS done in advance of service).

To what degree is Senator's ability to bring in funds based on seniority? Senator said he decided early on to make being in Congress a career, not a stepping stone. He said funding is about planning, using anchors: Pohakuloa Training Area, UH Hilo, Kawaihae Harbor, Hilo and Kona Airports, and agriculture. Using military funding helps Pohakuloa Training Area, and then funding is needed for Saddle Road to go from Kawaihae to PTA to Hilo. Senator said the Kona to PTA improvements may take longer than expected due to environmental considerations. The environmental impact statement won't be done til early next year, but probably 2 to 3 years to get West side to Hilo fully done. Already spent $100M, spending $35M more immediately, total cost probably $350 million ultimately.

Senator says agriculture is a key component of our island. (Note, I did not ask a logical followup question about Governor Lingle's decision to cut ag inspectors on our island, which it is feared will endanger our ability to export--I figured that's a State issue.)

Senator is a war hero...read Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation" for full detail. I asked Senator how the war experience changed him? He said he's death on war, he does not want us to be in war. He feels the best way to prevent war is to be prepared for war, so the other side does not get ideas on attacking us. The iron fist is important to ensure discussions are opened.

After WWII, after 20 months in the hospital, Senator Inouye was assigned to talk to the Japanese families whose sons were not coming home, who'd died...he had to prepare the parents. He said he does not want anybody to go through that anguish.

After 57 years with his late wife Maggie, Senator remarried a year ago to Irene Hirano. Irene is 24 years younger (Senator is 84), and president of the US-Japan Council. Senator knew Irene for 20 years in her capacity as president of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles. After a year being a widower, he asked Irene out to lunch and dinner...and proposed. Irne is a member of several boards: Ford Foundation, Kreskge Foundation, Smithsonian, National Trust for Historic Sites, among others.

Is he considering retirement (he's already announced he'll run next year for Senate): Senator said although he's not indispensable, he wants to finish projects such as Saddle Road, additional PTA improvements, airport improvements, all part of his plan, and he wants to complete projects. He also said he wants to keep his brain and body functioning well and says many who retire slide downhill--he wants to not have that happen.

Is there a Senate succession plan for our state? Senator said no, he's trying to build a solid foundation for his successor, male or female, to follow.

Senator said he wants the university system to be robust. What about West Hawaii Community College? Senator said he's committed to see it through, and was inspecting the new Palamanui site after our interview.

Akaka Bill: Senator said he's asked it to be scheduled as soon as possible, but it will be after health reform and others. Senator said it's a moral imperative, the Hawaiian Kingdom was a well established international power before Queen Liliu'okalani was forced out of power.

North Hawaii Community Hospital serves the northern part of the Big Island. It's a 39-bed hospital with a full spectrum of practices--general surgery, obstetrics, orthopedic surgery, critical care, emergency department, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and more.

Bob said the goals of the hospital board, same as the previous board, is to manage the hospital in a financially stable manner, get doctors on board, and keep the hospital meeting high standards.

John White joined the hospital as CEO in April, coming from Moses Lake Washington's Samaritan Hospital. John's family, his wife and two boys, 11 and 13, are delighted to be here.

We asked John why he felt NHCH and he would be a fit: he said the hospital he came from and NHCH are similar size; he worked for a public hospital and he said the community size, services, and ownership style is similar. The culture here is different than anywhere, he said, and the difference is the connectedness of the people. He said this community realizes we're all here together and we must work together to solve challenging issues. He said the community engagement was very attractive to him.

Will John and his family embrace island life, will they stay with Hawaii Island? John said absolutely yes. He and his family have been coming here since 1995 and coming here was a dream and a plan. He said living and working here is way better than vacationing here.

What made the Board hire John? Bob Momsen said John's Moses Lake and previous experiences were ideal for NHCH, and he came highly recommended. He also said the Board felt that John would fit in well to the community.

Financials: Bob Momsen said NHCH is fine, financially. Last year, the operating loss was $10 million. This year, John and the team are already turning the situation around. Today, Bob said they're operating close to break even. John said they've collected past bills, they're up on reimbursements from insurers, they have tightened financial controls and financials are good.

Doctor shortage: John said first order of business is to retain doctors, and one way is to collaborate with docs to do better billing, etc. Bob Momsen said many docs here are clinically quite successful but have a challenge with the Hawaii business model. What NHCH is working on is how the hospital can organize to offer services to doctors such as billings, collections, office management, things they can do for doctors. Is this like the Kaiser model? Mr. Momsen said there are many models to provide business support, so NHCH's plan is similar but not identical to Kaiser, which takes over all of the docs' business functions. NHCH will likely offer different choices.

Swine flu pandemic: what is NHCH doing to ensure they can handle? John said the World Health Organization has declared the swine flu a pandemic. NHCH feels they are ready. They have a mobile tent they will set up to handle an influx of new patients and separate flu patients from other patients. They will control access to the facility and ensure people coming into the hospital use hand sanitizer, are masked if appropriate, and they will limit number of visitors to patients.

Preventive medicine: does NHCH have specific programs in place? They have classes in diabetes management, nonsmoking, pregnancy. Both John and Bob agreed most preventive programs and measures are through the doctors.

Community communication: quarterly meetings open to the community, plus formal quarterly meetings with employees plus smaller more frequent breakout meetings with employees. Bob Momsen stressed, they welcome input from the community. They're also posting financials on the web site.

What's exciting? John said in May they had their first month or profit; they have a new radiologist starting soon offering interventional radiology--using xray equipment to place stents; new leadership team members coming aboard. Bob Momsen said he's excited about the new leadership team. John White said he's thrilled with the aloha and the Waimea and NHCH ohana. He feels they are able to carry on Earl Bakken's vision of NHCH as the "most healing hospital in the world."

More about North Hawaii Community Hospital online, www.northhawaiicommunityhospital.org, or call 808-885-4444

My guest was Jim Weyman, Director of Central Pacific Hurricane Center and Meteorologist in Charge of the National Weather Service in Honolulu. He's been doing weather-related work for 40 years.

We have 7 weather buoys surrounding the state. They are 185-200 nautical miles out. They provide information about pressure, wind speed, wind direction, water temperature, wave direction, wave height, and wave period. This allows the Weather Service to predict surf and give information about hurricanes. The information is transmitted by satellite to the weather service, every 20 minutes. The information is online at National Data Buoy Center (http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/) to see the data.

Three of the buoys recently broke off. They are anchored to the ocean floor, around 10,000 feet below, by rope. Two of the buoys have been recovered and will be put in place later this week. The one still missing is now west of the dateline, a couple of thousand miles away. It's too expensive to get it with a Hawaii-based ship, but the Coast Guard may be able to get it with another ship. If cost effective it will be rescued; if not it will be replaced. Two that were lost to the south are critical because of the need to gather hurricane data. (This is hurricane season.)

The buoys: can be pulled off mooring by strong storms, or entangled by gears. Occasionally boats use them to tie up to--none of this is good. Boaters are urged to leave the buoys alone. Although it's a Federal crime to tie up to the buoy or vandalize it, more important, these buoys are so critical for forecasting--everyone should do the right thing.

El Nino: equatorial waters become 1-2 degrees warmer, and even this small rise in temperature causes more energy to be available to weather systems. The temperature is measured by a separate set of buoys stretching around the equator. The current El Nino, a fairly weak one, should last til December.

Implications of El Nino: more hurricane activity (top 4 active seasons have been during El Nino); late season hurricanes; drought; high surf.

Hurricane season is June 1-November 30, but Jim said we can have hurricanes any time of year. Hurricanes occur this time of year because of warmer ocean temperature and wind shear, winds at different levels coming from different directions.

Why El Nino? Not always clear, but think the warmer water is pushed by winds. Also, water level can drop 3-4", which can affect coral and ecosystems.

La Nina: waters in equatorial Pacific get 1 to 2 degrees cooler, caused they think by Easterly winds pushing in colder water.

Are we on the Big Island "protected" from hurricanes because of our tall mountains? Jim said no. He said the volcanoes are only speed bumps to hurricanes. In 1871, a large, Category 3 hurricane hit the northern part of Hawaii Island.

How accurate is hurricane forecasting? Jim said they're very good at forecasting hurricanes, but not perfect--they're a degree of uncertainty. Jim urges everybody to be individually prepared--government cannot meet the needs of individual citizens in their homes. We should all have emergency water, food, medical supplies, etc. for five to seven days.

What influences the weather? Jim said storms as far away as Australia, New Zealand, and Japan influence our weather--we may never see those storms, but we see the impact in waves. Tradewinds have a big impact, if they're happening or not. Kona has unique weather because of the mountains and ocean, which create land and sea breezes and afternoon rain. Hilo gets around 160 inches of rain annually, because they're on the windward side--winds come from the East traveling over the ocean, they get filled with water, they hit the mountains, and drop the rain.

Weather vs climate: weather is about 7 days. Longer term, it's climate. Climate variability, like El Nino, cycles that occur regularly, every 7 years or so. But there's the broader longer term climate, looking at cycles over 100 years or so.

Climate change because of human action, or just something that happens over time? Jim said it's accepted by most scientists that human interaction is influencing climate long term--we don't know exactly how much. Jim said he advocates doing things with an eye to the long term.

Weaher forecasting island state vs mainland? Jim said he envies those in Kansas--way more time to see the weather coming and get reports from everyone else. Here, we depend on the buoys. He said it was far more difficult pre-satellite. When satellites came in, in the 1970s, it started improving forecasting immeasurably.

Internet weather sites: Jim said their views of the radar data have higher resolution so they can get more data in order to make better forecasting. They also get lots of satellite information. We can use internet sites to get much of the info but not to the fine scale. He did say residents do bring "local knowledge."

What impact do the active volcanoes have on weather? Jim said he recently met with Kona coffee farmers, and they have very detailed rain information. He said since the eruption, rainfall patterns have changed, with some areas getting less rain, definitely affected by the volcano erupting.

Vog: how does vog impact the weather? Fine particles in the atmosphere can attract moisture, and theoretically produce more rain in certain areas. The gases will create acid rain. NOAA is doing a study now on the degree to which acid rain is affecting the ocean, but Jim doesn't have the info on that.

Microclimates: we seem to have more distinct microclimates on this island. Jim agreed, we do! He said our weather here is more varied than anywhere. We may not have such variances frequently, but we do have them--and we have 10 climactic zones here on the island. Jim said Weather Channel recently did a special on weather climate zones and came here to our island to do it!

Jim reinforced the need for all residents here on the island to have a family action plan..what to do in case of emergency.

The web site: weather.gov.

Regarding Council's next steps in the face of the West Hawaii Today lawsuit, the Temporary Restraining Order, and the upcoming August 26 trial: the next step is a full Council meeting August 4 at 8 am (Hilo Chambers, also Kona and Waimea via teleconference). The one agenda item on August 4 is a resolution, introduced by Yoshimoto, to restore the Council to its pre-June 16 organization. Following the Council meeting, starting at 9 am, Committee meetings will re-hear all committee items heard after the reorganization. On Wednesday, August 5, the full Council will meet and again rehear everything.

Note: there is one new resolution for the August 5 meeting, introduced by Council member Guy Enriques/Ka'u, who was not present at the last couple of Council meetings: he is introducing another resolution to reorganize, and put the Council as it "wanted to be" after the June 16 reorganization.

Committee structure: each committee has all 9 Council members. (Not true in other counties nor in the state legislature.) Yoshimoto said he feels it is the most inclusive process. The Committee Chair cannot kill bills, and his/her power is limited only to delaying the hearing of a bill two times. Other than that, their job is to keep order in the meetings.

Mr. Onishi had pondered introducing a measure to reduce the committee membership from 9 to 5. Will he try to introduce same again? Who knows. Mr. Yoshimoto said if committees were reduced, it might save time for members. However, J said the committee meetings i s where issues get much more time for serious consideration, and the current system of having all 9 members is the most open.

Sunshine Law has pros and cons. It keeps everything in the open. BUT, it does not allow Council members to discuss issues, to talk story, to bounce ideas off each other, except in Committee and Council meetings. Note: I've spoken with a UH Law Professor about a future program just about Sunshine Law...pros and cons and remedies to make it work better. Chair Yoshimoto pointed out Sunshine Law was implemented by State Legislature, but they exempted themselves! He feels they should decide they also have to be subject to the law and that would encourage them to change it.

Why reorganize after just six months--what was the point? Yoshimoto said he felt some members felt it was an issue of leadership style. He also said disagreement among members is a positive, it's how viewpoints get heard. However, how disagreements get heard is important--members need to still work together.

County Clerk, Ken Goodenow: his role is parlamentarian, helps with Roberts Rules and procedural questions, manages staff. J said Clerk is NOT subject to Sunshine Law.

Six days notice of resolutions: the reorganization resolution was time stamped Wednesday, 10:30 or 11 pm, day before Kamehameha Day Holiday, posted at that time only on the bulletin board outside the Council office. Was that legal? Council Chair referred to the Clerk--he's the decision maker.

County Clerk had told me the only obligation is to post agendas at the Council building, and internet posting is a "courtesy." (I suggested to Chair that they consider making the internet posting mandatory--not practical to drive to Hilo to look for possible late postings.)

How at this point will things move forward, how can pono be restored? Chair Yoshimoto said members have to put aside emotion and ego, get back to working together, realize they're all about the business of the community, of the people. All need to remember anything needs 5 votes to pass--so the members must figure a way to work together.

Public testimony: Chair Yoshimoto said he pays attention and often learns things (he also said so later, after the interview). He said he cannot speak for other members.

Other priorities, ie getting back to business? Chair Yoshimoto said a top priority is solid waste, the issue of the rapidly filling Hilo landfill is continuing at top of the list. Chair said they're waiting for the solid waste management plan, and it's supposed to be done by the end of this year.

Council and Mayor temporarily suspended the 2% fund: since this was an issue voted on by voters, telling County to take 2% of existing property tax revenues and apply to a fund to purchase open space. Chair said it's mandatory to balance the budget, and this is a temporary measure. There still is $11 million in the fund, it's a suspension not a cessation, it was a difficult choice. Chair said he hopes the recession is, as economists say, at the bottom and we can move up. He is pleased the budget is balanced as that is a County requirement. He said the County is at this point in better shape than the State. There is concern about the next budget.

Recent Public Works meeting where a landowner was requesting a variance that violated current laws and the Kona Community Development plan. One council member, Mr. Greenwell, said the laws were "guides, not absolutes." I asked Chair about this. He said the Community Development Plans ARE law. He recalls the incident, and he said the law is the law, to be followed.

Chair J Yoshimoto encourages the public to stay involved, to call him personally to discuss any issues.

Chair Yoshimoto had the chance to meet the Emperor and Empress of Japan at the recent Parker Ranch reception. It said it was memorable, a once-in-a-lifetime event.

Go to the County website, www.co.hawaii.hi.us, to see Council agendas, actions taken, and more. The meetings are also televised on Channel 52 islandwide; schedule for that is on the County website.

Jim told us Pu'u O'o has been erupting actively since 1984. The Halema'uma'u eruption showed itself March, 2008. There was a June 30 vent collapse at Halema'uma'u, after which the glow showed, but the glow went away July 4.

Vog: what is it? Jeff Sutton said vog is a locally-coined term to indicate the milky pollution created by the vents. The sulphur dioxide emerges, reacts with sun and moisture, and forms acid sulphate aerosols. It's those aerosols that irritate our eyes, nose, throat.

Differences in vog based on where we are: once the sulphur dioxide emerges, and starts oxidizing from the biting choking stuff into an aerosol. People closer to the vent, much of what they get is sulphur dioxide gas. Those further get greater amounts of the gas, tiny particles. Kona has little sulphur dioxide but lots of sulphur acetate particles.

Measuring emissions: Before the Halema'uma'u erution, already 2000 metric tons (tonnes) of SO2, more than twice what is emitted by any power plant. In March 2008, that vent doubled the total emissions. That number has dropped off somewhat but is still quite high.

Strong relationship between emissions and what we see. Amount of water vapor in the air causes the particles to be more visible, so our perceptions are influenced by what we can see. Amount of gas, wind direction and speed make a difference in where the vog goes.

Vog monitoring: vog, mixture of sulphur dioxide gas and sulphur acetate particles, the National Park Service has been monitoring SO2 since 1985. State Department of Health measures both SO2 and particle load at various locations around the island.

History: this volcano is very old. Jim Kauahikaua told us the first lengthy descriptions were in 1823: Kilauea summit had a lava lake. Because it was a great tourist attraction, many visitors came and many described the current activity. A few of those people talked about the emissions, and it's clear SO2 was always being emitted in high concentrations. One of the very first descriptions was a journal from 1794, by Archibald Menzies with the Vancouver Expedition. When he was in the Wood Valley area he described heavy vog and ash. Jim says he has not been able to find descriptions of the visible vog evident these days in South Kona. Dr. Green says vog has been part of the lives of Big Islanders for a long time--when he first started practicing in Na'alehu, a new doctor from Pittsburgh, patients would tell him "it's just the vog," just part of their lives. People on the island generally get used to it.

Monitoring: Jim said there are monitoring stations around the island. 39 days in last 450 Pahala exceeded "allowable limits" for SO2 and aerosols; Kona, same 15 months, 14 days where aerosol limit exceeded, none where SO2 exceeded. Although statistics may not reflect what we feel or see, Jim K pointed out the stats are an objective way to measure.

So how does this vog affect us? We've had Dr. Elizabeth Tam, respiratory specialist at UH John Burns School of Medicine, talking about her more-than-ten-year studies here on the island of more than 100 keiki and how vog affects their athsma. Findings so far: smoking in the home, mold, are more damaging than vog to keiki asthma. Of course we have not spoken with her since the March, 2008 eruption.

Dr. Green: he works at emergency rooms in Kohala and Pahala/Ka'u. He said more people present with upper respiratory complaints (chest, throat, head), but he said they've seen no truly serious issues. (He said it's disconcerting to see national or local media report the vog as a terrible health threat when it so far has not proven so.)

Dr. Michael Traub: Dr. Traub has practiced Kona side since 1985. Initially he had a lot of patients coming to complain about "vog symptoms," but that number has declined. Vog is an irritant for people with pre-existing respiratory problems and it can compromise recovery from respiratory complaints. Many complain about symptoms they attribute to vog--headache, lethargy. Difficult to pin those on the vog. Dr. Traub said he looks to treat any underlying conditions and look at peoples' diet, other toxicities. Dr. said they must treat the basic immune system first. Some herbal medicines can have soothing or broncho dialating affects. He also uses aerosolyzed glutothione, an antioxidant, and his patients breathe it in. It's a novel application--the only place in the world, he believes, where it's used to treat symptoms caused by an active volcano.

Dr. Green: take common sense precautions and avoid vog in the heaviest concentrations--if you have symptons, avoid the heaviest areas, or stay inside...even in voggy areas, inside with closed doors/windows can help. Major thing: do not smoke! Smoking is a true underlying cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and emphysema.

State reactions: Dr. Green told us about work being done by Dr. Linda Rosen, State Department of Health. They started gathering data almost immediately after the March 2008 additional eruption. Dr. Rosen told me prior to the interview that there was an increase in incidents, people coming in with respiratory tract incidents, but not a big increase...in the range of 1%. Dr. Green said Bernie Longo, PhD Public Health Nurse, has participated and says there are many more complaints of burning eyes, sore throats, but no additional pneumonias or COPD cases. Dr. Green is confident that State Health is doing the right kind of monitoring. HMSA is also sharing their data about ER visits and respiratory disease (data, not patient-specific) as State continues to monitor.

I asked Dr. Green: can vog cause emphysema (as was implied in a recent television program? Dr. Green said NO. Emphysema is caused almost exclusively, not 100%, but almost every time, by smoking.

Both Dr. Green and Dr. Traub agreed that awareness and prevention are important, stay away from vog to the extent possible, and keep your basic health good and don't do bad things like smoke.

For more on the volcano, daily updates, go online. www.wr.usgs.gov. For more on the State Department of Health vog info, go to hawaii.gov/health.

I don't usually focus on individual businesses, but Target is creating a huge buzz on the island, and they've started working in the community in a positive way even before opening.

Roger Thomas said the Target philosophy is to be part of the community in which they do business. Target nationwide gives back $3 million per week to local communities.

Locally, 135 Target team members did a cleanup and paint project at Old Airport Park, painting parking bumpers at the pool, cleaning up trash and mostly cigarette butts throughout Old Airport Park.

Target team members and team leaders took part in the Kona side Relay for Life.

In School Reading Programs: Target employees volunteer to do reading in the schools.

Target will form a good neighbor committee to make decisions about how best to be involved in the community.

Teacher Support Programs: teachers can apply for a field trip grant.

Kona store: corner of Luhia and Makala, in the Kona Commons Shopping Center, behind HPM. Store is around 160,000 square feet. (As a side note, the landscape plants were provided by local landscaper Brenda Lam.) Team members will wear Tori Richards-designed aloha shirts. They have around 310 team members (employees) hired from the island. Some of the managers are from off island, some originally from other islands.

Merchandise: some fresh produce--apples, pineapples, bananas--no bakery, no meat. Milk, eggs, bread. Frozen foods, boxed items. Pharmacy, drug, toys, clothing. The Hawaiian style clothing is purchased locally, and they will also sell locally-purchased clothing. They also have a furniture department, some of it Hawaiian style. Bedding, linens.

Competition? Walmart, KMart, among others. Roger said Target wants to focus on being "one stop shop" and offer fast service--service is a big big deal, he said. Roger said, "The guest is the boss."

Target has its grand opening Sunday, July 26, 8 am, and Roger said that day's paper will have lots of Target "grand opening specials." They actually have a "soft opening" Wednesday, July 22. Target's website, to learn more about grants and charitable donations: www.target.com.

I asked about the reorganization from the standpoint of citizens feeling disenfranchised, feeling like their voice does not count. Mayor said he personally takes government to the people. He spends one to two days each week in Kona, he and his staff have gone out to do talk stories islandwide in various communities--Ocean View, Honoka'a, Kona, Hilo, Waimea...with intent to answer all questions. Note: I have invited Council Chair J Yoshimoto and Vice Chair Emily Naeole to talk story, will probably happen at the end of July.

Splitting the county: Mayor said it's not practical to spend time on it. Such a move would have to be approved by the County Council, the Mayor, the State Legislature, and the Governor. It's unlikely to happen. Mayor is opposed to it and feels our island is one island and needs of all can be addressed by the Administration. He feels it's not productive to focus on splitting the County--since we cannot control whether it happens and the State is highly unlikely to do what's needed to make it happen.

Was there a Sunshine Law violation in the Council reorganization? Mayor said State Office of Information Practices is investigating and will rule.

County budget: Budget was approved 8 to 1 by Council. Mayor said no tax increases, no furloughs at this time other than by his staff (ie they work for free one day a month). They have taken out funding for some unfilled positions but have maintained funding for some unfilled positions, mostly fire-police-public safety. The County IS still hiring, to fill critical positions. (When he first came in he implemented a hiring freeze, but now each department must provide hiring justification to an interdepartmental committee.) Mayor said next year, more cuts will be necessary as our main source of revenues are property taxes and transient accommodation tax (hotel tax). Both are down and will continue to decline for a while.

There have been accusations that leaving unfilled positions funded is creating a county "slush fund" that can be used for operations. Mayor said he reviewed and last year only one position's funding was moved to operations, so he feels the "slush fund" perception is not correct.

Selling property in Hamakua: if we do not sell it for $8.2 million as projected for budget balancing, are we in trouble? Mayor said the land is 3500 acres, given to the County to pay some back taxes. Property evaluation ranges from $12M to $16M. If they can sell $8.2 million dollars worth, they will not sell it all, and keep the balance. Goal: get this ag-zoned land, mauka in Hamakua, back into productive agriculture.

Mayor's overall view of 2% land fund, a measure voted in to put 2% of existing property taxes into a fund to purchase open space: he said it is going to be resumed, but for now, while key services are in jeopardy, he feels a 2-year moratorium on the fund, putting $4.5 million per year into operating funds, is reasonable. Mayor said County is still looking to get open space, and trying to get Federal funding to assist.

How much open space do we have? Mayor asked the satellite imaging folks to provide a satellite view of the island. Mayor says 90% of our island's land is reserve, park, conservation, agriculture lands. I pointed out when one is on the Kona Coast or in downtown Hilo it's hard to see that sometimes. Mayor reiterated we need to protect ourselves from becoming Oahu or Maui.

Zoning: if a developer commits to provide infrastructure as a condition of development, should they be held to it? (This came up because this past week, Palamanui, a development by Charles Schwab and Guy Lam, asked to be relieved of agreed-upon conditions.) Mayor said YES, developers must be held to conditions, but he's willing to let the timing change based on economic conditions.

Federal stimulus funding: Mayor and his team seem to be spending lots of energy to get federal funding for Ane Keohokolole Highway, the mid level road Kona side between Palani Road and Hina Lani. Mayor said we will get $35 million in federal money, much of it for this highway. Mayor praised his team of Bobby Command, Wally Lau, Warren Lee for working hard on it, PLUS praised the community for demonstrating support.

Mayor said he is "stoked" every day when he wakes up, he loves the job, although it's stressful. He said he wants to listen to everybody's issues, but realizes you cannot please everybody. He said in fact one cannot go into a job to make everybody happy--he has to make tough decisions and look at the big picture and what's best for the island.

Mayor said we live on a beautiful island, made so by the people.

Keaukaha community was founded in 1921 by Prince Jonah as one of two Hawaiian Homelands settlements. It's an isolated community--one way in, one way out.

Keaukaha School is colocated with a Hawaiian immersion school.

Kumu Lehua said before he became principal, there were behavioral and academic challenges at the school, as at any school. He said No Child Left Behind started in 2001 and although Kumu says he does not feel his job is to "pass tests," it is indeed a requirement of schools these days. He and his school team looked at the situation and started a program called to help address the situations and focus forward. It's all about values, about ohana, about balance, about community. They got tee shirts for the students...front: Got Pono?, back is Keaukaha Got Pono. It's a theme repeated in posters around school to get the students focused on respecting themselves, ohana, ancestors, community. Mauli is a word Kumu will be using for the upcoming year: spirit, heart, what makes my heart beat. After the concept Got Pono? was introduced, what changes? Kumu said learning became more fun for teachers and students. Education became more than inside the four walls--they created a garden, they go on field trips, they have experiences which support the learning. Kumu said he feels no constraint from Department of Education, but he also says he has worked closely with the superintendent to explain the program, and create connections, and engender trust. Kumu says students, teachers, feel the change, feel the positive spirit.

Kumu has tracked students after Keaukaha Elementary, especially those who stay in the community. They do tutoring, to help them succeed in middle and high school.

Business community support: Keaukaha Elementary did not have money to provide "extras". They gratefully accept donations from the community, and many businesses, such as Hamakua Springs Country Farms (Richard Ha) have helped the school take the kids on field trips and do various "not in school" programs. They also welcome kokua from community members to do tutoring. They have a robotics program, and use Keaukaha Resource Center behind the school to enhance what's provided at school.

See the school's web site: http://keaukaha.k12.hi.us/. The community is invited to events such as the December sing and May Day performances. A huge mahalo to Kumu Lehua for a great talk story and for his and his team's work with the community--and mahalo the community for support for the school.

A note: consult your own physician regarding your health practices!

Can we change the natural path of what our genes give us? Dr. Lins feels we can make modifications with diet, lifestyle. Methylated vitamins help control what are sometimes called "bad genes." Also, antioxidants can often change and improve what our predisposition is. Dr. Lins pointed out that some vitamins, based on how they're formulated, can be more easily absorbed by the body. Example: Calcium Citrate is generally more easily absorbed than Calcium Carbonate.

How can we improve our immune systems? Dr. Lins feels nutrition is the basis. She has been successful with many patients by analyzing their blood types, and suggesting changes in food to complement their blood type (ie the Blood Type Diet). Blood reacts with elements in food, and food can slow or speed up metabolism, and. O blood type, most common: they need to eat more protein. Even if vegetarian, people can get protein. More fresh fruits and vegetables, less grain. Type A, second most common: this blood type needs more vegetables, less red meat, more grains. Type B: considered the "strongest," can eat almost anything, except--surprise--she recommends no or less chicken!!

Re building immunity: Dr. Lins echoes other doctors in saying fresh fruits and vegetables are critical, plus clean sources of protein (ie avoid meats injected with hormones). Dr. Lins also said proper rest plus exercise helps keep our immunity high. Stress is also a huge insult to our immune system.

Dr. Lins says some foods are actually toxic to people--not that the food is inherently toxic, but that people may react poorly to certain foods. It's actually food allergies, ie someone's immune system may "launch an attack" based on certain foods. Typically people have symptoms, such as gastric, headaches, itching ears, skin rashes. Dr. Lins says she and other naturopaths will generally test for food allergies, to eliminate possible offending foods, with gradual reintroduction.

Dr. Lins says most of her patients are women with hormonal problems, women within 10 years of menopause, who are having mood swings and other symptoms. Often food or supplements can help.

Dr. Lins says naturopathy is often just good common sense, with tweaks to suit the individual.

Vog: Dr. Lins says vog especially assaults the adrenal system, which is designed to deal with stress. Vog stresses us--general malaise, respiratory problems, itchy eyes, etc. Dr. Lins says building up the adrenal system can help. Adrenal system: adrenal glands, sitting on top of the kidneys but not part of the kidneys. Adrenal glands produce hormones such as adrenaline. How do we improve the adrenal system? Each person is different...those without high blood pressure can take licorice. There are also many herbs that can help.

Practical advice if we have to travel (plane flights): Dr. Lins says part of the problem may be not getting rest and having too good a time on vacation. Dr. Lins suggests Zicam (however, she warned, it's been shown to lose sense of smell). Ossilococcynium can be used if one starts to get flu or cold, to shorten duration. Zinc (active ingredient in Zicam) has also been shown to shorten the duration of colds. Drink lots of water.

Daily supplement recommendation? Dr. Lins: multivitamins, Vitamin C, arabanogalctin , astragalus, andrographis can all be helpful.

Dementia: can we ward it off? Dr. Lins said our brain's neurotransmitters affect dementia. Docs can test for neurotransmitters via a urine test, which helps look into the brain. Depending on what a doc finds, it's possible that certain amino acids can improve a person's neurochemical balance, improve mood. Dr. Lins also said exercise is shown to help improve memory--exercising improves both body and mind.

Herbs: are there herbs particularly helpful, either in cooking or in supplements? Dr Lins recommends using fresh foods, with fresh herbs, whenever possible. Avoid corn syrup and sugar; they oxidate in the body and create problems. Dr. Lins said rosemary, turmeric, circumin, look not just for sweet or salty but also go for pungent kinds of herbs.

Diabetes: a huge problem all over the U. S., but certainly here in Hawaii. White rice turns into sugar in the body, and is a huge contributor. Also, alcohol--Dr. Lins says many alcoholics become diabetics.

Dr. Lins encourages looking at alternative ways to stay healthy. Hawaii licenses naturopathic physicians (not all states do!). In naturopathy, the principles including treating the whole person, not just the disease; she also focuses on removing the cause of the problem; and finally, focus on the healing power of nature.

Reach Dr. Lins, 331-8404, her office is in Kona's Old Industrial. There are many naturopathic physicians around the island.

PTA is on Saddle Road, between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. It's a beautiful area. It includes 130,000 acres of land, a single runway, many quonset huts. It was started after World War II, on land purchased from Parker Ranch. It's used for training for Army and occasional other branches of the military. The permanent staff is Lt. Col. Richardson and an aide, but there are 170 civilian employees to provide support.

One of the most controversial issues has been depleted uranium, which was used at PTA in the 1960s in weapons known as Davey Crocketts, which were trying to simulate the path of nuclear weapons to help the Army know what to do. The State Department of Health has determined all DU is on PTA, none outside. They also feel it is a minor hazard (in most states, it's present in the soil, less so in Hawaii). Lt. Col. Richardson gave us the Army's politically correct statements, but did not really address the issue--however, since I spoke with State DOH, I mentioned that they feel the issue is not a threat to Hawaii Island's citizens.

Lt. Col. Richardson says they welcome citizens using their conference room or hiking at their facility. They have several protected plant species and say they focus on protection. To arrange a visit, call Communications Liaison Chicpaul Becerra, 969.2411.

Teen dating abuse looks very much like adult domestic violence. Dr. Murray said generally teens do not resort to physical violence--it's very much psychological. The victims are usually girls--but can be boys. Signs: girls are required by their boyfriends to be "available" much of the time, in person or via cell phone. The abuser tends to try to isolate the recipient of abuse. When girls are the abuser, they would tend more likely to be physical, and girls use weapons more often than do boys.

Signs? If you're crying a lot in the relationship, or feel sad, or if you're afraid of your partner, afraid to make them angry, that's a sign. One test for parents: try to take the teen's cellphone at night, see if the teen reacts poorly--often the abusers require the recipient to text them frequently!

Emotional abuse is subtle. The abuser wants power and control over the other person, and usually takes the recipient's self esteem. The abuser often interrogates, blames, make rules about the recipient's behavior, isolates them from friends. They don't tend to start that way--they're initially charming, and flattering, woos parents and teens...but then things change.

What makes young people become emotional abusers? Dr. Murray said it generally starts at home, with the child abuser being the recipient himself or herself of emotional abuse or physical or sexual abuse. Children learn from what they see at home.

Parents can help teens know what kind of relationship to have by modeling good relationship behavior. That includes demonstrating appropriate loving behavior that then a teen can see as a model. Dr. Murray said it's very possible even for a single parent to demonstrate this: don't denigrate your ex, and if there is an adult relative, male/female, to provide an opposite sex role model, it's good to try to keep them in your children's lives.

Fathers and children: fathers are important in children's lives, to provide a strong model teaching young men how to be responsible male adults, and to provide girls with unconditional love and let them know they can be loved without being put down.

If a teen feels uncomfortable in a relationship--Dr. Murray says they should get out. Teenage girls are often very relationship focused, so it takes a strong young woman to leave a relationship. Sometimes emotional abusers will threaten violence or suicide if their partner threatens to leave. If that happens, tell their parents, or your parents, or a teacher, or even the police. Don't let an abuser force you to remain

See Dr. Murray's website for information about her books, and more important, frequently asked questions and examples of situtions...www.drjillmurray.com. You can also send Dr. Murray a confidential email, and she'll answer. Dr. Murray also says you can google "teen dating abuse" for other sources. Dr. Murray's books are in most of our school libraries.

There's also a national 24-hour help line number, 800-799-4357, to call for help. Dr. Katie Nova, Kona side psychologist, also reinforced--if you need help, seek an adult, find one to take your concerns seriously.

Dr. Kanahele was a commentator for television coverage for this year's Merrie Monarch. Dr. Kanahele talked about what the mele and chants were saying, to help us the viewers understand more about the performances. She partnered with Manu Boyd, who spoke of the clothing, the different halau, the steps. Dr. Kanahele said she also felt the coverage was better this year from the educational standpoint.

She recommended we listen carefully, for specific words even if we don't speak Hawaiian. Listen for place names, listen for specific Hawaiian words to help us place ourselves in the time of the dance. She suggests we note the clothing, which is designed to represent the period, based on style and color. Note the feet movement, the hands, look at the different body parts to begin to appreciate the intricancies. Dr. Kanahele feels we can self educate as well as learn from experts.

The Edith Kanaka'ole Foundation wants to perpetuate knowledge and intelligence. Dr. Kanahele feels people have intelligence, which they can use to advance their formal education through observation, looking, listening, reading. They can then begin to articulate for themselves what they learn about. Knowledge is information we're given, which can inform our intelligence.

The Edith Kanaka'ole Foundation helps organizations in the area of Hawaiian culture. Each program is tailored to the individual organization, based on research, questioning, a look at what's needed. A big focus now: a way to look at the universe with a Hawaiian focus.

Dr. Kanahele is working on a specific framework for learning, Papaku Makawalu. The framework for this work was contained in a traditional Hawaiian chant. Dr. Kanahele said she had to study the chant intensely to figure it out. Simplistically, the framework includes the entire universe. Her task has been breaking it down into manageable parts.

Papahulilani: three words, papa--huli--lani, combined into a larger concept. This refers to the space above our heads, from where we are to the stars and beyond. This covers all elements within this framework, the air, the sun, the moon, wind, clouds, rain, and more.

Papahulihonua: the most difficult of the concepts, refers to the earth, what we stand on, the ocean, the volcanoes and all that come from them (lava, vog) the foundation.

Papahanoumoku: things that procreate, things that give birth, which includes kanaka (people), animals, fish, plants, coral, all living things.

Is there conflict with a "Western" view of the universe? Dr. Kanakaole says no, the Papaku Makawalu, encompasses the entire universe, witha slightly different focus.

The Edith Kanaka'ole hula tradition is carried on by Aunty Pua's sister, Nalani, and Pua's two daughters. The tradition is bombastic, energetic, based on the fires of Madame Pele. Aunty Pua said hula is a living art, it changes constantly. We still live in the place of our ancestors, that's the constant, but language, clothing, colors, all of that changes with the time.

Learn more, www.papakumakawalu.org, or www.edithkanakaolefoundation.org. Take advantage, if you hear that Dr. Pualani Kanahele is lecturing--go! She's a very interesting and informative speaker, with a sense of humor.

Civic Clubs were started in 1917 by Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole to advance the cause of the Hawaiian people.

Akaka Bill: when passed feels will give our state, our people more opportunities. Once passed, he feels the people of Hawaii (those of Hawaiian blood and those who live in Hawaii) can work with whatever finally passes.

Hawaiian Civic Clubs: raise funds for scholarships (they provide around 1,000 scholarships for students at around $1,000 each). They also work directly to provide all kinds of Hawaiian-focused education in mele, hula, and civic responsibility. They want to bring Hawaiian culture to all aspects of life, and teach everybody who lives here about that.

Hawaiian Civic Clubs: the mother club is on Oahu, and there are clubs worldwide. Bucky says many clubs welcome those who are Hawaiian in spirit, not just Hawaiian by blood.

Convention: Last November there was a convention of the worldwide clubs on Kauai, with around 500 attendees. They focused on issues they wanted the Hawaii State Legislature to address. They also advise the Governor directly of their key issues.

Ceded lands: there are two issues, one is money owed to the Hawaiian people from back use of the land, the other is the land and what happens to the land.

Hawaiian Civic Clubs officially support Office of Hawaiian Lands, although individuals may not individually support all positions of OHA.

Learn more about Hawaiian Civic Clubs online, just google Hawaiian Civic Clubs.

Bucky is happen to talk with you about Hawaiian Civic Clubs, or help you find a Club if you're interested in taking part. 324-1392

This interview will be posted on this web site by Monday afternoon, May 11--click on interviews. Apologies in advance--Dr. Fukino is with us by phone and I didn't do a great job of modulating the sound...but the information she provides is excellent!

Dr. Chiyome Fukino, head of State Department of Health, joined us by phone from her office in Honolulu. She reminded us that State Department of Health has over 100 programs.

Swine Flu, aka H1N1 flu: so far, 6 cases have been confirmed in the state. The first 3 cases, the people had been to the mainland, contracted the flu there, and have recovered. The second group of three, including a student at UH Manoa confirmed on Friday, May 8, had NOT traveled to the mainland. Nor had they been in contact with the first three, it's believed, so--the swine flu is here.

What is influenza? Caused by the influenza virus, symptoms including high fever over 100 degrees, cough, hoarseness, extreme muscle aches. Having sniffles, a cold--that is NOT the flu. We're also not talking "the stomach flu," which is a gastrointestinal illness, although influenza may include diarrhea.

Innoculation period, when you're contagious, can range from 2 to 7 days, including the day before you show symptoms.

To truly diagnose the flu, your doctor must take a swab and send it to the lab for testing. The doctor's office can determine IF you have the flu, but State Department of Health must determine if you have the H1N1 swine flu or the usual, normal, "seasonl" flu. Up til now, the CDC in Atlanta had to do the final testing, but they have now developed the test kits and shipped to the states last week. The state lab should be "validated" by CDC this week that they're doing the testing properly, ie, the CDC confirms the same results as the state.

The normal, annual, season flu results in around 36,000 deaths in the US every year. So...what's the current concern? Dr. Fukino says this virus has not been in humans before, it's now in multiple geographic areas, it's spreading, and because it's new, we humans have no protection against it. Normally the seasonal flu is most serious for the old, very young, those with immune systems compromised. But this new swine flu/H1N1 seems to be affecting younger people most. In fact, it came to the US brought by young people who'd gone to Mexico and spent spring break there--and brought back swine flu! Note, you don't get swine flu/H1N1 from eating pork.

When will there be a vaccine? Probably by September. Although not everybody will want the vaccine, it's likely, with this new vaccine, that everybody cannot get it immediately. First to get it: health providers, government workers who need to keep infrastructure going. General population is last. However, Dr. Fukino said the belief is that healthy people should be able to either not get it OR will be able to have the flu and survive. Can we get influenza from the shot itself? NO, Dr. Fukino was firm.

Treatment: there are two antiviral drugs, Tamiflu and Relenza. The virus appears to respond. There is enough supply of both drugs. (Note, I checked with KTA Hilo and Keauhou, with Long's, with Kaiser, and they all agreed they have a supply on hand now.)

Dr. Fukino emphasized there is no value for individuals to "stockpile" drugs...it might age out, and individuals would not know when and if to take it. Can it be a preventive? Theoretically yes, but it's not a good idea. You'd have to take a pill a day essentially forever. It's expensive (pharmacies told me it's $10 per pill). And these bugs may mutate and possibly get immune to the drugs, as flu bugs tend to. Then we'd be in more trouble.

Dr. Fukino said the antiviral meds, which you take once you're confirmed with flu, will ease symptoms and appears to help the illness go away sooner. However, some people, with good immune systems, will not need the drugs, some of us will just recover, as we do from other illnesses.

The Hawaii State airport screening program is a model for the country, as we're the first to really do this. If planes have sick people, the pilots inform the controllers, who call in Department of Health to meet ill incoming passengers, determine what they have, and determine appropriate action relative to the patients and those on the plane. The State has formalized the procedures working with County Emergency Medical services.

If we have to travel on a plane: do not travel when ill, if next to a sick person ask to be moved, wash hands frequently for the length of the song "Happy Birthday." Dr. Fukino said the plane air is the plane air, and masks do prevent the wearer's germs from going out, but will not prevent germs from coming in. So she doesn't recommend masks. Health care workers will wear the N95 mask when dealing with ill people, but it's not practical for a long plane flight.

How do we keep our immune systems as robust as they can be? Dr. Fukino said, GET REST, eat healthy foods, do not smoke. Dr. said the gel sanitizers are effective as well as hand washing with soap and water. Antibacterial soap is not necessary, plain soap and water works.

The State has been doing pandemic planning since 2001, since the terrorist attacks. The planning is based on "all hazard," including a pandemic.

Business preparations: businesses should be prepared for the possibility they may need to close, may not have the right number of employees, and also for the possibility that if students stay home from school, parents will need to stay home with them. And parents need to plan for how to care for their families, including keiki, if schools are closed or family members are sick. If someone has influenza, they should be isolated from others.

If around someone who's ill: wash hands frequently, and stay, as Dr. Fukino said, out of spitting distance as the disease will travel in droplets from coughing or sneezing.

Remember, Government will not have capability to care for us all if there is a pandemic. As of today, 43 states have confirmed cases, and this influenza will spread, it's inevitable. Dr. Fukino reminded us, have emergency supplies in our homes--enough food and water and supplies to get us through several weeks of isolation.

More information: State Department of Health web site, www.hawaii.gov/health. It's a great web site, much information, questions.

Hilo Medical Center includes the main facility plus Ka'u Hospital, Honoka'a Hospital, and the Hilo Veterans Home.

Current financial situation: Howard acknowledged that all hospitals nationwide are struggling financially. HMC currently is facing a $7.1 million shortfall for this fiscal year, ending June 30, 2009. Understanding the state legislature cannot be counted on to pay for the shortfall (as they have always done in the past for state hospitals), Mr. Ainsley said they're evaluating all programs, and looking at cutting non-essential services. He said these are not items directly related to serving the patients. They are trying to avoid layoffs. The objective is to lessen costs, do everything short of layoffs, but "at the end of the day" they will do what's necessary to keep the Hilo Medical Center doors open.

Emergency Room Upgrade: the renovation was completed November, 2008, with 28 emergency room bays--doubling the capacity. HMC's Emergency Room sees around 35,000 patients a year--wow.

The legislature is still in session, so nothing is final yet. Mr. Ainsley said much of the control of the hospital is local, with a local board only authorized by the state about a year ago. He feels the HMC local board is outstanding. He said the legislature is considering putting the state hospitals under the State Department of Health--which is widely believed (doctors, the hospitals, the local boards) to be a very bad idea. Dr. Chiyome Fukino, head of State Department of Health, also said putting the hospitals under State DOH would be a mistake. Howard said he hopes cooler heads within the State Legislature prevail and NOT put the hospitals under DOH and allow the local boards to work.

Doctor shortage: HMC is starting a medical residency program to help address the issue. HMC is working with University of Hawaii Manoa and Hilo, to bring in trainees from the medical school and pharmacy school--doctors, nurses, pharmacists, psychology students--to work under direction of a doctor, as in any residency program. It's known that docs will often stay where they train. HMC has already created a clinic, essentially a teaching clinic, in which these folks would work. The big issue: the state has withheld promised funding. There is local fundraising going on (via Hilo Medical Center Foundation and many local fundraising efforts including with former Mayor Harry Kim), and pressure being applied at state level to try to get some $4M in promised funds released. Howard said they're also exploring the possibility of forming an alliance with the military. The program will cost around $500,000 per year. Howard said the program is starting even without funding for multiple years, though Year 1 has funding.

Cardiac catheterization lab: Since late 2008, HMC has provided angiograms and angioplasty. So far they've done 30, all successful outcomes.

Community Health Centers: HMC does work with the federally funded community health centers, as both are part of our island's "health safety net." Community health centers get higher reimbursements and also take care of many on our island who have no health insurance or no physician.

For more, go to the Hilo Medical Center web site, www.hmc.hhsc.org. Elena Cabatu is the community relations manager, you can also call her (great and helpful woman) 974-4738.

Envision Hilo 2025 is a grassroots, community participation program to develop a vision for how residents want Downtown Hilo to be...in 2025. The work started with a planner from Canada who came to Hilo and gave a workshop, inviting residents to give their ideas.

How does this relate to the Community Development Plan? Per Susan, it is not a CDP--it's a neighborhood plan, but still supported by County Planning with funding and time and people. County Council adopted this plan by a resolution.

Vision Keepers guide in implementation of the plan. They don't typically DO the implementation, but they ensure that experts in the various areas -- county, private, whomever -- do indeed implement. There are 12 vision keepers.

This work started in 2004. What has happened so far, what results? Eileen said making downtown compliant with American with Disabilities Act, beginning work on Bayfront Trails project to provide walkways from pier to downtown, hanging baskets of flowers on Haili Street and Kamehameha Avenue, soon-to-come interpretive signage at Kalakaua Park and at the Naha Stones at the library, and restoration at Liholiho Park.

Is there intent to create a Business Improvement District, as did Kailua Village, to provide some tax funding? Susan Gagorick said that's an option--but not happening now.

Financial support is coming from County Council. Also, American Institute of Architects has awarded a grant to provide a planning team coming in, this May, to refine the plan.

The AIA Sustainable Design Team will bring in planning and design professionals--architcts, engineers, planners, flood experts, historical preservation experts. They will meet with key county people AND the public May 5, 6, and 7 to get specific on more plans. See Hawaii County's website, www.co.hawaii.hi.us. and look over to the right--click on Envision Downtown Hilo 2025.

What will keep this from being just another plan stuck on a shelf? Susan Gagorick says they expect to start implemention with some projects immediately. The AIA team will also be monitoring the results--some pressure, having accepted their grant, to perform. Susan said Councilmen Ikeda and Onishi are supportive.

Go to the County Website, or call County Planner Susan Gagorick at 961-8288 x 256.

Why is he running for Governor, instead of running for what would likely be a guaranteed lifetime in US Congress? Congressman said he's running because we deserve a Governor committed only to Governor, not seeking a different, higher, office.

I asked about partisanship: why do politicians at state and national level continue to seemingly be focused on personal interests, not what's best for the whole in this time of challenge? Abercrombie said we have partisan politics because there are different viewpoints. However, he said regarding the economic rescue plan, he said he'd talked with members of the Republican Party who personally felt it was appropriate to vote for it--but nonetheless voted against it--because of party politics. (Editor's note: apparently, that's just the way it is.)

We will lose Abercrombie in US Congress, and at some point we will lose our two very senior Senators, Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka. I asked what the impact will be to our state and the funding we now get from the Federal Government--will loss of that seniority mean we lose Federal money? Congressman said our state's population determines funding for many programs (editor's note: look for a good, accurate census). He said some programs will be funded for Hawaii because we're the only place to offer them-example, astronomy atop Mauna Kea. He said seniority gives states a better chance to compete when there are multiple places funding can go.

What key issues will Congressman focus on in the race for Governor? He said he'll see what key issues the voters bring to him.

He said campaigning now is very different than it used to be -- much more information out there, faster; much more electronic media.

The main tenet of the Catholic Church is that God sent Jesus Christ, his son, to be man and save his people. They also believe Jesus Christ died for his people (crucified) but was reborn, on Easter, and continues to live on. Bishop Silva said Catholics are set apart by the Sacraments, ways man and God connect. Sacraments in the Catholic Church include Baptism, Holy Communion, Matrimony, among others. Bishop Silva reminded us that Jesus was merciful and forgiving. Although sin is bad and has consequences, the Church recognizes Christ's ability to forgive through the Sacrament of Confession, or Penance, which allows Catholics to confess and be forgiven. Bishop Silva said God is merciful, but complex, not easily understood.

Bishop Silva became Bishop in 2005. He fairly quickly commissioned development of a strategic plan, a roadmap, developed by parishoners as well as the church leadership. A key desire of all was more/better leadership training. Bishop Silva said on our island there are two vicariates, East and West, and the leadership of churches within each vicariate will get together and participate in workshops to help those leading the church, whether priests or lay people, can develop their leadership skills.

Other key points in the roadmap: develop young people more as they wish to be more involved; address the problem of homelessness via education of those who need housing on possible solutions and focusing on affordable housing.

Bishop Silva acknowledged fewer men are going into the priesthood. The church does have some married priests--Greek Orthodox, or men from other religions who were clery there, married and perhaps with children, who convert to Catholicism and are married priests. Bishop Silva said celibacy is a spiritual matter, the requirement that men who become priests choose to be celibate is a way of offering a special kind of love to the community and to God. Though Bishop said celibacy may be an impediment to young men entering the priesthood, he said the Church needs to market the concept better!

St. Michael's Church in Kona was structurally damaged in the October, 2006 earthquake. It will have to be torn down and replaced. Plans are being developed now.

Re Catholic Education: the only Catholic School on the island is St. Joseph's in Hilo, which just celebrated 140 years. Bishop said it is highly unlikely there will be new Catholic schools here. The challenge is mostly financial. However, Bishop said he's committed to Catholic education. Host note: Bishop Silva and I both graduated from Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California--same class!

Plans to add churches on this island? Fr. Lio Falatoy, pastor of St. Michael's, has indicated possibility of adding a church near Kona International Airport, Kea'au-Kurtistown, Waikoloa.

Female participation in the Catholic church: women are not allowed in the Catholic priesthood. Bishop said women are very involved in the Church, but said he does not see women becoming priests. Why? The church sees Christ as the "bridegroom" of the church, and women don't fit that image.

Church's position on Civil Unions? Not in favor. Says Church does not wish to deny people civil rights, but feels civil unions are same as marriage, and the church is concerned about allowing homosexuals to marry. He feels civil unions could weaken the family. (Clearly this is a subject for great debate; not all Catholic priests are in agreement with the Bishop and the Church's official position--but we only had 30 minutes for our interview so we didn't spend more time).

Father Damien will be our state's first Catholic saint. The canonization is set for October 11, 2009. Father Damien ministered on Moloka'i, caring for those affected with Hansen's disease (leprosy). Bishop said the Church canonizes saints to give us role models, not to have a Catholic Church hall of fame. Father Damien was truly an ordinary-seeming guy (read Holy Man by Gavin Daws). He was cantankerous, at odds with Church hierarchy, but did good. Bishop said everybody who goes to Heaven is a saint, but the Church only names those who've gone through a rigorous process to ensure they are worthy of being role models.

A note: Mother Marianne Cope, who also worked on Moloka'i, is on the path to become our state's second saint.

Bishop said he expects people will come on pilgrimages to see where Fr. Damien worked--perhaps a good boost to our tourism industry! Father Damien is a good example of social ministry--a model for all of us, Catholic or not.

Learn more about the Catholic Church in Hawaii, www.catholichawaii.com. Bishop Silva reminded us to remember that God loves us.

Senator Dr. Josh Green, the only physician in the legislature, told us Senate crafted a bill, 1673, to allow our state hospitals to restructure, possibly as a nonprofit, to be able to seek additional outside funding. The bill also allows restructuring of how personnel are handled. Current personnel costs are 80% of what Hilo Medical Center and Kona Hospital spends--and part of the flexibility proposed is to keep existing employees on the same benefit plan but bring in new employees on a less generous plan (current employees, on day 1 of employment, can take 21 vacation days, 21 sick days, and the hospital has limited flexibility in assigning them work). The Senate bill sounds good. However, it was sent to the House, and the House apparently disagrees with the severity of the problem--and has proposed simply moving the state hospitals under the Department of Health, apparently not addressing the real problems.

One issue cited by hospitals and doctors as an impediment to practicing in our state/on our island:there are currently unlimited amounts allowed for medical malpractice suits for pain and suffering (which the lawyers love). Re tort reform for medical malpractice insurance: Dwight Takamine said there is "talk," but my sense was there is no real move to improve the situation.

Sen. Takamine said the Hilo Medical Center Residency Program, not funded by the state even though the legislature authorized funds, is having fundraising done locally, a good sign.

Sen Kokubun reminded that community health centers in Hamakua, Hilo, Puna, Ka'u, Kona, are important parts of the health safety net. Because of their federal designation, they get better, higher reimbursements than do our hospitals, so they should survive.

Sen Kokubun also said the state is implementing a video conference system so we the citizens can give input more directly to our legislators.

Education: Charter schools are part of the Department of Education. Our island has the most of any island. The DOE gives Charter Schools a lower per-pupil allocation than they give to other public schools. Will that situation be rectified? Sen Takamine: there have been many cuts in the DOE. He feels our focus should be on getting more money from the federal economic stimulus program. Ed note: I was not able to get a sense from his answer as to whether there is any plan to force DOE to fund charter schools in a manner commensurate with how other public schools are funded.

Budget: state revenues continue to decline. Governor says her proposed cuts will reduce deficit from $2Billion to $280 million. The biggest expense to state is labor. Governor is asking the legislature to trust her to negotiate and resolve labor issues. Sen Kokubun said no deal...the Senate cannot abdicate its responsibility to settle the budget before their session is pau. He says Governor should have been doing labor negotiations for months and now we're nearly out of time.

The state legislative members have been criticized for accepting a 30% raise, $1,000/month this year--I asked if that timing, given potential state employee furloughs, layoffs, was appropriate. Sen Kokubun said what's done is done, but for future perhaps everybody, top on down, should not take future raises or have cuts.

Transient Accommodation Tax: our county was counting on $18 million, and the word is, it may be taken back by State. Sen Kokubun said the Senate does not intend to take it away, although the House has proposed indeed keeping that money, thus pushing even more of a problem to the counties.

When the Senators and I talked in December, Sen Kokubun said energy sustainability was high on his list. I asked--he said, given all else, it's not very high right now. HOWEVER, he said there are bills addressing making us more fuel efficient (less dependency on foreigh oil) and some of the federal stimulus money focuses on energy efficiency.

The Senators stressed they want your input. So please give it, to them and members of the State House (editorial note: especially give input to our state house reps to remind them they NEED to address health care issues in a non-political, non-punitive way to help the citizens).

Puna Geothermal has permission from the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission to go as high as producing 60 megawatts of power. They currently produce 30 megawatts, and are working now to build to create 8 more megawatts. This source of power is extremely stable, as the volcano power is constant. This makes it more reliable, and more readily available to HELCO, than wind or wave or hydro power.

Is this safe? The plant could be overrun by lava should there be an eruption close by, but the plant is constructed in a way to allow it to be disassembled in that event (which apparently is considered not too likely). Emissions: some have happened, last many years ago. Noise: yes, it's an industrial facility, but Mike says they work with the neighbors to discuss and mitigate if there are issues.

Puna Geothermal is owned by the 45-year-old company Ormatt Technologies, an Israeli Company with headquarters in Yevni, Israel with a US headquarters in Reno. They have similar facilities in 71 countries. Mike indicates Ormatt has a great degree of financial stability and is in an expansion mode, adding a plant right now in San Diego with others planned.

Is using volcano power disrespectful to Madame Pele? Although some Hawaiian activists have indicated they feel so, Mike (of Hawaiian descent) feels the power of the volcano is a gift from Madame Pele, and says he's consulted with many kupuna who feel the same. Additionally, the first person to suggest harnessing the energy of the volcano to create electricity was King David Kalakaua!

Do we the consumers save money by HELCO's use of this alternative/renewable resource? No, we do not. HELCO pays Puna Geothermal based on "avoided cost," ie what they'd have to pay to use oil. So if the price of oil is $100/barrel, that's what they pay PGT. If it's $20/barrel, THAT's what they pay PGT. This really creates awareness of the need to achieve regulatory reform in how our electric utility pricing is regulated, if we are to not only reduce our dependence on imported oil, but achieve some possible lower cost of energy.

Learn more about Puna Geothermal online, www.punageothermalventure.com. Mike Kaleikini is also happy to talk with the public or do presentations to your group--he's at 965-6233.

Lono said the Hilo Landfill still has a couple of years left, and he believes it can be extended by expanding it horizontally as well as vertically. He's just starting the process of reviewing the past proposals for waste to energy as a long term solution.

The County has no ability now to provide curbside recycling, but we can recycle at County Transfer Stations.

Host note: my husband and I have started seriously recycling (many thanks to my husband for being the one to take the recycle stuff to the transfer station). What we have found: we have EASILY reduced the garbage that goes into the landfill to about 25% of what we formerly were putting into the landfill. It's turned out not to be that difficult--and it's rewarding. Try it!

Earl Greenia said both Hilo Medical Center and Kona Community Hospital, both state-managed hospitals, continue to have huge financial struggles. The HHSC (Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, the state hospital holding company) is seeking appropriate funding from the state legislature. However, the state which has previously covered all hospital expenses, it's not certain what will happen. Mr. Greenia said the state legislature MAY be willing to shift from having this be a state agency to a stand-alone nonprofit 501C3 organization. That could open the door for more federal and private funding. Separation from the State would also allow better control of costs, including not being under the Civil Service system. Civil Service rules seem fairly inflexible--an example: if there are no patients in the Intensive Care Unit, the hospital is NOT allowed to redeploy the nurse personnel to another place in the hospital, such as Emergency Room. Even if there are no patients, the ICU must be staffed. Just one example.

Kona Hospital is relicensing some of its hospital beds from long-term care only (ie nursing home type care) to either long term or acute care (typical hospital bed). This will allow Kona Hospital to (hopefully) move patients more quickly from the Emergency Room to hospital beds when needed.

Dr. Jone Flanders, cardiologist, was with North Hawaii Community Hospital, and has been working as a hospitalist at Kona Community Hospital. Dr. Flanders said she was pleasantly surprised at how excellent the care is at Kona Community Hospital.

As a hospitalist, Dr. Flanders has been working as an internal medicine doc (she's board certified in that specialty as well as cardiology). She said she finds much need for her cardiology skills. Hawaii Island leads the state in death from heart disease and stroke. Technology in heart care has been changing, and Dr. Flanders said it's difficult for non cardiologists to keep track of the newest developments. Additionally, cardiologists require expensive equipment.

Dr. Flanders will be joining Ali'i Health Systems, as a full-time cardiologist. Ali'i Health is a nonprofit organization, separate legal entity, subsidiary of HHSC. Doctors are directly employed, outside of Civil Service, Ali'i Health handles the malpractice insurance and handles administrative tasks such as billing and scheduling. Doctors get to focus on medicine. There are several doctors now with Ali'i Health, including orthopedic surgeons Dr. Barry Blum, Dr. Vivian Chang, and Dr. Dave Vasconcellos.

Dr. Flanders said Americans lead the way in heart disease: we eat too much sugar and fat, we're not as active as we should be, and we're overweight. Heart disease is something we can often prevent through eating in a more healthy manner (vegetables and fruits and whole grains), more exercise, no smoking.

Do our hospitals have the right equipment to support our island cardiologists? Dr. Flanders said it's a Catch 22: without a cardiologist, hospitals don't buy the expensive equipment they want; and cardiologists will generally not sign up to work at a hospital. Dr. Flanders said our island hospitals have many non-invasive heart tests--nuclear medicine (imaging with stress test), echocardiograms. Dr. Flanders said Hilo Medical Center now has a cardiac cath (catheterization) lab. That will allow angiograms, a test where dye is injected and the heart can be observed. Dr. Bill Sammond, Hilo side cardiologist, will be the primary doc using that lab.

I asked about actor Kelsey Grammar, who had a heart attack while on our island and has been public about praising Kona Hospital personnel for saving his life. Dr. Flanders said the emergency medical technicians on our island are the best she has ever seen. They are all fire department EMTs; Dr. Flanders says they are the best trained, they provide meticulous care in the ambulance. They also know which hospital to get the patient to, based on their knowledge of time, distance, and need. (Dr. Flanders said we should always let the EMTs decide which hospital--that's NOT time to "shop".) Mr. Greenia said in the objective tests about how our Kona Hospital ER does, they scored 100% on 3 of the 5 measures and very high on the other two.

When/how is the decision made to transfer a patient to another facility? Dr. Flanders said now there is a helicopter to transport from the hospital to the airport and then by plane to a hospital on Maui or Oahu.

Dr. Flanders closed by reminding us: eat healthy, get active, don't smoke. She also said the team at Kona Community Hospital is extremely caring and they work very well together. Mr. Greenia closed by praising the entire staff at Kona Community Hospital.

HELCO is part of Hawaiian Electric Industries, which also owns the power companies on Oahu and Maui plus American Savings Bank. HEI is a company with shareholders, but also a regulated monopoly, regulated by the State's Public Utilities Commission, appointed by the Governor.

Currently our island power requirements are about 200MW of power, and HELCO has a capacity of 270MW of power, so we have built in backup.

Island power sources: oil-based power plants provide the bulk of our power. In addition, Puna Geothermal, 30 MW of power; wind power from wind farms in Kohala and South Point, and hydroelectric (water) using streams Hilo side.

Total energy supplied by renewable resources on this island, around 31%. It varies from year to year based on how much renewable energy is available. HELCO has also signed a contract with Sopogy for solar power, created at Natural Energy Lab; they'll buy 1/2 MW from Sopogy once produced (Sopogy is just starting up).

Reliability of our island power sources: our island doesn't seem to lose power like it used to, and when Oahu has had big outages, we have not. Mr. Ignacio said part of it is luck. Example: 2006 earthquake, when we lost power, it happened in a way that turned out to be balanced and that helped, plus Mr. Ignacio gave huge credit to the great HELCO team here on the island.

How are HELCO rates set? HELCO presents proposals based on their ongoing cost of doing business plus the amount of capital investment. They work with Hawaii PUC and the "consumer advocate" for the state to set a fair rate, which includes a 10% rate of return. If we use less foreign oil and more renewable power, does it follow that the rates would be lower? Mr. Ignacio said at current today price of oil, $40 per barrel, prices for renewable energy would be higher. At the highest price of oil, renewable energy cost could be less. (My unasked question--are consumers willing to pay extra for renewable energy?) HELCO is allowed to directly pass through the increased costs of oil. Mr. Ignacio said there is a lag in passing through the higher or lower price of oil to consumers. I asked Mr. Ignacio whether HELCO, as a private company, really has the energy-will-incentive to lower the prices to us, the consumers. He said he believes they do.

One incentive: Governor Lingle announced an historic agreement in June 2008 between our electric companies, US Department of Energy, and State, affecting energy. The agreement is to work together to reduce dependence on oil, and become more efficient in use of oil today (changes in equipment) and help customers (that's us) become more efficient in use of energy. It also requires HELCO to reduce number of oil-based power plants and use more renewable energy.

Curtis Beck said the HELCO philosophy is to encourage customers to save energy. Time Magazine's January 12 issue has a great article on the use of energy. I recommend you read it--we as consumers waste energy with things like plugged-in video games and other electronic devices that use a tremendous amount of energy. Use compact fluorescent bulbs, get a solar water heater (call HELCO for info on significant tax credits), go to any HELCO office or call them for an energy-saving tips booklet, go to HELCO's web site to learn more. www.helcohi.com

Editorial comment: the more I learn about electric rates, which will generally be higher than on the mainland, the more I realize that WE, the consumers, can significantly reduce our own electric bills by conserving.

We spent most time talking about the Hawaiian Monk Seals. They're endangered, with around 1200 in the state (including the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands). On the "main" islands, there are only 100, and our island seems to have 4 to 6. There's a Mom spending time Hilo side. Her son is right now spending time between Honaunau and Honokohau. Monk seal Moms and pups spend only 6 weeks together, nursing, then part company. The seals spend time eating (mostly fish and sea creatures), sleeping (often on shore) and mating (when they have a partner and the time is right).

They are endangered, with so few. Justin said, stay away. Rule of thumb: observe from a point at which your thumb covers the seal. It is not good for the seals to get too familiar with people--they are large, and their friendliness can cause problems for people just due to their sheer size. But for them, they can get used to us feeding them, and plastics and such can endanger their lives.

Find out more about Hawaiian Monk Seals--just google them. Justin wants to be contacted if you'd like him to speak before your school class or group. He also wants you to call if you spot any Hawaiian monk seals--that's the only way these creatures can be tracked. ph:(808)327-3697, cell: (808)987-0765, or email, Justin.P.Viezbicke@hawaii.gov

Justin is enthusiastic and knowledgeable--give him a call.