Drug Arrest During Warrant Sweep Links Suspect to Burglary Ring in West Hawaiʻi

A drug arrest during a warrant sweep has linked the suspect to a burglary ring believed responsible for numerous break-ins in West Hawaiʻi.

Joseph Augustino Narzisi

On Wednesday (August 29) at about 11:30 a.m., officers participating in an islandwide fugitive warrant sweep arrested Joseph Augustino Narzisi at an apartment complex in the Kalaoa area. Narzisi was wanted on three outstanding bench warrants and several all-points bulletins. While in the process of contacting him, officers observed paraphernalia associated with narcotics use and drafted a search warrant for the apartment.

From the apartment, officers recovered 63.3 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 0.9 grams of heroin, contraband prescription pills, and numerous items of paraphernalia associated with narcotics use.

On Thursday (August 30), detectives charged Narzisi with numerous narcotics offenses, including promoting dangerous drugs, methamphetamine trafficking, promoting harmful drugs, and drug paraphernalia, all related to Wednesday’s search warrant.

He was also charged with additional offenses for previous incidents. On Tuesday (August 28) Area II Vice officers had executed a search warrant at a home Narzisi occupied in the Kealakekua area. Narzisi wasn’t home at the time of the search. Officers recovered methamphetamine smoking pipes, resealable plastic bags containing crystalline residue, items containing heroin residue, paraphernalia associated with methamphetamine and heroin use, two handguns (including a loaded firearm) and a large quantity of unspent ammunition. On Thursday, detectives charged Narzisi with numerous narcotics offenses related to that search warrant, including promoting dangerous drugs, promoting harmful drugs, possessing drug paraphernalia and firearms offenses.

In the other previous incident, Traffic Enforcement Unit officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on August 22 on a sedan that was observed speeding on Palani Road. The car initially fled from officers and then stopped. The driver, identified as Narzisi, fled the vehicle on foot on Palani Road. Vice Officers executed a search warrant on the car and located methamphetamine smoking pipes, items containing heroin residue and drug paraphernalia. On Thursday, Narzisi was charged with promoting dangerous drugs, drug paraphernalia and traffic offenses in connection with that incident.

In addition, Criminal Investigations Section detectives investigating a rash of burglaries were able to identify several items in Narzisi’s possession that had been reported stolen in four burglaries in the Kealakekua area between July 4 and August 21. On Thursday, Narzisi was charged with burglary, terroristic threatening, assault and four counts of second-degree theft in connection with those burglaries.

His bail was set at $495,000. He was held at the Kona police cellblock pending his initial court appearance Friday morning (August 31).

Joshua Watan

Police investigation linked Narzisi with other individuals wanted for questioning. Thursday morning, officers observed one of them, 31-year-old Joshua Watan of Captain Cook, operating a gray sedan that was stopped on the side of Kaleiopapa Street in Keauhou. The car had been reported stolen from Nani Kapuna Place in Kealakekua sometime between 11 p.m. Wednesday and 6:25 a.m. Thursday.

Danny Estocado

As officers approached the sedan, another man, 24-year-old Danny Estocado of Kailua-Kona, entered the vehicle and it drove away. Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop but Watan drove away from them. Officers lost sight of the vehicle for a short time. When they spotted it again, Estocado was no longer inside. Watan traveled up and down Hokulia Bypass Road several times before he finally came to a stop. He locked himself inside with the engine running and refused to exit the vehicle until after officers negotiated with him for approximately an hour.

Watan was arrested on suspicion of unauthorized control of a motor vehicle and is being held at the Kona police cellblock while detectives continue the investigation.

Police attempted to locate Estocado but were unable to find him. He is described as Hawaiian, 5-foot-7, 178 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his chest.

Curtis Hoku Kekahuna Jr.

Police also want to question 35-year-old Curtis Hoku Kekahuna Jr., who is wanted on three bench warrants and several all-points bulletins. He is described as 5-foot-11 and about 270 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. He has the letters “CVK” tattooed in red and green letters on his right inner forearm and the name “Keahi” tattooed on his left inner forearm. He also has a scar that runs from his left cheekbone to his left eye. He may be in the company of 37-year-old Nani-Jo Keanini of Honokaʻa, 34-year-old Elona Keanini of Kailua-Kona, or both.

They are also seeking 31-year-old Ryan Jeffries Hamar of Kailua-Kona, who is also wanted for allegedly escaping from Hale Nani on August 14. He is described as Caucasian, about 5-foot-7, about 170 pounds with blue eyes and short reddish-blond hair. He has a tattoo along his entire right arm. He may be in the company of 30-year-old Jaison Irving of Kailua-Kona.

Police ask that the public not approach any of these wanted persons, as they may be armed and dangerous. Instead, call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Related articles

• 3 Day Fugitive Task Force Mission Leads to 67 Arrests on the Big Island (damontucker.com)

22nd Annual Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers International Conference

The 22nd Annual Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers International Conference is happening in September here on the Big Island.

On September 19th it will be happening in Hilo and on September 20th it will be happening in Kona.

2012 Hawaii County Fair Information

The 62nd Annual Hawaii County Fair sponsored by the Hilo Jaycees will run from Thursday September 13th to Sunday September 16th.

There will be EK Fernandez rides and games, commercial vendors, non-profits, ono food booths, a petting zoo, and much much more.

Here is a quick free virtual tour of the fair featuring Kalo Boy:

ADMISSION:

• Adults (Ages 13 & up)      $5.00
• Children (Ages 4 – 12)       $3.00

Free admission for adults 60+ years old with Valid State or Government ID.

SUNDAY SPECIAL! – Between 10am-11am Sunday – Free Admission if you bring 2 Canned or Non-Perishable items per adult or child

FAIR HOURS

Thursday	5:30pm – 11:00am
Friday	5:30pm – 12:00am (Midnight)
Saturday	10:00am – 12:00am (Midnight)
Sunday	10:00am – 11:00pm

 

3 Day Fugitive Task Force Mission Leads to 67 Arrests on the Big Island

Over the course of 3 days, the U.S. Marshals Hawaii Fugitive Task Force conducted a collaborative arrest warrant sweep. Deputy U.S. Marshals, Hawaii County Police Officers, and Hawaii State Sheriffs conducted a joint fugitive round-up blanketing the island of Hawaii.

Sixty-seven wanted fugitives were arrested with 91 federal and state warrants cleared. Those who were apprehended were wanted for various violent crimes which include drug offenses, sex offenses, robbery, and probation violations. The three-day mission represents the commitment of law enforcement to reduce violent crime through a multiagency approach.

During the course of the mission, the following fugitives were apprehended, most notably 25 year-old Joseph Narzisi from Kailua-Kona. On August 29, 2012, Narzisi was apprehended for three criminal contempt of court warrants. During the arrest, law enforcement officials recovered methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia at the residence at which time a search warrant was obtained. Narzisi faces additional charges. In 2005, Narzisi was convicted of jumping bail and burglary in the first degree.

On August 27, 2012, an arrest warrant was issued for 45 year-old Charles Bruce Kanouff. Kanouff was arrested the next day and charged with one count of Sexual Assault in the 2nd degree. Bail was fixed at $15,000.

On August 8, 2012, an arrest warrant was issued for career criminal Patrick Enos. Enos, 38, was arrested on August 29, 2012, and charged with theft of credit card and unauthorized possession of confidential personal information. Bail was fixed at $6,000. Enos has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1991. He has been arrested and convicted of various crimes to include multiple robbery and felony drug charges.

Big Island Police Holding Community Meeting in Hilo – Asks Participation to Be LIMITED to Persons Who Live Or Work in South Hilo

MEDIA RELEASE:
The Hawai’i Police Department will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, September 11, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Hilo police station.

The purpose of the meeting is to allow the public to meet the Police Department’s command staff and to discuss police-related concerns with the police chief and commanders who oversee police operations in the South Hilo District.

The Hilo event continues district community meetings, which are rotated throughout the eight police districts on the Big Island. To aid police commanders in focusing on specific community concerns, they ask that participation in this meeting be limited to persons who live or work in the South Hilo District.

The meeting will take place in the Building A Training Room. Attendees should park at the Kapi’olani Street entrance, go down the stairs below driver’s licensing and and follow the signs to “Community Meeting.”

Those interested in participating but unable to attend may e-mail their concerns or comments to copsysop@hawaiipolice.com.

Related articles

• Big Island Police Searching for Missing 20-Year-Old Hilo Woman (damontucker.com)
• Big Island Police Searching for Missing 54-Year-Old Hilo Man (damontucker.com)
• 55-Year-Old Man Dies After Vehicle/Motorcycle Crash in Hilo (damontucker.com)
• Big Island Police Looking for 59-Year-Old Hilo Lady Missing Since August 7th (damontucker.com)
• Big Island Police Looking for Man Who Escaped Correctional Facility in Hilo (damontucker.com)
• Big Island Police Looking For Punk Wanted on Disorderly Conduct and Assault (damontucker.com)
• Big Island Police Searching for 19-Year-Old Kailua-Kona Man (damontucker.com)

Comedian Bill Maher to Give Performances on Oahu and Maui

Northern California based concert promoters Rick Bartalini Presents announced that Bill Maher, comedian and host of Real Time on HBO, will return to the Hawaiian Islands on December 31 at the Hawaii Theater on Oahu and January 1 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Tickets for both performances go on-sale Saturday, September 1 at 10:00 A.M. HST.

For the last twenty years, Bill Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television.  First on “Politically Incorrect” (Comedy Central, ABC, 1993-2002), and for the last nine years on HBO’s “Real Time,” Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him twenty-nine Emmy nominations.  In October of 2008, this same combination was on display in Maher’s uproarious and unprecedented swipe at organized religion, “Religulous,” directed by Larry Charles (“Borat”). The documentary has gone on to become the 8^th Highest Grossing Documentary ever.

TICKETS:

Tickets for Bill Maher December 31 at the Hawaii Theatre are $79.50 and $99.50, plus service fees. Tickets are available at www.RBPconcerts.com, the Hawaii Theatre Box Office or charge by phone at 808-528-0506. Tickets for Bill Maher January 1 at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center are $65.50 and $85.50, plus service fees. Tickets are available at www.RBPconcerts.com, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center Box Office and charge by phone at 808-242-7469. Tickets for both performances go on-sale Saturday, September 1 at 10:00 A.M. HST.

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• Bill Maher: ‘Republicans don’t like it when single women have sex’ (rawstory.com)
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• Bill Maher: Romney Has ‘A Messiah Complex’ (newsbusters.org)

Big Island Police Searching for Missing Hunter

*Update* …According to a news release, one of the teams was 40 minutes into a trail when they shouted, and heard the lost hunter respond.  He was reportedly found off the main trail under heavy brush, in good condition…

Read more: http://www.kitv.com/news/hawaii/Big-Island-pig-hunter-found-after-2-days/-/8905354/16447826/-/kf60f4z/-/index.html#ixzz25AXE5eZQ

The Hawaii Police Department seeks your help in locating a missing person:

Gabriel Olson, Male 36 years-old, 6 foot, 230lbs, medium build, light hair.  Last seen in the Volcano area of Pearl and 4th on August 29th around 11:00am.

Olson may have a unknown colored backpack and was hunting in the Volcano area.

If you have information that can assist in helping safely locate Gabriel Olson please call 911 or contact the police.

Lantern Floating for North Hawaii Hospice

Supporters of North Hawaii Hospice gather at the Fairmont Orchid resort on the Kohala Coast to participate in the second annual lantern floating ceremony.

State Historic Preservation Plan (Draft) Now Available for Review

The latest draft of the State Historic Preservation Plan is now available for your review.   To read the draft click here State Historic Preservation Plan.  Please note that formatting, addition of Hawaiian grammatical marks, pictures and several of the appendices will be completed with the next iteration of the plan.

Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site

Please send any comments about the draft to  raubrey@smshawaii.com by September 17, 2012.

What we are doing and why?

The development and implementation of a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan is one of the responsibilities of each State Historic Preservation Office, as outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act.

South Point Burial Site

The key features of this approach to historic preservation planning are:

• The plan has a statewide focus. The statewide preservation plan pays attention to preservation issues and players all across the state.
• There is active public involvement, not only in developing the vision, issues, and goals of the plan, but also in helping achieve these goals.
• A wide variety of preservation-relevant information on social, economic, political, legal, and environmental conditions and trends is brought to bear in the identification and assessment of issues affecting resource preservation.
• The plan addresses the full range of historic and cultural resources throughout the state. This means that within a single plan document, all resources representing the breadth and depth of a state’s history, prehistory, and culture are considered. This includes buildings, structures, objects, prehistoric and historic archaeological sites, designed and vernacular landscapes, traditional cultural properties, and underwater historic resources.
• There is coordination with other planning efforts in the state, such as federally mandated transportation planning, the statewide comprehensive outdoor recreation plan, and local land-use plans.
• Plan implementation is linked directly to SHPO expenditures of their federal Historic Preservation Fund grant.

The last National Park Service approved plan for Hawai’i was in 2001, a report draft was completed in 2009, but not approved, and the 2012 planning process is currently underway. This site describes the process that is being undertaken and we welcome your involvement.

More information here: Hawaii Historic Preservation Plan

 

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• Historic Preservation Commission Continues on With New Members (kcrg.com)

Free Elder Abuse Prosecution and Prevention Workshop Offered in Hilo

Hawai‘i County is pleased to invite seniors age 55 and older to enroll in the Elder Abuse Prosecution and Prevention Workshop that will be held Tuesday, Sept. 18, in Hilo.

Co-sponsored by the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and State Department of Human Services, the free workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Kamanā Senior Center, Room RR. The center is located at 127 Kamanā St.

Presenting valuable information for protecting seniors from fraud, neglect and other forms of abuse will be:

• Lexi N. McKay, a legal assistant in the Elder Abuse Prosecution and Prevention Unit of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
• Tim Kitagawa, Section Administrator of the State Department of Human Services Adult Protective and Community Care Services

Workshop enrollment is limited and will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.  To sign up, please call the Elderly Activities Division at 961-8710.  For more information, please contact Jason Armstrong, Public Information Officer, at 345-9105, or jarmstrong@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Related articles

• Poll: Lincoln Ashida vs. Mitch Roth – Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney (damontucker.com)
• Recognizing Signs of Elder Abuse (blogs.lawyers.com)
• Elder Abuse Awareness (lifefoneblog.com)

Three-Dozen Hawai’i Restaurants to Participate in 17th Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agriculture Festival

Three-dozen Hawai‘i restaurants and their chefs are serving up a culinary adventure at the 17th Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agriculture Festival on Friday, Sept. 21 at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.

Attendees will enjoy innovative cuisine using healthy, forage-fed meats and a cornucopia of locally grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, honeys and beverages. Meats on the menu include 22 cuts of dry-aged, grass-fed beef—everything from tongue to tail—plus lamb, mutton, goat, pork and wild and domestic boar. Each culinary station receives a whopping 100 pounds of meat to create the dish of their choice.

Seven of the culinary participants are first timers, including The Fairmont Orchid, Hawai‘i and new Executive Chef Hubert Des Marias, who recently came to the Kohala Coast from Kenya. Using grass-fed beef is nothing new for the award-winning chef as The Fairmont Orchid serves grass-fed beef throughout the resort.

Executive Chef Hubert Des Marias

“I like grass-fed beef for its flavor profile and healthful benefits,” says Des Marias, who was named one of “America’s Ten Best New Chefs” by Food and Wine Magazine. He prefers “simple preparation” to let grass-fed beef “speak for itself.”  For Taste, chef will prepare a tasty “Tongue and Cheek” dish: tamarind-glazed beef cheek and sweet potato laulau with pickled lomilomi beef tongue and mustard greens salad served with Waimea tomatoes and a golden pineapple turmeric salsa.

Another 2012 Taste newbie is the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa and Executive Chef Sven Ullrich. Assigned beef flap—a bottom sirloin cut also called beef loin tip—Chef Ullrich is serving extra virgin olive oil-poached beef with jackfruit slaw and micro chives.

Executive Chef Sven Ullrich

Commenting on grass-fed beef, the Hyatt chef shares, “Grass-fed beef has a distinctive flavor profile that is hard to find in today’s meat markets. It’s a natural product and the cattle are raised the old fashioned way, which makes it special for me and I just love working with it.”

Kelsi Ikeda of Sandy’s Drive In debuts at Taste to make kalbi-braised clod (cross-rib) quesadillas with a pineapple kim chee relish and kochujung sour cream. After jobs at Alan Wong’s, Nobu Waikiki and Trump’s Waikiki Beachwalk, Chef Ikeda is back on the Big Island working alongside her Grandma (Sandy) and dad (Aaron) as part of three generations at the Kainaliu restaurant. The mauka landmark specializes in “island favorites,” including loco mocos, which employ grass-fed beef.

“Food Network Star,” Chef Philip “Ippy” Aiona of Solimene’s Restaurant

Fresh from competition on cable TV’s “Food Network Star,” Chef Philip “Ippy” Aiona of Solimene’s Restaurant in Waimea makes his first Taste appearance using a favorite butcher’s cut known for its great flavor—hanger steak. As he is still securing his other ingredients, Chef Ippy says his culinary offering “will be a surprise.”

Other restaurants and their chefs debuting at Taste include the newly opened Lava Lava Beach Club in Waikoloa with Chef Colin Stevens preparing beef top round, Blue Dragon Restaurant in Kawaihae with Chef Noah Hester cooking beef bottom round and Sodexo/UH-Hilo Dining Services with Chef Timothy Choo using beef chuckroll.

Chef Noah Hester

Taste’s format of assigning chefs a variety of meat cuts fulfills its goal of educating both chefs and attendees that all the cuts of grass-finished beef can be enjoyed. In addition, with more of the animal being used, there is less waste and the value of the product goes up—a plus for the local livestock industry.

In addition to “grazing” at a host of culinary stations, festival goers can enjoy samples from a variety of Hawai‘i’s local food producers offering tastes of a bevy of products: savory red veal, tempting chocolate, vine-ripened tomatoes and more.  Also on display will be ag-related educational exhibits. It’s all part of the focus on food sustainability at the annual event that showcases the isle’s grass-fed beef industry while bringing together local ranchers, farmers, restaurateurs and eager eaters to celebrate a bounty of locally produced food.

Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range is 6-8 p.m. and sprawls from the Hilton’s Grand Ballroom to the Lagoon Lanai. Pre-Taste activities include a culinary demo, with sampling, on how to use and prepare 100 percent pasture-raised beef. Time is 3 p.m. for the 2012 installment of Grass-Fed Beef Cooking 101. This year’s guest presenter is Four Seasons Resort Hualalai Executive Chef James Babian who will be preparing Grilled Tri-Tip with Kiawe-Smoked Kabocha Pumpkin and Braciole de Manzo or Italian beef roll.

Tickets for the evening Taste and Cooking 101 demo are conveniently sold online at http://www.TasteOfTheHawaiianRange.com. Taste tickets remain priced at $40 presale and $60 at the door, while the fee for the cooking demo is $10. Watch for ticket giveaways and event updates on Facebook at Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Twitter #TasteHI. For general event information, phone (808) 969-8228.

Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication or a modification of policies and procedures to participate in this event should contact Jeri Moniz at 808-960-8411 no later than Sept. 14.

The Hilton Waikoloa Village offers Taste of the Hawaiian Range Kama‘aina Room and Ticket Packages (code TSH) starting at $229 plus tax for one night stay on Sept. 21 and two event tickets. Room-only accommodations are available starting from $149 per night (code MTH). Visit http://bit.ly/GJsNyk or phone 808-886-1234 and ask for the “Taste of the Hawaiian Range Ticket Package.”

MENU AND RESTAURANTS PARTICIPATING:

2012 Participating Restaurants

Meat Cut	Restaurant
Beef Tongue	12th Avenue Grill
Beef Heart	Aloha Mondays
Beef Bottom Round	Blue Dragon Restaurant
Commercial Pork	Café Pesto – Hilo
Beef Skirt	Café Pesto – Kawaihae
Beef Tripe	Earl’s
Beef Cheek Meat	Fairmont Orchid
Beef Tri-Tip	Four Seasons-Hualalai
Beef Sirloin Tip	Hawaii Community College – East Hawaii*
Feral Pork	Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel
Mutton	Hilo Bay Café
Beef Brisket	Hilton Waikoloa
Beef Mt. Oysters	Honolulu Burger Co.
Beef Flapmeat	Hyatt Regency Waikiki
Steamship Round	Kamehameha Schools – Hawaii
Kalua Pork	Kuhio Grille
Beef Top Round	Lava Lava Beach Club
Goat	Mauna Lani Bay Hotel
Beef Skirt	Mauna Kea Beach Hotel & Bungalows
Beef Top Sirloin	Merriman’s Market Cafe
Lamb	Merriman’s Waimea
Ground Beef	North Hawaii Community Hospital
Beef Eye Of Round	Pagoda Restaurant
Beef Top Round	Red Water Cafe
Feral Portk	Roy’s Waikoloa
Lamb	Sam Choy’s Kai Lanai
Beef Clod/ Cross-Rib	Sandi’s Drive In
Beef Chuckroll	Sodexo/University Dining Services
Beef Hanging Tenders	Solimine’s Restaurant
Beef Bottom Round	Tommy Bahama
Mutton	Town Restaurant
Beef Chuckroll	Umeke Market
Beef Flank	Village Burger
Beef Shank	Waikoloa Beach Marriott Hotel
Beef Clod / Cross-Rib	Hawaii Community College – West Hawaii*

Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range and Agriculture Festival provides a venue for sustainable agricultural education, encouragement and support of locally produced ag products. The premiere ag-tourism event is a partnership between CTAHR, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Association, Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council, Kulana Foods, UH-Hilo CAFNRM, County of Hawaii Dept. on Environmental Management and community volunteers. Sponsorship also includes the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the Hawaii County Research and Development, Hawaii Community College Food Service & Culinary Program and KTA SuperStores. The quality and growth of this event are rooted in small business participation, sponsorship and in-kind donations. For more information, visit http://www.TasteOfTheHawaiianRange.com.

Related articles

• Meet the Chefs Who Support Our Beef Industry at Mealani’s Taste of the Hawaiian Range (damontucker.com)
• New Tastes and Faces for Waikoloa Grill’n Bar (damontucker.com)
• Grass-fed beef better for health than regular corn-fed one (olivierfontana.wordpress.com)

Environmental Protection Agency Initiates Enforcement Actions Against Kauai Restaurant

EPA issues complaint to Tahiti Nui for failing to close cesspools – Kauai restaurant failed to respond to demands to comply with requirements

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated an enforcement action under the Safe Drinking Water Act against Christian Marston and Tahiti Nui Enterprises, Inc. LLC for failing to close three large capacity cesspools in Hanalei, Kauai.

Christian Marston

“EPA is committed to protecting Hawaii’s vital water resources by closing these illegal large capacity cesspools,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Although almost 3,000 cesspools have been closed, an alarming number are still in use.”

EPA has inspected Marston’s property, including the Tahiti Nui Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, multiple times and notified Marston that his establishment was in violation of the federal regulations. In 2006, the owner acknowledged the operation of large capacity cesspools and retained the services of a professional engineer to design a state-approved individual wastewater system to replace the cesspools.

However, in 2010 EPA determined that Marston had failed to comply with the requirements to close and convert the three cesspools serving his property. As a result of the continued noncompliance, EPA is now seeking penalties of up to $177,500, the amount authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act, in addition to prompt closure and replacement of the cesspools with an approved wastewater system.

The facility is located in a “priority watershed,” as designated by the State of Hawaii and EPA, where use of the large capacity cesspools poses a significant risk to underground sources of drinking water and nearby surface waters.

A large capacity cesspool discharges untreated sewage from multiple dwellings, or a non-residential location that serves 20 or more people per day. EPA regulations prohibited new large capacity cesspool construction after April 2000 and required closure of existing large cesspools as of April 2005. The regulations do not apply to single-family homes connected to their own individual cesspools or to non-residential cesspools that do not have the capacity to serve 20 or more people.

Cesspools, which are used more widely in Hawaii than any other state, discharge raw sewage into the ground, where disease-causing pathogens and other contaminants can pollute groundwater, streams and the ocean.  Large capacity cesspools are used by restaurants, hotels, office complexes, and multiple dwellings, such as duplexes, apartments and condominiums, to dispose their sanitary waste.

For more information on this particular complaint visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/enforcement/pubnotices/pubnotice-tahiti-nui.html

For more information on the large capacity cesspool ban, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/groundwater/uic-hicesspools.html

Related articles

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Largest Women’s Rights Movement in Decades is Coming to Honolulu

A monumental uprising is on the horizon. Thousands of men, women and children will gather on September 3rd, as part of a national movement at Kapiolani Park – corner of Paki Ave and Monsarrat Ave. The rallies are being hosted in over 100 major cities, coast to coast, for Improving Birth’s “National Rally for Change on Labor Day”. Thanks to the intricate nature of social media, ImprovingBirth.org has been able to organize a massive movement to bring awareness to the lack of evidence-based maternity care in the US. With supporters like talk show host Ricki Lake and sponsors such as “InternationalCesareanAwarenessNetwork” and the “AmericanAssociationofBirthCenters,” this is sure to be an impactful event.

Much of scientific evidence takes an average of 20 to 30 years to become standard practice in our maternity care system; this is an unacceptable time table especially when talking about the wellbeing of mothers and babies. Until we get it right, we are needlessly subjecting mothers and babies to major abdominal surgery, the long term side effects that go along with that and the unnecessary risk of death for both.

“Despite the dire situation, this is not a protest,” says Dawn Thompson, founder of ImprovingBirth. “It is a public awareness campaign to bring attention to the outdated practices that have been proven time and again to not be what is best for mothers and babies.”

Ina May Gaskin, Midwife and Right Livelihood Award winner, says “We need medical practice standards at both the federal and the state level that would address C-sections performed without medical justification and assure more mother-friendly births and fewer medical interventions during labor.” This is just one of the six steps Gaskin believes to be essential in obtaining better maternal healthcare.

Improving Birth was founded with the vision of encouraging hospital administrators to review their birth-specific policies and procedures. We ask that they implement incentive programs for doctors and nurses to get up-to-date information and education about the most current care practices.  The U.S. outspends every country in the world for maternity care, and yet we rank #49 for maternal mortality rates.  In fact, Amnesty International reports that “women in the US face a greater risk of maternal death than nearly all European countries, as well as Canada and several countries in Asia and the Middle East.”

We Can Do Better.

For more information about the National Rally for change, visit www.ImprovingBirth.org .

Related articles

• New London, Labor Day: National Rally for Change! (ctworkingmoms.com)
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Poll: Lincoln Ashida vs. Mitch Roth – Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney

Now that the primary elections are over and no candidate for Prosecuting Attorney received more then 50% of the votes… we are left with two candidates to choose from for the 2012 Hawaii County Prosecuting Attorney race.

Who will you vote for Hawaii County Prosecutor in the 2012 General Elections?

Mitch Roth and Lincoln Ashida share a table at the recent Pahoa “Rock the Vote” event.

Massachusetts Has the Highest Percent of People With Health Insurance in America – Hawaii Next in Line

*8/30/12 UPDATE* The Massachusetts data was not identified yesterday in the screen grab from the graph that I took.  Looking at the site again today… it looks like Massachusetts now has the highest percentage of people with health insurance.  Thanks to Dave Smith for double checking the data.

Health Insurance in America has been a crisis situation for many folks.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau data collected in the 2010 Decennial Census, more people in Hawaii have some form of health insurance then any other State in America:

My personal guess, is that this doesn’t reflect the amount of folks that are on Government funded health insurance here in Hawaii.

*UPDATED GRAPH

Wordless Wednesday – The Story Behind VH07V

My son and I got more VHO7V swag today!

You can check out more about them here:

• Website – http://www.VHO7V.com
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Kanu o ka ‘Āina Celebrates Building Completions

Kanu o ka ‘Āina (KANU) New Century Public Charter School, with its nonprofit partner Kanu o ka ‘Āina Learning ´Ohana (KALO)  in Waimea, will celebrate the completion of two new buildings, Hālau Poki´i and Hālau Puke, on Tuesday, September 4.  U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka will be among the dignitaries attending the celebration.

“We couldn’t be happier right now,” said Pat Bergin, KANU co-administrator. “It means so much to everyone involved – teachers, parents, volunteers and particularly our more than 250 students, to be together in such a special place in these beautiful new buildings.”

The two buildings, completed in time for the new school year, allow all KANU students to be accommodated together at Kauhale ‘Ōiwi O Pu‘ukapu.  The buildings occupy a site on Department of Hawaiian Homes Land and are part of KALO’s womb-to-tomb community based initiatives to support culture based education and the community.

Within Hālau Puke is a native library for school and community use. The library is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Classrooms for KANU students’ grades 6 through 12 are also in a portion of the library building.

Hālau Poki´i is home to preschool classrooms through grade 5. The private preschool, Malamapokii, is operated by KALO and supported by Kamehameha Schools. Having the private preschool alongside KANU’s K-12 school helps create a seamless early education transition as part of the public private partnership between KALO and KANU.

Two off-site outdoor learning labs at Puupulehu and Waipi´o expand the learning opportunities further.

Hālau Ho‘olako has been occupied at the site on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands since 2009. Hālau Ho‘olako also serves as a community resource and technology center.

Although KANU is not an immersion school, Hawaiian culture and language are integrated into the curriculum from preschool on. KANU integrates Hawaiian culture, language, traditions, community and the natural environment in a curriculum that is project-based and place-based.

As a free public K-12 school, KANU is held to the same performance expectations and same assessment testing that all schools throughout the state must follow. The school achieved Annual Yearly Progress Safe Harbor status for the 2012-13 school year and has received six full years of accreditation by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

KALO executive director Taffi Wise expressed appreciation for the support from DHHL, Kamehameha Schools, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Castle, Pa´ahana Enterprises, Quality Builders and the Waimea Community who have all had a role in reaching this milestone. “However, we are not done,” Wise said. “KANU still needs a cafeteria, high school classrooms and more. Since charter schools do not receive funding, KALO and community partners will continue efforts to perpetuate Hawai´i’s culture through charter schools like KANU.”

Learn more at kanu.kalo.org or call 890-8144.

About Kanu o Ka ‘Āina Learning Ohana

Kanu O Ka ‘Āina Learning ´Ohana (KALO) is a nonprofit educational organization based in Waimea that assists statewide with Hawaiian-focus charter schools. Incorporated in 2000 as a Native Hawaiian nonprofit (KALO) provides viable choices in education, which empower Hawaiian learners of all ages to remain natives of the Hawaiian Islands inhabited by our people for over 2000 years. KALO’s womb-to-tomb programs constitute a dynamic intergenerational family of learners comprised of educators, students, parents, extended families, community supporters and partnering organizations dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawai‘i’s native language, culture and traditions.  Visit kalo.org.

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National Bone Marrow Registry – Big Island Resident Needs Bone Marrow Transplant

UPDATE:

BONE MARROW REGISTRY EXTENDED TO MONDAY!! SPREAD THE WORD!!
Due to overwhelming response, the Bone Marrow Registry drive will continue tomorrow, Labor Day, 10am till 2pm KTA Puainako. If you didn’t make it down today, please come tomorrow. All ethnicities, ages 18-60, healthy people. Only need to fill out a questionnaire and swab your cheeks to register. Please come!!

Native Hawaiian patients have a special need

	Ke‘ala (Pauline Kealoha) Lee Loy Employed at Kamehameha Schools and a former teacher with the DOE, Ke‘ala was recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant.

Of the 9 million potential donors registered in the National Marrow Donor Registry, only 0.1%, or 1/10 of one percent, of the donors are Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders. This means that the probability of a Native Hawaiian finding a donor match is less than 3% (data as of March 2011). Caucasians have an 80% chance of finding a donor match, and Asians, Hispanics and Afro-Americans have a 15% chance.

You can help! First, spread the word and encourage Hawaiians and other under-represented minorities to register as a donor. Second, register yourself — all it takes is a cheek swab and a bit of paperwork.

Join the Marrow Registry

All you need is to:

1. Be between the ages of 18 and 60

2. Be willing to donate to any patient in need

3. Meet the health guidelines

Three opportunities to register in September 2012

Hawai‘i Island September 2 KTA Center 50 East Puainako St. Hilo, HI 96720

O‘ahu September 7-9 Hawai‘i Woman Expo 2012 Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall 777 Ward Avenue Honolulu, HI  96814

Maui September 27-30 Maui Fair 2012 211 Kanaloa Avenue Wailuku, HI  96793

Big Island Police Charge 20-Year-Old Woman in Connection to Burglary in Pepeʻekeo

Big Island police have charged a 20-year-old Pepeʻekeo woman in connection with a June 30 burglary in Pepeʻekeo.

Shaylyn Momi Araw

Investigation by detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section led to the arrest of Shaylyn Momi Araw on Friday (August 24). After conferring with prosecutors, detectives charged her with first-degree burglary. Her bail was set at $5,000.

Police ask that anyone with information about other incidents in the area or burglary activities to contact either Detective Royce Serrao by phone at 961-8810 or by email at rpserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective John Rodrigues Jr. at 961-2384 or jrodrigues@co.hawaii.hi.us.

In addition, the Community Policing Section encourages residents to request a free home security inspection by calling 961-2350.

55-Year-Old Man Dies After Vehicle/Motorcycle Crash in Hilo

A 55-year-old Hilo man died Sunday (August 26) at 4:05 p.m. at Hilo Medical Center from injuries he received in a motor vehicle/motorcycle crash at the intersection of Kinoʻole Street and Mohouli Street on July 13.

The man was identified as Earl M. Arakaki, of a Hilo address.

Responding to a 10:05 p.m. call (July 13), South Hilo patrol officers determined that Arakaki was operating a 2007 Honda motorcycle and traveling north on Kinoʻole Street when a 67-year-old woman from Kailua-Kona operating a 2003 Honda four-door sedan and traveling south on Kinoʻole Street failed to yield the right of way and made a left turn in front of Arakaki.

Arakaki was not wearing a helmet. Fire Department rescue personnel took him to Hilo Medical Center, where he remained confined until his death.

It is unknown at this time if speed, alcohol or drugs were involved.

The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have reclassified a negligent injury case to a negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask that anyone with information about this crash call Officer Tuckloy Aurello at 961-8119.

Because Arakaki died more than 31 days after the incident, his death is not counted toward the official traffic fatality count.