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Community asked to keep reporting dead birds

Saturday, March 15th, 2008

“Dead bird reporting is an important part of Hawai‘i’s monitoring effort to find these diseases as soon as possible, while there may still be a chance to eradicate them here,” said Laurence Lau, Deputy Director for Environmental Health at the Hawai‘i Department of Health.

These diseases could show up in wild or pet birds or poultry, if the diseases arrive in Hawai‘i.  Since both diseases can sicken and kill birds, Hawai‘i’s birds can serve as a sentinel for either disease.  Finding a dead bird could mean that West Nile Virus or bird flu is present.

Anyone finding a dead bird that is fairly fresh (not decomposed), and not flattened (flat birds that have been run over by vehicles are not testable) is asked to call 211 to the Aloha United Way operators to report it for possible testing.  Reports may also be made online at www.gotdeadbird.org.

“Although we collect reports of all species of dead birds, we do not test doves, pigeons, and mynah birds.  They very rarely die from West Nile Virus, and are highly unlikely to carry bird flu.  It’s better that people report dead birds than not, though.  If we have a high number of dead birds in any area, that may signal that something is going on that needs further investigation, even if it is not West Nile or bird flu,” Lau noted.

Persons reporting dead birds do not need to know what type of bird they are reporting.  The 211 operators receiving the calls and online reports determine if the dead bird should be picked up for testing, and may dispatch trained staff to pick up the bird and deliver it to the Hawaii Department of Health State Laboratory for disease testing. Help protect Hawai‘i by participating in this early detection effort.  For more information on the project, visit www.gotdeadbird.org.

Koheo Wetland Student Dune Restoration Damaged

Friday, March 14th, 2008

The Koheo wetland has been utilized extensively over the past four years for a wide range of educational projects: Kindergarten children have enjoyed playing in the sand and mud, elementary school students attended sessions on invasive limu and learned about native plants and birds, and University of Hawaii students working under a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency have conducted studies on water quality testing and soils analysis. On March 19, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue an invasive fish study and students from the University of Hawaii at Manoa will revisit previously established vegetation transects and collect water samples. On March 25, students from the University of Hawaii at Hilo will collect debris washed into the wetland by high tides. For information on how you can participate in these events or for scheduling an educational project, contact Arleone at 553-5992.

Visiting Veterinarian

Wednesday, March 12th, 2008

The exam fee for walk in patients is $30 with other fees set by the veterinarians.

Sterilization surgeries in the morning by appointment only. Immunizations and booster shots for dogs will be available.

The MHS clinic is located on Kamehameha Hwy 5.9 miles west of Kaunakakai. Call 558-0000 (voice mail) there is no phone at the clinic.

Dr. LaMarche’s Schedule:

Monday 17                  Walk in patients         8 a.m.– 2 p.m.

Tuesday  18                Walk in patients         1 p.m.– 3 p.m.

Wednesday 19           Walk in patients         1 p.m.– 3 p.m.

Thursday 20                Walk in patients         1 p.m.– 3 p.m.

Friday 21                     Walk in patients         1 p.m.– 3 p.m.

Available Resources

Saturday, March 8th, 2008

Agricultural Grants Available

Value Added Grants

Grants are available to assist producers who want to add value to the commodities they produce on their farm.  The deadline for applying for the 2008 Value-Added Producer Grant Program is March 31.

Since 2001, a total of 12 businesses in Hawaii have been awarded more than $1 million in grant funds through this program. This year $18 million is available through this nationally competitive program. Grants are available to independent producers, agricultural producer groups, farmer or rancher cooperatives, and majority-controlled producer-based business ventures.

Further information about Value-Added Producer Grants and other Rural Development programs is available by calling the agency at 808-933-8313, at a local Rural Development office or at www.rurdev.usda.gov. A copy of the 2008 Value Added Producer Grant Notice of Solicitation of Application is available at

Molokai Soldier in Afghanistan: Part III

Monday, March 3rd, 2008

The people of Afghanistan are mostly pleasant, hard-working, and pose no threat to US or Coalition forces.  They are simple and lack much if any education. Most have no concept of what is going on in the world around them. 

I once tried to explain through my interpreter what a convenience store or a mall was and I was totally unable to get them to even grasp the idea. 

The children are the most loved by troops. They will stand by the roads and wave with the biggest smiles you have ever seen.  Most are poorly clothed and usually covered in dirt.

The children will run across a field to get near you in the hopes that you may throw them a piece of candy or a pen.  They have learned that we are here to help them and us the "thumbs-up" sign as we drive or walk by. 

Personally, the living conditions and stench can disgust me at times, but the children make it all worth wile. 

Sometimes, when you have been shot at or caught in a rocket attack you get very angry. It can be hard not to be distrustful of everyone you see; Afghanis all look similar and the bad guys do not wear any kind of uniform to differentiate themselves. 

The only way to recognize a bad guy is when he or she pulls an AK-47 rifle out or a rocket-propelled grenade and points it or shoots it at you.  Sometimes it is too late to figure it out. 

In the end, the innocent and beautiful children are sometimes the only thing that keeps you going because they have no choice in the matter and someone has to look out for them.
 
I had always been poor growing up, and felt that I had a good appreciation for things, but five and a half months later upon my return from my first deployment all of life seemed even sweeter. 

To be able to walk outside and not have to wear body armor, a helmet, night-vision goggles or to carry a rifle was nice.  To be in a real house with clean running water and carpeting and not have to worry about mortars and rockets shelling you is bliss. 

After months of eating nothing but MRE's and drinking plain bottled water, the simple act of getting in your car and driving to the store and being able to buy or eat anything you want any time is more than I can describe. 

Being able to watch REAL television and drink a beer is probably taken for granted by every person in America, but once you have been deployed to combat for any length of time it is pure heaven. 

Genoa Keawe Passes Away

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

Early Monday morning, February 25, 2008, Aunty Genoa Leilani Keawe passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Papakolea. She has dealt with many health challenges in the last 10 years of her life and has met each obstacle with great faith and determination to bounce back into the lime light with her many performances. Her team of doctors treated her with admirable service. Her Heavenly Father has truly blessed her 89 years of life with strength in maintaining her beautiful soprano voice for everyone to enjoy up to the last day at home. Aunty Genoa has lived a full life and is very happy with all the blessings of family and her self-taught career as an entertainer and business woman. She was a very simple person.   She loved the people of Hawaii and her many fans throughout the world for their support through her experiences and travels.

Service arrangements will be by Borthwick Mortuary. Services will be conducted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for which she has served as a faithful member.

Genoa Leilani Adolpho married Edward P. Keawe-Aiko. Together they had 12 children. Today there are 3 survivors, Gary P. Keawe-Aiko (#1), Eli Kaeo Paalua (#8) and Eric K. Keawe (#11). Deceased are Moana, Arthur, Victoria, Edward Jr., Samuel, Miriam, James, Kauilani & Sonny. She has 40 Grand Children 98 Great Grand Children and 81 Great, Great Grand Children. She recognizes her deceased children's spouses as well who has always been there for support when needed, Howard Lono, Iwalani (Ho), Frederick Amina, Snooks (Watson), Barbara (Buchanan), Patrick Ah Yuen and two hanai daughters Suzie Harrison and Roberta Silva.