Whats Happening on the Big Island
April 15th - May 15th

This is our ninth e-zine to date, and our lead article is about a very important subject: HB 1226

HB 1226 is a House Bill(HB) that has already passed in the house and on the way to the Senate for approval. This bill is very dangerous in my eyes, and on April 22nd there will be a very important meeting to pass a resolution in the county council to oppose it.

Also in this issue you will find the first look at our new section on Hawaiian Recipes and a article about Paleaku Gardens in Honaunau.

The recipe section is new in the making, and you will find links to two pages on a couple ono Hawaiian dessert recipes.

As Always we have our two upcoming concerts, and the two events that stand out this month. and some great Big Island pictures.

Enjoy

County Council Hearing on a Resolution to Oppose HB1226 on April 22nd 10 am to 2pm

In the Upcoming week you have one chance to speak up against one of the most thought provoking laws to be presented in Hawaii's recent history: HB1226.

On April 8th there was a hearing on a resolution for the County Council to oppose this bill, and due to a procedural error the resolution must go through another hearing.

This will be held April 22nd at 10:00 am in Kona at the Sheraton Keauhou Bay. Citizens can testify via video link from Hilo or Waimea from 10 am - 2 pm. If you would like to testify, in Kona/Waimea/or Hilo please let Paul Normann- Hawai'i SEED's island Coordinator (www.hawaiiseed.org) know. Just email paulwnormann@yahoo.com That way he can keep track of what is needed. This is our one shot to speak out against the bill.

Over the last few years residents across the state, from all walks of life, have been working very hard to bring about laws that would prevent Genetically Modified Organisms(GMO's) from being used in any form in the islands. From scientists to farmers, from politicians to Hawaiian cultural practitioners, residents have been pushing this movement forward.

But the underlying issue in HB1226 is way beyond GMOs. HB1226 would remove authority to regulate GMOs from not only county governments in the islands, but from the State Government itself. It would give all authority to the Federal Government.

Now this is the perplexing part of the Bill. Why would the State Government want to give up its authority to regulate what goes on in the islands?

Is it because there is a threat to a billion dollar industry, that has not been proven to be environmentally safe, or safe for human consumption, by the test of time?

Just last year there was a senate bill(958) on the floor that would have banned all GMOs in Hawaii for ten years. When this bill fell apart, the Big Island County Council took up the call to action.

There was been great opposition from special interest groups, and even from former Mayor Kim.

After passing through three County Council Hearings with over a hundred different testimonies, and over 1200 written letters of support from residents, a County ordinance(08-154) to ban GMO Taro and Coffee on the Big Island was passed unanimously on October 9th 2008. Among the supporters of the Bill were Taro Farmers, most Kona Coffee Farmers, and some Scientists from UH Hilo.

Although this Bill passed unanimously, Mayor Harry Kim saw fit to go against public and council opinion and vetoed the Bill on October 30th, 2008.

On November 13th the County Council overrode Kim's veto with a vote of 7 for the bill and 2 votes against it. This bill will protect Taro and Coffee from being genetically engineered, with fines up to $1000 dollars for anyone involved in doing so.

Now there is a possibility that any future actions along these lines would be fruitless.

Across the nation there has never been a bill of this nature. There have been 15 states that have removed the authority of county governments to regulate GMOs, and put in the hands of the State Government, but never has there been a bill that would take the authority out of the States own hands.

This is not democracy. This is a billion dollar industry taking away our rights!

For the full text of HB1226 click here

To view the full text of the resolution opposing the Bill that is on the table at the county council, click here

Our New Section on Hawaiian Recipes

In the interactive part of the section you will find a form to add your recipes, and even a picture of the finished product.

Other people can comment on them, and leave their own variation of the recipe. It should be a lot of fun and eventually a good resource for the community.

We started off the section with a couple of our favorite desserts.

Our first page is on everybody's favorite: Haupia. If you don't know what this is, it is a traditional Hawaiian dessert that is kind of like a coconut custard or pudding. Take my word for it is delicious.

The next recipe that we have a page built for is one for a Hawaiian Wedding Cake. This cake is now made world wide, but its roots are in Hawaii.

At the bottom of both of those pages is an interactive section where you will find a form to upload your open recipe along with a picture if you like.

More to come.

The Island Music Scene

The first concert is the Big Island Bash at the King Kam in Kona, featuring Katchafire and Rebel Souljahz. The concert is on April 25th, and starts up at 4:20.

Both of these bands are getting plenty of radio play these days, and Katchafire is actually one of our favorite bands. This outdoor concert should be all time.

The second concert is Poncho Sanchez April 26th, 2009 at 7 p.m. at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea.

Although I have never seen the man live, what I have seen on youtube, and read about is very impressive.

With more than two decades of recording and live performances, Sanchez and his ensemble have become one of the top Latin jazz bands on the contemporary music scene.

Led by Sanchez’ fiery intensity on the conga drums, the group mixes Latin, jazz, soul, rhythm and blues and pop. Hot!

The Featured Locale for April: Paleaku Botanical Gardens & Peace Sanctuary

This large, diverse, unique botanical garden has walking paths weaving through spiritually-endowed garden arrangements, with private sitting spaces and beautiful vistas. The outdoor settings are just perfect for groups, events, wedding and private tours.

There are also three large meeting halls/pavillion areas in which to hold congregations...A 40x40 multi-screened pavillion, a Visitor's Area with a Stage that holds 100 people, and a meditation room that comfortably seats 50 people.

If you are interested in using Paleaku as the location for your next event, please contact them @ 808-328-8084

Upcoming Events April 15th to May 15th

Our calender of Hawaii events is one of the most comprehensive for the Big Island of Hawaii. To view our calendar of Hawaii Events, click here

Our first event in the upcoming month is:

The Trash Bash Art and Fashion Show at the Kohala Coffee Mill in Hawi on April 18th and 19th. This is part of the month long ongoing Kona Earth Festival.

The art show is from 5:30 – 7:30 pm on April 18th and the fashion show is from 1-2pm on April 19th.

For more info visit: www.konaearthfestival.org

The Second Event is the 5th Annual May Day Lei Day Festival

Sunday, May 3, 2009 at 1pm at the Palace Theater in Hilo.

The Palace Theater welcomes everyone to another beautiful aloha-filled event to celebrate the Hawaiian art form of lei making.

This community festival features a spectacular lei display, lei contest and silent auction, with a Haili Street fair, live music and hula on stage with special guests plus historic slides and short films.

The event concludes with a community sing-along of “May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii” accompanied by Bob Alder at the historic pipe organ.

This is a FREE event, and fun for the whole family!

For info call the Palace Theater Office at 934-7010

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