MEDIA RELEASE

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka issued the following statement today after the Obama administration announced a new health care rule guaranteeing women access to free contraception coverage through their employer while protecting the religious freedom of faith-based institutions:

“The President’s compromise accomplishes two important goals: protecting religious liberty, and making sure that all women have access to the fundamental health care they need. This compromise is modeled loosely off of Hawaii’s successful law, which ensures access to this preventative health care service. Institutions that object to contraception don’t have to pay for it, but no woman will be discriminated against based on where she works or what her occupation is.

“Under this compromise, women who work for religious organizations are not charged for these critical services, and the employers with conscience concerns are not required to discuss these options with their employees. In our experience in Hawaii, our contraceptive equity law does not appear to have impacted any insurance costs or coverage.”

According to a Guttmacher Institute study in 2006, 59 percent of all pregnancies in Hawaii were unintended. Across Hawaii, almost 150,000 women seek access to birth control every year. A little less than half, or 67,300, of Hawaii’s women in need of contraceptive care and supplies require financial assistance to obtain them.

President Obama’s briefing on contraceptive coverage

MEDIA RELEASE

Chad Cunningham

Big Island police have charged a 42-year-old Kona man with meth trafficking and other offenses, including reckless endangering.

The reckless endangering charge stemmed from an attempted traffic stop January 31 on Aliʻi Drive in Kailua-Kona. The driver, Chad Cunningham of Kailua-Kona, fled from officers and passed a stopped school bus that was dropping off passengers.

On Wednesday (February 8), Cunningham ran from officers who attempted to contact him as he left an Aliʻi Drive apartment complex. Following a foot pursuit, officers arrested him for reckless endangering and took him to the Kona police cellblock pending further investigation. After obtaining a search warrant for his bag, police found 13.4 grams of crystal methamphetamine in 14 resealable plastic bags, paraphernalia associated with drug distribution and an electric stun gun.

On Thursday (February 9), officers from the Vice Section charged Cunningham with meth trafficking, promoting a dangerous drug, possession of an illegal stun gun, reckless endangering, driving without a license, resisting arrest, and two counts of possessing drug paraphernalia.

He remained in the cellblock in lieu of $116,500 until his initial court appearance Friday morning (February 10).

MEDIA RELEASE

As of Friday February 10, 2012, the following individuals are wanted by the Hawaii Police Department because of outstanding warrants:

This is the official list from the Hawaii County Police Department

Police ask that anyone who knows the whereabouts of a person on this list 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.

Persons who know a warrant is out for their arrest are advised to report to the nearest police station to avoid having an officer go to their home or workplace to arrest them.

MEDIA RELEASE

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii), Chairman of the Committee on Indian Affairs, introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the term of Indian Law and Order Commission for an additional year.

Vice Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyoming) and Senators Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jon Tester (D-Montana), Max Baucus (D-Montana), Al Franken (D-Minnesota), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) are cosponsors of the bill, S. 2090.

The role of the Commission is to assess how the Tribal Law and Order Act is being implemented and to recommend additional ways to strengthen justice and public safety for people living and working on and near Native American communities and lands throughout the United States.

“Vice Chairman Barrasso and I stand united in offering this bill to extend the Indian Law and Order Commission. We know that Indian policy often transcends party lines and that when we work together our efforts are stronger because of it,” Akaka said. “Today, we join hands again to further strengthen the Tribal Law and Order Act.”

“The Commission has energetically engaged in its important work, but we have much more to do,” said Troy A. Eid, Chairman of the Indian Law and Order Commission. “The Tribal Law and Order Act is already improving the quality of justice in Indian Country and helping to save lives and property. Extending the Commission’s duration for another year, so that we can complete our work in the two years that the Act originally intended, would require no new funding or any Congressional appropriations.”

Although approved in 2010, the Commission was not funded until August 2011. As a result of this delay, the Commission has had only one year, instead of two, to complete its assessment on the Tribal Law and Order Act.

“An extension will allow the Commission time to meet its goals as envisioned by the Tribal Law and Order Act,” Akaka said.

MEDIA RELEASE

At a hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services, Sen. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) questioned Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, President Obama’s nominee to be the next Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, about strengthening military alliances with Japan and Korea and safeguarding against pirates that have attacked commercial ships bound for Japan, Taiwan, Korea and China.

A transcript of Akaka’s opening statement and questions for Locklear:

Akaka: Admiral Locklear, it was nice meeting with you earlier this week, and I appreciated hearing your thoughts on the tremendous responsibilities you will assume should you be confirmed as the next PACOM. You’ve shown outstanding leadership throughout your career, including significant time in the Pacific theater.

And I would like to congratulate you and your wife and your family, because your family does support you, and welcome also Pam and Jenny and Jillian to our hearing today.

…

Akaka: Admiral Locklear, piracy is one of the problems out there. With the president’s new strategy, the Navy will be forward deploying four ships to Singapore, I understand. The Strait of Malacca is one of the world’s most important shipping lanes, accounting for a third of the world’s trade and half of the petroleum imports of Japan, Taiwan, Korea, and China. The strait is also one of the world’s most dangerous maritime choke points and a hot spot for transnational crime.

My question to you, Admiral, is how do you see our forces working to secure this critical region?

Locklear: Well, thank you, Senator. I have transited the Strait of Malacca on Navy ships many times in my career, and your assessment is exactly right. It can be an exciting transit. It’s a critical choke point, and it can be highly vulnerable to such things as piracy.

We’ve seen obviously over the past number of years the impact that piracy can have in many areas of the world, and that it’s not just located off the Horn of Africa. It’s actually spreading north and have seen it spread north into the Indian Ocean. We’ve seen some instances of it in the South China Sea.

So if you take a look at the rebalancing strategy, I believe that it starts to help us address this in a better way. First of all, it starts to recognize that we do have security interests that aren’t just in the north of Asia and that we have to be aware of. It allows us to partner with our allies and our partners in that region – to be able to better coordinate together – to give us better maritime domain awareness.

You alluded to the possibility of putting some U.S. ships in and out of Changi in Singapore. Singapore is a tremendous partner with the United States and has worked very closely with, as has other of our countries and allies in that region, to be able to provide us collective the ability to have a better maritime domain awareness and a better response capability for anti-piracy activities. And I hope to see that continue and to grow as we move forward with a rebalancing strategy.

…

Akaka: Admiral Locklear, the U.S. relationships with Japan and South Korea help to form the basis for regional stability in the Asia- Pacific region. I know that you touched on it in response to Senator Lieberman, but should you be confirmed, what would you like to accomplish with respect to these key allies?

Locklear: Well, first of all, if I’m confirmed, I would like for them to first of all understand that I realize the importance of our alliance and the criticality of our partnerships in that alliance, and the importance of it to the security of the Asia-Pacific region.

Second of all, I’d like to make sure that as we look at this rebalancing strategy that I can properly articulate what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, and the benefits of it as it relates to our alliances with those two critical allies.

MEDIA RELEASE

Rep Mark Nakashima

Representative Mark Nakashima would like to invite you to attend one of the following mid-session community meetings. These meetings will allow the community to share any thoughts or concerns. He will also be providing updates on current legislation. Please mark your calendar!

Community Meetings:

Hamakua Community
Polycon Room, NHERC, Honokaa
Thursday, February 23, 2012
6:30 p.m.

Kohala
North Kohala Library
Monday, February 27, 2012
4:00 p.m.

Rural South Hilo Community
Kalanianaole School
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
7:00 p.m.

North Hilo Comm. Council
Wednesday March 28, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Location To Be Announced

Senior Meetings:

Papaikou Seniors
Thursday, February 23, 2012 9:00 a.m.

Pepeekeo Seniors
Thursday, February 23, 2012 10:00 a.m.

Paauilo Seniors
Friday, February 24, 2012 9:00 a.m.

Laupahoehoe Seniors
Friday, February 24, 2012 10:00 a.m.

Kohala Seniors
Monday, February 27, 2012 9:00 a.m.

Hakalau Seniors
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 9:30 a.m.

Honokaa Seniors
Wednesday, February 29, 2012 9:00 a.m.

All at respective Senior Centers

For more info contact:
Representative Mark N. Nakashima (Rural South Hilo, North Hilo, Hāmākua, North Kohala)
State Capitol Room 406
415 South Beretania Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone (808)586-6680
Toll Free from the Big Island 974-4000, ext 6-6680

MEDIA RELEASE

A 42-year-old Holualoa woman died Thursday (Feb. 9) from injuries she sustained in a two-vehicle crash on Kaiminani Drive, 150 feet west of Ane Keoholeola Highway in Kailua-Kona.

The woman was identified as Sheila Goto.

Responding to a 9:33 a.m. call, Kona patrol officers determined that a 42-year-old Keaau man had been operating a 2000 Ford (crane truck) from a local electrical company and traveling west on Kaiminani Drive when the boom of the truck struck a large cable going across the roadway.

This caused the truck to tip over on its left side and the boom of the truck to strike a 2011 Ford pickup truck traveling east that was being operated by Goto.

Goto had to be extricated by Fire/Rescue personnel and later transported to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 12:22 p.m.

Two passengers in the Ford pickup truck, a 37-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman, both from Kailua-Kona, were treated and released from Kona Community Hospital.

The driver of the crane truck was confined to Kona Community Hospital in stable condition.

The driver and front seat passenger of the Ford pickup truck were the only people wearing seat belts.

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

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated 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 Thomas Koyanagi at 326-4646, extension 229.

This is the first traffic fatality on the Big Island this year compared with four at this time last year.

MEDIA RELEASE

Dru Kanuha

Lifetime Hawaii Island resident Dru Mamo Kanuha has announced he will run for the newly-created County Council District 7, representing downtown Kailua Village and the Kona area from roughly Kainaliu north to Kona’s Old Airport.

Kanuha was born in Kealakekua and raised near the shore, in the ahupua’a of Holualoa. His father, Jerome Kanuha, was also born and raised in Kailua-Kona. His mother, Debbie Kanuha, was born in Pennsylvania, raised in Redondo Beach, California and has been in Kona for more than 40 years. The Kanuha family has lived for generations in the Keopu ahupua’a that extends from Kailua Bay through the area now known as Emma’s Square and mauka, and is known for their stewardship of Kona lands.

Kanuha attended Mokuaikaua Church pre-school, Kahakai Elementary School, and Kealakehe Intermediate and High School. Kanuha graduated from the University of San Diego in 2002 with a B.A. in Political Science, and a minor in Business Administration.

Kanuha says he’s been interested in serving the people of Hawaii Island in a leadership role since he was a boy, and attended many public meetings about roads, infrastructure, and development with his father while he was still in high school. Kanuha feels the time is right for him to represent the people of Kona and West Hawaii on the County Council. He says recent divisiveness on the County Council has concerned many citizens. He says he feels he can help the County Council regain a sense of looking out for the entire island as a whole, even though his primary focus will be the new Kona District 7.

Kanuha has been involved in public service for more than a decade. He has taught free tennis lessons to children every summer at the Old Kona Airport, worked with the Kealakehe High School Waveriders Against Drugs, and cleaned rubbish off beaches. Kanuha also served on the Hawaii Island Burial Council from 2010 to 2011 as the Kona Representative. Over the past year he served on the Hawaii Island Redistricting Commission, representing (the current) Kona District 7. Kanuha also serves on the Board of Director for Kai ‘O Pua Canoe Club, one of the oldest Canoe Clubs in the state with a membership of over 300, and in which his great-grandfather had a founding role.

Kanuha is employed by Kamehameha Schools-Land Assets Division, Hawaii Island, focusing on water and agricultural resources. In this capacity, he supports community outreach, promoting agricultural related events that support Kamehameha Schools’ Strategic Agricultural Plan. Previously Kanuha worked for Judiciary and Labor Chairman Clayton Hee as a Legislative Aide at the Hawaii State Capitol.

Kanuha is a founding member of The Betty Kanuha Foundation, Inc., which was formed in 2001 as a tribute to his grandmother. The Betty Kanuha Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports literacy and cultural programs for the youth of Hawaii Island. In the past 11 years, the Foundation has given over $250,000 to the West Hawaii Community, in the form of start-up reading programs, computers for classrooms, athletic programs for schools, scholarships for pre and post high school students, repairing the aging Simmons field at the Old Kona Airport, and holding eight consecutive years of the free “Kalae Iki” Youth Baseball Clinic for island boys and girls. The Foundation has also supported the continued restoration of Keolonahihi Heiau, beach cleanups, and numerous other programs aimed at cultural and educational opportunities for Kona Youth.

MEDIA RELEASE

Naomi Sanders

Big Island police are renewing their request for the public’s help in locating a 42-year-old North Kona woman who was reported missing last year.

Naomi Sanders left her Kainaliu home the night of June 6, 2011, and has not been seen since. Her family is very concerned about her safety.

Sanders is described as Caucasian, about 5-foot-3 and 120 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. She has a tribal print tattoo on her upper right arm in the shape of an arm band.

Police ask that anyone with information on her whereabouts call Detective Sean Smith at 326-4646, extension 262, or 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.

Project delayed due to county building permit requirements pertaining to high winds

Honolulu, Hawaii. Rep. Jerry Chang and the Hawaii Island legislative delegation today received new information from the Department of Education on the status of the Hilo High School Gymnasium project, which they wanted to share with the community.

According to the Department, the Hilo High School gym project has been delayed due to difficulties in obtaining a Hawaii County building permit. The County is requiring the project to meet Chapter 3-180 Hawaii Administrative Rules, specifically an update to Section 423 pertaining to being able to sustain high winds of 155 miles per hour.

The project is currently designed to sustain 115 mph winds, which was agreed upon with the State Civil Defense. During the design phase of the project, the building was planned on the Uniform Building Code in effect when Hawaii County required only 80 mph. State Civil Defense continues to support the project at 115 mph due to the fact that the gym is intended to be used as an emergency shelter if needed, but not as a hurricane shelter.

While the DOE submitted the permit application prior to the adoption of the new rules, the County interprets the submittal date to be after the documents have been routed and approved by all other agencies. In this case, the County considers the project to fall under the newly adopted rules. Therefore, the Hilo High School gym application must follow the 155 mph requirement, and the consulting firm working on the project, Kober/Hanssen/Mitchell Architects, Inc., is redesigning portions of the gym to conform.

The DOE anticipates that the redesign may impact the cost of the project. A proposed solution from the consultant is expected on or around February 14, 2012.

“We are disappointed in the delays,” said Rep. Jerry Chang. “We hope that the DOE and the consultant can work out a solution with the County that will save as much time and money as possible. A new gymnasium is sorely needed in our community; the community has waited patiently, and we wanted to make sure that they knew the reasons for the delay.”

MEDIA RELEASE

AFFECTED AREA: Water Supply customers after Honoli‘i Bridge in the Pauka‘a, Pāpa‘ikou, Upper and Lower Kalaoa area in South Hilo District.

Due to a scheduled repair now underway, the Pāpa‘ikou Well is down. Department of Water Supply customers in the affected area are now under a Water Conservation status. The Department of Water Supply has activated the Ka‘ie‘ie Well as the back up source until the repairs are complete. With everyone’s full cooperation, daily water needs can be met during this repair that is currently estimated to last up to one (1) week.

Water Conservation calls for a voluntary 10% reduction in water use. Listed are some ways to conserve water and reach the 10% goal:

• Wash only full loads of laundry or dishes at a time.
• Check faucets and pipes for leaks.
• Keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator.
• Do not let water run when you wash, shave, or brush your teeth.
• Reduce showering times.
• Use water-saving devices.
• Use a broom instead of a water hose for cleaning.
• Irrigate at night and with a pail for small jobs.

All agricultural users: keep water usage to a minimum. Irrigate only at night and during non-peak hours, from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Minimize water use for dust control. Use water wisely.

For more information, please contact Mr. Daryl Ikeda at 961-8790.

MEDIA RELEASE

Michael J. Kaawa

Big Island police are searching for a 27-year-old Kaʻū man wanted on three warrants.

Michael J. Kaawa, frequents the South Kona, Hōlualoa and Kailua-Kona areas. He is wanted on a 20,000 warrant of arrest for drug offenses and two $300 bench warrants for failure to appear in court. He is also wanted for questioning in connection with a terroristic threatening and criminal property damage incident.

Kaawa is described as 5-foot-10, 190 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts 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.

By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a high surf advisory for West facing shores of the Big Island until 6 p.m. this evening (Feb 9).

Surf is forecast to be in the six to 10 foot range. The high surf has already peak and will diminish the rest of the day.

Swimmers and beachgoers should use caution due to dangerous rip currents and localized beach erosion which can occur due to the high surf.

A small craft advisory is in effect until 6 a.m. Friday (Feb 10) for all Hawaiian waters.

MEDIA RELEASE

Three Canadians on board the Horizon Reliance (image of ship on wall) which rescued them after their sailboat sank in rough seas 280 miles Northeast of Hilo Wednesday (Feb 8). Photo by the crew of the Horizon Reliance

HONOLULU – The Coast Guard coordinated the rescue of two adults and one child aboard a disabled sailboat which sank 280 miles northeast of Hilo, Hawaii Wednesday (Feb 8).

The crew of the 38-foot sailboat Liahona contacted the Coast Guard Cutter Kiska Tuesday at 5:26 p.m. after becoming disabled in seas of 6-to-13 feet and winds of 34 mph. The vessel reportedly suffered damage to its top forestay and it’s engine overheated. The crew attempted to rig a makeshift sail but completely lost its mast in the extreme conditions.

Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu contacted the 800-foot container ship Horizon Reliance to request assistance under the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue Program. The Horizon Reliance was 149 miles northeast of the Liahona’s location.

At 1:30 a.m. Wednesday morning the Horizon Reliance reached the disable vessel. As the Horizon Reliance approached the vessel a swell caused the sailboat to capsize and sink, throwing the three passengers into the sea.

The Horizon Reliance maneuvered and lowered a Jacobs’s ladder to conduct the rescue. A 29-year-old man was rescued at 2:30 a.m. by the crew of the Horizon Reliance, but the others, a 32-year-old man and 9-year-old boy, drifted away. Both were rescued at 3:20 am. All passengers aboard the sailboat were wearing lifejackets with strobe lights, which enabled rescuers to keep them in sight.

All three rescued are reportedly in good condition and arrived in Honolulu Thursday (Feb 9) aboard the Horizon Reliance.

The Liahona was traveling from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to Hilo.

The Kiska is a 110-foot patrol boat based in Hilo.

AMVER, sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard, is a unique, computer-based, and voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. With AMVER, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.

MEDIA RELEASE

Daniel “Duke” Abraham

Big Island police are searching for a 31-year-old Kaʻū man wanted on bench warrants.

Daniel “Duke” Abraham, also known as Daniel “Duke” Abrojina, lives in Miloliʻi and frequents the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates area. He is wanted on three contempt of court warrants totaling $100,000.

Abraham is described as 5-foot-10, 175 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He may be armed and dangerous. Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts 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.

By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

The high wind warning issued for Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa has been cancelled and replaced with a wind advisory for elevations above 8,000 feet through 6 a.m. Thursday (Feb 9).

Winds are coming from the West at 25-35mph with gusts up to 50 mph. The summit access road on Mauna Kea is open to the public but motorists should use caution as strong winds can be hazardous for drivers, especially those in high profile vehicles.

For more information on summit road conditions visit: mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/cu…

MEDIA RELEASE

Leila Kagawa

HONOLULU – Governor Neil Abercrombie has appointed Scott Edward Enright to Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), and Leila Kagawa to Deputy Director of the Department of Human Resources and Development (DHRD).

Mr. Enright (DOA Deputy Director) brings a strong background in agriculture, community building, and conflict resolution to his position. Mr. Enright has worked as a consultant for the Hawai’i Sustainable Agriculture and Renewable Energy Project project manager for ITC Water Management, cultivation and irrigation superintendent for Hamakua Sugar Company, and orchard superintendent for Kilauea Agronomics. Mr. Enright was also served as Chairman for the Board of Agribusiness Development Corporation, on the Community Development Plan Steering Committee for Hamakua District, and on the Hilo-Hamakua Community Development Corporation Board.

A graduate of the University of Hawai’i – Hilo, Mr. Enright holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and philosophy. He also earned a Master of Science degree in conflict analysis and resolution from George Mason University.

Mr. Enright begins his duties as DOA Deputy Director immediately.

Ms. Kagawa (DHRD Deputy Director) has over 15 years of experience in human resources. She is currently a Senior Solutions Consultant at ADP, Inc., where she provides employer services solutions sessions to executive management across the state. Ms. Kagawa is also a Human Resources Certification Program Facilitator. She is a former Human Resources Manager at Pacific Marine & Supply Co., Ltd. & Subsidiaries. Ms. Kagawa is a designated Senior Professional in Human Resources and Certified Payroll Professional. She is a board member of the Society of Human Resource Management Hawai’i Chapter and National Association, and the Vice President of the American Payroll Association Hawai’i Chapter and National Association.

A graduate of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Ms. Kagawa holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and political science. She completed her master’s degree coursework in organizational development from the University of Phoenix and Hawai’i Pacific University.

Ms. Kagawa begins her position as DHRD Deputy Director on March 1, 2012.

MEDIA RELEASE

Hilo, HI – Ten Japanese American leaders from across the country will travel to Japan March 3rd-10th to meet with top officials to further develop the U.S.-Japan relationship and establish a meaningful role for Japanese Americans. Barry Taniguchi will represent Hawaii in the 2012 Japanese American Leadership Delegation Program (JALD).

Barry Taniguchi

Taniguchi runs KTA Super Stores, a chain of family grocery stores on Hawai’i Island. He is also director of Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc., American Savings Bank and Hawaii Employers Mutual Insurance Corporation. He is Chair Elect of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s Board of Directors, and is involved with numerous foundations and organizations. He is a third generation Japanese American.

“Being a Sansei, my relationship with Japan has been quite limited; we were raised to be Americans of Japanese ancestry,” said Taniguchi. “It is only later in my life that I began to seek a cultural re-connection with Japan and our mother land.” He continued, “I hope to gain a better and improved understanding of the long-term relations between Japanese Americans and Japan, and to expand our roles in advancing U.S.-Japan relations.”

When the Great East Japan Earthquake struck on March 11th, Taniguchi was immediately reminded of the devastating tsunami that destroyed much of Hilo in 1960. As a board member for the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Taniguchi hopes to bring back valuable information from meeting first-hand with tsunami survivors in Tohoku.

For the first time in 12-year program history, the delegation will visit the city of Sendai in the Tohoku region to show support for the devastated region and learn from those living there. In Sendai, Taniguchi will participate in a March 5th symposium sponsored by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and the U.S.-Japan Council focused on empowering civil society in Japan. The delegation will also visit Tokyo for a variety of exchanges with high level leaders. In past years, delegations have met with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Japan.

U.S.-Japan Council President Irene Hirano Inouye will lead the delegation made up of Taniguchi and nine other Japanese Americans from across the country that are active in their communities, engaged in U.S.-Japan relations and committed to deepening ties between Japanese Americans and Japan. The 2012 delegation will join an active network of 136 JALD alumni. The program is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and organized by the U.S.-Japan Council.

The U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) is a 501(c) 3 national non-profit organization that acts as a catalyst by energizing Japanese American leaders to strengthen and diversify U.S.-Japan relations. USJC promotes people-to-people relationships as crucial to deepening ties between the U.S. and Japan and provides networking opportunities for top stakeholders in the bi-lateral relationship.

MEDIA RELEASE

Workers set up equipment for paving Ane Keohokālole Highway in Kona. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Mayor

The County of Hawai‘i and contractor Nan Inc. have entered into a $3.24 million agreement that will complete an additional mile of Ane Keohokālole Highway.

This will be a road parallel and about a mile mauka of the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway from Palani Road to Hina Lani Street in Kaloko. The entire two and a half miles of highway is scheduled to open at the same time in May.

“Public Works has done an incredible job at keeping this project on time and under budget,” said Hawai’i County Mayor Billy Kenoi. “Because of this, we are in position to build another mile of road.”
The additional mile of highway will consist of two lanes with a concrete surface and enough space to expand to four lanes. There will also be some resurfacing work at Hina Lani Street as well as added left-turn pockets.

This expanded highway will open at the best possible time. The state’s Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway widening project between Honokohau Harbor and Kona International Airport will no doubt cause traffic delays, and a completed Ane Keohokālole Highway will give motorists an alternative route when traffic is heavy.

It is also good news for those who rely on public transportation to get to and from work, shopping and play. County Mass Transit has committed to establish a transit bus loop using Ane Keohokālole Highway and the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway.

Ground was broken on the first phase of the $29.9 million Ane Keohokālole Highway project on March 30, 2010, and was originally planned as a mile and a half of highway from Palani Road to the West Hawai‘i Civic Center. The project represents not only the largest expenditure of federal stimulus money in Hawai‘i, it also is one of the first major roads to be built by Hawai‘i County in Kona since statehood.

The project, awarded to Nan Inc. of Honolulu, also involves two preservation efforts at each end of the road. An interpretive center and cultural preservation area valued at more than $3 million is being built by Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust at the Palani Road end of the project, while a $500,000 partnership between the county, Stanford Carr Developments and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to preserve one of Hawai‘i’s last remaining dryland forests is underway at the Hina Lani Street intersection.

Ane Keohokālole Highway will also facilitate the state’s development of the state’s Kamakana Village affordable-housing project, commercial development by the Queen Lili‘uokalani Trust to support children’s programs, and the Hawaiian Home Lands Trust’s expansion of Laiopua Village and its planned community center.

“We are not just building a road,” said Mayor Kenoi. “With affordable homes, shelters for the homeless, places to work and play, a way to get to college, commuter buses and bike paths we are facilitating the creation of a safe and vibrant community.”

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON – Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole today announced the expansion of TSA Pre✓™, a passenger pre-screening initiative, to additional airports across the country following the program’s success at seven pilot locations.

With more than 336,000 passengers screened to date through TSA Pre✓™ lanes, this screening concept enhances security by enabling TSA to focus its efforts on passengers the agency knows less about while providing expedited screening for travelers who volunteer information about themselves prior to flying.

“TSA Pre✓™ moves us closer to our goal of delivering the most effective and efficient screening by recognizing that most passengers do not pose a threat to security,” said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole. “We are pleased to expand this important effort, in collaboration with our airline and airport partners, as we move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more intelligence-driven, risk-based transportation security system.”

TSA Pre✓™ is currently operating with American Airlines at airports in Dallas, Miami, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Los Angeles, and with Delta Air Lines at airports in Atlanta, Detroit, Las Vegas, and Minneapolis. US Airways, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are all opting in new passengers and will begin operations later this year.

As part of the initiative’s expansion, TSA Pre✓™ will be implemented at the following airport locations throughout 2012:

• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
• Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL)
• Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
• Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
• O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
• Orlando International Airport (MCO)
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
• Portland International Airport (PDX)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• Tampa International Airport (TPA)
• Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

TSA will continue expanding TSA Pre✓™ to additional airlines and airports once they are operationally ready.

Eligible participants include certain frequent flyers from participating airlines as well as members of Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs (Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS) who are U.S. citizens and fly on a participating airline. Individuals interested in participating in the pilot can apply via Global Entry at www.globalentry.gov/

If TSA determines a passenger is eligible for expedited screening following the TSA Pre✓™ vetting process, information will be embedded in the barcode of the passenger’s boarding pass. TSA will read the barcode at the security checkpoint and then may refer the passenger to a TSA Pre✓™ lane, where they will undergo expedited screening, which could include no longer removing the following items:

• Shoes
• 3-1-1 compliant bag from carry-on
• Laptop from bag
• Light outerwear/jacket
• Belt

TSA will always incorporate random and unpredictable security measures throughout the airport and no individual will be guaranteed expedited screening. As part of the agency’s risk-based security initiative, TSA is currently testing several other screening initiatives, including initiatives designed to provide positive ID verification for airline pilots and the use of expanded behavior detection techniques.

For more information about TSA’s risk-based security initiatives, visit www.tsa.gov