(AP). As the state continues to receive e-mails seeking President Obama’s birth certificate, the State House Judiciary Committee heard a bill Tuesday permitting government officials to ignore people who won’t give up searching for incriminating documents against the Hawaii-born Obama. “Birthers” claim that President Obama is ineligible to be president because he was born outside the United States. Hawaii Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino issued several statements in 2008 saying that she’s seen vital records that prove Obama is a naturally born American citizen.
Only two potential buyers showed up Wednesday to tour county-owned lands along the Hamakua Coast. According to the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald”, the prospective buyers included Marc Mishkin of Ka’u and Joe Steinbach of Colorado. County Property Manager Ken Van Buren, who conducted the tour, said he’d expected more persons to inspect the properties. Several parties indicated that a weekday was not convenient for the approximately four hours involved in the tour.
The Hawaii County Council voted 8-1 on Wednesday to facilitate the move of East Hawaii’s only dialysis center to a new facility planned for 1384 Kinoole Street. The new site, located next to a law firm and on the mauka side of Kinoole Street, is currently zoned for single-family homes. Landowner Bruce Hansen tells the “Hawaii Tribune-Herald” that he is seeking neighborhood commercial zoning for the proposed development. The rezoning measure now goes to Mayor Billy Kenoi for his approval.
Twenty-two year old Cherylnne P. Ching of Kailua-Kona has been sentenced to two years in jail for helping to distribute illict drugs in Hawaii County. Third Circuit Court Judge Elizabeth Strance told the defendant that “this was not a momentary lapse of judgment, but a sustained effort that really blinded you to what you call the most important thing in your life”, referring to Ching’s two-year old son. According to court documents, Ching also received 16 years probation, 200 hours of community service, and the requirement to pay $6,715 in fines and fees.
You are invited to the Hamakua Community Resource Fair on Sunday, March 21st, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Honokaa County Gym. According to state representative Mark Nakashima, the free event is a collaborative effort by county, stae, and federal officials to shre information with Hamakua District residents. The program will include a celebration of athetes and scholars from Honokaa for their respective achievements over the past year. The resource fair is open to everyone and lunch will be served.
Outgoing Environmental Management Director Lono Tyson tells “West Hawaii Today” that reports about closing the green waste site in Kailua-Kona and moving the collection area to Puuanahulu are in error. Tyson says there have been no plans to eliminate residents from dropping off green waste or collecting mulch. Tyson continues, saying “we are intending to scale down operations…I haven’t said that service is going to be denied.”
Some weekend events for the family: This Saturday and Sunday, the Kona Roping Club and about 250 contestants will participate in the 46th Annual Kona Stampede Rodeo at the Honaunau Rodeo Grounds on the City of Refuge Road in South Kona. Slack roping begins 8 a.m. Saturday with the rodeo on tap for noon. For details, call Sally at 323-2388. On the Hilo side, the Big Island Auto Club presents its March Points Meet at the Hilo Drag Strip. Gates open 7 a.m. both days.
Notice to motorists: Reconstruction of the Umauma Bridge, between mile markers 16 and 17 along the Hamakua Coast, begins on Friday, March 19th. The highway going in both directions between these markers will experience lane closures from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Work will be done this Friday, Thursday, March 25th, Thursday, April 1st, and Thursday, April 8th. Police will be on scene to direct the flow of traffic.
The Kona Commons is sponsoring an Easter Basket and Mother’s Day Essay Contest. You could win a fabulous Easter Basket filled with great gifts or a $500 shopping spree at Kona Commons for your Mom. To enter both contests, just go on line to: www.konacommons.com.