community recycling bins located at schools are being phased out.

This post was edited slightly to make it more appropriate for this blog.

May 1, the City will be placing signs on the community recycling bins around Oahu to notify the public that the program will end June 31, 2012 and these drop-off bins will be removed starting June 15. These are the bins located at you local schools. Community members may have questions as to why and also want to know what other recycling options are available. Please share the information below with your communiy.

The City’s community recycling bin program was for a time the mainstay for residential recycling, growing from 20 sites in 1990 to 100 locations today. Over the years, the program also helped to strengthen community support for recycling and educate our youth. But with decreased public use, the once cost-efficient system no longer serves us as well. By closing the program, the City will save about $1.5 million annually, and can refocus resources on further developing more convenient recycling options for Oahu residents.

The City is phasing out the old recycling drop-off program and renewing efforts to expand curbside and condo recycling. The convenience of curbside recycling diverted more than 70 percent of the recyclables from the old drop-off bins. Convenience truly is the key to increasing recycling for island residents. There are 160,000 homes currently recycling curbside in blue and green carts, capturing 20,000 tons of mixed recyclables and more than 50,000 tons of green waste annually. A most recent public survey conducted by SMS Research indicates that 97% of households are participating at some level, with more than two-thirds putting 75-100% of their recyclables in the blue cart. This year, the City will begin expanding curbside recycling to the remaining 20,000 homes still serviced with refuse-only, manual collection, starting with a pilot program in the rural North Shore communities.

Those living in condo and apartment buildings have opportunity to recycle conveniently as well. Collectors and haulers offer no-cost pickup for valuable recyclable materials — glass, plastic, metal, newspaper, cardboard. And the City provides reimbursement to AOAO’s for startup costs associated with recycling equipment and tenant education.

The removal of the drop-off bins will not leave those schools without recycling service. Schools committed to developing sustainable school campuses — collecting and recycling paper, plastic, glass and metal from campus facilities — are moving forward to establish collection service with independent recycling companies. Rolloffs Hawaii, which provides trash service to most of the island’s public schools, is launching a pilot school recycling program with plans to expand quickly. Other recycling companies have also expressed interest.

As the drop-off program closes and new recycling initiatives move forward, there is likely to be some disruption for residents who had become accustomed to taking their recyclables to these bins. Please direct their concerns to our office (768-3200), and we can provide assistance. Please contact me if you would like to schedule a presentation about this program or other recycling initiatives for your board.
Best regards,
Suzanne Jones
Recycling Branch Chief
City & County of Honolulu
Department of Environmental Services
768-3200 public information
768-3420 direct
sjones@honolulu.gov

Dec. 3rd Beach Clean-Up

Dec. 3rd Beach Clean-Up and No Waste Challenge

 Join us Saturday, December 3rd, 10am-12pm, Kailua Beach Park

 Meet near the Canoe House, Main Parking Lot, East of Buzz’s Restaurant. Join us for the clean up at 10am and stay for the trash weigh-in and a low-waste potluck lunch at 12pm. RSVP on Facebook.

We’ll have a raffle with prizes from local sponsors such as Kailua Sailboards and Kayaks, Muumuu Heaven, Global Village, TikiMaster.com, and more…We’ll be working with a new partner too: Ocean Devotion Hawaii.  

What to bring: sunscreen, hat, work gloves, old colanders, water bottles, friends, and a great attitude! Bring any plastic grocery bags you have to give them a second life as trash bags. If your interested, also bring a low-impact lunch box or food to share. That means reusable plates and utensils too. We’ll have coolers and other supplies.

We’ll also be collecting plastic for Method Soap’s new post-consumer recycled bottles made from gyre plastic pollution! See their Ocean Plastic 2011 video instructions.

This effort is part of the 2011 No Waste Challenge.

November 27-December 26 is Kanu Hawaii’s No Waste Challenge: a time to learn about the waste stream in Hawaii and renew personal, household, and business commitments to reducing our waste footprint through out the year. We’ll be sharing educational items, events, and projects to take part in. The last week is the One Week -One Bag challenge. Learn more at the link, commit to change, and share a journal.

Another Plastic Free Hawaii clean up will be taking place that day in Kahuku! We’ll be cleaning Punamano Unit James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Marconi Road -Kam Hwy. Meet at Kahuku High School at 9am for instructions.

See all the latest plastic free news and events at our blog!

–

Plastic Free Hawaii/ Kokua Hawaii Foundation

Kailua Chapter: http://plasticfreekailua.blogspot.com/

Save a life, Recognize a stroke

Now doctors say a  bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S  *Ask the individual to SMILE.

T  *Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE  (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today.)

R  *Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call emergency numberimmediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke ——– Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE:  Another ‘sign’ of a stroke is this: Ask the person to ‘stick’ out his tongue. If the tongue is ’crooked’, if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.

Crime in Kailua, Kalaheo Hillside

Attached please find information about a meeting to discuss the recent rash of crime in Kailua.

Please share this information with everyone who is interested in helping Neighborhood Security Watch make a difference in our community.  WNSW Nov 21 meeting

Basing of MV-22 and H-1 Aircraft in Support of Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) Elements in Hawaii

> Subject: Draft EIS for Basing of MV-22 and H-1 Aircraft in Hawaii
> Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:41:23 -1000
> From: mv22h1eis@beltcollins.com

We are writing to inform you that the Department of the Navy, on behalf of the U.S. Marine Corps, has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), for the Basing of MV-22 and H-1 Aircraft in Support of Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) Elements in Hawaii. The Department of the Army is a cooperating agency in this NEPA process.

The Draft EIS addresses the potential environmental consequences of basing up to two Marine Medium Tiltrotor (VMM) squadrons and one Marine Light Attack Helicopter (HMLA) squadron in Hawaii, including associated construction and renovation of facilities, personnel changes, and training and aviation operations at existing training areas.

This publication initiates a 45-day public comment period during which agencies and other interested parties may submit comments on the Draft EIS.
Public meetings, publicized in local newspapers, will be held on the islands of Hawai’i and O’ahu from November 30 to December 8, 2011, to share information and to obtain comments. In addition to meeting public involvement requirements of NEPA these meetings will provide opportunities for public involvement in accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

To view the Draft EIS or submit comments online, you are invited to visit the project website at www.mcbh.usmc.mil/mv22h1eis . Comments must be received or postmarked no later than December 27, 2011. Please submit written comments to:
Department of the Navy
Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific
258 Makalapa Drive, Suite 100
Pearl Harbor, HI 96860-3134
Attn: EV21, MV-22/H-1 EIS Project Manager

If you have any questions, please contact the MV-22/H-1 EIS Project Manager by telephone at 808-472-1196 or by email via the project website. Media inquiries may be directed to Major Alan Crouch, Public Affairs Officer, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, telephone 808-257-8870 or e-mail alan.crouch@usmc.mil .

Burgulars hitting Windward Oahu

Wave of burglaries hitting Windward Oahu. http://ow.ly/7m6R7 Secure your carport. Don’t leave valuable stuff exposed. Organize Neighborhood Security Watch. Watch for unfamiliar vehicles parked in your neighborhood. Most burglaries during the day. Police think its an organized group that parks in a neighborhood and watches for people leaving home. Report any suspicious activity. Notify your security watch Captain who can report for you and keep you informed as to what is happening.

For help organizing a Neighborhood Security Watch post a comment here or contact Bill Sager, bsager42@gmail.com

Lecture – Hawaiians and the land

‘Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi is planning a general meeting and lecture by Dr. Sam `Ohu Gon III at the Kailua Faith Baptist Church on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. Learn about ‘Ahahui Malama I Ka Lokahi, its programs and projects and meet fellow members, volunteers and others interested in learning more about Hawaii’s environment and cultural practices. Faith Baptist Church is just mauka of the Windward YMCA on the Pali Hwy.

Dr. Sam `Ohu Gon III will be talking about the relationship of Hawaiians to the ‘aina, called, “Aloha mai au I ku‘u ‘aina – The aloha I have for my beloved land.”

The public is invited to attend this free meeting and lecture. For further information contact Ka‘imi Scudder at 263-8008, or emailemail@ahahui.net

For updates, see the ‘Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi blog at: www.ahahui.wordpress.com

Yes there are homeless in Windward Oahu

Aloha no,

On behalf of Partners in Care – Oahu’s Coalition of Homeless
Providers, we are extending an invitation to all business and community organizations to attend this year’s.

This year’s Conference will be held at the Pacific Beach Hotel on 11/15/11 (Tuesday), 9:00AM – 4:30PM, and will have a special emphasis on community partnerships that combine the perspectives of businesses, property owners, employers, the tourism industry, members of the community with those of government and non-profit service providers who work on the front lines with the State’s homeless. The confirmed speakers are Marc Alexander, the State’s Homeless Coordinator, and Joe Bright, the homeless blogger who has just recently been re-housed. There will also be a panel discussion with leaders of the business and economic communities, along with service providers and members of the homeless community.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/15264845/governor-abercrombie-gives-update-on-90-day-plan

http://www.civilbeat.com/users/Joe/

Attached is the registration form for this year’s Homeless Awareness Conference. The cost will be $40, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. Registration forms and payments can be submitted directly to Partners in Care. Please consider this unique opportunity to broaden your understanding of homelessness.

More information is also be available at: http://partnersincarehawaii.org/

Please forward this information to anyone else who may be interested in attending.

Feel free to contact me with any questions, mahalo.

Coralee Chin, LSW
Mental Health Services Coordinator
Steadfast Housing Development Corporation
Phone: (808) 599-6230 ext. 632
Fax: (808) 599-1821
Email: cchin@steadfast-hawaii.org

HAWAIIAN FAMILY BEING EVICTED FROM ANCESTRAL LANDS

Hakipu`u – Kualoa, Windward O`ahu, Hawai’i- 11-04-11

Keoki “Kaloman” Fukimitsu, traditional taro farmer and his family have been living at 49-077 Johnson Road, for nine generations. Their “Kuleana Land” was established by the first land commission created by Kamehameha I in 1832. The family has been planting taro, fishing and taking care of the land. This Kuleana Land was to allow them to keep to their native diet and take care of their family in perpetuity.

His father’s non-Hawaiian partner, Gloria Siu, married him just before he passed away. Gloria convinced Marvin Fukumitsu to take his own family off the deed and put her and her family on it. Today, she wants $1.8 million plus other cost retributions.

When John Morgan of Kualoa Ranch stepped up to help Kaloman, Gloria refused to sell it for the agreed Settlement amount because she wanted more money from the Ranch.

Now she wants the family that has lived there all their lives to be evicted so she can make her money and leave. Never mind that her deceased husband’s family has no assets or other place to live.

This is a blatant case of extreme injustice that
· A Hawaiian family that has lived on the land since the 1700’s passed down through Royal Patents from Queen Kalama, wife of Kamehameha III is being evicted because of greed.
· A resource of cultural significance provided by a family that has been part of the cultural fabric in the traditional farming of taro for 9 generations will be taken from the community through wrongful eviction.
· As descendants from Chiefly and Kahuna clans “Kaloman” Fukumitsu and his family are being denied their Native Rights, Hawaiian Rights, Kuleana Land Rights, Water Rights and Konohiki Rights due to misuse of legal land grabbing.

It is “Hewa” for a non-family member to evict children whose birthright is to live on that land, farm it and have it sustain them. The eviction is scheduled within the next 48 hours.

Our community and our family PROTEST this wrongful act of eviction and want everyone to know the truth, see the truth and support “Kaloman” to save Ancestral Rights and Traditional Kalo Farmlands. Call Keoki “Kaloman” Fukumitsu at 554-7650. Email him at keokikaloman@aol.com.

http://voicesoftruthtv.com/?ep=kaloman&from=1&sec=episode

Violence in Kaneohe

Grieving family and friends of a man fighting for his life in the hospital are pleading for an end to the alcohol- related violence in their community.

The attack on Maka Torres, 27, on Memorial Day weekend has left him with severe head injuries.”Maka is fighting for his life. I went to see him yesterday and today and it’s just devastating,” said Shalomar Silva.Silva was stunned to hear of his friends plight after a day out celebrating the holiday on the Kaneohe sandbar.The Honolulu Police Department asked witnesses of the assault to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 955-8300.

Silva said he recently lost two other childhood friends.”We are all shedding tears over and over again. When is it enough? I am running out of tears,” said Silva.

Last month, Michael Mench died when his car he was driving hit a tree near Kualoa Ranch. Alcohol was found in the car his was driving. Mench and his female passenger were killed at the scene. Mench’s funeral was held on Saturday.

Another of Silva’s classmates died in January.On New Year’s, Day Joel Bothelho, 27, was shot after a fight broke out at a Kaneohe club and later continued in the driveway of his home.Bothelho’s parents planned to hold a vigil for their son to draw attention to the tragedy of the alcohol related violence, but after Mench’s car crash and the assault on Maka Torres, the family says it has become a much larger issue.

Joel’s mother worries about the young children all three men left behind who will grow up in a day and age when bad behavior with no consequnces, is glorified on television.”This is not entertainment these are real lives and real people who are daddies. They have children and they have wives and mothers who grieve their sons,” said Nonohe Bothelho.An auntie to all of the young men hopes the message is heard loud and clear.”So before you go and do that final act, say no. Cool off and back off. And friends pull your friends back,” said Noela Napoleon.

The family said something good has to happen out of all this tragedy.”With everything that’s happened, the underlying message is stopping the violence,” said Chris Bothelho, Joel’s father.

The Kaneohe Neighborhood Board has set up a committee to address violence associated with neighborhood bars. He`eia Pier is outside the KNB jurisdiction and may not be addressed by the KNB committee.

Read more: http://www.kitv.com/news/28104808/detail.html#ixzz1O9cf8tDo