KEMA News Release: Kaua'i Brown Water Advisory

KAUA'I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

NEWS RELEASE:

Brown water advisory remains in effect for most of Kaua‘i

A Brown Water Advisory remains in effect for most of Kaua‘i, according to the Hawai‘i Department of Health.
“We are receiving reports of people swimming in Hanalei Bay,” said Administrator for the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency Elton Ushio. “The public is advised to stay out of the water until the brown water advisory is lifted.”
The advisory is not in effect for coastal waters from Keoniloa Bay to Sheraton Beach on the South Shore.
Officials warn that swimming in the water could result in serious illness. If the water is brown, stay out. The public is advised to stay out of floodwaters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris. Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas. Continue to practice good personal hygiene by washing off with soap and clean water and washing hands before handling food.
For the latest updates on brown water advisories, visit DOH’s Clean Water Branch website at https://eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/cwb/#!/landing.

KEMA News Release: Kuhio Highway (Waikoko and Wainiha) Closed

KAUA'I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

NEWS RELEASE:

Police reminding the public Kūhiō Highway, between Waikoko and Wainiha, is closed to public

The Kaua‘i Police Department is reminding the public that Kūhiō Highway, between Waikoko and Wainiha, remains closed as crews work to clear multiple landslides.
“Until officials deem the area safe for travel, that area of Kūhiō Highway is closed to the public until further notice, as it is deemed a traffic emergency zone,” said Deputy Police Chief Michael Contrades. “We have officers stationed in the area and are on the lookout for anyone attempting to traverse through the area. This type of activity will only further delay the opening of the highway to the public.”
The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) has announced it expects to open a one-lane route for emergency access only, to the Wainiha and Hā‘ena areas, on or before Monday, May 7, weather permitting.
Current Road Closures and Repairs:
• For residents affected by the Kahiliholo Road closure in Kīlauea, an emergency access road has been opened for local traffic only through the privately owned Common Ground and Wai Koa Guava Plantation properties.
• Kūhiō Highway at the Wailua River Bridge will have temporary lane closures nightly from to 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Sunday, April 22, to Friday, April 27, in order to remove debris from the river. Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) reports this will not be a continuous closure. All traffic will be routed onto the Bryan Baptiste Memorial (Makai) Bridge, where one lane in each direction of traffic will be maintained.
• Lei O Papa Road in Princeville remains closed due to a sinkhole.
• Weke Road in the vicinity of Black Pot Beach remains closed.
• HDOT continues to inspect bridges in the flood-affected areas on Kaua‘i. All inspected bridges were deemed safe by HDOT.
For updates on road conditions and closures, please call 241-1725. Please do not call Kaua‘i police 911 unless you have an emergency. Damage to roads, highways, bridges and other infrastructure may be reported to the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency’s (KEMA) Emergency Operations Center at 241-1800.

Helpful Kaua'i Relief Donation Information

Aloha! Here's more information on how you can help those in need on Kaua'i! Please do anything that you can. Now is the time for our community to come together and be there for one another.

Money Allocated For Kaua'i Relief Effort

Today, the House-Senate conference committee allocated $100 million to help Kauai's relief and rebuilding efforts as well as $25 million for the rest of the State. Aloha to the chairs of the House Finance Commitee and Senate Ways and Means Committee who came together to help Kaua'i and the State in its time of need. I'm honored to stand with my colleagues to give Kaua'i the help it so desperately needs.

Important Information For Those Without National Flood Insurance

This is an announcement for District 14 constituents who do not have a National Flood Insurance Program. Please find this helpful information below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/13QcHnh8b16lGSNE-zGNVC_6D9_cj8it3/view?usp=sharing

Important Kaua'i Emergency Relief Information!

Aloha Everyone. With the recent rain and floods causing extreme damage on the North Shore this past weekend, please know much is being done. Currently Governor Ige along with Kaua'i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr, and the Kaua'i Emergency Management Agency are working to assess the damage. Emergency crews have evacuated 152 people by helicopter, 121 by bus and others by water. 8-10 landslides are blocking roads past Waikoko. The Hawaii Air National Guard has deployed two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, two CH-47 Chinooks, eight Zodiacs and more than 45 soldiers and airmen to support rescue efforts, and to get medical aid and necessary supplies to the area. Mahalo to our first responders and citizens who are helping in so many ways to help those in need.

Emergency Contact Number: Kaua'i Emergency Management Agency: (808)-241-1800

If You Have Emergency Flood Insurance, Please View Flyer Below:

Governor Declares Emergency Proclamation for Kaua'i

My heartfelt prayers go out to all impacted by the devastating flood and rains. Please keep safe. The Governor signed an emergency proclamation for Kaua’i. State, County, and Federal agencies are working to address our needs. Mahalo to our first responders who are working diligently to address the problems. Again my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Rep. Nakamura's Speech on House Bill 2739 (Death With Dignity) Receives Nationwide Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS  MARCH 07, 2018- As mentioned in many national publications.

HONOLULU — The Hawaii House has approved a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients.

The House’s action on Tuesday sends the measure to the Senate, which last year overwhelmingly approved a similar bill.

The proposal would allow physicians to prescribe life-ending medication to a mentally-capable patient with less than six months to live.

The patient must be able to take the medication themselves and would be required to undergo a mental health consultation.

Supporters say the bill has some of the strongest safeguards in the nation, but critics say they want more to improve enforcement and prevent abuse.

Democrat state Rep. Nadine Nakamura, who supports the bill, spoke about the loss of her father and brother.

‘‘In the end, when they could no longer walk and take care of themselves, both wanted the choice to die with dignity,’’ Nakamura said. ‘‘This bill is about giving people a choice.’’

California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Washington state and the District of Columbia have already legalized medical aid in dying.

Mentioned In:

1. The Boston Globe

2. Chicago Tribune

3. Seattle Times

Garden Island Newspaper: "Committee Passes Pesticide Bill"

Originally Published: March 22, 2018

HONOLULU — The state House Finance Committee passed a bill Wednesday that includes an amendment that would prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos beginning Jan. 1, 2019, but provides an exemption for farmers for a three-year period if they provide public disclosure.

Finance Chair Sylvia Luke also proposed that large commercial agricultural businesses that use 35 pounds or 35 gallons of non-diluted, restricted-use pesticides must file an annual report listing the type of restricted-use pesticides used, quantity, and location of the use.

Senate Bill 3095 SD1 will next go to the full House for a vote.

“I believe the proposed amendments help to address concerns raised by various stakeholders and reflect a compromise on how to move forward as a state,” wrote state Rep. Nadine Nakamura, a Democrat from Kapaa.

The bill also calls for:

No spraying of pesticides within 100 feet of every school during school instructional hours;

Increasing the Pesticide Revolving Fund cap from $250,000 to $1 million to give the state Department of Agriculture resources for outreach and education, and to hire two additional full-time employees.

“This bill attempts to protect students in our schools, promote responsible use of pesticides, address human health concerns and give the state Department of Agriculture additional tools to do their work,” Nakamura said.

Garden Island Newspaper: "State Budget Approved" By John Steinhorst

Originally Published: March 13, 2018

The House of Representatives unanimously approved the State budget yesterday, which appropriates funds for operating government and capital improvement projects for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

Representative Sylvia Luke, House Finance Chair, said the Executive Budget was scrutinized carefully and adjusted to make sure Hawaii will have a sustainable budget moving forward.

“This is a budget that keeps our government operating without wasting money and provides funds for many much needed projects,” Luke said. “I’m happy that we are able to provide funding for many state schools and libraries and to support education.”

The Department of Education’s total operating budget ($2.1 billion for 2019) for kindergarten through grade 12, including charter schools and libraries, will support Early College Program, English Language Learners, World Languages and Health Education, Teacher Certification Stipend Program, Alternative Teacher Route Program and interscholastic athletic competitions.

Capital Improvement Project funds for schools and libraries ($463 million for 2018 and $310 million for 2019) include funds to maintain and improve facilities and infrastructure statewide. Of those funds, $2.5 million will be used for the design of a new library at Kapaa Elementary School, Kauai. Another $2.5 million will go to the design and construction of parking lot and drainage improvements for Kapaa High School.

For fiscal year 2018, the budget bill totals $7.24 billion in general funds and $14.1 billion in all means of financing. For fiscal year 2019, the bill appropriates $7.4 billion in general funds and $14.3 billion in all financing means.

The budget includes a total of $2.2 billion for fiscal year 2018 and $2.1 billion for fiscal year 2019 for Capital Improvement Projects.