About Town | 5-23-15

Pharmacist to answer questions at Tutu’s House

Pharmacist to answer questions at Tutu’s House

Individuals with questions about their medications may speak with a pharmacist during “Brown-bag Pharmaceutical Check-up” from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday at Tutu’s House.

Marcella Chong, pharmacy director at Ohana Health Plan, will answer questions about side effects, generic drugs vs. name brands and conflicting medications. Attendees should gather up their medications, over-the-counter, herbal or natural products, including supplements and bring them in a bag for a brief consultation after a general discussion.

There are no fees for Tutu’s House programs, but tax-deductible donations are welcome. To register, call Tutu’s House at 885-6777.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park raising entrance fees

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will incrementally increase entrance and camping fees over the next three years in order to fund deferred maintenance and improvement projects within the park, and to meet national standards for parks with similar visitor amenities. Entrance fees for recreational use have not increased since 1997.

Beginning June 1, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will increase its per-vehicle entrance fee in $5 increments from the current price of $10 per vehicle to $15 per vehicle this year, $20 in 2016, and $25 in 2017. The vehicle pass is valid for seven days. The per-person entrance fee (the rate bicyclists and pedestrians pay) will increase from the current rate of $5 to $8 on June 1, $10 in 2016 and to $12 in 2017. The motorcycle fee will go up from $5 to $10 on June 1, $15 in 2016 and to $20 in 2017.

One significant modification to the new fee structure was based on public input. The annual Tri-Park Pass will remain at the current rate of $25 for 2015 and 2016, and will increase to $30 in 2017. Based on public input, the park proposed a $30 fee for the Tri-Park Pass, instead of the national standard of $50. The annual Tri-Park Pass allows unlimited entry for one year to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Puuhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park, and Haleakala National Park.

New fees are also slated for all backcountry and front-country campsites, including Kulanaokuaiki Campground and will be $10 per site per night. Backcountry campsites will have a stay limit of three consecutive nights, while the front-country campsites will have a stay limit of seven consecutive nights. Currently, camping is free, except at Namakanipaio Campground, which is managed by Hawaii Volcanoes Lodge Co., LLC. The new camping permit fees are similar to other public camping fees statewide.

In addition, entrance fees will increase for commercial tour companies.

The current National Park Service fee program began in 1997 and allows parks to retain 80 percent of monies collected. Projects funded by entrance fees include trail maintenance, cabin repairs, hike pamphlets, restrooms and picnic tables. The transformation of the 1932 Administration Building into a cultural museum that visitors will soon enjoy is also a fee-funded project. Entrance fees also protect the Hawaiian ecosystem by funding fencing projects that prevent nonnative ungulates from devouring rare native plants.