FEMA in Kauai to help officials apply for aid FEMA in Kauai to help officials apply for aid ADVERTISING LIHUE, Kauai — Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are in Kauai to help agencies apply for federal aid after violent storms
FEMA in Kauai to help officials apply for aid
LIHUE, Kauai — Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are in Kauai to help agencies apply for federal aid after violent storms lashed the island in March.
Kauai officials are reporting $2 million in damages from flooding and landslides.
The aid will help public agencies and eligible nonprofits recover the cost of emergency work — including overtime pay — in the immediate wake of the disaster. It will also help pay for long-term projects.
Only county and state agencies and certain nonprofit agencies are eligible to apply for funds.
Agencies may apply for money to support repairs, restoration or replacement projects. They may also apply for funds to reduce the potential for weather damage in the future.
Students help design some Hawaiian homelands homes
KAPOLEI, Oahu — The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and the University of Hawaii are partnering to design homes on Hawaiian homelands.
The two sides said Monday they’re discussing having architecture students design 10 homes in 10 years for the department’s Kanehili subdivision in Kapolei.
The homes will feature environmentally friendly building methods and include energy-efficient technology.
The College of Engineering plans to help the department identify any current and long-term infrastructure and maintenance issues on its homes and land.
Architecture students recently contributed design ideas toward the department’s Kauhale Pilot Project.
The project involves building at least one house on a Hawaii Island homestead in the traditional kauhale style of having multiple structures for specific purposes like sleeping, eating and cooking.
Community health centers win $10M in grants
HONOLULU — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is awarding $10 million in grants to community health centers on Maui and the Big Island.
The department said Tuesday the funds are expected to help about 9,000 new patients.
West Hawaii Community Health Center in Kailua-Kona is receiving $5 million. The department is awarding the Community Clinic of Maui in Wailuku $4.6 million.
The Bay Clinic in Hilo will receive $500,000.
The department says it’s awarding the grants under the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law signed by President Barack Obama in 2010.
The law provides $9.5 billion to expand services at community centers over five years. The law also provides $1.5 billion to support major construction and renovation projects at community health centers.
Navy relieves Pearl Harbor submarine commander
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Oahu — The Navy has relieved the commander of the Pearl Harbor-based nuclear-powered submarine USS Columbia of his command on the grounds he displayed inadequate leadership.
The Navy has also relieved the ship’s top enlisted sailor of his duties.
Cmdr. Christy Hagen, the spokeswoman for the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s submarine force, said Tuesday Cmdr. Dennis Klein and Master Chief Don Williams were relieved due to a loss of confidence in their abilities to serve effectively.
She says a series of observations over time led to the determination Klein displayed inadequate leadership and oversight of his crew.
She says Williams failed to provide the leadership and backup required of his position as chief of the boat.
Both men have been reassigned.
The ship is currently in Pearl Harbor for training and maintenance.
Military units receive environmental awards
KANEOHE BAY, Oahu — The Secretary of Defense is awarding two Hawaii military units environmental awards.
Both the Oahu Army Natural Resource Team at Army Garrison-Hawaii and Marine Corps Base Hawaii are being recognized for their work to conserve natural resources.
The Pentagon said Tuesday the winners were selected by a panel of judges representing federal and state agencies, academia, and the public.
The two Hawaii units accounted for two of the nine 2012 Secretary of Defense Environmental awards.
The military has given the awards each year since 1962 to honor individuals, teams, and installations for outstanding achievements to conserve and sustain the natural and cultural resources entrusted to the Department of Defense.
Honolulu and Lions Club resume sidewalk repairs
HONOLULU — Lions Clubs of Hawaii members have volunteered to help the city make short-term repairs to sidewalks.
Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle announced on Saturday that the city has resumed its ‘Safe Sidewalks Project.’
The city has about 1,800 miles of sidewalks that need maintenance due weather damage, tree roots and regular pedestrian use.
Volunteer laborers from the Lions Club joined the Department of Facility Maintenance Saturday in Chinatown. Temporary fixes are needed along Nuuanu Avenue, Smith Street and Maunakea Street while the city works on a long-term solution.
The Safe Sidewalks Project will work on Waikiki walkways on June 30.
Lawmakers will vote
on early education bill
HONOLULU — Hawaii lawmakers want to expand early learning opportunities statewide.
Conference committee members on Monday passed a bill that provides $300,000 in funding for comprehensive early education strategies across the state.
Senate Bill 2545 establishes an Executive Office of Early Learning to help coordinate early learning programs to help prepare Hawaii children for kindergarten.
It also eliminates a junior kindergarten program in the public schools. That program focuses on addressing the needs of children who are born in the latter half of the year and might be several months younger than their classmates.
Beginning in the 2014-2015 academic year, kindergarteners will have to be 5 years old by July 31 of their first year of school.
Both the House and Senate are expected to vote on the measure Thursday.
By wire sources
