Hawaii Island Youth News

Transformation Hawaii

2010-07-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

Tyler Parks

The International Transformation Network is a voluntary association devoted to what it calls nation transformation. Its members are actively involved in installing a right-wing Christian agenda in governments around the world. One of the more controversial campaigns associated with ITN is the promotion of a piece of legislation in Uganda known as the “Kill The Gays Bill,” which was inspired by American Evangelical groups. If passed, this bill would extend the death penalty to certain acts of homosexuality, which are already illegal in most of Africa. According to Talk To Action, a website that tracks religious fundamentalism in America, the ITN has endorsed church-based, government-backed death squads in Latin America and Africa.

The influence of ITN in politics doesn’t end overseas. Here in America, Sarah Palin is being endorsed by the New Apostolic Reformation, which includes the ITN; and here in Hawaii, there is an active branch called "Transformation Hawaii." The Hawaii group, which functions as a chartered member of ITN, is chaired by Cal Chinen. The group also claims Lt. Governor Duke Aiona as a member. Another major player in the organization is Francis Oda, the CEO of Group 70, who serves as chairman of the Global ITN. Chinen, Oda and Aiona all traveled to the 16th world conference of the ITN in Argentina. Also at the conference, was the First Lady of Uganda, Janet Museveni.

Aiona is well-known in the islands for his opposition to the same-sex marriage movement. In a July 7 interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network, he said, “We need to have a constitutional amendment which will definitively define marriage as being between a man and a woman. We don’t have that in the state of Hawaii, but that’s where the debate needs to go for this to finally end.”

At the ITN 18th World Conference held in Argentina in 2008, ITN CEO Ed Silvoso gave a speech, during which he compared his opponents to rats that would be exterminated.

Aiona was a high-profile participant in E Pule Kakou, a week-long prayer event sponsored by Transformation Hawaii. The mission of this movement is "to see every family in Hawaii pray together" and "to see the Kingdom of God fill, bless, and transform the entire state of Hawaii in marriages, families, communities, schools, business and government." Organizers claim over 350 churches and 400,000 people watched the Thanksgiving prayer event in 2008, which was on nine different cable channels.

During this week-long event, there were several proclamations of miracles. A man was revived from the dead, Thanksgiving dinner turkeys were multiplied, and a man was cured of a terminal blood disease. The man revived from the dead had drowned an hour beforehand, and as the doctor came in the room to sign the death certificate, the man sat up asking what was going on. The Feed the Sheep Thanksgiving turkey donation program started with 200 turkeys, 240 families to feed, and somehow ended up with a surplus of 10. The man with the terminal blood disease had been pretty much given a death sentence, but then the wife asked the church to assist her in her prayers. The next day, his disease was gone and he praised God for his recovery.

In 2009, ITN held an international conference at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikoloa and Aiona delivered a blessing, stating, “We’re one body of Christ, we’re one church and we’re all here to disciple the nations, here in Hawaii and everywhere else.”

Youth News contacted Aiona, who is now a candidate for governor in the state of Hawaii. Among the questions asked was his opinion regarding the miracles that occurred during E Pule Kakou, and the prosecution of homosexuals. He has not gotten back to us.

Consumer Finance Protection Agency part II

2010-07-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

Consumer Finance Protection Agency part II

Tyler Parks

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is good to go except for one thing: It needs a leader.

Of all the candidates promoted for the position, Elizabeth Warren is getting the most attention. Warren, a professor of law at Harvard University, was the person who originally proposed the idea of a central office to protect regular borrowers and savers. She is well known as an advocate of the people, especially in her role as chairperson of the panel overseeing the $700 billion bailout fund. Rumor has it that Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is opposed to her appointment. Having been interrogated by Warren during her time as chairperson of the Congressional Oversight Panel, Geithner knows just how tough Warren can be. According to The Huffington Post, “Her toughness on giant banks is said to be a longtime source of tension between the two [Geithner and Warren]."

Michael Barr, an assistant secretary of the Treasury, is who Geithner prefers in the position. Barr fought against GOP efforts to weaken the consumer agency. Seen as an insider, his critics also say he lacks the communication skills of Warren, who has already been proven to be media savvy.

The third candidate is Gene Kimmelman, who is also well qualified. Kimmelman is currently vice president for Federal and International Affairs at Consumers Union, which is a nonprofit organization trying to maintain a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers. He was also the lead consumer advocate during the governmentʻs consideration of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and has a degree in law from the University of Virginia.

Lava in Kalapana

2010-07-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

Lava in Kalapana.

Early Sunday Morning, a two-story house in the path of a lava flow caught fire. On July 18, one person was evacuated from the house after a warning from Hawaii County Civil Defensethat molten rock was moving slowly towards the property. The lava made its way eastward along Highway 137. At 3:30 a.m., the property owner and a photographer watched the house burn. Now nothing remains standing except the roof and water tank.

The lava continues moving across the Puna landscape, headed towards the Kalapana Gardens subdivision, now 500-800 feet from the nearest home at a temperature somewhere between 2000-4000 degrees. At 12:44 p.m., Bill Hanson, the Hawaii County Civil DefenseAdministrative Officer, stated that the volcano is in a deflation mode, meaning it’s not erupting and the lava flow is slowing down. He also reported that the lava is moving eastward.

The lava flow is considered sacred ground by Native Hawaiians. Visitors should know safety is also a concern.

The small town of Kalapana was once a treasured Hawaiian fishing village. It was also the site of one of the largest and nicest black sand beaches. In 1990, Pele the fire goddess changed the Big Island. From April through December of that year, lava flowed, burying Kalapana and the Royal Gardens Subdivision under 30 feet of molten rock. When the eruption started up again in 2008, it was unexpected to hit Kalapana.

Hanson takes these recent developments in stride. “It’s a way the island was born,” he said. “It’s a natural reaction.”

Today, park rangers set up stations to monitor tourism to the site. You can hike across the barren lava fields and view current lava flows after dark. So far, only one house has been hit.“It’s not a happy situation, but as long as we respect Mother Nature, it will be okay,“ said Hanson. ”We can all come together and help everyone out.”

The fire department is still on the scene, and the lava viewing is still open.

Byronʻs Health Tip of the Day!

2010-07-26T12:56:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Added sugar.....Look at labels and limit your added sugar intake to 5 grams per meal or no more than 30 grams per day. Most cereals are 15 grams or more per serving. And you know you eat two servings.

Unemployment Benefits Extension

2010-07-22T20:13:00.000-07:00

By Christian Labuen

Good news! For the people who have been jobless for six months or more, President Obama has signed a law restoring unemployment benefits. From June 2 up until this Thursday, benefits were cut off from an estimated 2.5 million people. These people are now eligible for lump-sum retroactive payments, which could be delivered directly into bank accounts or state issued debit cards within a few days. The 272-152 House of Representatives vote sent the measure to the White House for Obamaʻs signature. Less than 24 hours after the Senate vote on Wednesday, the House vote, which was part of a bigger Democratic jobs agenda, was reached.

"Americans who are working day and night to get back on their feet and support their families in these tough economic times deserve more than obstruction and partisan game-playing," Obama said Wednesday night. This measure is all that remains of February’s attempt to renew elements of last year’s stimulus bill. The previous attempts were vetoed when Democrats were forced by GOP opposition to drop $24 billion to help state governments avoid layoffs, higher taxes, expired tax cuts for the middle class, and a health insurance subsidy for unemployed persons.

Opposed by most Republicans, this measure adds an additional $34 billion to a national debt already at $13 trillion. It was argued that this debt should have been paid for with unspent money from last year’s stimulus bill. "The other side says that these unemployment benefits stretching to almost two years are needed. . . even as they claim their trillion-dollar stimulus plan has been a success at creating millions of jobs," said Rep. Charles Boustany, R-La. "It makes you wonder if they're looking at the same jobs data as the rest of us."

U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka applauded the passage of the unemployment benefits extension. "This legislation provides long overdue relief to millions of people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own," he said. "I am saddened that many out-of-work Americans were left with no unemployment support for several weeks. I am pleased we passed the extension tonight and I will continue to work to meet the needs of families struggling in this difficult economy."

Akaka, along with U.S. Senator Daniel Inouye and Representative Mazie Hirono all voted for the extension, while Representative Charles Djou voted against it.

There are 596,000 employed people in Hawaii. The unemployment rate is currently at 6.3 percent at approximately 40,350 persons, placing it as sixth lowest in the country. The national unemployment rate, on the other hand, is at 9.5 percent. About 2,100 people run out of unemployment benefits each month.

Benefits are expected to extend to November 30 of this year.

Borders Out, Walgreens In

2010-07-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

Jasmine Kupihea and Quelyn Nihipali

The sudden shut down of Borders at the Waiakea Shopping Center has been a shock to the community as well as the employees that work there. At the beginning of July, Borders announced they would be closing at the end of the month. Since then, huge signs hanging off the building and people standing on the street corners holding placards have drawn bargain hunters in to the store. Sales of anywhere from 20-40 percent off have left some excited and others nonplussed; hopes linger that prices will hit rock bottom as the month comes to an end.

Another thing costumers and employees have in common when it comes to the closure is confusion about why it happened at all. Workers there say that as many as 15 customers a day come in questioning them, only to learn they are just as clueless.

Although Borders reported a $33.5 million loss during the first quarter, our sources at the Hilo store said this location was doing really well. Borders is now set to close on August 21 and needs to be vacated by September 7.

Many people in the community are speculating that Borders is leaving because of a rent hike. Last year, the bookstore’s neighbor Island Naturals had to pack up and move for that very reason, which might explain why people are jumping to that conclusion. Island Naturals owner Russell Ruderman told Youth News he likes his new location better, claiming it is more convenient. Judging by the activity at the store, his customers have remained loyal.

Borders corporate spokeswoman, Mary Davis told Youth News the company “is not renewing its lease at Waiakea Shopping Center because it failed to meet business objectives.” While it might be hard to decipher that message, our sources told us the closure had nothing to do with a rent increase. Another anonymous source reported that the rent jumped to $60,000/month.

About 40 employees were affected by the shut down. Some of them are having a difficult time coping with the loss, another sentiment shared with the community. As laid off workers scramble for jobs, locals who frequented the store wonder where they will find a cozy corner to enjoy some free time.

Kahana Albinio is the DHHL property development agent for the land where Borders is located. He explained that DHHL is the landowner and they leased the site to Waiakea Center, which in turn is managed by CB Richard Ellis. CB Richard Ellis did not return our calls for comment, but Albinio did explain that while DHHL is involved in the original agreement with all companies renting at the center, once a tenant has occupied the space any changes, such as a rent increase, do not involve DHHL. CB Richard Ellis is responsible for the terms and the agreements with their sub-lessees. Albinio also said that Walgreens will be occupying the space once Borders leaves.

Chatter amongst the crowded store had a feeling of disappointment. Store patron Kara Dunn said, “Now where am I going to get my books”? The Hilo community will miss Borders.

Justin Bieber Acting

2010-07-22T19:47:00.000-07:00

Justin will soon be appearing on CBS for CSI (Crime Scene Investigation). He just signed a deal to guest star on CSI, playing “Jason McCann,” a troubled teen facing horrible decisions about his brother. It’s shocking Bieber signed up for this because he also has MY WORLD TOUR, playing music that same week. CSI is hoping that with Bieber on the show it will be a huge hit. CBS is trying to catch the attention of younger viewers. Although CSI has tried this before with also famous teen singer Taylor Swift, they are trying again with new star Bieber.

Top Secret Hawaii

2010-07-22T18:45:00.000-07:00

Top Secret America is the name The Washington Post has given to a two-year investigation into what reporters Dana Priest and William Arkin are calling a virtual fourth branch of government. After the events of September 11, under cover of a claim to prevent similar attacks in the future, the Bush Administration authorized the expenditure of vast amounts of money to expand the reach of America’s intelligence services. Since then, an astonishing number of private contractors have taken over the business of spying for our country. According to The Washington Post, nearly 2,000 private companies working at 1,300 locations employing about 850,000 people with top-level security clearances make up this network.

Top Secret America has spread across the nation. In every state, there are at least five government or private companies listed, including Hawaii. According to the research Priest and Arkin produced, Hawaii is now home to 41 government work locations and 86 privately-owned companies that are part of this out-sourced intelligence operation.

“It has become so big, that even our nation’s leaders don’t have a handle on it,” states a serious voice narrating a trailer for a PBS "Frontline" special that will air this Fall.

Youth News wanted to know more about the Aloha Stateʻs involvement in the network. Of the 127 work locations tallied for Hawaii, there are two on Kauai, three on Maui and one on Hawaii Island; the rest are all on Oahu. Although Arkin sent us an email claiming the TSA online database had all the information the reporters had uncovered, using it produced the names of only six Oahu-based companies. They are Akimeka LLC, DS Informational System Corporation, JTSI Inc, Omega Federation, Referentia Systems, and Ventura Technology.

There are odd similarities in all the businesses appearing on Priest and Arkinʻs list. They are all “8(a) companies” which means they are part of a federal program that aids privately owned companies run by economically and socially disadvantaged individuals. The companies also all aid the military with “advanced technology” support.

Akimeka LLC is a Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) delivering technology driven solutions. It is a web service-enabled cross-domain solution that aids in the sharing and protecting of vital information by enabling authorized users to quickly and securely access and manage data from different classification levels. They tout their specialty as granting military decision makers, intelligence analysts, and war fighters access to complete information they need to make the informed decisions required for mission success.

The following is a list of organizations Akimeka has served:

* The Joint Staff
* Office of Naval Research
* DoD/Health Affairs
* Office of the Surgeon General - Army
* U.S. Medical Research and Material Command
* Force Health Protection and Readiness
* Defense Health Information Management Systems
* Medical Logistics Division of the Defense Health Services Systems
* Joint Medical Logistics Functional Development Center
* Defense Supply Center Philadelphia
* Defense Information Systems Agency
* U.S. Army
* U.S. Pacific Command
* U.S. Central Command
* U.S. South Command
* U.S. North Command
* U.S. Joint Forces Command
* Army Center for Substance Abuse
* Madigan Army Medical Center
* Office of the Army Surgeon General
* Tripler Army Medical Center
* Air Force Research Lab
* Hickam AFB
* Wheeler AFB
* Hamakua Health Clinic
* Maui Police Department
* Kauai Police Department
* Hawaii Police Department
* University of Hawai'i

DS Information Systems (DSIS) started out selling time division multiplex, vacuum tubes, and copper wire, serving the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps in every continent since the 1960s. The company specializes in military communications, including design, installation, operation, maintenance and repair. DSIS has worked in the MAJCOM and MACOM staffs, base, camp, post, station, and afloat as well. They built the POM (Program Objective Memorandum) and FINPLAN (Financial Plan).

Hereʻs a promotional quote from their website: ʻWe understand especially the pressures of the one-year appropriation, and the "expense/investment" threshold that drives decision makers to the procurement appropriation. DSIS has extensive experience in analyzing the finer nuances of the Information Technology Management Reform Act (ITMRA).ʻ

JTSI focuses on voice, video, and networking communication solutions. Although based in Hawaii, they have teams working under major contracts in Iraq, Japan, Guam, Korea, and the continental United States as well, where they serve the U.S. DoD, NATO and the United Nations. JSTI also works to aid state and local governments and commercial businesses. This quote on their website includes shades of the concerns Dana and Arkin present in their piece: “As a Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) owned company, the Super 8(a) classification enables them to accept non-bid Department of Defense contracts with no dollar limit.”

Omega Federation Team claims to service all aspects of the government involving Strategic Solutions, service management, contract management, operations management, Maritime Support and Cultural Resources. As part of what they call “strategic solutions,” Omega’s team offers long term planning, technology trending, strategic awareness, strategic modeling and strategic situational solutions. Their tactical operations team helps develop facilities, manage day-to-day logistics in the field and provide situational analysis.

Founded in 1996, Referentia Systems touts itself as an award-winning, SBA-certified 8(a)/SBD provider of command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems, advanced technology solutions, and information technology and services. Responsible for onsite support at military instillations all over the world, meant to provide science and technology expertise to government and corporate customers solve complex and critical problems.

Ventura technology is a Hawaii based SBA 8(a) – designated company founded in 1998 that offers professional information technology (IT) services to government and private industry in the Pacific. Its main function is in support of the Department of Defense, providing special service in highly sensitive areas including intelligence, operations and telecommunications systems.

With such broad-based descriptions of the services they provide, it is difficult to know exactly what role these companies play in Top Secret America.

Priest and Arkin conducted hundreds of interviews at a number of levels in all the major branches of government involved in the War on Terror. According to Priest, ʻThe money spigot was just opened after 9/11 and nobody dared say, ”I donʻt think we should be spending that much.”

For information, maps, and videos on Top Secret America refer to The Washington Post website
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/top-secret-america/

Consumer Financial Agency Part 1

2010-07-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

In an effort to prevent another financial disaster, President Obama agreed to the establishment of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA). The idea is to combine responsibilities now tasked to seven different agencies and centralize them into one office that protects consumers of financial products.

Many banks and financial institutions operate under cover of complex terms and agreements, selling services and products their customers don’t understand. Determining which products or practices may be misleading, and making sure that all financial disclosures are clear and simple would be the job of this new agency. The agency will also uphold new rules requiring credit card companies to offer credit cards with fewer conditions and fees to the people who want them. Basically, their job is to prevent banks from taking advantage of the average American, balancing both sides of the lending equation.

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-07-22T13:32:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Lack of sleep may lead to overeating. In a study with 12 healthy young men, on the day they only got 4 hours sleep, as compared to 8 hours the night before, they consumed 22% more calories, or 560 calories.

American Cancer Society Carcinogen Update

2010-07-21T19:53:00.000-07:00

Meanings:
CARCINOGEN: A substance or agent causing cancer. CANCER: Death.

When asked what causes cancer, what is the first thought that pops into your mind? Most of us have learned to associate cigarette smoking with the disease, but using tobacco is just one of many ways to contract it. Now a new report from the American Cancer Society (ACS) on suspected carcinogens has rounded up 20 substances and practices that could be just as dangerous. The ACS hopes to compel agencies responsible for public health and safety to study these potential carcinogens and increase awareness about their effects. Here is the list:

• Lead and lead compounds
• Indium phosphide
• Cobalt with tungsten carbide
• Titanium dioxide
• Welding fumes
• Refractory ceramic fibers
• Diesel exhaust
• Carbon black
• Styrene-7,8-oxide and styrene
• Propylene oxide
• Formaldehyde
• Acetaldehyde
• Dichloromethane, methylene chloride (DCM)
• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Tetrachloroethylene (PERC, tetra, PCE)
• Chloroform
• Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
• Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
• Atrazine
• Shift work

The ACS study details the ways these substances are used and what is already known about them. Some of the items are found in the islands more than others, among them Tetrachloroethylene (otherwise known as PERC), which is used in dry cleaning and is proven to cause liver cancer and leukemia in rats. Epidemiological studies have also linked it to esophageal and cervical cancers, as well as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. It can be found at any local dry-cleanerʻs.

Titanium dioxide has been established as a cancer-causing agent in several animal studies, a factor that tags it as a possible carcinogen for humans. Titanium dioxide is found in many everyday items, including cosmetics, paint, varnishes, lacquers, paper, plastic, ceramics, rubber, and printing ink. "There is conflicting evidence as to whether the nanoparticles of titanium dioxide can pass through the skin," the report read. "If they can, the presence of titanium dioxide in a large variety of cosmetic powders and creams may be a cause of concern."
Also familiar to island residents are the odorous fumes of diesel exhaust. These fumes have been linked to lung cancer among numerous animals, truck drivers, and workers in the automotive industry.

Hereʻs one for people who think that they will avoid cancer by smoking marijuana instead of cigarettes: Styrene has been identified as a suspect compound; it is found in marijuana and cigarettes and is also used to make Styrofoam.
The only non-tangible carcinogen on the list is something familiar to many people here who have to work two jobs to make ends meet. Shift work has been linked to cancer in a number of studies. . . the theory is that by being exposed to light during periods of darkness, your biological circadian rhythm is interfered with, causing a biochemical disruption. Cases can be found everywhere, varying from all night grocery stores, hospitals and factories. Here in Hawaii, all the major hotels have large numbers of employees working through the night.
“There is significant concern among the public about substances or exposures in the environment that may cause cancer, and there are some common occupational agents and exposure circumstances where evidence of carcinogenicity is substantial but not yet conclusive for humans,” explains Elizabeth Ward, Ph. D., vice president, Surveillance and Health Policy Research at the American Cancer Society and lead author of the report. “The objectives of this report are to identify research gaps. . .”
Ward said the list prioritized these 20 agents based on evidence of widespread human exposures and potential carcinogenicity in animals or humans.

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-07-21T13:24:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Latest research...three 15 minute cardio sessions performed daily (seperated by at least 3 hours), is more effective at fat loss than a 45 minute session done once daily.

Christie Held Without Bail

2010-07-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, July 11, 2010, Roger Christie was escorted by DEA Agents out of his Wainaku home into police custody. Christie is the head of the THC Ministry located in Downtown Hilo and is being charged along with 13 other members of his religious organization with conspiracy to possess, manufacture and distribute marijuana. According to the Feds, what Christie promoted as a church was a major growing and distributing operation, but the cannabis minister claims that he has a protected right to grow and distribute marijuana. "We're standing for religious freedom," Christie said during an interview with Big Island Video News after an initial raid in March. His statements in favor of "using cannabis in private, at home or church," calling it "a blessed, beautiful thing" indicated his intent to continue despite the raid. According to Christie's philosophy, marijuana alters the mind to be more spiritually aware and therefore he is within his legal rights as a minister to provide marijuana to those who want it.

Federal agents prosecuting the case say that religious freedom does not apply to illegal substances. "There is a state medical marijuana law. There is no law that protects his allegations of using marijuana religiously," said Florence Nakakuni, U.S. Attorney for Hawaii.

The other people arrested along with Christie include Sherryanne L. St. Cyr, 58, Susanne Lenore Friend, 46, Timothy M Mann, 58, Richard Bruce Turpen, 59, Wesley Mark Sudbury, 32, Donald James Gibson, 40, Roland Gregory Ignacio, 49, John Debaptist Bouey III, 51, Michael B. Shapiro, 61, Aaron George Zeeman, 42, Victoria C. Fiore, 28, and Jessica R. Walsh, also known as Jessica Hackman, 32. Of the 14 arrested, all have been released own their own recognizance except for Christie who remains in custody and has been denied bail.

It was Magistrate Judge Kevin Chang who first denied Christie bail. On Friday, July 16, District Judge Alan Kay heard an appeal. U.S Attorney Michael Kawahara submitted a 34-page brief arguing that he was a danger to the community. His attorney, deputy federal public defender, Matthew Winter, offered an assurance that his client would not resume the activities that landed him in jail and therefore present no threat to the public health and safety, but Kay ruled in favor of the prosecutor. Winter has not given up; his appeal at the Ninth Circuit Court level will be heard tomorrow. If this appeal fails, Christie will remain in jail until September 8; this is when all 14 defendants are scheduled to appear in court.

In conjunction with the arrests, the government seized Christie's apartment along with over $21,000 in cash. During the massive arrest, agents also seized about 3,000 plants with an estimated street value of $5 million.

China UFO Update

2010-07-20T17:07:00.000-07:00

Last week, the Web was aflutter over rumors that a UFO had been spotted over Xiaoshan Airport in Hangzhou, China. There was even video that showed, well, something, soaring high in the sky.

The Atlantic reports that Geoffrey Forden, a weapons expert from MIT, has analyzed several of the alleged UFO videos. He has come to the conclusion that a) what people saw in one of the videos wasn't a UFO, but a rocket, and b) the same video wasn't taken anywhere near China. It was shot near Kazakhstan.

CNN explains how "Forden used scientific theories to examine the images of the flying object that he felt were not created with Photoshop." Then, on a blog, Forden wrote: "It seems to me that a DF-21 [missile] launch somewhere near Jiuquan and aimed at a point somewhere in the eastern Gobi desert is the most likely cause of this 'UFO.'"

Here's where it gets a little tricky. As mentioned, there are actually several "UFO over China" videos floating around on the Web. Some appear to have been altered with photo-editing software, while some were not.

One of the videos making the rounds on the Web may have really been taken at the airport on the night in question. But (there's always a but), those photos are likely of a missile. The Atlantic writes that "the likeliest scenario, it turns out, is that the Great Twinkling Light of Hangzhou was actually a Chinese ballistic missile, the DF-21."

In other words, don't go calling the Men in Black just yet.

Eco-Friendly Tip of the Day!

2010-07-20T16:59:00.000-07:00

Save energy and money by using eco-friendly light bulbs! Regular light bulbs use more energy then energy efficient bulbs! Raising the electricity bill significantly. Energy efficient bulbs can be found in retail stores such as Wal-Mart, Sears, and more.

Money Saving Facts:

- According to Energy Star, CFLs use 66 to 75 percent less energy than an incandescent bulb and last six to 10 times longer.

- Brightness, measured in lumens, determines the light output of a CFL bulb. The wattage scale for CFL products differs from incandescent lights; for example, a 40-watt incandescent light produces 450 lumens corresponding to a range of 9 to 13 watts for CFLs.

-Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) provide more light for less energy when compared to traditional, incandescent light bulbs. The Energy Star program claims that CFLs last 10 times longer than incandescent and use 75 percent less energy.

Race to the Council Member Seat

2010-07-20T16:24:00.000-07:00

Right: James Weatherford
Far Right: Emily Naole
Below Right: Barbara Lively

The race to be Puna’s councilmember is on! Among the many districts that are spread throughout Hawaii Island, the seat for District 5, also known as “Puna Makai,” is shaping up to be one of the more contentious.

Located on the eastern side of the island, Puna Makai includes the residential areas known as Hawaiian Paradise Park, Ainaloa, Pahoa Village, Hawaiian Beaches & Shores, Nanawale, Leilani Estates, Kapoho, Kalapana, Opihikao, Kehena and Pohoiki. As the 2010 primary election approaches, four candidates are vying in the non-partisan race. In this type of race candidates participate in a run-off regardless of which political party they belong to. The top two vote getters proceed to the general election, unless one of the candidates receives 50-plus-one percent of the vote.

Hoping to advance and represent the Puna District on the council are Emily Naeole, James Weatherford, Barbara Lively and Frederick Blas. At the start of the race, there were originally five candidates in the running; one of them, Loren Baker, has since dropped out due to health issues.

Finding the problems facing Puna and resolving them is the candidates’ main focus. Some of the problems occurring in the district deal with traffic, homelessness, high unemployment, teen pregnancy and drug abuse, as well as development-related issues.

The primary election will be held September 18. Between now and then, the candidates are trying to convince district voters that they are best suited for the job. Before voters can make that decision, getting the views from each candidate is key. Of the four District 5 candidates in this year’s race, only three made themselves available for interview. Here are the questions we asked and the candidates answers.

Questions

1. What is your campaigning process/ideas?

Emily: Right now, I’m getting views from District 5 residents about certain issues in the community and using my strengths to convince people that I have confidence in my work to help the district of Puna.

James: Right now, I’m advocating and working on budget issues.

Barbara: At the moment, I’m still qualifying for the comprehensive public funding program.

2. What are your improvements/goals for the district?

Emily: At the moment, I take part in a number of community service jobs⎯helping the homeless, the drug addicts, as well as helping to feed the hungry. As the establisher of “Da Poi Bowl”, which feeds the hungry, listening and helping the people of the district is important.

James: I want to create parks and recreational areas for residents and also to maintain good facilities.

Barbara: I want to improve the representation of the district, advocate for implementation (of the Puna Community Development Plan) in the community, and improve the economic system here. With the economic improvement, I believe in creating jobs dealing with agriculture and cottage industries.

3. What's your reason for running?

Emily: I love the district, the people, and I’ve done a lot to help the community; I’m always open to new ideas.

James: With my education in economics and experience in the legislative process, I feel I’m aware of certain budget issues in the community and I know I can help stabilize business here.

Barbara: My reason for running is because I’ve worked in this community for years and with a college degree in political science, I feel that I have the skills to help the district.

4. What are your strengths for the councilmember position?

Emily: I speak the truth in every situation, and I’m not afraid of what might come next.

James: I have a lot of experience in government and I feel my maturity will help the district.

Barbara: My biggest strengths for the position are my communication and grant writing skills.

5. How will you solve the traffic problems in Puna?

Emily: Throughout my past of being in the council, I’ve used geothermal funds to set up streetlights all over the district. Also with the funds, I was able to purchase two 33-passenger buses that would help transport people ⎯ to solve the traffic problems, my plan is to fix Highway 130 which goes from Keaau to Pahoa.

James: I feel that the idea of roundabouts will decrease traffic and make roads more safe for drivers.

Barbara: My plan is to advocate and help with maintenance.

6. What would be the first issue you would oversee as part of the council?

Emily: I’m always open to new ideas to improve the district.

James: The first issue I would oversee is the budget issues in the community.

Barbara: I would oversee the implementation of the community development plan by helping with zoning changes, job creation, and preservation.

7. How are you willing to help the youth?

Emily: In the past, I’ve donated school supplies to students all across the Puna district. I also made donations to numerous high school sports.

James: My plan is to create youth programs that’ll enable them to focus on their future rather than on violence.

Barbara: As a board member of two youth programs, I’m trying my best to give the youth opportunities that’ll help them stay away from violence.

8. What steps will you take to help the youth?

Emily: Along with the past donations, helping to create programs for the youth is important.

James: Creating recreational facilities and programs for the youth that will educate them more is a step towards helping them.

Barbara: Identifying what the youth need to keep them away from violence.

9. What's your opinion on decriminalizing marijuana?

Emily: I’m for decriminalizing marijuana.

James: Yes, I’m up for decriminalizing marijuana.

Barbara: I’m for decriminalizing marijuana but I’m against legalizing it.

Now that these candidates have given their views on certain topics, keep in mind, the primary election will be held September 18 and the general election is November 2. It’s your time to choose who you trust as the next District 5 county council member.

Byron's Health Tip Of The Day!

2010-07-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

My new favorite corn tortilla. Sprouted grain, 3 grams of fiber for two. Do you see a theme here? Put one ounce of cheese between two and fry in a dry skillet for a quesadilla. Nice healthy snack.

Eco-Friendly Tip of the Day!

2010-07-19T13:47:00.001-07:00

Eco-Friendly Tip of The day

When looking to buy bottles of water, look for the green-capped Dasani bottles of water! The green cap indicates 30% of plant-based material.

Disturbing facts about plastic bottles:

-Plastic bottles contain the chemical Bisphenol. Bisphenol is a compound in hard, clear polycarbonate plastics that mimics the effects of estrogen.

-Bisphenol can interfere hormone levels and cell signaling systems.

-In 2008, 2.4 billion pounds of plastic bottles were recycled.

-In 2008, another 10 billion pounds of plastic bottles were put into landfills.

-Only 10% of plastic bottles are recycled, leaving the other 90% in landfills.

-One ton of plastic bottles save up to 7.4 cubic yards of landfill space.

-In the time it takes to watch the Superbowl (3.5 hours) North Carolinians send 978,092 plastic bottles to the landfill.

-It takes more than 100 years for one plastic bottle to decompose.

Hamakua Land Dispute

2010-07-19T13:01:00.000-07:00

A Hawaii County Board of Ethics meeting was held on July 14 at the Hilo Lagoon Center to discuss a complaint brought by Shelley Stephens of Mountain View. The hearing was to discuss the status of approximately 737 acres of Hamakua Land currently up for sale by the county. Present at the meeting were three members of the ethics board: Chairman John Dill, Vice Chairman Anne Lum and Arne Henricks.
Stephens is associated with a group called Na Ohana O Moku O Keawe that claims the sale of the land is unethical. She brought the complaint against Mayor Billy Kenoi and the County Council.
Throughout the hearing, Stephens stated that the county had no right to sell the land because it legally belongs to descendents of King Kamehameha the Third, among them Albert Haa Jr., who was present at the meeting. Haa told the Youth News that King Kamehameha the Third faked his death then moved to Canada, he further stated that descendents of Kamehameha changed their names numerous times making the genealogy hard to trace.
Also present and active in the discussion were William JM Kuamoo and Gene Tamashiro. Tamashiro, the executive producer of Uamau Productions and a political activist, became part of a heated exchange with Vice Chairman Lum. “What are you afraid of?” Tamashiro asked at one point. Lum replied by stating, “What if I asked you to do plumbing at my house but you weren’t willing to? I would ask you, what are you scared of?” Tamashiro then said, “I am not scared of anything.”
As members of the Ethics Board insisted it was not their job to settle land disputes, Stephens asked Chairman Dill to write a letter referring to what she claimed were clouded land titles. Again the board members refused. The only result of the complaint and hearing was a vote to accept Stephens’ petition without action due to lack of jurisdiction.
Speaking on behalf of the county during a phone interview the following day, Hunter Bishop, public relations specialist for Mayor Kenoi, said Stephens’ claims are untrue. “We believe we have clear title to the property,” said Bishop.

Comment from the mayor’s office:

People of the Big Island will continue to protest land sold by the government for profit.

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-07-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Studies show that eating nuts several times per week, lowers the risk for heart disease by 30-50%; Eating 5 or more 1 oz servings of nuts per week, reduced the risk of Type 2 diabetes by almost 30%; Women in this study who ate 5 tablespoons of natural peanut butter per week, lowered it by almost 20%.

China UFO Sparks Uproar

2010-07-15T15:51:00.000-07:00

Right: Picture of a so-called UFO in China

On July 7, something unusual happened near the Xiaoshan Airport in Hangzhou, China. An oddly shaped bright light appeared, forcing the airport to close down and delay 18 flights. Things are now back to normal, but people are wondering, what was that "thing"?

An ABC News article on the mysterious sighting explains that some who witnessed the light are calling it a UFO. But, keep in mind, a UFO doesn't necessarily mean little, green men.

There is plenty of speculation on whether or not the object was some sort of military aircraft or missile. The ABC article explains that a day following the sighting, "an anonymous source told China Daily that authorities already discovered the identity of the UFO after an investigation but could not publically disclose the information because 'there was a military connection.'"

Authorities are continuing to look into the incident, but no public conclusions have yet been made. Despite, or perhaps because of the mystery, Web searches on "china ufo" quickly soared 576%. Related queries on "china ufo video 2010," "china ufo sightings," and "hangzou china ufo" also posted triple digit gains. Even now, a week after the sighting, online lookups remain high.

Truth be told, there's not much left to be said. Something weird happened. Nobody knows what it was. And if they do, they aren't saying. Check out the video (actually, a series of still photographs) below and judge for yourself.

A quick Video of the UFO sighting with more pictures at:
http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/93848?fp=1

***This Article Does not belong to Youth News, this article is the sole property of Yahoo.com***

Oil Spill Breakthrough!

2010-07-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

Right: Picture of an oil valve releasing a oil into the ocean

A new cap has been firmly fitted that is successfully preventing more oil from leaking into the Gulf of Mexico for the first time since April, BP said Thursday. The breakthrough was long awaited by weary residents along the coast. The stoppage is the most significant milestone yet in BP's effort to control one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history.

Kent Wells, a BP PLC vice president, said at a news briefing, that oil stopped flowing into the water at 2:25 p.m. Central Daylight Time after engineers dialed down the amount of crude pouring through the last of three valves in the 75-ton cap.

"I am very pleased that there's no oil going into the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, I'm really excited there's no oil going into the Gulf of Mexico," Wells said.

The stoppage came 85 days, 16 hours and 25 minutes after the first report April 20 of an explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oilrig that resulted in 11 deaths and the spill of crude into the ocean.

Now begins a waiting period to see if the cap can hold the oil without blowing a new leak in the well. Engineers will monitor pressure readings closely for up to 48 hours before reopening the cap while deciding what to do.

Though cap is not a permanent fix, the solution has been the only one that has worked to stem the flow of oil in nearly 3 months. BP is drilling two relief wells so it can pump mud and cement into the leaking well in hopes of plugging it for good by mid-August.

BP has struggled to contain the spill and had so far been successful only in reducing the flow, not stopping it. The company removed an old, leaky cap and installed the new one Monday.

Between 93.5 million and 184.3 million have already spilled into the Gulf, according to federal estimates.

Public Breast Feeding Issues

2010-07-15T14:35:00.000-07:00

Corky Harvey and Wendy Haldeman are two women who are making an effort to discourage criticism of mothers who breastfeed in public. At a little over 3,361 hits, their YouTube videos on the subject are not the most popular, but they contain important information. According to Harvey and Halderman, people all over the world stereotype mothers who breastfeed in public, with some going so far as to say that breastfeeding is disgusting. The problem comes because many of these people think of breasts only in a sexual way.

Harvey and Halderman also state that men are generally more supportive of breastfeeding then woman, claiming that a total of 30 percent of people surveyed in the U.S said they were comfortable with mothers who breastfeed in public, while the remaining 70 percent were undecided.

Milk from the mother is proven to be very good for babies, mostly because it contains a lot calcium and iron to make babies strong and viable. According to the World Health Organization, infants who are not breastfed constitute a risk group. Natural feeding is a tradition in Africa, where women recognize that mother’s milk is superior to anything that can be mixed with water, especially when formula has to be made in areas that are not sanitary.

In the U.S., however, women are more likely to listen to doctors who lecture that formula is more wholesome. Those opposed to formula note that babies and toddlers have died due to toxic ingredients contained in the formula. In China, some formula manufacturers added fillers to their products simply to make the container heavier and justify the high cost.

Those who are not inclined to breastfeed in public but still want to provide their babies with mother’s milk may use a breast pump and bottle their own. The key for success with this process is to keep the temperature of the milk just right. The drawback for these mothers is, if they don’t pump enough milk, they could have a major health problem — namely, mastitis, a breast infection that is very painful.

Breast pump aside, the only alternative is to wear the appropriate attire so that you aren’t calling so much attention to yourself when breastfeeding your baby.

At the Puna Women Infants and Children office of Bay Clinic, Honorah Domizio and crew are planning to participate in World Breastfeeding Week held each August. Their hope is to call more attention to this natural practice and help women who do breastfeed to feel proud of themselves. The Puna WIC office crew is creating a poster that will feature a number of celebrities who promote the practice. Actress Salma Hayek is one of the most dedicated mothers who breastfeeds, according to Domizio.

Search the Internet for information on this subject and you will easily find videos of Hayek sharing feelings like this: “I’m like an alcoholic. It’s like I don’t care if I cry or I’m fat, I’m going to do it for a whole week.”

The Puna W.I.C. crew wants to help mothers feel more relaxed with breastfeeding in public. “Maybe if mothers see that celebrities breastfeed, maybe they would like to do it too,” Domizio said.

Hoea Ea: Return To Freedom

2010-07-15T13:58:00.000-07:00

Hoea Ea means, “return to freedom” and it is the name given to what have become yearly gatherings promoting food sovereignty in Hawaii. The first event was held on the island of O`ahu, in the area of Waianae in 2006. This summer the Hawaii Island Hoea Ea was held at Onekahakaha Beach Park, Keaukaha at the Lihikai Cultural Learning Center, where it has been held for the past three years.

Lihikai Cultural Learning Center is located thirty yards from the beach on a site that was once occupied by Native Hawaiians who had no place to live. Their struggle to avoid eviction ended up with a promise from Hawaii County to make the land available for cultural uses. Uncle John Keoni Aweau Turalde, who is a fisherman, paddler and carver, held the county to their promise when he dedicated the site to the art of carving. Although Uncle Keoni is confined to a wheelchair with more then half his body paralyzed after a diving accident, his active lifestyle has enabled him to rebuild his strength.

With the help of family, friends and community service volunteers (including clients of Big Island Substance Abuse Council, inmates from Hale Nani and the children of Lanakila Learning Center), Uncle Keoni saw to it that the land was cleaned. After those years of hand clearing, he oversaw the planting of everything from coconut to kalo (taro). In the process, Awaao, a fishpond that had not been used for many years, was uncovered. The grand plan is for the fishpond and the food planted at the center to become part of a vital food resource for the Keaukaha community.

This Hoea Ea event took place from July 7 through July 11, with most of the 100-plus participants camping on site. It featured many hands-on learning experiences including building an imu, as well as preparing the sausage, kalua pig and smoke meat that was cooked in it – all from a pig butchered on site. Other delicious, homemade food items were enjoyed throughout the weekend with busy helpers making and sampling coconut milk and even kulolo made from that milk. The healthy food shared at the event was, for the most part, the same diet Native Hawaiians ate in pre-contact times.

Living a healthy and sustainable lifestyle was the theme stressed during the gathering. While participants learned how to maintain the fishponds, weave baskets, carve and make dyes, they were also taught the importance of recycling and composting. Delicious meals were followed by discussions about diabetes, and anyone who attended was welcome to receive ten minutes of lomilomi massage, free.

Nicole Kruse, 16, attended the first day and recommended it as a “great way for people who want to learn more about Hawaiian culture.” While Hoea Ea is a free event that is alos open to the public, registration is encouraged.

Nicole’s niece, Rachel Kruse said, “The fishpond was awesome.” Rachel, who is just seven, was also very impressed by the uncles who butchered the pig.

Return To School Date

2010-07-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Year is pass its half-way point, and the 2010-2011 school year is about to begin. For anyone who does not know or remember when school starts. Here are a list of schools from the East side of Hawaii Island and the days students will return to school.

Keaau High School- August 3rd

Keaau Middle School –August 3rd

Waiakea High School- August 3rd

Waiakea Middle School- August 2nd

Pahoa High School- August 3rd

Pahoa Intermediate- August 2nd

Hilo High School- August 2nd

Hilo Middle School- August 2nd

Kamehameha High School- August 5th

Kamehameha Middle School- August 5th

Connections- August 3rd

HAAS- August 2nd

Nawahi- August 2nd

Keanala’ahana- August 4th

St. Joseph- August 4th

Kua O Ka La- August 2nd

Eco-Friendly Tip of the Day With Kaulana McKee!

2010-07-15T13:39:00.000-07:00

CO-FRIENDLY TIP OF THE DAY WITH KAULANA MCKEE

STOP PLASTIC BOTTLE WASTE IN LANDFILL
USE YOUR OWN WATER CONTAINER & REFILL IT FOR YOUR EVERY USE

Disturbing Facts About Plastic Water Bottles:
• Americans buy about 29.8 Billion plastic water bottles a year
• Around 8 out of every 10 plastic water bottles will not be recycled
• Estimated that the production of plastics requires 4 percent of the energy consumption in the U.

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-07-15T12:34:00.001-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

The best tasting, healthiest hot dog ever !!! Applegate Farms, The great organic hot dog. Grass fed beef, low in fat and sodium. Island Naturals carries it. Pricey, but worth it. Here is a link for more info http://www.applegatefarms.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?id=2496

Namaste The White Bengal Tiger

2010-07-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

By: Kaulana McKee

Right: Namaste is a rare White Bengal Tiger that can be seen at Panaewa Zoo.

Namaste, the white tiger from Bengal, India, lives at the Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo on the island of Hawai’i. This 12-acre zoo is also the only rainforest zoo located in all of the United States. It features more than 60 species of animals and more than 40 different species of plants, flowers, and trees.

Namaste was born in Las Vegas on September 30, 1998. He will be turning 12 years old this year. A magician, Dirk Arthur, donated Namaste at the age of seven months to Rainforest Zoo because he saw the zoo’s tiger facility was available. Namaste is the only white tiger in all of Hawai’i.

The meaning of the tiger’s name is translated “aloha” from Sanskrit to Hawaiian. Tiger feeding is everyday at 3:30. Namaste, who is around 420 pounds, has a daily diet, which consists of around 5-6 pounds of meat and three whole chickens.

“I’ve witnessed him eating a peacock once,” laughed Roger, one of the zoo staff members that feeds and caters to Namaste regularly. When we asked, “What is unique about Namaste besides being a white tiger at a rainforest zoo?” Roger replied, “He is a little cross-eyed.”

Namaste has a greater chance of living to around 15-20 years old, which is 5-10 years difference than tigers not help in captivity. “Namaste is very loving and when his old trainer came to visit him on his tenth birthday, Namaste recognized him right away, but the trainer didn’t go in to pet him like before because he still is a tiger, and tigers are dangerous,” explained Roger. Come to visit your friendly tiger Namaste at Pana’ewa zoo. “You will either find him relaxing around or playing with his toy,” says Roger. Namaste loves the attention, so go to visit him or watch him eat at 3:30.

Eco-Friendly Tip of the Day With Kaulana McKee!

2010-07-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

ECO-FRIENDLY TIP OF THE DAY

Bring your own reusable shopping bag ($.99) for your every trip of shopping.

Disturbing facts about plastic bags:
• a single bag takes up to 1,000 years to fully break down
• creats pollution and major threat to marine animal and wildlife
• 99% of the 100 billion plastic shopping bags used in the US are never recycled

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-07-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Lack of sleep may lead to overeating. In a study with 12 healthy young men, on the day they only got 4 hours sleep, as compared to 8 hours the night before, they consumed 22% more calories, or 560 calories.

Junk Food Standards for Keiki Generation

2010-07-13T16:31:00.000-07:00

Right: Pirates Booty, a bag of chips surveyed by Youth News

A new nutritional standard for children ages 2 through 17, was proposed by the FTC, FDA, CSC, and the USDA on Wednesday, June 7. The guidelines that make up the standard require that high sugar and high fat products intended for consumption and marketed to children must also contain food.
The standards were first presented in a meeting December 2009 with the hopes they would be finalized by February or March. Although the USDA helped create the guidelines it was the only agency that did not sign off on the proposal. For many years the food industry has avoided change that would require a harsher standard for the products they want to sell to your kids. The guidelines consist of three standards. This a brief summary of the proposed standards:

Standard I:
Foods excluded for Standards II and III
-The following foods are part of a healthy diet and are allowed to be marketed to children with out meeting standards II and III
*Note: 100% is defined as no added nutritive or non-nutritive sweeteners or functional ingredients

Standard II:
Meaningful contribution to a healthful diet
-Foods marketed to children must have a meaningful contribution to a healthful diet

100% fruit and fruit juices in any form
100% vegetable and vegetable juices in any form; cannot exceed 140mg of sodium per RACC*
100% non-fat and low-fat yogurt
100% whole grain
100% water

Option A:
Food must contain at least 50% by weight of one or more of the following: fruits, vegetables, low-fat or fat-free yogurt and milk, fish, lean poultry, nuts, seeds, or beans.

Option B:
Food must contain one or more of the following per RACC
0.5 cups fruit/fruit juice
0.6 cups vegetable/vegetable juice
0.75 oz. equal to 100% whole grain
0.75 cups milk/yogurt; 1 oz. natural cheese; 1.5 oz. processed cheese
1.5 oz. lean meat or fish; lean poultry
0.3 cups cooked dry beans
0.7 oz. nuts or seeds
1 egg or egg equivalent

Standard III:
Nutrients To Limit
-Foods marketed to children must not contain more than the following amounts of saturated fat, trans fat, sugar and sodium.

Saturated Fat- 1g or less per RACC; no more than 15% of calories
Trans Fat- 0g per RACC
Sugar- no more than 13g of added sugar per RACC
Sodium- no more than 200mg per portion
*For foods with a small RACC (30 g or less or 2 tablespoons or less), the criteria refers to the amount 50g of food

Youth News purchased a bag of cheddar puffs called “Pirates Booty,” choosing from a variety of flavors including: veggie, barbeque, sour cream/onion, New York pizza, and sea salt/vinegar. These chips are made with all natural ingredients and are gluten and trans fat free. The ingredients consist of corn meal and rice, along with vegetable oil, aged cheddar cheese, whey and buttermilk. Because it meets the new standard, this snack would be considered safe to market to people ages 2-17.
We conducted a taste test among the workers at the Keaau Youth Business Center, all of whom were between the ages of 15-19.
Seven out of 10 people liked the healthy snack. “I love these chips; they’re the bomb” said Jasmine. But there were a few who didn’t take to the Pirates Booty complaining that they really couldn’t taste anything at all.

Workers are Given Hazardous Waste Training, But No Safety Equipment?

2010-07-13T16:22:00.000-07:00

By Christian Labuen

Last Thursday morning a number of groups organized by the Progressive Change Committee (PCC) called on President Obama to assist oil-spill clean-up workers in the Gulf of Mexico. These groups included Robert Kennedy Jr.’s Water Keeper Alliance, The United Commercial fisherman, The Louisiana Shrimp Association, The Commercial Fisherman of America, The Nassau Sierra Club in Florida, and the Louisiana Environmental Action Network. Together, those who signed onto the PCC petition, asked the nation’s chief executive officer to step in and demand that clean-up workers who prefer to wear respiratory protective equipment be allowed to do so. Previously, this was not permitted.

By afternoon, Obama’s Unified Command answered the call saying workers would be provided with respirators, while at the same time claiming they didn’t need them. On the same day, CNN reported that a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Agriculture who works with the Unified Command, backed up the claim by stating that air sampling provided no indication respirators were necessary.

The shift in BP’s policy came as welcome news to those it hired to clean up the Gulf of Mexico. Many of these workers, who are for the most part out-of-work fisherman, are claiming they have been made sick by exposure to chemicals associated with the oil spill.

Benzene and 2-butoxyethanol are just two of the chemicals causing concern. Both were detected in the area were workers are active as a result of tests conducted by BP, April 27 through June 1. These chemicals are said to cause a variety of ailments including skin rashes, blisters, coughs, sinuses, headaches, burning eyes, sore throats, ear bleeds and fatigue. Respiratory problems, central nervous system distress, and skin irritation are all associated with exposure to oil through either inhalation or skin contact.

While many workers cleaning up the oil have sought treatment for these same ailments, their local public officials have not shown concern. Instead they are following the lead of federal agencies, which have yet to find what the EPA has determined are hazardous levels of oil in the air or water.

Adding to the lack of concern is BP ‘s claim that once the oil hits shore, it is “weathered’ and no longer contains highly volatile compounds, such as carcinogenic benzene. BP has not addressed threats from dispersed oil, ultrafine particles, and the industrial solvents with proprietary compounds that are being used to disperse the oil.

Eco-Friendly Tip of the Day With Kaulana McKee!

2010-07-13T15:47:00.001-07:00

These eco-friendly Sanuk brand slippers are made out
of real yoga mat. These slippers are $25.95.

These eco-friendly Aegis brand sandals are made out of leftover hemp material. These sandals are $51.95.

YOU CAN FIND THESE ATTRACTIVE AND COMFORTALE FOOTWEAR AT Local Style IN PRINCE KUHIO PLAZA.

Justin Bieber Coming To Hawaii

2010-07-13T14:23:00.000-07:00

Teenage singing sensation Justin Bieber will be heading to Honolulu for two concerts in October.

Pre-sale (which includes a fan club membership) and VIP ticket packages will be available starting Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 9 a.m. Friday. For more details about the special packages, visit www.bieberfever.com.

A dollar from each ticket purchased will be donated to Pencils of
Promise, a charity Bieber supports that works to build schools around the world for needy children.

The Blaisdell Arena concerts on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 8 and 9, are part of the second leg of Bieber's "My World" tour.

Beiberʻs first two albums have produced six hit singles -- "One Time," "One Less Lonely Girl," "Love Me" and "Favorite Girl" from his debut "My World," "Baby" and "Somebody to Love" from his latest, "My World 2.0."

Justin Drew Bieber is a Canadian pop-R&B singer. Scooter Braun, who later became his manager, saw his short videos on YouTube.
Braun arranged for him to meet with Usher in Atlanta, Georgia, and
Bieber was soon signed to Raymond Braun Media Group (RBMG). RBMG is a joint venture between Braun and Usher. Bieber later signed to a recording contract with Island Records offered by L.A. Reid.

His debut single, "One Time", was released worldwide during 2009, and charted within the top 30 in over ten countries. It was followed by his debut release, “My World” on November 17, 2009, which was certified platinum in the United States; at the time it gave Bieber the highest debut by a new artist in the year, and made him the first artist to have seven songs from a debut album chart on the Billboard
Hot 100. His first full studio release, “My World 2.0” was released on
March 23, 2010 and has received similar success. My World 2.0 debuted at number one and within the top ten of several countries. The album was certified platinum in less than two months of release in the United States, preceded by the international hit song, "Baby.”

Tickets for Bieber's Hawaii shows will be available Friday at the Blaisdell Center box office, all Ticketmaster locations including Macy's Ala Moana and Pearlridge, and Kailua Sports Gear, charge-by-phone (800) 745-3000, and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Ticket prices range from $34.50-$54.50 according to the Ticketmaster website.

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-07-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

The best tasting, healthiest hot dog ever !!! Applegate Farms, The great organic hot dog. Grass fed beef, low in fat and sodium. Island Naturals carries it. Pricey, but worth it. Here is a link for more info http://www.applegatefarms.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?id=2496

Tyler Parks Financial Tip of The Day!

2010-07-08T18:15:00.001-07:00

The Federal Reserve System, also called the Federal Reserve, is the central banking system of the United States. It was created in 1913 with the addition of the Federal Reserve Act, as a response to several panics in the years before. Since then, things like the Great Depression have caused changes in the system, and the duties of the reserve now include influencing monetary and credit conditions in the economy, supervising and regulating bank institutions, maintaining stability in the financial system, and providing financial services to depository institutions.

According to the board of governors, made up of seven members serving 14-year terms, the Federal Reserve is not owned by anyone and is not a private, profit-making institution. But private banks make up much of the Federal Reserve. It works completely independent and has the authority to act without presidential or congressional consent.

Written by: Tyler Parks

Lebron is A...

2010-07-08T18:09:00.000-07:00

Lebron James is now apart of the Miami Heat! After weeks of anticipation, Lebron James finally reveals his decision to the public at an Ohio Boys and Girls Club. Youth News listened in to ESPN Radio Live for the announcement.

For more information go to http://www.espn.go.com

Written by: Jeffery Cabatang

Wilsonʻs By The Bay

2010-07-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

It’s a hot summer day in July and there’s a line to the door at Wilson’s by the Bay. “That’s normal to us,” says Aly, an employee. Aly and Rosa are the regular team working this small Downtown Hilo ice shave shop. The locally owned business is usually known by word of mouth; when you hear “Wilson’s,” everyone thinks of the place with the best and cheapest ice shave in all of Hilo. They also sell candy, t-shirts, tank tops, hats, long sleeves and delicious beverages.

Wilson’s started out as a very small business in a building up in Kaumana that is now known as Crivelho’s. Mark Sato and Leyson Sakai owned the business as a partnership 14 years ago when Mark decided to move to O’ahu. He sold his half of the business to Leyson who at the time was only 20 years old. As Leyson’s sister, Aly has been working in the family business since she was five. By comparison, Rosa has worked there for about five months.

When asked, on average, how many customers come into Wilson’s a day, Rosa and Aly look at each other in confusion. “It’s hard to keep track because people usually come in packs or families which makes both of us busy at the same time,” explains Rosa. “It’s normal for a line to be all the way out the door onto the sidewalk outside on a sunny day,” says Aly.

Wilson’s offers 18 different flavors for their ice shave, all of which are homemade by Leyson and come in three different sizes. . . keiki, small or regular. The deluxe ice shave is any size you pick and it includes ice cream and/or azuki beans. The keiki is $1.50, small is $2.50, regular is $3.50, and the deluxe is $4.00. You can also add extras like li hing mui seed for 25 cents or a crème topping for 50 cents.

Youth News asked both employees why they like working at Wilson’s. “I like being able to make customers happy. It’s just those little things like seeing little kids stoked about getting shave ice, those things just make my day worthwhile”, says Aly. Rosa shared this story: “There was this little girl that came in yesterday and ran back in the store after she had a shave ice to tell us ‘you guys are the best!’ And it’s things like that.”

Written by: Kaulana McKee

Bob Marley- Three Little Birds (With Lyrics!)

2010-07-08T16:32:00.000-07:00

BOB MARLEY-Iron Lion Zion

2010-07-08T16:31:00.000-07:00

Results of Our Reggae Poll!

2010-07-08T16:22:00.000-07:00

The winner of our Reggae music poll was Bob Marley! Starting to day we will be playing Bob Marley Music until next week Thursday!

Wahine Noa

2010-07-08T14:19:00.001-07:00

Keahi Felix was born on Maui in 1935 into a difficult lifestyle. Felix lost her mother at the age of four, and at 10 years old, she was put in an orphanage.
In the sixth grade, Felix’s grandmother took her to Oahu where she continued her education. It was during this time that she found an interest in writing. She wrote articles in her high school newspaper and the Honolulu Advertiser.

Felix later juggled being a teacher, waitress, and salesperson in a lumberyard. Felix was eventually dismissed from the lumberyard job because her boss said she couldn’t handle it, but despite the busy life she had, writing was still her passion.

At age 54, a car struck Felix while she was walking along the street. Felix spent two and a half months in the hospital. Both of her legs were broken and her pelvis was fractured. During that period she had a lot of time to think about her life and realized that she was not where she wanted to be in her writing career.

After her accident, Felix began writing a book that would talk about the illegal overthrow of our last ali’i nui, Queen Lili’uokalani, and the Kumulipo chant. Through her research, she learned a lot about Hawaiian history, but she also got inspiration from public gatherings she attended, including one which she remembers vividly. “Keep Hawaiian lands in Hawaiian hands” was a statement she heard over and over again, and it stuck with her.

As she wrote, Felix became more and more involved in her subject, even getting arrested for supporting Hawaiians who were hoping to build a cultural center on Kauai. The Hawaiians were protesting the bulldozing of their structures.

The process of writing her book took a long time and a lot of things happened on the way, affecting the things Felix wrote in her book. In June 2010, “Wahine Noa: For the Life of My Country” was finished. She translates the Hawaiian phrase as “women with no restrictions” in her book. In person, Felix takes the definition further stating it as, “women with freedom for the life of their country.”

So far, Felix has printed 1,570 copies of the book. She wants to write another book, based on her poetry. At 128 pages, her book is easy read, which is exactly the way she wanted it. The introduction to Wahine Noa is a good example of Felix’s writing style: “Dear Reader, Aloha. You are invited to engage in a new thought, in new thoughts of what the words Wahine Noa may mean using the explanation given above as a starting point, and the context of this book as a larger universe of ideas."

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-07-08T12:44:00.001-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Added sugar.....Look at labels and limit your added sugar intake to 5 grams per meal or no more than 30 grams per day. Most cereals are 15 grams or more per serving. And you know you eat two servings.

Laʻi ʻOpua

2010-07-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

By Jeffrey Cabanting-Rafael

If you take promotional materials at face value, the road to a greener tomorrow starts with the Department of Hawaiian Homelands La’i ‘Opua project.

La’i ‘Opua is a 100-unit village under construction on 3 acres of land in Kealakehe on Hawaii Island’s west side. The site of the village is above Kealakehe High School and Honokohau Boat Harbor. The community features single-family homes provided by Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) and, in many ways, they are standard.

However these homes will be equipped with photovoltaic and solar water heating panels to reduce the consumption of electricity coming from the grid. They are also structured to take advantage of the wind, with windows located and sized to increase natural ventilation.

Outside the homes, specially constructed driveways will be made of pervious concrete, a surface that allows water to run down driveways onto the landscape. The developers point to this technology as one of the features that will make La’i Opua a modern-day ahupua’a. Other features contributing to the ahupua’a concept include the promotion of community farming, the Hale Community Center, and the “story time” area where kupuna (grandparents) can share their mana’o with the children of the community and restore a connection to old Hawaii.

In a recent media release, Kaulana Parks, the chairman of DHHL stated, “We are continuing to build upon our foundation of being a master-planned community developer by capitalizing on energy efficient technology. We have always built affordable homes, and now we are building homes that are energy-efficient.”

Local organizations with an interest in self-sufficiency, such as Kamehameha Schools, Ka’ula Farms and The Queen Lili’uokalani Foundation, will assist community members in achieving the goal of producing their own food. Understanding it may be several years before the families in La’i ‘Opua will be sufficient on their own, the planners have established a two-year window for local practitioners to teach classes and give other forms of support.

La’i ‘Opua is the first self-sufficient community project DHHL hopes to build but it is not the agency’s only plan for this type of development. Kaulana Parks discussed the project during an “Energy Futures” broadcast with Donalyn Dela Cruz on KIPO Radio last month. Parks stated that the department hopes La’i ‘Opua will be the proving ground for larger projects. If everything goes well with La’i ‘Opua, then DHHL will go on with the Kau Puni project in Waianae on the island of Oahu. Here the plan is to build Kau Puni on 300 acres where it will be the department’s first large-scale, self-sufficient community.

During the live broadcast on KIPO, Parks also revealed a plan by DHHL to have a program that will educate people (buyers, contractors, etc.) to use efficient appliances that would help ease impacts on the environment at an inexpensive price.

“We are fulfilling our commitment to provide those on the wait list an opportunity for homeownership through this program that allows the lessee time to prepare to be homeowners,” said Parks in a previous news release.

As of now, there are 45 families offered a home in La’i ‘Opua. The 3-acre project in Kealakehe is aimed to be finished in December of 2010 according to Parks, who also said the families are eager to be a part of the community — one which he believes will change the way the world lives.

While La’i ‘Opua sounds like a great project, there are many things happening there with negative environmental impacts. According to the project’s site and house plans available at the Armstrong Builders website, there are only 45 units which will be equipped with green features. Armstrong Builders will serve as the contractor for the project. These 45 houses are part of an overall community of 4,263 homes scheduled for construction in the area.

Chuck Flaherty of ‘Apono Hawaii is a member of the Kona community with a longstanding involvement in development related issues there. (‘Apono Hawaii is a sponsor of the Youth News project.) Flaherty had this to say: “Bottom line is [45] supposedly green homes out of 4,263 is a joke.”

Flaherty expressed his concern with Youth News over the damage DHHL is inflicting on the natural dryland forests in the vicinity of La’i ‘Opua. In the area, there are five dryland forest species no longer located anywhere else in the world. Flaherty stated that dividing the forests into smaller areas is damaging. He also told Youth News that he has personally witnessed bulldozers destroying endangered plants and that while DHHL is supposed to avoid knocking down the endangered trees because they are in a preserve, he is concerned that trees are still coming down. He also sited concerns among tenants about the home designs.

For more information on La’i ‘Opua:
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2001/11/18/news/story4.html

http://www.hawaiibusiness.com/Hawaii-Business/January-2010/Steering-Growth-Short-Version/

http://www.armstrongbuilders.com/main/laiopua.html

http://hawaii.gov/dhhl/development-projects/lai-opua-plant-mitigation-and-preserve/PresentationBoard2.pdf

http://208.106.154.79/story.aspx?126367d3-1f05-4705-a1a7-b0a7d7e4016a

Tyler Parks Financial Tip of The Day!

2010-07-07T17:40:00.000-07:00

Many people buy into the stock market thinking the only option is to buy into companies and hope fortune is good all around, but there has to be someone playing the house, and that is the person short selling. To short sell means to sell something that has been borrowed from a third party, and then come back later to buy back the asset at the new (Hopefully Lower) price. So in other words, its like selling something now, and then buying it later, the opposite of buying something now and selling it later, which is the normal way to buy stocks.

The reason somebody would short sale is because they think that the price of a stock is going to drop, cashing out on the current value to prevent loss of money. After the value of the stock drops, the person who previously sold the asset at a higher price will buy it back cheaper than he/she sold it, hoping the value will rise again.

The Can Man! KYBC Comic Series!

2010-07-07T14:03:00.000-07:00

Click on pictures to view closer. You must click on pictures individually to see them.

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-07-07T12:53:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Weight loss tip for the day: Drink 16oz. of water 10-30 minutes before each meal.

Meet the Youth News Crew!

2010-07-06T18:16:00.000-07:00

Cinto Conol of the KYBC crew jammin Ukulele in the media lab.

Peter Facinelli Visits Kona Theaters

2010-07-06T17:24:00.000-07:00

By Jeffrey Cabanting-Rafael

Hawaii County “Twilight” fans received a treat last weekend from actor Peter Facinelli. Facinelli plays in the popular movie series as Dr. Carlisle Cullen, the father of Edward Cullen. Facinelli greeted fans with a warm smile and signed autographs, posed in a few pictures, and spoke about the Twilight Series.

On Thursday July 2, rumors surfaced through the KBIG FM Radio Station Facebook page about an unknown character from Twilight coming out to sign autographs at Makalapua Stadium Cinemas in Kona. Youth News immediately got busy with the story, heading out to Kona the very next day.

Upon our arrival, the entrance of Makalapua Cinemas was overflowing with people. Youth News walked around and asked questions about the Twilight rumor. A security guard working at the Cinema tried to discourage people waiting at the entrance. After introducing ourselves and asking about the Twilight rumor, she came closer and said, “We don’t know exactly who is coming, but we know that he or she is supposed to come around 9-11 p.m. So wait around till then.”

The Youth News Crew was lucky enough to watch the new Twilight movie “Eclipse” through the afternoon. Upon leaving the theater, we noticed a black GMC pulling up to Makalapua Cinemas. Then Peter Facinelli stepped out and made his way toward the entrance. Facinelli signed autographs for roughly an hour, and got back into the car and left.

Many people were ecstatic over Facinelli’s appearance, but the Youth News Crew questioned his visit. Why would he show up without the cast of Twilight and why was he in Hawaii? Youth News set out to find the answers.

According to “stuff.co” Megan Fox and Brian Austin Green were recently married at the Four Seasons Resort on the Island of Hawaii. Brian Austin Green, who once acted in “Beverly Hills 90210,” befriended co-actress Jennie Garth. Garth is married to Peter Facinelli. While the bodyguards prevented anyone from asking questions of the guest of honor, it seems likely that Facinelli was already on the island for the wedding of Fox and Austin Green and agreed to do some promotion for the movie.

When asked about the connection, Crissa Okamura of Mountain View had this to say: “That’s the reason he’s here, because he’s not here for the movie. His [Facinelli] wife [Garth] and Brian Austin Green are really good friends from [Beverly Hills] 90210, so they’re here.”

A Twilight fan posted a video on www.youtube.com and shared what he/she thought of Facinelli’s appearance, “It was great to have Hawaii included in the many Eclipse promotions! I feel like Hawaii fans are really left out of all the many events that [take place], it was nice to be included!”

Hurricane Season

2010-07-06T15:48:00.000-07:00

By Kenny Cabantng

Guess what time it is Hawaii? It’s summer time! You might think that summer is all about sunshine and great weather, think twice! For those of you who aren’t familiar with weather, especially when it comes to hurricanes, the optimistic idea of summer might fool you. Out of the four seasons we experience each year, summer is the season of hurricanes. From now till the end of November, the chances of these severe storms are huge.

“Hurricanes” are mass storms that consist of wind speeds between 74mph and 155mph. They also produce heavy rains, floods, and possibly tornadoes. Two factors that contribute to the beginning stage of a hurricane are moisture and instability. Starting at the Tropic of Cancer, the center of the equator, moisture from the Earth is released into the air. Along with the instability of the atmosphere, when both factors are combined, a hurricane starts to form.

Depending on the temperature of the water, it can either increase or decrease the size of a hurricane.

“Hawaii’s east waters are cooler than the west waters,” said Hawaii County Civil Defense Officer, Bill Hanson. “Warmer waters tend to build up the hurricane while cooler waters slowly deconstructs it.”

In the past, Hawaii has been destructively hit by hurricanes. Among the number of them that hit the state in the last century, Hurricane “Iniki” had the worst impact. As a result of the 1992 storm, which reached speeds up to 140 mph, residents on Kauai and Oahu faced up to billions of dollars in damage. Many buildings, homes, and roads were wiped out in minutes due to the force of the storm. The effect was a major devastation.

As we are now in hurricane season, two active storms, Celia and Darby are slowly heading west-northwest in the Pacific. Fortunately, with the temperatures of the waters, Celia is weakening. Darby, on the other hand, is traveling steady below Mexico at a speed of 7mph. With wind speeds up to 115mph, its strength is intense. Both storms currently show no threat to any land.

So Hawaii, now is the time to be on alert for any storm watch or warning. Hawaii County Civil Defense will announce a hurricane watch 48 hours prior to a storm reaching the island. A warning is then announced within 36 hours. Listening to the radio, watching the news, or searching the Internet for weather forecasts are great ways of being updated.

Think about it; if a hurricane were to hit your town or city, would you and your family be prepared? Take these actions to keep your family safe from a hurricane or other natural disaster:

Ÿ Find safe evacuation routes,

Ÿ Locate your local emergency shelter,

Ÿ Pack up with a supply of water and non-perishable foods,

Ÿ Be sure to always carry a battery-powered radio and flashlight, along with extra batteries,

Ÿ Always listen to the radio for any important storm watch,

Ÿ In case of any injury, create your own first aid kit containing band-aids, antibacterial, and personal medication,

Ÿ Have a supply of blankets and sleeping bags,

Ÿ Carry personal identification,

Ÿ Keep any important documents (insurance policies),

Ÿ Carry cash or a credit card.

For more tips on creating your own natural disaster emergency kit, you can go to the American Red Cross Website: http://www.redcross.org/

Though summer is all about fun in the sun, it’s time to be prepared for what might come next. Hurricane season is now in effect; take action, be updated, and be safe!

Byron's Health Tip Of The Day!

2010-07-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Latest research...three 15 minute cardio sessions performed daily (seperated by at least 3 hours), is more effective at fat loss than a 45 minute session done once daily.

Glenwood Park changed, good or bad?

2010-07-01T19:35:00.000-07:00

On any given weekend, across the street from Hirano Store on Highway 11, you will see a pavilion next to a public bathroom where local old-timers talk story late into the night. These days complaints are common during the sessions; frequent users are upset because the picnic table they’ve been sitting on for years is gone. While it seems the removal of the bench was an attempt to deter use of Glenwood Park, many still continue to frequent the public facility. When asked about the bench, locals claimed law enforcement officers removed it, but Youth News was unable to substantiate this.

Diane Kramer, who works for Councilman Guy Enriques as his legislative aide, reported that the councilman has his eyes on the site for one of many park-and-ride facilities that will soon be popping up all over the island. The purpose of these stations is to encourage the use of mass transit and carpooling. At the same time, Kramer admitted the other benefit would be to discourage public drinking and similar illegal activities in the area.

Enriques’ plan requires the transfer of the land now occupied by the park from the state to the county, and Kramer could not say when that would occur. That possibility has one Glenwood local concerned. “They have no right,” he said. “The park was donated by Hirano Store.”

When asked to share their thoughts regarding the planned removal of the park, locals had many things to say about the park and their dissatisfaction with Enriques. “It would be unjust,” was a frequent comment that best describes how the old timers are taking this idea.

“There is a $10,000 water tank and a $20,000 septic system they would have to sacrifice, [and] the cars will most likely be stolen right away,” said another un-named local of Glenwood.

Kramer confirmed that the restrooms and the water tank will be removed for the park-and–ride facility, which is basically nothing more than a parking lot. While it is hard to say how beneficial this improvement will be to the greater community, one thing is sure, those in the habit of using the park these many years are unhappy.

Boogie Kalama Surf Preview

2010-07-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

Right: Issac Hale Beach Park and pictures of Pohoiki

Today Youth News went to Pohoiki to cover the Boogie Kalama Surf Contest. There was a scheduled event for autistic kids that surf, but it got canceled. Instead, we interviewed surfers such as Mikey Hensley, Ikaika Kalama, as well as Ulu, Kiko, Tristi, and Manu Napeahi, children of Claire and Rex Napeahi. We asked them questions such as how often they go there and how long they have been surfing. They are all frequent Pohoiki surfers.

Ulu Napeahi, who is the youngest surfer we interviewed, has been riding waves since he was four years old. He is now 13. He learned to surf from his best friend, Godfrey, at Richardson’s Bay. The next person we interviewed was Mikey Hensley. He has been surfing since he was 12 years old and is now 18. A contestant in many surf and body boarding competitions, Mikey has won a couple of awards for body boarding and made it to the finals in surfing. We also interviewed Ikaika Kalama who is a professional, now living in North Shore, O’ahu. He has been surfing for 20 years and is 30 years old now. “Pohoiki is my home,” Ikaika said. Last we interviewed Manu, 14 and Tristi, 20, who reside in Kalapana and have both been going to Pohoiki basically all their lives. Their brother, Kiko, who is now 17 also surfs down Pohoiki. “We love it here”, say the Napeahi Family.

The waves were a bit choppy and high level winds blew throughout Pohoiki. There were lots of families camping and enjoying the sunshine. Some uncles were throwing net at First Bay.

The kick-off for the Ninth Annual Boogie Kalama Surf Meet begins at Hokulaniʻs Steakhouse at 6 p.m. The meet continues through the weekend, look for more reporting on Tuesday.

***There were too many pictures for the Article to hold, if you want to see the rest of the pictures than go to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/51435076@N02/?saved=1

Poll Of The Week!!!

2010-07-01T16:29:00.001-07:00

The Poll of the week will consist of 4 reggae music artists, asking the people who come to the Youth News website to watch the four following videos below and vote on who is the best! The poll is located on the left side of the screen!

Gregory Isaacs - Night Nurse

2010-07-01T16:29:00.000-07:00

Greggory Issacs-Night Nurse!

Ooklah The Moc - Hell Fire - Rearrange Your Positive

2010-07-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

Ooklah The Moc- Hellfire!

BOB MARLEY-Iron Lion Zion

2010-07-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

Bob Marley-Iron Lion Zion!

Mike Love performing "Permanent Holiday" at Lion In The Country

2010-07-01T15:30:00.000-07:00

Mike Love is one of the Featured Artists of Youth News Poll of the week.

Mochi Update

2010-07-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

Mochi Update from her owner . . .
"Today Mochi took her first sip of chicken broth on her own. Unfortunately, it was too hot and burnt Mochi’s tongue. After it cooled down I tried to see if Mochi would eat it, but Mochi wouldn’t go anywhere near it. So I had to put the soup into a syringe to help it go down."

"Today Mochi’s looking a lot better she’s starting to walk around more she still sleeps a lot though. I’m just waiting for her to get better."

If anyone knows of a pet doctor that can help Mochi, please contact us. The owners of Mochi do not have the money to take her to the vet. Anything that can help will be appreciated. Contact Kepohoni@yahoo.com or leave a comment.

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-07-01T11:57:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Added sugar.....Look at labels and limit your added sugar intake to 5 grams per meal or no more than 30 grams per day. Most cereals are 15 grams or more per serving . . . And you know you eat two servings.

Mochi Needs Your Help!

2010-06-30T19:15:00.001-07:00

Please Leave a Comment on what you think we should do to help Mochi the Chihuahua

Wahine Toa is a Family Affair

2010-06-30T18:19:00.001-07:00

Right: Preview of Wahine Toa Designs

Nita Pilago owner of Wahine Toa designs had a special R.S.V.P “Trunk Sale“ event Saturday, June 26; it was a hit. The sale started at 10 a.m. and by 10:01 the living room of her son’s home in Kaumana (about 250 sq.ft.) was filled with people. There were five racks full of beautiful dresses, tanks, skirts and pareus. The crowd, consisting mainly of women, kept flooding in through the doors until about noon. The clothes flew off the racks with everyone on their best behavior and the action never going past mini-eye battles. Nita and her family were very welcoming. In such a friendly and fun atmosphere, it was easy to shop.
A few weeks prior to the “Trunk Sale,” Nita posted the event on her Facebook page and e-mailed friends and family, asking everyone to R.S.V.P. The event was meant to satisfy pent-up demand. With an early sell-out at this year’s Merrie Monarch Festival, Wahine Toa is extremely popular.
Nita said, “It’s surreal to see people wearing my clothes.” She especially loves to see full-figured women looking good; that’s why Wahine Toa designs are made for all body types.
When her husband (Angel Pilago) decided to run for mayor in 2007, Nita left her job of 14 years at Costco to help him campaign and pursue her dream of designing her own clothing line. Thus Wahine Toa was created. It was hard at first because everything was handmade, but she stuck with it, eventually taking the manufacturing overseas. She searched for the perfect partner, looking for one that put aloha into their product and finally decided on Indonesia. Wahine Toa is a family-owned and operated business. Nita, her husband Angel, her sons Che and Kaleo are all artists contributing behind the scenes.
Nita says her designs are made to empower women. The six current themes are Wahine Toa, Ahapuaa, Tiare, Plumeria, Kalo and Hihimanu. Wahine Toa represents the duality of women, who are strong yet nurturing. It conveys the dignity woman must uphold and honors them as givers of the breath of life.
Wahine Toa can be found at Nita’s home in Kona, Maoli Arts on O’ahu, Iolani Palace, Native Books, and Jeff Hunt’s Surf Shop in Pahoa. Nita also participates in various open markets and events such as Hoea Ea, Waimea Aloha Week and Nawahi’s Ho’olaulea. Look out for her new summer line. You can find more contact information at http://www.wahinetoadesigns.com

Trouble With Pictures?

2010-06-30T18:18:00.001-07:00

We are sorry for any problems that may surface with the pictures on our website. If the pictures are not loading properly than please copy and paste the following link to Flickr.com which has all article pictures and descriptions:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/51435076@N02/?saved=1

Pit Bull Owners Speak Out

2010-06-30T15:02:00.000-07:00

Below:Daimond poses for the Camera

Right: Pretty takes close up picture

Marlena Dedrick is a stay-at-home mother to one child and also a mother to Pretty, a 18-month-old blue nose pit bull born March 7, 2008. According to Dedrick, Pretty will be entering the dog show in Hilo Bayfront next month. Pretty will be showing off her beauty in the appearance contest. When it comes to her feelings about pit bulls, Dedrick blamed the owners for the breed’s bad reputation, explaining that dogs are reflections of the owners that raise them.

Allen Mahoe is the proud owner of Diamond, a purebred pit bull. He also has a website called 808bluepitbull.com. Diamond is the daughter of Tubbs and Li’ili’i born July 4, 2007. The bloodline of Diamond’s mother and father contain sierra, gaff, and razor edge blue nose pit bull, all variations of pit bull breeds. When she was just five months old, Diamond did her first weight pull at a Hilo show; it was just practice. Her most recent pull was in November and she placed second. Diamond is very strong and she has proved it by pulling about 4,000 pounds in a competition, and 5,000 pounds in a practice pull. Today she weighs 60 pounds; there will be an upcoming show at Hilo Bayfront sometime in the month of July. Sadly Diamond will not be attending this show because of airfare costs.

Starr Yamada is a 10-year worker at the Keaau Humane Society. She is also the owner of Ruby, a two-year-old Staffordshire rescued from the side of the road. Ruby may be a Staffordshire, but she still comes from the pit bull bloodline. Starr stated that at least 50 percent of all dogs brought into the Humane Society are at least part pit bull. When pit bulls are brought in they are treated equal, going through a few tests to show any aggression towards a person or another dog. “Ruby is a very loving,” says Starr. Starr also says there is an off-the-leash dog park that will be opening July 24. Although pit bulls have a bad reputation, hopefully this park will show other people that pit bulls can be very good dogs if the owners of the dog raise them well.

Tim Watson is the owner of Game Over Kennels in Mississippi, which was opened six years ago. When asked about the behavior of pit bulls, Watson said they “crave attention and discipline, sorta like children. If you don’t get out their energy it turns into mischief!” Watson also said he will only put down a dog if the vet recommends it. “A dog that’s not breed-able or is retired we find pet homes.”

Cameras In Pahoa

2010-06-30T14:18:00.000-07:00

Right: Pahoa Town

It’s stories like this that best explain the rationale for installing surveillance cameras in Downtown Pahoa:

“Three years ago, I had the unique experience of visiting the town of Pahoa. At that time, I had heard that the town was seriously deteriorating with crime; that it was infested with drug dealers, and that its citizens were fearful of even being in town. On that day, while still in my business suit, Mitch Roth took me to Pahoa to see the
area. At one point in the middle of town, Mitch pulled the car over when he got a cell phone call. During his conversation, a Pahoa gentleman walked up to my side of the car and offered to sell me drugs. I looked at this gentleman with complete surprise, and asked him to repeat himself. He did. Although totally speechless, I declined his offer, and we then drove off.“

U.S. ATTY. ED KUBO, addressing the Hawaii County Council chambers August 28, 2006

One year after Kubo’s experience, Pahoa became Hawaii’s only Neighbor Island - Federally Designated Weed and Seed site. As part of that program, the community installed cameras in numerous locations to keep a watchful eye over the town. These cameras were funded by the Weed and Seed program at a total cost of $5000. The Weed and Seed program is a community-based strategy sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice. It aims to prevent and control crime in neighborhoods throughout America. With cameras installed, the community should be a much safer place, unless of course . . . they were disconnected?

"The cameras have been disconnected several times," admitted county prosecutor Mitch Roth. The reason he gave was that the power box had to be moved, although many in the community suspect they were vandalized. Even though the cameras have been working on and off, Roth credits them with helping to reduce crime in the area. "The cameras were just one of the many pieces that brought crime down," he said. "There are less fights and drug dealing since they have been put up, but it is the community that is stepping up to prevent crime.”

Youth News traveled to Pahoa to scout out the location of the cameras and gauge public opinion about them. A man who wished to remain anonymous commented that they were a waste of funds and time. “The cameras aren’t after the high-end drug dealers, who are careful enough to avoid cameras,” he said. He also expressed concern for pedestrians who come under surveillance.

It's been about four years since the original cameras were installed, and now it’s time to get new ones, this time funded by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. They have agreed to provide funding for the replacements, which are $25,000, and are scheduled to be installed as early as the beginning of July. The new cameras will have improved coverage. The footage will be processed to a hard-drive. "They will not be monitored all the time", said Roth. "When something happens, we'll look at it.” Cameras will also be installed in areas such as Hilo, Akaka Falls and Kailua-Kona. Hopefully, the new cameras should be up and running in the blink of an eye.

Hawaii Island Youth News Recognized

2010-06-30T14:04:00.000-07:00

Right: Rod Thompson, a volunteer for the Hawaii Island Youth News Team and member of the Big Island Press Club, helped the Youth News team get noticed by BIPC

Our own Hawaii Island Youth News Team has been recognized in the Big Island Press Club Newsletter!

The following section is a part of the BIPC newsletter that recongnized the KYBC Hawaii Island Youth News Team and Ikaika Hussey of The Hawaii Independent.

Journalism at Keaau Youth Business Center – For the second year, Alu Like, supplemented by other sources, is funding a six-week news media program for high school students of Hawaiian ancestry at the Keaau Youth Business Center in the Keaau shopping center.
The four day a week program is directed by Kristine Kubat, the former editor of the Big Island Weekly. Among volunteers assisting her are BIPC members Tiffany Edwards Hunt and Rod Thompson. About 20 “interns,” ages 14 to 18, participate in the program, which includes news gathering and writing, as well as electronic media production. The interns are hired as employees and paid minimum wage. Polished stories are published by www.thehawaiiindependent.com operated by Ikaika Hussey, a political science graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Ikaika says – Here’s an excerpt from editor-publisher Ikaika Hussey’s recent status report on his online newspaper, which he and others began in 2008.
“We’ve decided that the best thing we can do for the community, right now, is to dramatically grow our breadth and reportage so that we can compete with the new Star-Advertiser, and thus offer our readers and Hawaii’s small businesses a viable alternative. So in addition to our normal hyperlocal community coverage, we’re starting to present more breaking news, and regular coverage of local politics and economy. If we can’t cover a story with our own reporters, we’ll link to others who can—including the Star-Advertiser.
“We’re very interested in hiring former Honolulu Advertiser writers, but we’ve been stymied by restrictive severance arrangements which are preventing those highly-experienced writers from seeking other employment until July.”

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-06-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

Fiber !!! You must be eating at least 20-30 grams and 40 is even better. Try adding 1/2 tsp (2 1/2 grams fiber) of Metamucil clear and natural to a glass of water before every meal or snack. Start off slow or you may be in the bathroom all day.

Byronʻs Health Tip of The Day!

2010-06-29T17:50:00.000-07:00

Byron Pranger is the owner of Aloha Fitness located at 215 Railroad Avenue, Suite B2, Hilo, HI 96720-4513. Byron and co-owner Tunya provide a friendly environment to take part in weight lifting, aerobics, zumba, and much more.

You can safely eat whole eggs daily. The yolk is good for your brain, eyes, heart and may protect against breast cancer. Six eggs per week, as compared to two, lowered breast cancer risk by 44%. The yolk also helps prevent the accumulation of cholesterol and fat in the liver. Take that, you egg white only people! I choose organic or omega 3 eggs, as these are higher in healthy omega 3's. Also, there is 6 grams of protein in one whole egg. You throw away 3 grams of protein with the yolk.

Robotics Competition at UH Hilo

2010-06-29T17:21:00.000-07:00

Right:University of Hawaii at Hilo hosted the Marine Advanced Technology Education Robotics Competition

On June 24-26, UH-Hilo hosted the Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) competition, which drew 60 teams from all over the world. Alongside student competitors from Russia, China, Canada, Taiwan and Scotland, five teams represented America’s 50th state. They were Kapiolani Community College, Moanalua High School, Highlands Intermediate School, Kealakehe Intermediate School, and Hilo High School.

When the Youth News reporters arrived on Thursday afternoon, the British Columbia team had already passed their safety check and had their ROV in the pool. ROV means “remote operated vehicle.” During the time the reporters observed the teams, a total of three ROVs took turns diving, circling and making other maneuvers all to be sure the equipment would meet the judge’s requirements for these underwater robots.

Youth News interviewed students from Florida, who are actively involved in research related to the gulf oil spill. The students are West Florida residents who attend Pine Forest High. They recently used their ROV in a real life situation, collecting oyster clumps before the oil made its way to Pensacola. They talked about how their nice white sands, once a beautiful sight to see, are now all black. The students also reported that although they received funds of $5,000 to build their ROV, they really only needed $3,000. The biggest single expense in that budget was their manipulator, which cost $1,000.

Also, on hand were students from Hilo Intermediate who were selling mini ROV kits. Cindy Fong the teacher of the Hilo Intermediate School robotics class, organized the sale as a fundraiser for the Hilo team.

The competition ended Saturday and the judges announced the winners for the ninth annual ROV event that day. First place went to First Flight High School of Kill Devil Hill, North California. Second place went to Clarenville High School, California. Finally, third place was given to Aptos High School. Though Hilo High School did not place among the top three, they HHS team was given an award in the Ranger class, winning the “Biggest Bang for the Buck” prize. A team awarded this prize must spend the least money for their ROV.

Sustainable Island Products

2010-06-28T20:13:00.000-07:00

Right: SIP Logo

Jesse Law is the founder and present owner of Sustainable Island Products (SIP) and also has two degrees in green building. SIP is a eco-friendly based company that sells non-toxic green chemicals such as glass cleaners, bathroom cleaners, hand soaps, Sternos, and many more. SIP also sells cups, spoons and sushi trays, to name a few, which are made from leftover corn material. The plates are made from leftover sugar cane materials. He first started this business in January of 2007. He moved here from New Mexico a few years ago and immediately wanted to help the community here. He was inspired to make a change and do something about the landfill issues, which have been going on for many years. Law said, “I just want to help the place wherever I live. There was too much trash and the government couldn’t agree on what to do with it.”

One option was to burn the trash, which is the option Law was definitely against. So Law looked for other options, he came up with compost material. Most of his consumer items are biodegradable in 90 days or compose to soil.

SIP sells many items at low prices, making consumers attracted to their products. Cups are made out of corn and the paper is made out of sugar cane. All of the items are also imported from Asia, but the Styrofoam comes from Oahu. The glass cleaner that was Eco-friendly shocked many people. Not only did you save the environment from many chemicals, but also you would save yourself lots of money. If you buy one reusable spray bottle and a gallon of glass cleaner, you wouldn’t have to keep buying regular spray bottles in the store, which aren’t recyclable. You could just refill the spray bottles with your galloon of glass cleaners and use it much longer than a regular spray bottle. Helping the environment by keeping all those spray bottles out of the landfills.

When asked why he wants to make a change to a community he is still new to, he said, “Everyone should steward the community they live in. I’m a steward, I want to help people, help the community.”

Trouble with Pictures?

2010-06-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

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Ukulele Jazz Concert Feat. Benny Chong and Byron Yasui

2010-06-28T17:51:00.000-07:00

Right: Benny Chong and Byron Yasui pose for the camera

By Kenny Cabanting

Hawaii has many characteristics that make the people who live here different from those living on the Mainland. The arts here, especially, are expressed through the various types of instruments and dances of Hawaiian culture. From a number of instruments, the “ukulele” is the most well-known and used in modern Hawaiian music. For some time, the sounds of the ukulele have been heard in pop and reggae; now it’s being heard in a jazz form of music.

Musicians took part in was a concert held last Friday, June 25. The historical Palace Theatre in Downtown Hilo hosted the ukulele musicians, Benny Chong and Byron Yasui. The duo performed blends of ukulele and jazz. As the opening act of the concert, local band, Ben Kaili and Friends began the evening with wonderful acoustic sounds.

Before the concert I had the opportunity to interview Benny Chong. As a self-taught learner of the ukulele, Benny grew up on Oahu, hoping to make music of his own. The main sources that inspired him to become a musician were his uncles. Learning chord after chord, Benny was able to conjure up and also build his creativity from simplicity. By taking songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” and “Crazy G,” and adding his own flavor to it. He showed his originality along with his ability to progress as a musician by combining the older songs with his own mixtures. Benny has been performing as a musician all his life, first off playing solo, then at the age of 18 forming “The Ali`is.” He eventually went on to perform with Jake Shimabukuro and Byron Yasui.

His experience and journey as a musician is still flying high, displaying incredible sounds on the ukulele. With knowledge of playing various types of music, Benny considers “contemporary music” his favorite genre.

In my sit-down interview with Benny, he said, “I can teach music, but I cannot teach creativity.“

His strong words were inspiring given the fact that music is about expressing an individual’s thoughts or feelings and about not what others think. In the end, I asked him, “What advice would you give young musicians out there?” Benny replied back: “Don’t make music a full-time job. . . only a small percentage of people will actually make it.” Teaching is an aspect that Benny loves. With already one album out titled “Ukulele Jazz,” he now wants to take on other projects such as creating books and videos about playing the ukulele.

Also included in the Ukulele Jazz duo is Byron Yasui. He has a significant background in music. As a music professor since 1972 at University of Hawaii at Manoa, his knowledge for this type of art is put into teaching. Skilled in music composition and theory, jazz double bass, guitar, as well as ukulele, Byron’s passion for music is endless. Once being part of the symphony, he now performs all over the country. The works he produced as a composer earned him numerous awards as well as the opportunity for those works to be performed in prestigious theatres, such as Carnegie Hall. Byron now has one album out titled “Anahola” which features a number of island contemporary songs. In the future, there are many more music projects that he wants to take on.

Soon after, on center stage, both Benny and Byron presented their ukulele jazz music. Sponsored by the Hilo Palace Theatre and VKG Enterprise, this spectacular event displayed the great talents of the two musicians. Benny on ukulele, and Byron playing the double bass as well as the ukulele, the duo filled the theatre with incredible music. Performing a medley which included “The Mickey Mouse Club Theme Song” and “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” the audience had a chance to reminisce their childhood. Among the many pieces they played, the most interesting was composed by the famous Tchaikovsky — “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” The duo’s ukulele version of the composition was impressive. Throughout the evening, the audience enjoyed the entertainment provided by both Benny and Byron and in the end, a stand up ovation made the concert a perfect success.

Woman walks 240-miles for Special Needs Children

2010-06-28T17:17:00.000-07:00

Right: Angelina Lovato poses with a child that has special needs

By Quelyn Ni'ipali and Jade Shimizu

Once again, 58-year-old, Angelina Lovato from Captain Cook completed a 240-mile walk around Hawaii Island. Lovato’s goal was to raise money for Hawaii Island’s special needs children. Lovato started her first marathon walk on June 8, 2009, from Konawaena Elementary where Lovato works as a reading tutor.

For her second annual marathon, the route she followed started on Malamahoa Highway. This year she began every morning before the sun came up, between 5 and 5:30 a.m. to take advantage of the colder temperatures. Lovato’s husband, Randy, followed her with their van full of medical and nutritional supplies. “My job, is to keep her safe,” said Randy.

Everyday for 12 days she walked 20 miles. There were many supporters encouraging her at rest stops. This year the marathon started on May 27, 2010 and ended June 7, 2010. There were different host families that Lovato and her husband would spend the night with.

At the end of the walk, Lovato’s feet were covered in blisters. As crazy as this sounds, Lovato said “I’d actually like to complete this walk two more times, so I can say I walked 1,000 miles for the kids.”

Her fund goal was $15,000 and her long-term goal is $150,000. Lovato raised $9,300 before, during her 2009 efforts and after the marathon. Angelina wants to raise enough money to develop a facility

Kellogg's Recall

2010-06-28T15:46:00.000-07:00

Right: Four cereals recalled by Kellogg's

Kellogg’s Brand Cereal, the world’s largest cereal company June 25 recalled around 28 million cereal boxes across America due to various complaints by customers. Cases of nausea and vomiting were reported with 20 customers complaining they noticed a nasty smell coming from the cereal. Kellogg’s spokesperson Adaire Putnam said the “waxy” odor could make people sick. The cereals with the most recalls are Fruit Loops, Apple Jacks, Pops, and Honey Smacks.

The Kellogg’s franchise is trying to identify what substance on the liner is causing the problem. The president of the company, David Mckay, formally apologized to the public for this incident, stating the customer’s health and safety is top priority for the company. To check if you own one of the boxes being recalled, look at the expiration date on the box. The affected boxes are dated March 26, 2011 and June 22, 2011.

The Kellogg’s decision comes in a period where other high-profile voluntary recalls have been made by businesses such as McDonalds and Girl Scout Cookies; however, unlike these recalls, the Kellogg’s incident posed no health risks. With consumers being asked to return products to the shelves so frequently, many of them might worry that producers are getting careless about the things they release.

Kellogg’s reaction to the complaints came quickly with the troublesome products coming back in a short amount of time, still there were concerns about how it was handled. Alina Popescu tweeted this on the Everything PR website: “What puzzles me is that the recall has happened on Friday but according to the Examiner.com coverage of the topic, they waited until Sunday to issue a press statement explaining the situation.”

On the consumer alert website for the Kellogg’s franchise, the company stated, “These packages are being recalled because we identified a substance in the package liner that can produce an uncharacteristic waxy-like off-taste and smell. The off-tastes and smells are caused by a slightly elevated level of a substance commonly present at very low levels in the waxy resins used to make packaging materials that are approved by the FDA. These resins are also commonly used to coat foods such as cheese, raw fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers. We did not find any substances that are not commonly used in packaging materials.”

Youth News sent two reporters to the closest grocery store and they were unable to find any product dated during the recall time frame.

For more information on the topic refer to http://consumeralert.kelloggs.com/consumeralert.aspx?id=3870

You may also contact the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at the following number: 888-801-4163. If you a box of cereal reported in the time zones of affected boxes, contact the company and a full refund will be given.

Trouble With Pictures

2010-06-24T18:50:00.000-07:00

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Hands Across The Sand

2010-06-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

Right:Hilo Bayfront and Kailua-Kona Pine Trees, gathring places on the Hawaii Island

By: Jeffrey Cabanting-Rafael and Cheyenne Olivera-Coltes

Hands Across The Sand is coming to Hawaii. According to the organization’s overview, the movement is an effort involving people from all walks of life and political affiliations coming together to protect the oceans and marine wildlife, as well as the coastal economies affected by off-shore oil drilling. Hands Across the Sand is not about politics; it is about sharing knowledge, energy and passion.

The founder of Hands Across the Sand, Dave Rauschkolb, had this today on his Facebook account: “We are fighting for the protection of our coastal legacy to pass on to our children and grandchildren. If we don't succeed, the pipelines will come, the rigs will come, the refineries will come and surely the oil spills will follow and our beautiful waterways and coastline will be forever changed. We have a very good chance to change all that. We are protesting to protect so much we value.”

Saturday June 26 is the day people will gather on the shores of different regions around the world to actually join hands to make their statement. Countries such as Greenland, Australia, and the United States will be participating in this action.

Locally, Hawaii Island residents will gather at Hilo Bayfront near Pauahi Street, at local area called Pine Trees in Kailua-Kona, and at mile-marker 69 on Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway in the Waimea area.

On Oahu, people with gather at Waikiki Beach near the Duke Kahanamoku statue just next to the intersection of Kalakaua and Kapahulu Street. Laniakea Beach, which is located at the four mile-marker of Kamehameha Highway on the North shore of Oahu. The last area on Oahu to gather is Haleiwa at 61-031 Kamehameha Highway.

This gathering’s mission is to raise awareness and help citizens around the world say no to offshore oil drilling and yes to clean energy usage. The group and its supporters hope to convince state legislators, governors, Congress and President Obama to stop the expansion of offshore oil drilling, while urging them to adopt policies that favor clean and renewable energy sources.

To get involved contact . . .

Frankie Stapleton-Bayfront Director

808-965-8945

franiestapleton@hotmail.com

Leilani Lee-Kailua Kona Director

Leelilani@aol.com

Eve Kuhlmann-Kamuela/Hapuna Director

415-342-9532

lavamomeve@yahoo.com

E Malama Waiaha Music Video

2010-06-24T18:00:00.000-07:00

Youth Project Music Video E Malama Waiaha

News Toon

2010-06-24T13:38:00.000-07:00

Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle placed a bill that would legalize civil unions in Hawaii on a potential veto list she released Monday. Lingle must either veto or sign the bill or let the bill pass into law without her signature by a July 6 deadline. She has given little public indication of what her decision will be, however, historically a majority of measures that have appeared on the potential veto list have been turned down, reported the Associated Press.

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Picture by : Nainoa Kalaukoa

Kailua Kona Manʻs Medical Marjiuana Seized

2010-06-23T16:29:00.000-07:00

Right: Jeffrey and Lauren Contella
Below:Contellaʻs Medical Marijuana Plants Being Seized

Jeffery Contella, a local 26-year-old man from Kailua-Kona had his medical marijuana plants confiscated by the Kona police department from him on June 8, 2010.

Contella suffers from insomnia, chronic pain, back pain, and chronic nausea. He is disabled due to his back injury, which was caused by a 2005 car accident. From then on Jeffery was taking prescription xanax and oxycodone. Thanks to marijuana, Contella was able to reduce the amount of opiates taken a day. Jeff’s doctor, Charles Webb of Hilo, recently qualified his sister Lauren Contella with a medicinal marijuana license because she is diagnosed with extreme pain from the removal of her ovarian systems.

Around 10 a.m. on June 8, Lauren Contella and her boyfriend were having a domestic dispute, which resulted in six police cars on the street outside of their home. Shortly after that, Jeff’s sister and her boyfriend were placed under arrest on the street. A man, who identified himself as “Chad,” arrived in plain clothes. He didn’t show a badge or gun and didn’t show a warrant. Contella said he asked Lauren and Jeffery to see their medical marijuana licenses, then seized the legal cards.

The man, who eventually was identified as Det. Chad Taniyama, also seized all of Contella’s 14 legal plants without leaving a receipt. Taniyama placed the budding plants into a separate bag, and then sat in the driveway for 30 minutes alone, stating he didn’t have a police car and was waiting for a ride with Jeff’s14 Cannabis plants in garbage bags. Taniyama also took both Jeff and his sister’s legal marijuana licenses with him, said Contella.

Lt. Chong of vice narcotics squad in Kona returned Jeffery and Lauren’s medical marijuana cards to their mother and permitted them to grow again. Youth news tried to get in touch with Taniyama, but there was no response. “I want to inform the public of just how vicious these officers are when confiscating patients medication,” Jeff said. “They just don’t care about our ailments and treat us like drug users, or pushers in some instances.”

Football Camps Aid High School Players Get to College

2010-06-23T14:45:00.000-07:00

Below:Number 93 Kainoa Peʻa NAU Defensive Linemen Right: UH Manoa Offensive Linemen Jordan Loeffler.
Both Support and Encourage Players to attend Football Camps

For young people in Hawaii it can be hard to get to college on a sports scholarship, especially if their chosen sport is football. Many of the better players on local teams are smaller in size than their mainland competitors and coaches/scouts will often judge them based on their size, but first impressions are not always right.

This is where the football camps come in, giving these talented players exposure to the same people who would sign them up and make their dreams of a football scholarship come true. Just ask local boys Jordan Loeffler, Kalani Aldrich, Simisi Tokolahi, Daniel Te’o-Nesheim and Max Unger.

Among all the football camps offered throughout the state, the Honokaa Prime Time Clinic, Just Win Camp and PIAA Combine are the held on Hawai’i Island. These camps also help the coaches who come from around the nation to get information about players. Jordan Loeffler is a 2009 Hilo High School graduate, who is now on the Warriors Football Team for the University of Hawai’i. He attended the Maui Just Win Camp where the coaches compiled statistics about his strength, speed and agility. This information was then sent to over 400 colleges with football programs around the nation. By the time he attended the Honokaa Prime Time Clinic, coaches from the University of Hawaii knew about him. And although this clinic focuses mostly on instruction, the UH coaches scouted him out. From there he was signed and received a scholarship.

“I think local football camps are great, great for other kids that don’t have assets. . . So what camps do is that they expose those kids that don’t stand out with size,” said Loeffler in an interview via Facebook. Loeffler also stated he appreciated how much the community support local boys who play at the college level.

Coaches such as Patrick Chong of Waiakea High School look at football camps as important opportunities for student athletes, giving players exposure through which they can have a chance to move on to college. He said, “I believe that the football camps held on the Big Island, and across the state for that matter, are wonderful opportunities for Hawaii's student athletes, trying to further their education and get to that next level in their particular sports.” Chong also had this comment: “Remember though, high school players are student-athletes; there is a reason that student comes before athlete.”

When asked about football camps, Coach Lito Soifua of Saddleback University said, “Any type of camps that allows fundamental instructions for football players are a major plus. Getting the quality information relayed to the players from coaches, by demonstrations, film break down, chalk talk and on the field drill work is another subject. Often times some camps may seem like a great idea and the proposal sounds inviting but end up being beneficial for only those holding it and doesn’t serve its purpose whether it’s technical teaching or exposure for players.”

Coach Soifua once coached at Waiakea High School and he knows all too well the disadvantages local players face. He strongly advises players to join these camps and stated complacency is the greatest obstacle Hawaii high school football players face.

From June 15-17, the second annual Just Win Camp was held on Hawaii Island. Kainoa Pe’a is a 2006 Hilo High School graduate who was recognized thanks to the Just Win Camp on the island of Maui and now plays for NAU (Northern Arizona University). When told about the recent camp held here, he was surprised and even expressed his opinion that if the Just Win Camp was on the Big Island while he was in high school, he may have gone much farther than just NAU. “One of the hardest things for island boys is leaving home,” said Pe`a. “When we leave home, we don’t have the same aloha around in the mainland. Our families are miles away and we have to get used to not going home to a hot meal on the dinner table with Mom and Dad.”

Getting to college may be a tough road, but with the exposure through football camps players acquire athletic scholarships and increase their chances for academic scholarships. Eric Johnston a local football coach said, “Camps would have buckled me down. I had all these scholarships, but my school work. . . That’s why as a coach I stress grades.”

“Camps should not be the means to an end,” stated Coach Soifua. “If High School players want to get recognized whether it’s locally or nationally, they must put in the time and work both on and off the field. First, [they must meet] all the high school core classes required by the NCAA Clearinghouse, maintaining a 2.5 GPA or better [and] meet scores of the S.A.T. or A.C.T. which would qualify for him or her to a 4-year institution. If none of these are met with any athlete, then these camp attendances or testing results from these camps mean nothing.”

For more information on Hawaii Island football camps go to http://thepacificathleticalliance.com

By: Jeffrey Cabanting-Rafael

Kapoho Sight Restored On Live Aloha Day

2010-06-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Right: Volunteers put the new catchment tank in place for installing

Below:Volunteers for Kanu Hawaii bring in the new catchment tank to replace the old one

The Hui Hoola O Na Nahulu O Hawaii site in Kapoho is used as a cultural base to help haumana (students) of the non-profit drug rehabilitation program get in touch with the aina. It is used as a work/camp site by the organization with various youth groups also using the property during the summer. When the catchment tank recently broke, all plans for use were put on hold. Without running water, the program was unable to take anyone to the aina, leaving the site uncared for. With no nurturing, the land became horribly overgrown and the taro were dying.

Live Aloha Day, which happened last Saturday, June 19, was created by Kanu Hawaii, a local non-profit organization

that promotes “island-style activism” as a way to help close the gap during these tough financial times. Like Hui Hoola, many groups have projects on hold due to a lack of funding. Over 700 Kanu Hawaii me

mbers participated in 17 similar events held throughout the state, on Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, and Kauai.

The goal on Saturday for the East Hawaii crew was to get Hui Hoola’s catchment tank up and ready for use. With so many able and willing volunteers—20 in all—the crew also cleaned the taro patch and cleared the land. A “Kanu Hawaii Work Party” sign at the entrance of the driveway greeted Kanu members and Hui Hoola staff who began arriving at 8:00 a.m. and stayed well past the four hours that was asked of them.

During the day, the sound of weed whackers filled the air and all hands were in use. The taro patch was cleaned in no time and huli (cuttings) were made to replant the patch. The catchment tank was put in place just before lunch. The highlight of the day for volunteers was when the water truck came at 2:00 p.m. to dump three thousand gallons of water into the restored catchment tank. The driver from Kalaheo Trucking who delivered the water got a kick out of the response: “I don’t usually have people cheering like this when I deliver water.”

Rachel Kruse, who serves as a certified substance abuse counselor for Hui Hoola was the one who alerted Kanu Hawaii to the organization’s needs. Rachel said that when the day was over, she and other staff members had to sit in the pavilion on site and just soak in the day. “We didn’t leave until about five o’clock,” she said. “It wasn’t about working, it was about being one with the land.”

To learn more about Kanu Hawaii and other volunteer projects throughout the state, visit www.kanuhawaii.org.

By: Jasmine Kupihea and Nicole Kruse

E Komo Mai!

2010-06-23T14:29:00.000-07:00

Aloha, and welcome to the Hawaii Island Youth News. Keeping you updated with news from the perspective of a teenager.