#higov

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today announced the release of $855,000 for various capital improvement projects that invest in Hawaii’s local agriculture and film industries.

“We are moving forward on our sustainability initiatives by decreasing our dependence on imported foods,” Gov. Abercrombie said. “These projects will give many of our local farmers the tools that they need to overcome the challenges that face their industry.”

“Hawaii’s film industry plays an important role in the overall health of the state’s economy,” said Hawaii Film Commissioner Donne Dawson. “These funds will help us determine exactly what the industry needs in terms of infrastructure and where the best possible place in the islands might be to develop that infrastructure. The process will go a long way in helping us take Hawaii’s film and creative media industries to the next level and send a clear message that the state is serious about being one of the preeminent filming destinations in the world.”

HONOLULU – The Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) has determined that the individual in isolation at a Honolulu hospital who was reported to the department as a possible Ebola case yesterday does not meet the criteria for testing. The individual is no longer under evaluation for possible Ebola infection.

"The hospital acted in the best interests of the community, with an abundance of caution,” said Health Director Dr. Linda Rosen. “We commend the facility for being prepared and remaining vigilant regarding the risk of Ebola. After investigation by the health department, it was determined that the individual did not meet the clinical or travel exposure criteria for an Ebola infection."

With the nation on heightened alert for possible Ebola cases, physicians are reminded to follow the guidelines established by the U. S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Information on Ebola infection is available at www.cdc.gov/Ebola.

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today issued an executive order that turns over 3.68 miles of the state-owned portion of Chain of Craters Road near Kalapana to Hawaii County.

The executive order states that the land is “hereby turned over to the County of Hawaii, in fee simple, for use as a county highway, and the County of Hawaii shall hereafter be responsible for its repair and maintenance as a county highway.”

On Sept. 15, Gov. Abercrombie signed a supplemental emergency proclamation to include the repair, restorations, rebuilding, or reestablishment of Chain of Craters Road, for use as an alternate emergency route should the June 27th lava flow cross Highway 130 near Pahoa and isolate communities in lower Puna from the rest of Hawaii County. That proclamation, a supplement to the original emergency proclamation signed on Sept. 5, also extended the disaster emergency relief period through Dec. 1, 2014.

The next lava flow community update meeting will be held with representatives from Hawaii County Civil Defense and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory on Thursday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria.

In addition, the County of Hawaii has established an Incident Command Center and Informational Resource Center at the Pahoa Community Center. Residents are invited to the information center from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday next week for answers to their questions.

HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed a supplemental emergency proclamation to include the repair, restorations, rebuilding, or reestablishment of Chain of Craters Road, for use as an alternate emergency route should the June 27th lava flow cross Highway 130 near Pahoa and isolate communities in lower Puna from the rest of Hawaii County.

“Even though the lava flow appears to have slowed to a halt for the time being, the state and Hawaii County are prepared and moving forward together with contingency plans in the event the lava does progress farther,” Gov. Abercrombie said.

Today’s proclamation, supplemental to the emergency proclamation signed on Sept. 5, also extends the disaster emergency relief period through Dec. 1, 2014.

The original proclamation suspended certain laws as needed for emergency purposes, including state restrictions on reestablishing abandoned roads that may be used should lava cross Highway 130. It also activated the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the state Legislature for disaster relief and facilitates access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels.