Hot Topics, From Turkeys To Mosquitos, Featured At Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Meeting

Thanksgiving turkeys and genetically modified mosquitos were on the menu for our November meeting. Details are below. We’ll touch on other issues from the meeting in posts over the coming days.

A safer option than frying for your Thanksgiving turkey.

Don’t Burn The Turkey Or Your House: Our local firefighters told us that the number one cause of holiday fires is unattended cooking, and that deep-frying turkeys is a major culprit. Instead of frying the bird, which can splatter oil onto an open flame, the Honolulu Fire Department suggests preparing it in a traditional imu. This underground oven slow-cooks the meat and yields a moist, flavorful finished product.

The Fire Department has tips on imu preparation on its website. For those who want the flavor without the hard work, the Key Project is providing a Thanksgiving imu for community members. Drop off your turkey or other meat on Wednesday, November 23, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, and pick it up cooked and ready to go on Thanksgiving from 10 to 11 am. Cost is $20 per order.

Mosquito Control Study: A resolution supporting research on eliminating mosquitos from the state failed for lack of a second. Our vice-chairman, Bill Sager, presented the resolution, which would have asked the Legislature to authorize the University of Hawaii to do the research.

The resolution cited the threat to humans and wildlife posed by mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus. Mr. Sager said that genetic engineering would be preferable to pesticides for eliminating mosquitos. Some Board members questioned the feasibility and advisability of eliminating all mosquitos.

We welcome your comments, in person and online

Comments on this blog are welcomed. To add a comment, please click on the link below. Also, please like us on Facebook and join us for all of our meetings. If you are unable to attend, you may provide testimony online and contact Neighborhood Board members directly.

Mosquito-Borne Viruses, Sustainability Plan On Agenda For Kaneohe Neighborhood Board Meeting

The agenda for the Kaneohe Neighborhood Board’s May 19 business meeting is now available online. 

Among the scheduled topics are:

A presentation by Dr. David Johnston of the state Department of Health about dengue fever and the Zika virus. The Department says there have been recent outbreaks of both diseases in the state, but that no locally transmitted cases are present at this time. However, the mosquitos that transmit the viruses are present here and could pick it up from infected travelers. The Department’s Fight the bite program urges residents to protect themselves against mosquitos and eliminate areas where mosquitos can breed.

A presentation by Raymond Young of the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting about the Koolaupoko Sustainable Communities Plan. A proposed change to the plan would allow expansion of the cemetery at Hawaiian Memorial Park. The Department of Planning and Permitting supports the change. The group SaveKaneohe.Org has asked the Board to oppose the expansion.

An opportunity to fill the three vacant seats on the Board. The seats represent Sub-District 8, Kapunahala; Sub-District 9, Keapuka; and Sub-District 12, Pikoiloa. The Board is authorized to fill vacancies by appointment. Community members may indicate their interest by contacting Board Chairman Mo Radke or by attending a Board meeting. A map of the district is available online, as is a street index that is organized by sub-district (search for District 30 in the index, then find the sub-district).

The Board also will discuss establishing a Public Interaction Group, filling the Board Treasurer’s position, filling committee vacancies, tables for the Windward Hoolaulea, and a banner to promote Board meetings.

Click on the highlighted text above to read the full agenda and find more information about agenda topics. The minutes of the Board’s April meeting also are now available. Click on the highlighted link to read them.

We welcome your comments, in person and online

The Board meeting will take place in the cafeteria of Benjamin Parker Elementary School, 45-259 Waikalua Road, starting at 7 p.m. 

Please join us for all of our meetings. If you are unable to attend, you may provide testimony online and contact Neighborhood Board members directly.

Comments on this blog are welcomed. To add a comment, please click on the link below. Also, please like us on Facebook and comment there.