A Hawaii County Council proposal to bolster the island’s emergency communications network using amateur radio operators was met with some skepticism Tuesday.
The proposal, a resolution developed by Kohala Councilwoman Cindy Evans, would call for a working group of various stakeholders including representatives of the Civil Defense Agency, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Big Island Amateur Radio Club and others to develop a “county radio plan.”
That plan would establish partnerships between the county and various amateur and professional radio operators that would be able to disseminate vital information to remote areas of the island in case of an emergency.
“Coming out of (Lahaina), … what I realized is that, because of the size of our island, we have a lot of remote areas,” Evans said Tuesday during a meeting of the council’s Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs. “And if we lose the ability to have telephone and internet … how does the word get out? Ham radio operators definitely have potential to be there where they’re needed.”
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But other council members were unconvinced, particularly after Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno testified about the resolution at Tuesday’s meeting.
“The county already has a radio committee made out of the different departments that utilize the radio system,” Magno said, adding that Civil Defense is also in the process of rebuilding a radio network that includes amateur radio operators.
Magno concluded that the resolution could needlessly complicate Civil Defense’s existing system, or potentially impede it.
Evans acknowledged Magno’s concerns and repeatedly emphasized that her resolution is not meant to be an indictment of Civil Defense’s abilities. Rather, she said, it is an opportunity for Civil Defense’s network to receive additional support from the County Council and potentially secure funding and resources from the state and federal governments.
“It’s not to say that people aren’t doing things, what it’s saying is ‘how can we do it better?’” Evans said.
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Hamakua and Hilo Councilwomen Heather Kimball and Jenn Kagiwada questioned whether Evans worked with Magno and Civil Defense to improve their operations before resorting to a resolution. Evans said she had, and that her “sense of that conversation” was that the council can help the agency expand its operations and available resources.
Hilo Councilwoman Sue Lee Loy also said she was concerned about language in the resolution describing the radio plan as a document identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the county’s communication networks, including whether certain areas have inadequate infrastructure for emergency communications to reach.
“It’s great to share publicly what our weaknesses or our vulnerabilities are,” Lee Loy said. “But at a larger scale, I don’t want to put us at risk when it comes to deliver emergency information. … Let’s face it, we live in a time where some of this information could be utilized in a very nefarious way.”
While many council members supported the intent behind the resolution, most agreed it should be postponed until it can be revised.
The committee voted unanimously to postpone the matter until a future committee hearing.
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Email Michael Brestovansky at mbrestovansky@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
At UH Hilo, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is not simply a subject taught in classrooms, it is a living language that connects us to this place, to one another, and to the generations who came before us.
This column is by Pelehonuamea Harman, director of Native Hawaiian engagement at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. In her columns, Pele shares Native Hawaiian protocols on the use of ōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language), cultural traditions, traditional ways of Indigenous learning, and more. This column is on Mahina ʻOlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian Language Month), celebrated every February to honor the Hawaiian language.Pelehonuamea Harman
Each year, the month of Pepeluali marks Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, a time dedicated to celebrating and uplifting the Hawaiian language. At the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is not simply a subject taught in classrooms, it is a living language that connects us to this place, to one another, and to the generations who came before us.
While Pepeluali gives us a focused moment of celebration, the Hawaiian language should not live only within a single month. ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi thrives when it is used every day.
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One of the simplest and most meaningful ways to begin is by pronouncing the words we already encounter daily with accuracy and care. Hawaiian is an oral language carried through voice and relationship. When we take the time to say words correctly, we demonstrate respect for the language and for the poʻe (people) who have worked tirelessly to ensure its survival.
Across our own campus, we have opportunities to do this every day.
Let us honor the names of our places by using them fully:
An attendee at celebrations on May 6, 2023, takes a photo of the new Edith Kanakaʻole mural by artist Kamea Hadar. The mural is located at Edith Kanakaʻole Hall, named after beloved educator Aunty Edith, on the campus of UH Hilo. (Photo: UH System News)
Kanakaʻole Hall, not “K-Hall.” (Formally Edith Kanakaʻole Hall, named after our beloved kumu.)
Waiʻōlino, not “CoBE,” for our College of Business and Economics. (Formally Hānau ʻO Waiʻōlino; waiʻōlino literally means sparkling waters, alluding here to bringing forth waters of wellbeing and prosperity.)
These names are not merely labels for buildings. They carry ʻike (knowledge), history, and meaning. Speaking them in their entirety acknowledges the stories and values embedded within them.
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Using ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi does not require fluency. It simply requires willingness. Each of us already knows words we can begin using more intentionally.
Greet one another with aloha.
Express gratitude with mahalo whenever possible.
Small choices like these help normalize Hawaiian language in our daily interactions and strengthen UH Hilo’s identity as a place grounded in Hawaiʻi.
One of the most common questions I am asked is: How do you respond in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi when someone says “mahalo” to you?
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Here are three simple and appropriate responses:
ʻAʻole pilikia — It’s no problem.
He mea iki — It is just a little thing.
Noʻu ka hauʻoli — The pleasure is mine.
There is no single correct answer. What matters most is participating in the exchange and allowing the language to live through conversation.
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Aerial view of the UH Hilo campus with Hilo Bay in the distance. UH Hilo’s commitment to Native Hawaiian success and place-based education calls on all of us to help create an environment where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is visible, audible, and welcomed. (Archive photo)
UH Hilo holds a unique and important role as Hawaiʻi Island’s university. Our commitment to Native Hawaiian success and place-based education calls on all of us to help create an environment where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is visible, audible, and welcomed.
You do not need to wait until you feel ready. You do not need to know many words. The language grows stronger each time it is spoken.
So during Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and throughout the entire year I encourage the UH Hilo ʻohana to:
Use the Hawaiian words you already know.
Pronounce names and places with intention and care.
Greet others with aloha.
Share mahalo often.
Because when we use ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, we are doing more than speaking words, we are helping to perpetuate and uplift the native language of our home.
E ola ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi. Let the Hawaiian language live.
Hawaii Rainbow Warriors Tread Rosenthal, Trevell Jordan and Louis Sakanoko put up a triple block against BYU Cougars Trevor Herget during Wednesday’s NCAA men’s volleyball match at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.
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Kainoa Wade came on strong to lead another balanced Hawaii attack with 16 kills and the third-ranked Rainbow Warriors responded to a rare set loss in a big way to defeat No. 6 Brigham Young 27-25, 23-25, 25-17, 25-18 tonight.
A Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center crowd of 4,800, who showed up for a match scheduled just three weeks ago as a late addition to the schedule, saw Hawaii (13-1) drop the second set despite hitting .538.
UH had full command of the rest of the match and finished the night hitting .460 as a team. Louis Sakanoko added 15 kills, six digs and three aces and Adrien Roure had 14 kills in 24 swings.
Middle Travell Jordan posted a season-high seven kills in 11 swings with four blocks and Ofeck Hazan, who came into the match to start the third set, had four kills and two blocks.
Trent Moser had 18 kills to lead the Cougars (13-3), whose previous two losses came in five sets against No. 4 UC Irvine.
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UH’s loss in the second set was just its sixth of the season and third in its 13 wins. Hawaii has won 10 matches in a row.
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The two teams will play again on Friday night at 7.
