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Cultural practitioner to address MNHCOC
Native Hawaiian cultural practitioner Kimokeo Kapahulehua will explain his vision for his foundation at the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce membership dinner, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Maui Tropical Plantation in Waikapu.
The Kimokeo Foundation, which launched in December, has a mission to "preserve and perpetuate the Native Hawaiian culture, its traditions, practices and language and Maui's environment through educational programs that benefit the people of Maui."
Kapahulehua is known as a kupuna with deep knowledge of the aina, its people and Native Hawaiian culture, according to the news release. As a community leader, he has worked to inspire youth to understand and perpetuate the Hawaiian language and cultural traditions. He is especially beloved in the canoe community for his work with canoe clubs and Hui o Wa'a Kaulua, the educational nonprofit that built Maui's voyaging canoe, Mo'okiha o Pi'ilani.
Ho'apili Ane will cater the buffet dinner.
The cost is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers.
Reservations must be paid in advance through PayPal at the website www.mnhcoc.org or by phone at (808) 757-3045.
The deadline to RSVP is Feb. 13.
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Power outage hits Haiku customers
More than 500 Maui Electric Co. customers in the Haiku area were without power for about an hour Friday afternoon when a vehicle struck the guy-wire of a utility pole along Haiku Road.
At about 3:30 p.m., 573 customers experienced a power outage, said MECO spokeswoman Shayna Decker. The majority of customers were restored at about 4:30 p.m., with all customers back online by 5:15 p.m.
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Judiciary looking for court interpreters
The state Judiciary is seeking individuals who speak English and another language, including sign language, to become court interpreters, with the next orientation workshop on Maui set for this month.
The registration deadline is Friday for the two-day workshop scheduled for Feb. 22 and 23. Completion of the two-day workshop is one of the mandatory requirements to become a court interpreter for the Hawaii State Judiciary, according to an announcement.
Registration forms are available on the Judiciary's website, www.courts.state.hi.us, or by calling the Office on Equality and Access to the Courts at (808) 539-4860. The workshop registration fee is $95. In addition to successfully completing the workshop, people seeking to become a court interpreter must pass a written English proficiency exam and court interpreter ethics exam as well as clear a criminal background check, according to the announcement. Court interpreters work on a freelance basis in cases when parties or witnesses are unable to hear, understand, speak or use English sufficiently.
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PUC advises to check tour permits
The state Public Utilities Commission is warning people against tour companies that are illegal motor carriers.
Such carriers may not have adequate insurance, and their fares are not reviewed and approved by the commission as being "just and reasonable," the agency said.
Motor carriers are companies that transport people or property for compensation on public highways. These include tour companies but not taxis.
All legal carriers must have an active certificate or permit issued by the commission. They must prominently display on the both sides of their vehicles their name, logo, company initials and PUC number. They must carry adequate insurance and charge commission-approved rates.
Illegal operators face civil penalties of up to $1,000 for each offense and as much as $500 for each additional day for failing to comply.
The commission's enforcement officers are on the road to ensure compliance. Monitored areas include high-traffic visitor locations such as Hana and Kailua, Oahu.
For more information, visit the commission's website at puc.hawaii.gov/filing/motor-carriers/application-for-motor-carrier-certificates-or-permits-for-transportation-passengers.
The commission's Compliance and Enforcement Section may be contacted at (808) 586-2020 or puc@hawaii.gov.
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Commissions move application deadline
The deadline to apply for positions with the Hawaii State Ethics Commission and the Campaign Spending Commission has been extended to March 4, according to an announcement from the state Judiciary.
The Ethics Commission addresses ethical issues involving legislators, registered lobbyists and state employees. The five panel members are responsible for investigating complaints, providing advisory opinions and enforcing decisions issued by the commission. The primary duty of the five members of the Campaign Spending Commission is to supervise campaign contributions and expenditures.
Residents of all islands may apply. Applicants must be U.S. and Hawaii citizens, may not hold any other public office and may not take an active part in political management or political campaigns. Travel expenses incurred by Neighbor Island members will be reimbursed.
Application forms are available on the Judiciary website, www.courts.state.hi.us or by calling the Judicial Council at (808) 539-4702.
To apply, send an application, a resume and three letters of recommendation to Judicial Council, Hawaii Supreme Court, 417 S. King St., Honolulu 96813-2902.
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E-file tax returns can be transmitted
The state Department of Taxation and the Internal Revenue Service are now accepting electronically filed state and federal income tax returns.
The state tax department began accepting the e-file returns Jan. 23. Taxpayers choosing to e-file returns and receive direct deposit refunds will receive their refunds the quickest, according to an announcement from the department.
The deadline to file 2016 state income tax returns is April 20. Federal income tax returns are due by April 18.
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Summer Fun Guide seeks submissions
The Maui News will be publishing a Summer Fun Guide of activities for children and teens on April 9.
To have an activity included in the guide, submit the following information:
• Name of program and for what ages.
• Sponsoring organization or business.
• Program times and dates.
• Location of the program.
• Description of program.
• Cost of the program.
• Contact information.
The deadline to submit information is noon March 31. Year-round programs will not be accepted for the guide.
Information may be emailed to Leah Sherman at lsherman
@mauinews.com, faxed to 242-9087 or mailed to Summer Fun Guide, The Maui News, 100 Mahalani St., Wailuku 96793.
Photos may be submitted for use on a space-available basis. Shots of people doing things are preferable; group shots are unlikely to be used. Photos may be emailed in tif, jpg or eps formats with a minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch. Individuals in photos must by identified by first and last name.