Hawai'i hospitals rate low on national survey

HONOLULU– A recent federal survey revealed that Hawai'i hospitals were inadequate in providing levels of basic treatment for heart attacks, heart failure and pneumonia.
The survey, conducted in the first six months of 2004, found that Hawai‘i hospitals lagged behind the national average in providing simple treatments, like giving aspirin or vaccinations, for the three leading causes of death.
Hawai'i hospitals collectively fell below the national average in 10 of the 17 measures, eight of them in the heart-care categories. The only category in which the hospitals achieved a 100 percent compliance rate was the testing of blood oxygen levels in pneumonia patients.
Although several Mainland hospitals were also found to rate below the national average, health experts feel Hawai'i residents should be concerned about the state's insufficient rating.
If a person is having a heart attack, chances of death can be reduced or avoided if the patient is given an ACE inhibitor within 24 hours of the attack. Survey results illustrate that only 67 percent of heart-attack patients on average in Hawai'i were given the medication.
The statistics also show that only 38 percent of pneumonia patients received pneumococcal vaccines, which lowers the risk of bacterial infection.
The best ranking hospital in the state was Straub Clinic & Hospital, which exceeded the national average in 11 of the 12 categories in which it had been rated.

Gas cap to go into effect Thursday

HONOLULU– The Act 242 gas cap that will be going into effect on September 1 is still being decryed by Governor Linda Lingle. The effect of the cap, however, cannot be suspended by the Governor unless there are written findings that strict compliance would cause a “major adverse impact.”
“Major adverse impact” is interpreted to mean threats to public health and safety. Lingle says she may act upon her power to suspend the cap if there is a threat of Chevron Corp. and Tesoro Corp., the state’s two refineries, closing.
Both say they will continue to operate despite their opposition to the gas cap.
If an emergency gas shortage were to occur as the result of the cap, this could possibly lead to a revocation.
The Associated Press reported that Lingle’s office Thursday released a list of seven situations that could prompt suspension of the gas cap:
• Major disruptions in the gasoline supply for emergency and essential service vehicles.
• Fuel shortages for emergency backup generators used by emergency and essential services facilities (e.g. hospitals, police stations, fire stations, etc.).
• Curtailed delivery of gasoline resulting in fuel shortage at wholesale or retail levels.
• Large or bulk wholesale gasoline being exported in abnormal quantities to markets outside of Hawaii where wholesale prices are higher than the capped price.
• Notification of intent to close either of the two refineries in Hawaii.
• Reduction jet fuel supply to commercial airlines.
• Shortages of fuel supplies to any electric or gas utility.

Renewable bio-diesel cheaper than gasoline

KAHULUI – The environmentally friendly fuel manufactured by Pacific Biodiesel is this week 60 cents less per gallon than conventional fossil fuel.
Diesel prices in Hawai‘i are ranging from $3.22 to $3.28 per gallon according to GasPrices.com. Pacific Biodiesel’s recycled cooking oil fuel Monday came in at a comparitively low with $2.59 a gallon.
This is the first time in Hawaii that an alternative fuel has retailed for less than petroleum.

Maui county officials cite plans for recycling and renewable energy

WAILUKU – Long-term plans for a “trash to energy” recycling facility are in the works.
The proposed facility, would provide on-island recycling as well as an energy plant fueled by “non-recyclable rubbish.”
One proposed location for the plant is near the Pulehu Landfill. The proposed facility will boast a sorting and baling station that will process glass, aluminum, plastic and paper.
Mayor Alan Arakawa says after he has completed the gathering of necessary information, he will bring the “trash-to-energy idea before the County Council.

Kane'ohe Marines ordered to Afghanistan

KANE‘OHE– Although they were in Iraq only a few months ago, almost 1,000 Kane‘ohe-based Marines are being deployed to Afghanistan on a seven-month mission.
The Marines of the 1st Battalion, 3rd Regimen have increased their training in Hawai‘i before shipping out to California for six weeks of additional training on the Mainland.
Fighting in Afghanistan will differ from fighting in Iraq. Unlike Iraq’s desert landscape, the Marines will have to deal with rugged, mountainous terrain and snowy conditions, commandeering their vehicles up narrow, winding donkey trails at slow speeds.
The Marines are expected to deploy to Afghanistan in January or February of next year.

Landmark Kona restaurant to close after 16 years

KONA– After 16 years of serving the West Hawai‘I community, landmark Italian and seafood restaurant Michaelangelo's will be closing its doors Wednesday night. Famous for such delectable dishes as "shrimpcargot" and "steak Capri," long-time patrons will sadly say farewell to a favorite west side dining experience.
Michael Medeiros, owner of the restaurant, owns two other restaurants on O‘ahu. He says that he has grown tired of the constant travel between his businesses.
Due to the rapid expansion of West Maui and the competition created from new bars and restaurants with higher visibility locations, Medieros has felt the impact. Being located inside a building on a second floor, there were just to many challenges facing the business to make continuing on feasible.