Gov. David Ige left for Washington on Tuesday to attend the National Governors Association’s winter meeting.

Ige will join governors from across the country to discuss topics including energy, early childhood education, transportation, homeland security, cybersecurity, public safety, health care reform, conservation management and species preservation, according to a statement from his office.

Ige will also meet with members of President Donald Trump’s administration to discuss energy, transportation, defense and homeland security issues, according to the statement.

First lady Dawn Amano-Ige is scheduled to participate in a panel discussion on the evolving role of governors’ spouses in the 21st century.

The governor and first lady will travel with two staff members, and the trip will cost about $13,300.

Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui will serve as acting governor until Ige returns Tuesday.

Hawai‘i Maoli to honor Kahele, de Silvas

The late Sen. Gilbert Kahele, renowned kumu and cultural practitioners Mapuana and Kihei de Silva, and Ulalia Woodside, director of The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i, will receive Ka Mana o ke Kanaka Awards from Hawai‘i Maoli.

“Above all else, the Ka Mana o ke Kanaka Award exemplifies excellence,” said Maile Alau, executive director of nonprofit Hawai‘i Maoli. “We believe that the mana, or power, of the Hawaiian culture derives from an ongoing commitment by community leaders to perpetuate our traditions and practices. Each of this year’s honorees has demonstrated remarkable commitment to the Hawaiian people and the Hawaiian culture. We are grateful for the opportunity to recognize their achievements.”

The event will be held at Makapu‘u Meadows on March 4 at 5 p.m., with entertainment by Kupaoa, the four-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning duo of Kellen and Lihau Paik; and Keauhou, featuring Zachary Lum, Jonah Solatorio and Nicholas Lum.

For tickets, visit hawaiimaoli.org or call 394-0050.

HAWAII ISLAND

County working to improve accessibility at more parks

Hawaii County is working to ensure more of its parks are accessible to people with disabilities.

County Parks and Recreation Director Charmaine Kamaka said the agency is working to have its parks fully compliant with federal accessibility standards, The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Monday.

“We want to make every facility we have Americans With Disabilities Act accessible,” she said. “But we’re (working on) the court-ordered ones first. My dream would be to have every park totally accessible.”

The county has made progress since a 1997 U.S. District Court consent decree called for increased accessibility for people with disabilities, but there’s still room for improvement.

Under the order, Hawaii still has to make several venues more accessible, including popular Hilo surfing area Honolii Beach Park, Ahalanui Beach Park near Pahoa and the Hilo Bayfront Canoe Area.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources identified Hapuna Beach as the only state park in the county where the actual beach itself can be wheelchair accessible.

Dean Aoki, DLNR’s ADA coordinator, said a key thing to consider when improving accessibility “is providing beachgoers safety from the adjacent ocean conditions that are unpredictable and dangerous.”

State regulations also require wheelchair beach access be designed to avoid environmental impact and that cultural and historical attributes of the site be taken into consideration, according to a DLNR report requested by last year’s Legislature.

But some advocates for people with disabilities say progress has been too slow.

“It’s taking a long time,” said attorney Louis Ertschik, executive director of the Hawaii Disability Rights Center.