Message from Debra L. Fitzsimons, Vice Chancellor-Administrative Affairs

To the UH Hilo Ohana:

Approximately 91 cases of human swine influenza (or “swine flu”) have been identified in the US by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention to date. While no cases have been documented in Hawaii, all members of the UH Hilo community are strongly encouraged to take preventative measures to ensure the safety of themselves and their families and friends. The University is currently reviewing its Pandemic Flu Plan and closely monitoring reports issued by local, state, national, and international governmental and public health agencies. In addition, the University works closely with Hawaii County Civil Defense and will notify the University Community should any emergency situation arise.

In the interim, all individuals are asked to practice good hygiene to reduce their risk of infection. Please review the following information:

The following everyday actions can help you remain healthy:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze; throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
•  Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, especially after you cough or sneeze; alcohol-based hand cleansers are also effective.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with your hands; bacteria and viruses can easily cause infections through these routes.

In addition, avoid close contact with infected or symptomatic individuals:
• Influenza is thought to be transmitted primarily from person-to-person through coughing or sneezing.
• If you contract an infection, the CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Furthermore, it is recommended that non-essential travel to Mexico be limited. More information and updates are available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) websites.

Lastly, seek medical care if you feel sick.

If you develop flu-like symptoms AND:
• you’ve recently been in contact with persons with confirmed swine flu OR
• you’ve traveled to Mexico or to the mainland United States, OR
• you were in contact with persons who had febrile respiratory illness and were in Mexico or the mainland United States then CDC officials recommend that you see your health care provider as soon as possible.

If you have flu-like symptoms but you haven’t been in a high-risk area, you can still elect to see a health care provider. UH Hilo students can contact the Student Health Services to schedule an appointment by calling 974-7636 or visiting Campus Center 212 between 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM on Monday through Friday.

CDC Homepage

CDC Swine Flu Information Page

CDC Swine Flu Information Podcasts

CDC Swine Flu Information for Concerned Parents and Caregivers

CDC Travel Notices

Debra L. Fitzsimons
Vice Chancellor-Administrative Affairs
University of Hawai’i at Hilo
200 W. Kawili Street
Hilo, Hawai’i 96720-4091
phone: (808)974-7750
cell: (808) 430-0803
fax: (808) 974-7542
email: debra.fitzsimons@hawaii.edu

For more information, contact: debra.fitzsimons@hawaii.edu 974-7750

Have you ever wondered who to call when you see an injured turtle on the beach? Or how to culture a black pearl? How small is a fish that is too small to keep?

Find out the answer to these and other fascinating questions concerning the ocean surrounding us at the 3rd annual Ocean Day Hawaii, hosted by the University of Hawaii at Hilo Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC, pictured above) and Marine Science Department, in partnership with the University of Hawaii Sea Grant and Hilo Jaycees.

Admission is free for this family-friendly event on Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PACRC on Kalanianaole Avenue in Keaukaha.

Ocean Day Hawaii is a community outreach event designed to increase public awareness of ocean issues such as conservation, ocean resources and ocean safety through fun, interactive displays, activities and booths. Over 1,000 people attended last year’s event. This year’s Ocean Day promises to be bigger and better, with additional and more diverse displays.

All ages will enjoy the hands-on activities prepared by UH Hilo Marine Science researchers and partners, including the Hawaii Division of Aquatic Resources, Marine Mammal Response Network, Hawaii Wildlife Society and Mokupapapa. For the keiki, there are fishing games, touch-tank exploration and face painting plus crafts and activities, including a poi pounding workshop. Artwork of our coastal Hawaii nei by Keaukaha keiki will be displayed as well as underwater remote operated vehicles (ROVs) courtesy of local robotics groups. Site tours will also be given.

In addition to providing information on current topics such as why plastic is harmful to marine life and what we can do to help identify and control aquatic invasive species, other booths will focus on our coastal heritage here in Hawaii. Information will be available on how to get involved with beach clean-ups, what you can do to help preserve and protect our ocean resources, and how to gain a career in the ocean sciences.

There will be a welcome by Patrick Kahawaiolaa of the Keaukaha Community Association and UH Hilo Chancellor Rose Tseng. For more information, e-mail Sharon Ziegler-Chong at ziegler@hawaii.edu or Michele Kubojiri at mkubojir@hawaii.edu or call 933-3289.

Chancellor’s Message
Chamber Connection
April 2009

Community and international outreach benefits everyone

I’d like to share with you some exciting events, community outreach, and two international forums held at UH Hilo in March.

UH Hilo sponsored a joint US-China delegation of 40 top scientists and technical experts on renewable energy from the National Academies of Science and Engineering. This prestigious group chose UH Hilo as the location to discuss the future of renewable energy for the world. The work of this Committee on US-China Cooperation on Electricity from Renewables will help national governments and private industry in developing renewable energy. They were very interested in the Big Island’s renewable energy plans and how research strengthens the economic foundation of our community. Participants included UH Hilo faculty and staff, representatives of Mayor Billy Kenoi, Hawai?i Electric Light Company, Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association, and Richard Ha and others from local agriculture businesses.

Our College of Hawaiian Language sponsored an optional extension of the 1^st International Conference on Language Documentation and Conservation, held at UH Hilo’s ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai’i. The conference focused on the theme of collaboration in language documentation and revitalization, and linguistic educators from all over the world came to Hilo to learn more about our internationally acclaimed Hawaiian language revitalization programs. The conference in Hilo was of great value to the participants who are working on language revitalization in many different countries.

The American Association of University Women sponsored the 17^th Annual Math/Science Conference for 7th Grade Girls held at UH Hilo. In my welcome remarks I encouraged the young scholars to continue their education and interest in science and math. I wanted them to understand that the future of our communities and of the world will be in the hands of people well educated in science, technology, engineering and math professions.

Many thanks to Jan Higashi and the UH Hilo Performing Arts Center Advisory Board for the 5th Annual Girls’ Day Diva Festival. It was another great event with food samplings donated by favorite local restaurants, a silent auction, door prizes and a sold out concert featuring the Society of Seven. Mahalo for all the community support! The proceeds will benefit the UH Hilo’s Performing Arts Center.

Our annual Ocean Day will take place on April 25 at UH Hilo’s Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center. Once a year, the Keaukaha research facility opens its gates to the community, providing hands-on educational activities focused on celebrating Hawai’i’s ocean and coastal heritage. Families with their kids enjoy music, food and fun. The event is hosted by UH Hilo and our Department of Marine Science, in partnership with UH Sea Grant. Please come join us!

I’m happy to announce our 2009 Spring Commencement speaker will be Jerry Yang, co-founder, director and chief yahoo of Yahoo! Inc. He was chief executive officer of Yahoo! from June 2007 to January 2009. He co-developed Yahoo! in 1994 while he was working toward his Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Stanford University. He also serves as a director of Yahoo! Japan Corporation and Cisco Systems, Inc. He holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University. I’ve known Jerry many years from when I lived in Silicon Valley, and I look forward to hearing his remarks at Spring Commencement on May 16. I know he’ll be an inspiration to our graduates.

Mahalo for your support of these and other events. When we all work together, great things happen!

Aloha,

Rose Tseng