I woke up yesterday with a code. You know, one of those with a runny nose, scratchy throat, and later a bit of a fever. I’m dragging around this a.m. after crawling into bed last night still wearing the clothes I’d been wearing all day. It felt just too cold to change, although I’m not sure if that was just me or not. All that by explanation of why this morning’s entry might come up a bit short.

Back on December 28, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands asked for and received permission from the State Procurement Office to provide $64,000 in emergency aid to individual lessees who were impacted by the bankruptcy of contractor Fred Yamashiro and his two companies, Fredco and Menehune Develoment. Yamashiro notified DHHL at the end of November that he would be unable to complete the homes he was contracted to build.

According to DHHL’s emergency procurement request, “certain lessees are under extreme financial distress and have stretched their finances to the breaking point while awaiting the completion of their homes.”

The emergency grants, ranging from $250 to $1,250, are to provide “food, subsistence, past due utilities, or past due rent.”

The initial round of 31 grants totalled just over $25,000, and were made between December 20 and December 24, 2007. Brief justifications tell the story:

“Food for children. Utilities currently turned off. Car pending repossession.”

“Difficulty in providing for children.

“Currently paying for both rent and the construction loan.”

“Double household expense, and storage fees. Savings almost used up.”

“Food and delinquent bill payments.”

“Rent and utility payments. Reconnect phone.”

Grants went to lessees in DHHL areas at Kaumana and Panawewa on the Big Island; Kekaha, Kauai; and Lanai.

The request adds: “Please note that additional relief monies may be awarded to DHHL lessees directly affected by the Fredco situation who have not yet received a grant award.”

Noted: Rep. Mazie Hirono, who represents Kaaawa and the rest of Hawaii’s 2nd Congressional District, has been named a vice-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

Before taking last week’s “Watch your step” photo of the Capitol steps, I had spent 15 minutes or so walking around and through the big banyan that sits behind the Capitol on the grounds of Iolani Palace.

I’m quite pleased with this series of images.

If you would like more info, check the description in this entry on my new photo blog.