On Oct. 28 I was contacted by a constituent who was having respiratory problems due to the vog coming from the Big Island. The constituent was frustrated by the discrepancies between the data presented on the Department of Health's Online Air Quality and the EPA's AirNow.

It was very puzzling for him to look outside and witness a thick, unhealthy haze but also observe that the AirNow Web site was reporting "good" air quality.

After speaking with representatives from the DOH's Clean Air Branch and the EPA's Region 9 office, we learned that one of the major problems was that some of our air quality monitoring equipment is in need of replacement.

Given our state's massive budget shortfall, it's important that we look for other funding sources. I've been communicating with the DOH director, Dr. Chiyome Fukino, and am urging her to take full advantage of the federal money available through the EPA's equipment replacement grants.

It's the government's responsibility to provide the public with the necessary information, so we can protect ourselves from vog.

Sen. Mike Gabbard
District 19

Please contact me if I can help you. My phone is 586-6830 and e-mail is sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov. Mahalo for the privilege of serving you!