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Monday, October 14, 2013

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Oct. 14, 2013

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park turns visitors away as the federal government shutdown continues.
Photo by Julia Neal
“THERE IS SIMPLY NOTHING CONSERVATIVE about the behavior of the House Republicans,” Ka`u’s U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said in a speech from the Senate floor regarding the continuing shutdown of the federal government. “Conservatives traditionally have been characterized by holding a respect for institutions, a focus on the needs of the private sector, and a desire to not waste money.
Sen. Brian Schatz spoke from the Senate floor about conservativism.
      “This is the least conservative behavior imaginable because it throws us into permanent crisis, unable to solve major problems, for the foreseeable future.
      “Conservatives traditionally have wanted to protect the free marketplace. Some default deniers surmise that maybe the United States government can service its debt while delaying other payments – that we can simply “prioritize.” The United States of America cannot do that.
      “There is nothing conservatively virtuous about defaulting on what we owe. It will cripple free markets. It is ‘Russian roulette played with a bullet in every chamber.’ There is nothing conservative about that.
      “Finally, there is the conservative principle about saving taxpayer dollars. Two points on this:
Pulling off at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park's signs
along Hwy 11 is one of the few activities available
 for park visitors. Photo by Julia Neal
      “First, with the likely passage of the House bill to provide retroactive pay to federal employees, let me tell you what is happening – we are paying federal employees to stay home. We are paying our dedicated federal workers, who want to do their jobs, not to do their jobs. This is not conservative; this is not liberal for that matter. It is upside down. We are preventing federal employees from doing their important work, like assisting small businesses and combating terrorism. 
      “Let me be clear, federal workers did not cause this shutdown and should not lose pay because of it. That is why I cosponsored Sen. Cardin’s bill to make sure they receive back pay when the government reopens.
      “Our nation’s furloughed public servants want to work, and many federal civilian employees are being required to work during this shutdown without pay.
      “While it does not make sense to punish federal workers for Congress’s dysfunction, it makes way more sense to simply reopen the federal government. Still, the House refuses to vote on a clean continuing resolution that could reopen the government tomorrow, but instead voted to give back pay after the shutdown ends. What is conservative about paying people to stay home?
      “Second, this shutdown is costing us money, not saving us money. In just the first week, it cost the economy $1.6 billion in lost economic output and is estimated to cost an average of $160 million each additional day. This is hurting small businesses and working families across the country, and it is completely avoidable,” Schatz concluded.
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THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES is now accepting applications for a workshop series designed for forestry and natural resource consultants interested in writing forest management plans in conjunction with the Hawai`i Forest Stewardship Program. The first of these two-day workshops will be held on the islands of O`ahu and Hawai`i during the first week in November.
      The Hawai`i Forest Stewardship Program provides technical and financial assistance to private landowners and land managers committed to the stewardship, conservation and restoration of important forest resources across the state.
      Through support of natural resource consultants, the program is able to guide private landowners in the sustainable management and stewardship of Hawai`i’s forest resources.
      These private properties provide a variety of public benefits for the residents of Hawai`i, including, but not limited to, groundwater production, decreased soil erosion, wildlife habitat, timber production, recreational and educational opportunities and local jobs.
      Assistance provided by the Forest Stewardship Program enables private landowners to develop and implement long-term, multi-resource management plans to conserve, restore and maintain forested areas on their property.
      Workshop participants can expect to gain knowledge on important forestry management topics, access to pertinent references for planning for a variety of natural resources concerns or objectives, training on and access to the U.S. Forest Service’s SMART planning and mapping software, guidance on how to assist landowners who are participating in the Forest Stewardship Program and other financial assistance programs, and introduction to becoming a Technical Service Provider under U.S. Department of Agriculture among other topics.
      All forestry and natural resource consultants interested in writing Forest Stewardship management plans are encouraged to participate in the workshop series.
      To reserve space, contact Malia Nanbara with the Division of Forestry and Wildlife at 808- 587-4176 or malia.y.nanbara@hawaii.gov, with name, company (if applicable), the location of interest and education background before Monday, Oct. 21.
      Participation is limited to 20 people per workshop and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Drop! Cover! Hold on! is the message of the 2013 Great Shakeout.
KA`U RESIDENTS CAN JOIN MILLIONS of people worldwide and practice how to
 Drop, Cover, and Hold On at 10:17 a.m. this Thursday, Oct. 17 during Great ShakeOut Earthquake drills.  Participating is a great way for your family or organization to be prepared to survive and recover quickly from big earthquakes – wherever you live, work, or travel.
The 1868 earthquake destroyed this church in Wai`ohinu.
Photo by H.L. Chase courtesy of Hawaiian Historical Society
      According to a report by Janet Babb, of USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, the probability of a destructive, magnitude-6.5 or higher earthquake striking the Hawaiian islands in the next 10 years is 50 percent; in the next 20 years, 75 percent; in the next 50 years, 97 percent.
      Babb urges residents to learn how to protect themselves during earthquakes. “It’s not if a destructive earthquake will strike Hawai`i, but when the next one will happen, she said. “Practice Drop! Cover! Hold on! so that you can react quickly during the next earthquake.”
      Registration for and more information about the 2013 Great Hawai`i ShakeOut is available at shakeout.org/hawaii.
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KAMILO MARINE DEBRIS TOOK CENTER STAGE at two recent island art competitions. Ka`u artist Don Elwing’s trash art sculpture entitled What’s in Your Ocean? took second place at the 24th Annual Trash Art Show. The artwork contained 1,000 pieces of plastic marine debris that he gleaned from Kamilo Beach near South Point. 
Artwork by Ka`u artist Don Elwing took second place at Ka`u Chamber
of Commerce's recent art show. Photo from Don Elwing
      At the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce art show, Elwing’s three-dimensional piece entitled GMO Albino Dinosaur on Melting Iceberg, Stuck in Molasses, with Fracking Asteroid Headed In brought awareness to several worldwide environmental problems. This piece was also composed of Kamilo trash.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

IN SPORTS, GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL closed its regular season Saturday with a three-set win over Makua Lani, ending with a record of nine wins and five losses. The team honored seniors Jernest Breithaupt-Louis, Toni Beck and Kamalani Fujikawa.
      Next up is BIIF Division II volleyball championship play on Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. at Ka`u High gym, when the Trojans meet the winner of Tuesday’s East PAC/Honoka`a match.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

KA`U COMMUNITY CHORUS REHEARSES today from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Call 854-1540 or email info@kauarts.org for more information.

TEA IS THE TOPIC AT VOLCANO ART CENTER’S Ni`aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Tomorrow at 2 p.m., JoAnn Aguirre, tea educator and member of the Hawai`i Tea Society, offers an hour of tea talk, a scone and a cuppa. Free; donations accepted.
     A juried art exhibit celebrating Hawai`i’s tea industry is on display at Ni`aulani Campus’ Rainforest Gallery. Entitled HI Tea, the exhibit, in collaboration with Tea Hawai`i & Co.’s first annual Community Cup Tour, is open daily through Sunday, Nov. 24, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
      For more information, call 967-8222 or see teachingtea.com or volcanoartcenter.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

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