Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Nov. 21, 2014

Pahala Dojo traveled to Kona to participate in International Karate League's Tournament of Champions. Photos from Cliff Field

CONSERVATION GROUPS HAVE SUED the National Marine Fisheries Service over a new rule allowing the Hawai`i-based longline fleet to fish beyond limits set by international agreements meant to protect bigeye tuna and other imperiled marine species.

      The rule approved last month nearly doubles the agreed-upon 3,763-metric-ton quota on bigeye fishing for all U.S.-flagged fishermen by creating separate quotas for U.S. Pacific Territories and then allowing 3,000 metric tons from those quotas to be transferred to Hawai`i-based fishermen who neither fish in territorial waters nor land their catch in the territories. The Fisheries Service claims the rules are “technical administrative changes,” but conservation groups argue the rules violate U.S. commitments under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention, which are vital to prevent overfishing.

A new rule allows Hawai`i's longline fleet to fish for bigeye tuna

 beyond limits set by international agreements.

      “We’re not going to be able to solve the overfishing problem for bigeye unless all nations play by the rules,” said David Henkin, a staff attorney at Earthjustice. “The United States should be leading by example, not inventing a shell game to let the Hawai`i-based longline fleet continue overfishing.”

      Bigeye tuna is a highly valued sushi fish, especially in Japan. According to Earthjustice, the latest stock assessment found that the fish is subject to overfishing throughout the Pacific. Currently at its lowest historical levels, bigeye tuna has been experiencing overfishing since the 1990s.

      “The solution for saving bigeye tuna is not creating a new loophole so they can be fished even more,” said Catherine Kilduff, of the Center for Biological Diversity. “We need to be smart about protecting this valuable resource, or soon it’ll be gone.”

      Longline fishers use thousands of dangling hooks on lines stretching up to 60 nautical miles long and 1,150 feet deep.

      Marjorie Ziegler, executive director of Conservation Council for Hawai`i, said, “The Fisheries Service should be enforcing our international agreements, not looking for ways to continue overfishing a species that needs help. We are not only very concerned about the bigeye tuna, but also about the sea turtles, sharks and seabirds that are indiscriminately killed on longlines.”

      Earthjustice is representing the Conservation Council for Hawai‘i, Turtle Island Restoration Network and the Center for Biological Diversity in this action. The complaint is available at http://earthjustice.org/documents/legal-document/bigeye-tuna-complaint-11-20-2014.

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Ronald Williams, at left, today takes over for departing HTA

 President and CEO Mike McCartney, at right. Photo from HTA

HAWAI`I’S U.S. SENATORS SUPPORT President Barack Obama’s executive order on immigration enforcement that would protect up to five million undocumented immigrants from deportation and increase border security.  “This is a big step toward bringing millions out of the shadows to help strengthen our economy and our national security. Every single President since Dwight Eisenhower, Democrats and Republicans alike, has exercised executive action on immigration. President Obama is no different in this move,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono, the only immigrant serving in U.S. Senate. “Last year the Senate passed a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform bill that I was honored to help shape. I will continue to fight for reforms that allow families to stay together and urge Congress to take action to fix our broken immigration system.”
    Sen. Brian Schatz said, “For decades, our broken immigration system has separated families and forced millions to live in the shadows. That is why I was proud to help pass bipartisan immigration reform legislation in the Senate last year. But since then, House Republicans have refused to take up the bill and have offered no realistic solutions. I commend President Obama for taking measured steps to address our broken system. This will bring some welcome relief for the many undocumented families hoping to live the American Dream, but we need a permanent solution from Congress.” To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

RONALD WILLIAMS HAS BEEN APPOINTED by Hawai`i Tourism Authority’s board of directors as the agency’s interim president and CEO. Williams take over responsibilities effective today, following the departure of current HTA President and CEO Mike McCartney. 

Francisco Villa compete in Kata during IKL's tournament in Kona

      “Ron brings with him an incredible wealth of knowledge of the HTA and more than 30 years of experience in Hawai`i’s visitor industry,” said Aaron J. Sala, HTA board chair. “We are pleased that he could step in and ease the transition for the HTA as we search for a permanent president and CEO.”

      Williams was appointed to the HTA board of directors in 2009 and served as board chair from 2010 through 2014. He is currently president and CEO of Atlantis Adventures.

      “It is an honor to have been selected as the interim president and CEO during this transitional period,” said Williams. “I am committed to working with the HTA board and staff on maintaining the success of our tourism economy. On behalf of the HTA, I would like to extend a sincere mahalo to Mike McCartney for serving Hawai`i’s visitor industry and wish him well in his new position as he continues to serve the state of Hawai`i.”

      Effective Dec. 1, McCartney will be chief-of-staff for Gov.-elect David Ige.

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PAHALA KARATE DOJO PARTICIPATED in the Tournament of Champions held in Kailua-Kona on Nov. 8. The tournament was held by the International Karate League, and dojos from across the state attended with over 120 participants. Competition included performance in kata, kobudo (weapons) and kumite (sparring), with numerous divisions representing different ages and ranks. Pahala Karate Dojo is part of the International Karate League. Many of its members participated and helped as judges and referees.

Maiki Cofer placed second in Kata and third in Kumite
in women's colored belt division.

      Participating members included Brown Belts Francisco Villa, Jake Villa and Kailee Kuhaulua-Stacy, who placed third in Brown Belt Kumite); Blue Belt Lentron Jara; Green Belts John Poetzel, Maiki Cofer, who placed second in Kata and third in Kumite in women’s colored belt division, Josiah Barrios, who placed first in Kata and second in Kobudo in Junior Green Belt Division, and Cheydon Kaluahine-Salmo; Purple Belt Ethan Biason, who placed third in Junior Kumite Division); and White Belts Cheska Aurelio, Kaiden Kaluahine-Salmo and Kailen Kaluahine-Salmo.
      Sensei Cliff Field and Senpai Susan Field helped with ring management, judging and refereeing. The Pahala Dojo was honored with the attendance of Sensei and Senpai Field’s Sensei, Melvin Teshima, who was in attendance from Kaua`i.
      The International Karate League is a traditional karate school and is registered in Japan. The headquarters are in Honolulu, and the Founder, Nishioka Shihan, was presiding over the tournament.
      Pahala Dojo meets every Tuesday and Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Pahala Community Center and is open to new students year-round. International Karate League is operated as a not-for-profit organization.

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TUTU AND ME TRAVELING PRESCHOOL hosts a Keiki Ho`olaule`a at Pahala Community Center today from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The event features keiki games and activities, a photo booth, free raffle, face painting and more. A lunch of chili with rice and fresh fruit will be served, and shave ice and popcorn will be provided by `O Ka`u Kakou. 

       In the spirit of giving and receiving, guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to be donated to the Food Basket.
      For more information or to donate goods or services for the raffle, call 929-8571.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL’S SECOND ANNUAL Food Drive & Preseason Basketball Tournament begins today and continues tomorrow. Sponsored by the girls team under Head Coach Cy Lopez, today’s food drive will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The tournament will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tomorrow, the food drive will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with games starting at 10 a.m. and the last one beginning 4 p.m. Teams participating are Ka`u, Pahoa, Kealakehe and Hana, Maui.

ENGINEER’S ESTATE! 40-year collection of hand and power tools, tents, telescopes, bikes, household items, records, cameras, vintage violin and more. Over half of proceeds will benefit a well known local support service. Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Hotdogs, coffee, and music.

Zeke Israel is a member of Volcano Village Artists Hui.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY BEGINS tomorrow at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The event features handmade ornaments, wreaths and other pieces. A members-only party and reception takes place today from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

      The gallery is open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

HIKERS LED BY BOTANIST Tim Tunison explore Kipuka Ki and Kipuka Pua`ulu forests in the Mauna Loa section of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

      The event begins at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus, where participants carpool to Mauna Loa Strip Road.
      Fees are $45 for VAC members and $50 for nonmembers.

VOLCANO ARTISTS HUI STUDIO TOUR & SALE begins a week from today on Friday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and continues on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors meet Volcano Village Artists Hui members in their studios and see artwork in a wide variety of media. Maps are available at village businesses and at volcanovillageartistshui.com.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.