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Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014

Braving cold weather and occasional showers, Hawai`i Island veterans, visitors and residents attended Kilauea Military Camp's Veterans Day ceremony yesterday. Photos by Ron Johnson
HAWAI`I ISLAND VETERANS, VISITORS and residents gathered at Kilauea Military Camp yesterday for a Veterans Day ceremony honoring all who serve.
Pahala veterans Fidel Augustin and Leighton Pahukula enjoy the free buffet
at KMC's Crater Rim Cafe following the ceremony.
      “Our men and women in uniform are ambassadors,” said guest speaker MSgt Brian F. Jordan. “Countries where we have fought want to be like us.” Jordan also said veterans are stewards of the U.S. Constitution “and ask for nothing in return. Veterans who died lost two lives, the one they lost in battle and the one they should have had in freedom.”
      Giving the keynote address, BG James Carpenter called every veteran a patriot and a hero. He also emphasized the day’s significance: “Today is a holiday, a time to relax. I don’t think any veterans would begrudge anyone time to relax … and time to gather with families. Veterans Day is the day we remember why we have the freedom to have time off. Respect those who are giving their all for this freedom. … It reminds us that we need to take care of those who take care of us.”
      Carpenter told the audience, “Today I am proud to be an American, and I can tell that you are, too, just by your presence here.” He asked listeners to find out how they could honor veterans.
      Following the ceremony, KMC provided a free dinner buffet for attending veterans at Crater Rim Café.
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Patsy T. Mink Photo from
Patsy T. Mink Foundation
HAWAI`I CONGRESSWOMAN PATSY T. MINK will posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. The medal is presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.
      Among Mink’s numerous accomplishments during her decades of public service, she is most widely known for being one of the principal authors of Title IX, the federal law that protects students from gender discrimination in federally supported education programs and activities. Signed into law on June 23, 1972, the legislation has since been renamed the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity Education Act.
      “This recognition for my friend, Patsy Mink, is well deserved, and I am proud to have lent my early support to this effort,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “A visionary and a trailblazer, Patsy’s legacy lives on in every female student and athlete in America who’s been given a fair shot to compete in the classroom and on the playing field. We are proud that a keiki o ka `aina, born and raised on Maui, who continues to inspire all of us, has received this high honor.”
      Sen. Brian Schatz applauded President Barack Obama’s action:

 “All of Hawai`i is deeply proud that Patsy Mink has been named to posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As a daughter of the islands, she fought every day of her life to make real the possibilities of equal opportunity for all and the rights of minorities and women. Her remarkable achievements were hard-earned – born of her unwavering resolve and the values she learned living in Hawai`i. We know that Patsy would share this award with all of us and especially with the countless women who steadfastly carried on with the legacy and the spirit of Patsy Mink.”
      Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said,
 “Congresswoman Mink is deeply deserving of the Presidential Media of Freedom, having demonstrated her selfless commitment to the betterment of our nation and increasing opportunities for all Americans. It is appropriate that this high honor will be given to one of Hawai`i’s great leaders and a true American trailblazer.”
      Gov. Neil Abercrombie said, “As a strong advocate for peace, social justice, public education, transparency in government, energy and environmental policies, Congresswoman Mink is most deserving of this honor.
       “Throughout her years in public service, she was a tenacious advocate for the disenfranchised and minorities, which led to a number of noteworthy accomplishments. …
      “Her work ethic was unmatched; her commitment to justice for all deep and abiding. There was simply no one like her – ever. Caring and compassionate, insightful and inspiring – she will always be in our memories as the gold standard of public service.
Lava lobe that destroyed house but spared the garage is inflating, with
USGS geoligist taking measurements. Photo from HVO
      “Those of us who supported the request for Patsy to be considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom are deeply appreciative of President Obama’s recognition of her. Admired and respected personally, she will now take her rightful place in the history of our nation as one of the greatest legislators.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

MORE HOMES IN PAHOA ARE NOT IN IMMEDIATE danger of being overtaking by lava following the first home being destroyed Monday, reported Hawai`i County Civil Defense this morning. Other lobes of lava have entered the transfer station and are burning asphalt as it covers pavement. 
      While the flow front closest to Pahoa Village Road remains stalled, breakouts continue upslope, and inflation of the front continues.
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VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES is one of 13 schools across the state taking part in the fourth annual Recycle-Bowl Competition. This nationwide recycling incentive, open to all elementary, middle and high schools, is sponsored by Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s leading recycling and litter prevention nonprofit organization. The objectives of RBC are to establish new recycling programs within schools, increase recycling rates in schools that currently recycle and provide teacher/student educational opportunities about recycling and waste reduction.
Ocean View veteran Mike Last, enjoying the free buffet at KMC,
ran for state Senate as a Libertarian.
      From Oct. 15 through Nov. 15, students, faculty and staff work together to recycle as much as possible on campus, which may include paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, HI-5 beverage containers and food waste. The Recycle-Bowl Competition is a measurable success that reduces the amount of discards to the landfill.
      The competition culminates on Nov. 15, which is America Recycles Day and Hawai`i Recycles Day. Schools submit a final report of how much they recycled by volume or weight. Once reports are received and verified, KAB announces the top school winner for each state in early 2015.
      Four winning schools receive cash prizes donated by local sponsors Lex Brodie’s Tire Foundation, Goodfellow Bros, Inc. and Island Naturals Market and Deli.
      In Hawai`i, the Recycle-Bowl Competition is coordinated by Recycle Hawai`i and Keep the Hawaiian Islands Beautiful.
      For more information about America Recycles Day and Recycle-Bowl Competition, see www.americarecyclesday.org. For more information on recycling events in Hawai`i, contact Marsha Hee, Education Director of Recycle Hawai`i, at hiartrecycle@gmail.com.

KA`U SCENIC BYWAY COMMITTEE meets tomorrow 5 p.m. at Na`alehu Methodist Church. The public is invited. For more information, email richmorrow@alohabroadband.net.

Posting and Retiring of Colors was Hilo Civil Air Patrol's duty at KMC's Veterans Day ceremony.
ZACH MERMEL HOLDS A WORKSHOP on Mushroom Cultivation Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Mermel teaches the basics of fungal biology and how fungal mycelium colonizes different materials, particularly wood logs and straw. He also covers the health benefits of different edible and medicinal fungi in Hawai`i. Attendees will gain hands-on experience inoculating their own mushroom kits as well as logs that they can take home at the end of the day.
      Fees are $40 for VAC members and $50 for non-members plus a $25 supply fee. Register at 967-8222.

James Hill returns to Pahala for Saturday's concert.
A FREE HAWAIIAN CONCERT FOR THE COMMUNITY, sponsored by the Center for Hawaiian Music Studies, takes place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the grounds of Pahala Plantation House. Entertainers include Keoki Kahumoku, Sonny Lim, James Hill, Ben Ka`ili, Peter deAquino, Brad Bordessa, Abrigo `Ohana, Katy Rexford, Rion Schmidt, Andy Andrews, Debbie Ryder and more. Donations accepted.

TEAMS FROM AS FAR AWAY AS HANA, MAUI will converge on Ka`u High School Gym Friday, Nov. 21 and Saturday, Nov. 22 for the second annual Food Drive & Preseason Tournament. Sponsored by the Trojan Girls Basketball team under Head Coach Cy Lopez, the Friday food drive will be from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The tournament will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. On Saturday, the food drive will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with games starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 3 p.m. Teams participating are Laupahoehoe, Kealakehe, Hana and Ka`u.
      “Please support the Ka`u concession stand on both Friday and Saturday,” said Lopez.

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





See kaucalendar.com/Direectory2014.swf.