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Friday, June 06, 2014

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, June 6, 2014

The history of Honu`apo and Ka`u is the topic at Ka `Ohana O Honu`apo's Sunday in the Park, June 8. Photo from KOOH
WINDWARD PLANNING COMMISSION YESTERDAY unanimously approved curbside trash pickup in Ocean View. Ka`u Rubbish Disposal owners Dominique Maus and Aaron Bakk applied for a special permit to start the business.
      Nancy Cook Lauer, of West Hawai`i Today, said the entrepreneurs recently moved to Ocean View from Alaska, where Bakk worked on an offshore oil rig and Maus worked with mentally handicapped clients for a nonprofit.
      Cook Lauer reports that Ka`u Rubbish Disposal will charge $29.99 a month under contract and haul trash to the Hilo or Puuanahulu landfills.
      The business is on a one-acre lot near the intersection of Tradewind and Kailua Blvd.
      “Our goal is to pick up rubbish for customers and transport it conveniently to where it should go,” Bakk said at the meeting. “There are quite a few vacant lots in Ocean View that are being used as dump sites.”
      See westhawaiitoday.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

OEOC's Lane Ueda, at right, helps Bridget Pascubillo fill out forms this morning at
Olson Trust's Old Pahala Clubhouse. Families can sign up for help with electric
bills through the end of the month. Photo by Julia Neal
HAWAI`I COUNTY ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY COUNCIL helped needy people with electric bills today at the Old Pahala Clubhouse. Called Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program, it started Monday, June 2 in Na`alehu and continues in back of Na`alehu Senior Center Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through June 30. Low-income families can sign up in Pahala on Thursdays and Fridays through June 27 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
      Ka`u’s electric bills are some of the highest in the U.S., and the county Economic Opportunity Council helps to subsidize the cost with a federal grant.
      Applications are open to all, but applicants must qualify based on their income.
      For more information, contact Lane Ueda at 936-8396.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

AFTER THE SOUTH POINT FIRE THAT BURNED more than 1,000 acres Sunday, residents worry that illegal campfires and sparks from vehicles not well attended could cause fires with more devastation.
      The area is vulnerable to fire due to lack of rain and strong winds. Ten years ago a fire took out ranchers’ paddocks. While this fire did not damage any homes, it did reach an area near homes.
       “I hope people stay out of Ka`alu`alu until the `aina heals,” said one resident.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS APPROVED a three-year contract for state Department of Education Superintendent Kathryn Matayoshi.
      The contract extension was approved subject to a report from Matayoshi to the BOE responding to concerns raised by a recent survey of educators. The related issues were presented in public testimony during this week’s BOE meeting.
Kathryn Matayoshi
      “Our Strategic Plan establishes very clear goals that require collaboration, thoughtful decision-making and accountability. The department has made significant changes and continues to make positive progress under Superintendent Matayoshi’s leadership,” BOE Chairm Don Horner said.
      “During her term, the DOE has faced significant challenges, including budget reductions, union issues, federal mandates and implementation of a new comprehensive strategic plan. She has reorganized the entire department to be in alignment with our strategic objectives, which are focused on student success,” he said.
      Matayoshi has been steadily working on the transformation of the state’s public education system since she was appointed superintendent in September 2010. In 2011, the DOE and BOE released a first-ever joint Strategic Plan focused on student success. Matayoshi has refocused the departmental offices to be more efficient and better aligned with the goals outlined in the 2011-18 Strategic Plan.
      “Our students and educators have made incredible achievements during a time of change that has not been easy,” said Matayoshi. “I look forward to finding ways to assure the sustainability of the progress we’ve seen in transforming education and ensuring a foundation that allows for student and staff success for the long-term.”
      Matayoshi was named superintendent in September 2010. Prior to her appointment, she served as acting and interim superintendent and deputy superintendent.
      The three-year contract approval goes into effect on July 1.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

DWAYNE MUKAI IS THE NEW HAWAI`I ISLAND constituent outreach representative for Ka`u’s U.S. Rep Tulsi Gabbard. A Hilo High School and University of Hawai`i graduate, Mukai owns his own financial advising firm and has actively held positions in Japanese Chamber of Commerce, Sons & Daughters of AJA Veterans and other community organizations.
      “I am proud to announce Dwayne Mukai has joined my team as the Hawai`i Island representative, bringing with him 36 years of financial service and community experience,” Gabbard said. “His deep commitment to serving Hawai`i businesses and constituents, as well as his thorough knowledge of AJA veterans, the economy, and our neighborhoods will serve our constituents well, as we constantly work towards addressing Hawai`i’s priorities and needs. I look forward to working closely with Dwayne to provide the best possible constituent services and community outreach across Hawai`i Island.”
      Mukai said, “I am very proud to work toward serving Hawai`i by joining Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s team. I am grateful for this opportunity to support her as she continues her tremendous efforts on behalf of Hawai`i’s citizens and especially for our rural communities and veterans, caring for our kūpuna and keiki, and creating job prospects for a 21st century economy.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES will begin accepting renewal requests for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program for undocumented immigrant children.
      “I commend the Department of Homeland Security for announcing the renewal of the DACA program for undocumented children,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “These millions of young people, including the estimated 4,000 in Hawai`i who may be eligible, should be able to stay in the country they call home. The DACA program, however, is no substitute for comprehensive immigration reform. I urge House Republicans to take up the bipartisan Senate immigration bill passed more than a year ago.”
      The U.S. Senate’s only immigrant, Hirono worked closely with colleagues to shape the Senate’s immigration reform bill in the Judiciary Committee and on the Senate floor, attaching 11 amendments to the bipartisan bill that passed last year.
      Since the bill’s passage, Hirono has worked to support immigration reform by introducing legislation such as the Investing IN States To Achieve Tuition Equity (IN-STATE) for DREAMers Act, which would make the University of Hawai`i system eligible for federal funding as part of a new $750 million initiative to reward states like Hawai`i that offer in-state tuition and need-based financial aid to qualified students regardless of immigration status.
      U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has also provided resources to help individuals avoid immigration service scams at www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

JULIE EVANS AND LOIS AND EARL STOKES offer an Introduction to Zentangle tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Call 967-8222. 

OCEAN VIEW EVANGELICAL COMMUNITY CHURCH presents an evening of Southern gospel and hula tomorrow at 6 p.m. This fundraiser for Mission to Uganda 2014 features the Southern Cross Singers, OVECC Hula, Marshallese Choir, a Uganda slideshow and more.

KA `OHANA O HONU`APO’S JUNE 8 Sunday in the Park event from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Honu`apo Park features Darlyne Vierra discussing the history of Honu`apo Park and Ka`u and a hike led by John Replogle.
      For more information email kaohanaohonuapo@gmail.com.

KA`U FARM BUREAU HOLDS ITS NEXT MEETING on Monday, June 23 at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center. The organization currently has 30 active members, with 40 members on the rolls, according to Pres. Ralph Gaston. Everyone is welcome to attend.
      Contact Gaston at ralph@rustyshawaiian.com for more information.

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.
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