Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, May 2, 2015

Ka`u Coffee Festival Ho`olaule`a is in full swing, with a day of entertainment and booths, including Ka`u Rural Health Community Association Director Luz Miguel, center, promoting healthful living and health education. Photo by Julia Neal

“LUKE’S LAW NOW A REALITY,” Ka`u’s state Sen. Josh Green announced on his Facebook page. Green’s Senate Bill 791 calls for insurance companies to cover diagnosis and treatment of autism for children up to age 14.

Sen. Josh Green with Luke, the boy with autism who inspired
Luke's Law, requiring insurance coverage for the disease.
Photo from Sen. Green's Facebook page

      The bill’s name refers to a Big Island boy with autism whose family’s struggles with affordable health care raised awareness of the issue in Hawai`i. “So many people made this happen, but we dedicate the moment to Luke and the thousands of other young boys and girls in Hawai`i who will now have covered treatment to improve their lives!” Green said. 

      According to Green, the autism rate is as high as one in 68 children, “and families across Hawai`i are struggling with the enormous costs of the treatment they need to give their kids the best chance to lead healthy, productive lives.”
      Green fought to pass similar legislation during the 2014 legislative session and introduced SB 791 for the 2015 session on Jan. 23.
      “Over 38 states have passed legislation to ensure that treatment for autism is covered by health insurance,” Green said, “because they know the huge financial costs of leaving autism left untreated, both to families and to the state.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S current artist-in-residence, feather artist Rick Makanaaloha Kia`imeaokekanaka San Nicolas, is holding an open house Monday through Friday through May 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the 1932 Administration Building (also called the `Ohi`a Wing).
      San Nicolas will also participate in the park’s upcoming BioBlitz and Biodiversity & Cultural Festival, Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, from the `Ohi`a Wing, located between Kilauea Visitor Center and Volcano House.

Rick Makanaaloha Kia`imeaokekanaka San Nicolas displays
his feather creations. NPS Photo by Christa Sadler

      San Nicolas was recently bestowed the title of Ke Kumu Hulu Nui (feather master of ancient Hawaiian featherwork) by revered Kumu Hula (hula master) Kaha`i Topolinski. Early on, San Nicolas knew his calling was to learn from the most noted Hawaiian experts of this heritage art. His featherwork replicates the work of ancient Hawaiian masters whose finely crafted regalia were worn by Hawaiian royalty and warriors. He has honed his featherwork through research, talking to kupuna (honored elders) and by listening intently to all who want to share their story, traditions and process. Through their dedication, San Nicolas helps perpetuate the art of feather lei making for generations to come. More of his work is also on exhibit at Volcano House.

      The National Parks Arts Foundation, now in its second year of working with the National Park Service at Hawai`i Volcanoes, coordinates the park’s artist-in-residence program. The National Parks Arts Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 supported by donations from the public.
      To help fund upcoming artist-in-residence programs in a number of parks, call 505-715-6492, email admin@nationalparksartsfoundation.org, and see www.nationalparksartsfoundation.org.
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AFTER A HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE meeting that lasted over 18 hours, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016. The Committee passed the funding measure by a bipartisan vote of 60-2. 

      “With competing priorities, readiness needs and a variety of threats that are constantly evolving in different parts of the world, it’s important that we ensure our troops have the resources they need to do their job in keeping the American people safe,” Gabbard said.

Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba promotes her own
R&G Coffee at the ho`olaule`a today. Photo by Julia Neal

      “Given the evolving threats we face in the Asia-Pacific region, I’m pleased that in addition to almost $500 million in investment for Hawai`i military infrastructure, two of my own amendments were included in the bill that help ensure Hawai`i will be protected against missile threats from North Korea. Additionally, Congressman John Kline and I worked together to include an amendment that will keep the pressure on the Pentagon to provide access to affordable healthcare for those military retirees who live outside the TRICARE Prime service area. The Department of Defense’s 2013 policy change disproportionately negatively impacted our neighbor island residents, which is a wrong that must be fixed.”
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Aaron Delos Santos spoke of his great teachers and the need for education,
calling for an end to discrimination and racism. Photo by Julia Neal

AARON DELOS SANTOS, AN EIGHTH-GRADER at Pahala Intermediate School, thanked four of his teachers and shared his thoughts on education, discrimination and racism in an essay he read at Gilligan’s Café yesterday.  He volunteers at the restaurant, which is raising money for the new charter school set to open for the next school year.

     De Los Santos praised his teachers,  including Ms. Tran, by quoting Rita Pierson:  "I am somebody. I was somebody when I came. I'll be a better somebody whenI leave. I am powerful, and I am strong. I deserve the education.....”
      In praising Tran, he also quoted La'ech:

      “You are my other me. If I do harm to you, I do harm to myself. If I love and respect you, I love and respect myself."

      Delos Santos said Mr. Bowers taught him to think outside the box and how to solve matrix and imaginary numbers, “subjects I thought I would never learn until high school.” He said Bowers was one of the greatest teachers he’s ever had.

Local Buzz from South Point Road features mac nuts, coffee and honey.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Delos Santos thanked Mr. Findlay for “opening my eyes to just how smart I am and never letting me quit!” He said Findlay “provided me with so much positivity and knowledge” and helped him improve in mathematics. Findlay also shared with Delos Santos the term Meliora – Always striving to be ever better.
      The 13-year-old said Ms. T taught him that education is like a building. “If we missed parts in our education, the foundation of our structure will be weak,” he said. He thanked her for “your patience for us and the time you took out of your own life to fill in the missing parts of our education.”

      “I would like to thank all the educators, not just the ones here bout also around the word,” Delos Santos said. “You guys are the key to education.”
      Delos Santos encouraged listeners to understand Martin Luther King’s dream: “He dreamt of a nation where different races could live in peace and tranquility.”

`O Ka`u Kakou provides security for the ho`olaule`a and raises money
for its community work through selling shave ice. Photo by Julia Neal

      In closing, Delos Santos said, “Together we the people can achieve greatness and surpass the expectations of others! We can change this community to one that is greater than others. A place where there is no discrimination or racism. Together we can make Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream a reality.” 
   For more on the new charter school, see www.kaulearningacademy.org.

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U.S. SENS. BRIAN SCHATZ AND MAZIE HIRONO have joined other Senate Democrats in introducing the Raise the Wage Act, a bill to increase the minimum wage to $12 by 2020 to help more families make ends meet, expand economic opportunity and help build an economy that works for all families.
      “If you work hard and play by the rules, you should be able to support your family. But too many working families today can barely make ends meet because our federal minimum wage has not kept up with the cost of living,” Schatz said. “Raising the minimum wage would lift millions of families out of poverty and put them on the path to the middle class, helping build a stronger, more resilient economy for everyone.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Brenda Iokepa-Moses, co-chair of the coffee festival, helps with the Ka`u
Coffee Mill booth. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U COFFEE FESTIVAL HO`OLAULE`A continues today until 5 p.m. at Pahala Community Center, featuring a free, full day of music, hula, Ka`u Coffee Experience, educational displays and demonstrations, farm tours, vendors and Ka`u Coffee. 

      Emcees Skylark and Debbie Ryder opened the ho`olaule`a at 9 a.m. Halau Hula Kalehuaki`eki`eika`iu, Hands of Time, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana hula halau performed this morning. Miss Ka`u Coffee Maria Miranda and the Miss Ka`u Coffee Court appeared at 11:30 a.m., with Miranda playing piano and her court sharing their talents.
      Afternoon performances begin with Keaiwa and Demetrius Oliveira at 12:15 p.m., followed by Halau Hula O Leionalani at 1 p.m.; Bolo at 1:45 p.m; South Side Serenaders at 2:30 p.m., Keoki Kahumoku at 3 p.m.; and Kulele at 3:45 p.m.
      The Buy Local, It Matters drawing for a $1,000 check takes place at 4 p.m.
      Moses, Makana & Bradley play at 4:15 p.m., and Kookoo Bird & Friends play at 4:45 p.m.
      See kaucoffeefest.com.

KA`U COFFEE COLLEGE is tomorrow at 9 a.m. at Pahala Community Center. The free educational series features coffee researchers and industry professionals. Call Chris Manfredi at 929-9550.

PALM TRAIL HIKE, TOMORROW from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit, is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. 985- 6011 or nps.gov/havo

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

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.