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Thursday, July 30, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, July 30, 2015

People and Land of Kahuku is the topic of a guided hike Saturday. NPS Photo by Julia Espinosa
HAWAI`I ISLAND POLICE URGE MOTORISTS to drive with caution as school resumes. Motorists should expect an increase in traffic, especially in school zones, during morning and afternoon hours.
      Sergeant Robert Pauole, of the Traffic Services Section, suggests adjusting daily schedules and starting earlier to avoid the temptation to rush while commuting to work. Also, while driving within school zones, use caution and be attentive to children walking to school and crossing in marked crosswalks.
B'lane Daly teaches her students math at Ka`u Learning Academy.
Photo from KLA
      Ka`u Learning Academy held its first day of classes with great success, Managing Director Joe Iacuzzo said. Many parents were present the first day to see their children start the new school year.  Iacuzzo said the new teachers were thrilled to meet their students. The other charter school in Ka`u, Volcano School of the Arts  Sciences, also began the fall semester yesterday.
      At Na`alehu Elementary, pre-k through sixth grade, starts today. In Pahala, school begins for students in preschool, kindergarten, seventh and ninth grades tomorrow. Grade eight and all other classes in Pahala start school on Monday.
      Pahala and Na`alehu classes start at 8 a.m.
Kamehameha School starts next week in Kea`au.
      Call Pahala public school campus at 928-2088 and Na`alehu at 939-2413.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I COUNTY WATER BOARD unanimously confirmed Kawika Uyehara as deputy of the Department of Water Supply at their monthly meeting yesterday.
      Newly selected Manager-Chief Engineer Keith Okamoto detailed the many reasons for his selection of Uyehara. Okamoto wrote about the attributes he felt were critical in a deputy and how Uyehara fulfilled each with his experience, education, leadership skills and community connection.
      A graduate of Waiakea High School, Uyehara went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from University of Washington. Upon completion of his degree, Uyehara worked several years with private firms in Seattle, Honolulu and Hilo. Uyehara joined the Department in 2007 as a licensed civil engineer in the Water Quality Assurance and Control Branch of the Engineering Division. Uyehara was promoted to branch supervisor in 2012.
      Okamoto cited examples of volunteer community service during Hurricane Iselle, National Drinking Water Week and coordinating general public education about the importance of source water protection for drinking water.
      Uyehara has a good understanding and knowledge of the potable drinking water industry, applicable federal and state laws, county codes and ordinances, departmental rules and regulations, as well as the ability to relate to customer and community needs, Okamoto said.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

M. Kahealani Nae`ole Wong
Photo from KSH
M. KAHEALANI NAE`OLE‐WONG has been appointed as po`o kula (head of school) for Kamehameha Schools Hawai`i. Kamehameha School serves Ka`u students with daily bus service to the 300-acre Kea`au campus, which opened in August of 2001. The student population is more than 1,100 in grades K-12. Over the last two years, Nae`ole‐Wong has served as the campus’ assistant head of school and has been serving as the interim head of school over the past two months. She takes over from Dr. Holoua Stender, who was promoted to helm a new executive vice president of education post with Kamehameha Schools. 
      “I’ve seen firsthand, Kahealani’s steadfast dedication to the faculty, staff, students and the surrounding community,” said Dr. Rod Chamberlain, Kamehameha Schools’ vice president of campus education. “She is an accomplished professional with a track record of improving educational and operational performance through vision, leadership and team building. She has a proven ability to affect change and drive continuous improvement.
      “The results of these efforts are a wonderful reflection of her genuine commitment to fulfill the mission and vision of our founder.”
      In her role as hope po‘o kumu (assistant head of school), Nae`ole‐Wong has led K‐12 campus curricular efforts associated with the Working Exit Outcomes framework, Standards-Based Kula Hawai`i and the Danielson Framework. She has worked with KSH and tri‐campus administrators and kumu to create a curriculum development infrastructure which results in the integration of Kula Hawai`i (Hawaiian School) and 21st century skills.
      “I am humbled by the opportunity to serve as the po`o kula for KS Hawai`i and look forward to fostering a thriving culture of growth and learning for all who call KS Hawai`i home,” Nae`ole‐ Wong said. “It has been a privilege to work alongside a dedicated and talented team of students, families, faculty, staff and leaders who exemplify Ke Ali`i Pauahi’s vision of academic, social, spiritual and cultural excellence.”
      Nae`ole‐Wong has served the KS Hawai`i `ohana since 2003, first as a high school career academy coordinator and serving for eight years as po`o kumu o ke kula ha`aha`a (elementary school principal) before stepping into the assistant head of school role in 2013. Prior to joining KSH, she served as the vice principal for Waiakea Elementary, Mountain View Elementary and Waiakea High School and in various capacities with Ke Kula Kaiapuni Hawai`i.
      A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Kapalama, Nae`ole‐Wong went on to receive her B.A. in Hawaiian studies from the University of Hawai`i at Hilo and two master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction and education administration (K‐12) from the University of Hawai`i at Manoa.
      Nae`ole‐Wong said, “I hope to build on a strong foundation and collaboratively lead our school to continue to grow as a Kula Hawai`i ‐ where all leaders, faculty, staff and students are committed to teaching and learning that supports the renewed vibrancy of Hawai`i’s indigenous people, and our life‐long success in the 21st century. It aligns with my core belief that applying our tradition of ancestral excellence and innovation in globally connected, Hawaiian culture‐based environments is a critical means to attain cultural vibrancy and ultimately achieve the mission of Kamehameha Schools.”
      Nae`ole‐Wong’s appointment is effective immediately. An interim assistant head of school will be appointed shortly, and recruitment for this position will begin in early spring for the 2016‐2017 school year.

Sensei Cliff Field congratulates Jake Villa.
JAKE VILLA HAS RECEIVED HIS International Karate League Junior black belt from Pahala Dojo Sensei Cliff Field. Field started the dojo in 2009, and it is open to new students from age five through adult throughout the year. Classes are every Tuesday and Friday at 5:30 at Pahala Community Center.

KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to a fundraiser for Sen. Russell Ruderman tomorrow. Gary Hooser will discuss Taking Back Our Government - the Why, the How and the Hope. Hooser serves on the Kaua`i County Council, served in the Hawai`i state Senate from 2002 to 2010 and currently is President of Hawai`i Alliance for Progessive Action.
      Special musical guests are the Kalapana Awa Band. Price for the talk, band and dinner is $50. Without dinner, the fee is $25. Dinner is served by Luquins Restaurant, and a bar will also be provided by Luquins.
      Advance reservations are recommended as seating is limited. See https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sen-russell-rudermans-speaker-dinner-series-tickets-17573116665.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE LAND OF EB AIRS ON PBS today at 7:30 p.m. Jonithen Jackson, of Ocean View, stars in the fictional account about the Marshallese situation.
      See thelandofeb.com and pbshawaii.org for more information.

OCEAN VIEW RANCHOS SOLAR SUBSTATION, planned by Hawai`i Electric Light Co., is the subject of a steering committee meeting today at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. 

Susan Scott
AUTHOR AND MARINE BIOLOGIST Susan Scott discusses her adventures sailing on her 37-foot sailing vessel to Palmyra and her work there today at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. 
      Call 967-8222 for more information.

DURING STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., volunteers cut invasive Himalayan ginger on trails in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The hike is around a one-mile, moderate round-trip down Halem`auma`u Trail into Kilauea caldera, leaving from Kilauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply. 
      For more information, call 985-6013.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S Kahuku Unit presents People and Lands of Kahuku Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Participants learn about the powerful natural forces at work there and how people have adapted to, shaped and restored this land.
      Call 985-6011 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/Directory2015.swf
and kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf.
See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_July2015.pdf.