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Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whales National Marine Sanctuary's plans to expand in size and scope will not go forward, NOAA announced. Map from NOAA
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE National Marine Sanctuary will not expand. National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries last March proposed adding 235 miles of new state and federal waters including other marine species to its preservation work.
      Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case sent a letter to John Armor, acting director of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries detailing the state’s concerns.
Suzanne Case Photo by John DeMello
      “As the trustee of Hawai`i’s natural resources, cultural resources and submerged lands, the state of Hawai`i supports an ecosystem-based management approach, but cannot endorse federal jurisdiction or enforcement of Hawaiian waters at this scale,” Case said.
      “The Hawai`i Dept. of Land and Natural Resources consistently works to implement an integrated, ecosystem-based approach to management,” Case said. “We believe strongly that this can only be achieved through partnerships in which each entity builds upon and leverages its unique strengths. The Sanctuary has done this extraordinarily well with humpback whales for over 20 years, and we had hoped that this expertise could be extended to other marine mammals.”
      Case said future endeavors to protect Hawai`i’s marine natural and cultural resources should be concentrated on improvement and expansion of existing state management capabilities, “rather than increased federal regulation within state waters. New regulations should not be offered as a surrogate when the real issue is management capacity. New regulations that merely duplicate existing regulations in state-controlled waters would unduly increase regulatory burdens on Hawai`i’s community, including governmental and nongovernmental entities and users, without providing any discernible advantages.”
      “Any management action must be supported by the state,” Armor said in a statement as reported by Nathan Eagle, of Civil Beat. “We look forward to continuing our partnership and working together with the state of Hawai`i and local communities.”
      Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was established by Congress in 1992. It is co-managed by NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the state of Hawai`i Department of Land and Natural Resources.
      The first of three humpback whale counts through March takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Registration at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

BRENDA IOKEPA MOSES has been designated as a representative to participate in the Assembly of States and Territories at the 2016 National Association of Conservation Districts’ Annual Meeting to be held at the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno, Nevada. Iokepa Moses is chair of the Ka`u Soil & Water Conservation District and president of Hawai`i’s statewide Association of Conservation Districts.
      The convention runs from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard joined Sen. Gil Kahele
at the King Kamehameha in the U.S.
Capitol. Photo from Rep. Gabbard
HAWAI`I’S U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION shared their thoughts about state Sen. Gil Kahele following his death yesterday. After a series of heart attacks, Kahele died at the age of 73.
      “Gil Kahele was one of the kindest, most decent, most caring public servants that I have ever known,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “His heart for the people of his community made him an effective leader, community organizer and senator. He was so kind to me and to everyone whom he touched. This is a sad day, and he will be missed.”
      Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “Gil Kahele served Hawai`i and our country with distinction for more than 50 years, first in the U.S. Marine Corps, then as a community advocate and in elected office. I will remember Gil for his kindness and tireless work on behalf of the people of Hawai`i Island and our state. Gil’s steadfast advocacy on behalf of individuals and families ensured that the resources were available to address community needs for Tropical Storm Iselle and the Puna lava flow. My thoughts and prayers are with Gil’s wife Linda and the entire Kahele `ohana.”
      Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said Kahele “has always been known as a strong advocate for the people of Hawai`i Island, serving as their voice at the Hawai`i State Capitol, especially through times of challenge and hardship. I saw him recently in Washington, DC, where as always, he was ready with a smile, a hug, warm aloha and a picture to post on his Facebook page. My heart is with the Kahele `ohana, and all of Hawai`i Island. Gil, you are missed.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

The Pauahi Foundation is offering scholarships for Science
Camps of America returning to Pahala this summer.
Image from Science Camps of America
THE PAUAHI FOUNDATION IS OFFERING scholarships for Science Camps of America, which will be based at Pahala Plantation Cottages again this summer.                 Through funds from the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory, the Pauahi Foundation is offering this opportunity to 12 Hawai`i Island resident students; six for the Land & Sea session and six for the Air & Space session. Tuition cost for each 10-day experience is $2,395.
      Science Camps of America’s sessions of fun and science are filled with field trips, field exercises, lab exercises and hands-on STEM experience.
      Students must be residents of Hawai`i Island, 13 to 17 years of age and in good physical condition with ability to hike five miles.
      The Pauahi Foundation’s policy is to give preference to applicants of Hawaiian ancestry to the extent permitted by law. The foundation utilizes the services of Kamehameha Schools Ho`oulu Hawaiian Data Center to verify Hawaiian ancestry of those applicants who wish to be considered under the Foundation’s preference policy. All questions regarding Hawaiian ancestry registration and verification should be directed to the Data Center. Call 800-842-4682, see www.ksbe.edu/datacenter, or email registry@ksbe.edu. This is a separate process and should not be confused with the scholarship application process.
      See pauahi.org, or mail scholarships@pauahi.org for scholarship information.
      See sciencecampsamerica.com for more about the sessions.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hawai`i County has extended its free tire collection.
Image from Hawai`i County
HAWAI`I COUNTY’S TIRE COLLECTION program has been extended through February. The program helps the community reduce mosquito breeding sites by recycling old tires.
      Households may bring in passenger vehicle, motorcycle or ATV tires with no rims to any of the Solid Waste Division’s 22 Recycling & Transfer Stations during normal operating hours. Customers must locate Solid Waste Facility Attendants on duty (wearing fluorescent safety vests) and advise them that they have acceptable tires for recycling. Attendants will instruct residents where to properly place the tires. Tires dropped off before or after normal operating hours will be considered illegal dumping.
      There is a 10 (acceptable) tire limit per day per vehicle so that we can fairly serve the public and ensure that one customer doesn't overload the site and unnecessarily prevent other customers from participating in the temporary collection.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

FOLLOWING A 0-9 LOSS TO HPA AT HOME Saturday, Ka`u High's soccer team hosts Kea`au today at 2 p.m.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TUTU AND ME IS SELLING Punalu`u Cinnamon bread as a fundraiser for Partners in Development Foundation. Tickets are available now through Feb. 22 or until they run out.
      The loaves, which are available only through fundraisers, are $7 each and it will be delivered fresh on Friday, March 4, available for pick up either at Pahala Community Center from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. or in front of Na`alehu Ace Hardware from 1 p.m. to 3 pm.
      Call 929-8571 to order.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HOW COMMUNITIES PROTECT themselves from vog is the topic of a Volcano Awareness Month program today at 6:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center.

Burning Man is the topic at Thursday Nights at the Center.
Image from Volcano Art Center
VOLCANO RESIDENT RUSSELL ATKINSON discusses Burning Man tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village.
      Every year during the week before Labor Day, Burning Man takes place in northern Nevada in the Black Rock Desert. Burning Man takes the form of a temporary city where 70,000 people comprise an experimental community with an economy based on a combination of self-reliance and generosity rather than cash or barter.
      Atkinson’s presentation includes a brief history of Burning Man and his volunteer project there and finishes with a picture tour of some artwork from Burning Man 2015.
      The event is free; a $5 donation is greatly appreciated.
      Call 967-8222 for more information.

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