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Tuesday, November 08, 2016

Ka`u News Briefs, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016

Ka‘ū Learning Academy fourth grade students learn about Kīlauea volcano and the lava lake within
Halema‘uma‘u Crater. NPS Photo by Janice Wei

FOURTH GRADERS ON A FIELD TRIP TO THE ERUPTING SUMMIT of Kīlauea received their free Every Kid in a Park pass yesterday from Sen. Mazie K. Hirono. The Senator, Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando, and park rangers greeted Kaʻū Learning Academy students at Kīlauea Overlook. The students traveled 41 miles from their charter school campus in Discovery Harbour to hike with the Senator along Crater Rim Trail to the observation deck at Jaggar Museum. Each student learned about the volcano and earned an Every Kid in a Park pass.
Every Kid in a Park Pass is good for entry to 2,000
public lands and waters nationwide.
NPS Photo by Janice Wei
     The Every in Kid in a Park program is part of President Barack Obama’s program to protect iconic outdoor spaces and ensure that every American has the opportunity to visit them. In its second year, it gives fourth graders and those accompanying them, a free pass for a year to visit 2,000 public lands and waters nationwide – including Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
     “Senator Hirono is a dedicated advocate of education for Hawai'i youth, and fully embraces Every Kid in a Park,” said Orlando. “The Kaʻū students who hiked with her today not only met one of Hawai‘i’s senators, but were able to spend quality time outdoors with someone who truly advocates for our keiki and national parks,” Orlando said.
      The students took photos with Hirono, and witnessed surges of lava spattering from a vent within Halemaʻumaʻu Crater, one mile away. “My favorite thing was seeing the volcano,” said nine-year-old T'rael Pesnell, who took photos of his classmate posing with the eruption behind him.
Fourth graders from Ka‘ū Learning Academy display 
their free Every Kid in a Park pass at Jaggar Museum. 
NPS Photo by Janice Wei
   Hirono also presented the national park with Senate Resolution 541, proclaiming Aug. 1, 2016 as Hawaiʻi Volcanoes and Haleakalā National Parks Day, to honor the parks’ centennial anniversaries.
     “As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, the Every Kid in a Park program promotes a lifelong appreciation for our environment and natural resources,” said Hirono.
     Educators for all grades can learn more about the park's educational opportunities and curriculum on the park website: https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/education/index.htm, and by calling the Education Center at 985-6019.

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Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. all day today.
Photo by Julia Neal
IT’S ELECTION DAY, and a holiday to make time to vote for U.S. President, members of the U.S. Congress and Hawaiʻi State Legislature, Office of Hawaiian Affairs and amendments to law.
     Election Day voting locations, open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. include: Cooper Center in Volcano at 19-4030 Wright Rd; Ka‘ū High School Cafeteria at 96-3150 Pikake St. - turn into the school grounds; Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Cafeteria at 95-5545 Hwy 11; Ocean View Community Center at 92-5545 Māmalahoa Hwy; and Miloli‘i Halāu. See ballots below.
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CANDIDATES IN TODAY'S ELECTIONS include those for U.S. Senator. Candidates: Constitution Party member Joy Allison; Republican John Carroll; American Shopping Party member John M. Giuffre; Libertarian Michael A. Kokoski; and incumbent Democrat Brian Schatz.
     Ka‘ū's member in congress is also up for reelection. Democrat Tulsi Gabbard is challenged by Republican Angela Kaaihue.
     On the East Ka‘ū ballots, Sen. Russell Ruderman is challenged by Libertarian Fredrick Fogel. East Ka‘ū state Rep. Richard Onishi is challenged by Libertarian Gregory Arianoff and Green Party Candidate Kealoha Pisciotta. On the West Ka‘ū ballots, West Ka‘ū state Rep. Richard Creagan, a Democrat, is challenged by Libertarian Michael Last. West Ka‘ū state Sen. Josh Green is not up for reelection this year.
     Office of Hawaiian Affairs voting is open to people of all races and cultural backgrounds. On the ballot, incumbent Robert Lindsey is challenged by Millilani Trask. The At-Large Trustee contest is between Keli‘i Akina and Haunani Apoliona. 
      Listed in alphabetical order, for United States Presidency, are the following candidates: Constitution Party member Daniel L. Castle (who withdrew but still on ballot) with vice presidential running mate Scott Bradley; Democrat Hillary Clinton with Tim Kaine; Libertarian Gary Johnson with Bill Weld; Green Party candidate Jill Stein with Ajamu Baraka; and Republican Donald Trump, with Michael Pence.
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THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS on the ballot for today’s General Election include one for the Hawaiʻi County General Plan, which would add considerations for health into its language.  A state Constitution Amendment would hike up the minimum value of an expected outcome in each civil case from $5,000 to $10,000 in order for the case to be heard by a jury.  
     Another proposed state Constitutional Amendment would allow the state to distribute excess funds in its coffers when they reach more than 5 percent of revenues for two consecutive years – to be used for debt service for state bonds or pensions and other post-employment benefit liabilities for state employees.
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KAʻŪ HOSPITAL REPORTS that its newly upgraded electronic medical record system has produced some errors. “During a recent upgrade of our system some bills for services received at our hospital may have gone out with incorrect information,” reports Kaʻū Hospital Administrator Merilyn Harris. She asks that anyone receiving any bills in question, please contact the hospital. “Please let us know if you have received one of these. Our staff members are working hard to fix the problem and we apologize for the inconvenience,” she said.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard will be keynote speaker
at KMC Veteran's Day ceremony.
Photo from Office of Tulsi Gabbard
CIVIL DEFENSE REPORTED YESTERDAY at 12:30 p.m. that Hawaiian Telcom was experiencing technical problems affecting telephone, internet, and cell phone services, including 911. Problems were reported from Pahala though Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Bank of Hawaiʻi, Longs Drugs and other businesses were unable to make transactions. The outage was as far north as Kailua-Kona and lasted until approximately 4:30 p.m. Civil Defense advises that anyone affected by these problems requiring immediate medical attention, go to the nearest fire station, police station, or medical facility.

LEARN THE SKILL OF WEAVING lau hala with practitioners from ʻAha Pūhala o Puna this Wednesday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. For centuries, Hawaiians have used the hala (pandanus) tree to create many useful and beautiful items.

FREE ENTRANCE TO HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK will be this Friday, Nov. 11, National parks across the country will waive entrance fees for Veterans Day in honor of the men and women who have served the nation. The park has dozens of veterans among its employees and volunteers. Active duty U.S. military can obtain a free annual Military Pass at the park’s entrance station all year. For more information on the free Military Pass, visit the park website http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/fees.htm.

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY will be this Friday, Nov. 11. KMC celebrates a century of service with keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. The ceremony is on the front lawn at 3 p.m.

VETERANS DAY BUFFET is offered by Kilauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Cafe this Friday, Nov. 11 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. following Veterans Day ceremonies. Adults $27.95. Children 6-11 years old $14.50

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


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