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| U.S. Geological Service reminds the public that we live with volcanoes. See story below on Volcano Awareness month. Photo from USGS |
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono reports on U.S. Department of Defense bill. Photo from Sen. Hirono |
The bill includes Talia’s Law, which improves child abuse reporting requirements. It honors five-year-old Talia Williams, who died after months of abuse by her father and stepmother.
In education, it supports the STARBASE program with $25 million to provide elementary students with opportunities to explore Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). The students served under the program are historically underrepresented in STEM fields.
In health care, Hirono partnered with a Republican Senator, Dan Sullivan, to ensure that Department of Defense takes into consideration unique challenges of providing health care services in rural and remote locations when entering into medical support contracts with local providers.
In business, the bill includes a provision that Hirono supported that extends the Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs for five years. Since both programs’ creation, Hawaiʻi businesses have received 593 awards totaling over $161 million, she said.
In honoring veterans, the bill includes a Hirono-supported provision requiring the Department of Defense to review service records of Asian American and Pacific Islander veterans from Korean and Vietnam wars to determine if the award of the Medal of Honor is appropriate.
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STOP ARMING TERRORIST ACT was introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and a group of Republicans and Democrats. The legislation would prohibit the U.S. government from using American taxpayer dollars to provide funding, weapons, training, and intelligence support to groups like the Levant Front, Fursan al Ha and other allies of Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, al-Qaeda and ISIS, or to countries who are providing direct or indirect support to those same groups. The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Peter Welch, Barbara Lee , Dana Rohrabacher and Thomas Massie, and is supported by Progressive Democrats of America and the U.S. Peace Council.
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| U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard testified yesterday for legislation to prohibit taxpayer dollars from funding weapons and other support that could wind up in hands of enemies. Image from C-SPAN |
Gabbard contended that “the CIA has also been funneling weapons and money through Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar and others who provide direct and indirect support to groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda. This support has allowed al-Qaeda and their fellow terrorist organizations to establish strongholds throughout Syria, including in Aleppo,” she said.
She pointed to, “A recent New York Times article, stating that it confirmed that ‘rebel groups’ supported by the U.S. ‘have entered into battlefield alliances with the affiliate of al-Qaeda in Syria, formerly known as al Nusra.’”
Gabbard also pointed to Stephen Kinzer, a senior fellow at the Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University, who said, “The proposal to stop sending weapons to insurgents in Syria is based on the principle that pouring arms into a war zone only intensifies suffering and makes peace more difficult to achieve. Congress made a decision like this about the Nicaraguan contras during the 1980s. Aid to the contras was cut off by the Boland Amendment. The result was a peace process that finally brought an end to wars not only in Nicaragua, but also in El Salvador and Guatemala. This is the example we should be following. Cutting off arms shipments forces belligerents to negotiate. That is what we achieved in Nicaragua. It should be our goal in Syria as well.”
See her testimony at youtube.com .
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| Pāhala Karate Dojo brought home 14 medals from the Tournament of Champions. Photo from Pāhala Doj |
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Ethan Barrios, Kailee Kuhaulua-Stacy, Alajshae Barrios,
Josiah Barrios, Maiki Cofer, Josiah Reddy,
Jake Villa, Francisco Villa
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The Pāhala Dojo is part of the International Karate League and is one of 28 dojos in the organization.
The tournament included dojos from the Big Island and Oʻahu, with over 100 participants. The founder of IKL, Walter Nishioka, was present at the tournament. IKL is a nonprofit 501c3 organization.
Individual results for the Pāhala Dojo are:
Francisco Villa (black belt) placed 2nd in adult men’s open kata and 3rd in adult men’s kobudo (weapons) division.
Jake Villa (junior black belt) placed 2nd in junior black belt division kata and 2nd in junior advanced kobudo (weapons) division.
Kailee Kuhaulua-Stacy (Junior brown belt) placed 2nd in both advanced junior kumite (sparring) and kata and 3rd in advanced junior kobudo (weapons).
Maiki Cofer (brown belt) placed 3rd in Kata open brown belt and 2nd in women’s kobudo open brown and black belt division.
Josiah Barrios (blue belt) placed 3rd in open colored kubudo and 3rd in open blue belt division kata.
Ethan Biason (junior blue belt) placed 1st in junior blue belt kata division.
Alajshae Barrios (purple belt) placed 3rd in junior purple belt kata division
Josiah Reddy (white belt) placed 1st in junior white belt kata division
The Pāhala dojo trains every Tuesday and Friday at the Pāhala Community Center beginning at 5 p.m. There is a karate conditioning class for new students, a beginner’s class and advanced class. The class open year round to new students.
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MAUNA LOA VOLCANO LAVA BLOCKED THE ROAD AROUND THE ISLAND four times in the last century. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists remind readers of the history of volcanic activity in this week’s Volcano Watch as they prepare for Volcano Awareness Month in January:
Volcano Awareness Month was established by mayoral proclamation in 2010. Each January since, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have offered various talks – 68 to date – at venues around the island to keep residents and visitors informed about Hawaiian volcanoes.
January was selected as the “official” Volcano Awareness Month mainly because Kīlauea’s ongoing East Rift Zone Pu‘u ‘Ō’ō eruption began on January 3, 1983. But with two of the world’s most active volcanoes – one erupting nearly non-stop for over three decades (Kīlauea) and the other stirring for over a year (Mauna Loa) – the need for volcano awareness on Hawaiʻi Island is not limited to only one month. It’s a year-round concern.
In addition to the 34th anniversary of Kīlauea Volcano’s current East Rift Zone eruption, January 2017 marks the 110th anniversary of a notable Mauna Loa lava flow. The two-week-long eruption began at the summit of Mauna Loa on January 10, 1907, but soon migrated down the volcano’s Southwest Rift Zone. From there, lava advanced downslope and crossed the government road (predecessor of Highway 11) in two places. It was the first of four 20th century
Details about these presentations, including dates, times, locations, and brief descriptions, are posted on HVO's website (hvo.wr.usgs.gov). Email askHVO@usgs.gov or call (808) 967-8844 for more information.
Volcano Awareness Month talks are open to the public and no reservations are required.
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ALYSHA & PETE 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL WINTER JAM tournament starts tonight through the weekend at the new Kaʻū District Gym, Dec. 9-11. Age groups are ten and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, boys, girls and co-ed. Men and women are also invited to compete. The tournament raises money to help fund Trojan Senior basketball players Pete Dacalio and Alysha Gustafson to travel to the mainland with coach Jen Makuakane to look at colleges who may provide them with sports scholarships. To donate, call Summer Dacalio at 498-7336, Pete Dacalio at 498-3518 or Alysha Gustafson at 339-0858.
PĀHALA’S CHRISTMAS PARADE IS THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 11. The parade is in its 38th year and travels through the streets, winding up at Holy Rosary Catholic Church for refreshments. Organizer is Eddie Andrade.
FRIEND-RAISER IS NĀʻĀLEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S Winter Fest theme for Saturday. Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Make New Friends,” declares the poster, which also reports on opportunities to enjoy shave ice, drinks, hot dogs – all for $1. Games are 50 cents. Also featured is a bounce house, raffle, bake sale, splash booth, jail, face painting and information vendors. Winter Fest is sponsored by the Nāʻālehu School Council. Anyone wishing to donate prize items or make a monetary donation should contact Nāʻālehu Elementary vice-principal Christina Juan or student council adviser Amberly Keohuloa at 323-4000.
Volcano Awareness Month was established by mayoral proclamation in 2010. Each January since, USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists have offered various talks – 68 to date – at venues around the island to keep residents and visitors informed about Hawaiian volcanoes.January was selected as the “official” Volcano Awareness Month mainly because Kīlauea’s ongoing East Rift Zone Pu‘u ‘Ō’ō eruption began on January 3, 1983. But with two of the world’s most active volcanoes – one erupting nearly non-stop for over three decades (Kīlauea) and the other stirring for over a year (Mauna Loa) – the need for volcano awareness on Hawaiʻi Island is not limited to only one month. It’s a year-round concern.
In addition to the 34th anniversary of Kīlauea Volcano’s current East Rift Zone eruption, January 2017 marks the 110th anniversary of a notable Mauna Loa lava flow. The two-week-long eruption began at the summit of Mauna Loa on January 10, 1907, but soon migrated down the volcano’s Southwest Rift Zone. From there, lava advanced downslope and crossed the government road (predecessor of Highway 11) in two places. It was the first of four 20th century
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In July 2016, lava erupted from Kīlauea Volcano’s East Rift Zone
reached the ocean for the first time in almost three years, building the Kamokuna lava delta, shown here in October 2016. Kīlauea’s ongoing eruptions, the current status of Mauna Loa, and other topics related to Hawaiian volcanoes will be addressed in a series of talks offered by the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory during Volcano Awareness Month in January. The schedule is posted at hvo.wr.usgs.gov.
USGS photo
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Mauna Loa Southwest Rift Zone eruptions that sent lava flows across the main circle-island road, blocking traffic and severing communication lines (the others were in 1919, 1926, and 1950).
These present and past Kīlauea and Mauna Loa eruptions are reminders of why it’s important to understand how Hawaiian volcanoes work and the hazards associated with them. With that in mind, HVO, in cooperation with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, will offer a series of volcano awareness talks in January 2017. Details about these presentations, including dates, times, locations, and brief descriptions, are posted on HVO's website (hvo.wr.usgs.gov). Email askHVO@usgs.gov or call (808) 967-8844 for more information.
Volcano Awareness Month talks are open to the public and no reservations are required.
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ALYSHA & PETE 3-ON-3 BASKETBALL WINTER JAM tournament starts tonight through the weekend at the new Kaʻū District Gym, Dec. 9-11. Age groups are ten and under, 12 and under, 14 and under, boys, girls and co-ed. Men and women are also invited to compete. The tournament raises money to help fund Trojan Senior basketball players Pete Dacalio and Alysha Gustafson to travel to the mainland with coach Jen Makuakane to look at colleges who may provide them with sports scholarships. To donate, call Summer Dacalio at 498-7336, Pete Dacalio at 498-3518 or Alysha Gustafson at 339-0858.
THE LIVING MYSTERY SYMPOSIUM is tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Kīlauea Theater, with workshops on Sunday, Dec. 11, form 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Koa Conference Room. (Sun). Leading the events with the idea “Is the Supernatural the Super Natural?” will be New York Times best-selling author of Communion, Whitley Strieber. Also speaking is former Chair of the Department of Religious Studies at Rice University, Jeffrey Kripal, legendary ethnobotonist Terrence McKenna and author/talk show host Jeremy Vaeni. They will give talks about the nature of the supernatural. Kama‘aina pricing. Free park entrance upon emailed request.
INSPIRATION HIKE is Saturday, Dec. 10, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.,Artists are invited to be inspired on a hike at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Artists learn how nature can inspire them to connect with their own creativity on this free, moderately easy, 1.5-mile hike. Register by Dec 6. nps.gov/havo
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| Pāhala Christmas Parade is Sunda at 1 p.m., winding throughout the town and ending at Holy Rosary Church. Photo by Julia Neal |
PĀHALA’S CHRISTMAS PARADE IS THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 11. The parade is in its 38th year and travels through the streets, winding up at Holy Rosary Catholic Church for refreshments. Organizer is Eddie Andrade.
DEADLINE FOR THE DIRECTORY, to sign up for listings and advertising for businesses, community groups, churches and agencies is Dec. 15. The annual business and community resource guide is sponsored by Kaʻū Chamber of Commerce and produced by The Kaʻū Calendar. It includes photography and art by Kaʻū residents, a calendar of events, listings and feature stories including winners of the recent Beauty of Kaʻū art show, sponsored by the Chamber.
The Directory raises scholarship money for students from Kaʻū throughout their higher education in trades, college and university studies. Printed each January, 7,500 copies of The Directory are distributed throughout Kaʻū and Volcano. To sign up, contact geneveve.fyvie@gmail.com.
FRIEND-RAISER IS NĀʻĀLEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S Winter Fest theme for Saturday. Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. “Make New Friends,” declares the poster, which also reports on opportunities to enjoy shave ice, drinks, hot dogs – all for $1. Games are 50 cents. Also featured is a bounce house, raffle, bake sale, splash booth, jail, face painting and information vendors. Winter Fest is sponsored by the Nāʻālehu School Council. Anyone wishing to donate prize items or make a monetary donation should contact Nāʻālehu Elementary vice-principal Christina Juan or student council adviser Amberly Keohuloa at 323-4000.
REP. RICHARD CREAGAN’S OCEAN VIEW FORUM we will be at Ocean View Community Center on Monday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. Creagan represents District 5 in the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives and chairs the Committee on Agriculture. District 5 includes Honuʻapo to Nāʻālehu, to Ocean View, to Capt. Cook, Kealakekua and part of Kailua-Kona. A statement from his offices says that in his new chairmanship, he “is excited to help the Big Island and all of Hawaiʻi increase agriculture for all farmers across the State.”
CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY is ongoing through the holidays at Volcano Art Center in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.
BASKETBALL CAMP for children, first through eighth grades, is planned by Ocean View Baptist Church for February. Location is the Kahuku County Park, Feb. 20 - 24 from 3:30 p.m to 4:30 p.m. Organizers are looking for advance registration. Campers will learn skills of basketball and important fundamentals in an atmosphere that is fun and enjoyable. Space is limited. Call 333-0212.
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SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL\.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL\.
