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Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Kealia Galimba, with Blossom, won Grand Champion Heifer at last week's Hawai`i County 4-H
Show Sale. See more below. Photos from Michelle Galimba
“SITTING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR to ask for a vote on gun control,” U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted today. Gabbard was elected by Ka`u and other rural areas of the state to Congress.
U.S. Democratic Congress members are staging a sit-in,
hoping to force a vote on gun control.
Photo from Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's Office
      Democratic Congress members, including Gabbard, are staging a sit-in that began today at about 11:30 a.m. They are protesting Republican colleagues’ refusal to allow debate and voting on legislation that would keep guns out of the hands of people on the federal “No-Fly” list because they are considered threats to national security.
      The House action follows last week’s Senate filibuster by Democrats who wanted action on similar legislation. A vote took place Monday, and that legislation failed.
      Both houses’ actions follow the worst shooting incident in U.S. history, which left 49 victims and the gunman dead at the Orlando, FL Pulse nightclub on Sunday morning, June 12.
      Sen. Mazie Hirono joined the sit-in. “It is no longer the time for thoughts, prayers and reflection,” she said. “Republicans continue to pass up yet another chance to support commonsense gun safety reform. It’s appalling."
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

EMERGENCY 9-1-1 OPERATIONS are back in service as of 2:30 p.m., Hawai`i Police Department reported. Technical problems caused intermittent communication problems with land lines and cell phones across the state this morning and early afternoon.
      Persons in need of police assistance were advised that if they couldn’t reach the Police Department by phone, they should report to the nearest police station or flag down a police officer.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Gov. David Ige and ASN Dennis McGinn
signed a Memorandum of Agreement
regarding energy-related issues.
Photo from Gov. Ige's Office
GOV. DAVID IGE SIGNED a historic agreement with the Department of the Navy to advance clean energy opportunities. He and Assistant Secretary of the Navy Dennis V. McGinn signed a Memorandum of Agreement to work on energy-related issues of mutual benefit, to coordinate goals and to build partnerships whenever possible.
      The MOU between the state of Hawai`i, through the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism and the Department of the Navy follows a meeting between Ige and McGinn in November 2015. The parties found that the state and DON have similar energy goals relating to the reduction of greenhouse gases, the reduction of fossil fuel usage, energy efficiency, water consumption, use of renewable energy and use of alternative fueled vehicles.
      The MOU aims to leverage the human and financial resources of the state and the Department of Defense toward a shared vision on energy security and self- sufficiency.
      “As the single-largest customer of Hawai`i’s electric utilities, the Department of the Navy and other branches of the military have an enormous impact on our economy through renewable energy and energy efficiency installations. Our collaboration is intended to accelerate our pace to 100 percent renewable energy,” Ige said.
      “We are pleased to formalize an already strong relationship with the great state of Hawai`i,” McGinn said. “We look forward to the many opportunities where the Department of the Navy and the state of Hawai`i can develop ‘win-win’ solutions to energy related challenges.”
      “This MOU is a testament to Hawai`i’s leadership in clean energy policy and as one of the best places in the world to invest in renewable energy and efficiency solutions,” Ige said. “This agreement will allow us to capitalize to the greatest extent possible, our combined wisdom and experience as we strive to achieve greater energy security, economic vitality and carbon reductions.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Brenda Iokepa-Moses and Randy Cabral
with Kaua`i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr.
Photo from Brenda Iokepa-Moses
HAWAI`I ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION Districts president Brenda Iokepa-Moses opened the organization’s annual conference at Hilton Garden Inn on Kaua`i today. She and Hawai`i Island Farm Bureau president Randy Cabral met Kaua`i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr.
      A different island hosts the conference each year. Agencies come together to discuss agricultural issues and policies that they can work on together to improve and benefit the local farming community. 
      “Educational briefings, group discussions and hearing other islands voice their concerns is a great time to exchange information, build relationships and renew our commitment to the farmers, as most of us are volunteers and do this on our own time because of our passion to assist in creating a sustainable island and support local farmers,” Iokepa-Moses said.
      Topics on the agenda through Friday include `Aina – Connect – Respect – Protect, Forestry Landowner Assistance, GoFarm/Ag Curious and Conservation Practices with Monsanto Hawai`i.
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Ua Alencastre-Galimba with Ekolu, Grand Champion Lamb.
KA`U YOUTH WON BIG with their entries at Hawai`i County’s annual 4H Livestock Show & Sale in Waimea last weekend.
      Ua Alencastre-Galimba won Grand Champion with her lamb Ekolu; Reserve Champion Beef Heifer with Holly and Reserve Champion Beef Steer with Holiday.
      Gavin Galimba was Champion Beef Showman and took second place in the Lightweight Hog division.
      Grand Champion Beef Heifer went to Kealia Galimba, with Blossom.
      Kailee Aickin placed first in the Lightweight Hog Division.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Gavin Galimba was Champion Beef Showman at the show & sale.
HAWAI`I RANKED 25TH OVERALL in nationwide child well-being rankings. Last year, Hawai`i’s rank was 24.
      Each year since 1990, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has published the KIDS COUNT Data Book to track the well-being of children nationally and in every state. The overall ranking is the average of four categories. In the Economic Well-Being category, Hawai`i ranked 33rd; in Education, 31st; in Health, 22nd; and Family & Community, 13th.
      The KIDS COUNT index reflects child health and education outcomes as well as risk and protective factors. The index incorporates a developmental perspective on childhood and includes experiences across life stages from birth through early adulthood.
Kailee Aickin placed first in the Lightweight Hog division.
      The indicators are consistently and regularly measured, which allows for legitimate comparisons across states and over time. A nuanced assessment of child well-being in each state can inform policy solutions by helping policymakers and advocates better identify areas of strength and weakness.
      Over the course of 25 years, the Casey Foundation has used the KIDS COUNT Data Book to raise awareness locally and nationally about how kids are doing and what policies and programs might lead to improvements. Over that time, advocates for children have emerged to join the KIDS COUNT network. Every year, KIDS COUNT leaders use both state-based and national data on child well-being to focus policymakers on the most challenging issues facing children in their states and communities.
Augie T and friends come to Ka`u in July.
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WAHI PANA: HAWAI`I’S SPECIAL PLACES focuses on Ka`u on KGMB Channel 7 tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.

LIVE & LOCAL COMEDY comes to Pahala Community Center on Sunday, July 3 at 7 p.m.
      Augie T, Frank De Lima and Mel Cabang headline the event for all ages. Advance tickets are $20 and available at R&G Mini Mart and AugieT.com. Tickets at the door are $25. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
      Call 990-0474 for more information.

HAWAI`I COUNTY ECONOMIC Opportunity Council holds a public meeting at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5 at HCEOC Na`alehu Office on Puluala Street in back of Na`alehu Community Center. HCEOC will discuss its intent to file an application with USDA Rural Development for financial assistance to purchase a mini-bus to provide transportation services to Ka`u residents. Public comments are welcome.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_June_2016.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.