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| Michael Newman, working with KUPU at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Photo from KUPU |
“The work being done to improve our national parks is a vehicle that is helping to unlock the potential in our youth and it’s really allowing them to explore careers in conservation. But, at the same time they are getting transferable job skills like leadership, communication, teamwork, responsibility, the value of hard work, and transferable technical skills that they can take with them throughout life,” said Leong.
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National Parks Subcommittee Chairman Sen. Steve Daines, Sen. Mazie
Hirono, and John Leong, of KUPU. Photo from Mazie Hirono
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Said Hirono, “While America is growing more diverse and urban, and younger generations are making up a greater share of the population, these trends are not reflected in visitors to our national parks. KUPU and programs like it are helping to fill this gap by training our keiki to become stewards of the ‘āina and serve our communities as Hawai‘i’s future conservationists.”
Hirono also heard from leaders at the National Park Service and Niantic, the makers of Pokemon Go, regarding challenges and opportunities for national parks to engage the next generation of park visitors and conservation workers.
According to a 2015 report, only seven percent of National Park Service employees were 29 or younger, while 75 percent were 40 or older. However, said Hirono, the Trump administration’s budget proposes a 13 percent cut to the NPS’s overall budget and an 11 percent cut to visitor services.
A statement from Hirono's office noted that shte Senator, who is the Ranking Member of teh senate Energy and Natural Resouces Subcommittee on National Parks, "has been a strong advocate for federal funding to support workforce development for future leaders in conservation and to ensure that people of all ages have access to our national parks." In August, Hirono met with leaders and interns from KUPU and the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.
Programs like KUPU help provide job training and opportunities for youth interested in pursuing
careers in conservation. As a result of this partnership, there are many DLNR workforce who are
KUPU corps members or alumni, Hirono stated.
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LOW INCOME HOUSING FOR NATIVE HAWAIIANS was on Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's agenda today when she joined a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in introducing the reauthorization of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self Determination Act. She said it has empowered more than 1,400 low-income families in Hawaiʻi over the past two decades, along with native communities across the country. In addition to the introduction of the bill today in the House, U.S. Senator Tom Udall has also introduced companion language in the U.S. Senate.
Hirono also heard from leaders at the National Park Service and Niantic, the makers of Pokemon Go, regarding challenges and opportunities for national parks to engage the next generation of park visitors and conservation workers.
According to a 2015 report, only seven percent of National Park Service employees were 29 or younger, while 75 percent were 40 or older. However, said Hirono, the Trump administration’s budget proposes a 13 percent cut to the NPS’s overall budget and an 11 percent cut to visitor services.
A statement from Hirono's office noted that shte Senator, who is the Ranking Member of teh senate Energy and Natural Resouces Subcommittee on National Parks, "has been a strong advocate for federal funding to support workforce development for future leaders in conservation and to ensure that people of all ages have access to our national parks." In August, Hirono met with leaders and interns from KUPU and the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.
Programs like KUPU help provide job training and opportunities for youth interested in pursuing
careers in conservation. As a result of this partnership, there are many DLNR workforce who are
KUPU corps members or alumni, Hirono stated.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
“Reauthorizing NAHASDA is critical to fulfill our nation’s trust responsibility to Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Safe, secure, and affordable housing is essential to the wellbeing of our country’s native people which leads to better health, education, and economic outcomes that strengthen native communities,” said Gabbard.
“In Hawaiʻi, almost 30 percent of the homeless population is comprised of Native Hawaiians—a statistic that is far too high in the most prosperous country in the world. Reauthorizing NAHASDA provides needed financial support to native communities in Hawaiʻi and across the country. We must continue to fight for the programs that will improve housing and wellness resources for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities throughout the country,” said Gabbard.
In Hawaiʻi, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is the sole recipient of the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant as provided for by the law. DHHL administers 203,000 acres of trust land; 99 percent of those lands are located in Hawai‘i’s Second Congressional District: from the southernmost tip of Hawai‘i Island to Kauaʻi and Niʻihau; it includes every Hawaiian Island, but excludes urban Honolulu. Ka‘ū lands are at Ka Lae and above Punalu‘u.
In Hawaiʻi, the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands is the sole recipient of the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant as provided for by the law. DHHL administers 203,000 acres of trust land; 99 percent of those lands are located in Hawai‘i’s Second Congressional District: from the southernmost tip of Hawai‘i Island to Kauaʻi and Niʻihau; it includes every Hawaiian Island, but excludes urban Honolulu. Ka‘ū lands are at Ka Lae and above Punalu‘u.
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THE ANNUAL KA‘U COFFEE TRAIL RUN organizer ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou has announced the success of last weekend's event that drew 188 runners, joggers and walkers who crossed the finish line at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Six flew in from Austria, Canada, United Kingdom and New Zealand and 20 from 11 states outside of Hawai‘i.
OKK brought much entertainment to the scene, including Eddie O of Nutrex Hawai‘i, who announced the winners on a sunny day that began with the Hilo Okinawa Kohudo Taiko Drummers pounding out an inspiring rhythm to the start line. Volunteers numbered, including OKK members, the Hawai‘i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy who closed the event with a ceremonial drill, the Ka‘ū High School Athletic teams, Team BioAstin, retired Police Officers, the Ham Radio Operators from Ocean View and the Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Court.
The race, sponsored by County of Hawai‘i, Edmund C. Olson Trust II, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, HPM Building Supplies, and Pacific Quest, was followed by local food from several vendors, live entertainment and award presentations.
The statement from ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou promises that "all proceeds from the event go back into the Ka‘ū community in the form of providing school supplies and scholarships to students; fundraising assistance for schools, athletic teams and other organizations; producing the annual Keiki Fishing Tournament; performing minor home repairs and installing grab bars and ramps for seniors; running stewardship projects for the highway, beaches, cemeteries and much more."
Read more about the organization and the race at www.okaukakou.org.
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| Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Flower, Evalyn Ornelas, was one of the greeters for the Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run finishers, giving them a koa lei and a high five. Photo by Trini Marques |
The race, sponsored by County of Hawai‘i, Edmund C. Olson Trust II, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill, HPM Building Supplies, and Pacific Quest, was followed by local food from several vendors, live entertainment and award presentations.
The statement from ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou promises that "all proceeds from the event go back into the Ka‘ū community in the form of providing school supplies and scholarships to students; fundraising assistance for schools, athletic teams and other organizations; producing the annual Keiki Fishing Tournament; performing minor home repairs and installing grab bars and ramps for seniors; running stewardship projects for the highway, beaches, cemeteries and much more."
Read more about the organization and the race at www.okaukakou.org.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
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Pick up the October edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli'i
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com
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Girls Volleyball
Friday, Sept. 29, Ka'ū vs. Pahoa, away.
Friday, Oct. 6, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.
Friday, Oct. 6, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.
Eight-Man Football
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.
Cross Country
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Waiakea, away.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away.
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Waiakea, away.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away.
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.
Bowling
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha at Kona Bowl.
Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Konawaena.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.
Saturday, Sept. 30, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha at Kona Bowl.
Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Konawaena.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR AN ART CLASS until Tuesday, Oct. 3. The class, Cupcake Liner Owl, takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102.
THE ANNUAL ART SHOW, organized by Ka'ū Chamber of Commerce, will be open for public viewing through tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 29, in the CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union Annex Building (behind CU) in Nā'ālehu, during normal credit union business hours.
THE ANNUAL ART SHOW, organized by Ka'ū Chamber of Commerce, will be open for public viewing through tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 29, in the CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union Annex Building (behind CU) in Nā'ālehu, during normal credit union business hours.
An Artist Reception for distribution of prizes and art pickup will be the morning of Saturday, Sept. 30. The winning popular vote art will be displayed on the cover of The Directory 2018, according to new Chamber co-chairs Alan Stafford and Allen Humble who describe the annual art show as a fundraiser for the Ka'ū Chamber of Commerce scholarship program. For more details, visit the Chamber website at kauchamber.org or call 936-5288.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. MEETS tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 29, at 5 p.m., at the Hawaiian Ranchos office.
THE ENDANGERED HAWAIIAN PETREL, ‘UA‘U, will be the subject of discussion at Coffee Talk tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. inside the Visitor Center at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' National Park.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes' National Park Avian Research Technician Charlotte Forbes-Perry will present a talk about the life of the ‘ua‘u and the National Park’s efforts to monitor and protect them.
Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries will be available for purchase. Entrance to the event and park is free. Visit nps.gov/havo for more.
HAWAI'I FARMERS UNION United will hold its annual Ka'ū chapter meeting at Pāhala Plantation House, at 96-3209 Maile St. this Saturday, Sept. 30, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Members and friends are invited to participate in the Ka'ū Chapter business and Convention discussion, election of board members and a potluck dinner.
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY IS SATURDAY, Sept. 30, and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offering free entrance and two opportunities to help to remove invasive plant species, one in the park and the other in the Ocean View community.
To join the Stewardship at the Summit program from 9 a.m. to noon, meet volunteers Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m., who will lead the effort to remove Himalayan ginger from the summit of Kīlauea. Volunteers receive a free park pass to use on another date of choice.
In Ocean View, volunteers will remove invasive fountain grass. Meet at the Ocean View Community Center this Saturday, Sept. 30, at 9 a.m.; bring lunch, water, a hat and sun protection. Contact Park Ecologist David Benitez at 985-6085 or email him at david_benitez@nps.gov for more information about this project.
HAM RADIO OPERATORS POTLUCK PICNIC takes place Sunday, Oct. 1, at Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. For more details, contact Dennis Smith at 989-3028.
VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS MONDAY, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.
TWO STORY TIME EVENTS ARE OFFERED AT KA'Ū LIBRARIES the first week of October. Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool staff will read a book aloud to keiki of all ages, with "a fun activity and snack provided following the story,” according to the event flier issued by Hawai‘i State Public Library System.
Story Time is free to attend and will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Monday, Oct. 2, and from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Pāhala Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 5. For more information call Nā‘ālehu Public Library at 939-2442 or Pāhala Public Library at 928-2015. For more library events, visit librarieshawaii.org/events.
DANCE IMAGINED, a class lead by Karen Masaki that “encourages exploration and builds strength and fluidity for pure exhilaration of movement,” will be held on Tuesdays this month: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. The classes will take place at the Volcano Art Center from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and incur a fee of $20 non-members and $15 for Volcano Art Center members or $50 for the entire series. For more, call 967-8222.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Tuesday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 4. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Oct. 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pāhala Community Center.
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE, in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more details, call 967-8371.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Tuesday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 4. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Oct. 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pāhala Community Center.
OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE, in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more details, call 967-8371.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENROLL in the The Kohala Center’s High School Sustainable Agriculture Program. The next session is at TKC's Demonstration Farm in Honoka’a, Oct. 9 to 13, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Kohala Center's Rural and Cooperative Business Development Services says, “The weeklong program features hands-on training in sustainable agriculture practices and visits to important traditional Hawaiian agricultural sites and farms. Students will also learn about opportunities in farming and supporting Hawai'i's food security. Contact Dave Sansone at 808-887-6411 or dsansone@kohalacenter.org for more information.”
