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| Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Major in the Hawai`i Army National Guard, says the U.S. should negotiate for peace through ending its policy of regime change to prevent a nuclear attack from North Korea. Above, she talks last year at Kīlauea Military Camp. Photo from Big Island Video News |
An intercontinental ballistic missile launched from North Korea could travel the 4,661 miles to reach Hawai`i in about 20 minutes, according to estimates by the U.S. Department of Defense. Vern Miyagi, of the state Emergency Management Agency, said it would take about five minutes to confirm the launch and path of the missile, giving Hawai`i people about 15 minutes to find shelter.
Tulsi Gabbard, Ka`u's representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, responded to the siren testing on Friday.
Tulsi Gabbard, Ka`u's representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, responded to the siren testing on Friday.
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| North Korea released this photo of its leader and intercontinental missile. |
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| Kim Jong Un, North Korean leader. Photo from India Times |
"December 1, 2017 will forever mark a dark day for Hawai‘i, for our country, and the world. Today marks the first day of a new era, in which the lives and future of the people of our state have indelibly changed, as they’ll be reminded every month with nuclear warning siren tests that at any moment, we, our children, our families, and our precious ‘āina will be vulnerable to a nuclear attack from North Korea—with mere minutes notice. I’ve been raising the issue of the increasing threat from North Korea ever since I came to Congress because the people of Hawai‘i have long known that North Korea's continued growing capabilities put us squarely within range of their intercontinental ballistic missiles.
"It is a travesty and a total failure of leadership, by both Republican and Democrat administrations, that their short-sighted policies over the last 40 years have left the people of Hawai‘i and this country, our homes and communities, and generations to come, under the dark cloud of a nuclear threat from this point forward.
Gabbard contended that "The only possible option to remove this dark cloud will come through the pursuit of serious diplomacy, and that will only be successful if two things happen. First, we must negotiate directly with North Korea and Kim Jong Un. Second, we have to understand why he is holding on so tightly to their nuclear weapons—it is because he sees them as his only deterrent from the U.S. coming in and trying to topple his regime. Kim Jong Un looks back to the U.S. track record, and how we overthrew Saddam Hussein in Iraq because of false intelligence that he had weapons of mass destruction. He sees how even after Muammar Gaddafi in Libya was promised by the U.S. that if he gave up nuclear weapons we wouldn't go after him; we went after him anyway and took him out. He looks at what we have been and are still doing in Syria, trying to overthrow the Syrian government of Assad. He sees how the Trump administration and some in Congress are increasing their rhetoric to go after Iran and overthrow their government," concluded Gabbard."It is a travesty and a total failure of leadership, by both Republican and Democrat administrations, that their short-sighted policies over the last 40 years have left the people of Hawai‘i and this country, our homes and communities, and generations to come, under the dark cloud of a nuclear threat from this point forward.
"In order for serious negotiations to have a chance, our country must actually end our regime change war policies. This is necessary for North Korea to see that we are serious when we say we are not interested in toppling their regime, and that we are serious about achieving peace, stability, and prosperity in a denuclearized Korean Peninsula."
Gabbard is a Major in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard and has served on two Middle East deployments. She is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Gabbard is a Major in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard and has served on two Middle East deployments. She is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
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| The North Korean sites for a possible nuclear missile launch is about 4,100 miles from Hawai`i and it would take about 20 minutes for a missile to reach here. Image from The Express |
Sen. Mazie Hirono, had this to say:
“Republicans are living in an alternative universe. There is no other way to explain why they are touting this huge tax bill, which will hurt millions of American families, as the bill to end all bills to benefit the middle class. This is shibai, a sham.
“This bill gives over $1 trillion in tax cuts to the richest one percent of individuals and
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono said the bill that passed the U.S. Senate, proclaiming massive tax cuts for the masses, is "setting the stage for massive cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Image from Medicare |
"Under the Senate’s version of the Republican tax scam, corporations will receive permanent tax cuts while working families and small businesses only see temporary relief. In addition, the relief working families receive is far less than the very wealthy. In Hawai`i, less one percent of taxpayers with incomes over $1 million would see an average tax cut of $59,000 in 2019, while the 60 percent of taxpayers who make under $50,000 would only see an average of $160. Most would see even less under the Republican bill.
"Tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy will cost over $1 trillion in the next 10 years, limiting needed resources to invest in national security, education, transportation, housing, and other critical priorities. In 2018, the bill could lead to an immediate $25 billion cut to Medicare, and $100 billion in cuts to other critical programs. The legislation also includes provisions that allow for oil companies to drill in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge." Hirono opposed these provisions when they were
considered by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
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| Hurricane Fernanda diminished to a tropical storm before reaching waters near Hawai`i. Image from Weather Nation |
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center, expecting an El Nino season, predicted five to eight storms, but only two emerged. Both were in July. Hurricane Fernanda diminished to a tropical storm before reaching the Central Pacific and Tropical Depression Greg also came through. El Nino failed to materialize. In 2016, six tropical storms passed through the Central Pacific. In 2015, there were 17.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COLORING CONTEST HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED for Thursday, Dec. 14, starting at 5 p.m., at Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki, grades K-5, until Register Dec. 13. For more or to register, call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
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Kīlauea Military Camp cottages with holiday decorations. The
public is invited to vote for the best. Photo by Dave Berry
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HI‘IAKA & PELE, a free, moderate, one-mile walk through the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, takes place Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
VOLCANO FESTIVAL CHORUS hosts its 23rd The Wonder of Christmas concert Saturday, Dec. 2, at 7:30 pm at KMC's Kilauea Theater. The 25-member chorus is under the direction of Roch Jones with accompaniment by Walter Greenwood.
Also joining the chorus will be Cheryl Shine on flute and piccolo, and Gillen Kauakahi on recorder.
The Carols of Gathering by Joseph Martin will open the show and a medley of White Christmas and Happy Holiday by Irving Berlin will close the show. The program is varied and includes a spiritual Have You Heard the News?, an African Alleluia, an Irish Carol, and madrigals, All The Town Be Merry and Throw Open The Shutters. Popular carols Do You Hear What I Hear?, Ring, Christmas Bells and Pie Jesu are also featured.
Admission is free; however, donations will be accepted.
Joe Iacuzzo, Managing Director of KLA, described it as: “Pizza, Chicken Parmesan and our famous meatballs and pasta (so good the meatballs come first!).” There will be live music. Beer and wine will be served. All proceeds benefit Kaʻū Learning Academy. The Innovation for Education Foundation is a 501c3 public charity. See kaulearning.com and on Facebook.
JOIN RANGERS FOR A GUIDED HIKE, REALMS AND DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Experience the sense of place that evolves at the intersection of nature and culture on this moderately difficult two-mile, two-hour guided hike on the Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku. Explore the realms and divisions of the traditional Hawaiian classification system at Kahuku. Bring a snack for the “talk story” segment of this hike.
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| Exploring the Realms and divisions of Kahuku, this Saturday, Dec. 2. NPS Photo |
TWO EIGHT WEEK SUNDAY CLAY - HIGH FIRE! SESSIONS with Erik Wold at Volcano Art Center start Sunday, Dec.3, and continue through Feb. 4. The morning session takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and the afternoon session from 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. No class will be held Dec. 24 or 31. The cost per Volcano Art Center member is $185, or $200 for each non-member, plus a $15 materials fee. The course includes six pounds of clay, including glazing and firing, with additional clay available for purchase. For more details, visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.
HAM RADIO OPERATORS POTLUCK PICNIC is Sunday, Dec. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. 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, call Dennis Smith at 989-3028.
JOIN A GUIDED HIKE ALONG THE PALM TRAIL in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Sunday, Dec. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The hike will also be offered on Dec. 23. Palm Trail is a moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traversing scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Highlights include relics of the ranching era, sections of remnant native forest and amazing volcanic features from the 1868 eruptive fissures. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS MONDAY, Dec. 4, for committee meetings and Tuesday, Dec. 5, and Wednesday, Dec. 20, for Council meetings. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Monday, Dec. 4, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.
KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS TUESDAY, Dec. 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.
DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Tuesday, Dec. 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.
CASCADE VOLCANOES BENEATH A SOLAR ECLIPSE is the After Dark in the Park talk that has been announced for Tuesday, Dec. 5, starting at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the volcanoes of the Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon - how often they erupt and why they can be more dangerous that volcanoes in Hawai’i. Park rangers share their stories of their adventures while visiting these majestic mountains during the total solar eclipse. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more see nps.gov/HAVO.
REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, UNTIL TUESDAY, DEC. 5, for a Mason Jar Lover Wreath Craft class planned for Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. For more call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS Thursday, Dec. 7, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-703.
VOLCANO SCHOOL OF ARTS & SCIENCES FALL EDITION OF THEATER NIGHT takes place Thursday, Dec. 7, starting at 6 p.m. at Kīlauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply.
FIVE STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT events in which volunteers help remove invasive non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park take place this December. The first event is Thursday, Dec. 7, with remaining events taking place Dec. 15, 23, and 30. Volunteers should meet leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. Fore more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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| Pāhala Preschool rides in every Pāhala Christmas Parade. Photo by Julia Neal |
The parade starts at 1 p.m. at the old Pāhala Armory and stops at houses throughout the village, making a stop for the staff and long-term care residents at Ka‘ū Hospital before arriving at the Catholic Church.
Parade participants should start lining up by 12:30 p.m. To be involved - there are no entry fees for participants - call the Andrades at 928-0808.
Sponsors of the parade also include the Edmund C. Olson Trust II.
CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OFFERS EMPLOYMENT as a Member Service Representative in Nā‘ālehu. CU Hawai‘i seeks energetic individuals for full time positions who enjoy working with people and can provide professional, courteous and efficient service to valued members.
The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.
