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Sunday, January 29, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017

Teach for America staff and teachers traveled to Wood Valley to work at a Native Hawaiian mamaki tea farm with  
`Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i and met at Pahala Plantation House on Saturday to learn Hawaiian culture
and teaching techniques. See story below. Photo by Julia Neal
OPPOSING PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION DIRECTIVES, Hawa`i's Attorney General and Hawai`i's Governor have come out with statements. Attorney General Doug Chin signed on with 17 other state Attorney Generals on Sunday to say, "As the chief legal officers for over 131 million Americans and foreign residents of our states, we condemn President Trump's unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful Executive Order and will work together to ensure the federal government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants, and does not unlawfully target anyone because of their national origin or faith.
Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin joined 17 other
state Attorney Generals on Saturday, signing  a letter
in objection to President Donald Trump's ban on
residents of seven Moslem-majority countries from
travel to the U.S. Photo from AG office
     "Religous liberty has been, and always will be a bedrock principle of our country and no president can change that truth.Yesterday, multiple federal courts ordered a stay of the Administration’s dangerous Executive Order. We applaud those decisions and will use all of the tools of our offices to fight this unconstitutional order and preserve our nation’s national security and core values. We are confident that the Executive Order will ultimately be struck down by the courts. In the meantime, we are committed to working to ensure that as few people as possible suffer from the chaotic situation that it has created.”
     Gov. Daivd Ige's statement said, "I have been in contact with Attorney General Doug Chin regarding several orders issued by the federal courts in the last 24 hours. We believe these orders apply to all U.S. international airports, including those in Honolulu and Kona, and expect legal travelers to this country to be welcomed in Hawai'i without being detained unlawfully by the federal government. 
     "Refugees entering the United States are screened by the National Counterterrorism Center, FBI, Defense and State departments, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Refugees fleeing from war and persecution seek, simply a better life. Hawai'i has a proud history as a place immigrants of diverse backgrounds can achieve their dreams through hard work. Many of our people also know all too well the consequences of giving in to fear of newcomers. The remains of the (World War II Japanese) internment camp at Honouliuli (on O`ahu) are a sad testament to that fear. We must remain true to our values and be vigilant where we see the worst part of history about to be repeated," said Hawai`i's governor.
     The AG and Governor were responding to Trump's ban on travel from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

TEACH FOR AMERICA, which provides instructors in public schools in Ka`u and other districts in Hawai`i, brought more than 30 teachers working on the Big Island to Pahala  on Saturday to learn about Hawaiian culture and the Ka`u agricultural community. The state Department of Education and Teach for America partnered with Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, the Pahala-based non-profit for youth. Uhane leaders Kawehi and Debbie Ryder led Teach for America staff to help on a mamaki farm in Wood Valley.  The organization also prepared an imu for the group and gathered at Pahala Plantation House.The teachers participated in a program called Ha: Breath, inspired by an area school superintendent, Suzanne Mulcahy,  who said, "When I walk into a Hawai`i public school, I want to close my eyes and know that I am in a school in Hawai`i...and not somewhere else."
The program included an overview of Hawaiian island life for the new teachers: "What makes Hawai`i, Hawai`i- a place unlike anywhere else - are unique values and qualities of the indigenous language and culture. `O Hawai`i ke kahua o ka ho`ona`auao. Hawai`i is the foundation of our learning." Teachers learned about expected outcomes from their students: "Na Hopena A`o, are rooted in Hawai`i, and we become a reflections of this special place." The program teaches six outcomes for students to help them in education and personal growth: Strengthened Sense of Belonging; Strengthened Sense of Responsibility; Strengthened Sense of Excellence; Strengthened Sense of Aloha; Strengthened Sense of Total Well-being and Strengthened Sense of Hawai`i."
     "Underlying the outcomes is the belief that students need both social and emotional learning skills and academic mindsets to succeed in college, careers and communities locally and globally. When taken together, these outcomes become the core breath that can be drawn on for strength and stability throughout school and beyond."


To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.


The first Ka`u Farm School class was held on Sunday at Earth Matters Farm.
Photo by Raina Whiting
THE FIRST KA`U FARM SCHOOL CLASS was held on Sunday at Earth Matters Farm near Kama`oa and South Point Roads. One of the organizers Raina Whiting said the first session was on Propagation and Seed collection. She explained that "Community organizers, teachers and farmers have teamed together in Ka'u to create the Ka'u Farm School. The school is starting small with a series of day classes open to the Ka'u community. The sessions will be workshop style with a focus on hands-on experiences on the farm that pertain to growing food in Ka'u.  All ages and backgrounds are welcome."
     The next class is on Sunday, Feb. 26 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.  For  more information, visit Facebook.com/KauFarmSchool, call 808-721-6977 or email kaufarmschool@gmail.com.


KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE has two new chairs, a new secretary and treasurer.  At the annual meeting on Thursday, Allan Humble and Alan Stafford were elected co-chairs, Kathy Leach was made secretary and Lee McIntosh will be treasurer.  Babette and Rich Morrow are now board members.  Lee McIntosh was the Scholarship Chair, and he will be looking for someone to take over those duties. 
Alan Humble is a new co-director of
Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.
Photo by Ann Bosted
     According to the Chamber’s website, the organization began as the Ocean View Business Association  in 1992.  At the time, the main issues were bringing telephone and power to Ocean View, the roads and water.  It became the Ocean View Chamber of Commerce in 1996, and then in 2007 it became the Ka’u Chamber of Commerce.  It publishes The Directory each year, which promotes progress and business development in all of Ka’u and serves as a community phone book and resource guide for businesses, non-profits and government agencies and raises money for scholarships for higher education.
      The Chamber also raises funds for scholarships which range from $250 to $1,000.  The deadline for applications is May 1, 2017.  The Chamber also organizes the annual art show each fall.  The winning image from the show graces  the cover of the next Directory.    
      The Ka’u Scenic Byways is a Ka’u Chamber committee.  It installed signage along Highway 11 in Ka’u and an educational kiosk in Na’alehu.  It was also responsible for the interpretive displays at the Ocean View Scenic Overlook. 
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.


CHRIS YEATON IS BACK IN TOWN. His Friday slack-key guitar performance  at Hana Hou Restaurant was like a home-coming.  The well-known Ka’u musician, who last played at the Na’alehu restaurant about six years ago, will once again be a fixture, playing there on the last Friday of each month. 
    “I can’t think of any other restaurant I’d rather play,” said Yeaton, who entertained a packed restaurant on Friday.
Chris Yeaton will play at Hanna Hou on the last
Friday of the month. Photo by Ann Bosted
     Yeaton, a former Ocean View resident and business owner, now lives in Kona, but still visits his Ka’u cabin at weekends with his growing family. He founded a catchment tank and swimming pool service in the district in approximately 2004.  When the business grew too big for one person, Yeaton brought in his brother, Corey Yeaton, who eventually went on to purchase Pacific Blue Catchment. Chris now works exclusively with his Kona swimming pool business,
     Yeaton’s passion for slack key guitar music began when he heard Keola Beamer play, and he was determined to learn to play in that style. Beamer is a Hawaiian slack-key guitar master, best known as the composer of Honolulu City Lights and an innovative musician who fused Hawaiian roots and contemporary music. Yeaton bought all Beamer’s instructional books and videos, and taught himself the basics. Then in 2002 he was able to attend a music camp with the Beamer family, where he honed his skills.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U FARM BUREAU has set its first meeting of 2017 for Feb. 15 at the auxiliary room at the new gymnasium in Pahala at 6 p.m. Election of new officer elections is planned for the meeting, said Ka`u Farm Bureau President Brenda Iokepa-Moses. She is currently attening the National Association of Conservation Districts meeting in Denver until Feb. 1, representing the state of Hawai`i.

AN UPDATE ON MAUNA LOA ACTIVITY AND MONITORING EFFORTS will he held on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park as the wrap-up of Volcano Awareness Month. The presentation is by USGS hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Ingrd Johanson. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U FOOD PANTRY TUESDAY, JAN. 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Judes Episcopal Church in Ocean View.




 




Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017

The season for counting humpback whales is underway, with an official count by volunteers and Hawaiian Islands
Humpack Whale National Marine Sanctuary staff on Saturday at Punalu`u and Ka Lae, as well as other locations
around the state. Photo from NOAA
MORE THAN 527 PEOPLE GATHERED ON THE SHORES OF HAWAI`I TO COUNT WHALES on Saturday, as the first in a series of annual whale counts began with volunteers and the staff of the Hawaiian islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Punalu`u and Ka Lae were the two sites in Ka`u where people looked for humpback whales for a tally and to record their behaviors. While no humpbacks were seen at Kawena Point at the bottom of Chain of Craters Road, nor at Punalu`u,  as many as five were seen at Ka Lae during each 15 minute period between 8 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.  The next whale count will be the last Saturday in February, followed by the last Saturday in March.
A breaching humpback. Photo by Doug Perrine/NOAA
   Statewide, a total of 70 whale sightings were seen during the 10 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day’s count. Whale viewing conditions were nearly perfect statewide in the morning. Many observers saw green sea turtles, spinner dolphins and sea birds. A couple of observers saw flying fish and a Hawaiian Monk Seal.
     Preliminary data detailing whale sightings by site location are available at:
http://www.sanctuaryoceancount.org/resources/. Additional information is available on the sanctuary’s website at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.
     The sanctuary, which is administered by a partnership of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the State of Hawai‘i through the Department of Land and Natural Resources, protects humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaiian waters where they migrate each winter to mate, calve and nurse their young.
      NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources. For more, see  Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and NOAA's other social media channels.
Humpbacks give birth each winter in Hawaiian waters. From the 
shore volunteers count adults and calves.
Photo from NOAA
     Read more about the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary at http://hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov; NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries at http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov, and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources at
http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.


"TONIGHT'S STAY WAS A VICTORY but we'll keep fighting #Resist #MuslimBan," tweeted, Ka`u's U.S. Senator Mazie Hirono on Saturday. Hirono was referring to a federal judge putting a stay Saturday night on Pres. Donald Trump's attempt to turn away legal foreign visitors coming to the U.S. from a list of Muslim-majority countries.
      The American Civil Liberties Union sent attorneys to court after foreign visitors were detained at airports around the country this weekend, following Trump's Executive Order, temporarily banning people from Syria, Iran, Sudan, Lebanon, Iraq, Somalia and Yemen.      
     The stay, however, affects only those few people who were en route to the U.S. when the travel ban was implemented. Various attorneys said they would go to court again on Monday to argue against the entire travel ban that is based on religion and country origin. 
Sen. Mazie Hirono's twitter feed features advice to those being
denied entry into the U.S.
     Trump said that extreme vetting measures will be developed before deciding who can come into the U.S. from the banned countries. He also said that priority should be given to "persecuted Christians." Hirono also tweeted about her own history as a immigrant: "Came to the U.S. in steerage. Now a U.S. Senator fighting for more families to have the opportunities I did."
     Protests in airports and other places around the U.S. and abroad broke out in opposition to Trump's immigration policies. A popular image shows the Statue of Liberty in tears.
   Hirono's twitter feed featured recommendations on rights of those denied entry into the U.S.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.


OPPOSING PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDERS to revive the Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone XL Pipeline, Ka`u's Congresswoman, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, issued a statement Saturday, calling Trump's action "an attack on the rights of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and their neighboring communities, as well as all who live near the proposed path of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
     "Protecting our water and our environment are issues that should concern us all. Whether it's the threat to essential water sources by Keystone XL or Dakota Access Pipelines, the lead-contaminated water in Flint, Michigan, or the potential threat posed to a major Hawaiʻi aquifer by the Red Hill fuel tanks, each underscores the vital importance of protecting our water resources.
     "The Keystone Pipeline poses a grave threat to our environment. It will transport 830,000 barrels of dirty tar sands oil every day, which emits four times the amount of carbon dioxide during processing versus regular oil and permanently pollutes the water used for extraction, resulting in dangerous, toxic sludge. Worse, the project will not create long-term jobs in the U.S., will not increase U.S. energy independence, nor will it reduce U.S. gas prices. The oil being transported by Keystone is not for American use - it will be exported to other countries. The American people will carry the risk, while multinational corporations benefit.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who visited Standing Rock in November, responded to
 Pres. Donald Trump's Executive Order to revive the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Photo from Tulsi Gabbard
     "The Dakota Access Pipeline construction beneath Lake Oahe is a grave threat to our precious water supplies. In November, I traveled to Standing Rock, joining thousands of veterans from all across the country, to stand peacefully in solidarity as water protectors with our Native American brothers and sisters.
     "I joined them because, while growing up in Hawai`i, I learned from a young age the importance of taking care of our home, our planet. We are all connected by a common thread, and an injustice to one is an injustice to all.
     "Just one spill from either of these pipelines could release tens of thousands of barrels of crude oil, contaminating water resources for millions of people. It could cause irreparable damage to our environment and harm the lives of Americans for generations. Water is life. We cannot survive without it.
     "We cannot remain silent while the precious water supply of millions of people is threatened by profiteering oil companies. We must speak up. Our voices must be heard!"

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.


VISITOR DESTINATIONS ARE BECOMING SO BUSY RECENTLY that at least one of the famous lookouts in Hawai`i is limiting the number of people who can visit. Beginning on Feb. 1, visitors wanting to view the famous sunrise from the summit of Haleakala on Maui will need to make sunrise viewing reservations ahead of time at recreation.gov. According to a press release from Haleakalā National Park, the online reservation system is being implemented to ensure visitor and employee safety, protect natural and cultural resources, and provide a quality visitor experience at the summit during sunrise hours (3am to 7am). The reservation system is in effect now. The cost is $1.50 per car. 
     The one-day sunrise reservation will not be sold at the park but is available online, up to 60 days ahead of the date of the sunrise visit. The reservation is only available via recreation.gov and cannot be transferred. To enter the Haleakalā National Park’s Summit District between 3am and 7am, the reservation holder must be present and show both the one-day sunrise reservation receipt (for that day) and a photo ID.
Sunrise is so popular that watching it will require reservations at Haleakala National Park on Maui. Photo from USGS
    Due to limited parking, visitors without a sunrise viewing reservation will have to wait until after 7a.m. to enter the park. There is no refund or exchange of the reservation due to inclement weather or change of plans. There is no change to the National Park Service’s current policy regarding Kanaka Maoli who wish to conduct traditional practices in the park. There is no change to the park’s current Commercial Use Authorization policy regarding sunrise tours.
     The permit system is considered temporary and is being implemented because its is not unusual to have over 300 vehicles on the summit, but parking space for only 150 vehicles in four parking lots.
     According to the press release, when vehicles outnumber parking spaces, visitors park on road shoulders or in the upbound lane of Crater Road. The cars block emergency vehicle access and damage park infrastructure, vegetation, and critical habitat for endangered species.  Crowds at sunrise viewpoints often number over 1,000, with accidents resulting from visitors moving off trail and climbing cliff sides in the dark.
     In summer 2016 the park gathered public input on options regarding sunrise visitor management. This interim reservation system was deemed the best short-term option. In 2017, the park will develop a long-term Sunrise Summit Visitor Management Plan (Environmental Assessment), and will again welcome public comments. For more information about the new sunrise reservation system, go to the park’s website at www.nps.gov or call 572-4400.
     According to the NPS News Release, Recreation.gov is easy to use and will ensure that reservation holders can access the summit and safely view the sunrise.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAWAI`I HAS ISSUED A SCAM WARNING, involving emails. Gmail accounts are the target of a new, and highly effective scam, perpetrated by computer hackers intent on stealing information from computers belonging to their victims. The scam is circulating online disguised as an email from an existing contact, such as a friend or colleague, according to the warning statement from the Hawai’i Better Business Bureau.
     The scam works as follows. The dangerous email will appear in your inbox as an email from an existing contact. In the email users will find what seems to be a regular attachment, however, when clicked on a preview window will not open, but rather a new window, which appears to be a Google login page, will appear. Most users will assume that the computer failed to load the attachment, try to log in again, by typing the user’s password. That password is now picked up and recorded by the scammers. The scammers will now have full access to the account and begin the process over again sending out emails from the compromised account to the account’s existing contacts.
     The BBB says that the login in screen is difficult to identify as being fraudulent. Everything from the logo to the entry fields will appear normal. The only way to spot the fake login is in the browser address bar. The URL will be preceded by “data:text/html.”
     The scammers will not only be able to send out the fraudulent emails to the compromised account’s contacts they will also have access to everything in and attached to the Gmail account.
www.kaucalendar.com
     Although hard to detect, Gmail users can protect themselves by checking the address bar before entering any personal information. For an extra layer of protection, users can add two-step authentication to their accounts.
     There is no way to know for sure if an account has been compromised, according to the BBB, but Gmail users can check their login activity to see if anyone else has been logging into the account. If the account has been logged on to from unknown sources, the account has been hacked, and the password needs to be changed immediately. Users should also report any accounts they believe may have been compromised if they receive a suspicious email, the BBB recommends.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U TROJANS'  BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM took on Kamehameha School on Saturday at the new home gym. In JV competition, Ka`u scored 25, with Kyson Toriano making 11 points, Micah Koi 7, Nainoa Ke 6. However, Kamehameha scored 51 to take the win.
     In varsity competition Ka`u scored 36, with Andre Carvalho racking up 10, Joven Padrigo 8, Pete Dacalio 8 and Janslae Badua 5. Kamehameha won the game with 52 points.

AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR TRAINING will be held at Ocea view Community Center on Feb. 4 at 10:30 a.m. the Hilo Medical Center Foundation donated the defibrillator
     Automated External Defibrillator Training at OVCC - Feb. 4 at 10:30 a.m.