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Wednesday, July 05, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday July 5, 2017

Habitat for Humanity Hawai`i Island is the name of the combination of Habitat for Humanity West Hawai1`i and
Hale Aloha O Hilo Habitat for Humanity.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HAWAI`I ISLAND is the merger between Habitat for Humanity West Hawai`i and Hale Aloha O Hilo Habitat for Humanity. A statement from the new organization on Wednesday says that they "have decided to join forces in the fight against poverty housing, forming Habitat for Humanity Hawai'i Island! With our resources combined, we will now be able to serve even more families!" Habitat for Humanity West Hawai`i has helped families become homeowners in Ocean View. With the two joining, more help with homeownership is expected in all of Ka`u and more volunteer and donor opportunities are expected locally.
Grand Marshall for the parade in Volcano
Photo by Ron Johnson
Jami Beck walks the Volcano Fourth of July Parade as Miss Ka`u Coffee. Photo by Ron Johnson
   The statement says that "more families than ever will have the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and become Habitat homeowners," which usually involves the prospective homeowners and volunteers helping with the construction.
Lady Liberty and Uncle Sam in
the annual Fourth of July Parade
in Volcano. Photo by Ron Johnson
     Habitat West Hawai`i has completed dozens of homes, many dozens of critical home repairs, helped revitalize neighborhoods with many projects, and helped with children moving into safe and decent Habitat homes.
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INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS kicked off with the annual parade in Volcano Tuesday morning with participation of Miss Ka`u Coffee Jami Beck and her court. Many local community organizations, the Hawai`i County Band, Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park  and classic vehicle owners participated. This weekend is the annual Independence Day parade in Na`alehu on Saturday, followed by the Saturday and Sunday rodeo.

AFTER NORTH KOREA'S RECENT INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSLE test, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard released the following statement:
     “North Korea’s latest successful intercontinental ballistic missile test further demonstrates the extremely dangerous and growing threat that North Korea poses to Hawaiʻi, Alaska, and the mainland United States.  For the past 15 years, our leaders have let the people of Hawaiʻi and our country down, allowing the situation in North Korea to worsen to this point of crisis where we are left with nothing but bad options. We must ensure we are able to defend against North Korea’s threat with cutting-edge missile defense technologies, but this is not enough. We must pursue serious diplomatic efforts to de-escalate and ultimately denuclearize North Korea. However, U.S. leaders need to understand that Kim Jong Un maintains a tight grip on North Korea’s nuclear weapons as a deterrent against regime change. The Trump Administration would be far more credible in finding a diplomatic solution with North Korea if we weren’t currently waging a regime change war in Syria, and contemplating a regime change war in Iran.  
Hawai`i County Band marches through Volcano on July 4.
Photo by Ron Johnson
     “The North Korean regime witnessed the regime change wars the U.S. led in Libya and Iraq and what we’re now doing in Syria, and fear they will become like Gadhafi who, after giving up his nuclear weapons program, was deposed by the United States.  
     “As long as the U.S. is waging regime change wars, we are far less likely to reach a diplomatic solution in North Korea because they have no reason to believe our promises.  In fact, we are far more likely to see nuclear proliferation by countries like North Korea who see nuclear weapons as their only deterrent against regime change.  
Knights of Columbus are associated with the St. Marianne Cope Council.
Photo by Ron Johnson
      “Serious diplomacy on the Korean Peninsula will require an end to our regime change war in Syria and a public statement that the U.S. will not engage in regime change wars and nation-building overseas, including in Iran and North Korea. We should focus our limited resources on rebuilding our own country and seriously commit ourselves to de-escalating this dangerous stand-off with North Korea and negotiate a peaceful diplomatic solution.”

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Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park parades its native species in Volcano Parade. Photo by Ron Johnson
Science Camps of Anerica, training youth from its summer base in
Pahala, marches each year in an Independence Day Parade.
Photo by Ron Johnson

SEARCH FOR A MISSING FISHERMAN AT WAIKAPUNA AND KAMILO, north of Ka`alualu, continued Wednesday.
     Police investigating the incident learned that Shane Romena, 48-years-old of Ocean View, was fishing in the area with his ten-year-old grandson Keaka McDonnell, also of Ocean View. While trying to fill a cooler with ocean water for the live bait the grandfather fell into the water.
     The grandson lost sight of the grandfather about 100 feet out. He immediately called 911 and Fire Rescue Engine 11 with the County Helicopter, Chopper 1 and Chopper 2 responded to the scene to help search for the grandfather.
www.kaucalendar.com
     At about 7:30 p.m., HFD called off the search but resumed looking for the grandfather this morning. HFD will be using the area near the Hana Hou Restaurant as a staging area as they continue the search. There is no suspected foul play at this time. A public accident investigation has been initiated.

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Open Mic Night, Wed, July 5, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons & sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up.

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch meeting, Thu, July 6, 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-2442 & 928-2015

Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, Thu, July 6, 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Dr. Lisa Keith, of USDA, discusses the fungus that is attacking and destroying ‘ōhi‘a. Free.

Tropical Flower Arranging with Kaipo Ah Chong, Fri, July 7, 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. $45 + $20 supply fee. 967-8222