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Monday, December 11, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, December 11, 2017

Children of the Sakada was a theme in the Pāhala Christmas Parade on Sunday as the Filipino
community promoted Sakada Day for the public this coming Sunday at Pāhala Community Center.
See more below. Photo by Julia Neal
USE OF THE RECENT AUDIT OF KA‘Ū LEARNING ACADEMY to threaten revocation of the school’s charter and withhold funding has drawn concern from Carbonaro CPAs Management Group. The accounting firm conducted the independent audit of the Charter School in Discovery Harbour.
    In a letter on Monday to the Hawai‘i Board of Accountancy and Hawai‘i Society of Certified Public Accountancy, John Carbonaro writes that his company's “CPA audit findings are being used as sufficient legal evidence with no apparent follow-up or due diligence by the State to levy punitive damages” on Ka‘ū Learning Academy.
     Carbonero is referring to the state Public Charter School Commission’s recent notice that it is considering revoking KLA’s charter, citing the Carbonero audit findings.
    Carbonero questioned when such audits, designed, in part, to help improve business practices, should be used to levy “government consequences rather than client improvement as the perceived outcome?” Carbonaro sates that “In the audit report, management (at Ka‘ū Learning Academy) provided credible corrective actions.” He writes that, ”In our experience over thousands of audits and 30 years, Federal, State and County
governmental agencies viewed the corrective action plans favorably and appreciated a thorough audit."
      "Carbonaro states that it is better for clients, like Ka‘ū Learning Academy, to be told about any accounting and compliance issues rather than “not to know. But punitive damages from Government agencies relying on the audit report may prevent that growth from occurring.”
     In stating that the Charter School Commission’s threat to hold funding and take away the charter was made without any review by the State, Carbonera says this practice puts the accounting industry at risk, "creates legal exposure for CPA audits; creates an adversarial relationship between CPA auditors and their clients; and creates an environment where minimal auditing and minimal reporting is rewarded instead of discouraged.” He asks the Hawai‘i Board of Accountancy to consider these issues.
     In the meantime, Ka‘ū Leaning Academy continues its classes and services to 95 students, grades three-to-seven, and their families. Managing Director Joe Iacuzzo said on Monday that the Ka‘ū Learning Academy board and staff "greatly appreciate the support of the families of students and the community" as it continues to build the programs at the school. He described the parents of the students as pleased with their progress and said, "Our board of directors has expressed their very strong objections to what they believe is an abuse of the authority by the Charter Commission." 
     During the Charter School Commission meeting in late November, Hawai‘i Academy of Arts & Science Principal Steve Hirakami said that his charter school had many more bookkeeping and compliance issues during its startup than those described in the audit of Ka‘ū Learning Academy. He described the errors at KLA as "miniscule."

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Proposed location of new wastewater treatment plant for Pāhala
 at the corner of Hwy. 11 and the Norfolk Pine Tree lane
 on Maile Street. Public meetings Dec. 12 - 14.
LOCATION, COST, TIMING AND EXPENSE TO RESIDENTS for the proposed Pāhala Wastewater Treatment Plant will be the subject of five talk story meetings Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 12, 13 and 14.
     The proposed location is in the macadamia orchard at the corner of Hwy. 11 and Maile Street along the Norfolk Pine tree lane entering Pāhala.    
     The 44 acres are owned by Kamehameha Schools and would be condemned for purchase by the county.
     The county and its consultants scheduled the meetings for:
     Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ka‘ū District Gym Multipurpose Conference Room;
     Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Pāhala Community Center;
     Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center;
     Thursday, Dec. 14, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Ka‘ū District Gym Multipurpose Conference Room and Thursday, Dec. 14, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center;
     For more information, contact Berna Cabacungan of Earthplan at eplan1@aol.com, Department of Environmental Management at 961-8339, or Iris Cober at the Brown and Caldwell Maui office at 808-442-3300.
Musician/singer/songwriter Ken Makuakāne will
perform a Nā Leo Manu concert on Dec. 20.
Photo from Ken Makuakāne
     The consultants sent out stamped return post cards to those homeowners currently on the old Brewer sewage system in order for them to R.S.V.P. Separate meetings will be planned for the Nā‘ālehu Wastewater Treatment Plant plan.

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A PERFORMANCE BY AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL ARTIST KEN MAKUAKĀNE has been announced by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park for Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Makuakāne has won 15 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award, and six Big Island Music Awards. Free, park entrance fees apply.

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TEE BALL AND COACH PITCH BASEBALL REGISTRATION HAS BEEN EXTENDED until January for both Nā‘ālehu and Ocean View teams.
     The Tee Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball programs are offered by Hawai‘i County Department of Parks & Recreation but require community volunteers to coach each team. Travis Akamu has volunteered to coach the Coach Pitch Baseball team at the Nā‘ālehu Ball Field in front of Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Josh Crook has volunteered to coach the Tee Ball team in Nā‘ālehu and both Tee Ball and Coach Pitch teams at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.
Volunteer Coach Josh Crook takes a knee with his Tee Ball team.
Register keiki for the current season until January. See story for details.
Photo by Kacey Loman
     Tee Ball is open to keiki ages 5 and 6 (4 year olds may join if they will turn 5 years of age by May 1, 2018). Coach Pitch is open to keiki ages 7 and 8. The registration fee due in January is $40.00 per child - all paperwork is required before keiki can join practice.
     Practice has begun at both locations. In Nā‘ālehu, practice is on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for Tee Ball and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for Coach Pitch. In Ocean View, practice is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for Tee Ball and from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. for Coach Pitch.
     For more details, contact Crook at 808-345-0511 or Akamu at 808-339-1165. Visit Ka'u Youth Baseball group on Facebook for updates.

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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings entertainment at 
 kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decemberevents.html
See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decembercommunity.html.
December print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Girls Basketball: Wednesday, Dec. 13, @ Kea‘au.
     Saturday, Dec. 16, Kohala @ Ka‘ū.

Boys Soccer: Tuesday, Dec. 12, Kohala @ Ka‘ū.
     Saturday, Dec. 16, Kamehameha @ Ka‘ū.

Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Dec. 19, Hilo @ Ka‘ū.

Swimming: Saturday, Dec. 23, @ Hilo.

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.

LEARN HOW THE INNOVATIVE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS OF PRE-CONTACT HAWAI‘I connect to Pacific societies in the past, present and future and how Hawai‘i and other Polynesian islands are used as models for living more sustainably at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's After Dark in the Park talk on Tuesday, Dec. 12. The presentation entitled Pacific Islands As Models For Culture, Agriculture & Sustainability begins at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more see nps.gov/HAVO.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE VOLUNTEERING will be on display as Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu Community Emergency Response Team invites the public to participate in training scenarios. They will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more, contact Dina Shisler by emailing dinashisler24@yahoo.com or calling 410-935-8087.

A HANGING SANTA CRAFT CLASS takes place Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Register keiki grades K-8 until Tuesday, Dec. 12. For more or to register, call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

Aunty Ka‘ohu Monfort will demonstrate Hawaiian healing plants and 
techniques at the ‘Ike Hana No‘eau workshop, Dec. 13. Photo by NPS
DISCOVER THE POWER OF LOCAL PLANTS TO NOURISH AND HEAL on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. Hawaiian Herbal Medicine Practitioner Ka‘ohu Monfort demonstrates and offers visitors the opportunity to touch a variety of traditional medicinal plants. The program, Lā‘au Lapa‘au, takes place on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more visit nps.gov/HAVO.

AN ANNUAL CHRISTMAS COLORING CONTEST takes place Thursday, Dec. 14, starting at 5 p.m., at Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki grades K-5 until Wednesday, Dec. 13. For more or to register, call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH HOSTS THE DENTAL VAN TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed. Call 939-7000 or visit St. Jude's at 92-8606 Paradise Circle, Ocean View.

A HOLIDAY COLLAGE WREATH CLASS  takes place Friday, Dec. 15, from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., at Kahuku Park (H.O.V.E.). Register Keiki ages 6-12 until Wednesday, Dec. 13. For more, call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

STORY TIME WITH AUNTIE LINDA OF TŪTŪ & ME is offered at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Thursday, Dec. 14, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. For more details, call 929-857.

KĪLAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK PRESENTS A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol, a musical production, Thursday, Dec. 14, through Saturday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2:30 p.m. at Kīlauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Tickets are $20 general admission, $15 per senior/student, and $12 per child. For more information call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com. Park entrance fees apply.

FREE MEDICAL SERVICES FROM THE MEDICAL VAN are offered to the community at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Thursday, Dec. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers are needed. Call 939-7000 or visit St. Jude's at 92-8606 Paradise Circle, Ocean View.

VOLCANO ART CENTER'S ALOHA FRIDAY PROGRAM offers Hula & Oli with Kaho‘okele Crabbe on Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn the basics of hula, Hawaiian language and chant. For more visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.

A FREE HAWAIIAN CULTURAL DEMONSTRATION, ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), is offered Friday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park.

Free public health showers at St. Jude's in Ocean View. See event at right.
Photo from stjudeshawaii.org
A FREE PUBLIC HEALTH SHOWER WITH HOT WATER, soap, shampoo and clean towels is offered at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with a free hot meal.

HĀLAU HULA NA LEI HIWAHIWA O KU‘UALOHA, under the direction of Kumu Hula Sammye Ku‘ualoha Young, performs Hula Kahiko on the hula platform Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16. Following the performance until about 1 p.m., Kumu Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Halauolaokalani provides a hands on cultural demonstration, Nā Mea Hula. For more and to confirm date, contact Desiree by calling 987-7288 or emailing volcanohula@gmail.com.

BRING A DISH TO SHARE AND PLAY BUNCO on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6 p.m., in the Discovery Harbour Community Hall for Bunco & Potluck. Bunco, also known as Bonko or Bunko, is a popular game played with nine dice. Bring a dish to share. For more, call Margie Hack at 541-954-8297.

See event at left.
Zentangle artwork photo from volcanoartcenter.org
THE ZENTANGLE INSPIRED ART EXHIBIT & RECEPTION at Volcano Art Center invites participants to bring their art and a pupu. It is free from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, at VAC (no membership is necessary). The event offers door prizes, a slideshow and videos. Attendance is free, donations are welcome. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S CRATER RIM CAFÉ offers a Mongolian BBQ Saturday, Dec. 16, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The café is located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8356 or visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

JOIN THE COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM for Ocean View at the Ocean View Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more, call 939-7033.

HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND HOSTS A COMMUNITY BEACH CLEAN-UP AT KAMILO on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Space is limited in HWF 4WD vehicles. To volunteer, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com in advance to reserve your spot. Meet at Wai‘ōhinu Park.

JOIN RANGERS ON A FREE MODERATELY DIFFICULT GUIDED HIKE, entitled People & Land of Kahuku, on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The 2.5 mile hike takes visitors over rugged terrain and focuses on the human history of Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

Celebrate the Sakada's cultural contribution to society in
Hawai'i on Dec. 17. See event details at right.
Photo from youtube.com
CELEBRATE THE SAKADA LEGACY in the agricultural development of Ka‘ū. The Sakadas are the workers who came to Hawai‘i from the Philippines between 1906 and 1946, recruited by the Hawai‘i Sugar Planters Association. The community celebrates Sakada Day on Sunday, Dec. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.
      Sakada Day honors the Sakada's work, economic and cultural contributions to society in Hawai‘i. The event, including a Filipino lunch, is free and offers Filipino dance and music, displays of Filipino artifacts, tools, housewares, apparel and items from plantation days. A Filipino fashion show is also on the agenda, along with Filipino entertainment from around the island.
     Formal recognition will be given to Sakadas and their families from Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala.

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8, FOR A MINI GINGERBREAD HOUSE craft class that has been announced for Wednesday, Dec. 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Register until Tuesday, Dec. 19. For more, call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

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.
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