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| The growing Halema‘uma‘u crater viewed to the southeast., with HVO and Jagger Museum sitting on the caldera rim, to the right, where the road bends to the left. Estimated total volume loss is about 260 million cubic meters as of June 15th. See story, below. USGS photo |
KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER and create sustainable solutions to the broken immigration system, urged Rep. Tulsi Gabbard today. In response to the Trump Administration's zero-tolerance policy, which
separates children from their parents at the U.S.
border, Gabbard joined over 190 Members
of Congress in introducing legislation to keep immigrant families together. The Keep Families Together Act, H.R. 6135, “would prevent the Department of Homeland Security
from taking children from their parents at the U.S.
border, except in extraordinary circumstances such as trafficking, abuse, or
neglect,” states the release from Gabbard. She reports that at least 2,342 children have been separated from their parents after
crossing the U.S.-Mexico border since May 2018.
Gabbard
says, “The Trump Administration's use of children as pawns in the
immigration debate is despicable and must end now. While the President signed
an Executive Order today (June 20) intended to end the policy of separating
children from their parents, this will not solve the serious challenges we face
and could create new ones. The fact is we need comprehensive immigration reform
now. I joined my colleagues today in introducing the Keep Families Together Act
to prevent migrant children from being taken from their parents, and to begin
to fix our highly broken immigration system. We must put politics aside, and
come together to address this important issue.”
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| Beatriz Cantelmo, on behalf of Amnesty International - Hawaiʻi Chapter, spoke out in favor of the Keep Families Together Act. Photo from Cantelmo's LinkedIn |
Beatriz Cantelmo,
on behalf of Amnesty International- Hawaiʻi Chapter, said “We wholeheartedly
support the Keep Families Together Act and all of the representatives who are
co-sponsoring it. Separating families as they seek asylum together is a blatant
violation of human rights and must stop immediately! Many of them have been on
the run from deadly violence and persecution and are seeking safety in the U.S.
As a democratic and civilized society, the United
States has a strong legacy of welcoming
immigrants. Asylum seeker rights must continue to be protected by our laws.”
The Keep
Families Together Act (H.R. 6135) would:
Keep Families
Together: The bill promotes family unity by prohibiting Department of
Homeland Security officials from separating children from their parents,
except in extraordinary circumstances. In these limited circumstances,
separation could not occur unless parental rights have been terminated, a child
welfare agency has issued a best interest determination, or the Port Director
or the Chief Border Patrol agent of Customs and Border Protection have
approved separation due to trafficking indicators or other concerns of risk to
the child. It requires an independent child welfare official to review any such
separation and return the child if no harm to the child is present. It imposes
financial penalties on officials who violate the prohibition on family
separation.
Limit Criminal
Prosecutions for Asylum Seekers: The majority of the parents separated at
the border are being criminally prosecuted for illegal entry or re-entry. This
bill restricts the prosecution of parents who are asylum seekers by adopting
the recommendation of the DHS Office of Inspector General. The bill delays
prosecutions for asylum seekers and creates an affirmative defense for asylum
seekers. It also codifies our commitment to the Refugee protocol prohibiting
the criminal punishment of those seeking protection from persecution.
Increase Child
Welfare Training: The bill requires all CBP officers and agents to
complete child welfare training on an annual basis. Port Directors and Chief
Border Agents, those who are authorized to make decisions on family
separations, must complete an additional 90 minutes of annual child-welfare
training.
Establish Public Policy Preference for Family Reunification: The
bill establishes a preference for family unity, discourages the separation of
siblings, and creates a presumption that detention is not in the best interests
of families and children.
Add Procedures for Separated Families: The bill
requires DHS to develop policies and procedures allowing parents and children
to locate each other and reunite if they have been separated. Such
procedures must be public and made available in a language that parents can
understand. In cases of separation, it requires DHS to provide parents
with a weekly report containing information about a child, and weekly phone
communication.
Establish Other
Required Measures: In order to inform Congressional oversight and promote
public understanding of the use family separation, the bill requires a report
on the separation of families every six months.
The Keep Families
Together Act is endorsed by the ACLU, Women's Refugee Commission,  |
| Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, in favor of the Keep Families Together Act. |
Immigration
reform has been one of Gabbard's top priorities throughout her time in Congress,
states the release. In addition to the DREAM Act, she co-sponsored two measures to protect families and children, including the
DREAMer Information Protection Act (H.R. 532), which prohibits DHS's Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals program from being used for immigration enforcement
proceedings and the BRIDGE Act (H.R. 496), which codifies the DACA program. In October, she
hosted an immigration-focused telephone townhall to update
Hawaiʻi constituents on the status of DACA, and answer questions about
education rights for DREAMers, fees for naturalization, qualifications to
receive DACA, backlogs on citizenship applications, rules regarding re-entry
for foreign-born relatives of U.S. military personnel, and more. A full recording of the event is available here. Most
recently, Gabbard sent a letter to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, urging
the subcommittee to limit DHS's ability to separate parents from their children.
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“NO END IN SIGHT,” FOR CURRENT KĪLAUEA ERUTPION, says USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Deputy Scientist in Charge Steve Brantley.
Hawaiʻi News Now reporter Mileka Lincoln
 |
Fissure 8 cone, lava fountain, and channelized lava flow
on the morning overflight of June 19 at 6:10 a.m. Overflows
from the channel are sluggish and move slowly downslope
as they build up the levees. USGS photo
|
Brantley explained, “This eruption has
exceeded the volume of either one of those (1955 and 1960) eruptions, and it’s
erupting more every day. We’ve exceeded the length of time of the 1960 eruption,
but not the 1955 eruption - but I think it looks like we’re on mark for having
a longer eruption than both of those, and erupting a considerably larger volume
of magma onto the surface before this is all said and done.”
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| Geologist makes early morning observations of the lava fountain and channelized flow at Fissure 8 in Leilani Estates on June 20. USGS photo |
Brantley explained, “It’s a bit early to think that Fissure 8 will be the only eruption site from now moving forward, given how much magma is still fueling the lower East Rift Zone. However, if the time comes, it will not be the role of USGS to name Fissure 8, but rather input from affected areas and guidance from Native Hawaiian community leaders.”
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| Fissure 8 fountaining increased up to 200 feet. Spatter built up the cone to the east and into the channel. USGS photo |
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FORTY-SEVEN PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CITED FOR LOITERING IN LOWER
PUNA since early May, according to Hawai‘i Department of Land & Natural
Resources. Officers from the Hawai‘i County Police Department and the DLNR
Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement cited six more people
within the past few days “for loitering and refusing to evacuate” in lower
Puna.
 |
| Police headlights shine on a person walking in a restricted zone near an eruptive vent. Photo from Big Island Video News |
Last week three
people cited at Lava Tree
State Park
The officer who
cited two people on June 19 said they were wearing respirators and that they
were enticed by social media postings which continue to show others illegally
entering the evacuation zone to photograph or tape active lava flows, says DLNR.
DOCARE officers report many of the people cited claim they did not know they
were in a closed area, even though in many cases they walked past barricades or
used unmanned back roads to get around checkpoints.
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PROPOSED NĀʻĀLEHU AND PĀHALA WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT
LOCATIONS AND DESIGNS ARE NOT FINALIZED. The projects were addressed in a release
from the Mayor’s Office on June 19. The release states the EPA is requiring County
of Hawaiʻi
The release says DEM “is working to find the best replacement
technology and a suitable location for a new wastewater treatment plant. The
current proposed technology is an environment-friendly option that fully
complies with regulatory requirements that help protect our precious ground and
ocean water quality. It is a low- energy natural process that will treat
wastewater in lagoons and then in a subsurface wetland, after which the treated
water will be used for irrigation of native tree groves introduced specifically
for this purpose. This process will be low maintenance and monitored to ensure
quality control.”
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| Keiki playing on he field at Nāʻālehu Elementary School. The present site of the proposed wastewater treatment plant is right next to the school. Photo from Darlene Javar's Twitter |
The release says
public input “is factored into project planning, including site selection.” DEM
has begun community outreach programs in Nāʻālehu and Pāhala “to share current
project information, answer questions, and listen to people’s reactions. In
these outreach activities, the project team continually stresses that it is
early in the formal review process.”
Interviews and
talk story sessions were held in Nāʻālehu in early April. About a hundred
people participated. They expressed strong concerns about the site that was
presented at these gatherings, next to Nāʻālehu Elementary School. To date,
over 30 sites have been evaluated and the site selection process continues.
“No property may be purchased before an
Environmental Assessment / Impact Statement has been fully completed,” Kucharski said. The EA/EIS process provides opportunities for community
review and comments, says the release. A proposed final draft EA has not yet
been published for the Nāʻālehu project.
“DEM will conduct
a second round of community outreach as the Department prepares and finalizes
the required environmental studies. Mahalo for your continued interest and
patience as DEM explores the best solutions to meet the wastewater needs of the
Nāʻālehu community,” says the release.
For more
information, contact Rana Rodillas at (808) 961-8615. records.hawaiicounty.gov/Weblink/1/doc/93809/Page1.aspx
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VACATION RENTAL BILL STILL UNDECIDED: Hawai‘i County Council
has again postponed any decision making on Bill 108 until July. The bill
proposes county code changes, to define “where short-term vacation rentals
would be allowed, establishes regulations for their use, and provides a way for
an owner or operator to obtain a nonconforming use certificate that would allow
them to operate in a non-permitted district.” Council members did not interact
with any testifiers, many of whom disagree with all or part of the changes
proposed.
 |
| See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on
|
THURSDAY, JUNE 21
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu, Jun 21, 9-1pm , Ocean View Community Center
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu, Jun 21, 6:30pm , United Methodist Church
FRIDAY, JUNE 22
Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United Kaʻū Chapter community meeting Fri, June 22, 5pm, Pāhala Plantation House. “Come chat about agriculture in Kaʻū, local food production, ag related legislation, and make connections with folks in the community. All Kaʻū Farmers and Ranchers are encouraged to attend.” Light pupus available; welcome to bring something to share. Any questions call Raina Whiting, Kaʻū Chapter President, at 464-0799 or rainawhiting@gmail.com.
FRIDAY, JUNE 22
Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United Kaʻū Chapter community meeting Fri, June 22, 5pm, Pāhala Plantation House. “Come chat about agriculture in Kaʻū, local food production, ag related legislation, and make connections with folks in the community. All Kaʻū Farmers and Ranchers are encouraged to attend.” Light pupus available; welcome to bring something to share. Any questions call Raina Whiting, Kaʻū Chapter President, at 464-0799 or rainawhiting@gmail.com.
Ocean View Skateboard Sessions, Saturday, June 23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kukuhu Park basketball courts. All ages are welcome to “show the need for a real community skatepark for the youth of Ocean View.” Parents must register minors from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and sign a waiver. A $1 million liability insurance policy has been provided by the Surfrider Foundation, said Organizer Travis Aicorn. The sponsor is Pueo Skate, LLC. Pack a lunch and bring water. For more information, call Aicorn at 808-494-5192 or contact him through grindcurbs@yahoo.com.
SUNDAY, JUNE 24
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, Jun 24, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO
TUESDAY, JUNE 26
Exploring Your Senses, Tue, Jun 26, 2-3pm , Kahuku Park
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, Jun 26, 11:30-1pm , St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed, Jun 27, 9-11am , St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org
THURSDAY, JUNE 28
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu, Jun 28, 4-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800
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Ready with her skateboard at the Kahuku
county park. Photo from Kevin Aicorn
|
Aicorn said that parents must register minors from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and sign a waiver. A $1 million liability insurance policy has been provided by the Surfrider Foundation, he said. The sponsor is Pueo Skate, LLC.
Organizers ask that families pack a lunch and bring water. For more information, call Aicorn at 808-494-5192 or contact him through grindcurbs@yahoo.com.
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THE RETURN OF AFTER DARK …NEAR THE PARK at the Volcano
Art Center 7 p.m. Free.
Sealed with Aloha: Hawaiian Monk Seals and Hawai‘i, presented by Tara
Spiegel “and the dedicated staff of Ke Kai Ola (The Healing Sea),” says the
release. “This amazing facility, operated by the Marine
Mammal Center
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ONGOING
Tropic Care 2018 - providing medical, dental, and eye care for any community member, free of charge, whether they have insurance or not - lasts through June 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Keaʻau High School gym. First come-first served. Bring any current prescriptions or eye glasses. Long waits are expected; bring water and snacks. Free breakfast and lunch provided to those aged 3 to 18, Monday thru Friday. Food carts may be on site for purchases throughout the event. Questions can be directed to the public health nurse at 808-974-6035, or Adria Maderios, Vice Principal of Keaʻau High School, at 313-3333.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park invites kamaʻaina and tourist alike to visit the Kahuku Unit. There are no entry fees, and all programs are free of charge. In addition to regularly scheduled Guided Hikes and the monthly Coffee Talk, Kahuku Unit has added daily Ranger Talks, and cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park invites kamaʻaina and tourist alike to visit the Kahuku Unit. There are no entry fees, and all programs are free of charge. In addition to regularly scheduled Guided Hikes and the monthly Coffee Talk, Kahuku Unit has added daily Ranger Talks, and cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.
Artist in Residence Talk, in the Visitor Center 10 a.m.
Visitor Contact Station hosts Ike Hana Noe ʻAu, Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, at12:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in June, made possible by Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association. Make an ͑Ohe Hana Ihu (Nose Flute), Sat, June 23. Make a Mini Feather Kahili, Sun, June 24.
Visitor Contact Station hosts Ike Hana Noe ʻAu, Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, at
Visitor Contact Station hosts Ranger Talks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. ; Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Guided Hikes begin at 9:30 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday in June. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent. Sat, June 23: Birth of Kahuku. Sun, June 24: ͑Ōhi͑a Lehua.
In the Visitor Contact Station, Coffee Talk, a monthly, casual get together, is held the last Friday of the month. On June 29 at 9:30 a.m. , Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund will present Removing Trash, Restoring Habitat.
See the Kahuku Unit Rangers,The Kahuku Cowgirls, in the Na ͑alehu 4th of July Parade Sat, June 30, beginning at 10 a.m.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program will take sign-ups in Kaʻū, through June 29.
In Nā’ālehu, it will take place at the Hawai‘i County Economic Opportunity Council office, back of Senior Center, Wed-Fri, 8-1pm, 929-9263.
In Ocean View, it will take place at Ocean View Community Center, Mon and Tue, 8-4:30pm.
In Pāhala, it will take place at the Edmund Olson Trust Office, Tue and Wed, 8:30-12:30pm. See more for eligibility requirements and application.
Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, through July 14, statewide and online. Register and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, and adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
Park Rangers invite the public to downtown Hilo to learn about the volcanic activity, to get their NPS Passport Book stamped, and to experience the Hawaiian cultural connection to volcanoes. Rangers are providing programs at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center at 76 Kamehameha Avenue, Tuesday through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Two Park Rangers are stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., every Sunday and Monday, in the Willie K Crown Room - as long as nothing else is scheduled in the space. The rangers will be doing daily talks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. about the eruption. They will show the park film that is normally available to visitors to see at the Kilauea Visitor’s Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Sign Up for the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade, to be held June 30. If interested, call Debra McIntosh at 929-9872.
Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 464-9634.
St. Jude's Episcopal Church Calls For More Volunteers for the Saturday community outreach. Especially needed are cooks for the soup served to those in need, and organizers for the hot showers. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's April newsletter. Volunteer by contacting Dave Breskin at 319-8333.
Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Half marathon $85, 10K $45, 5K $30. Registration increases August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K to $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.
5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22,
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