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Monday, October 22, 2018

Kaʻū News Briefs Monday, October 22, 2018

Moderator Howard Dashefsky asked the Lieutenant Governor candidates questions. Photos from khon2.com
HAWAIʻI LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATES JOSH GREEN AND MARISSA KERNS debated last week on KHON television with moderator Howard Dashefsky. Their gubernatorial running mates, Gov. David Ige and Rep. Andria Tupola, also debated. See yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
     Kerns, a Republican, business owner and naturalized citizen from the Philippines, is running with Tupola. Green, a physician, and Kaʻū's  District Three state Senator since 2008, who served in the state House of Representatives for 4 years, is running with Ige.
     The moderator asked Green and Kerns to describe the role of Lieutenant Governor and to identify the biggest issue facing the state. Green said Ige "embraced me as a part of his team right from the get-go." Green said healthcare, especially health coverage for all Hawaiʻi keiki and for autism, is a major issue already being worked on by Green and Ige. He said Ige asked him to " take ownership" of the challenge to solve the homelessness problem. Green said that as a physician he sees substance addiction in person and would like to find a way to address it.
Josh Green
     Kerns stated that she will work hard. She described herself and Tupola as strong, results-oriented women. She said the main issue is homelessness, a "big-time crisis, disaster in our housing." Kerns said that land must be available for housing, "especially for the low income, the young families, the disabled, the veterans, and the Hawaiians."
     Kerns addressed the rising cost of healthcare, in particular long-term care for the elderly and disabled. "My concern is about the home care operators." She said that about a third of their earnings go to the government in administrative costs. She said she wants to be like an "inspector general," determining the use of the money taken by the government from the care providers.
Marissa Kerns
     Green said, "We have the number one ranking for health in the country," but that 3.6 percent of recipients of Medicaid use 61 percent of the Medicaid dollars. "I have a plan already on the table that can reduce that cost as much as 43 percent, which could save us more than 400 million dollars."
     The moderator asked the candidates about Hawaiʻi's high cost of living. Green spoke again about homelessness and its relation to expensive housing.
     He also talked about "The H-4 project – which I've been proposing and working with colleagues – hygiene, healthcare, working on medical respite, and then long-term housing."
     Relating housing to health care costs, he said, "The moment we put a roof over someone's head, their costs drop 43 to 73 percent. " He called the strategies "compassionate - to take care of people," and said they also "put taxpayer dollars back into the system, so we can afford education… medications for our seniors… pre-k education…"
     Kerns said she is concerned that rental homes could be taken away from Hawaiʻi residents by refugees, with Hawaiʻi being a "sanctuary state." She also asked, "Who is paying for their healthcare? Ige signed that." She gestured to Green and said, "This guy voted for it, too."
     She said that combined, Ige and Green have worked as State of Hawaiʻi officials for 48 years, "piling and piling disaster and crisis in our state."
     Kerns also contended that Hawaiʻi suffers from a shipping monopoly and that the rail project on Oʻahu should be stopped.
    Watch the lieutenant governor and governor candidates as they answer the questions at khon2.com/news/political-news/governor-david-ige-and-state-representative-andria-tupola-square-off-in-first-televised-debate/1526713913.

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EARLY WALK-IN VOTING BEGINS TOMORROW, Tuesday, Oct. 23, through Saturday, Nov. 3, for the Tuesday, Nov. 6, General Election. The early voting location for Kaʻū is at Pāhala Community Center, 96-1149 Kamani Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday - closed noon to 1 p.m.
     On Nov. 6, local polls for the General Election open in precincts from Volcano through Kaʻū to Miloliʻi, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest polling places are: Cooper Center, 19430 Wright Road in Volcano; Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, 96-3150 Pikake Street; Nāʻālehu Elementary School, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy; Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle; and Miloliʻi Halau Pavillion, off Hwy 11 in the Village of Miloliʻi. See more at elections.hawaii.gov.
     Local polls open in precincts from Volcano through Kaʻū to Miloliʻi, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. The nearest polling places are: Cooper Center, 19430 Wright Road in Volcano; Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, 96-3150 Pikake Street; Nāʻālehu Elementary School, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy; Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle; and Miloliʻi Halau Pavillion, off Hwy 11 in the Village of Miloliʻi.
     See more at elections.hawaii.gov.

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THE HALLOWEEN VEHICLE DECORATING CONTEST ON Wednesday, Oct. 31, will draw cars and their drivers to the parking lot outside Kaʻū High School's gym, at 5:30 p.m. A prize will go for the overall best decorated vehicle. A special prize will go for the faculty or staff vehicle that is best decorated.
     Also on the program is the offering of healthier ideas for Fall recipes.
     The evening called Trunk-or-Treat and Haunted House will run to 7:30 p.m.
     Organizers are looking for community members to offer treats and/or candy to keiki attending the event. The event is organized by Department of Parks and Recreation, Kaʻū District Gym, and Pāhala High & Elementary Schoolt. Call 928-3102 or 313-4100 for more.

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Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
KAʻŪ TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE
Football:
   Sat, Oct 27, 1pm, BIIF Finals at Pāhala Ball Park - Pāhoa vs. Kaʻū

NEW and UPCOMING
REGISTER KEIKI FOR THANKSGIVING HAND TURKEYS AND PLACEMATS, an Arts & Craft's Activity at in the Ka‘ū District Gym's multi-purpose room held on Saturdays, Nov. 3 and 17, from 2:30 pm. to 3:30 p.m. Registration is open to kids ages 5 to 12, Tuesday, Oct. 30, through Friday, Nov. 2. For more, call 928-3102.

TAILGATER HALLELUJAH BASH, a special Halloween event for Ka‘ū youth, is offered on Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on the grounds of Nā‘ālehu Community Center with registration taking place the same day. For more, call 939-2510.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23
VOTE: Early Walk-In Voting Open, Tue., Oct. 23, through Sat., Nov. 3. elections.hawaii.gov

HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. Meeting, Tue., Oct. 23, 10am, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu., Oct. 25, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu., Oct. 25, 12-1:30pm, Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Monthly meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Oct. 25, 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, thecoopercenter.org

Craft Class, Thu., Oct. 25, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26
Coffee Talk, Ka Wa‘a Kaulua: The Double-Hulled Canoe, Fri., Oct. 26, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Canoe sailor and builder Kiko Johnston-Kitazawa shares his knowledge and experience of the double-hulled canoe, which are still crafted and used today. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

Fall Costume Party, Fri., Oct. 26, 1:30-3:30pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Snacks, activities and prizes. Free to all ages. 939-2442

Halloween Party, Fri, Oct. 26, 8pm-midnight, Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. $5 cover charge w/costume, $7 without. For patrons 21+. Call 967-8365 after 4pm for more. Park entrance fees may apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27
VOTE: Deadline to submit General Election poll watcher names to Office of Elections or Clerk's Office, Sat., Oct. 27. elections.hawaii.gov

Craft Bazaar, Sat, Oct. 27, 9-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Discovery Harbour Community Association, 929-9576

Paint Your Own Silk Scarf Workshop w/Patti Pease Johnson, Sat., Oct. 27, 9-12:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Students paint and take home 8"x53" silk scarf using three colors of their choice. $45/VAC member, $50/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Beginner and intermediate artists welcome. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat., Oct. 27, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Free. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

Will & Estate Seminar, Sat., Oct. 27, 10-3pm, Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God. 929-7278

Lava Evacuee Support Group Meeting, Sat., Oct. 27, 10-11am, Ocean View Community Center. Drinks and snacks provided. Reoccurring every last Saturday of the month hosted by CARE Hawai‘i, Inc. - Team Ahā, Crisis Counseling Program. 329-4817

Hands-On Fermented Foods Workshop: Sauerkraut and Kombucha w/Jasmine Silverstein of HeartBeet Foods, Sat., Oct. 27, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. $50/VAC member, $55/non-member. Pre-registration required. All supplies and organic ingredients provided. No cooking skills necessary. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Tiki Mama's Road to the Sea Halloween Party will feature the Night Stalkers. Doors open at 4:20 p.m. on Saturday, Oct, 27, at 92-9122 Mamalahoa Hwy, Ocean View. Suggested donation is $10 plus a can of food. Tiki Mama's events support Hawaiʻi Food Bank.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Kamilo Point Clean-Up & Debris Survey with UH-Hilo's Marine Science Dept., Sun., Oct. 28. Call for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. BYO-4WD vehicle. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, mattie.hwf@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org

‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, Oct. 28, 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/hawaiivolcanoes

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29
Free Zulu - Hip Hop Dance Class taught by Crystal Castillo and Spyder. Open to keiki in kindergarten through eighth grade, Monday, Oct. 29, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the Ka‘ū District Gym's multi-purpose room. Register through Monday, Oct. 29. For more, call 928-3102.

ONGOING
Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival happens Saturday, Nov. 3, at Pāhala Community Center, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Featuring Master Cultural Practitioners, Kukakuka (talk story), and many educational and cultural experiences with hands-on demonstrations. The festival is preceded by ceremonies at Punaluʻu Beach at dawn; at sunset, a ceremony will be held to honor ancestors; the festival will close with a ceremony at Makanau.
     Craft vendors, food vendors, and informational booths can still be applied for. Contact Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder at leionalani47@hotmail.com or (808) 649-9334 for an application. Last year brought over 1,000 spectators.
     The festival features hula performed by hālau from MexicoJapanWest Virginia, Oʻahu, South America, and Hawaiʻi Island. Traditional ethnic dance performances will come from Mexico, as well as the University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo Filipino Dancers. Taiko Drummers will perform. This year's headliner musical acts include Hoʻaikāne, Wailau Ryder, Keʻaiwa, Victor Chock, and Steven Sioloa.
     Sponsors include County Council member Maile David and community contributions through fundraising. See hookupukau.com.

Public Access Room comes to Ocean View on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The non-partisan division of Hawaiʻi state legislature's legislative Reference Bureau will offer workshops. Free and open to the public, they focus on training for creating, following, and testifying on legislation.
     Two workshops will be offered. The first is geared towards newcomers, provides an introduction to the state legislative process to prepare new participants for the session. The second workshop is for those with an understanding of lawmaking. It will offer advanced advocacy tips on effective lobbying and often overlooked online resources. How-To guides, informational handouts, and other resources will be available.
     PAR's staff will be at Ocean View Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 92-8924 Leilani Circle. The Beginners Presentation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.; the Advanced Presentation will be from 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. Additional presentations will be in Kona, Waimea, Pāhoa, and Hilo, from Oct. 29 through Nov. 1.
     For more, call toll free to 808-974-4000, ext. 7-0478, email Keanu Young at k.young@capitol.hawaii.gov, or go to lrbhawaii.org.

Tūtū and Me tuition-free traveling preschool, for keiki birth to five years old and their caregivers, is temporarily moving their Pāhala site program for Oct. 23, 25, and 30, and Nov. 1, to the River of Life Assembly of God church. The group still meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. They will be back at Pāhala Community Center on Nov. 6. The Nāʻālehu location remains at Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.
     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to aid caregivers with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate, listening ear. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
     To enroll in either free program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 929-8571, or Betty Clark at 464-9634 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers, towel laundry, alter guild, and for the computer lab. Volunteers do not have to be members of the church. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.

CU Hawaiʻi Federal Credit Union's Nāʻālehu Branch is taking applications for a Member Service Representative.
     The job description reads: Serve as a liaison between the member and the Credit Union. Provide a variety of financial services to members including savings, share drafts, and loan transactions, as well as sales of merchandise items: money orders, traveler's checks, postage stamps, etc., in accordance with Credit Union procedures and policies. CU Hawaiʻi offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
     Mail, hand-deliver, or fax application to: CU Hawaii Federal Credit Union, Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street, Hilo, HI 96720, Fax (808) 935-7793. Applications can be downloaded online at cuhawaii.com/about-cu/career-opportunities.html

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