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Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Kaʻū News Briefs Tuesday, October 23, 2018

See the drone flight over East Island by Kristan McDonald of University of Hawaiʻi taken this summer.
Scientists, who stayed in shelters shown above, evacuated before Hurricane Walaka passed over in October.
FRENCH FRIGATE SHOALS EAST ISLAND WIPED OUT - That is the word from reports following satellite images and recent overflights to assess the damage of Category Five Hurricane Walaka, the second strongest Central Pacific hurricane on record. Walaka tore through Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument on Oct. 3. The images show East Island's sand gone, the housing for researchers washed away, leaving the 11-acre island 550 miles north of Honolulu mainly under water.
     Second in size only to Tern Island among the French Frigate Shoals, East Island accommodated nearly half of Hawaiʻi's threatened green sea turtles for nesting. They swam from the major Hawaiian Islands to lay eggs in the sand. Some of the turtles from the coast of Kaʻū, including Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, may have been nesters on East Island. It was also home to endangered Hawaiian monk seals. About 30 percent of the seals gave birth there. Many rare seabirds also made their nests on East Island.
     The Coastal Geology Group from SOEST, University of Hawaiʻi, was investigating the age, origin, evolution, and status of East Island, and neighboring Gin Island, to improve understanding threats to their future by sea level rise.
Hurricane Walaka wiped out East Island in French Frigate Shoals, 
where more than 500 nesting green sea turtles were recorded each
season. This photo was taken in 2015. Photo from NOAA
     Athline Clark, superintendent of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, told the HuffPost that images of East Island are "startling." It will take some time to learn of the long term effects of the loss of the nesting and pupping grounds, she said.
     The National Monument announced that U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration staff flew over the monument over the weekend to photograph any impacts from the hurricane. A statement issued today confirms "alterations to Tern Island, and East Island appears to be under water."
     These images are being analyzed and a marine debris team working in the Monument will stop at French Frigate Shoals as part of a previously planned mission. "While there, they will do a preliminary assessment of the damage and impacts to wildlife. Monument co-managers are working to better understand the implications for cultural resources and wildlife, protected species and their habitat within the Monument. We will continue to monitor the species and islands to better assess the impacts from the hurricane. Based on the data, managers will determine next steps and management actions."
     According to its website, Papahānaumokuākea is cooperatively managed to ensure ecological integrity and achieve strong, long-term protection and perpetuation of Northwestern Hawaiian Island ecosystems, Native Hawaiian culture, and heritage resources for current and future generations. Four co-trustees - the Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, State of Hawai‘i and Office of Hawaiian Affairs - protect this special place. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument was inscribed as the first mixed (natural and cultural) UNESCO World Heritage Site in the United States in July 2010. For more, visit papahanaumokuakea.gov.
East Island before Hurricane Walaka, where rare birds and green sea turtles nested and Hawaiian
monk seals gave birth. Image from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
East Island underwater after Hurricane Walaka, with scientists unsure if sand will return to host nesting turtles and
birds and monk seals that gave birth there. Image from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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COMPETITION IN AIR FLIGHTS TO HAWAIʻI, with Southwest aiming to take on Hawaiian and Alaska Airlines, has drawn the analysis of Silicon Valley Business Journal writer Jody Meacham. In his story released today, Meacham explains the challenges and extra costs of flying to the Hawaiian Islands. Meacham writes that "It's more like flying to Hungary or Hong Kong with that big ocean, in the middle of which the 50th state floats as the most isolated population center on the planet."
Hawaiian woman symbolizes
Hawaiian Airline's aloha spirit.
Alaskan native man symbolizes
the explorer in Alaskan Airlines.
     He notes that planes must have the range "to cover the 2,500 miles between the closest Mainland U.S. airport and Hawaiʻi, and not every aircraft that does is certified" to the Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards. Those standards apply to flights that experience more than 60 minutes in flying time from any emergency landing place. He also notes that Hawaiʻi is an expensive vacation, with costly rental cars, hotels, and restaurants, compared to many other destinations.
     Southwest, which will land here soon, starting with Oʻahu and Maui, is setting up maintenance facilities in Hawaiʻi to accommodate planes from Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, and San Diego. Southwest is by far the largest of the three airlines, with 741 planes. It is wrapping up its Extended-range certifications for the fleet to Hawaiʻi routes as soon as possible.
Southwest Airlines is set to
be the low cost carrier to
Hawaiʻi.
     Hawaiian, which serves 12 gateway cities on the mainland, will add a direct flight to Boston to accompany its direct flight to New York. It is changing out some of its 58 passenger planes.
     According to Meacham, Hawaiian expects to serve the vacation market and will refrain from providing absolute lowest fares, which are expected to be the main market for Southwest and Alaska.
     Alaska serves eight gateway cities and flies directly to the Big Island, Kauaʻi, Maui, and Oʻahu, with no plans to offer interisland service. Meacham writes that Alaska will match Southwest's low fares but will recoup the difference with higher priced tickets and more services in the front end of the planes. Alaska'a fleet, which includes planes acquired from Virgin America, is comprised of 160 planes.
     Read the entire story and see the illustrations at Silicon Valley Business Journal.

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WALK IN VOTING BEGAN THIS MORNING, leading up to General Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 6. The Kaʻū location 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. - through Saturday, Nov. 3. Registered voters can walk in to any early voting station, island wide, show a drivers license, and sign an affidavit to confirm location of your residence.
     Other locations and times are: Hilo at County of Hawaiʻi Aupuni Center's Conference Room, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 1, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Kona at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center's Community Room, Bldg G, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Kamuela at Waimea Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
     The candidates on the ballot are:
     For Governor: Incumbent Democrat Gov. David Ige, Republican Rep. Andria Tupola, Non-Partisan Terrence Teruya, and Green Party Jim Brewer.
     For Lt. Governor: Democrat Sen. Josh Green, Republican Marissa Kerns, Non-Partisan Paul F. Robotti, and Green Party Renée Ing.
     For East Kaʻū State House of Representatives: Incumbent Democrat Richard Onishi and Libertarian Fred Fogel.
     For West Kaʻū State Senate: Democrat Drew Kanuha and Libertarian Michael Last.
     For Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustees: Maui options are Keʻeaumoku Kapu or Carmen Hulu Lindsey. Oʻahu options are Kalei Akaka or Ester Kiaʻaina. At-Large options, for which three persons can be selected, are Lei Ahu Isa, William Aila Jr., Rowena Noelani Akana, Faye Hanohano, Brendon Kaleiʻaina Lee, and John D. Waihee IV.
     For Kaʻū's representative in the U.S. House: Incumbent Democrat Tulsi Gabbard and Republican Brian Evans.
     For Kaʻū's representative in the U.S. Senate: Incumbent Democrat Mazie Hirono and Republican Ron Curtis.
June Domondonn welcomes early walk in voters
to a chair and a voting booth at Pāhala
Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal
     The following issues are on the ballot:
     Whether to fund schools through investment property taxes. The constitutional amendment question is on the ballot but votes will not count, as the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court last week invalidated the measure, noting unclear wording.
     Whether to hold a Constitutional Convention. This measure requires a majority of "yes" votes in order to pass.
     How the public should be notified of salary increases for elected and appointed officials.
     Whether the public should be made aware of the fiscal impacts of amendments to the County Charter.
     The General Election is on Tuesday, Nov. 6. 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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 A KAʻŪ RESIDENT RECENTLY SUED the County of Hawaiʻi's Environmental Management Director and Wastewater Division Chief over plans for new sewage treatment facilities in Pāhala and Nāʻālehu. According to a story in this morning's Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald, Hilo Circuit Court has scheduled a hearing for Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
     The story by Nancy Cook Lauer states that Sandra Demoouruelle "is asking the court to require the county to turn over copies of draft environmental assessments she requested, and also to publish notices of the documents in the state's Environmental Notice."
The Honoka‘a wastewater treatment facility while it was under construction. 
A similar aerated lagoon system is being considered for Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu. 
Photo from goodfellowbros.com
     The county recently published the Environmental Assessment and held public meetings on the Pāhala sewage treatment plant. Comments from the public regarding the Environmental Assessment are due to the state Department of Health's Office of Environmental Quality Control today. See oeqc2.doh.hawaii.gov/The
_Environmental_Notice/2018-09-23-TEN.pdf.
     According to the Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald,  "Demoruelle, who is representing herself without an attorney, wants the county to immediately quit paying consultants and contractors and halt all planning and development activities on the Nāʻālehu and Pāhala wastewater treatment plan until final environmental impact statements or environmental assessments are accepted." At public meetings and in her writings, Demourelle opposed a proposed location of Nāʻālehu sewage treatment plant next to Nāʻālehu School, which has also drawn opposition fromt he larger community. She also opposed the overall design of both Pāhala and Nāʻālehu plants, saying that less expensive septic system options are available. Representatives of the county have said that septic systems would be unworkable at both locations.
     The county is under notice from the Environmental Protection Agency that it will soon face daily fines if it does not close the old plantation Large Capacity Cesspools in both Nāʻālehu and Pāhala. See the Hawaii Tribune Herald story on the lawsuit.

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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
MILITARY COLORING SHEETS, AN ARTS & CRAFTS ACTIVITY FOR KEIKI AGES 6 TO 12 YEARS OLD, at Kahuku Park, on Paradise Circle in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, is held Friday, Nov. 9, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Register Nov. 1 to 8. For more, call 929-9113.

TURKEY TROT, A SPECIAL EVENT FOR KEIKI PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH SIXTH GRADE, is offered Wednesday, Nov. 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Ka‘ū District Gym's multi-purpose room. The program is available through a partnership with Pāhala Elementary School. Homeschooled children in the area are welcome to register and attend. Register Nov. 5 through 21. For more, call 928-3102.

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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.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30
VOTE: Deadline to request General Election mail ballot from Clerk's Office, Tue., Oct. 30. elections.hawaii.gov

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Oct. 30, 11:30-1pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

After Dark in the Park, Woven Strands & Braided Cords: Philosophy & Metaphysics in Pre-Contact Hawaiian Astronomy, Tue., Oct. 30, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Author and researcher Martha Noyes. Program co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 985-6011. Free; donations help support park programs. Park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes

ONGOING
VOTE: Early Walk-In Voting Open through Sat., Nov. 3. 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.
     Local polls for the General Election open in precincts from Volcano through Kaʻū to Miloliʻi, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 6. 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.

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.

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.

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 Mexico, Japan, West 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.

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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