Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, December 2, 2018

Kīlauea Military Camp's Holiday Challenge is open for public strolling and viewing through Monday, Dec. 31.
The event features the row of cottages along the front of the camp decorated in with characters and Christmas decor.
 Kīlauea Military Camp employees created the Christmas scenes. Everyone is invited to vote for a favorite cottage.
See more, below. Photo by Dave Berry

THE ASHES OF 100 PEOPLE WILL FLY OVERHEAD for four to five years. A tiny cubical satellite will carry the ashes, including those from a software expert who worked on Mauna Kea. The 4-inch square satellite will ride into space with other satellites on the SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket, scheduled for launch no earlier than tomorrow, Dec. 3, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. It is the first ever spacecraft dedicated to space burial.
     According to CNN, families of the deceased said those with ashes on board are mostly those with scientific, military, or romantic interest in space. It cost about $2,500 for each set of ashes' rideshare. Family and friends will be able to track the mausoleum satellite through an app that shows it circling the planet. After four to five years, the satellite and ashes will fall from space, disintegrating as a "shooting star," states Elysiumspace.com, the company with a burial-in-space program.

     The man with the Hawaiʻi Island connection and some of his ashes on board is Doug Morrison, who graduated from University of Hawaiʻi Hilo and worked at the Keck Observatory for seven years as a software engineer. According to a story today in Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald, some of Morrison's programs are still in use. The story by Michael Brestovansky reports that Morrison "received a commendation from NASA for his involvement in implementing the Keck Interferometer Nuller, which combines the light from the two Keck telescopes and allows better clarification of dust orbiting stars."
     Morrison, who also worked in gaming software, died unexpectedly during surgery two years ago, at the age of 34.
     Elysium Space calls tomorrow's mission Star II and its Celestial Service Shooting Star Memorial. At last check it was in the Launch Que and reservations were closed. See more at Elysiumspace.com.

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The late Pres. George H.W. Bush monument in downtown Houston. Photo by Jaime E. Galvan/KHU11

THE REPUBLICAN, THE LATE PRES. GEORGE H.W. BUSH, received praise from Hawaiʻi Democrats, Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono. On Facebook yesterday, Schatz wrote, "President George H.W. Bush showed us all how to live a life of service with personal decency and humility.

     "His long career of service began when he was 17. In the immediate aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, he tried to enlist in the Navy, only to be told to come back in six months. When he did, he quickly became the youngest Navy pilot at that point in our nation's history.

Sen. Brian Schatz

     "Fifty years later, President Bush traveled to Honolulu, not as a sailor but as President, to mark the 50th anniversary of the attack. He could have focused on how the day that lives in infamy changed his own life. Instead, he used it to call for healing between the United States and Japan – to foster forgiveness and peace.

     "Our thoughts are with the Bush family, and with the entire nation as we grieve one of the most committed public servants in modern history. May his memory be a blessing, and his life of service a point of light."
     Bush will be honored by a holiday nationwide for federal workers on Wednesday, during a day of mourning declared by Pres. Donald Trump. Bush will lie in state from late Monday, Dec. 3 to Wednesday morning, Dec. 5, at the U.S. Capitol rotunda, followed by a service at the National Cathedral at 11 a.m. After a fight to Houston, Bush will lie in repose at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, with two services. His last ride will be on a funeral train to Texas A&M University, where he will be laid to rest at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum.
     Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted, "George HW Bush dedicated his life to serving our country and the American people."

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Sen. Dru Kanuha

HAWAIʻI ISLAND'S STATE SENATORS have received their committee assignments at the Capitol.

     Sen. Dru Mamo Kanuha, District Three, representing west Kaʻū through Kona, is Majority Caucus Leader, Housing Committee Vice Chair, and is on the Education, Government Operations, and Ways and Means Committees.

     Sen. Russell Ruderman, District Two, representing east Kaʻū into Puna, is Chair of the Human Services Committee, Agriculture and Environment Committee Vice Chair, and is on the Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health Committees.

Sen. Russell Ruderman

     Sen. Kaialiʻi Kahele, District One, representing Hilo, is Majority Floor Leader, Chair of the Water and Land Committee, Hawaiian Affairs Committee Vice Chair, and is on the Higher Education and Ways and Means Committees.

     Sen. Lorraine Inouye, District Four, representing the northern portions of the island, from Hilo to Kona, is Majority Whip, Chair of the Transportation Committee, Government Operations Committee Vice Chair, and is on the Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, and Ways and Means Committees.

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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO OBJECTS TO THE NOMINATION of Judge Thomas Farr to North Carolina's district court. She took to the Senate floor in Washington, D.C. last week to speak out against Farr's nomination, saying it is "known that Mr. Farr had spent his professional life engaged in restricting minority voting rights and defending companies alleged to have discriminated against African Americans, women, and others." Watch her speech.

Sen. Mazie Hirono

     She posted to Facebook, "Thomas Farr dedicated his career to furthering oppression and injustices against minorities and women. He has no business being confirmed to a lifetime position as a judge, and I urge my colleagues to join me in voting no.

     "This vacancy has remained open so long because of Republicans' refusal to confirm qualified minority women, and their insistence on filling it with a man whose career is filled examples of his using the law to advance a racist, obstructionist, plainly un-American agenda."

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TREECYCLING WILL BE AVAILABLE at county Recycling and Transfer Stations which accept greenwaste. Treecycling begins during normal business hours between December 26, 2018, and January 15, 2019 at Volcano, Keaʻau, Pāhoa, Hilo, Kealakehe (Kailua-Kona), Ke‘ei, and Waimea Transfer Stations. Treecycling is not available at the Miloli’i or Oceanview Transfer Stations.

     All decorations, stands, lights, tinsel, and ornaments must be removed prior to treecycling. Note that artificial trees, flocked trees, or trees with decorations cannot be tree-cycled, but may be disposed of in the regular trash chutes. Also, kadomatsu decorations may be placed in the normal tree-cycling areas. Kadomatsu decorations are normally a combination of bamboo, pine, and flowers.

     For more information or a map and directions to drop-off locations, go to hawaiizerowaste.org/facilities. For more information on Recycling in Hawai‘i County, visit hawaiizerowaste.org or call the Solid Waste Division at 961-8270.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS SOCCER continued to have a rough season start. Saturday, Dec. 1, they played at Honokaʻa, where they did not score against their opponents. The game ended with Honokaʻa at 8, Kaʻū, 0.

KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS BASKETBALL took their second game, of two, for the season, keeping it Kaʻū Strong. The boys played McKinley in another close game, taking the win by three points, 37 to 34.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

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

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High December Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:
Dec. 3, Mon, @Konawaena, 6pm
Dec. 5, Wed., @Waiakea, 6pm
Dec. 15, Sat., JV host
     Laupāhoehoe, 2pm
Dec. 17, Mon., host HPA, 6pm
Dec. 19, Wed., host Kohala, 6pm
Dec. 22, Sat., host JV
     Christian Liberty, 2pm

Boys Basketball:
Dec. 15, Sat., host Pāhoa
Dec. 18, Tue., @Keaʻau
Dec. 22, Sat, host Parker
Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Wrestling:
Dec. 8, Sat., @Waiakea
Dec. 15, Sat., @Oʻahu
Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu

Soccer:
Dec. 5, Wed., host Pāhoa
Dec. 8, Sat., Boys host Kohala
Dec., 11, Tue., @Kamehameha
Dec., 13, Thu., Girls host Makualani
Dec. 19, Wed., host HPA

Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea
Dec. 29, Sat., @Konawaena

Swimming:
Dec. 8, Sat., @HPA, 10am
Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

ALL ABOUT ANCHIALINE POOLS, an After Dark in the Park program hosted on Tuesday, Dec. 4, starting at 7 p.m., is offered inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Dena Sedar of Hawai῾i State Parks discusses anchialine pools, a natural resource that is special to Hawaiʻi; the only state in the United States where anchialine pools are found. Hawaiian anchialine pools are home to the endemic ʻōpae ʻula, the tiny red pond shrimp that help anchialine pool ecosystems thrive. The program is co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Attendance is free; donations help support park programs. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 985-6011 or visit nps.gov/havo.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 3
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Net Patrol along Wai‘ōhinu Coastline, Mon., Dec. 3, 17, and 27, contact for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Limited seats available for all three days. BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call 769-7629 for more.

Spay and Neutering Clinic, Monday, Dec. 3, 7:30-4pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View.

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Dec. 3, 17, and 31, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Story Time with Lindsey Miller from PARENTS, Inc., Mon., Dec. 3, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Nā’ālehu Tee Ball - Sign-Ups, Mon., Dec. 3, 3-4pm, Nā‘ālehu Community Park. Ages 5 and 6, practice every following Mon. & Wed., 3-4pm. Fees TBA. Josh/Elizabeth, 345-0511

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon., Dec. 3, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Free Diabetes Management Program, Mon., Dec. 3, 5pm. Registration required and for location of class in Ka‘ū. For those with Type 1 or 2 diabetes. Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi, hmono.org, 969-9220

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4
Health Insurance Sign-up, Tue., Dec. 4, 9-4pm, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Family Yoga Class, Tue., Dec. 4, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 3-12 years old and caregivers. All levels welcome. Wear comfortable clothes. Bring mat, if can, as supplies are limited. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

A Walk into the Past w/ Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, Tue, Dec. 4, 11, and 18, 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m., meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Tour Jaggar's tiny lab located below the Volcano House to see original seismograph equipment and other early instruments with Dick Hershberger as "Dr. Jaggar." Supported by the KDEN. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Ocean View Tee Ball - Sign-Ups, Tue., Dec. 4, 3-4pm, Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Ages 5 and 6 practice every following Tue. & Thu., 3-4pm. Fees TBA. Josh/Elizabeth, 345-0511

Ocean View Coach Pitch Baseball - Sign-Ups, Tue., Dec. 4, 4-5pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 7 and 8 practice every following Tue. & Thu., 4-5pm. Fees TBA. Josh/Elizabeth, 345-0511

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue., Dec. 4, 4-6pm, Dec. 18, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue., Dec. 4, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

After Dark in the Park, All About Anchialine Pools, Tue., Dec. 4, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Hawai‘i State Parks Dena Sedar presents. Free; donations accepted. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5

Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Wed., Dec. 5 and 12, 9:30-10:30am, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Designed for all ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign-up. Free; donations accepted.

Arts & Craft Activity: Paper Tree Table Top, Wed., Dec. 5, 3:30-5pm, Ka‘ū District Gym multi-purpose room. Register through Dec. 5; open to keiki Grades K-8. 928-3102

Open Mic Night, Wed., Dec. 5, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign-up and for more details. Park entrance fees apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6
Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Thu., Dec. 6 and 13, 9:30-10:30am, Pāhala Senior Center. Designed for all ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign-up. Free; donations accepted.

Women's Support Group, Thu., Dec. 6 and 20, 3-4:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 1st and 3rd Thu. of every month thereafter. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu., Dec. 6, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Middle School Theater Night, Thu., Dec. 6, 6pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 6th, 7th, and 8th grade each perform a one-act play: The Invisible Man by Tim Kelly, Last Stop Till Christmas by Pat Cook, and The Quest: A Fairy Take with Attitude by Eddie McPherson. Free; donations gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees apply.

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Thu., Dec. 6, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

Hula Voices w/Kumu Hula Micah Kamohoali‘i, Thu., Dec. 6, 7-9pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. Final program for 2018. 967-7565

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7
PATCH Class #425, More Than Counting: Math in Preschool, Fri., Dec. 7, 8-11am, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Teaching strategies that support the development of mathematical concepts in preschool-age children. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #309, Together in Care, Fri., Dec. 7, noon-3pm, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Creating close caregiver/child relationships within a group. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

Stewardship at the Summit, Fri., Dec. 7, Sat., Dec. 15 and 22. Meet Paul and Jane Field at 8:45am in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plants species that prevent native plants from growing. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental/guardian accompaniment or written consent required. Free; however, park entrance fees apply. No advance registration required. nps.gov/havo

Youth Group, Fri., Dec. 7 & 21, 6:30-8:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Lamb of God Baptist Church.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Dec. 8, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā.  RSVP with w/James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. Updates and notifications on upcoming ʻOhana Workdays, see nmok.org or facebook.com/namamoo.kawa.

Paths and Trails, Sat., Dec. 8, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately-difficult, 2-mile, hike. Free. nps.gov/havo

Zentangle: Pen in Henna, Sat., Dec. 8, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Art work guided by designs from Mehndi Henna style. Student kits provided. Open to all levels. Students invited to bring snacks to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee/person. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

HOVE Road Maintenance Annual Meeting, Sat., Dec. 8, 11:30-12:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Volunteer Fire Department Annual Dinner, Sat., Dec. 8, 3-8pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. discoveryharbour.net, 929-9576

Jazz in the Forest Christmas Special, Sat., Dec. 8, 5:30pm – doors open 5pm – Volcano Art Center Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Village. Jean Pierre Thoma & The Jazztones with Jeannine Guillory, featuring Christmas favorites and original compositions. $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

A Gift of Love, Volcano Festival Chorus Annual Christmas Concert, Sat., Dec. 8, 7:30pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater, inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 25 member chorus under direction of Roch Jones, accompaniment by Laura Kahale, with Cheryl Shine on flute. Free; donations gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees apply.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9
Pāhala Christmas Parade, Sun., Dec. 9, 1pm, Pāhala Armory at Pakalana St. to Holy Rosary Church, Pikake St. Parade ends with food and entertainment. Parade participants line up at 11. Andrade, 928-0808

Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sun., Dec. 9, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike. Free. nps.gov/havo

ONGOING

Christmas in the Country and 19th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition are open at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 
     Christmas in the Country runs through Wednesday, Dec. 26. Enjoy an abundance of art and aloha as VAC creates a merry scene of an old-fashioned Christmas inside its 1877 historic building. In addition to artwork, find unique holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments, and decorations made by Hawai‘i Island artists, including VAC exclusives.
     The Wreath Exhibition is available through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

Kīlauea Military Camp's Holiday Challenge is open for viewing through Monday, Dec. 31. The event features a row of cottages along the front of the camp decorated in with various characters and Christmas decor - with Kīlauea Military Camp employees responsible and competing for a popularity vote. The public is invited to admire the decorations and vote for their favorite decorated cottage. Kīlauea Military Camp is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for additional information. See kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

Basic Stretch and Strengthening Exercise Class, sponsored by Hui Mālama Ola Nū ʻŌiwi, happens Wednesdays at Nāʻālehu Community Center and Thursdays at Pāhala Senior Center; no classes between Dec. 14 and Jan. 8. The free classes – donations accepted – run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The class offers "basic stretches and muscular endurance exercises that will help improve your flexibility and strength. Designed for all ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch." Learn more at hmono.org, facebook.com/HMONO.org/, @hui_malama_ on Instagram, or call 808-969-9220.

Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.

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.

Tūtū and Me tuition-free traveling preschool, for keiki birth to five years old and their caregivers, has twice a week meeting in Pāhala, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center. In Nāʻālehu, meetings are 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.

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