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Thursday, February 22, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, February 22, 2018

Wisdom the Laysan albatross, the world's oldest known breeding wild bird, hatched a new chick, with mate Akeakamai, on Midway Atoll, February 6. See full story, below. Photo by B. Peyton/USFWS
PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S recently released budget "is yet another attempt to fund massive tax breaks for the rich at the expense of our struggling families. But Congress is responsible for making these decisions, not the President," says Sen. Brian Schatz, in a statement to constituents this week.
Sen. Brian Schatz
     "As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue fighting to protect programs that make our communities stronger, but I cannot do it alone. We need a Congress that will stand up to Trump's cruel budge proposal," proclaimed Schatz, pointing to his opposition to Trump for:
● Slashing Medicaid by $1.4 trillion dollars.
● Cutting $17 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps low income families afford groceries.
● Eliminating the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
     "The federal budget is a moral document that showcases our values as a country. So, when Trump releases a budget that takes food, housing, education, and health care away from the poor and middle class families, he is sending a clear message that this administration only cares about the wealthiest people in this country," said the Senator.

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Sen. Mazie Hirono talks story with clients who have benefited 
from Health Center services. Photo from Hirono
SEN. MAZIE HIRONO BACKS AMERICORPS AND SENIOR CORPS, after visiting health care workers in Hawawi`i this week. She said the experience reinforced her advocacy for funding for Community Health Centers and the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs. AmeriCorps provides teachers to Ka‘ū's public schools.
     "AMERICORPS AND SENIOR CORPS SERVICES are important to schools and health care centers; critical federal funding is needed to continue providing services to communities across Hawai‘i," Sen. Mazie Hirono stated on Thursday.
     Derrick Ariyoshi, Hawai‘i State Program Director for the Corporation for National & Community Service, said, "In Hawai‘i, we are proud that more than 2,300 people of all ages and background have committed themselves to national service programs like AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. The DNA and footprint of their service can be found in the many efforts to address Hawai‘i's most pressing community issues such as housing, kupuna services, food security, education, and healthcare accessibility. In this, we appreciate and value the support of Senator Hirono to find innovative community solutions utilizing the talents and passions of our citizens."

Sen. Mazie Hirono with health care workers. Photo from Hirono
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WISDOM, THE WORLD'S OLDEST MOTHER BIRD, welcomed a new chick on Feb. 6, after she and her mate Akeakami incubated the egg for about two months, says a statement from NOAA. The 67-year-old Laysan albatross and her mate live on Midway Atoll in the Northern Hawaiian Islands.
     NOAA and partners manage Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge and Battle of Midway National Memorial within Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, at the far northern end of the Hawaiian archipelago. Midway provides a critical nesting habitat for three million birds, including the largest albatross colony in the world, and the most successful breeding colony for black-footed albatross, Phoebastria nigripes, and Laysan albatross Phoebastria immutabilis. Thirty-six percent of all black-footed albatross and 73 percent of all Laysan albatross, as well as the endangered short-tailed albatross, Phoebastria albatrus, return to the atoll to breed in late October, and by the end of November, nearly every available nesting space on Midway Atoll is claimed by a breeding pair. A single egg is laid, and incubated for a little over two months. After the chick hatches, it will still be another five months before it will leave the nest. In that time, Wisdom and her mate, like all albatross parents, take turns incubating the egg or caring for the chick, while the other forages for food at sea.
Wisdom and her newest chick. Photo credit L. Sullivan/USFWS
     Wisdom has successfully raised at least 30-36 albatross chicks over the course of her life. Because Laysan albatross don't lay eggs every year, and raise only one chick at a time when they do, the contribution of one bird to the population makes a huge difference. Wisdom's recent addition has expanded her albatross family and contributes to the continued health of the Laysan albatross population overall.
     "Midway Atoll's habitat doesn't just contain millions of birds, it contains countless generations and families of albatrosses," said Kelly Goodale, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Biologist. "If you can imagine when Wisdom returns home she is likely surrounded by what were once her chicks and potentially their chicks. What a family reunion!"
     "Laysan albatross and other seabirds depend on the habitat protected by Midway Atoll and other remote Pacific wildlife refuges," said Bob Peyton, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Refuge Manager for Midway Atoll Refuge and Memorial. "Albatross invest an enormous amount of resources to raise their chicks. (They) choose Midway as their home because it's a safe place. Thanks to the hard work of staff and volunteers, we are restoring the native habitat that the birds need for nesting sites, ensuring a future for these seabirds."
     Midway Atoll is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 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 the Office of Hawaiian Affairs - protect this place, the first mixed (natural and cultural) UNESCO World Heritage Site in the United States, inscribed in July 2010. For more information, visit www.papahanaumokuakea.gov. For photos and video, visit https://goo.gl/6vZMP9 or https://goo.gl/r5Jx7N. For more details and shareable social media about Wisdom, visit https://goo.gl/qwcgCt. To learn more about Midway Atoll, visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/midway_atoll/.

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A PRARIE HOME COMPANION REPLACEMENT ON PUBLIC RADIO, heard in Ka‘ū on HPR-1 at 89.1 FM will be American Routes, beginning Saturday, March 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
     The two-hour weekly program presents a broad range of American music - blues and jazz, gospel and soul, old-time country and rockabilly, Cajun and zydeco, Tejano and Latin, roots rock and pop, avant-garde and classical. For the last 20 years, it has been hosted and produced by Nick Spitzer, a folklorist and a professor of anthropology and American studies at Tulane University.
     On March 3, New Sounds, another Sunday evening program currently on HPR-2, at 91.3 FM, billed as "weird and wonderful music from artists, composers and traditional musicians - all gleefully oblivious of their genres," will migrate to HPR-1 aT 89.1 FM (Saturdays, midnight).
     Updated program schedules are available online and for download at hawaiipublicradio.org.

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FREE LEGAL SERVICES FOR SENIORS are available through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i's Kōkua Kupuna Project, at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View, on the last Wednesday of every month, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Feb. 28 is the next upcoming event. Those who are 60 years and older seeking free legal services should contact Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626, Monday through Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to obtain a referral.
     All others seeking legal services from Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i should call their intake line on O‘ahu at 1-800-499-4302, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
     Paralegal Tahisha Depontes of Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i says, "Most common legal assistance we provide is helping our Kupuna prepare an Advance Health Care Directive, Durable Financial Power of Attorney, and Simple Wills. In a lot of cases, especially in remote areas like Ka‘ū or Miloli‘i, transportation is a major issue and individuals are not able to make it in to our Kona or Hilo office. To make access to justice possible for these individuals we are able to offer home visits. Legal Aid has offices in both Hilo and Kona and offers coverage throughout the entire island.
     "This program is ongoing. We also do a monthly outreach in Ocean View… where seniors are able to come and ask us questions and inquire about services. We do many other outreaches throughout the island and are always looking for events in which we can participate and let individuals know about our services."
     She added that a goal her legal agency would like to achieve this year "would be reaching those in very remote areas like Ocean View, Ka‘ū, Miloli‘i, and Volcano, and servicing those in need who just don't realize that help is available."
     The Kōkua Kupuna Project is funded by Weinberg Hawai‘i County Senior Legal Services Project and Federal Title III Funding.
     Those seeking more information may also call Depontes directly by emailing tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org or by calling 329-3910 ext. 925.

Take an oil painting class with Steve Irvine.
Photo from Volcano Art Center
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BIG ISLAND ARTIST STEVE IRVINE OFFERS AN INTRODUCTION TO OIL PAINTING WORKSHOP at Volcano Art Center on Saturday, Mar. 3. Irvine is the featured artist at Volcano Art Center Gallery's current exhibit, Tī and Seas., which is open at the gallery through March 25, during gallery hours. The class, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., includes Irvine’s unique orange undercoating technique that gives his vivid oil works their “glow from within,” says the event description.
     Basic artistic concepts including color, composition and contrast will be discussed before students embark on their own oil painting. The class fee is $55 for VAC members and $55 for non-members. Class supplies must be provided by the student and a full list will be provided upon registration. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.
     To date, Irvine has received twelve awards in recognition of his artistic merits. To read more about him, visit Feb. 7 Ka‘ū News Briefs.

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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.htmlSee Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, 
February 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.
BASKETBALL CAMP AT KAHUKU PARK IN HOVE, sponsored by Ocean View Baptist Church, open to keiki in grades 1-6, runs through tomorrow, Fri., Feb. 23, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Space is limited - register on Ocean View Baptist Facebook page or sign up at the park by calling Teresa Anderson at 929-9113.

REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY PAPER FLOWER CLASS through Feb. 27, for keiki grades K-8 Wed., Feb. 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at PāhalaCommunity Center. Call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102. For more about these and other recreation programs - hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

FRIDAY, FEB. 23
JOIN PARK RANGERS FOR COFFEE TALK, an informal monthly conversation on a variety of topics. This month: Did you know Ka‘ū Forest Reserve is part of the largest and most intact expanse of native forest in the state? Long-time Ka‘ū resident and conservationist John Replogle will talk about its unique ecosystems and species, value as a watershed, impact of Hawaiian culture, and benefit as a public use area. Fri., Feb 23, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free; occurs every last Friday of the month - nps.gov/HAVO.

BUDDY CAGE CANCER BENEFIT WITH EDGE OF THE WEST, held Fri., Feb. 23, 9 p.m., at Pāhoa Lava Shack; Sat., Feb. 24, 5 p.m., luau in Kona at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel courtyard; and Sun., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., at Ocean View's The Terraces. Info 917-561-4800, www.edgeofthwest.band.

SATURDAY, FEB. 24
SANCTUARY OCEAN HUMPBACK WHALE COUNT, Sat., Feb 24, 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.; arrive 30 min. prior for orientation. Four locations near/in Ka‘ū: Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park, and Ka‘ena Point - hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov for directions; park entrance fees apply. Bring sun protection, water, snacks, and a cushion to sit on. Pre-registration required: sanctuaryoceancount.org.

LA‘AU LAPA‘AU, BEGINNER LEVEL CLASS, at Ka‘ū District Gym, 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Feb. 24. Free; to register or for more details, call 969-9220 and ask for the Traditional Health team - hmono.org to learn more about the organization.

REALMS AND DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, Sat., Feb. 24, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This free, moderately difficult, two-mile, guided hike on Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, explores the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring a snack for the talk story segment of this hike.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING is Saturday, Feb. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy a free luncheon while learning about what's coming up for the organization, and be involved with the election of new board members. Luncheon is complimentary, registration is required; register and get more info at fhvnp.org/events/annual-membership-meeting-luncheon-2018/.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, with Sensei Bill Newton, Volcano Garden Arts, Saturday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $36 per person per class, space is limited - 985-8979 or volcanogardenarts.com.

14TH ANNUAL LOVE THE ARTS fundraiser gala at the Ni‘aulani Campus, Sat., Feb. 24, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets, and sponsorship and artist donation forms, online at volcanoartcenter.org, or in person at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus, Volcano Art Center Gallery, and Basically Books in Hilo - $55 per VAC member, $65 for non-members.

BUDDY CAGE CANCER BENEFIT WITH EDGE OF THE WEST, held Sat., Feb. 24, 5 p.m., luau in Kona at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel courtyard; and Sun., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., at Ocean View's The Terraces. Info 917-561-4800, www.edgeofthwest.band.

 SUNDAY, FEB. 25
IMOLA ASTRONOMY CENTER 12TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Sun., Feb. 25, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 600 ‘Imiloa, at the UH Hilo Science and Technology Park. For more information, visit ImiloaHawaii.org, follow ‘Imiloa's Facebook, or call 932-8901.

TRAVERSE SCENIC PASTURES ALONG AN ANCIENT CINDER CONE, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer, Sunday, Feb. 25, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Moderately difficult, guided, 2.6-mile hike along the Palm Trail in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Free - nps.gov/HAVO.

BUDDY CAGE CANCER BENEFIT WITH EDGE OF THE WEST, held Sun., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., at Ocean View's The Terraces. Info 917-561-4800, www.edgeofthwest.band.

TUESDAY, FEB. 27
HOVE Road Maintenance Monthly Meeting, Tue., Feb 27, 10 a.m., RMC Office in Ocean View. hoveroad.com, 929-9910.

KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY, Tue., Feb 27, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

TALES OF EARLY RANCHING IN HUMU‘ULA, Tue., Feb 27, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium. Free, suggested donation of $2; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28
KUPU, HAWAIʻI YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS SUMMER PROGRAM open to young adults 17 and up; deadline to apply Wed., Feb. 28. Kupu program lasts seven weeks, during June and July, is 40 hours per week. For info and to apply: http://www.kupuhawaii.org/hycc-summer/.

HFS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM open to Big Island seniors planning for a two or four-year degree at a College, University, or Vocational-Technical school in the 2018-19 academic. Applications due Wed., Feb. 28, available at hfsfcu.org/news/2018Scholarship or at any branch location: Kea‘au, Hilo, and Kona.

LEI HAKU, a method of lei making that involves braiding materials into a base of leaves, has been announced by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as part of the ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. The free demonstration takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY through the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission, due Wednesday, Feb. 28, no later than 4:30 p.m. Download application here, then email to the Commission Secretary, Maxine Cutler, at maxine.cutler@hawaiicounty.gov.

THURSDAY, MARCH 1
‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS for school year 2018-2019. Scholarships available to high school or home-schooled graduating seniors and to undergraduate college students. March 1 deadline, application form at www.okaukakou.org. Questions? Call Babette Morrow at 929-8076.

VETERAN'S CENTER AND VA MEDICAL SERVICES, Thurs., March 1 & 15, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit with VA counselor and benefit specialist. Contact Matthew at 329-0574 - ovcahi.org.

TĪ AND SEAS ART EXHIBIT at Volcano Art Center Gallery featuring oil paintings by Pāhoa resident Steve Irvine, is open to the public through Sun., Mar. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.

STEWARDSHIP OF KῙPUKAPUAULU takes place every Thursday in March: 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Participants meet at Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11, at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers should bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat and water; wear closed-toe shoes. Clothing may be permanently stained by morning glory sap. New volunteers, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com.

ARTS AND CRAFTS: GIRL'S DAY HEADBANDS, Fri., March 2, 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. Register until Mar 1. Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Free; for ages 6 to 12. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

UPCOMING
SUPPORT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB locations at Pāhala and Ocean View by purchasing tickets and sponsoring persons to attend the annual Youth of the Year celebration, Friday, Mar. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, in the Moku Ola Ballroom. For 66 years, its outreach to the Island has provided a safe and educational place for children after school.
     To purchase tickets, contact Ka‘ū Boardmember Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net. To purchase an ad in the Gala program, become a Gala sponsor, make a financial donation, or to donate an auction item, contact Gail Hamasu at 961-5536 or gail@bgcbi.org.
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TŪTŪ AND ME IS HIRING two people. Due to the growth of both Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu, there are now two openings - one full-time, one part-time on-call - for teachers to join the team. The minimum qualifications include: High School diploma; ECE or related course work and/or experience working with children; vehicle with minimum coverage. See pidfoundation.org/employment for more details. To apply, email resume to HR@pidfoundation.org or fax to 440-6619.

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 646-9634.

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