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Sunday, February 25, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Sunday, February 25, 2018

Made with the assistance of the writing, directing and filming talents of the late filmmaker and former Pāhala resident Danny Miller, Poisoning
Paradise takes up the issue of insecticides in the Hawaiʻi environment. One of its narrators is Pāhala resident Demetrius Oliveira. 
The film has won awards at film festivals internationally. See more below.
A BAN ON THE INSECTICIDE CHLORPYRIFOS is supported in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature by west Kaʻū's state Representative, Dr. Richard Creagan, and in Congress by Kaʻū's U.S. House Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
     Creagan said that Chlorpyrifos "is much more toxic than DDT." He said, "We need to keep this out of our state." Gabbard recently issued statements supporting the Pesticide Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 3380), which calls for a full ban on Chlorpyrifos.
State Rep. Richard Creagan
introduced a ban on the
Chlorpyrifos insecticide last
year, and is working towards
a state-level ban now.
     The EPA banned use of Chlorpyrifos for residential purposes in 2000, except for such products where it is contained, as in ant and roach bait. Under the Obama administration, in November 2015, the EPA proposed to completely ban Chlorpyrifos, following studies linking it to "damaging and often irreversible health outcomes in workers, pregnant women, and children," said Gabbard. However, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt reversed that decision in March of 2017, arguing he was relying on "sound science."
     Creagan introduced a bill to ban Chlorpyrifos last session of the Hawaiʻi Legislature, but it failed to pass, pending the EPA action, said Creagan.
U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbrd is working
towards a national ban on
the Chlorpyrifos insecticide.
     Said Gabbard, "Administrator Pruitt's decision to lift the ban on Chlorpyrifos was reckless and short-sighted, and has put the health and well-being of our keiki, expectant mothers, field workers, agricultural communities, and ‘āina at risk. We've seen the direct impact here at home, where Kauaʻi workers were hospitalized after exposure to this dangerous chemical. The fact that the Trump-run EPA allowed Syngenta to get away with a slap on the wrist after this illegal act is absolutely unacceptable. In addition to urgently passing this legislation to keep this toxic chemical out of our air, food, and water, we must take action to hold industrial agri-businesses accountable for putting profits over the health and safety of the American people and our planet," said Gabbard.
     Per FactCheck.org, Chlorpyrifos was first registered as an insecticide in 1965. It is the most-used conventional insecticide in the U.S., with roughly 
6 million pounds used on 10 million acres between 2009 and 2013. People can be exposed to Chlorpyrifos by ingesting food, inhaling it, and through the skin. While it has rarely been found in drinking water and outdoor air, it can be carried long distances in the air. It is toxic to birds, and extremely toxic to fish and non-target insects, such as bees.
     Chlorpyrifos toxicity leads to the over-stimulation of the nervous system, targeting the same chemical pathway in the body as nerve agents such as Sarin gas. Chlorpyrifos symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, and confusion. At very high doses, organophosphates - such as Chlorpyrifos - can cause vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. And at even higher doses, such as from spills or accidents, they can lead to death.
     Late filmmaker and former Pāhala resident Danny Miller, who made the award winning film Saving Kaʻū's Coast with The Kaʻū Calendar publisher Julia Neal, took up the issue in a film called Poisoning Paradise with producers Pierce Brosnan, Tersa Tico, and Keely Shay Brosnan. It is narrated by Kaʻū native Demetrius Oliveira and Alika Atay.
     Poisoning Paradise has won many film festival awards for documentaries, and is scheduled to be shown next on March 3 at the Manchester Film Festival in England, and March 3 at the Sedona International Film Festival in Arizona. See www.poisoningparadise.com.

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Observatories atop Mauna Kea. Photo from Wikimedia Commons
UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI‘I SEEKS RENEWAL OF MAUNA KEA land use authorizations for the long-term continuation of astronomy. U.H. has prepared an Environmental Impact Statement Preparation Notice, which can be downloaded.
     David Lassner, President of the University of Hawai‘i System, said UH invites the public to review the Environmental Impact Statement and provide input. He proposes some questions for those interested:
● Is the range of alternatives in the EISPN appropriate?
● Are there additional alternatives that should be considered?
● Are there any resources that should be taken into account in the project area, or that could be affected by the action, that are not identified in the EISPN?
● Are there additional potential types of impacts that should be addressed?
     U.H. will hold open house meetings regarding the proposal during the review period. Exhibits will be available for viewing, and attendees will have an opportunity to talk with various resource specialists, managers, and planners. The closest meeting to Ka‘ū will be held in Hilo on Tuesday, March 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii - Moanahoku Hall, 600 ‘Imiloa Place. Call 933-0734 with questions.
     The State Office of Environmental Quality Control's deadline for submitting comments is Tuesday, March 27. Electronic input is preferred, and may be submitted at http://MaunakeaLandAuth.CommentInput.com. Alternatively, comments may be mailed to: Stephanie Nagata, Office of Mauna Kea Management, 200 West Kawili Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i, 96720; with a copy also mailed to: Jim Hayes, Planning Solutions, Inc., 711 Kapi‘olani Boulevard, Suite 950, Honolulu, Hawai‘i, 96813.

A view looking down on the rotted wooden beams that
were used as a retaining wall under the disposal chute at
the Waiʻohinu transfer station. Photo from Ann Bosted
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THE SOLID WASTE TRANSFER STATION IN WAI‘ŌHINU that was damaged recently by heavy rains was also damaged earlier by a fire. During a community meeting on June 28, 2016, the county's Environmental Management Director at the time, Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, said that a portion of the retaining wall adjacent to the disposal chute had been damaged by a fire in the garbage dumpster, and that it would have to be repaired.
     With the damage from the fire and rain, the operation of the garbage chute has been impaired. The county Solid Waste Division announced recently that vehicles must stay away from the chute; users must hand-carry refuse from vehicles, as backing vehicles directly up to the disposal chute is prohibited until repairs are completed. The Division also asks that trash bags not be overloaded, and that greenwaste be bagged, so they can be carried to the chute.
Looking down from the corner of the chute at the retaining
wall that failed after about three days of rain at the
Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station. The ends of the wooden beams,
used for the collapsed retaining wall, can be seen under
the mud-slide of dirt and rocks. Photo from Ann Bosted 
 
     The Division is accepting bids for the construction of a new facility. However, construction is not expected to be completed for at least nine or ten months. A statement from Solid Waste says, "Please pardon this temporary inconvenience," and the public is asked to take precautions when entering the station. "The Solid Waste Division would like to thank the public for their patience and kōkua during the construction and improvements taking place at the Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station."
     For additional information, call 961-8270 or email SWD@hawaiicounty.gov.

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LEI MAKING WITH RANDY LEE has been announced as Volcano Art Center's Mar. 9 Aloha Friday cultural demonstration. The weekly event takes place, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the Volcano Art Center Gallery porch within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Learn the art of fashion lei making and use freshly picked materials 
from the rain forests of Pana‘ewa. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org
     A master lei maker, Lee uses a variety of natural materials to fashion lei from the freshest ferns, leaves, and flowers, that he personally gathers from the rain forests of Pana‘ewa. Enjoy the skill and wonderful stories that this well-respected practitioner has to offer.
     These free cultural events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawai‘i, Dept. of Research and Development, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. Free; park entrance fees apply. Visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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VOLCANO ART CENTER ANNOUNCES AN EVENING WITH REBECCA FOLSOM on Saturday, Mar. 10, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Concert tickets are $20 for VAC members and $25 for non-members.
     Folsom's music has been described as having the soulfulness of Etta James, the abandon of Janis Joplin, with a touch of folk songstress Joni Mitchell. An award-winning artist, she has performed on BBC radio and television, Nashville's Bluebird, New York's Bitterend, and Red Rock's Amphitheatre in Colorado. KUNC Radio says, "She takes you from subtle ballads to knock-you-to-your-knees blues."
     Her voice has a near four-octave range and her music career has spanned over 20 years. Corridor Magazine wrote, "While her range is impressive, it's the expression in her voice that rivets your attention and stays with you long after the show ends. Folsom's voice pours from an inner source of honest emotion, flowing from lilting tenderness to fully liberated, unbridled release."
Experience Rebecca Folsom in concert on Mar. 
10 in Volcano. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org
     Folsom, a Boulder, Colorado, native, writes "inspiring tales of human heartbreak, redemption, and freedom. She shares those songs with exquisite intimacy in a solo performance," says VAC's event description. Folsom said performing on stage is where she feels most comfortable. "There is no place on earth that I want to be more. I'm happiest there, time flies there. It's timeless, effortless and it brings me so much joy. My hope is always that it will bring other people joy, upliftment, and awakening," she said.
     She will also offer the Art of Vocal Freedom workshop Sunday, Mar. 11 - see tomorrow's briefs for more about the class.
     Visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222 to purchase tickets.

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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.
MY HAWAI‘I 2018 CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST, open to all 6th through 8th grade students in the state. Submit story or poem that addresses the theme, "Ulu ka lālā i ke kumu: From a strong foundation grows an abundant future," to align with the 2018 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference. Submit online at hawaiiconservation.org/my-hawaii/my-hawaii-story-project-2018 by 5:00 p.m., March 9.. Email questions to myhawaiistory@gmail.com.

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 Pāhala Community Center. Call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102. For more about these and other recreation programs - hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

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/.
2018Scholarship or at any branch location: Kea‘au, Hilo, and Kona.

FREE LEGAL SERVICES available for those 60+ through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i's Kōkua Kupuna Project, at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Wed., Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Contact Hawai`i County Office of Aging at 961-8626, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to obtain a referral. All others seeking free legal services, call 1-800-499-4302 (O‘ahu), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. More info, email tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org or 329-3910 ext. 925.

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.

HAWAI‘I DISABILITY LEGAL SERVICES, Thu, Mar 1, 8:30 - noon, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@
gmail.com

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.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meeting, Thu, Mar 1, 6 - 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

HULA VOICES with Kumu Hula Kainani Kahauhaele, Thu, Mar 1, 7 - 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates event. Free, educational event occurring on the first Thursday of each month (excluding Apr. and Dec. 2018). volcanoartcenter.org

FRIDAY, MARCH 2
REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY HEADBANDS CLASS from Feb. 26 to Mar. 1, for keiki ages 6 to 12 years, for Fri., Mar. 2, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. For more about these and other recreation programs: hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

KAʻŪ'S BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS NEED SUPPORT; purchase tickets and sponsor persons to attend the annual Youth of the Year celebration, Fri., Mar. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, in the Moku Ola Ballroom. The evening includes a banquet-style meal, youth led entertainment, silent and live auctions, guest speakers, and honors will be presented. Learn more about helping to create great futures at bgca.org.
     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.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3
SECOND ANNUAL RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH SYMPOSIUM-WEST, Sat, Mar 3, 8:30 - noon, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, County Council Chambers. Register at www.RapidOhiaDeath.org

HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND VOLUNTEER BEACH CLEAN UP, Sat., Mar. 3, 8:45 a.m., meet at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Help clean up trash and debris washed up on the shore at Kamilo on the Ka‘ū Coast below Nā‘ālehu. Reserve a spot in a 4WD vehicle with HWF in advance. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT, Mar. 3, 9, 16, 23 & 31, 8:45 a.m. Meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm.

INTRODUCTION TO OIL PAINTING WITH STEVE IRVINE, Sat., Mar. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Volcano Art Center. Class fee $55 for VAC members, $60 for non-members. Class supplies not provided; receive a full list upon registration. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

HI‘IAKA & PELE, Sat., Mar. 3, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO.

ZENTANGLE: BASICS, Sat., Mar. 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Volcano Art Center. Learn the foundations of Zentangle art form and the philosophy behind it from Certified Zentangle Teacher Dina Wood Kageler. All art supplies provided. $30/VAC members, $35/non-members, plus $10 supply fee. Bring a light refreshment to share. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 4
HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP LOAD NETS - previously collected from the coast - into a container at Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station on Sunday, March 4, starting at 9 a.m. Bring personal drinking water. To sign-up, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

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.

HAM RADIO POTLUCK PICNIC, Sun., Mar. 4, noon to 2 p.m., Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. Sponsored by South Point Amatueur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service. View sites.google.com/site/southpointartc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058.

ONGOING
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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