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Thursday, January 24, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, January 24, 2019


Ocean Community Center has long been the site of many community activities, from voting to medical care for vets,
forums with public officials, and classes. However, it could shut down in three years unless the community
offers more support. Photo by Annie Bosted
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER NEEDS A BOOST. It could close unless more residents join in to help keep the facility open. About 25 members of the Ocean View Community Association attended the annual meeting recently to learn that OVCA has been operating in the red for the past two years.
Ocean View Community Center hosts voting for public officials, 
classes, churches, and medical help for vets. Photo by Annie Bosted
     The Community Center could close in about three and a half years unless the trend is reversed, said outgoing treasurer Paulette Frerichs. She explained that the association suffered unusual expenses in 2018, including critical termite treatment and labor to install new flooring materials. Insurance is a very large annual expense as well. She said that both increasing the number of paid members and soliciting donations and/or grants will be essential for the association to cease "operating in the red."
     Several members advocated strongly for the community center, one of the major places in Ocean View where people get together. Others called it an invaluable community venue for functions sponsored by schools, churches, and many public service organizations such as AdvoCATS, which brings a spay/neuter program to the area.
Membership in OVCA is open to all, including residents of subdivisions in 
Ocean View. OVCA is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation.New members
 can join online, existing members can renew membership and tax deductible
 donations can be made at https://ovcahi.org/membership-donation.
Photo by Annie Bosted
     Voting for primary and general elections, political forums, veteran medical services, and such regular activities as exercise classes and Ham radio meetings are held there. A member announced that she planned to start a table tennis program.
     Another member volunteered to canvas for new members at the swap meet and grocery stores in Ocean View. Members encouraged her to point out that membership in the OVCA costs less than a cup of coffee a month. Dues are $30 a year for a single person, or $50 a year for a family.
     "Think of joining as an investment in the community," urged Karen Powell, adding "We should not focus on 'what's in it for me,' but rather 'should the community be without the center?'"
     Incoming President, Ron Gall, announced a Classic Car and Bike Show on March 30. The Association will sell hot dogs, chips, and drinks to raise funds for the Association. Two other food vendors will offer grinds.
     Gall told The Kaʻū Calendar that the Community Center has become an invaluable place of education, hosting four organizations. "It is used by the Department of Education for a Blended Learning program, the Ocean View Homeschool Co-op, Kua O Ka Lā Charter School from Miloliʻi, and also by Harmony Educational Services.
Sturdy ʻōhiʻa posts of Ocean View Community Center.
Photo by Annie Bosted
The community needs to support education by keeping our Community Center's doors open. We hope more people will join in 2019."
     The new officers for 2019 were announced at the meeting. Gall is President, Suzanne Reiter is Secretary, Gary Bailey is Vice President, and Tim Chace is Treasurer. Barbara Lewis and Dave Anderson are Directors. Positions for more directors are available.
     Membership in the OVCA is open to all, including residents of all the subdivisions in Ocean View. The OVCA is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 corporation. New members can join online, existing members can renew their membership, and tax deductible donations can be made at ovcahi.org/membership-donation.

OVCA officers for 2019 are Gary Bailey, Vice President; Suzanne Reiter, Secretary; Ron Gall, President; Paulette Freichs, out-going Treasurer; Dave Anderson out-going President and 2019 Director. The Treasurer for 2019, Tim Chace, was
 unable to attend the meeting. Photo by Annie Bosted
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THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN WORE ON TODAY, with 800,000 federal employees remaining unpaid and two proposals failing in the U.S. Senate. Pres. Donald Trump said he will reject signing legislation unless it has funding for a wall along the Mexican border. One bill with wall funding was voted down, with several Republicans peeling away from Trump and voting against it. The bill with government funding and no wall funding also failed. Democrats said they would not allow the President to hold the unpaid government workers hostage in order for him to extract funding for his wall.
     Democrats and Republicans met tonight to try to come up with a compromise including more border security funding and the reopening of the government to pay federal employees.
     Referring to Trump changing his mind on an agreement to sign a bill that included both wall funding and reopening government, which earlier passed the House and Senate, Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted, "You can't talk sense to someone who makes no sense, Donald Trump changes his mind as soon as Fox News tells him to. 
Hawaiʻi's Seafarers Union hosts Sen. Mazie Hirono while distributing donated food to federal workers
who are going unpaid during the partial government shutdown. Photo from Mazie Hirono 
Congress needs to do its job as a separate branch of government." She said that Republican and Senate majority leader "Mitch McConnell should step up and end the #TrumpShutdown now." She voted against the bill with wall funding.
     Hirono also reported that before returning to Washington, D.C. this week she "joined Hawaiʻi Food Bank staff and volunteers at the Seafarer's Union Hall to distribute donated food to federal workers affected by the government shutdown. It was a great example of how Hawaiʻi comes together to help those in need. It's past time for Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell to end the shutdown."
     Sen Brian Schatz voted against the bill with wall funding in exchange for funding the payroll for government employees. He tweeted: "We must never reward hostage taking."
     He also said, "People who hate the government should never be in charge of it," and tweeted, "You don't get to say you want the government open but vote against the bill to reopen the government. It's time to walk the talk."

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SOLVING A SEWAGE PROBLEM AND ACHIEVING A LAND CONSERVATION GOAL converged with the selection of property for the new Nāʻālehu sewage treatment plant. The county is close to acquiring 25 acres near Nāʻālehu, within 2,209 acres being acquired with miles of Kaʻū Coast and the remains of the ancient Hawaiian village of Waikapuna.
The proposed wastewater treatment site is in green, with areas to be served in purple and aqua.
Orange is the area for future service. Map from County of Hawaiʻi
     The Nāʻālehu sewage treatment plant site would belong to the county, after being subdivided away from the larger parcel. The land purchased for preservation would be owned by the Ala Kahakai Trail Association, a community support group for the Ala Kahakai National Trail, the ancient Hawaiian trail that skirts the west side, from inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to the north end of the island. It passes through the Waikapuna property along the Kaʻū Coast.
     The purchase has been made possible with fundraising and negotiation help from Trust for Public Land. Money came from property taxes collected by the county, the state Legacy Land Conservation Program and federal sources. Purchase of the sewage treatment plant portion of the property is funded by the county Department of Environmental Management, with its county, state, and federal sources.
     The state Board of Land and Natural Resources will vote tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 25, on whether to allow the 25 acres to be cut away from the larger parcel for the sewage treatment plant, and to acknowledge a delay in the use of its funding, as the property must be subdivided to provide the two parcels to the county and Ala Kahakai Trail Association.

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LT. GOV. JOSH GREEN IS THE STATE'S NEW POINT PERSON "on leveraging private sector partnerships to address the chronically homeless, which includes some of the most difficult situations to resolve," said Gov. David Ige in his State of the State address this week.
     Ige said Green will work closely with Scott Morishige, the state's homeless coordinator, who will continue to lead the state's overall homeless efforts. "On an island where land is scarce and the cost of living high, providing affordable homes for our families has been one of the most challenging aspects of caring and looking out for each other," said the governor. "Widespread homelessness across the state is a symptom of how steep that challenge is."
     The governor called the problem "a complicated one. And one that will take a 'village' to solve. 
But more than any other place in this country, Hawaiʻi intimately understands the village concept, because it is embedded in our values of ʻohana and aloha. With the help of the Legislature, our congressional delegation, the 
Lt. Gov. Josh Green served the homeless community during his time as a state senator and has become
the point person for Gov. David Ige to help solve the homeless challenge. Photo from Josh Green
counties, federal agencies, business, and community service organizations, we have made significant strides in addressing homelessness in Hawaiʻi."
     Ige pointed to a reduction in the homeless population for two consecutive years - a total reduction of 18 percent. "This includes decreases in every county, as well as decreases in key homeless sub-groups, such as families, children, and veterans. We have also seen an increase in people exiting homeless programs to permanent housing. Two years ago, only a third of those exiting homeless services went to permanent housing. That number has now increased to over 50 percent. 
In addition, this year's budget includes $35 million for homeless programs."
     The governor said government homelessness is addressed "as a community and not left it to government alone. Queen's Medical Center has seen what the impact of homeless patients has had on its overall mission. Without appropriate housing, recovery was a hit and miss affair and many became repeat patients with prolonged stays. Hospital officials knew that if they didn't treat the whole patient that the process would become frustratingly repetitive for both patient and doctor. That's why they became the first hospital in the nation to place its most medically fragile, homeless patients into housing as part of the recovery process."
     The hospital estimates the program has generated savings of more than $5 million and, at the same time, lightened the burden on its emergency rooms and ambulances. "More importantly, it has changed the lives of those they have treated," said the governor. 

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

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 High Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball:
Jan. 25, Fri., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Jan. 26, Sat., BIIF Div. II Finals
Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA
Boys Basketball:
Jan. 28, Mon. host Kanu, 6pm, Varsity
Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals
Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA
Wrestling:
Jan. 26, Sat., @HPA
Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo
Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau
Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA
Soccer:
Jan. 28, Mon., Boys BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Jan. 30, Wed., Boys BIIF Div. II Finals
Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA
Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA
Swimming:
Jan. 25, Fri., BIIF Trials @KCAC, 3:30pm
Jan. 26, Sat., BIIF Finals @KCAC, 1pm
Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA
Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING
A SPECIAL MEETING FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS ABOUT SENIOR HOUSING - the Fruit Stand Project - is held by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou at Nāʻālehu Community Center Sunday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m.

PARKS AND RECREATION VOLLEYBALL PROGRAMS FOR KEIKI, 14 years old and younger, are underway at Nā‘ālehu Community Center courts, through Mar. 27. Registration is ongoing.
     For keiki ages 10 and under, the program meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. For keiki ages 14 and under, the program meets Mondays through Thursdays, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
     For more, contact Recreation Director Richard Karasuda at 939-2510. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/ for hours and address.

KEIKI, AGES 6 TO 14 YEARS OLD, INVITED TO PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD GAMES AND COLORING EQUIPMENT at Kahuku Park Pavilion on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
     For more, contact Recreation Technician Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. Kahuku Park is located at 92-8607 Paradise Circle Mauka, Ocean View. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/ for hours of operation.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
Human Trafficking Workshop, Fri., Jan. 25, 9:30-12:30pm, PARENTS, Inc. Office, Nā‘ālehu. Conducted by Melody Stone. Open to interested educators and community leaders: non-profit organizations, police dept., etc. Pre-registration appreciated. 430-5710

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
Kīlauea Crisis Support Group Mtg., Sat., Jan. 26, 10-11am, Ocean View Community Center. Drinks and snacks provided. Last Saturday, monthly. Sponsored by CARE Hawai‘i, Inc. - Team Ahā, Crisis Counseling Program. 329-4817

Kula Kai View Estates Annual Mtg., Sat., Jan. 26, 10-11am, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

Mixed Media Encaustic w/Mary Milelzcik, Sat. Jan. 26, 10-2:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member, plus $25 supply fee/person. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Mo‘olelo - Stories - of Volcano, Sat., Jan. 26, 11-2pm, Volcano Garden Arts, 19-3834 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Village. Hawaiian historian and storyteller Kepa Maly shares traditions and history of Kīlauea and the lands upon which Pele dances in the Pu‘ulena wind. $35/person, lunch included. Limited space. Register w/Volcano Community Foundation, volcanocommunity@gmail.com, 885-1011

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
A Special Meeting for Local Residents about Senior Housing - the Fruit Stand Project - is held by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou at Nāʻālehu Community Center Sunday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28
Public Meeting on Future of Pāhala Transfer Station, where people take their recyclables and other trash, happens Monday, Jan. 28, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
     The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division invites the Pāhala community and users of the Pāhala Transfer Station to attend the informational meeting. The Solid Waste Division will join community members to discuss operating days and the possibility of modifying the current schedule.
     "We welcome any input and participation from the community and users of this facility," said a statement from the county.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Jan. 29, 11:30-1pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Jan. 30, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Monthly. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

Free Car Seat Inspections happen in Waiʻōhinu on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program is sponsored by Partners for Safe Keiki, Tūtū and Me, and Hawaiʻi County Fire Department, a coalition of Partners of Keiki, and Safe Grant Hawaiʻi.
     "Three of four car seats are not installed correctly," say the sponsors. "Feel free to post, share and circulate to help us to reach as many Kaʻū residents as possible. There is no eligibility requirement for these inspections. Just come with your vehicle, keiki and car seat(s)!" To make an appointment, call 896-1336.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
Craft Class, Thu., Jan. 31, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Jan. 31, 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

ONGOING
Applications for the First Annual Acton Children's Business Fair in Pāhala are open through tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 25. The fair, on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., aims to inspire children to "discover their inner entrepreneur," states childrensbusinessfair.org. "The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses."
     Planned for keiki ages 7 to 18 from all over the island, the event is hosted at River of Life Assembly of God, 96-2345 Paʻauau St., Pāhala.
     The flyer for the event says, "Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey, or they are one of the thousands of unsung business owners across the country, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs, and serve their communities. We want to encourage our youth to reach whatever goals they may have in owning their own businesses. This event gives them the experience at doing so."
     The application asks kids to think through elements of their business: What product or service do you plan to sell? What price will you charge for each product/service? How much will each product/service cost you? How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back? How will you advertise/market your business before the fair? At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
     Up to 15 businesses will be accepted to show their business at the fair. Up to three children are allowed per business. A donation of $5 per business is required. Booths will not have electricity. Parents are not allowed to sell or promote a child's product or service, though parents of younger children may sit in the booth so long as the child is responsible for set up, customer interactions, and sales. Parents may help their child fill out the application; however, the child should do as much as possible by themselves.
     To submit an application, visit childrensbuisnessfair.org/pahala. For more details, contact Regina Walker at 400-4722 or email pahalacbf@gmail.com.
     The Pāhala event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, Wiki Wiki Mart, KRW Enterprises, and individual donors and volunteers. "We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation," states the website.

Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. Harry McKee Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors invites college bound high school seniors and current college students to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.
     The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.
     The website says that Harry McKee "left a legacy of commitment to the youth of Kaʻū. His foundation exists to give students an opportunity for higher education. Harry was a musician, a gardener, a WWII decorated veteran, an outdoorsman, and an active civic leader. Harry was well known for reaching out to local youth to support their education goals, and to encourage young people to share aloha and celebrate ʻohana." See more about the foundation at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes include Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) in Ka‘ū on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org.

Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.

Applications for a Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are being accepted. The year-long, full-time position is in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona.
     Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.
     Applicants must be at least 17 years old, and possess or be working towards a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must also have their own housing and transportation, a driver's license, and be able to pass a criminal history check.
     The internship is offered through Kupu Hawai‘i. Those interested are asked to fill out an application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation under Conservation Leaders Program as soon as possible. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.

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