Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, May 22, 2019

NOAA GOES-15 satellite image shows Hurricane Lane positioned about 300 miles south of Hawaiʻi Island on Aug. 22. 

NOAA image

CENTRAL PACIFIC HURRICANE CENTER PREDICTS FIVE TO EIGHT CYCLONES during the 2019 Hurricane Season that begins June 1. Operated by the National Weather Service, the Center presented its forecast today, pointing out that an average hurricane season sees four to five cyclones originating or passing through the Central Pacific, which includes Hawai`i. The prediction does not narrow the odds to storms expected to directly these islands.

     The heightened activity is expected with warmer Pacific Ocean waters that could fire up cyclones during this El Nino year. A prediction of lighter wind sheer means tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, could have an easier path toward the islands.

     Central Pacific Hurricane Center Director Chris Brenchely forecasts a 70 percent chance of a busier than average hurricane season, a 20 percent chance of a normal season with four to five tropical cyclones and a ten percent chance of a lower than average season. He urged residents to make preparations. "It is essential that you know where and how to get official information, even in the event of a power failure, and that you have your emergency supply kit ready well before any storms threaten."

     Last week, AccuWeather predicted much the same for the Pacific: six to eight named storms, four to six hurricanes, three to five major hurricanes and one to two direct impacts on land in the Central Pacific.

     Gerry Bell, Ph.D., NOAA's lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at the Climate Prediction Center, said El Niño is likely to continue through November, and that ocean temperatures are likely to remain above average. This decreases vertical wind shear, making more and stronger tropical cyclones more likely, and storms originating near the U.S. mainland and Central America more likely to travel across the Pacific.

Last year's Hurricane Olivia. NOAA image

NOAA's Central Pacific 
Hurricane Center, nhc.noaa.gov,
continuously monitors weather conditions, employing a network of satellites, land- and ocean-based sensors, and aircraft reconnaissance missions operated by NOAA and its partners. This array of data supplies the information for complex computer modeling and human expertise, which are the basis for the center’s storm track and intensity forecasts that extend out five days.

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WOODEN POWER POLES RECENTLY INSTALLED TO REOPEN PUNA GEOTHERMAL BEGAN TO SMOLDER and Hawai‘i Electric Light will replace them with steel. The 13 wooden polls and 12 kilovolt lines were put up for distribution service to PGV.

Power poles, like these, are put in place to reconnect PGV and HELCo. Four
on PGV's land are being replaced with steel poles, as the wooden ones are
smoldering. Photo from HELCo

     HELCo reports that four of the new wooden poles – all on PGV's property – "need to be immediately replaced with steel poles, due to residual underground heat causing the wood poles to smolder." Residual heat can be "fully mitigated with the use of steel poles. The Company considers this to be an emergency safety concern that must be and is being addressed in advance of filing its forthcoming application for Commission approval," reports HELCo.

     The poles, which are sized to also carry transmission lines above the distribution lines, vary in height from approximately 60 to 65 feet above the ground. Both transmission line and distribution line conductors were installed on the poles. HELCo tied the new transmission lines to its 6500 line on May 8. None of the new transmission lines were energized.

     When the smoldering was discovered, HELCo reports work on the transmission lines was "immediately stopped," the newly installed wires were disconnected from the 6500 line, and the transmission conductors removed from the poles that are outside PGV's property.

     Once the four steel replacement poles are installed, reports HELCo, the conductors will be transferred over, and the four wooden poles will be removed. PGV will pay for the entire cost of the existing line and replacement poles. Distribution line work is continuing to tie in service to the PGV facility, also at PGV's expense, reports the utility.
     Before hooking up the power for PGA, the Public Utilities Commission will require "an overhead line proceeding" and  public hearing.

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THE ADOPTEE CITIZENSHIP ACT of 2019 was introduced Tuesday by Sen. Mazie Hirono and bipartisan members of the U.S. Senate. This legislation would close a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 that prevents internationally-adopted children from receiving U.S. citizenship despite being legally adopted by U.S. citizens. Co-sponsor is Sen. Roy Blunt.

     Said Hirono, "Thousands of internationally-adopted children, who were raised by American parents, have been denied the same rights of citizenship as biological children. These adoptees were raised as Americans in American families and would have received the stability and security that the Child Citizenship Act provided if they had been under the age of 18 when that law went into effect. The Adoptee Citizenship Act would fix this loophole and right this wrong."

Image from Facebook

    Adoptees who were age 18 or over in February 2001 fell in this loophole and were denied citizenship, despite being legally adopted as children by U.S. citizens and raised in the United States. The Adoptee Citizenship Act would fixes this problem by making citizenship automatic for international adoptees who were legally adopted by U.S. citizens as children, regardless of how old they were when the Child Citizenship Act took effect.
  While the CCA guarantees citizenship to most international adoptees, the law applies to adoptees who were under the age of 18 when the law took effect on 

     International adoptees who lack citizenship face many barriers, such as difficulty applying for a passport, license, or student financial aid. In some cases, outdated immigration laws have resulted in adoptees facing deportation to the country in which they were born, where they may have no known family.

      Hirono previously cosponsored the Adoptee Citizenship Act in the 114th and 115th Congresses.
     The bill is also supported by the Adoptee Rights Campaign, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the National Council For Adoption, the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Adoptees For Justice, Policy and External Affairs at Holt International, the Center for Adoption Policy, and the Family Coalition for Adoptee Citizenship.

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More than 260,000 Filipino soldiers fought in World War II.
Photo from American Immigration Council

FILIPINO VETERANS FAMILY REUNIFICATION ACT was introduced in both U.S. houses today. Sen. Mazie Hirono introduced legislation to the Senate. Rep. Ed Case introduced companion legislation to the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill would expedite the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. Processing their permanent resident applications may still take years if not decades. "As these veterans near the end of their lives, they deserve the certainty of a non-revocable permanent solution,"said Hirono. "This bill would grant them that. In this Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and in further recognition of the selfless service and contributions of Filipino veterans of World War II to our country, I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting and passing this bill."

    Said Case, "In 2016, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services created the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program, a temporary administrative fix that allows these veterans to request parole for their children or siblings. Under this policy, they can live in the U.S.

     Said Hirono, "During World War II, Filipino soldiers stepped up and answered the call to service, fighting and sacrificing alongside American service members. However, because these family members have been stuck in a decades-long visa backlog, they have not been able to reunite with their relatives in the United States. The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act would fulfill our nation's promise to honor Filipino World War II veterans' service to our country and reunite these families."

Filipino veterans, near the end of their lives, still wish their
families to join them in the United States.
Photo from George Bush White House Archives

     More than 260,000 Filipino soldiers followed America's call to fight under the American flag in World War II. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush granted U.S. citizenship to about 26,000 Filipino nationals in recognition of their service to the United States during World War II. However, the 1990 law did not confer citizenship or residency to the veterans' children, who remained separated from their parents. Due to a visa backlog, Filipino applicants must wait more than two decades before their applications are considered.

     In 2016, after years of advocacy by Hirono, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began implementation of the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program to reunite veterans and their surviving spouses with adult children and certain other relatives. However, the program is limited and provides no guarantee that these veterans will reunite with their loved ones. In 2017, Hirono urged the Trump Administration to continue the FWVP program. The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act provides a permanent solution, amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from global limits the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the 1990 law or other specified laws.

     The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice support the bill.

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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 

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JUST ANNOUNCED

WORK EXCHANGE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS are open for individuals interested in committing eight service hours or more in exchange for attending the 26th annual Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, including a t-shirt and one day's worth of beverage and lunch coupons. Assignments in the Work Exchange Program include assistance with registration and check-in, welcoming conference attendees, session supervision, information technology, and logistics such as t-shirt sales, set up, and break down. WEP attendees have a mandatory orientation on Monday, July 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the day before the conference. Limited spots available. For more information, contact hccwep@gmail.com or see hawaiiconservation.org/conference/2019-wep.

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UPCOMING

THURSDAY, MAY 23

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, May 23, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. 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

FRIDAY, MAY 24

Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association's 21st annual Rural Health Conference and General Membership Meeting happens Friday, May 24, 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. The meeting features youth achievements recognition and community resource networks, and offers free health screenings, informational booths, food exhibits, and door prizes.

     Special guests are Dr. Neal Palafox, MD, MPH Professor; University of Hawaiʻi; John A. Burns School of Medicine; and Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. A focus of the event will be embracing and understanding the cultural transition of Marshallese.

     To be a vendor at the event, call the Resource and Distance Learning Center at 928-0101. See krhcai.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 25
15th Annual Celebration of Life Lantern Floating, Saturday, May 25, 3:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Reed's Bay, Hilo, same day Pre-Event, 1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m., Ka‘ū Hospital, Pāhala. Pre-event features motorcycle and classic car community riding in procession to the hospital to meet and greet patients, staff and Ka‘ū Community before riding to main event. Celebration of life bracelet available online, $10 donation, limited supply. Public welcome to both events. Benefits Hawai‘i Care Choices. 969-1733, hawaiicarechoices.org

Support Ka‘ū Coast Stewardship by attending the Of Water classical piano and opera concert at Pāhala Plantation House on Saturday, May 25, at 6 p.m. Reserved seating tickets are $25, donations for stewardship are welcome. See more, below.

SUNDAY, MAY 26

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Public Update on Senior Housing happens Sunday, May 26, 4 p.m. okaukakou.org

MONDAY, MAY 27
Memorial Day Ceremony, Monday, May 27, 3 p.m., Front Lawn, Kīlauea Military Camp. Keynote speaker: Lt. Col. Loreto Borce, Jr., Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area. Open to public. In case of rain ceremony will be moved indoors. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Memorial Day Buffet, Monday, May 27, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. BBQ Pork Ribs, Local Styles Fried Chicken, Smoked Vegetable Kabobs, salads and more. $20.95/Adults, $11.95/Child (ages 6-11). No reservations required. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

TUESDAY, MAY 28
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, May 28, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, May 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

After Dark in the Park – Hawai‘i's Landfill Crisis: From Hopeless to Hopeful, Tuesday, May 28, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Special guest speakers Lori Kahikina, P.E. Director, Department of Environmental Services and Jim Howe, Emergency Services Director present sobering look at Hawaiʻi’s future and a call to action that provides hope while separating myth from reality. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, MAY 29
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, May 29 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and 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

ONGOING

Summer Programs for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary registrations are open. Uplink All-Stars on Friday, June 7 through Friday, June 28 for students in grades 6, 7, and 8. Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 21, Algebra camp is also open to students in grades 6, 7, and 8.

     For high school students, Early College runs from Wednesday, June 12 through Thursday, July 11.

     All three programs require registration by calling 313-4100.

     Open to all people under age 18, no registration required, the Seamless Summer Program offers free breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., and free lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on weekdays in the school cafeteria.

Exhibit – Hulihia, A Complete Change: The Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition,  runs through June 16, daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery. Multi-media exhibition of seven artists. Free; National Park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.

     Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.

Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bag and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.

Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade happens Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. The parade route begins at the Nāʻālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nāʻālehu Hongwanji Mission. To participate, call Debra McIntosh, 929-9872.

___________________________________________________________________
A CONCERT TO RAISE MONEY FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE KAʻŪ COAST will be held on Saturday, May 25, 6 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. The concert is one in a series of performances during the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, in its third season in the islands. The series is called Of Water.

Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy
Shoremount-Obra. HIMF photo

2018 International Bach Competition
Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum.
HIMF photo

     The recital features internationally acclaimed artists Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra and 2018 International Bach Competition Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum. They will perform works by Turina, Mahler, Fauré, Rachmaninoff, Duke, and more.
     Donations accepted at the event go to Kaʻū Coast non-profit stewardship organizations, including Nā Mamo O Kāwā, nmok.org; Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo, honuapopark.org; Ala Kahakai Trail Association, alakahakaitrail.org; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, wildhawaii.org; and Hoʻomalu Kaʻū, hoomalukau@gmail.com.
     In addition to the opportunity to donate to coastal stewardships, an opportunity to support Hawaiʻi International Music Festival is available by reserving best seats for $25 each. They are available at recitalpahala.bpt.me and at the door – cash or check only. See the concert schedule for other islands at himusicfestival.com. For overnight accommodations, contact Pāhala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811.
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