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Thursday, April 18, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, April 18, 2019

Stations of the Cross ceremony will wind through Pāhala on Good Friday. See story below. Photo by Julia Neal
ISLAND LEADERS SIGNED A DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY today at the State Capitol. Among them were Mayor Harry Kim, Sen. Brian Schatz, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Gov. David Ige, and the President of Palau. A statement from the group said that "island leaders gathered today to significantly raise the profile on climate change. With scientists voicing growing alarm about rapidly changing world temperatures, sea level rise, and potential displacement of populations, islands are demonstrating their leadership in finding solutions and implementing action to achieve an economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable future."
     They pointed to Hawaiʻi's commitment to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2045 and signing on to the Paris Agreement, which led to the United Nation's recognition of the Hawaiʻi Green Growth Local 2030 Islands Hub. "As a United Nations Hub, Hawaiʻi, in collaboration with the Global Island Partnership, will advance concrete initiatives and open-data platforms, scale successful model,s and build educational pathways for next generation's leaders," said a statement from the governor's office.
Sen. Brian Schatz and Rep. Ed Case signed a Commitment to Sustainability in the
face of climate change. Gov. David Ige, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Mayor Harry 
Kim, and many others joined them. Photo from Office of the Governor
     Hawaiʻi leaders from all branches and levels of government, along with United Nations and island representatives from the UN Global Compact Forum, Grenada, Aruba, and New Zealand, as well as other public, private and civil society leaders, also signed the Mālama Mandate, renewing commitment to sustainability and climate priorities through island values and actions.
     Ige said the collective commitment to fighting global climate change "started long before today and will continue well into the future. Hawaiʻi is committed to working with island leaders from around the world to implement and track progress made. By partnering, we can scale models that advance the global sustainability model."
     Schatz said Hawaiʻi will take "our state's values and our accomplishments and turn them into action. Today, that notion is no longer an aspiration. It's no longer theoretical. It's happening. And the rest of the world is paying attention, because we are setting the standard for how things should be done."
     Gabbard said, "Hawaiʻi is leading the change we need to make to protect our environment for future generations, and doing so through our collective commitment to the Aloha+ Challenge."
While the U.S. dropped out of the Paris Climate Agreement, 
Hawaiʻi signed on, along with other states and cities.
     Kim said, "Hawaiʻi, the most precious and beautiful of place and people. We are committed to join hands with partners around the world through the United Nations Local 2030 to make us a better people and stewards of this world for nā keiki."
     Tommy Remengesau, Jr. the Palau President, who graduated from University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo, said, "We will work to launch new island sustainability hubs and scale successful models through the Local 2030 Initiative. Change an island, and you can change the world." See hawaiigreengrowth.org.

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THE MUELLER REPORT drew commentary today from Hawaiʻi's U.S. Representatives and Senators. The report on Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 Presidential race and possible involvement of Donald Trump's presidential campaign "should be required reading," said Rep. Ed Case. 
       "It carefully documents massive Russian interference in the 2016 elections, with too many Americans participating or turning a blind eye, as well as evidence of obstruction which normally may well have resulted in prosecution. This cannot be the end of this very disturbing chapter. The stakes for public trust in our elections, checks and balances and the rule of law, are just too high. Congress, as a separate, independent and co-equal branch of government, has an obligation to continue oversight. [Trump] has not been exonerated… Nobody can read that report and consider that the president has been exonerated," said Case. He also called for access to the complete report as much copy is redacted (hidden, crossed out).
Read the 448-page Mueller Report.
Image from PBS
     Sen. Mazie Hirono said the Special Counsel's investigation "found serious wrongdoing" by Trump and "many of his associates, despite the Attorney General's attempt to spin the Mueller Report in Donald Trump's favor."
     It lays out "in meticulous detail" evidence that Trump obstructed justice, Hirono contended. She said that Mueller reported that Trump fired former FBI Director James Comey to end the investigation into his campaign; that Trump instructed former White House Council Don McGahn to order U.S. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to fire the Special Counsel; and that Trump sent messengers to former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to "unrecuse himself in order to limit the scope of the investigation."
     Said Hirono, "If not for existing Department of Justice policy, the Special Counsel had ample evidence to indict Donald Trump for obstruction. The Special Counsel also confirmed what our intelligence community had already unanimously concluded: that the Russian government interfered in the 2016 election to elect Donald Trump."
     Hirono contended that the report "in no way exonerates the President. In fact, it implicates the President in criminal activity. Congress has an obligation to act like the separate branch of government it is and conduct serious oversight of this administration. Everything should be on the table."
     Rep. Tulsi Gabbard accused Attorney General William Barr of a #BarrCoverUp, referring to Barr's contention in a press conference this morning that the Mueller Report did not find "any evidence that members of the Trump campaign or anyone associated with the campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its hacking operations."
     Said Gabbard, "The most dangerous coverup is that US voting machines are vulnerable to hackers. If we lose faith in election results, democracy crumbles. The Justice Department should be focused on instituting paper ballot backups, per my Securing America's Elections Act. #MuellerReport."
     Trump has long called the investigation a "witch hunt." Read the 448-page redacted version of the report.

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Stations of the Cross participants will stop at homes for music 
and prayer on Good Friday. Photo by Julia Neal
THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS CEREMONY happens this Friday when parishioners walk through Pāhala carrying a cross. It is traditional for generations, with members of the Holy Rosary Church setting up stations in front of their homes for the walkers who stop by to sing and pray.
     The procession begins at 1 p.m. going up Pikake Street from Holy Rosary Church, turning left on Pakalana, and looping back to the church.
     Stations of the Cross is commonly held on Good Friday. It dates back to Jerusalem in the 1300s and spread to Europe. It is a Catholic tradition but also practiced by some Lutherans. Its purpose is to make a pilgrimage honoring the last hours of Jesus' life before his crucifixion, meditating on his sufferings, death, and rebirth. Pope John Paul II called it the "unceasing effort to stand beside the endless crosses on which the Son of God continues to be crucified."

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Manukā Natural Area Reserve got a good cleaning Saturday. Photo from HWF
MANUKĀ NATURAL AREA RESERVE cleanup on Saturday saw a crew of 16 from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and the state Fish & Wildlife Natural Area Reserve crew. They removed 456 pounds and 32 bags of debris, including more than ten lbs. of derelict fishing line and net bundles, and 20 to 30 lbs. of miscellaneous larger debris along the coastline. HWF has removed over 260 tons of marine debris from the shores of Hawaiʻi Island since 2003, thanks to volunteers and supporters.
     Some interesting finds from Saturday included a piece of a bowling ball, a fire-cracker launcher at smoking rock - likely shoreline user litter - and a dehydrated puffer or triggerfish.
     Over 10 years, volunteers with HWF and NARS have removed over 6,850 lbs. of marine debris from along the Manukā coastline during 11 community cleanup events.
     Said Megan Lamson, of HWF and Hawaiʻi Island Marine Debris Removal Hui, said "Many thanks to each of you for your support and dedication on Saturday, and at previous events, and mahalo to the state DLNR for this awesome collaboration. Special thanks to Ken for bringing your own UTV to help with hauling in gear and out debris, and to the NOAA Marine Debris Program for the award to HWF to conduct community-based marine debris removal efforts. Please also keep in touch and let us know if this experience has impacted your own personal relationship with single-use plastics or other preventable 'future marine debris' items you encounter on a daily basis. We'd love to hear from you."
     Stay in touch with HWF by joining the e-newsletter list, eepurl.com/b0Axvj, or following wildhawaii.org, facebook.com/hawaiiwildlifefund, or @wildhawaii on Instagram. See photos or add your own to the Google Drive folder at drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1MHRF07hDevSAHEuqmz9WPRJXm8fGrh9lThe next cleanup events are: Saturday, April 20 at Kamilo and Thursday, May 2nd at Kamaʻoa.

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CELEBRATE NATIONAL PARK WEEK at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, starting Saturday, April 20, with a fee-free day, through Saturday, April 28. The theme of National Park Week is "On a Mission." The mission of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is to protect, conserve, and study the volcanic landscapes and associated natural and cultural resources and processes, and to facilitate safe public access to active volcanism, diverse geographic settings, and wilderness for public education and enjoyment. Everyone is invited to the following National Park Week events that celebrate the park's mission:
     Fee-Free Day. National Park Week kicks off Saturday, April 20 with a fee-free day. Take a hike on one of the newly re-opened trails, or walk out to the Keanakāko‘i side of Halema‘uma‘u to see where Crater Rim Drive slid into the crater during last year's eruptive activity.
     Junior Ranger Day at Kahuku. Kahuku Unit will debut its new Junior Ranger Program and wooden junior ranger badge Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Keiki who complete the junior ranger handbook, illustrated by Hawai‘i artists, will earn the badge, a junior ranger certificate, and will be sworn in as a National Park Service junior ranger.
     Merrie Monarch Festival Events. Part of the park's mission is to perpetuate Hawaiian culture. During Merrie Monarch Week, the park will offer six ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, programs for everyone to experience and connect with Hawaiian practices. On Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p. m., come to Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in the Park to learn about ‘ulana niu, weaving coconut leaves; nā lei, lei making, with Patty Kaula and Lehua Hauanio; play kōnane, a Hawaiian game that resembles checkers, with park rangers; and learn about nā pa‘ahana hula – the tools, altar, and plants that symbolize hula – with Amy Ka‘awaloa. Musicians Rupert Tripp, Jr. and Ti Kawhi Chun and Pōki‘i Seto will share their melodies.
Learn how to play kōnane, learn about hula, make a lei, and other Hawaiian
culture activities during National Park Week. NPS photo
     KīlaueaVolcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption. Kīlauea's long-lasting East Rift Zone eruption changed abruptly when the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor collapsed on April 30, 2018, followed by an intrusion of magma downrift. On May 3, lava erupted in Leilani Estates and within two weeks, 24 fissures had opened along a 4.2-mile-long segment of the lower ERZ. Fissure 8 soon became the dominant vent, erupting a fast-moving channelized lava flow that reached the ocean, burying 13.7 square miles of land and destroying over 700 structures along the way. Join U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta on Tuesday, April 23 at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium as she recounts the progression of this dramatic eruption and shares her experiences monitoring it. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series.
     Learn more at nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS VOLLEYBALL traveled to Kamehameha Schools for a three-set game yesterday. The Warriors won, 25-6, 25-10, and 25-8.

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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 Trojans Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Fri., April 19, BIIF Semi-Finals
Sat., April 20, BIIF Semi-Finals
Fri., April 26, BIIF Finals
Sat., April 27, BIIF Finals
Wed.-Sat., May 8-11, HHSAA
Softball:
Fri., April 19, BIIF Finals
Sat., April 20, BIIF Finals
Wed., May 1-4, HHSAA
Boys Volleyball:
Fri., April 19, 6 p.m., host Honokaʻa
Mon. April 22, BIIF First Round
Wed., April 24, BIIF Semi-Finals
Thu., April 25, BIIF Finals
Thu.-Sat., May 2-4, HHSAA
Track:
Sat., April 20, 9 a.m., @Kamehameha
Fri., April 26, 2 p.m., BIIF Semi-Finals
Sat., April 27, 3 p.m., BIIF Finals
Fri.-Sat., May 3-4, HHSAA

JUST ANNOUNCED
EASTER PANCAKE BREAKFAST, hosted by Amazing Grace Baptist Church happens Sunday, April 21, 10 a.m., at the Discovery Harbour Community Center, 94-1581 Kaulua Circle, Nāʻālehu. A special Easter service will follow the breakfast; special activities and lessons will be provided for children.
   Join in for a morning of good food, fellowship, and worship. Pancakes, eggs, breakfast meats, fruit, and Miranda coffee are all on the menu. For more information, contact John Glenn at 970-623-1081.

UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVES will support the one in seven people entering the hospital in Hawaiʻi who will need blood, according to Blood Bank Hawaiʻi. A release from BBH says, "In just one hour, your blood donation will save three lives of Hawaiʻi patients who will need a blood transfusion – for surgery, organ transplants, accident victims, cancer care, and more. Many celebrations take place in May – Mother's Day, Memorial Day and graduation ceremonies. What better way to honor these special people – moms, veterans who gave their lives in service, or the class of 2019 – than donating blood?"
     General requirements to be a blood donor are: be in good health; 18 years or older – 16 and 17 year old donors with signed Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi parent/legal guardian consent; weigh 110 pounds or more - additional height/weight requirements apply for female donors 16-18 years old. Bring photo ID with date of birth.
     There are seven upcoming blood drives in May on Hawaiʻi Island. To schedule an appointment or verify drive information, call 848-4770 or visit BBH.org. Drives are subject to change: Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy Performing Arts Center, Monday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; LDS Kona Stake Center Cultural Hall, Tuesday, May 7, 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.; LDS Kona Stake Center Cultural Hall, Wednesday, May 8, 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Aunty Sally Kaleohano's Luau Hale Main Room, Tuesday through Thursday, May 21-23, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Hawaiʻi County Police DEpartent Trainig Room Hilo, Friday, May 24, 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
     Follow Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi on social media for updates and info on blood drives: Facebook.com/BloodBankHawaii/Instagram.com/BloodBankHawaii/, and Twitter.com/BloodBankHawaii.

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UPCOMING
FRIDAY, APRIL 19
Keiki Jiggle Bums, Friday, April 19, 3rd Friday monthly, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Ocean View Community Center. Discover the joy of early learning through song and musical instruments. For keiki 0-4 years. Nicola, 238-8544

SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Fee-Free Day at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Saturday, April 20. Park entrance fees waived in celebration of National Park week. nps.gov/HAVO

Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Earth Day Community Cleanup, Saturday, April 20. Free; donations appreciated. BYO-4WD welcome. RSVP: kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629

Ka‘ū Coffee Festival: Ka‘ū Coffee Recipe Contest Application Deadline, Saturday, April 20. sales@kaucoffeemill.com, kaucoffeemill.comkaucoffeefestival.com

Annual Wellness Fair and Easter Egg Hunt, Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Kaʻū District Gym. Easter Egg Hunt begins at 10 a.m. Educators encouraged to participate. Volunteers welcome. Free.

Junior Ranger Day at Kahuku, Saturday, April 20, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Program debut. Keiki who complete the junior ranger handbook (illustrated by Hawai‘i artists) earn a wooden junior ranger badge, junior ranger certificate, and will be sworn in by a National Park Service ranger. Free. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, April 20, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, April 20, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 21
Easter Brunch, Sunday, April 21, 7 a.m. – noon, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café. Menu includes Honey Glazed Ham, Beef Pot Roast with Gravy, Omelet Station, Waffle Bar with Sauce and Toppings, and more. No reservations required. $17.95/adult, $10.95/ages 6-11. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Easter Egg Hunt, Sunday, April 21, 9 a.m. in the ‘Ōhi‘a Room, Kīlauea Military Camp. Open to keiki 10 years and under; bring Easter basket. Register: 967-8352 before 8:45 a.m. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Easter Sunday Services, April 21, 9:30 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. 939-7000

MONDAY, APRIL 22
Hypertension Management, Monday, April 22, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Kaʻū District Gym, with Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi.

TUESDAY, APRIL 23
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, April 23 (Committees), Wednesday, April 24 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, April 23, 10 a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

Merrie Monarch Festival Events at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Day 1: Weave coconut leaves, make lei. Rupert Tripp Jr. performs. Day 2: Learn/play the Hawaiian board game kōnane, learn about the tools, alter and plants that symbolize hula. Ti "Kawehi" Chun and Pōki‘i Seto perform. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Arts and Crafts Activity: Paint a Rainbow, Tuesday, April 23, 2:45 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 April 15-18. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Read to Me, Tuesday, April 23, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Open to keiki grades K-6. Free. Register April 15-22. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

After Dark in the Park: Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tuesday, April 23, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta recounts the progression and shares her experiences monitoring this dramatic eruption. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, April 24, 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

THURSDAY, APRIL 25
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, April 25, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for community members. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, April 25, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

ONGOING
Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See KauCoffeeFestival.com.
     Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208PāhalaHI 96777; or call 808-731-5409.

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.
Exhibit: On Sacred Ground by Dino Morrow is open daily through Sunday, May 5 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to see documentary and protrait photography of Hula Arts at the Kīlauea Program. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.

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.

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