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Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, July 24, 2019

Hollywood actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson hugged Protectors of Maunakea today. See story below.
Photo from Hawaiʻi News Now
REOPEN MAUNA KEA ACCESS ROAD is the aim of Mayor Harry Kim who has offered to help Gov. David Ige with the situation that has left stargazing businesses shut down, the general public unable to access Maunakea visitor center and summit, and telescope maintenance crews with an unsure ability to reach their workplaces. Kim announced today that he would like to reopen Maunakea Access Road to everyone, with the promise that work on the Thirty Meter Telescope, which a large group of people are protesting, would be delayed. He said he would begin talking to representatives of all sides of the issue immediately. Kim is the former director of Civil Defense for Hawaiʻi County and has gone to the opponents' Puʻu Huluhulu gathering site three times since the group starting blocking the access road ten days ago.
Hula greets The Rock when he arrived unannounced at Puʻu Huluhulu near
Maunakea Access Road today. Photo from Hawaiʻi News Now
     Gov. David Ige, who visited the site yesterday with Kim, established a comment section on the Maunakea issue on his website.
     Hawaiʻi County Council passed a resolution today, supporting state Sen. Kai Kahele's proposal for a 60-day moratorium on construction at Maunakea. Kaʻū's council member Maile David introduced the resolution, which has no weight of law but supports the position. The vote was 6-3 in favor of the resolution.Volcano resident Nelson Ho, former head of the Sierra Club for this island and the state Department of Agriculture, testified in favor of the resolution as an opponent of TMT.
     The mayor took no position on the 60 day moratorium.

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DWAYNE THE ROCK JOHNSON VISITED PROTECTORS OF MAUNAKEA today, welcomed with hula, chants, and much protocol. He urged those on all sides of the issue to "lead with compassion. There's a solution in everything. just have to have the right people come to the table," he said. With roots in Hawaiʻi and Polynesian ancestry, the famed movie actor said he is "proud of my cultures and well aware of how much this has permeated the world... This is a very steadfast culture" with a "people so peaceful but powerful."
The Rock said the Hawaiian people are "peaceful but powerful."
Photo from Hawaiʻi News Now
     He said his background in the culture and the arrests of the elder kūpuna at Maunakea, who oppose the massive telescope construction, led him to visit. He said the issue is gaining support, but is "not about stopping progress. It's about respecting people. When we have people who are willing to sacrifice their lives, that is a sign that something should be done," he said.  He offered to help in any way, but said he didn't visit the Mauna Kea Protectors to try to lead the group. 

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RESEARCH DELAYED AND PROJECTS CANCELLED is of growing concern to the operators of all the telescopes on Maunakea. Some of the workers, who are native Hawaiians and other native Americans, said it is hard to find jobs in astronomy and engineering related to astronomy, especially near home.
Kalepa Baybayan is a Hōkūleʻa captain and navigator who supports
the Thirty Meter Telescope. Photo from Polynesian Voyaging Society
     Polynesian Voyaging Society and navigator Kalepa Baybayan, of Kona, said he is a navigator at heart and welcomes space exploration through studying the heavens with telescopes.

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DOZENS OF GOATS AND SHEEP ARE NEW WORKERS FOR THE COUNTY. The Department of Parks & Recreation has contracted goat herders to maintain a test site near the Hilo soccer fields. The practice could be islandwide, if successful, cutting back on the use of poisons and the cost of mowing.

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SEN. MAZIE HIRONO CALLED FOR AN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY into Pres. Donald Trump's alleged illegal activities regarding the 2016 election. Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who spent two years investigating possible Russian interference in the election, spoke today before the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees.
Sen. Mazie Hirono
     Yesterday, Hirono said, "Mueller confirmed Russia interfered with our elections and will interfere in 2020 if we don't stop them. We have a President that thinks Russia did nothing wrong and welcomes their support. The House needs to begin an impeachment inquiry now and hold Donald Trump accountable."
     Today, Hirono said, "Three things are clear from Mueller today so far: 1) No exoneration. 2) Overwhelming evidence of obstruction. 3) The OLC memo prevented Mueller from indicting Trump. I renew my call for the House to begin an impeachment inquiry. No one, especially the President, is above the law."
     She retweeted comments from Rep. Adam Schiff, who said, "Mueller said: Russia interfered in our election to help Trump. Russians made numerous contacts with the campaign. Campaign welcomed their help. No one reported these contacts or interference to FBI. They lied to cover it up."

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AWFUL CONDITIONS are what Sen. Brian Schatz reports after visiting a detention center last week on the Texas border. In a series of tweets Schatz said: "Here's what I saw on the border in Texas today. Conditions were awful. Overcrowded quarters. Harsh odor filled the air. Mylar blankets.
     "Spoke to some men through a chain-link fence.  Many have been in for more than forty days. They are drinking heavily chlorinated water even though there was running water and bottled water in the facility. 3-5 days between showers. Met a bunch of teenagers. Reminded me of my kids. But they looked exhausted. It was the eyes. From Guatemala and Honduras.
Sen. Brian Schatz at a detention center in Texas last week.
Photo from Schatz's office
     "Talked to a couple of dads with my broken Spanish. One lost his other son in the violence in Honduras and his nine year old looked scared. Spoke to around a dozen women. They are not allowed to make phone calls, contrary to official policy.
     "One lady with a 5 yr old daughter from El Salvador. They left because kids were being kidnapped at the elementary school. The daughter seemed ok and I asked her if she was hungry. She said no, she told me just ate. Then I heard from the mom. Her daughter is actually not eating. Then I realized she's traumatized from the 35 day journey on foot, and her two sisters stayed home. I choked back tears. The mom goes to New York tomorrow to meet her sister to try to get her asylum claim adjudicated. But all legal papers are in English and she doesn’t know how to find a lawyer. It is a Notice to Appear but with no date. It's nearly impossible for her to comply with this, but if she doesn't show up, she's an "immigration fugitive" and there's an order of removal.
     "They are all fleeing violence. Seeking refuge. This is not how we should be treating them. I broke down at the end of the day.
     "The cruelty is the point and it comes from the most powerful person in the world."

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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
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through August
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.

Football, Division II:
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Mon., July 29, 3 to 5 p.m., first day practice
Tue., Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Hilo
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala

Cross Country:
Mon., Aug. 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m., first day practice
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty

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UPCOMING
THURSDAY, JULY 25
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, July 25, 3-4p.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

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, July 25, 4-6p.m., 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

FRIDAY, JULY 26
Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Friday, July 26, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo

SATURDAY, JULY 27
Volcano's ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Half Marathon, 7 a.m., 5K, 7:15 a.m., and Keiki Dash, 10 a.m.. Races begin and end at Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Campus on Haunani Road. Half Marathon, along road - $75/person until July 25; $85 July 26-27. 5K, along road - $40/person until July 25; $45/person July 26-27. Keiki Dash, grassy field, $10/child - ages 6 and under run 300 meters; ages 7-10 years old run 600 meters. No T-shirts given for Keiki Dash. Register at webscorer.com/register?raceid=175619. ohialehuahalf.com

Experience Volcano Festival, Saturday, July 27, and Sunday, July 28, multiple locations in Volcano. Features art, food, music, and performances. More details at experiencevolcano.com.

Bingo, Saturday, July 27, 9-11a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Prize donations needed. stjudeshawaii.org

Arts & Tea Culture Workshop Series #3, Saturday, July 27, 1-4p.m., Volcano Art Center. Requires minimum of 6 participants to be held. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Grand Slam performance, Saturday, July 27, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Theater. Cover charge taken at door. Open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, JULY 28
Experience Volcano Festival continues Sunday, July 28, multiple locations in Volcano. Features art, food, music, and performances. More details at experiencevolcano.com.

A Meeting to Establish Child Care for Kaʻū Coffee Farm Workers happens Sunday, July 28 at 3 p.m. at the Kaʻū District Gym Activity Room. Farmers and other supporters of the effort met July 13.
     With the increasing employment of members of Kaʻū's Marshallese community to pick Kaʻū Coffee, organizers in the coffee producing community, led by Laura Diaz, have established a nonprofit organization called Keiki OʻPalehua ʻOhana Program. The group has completed renovations of a room in the Pāhala Hongwanji Schoolhouse, with educational supplies for up to 15 keiki.
     Diaz said the program is looking for an electrician to hang two ceiling fans at the childcare center, for some kind of food service for the keiki, and other donations. A grand opening is planned for Aug. 10.
     Call Diaz at 928-8188 or 408-306-5596.

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

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, July 31 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9-11a.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
ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash Registration open through Saturday, July 27, the day of the races. It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register before Thursday, July 25 for lower entry fees. See ohialehuahalf.com.

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's Summer Musical: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., through July 28 at Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Tickets are available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, Basically Books, The Most Irresistible Shop, and at door. $20/general admission, $15/student or over 60, $12/age 12 and under. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com, kden.org

Enroll at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences for the 2019-2020 school year, which starts Aug. 5; orientation for new students is Aug. 2. Spaces are available in 1st through 8th grades of the expanding Kula ‘Amakihi Community-Based Education (CBE) Program; the school may also have space or short wait lists for certain grades in the regular on-campus programs. Contact 808-985-9800 or email enrollment@volcanoschool.net to enroll.

Talk Action, Take Action: surveys available through Aug. 4recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/impact-status-survey-suite. The surveys focus on different areas of recovery after the 2018 Kīlauea eruption: households, businesses, and community.

Exhibit -The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily through Sunday, Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Enroll in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Orientation for enrolled families begins Aug. 5 & 6, with programs continuing following week in Nā‘ālehu on Monday & Wednesday, 8:45-10:45am, and Pāhala, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30-10:30am. Space is limited. pidfoundation.org

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.orgkaucoffeemill.com

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