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Monday, October 14, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, October 14, 2019

Sidelined on Maile Street in Pāhala, this truck was found on its side Sunday morning and greeted residents
taking their trash to the dump. Police arranged for it to be tilted back onto its wheels and moved off the road.
Officers were seen talking to two wahine about the who, when and how of the story. Photo by Julia Neal
FORMER COUNTY PLANNING DIRECTOR CHRIS YUEN is Gov. David Ige's nominee for the Hawaiʻi Island seat on the state Board of Land and Natural Resources. The BLNR oversees the management and use of state lands and shorelines.
      Yuen switches from an at large position to the Hawaiʻi County position. The governor today announced three nominations for the BLNR. All three nominations are subject to confirmation by the Senate.
     "These nominees represent a balanced and broad spectrum of experience and bring diverse points of view to the Land Board. All share a passion for Hawaiʻi's natural and cultural resources, and I know they will listen to the community as they make decisions that will move us toward a more
Chris Yuen is nominated to be Hawai`i
Island's representative on the state
Board of Land & Natural Resource
resilient and sustainable future," said Ige. 
     Yuen would replace Stanley Roehrig whose term began on July 1, 2018. Yuen's term would end on June 30, 2022.
     Yuen runs an organic farm north of Hilo growing lychees and bananas. He is an attorney and served as Hawaiʻi County Planning Director from 2000 to 2008. Yuen also served on the state land board from 1990 to 1998.
     Yuen was born and raised in Hilo. Over the years he has been involved in several campaigns to preserve coastal open space, including Keaukaha, Kalapana, Makalawena, Awakeʻe, the Kekaha Kai Park, and Kohanaiki.
     He has a bachelor's degree from Stanford University, a master's degree in environmental science from the State University of New York, and a law degree from the William S. Richardson School of Law. Yuen is married and has two children.
  "I'm grateful to Gov. Ige for allowing me to continue on the Board, working with the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, the key agency for the protection and wise use of our environment and natural resources," said Yuen.
     
    Wesley "Kaiwi" Yoon is appointed to an at-large seat filling the at-large seat of Yuen. Yoon's term would end on June 30, 2022. Yoon is the vice president of operations, planning and project
Wesley Kaiwi Yoon is appointed to an at-large
seat on the Board of Land & Natural Resources.
management at the Bishop Museum. Yoon's responsibilities include managing the daily operations of the museum's 14-acre campus and working closely with the president & CEO and the senior management team to lead planning initiatives and implement program management processes throughout the institution. Prior to his current position, Yoon worked for the State Department of Land and Natural Resources from 2015-2018 and served two terms on the Legacy Land Conservation Commission from 2007-2014.
     Yoon is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools and holds a bachelor's degree in Architecture from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa.
     "It has and always will be an honor to serve the people and special places of Hawaiʻi, especially when it involves preserving and protecting our fleeting and fragile resources," said Yoon.
     Vernon Char is appointed to an at-large seat, replacing Keith "Keone" Downing, who left the board on April 29, 2019. Char's term would end on June 30, 2021.    Char is a practicing attorney with the law firm of Char Sakamoto Ishii Lum & Ching. He initially worked in the Office of Attorney General in charge of the Anti-Trust and Consumer Protection Division. Active in Bar Association matters, he was president of the Hawaiʻi Bar Association and served a three-year term on the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association. He has also served on various state agencies during his career. He was a member of the Board of the Department of Land & Natural Resources in 2014-2015. He has also served on other state boards including the
Vernon Char is nominated to be an at large member of the BLNR.
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission. He helped found the University of Hawaiʻi Alumni Association and served as its president in 1989. He received the association's Distinguished Alumni Award in 1992. His current interests include participating in Mānoa Forum programs.
     Char earned his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from University of Hawaiʻi and law degree from Harvard Law School. Char is married to Evelyn Lau, a fellow graduate of the University of Hawaiʻi. They have five children – three are attorneys and two are physicians.
     "I recognize the important and diverse responsibilities of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the community and look forward to again serving on the Board," said Char.

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TULSI GABBARD WILL JOIN THE DEBATE Tuesday between Democratic candidates for U.S. president. Kaʻū's Representative in Congress announced early Monday that she will participate in the fourth Democratic presidential debate, following her statements that she might boycott the televised event to protest what she called "commercialized reality television meant to entertain, rather than to inform or enlighten.”
     Gabbard said that during the last presidential election, the Democratic National Committee rigged the process of selecting the Democratic nominee, diminishing the candidacy of  Bernie Sanders. She claimed that during this year's primary season, "the DNC and corporate media are rigging the election again, but this time against the American people in the early voting states of Iowa, North Carolina and Nevada." Instead of honoring early voting results in these states, she said, the DNC is choosing among polls that support its chosen candidates to determine who will be on the debate stage.  "In short, the DNC and corporate media are trying to hijack the entire election process."
Congresswoman for Kaʻū, Tulsi Gabbard takes the debate stage with 11 other Democratic candidates for U.S. President,
Tuesday at 2 p.m. Hawaiʻi Time on CNN television and CNN.com. Photo from CNN
      Gabbard also responded to a New York Times profile, saying it contended that she is supported by  the alt-right. She pointed out that the New York Times and CNN are co-hosting the debate on Tuesday.  Gabbard tweeted, "As if to prove my point, NYT just published a 'greatest hits' smear piece. All your favorite hits in one article! These are the folks who will be acting as the 'neutral' questioners/moderators of Tuesday's debate lol."
     Moderators will be CNN's Erin Burnett,  Anderson Cooper and New York Times' Mark Lacey, starting at 2 p.m. Hawaiʻi time on CNN, CNN en Espaniol and CNN International. It will be livestreamed on CNN.com and NewYorkTimes.com.  It will be held at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.
     Candidates in the Tuesday debate are Gabbard, former Vice-President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Businessman Andrew Yang of New York, Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, former HUD Secretary and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro of Texas and businessman Tom Steyer of California.

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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 Fall Athletics Schedule
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates

Football, Division II:
Sat., Oct. 19, 11 a.m., Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa
Sat., Oct. 26, 1 p.m., Kohala hosts Kaʻū
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 1 and 2, Div II BIIF Championship
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 15 and 16, HHSAA Div II Semifinals
Fri., Nov. 29, HHSAA Div II Championship

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Tue., Oct. 15, 2:30 p.m., BIIF Div II Semifinals at Keaʻau
Wed., Oct. 16, 4 p.m., BIIF Div II Finals at Keaʻau
Wed.-Sat., Oct. 23-26, HHSAA DII Tournament, Oʻahu

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.

See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.

UPCOMING
TUESDAY, OCT. 15
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Oct. 15 (Committees), Wednesday, Oct. 17, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.govThese meetings affect the temporary location of the Nā‘ālehu Public Library

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Ti Leaf Lei Making with Jelena Clay, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 11a.m.-1p.m.Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Why Hawaiian Honey May Be the Best on Earth, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 7p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Local beekeepers and representatives from the Big Island Beekeepers Association discuss the island's varieties of honey, with samples to taste. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo/

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 12:30-1:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Nāʻālehu School Family Reading Night, Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Nāʻālehu School Cafeteria, 6-7p.m. Family reading, make & take activities, and snacks provided. Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

THURSDAY, OCT. 17
Nāʻālehu School Family Reading Night, Thursday, Oct. 17, Ocean View Community Center. 6-7p.m. Family reading, make & take activities, and snacks provided. Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, OCT. 18
Forest Restoration Project, Friday, Oct. 18, 8:30a.m.-3p.m., HVNP. 12+; under 18 require adult co-signature. Pre-registration required - include first and last names, email address, and phone number of each participant. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Patty Kupchak, 352-1402, forest@fhvnp.orgfhvnp.org

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Guided Cultural Tour of the Ni‘aulani Forest, Friday, Oct. 18, 9:30-11a.m., Volcano Art Center. Kumu Hula Ryan McCormack leads. Tour focuses on Hawaiian protocol, traditional chants, history, and lifeways, as they relate to the native forest ecosystem. Free; open to public. Spaced is limited, reservations suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Dances of Universal Peace, Friday, Oct. 18, 6-7:30p.m., Methodist Church hall, across from Nā‘ālehu Post Office. Fun, easy to learn dances from many traditions evoking peace. Donations welcome. No registration necessary. 939-9461, hualaniom2@yahoo.com

SATURDAY, OCT. 19
Food from Wood: Growing Edible & Medicinal Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps & Wood Chips, Saturday, Oct. 19, 9a.m.-2:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member; includes shiitake mushroom log kit and King Stropharia mushroom kit. Pre-registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Free Haircut Day, Saturday, Oct. 19, 9a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church. Kady and Drew Foster. 12 slots available. Also, Free Shower Day and The Big Island Giving Tree to hand out clothes and various items like razors and toothbrushes. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org

Birth of Kahuku, Saturday, Oct. 19, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy-to-moderate hike. nps.gov/havo/

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, Oct. 19, 10a.m.-1p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Manaiakalani Kalua with AKAUNU, Saturday, Oct. 19, 10:30-11:30a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.comvolcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu and ‘ohana, Saturday, Oct. 19, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.comvolcanoartcenter.org

Ka‘ū Skate Club Fundraiser for Kahuku Roller Rink in Ocean View: Dave Lawrence & Green Machines Concert, Saturday, Oct. 19, 4p.m., Tiki Mama's, Ocean View. Suggested donation of $15 per person for Ka‘ū Skate Club, plus one can of food for Hawai‘i Island Food Bank. Ka‘ū Skate Club President Lzena Barrett, 747-1147

Oktoberfest, Saturday, Oct. 19, live music, pretzels and beer from 4p.m., dinner served 5-7p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Brats, sauerkraut, German potato salad and more. Bring Cooper Center mug for $1 off beer; purchase one for $10. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

Pupule Papales Band performance, Saturday, Oct. 19, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. Open to eligible patrons; certain Terms of Service. Free; park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, OCT. 20
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sunday, Oct. 20, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, short, moderately difficult, 0.4 mile hike. nps.gov/havo/

45th Anniversary: Party Like It's 1974, Sunday, Oct. 20, 3-5p.m., Volcano Art Center. More details to be announced. Details to be announced. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING
Help Shape Hawaiʻi Island at upcoming SpeakOuts and workshops on the General Plan. The community is encouraged to "come share your manaʻo," opinion.
     SpeakOut meetings will be held in Kona, Tuesday, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Liquor Commission Boardroom; Capt. Cook, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pukaʻana United Church of Christ; and Waikaloa, Thursday, Oct. 246 p.m. to 8 p.m., Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School.
     Topic Workshops will be held in Kona at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Council Chambers on Saturday, Oct. 19 on Infrastructure from 9 a.m. to noon and Natural Resources from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m; and Hilo at County of Hawaiʻi Office of Aging on Saturday, Oct. 26, on Infrastructure from 9 a.m. to noon and Natural Resources from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
     Submit feedback online by Thursday, Oct. 31. See more Info on the Draft General Plan at hiplanningdept.com/general-plan/.


Trunk or Treat at Kaʻū District Gym will be held Thursday, Oct. 315:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Organized by Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary school, the free event offers a haunted house, healthy recipes, a family-friendly atmosphere, and Trunk or Treat, where keiki and youth go from parked car to car, asking for treats.
     For those interested in participating in Trunk or Treat, distributing goodies, prizes will be awarded for the best decorated car: Most Beautiful, Most Original, Spookiest, and a special awards for teachers or staff who decorate; decoration not required. Contact Nona at 928-3102 or Angie Miyashiro at 313-4100.

Nationwide 2019 Congressional App Challenge submissions from middle and high schoolers are open through Friday, Nov. 1. Submit to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, CongressionalAppChallenge.us, apps "designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science." All skill levels, all devices and platforms, and all programming languages, accepted.

Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival Booths can be reserved. The free event on Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center, will feature cultural practitioners and demonstrators; workshops; crafts; food; music and entertainment from artists such as Bali Hai from Mexico, Vero Cruz Folklore Dancers, taiko drummers, UH-Hilo Filipino/Samoan dancers; and hula from Mexico, Japan, Virginia, ʻOahu, and Hawaiʻi Island. Interested vendors can apply for food, craft, or information booths. Email leionalani47@hotmail.com or call 808-649-9334. See hookupukau.com.

Tiny Treasure Invitational Exhibit at Volcano Art Center gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park runs through Sunday, Nov. 3. Open to the public, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free; Park entrance fees apply. The exhibition also celebrates VAC's 45th anniversary, Oct. 21.
     Artists include Daniel Rokovitz, Stone O'Daugherty, Kristin Mitsu Shiga, Pat Pearlman, and Amy Flanders, Karen and Mark Stebbins. Also on display, small works from the annual Volcano Art Collaboration from June, featuring Rose Adare, Nash Adams-Pruitt, Lisa Louise Adams, Ed Clapp, Amy Flanders, Bill Hamilton, Liz Miller, Joe Laceby, and Erik Wold. volcanoartcenter.org

Vendor Booth Space is Available for the Kamahalo Craft Fair. The 12th annual event will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, Nov. 299 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center. Booths are open for crafters with quality homemade and homegrown products. Food vendors must prepare all food items in a certified kitchen and must have a Department of Health permit displayed prominently at their booth. Application online at thecoopercenter.org. Direct questions to 936-9705 or kilaueatutu@gmail.com.

King Cab 2016 Nissan Frontier for Sale by Holy Rosary Church of Pāhala and the Sacred Heart Church of Nāʻālehu. The parishes are selling the truck to raise funds to benefit both churches. The truck is a great 6 cylinder, 2WD automobile. The churches are asking for $21K or best offer. Only cash or cashier's check will be accepted. Anyone interested should contact the parish secretary Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at 928-8208.

Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call Tata Compehos and Melody Espejo at 808-938-1088.

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