Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, January 6, 2020

Nothocestrum breviflorum is an endangered plant in Kaʻū that could be assisted by the Pacific Islands
Plant Conservation Fund that is now before the U.S. Senate for approval.  Photo from Wikipedia

ESTABLISHING A PACIFIC ISLANDS PLANT CONSERVATION FUND is one aim of the Extinction Prevention Act, introduced into the U.S. Senate by Mazie Hirono, along with Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

     The Pacific Islands Plant Conservation Fund would receive $30 million over six years. The fund would be divided among applicants from states, tribes, research institutions, nonprofit organizations, and authorities that manage habitat that is home to the targeted group of species. Priority would be given to projects with a local funding match and funds would be targeted to on-the-ground efforts to prevent the most sensitive species from going extinct.

Sen. Mazie Hirono planted a native ʻōhiʻa tree during a visit to Lyon
Arboretum. Click here to watch a video of her visit.

     Hirono said, "Hawaiʻi is home to over 350 federally listed threatened and endangered plant species, the most of any state. (See the state Department of Land & Natural Resources list.) The growing threat posed by climate change means these plants are especially vulnerable, and we need to act now to prevent them from disappearing forever. The Pacific Islands Plant Conservation Fund that this bill establishes would provide critical resources to prevent our most sensitive plant species from going extinct."

      David Smith, Administrator for the state Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry & Wildlife, said,  the agency "is charged with protecting 45 percent of the nation's endangered plants in remote nearly-inaccessible mountainous areas with limited resources. We are excited at the potential funding this bill could bring to increase our capacity to prevent the extinction of hundreds of nationally important plant species."

     Earlier, Hirono reintroduced S. 2384, the Botanical Sciences and Native Plant Materials Research, Restoration, and Promotion Act, which includes a collaborative grant program to fund efforts to keep rare plant species from becoming endangered and help endangered plant species recover. The bill also encourages federal land management agencies to prioritize hiring botanists and incorporating native plants on federal lands. The Senator touted these priorities in a visit to Lyon Arboretum in August 2018.

The rare Strongylodon ruber is found in Kaʻū forests. In Hawaiian it is called
nuku ʻiʻiwi, kaʻiʻiw, nuku. Photo from U.H. Botany

     Protecting and promoting the use of native plants is a priority, according to Hirono.
     In addition to the Pacific Islands Plant Conservation Fund, the Extinction Prevention Act would provide funds to protect a wide variety of threatened and endangered species throughout the nation, including North American butterflies, Eastern freshwater mussels, and Southwest desert fish. The bill establishes a conservation fund for each of the four targeted species groups.

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THE NEW HOMESHARING HAWAIʻI non-profit seeks to connect those seeking housing with seniors who have a room to rent. The Homesharing Hawaiʻi pilot project is under the nonprofit Hawaiʻi Intergenerational Network. Pacific Business News reported that Homesharing Hawaiʻi "will identify seniors looking to share their homes, while providing screening and matching services, follow-up assessments, and interviews with stakeholders to better understand how home-sharing can benefit Hawaiʻi's residents."

     Chuck Larson, former executive director of Seagull Schools, came out of retirement to be president of the nonprofit. Larson told PBN: "We have policies in place that make people feel safe – for both the home owner and renter." He told PBN that pairs embark on a "camping trip," where the renter stays with the home owner for two weeks to "test it out and to see if they're compatible. It's a hard thing to do, but we're learning as we go."

L to R: David Tumilowicz, VP of PR for Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi; 

Christy Nishita, PhD, researcher at University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa Center 

on Aging, and Hawaiʻi Intergenerational Network board member; 

Nina Miyata, manager of community benefit and community relations, KPH; 

Charles Larson, president, Hawaiʻi Intergenerational Network. 

Photo from Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi

     Larson told PBN he is a volunteer, taking no salary, and is looking to secure $150,000 in funding in 2020, adding two full time and one part-time staff positions, in addition to the Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association staff person already working on the project. The nonprofit received a startup grant of $15,000 from Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association, reported PBN.
     Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi issued a $55,000 donation on Oct. 16 to address Hawaiʻi's housing shortage and to help prevent feelings of isolation in Hawaiʻi's growing senior population.

     David Tumilowicz, vice president of public relations, communications, and brand management at Kaiser Permanent Hawaiʻi, said, "By 2020, 1 in 4 Hawaiʻi residents will be 60 years or older. As our population ages, we must support systems that help kupuna live independently and stay active, such as providing affordable housing, creating age-friendly cities, and developing community-based health care and services."

     "It's not just an affordable housing issue, it's a wellness and health issue," Larson told PBN. He told the publication that he completed a feasibility study in 2018 to see how well this program would fare, with a three-pronged approach: comparing high housing prices, catering to Hawaiʻi's growing aging population, and having the nonprofit backing to put it all together. He said he modeled the program from a national home-sharing organization in Vermont.

     "We're not inventing anything new," said Larson. "I didn't know what I was getting myself into when this happened. I was just looking for something meaningful to do – and this is it."

     He said the next steps include building partnerships with policymakers and getting the word out.

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ADVOCACY TRAINING FOR THE 2020 HAWAIʻI LEGISLATURE is sponsored by the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, Tuesday, online and by phone, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Democratic Party members can participate by calling in to (605) 313-6153, meeting ID: 809760#; or online at join.freeconferencecall.com/dphvideo, meeting ID: dphvideo.

     The agenda will include a briefing on 2020 Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi priority bills and issues; how a bill becomes a law; how to use the Capitol on-line system; how to write or speak effective testimony; how to enjoy a public hearing; how to engage with staff and elected officials; how to support bills; and more.

     What to expect at the March 4th District/Precinct Meeting at DPH HQ remote training, open to the public, will be held Thursday, Feb. 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The training will include: responsibilities and how the elections will work for Precinct Officers, District Officers, and Delegates to the State Convention and the County Convention; and how to become a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in Milwaukee in July 2020. Participate by calling in to (605) 313-6153, meeting ID: 809760#; or online at join.freeconferencecall.com/dphvideo, meeting ID: dphvideo.

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KAʻŪ IS UNDER A WIND ADVISORY through Tuesday at 6 p.m. High surf and small craft advisories are in place for east-facing shores of Kaʻū through Friday, Jan. 10.

     According to weather.com, winds in Kaʻū will be as strong as 43 miles per hour tomorrow, with gusts up to 50 mph, and will stay above 20 mph through the end of next week. People are urged to be cautious about roof shingles coming loose, branches coming off trees, loose items around the home, and danger in driving high-profile vehicles. Power outages are expected.

     Caution in high surf conditions includes large waves, strong longshore and rip currents, and shore erosion due to the high water levels.

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 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 

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

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

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball

Tue., Jan. 7 @Kohala

Fri., Jan. 10 host Honokaʻa

Tue., Jan. 14 host Konawaena

Thu., Jan.16 @Kealakehe

Boys Basketball

Thu., Jan. 9 @Waiakea

Sat., Jan. 11, @Konawaena

Mon., Jan. 13 host Hilo

Wed., Jan. 15 host Kealakehe

Soccer

Wed., Jan. 8 host Kealakehe, 2pm

Sat., Jan. 11 @Honokaʻa

Wed., Jan. 15 @Konawaena

Wrestling

Sat., Jan. 11 @Kealakehe

Swimming

Sat., Jan. 11 @Kona Community Aquatic Center

UPCOMING

TUESDAY, JAN. 7

Hawai‘i County Council Committee Mtgs., Tuesday, Jan. 7 (Hilo) and 21 (Kona) – second and fourth Tuesday, monthly. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Bookstore and Thrift Shop, Tuesday-Saturday, 8-11:30a.m., and Sunday, 6:30-10a.m., weekly, Cooper Center in Volcano. Shop, donate, or both. thecoopercenter.org

Blended Learning Computer Class, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 14, 21, and 28, and Wednesday, Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29 – every Tuesday and Wednesday, monthly – 8a.m.-3p.m., St. Jude's computer lab. Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Family Yoga Class, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 14, 21, and 28 – every Tuesday, monthly – 9:30-10:30a.m., PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 0-12 years old and caregivers. All levels welcome. Wear comfortable clothes. Bring mat, if can - supplies limited. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 14, 21, and 28 10a.m., noon, and 2p.m. One hour performance includes climbing stairs and entering a confined space. Meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Ka‘ū actor-director Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist and founder of Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory, Dr. Jaggar, to life. Space limited; pick up free tickets at Visitor Center's front desk day of program. Supported by Kīlauea Drama Entertainment Network. Free; Park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

Papa ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i: Hawaiian Language Classes Levels One, Two, and Three will be taught on Tuesdays, Jan. 7-Feb. 4 at Volcano Art Center by Kumu Kaliko Beamer-Trapp. Each levels costs  $85/VAC member, $95/non-member. No text books are required. There will be no classes Jan. 24 and 31. volcanoartcenter.org
      Level One, from 4-5p.m., focuses on vocabulary, counting, simple conversation, grammar, and sentence structures.
     Level 2, 5-6:30p.m., focuses on expanding vocabulary, using longer snippets of conversation, and understanding how repeating Hawaiian word and phrase patterns can be used to communicate using many types of sentences. Class taught using Hawaiian as language of instruction about 10% of the time to help with listening comprehension.

     Level 3, 6:30-8p.m., is taught over 50 percent in the Hawaiian language to increase comprehension and to "immerse" the student. Class is ideal for teachers, cultural practitioners, and those with the goal of using Hawaiian language on a daily basis.

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, Jan. 7– 1st Tuesday, monthly – 6-8p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

After Dark in the Park - Transitions: What's Next for HVO and the Volcanoes it Monitors?, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 7-8p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Tina Neal, Scientist-in-Charge of HVO, describes the current status of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa and what might be coming next, and gives update on HVO's new volcano observatory. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 8

Hawai‘i County Council Mtg., Wednesday, Jan. 8 (Hilo) and 22 (Kona) – second and fourth Wednesday, monthly. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

ʻAi Pono: Healthy Hawaiian Foods, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. ‘Anake (Aunty) Edna Baldado discusses eating and living healthier with native Hawaiian foods like kalo (the staple food of Hawaiians), ‘uala (sweet potato), and ‘ulu (breadfruit). Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

Restoring Hope Group, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 15, 22, and 29 – every Wednesday, monthly – 4-6p.m., PARENTS Inc. Office, Nā‘ālehu. For families with keiki ages ages 3-17. Free, dinner included. Registration required. For more info, 333-3460

THURSDAY, JAN. 9

A Walk Through Kīlauea Volcano's Summit History, Thursday, Jan. 9, Friday, Jan. 17, Wednesday, Jan. 22, Saturday, Jan. 25, 8-10a.m., Devastation Trail Parking Lot. Join USGS HVO scientist emeritus Don Swanson on a two-hour walk. Learn about the past 500 years of Kīlauea Volcano's history. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

Beginning Improv for Adults, Thursday, Jan. 9 through Feb. 13, 1-3p.m. Learn to live more in the moment, think on your feet, let go of self-judgment, bring more joy in your life, and recapture your playful spirit in the 6-week workshop series with improv legend Keli Semelsberger. Attendance to all 6 classes is not required – classes may be attended individually. No prior experience is necessary. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, Jan. 9 – second Thursday, monthly – 6:30p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkeley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, JAN. 10

Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Friday, Jan. 10 – second Friday, monthly –  9a.m.-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Free disability legal services provided by Hawai‘i Legal Aid. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, JAN. 11
Nā Mamo o Kāwā Community Access Day, Saturday, Jan. 11 – second Saturday, monthly – gates open 6a.m.-6p.m., Kāwā. All cars must park at end of road fronting Kāwā Flats. Dogs must be on leash. No driving through fish pond. 557-1433, nmok.org, facebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii

Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, Jan. 11 – second Saturday, monthly – 8-11a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Swap Meet, Saturday, Jan. 11 and 25 – second and fourth Saturday, monthly – 8-12:30p.m., Cooper Center in Volcano. thecoopercenter.org

Sharp Turns – The Creative Art of Woodturning Exhibit, Saturday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 16, daily, 9a.m.-5p.m. Volcano Art Gallery features works of Aaron Hammer and Mark and Karen Stebbins. Join the artists for an opening reception on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 5 to 7p.m. Live woodturning demonstration will be held Saturday, Jan. 25, 11a.m.-2p.m. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Stained Glass Basics I with Claudia McCall, Saturday, Jan. 11, 18, and 25, 9a.m.-1p.m. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Second Saturday in Volcano Village, Saturday, Jan. 11 - second Saturday, monthly - 10a.m.-4p.m. Each month, the entire Volcano area hosts a wide array of entertaining, engaging, educational, and delicious activities from  Free family fun, open to the public. For more details and information, call (808)985-8979 or visit experiencevolcano.com, volcanogardenarts.com, or cafeono.net.

Hike the Path on Mauna Loa's 1868 Lava Flow, Saturday, Jan. 11, 10a.m.-1p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. RCUH-HVO geologists Katie Mulliken and Lil DeSmither lead this guided hike along the Pu‘u o Lokuana trail. Free; bring snack and water. nps.gov/havo

Zentangle Embedded: It Grows Like Coral!, Saturday, Jan. 11 – second Saturday, monthly – 10a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. Creative tangle techniques inspired by Gustav Klimt and Keith Haring. Art supplies provided. Open to all levels. No experience required. Potluck, bring snack to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $15 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Kapuaikapoliopele Ka‘au‘a Nā Kumu Pelehonuamea Harman & Kekoa Harman with Hālau I Ka Leo Ola O Nā Mamo and Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu & ʻOhana, Saturday, Jan. 11 – second Saturday, monthly – 10:30-11:30a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula with Kumu Hula Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe, Saturday, Jan. 11 – second Saturday, monthly – 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

House Concert and Silent Auction Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi Fundraiser, Saturday, Jan. 11, 6-9p.m., 19-3938 Keonelehua Ave. off Wright Rd in Volcano Village. Parking available but carpooling from Cooper Center advised. Entertainment will include Americana and World Music by Anomaly, Virtuoso Guitarist and Violinist, Lauren and Loren. $20 suggested donation includes heavy pūpū and refreshments, BYOB. Tickets available hawaiicountydemocrats.org/bw2020. For further information contact Ann Oshiro-Kauwe, 808-282-3107.

Sounds at the Summit: Muriel Anderson Live in Concert, Saturday, Jan. 11, 6:30p.m. The guitarist/harp-guitarist leads a journey in music and stories, with a backdrop of visuals artfully compiled by award-winning photo-artist, Bryan Allen. Tickets available online or at any VAC location. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Girls Night Out Band, Saturday, Jan. 11, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge, free to in-house guests. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, JAN. 12

Puʻu o Lukuana, Sunday, Jan. 12, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, short, .4 mile hike. Bring snack and water. nps.gov/havo

Sunday Walk in the Park: Halemaʻumaʻu Trail, Sunday, Jan. 12 – second Saturday, monthly – 10a.m.-noon, meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center, HVNP. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate 1.6 mile round trip hike. Free for members. Register online. Park entrance fees apply. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org

Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Sunday, Jan. 12 and 26 – 2nd Sunday, monthly – 3-5p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527, volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING

Deadline to Sign Up for Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū is Friday, Jan. 10. Classes run Thursday afternoons, 1-3:30p.m., Jan. 16 through Feb 20, at Kaʻū Resource Center, 96-3126 Puahala St. in Pāhala. The free class series on Chronic Kidney Disease is lead by retired kidney doctor Ramona Wong. Bring a pen and whomever cares/cooks/shops for the person(s) with CKD. Enroll online at alohakidney.com or call (808) 585-8404.

Apply for Mosaics of Science by Monday, Feb. 3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's 12-week paid summer internship position is designed to engage university students and recent graduates with on-the-ground work experience in the National Park Service. A $4,800 stipend, and all travel costs are covered, including a week-long career workshop in Washington,  D.C. to meet with NPS managers.

     The internship is open to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents ages 18-30, and to military veterans up to age 35. Funding is provided under a cooperative agreement for youth conservation activities as part of the Public Lands Corps program, which mandates that these age ranges are followed. 

     The selected intern will assist with the development of education curriculum for Kīpukapuaulu and Pu‘u Loa trails in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.

T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511

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 808-938-1088.

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