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Thursday, June 30, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, June 30, 2022

 

This image from University of Hawaiʻi indicates the impacts of Climate Change.
Illustration from U.H.

THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION ON THURSDAY TO LIMIT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE has drawn concern from Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige and Board of Land & Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case. Case is also Hawai‘i Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Commission co-chair. She said:
    “It’s unfortunate that this ruling limits the federal government's ability to act strongly on climate change. We have a moral imperative to address climate change due to impacts we already see to natural resources. Sea level rise is eroding our beaches and shorelines. Coral bleaching is damaging our reefs. Warmer temperatures are forcing disease-carrying mosquitoes into higher elevations where the avian malaria they infect native birds with, is on the verge of causing the extinction of two honeycreeper species in as little as two years. Right now, we are experiencing the impacts of drought statewide, and this has already caused more frequent and more intense wildfires.
    “As Gov. Ige said, Hawai‘i has shown great progress and leadership in addressing both the causes and impacts of climate change and we will continue to work with other leaders at all levels of government who remain committed to addressing what is the greatest existential threat facing the planet.”
  Case said that the Climate Commission sees this ruling as reaffirming the need for climate action at the state level. Climate Commission Co-Chair Mary Alice Evans said, “Just as we did in 2017, when the federal government withdrew from global leadership, Hawai‘i, in partnership with other states will step forward to lead on climate action.” Evans emphasized the importance of mitigation and adaptation actions locally, “as we are already experiencing droughts, flooding, and heat stress.”
    The Land Board statement says, "The Climate Commission promotes ambitious, climate-neutral, culturally responsive strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation, in a manner that is clean, equitable, and resilient." The Climate Commission was created by Act 32 in 2017. The commission is administratively attached to Department of Land & Natural Resources. 
    Learn about the Climate Commission at https://climate.hawaii.gov/hi-commission/
    The governor said, “Hawaiʻi has long led the nation in response to the existential threat of climate change, and we will continue to do so. This ruling is another reminder that government action at all levels is needed, and Hawaiʻi has shown that it is possible. We will continue our work with other governors and local leaders to enact priority policies and take high-impact actions to help lead the world to a better place.”  
    The vote on the Supreme Court was three to three and is seen as supporting a return to mining coal for energy. The case involves West Virginia vs the EPA. It is also involves the view that the EPA has too much administrative power.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm

HAWAIʻI POLICE DEPARTMENT'S 95TH Police Recruit Class Recognition Ceremony was held on Thursday, at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel in Hilo. This was an invite-only ceremony limited to police personnel, guest speakers, and family members of the recruits. The public was able to view the ceremony live by visiting the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Facebook page.
    The 95th Police Recruit Class began training on December 16, 2021. The recruits started off as strangers who had come together from a variety of backgrounds and previous career paths. In the end, after six and a half months of intensive training, they graduated with a class of nine police recruits.
Hawai‘i Police Department's 95th Recruit Class: Left to Right: Collin
 Roberts, Melani Cline, Grant Kunihiro, Rylan Fujii, Derek Okabayashi,
 Mikhail Watkins, Troyson Reilly, Marcus Sosa, Edward Petrie.
Photo from HPD
    Class Officers are: Officer Edward Petrie, Class President; Officer Collin Roberts, Vice President; Officer Melani Cline, Secretary; and Officer Troyson Reilly, Treasurer.
    Other members of the class are Rylan Fujii, Grant Kunihiro, Derek Okabayashi, Marcus Sosa, and Mikhail Watkins.
    Special recognition was given to those recruit officers who achieved outstanding performance during the course of academic training. The Academic Award was awarded to Officer Edward Petrie who attained and upheld the highest grade point average on weekly and certification examinations.
Officer Collin Roberts was presented with the Firearms Award for his interest and proficiency in the use of firearms and for attaining the highest rating in firearms training. Recipients of the academic and firearms awards will have their names engraved on a perpetual plaque, which is displayed in the department's training room.
    Officer Grant Kunihiro was recognized with the Physical Fitness Award for excelling and maintaining his level of physical conditioning. Officer Collin Roberts received the Overall Outstanding Recruit Award for his performance and motivational qualities.
    The newly graduated officers will undergo four months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they are qualified to work alone.
 
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm

Fencing to keep ungulates out of native forests in Hawaiʻi
Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo
FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK are set for July:
    July 6 and 7 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. to support vegetation monitoring between 6,000-ft and 8,000-ft. elevation in the Kahuku Unit.
    July 13 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. to support vegetation monitoring between 6,000-ft and 8,000-ft. elevation on Mauna Loa.
    July 18 between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for sling loads of fence material and gear to the Koa Unit of ʻŌlaʻa, between 3,500- and 4,000-ft. elevation.
    July 19 between 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for ungulate survey in Kahuku between 4,000- and 6,000-ft. elevation.
    July 19 and July 21 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. for Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 8,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation. July 20 and 21 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. to support vegetation monitoring between 6,000- and 8,000-ft. elevation on Mauna Loa.
    July 21 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. for survey and control of invasive guinea grass in the coastal Keauhou area, between sea level and 2,500-ft. elevation.
  July 22 between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for sling loads of fence material and gear to the Koa Unit of ʻŌlaʻa, between 3,500- and 4,000-ft. elevation.
    In addition, USGS will start a schedule of low-level helicopter flights in early July that will cover Kīlauea volcano over a three-week period. (Visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website for more information). The USGS may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
     The statement from the Park says it "regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain back-country facilities."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm


VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE welcomes walking and riding groups and individuals. It is sponsored by Volcano Community Association in Volcano Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The Monday, July 4 parade starts at the Post Office at 9 a.m. and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd., followed by Cooper Center's Independence Day celebration packed with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, keiki games and a large silent auction from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parking maps can be found at
www.thecoopercenter.org. (No parking at 
Cooper Center except handicap permitted 
vehicles with prior reservation.)

SPONSOR A BUCKLE, VOTE FOR RODEO QUEEN ahead of the Saturday, July 9 Rodeo organized by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Event to be held on the rodeo grounds behind Nāʻālehu Park. Call 808-854-7917.

BECOME A SPONSOR AT THE 3RD ANNUAL EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Last year, over 2,500 visitors attended and over 40 events were featured during the EVH festival. Sign up as a sponsor at experiencevolcano.com
If you have questions, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com. All vendor locations are taken.

SIGN UP FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNS with a change of date from July 3 to Sept. 17. Registration deadline for the annual event is Sept. 14. Organized by Hawaiʻi Island Racers, the 50K begins at 6 a.m., Half Marathon at 7 a.m., and 5K at 7:15 a.m., all starting from Kaʻū Coffee Mill at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road in Pāhala. Proceeds go to support ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. For more details on the event and registration fees, visit https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/.