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Thursday, June 01, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Jessie Marques, center, founder of Ka'u Rural Health Community Association, holds a $3,000 check from CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union. With her are CU Change Director Mark Peters (left) and Erin Santos, Naalehu Assistant Branch Manager (right) and KRHCA board members. Photo by Julia Neal

CU HAWAI'I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION HAS DONATED $3,000 TO KAʻŪ RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION. The credit union released a statement on Wednesday saying, "CU Hawai'i continues to inspire more possibilities for Kaʻū with a recent donation to the Kaʻū Rural Heath Community Association!"
    The donation stems from CU Hawai'i offering a personal loan with a special low rate, and a pledged donation for each loan booked to go towards a local non-profit organization.
   "CU Hawai'i’s staff and management were honored to be able to promote and facilitate this amazing loan special. They are passionate about letting their hearts drive them towards opportunities that make a difference in the lives of their members and community." CU's motto is  “More Possibilities." Staff and members "are hopeful that this donation can do just that," says the CU statement.
     CU Hawai'i is a 67 year-old, member-owned not-for-profit cooperative financial institution, able to provide competitive rates, lower fees, free services and many opportunities for its membership and community. CU Hawai'i operates seven branches on the East, West and South sides of the Hawai'i Island, in addition to sponsoring a student credit union.

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KAʻŪ'S REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS JILL TUKODA VOTED to keep the federal government solvent on Wednesday night by paying its bills for money already spent. Tokuda, who represents all of rural Hawai'i, joined 314 Democrats and Republicans who voted aye to end a political battle that threatened to destroy the credit rating of the United States and to take away or cutback many federal programs. Kaʻū's former Representative, Ed Case, who now serves urban Hawai'i, voted the same. 

Tokuda met with farmers and ranchers around 
the island in mid May. Photo from Jill Tokuda

    Along with more centrist Democrats and Republicans they voted to increase the country's debt limit while 117 Democrats and Republicans voted against the measure to raise the U.S. debt ceiling. Tokuda wrote, "My constituents sent me to Congress to work for our shared priorities, to lead with aloha and strength, reach across the aisle when possible, and to help guide our nation to a more stable and healthier future. I will continue fighting for increased investments in our communities, to eliminate the debt ceiling once and for all, expand access to social safety net programs, and enhance protections for our environment." She said that after the vote Wednesday night, her work "is far from over. "I will keep fighting in Congress to get what our people and communities need." 

    She earlier wrote, "If my colleagues are serious about ensuring national, security, we must stand up against the GOP manufactured debt crises. we point a finger at foreign threats, but let's be clear: The biggest threat to our national security is holding everyday Americans hostage for political gain. We must do the right thing, invest in our country, and recognize that financial security is national security. Health security and national security. Food security is national security. Housing security is national security. Human security is national security." She said she would not lift the debt ceiling "on the backs of working families, our veterans, our seniors and our children. As Democrats, we will continue to do the right thing and put people over politics."  The debt ceiling bill is expected to pass the U.S. Senate this ahead of the deadline on Monday. It would increase the debt ceiling for two years and require some spending cuts and policy changes, including requiring recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to work, if they are under 55 years of age and not taking care of children.
     It would also change the National Environmental Policy Act in order to streamline permitting for development.
Ka'u High Athletic Director Jaime
Guerpo is looking for coaches.
Apply by June 23.

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COACHING POSITIONS FOR THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR have been announced by Kaʻū High School Athletic Director Jaime Guerpo. Deadline to apply is June 23. Open coaching positions are for: Air Riflery, boys Volleyball, Cheerleading, boys and girls Bowling, and boys and girls Cross Country. Applications are available at the Kaʻū High School office. With questions, call the AD at 808-313-4161.

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