Kaʻū News Briefs Friday, Nov. 17, 2023

Kauaha‘ao Congregational Church Bazaar on Saturday

The annual Fall Fundraiser Kauaha‘ao Church will be Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with vendors, teriyaki beef plate lunch, rotisserie chicken gravy bowl, baked goods, popcorn, crafts, and rummage sale. Location is on Hwy 11 in Waiʻōhinu. Photo by Debbie Wong Yuen

EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY AFFORDABLE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS in Hawai‘i will receive over $6.6 million from the federal Department of Health & Human Services. Its Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five program will provide the money to University of Hawai‘i to support existing child care programs in Hawai'i and to fund efforts "to better connect and align child care programs throughout the state," says a statement from Sen. Mazie Hirono.

    “In 2023, federal and state early learning opportunities will serve nearly 9,000 children and families in Hawai‘i,” said Hirono. “These programs provide supportive environments to build a strong foundation for our keiki and set them up to lead successful lives. Expanding access to high-quality, affordable early childhood programs has long been a priority of mine, which is why I am glad to announce this important investment. This funding will help children and families continue to access quality child care and early learning programs.”

        Earlier this year, Hirono and colleagues led 42 Senators who asked the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies for a substantial increase in funding for PDG B-5 and other early childhood programs such as the Child Care & Development Block Grant program, Head Start, and Early Head Start. In 2018, she led a letter of support for the state Department of Human Services to receive an initial grant through PDG B-5. She advocated for funding to assist Hawai‘i’s plans to provide new and improve existing programming and services for children from birth to age five.

     "PDG B-5 helps states improve their child care and early learning programs. The funding is used to provide working families, and their children, with access to high-quality early childhood programs," says the Hirono statement. 

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THE ADVANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCREDITATION AWARD has gone to Hawai‘i Police Department for the fourth consecutive year. Police Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said, “With only four

percent of police departments nationwide achieving CALEA accreditation, this recognition solidifies Hawai‘i Police Department's position as a leader in public service.” HPD received the Commission on  Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies' Advanced Law Enforcement Accreditation Award during a ceremony on Nov. 11 in Bellevue, Washington.
    A statement from the commission said, "Achieving CALEA accreditation is a challenging process in which the department must continuously demonstrate every year during a four-year cycle that it complies with more than 400 rigid CALEA® standards. It involves a dedicated team of department personnel reviewing and—when necessary—revising the department's General Orders, policies, and procedures to ensure they all meet CALEA® standards."
    Every year of the accreditation process a CALEA Service Manager conducts a web-based assessment, inspecting HPD’s files and interviewing personnel. In the fourth year of the accreditation cycle, a team of certified CALEA® assessors conducts an on-island assessment, visiting district police stations and facilities, examining all aspects of the department while focusing on HPD programs, their outcomes and effectiveness.

Anthony B. Purcell, President CALEA Executive Board, Sgt. Brian Souki, Sgt. Matthew Bartz,
 Lt. Levon Stevens, Clerk III Keahi Armitage, Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz, Deputy Chief
 Reed Mahuna, Craig Hartley, Jr. Executive Director, CALEA. Photo from CALEA

    The national assessment team held its on-island assessment in August and conducted interviews with community leaders to gauge HPD’s accreditation impact on the community. The final step of the accreditation renewal process featured members of the department, including the Police Chief, Deputy Chief Reed Mahuna, and HPD Accreditation Section staff appearing before the national CALEA® review committee to present and answer questions about the department's programs and outcomes.
    During the committee review, Moszkowicz formally recognized the department's Accreditation Section members for their dedication and hard work in achieving this coveted recognition. The HPD Accreditation Section is led by Lt. Levon Stevens and staffed by Sgt. Matthew Bartz, Sgt. Brian Souki, and Clerk III Keahi Armitage.
    The Police Chief said, "Our department’s Accreditation team works daily to ensure our department maintains the highest standards of professionalism, accountability, and community service, and I

am immensely proud of their unwavering commitment to help us achieve this prestigious accreditation.”
    Of the roughly 18,000 law enforcement agencies in the United States, only about 793 are CALEA® accredited. HPD first achieved accreditation 11 years ago, on Nov. 17, 2012, and was reaccredited twice on Nov.21, 2015, and Nov. 16, 2019.

    Community members seeking information about CALEA® and the accreditation process can visit the CALEA® website at calea.org. For questions about the Hawai‘i Police Department's accreditation program, please contact Lieutenant Levon Stevens at (808) 961-2260.

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Keiki with special needs are invited to a surfing experience at Richardsons in Hilo on Friday, Nov. 24,
 an event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. sponsored by Surfers Healing. Photo from Surfers Healing

SURFERS HEALING INVITES KAʻŪ CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS TO Richardson Ocean Park in Hilo on Friday, Nov. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Supported by Hawaiʻi County Department of Parks, it offers an opportunity to experience the thrill of riding the waves alongside skilled surfers and volunteers. Surfers Healing camps originated in California and are now held around the world, providing the opportunity for more than 6,000 children annually.

    The event aims to create a safe and supportive environment where children with special needs can connect with the ocean and enjoy the transformative power of the ocean waves. It embodies the spirit of inclusivity, compassion, and the healing power of the ocean.
   To participate in this event, interested individuals can sign up at www.surfershealing.org.
   Participants are encouraged to register in advance to secure their spot.
   For more information about the event, visit surfershealing.org or contact Recreation Specialist Kalani Kahalioumi at 808-238-6566.

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HIGH SURF ADVISORY FROM the National Weather Service for all east-facing shores of Hawai‘i Island, from Upolu Point in North Kohala through Cape Kumukahi in Puna to South Point in Kaʻū has been extended through Saturday.
    Beach-goers, swimmers, and surfers exercise caution and heed all advice given by ocean safety officials, urges Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency.
    For more information, visit County of Hawaii Hazard Impact Map.

7,500 printed, 5,000 in the mail