Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014

All three District Six candidates for County Council campaigned in Na`alehu's Fourth of July parade and forums in Volcano, Pahala and South Kona, wrapping up before the Aug. 9 primary with a forum at Ocean View Community Center on Monday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m.

HUI MALAMA OLA NA `OIWI, WITH AN OFFICE IN NA`ALEHU, is one of six Native Hawaiian health care centers across the state to benefit from an award of $12,339,016 in U.S. Department of Health & Human Services grant funding.

Funding for Hui Malama Ola Na `Oiwi is coming from U.S. Department
of Health & Human Services. Photo by Julia Neal

      The grants support continued operation of health care centers, enabling them to pay for rent, salaries and various overhead expenses, as well as assist in providing medications for qualified patients.
      “Native Hawaiian health care centers are a crucial thread in the fabric of our island communities. This funding will go to Papa Ola Lokahi and the Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems on each island, which provide vital services for Hawai`i’s indigenous population,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “I will continue to advocate for this and other programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of Native Hawaiians.”
      The funding is being distributed through the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act, which is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

DEMOCRATIC GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES Gov. Neil Abercrombie and Sen. David Ige have unveiled their proposed plans for the state for the next four years.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie held a confirmation ceremony at Pahala Plantation House
after his election in 2010. Photo by Julia Neal

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE’S PLAN IS TITLED Charting Tomorrow: A Plan for a Brighter Future in Hawai`i. 

      The plan describes the foundation laid in Abercrombie’s first four years and his vision for the state’s economy and fiscal management, education, the environment, health and human services.
      The plan calls for investing in infrastructure and transportation to create jobs and improve the economy; providing preschool for all children; providing accessible and affordable higher education; providing more care, services and financial relief for kupuna; creating a more financially resilient and fiscally responsible government; reducing greenhouse gases by increasing clean energy;  and protecting the environment while still supporting the needs of a growing population through clean energy, local food production and responsible development.
      “It is a priority of our Administration to steward our environment and natural resources through partnerships to protect and restore our core watershed areas and reefs; support healthy fisheries, freshwater security and biodiversity; and ensure effective waste management,” the document states. “Hawai`i is also planning for the impacts of climate change by making sure that our critical infrastructure, natural resources, and food system are resilient.”
      Regarding invasive species, the plan states, “Hawai`i is facing a biological crisis due to invasive species. We are committed to protecting Hawai`i’s economy, agriculture, environment, health and way of life from the devastating impacts of invasive species by strengthening biosecurity at our borders and between our islands, supporting on-the-ground control efforts in each county and watershed, and effectively working across departments for effective response.”
     The full plan is available at neilabercrombie.com/charting-tomorrow-plan-for-hawaii.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sen. David Ige, who made a campaign stop in Pahala on Monday, has released
his plan for Hawai`i, if he becomes governor. Photo by Julia Neal

IN HIS PLAN TITLED ENGINEERING HAWAI`I’S FUTURE, state Sen. David Ige lays out his agenda on issues including tourism, technology, environment, energy, agriculture, homelessness and open government. 

      One of the senator’s top priorities would be growing the state’s economy, and tourism is a cornerstone of that initiative. His plan calls for creating another international entry point at Kona International Airport to relieve federal Customs Service congestion at Honolulu International Airport.
      Ige’s plan also calls for working closely with Hawai`i’s congressional delegation to improve the visa issuance process in China and customs and pre-clearance for visitors from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Korea.
      As governor, he plans to implement state-of-the-art technology to increase efficiency and effectiveness at state agencies. He wants technology to be used to its full advantage, such as encouraging online tax filing.
      Preserving Hawai`i’s natural environment through responsible economic growth and planning is another key component in Ige’s plan. He would direct the Pacific-Asia Institute for Resilience and Sustainability to help mitigate risks from natural and man-made hazards and develop solutions for sustainable economic growth and adaptive plans for climate change.
      To reduce Hawai`i’s $6 billion a year dependence on imported oil, the senator would aggressively tackle goals set by the Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative.
      To increase local food production, Ige would identify and preserve up to 200,000 acres of prime agricultural land.
      Ige would support counties’ efforts to address homelessness. He also fully supports the Housing First initiative, which provides transitional and permanent emergency housing, referral services for mental illness, addiction and job training and other social services.
      Ige’s plan discusses open government, calling for active citizen participation, transparency and accountability. He would hold weekly press conferences and ensure that appointees to state boards and commissions are committed to conducting government affairs in an open manner.
      See davidige.org/action-plan.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Hurricane Iselle is expect to weaken as it approaches Hawai`i next week.
Map from National Hurricane Center.

HURRICANE ISELLE IS HEADING WEST-NORTHWEST after forming in the Eastern Pacific. National Weather Service reported it is now a Category Two storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour. NWS expects it to strengthen more over the next couple of days, but then weaken as it encounters cooler sea surface temperatures and drier, more stable conditions.
      To track the storm, see weather.gov.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

EVAN ENRIQUES, OF PAHALA, IS PARTICIPATING in the 2014 NORCECA Men’s U21 Continental Championship as a member of the U.S. Men’s Junior National Team. In the team’s victory over Mexico on Thursday, Enriques led the U.S. in digs with 11. Scores were 25-18, 25-21, 17-25, 25-11. The team also won its quarterfinal match against El Salvador yesterday and moves on to play Canada in the semifinals. Scores were unavailable at publication time. 

      Teams in the championship, taking place in Colorado Springs, CO, are members of the North America, Central America and Caribbean volleyball federation.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar. 

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK offers its free `Ohi`a Lehua program tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Participants bring lunch and learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower.
      For more information, call 985-6011.

WALK-IN VOTING CONTINUES NEXT WEEK, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Primary Election Day is a week from today, Saturday, Aug. 9. Any candidate for Countil Council receiving at least 50 percent plus one vote becomes the winner in the non-partisan election. If no one dominates, there will be a runoff in November between the top two candidates.

Ocean View Community Center hosts a County Council candidate
forum Monday at 6 p.m.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER PRESENTS a candidate forum Monday at 6 p.m. County Council candidates Richard Abbett, Maile Medeiros David and Jim Wilson participate in this final forum before the primary election next Saturday, Aug. 9.
      Call 939-7033 for more information.

PARTICIPANTS IN FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK’S Forest Restoration Project on Friday, Aug. 8 should register by Monday evening. The project takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, where volunteers remove invasive plants in a kipuka of native `ohi`a forest with a mix of other native trees and understory. 

      Register at forest@fhvnp.org or 352-1402.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

 

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Aug. 1, 2014

Kawika Yahiro, CEO of Uhane Pohaku No Moku O Hawai`i, gave a presentation about working with Ka`u youth during last night's
meeting at the Old Pahala Clubhouse. Photo by Julia Neal

YOUTH EDUCATION ORGANIZATION representatives met with Ka`u residents last night at the Old Pahala Clubhouse, introducing programs it hopes to establish locally. Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, Inc. chief executive officer Kawika Yahiro said that founders Kawehi and Debbie Ryder accomplished such work elsewhere in Hawai`i by taking at-risk youth from 13 to 21 years of age into the outdoors to work in taro patches, fishponds and other cultural and natural environments. He gave a presentation of their work on Lana`i, showing restoration of lo`i and feedback from students.
      Yahiro said the organization helps youth avoid risky behavior. He called it a community- and family-centered approach for project- and place-based learning. Uhane Pohaku offers cultural and spiritual appreciation along with experiential and self-discovery activities.

      Restoration, conservation and preservation efforts bring students into their culture, where they can feel safe and build self-confidence, he explained. The students learn respect and caring for kupuna. They also learn how to keep waterways and the ocean clean.

A Pahala youth named Kyle works with Kawika Yahiro at the presentation
last night. Photo by Julia Neal

      He and the Ryders talked about high-risk kids and more secure young people working together and bonding positively with the right adults leading the way.
      One student wrote, “It took me away from the city life and got me very into my culture … people so friendly … so generous.” Two gang members and leaders immersed in outdoor education never went back to their gangs and are now working, Yahiro said. 

      Program organizers said the land “gives the opportunity to heal” and referred to the common practice within indigenous cultures: “One great task of all teenagers coming of age is to tell a story … their meaning in life, why they make a difference.”
      The word "sustainability" was used a lot, and Yahiro talked about a young person who learned to farm and whom he asked, with his business hat on, “Where are you going to sell your product?” The young farmer said he was going to use his skills to feed his immediate family and his larger family, Yahiro said, leading Yahiro to think about sustainability in a different way.
      He talked about the importance of rites of passage for all ages. “Celebrate birth; celebrate adulthood; celebrated marriage; celebrate death,” he said.
      The organizers of the educational program said they hope to someday align with the schools here.
      From the state Office of Youth Services, Edralyn Caberto said, to the surprise of many in attendance, that Ka`u has more youth in the criminal justice system per capita than in any other place in Hawai`i. She said that land- and ocean-based programs are healing. She said that working with kalo (taro) can be magic. “We want to create a place where people can be healthy,” she said and referred to Ryders’ programs that she witnessed on Lana`i.
     Kawehi Ryder said he is starting to prepare for planting dry land taro in Wood Valley and for possible fishpond and lo`i restoration projects along the Ka`u Coast, approaching government agencies, private nonprofit organizations, Native Hawaiian groups and private landowners. 

     The organizers also talked about the term kino`ole, which most attending recognized as a street in Hilo. Yahiro said it means patience, which will be needed to immerse the program into the Ka`u community with good timing and meeting many members of the community, he noted.
    The Ryders recently moved from Lana`i to Pahala, and Debbie Ryder is a kumu hula here. Contact them at 808-315-7033.

Spiral pattern indicates vog being wrapped into Hurricane Flossie.
Image from UH-Manoa 

VOG CAN CONTRIBUTE TO FORMATION of thunderstorms and lightning, according to a study by atmospheric scientists at University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. UH-Manoa graduate assistant Andre Pattantyus and Atmospheric Science Professor Dr. Steven Businger found that microscopic gasses and particles from Kilauea exerted an influence on Tropical Storm Flossie in July of last year.
      Pattantyus and Businger researched data from satellites that monitored lightning, rainfall, cloud cover, temperature and winds during Flossie. In addition, they maintained their vog model that provides guidance on the location of the vog plume and concentrations of sulfur dioxide and sulfate aerosol for Hawaiian Island communities.
      They found that prior to Flossie’s passage over Hawai`i Island, there was no lightning in the storm. One hour later, vigorous lightning occurred as Flossie approached the island. “As volcanic emissions were wrapped into this moist environment, sulfate aerosols promoted the formation of a greater number of smaller than normal cloud droplets, which favored charge separation in the upper cloud region and the occurrence of lightning,” Businger said.
      “This is the first interaction between an active, vigorously degassing volcano and a tropical cyclone captured by a vog model run over the Hawaiian Islands – providing a unique opportunity to analyze the influence of robust volcanic emissions entrained into a tropical storm system,” Businger said.
      He also said the observations of Flossie’s changing dynamics as it encountered Kilauea’s vog has implications for the impact of polluted air on hurricanes as they approach the mainland coast. 

      “The Hawaiian Islands provide a unique environment to study this interaction in relative isolation from other influences,” according to Businger. He plans to model the interaction of the vog plume and Hurricane Flossie with a more complex model that integrates chemistry into the predictions to better understand the processes at work in this unique confluence.

Kamehameha Hawai`i campus covers 300 acres in Kea`au.
Photo from Kamehameha Schools

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS HAWAI`I K-12 PROGRAM applications for the 2015-16 school year are now available online at ksbe.edu/admissions. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30, 2014. 

      The primary admission points are kindergarten and grades six and nine.
      For kindergarteners, eligible applicants are born between Aug. 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010. As part of the transition from the previous age requirement, this year KS will also accept kindergarten applications from boys born in July 2009.
      Applications for grades 10, 11 and 12 for are accepted, but spaces are limited and based on availability.
      For more information, call 982-0100.

THE U.S. CONGRESS HAS APPROVED BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION taking a strong step toward overhauling the Veterans Administration. The bill incorporates the framework proposed by Ka`u’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, requiring the VA to allow eligible veterans to visit doctors in their communities to receive care so they don’t have to wait months to see a doctor. It authorizes funding to hire more doctors and care providers and also gives the new VA secretary tools and flexibility to hold employees accountable and hire those who can lead the VA through the reforms.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is a veteran of two tours of duty in the Middle East.
Photo from Office of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

      Gabbard said, “I won’t stop fighting until we uphold the commitment our nation made to our veterans, honoring their service and sacrifice.”  

      Sen. Brian Schatz said, “If there’s one area where Democrats and Republicans should be able to come together to find common ground, it’s making sure veterans have the health care they need.”
      Sen. Mazie Hirono said, “We’ve reached a deal that will help Hawai`i veterans access the care they need, reform the way we hold VA officials accountable and work to recruit more doctors and health care professionals to care for our veterans – but our work doesn’t stop here. … There are many issues within the VA that need to be addressed. I’m proud that we were able to work together with our colleagues in the House and look forward to continuing to improve VA care and services – our veterans deserve nothing less.”

ZENTANGLE: THE BASICS are taught tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. This pre-requisite for subsequent Zentangle classes provides a foundation in the philosophy, ceremony and benefits of tangling. $40 VAC members/$45 nonmembers. 

      Call 967-8222 to register.

`Ohi`a Lehua is the topic at a program Sunday. NPS Photo by Dave Boyle

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK offers its free `Ohi`a Lehua program Sunday at 9:30 a.m. Participants bring lunch and learn about the vital role of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower. 

      For more information, call 985-6011.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER PRESENTS a candidate forum Monday at 6 p.m. County Council candidates Richard Abbett, Maile Medeiros David and Jim Wilson participate. This is their final forum before the Aug. 9 primary election.
      Call 939-7033 for more information.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs, Thursday, July 31, 2014

Berta Miranda clutches her Bible, fearing her coffee farm was obliterated during the 2012 fires around Pahala. Fortunately
 she was spared. Photo by William Neal

FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR FIRE PREVENTION projects in Ka`u, according to Elizabeth Pickett, Executive Director of Hawai`i Wildlife Management Organization. At a presentation about wildland fires given at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School this week, Pickett said residents and groups can come up with ideas and apply for funding with a match in volunteer time. One idea she mentioned was chipping of waste to reduce vegetation. An idea brought up at the meeting was using fire resistant plants to beautify and protect the east entrance to Pahala, where a fire in 2012 jumped mauka over Hwy 11 and marched up Kamani Street to threaten Ka`u Hospital.

Firefighters spray retardant to
protect entrance to Pahala town.
Photo by Julia Neal

      Percentage-wise compared to every other state, at least as much, and perhaps more, land burns in Hawai`i every year. Between 2002 and 2011, Hawai`i experienced 900 wildland fire ignitions per year, and 17,000 acres burned per year. Also, the number of large fires is increasing along with their intensity. While in such places as California, the natural maturation and renewal of the wildlands can be through range fires, Hawai`i's native plants are not built to reproduce after fires.
      One quarter of state land in Hawai`i is now covered in nonnative grasses that are prone to fire, Pickett said. These grasses grow during rainy seasons, then dry out during dry periods and create fuel for wildfires. They also crowd out seedlings of native plants that are less fire-prone. Fire prone grasses can even become a problem in areas fenced off from ungulates to protect native species.

      Pickett and her colleague Pablo Beimler focused on the organization’s Ready, Set, Go Wildland Fire Action Guide, with information about saving lives and property through advanced planning.

The 2012 fires around Pahala threatened the hospital and homes, burning
macadamia orchards, some coffee lands and pasture. Photo by Julia Neal

     Preparing property for fire threat includes landscaping and limiting access points where fire can enter homes. Creating defensible space around homes involves removing dead and dying vegetation within 100 feet of homes and managing vegetation where fire could jump from grass to shrubs to trees.

      Windows are the most vulnerable entry points, Beimler said, because they break from heat of fires. He suggested remove shrubbery from under windows or cutting it low and maintaining it well. Screening lattice below houses will help prevent the embers from blowing through the pukas.
      Securing any point that is vulnerable to embers is also important, he said. Gutter guards and vents covers with openings one-quarter inch or less prevent embers from entering. Enclosing eaves also prevents embers from landing in rafters, where they can easily ignite lumber.
      During a wildland fire, being aware of the situation and changing conditions is crucial. The HWMO personnel emphasized that smoke, wind and fire conditions can change rapidly and residents need to have and evacuation plan. “Find out where you should go, and leave early,” they said.
      HWMO is planning a Ka`u Fire Preparedness meeting in November when experts will update a list of community concerns, priorities and project ideas.
      Established in 2002, HVMO is the only nonprofit organization in Hawai`i that focuses specifically on wildfire prevention, preparedness and mitigation projects. It was started by fire chiefs, fire captains, land owners, land managers and conservationists. See more about it and the Ready, Set, Go program at hawaiiwildfire.org.  To comment on or like this story, go tofacebook.com/kaucalendar.

Range fire swept to the shore from macadamia orchards below Pahala in 2012. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

WALK IN VOTING CONTINUES IN KA`U TODAY at Pahala Community Center from 9 a.m until noon and 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on weekdays through Thursday, Aug. 7. On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Primary Election will take place at local polling places: Miloli‘i Halau, Ocean View Community Center, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Cafeteria, Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary School Cafeteria and Cooper Center in Volcano. Polls are open on election days from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Maile David campaigned yesterday in Pahala with her supporters.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Registered Ka‘ū voters cast ballots for the following offices in the primary election: U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives District Two, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, state Senate District Three, state House of Representatives Districts Three and Five, Office of Hawaiian Affairs At-Large Trustees and Hawai‘i County Council District Six. Sample ballots are available at hawaii.gov/elections.
     On the ballot for Hawai‘i County Council District Six are Richard Abbett, of Ocean View; Maile Medeiros David, of Captain Cook; and Jim Wilson, of Volcano. 

     On the ballot for state Senate District Three are incumbent Josh Green, of Kailua-Kona, and Michael Last, of Nā‘ālehu.
      State House of Representatives District Three candidates are Bill Dickson, of Mountain View; Fred Fogel, of Volcano; and incumbent Richard Onishi, of Hilo.

Richard Abbett runs in the primary for council and Dave Bateman, along with
 Jon Lalanne and Randy Ruis, takes on the winner of the House Democratic
primary contest between Bucky Leslie and Richard Creagan.  Photo by Julia Neal

   Incumbent state Rep. Richard Creagan, of Nā‘ālehu, faces a challenge in the primary by fellow Democrat Gene “Bucky” Leslie, of Holualoa, in state House District Five. The winner goes on to the general election to face Republican Dave Bateman, of Holualoa, Libertarian Jon Lalanne and nonpartisan Randy Ruis, both of Ocean View.
   Creagan said that during the League of Women Voters forum, he talked about his goals for the next legislative session, should he be elected. They include working on health care, integrating affordable health care with prepaid health care and getting a new hospital for Kona. He said one issue is the possible privatization of the Ka‘ū, Hilo and Kona Hospitals. Creagan said he and others support privatization but only if the company is Hawai‘i-based and unionized. He said that the private, mainland company that proposed taking over the system of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corp. clinics and hospitals statewide is non-union and its “anti-union rhetoric can be found on its website.”
       Creagan said another concern is that an outside hospital corporation could close Ka‘ū Hospital. “The safety net hospitals such as Ka‘ū and Kohala have to be preserved. One of the fears of bringing in the outside organizations is that they might want to shut them down.”
       Creagan said that a more agreeable merger would be with a hospital like Queens Medical System, based on O‘ahu. Queens is already unionized and would not have a problem preserving the union jobs at Ka‘ū, Hilo and Kona, he said.
        During the forum, Creagan, a physician, brought up the medical marijuana issue, saying he supports the expansion of indications for medical marijuana. He said later that he sees it as important especially in the case of veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. “Marijuana can be very helpful. It is approved for PTSD in five or six other states,” he told The Ka‘ū Calendar newspaper. Creagan is on the House task force to study setting up dispensaries for medical marijuana.

Incumbent Richard Creagan is on the ballot for the state House for West Ka`u,
incumbent Richard Onishi for East Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal

       A topic with consensus of apparently all the candidates is labeling of GMO foods. Creagan said that among the candidates, there are some differences, such as whether the federal government should take the lead on the issue – with federal proposals initiated by Ka‘ū’s U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. Creagan said that in addition to federal measures, Hawai‘i should lead and establish a state requirement. “Hawai‘i should lead, not follow, but in the future the federal government should do it, too.”
         Creagan said after the forum that one important issue not discussed was public funding for elections. He said that he supports public funding, but it is hard to pass at the Legislature because it does not favor incumbents. He said he will continue to push for it. “Our experience on the Big Island showed the power of public funding, brought more candidates out, allowed them to really compete with the big money interests. That is why Brittany Smart was able to win against candidates supported by big money. Brittany (Smart), Maile (Medeiros David) and Brenda (Ford) were able to get over $30,000 in funding.” Their campaigns for County Council brought out local issues and built awareness in the public, with Maile Medeiros David well recognized as she competes for County Council this year following two races with public funding. There is no public funding for any political positions in Hawai‘i this year, he noted.
            Leslie said he wants to have a fresh approach to campaigning. He emphasized how his ‘ohana approach influences his way of getting things done.
            Leslie said he wants to listen to constituents’ thoughts, concerns and ideas, “finding productive ways of working together as we strive and sometimes struggle to accommodate the change in our history.”
             Leslie mentioned his experience as president of the Hawai‘i Council of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and said he and the club have written and sent bills and resolutions to the Legislature that have passed.  He said his top priority in the Legislature would be “working with other people” and referred to the Legislature as an “elected ‘ohana.” He said, “Working together, we’ll get much more done than we can (individually). Together we can; together as one.” 

Bucky Leslie, a Democrat, is running in the primary against Richard
Creagan for the west Ka`u House seat. Photo by Nalani Parlin

             Regarding education, Leslie said educational opportunities for everyone – keiki and kūpuna – are important. He said, “The system is not working with us” and suggested reinstating programs “issued many years ago. Revise them and bring them back to the table.” He also said, “We need people who leave for education to come back.”
             On the topic of health, Leslie said he thinks Kona Hospital is adequate but that more doctors and nurses are needed.
              Leslie said he wants to “bring balance to the Legislature.” He characterized balance of working with legislators as “knowing how we can get things done.” He said the Legislature has “cut this balance off, that balance off” regarding bills that get modified to the point that they are no longer recognizable.
             When asked how he would make Hawai‘i a more attractive state to do business in, Leslie answered, “How do they balance?” He again stressed his ‘ohana approach to how to work on the issue.
             Regarding labeling of GMOs, Leslie said, “We should stand up and say ‘let’s go for it – let’s label this.’” Pointing to the audience, he said, “It’s all about you; it’s not about us.”
             When asked about legalized gambling in Hawai‘i, Leslie said he had previously written a resolution for the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs supporting gambling, but that he now doesn’t support it and wants more education about it.
             In closing, Leslie stressed his desire to “continue to work with our people here and bring home a plate of wonderful things.” To comment on or like this story, go tofacebook.com/kaucalendar.

SUNSET HULA TOMORROW AT 6 P.M. graces the kahua hula (platform) near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. This month’s event features Manu Josiah and Leilehua Yuen, who are known for their blending of storytelling, science, chant and hula to create a journey through Hawaiian history and culture. Some of their students join them for an evening of traditional chant and hula. Free; park entrance fees apply.

ZENTANGLE: THE BASICS are taught Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. This pre-requisite for subsequent Zentangle classes provides a foundation in the philosophy, ceremony and benefits of tangling. $40 VAC members/$45 nonmembers. Call 967-8222 to register.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

   

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.