The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Friday, February 16, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Friday, February 16, 2018

The Chinese lion dance comes to Kaʻū during festivities throughout the years. Friday is Chinese New Year, with 2018 the Year of the Dog.
See story below. Photo by Julia Neal

A BILL THAT WOULD LIMIT INDUSTRIAL-SCALE SOLAR DEVELOPMENT in residential subdivisions passed another hurdle in the state House of Representatives on Wednesday. House Bill 2665 would require that future solar developments exceeding 15 kW in "non-conforming subdivisions" like those in Ocean View and Puna, obtain a county permit, with public input for the decision-making.

The idea for the bill developed after SPI Energy acquired the rights to install a 6.75 MW solar project, on 26 house lots among homes in Ocean View subdivisions Ranchos, Kona South, and Kula Kai. ʻŌhiʻa and other trees would be cut and solar panels installed to cover the lots, surrounded by chain-link fencing.

The project faces strong opposition from the community. More than 650 residents signed a petition and sent in approximately 90 letters to the Public Utilities Commission. The majority of people attending four community meetings opposed the project.

County Council's Maile
David, who supports HB 2665.
Photo by Ann Bosted

The development is allowed under current law. While Ocean View is home to an estimated 7,000 residents, it is zoned Agriculture and solar development is a permitted activity on certain agricultural lands without a county permit. The need for a county permit, which is required for many businesses on agricultural land, was waived by the legislature to fast track bringing renewable energy to Hawai‘i, to wean the state from reliance on imported fossil fuels. However, the Ocean View project is over five years past the time it was going to be built, and the cost-benefit of alternative energy programs has changed.

HB 2665 was introduced to the House by Rep. Richard Creagan and is strongly supported by County Council Member Maile David. The bill passed its first reading in the House Jan. 24, and was unanimously passed, with a modification by the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection on Feb. 6. The bill unanimously passed the Agriculture and Water & Land Committees, which met jointly on Wednesday, Feb. 15,

The bill's next hurdle will be the House Finance Committee. Once a hearing date is set, the public will have two days to submit testimony. If the committee, chaired by Rep. Sylvia Luke, approves the bill, it will go to the Senate for hearings by state Senate committees.

Testimony in support of the bill was submitted to the Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection by Daniel Orodenker, Director of the Land Use Commission, and Ka`u's County Council member Maile David. Supporting testimony also came from Sandy Shelton, Philip Flanders, Ann Bosted, Larry D. Shelton, Stanley Troeller (owner of South Point U Cart), Verna Loosli, Joan Gunnon, Betsy "Sparow" Guyre-Allen, and Linda Raquinio.

Rep. Richard Creagan,
who introduced HB 2665.
Photo by Ann Bosted

The joint hearing by the committees for Agriculture and Water & Land received supporting testimony from Orodenker, David, Bosted, Robert and Susan Werner, Raquinio, Anitra Pickett, Diane Ware, and Greta Pickett.

In testimony to the Energy & Environmental Protection Committee, Philip Flanders wrote: "HB 2665 will protect residential communities from industrialization. The future growth of solar installations is inevitable. County permitting will help prevent mismatches between infrastructure and solar development projects. It is a sensible bill."

Stanley Troeller, the owner of South Point U-Cart for 35 years, wrote: "If [the developer] would have applied for the proper use permit at the start, we would not have the problem presented to the County today, as it would have been obvious that this was not feasible at that time."

Verna Loosli wrote: "There are many reasons why this project is not suitable. Public Safety being number one. We do not have fire safety in place. Fire fighters aren't trained for electrical producing facilities. We have no public water or fire hydrants."

Betsy Guyre-Allen wrote: "I acquired a special use permit for a veterinary clinic as required, despite the fact that veterinary clinics are specified as permitted in ag. zoned/residential neighborhoods. I greatly respect the special use permit process as a fair and balanced way for planning commission and residents alike to make appropriate decisions for commercial businesses operating in a neighborhood. It is a reasonable requirement for any corporate business operating within a residential community."

An example of what the lots might look like, after being covered with solar panels.

In testimony to the committees on Agriculture and Land & Water, Bob and Sue Werner wrote: "While large scale solar projects might have, at the time, been appropriate for large agricultural tracts of limited utility, it is certainly not appropriate for residential communities."

Linda Raquinio, owner of Sunlines Hawai‘i, submitted testimony about public health and safety issues, widespread community opposition, lawlessness, and predicted a "freefall of property values." She concluded: "Please know that I am not anti-solar. I am simply pro-residential and pro-agriculture. I simply recognize the need and indeed fairness that industrial solar entities should be required to adhere to the same rules as other businesses like Bed & Breakfasts, commercial kitchens, water hauling companies, Real Estate companies, and restaurants, etc., as regarding special use permits.

"This bill is fair, no cost to the state, and protects residents of non-conforming subdivisions (mostly in agricultural areas) the same protections they would receive if located in a Rural District. No one chooses to reside in country communities to live next door or opposite to three acres of eight-foot chain link fence, with ugly signage Danger high voltage keep out where beautiful ʻŌhiʻa trees once stood!"

Anitra Picket submitted testimony saying that she was forced to leave her Ranchos property and business when the project came to light. She wrote: "In no way is it acceptable for them to be installed in communities with houses. As in other jurisdictions around the world, they are responsibly placed only in areas with no immediate communities or human habitation. Hawai‘i should pass this bill to ensure that our communities are not taken advantage of by speculators, or outside investors seeking loopholes in state laws."

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CHINESE NEW YEAR 2018 USHERS IN THE YEAR OF THE DOG TODAY, and there are a lot of ways to celebrate, including going on a hike in Volcano with a Mandarin-speaking guide (see event below). More traditional ways include: setting off firecrackers; cleaning the living space; gifting young relatives with money-stuffed with li see (lucky red envelopes); "feeding" the dragon or lion - dancers in an elaborate costume - money, for good luck; making special foods, such as sesame balls or mochi; visiting temple; ringing bells; and wearing and decorating with a lot of red, which is said to bring happiness.

The Year of the Dog is so named because of the Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao, which has twelve animals, each taking over from the previous animal between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian (standard) calendar, as Chinese New Year is based on lunar cycles.

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Isolated in an abandoned quarry on the northern slope of Mauna Loa, HI-SEAS 2018 Mission VI began its eight-month long, UH and
NASA research project this week. See story below. Photos from HI-SEAS

A NEW HI-SEAS CREW BEGAN EIGHT MONTHS OF ISOLATION on Thursday, to simulate space travel and life on Mars. The international crew dwells in a geodesic dome at 8,000 feet in an abandoned quarry on Mauna Loa. HI-SEAS means Hawaiʻi Space Exploration Analog and Simulation. The sixth mission began Thursday around 5 p.m., when four crew members entered the dome. The crew is sponsored by University of Hawaiʻi, NASA, and other institutions, and will gather information on human behavior and performance, in hopes of determining team and individual requirements for lengthy space travel, especially to Mars.

This year's crew members are "the most international crew in the history of the research project," says the statement from UH-Mānoa. They come from Korea, Scotland, Slovakia, and Australia. They began nine days of training and briefings on Feb. 7.

Sukjin Han is an assistant professor in

economics at University of Texas at
Austin, specializing in econometrics.
His research focuses on developing
statistical methods to evaluate causal
effects of treatments or interventions,
such as medical interventions, social
programs or economic policies. He is

particularly interested in settings where

treatments are endogenously determined
by agents in the system, due to the

optimization and interaction of the agents.

Sukjin Han is an assistant professor in economics at University of Texas at Austin. Calum Hervieu is an astrophysicist and systems engineer from rural Scotland. Michaela Musilova is an astrobiologist with a research focus on life in extreme environments. Lisa Stojanovski is a professional science communicator, who manages the Australian chapter of the Space Generation Advisory Council. Read more about HI-SEAS Mission VI and its crew.

Calum Hervieu is an astrophysicist and

systems engineer, who grew up in

rural Scotland. Prior to joining HI-SEAS

Mission VI, He was part of the

Spaceship EAC initiative at European

Space Agency's European Astronaut

Centre, Germany, where he was working

to develop goals and best practices for

future human and robotic missions to the

lunar surface.

Professor Kim Binsted of UH- Mānoa, Principal Investigator of HI-SEAS, stated, "This is the first time we've selected a crew that includes members from four different countries of origin. As HI-SEAS is an international collaboration between researchers, mission support, and crew, it is great to see this diversity reflected in the Mission VI crew. For humans to successfully undertake a long-duration spaceflight to Mars, it will require a global collaboration, and so it seems appropriate that our Mission VI begins with this spirit of internationalism."

As the research and experienced mission control teams watch and support them, the crew will spend the next eight months performing research, exploration tasks, and daily routines.

Michaela Musilova is an astrobiologist

with experience working at the NASA

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; University

of London Observatory; on European

Space Agency’s and UK Space Agency's

projects; leading numerous expeditions

to extreme environments and being an

analogue astronaut and commander at the

Mars Desert Research Station. She is

currently the chair of the Slovak Organisation

for Space Activities, a visiting professor at

the Slovak University of Technology and a

lecturer for the International Space University.

Multiple primary and opportunistic research studies, conducted by scientists from across the U.S. who are "at the forefront of their fields", focus on behavioral research. This includes a shared social behavioral task for team building, continuous monitoring of face-to-face interactions with sociometric badges, a virtual reality team-based collaborative exercise to predict individual and team behavioral health, and performance and multiple stress and cognitive countermeasure and monitoring studies.

The exploration tasks will be held under strictures designed to emulate the isolated and confined conditions of real space travel and planetary surface exploration. Specifics, like a twenty-minute delay on all outside communications, mirror what present technology would be like in Earth-to-Mars communication.

Lisa Stojanovski is a professional science

communicator who is passionate about making

humanity a spacefaring civilization. In 2017,

She toured remote and regional Australia

with the Shell Questacon Science Circus to earn

a master of science communication outreach.

She creates content for the live web show

TMRO, while managing the Australian chapter

of the Space Generation Advisory Council.

Mundane daily tasks, such as eating and food preparation - from shelf-stable sources only - and exercise, and other tasks, such as research and field work, will be undertaken to align with NASA's planetary exploration expectations.

HI-SEAS Mission VI continues a series of successful 8-month and 12-month missions that place HI-SEAS in the company of a small group of analogs capable of operating very long duration missions in isolated and confined environments such as Mars500, Concordia, and the International Space Station.

Video from HI-SEAS Mission V, which ended in Sept. 2017, can be viewed here.

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TEEN CHALLENGE CHOIR COMES TO PĀHALA, Sunday, Mar. 11, at 10 a.m., River of Life Assembly of God has announced that the group will minister through song and testimony, as well as spread awareness of the Teen Challenge Program. To find out more, visit rolhawaii.com, or call 443-9394.

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OCEAN VIEW BAPTIST CHURCH ANNOUNCES BASKETBALL CAMP for keiki in 1st through 6th grade at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. The week-long camp, scheduled for Monday, Feb. 19, through Friday, Feb. 23, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., kicks off with pizza the first day. The event flier states that campers will be able to learn the skills of basketball in a "fun environment." The Ocean View Baptist Facebook page suggests that bible lessons will also be part of the program. Space is limited. Register on Ocean View Baptist Facebook page or sign up at the park by calling Teresa Anderson at 929-9113.

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 Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily,
weekly events at kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februarycommunity.html.

February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

SATURDAY, FEB. 17

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, with Paul and Jane Field, Sat., Feb. 17 and Mon., Feb. 19, 8:45 a.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.

LA‘AU LAPA‘AU, BEGINNER LEVEL CLASS, at Ka‘ū District Gym, 9 a.m. to noon, Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24. Free; to register or for more details, call 969-9220 and ask for the Traditional Health team - hmono.org to learn more about the organization.

TĪ AND SEAS, NEW ART EXHIBIT at Volcano Art Center Gallery featuring oil paintings by Pāhoa resident Steve Irvine, opens to the public Sat., Feb. 17 to Sun., Mar. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Irvine shares his inspirations and techniques at an opening reception on Sat., Feb. 17, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.

CELEBRATIONS HONOR HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA AT PUNALU‘U. Bell ringing ceremony and gathering will take place at Hokuloa Chapel at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. A Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m., also at the tiny chapel above the sea.

THE ART EXPRESS, Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 20; Meliha Corcoran at 319-8989 or himeliha@yahoo.com - discoveryharbour.net/art-express.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM meets Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, with Sensei Bill Newton, Volcano Garden Arts, Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. $36 per person per class, space is limited - 985-8979 or volcanogardenarts.com.

PANIOLO FROM KA‘Ū HEAD TO PANA‘EWA for annual Stampede Rodeo, Feb. 17, 18 and 19. Rodeo Grounds open at noon on Saturday, 11 a.m. on Sunday and Monday. Buster Barton is the announcer and Rodeo Clown JJ Harrison will protect the paniolo and entertain - HawaiiRodeo

Stampede .com.

A MONGOLIAN BBQ at Crater Rim Café, Sat., Feb. 17, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests; park entrance fees apply - 967-8356 or kilaueamilitary
camp.com.

BUNCO & POTLUCK, Sat., Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Bring a dish to share - call Margie Hack at 541-954-8297.

SUNDAY, FEB. 18

PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU FREE, GUIDED HIKE, Sun., Feb. 18, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., within Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 2.5-mile, moderately difficult, hike over rugged terrain, focusing on the area's human history - nps.gov/HAVO.

HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA WILL BE HONORED SUNDAY AT PUNALU‘U. The Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. at the tiny Hokuloa chapel above the sea. The service will replace the regular worship service in the Wai‘ohinu church. An additional commemoration service will be held Sunday, Feb. 18, at 9:30 a.m., at Kahikolu Congregational Church on Napo‘opo‘o Rd., where his body was reinterred in 1993.

CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DOG on a free, Mandarin-language, easy, guided, two-mile round trip, Chinese New Year hike, with Volunteer Janice Wei, through Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) to the edge of Kīlauea Caldera at Akanikōlea (Steaming Bluff). Sunday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to noon, starting at Kīlauea Visitor Center - nps.gov/HAVO.

MONDAY, FEB. 19

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT PROGRAM Volunteers meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Mon., Feb. 19. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meets Monday, Feb. 19, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.

TUESDAY, FEB. 20

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 BY FEB. 20 FOR A PRESIDENT'S DAY STAR HANGING arts and crafts activity, Wed., Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Free; call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.

Volunteers from Japan help clear invasive ginger from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
lands at Stewardship at the Summit. Join the effort on Monday, Feb. 19.
Photo from nps.gov/HAVO

REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY PAPER FLOWER CLASS from Feb. 20 to 27, for keiki grades K-8 Wed., Feb. 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102. For more about these and other recreation programs: hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEET TUESDAY, FEB. 20, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Both meetings occur in Kona. Ka‘ū; residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

THURSDAY, FEB. 22

KA‘Ū COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S COUNCIL meets at Punalu‘u Bake Shop Thurs., Feb. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. The council meets on the fourth Thursday of each month - ccco.k12.hi.us.

FRIDAY, FEB. 23

JOIN PARK RANGERS FOR COFFEE TALK, an informal conversation on a variety of topics. Fri., Feb 23, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free - nps.gov/HAVO.

BUDDY CAGE CANCER BENEFIT WITH EDGE OF THE WEST, held Fri., Feb. 23, 9 p.m., at Pāhoa Lava Shack; Sat., Feb. 24, 5 p.m., luau in Kona at King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel courtyard; and Sun., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., at Ocean View's The Terraces. Info 917-561-4800, www.edgeofthwest.band.

UPCOMING

SUPPORT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB locations at Pāhala and Ocean View by purchasing tickets and sponsoring persons to attend the annual Youth of the Year celebration, Friday, Mar. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, in the Moku Ola Ballroom. For 66 years, its outreach to the Island has provided a safe and educational place for children after school.

To purchase tickets, contact Ka‘ū Boardmember Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net. To purchase an ad in the Gala program, become a Gala sponsor, make a financial donation, or to donate an auction item, contact Gail Hamasu at 961-5536 or gail@bgcbi.org.

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Thursday, February 15, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, February 15, 2018

Ka‘ū's own queen of paniolo parades and rodeos, Lorilee Lorenzo, heads to the Pana‘ewa
Stampede Rodeo onSaturday, Sunday, and Monday. Photo by Chuck McKeand

TO HONOR VICTIMS OF THE MASS SHOOTING WEDNESDAY AT A FLORIDA PUBLIC SCHOOL, Hawaiʻi and U.S. flags are flying half staff until sunset on Monday. Gov. David Ige ordered all state and Hawaiʻi National Guard facilities to comply, and Pres. Donald Trump ordered all federal and military facilities, including naval vessels, to comply.
Said a statement from the governor's office: "This action is a mark of respect for the victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida."

Candlelight vigil in honor of those killed and wounded
during the Feb. 14 school shooting in Florida.

On Wednesday, 19-year-old expelled student, Nikolas Cruz, took an Uber ride to the Parkland High School of 3,000 students. He carried an AR-15 and extra magazines of ammunition and proceeded to murder 17, and injured at least 14 students and staff. He left the school, was arrested nearby, and admitted to the crime.
Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted, "It is one of the great moral failures of American society that we allow kids to get killed in schools. No one thing can fix this, but doing absolutely nothing makes it worse."

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MEASURES BEFORE THE U.S. SENATE TO PROTECT DREAMers, young working and student immigrants brought illegally to the U.S. as children, failed on Thursday. Sen. Mazie Hirono released a statement explaining her votes to help prevent their deportation. "I have consistently supported a clean DREAM Act, and voted in favor of the Coons-McCain amendment today that came very close to it. And while it earned the support of a bipartisan group of 52 senators, the vast majority of Republicans blocked this effort."

Sen. Mazie Hirono spoke on the Senate floor ,
urging passage of measures to protect DREAMers.

When Coons-McCain failed, she voted for another measure, the Rounds-King amendment, which included DREAMer protection, but also funding for Pres. Donald Trump's wall. Said Hirono, "We were left with only one option to protect the 800,000 current" - recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - "DACA recipients and an additional one million DREAMers who the President has threatened with deportation. It's for them that I voted for the Rounds-King amendment." Hirono said she voted aye, even though it includes provisions she strongly opposes, including $25 billion for Trump's wall.
"The Republicans also sought to dismantle our legal, family-based immigration system," said Hirono. "Democrats fought hard to limit the damage. President Trump created this crisis when he cancelled DACA and threw 800,000 young people under the bus. And with his recent veto threat, he has made it abundantly clear that protecting Dreamers is the farthest thing from his mind."
Two other immigration measures also failed to pass on Thursday. The deadline imposed for replacing DACA is March 5.

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DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI will become the governor's liaison for East Hawaiʻi beginning Friday. Gov. David Ige announced the appointment on Thursday.

Fresh Onishi is Gov. David Ige's new liaison for East Hawaiʻi, which
includes Volcano, Pāhala, and Punaluʻu to Honuʻapo.

Onishi worked for the County of Hawai‘i for 29 years, including eight years on the Hawai‘i County Council. From 2008 to 2016, Onishi served as chair of the council's Committee on Environmental Management; chair of the Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development; and Vice Chair of the Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation.
Onishi has also worked for the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties, and most recently as interim president and chief professional officer of the Hawai‘i Island United Way.
"Fresh was born and raised in Hilo and has spent most of his life serving the people of Hawai‘i Island. I know that he will continue his exemplary service through the Office of the Governor," said Ige.
"I will always work hard for the people to make the Big Island a better place to live," Onishi said. Onishi is a graduate of Hilo High School and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

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A BILL THAT REP. TULSI GABBARD DESCRIBES AS UNDERMINING THE AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT received her no vote on Thursday in Congress. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed with bipartisan support and signed by Pres. George H. W. Bush in 1990. The new measure, HR620, would place "burdensome requirements on individuals with disabilities, making it

more difficult for them to access equal rights protections," said Gabbard. Nevertheless, HR620 passed the House by a vote of 225-192.
According to the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, 15 percent of Hawai‘i residents are disabled - higher than the national average. The National Federation for the Blind of Hawai‘i also reported that Hawai‘i is home to roughly 22,700 people with a visual disability.
Gabbard said, "For more than 25 years, the American Disabilities Act has been instrumental in expanding and protecting fair, equal opportunities for disabled Americans. HR620 unravels this progress, making it easier for employers to skirt around discrimination laws and requiring people with disabilities to jump through hoops for the equal access protections to which they are entitled. I've heard from many community organizations in Hawai‘i that shared how this legislation would hurt our more than 210,000 disabled residents. I stand with them in strong opposition to this harmful legislation."

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, speaking on HR620, which she voted against on Feb. 15.

National Federation of the Blind of Hawai‘i issued a statement saying the bill would "diminish the rights of blind people by eroding the foundation of the ADA." The ADA assures that all Americans with disabilities "have the right to live free from exclusion and discrimination in any way in American society. The ADA ensures that anyone with a disability can enjoy the benefits of living in our free and open state and country alongside all other citizens. In short, the ADA is the persons with disabilities equality act, which must not be diminished in either its force or effect. We call upon everyone in Hawai‘i and throughout the U. S. to join us in opposing HR620, which is a deceptive attempt to repeal the ADA."
Aloha State Association of the Deaf issued a statement saying it "strongly opposes this bill because it will affect Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing citizens of Hawai‘i."

Special Olympics Hawai‘i issued a statement, saying that it "strongly supports legislation that guarantees the rights, full participation, and integration of people with intellectual disabilities. We appreciate the progress that has been made towards eliminating the stigma, stereotypes, isolation, and discrimination that people with intellectual disabilities face - most importantly around access to sport, health, and education. We ask Congress to remain vigilant against any erosion of any provisions that have made a substantial difference in the lives of people with disabilities."
HR620 is opposed by numerous civil rights, disability rights, and other organizations including AARP, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, NAACP, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Association of Justice, ACLU, AFSCME, National Disability Rights Network, American Association of People with Disabilities, National Council of Disability, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Easterseals, National Foundation of the Blind, and United Cerebral Palsy.

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.

February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

FRIDAY, FEB. 16

FREE LOMILOMI DEMONSTRATION AT KAHUKU from master practitioner, Fri., Feb. 16, 10 a.m. to noon. Entrance to the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, near mile marker 70.5 on Hwy 11 - nps.gov/HAVO.

HULA & OLI WITH KAHO‘OKELE CRABBE hosted on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery, Fri., Feb. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - volcanoartcenter.org.

CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DOG on a Mandarin-language, easy, guided, two-mile round trip, Chinese New Year hike, with Volunteer Janice Wei. The free hike is offered Friday, Feb. 16, and Sunday, Feb. 18, from 11 a.m. to noon, starting at Kīlauea Visitor Center - nps.gov/HAVO.

MARDI GRAS AT ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH hosted Friday, Feb. 16; doors at 5:30 p.m., dinner 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets at the door: $8/person, $15/two, $20/family - 939-7555.

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON RAISING THE STATE SALES TAX TO 4.5 PERCENT Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., at Volcano Cooper Center. The increase would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019 and sunset Dec. 31, 2030, be collected by the State of Hawaiʻi, and turned over to the County of Hawaiʻi - to be used for transportation only.

Hele On buses would be upgraded with new tax hike.
See details on public hearing tomorrow, left.

SATURDAY, FEB. 17
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, with Paul and Jane Field, Sat., Feb. 17 and Mon., Feb. 19, 8:45 a.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, with Sensei Bill Newton, Volcano Garden Arts, Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24. $36 per person per class, space is limited - 985-8979 or volcanogardenarts.com.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM meets Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

HULA KAHIKO PERFORMANCE AND NĀ MEA HULA HANDS-ON DEMONSTRATION in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Sat., Feb. 17. Free. Hula Kahiko on kahua hula (platform) near Volcano Art Center Gallery, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Nā Mea Hula from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Volcano Art Center Gallery lānai. Sponsored by Volcano Art Center, volcanoartcenter.org.

PANIOLO FROM KA‘Ū HEAD TO PANA‘EWA for annual Stampede Rodeo, Feb. 17, 18, and 19. Rodeo Grounds open at noon on Saturday, 11 a.m. on Sunday and Monday. Buster Barton is the announcer and Rodeo Clown JJ Harrison will protect the paniolo and entertain - HawaiiRodeo
Stampede .com.

A MONGOLIAN BBQ at Crater Rim Café, Sat., Feb. 17, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests; park entrance fees apply - 967-8356 or kilaueamilitary
camp.com.

BUNCO & POTLUCK, Sat., Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Bring a dish to share - call Margie Hack at 541-954-8297.

SUNDAY, FEB. 18

PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU FREE, GUIDED HIKE, Sun., Feb. 18, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., within Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain, focusing on the area's human history - nps.gov/HAVO.

HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA WILL BE HONORED SUNDAY AT PUNALU‘U. The Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. at the tiny Hokuloa chapel above the sea. The service will replace the regular worship service in the Wai‘ohinu church. An additional commemoration service will be held Sunday, Feb. 18, at 9:30 a.m., at Kahikolu Congregational Church on Napo‘opo‘o Rd., where his body was reinterred in 1993.

People & Land of Kahuku hike. Photo by Dave Boyle, National Park Service

MONDAY, FEB. 19

TUESDAY, FEB. 20

Photo from wikihow

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEET TUESDAY, FEB. 20, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Both meetings occur in Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

THURSDAY, FEB. 22

KA‘Ū COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S COUNCIL meets at Punalu‘u Bake Shop Thurs., Feb. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. The council meets on the fourth Thursday of each month - ccco.k12.hi.us.

UPCOMING

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Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Justin Kripps, center, is a bobsleigh pilot, born in Nāʻālehu, who guided Canada to a sliver medal in the 2017 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Championships. He competes in his third Olympics in the four-man bobsled starting on Thursday. Photo from easternontarionetwork.com

KAʻŪ-BORN JUSTIN KRIPPS WILL COMPETE IN BOBSLED at the Olympics. Vying for medals in the two-man and four-man competitions on team Canada, Kripps will pilot the bobsled in his third Olympics. Bobsled training heats begin tomorrow, Feb. 15, in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and continue until the final race on Feb. 25.

Justin Kripps

Kripps went to Nā‘ālehu School through seventh grade. After high school in British Columbia, Canada, he picked up bobsledding, which he considers "a mix of track and field, and race car driving." He names his sleds after Hawaiian Goddesses; last Olympics, his two-man sled was named Poli‘ahu - the goddess of ice - and the four-man sled, Pele - the goddess of fire.
His first time at Olympics, he was a crewman, but soon after was offered coaching to be pilot - the front man for a team of two or four - by retired sledder Pierre Lueders, who has an impressive record of two Olympic medals, eight World Championships, and 11 World Cup overall titles during his 20 years.
After his bobsled overturned during the four-man race in the last winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, he planned to come back to Ka‘ū to recuperate, and hunt pig.

Kripps, at front.

Kripps piloted a Silver medal win in the two-man race at the 2017 International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation World Championships.
He piloted his two-man team, with Alexander Kopacz - his most consistent brakeman - into third place at two-men bobsled World Cup in Königssee, Germany, on Jan. 20.
Kripps is hopeful that this third trip to the Olympics will be his time to win gold. He and Kopacz are favored to place Bronze in the two-man competition.

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.

HALTING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST IMMIGRANTS was on Sen. Mazie Hirono's mind this week. She retweeted a photo of Korean American Olympic snowboard gold medalist Chloe Kim presenting the American flag. Hirono shared Sen. Dick Durbin's remarks from the Senate floor: "Olympic gold medalist @chloekimsnow is the daughter of a immigrant father who came to America determined to make a better life for his family. Their story is the story of immigration in America. My Senate colleagues should keep it in mind this week," said Durbin. He made the point as discussion in the Senate began toward solving policy problems that could lead to deportation of many DREAMers, the working and student immigrants, brought here illegally by their parents as children.

Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted the photo of Olympic gold medalist and
Korean American Chloe Kim.

Hirono also encouraged constituents to continue to fight against Pres. Donald Trump's Muslim ban this week. She spoke at a ceremony to honor the late civil rights fighter Fred T. Korematsu in Washington, D.C.
Korematsu took the federal government to the Supreme Court when it interred Japanese Americans during World War II. Though he lost that court battle, his own conviction for evading internment was overturned decades after the war.
Earlier this year, Hirono joined Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to introduce a resolution that commemorates Jan. 30 as Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution and denounces any effort to discriminate against any individual based on national origin or religion.

Don Tamaki, coram nobis attorney for Fred Korematsu; Sen. Mazie Hirono;
and Karen Korematsu. Photo from Hirono

"Fred Korematsu, Gordon Hirabayashi (a sociologist who resisted internment), and Minoru Yasui (an attorney who resisted internment) fought the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, and dedicated their lives to defending civil rights," said Hirono. "However, history can repeat itself if we are not vigilant, and these times call for our vigilance. This country is worth fighting for and I thank you for fighting for justice." Her remarks accompanied a screening of a new film, And Then They Came for Us. See the trailer. See more at the Fred T. Korematsu Institute.

Fred Korematsu, civil rights activist
for immigrants to the U.S.

Last December, on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision in Korematsu's case, Hirono also joined Duckworth to announce the introduction of the Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act – a bill that prohibits any individual from being imprisoned or detained based solely upon a protected characteristic such as race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

Last January, Hirono joined 29 Senate Democrats in demanding that Trump rescind his executive order establishing the Muslim Ban, the statement said.

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.

HULA KAHIKO AND NĀ MEA HULA SERIES CONTINUE inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National on Saturday, Feb. 17. Sponsored by Volcano Art Center, the free hula performance and demonstration occur once a month.
Kumu Hula Ka‘ea Lyons and Lily Kahelelani Lyons Dudiot with Hālau Ka‘eaikahelelani perform Hula Kahiko on the kahua hula (platform) near the Volcano Art Center Gallery, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Kumu Hula Ka‘ea Lyons and Lily Kahelelani Lyons Dudiot.
Photo from Volcano Art Center

Both native residents of Kalaoa, Kona, Dudiot and Lyons come from a family of hula dancers and musicians and are “proud to have the opportunity to carry on this legacy that was gifted to them by their mother Sally Alohikea-Toko,” says the event description on volcanoartcenter.org. Their hula years span their lifetime, each with over 35 years of experience. As students of Halau Nā Lei ‘O Kaholoku they participated in the annual Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, traveled to Japan, New Zealand, Tahiti, Taiwan and all across the U.S.

The Hula Kahiko performance will be presented authentically in an outdoor setting, rain or shine without electronic amplification. Audience members are encouraged to bring sun/rain gear and sitting mats.
These events are supported in part by a grant from the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority and individual funding from members of the Volcano Art Center’s ʻohana.

Hālau Ka‘eaikahelelani. Photo from Volcano Art Center

In conjunction with the Hula Kahiko performance, the public is invited to join Kumu Hula Kaho‘okele Crabbe and mebers of Hālauolaokalani on the lānai of the Volcano Art Center Gallery, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They present and share a variety of instruments, implements and lei styles that play an integral role in the life of the hula practitioner. The demonstration is hands-on and family friendly.

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.

February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

THURSDAY, FEB. 15

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS SUMMER INNOVATIONS ACADEMY Hālau Kupukupu applications due by Thursday, Feb. 15, for summer program 2018, June 14 to July 12. Students can apply and find the course catalog online at ksbe.edu/admissions or call 982-0033 for more info.

STEWARDSHIP OF KĪPUKAPUAULU Thursdays, Feb. 15 and 22, at 9:30 a.m., at Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11. Remove invasives; bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat, water, closed-toe shoes - clothing could be permanently stained by morning glory sap. New volunteers, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com - nps.gov/HAVO for more.

STORY TIME WITH AUNTIE LINDA FROM TŪTŪ & ME Thurs., Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library - 929-8571.

WEST HAWAI‘I FISHERY COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING at Puka‘ana Church, Thurs., Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Meetings happen third Thursday each month - West Hawai‘i Fishery Council website.

Volunteer with Hawai‘i Volcaneos National Park to remove invasive
species from native forest habitat. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON HIKING THE STATE SALES TAX TO 4.5 PERCENT Thurs., Feb. 15, 6 p.m., at Nāʻālehu Community Hall and Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., at Volcano Cooper Center. The hike would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019 and sunset Dec. 31, 2030, be collected by the State of Hawaiʻi, and turned over to the County of Hawaiʻi - to be used for transportation only.

FAMILY READING hosted at Ocean View Community Center Thurs., Feb. 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. - 939-7033 or ovcahi.org.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū meets Thurs., Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m., at United Methodist Church in Nā‘ālehu - Pres. Berkley Yoshida at 747-0197.

LITTLE FIRE ANT PRESENTATION WITH BIG ISLAND INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE, Volcano Art Center, Thurs., Feb. 15, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free, suggested donation $5 - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.

FRIDAY, FEB. 16

Kaho‘okele Crabbe

HULA & OLI WITH KAHO‘OKELE CRABBE hosted on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery, Fri., Feb. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - volcanoartcenter.org.

CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DOG on a Mandarin-language, easy, guided, two-mile round trip, Chinese New Year hike, with Volunteer Janice Wei. The free hike is offered Friday, Feb. 16, and Sunday, Feb. 18, from 11 a.m. to noon, starting at Kīlauea Visitor Center - nps.gov/HAVO.

SATURDAY, FEB. 17
WARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, with Paul and Jane Field, Sat., Feb. 17 and Mon., Feb. 19, 8:45 a.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.

Henry ʻOpukahaʻia

TĪ AND SEAS, NEW ART EXHIBIT at Volcano Art Center Gallery featuring oil paintings by Pāhoa resident Steve Irvine, opens to the public Sat., Feb. 17 to Sun., Mar. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Irvine shares his inspirations and techniques at an opening reception on Sat., Feb. 17, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.

CELEBRATIONS HONOR HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA AT PUNALU‘U. Bell ringing ceremony and gathering at Hokuloa Chapel at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. A Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m., also at the tiny chapel above the sea.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, with Sensei Bill Newton, Volcano Garden Arts, Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24. Space is limited - 985-8979 or volcanogardenarts.com.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM meets Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m, Ocean View Community Center. Call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

A MONGOLIAN BBQ at Crater Rim Café, Sat., Feb. 17, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests; park entrance fees apply - 967-8356 or kilaueamilitary
camp.com.

BUNCO & POTLUCK, Sat., Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Bring a dish to share - call Margie Hack at 541-954-8297.

SUNDAY, FEB. 18

Chinese New Year Guided Hikes - in Mandarin Chinese - are offered at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park this weekend.
See event details below. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO

MONDAY, FEB. 19

TUESDAY, FEB. 20

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEET TUESDAY, FEB. 20, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Both meetings occur in Kona. Ka‘ū; residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

UPCOMING

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.

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, February 16, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Friday, February 16, 2018

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, February 15, 2018

Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Wednesday, February 14, 2018