 |
| Tūtū & Me keiki learn about bees at one of their monthly excursions. See story, below. Photo from Tūtū & Me |
RAISING MONEY FOR ROADS, HIGHWAYS, AND BRIDGES by charging vehicle operators for miles driven, rather than charging a gas tax, is under consideration by the state Department of Transportation. The DOT has launched a Hawaiʻi Road Usage Charge Demonstration project website.
The website states, "Hawaiʻi's gas tax will not be a reliable source of road funding as people drive more fuel efficient cars and buy less gas. A road usage charge (RUC) is one promising approach for paying for roads, based on the number the miles you drive. HiRUC includes many opportunities for public involvement.
"Why do we need a new way to pay for our roads? Currently, a tax on the gas you buy funds our road safety, upkeep and improvement. Soon, that won't be enough. Automakers are making more efficient cars and trucks, resulting in less gas usage. Hawaiʻi is a leader in purchases of these more efficient cars and trucks... As Hawaiʻi moves towards clean energy with the goal of 100 percent renewables by 2045, the transition to more efficient vehicles will accelerate to align with our state and county environmental sustainability goals.
The site states "Hawaiʻi wants the community's input on what a road usage charge to pay for our roads could look like."
Attend a community meeting, share thoughts, volunteer to be a test driver, or drop a line to the DOT. Residents can also provide input and ask questions via an online community meeting on Thursday, April 18, link to be announced in a future Kaʻū News Briefs. See hiruc.org.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.
A 5.5 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE SHOOK
Hawaiʻi County
Civil Defense reported no tsunami danger from the quake, warned of "possibilitiy of aftershocks." Civil Defense urged those living any heavily shaken areas to check for damages, especially to gas, water, and electricity
connections, and to report them to 935-0031.
Significant damage
to buildings or structures was not reported. The USGS "Did you feel
it?" service at earthquake.usgs.gov/dyfi/
received over 850 reports today with light to moderate shaking reported around Hawaiʻi Island and on Maui, Molokaʻi, and Oʻahu.
 |
| The large orange dot represents the 5.5M earthquake this morning. The red dot is an aftershock. USGS map |
According to HVO
seismic network manager Brian Shiro, the earthquake had no apparent effect on
Kīlauea Volcano. "We see no detectable changes in volcanic activity at the
summit or along the rift zones of Kīlauea as a result of
this earthquake. Aftershocks are possible and could be felt." HVO
continues to monitor Kīlauea and other Hawaiian
volcanoes for any changes.
Kīlauea 's
south flank has been the site of 16 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater
during the past 40 years, stated HVO. Most are caused by abrupt motion of the
volcano's south flank, which moves to the southeast over the oceanic crust. The
location, depth, and waveforms recorded as part of today's earthquake are
consistent with slip along this south flank fault.
See more at the National
Earthquake Information
Center
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.
PROTECTING HEALTH INSURANCE FOR PRE-EXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS is the focus of
legislation introduced by Sen, Mazie Hirono this week. Hirono spoke on the U.S.
Senate floor yesterday, where she asked the Department of Justice to "protect
Americans with pre-existing conditions by defending the Affordable Care
Act."
 |
| Sen. Mazie Hirono, speaking on the Senate floor yesterday. Photo from Hirono's Facebook |
Said Hirono,
"The outcome of this case will
have a profound impact on virtually every American, especially the 133 million
people living with pre-existing conditions."
Hirono also said
Pres. Donald Trump aims to "cut $1 trillion from Medicare and Medicaid,
which one in three Americans rely on for health care. That is devastating and
despicable to our communities. While Republicans continue their attacks on the
ACA, try to roll back protections for those with pre-existing conditions, and
propose massive cuts to life-saving services to pay for their $1.5 trillion tax
cut for the richest, Democrats are fighting to protect patients and provide
affordable and accessible health care for all."
She noted that all Democrats in the Senate support the legislation.
She noted that all Democrats in the Senate support the legislation.
See her entire
speech facebook.com/senatorhirono/videos/868356193509572/.
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.
FIELD TRIPS FOR TŪTŪ & ME PARTICIPANTS in Kaʻū give keiki zero to five and their caregivers a look at the wider world. Once a month, Tūtū and
Me families are invited to participate in field trips to places like Bird Park or
Manuka Park, Kaʻū Coffee Mill, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
National Park at Kīlauea and its Kahuku Unit. There is no cost for these trips from the
group, just entrance fees in cases like the Park.
Both Pāhala and Nāʻālehu
site participants gathered in Waiʻōhinu Park on Feb. 28 for a "park day,"
focused on learning all about bees. This huakaʻi - trip - concluded a month of
curriculum based around arachnids and insects.
Alex from The Bee Boys brought
their demonstration hive for keiki to observe the activity of bees in a hive,
close-up but safely. Alex brought a beekeeper's gear for keiki to try on, some
honeycomb for them to sample, and age-appropriate activities, including an
opportunity for keiki to roll their own candles made entirely of beeswax.
 |
| Tūtū & Me keiki observe a Bee Boys beehive. Photo from Tūtū & Me |
For March,
to conclude a unit about animals, Tūtū & Me will visit Panaʻewa Zoo. For
some excursions, a bus is provided for keiki over two years of age, "which
for many of our keiki is their first experience riding a bus, and the highlight
of their day," says an announcement from the group.
See pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/about
for more.
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.
HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK continues its tradition of
sharing Hawaiian culture, After Dark in the Park talks, and stewardship
programs during April 2019. The Park will also celebrate National Park Week
from April 20 through 28, kicking off with a fee-free day on Saturday, April 20.
Visitors are encouraged to check the Park's online calendar of
events, and look for program flyers posted after 9:30 a.m. on the bulletin board at Kīlauea
Visitor Center
Park programs are free, but entrance fees
apply. Some programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes
National Park
 |
| Overlooking the Steam Bluffs at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo |
Fee-Free Day. National
Park Week kicks off Saturday, April 20 with a fee-free day. Take a hike on one
of the newly re-opened trails, or walk out to the Keanakāko‘i side of
Halema‘uma‘u to see where Crater Rim Drive slid into the crater during last
year's eruptive activity.
 |
| New Junior Ranger Program at Kahuku will commence during National Park Week in April. NPS photo |
Merrie Monarch
Festival Events. Part of the park's mission is to perpetuate Hawaiian
culture. During Merrie Monarch Week, the park will offer six ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience
the Skillful Work, programs for everyone to experience and connect with
Hawaiian practices. On Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24, 11 a.m. to 1 p. m., come to Kīlauea Visitor
Center lānai in the Park to learn about ‘ulana niu, weaving coconut leaves;
nā lei, lei making, with Patty Kaula and Lehua Hauanio; play kōnane, a Hawaiian
game that resembles checkers, with park rangers; and learn about nā pa‘ahana
hula – the tools, altar, and plants that symbolize hula – with Amy Ka‘awaloa.
Musicians Rupert Tripp, Jr. and Ti Kawhi Chun and Pōki‘i Seto will share their
melodies.
 |
| Stewardship programs seek to eradicate invasive species, like morning glory. NPS photo |
Other ongoing
April events:
 |
| Rangers educate keiki and adults in various programs throughout Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Kahuku Unit. NPS photo |
Stewardship at
the Summit Volcanoes National
Park 8:45 a.m. at Kīlauea
Visitor Center
 |
| "Meet" Dr. Thomas Jaggar, founder of Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, during a free presentation offered Tuesdays in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo |
 |
| Kiʻi carving demonstration at by James Kanani Kaulukukui, Jr., on Wednesday, April 10, |
The Amazing,
Almost Unbelievable, Story of the Coconut Palm. The coconut palm is
beautiful, iconic, useful, and deeply connected with many cultures. Palm expert
John Stallman guides attendees on the epic journey of the modern coconut palm,
from its earliest record in India
and Asia , to recent genetic studies and a spectacular
shipwreck. The coconut palm has accompanied human migration across the globe
and journeyed across oceans, earning the nickname of "the most useful tree
on earth." Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park
series, Tuesday, April 16 at 7 p.m.
at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
 |
| The history of the coconut palm will be the focus of After Dark in the Park on Tuesday, April 16. NPS photo |
Kahuku
Coffee Talk: The Sandalwood Story. Hawaiian sandalwood, ‘iliahi, was
once so abundant in the Hawaiian Islands that the
Chinese called Hawai‘i Tahn Heung Sahn, or Sandalwood
Mountains 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
 |
| Come to Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in the Park to learn about ‘ulana niu, weaving coconut leaves. NPS photo |
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.
ŌHĀHĀ HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURE PROGRAM is accepting applications
from high school students until tomorrow, Thursday, March 14, for the Spring
2019 session, March 18–22. High school students and recent grads will deepen
their connection with ʻāina and local food production, learn about educational
and career opportunities in agriculture, and receive a VISA gift card for up to
$125 for successfully completing the program. Learn more and apply at koha.la/ohaha or call The Kohala Center at
808-887-6411.
ECONOMIC INJURY APPLICATIONS from U.S. Small Business Administration for Hawai'i
County small businesses are open until tomorrow, Thursday, March 14 for
recovery costs resulting from the Kīlauea volcanic
eruption and earthquakes that occurred between May 3 and August 17, 2018 . For eligibility information and
instructions to apply, refer to the agency's press release. Applicants may also call SBA's customer
service center at 800-659-2955 for more information.
FOOD SAFETY COMPLIANCE GRANT APPLICATIONS are open through Monday, April 15 to help farmers and ranchers with costs of food safety compliance through Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture. Hawaiʻi farmers and ranchers may apply for reimbursement of costs up to $5,000. For eligibility information and to apply, refer to HDOA's website. For assistance preparing an application, contact TKC's agricultural outreach specialist Maile Woodhall at mwoodhall@kohalacenter.org or 808-887-6411.
LEARN ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAMS for Hawaiʻi County businesses and
organizations Friday, March 15 from 9 a.m.
to noon , at Hawaiʻi County Office on
Aging Training Room, 1055 Kino ole Street ,
Hilo County of Hawai i
WEBINARS FOR PRODUCE GROWERS will be presented by Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service on Fridays, March 15 and March 22. Food Safety Modernization Produce Safety Rule affects all fruit and vegetable growers. Growers are encouraged to attend these one-hour webinars for information about best practices, risk management, and regulatory requirements. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required in advance. Contact Luisa Castro at luisac@hawaii.edu with questions; register online; download flyer.
THE COFFEE BERRY BORER SUBSIDY PROGRAM's annual reimbursement for Beauveria bassiana purchases is available for coffee producers. The state Department of Agriculture is reimbursing for purchases made betweenJuly 1, 2017 , and June 30, 2018 . The application can be completed online. Request a paper application by contacting hdoa.cbb@hawaii.gov or
808-323-7578.
FOOD SAFETY COMPLIANCE GRANT APPLICATIONS are open through Monday, April 15 to help farmers and ranchers with costs of food safety compliance through Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture. Hawaiʻi farmers and ranchers may apply for reimbursement of costs up to $5,000. For eligibility information and to apply, refer to HDOA's website. For assistance preparing an application, contact TKC's agricultural outreach specialist Maile Woodhall at mwoodhall@kohalacenter.org or 808-887-6411.
WEBINARS FOR PRODUCE GROWERS will be presented by Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service on Fridays, March 15 and March 22. Food Safety Modernization Produce Safety Rule affects all fruit and vegetable growers. Growers are encouraged to attend these one-hour webinars for information about best practices, risk management, and regulatory requirements. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required in advance. Contact Luisa Castro at luisac@hawaii.edu with questions; register online; download flyer.
THE COFFEE BERRY BORER SUBSIDY PROGRAM's annual reimbursement for Beauveria bassiana purchases is available for coffee producers. The state Department of Agriculture is reimbursing for purchases made between
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 Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
|
Kaʻū Trojans Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Sat., March 16, 1 p.m. , host Keaʻau
Thu., March 21, 3 p.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., March 23, 1 p.m. , host Honokaʻa
Thu., March 28, 3 p.m. , @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 1 p.m. , @Konawaena
Tue., April 2, 3 p.m. , @HPA
Thu., April 4, 3 p.m. , host Waiakea
Softball:
Sat., March 16, 11 a.m. , host Keaʻau
Wed., March 20, @Waiakea
Sat., March 23, 11 a.m. , host Honokaʻa
Wed., March 27, @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 11 a.m. , @Konawaena
Wed., April 3, host Waiakea
Fri., April 5, 3 p.m. , @Kealakehe
Boys Volleyball:
Fri., March 15, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Tue., March 19, 6 p.m. , @Kealakehe
Wed., March 27, 6 p.m. , host Kohala, Varsity
Fri., March 29, 6 p.m. , @HPA
Wed., April 3, 6 p.m. , host Ehunui
Fri., April 5, 6 p.m. , @Christian Liberty , Varsity
Track:
Sat., March 16, 2 p.m. , @Konawaena
Sat., March 23, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., March 30, 3 p.m. , @Keaʻau
For more, contact Recreation Technician Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. Kahuku Park is located at 92-8607 Paradise Circle Mauka, Ocean View. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours of operation.
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.
UPCOMING
THURSDAY, MARCH 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thursday, March 14, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
Final Day to Apply to Kamehameha Schools Summer Kilohana Program, Friday, March 15. Innovative four- and five-week Hawaiian culture-based math and literacy programs. Grade and residency requirements vary by program. ksbe.edu/summer
PATCH Class #110: Understanding Social and Emotional Development of Infants/Toddlers, Friday, March 15, 8 a.m. to 11a.m., PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register: 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org
Forest Restoration Project - Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Friday, March 15, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., RSVP by Monday, March 11. Volunteers age 13+. Patty Kupchak, 352-1402, forest@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
Arts and Crafts Activity: Charades, Friday, March 15, 2 p.m. to 3p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 March 11-15. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
St. Patrick's Day Buffet, Friday, March 15, 5 p.m. to 8p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Corned beef and cabbage, lamb stew, shepherd's pie, and all the fixings. $19.95/adult, $10.95/child, ages 6-11. Irish ale available for purchase from Lava Lounge. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Community Cleanup, Saturday, March 16, contact in advance for meet-up details. Space may be available; BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call 769-7629.
Intimate Acoustic Concert with Rebecca Folsom, Saturday, March 16, 5:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Fee tba. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
MONDAY, MARCH 18
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Monday, March 18, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Tuesday, March 19, RSVP in advance. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629
Pāhala Recycling & Transfer Station Community Mtg., Tuesday, March 19, 5:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. Discussion will focus on closing the station one additional day per week, bringing open days to three. See more on recycling and solid waste at hawaiizerowaste.org and hawaiicounty.gov/dem-solidwaste-division.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, March 20, 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
ONGOING
Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through Friday, March 15. Full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020, at Pāhala Elementary School. $22,000 living stipend paid bi-weekly; $6,095 AmeriCorps Segal education award upon successful completion of service; student loan deferral or forbearance, if eligible; partial childcare reimbursement, if eligible; health insurance; ongoing training; mentorship; and professional development. Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.
Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before Friday, March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.
Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications open through Monday, April 15. Free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture." Applications at nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute.
Applications for Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are open. Year-long, full-time position in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona. $1,600 monthly living allowance, before taxes; a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefit, if eligible; and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience. Application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation. For more, call The Nature Conservancy, 443-5401, or call Kupu Hawai‘i, 808-735-1221.
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.
Kauahaʻao Congregational Church Fundraising Bazaar, Saturday, March 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. , just above Wong Yuen Store in Waiʻōhinu. Bazaar vendor spaces will be on the church lawn Church members will sell kalua pig and cabbage bowls, and roast chicken with gravy bowls, as well as baked goods, produce, and crafts.
Niuhi-Shark Fine Art Exhibit is open daily through Sunday, March 24 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to hear different perspectives on the life of Kamehameha the Great and experience a visual experience of important events in Kamehameha's life from the perspective of two styles of art. The exhibit and supporting events promise paint, prose, protocol, and conversations providing cultural, historical, and educational experiences, with original paintings by Carl F. K. Pao, paired with selections from the book Kamehameha–The Rise of a King by David Kāwika Eyre, with illustrations by Brook Parker. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
Five Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women-Kona: Three $2000 scholarships will go to female college-bound Kaʻū High School and West Hawaiʻi high school students. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, April 1. Two $1,000 scholarships will go to any female high school graduate or older women attending a two-year vocational program leading to a marketable skill at Palamanui Campus . Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 10. Application packets available at kona-hi.aauw.net. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.
Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See
Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208 , Pāhala , HI 96777
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.
