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| NOAA's Hiʻialakai was the busiest ocean dive platform among all NOAA research ships. It is out of commission but will be replaced by Oceanographer, a state of the art research vessel with a homeport in Hawaiʻi. Photo from NOAA |
From its base in Hawaiʻi, Oceanographer will carry out world-leading research throughout the Pacific. Oceanographer is one of two brand new NOAA ships that Case says, "will ensure that our country can continue with the vital research necessary to research and preserve our marine world that while still largely unknown is so vital to the present and future of our planet."
Case's efforts toward rebuilding NOAA's fleet and assuring Hawaiʻi continues to lead the nation's marine research efforts began during his first month back in Congress last January. He explained that NOAA advised that the 35-year old, aging research ship Hiʻialakai, homeported in Hawaiʻi, was to be decommissioned. It served many missions, becoming the busiest ocean research dive platform for research and carrying out such studies as monk seal and humpback whale and coral reef surveys from Kaʻū to the Northwest Hawaiian Islands.
Case said that, as a new member of the House Appropriations Committee's Commerce, Justice, & Science Subcommittee, which oversees all NOAA funding, he prioritized overall recapitalization of NOAA's aging fleet, a short-term replacement of Hi‘ialakai, and homeporting of the next new NOAA ship in Honolulu.
"In partnership with the rest of the delegation, especially Sen. Brian Schatz who sits on the Senate's counterpart appropriations subcommittee, we were successful in all three priorities. This will assure not only that Hawaiʻi will retain its world-leading role in oceanographic research but that the federal funding and high-quality jobs that come with it continue," said Case.
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| The Hiʻialakai, in service for 35 years, will be replaced by one of the world's leading ocean research vessels, to be built in the U.S. with completion date projected for 2023. Photo from NOAA |
NOAA currently has a fleet of 15 research and survey ships operated by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, and crewed by NOAA's Commissioned Officer Corps and civilian professional mariners. Each year, NOAA ships conduct more than 100 missions to collect data critical for nautical charts, fishery quotas, exploration of the nation's 4.3-million-square-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, storm surge modeling, and climate research.
Read the NOAA plan to upgrade its research fleet.
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U.S. CITIZENSHIP FOR AMERICAN SAMOANS is the subject of an ongoing court battle.
Many born in American Samoa who live there, in Hawaiʻi, and on the U.S. mainland, desire birthright citizenship. Others, including the government of the U.S. territory of American Samoa, oppose the idea that anyone born there could automatically become a U.S. citizen.
An Associated Press article reports that U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups, in December, ruled to grant citizenship to three people living in Utah, born inAmerican Samoa , who sued to be recognized as citizens. He said they are entitled to birthright citizenship under the 14th Amendment.
On Friday, theU.S. government filed an appeal to Waddrup's ruling, contending that automatic citizenship is a decision for Congress. The government of the territory of American Samoa followed up with an appeal on Monday. "We look forward to showing the Court of Appeals that Judge Waddoup's decision is incorrect as a matter of law and needlessly dismissive of Samoan's self-determination rights," said Michael Williams, a Washington , D.C.
Opponents to birthright citizenship for American Samoans contend that faʻa Samoa – the Samoan way of life – would be harmed. Faʻa Samoa includes "cultural traditions like prayer curfews, communal living, and a belief that the islands' lands should stay in Samoan family hands," according to the AP article.
American Samoa 's non-voting U.S. House delegate, Amata Coleman Radewagen, introduced a bill in 2019 to make citizenship easier for American Samoans. The bill would allow nationals to become citizens without having to leave American Samoa , as is currently required. American Samoans also would no longer have to take a citizenship test, and there would be a hardship waiver for application fees. The bill is pending in the Natural Resources Committee with a likely hearing in the year ahead, said her spokesman, Joel Hannahs.
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Church buildings on
archipelago. An AP article reports that many residents of American Samoa
are concerned that a federal judge's recent ruling in Utah, saying those born
in the U.S. territory should be recognized as U.S. citizens, could threaten
faʻa Samoa, the Samoan way of life, which includes cultural traditions like
prayer curfews, communal living, and a belief that the islands'
lands should stay in Samoan hands.
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Many born in American Samoa who live there, in Hawaiʻi, and on the U.S. mainland, desire birthright citizenship. Others, including the government of the U.S. territory of American Samoa, oppose the idea that anyone born there could automatically become a U.S. citizen.
An Associated Press article reports that U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups, in December, ruled to grant citizenship to three people living in Utah, born in
On Friday, the
American Samoan citizens are granted the status of "U.S. National." American Samoans pay income tax to the U.S government, but can't vote in federal elections except for their non-voting member of the U.S. House of Representatives. They also can't run for public office in the U.S. outside of American Samoa, or work jobs that require U.S. citizenship.
The AP article reports that "automatic citizenship" supporters claim the approximate 155,000 American Samoan nationals who live in the states – three times as many as live in the territory – would benefit from citizenship.
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Dancers representing Hawaiʻi and the
ceremony celebrating the launch of a new fiber-optic cable
in
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The U.S. does not claim ownership of any land in American Samoa .
U.S. building codes and regulations do no apply there. Most American Samoan land is owned communally; within villages, extended families live together on communal lands. Matai, chiefs, are elected to oversee land. Most property in Samoa is not allowed to be sold to anyone with less than 50 percent Samoan ancestry.
In 2018, American Samoan Sailau Timoteo ran for Hawaiʻi House of Representatives but learned she was ineligible - not a U.S. citizen. She told AP she didn't know being born in American Samoa gave her "second-class status."
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| Security camera still of the suspected culprit in a vandalism event at Cooper Center in Volcano on Dec. 5. |
HELP IDENTIFY THE CULPRIT WHO DAMAGED COOPER CENTER in Volcano on Thursday, Dec. 5. Hawaiʻi Police Department released a photo caught on surveillance equipment at approximately 1:34 p.m. , showing someone damaging the window of the Cooper Center Book Store.
HPD asks anyone with information on the identity of the suspect to call Officer Michael Sailer at the Pāhoa Police Station number (808) 965-2716 or the Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential. The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV.
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 daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.
UPCOMING
SATURDAY, FEB. 15
SUNDAY, FEB. 16
RSVP for the Bicentennial celebration of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church, Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Henry ‘Opukahaʻia Memorial Chapel,Hokuloa Church 10 a.m. ; pot-luck fellowship at 11:30 a.m. in large pavilion at Punaluʻu Black Sands Beach Park. For more information and to RSVP with the number of people attending, contact Debbie Wong Yuen, Kahu at Kauahaʻao Church, at 808-928-8039.
MONDAY, FEB. 17 – President's Day
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
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See Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. See Kaʻū exercise,
meditation, daily, bi-weekly, and weekly recurring events.
Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule
Boys Basketball
Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 HHSAA on Oʻahu
Wrestling
Fri., Feb. 21 HHSAA
Swimming
Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui
Kaʻū Spring Sports Schedule
Girls Softball
Saturday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. , JV Jamboree at Konawaena
Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m. , @Waiakea
Boys Baseball
Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m. , host HPA
Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m. . @Waiakea
Boys Volleyball
Friday, Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m. , Preseason at Christian Liberty
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. , host Christian Liberty
Judo
Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m. , @Kealakehe
Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m. . @Kealakehe
Track
Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
Saturday, March 21, 2 p.m. , @Konawaena
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12
Ki‘i Carving Demonstration, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m. to noon at Kīlauea Visitor Center
FRIDAY, FEB. 14 – Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day Buffet, Friday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. , Crater Rim Café at Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees are Prime Rib Au Jus, Lemon Butter Fish with Tropical Salsa and Vegetable Alfredo Pasta Bake. Adults $35.95, $17.95 children 6 to 11 years old. Military ID card holders and in-house guests: Adults $28.76, $14.36 children 6 to 11 years old. No reservations required. Located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more information call 967-8365 after 4 p.m.
Community Dance, Friday, Feb. 14, 7-10p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pūpū welcome. Free. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org
Paint Your Own Silk Scarf with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Enrolling a loved one in the class or the finished scarf, created in class, makes a great Valentine's Day gift, suggests the announcement. volcanoartcenter.org
Valentine's Dance, Saturday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Learn the Charleston , the Lindy Hop, and more. volcanoartcenter.org
Panaʻewa Stampede, Saturday through Monday, Feb. 15, 16, and 17. Rodeo begins at noon on Saturday, 11 a.m. on Sunday and Monday. Cowboy Church 9 a.m. Sunday. Horse Races held 9 a.m. Monday. Panaʻewa Equestrian Center just outside of Hilo . Rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. Tickets are $8 pre-sale, $10 at the gate, free for keiki 12 and under. HawaiiRodeoStampede.com
SUNDAY, FEB. 16
RSVP for the Bicentennial celebration of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church, Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Henry ‘Opukahaʻia Memorial Chapel,
AdvoCATS, Monday, Feb. 17, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
TUESDAY, FEB. 18
TUESDAY, FEB. 18
Keiki O Palehua ʻOhana Meeting on Childcare and Education for Keiki of Kaʻū Coffee Pickers, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m., at Kaʻū District Gym Multipurpose Room at 96-1219 Kamani St. in Pāhala. Organizer Laura Diaz said special guests aiming to help with the project will be Glenn Sako of county Department of Research & Development and Daniel Goya, of Partners in Development Foundation. Diaz said, "We need your input, ideas, and support to move forward with this program ; we're ready to open doors but need everyone's cooperation to do it." Keiki O Palehua ʻOhana is designed to help the Marshallese community care for young children while working on Kaʻū Coffee farms.
Minidoka: An American Concentration Camp Short 7 p.m. , Kīlauea Visitor Center Volcanoes National Park December 7, 1941 , attack on Pearl Harbor . For more information on Japanese American confinement during World War II, visit nps.gov/subjects/internment/index.htm.
ONGOING
Beginning Improv for Adults, Thursday, through Feb. 13, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. "Learn to live more in the moment, think on your feet, let go of self-judgment, bring more joy in your life, and recapture your playful spirit in the 6-week workshop series with improv legend Keli Semelsberger." Attendance to all 6 classes is not required – classes may be attended individually. No prior experience is necessary. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
RSVP for the Bicentennial Celebration of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church, Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Henry ‘Opukahaʻia Memorial Chapel, Hokuloa Church 11:30 a.m. in the large pavilion at Punaluʻu Black Sands Beach Park. For more information and to RSVP With the number of people attending, contact Debbie Wong Yuen, Kahu at Kauahaʻao Church, at 808-928-8039.
Sharp Turns – The Creative Art of Woodturning, Volcano Art Center Gallery exhibit, featuring the works of Aaron Hammer and Mark and Karen Stebbins, continues daily,9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , through Feb. 16. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū, Thursday afternoons, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. , through Feb 20, Kaʻū Resource Center, 96-3126 Puahala St. in Pāhala. The free class series on Chronic Kidney Disease lead by retired kidney doctor Ramona Wong. Bring a pen and whomever cares/cooks/shops for the person(s) with CKD. See alohakidney.com. Call (808) 585-8404 to enroll.
Register for a Free CERT Basic Training Course, four Saturdays starting Feb. 22 through March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.
Sign Up to Vend at the New ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Nāʻālehu Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the site of the old Fruit Stand, mauka of Hwy 11 in Nāʻālehu. Vending focuses on Kaʻū products, including mushrooms from the new farm in Nāʻālehu, fresh breads, vegetables, fruits, and other products. The market may offer music in the future, and there are plans to acquire picnic tables for market goers. Call Manager Sue Barnett at 345-9374 to sign up.
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment, features classes on block printing, lauhala weaving, ti leaf lei making, and more. A free guided Cultural Forest Tour, and a Mele and Hula ‘Auana performance are also slated. Visit the website events calendar for the full lineup. volcanoartcenter.org
T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511
Fill Out the Survey for Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020, from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense
Sharp Turns – The Creative Art of Woodturning, Volcano Art Center Gallery exhibit, featuring the works of Aaron Hammer and Mark and Karen Stebbins, continues daily,
Register for ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's 12th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive through Wednesday, Feb. 19 at noon . Event takes place Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Poles, gear, and bait, and lunch for all, provided. Each child receives a prize, chosen during registration, in the order they register; register early. Keiki one to 14 years old register online at okaukakou.org, or pick up form at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, Nāʻālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School
Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, Sunday March 8, 6:30 p.m. , Pāhala Plantation House. The concert will feature music that will celebrate native plants of the Kaʻū Dryland Forest and will raise funds for Hoʻomalu Kaʻū.
Performers will include: Maya Hoover , Hawaiʻi based Mezzo-Soprano at Professor at University of Hawaiʻi
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment, features classes on block printing, lauhala weaving, ti leaf lei making, and more. A free guided Cultural Forest Tour, and a Mele and Hula ‘Auana performance are also slated. Visit the website events calendar for the full lineup. volcanoartcenter.org
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
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.
