The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, July 26, 2022

EXPERIENCE VOLCANO HAWAI'I FESTIVAL is set for this Saturday and Sunday with free entertainment, numerous artists, local food producers and other vendors and community groups scheduled for venues throughout Volcano Village.

The third annual event starts with with the ʻŌhia Lehua Runs that include a half marathon on Saturday at 7 a.m. that takes runners along Wright Road and the countryside. At 10 a.m., experience an Estate White Tea Workshop at Volcano Winery followed by Christy Leaina'ala Lassiter Hawaiian Music. The music of Ola'a Trio is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m a Kīlauea Lodge. A walk to historic homes take place from Kīlauea Lodge at noon on Saturday.

The day at Volcano Art Center begins with a Cultural Rainforest Walk & Tour with Kumu Ryan McCormack, followed by Hawaiian Hula Ke Olu Makani O Mauna Loa. Volcano Garden Arts events open with a Hawaiian Chant and the Art of Bonsai.

Among the presenters are: Linda Rowell Stevens, Lisa Maria Artistsa, Indigogo Designs, Ola’s Creations, Gabriele Diaz, Dude’s Fusion GrindZ, Glenwood Farm Girls, Marcel Alfons, Ibarra Art, Maile Designs, Bling Bling’s By The Bay, Zebewa Hawaii, Wynnwood Farms, Island Squeeze, Diane Hanzel, Dover’s Art, Elilynn Creations, Volcano Community Foundation, TLC Oils, Yurts Of Hawaii, 808 Craft & Gift Fairs, Laura Walker, Hangry Yeti Food, Solar Power Vibes, With Aloha, Graze & Gather Hawaii, Maui Splash Soaps, Rotary Of Volcano, Na Makua Designs, Ola Hawaiian Body Products, Scott Pincus Jewelry, Hawaiian Folk Art Dolls, Hawaii Pacific Parks Association, Kamano Arts, Sandy’s Sazon Food Truck VAC’s Yart Sale, Aunty Pons, Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck, 2400 Fahrenheit and Akatsuka Orchid Gardens.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at wwwkaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm

TRAINING TO BECOME NURSING ASSISTANTS is available through Hilo Medical Center, the sister facility to Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic. The new paid training program for Nurse Aides to join acute units in early September welcomes candidates seeking "a fulfilling career in healthcare," says a statement from Hilo Medical Center. Benefits of becoming a nurses aid at Kaʻū, Hilo and Honoka'a Hospitals include: 13 paid holidays each year (14 during election years); 21 paid vacation days per year; 21 paid sick days per year; and medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans. Here are examples of health care jobs and their pay from the organization that operates Kaʻū, Hilo and Honoka'a hospitals and clinics:

Paid Nurses Aid training for Hilo, Kaʻū, and Honoka'a Hospitals is
offered through Hilo Medical Center. Photo from HMC

- Nurse Aide, Entry Level: Entry: $3,356 per month, Full Performance: $3,475 per month: https://pm.healthcaresource.com/cs/hhsc/#/job/2853
- Director of Nutrition & Food Service Operations, Starting at $75,000 and commensurate with experience: https://pm.healthcaresource.com/cs/hhsc/#/job/2936
- HR Specialist II-IV, $48,144-$56,304 per year ($4,012-$4,692 per month): https://pm.healthcaresource.com/cs/hhsc/#/job/2949
- Management Analyst II-IV, $48,144-$56,304 per year ($4,012-$4,692 per month): https://pm.healthcaresource.com/cs/hhsc/#/job/2611
- Transporter: $40,272 per year (3,356 per month): https://pm.healthcaresource.com/cs/hhsc/#/job/2908
- Dietary Aide: $21.89 per hour: https://pm.healthcaresource.com/cs/hhsc#/job/2651
- Kitchen Helper, $21.29 per hour: https://pm.healthcaresource.com/cs/hhsc#/job/2769
East Hawaii Health Clinics
- Cardiology Clinic – Medical Assistant, Entry: $43,080 ($3,590 per month, $20.71 per hour), Full Performance: $46,440 ($3,870 per month, $22.33 per hour): https://pm.healthcaresource.com/cs/hhsc#/job/29 46.

KAʻŪ MAY BE AFFECTED OVERNIGHT BY HAWAIIAN TELCOM'S continued restoration of services that were diminished by an unintentional break of a fiber line in Waikoloa. Hawaii Police Department reports that west Hawaiʻi residents and Kaʻū may experience issues using 9-1-1 or the police department’s non-emergency phone line Wednesday evening as Hawaiian Telcom continues to conduct repairs.
Repair work was scheduled to take place between 10 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, and 5 a.m., Thursday, July 28. Hawaiian Telcom landline customers and cellphone services in Kona, Kealakekua, Waikoloa, Kawaihae, and parts of Kaʻū may be affected during this time frame due to this work, says a statement from the company. Residents in need of assistance and unable to call 9-1-1 or the non-emergency line are advised to please go to the nearest police station or medical facility. Ka’u police station is located in Nā‘ālehu at 95-5355 Māmalahoa Highway. Kaʻū Hospital's 24/7 Emergency Room is located on Kamani Street, coming into town from Hwy 11.

Tuesday, July 26, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, July 26, 2022

County Council candidate Colehour Bondera waves sign in Nāʻālehu and plans a Meet & Greet
on Wednesday, Aug. 3 at Honaunau Rodeo Arena. See more candidate public meetings below.

CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY COUNCIL AIMING TO REPRESENT KAʻŪ are offering up talk story sessions, as ballots reach registered voters by mail for submittal by Aug 13. The contest is non-partisan.
Candidate Michelle Galimba, the 54-year old cattle rancher and land conservationist, announced a Talk Story with County Council Candidate Michelle Galimba on Friday, July 29 at St. Judeʻs Church in Ocean View (92-8606 Paradise Circle Makai). She will also meet the public at Cooper Center in Volcano Village (19-4030 Wright Rd.) on Monday, Aug. 1. Galimba said, "I would love to meet you and understand what issues are important to you, as well as talk about my priorities and vision for our district and island. My guiding principle in making decisions, now and if elected to the Council, is that ʻit has to work for everyone.' In other words the needs of the community as a whole, rather than any special interests, is what matters. Also, we need to create economic and social opportunity for everyone through diversifying our economy, making affordable housing available, and helping local people to thrive. Please come by to get a bite to eat and talk story this Friday in Ocean View and on Monday in Volcano. Also donʻt forget to vote, and if you havenʻt already, please register to vote, itʻs not too late." Register to vote at https://elections.hawaii.gov. See www.votegalimba.com.

Council candidate Michelle Galimba hosts talk stories in Ocean View on July 29 and in Volcano on Aug. 1.

Candidate Colehour Bondera, the 55-year old South Kona coffee farmer and agricultural community organizer, announced his Colehour Bondera County Council 6 Talk Story/Meet & Greet for Wednesday, Aug. 3 at Honaunau Rodeo Arena from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Bondera said, "In my view the biggest need is for our leaders to engage the island's people in creating a positive vision of Hawaiʻi’s future, and to work with them toward realistic solutions to the challenges ahead. It is not hard to envision potential catastrophes. As an island we are far from self-sufficient with food or energy. There are threats to our environment on several fronts, from global warming to locally created pollution. What is hard is to bring citizens together around some of these challenges and

Candidate Shane Palacat-Nelsen (right)

incrementally take steps to address them. It requires overcoming distrust, negativity, addressing historic grievances, and delivering positive, visible change. Positive achievements will build support, and help re-engage Hawaiians in civic life." Register to vote at https://elections.hawaii.gov. See www.colehourbondera.co m.

Candidate Shane Palacat Nelsen, the 52-year old Office of Hawaiian Affairs employee and President of the Hawaiian Civic Clubs for this island, is also on the ballot for District 6 County Council with no upcoming gatherings announced. He said that as council member for Kona and Ka‘ū, he "will build the necessary bridges to deliver government resources to the community. There are new, once-in-a-lifetime federal funding opportunities for infrastructure and jobs, and we cannot afford to standby and miss the opportunity. We must do this while holding everyone to the highest accountability and transparency standards." Register to vote at https://elections.hawaii.gov. See www.shaneforhawaii.com.

County Council candidate and Ulu Cooperative
member Henry Cho III.

Candidate Henry Cho III, who works for the county and is a member of the Ulu Cooperative and an owner of Keonaona Farm in Honaunau, is also on the ballot for District 6 County Council with no upcoming gatherings announced.

A MAGNITUDE 4.3 EARTHQUAKE ROCKED PĀHALA AND THE GREAT CRACK at 5:46 p.m. on Tuesday. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported that the earthquake on Kīlauea's Southwest rift zone was not large enough to cause a tsunami for the Island of Hawaiʻi. "As in all earthquakes, be aware of the possibility of after-shocks. If the earthquake was strongly felt in your area, precautionary checks should be made for any damages; especially to utility connections of Gas, Water, and Electricity," said the statement from County Civil Defense. About an hour later the seamount Loʻihi offshore of Ka‘ū experienced at 4.6 Magnitude quake.

A CONSTRUCTION COMPANY ACCIDENTALLY SEVERED HAWAIIAN TELCOM'S fiber cable on Tuesday morning, impacting internet and voice services across Ka‘ū and swaths of Hawai'i island, and in Hana on Maui. The impact ranged from intermittent or slow service to inability to place or receive calls, depending on the type of service, location and service provider, says a Hawaiian Telcom statement.
The location of the cut was in a remote area near Waikoloa Village. Hawaiian Telcom technicians arrived on site at approximately 1 p.m. They assessed the damage and got to work on restoring services. Services were restored by late afternoon.
Hawaiian Telcom customers who continue to experience issues can submit an online support request.

THE SHORTAGE OF ELECTRICIANS IN KAʻŪ could be reduced through Hawaiʻi Community College training for apprentices, beginning in January. Classes are online on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Jan 24 to March 9. The same course will also be given April 15 to May 30, 2023.

The Electrical Technology Program – Maintenance Electrician provides participants with the academic coursework required by Hawaiʻi Revised Statute HRS 448E for maintenance journey worker electrical apprentices. Some tuition assistance is available. Sign up at: https://uhcc.hawaii.edu/training/enrollment/index.php?ref=hcp&cid=910103&cn=TRAD89
40&sid=9683085
Participants gain foundational skills in applied math and electrical safety as well as the required subjects

in AC/DC theory, motors and motor control maintenance, NEC, and transformers. This program fulfills Requirements of HRS 448E, 80 hour electrical academic coursework.
According to the course description: Upon successful completion the participant will: Apply mathematical reasoning to solve technical problems; analyze the nature of DC and AC electricity and the quantities, units and measurements associated with it; demonstrate the identification of the abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols of DC and AC electrical components in an electrical circuit, and the function of each one; calculate the voltage, resistance, and current for series, parallel, and series/parallel circuits for DC and AC circuits.
Those who complete the course will be able to apply the understanding of Resistance, Inductance, and Capacitance to DC and AC circuits, and its application to Power Loads; correlate the requirements, standards and information in the NEC to the proper installation or modification of electrical systems, circuits, equipment and conductors; demonstrate the function and proper use of electrical tools and test instruments used in the installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of motors and motor control systems and demonstrate and explain how AC and DC motors and their control mechanisms interact with other components in an integrated electromechanical or mechatronic system.
In addition, course completion will require graduates to be able to integrate a coordinated methodology of measurements and adjustments on motors and motor control components in an electromechanical or mechatronic system; demonstrate how to protect motors and prevent motor failure from operating outside of their physical and/or electrical specifications; and develop a troubleshooting methodology to localize, identify and document causes of malfunctions in motor circuits, based upon the technical documentation.

Monday, July 25, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, July 25, 2022

Concept 1 proposes a new Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Visitor Center site and USGS Field Station.

A virtual presentation followed by a public commentary period will be held this Wednesday,

July 27 at noon. Image from National Park Service

HAWAI'I VOLCANOES DISASTER RECOVERY PROJECT'S ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT goes to a public meeting this Wednesday, July 27 at noon. The meeting will be virtual and will begin with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park presenting plans for the recovery from the 2018 disaster, when infrastructure in the park was destroyed and compromised by earthquakes during the Kilauea eruption. The 2018 eruption and caldera collapse were the most destructive eruptive events in Hawai‘i in the last two centuries, and the park closed to the public for 134 days.  The project will include plans for visitor service and administrative sites and addresses potential future use of the Uēkahuna Bluff area where Jaggar Museum and Reginald T. Okamura building of the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory facility were damaged beyond use. See the plan at:

https://parkplanning.n ps.gov/document.cfmparkID=307&projectID=92891&documentID=121856

To join the webinar, go to swca.zoom.us, or join by phone, toll-free: (888) 475-4499. The webinar ID is 955 6987 2923. The meeting will be recorded and a link to the recording will be posted on the project website: parkplanning.np s.go v. A statement from the National Park Service says that, "Participants will be able to learn more about the environmental assessment (EA) for the project, have discussions with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and U.S. Geological Survey staff, and provide input."
Those who can't make the meeting are invited to review and submit input on the environmental assessment before July 31 at 7:59 p.m. in the following ways:
• Online through the NPS Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website: parkplanning.nps.gov. The PEPC website hosts the EA and detailed project information.
• Phone: Callers can leave a detailed message or request someone calls them back by calling a dedicated phone line, (808) 460-6212.
The meeting is being held because a noon virtual meeting last Thursday experienced technical difficulties. The 6 p.m. meeting last Thursday was held as scheduled.

FOUR OF THE DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR U.S CONGRESS, hoping to represent Kaʻū and all of rural Hawaiʻi, came to Nāʻālehu on Saturday. They explained how each would use that position to help the people of Kaʻū, if elected, by answering questions in a talk story at Punalu'u Bake Shop.
The four were Patrick Branco, Nicole Gi, Brendan Schultz and Steve Sparks. The forum was organized by Kaʻū Voices. The audience submitted questions to the candidates, and all four were given the opportunity to answer each question in two minutes. Eleven questions were posed, covering issues ranging from the global to the very local. The candidates were also asked to open the forum by introducing themselves, and then conclude the discussion by summarizing their positions.
“How would you help our coffee farmers get more farm workers?” questioned an audience member. Gi replied that this is not a problem of resources, but of priorities, while Branco advocated a review of immigrant policies and an update of visa categories. Schultz pointed out that only corn and soy are subsidized while the federal government should be supporting producers of other crops. Sparks saw it as a major housing problem as workers do not earn enough to pay rent.
The question “Would you support expanding the Supreme Court and/or having term limits for justices?” was responded by Branco saying that the Court needs to have this conversation, while Schultz said the court should be expanded. Sparks pointed out that we need to balance term limits with stability, adding that people saw the power and over-reach of SCOTUS when it decided the outcome of Bush vs. Gore in lieu of counting votes. Gi advocated impeaching the justices who said they would not overturn Roe vs. Wade.
“How will you address the problem of plastic?” had Sparks saying it was tough to clean up the oceans and saw it as a business problem. Gi said that the solution to this issue was one of her biggest passions, and bemoaned the fact that the government continues to subsidize petroleum, which makes it all about money when it should be a bigger priority. Branco said that we need to reduce our consumption of plastics and do more to reshape our economy. Schultz advocated a carbon tax as an incentive for businesses to use environmental friendly options.
Chuckles were raised by the question, “For those who do not agree with you, how will you represent them?” Gi said she would look for common ground and treat people with compassion. Branco said he would offer strong leadership rooted in the community and try to bridge differences. Schultz said that politics should not be “team red” vs. “team blue”, but that government should help people. Sparks said he would listen to what people wanted and work for better lives.

The four candidates who came to Kaʻū last weekend and hope to be elected to serve as the US representative for Hawai’i's 2^nd congressional district (rural Hawai’i) were, from the left, Nicole Gi, Patrick Branco, Brendan Schultz and Steve Sparks.

Photo by Annie Bosted

“What is your bond to the Neighbor Islands?” was a question to which Schultz replied that he would look at an island’s needs and prioritize those needs. Sparks, who has lived and worked in Hilo and Puna for 27 years, replied that his bond is his family and friends here. GI, who lives on Kaua'i said that all neighbor islands are a priority for her. Branco pointed out that his parents live in Waimea on this island and that the congressional office will remain in Hilo and will not move back to Honolulu. Rep. Kai Kahele was the first member of congress to put the rural Representative's office outside of O'ahu.
When the candidates were invited to give their closing remarks, Branco pointed out that the high cost of living is causing young people and kupuna to move away while the economy is going down. He pledged that, if elected, he would not seek another office during his term. Schultz pledged that he would fight for universal health care, Medicare for all and the ending of foreign wars. Sparks said that people need to be governed well and that he had authored an act that would reduce the national debt. Gi said citizens need honesty in politics and elected representatives need to do what is right and take a stand.

The successful candidate will serve as the U. S. representative for Hawaiʻi’s 2nd congressional district. This position was held by Tulsi Gabbard from 2013 to 2020, and by Kahele since 2021. Kahele resigned from the position to run for Governor of Hawai’i.
Each candidate referred to their web sites for further reading. They are:
https://patrickbranco.com/
https://brendanschultz.com/
https://stevesparksforcongress.com/
https://www.nicolegihawaii.com/
Kaʻū Voices' summary of the candidates’ background was published in The Ka’u Calendar News Briefs of July 17, which can be read at
https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022_07_17_archive.html

The Kaʻaluʻalu range fire was out by Monday afternoon, after burning into Sunday night.
Photo by Julian Kaniho

THE 300 ACRE KA'ALU'ALU RANGE FIRE is out, according to witnesses, volunteers and firefighters who fought the blaze. It broke out Sunday and burned into the night, with crews on scene into Monday afternoon, when final flareups were extinguished. There are no reports of structural damage or loss of cattle grazing on the land.