Ka'ū News Briefs Tuesday, September 5, 2017

A Hawai'i County Council Bill 13 seeks to reduce styrofoam use on Hawai'i Island.
 See stories below. Image from change.org 

HAWAI'I'S DEMOCRATIC PARTY came out strong today against the Pres. Donald Trump Administration's decision to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. DACA, created by President Obama in 2012, protects immigrants who came to this country, without permission, as children.

     Democratic Party of Hawai‘i Chair Tim Vandeveer released the following statement:

“Today, the Trump administration turned its back on hard-working immigrant families and students. Donald Trump's actions force thousands of immigrants back into the shadows, tears families and communities apart, and is a devastating blow to the nearly 800,000 young immigrants who only know this country as their home. Trump and his Republicans are choosing to further divide our country, create fear in our communities and hurt our economy. Donald Trump's cruel actions today bend to the wishes of extremists in his own party.

Ka'ū's Raina Whiing (right) nominated Tim Vandeveer to become Chair of
the Democratic Party of Hawai'i, seen above with Sen. Mazie Hirono and
Jana Vandeveer. Today The Party Chair Vandeveer and Hirono
came out strong against the Trump decision to end DACA
for immigrant children. Photo by Bob Martin

     “In Hawai‘i, we know better because we are defined by our diversity and guided by Aloha. Democrats proudly stand by the estimated 558 DACA beneficiaries in Hawai‘i and will fight to protect our abiding values of liberty, social justice, economic justice, protection of the environment, and compassion and respect for the dignity and worth of the individual. We will continue to work to fix our broken immigration system and support the DREAMers who are contributing to our economy and society.”

     Democratic Party of Hawai'i planned a phone bank call-in to members of Congress and sign-making from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. today at its headquarters in Honolulu. Following the phone bank, members sign-waving was scheduled in support of DACA recipients and DREAMers at the Federal Building.

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"CRUEL AND TOTALLY UNJUSTIFIABLE" is how U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono described the Pres. Donald Trump administration's decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. She posted on her Facebook page this morning: "Sadly, I am not surprised that the President chose to end #DACA. His continued attacks on minorities and immigrants are unjustifiable. But he continues to do it. Why? To play to his white supremacist base."

Sen. Mazie Hirono speaking from her office today on
Pres. Donald Trump's decision to end protection of
the children of immigrants.
See https://www.facebook.com/senatorhirono/

       Hirono also released a statement saying:

      “After months of empty rhetoric to the contrary, the President took the cruel and unnecessary step to eliminate DACA – exposing more than 800,000 young people to deportation. They are not criminals. They are inspiring young people aptly called DREAMers because of their dream of making a better life for themselves in the only country they know.

      “Ending DACA is the latest step this President has taken to attack minority communities and stoke the fear and divisiveness that served as pillars of his campaign and inform his presidency.

     “DACA is clearly constitutional. But by rescinding the program, the President puts the onus on Congress to act. Congress must take appropriate action to provide permanent legal status to DREAMers.

      “I want to be clear: I reject any effort to hold these young people hostage for an unnecessary waste of money like Donald Trump’s wall.

Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli`i 
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at kaucalendar.com

      “I will continue to stand with these inspiring young people and groups all across the country to fight this latest cruel and totally unjustifiable action by the President.”

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THE DACA DECISION "WILL RUIN PEOPLE'S LIVES AND BUSINESSES," said Sen. Brian Schatz. He noted that today, "Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that President Trump is ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival program, putting young immigrants, Dreamers, at risk of deportation. This decision will ruin people’s lives and businesses, split up families, and divide communities. I will do whatever I can to fight it and I want you to join me: Add your name next to mine and demand that Congress come together to protect Dreamers and immediately act to save DACA."
    He noted that "800,000 Dreamers have come forward with the federal government's promise to protect those who are currently in school, on active military duty or in the workforce. These young people work hard, study hard, and are truly the fabric of our nation.
     "President Trump’s decision to break America’s promise to Dreamers is an enormous moral and economic mistake. With our values and literal lives at stake, we must do everything humanly possible to keep these Dreamers in our country."

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Register by Sept. 11, 2017.
For more details, see the Ka'ū News Briefs from Aug. 30, 2017.

“WRONG," IS HOW U.S. REP TULSI GABBARD described President Trump’s decision today to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. "It will break up families and punish young people who were brought to this country as minors through no choice or fault of their own. These are people who have grown up in the United States, and who know no other country to be their home. DACA transformed the lives and futures of hundreds of thousands of young people, in Hawai'i and across the country. Because of DACA they've been able to go to college, find a job, support their family, serve their country, and live free from the constant fear of deportation.

     “In my home state of Hawai'i, DACA has allowed more than 600 young people to remain legally in our country and contribute to our economy and society, including a member of my staff who came to the United States as a minor from Zimbabwe. Last week on Maui, I had the opportunity to hear from some of Hawai'i’s DREAMers and hear their heart-wrenching stories about living in fear and in the shadows until DACA was put into effect. They cried as they shared their stories of the opportunity and freedom they have experienced because of DACA, and the fear of uncertainty in what lies ahead with the prospects of being forced to leave the only home they've ever known. Congress must act now to enact a permanent solution for these DREAMers and pass the bipartisan DREAM Act now.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA'Ū COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN will be considered for adoption at the Hawai'i County Council Planning Committee's meeting this Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 9:15 a.m. The Planning Committee Agenda can be found at hawaiicounty.granicus.com/viewpublisher.php?view_id=1 and the Ka'ū CDP Steering Committee agenda can be found at:hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/september-6-2017. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers in Hilo.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

REDUCING STYROFOAM USE ON HAWAI’I ISLAND via Bill 13, is on the agenda for Hawai’i County Council on Thursday, Sept. 7, starting at 9 a.m. HCC’s agenda describes Bill 13 as follows: “Prohibits food vendors from dispensing prepared food in disposable polystyrene food service ware effective July 1, 2019. Exempts ice chest and coolers; packaging for raw meat, fish, and eggs that have not been further processed; County facility users and food vendors with approval by the Environmental Management Director; and County facility users and food vendors procuring supplies during an event declared as an emergency by the Mayor.”
     Emailed testimony will be accepted until noon tomorrow, Wednesday, to
CouncilTestimony@HawaiiCounty.GOV.

HAWAI’I WILDLIFE FUND ASKS COMMUNITY MEMBERS to send written testimony in support of Hawai'i County Council Bill 13.
     A HWF Facebook post made late on Monday night reads “Please join us in urging the Hawai'i County Council to #HOLDTHEFOAM and reduce our polystyrene foam food containers on island after July 2019! The hearing begins at 9AM on Thurs. Sept 7th or you can submit testimony online until Wed at noon to counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov. Prevent marine debris & plastic pollution by opting out of a single-use lifestyle. Mahalo for your support and SHARE!”
     On September 3, HWF also shared Foam Free Hawaii’s post regarding an online petition letter that seeks to encourage Hawai’i County Council to pass Bill 13 and “Ban Single-Use EPS (Styrofoam) Containers in Hawaii County.”

Hawai'i Wildlife Fund's Megan Rose Lamson shared this
photo taken at Kamilo Beach on August 2 in reference to
#holdthefoam, citing the foam meat tray. "Can you see it?"

     Community members can join the 5,845 supporters and sign the petition online at change.org. The petitions accompanying letter, submitted by Sarah Rafferty of Kailua-Kona states, “Hawai‘i Island is home to a countless number of endemic species, breathtaking waterfalls, active volcanoes, and miles of world-class coral reef, making it one of the most unique places on planet earth. It attracts over a million tourists annually, and more than 150,000 people call this place home.
     “It is worth protecting; it is worth keeping clean.
     “In 2009 the Department of Environmental Management implemented the Zero Waste plan for Hawai‘i County, with the mission of reducing human's environmental impact on this precious island ecosystem. To learn more about the Zero Waste Plan, visit HawaiiZeroWaste.org.
     “In line with the Zero Waste Plan, Hawai‘i County gained national attention in January of 2015 when it passed Bill 17, an ordinance banning the disbursement of single-use plastic bags at checkout counters island-wide. This ordinance was undoubtedly a step in the right direction on the path to a cleaner Hawai‘i.

     “It is imperative that we continue the progression on this path, and we cannot do so without considering the effects of expanded polystyrene products on our forests, mountains, and beaches. Expanded Polystyrene is most commonly found in takeout cups, clamshell containers, and plates and is more commonly referred to as ‘Styrofoam.’

Image from Foam Free Hawai'i

     “EPS breaks up rather easily, increasing the probability for accidental ingestion by birds and marine life when it is improperly disposed of. Consider that even when EPS products are properly disposed of they do not biodegrade and they are currently not accepted as recyclable items.
     “They are purely and simply waste.
     “In his signing of Bill 17, the Hawai'i County Plastic Bag Ordinance, [former mayor, Billy Kenoi] stated that ‘We are responsible for the decisions we make today for a better tomorrow... we all must be mindful of the responsibilities we have as trustees of the land to do everything we can to protect our island home.’
     “We cannot effectively say that we are making responsible decisions for a better tomorrow while simultaneously piling non-composting styrofoam items into our landfills. We cannot honestly claim to be on the path to ‘Zero Waste’ without utilizing the eco-friendly alternatives on the market. We ask that the County Council act in accordance with the Zero Waste Plan; we support an ordinance for a county-wide ban on single-use expanded polystyrene products.”

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Waikapuna is on the PONC acquisition agenda.

WILL PONC FUND WAIKAPUNA PURCHASE? Waikapuna, a coastal property located below Nā'ālehu, is on the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission list. It may receive a resolution from County Council member Maile David, asking for the county to help fund the purchase of the property, during PONC's upcoming meeting. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, at West Hawai‘i Civic Center, at the conference room in Building G. See the full story in the September print issue of The Ka’ū Calendar or read the Ka'ū News Briefs from August 23, 2017.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

           UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball: tomorrow, Sept. 6, Ka'ū vs. Waiakea, away game.

Friday, Sept. 8, Ka'ū vs. St. Joseph, away game.

Eight-Man Football: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Lana'i, away game.

Cross Country: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha, away game.

Bowling: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Hilo & Konawaena at Kona Bowl.

REGISTER KEIKI FOR SUNFLOWER CRAFT until Sept. 15. The craft class, for keiki ages 6 to 14, will take place on Monday, Sept. 18, at Kahuku Park from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 929-9113 for more.

KA'Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS TONIGHT, Sept. 5, from 6 pm. to 8 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center.

HAWAI'I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS tomorrow, Sept. 6, and Thursday, Sept. 7. Ka‘ū residents can participate via video-conferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

Image from hawaiizerowaste.org

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS Thursday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more details call 939-2442 or 928-2015.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details, call 939-7033.

ATLAS RECYCLING WILL COLLECTING AT SOUTH POINT U-CART on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU a free hike within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. Visit nps.gov/HAVO for more details.

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT PLAYERS, DRUMMERS, SINGERS AND DANCERS ARE WELCOMED for Kanikapila, on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. For more call Desmond at 937-6305.

REGISTER 5TH GRADE GIRLS FOR GEMS BY SEPT. 15. Ka‘ū fifth grade girls are invited to start registering for GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science. The annual all day event has been set for the Crown Marriot King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel for Nov. 9.
     Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need.
     All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawai‘i School complex in public, private, or home-schooled are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS, to sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Remember GEMS registration form must be postmarked by 9-15-17. See more details on Ka'ū News Briefs from August 15, 2017.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017.swf

Ka'ū News Briefs Monday, September 4, 2017

Japanese sugar workers in Ka'ū in the 1890s. See history of labor organizing in story below.
Photo from Hawai'i State Archives Digital Collection 

LABOR DAY DREW THE FOLLOWING TWEETS:
     Hawai'i's U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted: "The most important institutional counterweight to corporate power on behalf of people is organized labor. Happy Labor Day. I would like to thank the labor movement for weekends. I would like to thank the labor movement for the 40 hour work week. I would like to thank labor for standing with the resistance."
     Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted: "This #LaborDay, we thank the generations of workers who laid the foundation for the middle class and basic rights that we all enjoy."

Hutchinson was one of the early sugar companies in Ka'ū to
import contract laborers from China and elsewhere. 

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LABORERS IMMIGRATING TO KA'Ū to work in the sugar industry are tied into the multiethnic histories of most longtime Ka'ū families. These immigrants started in sugar, organized labor for better pay and housing, and many went off on their own to create their own enterprises, such as Ka'ū Coffee farms and also to seek higher education for themselves and their
families.
     The history of plantation labor organizing throughout the Hawaiian Islands is summarized by University of Hawai'i's online Hawai'i Digital Newspaper Project as the following:

1840s: In the earliest strikes, plantation workers protested the poor pay and living conditions.

Women working at Na`alehu Mill.

Bullocks were an early transportation mode.

June 21, 1850: The Masters and Servants Act was enacted. This new law legalized apprentice-ships, indentured service, the contract-labor system, and large importation of workers. Under this law, a laborer who has absenteeism issues or leaves a position before the contract’s end could be captured by “coercive force” by employers and face strict punishments. They included working extra hours beyond the time specified in the work contract (usually twice the original contract period) and serving a prison sentence and perform hard labor there. Workers could not organize labor unions or go on strike.

Hutchinson helped establish Nā'ālehu.
The metal safe where it stored money
remains in the Ace Hardware
building today.

1851: Sugar plantation laborers organized the Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society and went on strike. However, because the sugar plantation owners could easily hire replacement laborers from the surplus of imported labor, this strike failed.

1852: Workers started immigrating from other countries to work in the plantations, starting with the Chinese.

On January 3, 1852: 175 Chinese workers arrived on the ship Thetis. Eventually, other ethnic groups would work in the plantations, including the Portuguese, Japanese, Koreans, Filipinos, Spaniards, Russians, and Norwegians. This extreme globalization contributed to the multiculturalism of Hawai'i and the Hawai'i Creole English, or “Pidgin.”

1857: Sugar plantation laborers organized the Hawaiian Mechanics Benefit Union. However, they failed because the sugar plantation owners hired replacement laborers.

Trains were one of the many modes of transportation
used to haul sugar in Ka'ū.

June 14, 1900: Under the Organic Act, Hawai'i became an American Territorial government. Citizens of the Republic of Hawai'i automatically became American citizens of the Territory of Hawai'i. Consequently, the contract labor system became illegal. Within a month, 8,000 laborers went on strike for better pay and working conditions and the employment of Japanese luna (supervisors).

Early 1900s: New unions formed, including the Federation of Japanese Labor, Carpenters Local 745, American Association of Masters, Mates and Pilots, the Longshoremen, and the Filipino Labor Union.

The Honu'apo Mill, mauka of the Ka'ū Coast, which is now preserved
as the Honu'apo and Whittington Beach Parks.

1920: In the O'ahu sugar strike of 1920, the Japanese and Filipino laborers went on strike together for six months on four major Hawaiian islands. The first inter-ethnic collaboration in Hawai'i demonstrated the importance of organizing by class-based solidarity rather than by ethnicity. They fought for a pay increase and improvement in the bonus system. One of the largest strikes yet, this strike strengthened the growers association and led to the start of a primitive social welfare program, which mitigated some negative aspects of plantation life.

1924: Around 13,000 Filipino sugar laborers went on strike. During the failed eight-month strike, the picket-line violence killed 16 workers and four police officers in the “Hanapepe massacre.” Afterwards, the Territory of Hawai'i did not have the money needed to prosecute the strikers, so the HSPA gave money to conduct the court cases. Sixty of the sixty-six strikers received prison sentences, many of them for four years. Afterwards, at Washington, D.C., the plantations lobbied for loosening legal restrictions on immigration. Uncomfortable about the developing relationship between the Japanese and Filipino workers, they wanted to import workers from many countries and prevent worker solidarity.

Margaret Ann Cabudol, (left) a labor leader in Ka'ū, and Emia
Peralta on the day the last load of cane was carried to
Ka'ū sugar mill in 1996.
Photo by Dennis Oda, Honolulu Star Bulletin

1946: Before 1946, in Hawai'i, the Big Five, a sugar oligarchy with five companies, controlled the prices of goods and services, politics, social structure, and employment. The 1946 sugar strike challenged this social structure. Laborers realized all ethnicities must collaborate in an organized effort. Thus, labor leaders, mostly from the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, coordinated this collaboration, which protested low pay, poor working conditions, and racial
segregation. For 79 days, 21,100 laborers struck at 33 out of the 34 largest plantations, shutting down the sugar industry. Because the sugar cane dried up on O'ahu, the Big Five sugar companies lost about $15 million. The employers had to concede to the laborers’ demands, and the laborers went from the lowest to the highest-paid agricultural laborers in the United States. This victory allowed the laborers to finally exert leverage in negotiation compensation and paved the way
for other laborers to strike, concludes the review by the Hawai'i Digital Newspaper Project.
     With high pay for its workers and international competition in the sugar industry, the sugar companies across Hawai'i began shutting down in the 1970s. In 1996, Ka'ū Sugar was the last sugar operation on Hawai'i Island to close its mill and leave its fields. Workers turned to developing the famed Ka'ū Coffee industry and other employment throughout the district. Local people purchased the plantation owned homes and renovated. Home ownership skyrocketed in the neighborhoods in Ka'ū that were formerly owned by sugar plantations.

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Ka'ū Sugar truck joins in parades to honor the history of
labor that built the Ka'ū community. Photo by Julia Neal

LABOR DAY WAS CREATED TO CELEBRATE AMERICAN WORKERS, notes the non-partisan Aspen Institute, the organization that years ago created programs at the A-Frame buildings at Punalu'u, now used by the 'O Ka'ū Kakou community association.
     In a statement released today, the Institute, based in Washington, D.C., New York and Aspen, Colorado, states that Labor Day honors "American workers, who have powered our nation's success with their entrepreneurial spirit, ambition, and work ethic. For many families, it is also the mile-marker between summer and the school year."

     The Aspen Institute sated this about employment challenges: "When thinking about how to help low- and moderate-income families succeed, many have turned to fixing the education system, aiming to equip workers with skills to get good jobs. Education and skills are important, but we need more to solve the challenges that face today's working families. There are simply not enough good jobs to go around, and no amount of education will fix that systemic problem. Additionally, without good jobs, families lack the income and wealth to support their children's education.
     "To support working families, we need to think beyond training and education. We need to advance systemic changes that increase access to and availability of good jobs."

Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli'i 
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at kaucalendar.com

     Aspen Institute operates the Economic Opportunities Program to work on job quality on many fronts. It is launching a Job Quality Fellowship, to advance the work of thought and action leaders engaged in efforts to improve job quality in the United States. In collaboration with the New World Foundation and FHLBankSF, Aspen institute is developing and implementing an evaluation and learning program for the Quality Jobs Fund. The organization aims to advance critical conversations, exploring what makes a good job and the challenges workers, at its Aspen Ideas Festival, Working in America events, and the annual Economic Security Summit, part of Reconnecting Work and Wealth, a joint initiative with the Financial Security Program. See more on strategizing for more good jobs at aspeninstitute.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA'Ū COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN will be considered for adoption at the Hawai'i County Council Planning Committee's next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 6 at 9:15 a.m. The Planning Committee Agenda can be found at hawaiicounty.granicus.com/viewpublisher.php?view_id=1 and the Ka'ū CDP Steering Committee agenda can be found at:hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/steering-committee/steering-commitee-meetings/september-6-2017.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

UPCOMING EVENTS FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball: Wednesday, Sept. 6, Ka'ū vs. Waiakea, away game.

Friday, Sept. 8, Ka'ū vs. St. Joseph, away game.

Eight-Man Football: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Lana'i, away game.

Cross Country: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha, away game.

Bowling: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Hilo & Konawaena at Kona Bowl.

REGISTER KEIKI FOR SUNFLOWER CRAFT until Sept. 15. The craft class, for keiki ages 6 to 14, will take place on Monday, Sept. 18, at Kahuku Park from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 929-9113 for more.

KA'Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS TUESDAY, Sept. 5, from 6 pm. to 8 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center.

Register by Sept. 11, 2017.
For more details, see the Ka'ū News Briefs from Aug. 30, 2017.

HAWAI'I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Wednesday, Sept. 6, and Thursday, Sept. 7. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS Thursday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more details call 939-2442 or 928-2015.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details, call 939-7033.

ATLAS RECYCLING WILL COLLECTING AT SOUTH POINT U-CART on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU a free hike within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. Visit nps.gov/HAVO for more details.

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT PLAYERS, DRUMMERS, SINGERS AND DANCERS ARE WELCOMED for Kanikapila, on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. For more call Desmond at 937-6305.

REGISTER 5TH GRADE GIRLS FOR GEMS BY SEPT. 15. Ka‘ū fifth grade girls are invited to start registering for GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science. The annual all day event has been set for the Crown Marriot King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel for Nov. 9.
     Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need.
     All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawai‘i School complex in public, private, or home-schooled are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS, to sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Remember GEMS registration form must be postmarked by 9-15-17. See more details on Ka'ū News Briefs from August 15, 2017.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017.swf

Ka'ū News Briefs Sunday, September 3, 2017

Sen. Mazie Hirono, Hawai'i Attorney General Doug Chin and Hawai'i Coalition for Civil Rights last Wednesday
defending DACA, which Pres. Donald Trump plans to end, according to press reports today. See story below and
in the Aug. 30 Ka'u News Briefs. Photo from Office of Sen. Mazie Hirono

"WE SHOULD NOT LET DACA BECOME A DREAM DEFERRED," Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted today, just before Politico and other news outlets reported that Pres. Donald Trump will announce an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, with a six month delay. That decision would put as many as 2,000 residents of Hawai'i, who were brought here as children without federal permission, in jeopardy of being expelled from the country, even though most grew up, went to school, work and have families here. During Pres. Barack Obama's term, DACA was established to help these immigrants, also called DREAMers, to come out of the shadows and register with the federal government, receiving permission, two years at a time, while they seek legals status in the country.
     Before the likely action of Trump came out in the press today, Hirono tweeted, "If @realDonaldTrum ends DACA, we will pursue legislation and other legal avenues to stop this travesty & protect DREAMers." Hirono also tweeted, "Attacking minorities & stoking fear are pillars of @realDonaldTrump's Presidency. Will keep fighting to #SaveDACA and protect #DREAmers."
     The Center for American Progress and the lobbying group FWD.us recently announced results of its study that found that ending DACA would cost 700,000 jobs over the next two years nationwide, costing the U.S. $460.3 billion in economic output over ten years.
   To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted photos of flooding in Houston (above) and 
around the world to demonstrate climate change events 
this past week. Image from Sen. Brian Schatz

RACIST AND MISOGYNISTIC VIEWS are words that Sen. Mazie Hirono used to describe the character of some of Pres. Donald Trump's administration officials. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, she released a statement on Friday regarding William Bradford’s resignation as Director of the Department of Energy’s Office of Indian Energy after media reports exposed comments Bradford made online:

      “I welcome William Bradford’s resignation from his position as the Director of the Office of Indian Energy. His many offensive online statements, including that the internment of 120,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II was ‘necessary’ are truly beyond the pale, especially as he was appointed to lead an office that serves minority communities.

Flooding in Niger, Africa this past week.
Image from Sen. Brian Schatz

     “It remains deeply troubling, however, that Bradford is only one of a number of top Trump administration officials with a history of racist and misogynistic views. Secretary Perry has still not provided me with an explanation of how Bradford cleared the Department of Energy’s vetting process despite his repugnant online history. I expect these answers to be forthcoming from the Department.”

      In June, Senator Hirono led a letter to Secretary of Energy Rick Perry to fire Bradford based on

his offensive online statements.  The Secretary of Energy did not reply, reported Hirono.

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CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT ONLY AFFECTING HOUSTON IN THE USA. Hawai'i Sen. Brian Schatz recently retweeted photos showing Houston in Texas, Mumbai in India and Niger in Africa, all flooded this past week.

Flooding in Mumbai in India this past week.
 Image from Sen. Brian Schatz

     "Climate change is real an it is the most urgent challenge of our generation," Schatz insisted. "Extreme weather becoming more frequent and severe. If you don't want to call it 'climate change,' I understand, but we have to deal with it."
     Schatz also tweeted, "A tax on carbon pollution would generate enough money for tax reform and fund disaster relief. It is a market oriented climate solution.
Ignoring severe weather isn't cheaper, it costs us more in recovery money than it would cost us to address carbon pollution."

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DECLINING UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I ENROLLMENT is a troubling trend facing the community, according to state Senator Kai Kahele, who gave a town hall meeting last Wednesday in Hilo. See video of the session at bigislandvideonews.com.
     To a session packed with students, professors and UH-Hilo administrators, Kahele stated a "major challenge that we face is declining enrollments. And I don’t think using the word hemorrhaging is an exaggeration. I think we are hemorrhaging in enrollment. We need to plug the hole. We’re not plugging the hole.” He cautioned that increasing tuition is no solution.

A Vulcan Village would help draw students to live at the University of
Hawai'i-Hilo campus with a commercial center and housing,
said state Sen. Gil Kahele at a meeting on declining enrollment.

     Kahele's own family has seen a lot of educational accomplishment, from his Miloli'i ancestors who fished for a living from a canoe, to his father, the late state Sen. Gil Kahele, to his own education and military and airline pilot training.       Kai Kahele said the rationale being given is that Hawai'i is mirroring national trends. “Universities all across the country have declining enrollments. It’s because the economy is doing so great, students are not coming to school, they’d rather go to work. And maybe that might be true. But that’s not an excuse I want to keep hearing for declining enrollments. We need to fix it, and we need to fix it now.”

     He pointed to strengthening such programs as a statewide "cradle to career" partnership and putting out more recruiting materials, outreach, summer programs, marketing, branding and outreach strategy, and social media all being in sync. Better financial aid process. Improve the teaching environment and don't devalue positions. Non-traditional and distance learning are other plans to increase enrollment.

     He noted that the enrollment decline leads to tuition loss. "It’s a concern for students and the faculties and communities that are intertwined with their institutions. And to me it’s now a matter of statewide concern. The University of Hawai'i has autonomy that’s constitutionally mandated, right? The legislature is not supposed to micromanage a university. I don’t want to micromanage a university. I don’t expect our new regent to micromanage a university, unless it’s a matter of statewide concern." 

      Kahele noted that the largest enrollment in the last five years at UH-HIlo was at 4,157 students. The number has declined annually to 3,666 students last year. He talked about the $50,000 cost for  out of state students, driving them to stay on the mainland. He also noted that tuition keeps going up for in-state students.

Enrollment is going down and tuition going up for locals and out-of state students. Not a good trend,
said Sen. Gil Kahele at a university town hall meeting. Photo from bigislandvideonews.com

      Kahele recommended halting plans to increase tuition and to take a look at student life and recommended developing a community on university land. He showed a slide show of a concept called Vulcan Village on 36 acres transferred to the UH-Hilo in 1999. It was to include housing, a retail and commercial center with office space, restaurants, coffee shops, cafes and an urgent care center. The site is across from the university's athletic centers. UH put the plan out to developers but no contract was awarded.

     “A key component to this that’s already in place: university zoning,” said Kahele. "You know how hard it is to get university zoning? Its either a luxury resort or residential… and we have this special zoning called university zoning. Is that a good thing?” The senator said that in order to make the project happen, "You need to have that business acumen here in Hilo.”

     He also talked about making Hawai'i Community College-Hilo the premier vocational education center in the state. See the full talk at bigislandvideonews.com.

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                                      UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball: Wednesday, Sept. 6, Ka'ū vs. Waiakea, away game.

Friday, Sept. 8, Ka'ū vs. St. Joseph, away game.

Eight-Man Football: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Lana'i, away game.

Cross Country: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha, away game.

Bowling: Saturday, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Hilo & Konawaena at Kona Bowl.

Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli'i 
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at kaucalendar.com

REGISTER KEIKI FOR SUNFLOWER CRAFT until Sept. 15. The craft class, for keiki ages 6 to 14, will take place on Monday, Sept. 18, at Kahuku Park from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 929-9113 for more.

A VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING is set for tomorrow, Sept. 4, 4 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more details, call 939-7033.

KA'Ū COFFEE GROWERS COOPERATIVE MEETS TUESDAY, Sept. 5, from 6 pm. to 8 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center.

HAWAI'I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Wednesday, Sept. 6, and Thursday, Sept. 7. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS Thursday, Sept. 7, 6 p.m., at the Ocean View Community Center. For more details call 939-2442 or 928-2015.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details, call 939-7033.

Register by Sept. 11, 2017.
For more details, see the Ka'ū News Briefs from Aug. 30, 2017.

ATLAS RECYCLING WILL COLLECTING AT SOUTH POINT U-CART on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU a free hike within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. Visit nps.gov/HAVO for more details.

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT PLAYERS, DRUMMERS, SINGERS AND DANCERS ARE WELCOMED for Kanikapila, on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. For more call Desmond at 937-6305.

REGISTER 5TH GRADE GIRLS FOR GEMS BY SEPT. 15. Ka‘ū fifth grade girls are invited to start registering for GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science. The annual all day event has been set for the Crown Marriot King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel for Nov. 9.
     Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need.
     All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawai‘i School complex in public, private, or home-schooled are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS, to sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Remember GEMS registration form must be postmarked by 9-15-17. See more details on Ka'ū News Briefs from August 15, 2017.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017.swf