The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Monday, June 27, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, June 27, 2022

Malama Pono Punalu'u Invites More Volunteers

A few Malama Pono Punalu'u volunteers gathered for orientation last Friday. They man a daily watch until sundown, after the lifeguards leave Punalu'u, to ensure that beachgoers keep their distance from green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. Green sea turtles live at the beach and are a big attraction for tourists to take their photos. Hawksbill turtles come in periodically to nest. Anyone interested in joining Malama Pono Punalu'u, call organizer Guy Enriques at 808-217-2253 or email enriques@hawaii.rr.com. See story: http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/search?q=Malama+Pono+Punalu%27u.

Photo from Malama Pono Punalu'u

MICHAEL LAST, LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE TO REPRESENT ALL OF KAʻŪ IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, has released a statement on his propositions and endorsements:
He said he wants mandatory term limits for Representatives and Senators in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. "Such term limits should be as agreed to by the members of the legislature. They should be equal to those already in place for the other elected positions within the state- such as, but not limited to Governor, Lieutenant Governor, County Council, County Mayors."
Last said he "will not now, nor ever solicit or accept contributions to further my campaign. To believe in myself and what I can do for the people of Hawaiʻi is enough motivation for me. I think that it is not the job of anyone else to ensure my success, aside from their voting for me. I never will be, 'The best politician money can buy!'"
Last promised to "never accept bribes, regardless of what it is called. It is illegal. Just ask Senator English or Representative Cullen (among former public officials.)"

Last denounced the practice of legislators voting "Yes, with reservations." He called it "just a ploy to ensure that they always have an 'out.' If a vote is passed, they say, 'See, I voted for it.' And if it is voted down, 'I voted with reservations.'"

Last noted that Hawaiʻi is the only state with this means of voting among all the legislatures in the U.S..

"State government must cut regulations that impede economic growth," said Last. He said that the Jones

Michael Last in a previous July 4 parade
when he ran for state Senate. Now he is
running for House. Photo by Julia Neal

Act, which requires ships going from U.S. port to port to be built and largely manned by U.S. citizens, "falls under this type of regulation. Eliminate it, along with other requirements that effect how our citizens live and prosper." The Jones Act is blamed for making good more expensive in Hawaiʻi by increasing the cost of shipping.
Last recommends that Hawaiʻi legalize all forms of gambling, "Period! I and no one else should dictate how another person spends their money, or not. It might be against someone's better judgment, however that doesn't mean you have a right to tell others how to live. Unless gambling and other 'vices' have a negative impact on non-participants, what is the problem? Just to make things clear as to where I stand on this issue- I don't partake in any form of gambling. Maybe that is why so many others go to Las Vegas for the same reason I do... the food! And never the games of chance."
Those with comments or questions about where the Libertarian candidate stands, "or anything else-please call me," said Last. "My home telephone number is 808-929-8422."

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

Gov. David Ige announced Monday his intent to veto 30 bills that passed the 2022
Hawaiʻi Legislature. Photo from Office of the Governor

GOV. DAVID IGE INTENDS TO VETO 30 of 340 BILLS PASSED BY THE 2022 HAWAIʻI LEGISLATURE. He issued his intend to veto list on Monday, to include:

HB1705 – RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PARK LEASES. It allows the Department of Agriculture to extend the agricultural park lease of any lessee who holds a lease with a remaining term of 15 years or less, provided that the land covered by the lease is 25 acres or less and located in a county with a population of less than 500,000.

The governor said, "The agricultural park program is meant to be a start-up program for new farmers and other small farm operations to become commercially established. This program is not meant to be a permanent space for lessees but rather a temporary environment to support new and expanding businesses. Many of the current lessees have had leases for close to 55 years, and there is a current wait list of over 200 applicants for new leases. This bill extends old leases by another 30 years and that extension can be repeated indefinitely. The largest hurdle that young farmers face is access to available and appropriately sized agricultural lands. Expanding opportunities for more farmers is important for our food security and allowing them equal access to this agricultural park program is one of the critical ways we can ensure

growth in the agricultural industry."

HB1567 – RELATING TO CRIMINAL PRETRIAL REFORM. It eliminates the use of monetary bail and requires defendants to be released on their own recognizance for certain nonviolent offenses, subject to certain exclusions. Requires the department of public safety to take steps to provide videoconferencing to a defendant who chooses to participate in a bail report interview via video conference.

The governor said: "There has not been sufficient time since the Legislature made changes to the State's criminal pre-trial system by Act 179, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2019, to fully assess the effect of the changes. The bill does not adequately address several important issues, including the need to secure the appearance of defendants and it deprives judges of the ability to exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis. The bill would mandate the automatic release of defendants that are charged with class C felonies that pose significant risks to public safety, such as felon in possession (firearm), burglaries in the second degree, arson in the third degree, riot, cruelty to animals, promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, and extortion in the second degree."

HB1570 – RELATING TO THE YOUTH VAPING EPIDEMIC. It bans the sale of certain flavored tobacco products and mislabeled e-liquid products and establishes fines.
The governor said, "There was a late amendment to the definition of 'flavored tobacco product' in this bill which exempted certain FDA approved tobacco products. This amendment essentially renders the bill ineffective since very few products would actually be included in this ban. In addition, the bill contains subjects that may go beyond its title in violation of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution."

HB1980 – RELATING TO TELEPHONIC SERVICES. The bill permits, but does not require or

prohibit, Medicaid, health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to cover telephonic behavioral health services under certain circumstances. Clarifies that telephonic services do not constitute telehealth.
The governor said, "While the intent of this bill is appreciated, its wording is vague and may allow insurance providers to restrict access to telephonic services. The vague wording can be construed to either restrict when a health plan may voluntarily provide coverage or provide purely permissive authority for health plans to provide coverage. This may prompt health insurance plans to restrict or exclude coverage for telephonic services due to concerns of compliance with this bill. This could especially impact patients in rural and underserved areas, those with limited digital skills, or those with limited access to reliable internet service."

SB2142 – RELATING TO COMPUTER SCIENCE: It allows Department of Education students to fulfill graduation requirements by taking world language, fine arts, career and technical education, or computer science courses. Establishes a scholarship at the University of Hawaiʻi to encourage students majoring in education to take a computer science course. Requires the University of Hawaiʻi to establish computer science pathways for students majoring in education. Requires teacher licensing and certification to include computer science. It also appropriates funds.

The governor said: "This bill diminishes the power of the Board of Education to formulate statewide educational policy, as established by Section 3 of Article X of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution. While adding Computer Science as a graduation requirement is a good idea, it is a decision best left to the expertise and constitutional authority of the Board of Education. More concerning is the additional admissions requirements for the University of Hawai‘i system, which would be applicable to all campuses. Community colleges have an open admissions policy and do not have academic-based admissions requirements. This bill could result in barriers to education that would impact non-traditional and disadvantaged people who seek higher education."

See the complete list of bills that the governor intends to veto at: https://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/office-of-the-governor-news-release-governor-ige-announces-intent-to-veto-list/

See The Kaʻū Calendar June edition at www.kaucalendar.com.

VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE welcomes walking and riding groups and individuals. It is sponsored by Volcano Community Association in Volcano Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Monday, July 4 parade starts at the Post Office at 9 a.m. and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd., followed by Cooper Center's Independence Day celebration packed with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, keiki games and a large silent auction from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parking maps can be found at www.thecoopercenter.org. (No parking at Cooper Center except handicap permitted vehicles with prior reservation.)

SPONSOR A BUCKLE, VOTE FOR RODEO QUEEN ahead of the Saturday, July 9 Rodeo organized by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Event to be held on the rodeo grounds behind Nāʻālehu Park. Call 808-854-7917.

BECOME A SPONSOR AT THE 3RD ANNUAL EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Last year, over 2,500 visitors attended and over 40 events were featured during the EVH festival. Sign up as a sponsor at experiencevolcano.com. If you have questions, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com. All vendor locations are taken.

SIGN UP FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNS with a change of date from July 3 to Sept. 17. Registration deadline for the annual event is Sept. 14. Organized by Hawaiʻi Island Racers, the 50K begins at 6 a.m., Half Marathon at 7 a.m., and 5K at 7:15 a.m., all starting from Kaʻū Coffee Mill at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road in Pāhala. Proceeds go to support ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. For more details on the event and registration fees, visit https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/.

SEE EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR
at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, June 26, 2022

Kelis and Elzhi Santos with their Keiki Booth of cookies, chips and candies at the Ocean View Keiki Market. See more below.
Photo by Hillary Spencer

"WE NEED REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE," said west Kaʻū's legislator in the state House of Representatives. Jeanné Kapela released this statement Sunday: "The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and eviscerated 50 years of precedent supporting a woman's right to abortion care. In so doing, the Court undermined generations of progress in privacy rights and left thousands of people at risk of injury, imprisonment, and death.

"Yet, women's existence cannot be overturned. As the Court's conservative majority sets our country on

Jeanné Kapela is drafting proposals "to make Hawaiʻi
a sanctuary state for abortion providers and their patients."

a path toward tyranny, we must not be silent in the face of oppression. Abortion care is essential to freedom and liberty. We must organize to take back our society from those who are trying to erase not just our rights, but the citizenship of our neighbors and our children.

"I am dedicated to strengthening the right to reproductive care in our islands. As soon as the Court's ruling was announced, my office began drafting proposals to make Hawaiʻi a sanctuary state for abortion providers and their patients.

"Additionally, we are planning to sponsor legislation that will preserve access to medically-accurate information for abortion patients, increase funds for service providers and their clients, and maintain a diverse workforce of reproductive care specialists to deliver services in underserved areas.

"This fight is far from over. While abortion rights remain intact in Hawaiʻi, we will nonetheless be impacted by this week's decision."

Kapela recommended donating to the National Network for Abortion Funds at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fundabortionnow.

"Women's rights are human rights. As your representative, I will always fight for a future in which reproductive care is safe, legal, and available on demand," said Kapela.

Feather Works by Luka is the enterprise of Luka Doherty of Ocean View who joined in the Ocean View
Keiki Market on Sunday. Photo by Hillary Spencer

Panika Brightwater holds her puppy and looks over her
collection of DVD's for sale at the Ocean View Keiki Market
on Sunday. Photo by Hillary Spencer

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN OCEAN VIEW took to selling their products and their creations, food and drinks on Sunday in an event sponsored by Ocean View Community Market at Highway 11 and Kona Drive. Called Ocean View Keiki Market, the special day drew some 14 keiki vendors from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nya Harnage sold slimes and glow sticks. Steller Robson sold waffles. Theron Harnage sold shakes and coffee, while Noa and Naia Stephens sold sweets and treats. Izzy and Justice Young sponsored a booth called Gone Fishing, with their art and other items. Imani Harnage sold hand sewn merchandise and John Grant sold his hydro dipped birdhouses.

Aspyn Estrada sold ice lemonade. Adrian, Addison, Adian and Ariel Richmond sold Value Bites Hotdogs, drinks and snacks. Kayana Cohen sold bath bombs and Panika Bridgewater sold DVD's. Heather Mcnish and Evalyn Grace sold baked goods. Luka Doherty sold her her Feather Works creations.

Value Bites, a hot dog, drink and snacks stand by the Richmond
family, with young entrepreneurs Adrian, Addison, Adian and Ariel.
Photo by Hillary Spencer

Several of the young vendors said they are looking for more events and markets where they can grow their businesses.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see

www.facebook.com/kaucalendar.

See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com.

See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

KAUKAU 4 KEIKI KICKED OFF FRIDAY in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Ocean View and runs through July 29 with a free bag of food each Friday for all those who signed up.

At Pāhala Hongwanji, Kaukau 4 Keiki's coordinator Katie Graham and volunteers handed out a package of fresh farmed food, frozen kalo from the Ulu Cooperative and a gift certificate for Malama market to a driver delivering to a family with children.

The program is run by The Food Basket with funding from County of Hawaiʻi to help feed children who are away from school where they receive free breakfasts and lunches. Fresh produce was purchased from Kaʻū farmers Marlene and Rodney Freitas, Annie Ridgely, Riley Farm and Cody Wortman.

Kaʻū Captain for Kaukau 4 Keiki giving out a package with kalo, fresh produce from Kaʻū and a
Malama Market certificate to a driver taking it to a family with children. Photo by Julia Neal

See The Kaʻū Calendar June edition at www.kaucalendar.com.

VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE welcomes walking and riding groups and individuals. It is sponsored by Volcano Community Association in Volcano Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Monday, July 4 parade starts at the Post Office at 9 a.m. and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd., followed by Cooper Center’s Independence Day celebration packed with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, keiki games and a large silent auction from 9 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. Parking maps can be found at www.thecoopercenter.org. (No parking at Cooper Center except handicap permitted vehicles with prior reservation.)

SEE EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR
at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, June 25, 2022

Purchasing more affordable alternative energies from sources like the Tawhiri windfarm at South Point, could have been displaced with approval of the Hu Honua Power plant, said the Public Utilities Commission. On Friday, the PUC once again rejected burning trees for power at the Hu Honua plant, which would use eucalyptus from Kaʻū and elsewhere. Photo by Peter Anderson

THE BIOFUEL PLANT THAT WOULD HAVE USED EUCALYPTUS GROWN IN KAʻŪ and beyond was rejected by the Public Utilities Commission on Friday. Hu Honua, also known as Honua Ola, which would have trucked eucalyptus logs from Kaʻū and other places to the coast north of Hilo to burn in a power plant to make electricity for Hawaiian Electric, resubmitted its proposal to the PUC after the state Supreme Court rejected it in May. On Friday, PUC Chair Jay Griffin, with PUC member Jane Porter denied a motion for reconsideration, along with a requested hearing on the project and rejected the proposal outright.

The eucalyptus trees that grew behind these cattle at Kapapala Ranch
were cut down and stockpiled for the biofuel plant that was
rejected by the PUC on Friday. Photo by Julia Neal

Commissioner Leodoloff Assuncion abstained. Hu Honua was given 30 days to make an appeal to the state Supreme Court.
Henry Curtis, of Life of the Land, who has led the efforts before the PUC and in court against Hu Honua, issued. statement saying, "Hu Honua Proposed extremely expensive electricity that would release high levels of greenhouse gases."
Warren Lee, Hawaiʻi County's former Department of Public Works administrator, is President of Honua Ola. He issued a statement saying the company is "in the right on this issue and we owe it to our employees who have stuck with us, and to the Big Island residents who support Honua Ola's commitment to provide clean, renewable energy.” He said the company may appeal to the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court.
A main argument in the PUC's decision is the higher cost of the electricity made by burning trees than from geothermal, solar, wind and other sources alternative to oil, suggesting that Hu Hunoa could displace the cheaper alternative energies. The PUC noted that Hawaiian Electric has stated that it does not need the electricity from Hu Honua. Its decision also pointed to greenhouse gas emissions from the biofuel factory and questioned Hu Hunoa's estimates on carbon sequestration.

Hu Honua rallied unions to come to its support for the biofuel plant that would have used eucalyptus

grown in Kaʻū and elsewhere. Photo form Hu Honua

Hu Honua has long argued that it is needed in the portfolio of Hawaiʻi Island energy produces for energy security. Its recent posts on its website notes that soaring cost of energy, due to skyrocketing oil prices, suggesting that its cost may become acceptable soon. It also has argued that it provides local jobs and unions have organized to rally behind its project.

AN INCREASE IN SEIZURES OF THE DEADLY DRUG FENTANYL during criminal investigations is noted in a warning from this island's Hawaiʻi Police Department. Issued on Friday, the statement points to Hawaiʻi Island being responsible for more than half the drug seized in the state in 2021.

The HPD statement says, "We’re seeing more arrests and more fentanyl recovered. Prior to 2020, annual statewide seizures of fentanyl were less than one pound, but from 2020 to 2021 Hawaiʻi Island was responsible for roughly 30 pounds of the state's overall 53 pounds of fentanyl seizures.
“The increase is troubling because very small amounts of the fentanyl, sometimes an amount equivalent to a few grains a salt, can be fatal,” says the warning from HPD.

See The Kaʻū Calendar June edition at www.kaucalendar.com.

VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE welcomes walking and riding groups and individuals. It is sponsored by Volcano Community Association in Volcano Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Monday, July 4 parade starts at the Post Office at 9 a.m. and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd., followed by Cooper Center’s Independence Day celebration packed with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, keiki games and a large silent auction from 9 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. Parking maps can be found at www.thecoopercenter.org. (No parking at Cooper Center except handicap permitted vehicles with prior reservation.)

EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR
at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Monday, June 27, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, June 27, 2022

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, June 26, 2022

Saturday, June 25, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, June 25, 2022