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| Jonithen Jackson explains the symbolism for the artwork for the Marshallese Culture and Health Alliance. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE MARSHALLESE COMMUNITY OF OCEAN VIEW and many of its supporters gathered at the Kahuku County Park on Saturday with a plan to build a cultural center. Marshallese dance, arts and crafts were presented. Leader Jonithen Jackson explained an artistic coat of arms he created for the Marshallese Culture and Health Alliance. It depicts a Polynesian ocean navigation map with its shells and sticks; the star that guides navigators; a double-hull canoe; two coco palms - one with a brown coconut and the other with a green coconut; and a young coconut tree for planting. The artwork is surrounded by a chain, linking the Marshallese people together. Jackson explained that both the green and brown coconuts provide sustenance – one water and the other meat. "No matter the color, we are all important," he explained. He said that the culture must be respected to help the Marshallese become more self-sufficient and successful in their new home, here in Ka`u.
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| Abel Luis contends that the state has no right to help make Kawa a public park. Photo by Julia Neal |
THE BOARD OF LAND & NATURAL RESOURCES may hear the pleas of Abel Semeona Lui. He opposes the county purchase of the Kawa beach area to make a public park for fishing, surfing and protection of native wildlife and natural resources, including springs and estuaries. The BLNR is expected to take up the issue of whether to grant Lui a contested case hearing at its next meeting in late September. According to a Stephens Media report, Lui has asked the BLNR to halt the spending of state funds to help the county buy the 551 acres at Kawa and adjacent lands between Kawa and Punalu`u. The $3.9 million purchase is slated to close soon, with a million dollars coming from the federal government, $1.4 million from the county and $1.5 million from the state.
The BLNR has considered asking the county to allow Lui and his group to continue living at Kawa as stewards of the land. Lui has received pro and con opinions from the community, with some people saying he selectively allows or disallows people from visiting Kawa when it should be open for all the public, and others noting his long history at Kawa where he has lived, sponsored surf contests and declared himself the caretaker of the land there. He says he has resided there for more than 20 years and claims his ancestors owned it and that this land can not be sold, even for a public park. He flies the flag of Hawaiian sovereignty.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION came to Wai`ohinu for the first time on Saturday, with a big county crew and containers ready to haul it away. Some people brought their old latex paints which were picked up by other people needing paint. Other people brought in old fluorescent light bulbs, old prescription medicines, batteries and other waste that doesn’t go in the regular trash. The county promises additional household hazardous waste in the future.
The BLNR has considered asking the county to allow Lui and his group to continue living at Kawa as stewards of the land. Lui has received pro and con opinions from the community, with some people saying he selectively allows or disallows people from visiting Kawa when it should be open for all the public, and others noting his long history at Kawa where he has lived, sponsored surf contests and declared himself the caretaker of the land there. He says he has resided there for more than 20 years and claims his ancestors owned it and that this land can not be sold, even for a public park. He flies the flag of Hawaiian sovereignty.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION came to Wai`ohinu for the first time on Saturday, with a big county crew and containers ready to haul it away. Some people brought their old latex paints which were picked up by other people needing paint. Other people brought in old fluorescent light bulbs, old prescription medicines, batteries and other waste that doesn’t go in the regular trash. The county promises additional household hazardous waste in the future.
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| County of Hawai`i brought a crew to Wai`ohinu Saturday to collect hazardous waster. Photo by Julia Neal |
HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA`U’S Steak Fry and Laulau Fundraiser is tomorrow, Labor Day, Sept. 5 and at the Ocean View Market parking lot from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
HWY 11 ONE LANE ROAD CLOSURES CONTINUE Tuesday and through Friday. These alternating lane closures on Mamalahoa Highway 11 in both directions will take place between mile markers 69 and 72 near South Point Road, Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., for pavement resurfacing and guardrail installation. Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice; all roadwork is subject to good weather.
HWY 11 ONE LANE ROAD CLOSURES CONTINUE Tuesday and through Friday. These alternating lane closures on Mamalahoa Highway 11 in both directions will take place between mile markers 69 and 72 near South Point Road, Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., for pavement resurfacing and guardrail installation. Lane closure schedules may change at any time without further notice; all roadwork is subject to good weather.
TOMORROW IS LABOR DAY AND ALL PUBLIC OFFICES AND BANKS ARE CLOSED for the celebration. Many bikers are riding through Ka`u and around the island, coming from all over the state. How did Labor Day start? On Sept. 5, 1882, when 10,000 workers in New York City, started the annual celebration. More than half the states recognized Labor Day. Congress made it a federal holiday in 1894 and Pres. Grover Cleveland signed the bill into law to designate Labor Day as the first Monday in September. According to the U.S. Bureau of Statistics, more than 153 million people are in the nation’s labor force.