Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013

Clyde Silva, in red, is president of the Ka`u ILWU Pensioners Club which celebrated the holidays Sunday. To his right is his dad, retired sugar worker Albert Silva. His mother, at the head of the table, is Amy Silva. Photo by Julia Neal

MILILANI TRASK, A PROPONENT OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY development on Hawai`i Island, has written a commentary in Civil Beat about a U.S. House of Representatives amendment that she says advances energy independence. “Thanks to Rep. Colleen Hanabusa’s efforts, the House adopted an amendment that paves the way for greater renewable energy development on public lands,” Trask says.
Mililani Trask
      “Through the amendment she introduced, she made sure that the Hawaiian Home lands selected to be used for the development of geothermal, solar, wind, and other renewable sources will be included in the Quadrennial Federal Onshore Energy Production Strategy.
      This policy move and recognition of federal jurisdiction over lands that have largely been forgotten by Congress should propel us forward and enable us to broaden our energy portfolio.
      “We are better situated to replace imported oil with geothermal as our firm power base and make the most of the diverse forms of renewable energy that Hawai`i is blessed with.
      “This is a policy move that is foundational and one we should build on.
      “The Hawai`i homestead community welcomes the freedom this gives them to improve their economic status by developing the assets on their lands. In the long run, it also promises to deliver some relief from the punishingly high (electric) rates that have hindered small businesses and job development.
      “As Paul Richards, president of the Waimanalo Hawaiian Homes Association remarked after learning about this amendment, ‘We should move forward, full steam ahead — literally — to develop geothermal on our lands and become better stewards of our destiny and especially our `aina.’
      “This is a step in the direction of economic sovereignty, and we welcome it,” Trask concludes.
      See civilbeat.com.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Sen. Dan Inouye passed away one year ago today. Photo from Office of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
KA`U’S U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS HONORING Sen. Daniel Inouye today on the one-year anniversary of his passing. 
      Sen. Mazie Hirono introduced legislation that would re-designate the Asia-Pacific Center For Security Studies as the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in recognition of his instrumental support for the center.
      “As a young man, Sen. Daniel K. Inouye responded to the call of duty and wore the uniform in defense of liberty and freedom,” Hirono said. “He then went on to a lifetime of public service, laying the foundation for a modern Hawai`i…. Sen. Inouye never forgot the people and places in Hawai`i, and today we honor his tireless work on behalf of Hawai`i and the nation.”
      Sen. Brian Schatz said Inouye was a great leader and a true patriot. “His courage, heroism, and humility earned him the respect and admiration of his fellow service members, his constituents, colleagues, and leaders around the world. In this remembrance, we commit ourselves to the standards he set, to his deep compassion for all people, his love for Hawai`i and his belief that together we can shape an ever brighter future for our state and country.” 
      Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “As we take time today to remember our beloved Sen. Daniel Inouye, we must honor his legacy of selfless servant leadership and life-long commitment to working in the aloha spirit. His humility and deep compassion for people in Hawai`i and around the world continues to serve as an inspiration to me and the countless lives he impacted.
      “With his deep understanding and appreciation of the aloha spirit, he showed us each how to lead with our hearts. While we celebrate his life and legacy today, I am truly grateful for Sen. Inouye’s passionate work on behalf of the people of Hawai`i and selfless life of service to us all.”
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Caren Loebel-Fried's art has been selected for a wildlife
education poster.
VOLCANO ARTIST CAREN LOEBEL-FRIED has been selected for the He Hawai`i Au – Ho`ailona Hawaiian monk seal annual wildlife education poster, which will be distributed free to 450 Hawai`i schools. The Conservation Council for Hawai`i selected the art of the award-winning author and artist. Those interested can become a Poster Partner by making a donation of any amount. Contributors’ names will be printed on the poster front. Mail a check or call with credit card information. 
      Deadline to become a Poster Partner is Jan. 1. Suggested donations for individuals is $50-$200; small organizations and businesses, $200-$1,000; medium organizations & businesses, $1,000-$5,000 and large organizations and businesses, $5,000 and up. 
      Send donations to Conservation Council for Hawai`i, PO Box 2923, Honolulu, HI 96802. Call 808-593-0255 to make a credit card donation. Donors can also be anonymous.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT in federal court to protect sea mammals. Earthjustice filed the suit on behalf of the Conservation Council for Hawai`i, the Animal Welfare Institute, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Ocean Mammal Institute.
      The environmental groups are fighting Navy plans to conduct sonar testing and live-fire training in waters near Hawai`i and California. They are concerned about the impact of sonar testing on monk seals, humpback whales and false killer whales. They claim that, according to the Navy’s own environmental impact studies, up to 2,000 whales and dolphins could be seriously hurt by testing conducted over the next five years.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Backyard Boys of Ka`u entertained for former sugar workers Sunday. Photo by Julia Neal
CHRISTMAS FOR THE ILWU came early at the party Sunday for former sugar workers at the Ka`u ILWU Penioners Club Party. The group was entertained by the Backyard Boys of Ka`u and enjoyed a lunch at Pahala Community Center. President is Clyde Silva, vice president is Franco Longakit. second VP is August Ballo, secretary is Ernie Peralta, treasurer is Warren Toriano and advisors are Margaret Ann Cabudol, Pauline Enriques and Raymond Kamei. Most members live in Na`alehu and Pahala and worked for Ka`u Sugar before it shut down in 1996.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ninety-five-year-old Frank Usman, a retired sugar company
mechanic, celebrates Christmas with the ILWU club,
dancing and singing at Pahala Community Center.
Photo by Julia Neal
THE KOHALA CENTER AND BROWN UNIVERSITY are offering tuition scholarships for three Hawai`i high school students to participate in the Brown Environmental Leadership Lab-Hawai`i to be held March 22–30, 2014 on the Big Island. The deadline to apply is Jan. 10.
      This national leadership program integrates the development of leadership skills with outstanding opportunities for high school students to study the biology, ecology, and cultural traditions of Hawai`I Island.
      Program activities include meeting with cultural practitioners to learn about the culture and history of the island, participating in the restoration of native forests, exploring Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, kayaking, camping near the ocean and learning about coral reef ecology and management.
      In addition to providing incredible adventures and experiences, the program gives students a chance to identify and develop their group-building and leadership skills.
      For more program details, see brown.edu/ce/pre-college/bell/Hawaii.
      Application materials are available to download at kohalacenter.org/bell.htm or by contacting Erica Perez at 887-6411 or eperez@kohalacenter.org.
      Materials to be submitted include BELL Program application form, scholarship application form, teachers recommendation, an official school transcript and a one-page essay describing what the applicant hopes to learn during this course.
      To comment on or “like” this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.  

PROPER PESTICIDE USE AND SAFETY is the topic at a free workshop tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Pahala Community Center, with presentations about Federal Worker Protection Standards for ag workers and pesticide handlers, use, application, storage and disposal.
      To register, call 322-4892 or email ginab@hawaii.edu today.

LOCAL SONGWRITERS WHO ATTENDED a three-day Hawaiian music writing workshop with Kenneth Makuakane and Kaliko Beamer-Trapp present their new, original compositions tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U SCHOOL OF THE ARTS PRESENTS a Christmas Concert Saturday at 3 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center featuring Ka`u `Ohana Band, Ka`u Community Chorus, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, David Matson and Ben Houghton. Call 854-1540.

PAHALA PLANTATION HOUSE HOSTS a Christmas Concert by Ka`u School Of The Arts Sunday at 3 p.m. Performers include Ka`u `Ohana Band, Ka`u Community Chorus, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana, David Matson and Ben Houghton. Call 854-1540.

KA`U HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL program hosts the Kea`au Cougars tonight. Junior Varsity match starts at 6 p.m., followed by the Varsity match.

KA`U TROJANS BOYS SOCCER played Parker on Thursday, Dec. 12, winning 3-2, with David Pilette scoring three goals. Ka`u boys played Honoka`a on Saturday, Dec. 14 and fell 0-3. Ka`u boys and girls soccer teams host the Waiakea Warriors tomorrow, with matches at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX.

SEE THE DIRECTORY 2013 from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at kauchamber.org.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.