Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Jan. 20, 2014

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Hawa`i in 1959 and spoke at the state Legislature about Hawai`i's progress in race relations.

TODAY THE NATION HONORS THE LEGACY of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King visited the newly formed Hawai`i State Legislature on Sept. 17, 1959, where he spoke on Hawai`i’s accomplishments and the nation’s status in race relations at the time.

Marchers wore lei to symbolize their peaceful intentions
during the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery.

      “I come to you with a great deal of appreciation and great feeling of appreciation, I should say, for what has been accomplished in this beautiful setting and in this beautiful state of our Union,” King said. “As I think of the struggle that we are engaged in in the South land, we look to you for inspiration and as a noble example, where you have already accomplished in the area of racial harmony and racial justice, what we are struggling to accomplish in other sections of the country, and you can never know what it means to those of us caught for the moment in the tragic and often dark midnight of man’s inhumanity to man, to come to a place where we see the glowing daybreak of freedom and dignity and racial justice.
      “We have come a long, long way. We have a long, long way to go. I close, if you will permit me, by quoting the words of an old Negro slave preacher. He didn’t quite have his grammar right, but he uttered some words in the form of a prayer with great symbolic profundity and these are the words he said: ‘Lord, we ain’t what we want to be; we ain’t what we ought to be; we ain’t what we gonna be, but thank God, we ain’t what we was.’ Thank you.”

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

“THIS WEEKEND, WE HONOR THE LEGACY of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a civil rights icon whose powerful voice spoke out for the oppressed and marginalized, said U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. “When faced with intolerance, injustice and hatred, Dr. King responded with compassion, hopefulness and service. His values and principles have made us a stronger people and a greater country.

      “Having recently made marriage equality a reality in Hawai`i, it is fitting to recall the words of Dr. King to our state Legislature in 1959 when he described Hawai`i as ‘a place where we see the glowing daybreak of freedom and dignity and racial justice.’ We can be proud that Dr. King saw these virtues in our people, and that we are carrying on in dignity and honor the cause of equal rights for all.”

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Duke Aiona visited Ka`u during his 2010 campaign for governor.
Photo by Julia Neal

FORMER LT. GOV. JAMES “DUKE” AIONA plans to run for governor, according to Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Aiona told reporter Derrick DePledge that he would wait until he has formed campaign and fundraising organizations to make a formal announcement of his candidacy.

      Aiona came to Ka`u numerous times during his tenure as lieutenant governor for the Linda Lingle administration, speaking at schools and the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.

      “I think I’ve got a better perspective right now — knowing what we went through for eight years and then seeing what this administration has done in the last three years,” Aiona told DePledge. “I know for a fact that I am qualified and I have the skills and the ability to be the next governor of the state of Hawai`i.”

      Although Aiona hasn’t raised the amount of money usually needed for a gubernatorial campaign, some believe Gov. Abercrombie may be vulnerable to a “creative, low-budget campaign,” according to the story.
      “I think that in the end he can overcome what would be a disadvantage when it comes to money,” said state Republican Party chair David Chang.
      See staradvertiser.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

IN ANTICIPATION OF HIS FOURTH State of the State Address, Gov. Neil Abercrombie shared his administration’s accomplishments over the past three years with the state Legislature, news media and the general public.

One of his accomplishments Gov. Neil Abercrombie mentions is advancements
in education. Photo from Office of the Governor.

      The accomplishments highlight the Abercrombie Administration’s commitment to growing a sustainable economy, investing in people, and transforming state government.
      “This administration has made significant strides in restoring the state’s fiscal health, strengthening the local economy and paving the way for universal access to preschool in Hawai`i,” Abercrombie said. “Prior to my State of the State Address, I felt it important to take stock and review our progress in order to gain perspective and guide our way forward. None of these accomplishments would be possible without dedicated and creative public employees, who work tirelessly, each and every day, to make Hawai`i a better place for all of us.”
      The highlighted accomplishments are available at governor.hawaii.gov.
      The governor’s State of the State Address is scheduled for 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Hawai`i State Capitol, House Chambers.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I COUNTY MAYOR BILLY KENOI travels to Washington, D.C. today to join more than 280 of the nation’s mayors as well as congressional leaders and members of President Obama’s cabinet at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 82nd Winter Meeting. 

      Kenoi, who is chair of the Hawai`i Conference of Mayors, will attend the meeting with Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa and Kaua`i Mayor Bernard Carvalho. Mayor Kenoi is also a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors National Advisory Board.

      The mayors will join President Barack Obama and members of his cabinet at the White House for a discussion of issues that affect municipalities, including trade, technology, climate change and affordable health care.
      Participants at the conference will include U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson and Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx.
      The U.S. Conference of Mayors is designed to strengthen federal-city relationships, and promote effective national urban and suburban policy.
        Managing director Wally Lau will be acting mayor until Mayor Kenoi returns.

HAWAI`I COUNTY OFFICE OF AGING is accepting accepting nominations for its 48th annual Outstanding Older Americans award. Any club, organization or individual nominate candidates by submitting a nomination form, which requires background information and contributions of each individual. Also required is a clear photo of each nominee. Nominees must be 65 years and older and a resident of Hawai`i County.
      Nomination forms for the award can be obtained at 961-8600. The announcement of individual winners will be made at the annual Older Americans luncheon on Friday, May 2.
      A panel of community judges will be selected to determine the winners. Submittal deadline for nominations is Friday, March 7.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Miss Ka`u Coffee 2013 and attendants at Ka`u Coffee Mill. The 2014 pageant
takes place Sunday, May 4. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

CALLING ALL CONTESTANTS FOR MISS KA`U COFFEE: The Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant has been scheduled for the evening of Sunday, May 4 at Ka`u Coffee Mill, one of the opening events of the nine-day-long Ka`u Coffee Festival. Miss Peaberry contestants must be 6 to 8 years old by the date of the pageant. Miss Ka`u Coffee contenders must be 16 - 24 years of age. Contestants must have either been born, have grown up, or now live in Ka`u. Winners receive scholarships. Talent, public speaking and gown categories are included. There is no swimsuit competition. Chair of the event is Gloria Camba, assisted by Nalani Parlin and MIss Ka`u Coffee, Tiare-Lee Shibuya. 

      For more information, call Camba at 928-8558.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

EARTHQUAKES AND EXPLOSIONS: Shocking events at Kapoho and Halema`uma`u in 1924 is the title of tomorrow’s After Dark in the Park program at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Ben Gaddis, a long-time Hawaiian Volcano Observatory volunteer, tells the story of Kilauea Volcano’s most violent eruption of the 20th century from the perspective of the people who lived through it. Free; park entrance fees apply.

A VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH PROGRAM on Wednesday examines the prominent lava flows and volcanic landscapes along highways from Ka`u to North Kona. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists Jim Kauahikaua and Janet Babb take attendees on a virtual road trip from Kahuku to Kapalaoa, during which they talk about the volcanic history, stories and impacts of the Mauna Loa and Hualalai lava flows visible along the highways. The program begins at 5:30 p.m. at NELHA Gateway Visitor Center in Kona.
      For more information, email askHVO@usgs.gov or call 967-8844.

THIRD-GENERATION QUILTER CYNDY LEINANI MARTINEZ shares the traditional art of kapa kuiki, traditional Hawaiian quilting, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the lanai of Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The workshop, part of the park’s ongoing `Ike Hana No`eau: Experience the Skillful Work series, is free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U HOSPITAL URGES RESIDENTS to complete its Community Health Needs Assessment at surveymonkey.com/s/93HQ5MX. The deadline is Jan. 31.

SEE THE DIRECTORY from the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce at http://snack.to/fzpfg59c.

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