Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014

College student Tiare Lee Shibuya and her partner Bradley Llanes are two supporters of Ka`u Learning Academy
among those who perform weekends at Gilligan's Cafe, which hosts an anniversary celebration Saturday, Dec. 13 and rolls
out applications for the 2015 school year. Photo by Julia Neal

KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY, a tuition-free, public charter school, has announced that it will accept applications beginning in December for open enrollment lottery for school year 2015-2016, which begins in August for grades 3 to 6. Classes will be held at the old Discovery Harbour Golf Course Clubhouse, now operated as Gilligan’s Café to benefit the school.
     Unlike traditional public schools, KLA will provide an individual education plan for every student, allowing each to work at their own ability level, said Kathryn Tydlacka, founder and executive director, who has nearly 20 years of experience in public and private education and holds a Master’s Degree in Education Administration. “KLA holds high academic expectations and also offers electives such as theatre arts, agriculture, computer, art and music,” she said.
     Transportation and lunch will be provided to KLA students. Enrollment meetings will be held throughout the district starting in January. “We want to thank a number of local residents and private foundations that have made significant monetary contributions to the charter school. It is a testament to KLA’s strong academic plan that it was the only charter school applicant approved for 2015 under Hawai‘i’s tough new charter school law,” Tydlacka said. For more information and to enroll a child, see www.kaulearning. com or call 213-1097.

Aaron DeLos Santos supports Ka`u Learning Academy as a regulae host at
Gilligan's Cafe. He is seen here at Science Camps of America this summer.
Photo from Science Camps of America

       Tydlacka also said that Ka‘u Learning Academy thanks patrons of Gilligan’s Café for continued support every Friday and Saturday night. Founders of KLA opened Gilligan’s in December of 2013 as a nonprofit business to help fund the school.
     The one-year anniversary celebration will be Saturday, Dec. 13 from 11a.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy food and live music all day, along with craft and info booths, a silent auction, giveaways and other surprises. Musicians include Solomn & Tiger, Lucky Lizardz, `Ukulele Boyz and Mark Chopot.
    KLA enrollment applications and information will be featured. For Gilligan’s menu, music line-up and location, see www.bigislandgilligans.com. 

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A FEDERAL MAGISTRATE RULED AGAINST HAWAI`I COUNTY’S NEW GMO LAW yesterday. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry Kurren stated that county law is preempted by state law, a decision similar to the one he handed down, preventing Kaua`i County from regulating pesticides and Genetically Modified Organisms. Pro GMO companies and citizens groups are also challenging a GMO moratorium that passed in a Maui referendum on Nov. 4.
   An analysis by Civil Beat stated yesterday that the decision deals “another blow to Hawai`i’s growing movement against genetically modified organisms. Judge Barry Kurren ruled Wednesday that Ordinance 13-121 is invalid because it is fully preempted by state law and partially preempted by federal law.
   “The lawsuit, filed in June by several Big Island farmers and flower growers, along with a national trade organization representing the biotech industry, challenged the Hawai`i County ordinance that banned genetically engineered farming with the exception of existing crops.
     “The lawsuit is one of several filed over the past year challenging county regulations of the state’s $243 million seed industry. Less than two weeks ago, Monsanto and Dow AgroSciences filed a lawsuit to overturn Maui County’s new moratorium on GMO farming.”
    Civil Beat pointed out that “In Wednesday’s decision, Kurren argued that although the state does not specifically regulate genetically modified crops, Ordinance 13-121 still conflicts with the work of state agencies.
     “He said the state Department of Agriculture and state Board of Agriculture comprise a ‘comprehensive statewide framework’ governing plants that may ‘injure or harm agriculture, the environment or public health.’
     ‘Clearly, the state legislature intended this network of the HDOA, the HBOA, and the advisory committee to have extensive and broad responsibilities over agricultural problems spanning the various counties to form a coherent and comprehensive statewide agricultural policy,’ he wrote. 

 

Maile Medeiros David (center) will be sworn into the County Council seat for Ka`u
on Monday. She attended Ka`u Plantation Days this Fall and plans to
meet farmers, business owners and other constituents in December.
Photo by Julia Neal

 ‘In light of the comprehensive statutes and the network designed to address statewide agriculture problems, the Court concludes that the legislative intent for an exclusive, uniform and comprehensive state statutory scheme on the precise subject matter addressed by Ordinance 13-121 preempts the County’s ban on genetically engineered organisms.”’  See more at civilbeat.com. 

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COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER ELECT MAILE MEDEIROS DAVID will be sworn into office to serve Ka`u, Volcano and South Kona on Monday, Dec. 1 at noon in Hilo. The ceremonies for all nine council members for Hawai`i County who are each elected for two-year terms will be held at the Ah Fook Chinen Civic Auditorium and the public is invited.    

       Master of Cermonies will be Sherry Bracken, of Hawai`i Public Radio. The Honorable Judge Ronald Ibarra will administer the Oath of Office and Mayor Billy Kenoi will deliver the keynote speech. The event is free to the public.
     David said she will visit with community groups, farmers, small business owners and other constituents throughout her County Council District 6 during December.  She replaces County Council member Brenda Ford who was unable to run again due to term limits.  To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Pahoa Village Road reopened yesterday along the half mile that was closed during
the lava threat, now providing easier access to local businesses. Photo by Julia Neal

THE HALF- MILE SECTION OF PAHOA VILLAGE  ROAD, which had been closed in expectation of a lava flow, reopened at noon yesterday. Lava, which flowed down to the edge of the village, taking out one house, part of a cemetery and part of the county trash transfer station, reached as close as 430 feet from the road on Oct. 30. 

     The lava flow, which started June 27 upslope at Pu`u O`o, has since slowed, hardened and became inactive near the town. Some Pahoa businesses closed in fear they would be destroyed, but others remained open despite some visitors and residents keeping away from them.  

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A FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER IS TODAY AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER at 1 p.m. It is open to all Ka`u residents. To offer help during the event, call 939-7033.

VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI hosts its annual Studio Tour & Sale tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artwork on sale represents a wide variety of media Maps are available at village businesses and at volcanovillageartistshui.com.

FRIENDS OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK hosts a holiday fundraiser Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1943 Pukeawe Circle, Volcano Golf Course, off Pi`i Mauna Drive. Featured are baked goodies and poinsettias.

KA`U FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY is Saturday at Punalu`u Beach Park from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Registration is available through Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc. at 928-0101.

A CRECHE FESTIVAL with more than 100 nativity scenes from around the world, is open to the public from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Na`alehu Church of Jesus Christ of Later-Day Saints. The Ka`u Ward hosts the second annual islandwide event. The address is 95-5682 Mamalahoa Highway. Along with the crèche display, the event features live music performed by local musicians and choir and activities for children. Visitors are welcome to the free holiday festival. For more information, call ‪‪808-895-0491‬‬.

THE KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL MEETING & DINNER is next Thursday, Dec. 4 at Gilligan’s Restaurant in Discovery Harbour at 6 p.m. Dinner is $15 a person for pizza or spaghetti, salad and dessert. Beverages include beer, wine or soda. Money will be collected at the door. The public is invited to learn more abut The Chamber, which publishes The Directory for Ka‘u, provides scholarships for students from Ka‘u, hosts the annual art contest and selection for The Directory cover at CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union in Na‘alehu, and assists in funding Ka‘u Food Pantry. Memberships with a listing in The Directory are $35 and will be accepted at the meeting. 

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