Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, May 31, 2015

Feedback on the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan is due tomorrow. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI`I STATE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR became the first in the country to pass a bill to raise the legal smoking age from 18 to 21 on tobacco products and electronic smoking devices.

Ka`u's state Sen. Josh Green

      E-cigarette vapor, even when nicotine-free, has been found to damage lung cells, according to Stacy Brooks, of the American Physiological Society. Nicotine-free e-cig solutions were found to include lung-harming substances such as acrolein, which is present in both e-cig solution and vapor. Brooks reported that acrolein has been shown to damage the lungs by attacking molecules of cells that make up the lining of lungs.
      According to Ka`u’s Sen. Josh Green, e-cigarette use has been rapidly increasing among middle and high school students over the last several years, and the extent of their detrimental health effects is still not entirely known. “My hope is that with the passing of SB 1030 we will see a decrease in this trend among Hawai`i’s youth as well as a decrease in tobacco- and smoking-related illnesses for generations to come,” Green said. “Mahalo to my friends at ‪#‎CoalitionForATobaccoFreeHawaii‬ for all of their help and hard work on this measure.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I SUPREME COURT HAS DISMISSED a legal challenge raised by four individual plaintiffs to the Hawai`i Marriage Equality Act of 2013. The 2013 law changed Hawai`i’s statutes regarding marriage so that same-sex couples could marry.
      The Supreme Court held that the plaintiffs were not harmed or injured by the Marriage Equality Act and therefore did not have standing to challenge it.

Attorney Gen. Doug Chin

      “The most important part of the Supreme Court’s ruling was its conclusion that the ‘legislature’s decision to extend the right to marry to same-sex couples did not, in any way, diminish the right to marry’ for the plaintiffs or anyone else,” said Attorney General Doug Chin.
      “This is an exciting time for marriage equality in our country, as we await the United States Supreme Court’s ruling that will govern so many other states,” said Deputy Attorney General Deirdre Marie-Iha, who argued on behalf of the defendants. “We hope that the United States Supreme Court will recognize, as our Supreme Court did today, that those who oppose marriage equality are ‘harmed not at all when others are given the liberty to choose their own life partners and are shown the respect that comes with formal marriage.’”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY scientists explore extraterrestrial lava lakes in the current issue of Volcano Watch.
      “Exploration of volcanoes within our solar system has been much like the exploration of Hawaiian volcanoes in the 19th century: sporadic. We now know where most of the volcanoes beyond Earth are, but know little about how they work. But bits of information are being collected, and whether they are from Earth-based observations, satellite imagery or fly-by missions, every piece is important, because our best understanding will come from compiling all available data from every source.
      “Even though exploration of planetary volcanoes has been sporadic, exciting discoveries have been made. And some of these discoveries have revealed volcanic features similar to those found on Hawaiian volcanoes.
      “Active volcanism on Io, one of Jupiter’s moons, was first discovered by the Voyager 1 spacecraft during a fly-by mission in March 1979. Since then, more information has been obtained from limited observations by four additional NASA spacecraft as they passed through the solar system and from more frequent observations from the Hubble Space Telescope. A complete map of Io’s volcanoes was published by the U.S. Geological Survey in 2011 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/sim/3168).

Loki Patera is the horseshoe-shaped feature at lower center.
Photo from NASA/JPL/USGS

      “Combining these data, planetary volcanologists have hypothesized that Loki Patera, the largest depression on Io, hosts an active lava lake. The temperatures of this lava lake are in the right range for a molten silicate, but scientists can’t differentiate exactly what type of lava is in the lake by temperature alone.
      “Loki Patera and the lava lake it contains are huge by Earth standards – about 200 km (125 mi) in diameter, which is larger than the entire Island of Hawai`i! Detailed analyses of all the data show that the lava lake is probably horseshoe-shaped.
      “During the 1990s, the Loki Patera lava lake displayed periodic bursts of thermal energy every 18 months, suggesting that the lake was resurfaced by a new solidified crust during each burst. The areas of highest temperature within the lake seem to move during these cycles, so the speed of lake resurfacing appears to be about 2.3 cm per second (2.3 cm/s, or 1 in/s). These bursts have been irregular in the last decade.
      “In the past few years, Earth-based Extremely Large Telescopes have been designed to achieve enough spatial resolution to obtain details of volcanic features on Io, as well as a more continuous record of volcanic activity. The first Earth-based ELT is the Large Binocular Telescope located at an elevation of 3,200 m (10,500 ft) on Emerald Peak in the Pinaleno Mountains of Arizona. It consists of two identical 8.4 m (27.6 ft) telescopes mounted side-by-side for a combined collecting area of a single 11.8 m (38.7 ft) telescope.
      “Using an infrared camera with this telescope, scientists were able to achieve a final spatial resolution of less than 20 km (12 mi) on the surface of Io during a one-hour observation on Dec. 24, 2013. At the time, Loki Patera had just finished one of its brightening bursts. The 2013 infrared image also showed two hotspots. These two locations are interpreted to be a persistent hotspot in the southwest portion of the lake (seen before) and another hotspot to the east, which might be the leading edge of the recent lake-resurfacing burst.
      “Back on Earth, the Kilauea summit lava lake within Halema`uma`u Crater is 1,000 times smaller than Io’s Loki Patera lava lake and contains molten basalt. The Halema`uma`u lava lake continuously circulates, with new crust generated at one side of the lake, then moving across the lake surface at speeds of around 15 cm/s (six in/s) before being consumed at the opposite side. It rarely resurfaces in the way envisioned for the Loki Patera lava lake, but, when it does, the Halema`uma`u lake resurfaces at about seven cm/s (three in/s).

      “More sophisticated analyses of existing Io data, as well as more imagery data from spacecraft and Earth-based ELTs, will yield additional details of the Loki Patera lava lake. Studies on the behavior of the Halema`uma`u lava lake are also underway. As scientific papers are published, perhaps comparisons between Earth’s and Io’s lava lakes can be made and will reveal more about planetary volcanoes in the far reaches of our solar system.”

A resolution to accept state subsidies to fight coffee berry borer
is on Hawai`i County Council's agenda.

      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volcanowatch.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL HOLDS MEETINGS this week. Tomorrow, the council continues its consideration of county operating and capital improvements budgets. 

      Committees meet Tuesday, with Governmental Relations & Economic Development beginning at 9 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 10:15 a.m.; Planning, 11 a.m.; and Finance, 2 p.m.
      The full council meets Wednesday at 9 a.m. All meetings take place at Council Chambers in Hilo and are streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
      The council will discuss a resolution authorizing the office of the mayor to enter into an agreement with the state Department of Agriculture for a coffee berry borer pesticide subsidy grant. The grant provides $450,000 to the county Research and Development Department to offer subsidies to farmers who purchase pesticides to combat the coffee berry borer.
      Ka`u residents can participate via videoconferencing at Na`alehu state office building.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u's state Sen. Russell Ruderman

FEEDBACK ON THE KA`U DRAFT Community Development Plan is due tomorrow. The Steering Committee begins it review of comments from residents on Tuesday, June 9, when it meets at Na`alehu Community Center at 5:30 p.m. Meetings are open to the public. 

      Feedback forms are available at kaucdp.info. Copies of the draft are also available at local libraries and community centers.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN hosts a talk story at Cooper Center in Volcano Village on Thursday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ruderman will discuss newly passed legislation and seek input on bills to be introduced next year.
      For more info, call 586-6890 or email senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, May 30, 2015

Ka`u High School valedictorian Jennifer Tabios, with her famous Ka`u Coffee grower parents Will and Grace Tabios, received
several scholarships and grants. Jennifer will attend St. John's University in New York City. Photo by Julia Neal

AFTER ALMOST 29 YEARS, CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY will end operations of Caltech Submillimeter Observatory on Mauna Kea in September. Caltech will plan for dismantling of the observatory in close coordination with the Office of Mauna Kea Management, University of Hawai`i at Hilo, to ensure that it is undertaken promptly and in a culturally and environmentally respectful manner. Caltech has been present on Mauna Kea for nearly three decades. Caltech commits to dismantling of the telescope and site restoration according to the Decommissioning Plan approved by the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

Caltech is stepping up decommissioning of its telescope on Mauna Kea.
Photo from Caltech

      Caltech’s announcement follows Gov. David Ige’s call for stepped-up decommissioning of Mauna Kea telescopes as a way of improving stewardship of the mountain, which Native Hawaiians consider sacred. A vigil continues at the summit by those opposing construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope.

      “The CSO has played a central role in the development of the science and instrumentation of submillimeter and millimeter astronomy over the last three decades,” said Sunil Golwala, current director of the CSO and a professor of physics at Caltech. “The CSO legacy of combining training in instrumentation development, hands-on observing and science will live on via its former students and researchers as well as in new projects for which it has laid the foundation.”
      “This has been a most exciting time in which the field of submillimeter astronomy has been developed, leading to an understanding of astrochemistry, star formation and distant, dust-obscured galaxies,” saidTom Phillips, founding director and now CSO’s director emeritus.
      “The CSO has been foundational in creating the thriving discipline of submillimeter astronomy,” says Tom Soifer, Kent and Joyce Kresa Leadership Chair of Caltech’s Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. “It is with a deep sense of gratitude to the people of Hawai`i that we thank them for hosting this magnificent facility for all this time.”
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u High School Class of 2015 is 50 strong, winning many scholarships and grants for higher education. Photo by Pam Taylor

SMALL COMMUNITY, STRONG BONDS AND TALENT have taken Ka`u High School’s 2015 Class through graduation and into a future of colleges, work and the military. 

      Speaker after speaker during last night’s ceremonies for the 50 graduates talked about the lifelong friendships developed at the tiny school, the family and faculty support and the appreciation of growing up in a special place called Ka`u.
      Kehaulani Ke, senior class president, will enter the Air Force to become a mechanic and pilot. “We are a small class, but we get things done,” she said, pointing to Ka`u High’s state titles and athlete awards and scholarships in volleyball, basketball, eight-man football, track and other sports.
      Denisha Navarro, student body president, talked about the closely knit class, students with their own qualities who came together over the years for service projects, such as raising money to buy books for the elementary school. She shared her personal journey of gaining more confidence as a public speaker and realizing the value of stepping up to ask questions. Navarro will attend Pierce College in Oregon on a basketball scholarship and study kinesiology to become an athletic trainer. She also earned a Ka`u Chamber of Commerce scholarship.

Salutatorian Kaweni Ibarra will attend
Sacramento State. Photo by Julia Neal

      Jennifer Tabios, valedictorian, will attend St. John’s University in New York City. She listed the many clichés that often come with graduation speeches that could seem trite but true. She talked about being a product of the past who can change with the future. She advised: “Procrastination is not your friend. You are a work in progress. Your parents are your friends. The only one who can hold you back is you.” She urged everyone to grow and change.
      Tabios noted that “the great thing about Ka`u is that we are small, but so many are talented.”
      She will head to New York with a St. DePaul Scholarship, a Citizenship Award Scholarship, St. John’s University Grant, Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship and a Hugh I. Carey Community Grant. She also earned a scholarship in the Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant 2015.
      Keynote speaker Derek Kurisu, founder of the Mountain Apple brand of local foods under KTA grocery stores, emphasized the importance of buying local and touted 430 local suppliers.
      Kurisu pointed to business leaders in Ka`u who have helped to develop the local economy, including Connie Koi with the Any Kine Bread innovation from Punalu`u Bake Shop that can be used as buns or rolls. He mentioned the Souza family with Na`alehu Dairy joining the Mountain Apple brand. He praised famous fish and meat cutters “Scottie and Magic Mike.”
      Kurisu, who grew up on a sugar plantation, advised the Class of 2015, “Go where there is no path, and leave a trail.”
      Ka`u High School Principal Sharon Beck said the class of 2015 is diverse but shows a sense of community. She said the mural on the school’s band room, designed and painted by artist Kathleen Kam and students, depicts the rich diversity. She commended Salutatorian Kaweni Ibarra for his leadership on the project. Ibarra will attend Sacramento State University, with scholarships from Foodland and Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.
      Beck also noted the ongoing training for students by Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.

Student body President Denisha Navarro
earned a basketball scholarship.
Photo by Julia Neal

      The principal reported that ten graduates will go to Hawai`i Community College, four to other colleges in the state, five to colleges on the mainland and four to the military. More than $150,000 in scholarships will help them. Cameron Enriques earned a men’s volleyball scholarship from Briar Cliff University. Mike Tamayo earned a Hawa`'i Community College tuition waiver. Lanni Ah Yee earned an Arthur Jackman Scholarship.

      The graduation ceremony marked the last to be held in the historic 1930s Ka`u High Gym. A new gym that will accommodate more than 1,000 is expected to be completed by graduation 2016.
      For 2015, Class Song is The Right Thing, by Kolohe Kai. Class Colors are mint and coral. Class Flower is Bird of Paradise.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

NEW HOPE FOR THE RETURN OF DIRECT FLIGHTS BETWEEN JAPAN AND KONA is on the horizon. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will enter into negotiations with Japan’s Narita International Airport and nine countries for U.S. preclearance at 10 airports. The action could result in Tokyo flights returning to Kona International Airport. They shut down in 2010.
      Through the preclearance program immigration, customs and agriculture inspections can be completed before departure from the originating country, allowing passengers to avoid further processing or delays at domestic airports.
      “This is a significant step forward for Hawai`i’s tourism industry, which is the single largest component of the state’s economy,” said Gov. David Ige. Japan is Hawai`i’s biggest international market, accounting for about 18 percent of international travelers to Hawai`i, which brings in about $1.5 billion a year to the state’s economy.
      “I would like to thank Hawai`i’s congressional delegation and the Hawai`i Tourism Authority for their work to expand preclearance to Japan’s Narita International Airport,” Ige said. Preclearance has been a top priority for my administration, and I’m happy to see that it is moving forward. It would provide our valued Japanese visitors with a more pleasant arrival experience by alleviating congestion at the Honolulu International Airport, the state’s only international airport and currently the country’s fourth busiest international port of entry. Easing access will encourage travel to the neighbor islands and repeat visits to our beautiful state,” Ige said.

      “The fact that the United States will go forward in working to expand preclearance to Japan’s Narita International Airport is a good news for Hawaii`’s tourism industry, the economies of our state and nation and visitors from Japan who are eager to visit Hawai`i,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “Japan is one of our closest allies, and our countries have so much to offer one another. Travel between our two nations is just one way we can continue to strengthen our relationship. Tourism is our state’s number one industry, and anything we can do to promote travel to Hawai`i is a step toward strengthening our economy and creating jobs.”

      “We’ve been pushing for preclearance for two years, and it has gone from pie in the sky to reality,” said Sen. Brian Schatz. “This is the first step toward making it a lot easier for Japanese visitors to come to Hawai`i. Although work remains to be done, this also has enormous implications in terms of our efforts in establishing direct flights from Japan to Kona.”

Ka`u CDP calls for and outlines how to strengthen infrastructure, facilities
and services.

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

FEEDBACK ON THE KA`U DRAFT Community Development Plan is due Monday. The purpose of CDPs is to implement the broad goals within the General Plan on a regional basis and translate the broad General Plan statements to specific actions. CDPs are the forum for community input into coordinating the delivery of government services to the community.
      Feedback forms are available at kaucdp.info. Copies of the draft are also on hand at local libraries and community centers.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower on an easy one-mile walk tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, May 29, 2015

Ka`u residents can apply for seats on Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's advisory board. Map from HIHWNMS

HAWAI`I COUNTY PROSECUTOR MITCH ROTH is dropping trespassing charges against some of the 31 protestors arrested on Mauna Kea. The arrests occurred on April 2 after access was blocked to construction workers who were en route to the summit to begin work on the Thirty Meter Telescope.

Mitch Roth Photo by Chuck Green

      Roth’s action affects about 10 of those arrested. According to Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, of Honolulu Star-Advertiser, the charges may be re-filed based on the Prosecuting Attorney’s continued review of police reports and video taken at the site.
      Kealoha Pisciotta, a leader of the effort to stop construction of telescope, told Sinco Kelleher she’s happy to hear Roth’s decision. “Fundamentally and morally, how can it be trespassing in our house of worship and prayer?” she said.
      See staradvertiser.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HEP-FREE HAWAI`I RECENTLY RE-LAUNCHED the Micronesian Education Liver Wellness Program to raise awareness about hepatitis B among Micronesian communities living in Hawai`i. 

      Hawai`i has the highest rate of liver cancer in the U.S., and the leading cause of liver cancer in Hawai`i is hepatitis B. According to Hawai`i Department of Health, about 40,000 people in Hawai`i may be living with hepatitis B, and most are unaware of their infection. The people most at risk for hepatitis B are those born in Asia and the Pacific, including Republic of Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia. Unfortunately, most of these people, including those in Ka`u’s large Marshallese community, do not get tested or do not get medical care to manage hepatitis B.

      MELWP provides free educational “talk story” sessions for Micronesian community members to increase conversation and reduce stigma around this deadly disease. “We don’t have to let hepatitis take our communities. We can take action,” said Kenson Alik, MELWP Director and a hepatitis B survivor. “We hope that MELWP will empower local Micronesian communities to fight back against hepatitis. As someone who has been through it, I know that this is important for the health of our community!”

      According to Alik, community members can take action against hepatitis B by getting educated about hepatitis B, getting tested, getting vaccinated and getting treated.
      Alik was one of five people from Hawai`i selected for a Caring Ambassadors scholarship to advocate for hepatitis B prevention in Washington, D.C. With the support of Hep-Free Hawai`i, he met with Hawai`i legislators to share the importance of increased hepatitis B services for all Asians and Pacific Islanders, especially communities born in Micronesia.
      “I have experienced many difficulties due to hepatitis B,” stated Alik. “I want to ensure that no one else from my Micronesian community has to deal with liver cancer or liver transplant. Together, we can talk about this disease, and we can prevent it!”
      For more information on how to participate in MELWP, contact Alik at 808-783-9756 or kenalik04@yahoo.com.
      Also see hepfreehawaii.org or follow @hepfreehawaii on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

EXPENDITURES FOR HAWAI`I’S VISITOR INDUSTRY have started to stabilize with a boost in spending in March and April (up three percent and 5.4 percent respectively), Hawai`i Tourism Authority reported. This has helped to bring year-to-date spending on par with last year, reaching nearly $5 billion in total expenditures through April 2015 (+0.2 percent). As a result, Hawai`i’s visitor industry’s contribution in state tax revenue is also comparable to last year, up 0.2 percent to $532 million.
       “Visitor arrivals and spending from the core U.S. West market have continued to increase, and we anticipate that it will remain strong through the first half of the year,” said Ronald Williams, HTA’s Chief Executive Officer. While arrivals from Japan for April 2015 were up slightly, expenditures for the month and year-to-date remain down by double-digits, as the dollar continues to strengthen against the yen. 

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

KA`U RESIDENTS HAVE FOUR MORE DAYS to provide feedback about the draft Ka`u Community Development Plan that was released in March. The deadline is Monday. 

      “Mahalo to the hundreds of people who have attended one of the recent CDP events or sent in written comment!” said planner Ron Whitmore. “Your questions and suggestions are extremely helpful to Steering Committee members and the CDP Planning Team. They will use your feedback to make improvements to the Draft CDP.”
       Comments are accepted:

• Through the CDP feedback portal at hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp/feedback-form; 
• Using the fillable form at hawaiicountycdp.info/kaucdp/docu-ments/CommentForm.Mar15.pdf; 
• By email to planning@co.hawaii.hi.us; 
• By fax to 808-961-8742;
• By mail to Attn: Ka`u CDP, Hawai`i County Planning Department, 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 3, Hilo, HI 96720. 

      Copies of the draft Ka`u CDP are available at local libraries and community centers and online at kaucdp.info.    
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Humpback whale sings in sanctuary waters.
Photo from HIHWNMS

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK WHALE National Marine Sanctuary is seeking to fill seven alternate and one primary seat on its advisory council. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary matters and provides advice to sanctuary management.

      “The members of our advisory council represent an extremely important element of our community,” said Malia Chow, sanctuary superintendent. “Their input, experience and expertise assist sanctuary managers in making informed and timely decisions on how best to protect and conserve our important cultural and natural resources.” 

      The sanctuary is accepting applications for seats in commercial shipping, Hawai`i County, citizen-at-large, education, tourism and whale watching.
      Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations and views regarding protection and management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve a two-year term.
      Applications are due June 30. To receive an application kit or for further information, contact council coordinator Shannon Lyday at Shannon.Lyday@noaa.gov or 808-725-5905 or see hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/council/council_app_accepting.html.
      Completed applications should be submitted to Inouye Regional Center, ATTN: NOS/HIHWNMS/Shannon Lyday, 1845 Wasp Blvd, Building 176, Honolulu, HI 96818.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Emmett Enriques is BIIF Player of the
Year. Photo from Julie Enriques

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS’ EMMETT ENRIQUES, of Punalu`u, is Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I Volleyball Player of the Year. In his junior and senior years, Enriques led the Warriors to become BIIF Division I champions and state runners-up. The senior, who is also on the division’s first team, has signed to play for Cal Baptist.

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

PARTICIPANTS LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE of `ohi`a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the `ohi`a lehua tree and its flower on an easy one-mile walk Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free.

KA`U RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, Inc. provides information about its pilot Community Health Worker Program at a meeting Friday, June 12 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center in Pahala. Registration is required. Call 928-0101 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LOCAL PAPER MAKER AND ARTIST Susan O’Malley is offering four sessions of Japanese stab bookbinding. Times are 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 27 and Monday, July 13. All sessions are held at Ocean View Community Center. 

Ka`u residents can learn Japanese stab bookbinding this summer.
Photo from Susan O`Malley

      Participants create a traditional Japanese stab binding book featuring handmade paper. O’Malley teaches basic techniques of bookbinding, including tearing paper by hand, making covers, preparing the text block, working with stitch templates and sewing with waxed linen thread. Each participant leaves with a soft-bound book and skills to create more hand-bound books. The workshop also includes an introduction to the world of handmade books and an opportunity to view and handle a collection of professionally made examples.
      $20 includes kit instructions and all supplies to make one book. Each kit contains two cover sheets, 10 text pages, needle, linen thread, printed directions and three templates of traditional binding stitches.
      Enrollment is limited to six participants each session, and beginners are welcome. Register at ovcahawaii@gmail.com.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, May 28, 2015

Ka`u High School Trojan Kai Enriques is BIIF Volleyball Player if the Year. Photo from Taylor Sport Photography

KA`U’S FORMER COUNTY COUNCIL member Brenda Ford has lost her lawsuit claiming that Bobby Jean Leithead Todd is not qualified to be director of Department of Environmental Management. Ford filed the lawsuit in 2013, citing the county charter’s requirement that the director hold “an engineering degree or a degree in a related field.” Leithead Todd has a bachelor of arts degree in English.

Bobby Jean Leithead Todd

      In his ruling, Third Circuit Judge Ronald Ibarra said Ford “has not raised or presented any evidence that there exists a genuine issue of material fact relating to whether the County Council or the mayor abused their discretion in interpreting the charter.” Ibarra also noted that both sides agreed that language in the charter is ambiguous.
      Ford voted against Mayor Billy Kenoi’s appointment of Leithead Todd. It passed 6-3.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Tom Hutton

KA`U LEARNING ACADEMY is asking the state Public Charter School Commission to accept revisions to pre-opening assurances. KLA originally had a target enrollment of 111 students but is now expecting 85. According to a statement from commission Executive Director Tom Hutton, KLA requested the reduction “because the school believes it is important to complete its pre-opening criteria as soon as possible.” 

      KLA also provided a revised budget for years one through three. Year One provides for a revised enrollment of 85 students, 105 students in Year Two and 125 in Year Three.
      “KLA’s revised budget appears to be reasonable,” Hutton stated. “The school expects to end each year with a surplus, and even without any grants in Year One, the year would end at break-even. Further, all positions in the revised staffing plan are accounted for, although … there are some questions surrounding the pay for some of the positions.”  

      According to Hutton, the most significant cost saving comes from cutting clerical salaries, a technology services position and an instructional leadership position.
      The revised staffing plan includes four teachers (three of whom will be contracted through Teach For America), two Education Assistants, an Executive Director, a Managing Director, a part-time office assistant, a bus driver/lunch program person, a meals program/office assistant person and a custodian/driver/maintenance person.
      To demonstrate that the revised staffing plan is sufficient to deliver the academic plan, KLA also provided a school schedule.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Gregory Javar, Jr. accepts Ken Wicks scholarship
from chair Lee McIntosh.

GREGORY K. JAVAR, JR. wrote the winning essay for 2015 Ken Wicks Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. Javar graduated from Ka`u High School and attended University of Hawai`i as a freshman. He was an exchange student at University of Alaska during his sophomore year and returns to UH-Manoa this fall. 

      Entitled Local Lands in Local Hands, Javar’s essay considers the current controversy regarding stewardship of Mauna Kea and construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope there.
      “A`ole TMT! A`ole TMT!” These are the chants of Native Hawaiians speaking from their hearts to stop production on our sacred Mauna Kea,” Javar wrote. “The preservation of our Hawaiian lands plays such an important role in the Hawaiian culture, while advancing technology plays an important role in the science world. There seems to be no peaceful solution to these rising conflicts. Why can’t the native people and the scientists find peace? Different mindsets. In the Hawaiian culture, the people know the significance in the Mauna and see it as a sacred and holy place. While on the scientific end, the Mauna is just as equally significant, only for a different reason, scientific discovery. The mountain reveals that there are two different sides, the cultural and the scientific. Although there are many scientists who try to preserve the Hawaiian culture, I believe there is not enough. This is part of the reason why I am pursuing my goal in becoming a civil engineer.
        Pursuing my engineering career would not only benefit the technological world, it would also benefit my Hawaiian culture. My future plan is to move back to Ka`u and work as an engineer on the Big Island. If I am back on the Big Island, I’d be able to be a bridge or a mediator between conflicting sides. I would be able to tailor the projects so that they would be advanced in a modern way without interfering with Hawaiian culture. I feel like that is very important in this day and age because of the rapid growth of industry and modernization. With the current issue of Mauna Kea going on, I feel like Hawaiian engineers should work on ways to prevent future conflicts. As a native of Ka`u, I feel like it is my Kuleana to “keep country, country” and at the same time keep us intact with the modern world. 

Ka`u Chamber of Commerce presented its 2015 Ken Wicks scholarships Tuesday.

        Growing up in Ka`u, kids learn many values that many other kids do not have the privilege to learn. I’ve been to a lot of places and have seen the lifestyle and can honestly say that Ka`u is one of a kind. Our keiki learn respect, values, and learn that if you take care of the land, the land will take care of you. That’s what’s special about our district, we all are one with our land, and as locals we do what we can to protect it. As a future engineer, I see this as a great opportunity to make a long-lasting impression. For our people, for Ka`u.

      Other Ken Wicks Ka`u Chamber of Commerce Scholarship recipients for 2015 are Layla Abellera, Tyler Amaral, Evan Enriques, Annie Mae Flores, Kaweni Ibarra, Nysa M. Kaniho, Kamrie Koi, Jennifer Kau`i Losalio, Crystal McIntosh, Denisha Navarro, Siena Okimoto, Tiare-Lee Shibuya, Jennifer Flores Tabios and Jenisha Young.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u High named Athletes and Scholar Athletes
of the Year Tuesday. Photo from KHPES

TUESDAY AT ITS ATHLETIC ASSEMBLY, Ka`u High School congratulated Athletes of the Year. Female Athlete of the Year is Kerrilynn Domondon, and Male Athlete of the Year is Cameron “Kai” Enriques. 

      Principal’s Female Scholar Athlete of the Year is Jennifer Tabios and Principal’s Male Scholar Athlete of the Year is Mike Tamayo.
      Councilwoman Maile Medeiros David was on hand and presented Ka`u High School, its Athletic Program and eight-man football team with a Certificate of Recognition for winning the first BIIF eight-man championship.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

BIG ISLAND INTERSCHOLASTIC FEDERATION Volleyball Player of the Year is Ka`u High School’s Kai Enriques, and Coach of the Year is Joshua Ortega. Other Trojans also have received BIIF accolades. Outside hitter Enriques and middle blocker Brian Gascon are on Division II’s first team. Outside hitter Damon Hertz made second team. Honorable mention went to outside hitter Anthony Emmsley-Ah Yee and middle blocker Mike Tamayo.
      According to Kevin Jakahi, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, Enriques performance at states, with 41 kills on 100 swings, was “one of the most dominant performances by a Trojan in the school’s history.”
      “I never realized how many kills I had. I was enjoying the game so much,” Enriques told Jakahi. “When I heard, I was pretty excited.”
      Enriques will play for Briar Cliff College’s new men’s volleyball program this fall.

      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.
      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

PAHALA PUBLIC & SCHOOL LIBRARY on the campus of Ka`u High and Pahala Elementary School currently has open recruitment for Student Helper II positions to fill any future vacancies.
      This is a part-time position. Requirements include being a full-time college student taking online classes or classroom classes, being able to work in the mornings Mondays through Thursdays and Friday afternoons, and having computer skills.
       For more information, call Debbie Wong Yuen at 928-2015.

KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN hosts a talk story at Cooper Center in Volcano Village a week from today on Thursday, June 4 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Ruderman will discuss newly passed legislation and seek input on bills to be introduced next year.

      For more info, call 586-6890 or email   senruderman@capitol.hawaii.gov.

KA`U MOKU, PART OF AHA MOKU Advisory Committee, holds a community and informational meeting today from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Na`alehu Youth Center behind the community center to discuss local issues and concerns. 

      For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740 or Elizabeth Kuluwaimaka at 339-0289.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY Development Corp. meets tomorrow at 5 p.m. at Hawaiian Ranchos offices.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2015.pdf.

See kaucalendar.com/Direectory2015.pdf and
kaucalendar.com/Directory2015.swf.