Sunday, October 04, 2015

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, Oct. 4, 2015

The Hawaiian Room at New York City's Hotel Lexington is the topic of a film screening and workshop at Volcano Art Center this month. Photos from the Hula Preservation Society via VAC
PRESERVATION OF KAHUA `OLOHU is on the agenda of Hawai`i County’s Finance Committee this week. Ka`u Council member Maile David introduces Resolution 287-15, authorizing the Director of Finance to enter into negotiations for acquisition of the 13-acre property in Na`alehu. Kahua `Olohu is listed as a key priority for purchase in the 2014 Annual Report of the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission for its historical significance and cultural importance.
A resolution to be considered by Hawai`i County Council's Finance Committee
this week authorizes purchase of Kahua `Olohu. Map from PONC
      The resolution states that the property “is significant to the County of Hawai`i for the following reasons:
  1. The site is known historically as a famous wahi pana (storied, legendary place) of Ka`u formerly used as a traditional gaming field for Hawaiian sports and Makahiki (religious and agricultural celebrations); 
  2. Kahua `Olohu is a famous stone bowling (`ulu maika) and dart sliding (moa pahe`e) field; 
  3. Acquisition would fulfill the purpose of preserving historic and culturally important sites that promote preservation and perpetuation of our native Hawaiian culture, tradition and customary practices; and 
  4. The site has been listed on the State Inventory of Historic Properties and is eligible for inclusion in both the State and National Register of Historic Places.” 
      The Finance Committee meets Tuesday at 9:45 a.m.
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Hawai`i County Council asks Gov. Ige to redesignate a Ka`u Enterprise Zone.
Map from Hawai`i County Council
A KA`U ENTERPRISE ZONE IS THE TOPIC of a resolution on this week’s agenda of Hawai`i County Council’s Committee on Governmental Relations & Economic Development. 
      Resolution 283-15 nominates enterprise zones for Ka`u and three other districts for consideration and designation by Gov. David Ige.
      The enterprise zones would provide tax incentives intended to foster economic development and generate employment by encouraging businesses to hire more employees, even family workers, and grow their companies.
      The previous Ka`u Enterprise Zone expired on May 1, and a proposed new map has been drawn by the county to designate the new area where benefits would apply. The new map takes out some conservation areas in the mauka lands between Pahala and Na`alehu and mauka toward Volcano and adds on some territory makai of Hwy 11 between Pahala and Volcano. The Ka`u Enterprise Zone has included and would include the entire Ka`u Coast. The Enterprise Zone does not override any county zoning or state land use designations and does not supersede building regulations.
      The Committee on Governmental Relations & Economic Development meets Tuesday at 1 p.m.
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OTHER HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL committees meeting Tuesday are Public Works & Parks and Recreation at 9 a.m.; Public Safety & Mass Transit, 9:15 a.m.; and Planning, 10:15 a.m. Ka`u residents can participate in all meetings via videoconferencing at Na`alehu State Office Building.
      The meetings are also streamed live at hawaiicounty.gov. Click on Council Meetings.
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TROPICAL STORM OHO was 370 miles south of South Point at 11 a.m. and expected to pass by to the east of Ka`u during the next several days. Although there are no watches and warnings in effect, the system could bring high winds and heavy rain to the district. 
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ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS regarding the U.S. Department of Interior’s recently released notice of proposed rule making are available at doi.gov/ohr. The rule making would create a path for a reorganized Native Hawaiian government to reestablish a government-to-government relationship with the United States. 
      According to DOI, “the proposed rule does not attempt to reorganize a Native Hawaiian government or draft its constitution, nor does it dictate the form or structure of that government. Rather, it would establish an administrative procedure and criteria that the Secretary would use if the Native Hawaiian community forms a unified government that then seeks a formal government-to-government relationship with the United States. Consistent with the Federal policy of indigenous self-determination and Native self-governance, the Native Hawaiian community itself would determine whether and how to reorganize its government.”
      One FAQ answer describes benefits associated with reestablishing a government-to-government relationship:
      “The Federal government has a longstanding policy of supporting self-determination and self- governance for Native peoples throughout the United States. Such self-government provides many Native populations enhanced economic development and greater ability to preserve their distinctive cultures and traditions.
      “A government-to-government relationship with the United States can significantly enhance a Native community’s ability to exercise self-government by giving a Native government special status under Federal law. For example, if the Native Hawaiian government seeks and obtains a formal relationship with the United States, federal courts would then accord greater weight to the laws enacted by that Native Hawaiian government and the decisions of the Native Hawaiian courts. That in turn will facilitate and support self-governance by enabling the community to exercise powers of self-government over many issues directly impacting community members. A government-to-government relationship also would provide a Native Hawaiian government with additional abilities to protect its members’ interests by filing suit in Federal court.
      “Moreover, once a government-to-government relationship exists, federal agencies would treat the Native Hawaiian government as the legal representative of the community. Many federal agencies have procedures in place for regular communication and consultation with recognized Native governments.”
      Comments on this proposed rule must be received on or before Dec. 30. Comments can be submitted at regulations.gov. The rule has been assigned Docket ID DOI-2015-0005. Comments can also be emailed to part50@doi.gov. Include the number 1090-AB05 in the subject line. The address for mail is Office of the Secretary, Department of the Interior, Room 7228, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240.
      All comments will be posted at regulations.gov and will include any personal information provided.
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Skylark emceed for Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u.
The three day Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u wrapped up yesterday.
Photos by Julia Neal
THE HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U three-day event wrapped up last evening as dancers, musicians and the public saw rain showers in Pahala but enjoyed the performances of halau from O`ahu, the Big Island and Japan. The event helped to raise funds for the new safe house for girls, which opened in Pahala on Oct. 1, and for other activities of Uhana Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i. Emcee was Skylark. Halau included Sammy Fo’s Kahoku Kauahiahionalani, Marsha Bolosan’s Ka`imia Na`auao Kahiko, Hannah’s Makana `Ohana and Debbie Ryder’s Halau Hula O Leonalani, as well as Shona Lam Ho’s Ho`omaka`i Hula Studio, Mahealani Hula Studio, Halau Hula O Keanuenue and Waiolu’s Hula Studio.
      Sponsors included Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Punalu`u Bake Shop, Big Island Candies and Mizuno Store, with help from many local extended families, Ryder said.
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The Hawaiian Room featured Hawaiian dancers, singers and musicians
for three decades in New York City.
THE HAWAIIAN ROOM is the topic of a film and workshop this month at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Between 1937 and 1966, hundreds of Hawaiian dancers, singers and musicians from the Hawaiian isles became part of the legacy of the pioneering Hawaiian Room at the Hotel Lexington in the heart of New York City.
      Ann Marie Kirk’s film The Hawaiian Room, produced by the Hula Preservation Society, documents those days when the venue became an incomparable venue through which Aloha and Hawaiian culture were shared. Hear from the entertainers, dancers and patrons who made it such a special place, and be transported to a time in history when Hula, Hawaiian Music and Aloha enchanted New York. VAC screens the film on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. After the film, meet and hear from several original Hawaiian Room talents appearing in person. Sammi Fo, of Ocean View, was one of The Hawaiian Room’s entertainers. The evening is free; $5 donations are appreciated.
      In honor of the era, the Hawaiian Room’s TeMoana Makolo will teach a special Hapa-Haole Hula: Hawaiian Room Style workshop on Friday, Oct. 16, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
      Makolo worked as a choreographer and dancer in the Hawaiian Room in the 1960s, the final years of the famed establishment. Auntie TeMoana Kauinohea Makolo was raised in Kalihi on O`ahu and reared in hula by her aunties, the legendary Hula masters Leilani and Puanani Alama. She has produced shows and worked in travel on the continental U.S. and here in Hawai`i. Makolo continues to share her love of hula with women and children through the state Department of Education’s Kupuna Program and Queen’s Hospital’s cancer survivor hula class.
      Participants learn a fun hapa-haole hula routine straight from the Hawaiian Room era. Fees for the workshop are $15 for VAC members and $18 for non-members. For more information and to register, see volcanoartcenter.org, or call 967-8222.

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