Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Friday, Feb. 26, 2016

A Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Institute program focuses on current restoration activities at the `Ohi`a Wing of Volcano House. See more below. Photo from FHVNP

THE DIRECTORY 2016 Business & Community Resource Guide, sponsored by Ka`u Chamber of Commerce, is online and can be read at kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html. It will be circulated free of charge in March and throughout the year. The 80-page guide welcomes local business advertising and membership fees that support Ka`u Chamber’s annual scholarships, annual art show through which the cover is chosen, and production and printing of The Directory.

      Also known as Ka`u’s phone book, The Directory includes listings of community organizations, businesses, parks and community centers, public officials, schools and their schedules, churches and government services. There are calendars for annual, monthly, weekly and daily events. 

      Images of Ka`u from photographers, including Peter Anderson, whose volcano photo graces the cover, illustrate the book along with maps of each community. Features include the winning scholarship essay, Local Lands in Local Hands, and winners of the art show. There are stories on the legacy of the late Gil Kahele; the new tea industry and competition; rumblings of Mauna Loa; preservation of Makahiki Grounds; Kapapala and Paniolo Hall of Fame; wars against dengue fever, rapid `ohi`a death and fire ants; the role of the community in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park; and the nearly completed Ka`u Community Development Plan.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, seefacebook.com/kaucalendar.

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO INTRODUCED a resolution marking the anniversary of the issuance of Executive Order 9066 and affirming that America must stand against intolerance. In a show of support, advocates from nearly ten organizations were present in the Senate gallery as Hirono provided remarks from the Senate floor.

Advocates for Asian American, Pacific Islander and Muslim
communities joined Sen. Mazie Hirono for introduction
of a resolution commemorating internment of Japanese
Americans. Photo from Office of Sen. Hirono

      “Seventy-four years ago, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which led to the mass internment of nearly 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II,” Hirono said. “While the internment is now recognized as one of the darkest periods in our nation’s history, we must not forget that Executive Order 9066 had widespread support at the time. Today, we hear echoes of the same sentiments directed toward members of the South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Arab and Middle Eastern communities. Let’s stand together in solidarity in our American values that are rooted in compassion, respect for others, justice and equality.”

      “We thank Sen. Hirono for her leadership in introducing this resolution, especially because our nation must remember its history as we unite against hate, xenophobia and bigotry,” National Council of Asian Pacific Americans Director Christopher Kang said. “We remember the 120,000 Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II – even though none was ever charged with a crime. Today is a time of high anxiety and increased rates of anti-Muslim rhetoric and actions, and NCAPA is more committed than ever to ensuring that policies and political rhetoric do not repeat the mistakes of the past in discriminating against any individual.”
      A broad coalition of advocacy organizations backed the measure, including Asian Americans Advancing Justice, the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Japanese American Citizens League, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans, Muslim Advocates, the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the Sikh Coalition and South Asian Americans Leading Together.
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Roger Dow Photo from U.S. Travel Associaton

SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ ON WEDNESDAY was named a recipient of a U.S. Travel Association Distinguished Travel Champion Award. The association recognized Schatz for his leadership in advancing policies that strengthen travel to and within America, particularly his role in the bipartisan push to build support for the Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel Act of 2015, and his leadership on the bill reauthorizing Brand USA.

      “Sen. Schatz truly knows the vital role our industry plays in America’s economic health,” U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow said. “He has clearly demonstrated his commitment to keeping travel in our country strong through his leadership on crucial pieces of legislation. We are privileged to honor him and other Distinguished Travel Champions for their work, and hope that other political and government decision-makers will follow his lead in advocating for travel within their own districts, states, chambers and agencies.”
      “I want to thank the U.S. Travel Association for this award and for their dedication to improving travel opportunities to and within our country,” Schatz said. “A strong and dynamic travel industry supports small businesses, creates jobs and helps grow our economy. I look forward to continue working with the U.S. Travel Association to strengthen travel to the United States and promote Hawai`i as a premier visitor destination.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, seefacebook.com/kaucalendar.

`IMILOA ASTRONOMY CENTER is seeking keiki explorers in grades K-3 for winter intersession camp. This series of Camp `Imi-Possible features Constellation Camp: Mapping the Night Time Sky. Camp includes four days of exciting hands-on science experiments and activities exploring the constellations. Keiki explore the four voyaging star lines through storytelling, challenges and problem solving. Reading constellation maps will inspire youth to create their own star and constellation art projects throughout camp. 

      Constellation Camp runs from Monday, March 21 through Thursday, March 24. Camp begins each day at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m., with early drop-off available at 7:30 a.m. and late pickup by 4:15 p.m. Cost is $175 for members and $200 for non-members.
      Registration forms are available at http://www.imiloahawaii.org/assets/Fallintersession15revised.pdf. Space is limited and will fill fast.
      For more information call us at 808-932-8901.

RESTORATION IS HAPPENING at the `Ohi`a Wing at Volcano House in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Want to learn more about historical buildings, the care and restoration? Join Chief of Cultural Resources Laura Schuster and experts in historical restoration tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for a presentation on current restoration activities in the 1932 Administration Building. Participants will be given a tour of the Ohia Wing, followed by a hands-on presentation. Ask questions; learn new skills!

      Light refreshments will be served outside after the presentation.
      This Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Institute program is limited to 20 participants. Registration is required, with fees of $20 for members and $25 for non-members.

      See fhvnp.org.

ZACH MERMEL TEACHES FUNDAMENTAL techniques to create edible landscaping tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Fees are $40, or $35, for VAC members plus $15 supply fee. Register at 967-8222.

KAHUKU UNIT OF HAWAI`I VOLCANOES National Park offers a free hike into a forested pit crater tomorrow at 10 a.m. Botanist Sierra McDaniel and wildlife biologist Jon Faford lead a moderate 2.4-mile roundtrip hike into the crater that naturally protects rare and endangered Hawaiian plant species and other native plants that grow along the trail.

Elizabeth Miller demonstrates metal repousse
tomorrow. Photo from Volcano Village Artists Hui

ELIZABETH MILLER DEMONSTRATES metal repousse techniques tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The demo is in conjunction with Sightlines, the gallery’s current exhibit featuring works by members of Volcano Village Artists Hui. Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts reviewed the exhibit and selected three pieces for consideration in the state’s collection, with one being Miller’s.

      Free; park entrance fees apply.

HO`OMALU KA`U’S SECOND Native Dryland Plants Workshop takes place tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. The workshop focuses on propagation techniques and tips on landscaping with native plants.

      Register for the free workshop at 929-8526 or hoomalukau@gmail.com.

SPAGHETTI DINNER, SILENT AUCTION and bake and craft sales raise funds for Ka`u Hospital tomorrow from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Purchase $10 dinner tickets from Nadine Ebert at 938-5124.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST tomorrow features the guitar artistry of Curt Warren, Jr. Volcano Choy with the Volcano Art Center Jazz Ensemble and a special hana hou appearance by Jeannine Guillory.
      Performances begin at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available today at VAC’s Administration Office in Volcano Village, VAC Gallery in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park and volcanoartcenterorg. After today, tickets will be sold at the door if still available.

KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S Crater Rim Café in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park offers Mongolian BBQ tomorrow from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. $.85 per ounce includes protein, veggies, noodles and a beverage. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply.

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

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_February2016.pdf.