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| Hawai`i Wildlife Fund celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. HWF co-founder Bill Gilmartin, credited with helping save the Hawaiian monk seal from extinction, received The Nature Conservancy's Kako`o `Aina Award, which honors individuals who provide significant and long-standing support for conservation, in 2012. TNC''s Hawai`i Director Suzanne Case, now Hawai`i Department of Land & Natural Resources Director, presented the award. See more below. Photo from HWF |
ELECTRIC BILLS FOR CUSTOMERS on Hawai`i Island are the lowest in nine years, Hawai`i Electric Light Co. reported yesterday. Based on usage of 500 kilowatt-hours per month, HELCO most recently charged customers 28.5 cents per kwh.
“Our customers are continuing to receive the savings from low oil prices,” said Darren Pai, of Hawaiian Electric Co. “But for the long term, continuing to rely on oil is a bad bet, and that’s why we are committed to transitioning to low-cost renewable energy to reach our state’s energy goals and ensure sustainable savings for our customers.
“The price of oil is historically volatile, so it can go back up just as quickly as it came down. And with the heat of summer and the humidity we experience in the fall months ahead, we encourage customers to continue to focus on good energy saving habits.”
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NOMINATIONS FOR HAWAI`I’S FILIPINO Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year are due tomorrow, Wednesday, March 16. The project of Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i honors business owners who demonstrate excellence and made meritorious contributions to Hawai`i’s community.
KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to School Community Council’s meeting Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School.
For more information, email Angela_Miyashiro/KAUH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND IS CELEBRATING 20 years of activities, including cleaning up the Ka`u Coast and working on preservation of endangered turtles.
“We bring a variety of experiences together to serve a common goal,” said Hawai`i Wildlife Fund co-founder and Volcano resident Bill Gilmartin. “Although we are a small organization, we combine our like-minded passions, and great things happen. Please join us to celebrate two decades of conservation work and community outreach.”
A statement from the organization, headed in Ka`u by Megan Lamson, notes that Hawai`i Wildlife is volunteer-powered. Some projects have extended statewide and into Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Outreach and education are funded through donations and competitive grants.
“We bring a variety of experiences together to serve a common goal,” said Hawai`i Wildlife Fund co-founder and Volcano resident Bill Gilmartin. “Although we are a small organization, we combine our like-minded passions, and great things happen. Please join us to celebrate two decades of conservation work and community outreach.”
A statement from the organization, headed in Ka`u by Megan Lamson, notes that Hawai`i Wildlife is volunteer-powered. Some projects have extended statewide and into Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. Outreach and education are funded through donations and competitive grants.
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| Megan Lamson has educated the public on marine debris in remote Ka`u through interviews with international news reporters, including Kyung Lah, of CNN. Image from cnn.com |
Hawai`i Wildlife Fund was founded March 16, 1996, when activities focused on the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seal, hawksbill turtle and outreach marine education. Today, HWF manages Honu`ea and Honu Watches and continues to expand outreach education and community-based conservation efforts.
“HWF is committed to building the next generation of marine conservationists. Since 1996, thousands of volunteers, and more than 400 students and interns from around the globe, have participated in HWF programs. Community-based programs focus on, but are not limited to, marine debris recovery and education, sea turtle conservation, environmental education and habitat restoration,” the anniversary summary reports.
Co-founder and HWF Executive Director Hannah Bernard stated, “Through our programs, and the collective efforts of students, interns and volunteers, HWF has saved thousands of endangered hawksbill (honu`ea) sea turtle hatchlings through identification of migration routes and long-term foraging habitat and protected hundreds of threatened green (honu) sea turtles.
“Teams also have recovered miles of sensitive habitat by removing 200 tons of marine debris. Celebrating 20 years of conservation work, outreach and community involvement makes me very proud.”
To celebrate 20 years of community education, activism and conservation work, HWF team members plan public events through 2016. Upcoming events in Ka`u include a Kawa Estuary Restoration Workday this Friday, March 18 and a cleanup at Kamilo on July 9. Check wildhawaii.org.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
“Teams also have recovered miles of sensitive habitat by removing 200 tons of marine debris. Celebrating 20 years of conservation work, outreach and community involvement makes me very proud.”
To celebrate 20 years of community education, activism and conservation work, HWF team members plan public events through 2016. Upcoming events in Ka`u include a Kawa Estuary Restoration Workday this Friday, March 18 and a cleanup at Kamilo on July 9. Check wildhawaii.org.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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| HUD Secretary Julian Castro |
DURING AN APPROPRIATIONS HEARING last week, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, called on Julian Castro, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to recognize the need for resources to support homeless families in Hawai`i and address the housing shortage. Castro pledged that Hawai`i would receive its fair share of federal resources and reiterated his commitment to addressing homelessness in Hawai`i.
“Your question relates to essentially making sure that communities like those in Hawai`i get their fair share of resources,” Castro said. “I want to assure you that as we allocate these vouchers that we do so in a way that ensures that it’s not just the biggest of cities or the usual suspects, so to speak, that get these resources. They’re allocated, in fact, based on relative need.”
“We are ‘all hands on deck’ in addressing homelessness in Hawai`i, so Secretary Castro’s commitment is very valuable,” Schatz said. “I will continue to work with everyone in Hawai`i to find resources and implement solutions. The key is will and total cooperation.”
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“We are ‘all hands on deck’ in addressing homelessness in Hawai`i, so Secretary Castro’s commitment is very valuable,” Schatz said. “I will continue to work with everyone in Hawai`i to find resources and implement solutions. The key is will and total cooperation.”
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KA`U YOUNG GIRLS’ FAIRYTALE DREAMS comes true at Splash Bash this Saturday. Friends of the Children’s Justice Center of East Hawai`i, in conjunction with Big Island Substance Abuse Council, will be distributing donated prom dresses to young ladies attending their school prom. Reservations are recommended, although walk-ins are also welcome. Call Julie Cox at 808-989-1009.
Splash Bash, a drug- and alcohol-free event, takes place at Na`alehu Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
Splash Bash, a drug- and alcohol-free event, takes place at Na`alehu Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
PAHALA RESIDENT WAYNE DACALIO, JR., a junior at Kamehameha, has been invited to represent Hawai`i Football in the 28th annual Down Under Sports Tournaments this summer on the Gold Coast of Australia. This past fall, he was a linebacker on the school’s varsity team.
“I am honored to be an ambassador of not only my community and state, but also our country,” Dacalio said.
Dacalio is seeking sponsors to help cover traveling costs of competing down under and would appreciate any type of donation to help him fulfill this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Information about the program is available at DownUnderSports.com.
Donations can be mailed to PO Box 431, Pahala, HI 96777. For more information about donating, call 938-4405 or 938-0467.
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Dacalio is seeking sponsors to help cover traveling costs of competing down under and would appreciate any type of donation to help him fulfill this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Information about the program is available at DownUnderSports.com.
Donations can be mailed to PO Box 431, Pahala, HI 96777. For more information about donating, call 938-4405 or 938-0467.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
NOMINATIONS FOR HAWAI`I’S FILIPINO Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Filipino Entrepreneur of the Year are due tomorrow, Wednesday, March 16. The project of Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawai`i honors business owners who demonstrate excellence and made meritorious contributions to Hawai`i’s community.
Presentation of nominees and awarding ceremonies will be held on O`ahu Saturday, April 16 at Ala Moana Hotel. All nominees are required to attend.
See filipinochamber.org for more information and nomination forms.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
To read comments, add your own and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
KAI HO`OPI`I shares music of his `ohana tomorrow from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.
KA`U RESIDENTS ARE INVITED to School Community Council’s meeting Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at Ka`u High & Pahala Elementary School.For more information, email Angela_Miyashiro/KAUH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us.
KILAUEA MILITARY CAMP in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates St. Patrick’s Day Thursday. A dinner buffet from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Crater Rim Café includes corned beef and cabbage, lamb stew, shepherd’s pie and more. Cost for adults is $18; children 6-11, $9.
Lava Lounge offers Irish cheer and green beer plus a free performance by the Whirlijigs Dance Troupe and the Stringmajigs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests Call 967-8371 for more information.
Park entrance fees apply.
KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests Call 967-8371 for more information.
Park entrance fees apply.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
