Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Ka`u High School students met with state Sen. Russell Ruderman last night and asked for help with school and community issues. Ruderman, who represents the district from Honu`apo through Pahala and Volcano into Puna, held a community gathering at Pahala Plantation House, and students of Ka`u High teacher Kevin Sun and Pahala Middle School teacher Sandy Tran attended. See their story in tomorrow's Ka`u Calendar News Briefs. Photo by Julia Neal

STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN encouraged his Ka`u constituents to participate in the legislative process at his talk story last night at Pahala Plantation House. He said testimony provided on bills under consideration is worth 1,000 times more than comments made when the Legislature is not in session. Residents of any age can offer their views at capitol.hawaii.gov.

Sen. Russell Ruderman wants to continue funding research
of rapid `ohi`a death. Photo from UH-CTAHR

      Several bills introduced by Ruderman are still alive this session and available for public comment. Many relate to environment issues. Senate Bill 2271 would continue funding research of rapid `ohi`a death, which continues to ravage Hawai`i Island’s forests. 

      SB 2516 funds education efforts to prevent rat lungworm disease, which Ruderman said is more dangerous than dengue fever. Slugs spread the disease when they come into contact with vegetables. Ruderman said all vegetables eaten raw need to be washed thoroughly as a preventive measure. The disease is also associated with catchment water.

Macadamia felted coccid threatens Ka`u's
orchards. Photo from Ag Department

      Ka`u’s commercial macadamia nut orchards could benefit from SB2988, which would appropriate funds to research and develop methods for prevention and treatment of macadamia felted coccid, an invasive species that reduces crop production and can kill trees. 

      Community food forests, where residents could grow non-for-profit food crops on state land, would provide sources of low- or no-cost food to residents. SB2967 states that “food production in populated areas may contribute significantly to community sustainability by providing locally produced, healthy food to those who cannot otherwise afford it.”
      SB2515 would require more electric vehicle charging stations in parking lots. Currently, only lots containing more than 100 spaces must have charging stations. Ruderman, who drives a Nissan Leaf on O`ahu, wants EV owners to be able to charge their vehicles at various locations so they can drive around each island. He said this would promote more use of EVs and less use of fossil fuels.
      An industrial hemp bill, not Ruderman’s but the same as one he introduced last year, would establish a pilot program to allow cultivation of industrial hemp and distribution of its seed. Ruderman said the crop has many uses, including feed for animals and enrichment of soil. He said it is a good crop for marginal lands and is drought resistant.

      Track these and other bills at capitol.hawaii.gov.
      See more in tomorrow’s Ka`u Calendar News Briefs.

OCEAN VIEW RESIDENTS CONCERNED about abandoned, hungry and mistreated dogs are encouraged to voice their thoughts at a meeting on March 24 at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Iolani Hawk, a longtime Ocean View resident, is spearheading an effort to unite the Police Department and Hawai`i Humane Society to solve problems.

      “Our community must hold some sort of world record for the percentage of dogs in cars and trucks,” Hawk said. “Most of us truly love our dogs and are even proud of them. Unfortunately, there are some people that do not hold these great creatures in high regard. Some poor dogs get chained to the same place for most of their lives – ignored once they’ve lost that puppy cuteness. And some dogs live out their lives as thin as skeletons, starved from lack of attention and complete irresponsibility.

      “In Ocean View, too many dogs are abandoned for a variety of reasons and left to roam the neighborhoods, eating trash, howling and barking all night long, fighting or searching for pets or farm stock to kill. People are frustrated, experiencing sleepless nights and at odds with neighbors who do not control their barking animals. Police and the Humane Society are called to settle the domestic disputes.”

      Hawk will have free baggies of dog food available once a month at Ka`u Food Pantry at St. Jude’s Church, as well as at the free dinner held at the community center.

      Over the last few years, quite a few concerned residents have created a network of recovery and rescue operations. For instance, the organization K.A.R.E.S. (808-328-8455) provides free spay/neuter service for dogs, and Hawai`i Humane Society offers free spay/neuter coupons at the beginning of every month, but there is a cap on that amount until the next month. 

      On Feb. 18, a small group met with the Humane Society at Ocean View Community Center to discuss their next move. Unfortunately, the Police Department could not make this meeting, but we look forward to their future participation.
      The Humane Society expressed their willingness to come to Ocean View twice a week without charging the $25 fee to pick up puppies or dogs. They will not pick up loose puppies or dogs; dogs must be tied up or contained upon the officer’s arrival. Humane Society pamphlets outlining the three-step remedy of noisy, barking dog situations are available.
      Hawk and others now look forward to some real enforcement of these guidelines with help from the Police Department.
      “This is the beginning of a large, conscious effort to make a significant difference in the quality of life for dogs in the home we all call Ocean View,” Hawk said.

Patsy Mink Photo from Patsy T. Mink Foundation

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD HONORED Hawai`i trailblazer Patsy Mink as a life-long advocate for civil rights and equal opportunity during Women’s History Month.

      “After graduating from Maui High in 1944 as class president and valedictorian, and attending college with dreams of becoming a doctor, Patsy Mink had over a dozen medical schools slam the door shut simply because she was a woman,” Gabbard said. “Rather than quit, she took action. She attended law school, becoming the first Japanese-American female attorney in Hawai`i and was elected as the first Asian-American woman ever to Congress in 1965. 

      “Through her 12 terms in the House of Representatives, serving Hawai`i’s Second District, which I’m honored to represent today, she was a true champion for equal rights and opportunity. In 1972, her landmark bill, Title IX, was signed in to law, legislation that has since allowed young women all across the country the very same opportunities to jump high, run fast, hit hard and go the extra mile, same as their male counterparts.
      “As we kick off Women’s History Month, let us recognize and celebrate Patsy Mink and the countless other women throughout our nation’s history who blazed trails before us and broke down barriers for a better future for our next generation.”

Caren Loebel-Fried sketches an albatross with egg on Midway.
VAC Photo by Dan Clark

FRIENDS OF MIDWAY ATOLL National Wildlife Refuge present the Magic of Midway, a charity auction and conversation about a raucous seabird colony and World War II monument, tomorrow from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Artist Caren Loebel-Fried shares her Midway experience, and Rob Shallenberger, former Refuge Manager, presents photos of historical Midway and a year in the life of an albatross. 

      A limited edition print of Loebel-Fried’s Midway and other art merchandise will be available for purchase to support FOMA and wildlife on Midway Atoll.
Free; $5 donations appreciated.

      Call 967-8222 for more information.

NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELING QUILT Exhibit opens Friday at Volcano House Great Room in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Quilts created by Fiber Works, a group of textile artists from the Lincoln-Omaha, Nebraska area will be on display through Sunday, March 27.
      See nps.gov/havo.

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

See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html.

See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_March2016.pdf.