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| The sixth annual Floating Lantern Celebration will be held this Saturday, Nov. 26 at Punalu`u Black Sand Beach Medicine Pond from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Photo by Julia Neal |
"President-elect Trump asked me to meet with him about our current policies regarding Syria, our fight against terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS, as well as other foreign policy challenges we face. I felt it important to take the opportunity to meet with the President-elect now before the drumbeats of war that neocons have been beating drag us into an escalation of the war to overthrow the Syrian government—a war which has already cost hundreds of thousands of lives and forced millions of refugees to flee their homes in search of safety for themselves and their families.
“While the rules of political expediency would say I should have refused to meet with President-elect Trump, I never have and never will play politics with American and Syrian lives.
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| Tulsi Gabbard may be considered for the Trump cabinet. |
“Where I disagree with President-elect Trump on issues, I will not hesitate to express that disagreement. However, I believe we can disagree, even strongly, but still come together on issues that matter to the American people and affect their daily lives. We cannot allow continued divisiveness to destroy our country.
"President-elect Trump and I had a frank and positive conversation in which we discussed a variety of foreign policy issues in depth. I shared with him my grave concerns that escalating the war in Syria by implementing a so-called no fly/safe zone would be disastrous for the Syrian people, our country, and the world. It would lead to more death and suffering, exacerbate the refugee crisis, strengthen ISIS and al-Qaeda, and bring us into a direct conflict with Russia which could result in a nuclear war. We discussed my bill to end our country’s illegal war to overthrow the Syrian government, and the need to focus our precious resources on rebuilding our own country, and on defeating al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other terrorist groups who pose a threat to the American people.
“For years, the issue of ending interventionist, regime change warfare has been one of my top priorities. This was the major reason I ran for Congress—I saw firsthand the cost of war, and the lives lost due to the interventionist warmongering policies our country has pursued for far too long.
“Let me be clear, I will never allow partisanship to undermine our national security when the lives of countless people lay in the balance."
Eariler in the day media reports said that she may be considered for an appointment by Trump for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, U.N. Ambassador, Secretary of Defense or Secretary of State.
According to a Washington Post analysis before the General Election, by Elsie Viebek, who speculated on possible women to be chosen for the White House cabinet, an appointment for the Democrat to the post of VA Secretary "could represent an olive branch to the progressive wing of the party she represents. (Gabbard was a vocal supporter of Bernie Sanders in the presidential primary.) Then again, with Gabbard’s political star on the rise, it’s unclear she would want to leave elected office to lead a difficult bureaucracy."
Representing Ka`u and the rest of rural Hawai`i in the U.S. House of Representatives, Gabbard is involved in a group of young members of congress, who ban together for action despite the polarization of elected officials. She serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Armed Services Committee. Gabbard is a Major in the Hawai`i Army National Guard. She served as an aide for veterans affairs with Dan Akaka when he served as U.S. Senator from Hawai`i.
Gabbard recently gave the Veterans Day address at Kilauea Military Camp in Volcano.
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`ALALA ARE IN THE FOREST, but these endangered Hawaiian crows are living within their own contained aviary until their caretakers can make sure their tracking technology is working to follow them into adaption to life in the wild. A celebration was held Saturday in Hilo honoring the success of raising the endangered species in captivity at the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center in Volcano and its sister center on Maui.
Waiting for their freedom, five male `alalā have been moved to an aviary in the Pu’u Maka`ala Natural Area Reserve near Volcano. Overseeing their progress is San Diego Zoo Global’s Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation Program with help from the state Department of Land & Natural Resources and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
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| ‘Alalā painting commissioned by the State of Hawai`i, wildlife artist Patrick Ching. |
Praising the state's management of the forest where the `alalā are to be released, Jackie Gaudioso-Levita, Project Coordinator of the ‘Alalā Project, said, “Decades of intensive management by the state Dept. of Land and Natural Resources, in stewardship with local conservation partners, have led to the preservation of some of the most intact native-dominated wet and mesic forest on windward Hawai`i Island, known as Pu`u Maka`ala Natural Area Reserve.” See films on the subject at bigislandvideonews.com
FLOATING LANTERN CEREMONY to honor relatives and friends who have passed away will be held at Punalu`u Beach park this Saturday, Nov. 26 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Register today by calling Ka`u Resource & Distance Learning Center at 928-0101. Donations help a college scholarship fund for students enrolled in education for health careers. Tax deductible purchase of floating lanterns, t-shirts and photos are limited to the first 50 registrations. The celebration will feature community potluck, Taiko drummers, Gi Gon demonstration, hula dancers and local music, followed by a special photo powerpoint presentation of loved ones, friends, families, caregivers and previous celebrations. The theme is "Honoring Past, Present and Future Generations.:"
PHOTOGRAPHY WENT UNDERGROUND for the winning photo announced Saturday at the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce art show called the Beauty of Ka`u. Ann Bosted took first place for photography with her photo called `Ohia Roots in Kula Kai Caverns.
Ann and Peter Bosted, residents of Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos, are enthusiastic lava tube explorers, photographers and mappers. They work to document and conserve lava tubes.
'Ohi'a Roots in Kula Kai Caverns features a French caver, Annie, below a mass of long 'Ohia tree roots. Bosted said that 'Ohi'a trees and banyans thrive with roots hanging down into lava tubes.
For her photo, Bosted set up two side lights to illuminate the roots, and a small front light on Annie. The print was made on metallic paper, which enhances the sharpness and detail of the image. Kula Kai Caverns in Ocean View, is open to the public.
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| First place photo belongs to Ann Bosted, who photographed underground to capture the roots of an Ohia tree in Kula Kai Caverns. |
PHOTOGRAPHY WENT UNDERGROUND for the winning photo announced Saturday at the Ka`u Chamber of Commerce art show called the Beauty of Ka`u. Ann Bosted took first place for photography with her photo called `Ohia Roots in Kula Kai Caverns.
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| Honu`apo Sunrise, a photo by Betty Clark, won second place in photography at the art show. |
'Ohi'a Roots in Kula Kai Caverns features a French caver, Annie, below a mass of long 'Ohia tree roots. Bosted said that 'Ohi'a trees and banyans thrive with roots hanging down into lava tubes.
For her photo, Bosted set up two side lights to illuminate the roots, and a small front light on Annie. The print was made on metallic paper, which enhances the sharpness and detail of the image. Kula Kai Caverns in Ocean View, is open to the public.
Second place went to Betty Clark, of Honu`apo, who took her Honu`apo Sunrise photo with an iphone. Clark is site manger of the Tutu & Me program for Ka`u. She lives above Honu`apo Bay and she watches the colors above the horizon develop dramatically before sunrise each morning. She describes Honu`apo daybreak skies as comparable to any sunset. "I took the photo one morning when it was more spectacular than usual."
See more winners in upcoming Ka`u News Briefs and in yesterday's
edition.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
See more winners in upcoming Ka`u News Briefs and in yesterday's
edition.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT drew a lot of food for the needy as spectators donated canned goods. It also drew two wins for the Ka`u girls during the annual invitational last Friday and Saturday. The tournament brought in the first official high school sports played at the new Ka`u Gym.
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| Trojan girls, with coach Cy Lopez, host the first high school sports competition in the new Ka`u Gym, with a food drive last weekend. Photo by Jen Makuakane |
Ka`u won two games on Saturday, with a 43 to 41 victory over Pahoa and a 38 to 24 win over Kealakehe. The Trojans recorded two losses on Friday, with Kea`au squeaking past Ka`u with two points and final score of 11 - 8. Ke`au jayvee scored three more points than Ka`u jajvee, with final score of 11- 8.
Competition continues with coaches Cy Lopez, Jen Makuakane and Bridgette Pasion on the following dates:
Trojan girls travel to Hawai`i Preparatory Academy in Waimea for a tournament Thursday, through Saturday, Dec. 1 - 3.
The BIIF season kicks off at home for the Trojans on Tuesday, Dec. 13 with Ke`a`au at Ka`u, another tournament on Thursday, Dec. 15 in Hilo, followed by Kealakehe at Ka`u on Thursday, Dec. 22 and Ka`u at Honoka`a on Friday, Dec. 30.
Wednesday, Jan. 4, with Ka‘ū at Kona; Saturday, Jan. 7, Ka‘ū at Kohala; Tuesday, Jan. 10, Pāhoa at Ka‘ū; Thursday, Jan. 12, Hilo at Ka‘ū; Friday, Jan. 13, Ka‘ū at Waiākea; Monday, Jan. 16, HPA at Ka‘ū; and Wednesday, Jan. 18, Kamehameha at Ka‘ū.
THE NAʻALEHU STUDENT COUNCIL WINTER FESTIVAL is announced. The festival will put fun and friends in the spotlight at Na‘alehu Elementary School on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Billed as a “friend-raiser,” the mini-carnival will be held at Naʻalehu Elementary School grounds and will raise needed funds for student council activities and student incentives.
Competition continues with coaches Cy Lopez, Jen Makuakane and Bridgette Pasion on the following dates:
Trojan girls travel to Hawai`i Preparatory Academy in Waimea for a tournament Thursday, through Saturday, Dec. 1 - 3.
The BIIF season kicks off at home for the Trojans on Tuesday, Dec. 13 with Ke`a`au at Ka`u, another tournament on Thursday, Dec. 15 in Hilo, followed by Kealakehe at Ka`u on Thursday, Dec. 22 and Ka`u at Honoka`a on Friday, Dec. 30.
Wednesday, Jan. 4, with Ka‘ū at Kona; Saturday, Jan. 7, Ka‘ū at Kohala; Tuesday, Jan. 10, Pāhoa at Ka‘ū; Thursday, Jan. 12, Hilo at Ka‘ū; Friday, Jan. 13, Ka‘ū at Waiākea; Monday, Jan. 16, HPA at Ka‘ū; and Wednesday, Jan. 18, Kamehameha at Ka‘ū.
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HOVE ROAD MAINTENANCE board of directors meeting, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910
LEI WILI DEMONSTRATION, Wed, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lanai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn the lei wili, a traditional style of lei created by wrapping cordage around flowers, leaves and more. Free; park entrance fees apply.
THANKSGIVING DAY BUFFET, Thu, Nov. 24, 2 – 6 p.m., Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day buffet at Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The buffet features roast turkey, pineapple honey-glazed ham, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, rice, pumpkin squares, apple crisp, ice cream sundae bar and beverage. $21.95 adults, $11.95 child (6-11 years). No reservations required. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356
30TH ANNUAL VOLCANO VILLAGE ARTISTS HUI SHOW & SALE, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Nov. 25-27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Volcano Village. Gallerygoers are invited to meet the artists in their studios located in Volcano. Artworks will be on display and available for purchase in a variety of media including pottery, raku, hand-blown art glass, sculpture, jewelry, and fiber art as well as photographs, paintings, drawings, metal work, quilts, and block prints. Maps to studios available at local businesses & galleries. 987-3472
VOLCANO ARTS CENTER PROGRAMS PREVIEW EXHIBIT, Friday, Saturday Nov. 25/26, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Discover what the New Year has to offer. VAC will be on Volcano Artist Hui’s tour, and Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will sell poinsettias. 967-8222
CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY holiday exhibit daily through Jan. 1 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Featured at Christmas in the Country is the 17th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, with prizes awarded for the best wreaths. To participate, contact Emily Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org. Free; park entrance fees apply.
