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Tuesday, May 03, 2016

Ka`u Calendar News Briefs Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Hawai`i Wildlife Fund held its seventh annual cleanup at Manuka on Saturday, April 30. See more below. Photo from HWF
OPPOSITION TO HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC CO.’S merger with the utility giant NextEra is the signal from most entities filing positions this week with the state Public Utilities Commission.
      Life of the Land Executive Director Henry Curtis summarized positions on his blog at www.ililani.media.
      Those who oppose the merger include the state Consumer Advocate; state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism; Counties of Hawai`i and Maui; Friends of Lana`i; Ka Lei Maile Ali`i Hawaiian Civic Club; Life of the Land; Puna Pono Alliance and Sierra Club; Hawai`i PV Coalition; Hawai`i Solar Energy Association; Tawhiri Power; The Alliance for Solar Choice; and Hawai`i Gas.
      Those who say yes to the merger, with conditions, are Blue Planet Foundation, Hawai`i Island Energy Cooperative, Renewable Energy Action Coalition of Hawai`i, Sun Edison and Ulupono Initiative.
      Those supporting the merger without conditions are Hawaiian Electric Companies and NextEra.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Maile David introduced a bill to control
drinking at Kahuku Park.
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AT KAHUKU PARK was on the agenda of Hawai`i County Council’s Public Works & Parks & Recreation Committee this morning. One testifier said that alcoholism and drug use are “all over the park, which is the only one on the island” that permits it.
      Pastor Rod Ducosin, who works with Boys & Girls Club, testified that he wants the park to be non-drinkable “for the safety of our children.” He said it is a major bus stop for schoolchildren, and that drinkers are everywhere and “out of control.” According to Ducosin, club membership is down from 50 to a handful because parents are afraid to have their children in the park.
      Lisa Bedgood said kids want to play but are surrounded by drinkers and drug users. There is “no safe place for any of our children to play,” she said. “It needs to be stopped.”
      “I don’t like the drinking,” Bedgood’s daughter Olivia said. “It endangers us. All these drunks are very dangerous, and they’re very creepy. It makes kids not want to come to the park.”
      “I think this is the first step,” Ka`u’s Hawai`i County Council member Maile David said.
      David’s Bill 201 received unanimous support and now moves on to the full council.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

MAY IS ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN Heritage Month. The observance originally began as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, which was established through a joint Congressional resolution in 1978. The month of May was chosen due to two important milestones in Asian/Pacific American history: May 7, 1843, when the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, and May 10, 1869, when the first transcontinental railroad was completed with substantial contributions from Chinese immigrant workers.
      “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have built a long legacy of achievements throughout our nation’s history,” Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said. “The exceptional contributions of AAPIs in government, business, military service, culture and arts, technology, sports, education, science, health and so much more have enriched and strengthened our country. As we celebrate our shared heritage and history this month, we must also honor and continue the tireless work of those who came before us – leaders like Sen. Daniel Inouye, Sen. Daniel Akaka and Congresswoman Patsy Mink – who broke down barriers, challenged the status quo and fought to ensure a better future for the next generation.”
      “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month reminds us to honor the deep roots and valuable contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” Sen. Brian Schatz said. “Their accomplishments in business, science, public service, the armed forces and the arts help sustain our country’s evolving economy and support global understanding and collaboration. In Hawai`i, Asian American and Pacific Islander traditions are a part of our daily lives, strengthening our communities and making our lives richer and better every day. Join me in celebrating the diversity and vibrancy that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders bring to Hawai`i and our country.”
      “We celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders toward a strong and vibrant American,” Sen. Mazie Hirono said. “From Chinese railroad workers who built the transcontinental railroad to plantation workers in Hawai`i who faced great odds to organize the first unions in Hawai`i … my story is like that of so many others. During AAPI Heritage Month, we celebrate our stories and build on our rich history to work toward bettering our country.”
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND HELD its seventh annual cleanup at Manuka in conjunction with state Department of Natural Resources Natural Area Reserve team on Saturday, April 30. In total 29 staff and volunteers removed well over 600 pounds of marine debris in less about two hours. “Great job and good fun!” said coordinator Megan Lamson. “We hope to see you all at a future cleanup event.”
     The next Ka`u Coast Cleanup is on Saturday, June 9 at Kamilo Point. Register at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR PELE HANOA are at Dodo Mortuary in Hilo at 11 a.m. this Saturday, May 7.
The late Pele Hanoa appeared in Saving Ka`u's Coast.
      Winifred Pele Hanoa, 92, of Wai`ohinu, died at home on Wednesday, April 6. She was born in Punalu`u and was a retired practical nurse with the former Hilo Hospital. She served as one of the first Kupuna Consultants for the Hawai`i Burial Council and as Director Emeritus for Hui Malama Ola Na Oiwi. She was also co-founder and President of Punalu`u Preservation and Ka`u Preservation societies and a lifetime member of the Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u. She was one of the first state Dept. of Education Kupuna and served as a Hawaiian Cultural Advisor for the University of Hawai`i-Hilo, Kamehameha Schools, Ka`u High School, Pahala Elementary, Na`alehu Elementary and Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. 
      Hanoa was also a member of the Hoku Loa Henry Opukahaia Congregational Chapel of Punalu`u. She received numerous awards for outstanding volunteerism and community service to include the Governor’s Kilohana Award, Aha Kupuna Award, Hawai`i County Outstanding Older American nominee for community work and ecological and environmental preservation. In 2015 she received the Papa Ola Lokahi 14th Annual Health Award for her significant contributions to the health and well being of Kanaka Maoli.
      Nelson Ho, of Sierra Club’s Moku Loa Group, told John Burnett, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, that Hanoa “was doing environmental justice causes and raising them well before there was a name for it.”
      Danny Miller, a co-producer of the film Saving Ka`u’s Coast, which featured Hanoa and other Ka`u residents, told Burnett that “she represented the wisdom and the knowledge of the Hawaiian people to so many and carried on those traditions.” Lehua Lopez, a former board member for Pele Defense Fund, told Burnett that “she was the one who gave us the insights of what it meant to be a Native Hawaiian in today’s world but still practicing the old culture.”       
      Friends may call at Dodo Mortuary chapel on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The family requests casual attire and that flowers be omitted.
      Hanoa is survived by sons Ralph P. (wife Lori) Dedman, of Hilo, and Pernell E. (wife Sophia) Hanoa, Sr., of Pahala; daughters Georgia P. Dods, of Wai`ohinu, and Elsa K. Dedman, of Na`alehu; brother Peter P. (wife Doris) Bangay, of Honolulu; sister Elizabeth K. Bell, of Honolulu; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
      To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK presents Twain Meets Tita tomorrow at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. The show celebrates the sesquicentennial of Mark Twain’s 1866 visit to Hawai`i.
      In honor of Mother’s Day, actors will also read from the Diaries of Adam & Eve.
      Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door. Reserve by calling 982-7344 or emailing kden73@aol.com.
      Park entrance fees may apply.

CELEBRATE CINCO DE MAYO with a buffet at Kilauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Cafe in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Menu includes short rib fajitas, Mexican chicken casserole, stuff-your-own-burrito bar and more. Adults, $18; Children 6-11, $9. KMC is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for more information.

MIDDLE SCHOOL THEATER NIGHT is Thursday at 6 p.m. at Kilauea Military Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Volcano School of Arts & Sciences students present three one-act comedies. Sixth grade offers Poultry in Motion by Patrick Rainville Dorn. Seventh grade takes on the humorous murder mystery No Body to Murder by Edith Weiss. In their final performance for VSAS, eighth-grade students perform After Hours by Kevin Stone.
      Free; donations accepted. Park entrance fees may apply.

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








See kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.html
and kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory2016.pdf.
See kaucalendar.com/KauCalendar_May2016.pdf.