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| Ka`u or Mauna Loa Silversword receives the protection of fencing, flown into its habitat, high on the volcano. See story below. Photo from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
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| Gov. Davide Ige |
The governor pointed to positive aspects of living in the Hawaiian Islands"
"This year, as in previous years, our people are among the healthiest in the nation. Our unemployment rate is the third lowest in the country. Our personal income growth is ranked 17th, and in 2016, we added 14,000 new jobs.
"Our biggest industry, tourism, has had five successive record setting years and is moving toward yet another.
"In many ways, the state of the State of Hawai`i is sound and full of possibilities, said Ige. "Having said that, we all know there is still much work to be done:
"There are families out there that continue to struggle despite the overall state of our economy.
"I know there are those who are concerned about health care, child care and rent payments. That’s why we need to press on with the progress we’ve made over the last two years." Said Ige, the goals are for: "Transforming our schools; Reshaping our economy; Addressing homelessness and building more affordable homes; and Making government more efficient so that it can continue to work for the people."
He described the goals as "inextricably linked to each other."
"To transform our economy, we need to transform our schools, so our children can provide the brain power and fill the jobs required in a knowledge-based industry.
"To keep them here, we need to ensure that our economy provides challenging and satisfying careers and homes they can afford.
"And we need to protect our lands and natural resources, which underpin everything." said Ige.
"These are tough challenges," he said.
"There are families out there that continue to struggle despite the overall state of our economy.
"I know there are those who are concerned about health care, child care and rent payments. That’s why we need to press on with the progress we’ve made over the last two years." Said Ige, the goals are for: "Transforming our schools; Reshaping our economy; Addressing homelessness and building more affordable homes; and Making government more efficient so that it can continue to work for the people."
He described the goals as "inextricably linked to each other."
"To transform our economy, we need to transform our schools, so our children can provide the brain power and fill the jobs required in a knowledge-based industry.
"To keep them here, we need to ensure that our economy provides challenging and satisfying careers and homes they can afford.
"And we need to protect our lands and natural resources, which underpin everything." said Ige.
"These are tough challenges," he said.
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TRAINING TO BECOME A VETERINARY ASSISTANT, according to County Council member Maile David, is available to people in Ka`u through long-distance learning and through Hawai`i Community College-Palamanui, which is located near Kona Airport.
The program mission is to increase the quality of veterinary care in Hawa`i by providing students with essential skills and knowledge that will enable the to obtain rewarding living-wage jobs in the animal care field. These jobs are found in veterinarian offices, animal shelters and animal research facilities and are also valuable for local farms and ranches. The program is two semesters and includes coursework in live sciences and animal sciences as well as hands-on experience.
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| Vet Assistant training is available to Ka`u residents online and at Hawai`i Community College. Photo from University of Hawai`i |
A meeting for those interested will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Room 6A Room A 101 at the Kona campus.
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| The Ka`u or Mauna Loa Silversword was added to the endangered species list in 1993. Photo from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service |
HELPING TO SAVE THE ENDANGERED KA`U OR MAUNA LOA SILVERSWORD is one of the efforts of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park during the rest of January. The Park has issued a list of flight operations: On Wednesday, Jan. 25, between 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., pilots will shuttle personnel, fence material, and a water tank to the Kahuku Unit silversword exclosure and along the Kahuku-Kapapala boundary.
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service,
"Browsing feral and domesticated animals has been identified as the primary reason for the decline of the Ka‘u silversword. Mouflon sheep, cattle, goats and pigs are currently a major threat to the silversword both at Kahuku and the Forest Reserves."
The recovery program for the Ka‘u silversword includes securing large-scale habitat and stabilizing the current populations and control of feral animals through large fenced areas, as well as continued reintroduction into the wild.
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Getting rid of fountain grass is another mission. On Thursday, Jan. 26, pilots will carry out invasive fountain grass surveys from the coastal areas to the southwest boundary below 3,000 feet elevation.
In addition, the USGS Volcano Observatory may conduct flight operations over Kilauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation. "The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather," says a statement from the National Park Service.
"Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities."
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A $17,000 DEFIBULATOR has been donated to Ka`u Hospital through the initiative of former Ka`u resident Roy Teramoto and his wife Lorrain. Ka`u Hospital administrator Merilyn Harris said that with the new equipment on hand, "we will be training all our nursing staff on how to use its many great features." Teremoto worked with the John H. Grace Foundation, of California, to facilitate the $17 K donation.
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INTERNATIONAL DANCER SHIZUNO NASU, of Volcano, will present new choreographed dances through February at East Hawai`i Cultural Center. Also on tap are workshops with a distinguished international troupe of dancers, musicians, and artists. "Shizuno Nasu’s performances throughout Europe and Asia are a unique fusion of multi-cultural communion shrouded in ancient Japanese mystical tradition," says a statement from East Hawai`i Cultural Center.
The February series will be performed within a set designed by internationally acclaimed artist Susumu Sakaguchi. A special exhibition of stage costumes by Usaburo Sato will open Friday, Feb. 3 and remain on view in conference rom on the second floor of the East Hawai`i Cultural Center throughout the month on per unique program and incorporate, in addition to Shinto chant and traditional Japanese instrumentation contributions by guest artists, including Jazz vocalist Rhiannon, didgeridoo player KNOB, Hawaiian dance, and Kumu Hula Kekuhi Kealii Kanakaole. Here are the dates of events and new dances:
Friday, Feb. 3: White Prayer An interpretive dance from the ancient book Kojiki, and the story of Amenouzume… "whose passion through dance opens a door for light to shine brilliantly forth," says Nazu.
Friday, Feb. 3: White Prayer An interpretive dance from the ancient book Kojiki, and the story of Amenouzume… "whose passion through dance opens a door for light to shine brilliantly forth," says Nazu.
Sunday, Feb. 5: Mystagogy from Ancient Japan Lecture by Masahito Iso and Taihei Takizawa.
Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11: Red and Black Dance (Echo) A dialog between ancient
spiritual music and contemporary dance.
Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18: Blue...White Dance (Spiral) Ancient spiritual music with
Shizuno Nasu's dance The Spiral Vision alongside 13 dancers from Japan and Hawai`i.
Sunday, Feb. 19: The Spiral Vision Dance workshop conducted by Shizuno Nasu, Lilith and Emine.
Friday, Feb. 10 and Saturday, Feb. 11: Red and Black Dance (Echo) A dialog between ancient
spiritual music and contemporary dance.
Friday, Feb. 17 and Saturday, Feb. 18: Blue...White Dance (Spiral) Ancient spiritual music with
Shizuno Nasu's dance The Spiral Vision alongside 13 dancers from Japan and Hawai`i.
Sunday, Feb. 19: The Spiral Vision Dance workshop conducted by Shizuno Nasu, Lilith and Emine.
Friday, Feb. 24 and Saturday, Feb. 25: Red Dance (Exist) An improvisation on voice, sound and dance with Rhiannon and Kekuhi Keali.
Performances are at 7 p.m. and cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Call 961-5711.
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HO`OKANE UKULELE - Wednesday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Learn the basics of the beloved and iconic part of Hawaiian music culture. Free; park entrance fees apply.
HO`OMALU KA`U, The Ka`u Heritage Center, will hold a Giant Rummage Sale fundraiser on Saturday, Jan. 28 at Na`alehu Hongwanji from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For sale will be tools, household goods, car parts, artwork, jewelry, collectibles, clothes toys, books, utensils, glass, and more. Funds raised will be used for programs in Ka`u. Call 929-8526, or email hoomalukau@gmail.com to donate any items, or with questions about the fundraiser or about Ho`omalu Ka`u.
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