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| Miss Ka`u Coffee Pageant will take place Saturday evening at 6 p.m. at Ka`u Coffee Mill, under the direction of Ka`u Coffee farmer Trini Marques who also directed the 2016 pageant with winners above. Photo by Pamela Taylor |
"People become homeless not because they ran out of money, initially at least. I think they become homeless because they ran out of relationships. Think about it. If I lose my house tomorrow, I get one sister that can take me in. I think anybody in here would say Kimo, I get one extra garage, right?"
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| Dr. Kimo Alameda talked about improvements in the homelessness situation on the island and the need to help the homeless with their relationships, in addition to providing housing. Photo from Big Island Video News |
Alameda talked about the idea of supportive housing that can help people with more than their money problems. "Your house is not affordable if you're on drugs. Because that's not the priority. Your house not affordable if you get mental health issues and you cannot sustain employment, right? So, in addition to one house, you need that support, and that support comes from the community - us. not them guys - you now.
"It's not Hope Services problem. It's not the county's problem. It's all of our problem," said Alameda. He applauded the success of the county and agencies working on homelessness and it being reduced 32 percent over the last year. He credited Mayor Harry Kim for looking at the homelessness as not a project but as "people."
He also credited kupuna for whom he works at the Office on Aging with inspiring him with a positive outlook to help with such issues as homelessness.
See his complete speech at www.bigislandvideonews.com.
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PROJECTS FOR KA`U are in the new State of Hawai`i budget, recently passed by the Hawai`i Legislature. More than $300 million in funding goes to Hawai`i Island. Some $5.4 million is for nonprofit organizations on this island.
Ka`u projects include covered walkways for Na`alehu Elementary School, costing $1.2 million. Department of Hawaiian Home Lands will have money for projects in this area as part of $2 million for Big Island development.
Both airports used by Ka`u residents receive funding with $14.8 million for Kona International Airport and $19.3 million for Hilo International Airport.
Road and Highway improvements are budgeted for $20.8 million for Mamalahoa Highway alone. In Ka`u the Ninole and Hilea Bridges, which have elderly wooden construction beneath the pavement, are set for replacement.
A medium security housing project for Hawai`i Community Correctional Center is funded with $13.2 million.
Telehalth at Hilo Medical Center receives $2 million in funding.
Hawai`i Community College receives $700,000 for a trades and apprenticeship program and new physics lab and classroom. University of Hawai`i at Hilo gets $3 million in air conditioning.
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MY HAWAI`I STORY, the statewide environmental writing contest for middle school students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade, has announced the top 25 poems and short stories. This year's theme was He Wa'a, He Moku- Mālama Honua, celebrating the return of Hokule'a to Hawai'i from the Worldwide Voyage.
The students' writing represents personal reflections on the environment, cultural values, kuleana, stewardship and place-based writing. See the winners and how to become involved for next year at www.hawaiiconservation.org.
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MISS KA`U COFFEE PAGEANT is Saturday, May 13 at Ka`u Coffee Mill at 6 p.m.
Competing for Miss Ka`u Coffee are Jami Beck, Alysha Gustafson-Savella and Shanese Tailon.
Scholarship Sponsors are the Edmund C. Olson Trust, Ka`u Mahi, Ka`u Valley Farm, Pacific Quest, Punalu`u Bake Shop, CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union, Ka`u Local Products, Sen. Russell Ruderman, Sen. Josh Green, Rep. Richard Creagan and County Council member Maile David.
Younger ladies will compete in Jr. Miss Ka`u Coffee, Miss Ka`u Coffee Peaberry and Miss Ka`u Coffee Flower competitions.
The pageant is directed by Ka`u Coffee farmer Trini Marques with much support from the Ka`u Coffee Growers Cooperative members and other coffee farming families in the region.
Judges are Joyce Ibasan, Maria Miranda, Christina Tandoc Rana and Tara Compehos.
The event marks the first activity of the ninth annual Ka`u Coffee Festival. See www.kaucoffeefest.com.
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Haunani's Aloha Expressions perform next Wednesday at
Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium
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