Sunday, June 04, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Sunday, June 4, 2017

Mosquitoes reflect the changing world as they move territory as climate warms. After Dark in the Park
on Tuesday at Kilaeua Visitor Center presents a USGS research biologist with predictions for Hawai`i.
See story below. Photo from USGS
FOLLOWING LAST NIGHT'S TERROR ATTACK IN LONDON,  Hawai`i Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, who represents Ka`u, released the following statement:
     "Today we woke up to news of another terror attack in Britain. It caps a week of tragedy around the world. A suicide bombing in Baghdad claimed the lives of at least 13 people who were breaking their fast for Ramadan. There were several bombings in Afghanistan this past week, the largest killing at least 90 people. Around the world, terror attacks are increasing, but (Pres. Donald) Trump’s response is the wrong one: launching an illegal missile attack against Syria, deploying more U.S. troops into the Middle East with ambiguous objectives, and signing a massive arms deal with Saudi Arabia.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard met with Hawai`i's new VA Director, Jennifer
Gutowski, last week, and said she will work with her to increase
services to Veterans of war. Photo from Tulsi Gabbard
   "For the past 15 years, we’ve spent trillions of dollars overthrowing governments we don’t like and trying to rebuild those countries in our own image. It's all been done in the guise of 'helping people,' but it hasn't helped anyone. Our policies have killed or wounded tens of thousands of U.S. soldiers, caused millions of refugees, and squandered trillions of U.S. taxpayer dollars -- money that could have been used to rebuild our country's infrastructure and establish a health care system for all Americans. This disastrous foreign policy must end.
    "These wars have made the military-industrial complex much richer through increased defense spending, while making every day Americans poorer.
    "Political campaigns have become a multi-million dollar business for the PAC and political class in Washington who think they are the powerbrokers. But they underestimate and discount the power of our voices to make real change - the voices of real people in communities all across this country who are working hard every day, and who care deeply about our country and our democracy. This movement for peace that is fueled by aloha starts with us."

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CONGRESSWOMAN COLLEEN HANABUSA, who represents urban Hawai`i in the U.S. House of Representatives, came out with a statement today on global warming:
     "Last week it became even clearer that our environment is under serious threat. Since the beginning of his term, we've seen President (Donald) Trump's administration roll back essential environmental protections and funding for our National Park Service, openly deny climate change, and threaten our vital ecosystems. And now, President Trump has pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord, leaving the U.S. out of the fight to combat global warming with other countries around the world.
      As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Hanabusa wrote, "I have made environmental protection a top issue. I know how our beautiful environment provides a livelihood for people across our great state. I’ve fought to protect treasures such as Haleakala National Park and our abundant coral reefs, as well as supported preparedness efforts to prevent the devastation of tsunamis. The bottom line is that global warming will affect us all - and like the many foreign leaders and business executives who support the Paris Climate Accord, I am disgusted by this administration's move to pull out of the agreement."

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Volunteer Fire Department 
Meeting, Mon, June 5, 4 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033.

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, June 6, 6 – 8 p.m., Ka`u Regional Gym activity room.

I, Mosquito: Our Changing World, Tue, June 6, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Research Biologist Dennis LaPointe, Ph.D. explains the life cycle of one of the planet’s most maligned insects. While sharing information from recent wildlife studies here in Hawai‘i and sobering projections of the future, LaPointe offers practical advice and innovative adaptive strategies for coping with a changing world. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Open Mic Night, Wed, June 7, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Park entrance fees apply.