Ka‘ū News Briefs Friday, November 3, 2017

Longline fishing boats provide most of Hawai‘i's sashimi tuna. Hawai‘i's Congressional Delegation introduced a
bill on Friday that would address the working condition and foreign worker status in the industry.
Photo from Hawai‘i Seafood Council

THE SUSTAINABLE FISHING WORKFORCE PROTECTION ACT has been introduced by the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation to provide nonimmigrant work visas for the longline fishing industry, to promote transparency in compensation, workplace safety and clarity in federal enforcement and oversight. “This bill provides necessary protections for foreign fishermen and ensures the continued viability of Hawai‘i’s longline fishing fleet, which is important to our culture,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono.

Hawai‘i Longline Fishing. Drawing by Les Hata/Hawai‘i Seafood Council

       The longline fishing industry began in Hawai‘i with flagline fishing by Japanese immigrants, starting in 1917. They built their own wooden boats and headed out to sea, with opelu for bait, small fish caught by native Hawaiians. The fleet became more modern in recent years and the name changed to longline. It is the main source of sashimi tuna and many other fish in Hawai‘i, including swordfish. According to the Hawai‘i Seafood Council, "The Hawai‘i longline fishery is one of the most intensively studied, monitored and best managed fisheries in the world. It has achieved a high level of compliance (94 percent) with the global standard, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries."
     Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said, “The Sustainable Fishing Workforce Protection Act addresses longstanding allegations in the Hawai‘i fishing industry regarding the treatment of foreign workers on longline commercial fishing vessels homeported in Hawai‘i. I am optimistic this legislative framework will allow Congress to better define the employer-employee relationship between boat owners and foreign fisherman such that each side understands their rights and obligations."

Longline tuna sells at fish auctions. Photo from NOAA

    Sen. Brian Schatz said, “This legislation is about providing safety, protecting human rights, and restoring dignity to the foreign crewmen working in Hawai‘i’s fishing fleet."

     Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “For years, disjointed laws have left foreign fishermen working off our shores without federal protections or status, and at risk for inhumane conditions and human rights abuses. This legislation will increase employer accountability, strengthen federal oversight, and improve working conditions for these workers that contribute to our local economy.”   

     The Sustainable Fishing Workforce Protection Act would: provide foreign fishermen in the Hawai‘i fleet with visas that will allow them to transit to and from and work legally in the U.S.; establish a baseline of responsibilities for employers by outlining the components of labor agreements that they and the foreign workers must agree to governing wages and other compensation; require that the terms of those agreements be enforceable in U.S. court or by voluntary arbitration; and require that signed copies of the agreements be kept on file at relevant federal and state agencies.

     The legislation would also clarify oversight responsibilities of federal agencies with respect to health and safety issues for the Hawai‘i fishing fleet.

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The late George Na‘ope, upper right, was mentor to Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder 

who founded Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival.

HULA DANCERS, MUSICIANS AND CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS from Japan, to Mexico, Lana‘i and West Virginia, descended on Pāhala this week, preparing for workshops on Friday and the Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
     On Friday, the public and the hālau hula enjoyed a free hula workshop with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, as well as classes in lei making, and lau hala and coconut weaving.
     The Saturday Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival begins at 10 a.m. with an opening pule, address by Kawehi Ryder, Ho‘okupu, and Kaulana Na Pua by Hālau Hula O Leionalani.
    Musicians for the day include Wailau Ryder, Steven Sioloa, Keiawa and Kaleo Maoli, with the Inoue ‘Ohana from Japan and headliner Raiatea Helm.             Emcees for the day are Skylark Rossetti and Makana Kamahele. The event is dedicated, in part to the late George Na‘ope, the mentor of Ryder who founded the festival.
    At 11 a.m. will be the music of Kaleo Maoli. At 11:30 a.m., Ho‘onani Komohana from Osaka, Japan and special guests from Lana‘i, Pekelo and Kazumi Palisbo, will perform. At noon, Yoko Sensei from Sendai, Japan will perform Kauluwehi O Ke Kai. From Mexico City, Aloha Pumehana with instructor Veror Ramirez will dance, followed by Yoko Sensei offering Pua Lililehua and Aloha Nua‘uanu.
    From West Virginia, Hālau Hula Kahanuola will dance to Hanalei Moon.

Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder draws dancers from Japan, O‘ahu, Mexico and

West Virgina to her Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festivals. Hālau

 enjoy dancing at Punalu‘u and the main festival all day Saturday at 

Pāhala Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal

     At 1 p.m., Filipino dancers take the stage - the Bayanihan Club of University of Hawai‘i- Hilo. At 2 p.m. the Puna Taiko Drummers perform. At 2:30 p.m. it's Lorilei's Hula Studio.
     Famed vocalist of Moloka‘i, Raiatea Helm, performs from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by the
Back Yahd Boyz. On stage from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. is the Inoue ‘Ohana from Japan.
     At 5:15 p.m., instructor Laura Plata from Mexico performs hula numbers. At 5:30 p.m. Mexican Folklore dancers take the stage. At 5:45 p.m., its Hālau Hula O Leionalani; Kahiko; Ho‘opuka; Ka piko; Holo ana Ho‘i; and O‘ahu ladies- Oli Kilauea.
      At 6 p.m., a Remembering Our Ancestors - Kukui Celebration will be held.
      At 6:30 p.m., Hālau Hula O Leionalani will wrap up the day of dance, with hula sisters from Pāhala, O‘ahu and Japan. The evening music concludes with Keaiwa beginning at 7:30 p.m.
     The music and entertainment are free and vendor booths offer crafts, food, games and information.

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BIRTH OF KAHUKU, a guided easy-to-moderate hike, traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations as hikers explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku. The free hike is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

A HOLIDAY AFFAIR is set for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. The art sale also offers maps to Ka‘ū galleries for attendees to continue their Ka‘ū art exploration. Gift wrapping and/or boxing for easy mailing will be available for items sold. To reserve a booth or space call Mars Cavers at 938-9760 or email starmars@mac.com. For more about the event, see Ka‘ū News Briefs from Sunday, Oct. 22.

A HEALTH FAIR will take place at Discovery Harbour Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along with exercise demonstration - Yoga, hula, pilates, Tai Chi, and Qigong - the fair will also offer healthy cooking demonstrations, flu shots, massages and health presentations from various organizations, including Unsafe at Any Meal author Dr. Renee Dufault. For more, visit discoveryharbor.net or call 929-9576. See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Sunday, Oct. 1.

A GILLIGAN'S NIGHT to raise funds for Ka‘ū Learning Academy is Saturday, Nov. 4, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Gilligan's Restaurant former sitem, which is now the charter school in Discovery Harbour. It is the first in a series of Ka‘ū Learning Academy fundraisers with music and food.

      Foggy will play from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Solomon and Tiger will play from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. The food will feature pizza, pasta, lasagna, salads, desserts and chicken parmesan. Beer and wine will be served.See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Monday, Oct. 23.

FREE HEPATITIS C TESTING IS AVAILABLE on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m.,  at Volcano Farmers Market on Wright Rd in Volcano. Volcano Community Association, the organization hosting the event, says that one in 30 baby boomers have Hep. C and most don’t event know it. For more details visit Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Oct. 12, or email vcainfo@yahoo.com. 

HAM RADIO OPERATORS HOST A POTLUCK PICNIC Sunday, Nov. 5, at Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. For more, call Dennis Smith at 989-3028.

PU‘U O LOKUANA, a free moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike, takes visitors to the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered Sunday, Nov. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn about the formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view from the top of lower Ka‘ū.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Nov. 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.

RETURN TO THE WILD: AN UPDATE ON THE ‘ALALĀ RELEASE is the Tuesday, Nov. 7, After Dark in the Park topic in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, at 7 p.m. ‘Alalā Project staff Jackie Gaudiso-Levita and Rachel Kingsley present and update on the most recent reintroduction efforts to establish a wild population of ‘alalā, the endangered Hawaiian crow. Paul Banko (USGS) and Donna Ball (USFWS) will share past experiences. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

Pick up the November edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar, 

free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 

through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout

the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com 

REGISTER KEIKI GRADE K-8 FOR PAPER FALL FLOWER CRAFT by Tuesday, Nov. 7, for the class which takes place Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

DISCOVER THE SKILL OF WEAVING LAU HALA with ‘Aha Pūhala o Puna on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free, though park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UPS are offered at Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will occur again on Tuesday, Nov. 14. For more, call 939-7033.

THE PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM AT THE STATE CAPITOL is offering citizens training to help them interact with government, especially leading up to the 2018 Hawai‘i Legislature.

     Several opportunities to learn learn about the legislative process and how to participate will be provided at the Your Voice workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i training room near the Kona Airport, and on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hawai‘i Community College Manoa Campus Building 379, Room 1 in Hilo. Both events are free to attend.

     The workshop is designed to be helpful to newcomers and seasoned advocates alike.

     For additional information, contact the Public Access Room (PAR):
phone (808)587-0478, email par@capitol.hawaii.gov, or visit LRBhawaii.org/PAR. Read the Ka‘ū News Briefs for Thursday, Oct. 26 for more.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LEGAL AID will be provided on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. The event offers free social security, veterans information and legal advice. For more call 939-7033.

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CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IS OFFERING EMPLOYMENT as a Member Service Representative in Nā‘ālehu. CU Hawai‘i seeks energetic individuals for full time positions who enjoy working with people and can provide professional, courteous and efficient service to valued members.
     The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
     Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.

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