Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, November 9, 2017

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs presents this photo with its online explanation of opposition to the current
management of Mauna Kea. OHA filed suit this week against the State of Hawai‘i in an attempt to
end University of Hawai‘i oversight of the summit. Photo sin_ok

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS FILED SUIT OVER MAUNA KEA this week. Its website states that there are 13 observatories on the summit of Mauna Kea, with one more planned, referring to the Thirty Meter Telescope, which promises to be a boon for astronomy but of deep concern for people who consider Mauna Kea a sacred place.

      In its opposition to additional telescopes and the University of Hawai‘i's continued management of the Mauna Kea summit, OHA states, "As part of their mismanagement of the mountain, the state and the university have failed to prudently negotiate sublease terms for observatories and failed to manage observatory development and decommissioning. A 1998 state audit found that UH did not allocate sufficient resources to protect Mauna Kea’s natural resources because it focused primarily on astronomy development."
     "Mauna Kea is also a critical part of the ceded lands trust that the State of Hawaiʻi must protect and preserve for future generations, pursuant to its kuleana as a trustee.

Office of Hawaiian Affairs Trustee
Dan Ahuna said the sate and UH have
failed to manage Mauna Kea resources
for nearly a half century. Photo from OHA

     "Despite four state audits and generations of Native Hawaiians expressing concern about the threats to Mauna Kea, the state and the University of Hawaiʻi have continuously neglected their legal duties to adequately manage the mountain. Instead, they have prioritized astronomical development at the expense of properly caring for Mauna Kea’s natural and cultural resources.
      "As a result, the state and UH have failed as trustees and stewards of this beloved and sacred place.
     "Even the governor and the university president have both publicly admitted to failing to meet their management responsibilities.
     "OHA has long advocated for improved stewardship of the mauna and beginning in 2015 engaged the state and UH in a nearly two-year mediated process to resolve the mismanagement of Mauna Kea. Ultimately, this effort was not successful.   
     "Left with no other recourse, OHA filed a lawsuit to advocate on behalf of the Native Hawaiian people to hold the state and UH accountable for its longstanding and well-documented mismanagement of Mauna Kea.
     "Among other things, OHA’s complaint requests the court to order the state fulfill its trust obligations relating to Mauna Kea and to terminate UH’s general lease for the mountain for breach of the lease’s terms."
     OHA Trustee Dan Ahuna, chair of OHA's Ad Hoc Committee on Mauna Kea, said, "The state and UH have failed to properly mālama Mauna Kea and have demonstrated their inability to ensure that the environmental and cultural significance of the mountain is recognized and protected. This is not about any one telescope. This lawsuit is about addressing the state and the university failing to manage the entire mountain for nearly half a century."
    OHA states that "Mauna Kea is a deeply sacred place that is revered in Hawaiian traditions. It’s regarded as a shrine for worship, as a home to the gods, and as the piko of Hawaiʻi Island."
    OHA's suit against the Sate of Hawai‘i and the University of Hawai‘i can be seen at this link. A
video of Wednesday's press conference announcing the lawsuit can be seen at OHA lawsuit.
    A University spokesman called the charges of mismanagement unfair. "I think it's really a shame because so many people have worked so hard to create a better environment on the mountain where we are caring for the natural resources, the cultural resources," said Dan Meisenzahl. Read about the Thirty Meter Telescope plan at tmt.org.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Uncle Bob from Ocean View presented Tita the Turtle, who says,
"Tita is sad because Henry pushed her and took away her surfboard."
The project teaches children from kindergarten through third grade
about dealing with inappropriate behaviors.
Photo by Tanya Ibarra

TITA THE TURTLE,  a project to help young students emphasize healthy relationships through a story and workbook, was launched on Wednesday at Pāhala Elementary School. The third grade class of Bernice Will heard the story of Tita the Turtle read by ‘Uncle Bob’ of Ocean View at Ka‘ū District Gym. Ka‘ū High School senior Malie Ibarra wrote and illustrated the children’s book Tita the Turtle as a project for Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association.
     Aiming for a "Hawai‘i where people are free from sexual violence and where sexual respect and where healthy relationships flourish” is a goal of the project, according to a statement from its founders. The intention of the project is to model successful behaviors among children.

    Ibarra was approached in early 2016 by ‘Auntie’ Jessie Marques and Mahealani Taganas of Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association. They discussed ideas and parameters and designed the project to focus on creating a way to incorporate the idea of ‘aloha’ and sexual abuse prevention to children who are in kindergarten through third grade. 

Tita the Turtle, created by Malie Ibarra to help teach young
children about healthy relationshps.

     Ibarra came up with idea of Tita the Turtle to honor the area of Ka‘ū which is well-known for the turtles at Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach. 

    The story provides an age-appropriate way to explain to young children ways to help their friends and themselves when problems arise from hurtful physical contact. 

      In attendance at the special reading on Wednesday were Officer Dane Shibuya of Hawai‘i Police Dept., Rose Bautista of Mayor Harry Kim’s office; Sharon Beck, Principal of Ka‘ū High and Pāhala Elementary School; Wilma Roddy, Principal of Mountain View Elementary School; Adria Medeiros, Vice Principal of Kea‘au High School; Stacy Davis of Bay Clinic; Ruby Javar and many more, along with Ka‘ū High School student Dacy Davis Andrade. 

      The project is funded in part by Ka‘ū's County Council Members Maile David, Council member Herbert M. Tim Richards III (District 9), Hawai‘i Island Rural Health Association and Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women. 

See public Ka‘ū events for November including monthly meetings at 
kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/novemberevents.html. 
See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily and weekly community events at 
kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/novembercommunity.html.

Pick up the November print 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.

     The project was created in collaboration with Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association Inc, Ka‘ū Community Action Team, Bay Clinic, Department of Health, Hawai‘i District Health Office, East Hawai‘i Sexual Violence Primary Prevention Program Community Action Team, and People Attentive to Children. 

     For more information about the project,  contact Jessie Marques at 928-0101. 

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. 

A PAPER CUP TURKEY CRAFT class has been announced for Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. Register keiki, grades K-8, until Nov. 14. For more, call 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation to see the full program of events.

A CEREMONIAL RELAY AROUND THE ISLAND, called Makahiki ‘Aha Pule ‘Āina Holo, comes through Ka‘ū on Friday, Nov. 10. The public is invited to the Makahiki, harvest celebration, with a Mea‘ai Pono, potluck, at 11 a.m. in Wai‘ōhinu Park.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST at the Ocean View Community Center is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details, call 939-7033.

A JUMBLE & PLANT SALE is offered at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. All you can eat pancakes will be available for $3 per person. For more details, call 939-7000 or email StJudeHawaii@bak.rr.com.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE PLANTS that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This Stewardship at the Summit event is Saturday, Nov. 11, at 8:45 a.m.
     To join the effort, meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants and bring a hat, rain-gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools will be provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, park entrance fees waived in observance of Veteran's Day. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/
summit_stewardship.htm. More events are planned for Nov. 18 and 25.

A PAINT YOUR OWN SILK SCARF Class will be hosted Saturday, Nov. 11,  from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center. Big Island artist Patti Pease Johnson teaches color theory and silk scarf painting techniques using three colors of each artists choosing. Beginners and intermediate artists welcome. Fees are $50 per non-member and $45 per Volcano Art Center member, plus $10 supply fee per person. For more, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE FEES ARE WAIVED on Saturday, Nov. 11and Sunday, Nov. 12, in acknowledgement of Veterans Day.

HONORING ALL WHO SERVED is the theme for Saturday's Kīlauea Military Camp Veterans Day services beginning at at 3 p.m. The public is invited to the front lawn to hear keynote speaker Lt. Col. Christopher Marquez, commanding officer of U.S. Army Garrison-Pohakuloa Training Area. Pastor Marsha Keiger gives the invocation and benediction. Kali Delgado sings the national anthem. Ray Gandy plays taps on the bugle. Hilo High School Viking Band plays and Hilo High's JROTC presents the colors. Karen Blue is emcee.

      KMC offers veterans a free prime rib dinner buffet from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at KMC's Crater Rim Café. For all others, the buffet cost is $27.95 for adults and $14.50 for children ages 6 to 11.

     The buffet offers Prime Rib, Baked Ono and Spinach & Mushroom Alfredo. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park fees will be waived. For more details, call 967-8356 or visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

JAZZ IN THE FOREST is from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 11, at Volcano Art Center. A special evening ofTin Pan Alley features Leslie Harlib Hal Glatzer, Jp Thoma and the Jazztones. Tickets are $20 per non-member and $18 per Volcano Art Center member (available online until Nov 10). Wine, beer, soft drinks and pupu will be available for purchase. For more call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

REALMS AND DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, a moderately difficult two-mile, guided hike at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, takes place Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Hike Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku, and explore the traditional Hawaiian classification system. Bring a snack for the talk story segment of this hike.

RIDE SO THEY CAN WALK, THE ROTARY CLUB POLIO PLUS FUNDRAISER, begins Saturday, Nov. 11, and continues through Nov. 18. Participants ride bikes on their own schedule, desired distance and place to raise funds to help end Polio worldwide.
     To sign up for Ride So They Can Walk, make the $20 registration check to Charlene Meyers, with Polio Plus Chair on the notation line. Make out contribution checks of $100 or more to Rotary D5000 - Polio Ride. Send both to: Charlene Meyers, Polio Plus Chair, P.O. Box 59, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, HI 96718.
     For more information or to sign-up contact Rotary Club Polio Plus Chair and Volcano resident, Charlene Meyers, by emailing  charlene.rotary@gmail.com or calling 985-8800.

‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA, an easy, guided, one-mile walk is from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, at the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about the vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower. For more, visit nps.gov/havo.

LET'S GIVE THANKS CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT takes place at Ni‘aulani, Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12. Volcano Chambers Players, a string quartet, will play a classical chamber music concert to kick off the holiday season and celebrate Veterans Day and Thanksgiving. Tickets are $25 per non-member and $20 Volcano Art Center members. For more, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

A SEX TRAFFICKING SEMINAR will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to Monday, Nov. 13, at Ocean View Community Center. For more details, call 939-7033.

REGISTER BY MONDAY, NOV. 13, FOR THE INAUGURAL PIG HUNTING TOURNAMENT presented by the Ka‘ū Multicultural Society on Saturday, Nov. 18, with scales at Waiʻōhinu Park open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for weigh-in. Hunting is islandwide.
     Three-person teams are invited to enter for a registration fee of $55 per team. Registration forms must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 13, or hand delivered to Kalani Vierra in Pāhala no later than Friday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m. Categories include heaviest boar (lahoʻole), biggest tusk, heaviest sow, heaviest overall. Hunting will only be allowed with dogs and no guns and at least one teammate must have a hunting license.

     Team registration forms are available in Kaʻū at ACE Hardware, Wikiwiki Mart, Ka‘ū Gas, R&G Mini Mart, Kaʻū Business Services LLP, Kahuku Gifts and Garden Shop; in Hilo at Delʻs Feed Store, Miranda's and Hilo Surplus Store; in Mountain View at Aloha Gas; in Kurtistown at J. Hara's Store Inc.; and in Kona at Pearl's, Oshima's, Mauka Napa, Lako St. Chevron, Fujihara's Store and Paul's Place.
    For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740; Kalani Vierra at 938-2005; or Liz K. at 339-0289. 

     See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Wednesday, Oct. 25.

REGISTER KEIKI, AGES 6 TO 12, FOR MUSIC EXPLORATION at Kahuku Park on Friday, Nov. 17, from 1:45 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Register Monday, Nov. 13 to 17. For more, call 929-9113 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

JOURNEY FROM HAWAI‘I TO MARS and learn how an "out-of-this-world" lava landscape helps scientists understand how to conduct research on Mars in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's After Dark in the Park program on Tuesday, Nov. 14, in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium at 7 p.m.  The event is free, but park entrance fees apply. for more information, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

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

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS TUESDAY, NOV. 14, and Wednesday, Nov. 15. Participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

A HĀLAU O AKAUNU PERFORMANCE takes place Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free, but park entrance fees apply. For more details, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETS Wednesday, Nov. 15, at noon in the Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.

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.

kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017