Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, December 28, 2017

Keiki are invited to sign up now for the annual ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Fishing Tournaments taking place Saturday, Jan. 27,
at Punalu‘u Beach Park. Photo by Nalani Parlin

THE FIRST ACT OF CONGRESS in the new year should be approving the Children's Health Insurance Program, proclaimed Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. In an end of the year statement issued Thursday, she said that CHIP provides health insurance coverage to 8.9 million keiki across the country. "Their family incomes are above Medicaid eligibility but not enough to afford private insurance. Essentially, it fills in one of the many gaps in our patchwork healthcare system that exist in the absence of a Medicare for All program," she explained.

      "In Hawai‘i alone, 25,780 of our keiki receive their health insurance through CHIP. The clock is ticking for states like Hawai‘i where they are days away from running out of money and being forced to close the door on our keiki.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is calling on Congress to make renewal of the
Children's Health Insurance Program its first act of 2018 and asking
Hawai‘i residents to sign a petition to preserve the insurance for
more than 25,000 keiki in the Islands.

     "In addition to passing a permanent fix for DACA, and increasing disaster relief for Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and states affected by hurricanes, floods, and wildfires, one of the first orders of business Congress must take on in the new year is authorizing funding for CHIP. Providing for children's health should not be about politics or partisanship. It is about taking care of our children," stated the congresswoman. She asked for her constituents to sign her petition calling on Congress to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program.

     She said she sees more opportunity to pass CHIP than the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act, which she cosponsored. She stated that "People are angry with the pharmaceutical industry for lying and profiting from the opioid crisis that continues to ruin so many people's lives. They are upset with a system that leaves families caring for a loved one with crushing medical debt while health insurance executives boost their own pay. It is for these reasons that I am a cosponsor of H.R. 676, the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act. Unfortunately, our bill is blocked due to partisan politics."

     CHIP, however has received bipartisan support "in every Congress since its initiation in 1997, which is all the more reason why Congress needs to reauthorize this important program immediately," said Gabbard. "America is stronger and more unified when we work together in the spirit of aloha." 

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THE ANNUAL PUNALU‘U KEIKI FISHING TOURNAMENT sponsored by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou is taking sign-ups. It happens Saturday, Jan. 27, at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilion.
   Designed for children one to 14 years of age, it offers marine education and competition along the rocky shoreline of Punalu‘u and its tidepools.

Joy Buyuan caught the most fish for several years in a row.
Photo by June Domondon

    Check in time is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The welcome will be at 9 a.m., with poles and bait distributed at 9:30 a.m. The fishing time is from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
     A free lunch will be offered to participants and their families from noon to 12:30 p.m. Awards and prizes will be given out at 1 p.m.
     Keiki and their families can pick up and drop off registration forms at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School, Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Pāhala Gas Station, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nā‘ālehu, Wong Yuen Store in Wai‘ōhinu, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View and Ocean View Auto Parts.
     For more information, contact Guy Enriques at 217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 937-4773.
     Fishing guidelines allow: Hand Pole Fishing with barbless hooks only; brining own personal hand poles; providing hand poles, fishing gear and bait to those without fishing equipment, on first to register-first to receive bases. There will be no chumming or using palu (bread mackerel or other fish attractant).
     All fishing is Catch and Release.
     The fishing will last one hour and a half.
     Prizes are for size and the kinds of fish caught.
     The event is sponsored by Pacific Quest, DLNR Marine Wildlife Program; County of Hawai‘i, S. Tokunaga, Suisan Co., Ka‘ū Royal Hawaiian Coffee & Tea and Ka‘ū Mahi.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings entertainment at 
 kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decemberevents.html. 
See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/octnovdec/decembercommunity.html.
December print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i 
through Volcano. Also available free on stands throughout
the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Swimming: Saturday, Dec. 30, @ Kamehameha.
     Saturday, Jan. 6, @Kamehameha.

Boys Basketball: Saturday, Dec. 30, Konawaena.
     Tuesday, Jan. 2, @ Kea‘au.
     Saturday, Jan. 6, Laupahoehoe @ Ka‘ū.

Girls Basketball: Friday, Jan. 5, Konawaena @ Ka‘ū.

Boys Soccer: Saturday, Jan. 6, Konawaena @ Ka‘ū.

Wrestling: Saturday, Jan. 6, @ Kea‘au.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

ALOHA FRIDAY: ‘OHE KAPALA WITH NOE NOE KEKAUALUA is Friday, Dec. 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center. Learn about the various aspects of traditional hula arts - lei making, pa‘u styles, fabric stamping and more. For more details visit volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-7565.

KANE PŌ GOES TO WASHINGTON is the featured topic for Coffee Talk at Kahuku this Friday, Dec. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is located near the 70.5 mile marker on Hwy. 11. Kane Pō is the name of a large pōhaku (stone) from the Ka‘ū Desert on loan to the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.  It was shipped to D.C. for the dedication of the Museum in 2004. Learn more about this pōhaku and the role it has on the National Mall. Keola Awong, former Cultural Anthropologist at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, will share her experience of this special event. Coffee Talk is free to attend. Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries will be available for purchase. For more details, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

A FREE PUBLIC HEALTH SHOWER WITH HOT WATER, soap, shampoo and clean towels is offered at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View every Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with a free hot meal.

Help Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park remove non-native invasive plant
species, like Morning Glory, that prevent native plants from growing.
Photo by Michael Szoenyi/NPS

EXPLORE THE RICH GEOLOGIC HISTORY OF KAHUKU on a easy-to-moderate guided hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, displaying different volcano features and formations in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Saturday, Dec. 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The hike, titled Birth of Kahuku, also offers hikers the opportunity to learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku.

HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ASKS VOLUNTEERS to help remove invasive non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing at a Stewardship at the Park event Saturday, Dec. 30. Volunteers should meet leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. Fore more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY, FEATURING THE ANNUAL INVITATIONAL WREATH EXHIBITION, continues through Sunday, Dec. 31, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Christmas in the Country features a fresh lineup of artists hosting special events throughout each weekend.
     The concurrent Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional. “Those looking for truly original wreaths as well as one-of-a-kind, handmade gift items will not be disappointed by the selection created by our local artistic community, ” states gallery manager Emily C. Weiss.  Free, park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-7565.

REGISTER BY SUNDAY, DEC. 31, FOR THE 2018 MASTER GARDENER VOLUNTEER TRAINING PROGRAM which begins Saturday, Jan. 23 and continues for 13 weeks. The program is open to Ka‘ū applicants through the UH Cooperative Extension Office.
     Each person enrolling in the Master Gardener Program commits to completing 39 hours of instruction plus nine field trip hours, an open-book Midterm and Final Exam, plus 40 hours of  volunteer service within 12 months of completing the Master Gardener instruction. To continue being Certified as a Master Gardener, on-going service of 30 hours of volunteer time is required every year.
     Classes are held at The Kona Cooperative Extension Service office in Kainaliu, with field trips and workshops in the area. The next program will be held for three hours every Tuesday morning through April 17. Classes will be involved with current Master Gardener projects and will include hands-on orientation to the Helpline and Outreach programs.
     Apply online by googling West Hawai‘i Master Gardeners. For more information, call the UH Cooperative Ext. Office at 322-4884.

New Year's lights up peaceful Pāhala with fireworks at
family celebrations. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAI‘I ELECTRIC LIGHT CO. is sending out a New Year‘s Eve Message in hopes that people will take care when using fireworks.

     “New Year’s Eve is a time of celebration across the world. In the islands, tens of thousands of people celebrate by setting off fireworks. Though they are beautiful and fun, some caution is suggested when using fireworks,” says the statement.

       HELCO suggests the following precautions:

     Always set off fireworks in a place that is far away from any dry brush or other items that can easily catch fire. Keeping a bucket of water for used fireworks, and keeping a hose handy, are good first steps to keeping any flying sparks or hot debris from starting any fires.

     Be aware that windy conditions can greatly affect fireworks, so always use caution when setting off fireworks in a breeze or light wind; postpone firework use when medium or higher winds are active.

     Fireworks are best handled by adults who are not presently under the influence of any altering medications or alcohol.

     Fireworks should not be set off while being held; always find a safe resting place before lighting one.

     HELCO also suggests the following fireworks safety tips: keep tools, ladders, fireworks effects, etc., away from power lines; do not use utility poles for fireworks setups. Should an object become entangled in an overhead power line, do not try to get it free; instead, please call HELCO at 969-6666.

GET FIREWORKS AND A FIREWORKS PERMITS now until midnight on Sunday, Dec. 31.
     Setting off of Fireworks for the New Year celebrations are allowed between the hours of 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, and 1 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, 2018. Permits should be visibly displayed at the site of use, during the time of the firing.
     Each permit costs $25.00 and will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers - multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits will only be issued to persons 18 years of age or older and are non-transferable, and non-refundable.

     For more information on the purchasing of Fireworks permits, or the use of Fireworks, please call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2911 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona). For a list of places to purchase fireworks permits visit Dec. 23 Ka‘ū News Briefs. 

A NEW YEAR'S EVEN TOAST is hosted by Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park Sunday, Dec. 31, from 9:30 p.m. to midnight. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more details call 967-8356 or 967-8371.

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S CRATER RIM CAFÉ hosts a New Year's Day Brunch to take place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1. Celebrate the new year over Roast Pork, Chicken Picata, Omelet Station, Pancakes, Breakfast Potatoes, Rice, Patties, Bacon, Fresh Fruit, Ice Cream Sundae Bar, Brownies and Beverage. Attendees pay an entry fee of $16.95 per adult and $9.50 per child (6-11 yrs). KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8356 for more details.

Ka‘ū coffee cherries. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

LIGHTS AND DECORATIONS BEDECK THE STONE AND WOODEN COTTAGES at Kīlauea Military Camp. They are open for outdoor strolling within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park through Friday, Jan. 1.Vote on the best decorated cottage. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8371 or visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Monday, Jan. 1, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. For more details, call 939-7033, or ovcahi.org.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET Tuesday, Jan. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS Tuesday, Jan. 2, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. For more call 929-9576, or visit discoveryharbour.net.

‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU WALK FOR SENIOR HOUSING IN NĀ‘ĀLEHU begins Tuesday, Jan. 2, in Lapahoehoe and continues through Friday, Jan. 5, to Nā‘ālehu. ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou President Wayne Kawachi will walk 100 miles to raise $250,000 in an effort to purchase 1.9 acres in Nā‘ālehu for future senior housing. Make a donation to support his quest at okaukakou.org. For more call Kawachi at 937-4773.

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