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| Tickets are still available for A Gilbert & Sullivan's Christmas Carol, Dec. 14 - 17 at KMC's Kīlauea Theater. Cast members joined the Hilo Christmas Parade last weekend. Photo from KDEN |
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| After Pearl Harbor, Iwao Yonemitsu and Toku Nakano signed up. Photo by Julia Neal |
Japanese American women also stepped up in community responsibilities when Japanese American men were either interred by the U.S. government or joined the U.S. military. Shigeo Kikuchi, wife of the Rev. Chikyoku Kikuchi, became responsible for the Buddhist Temple in Na`alehu when he was interred. "She often interacted with military authorities and worked to protect the community from harassment. In the absence of a priest, she organized farewell services for Nisei soldiers," reports the book Asian American Religious Cultures. She distributed Nenju (prayer beads) and told the young Japanese Americans going off to fight for the U.S.: "When you are lonely or when you're in trouble, repeat "Nama Amida Butsu.'" She later wrote Memoirs of a Buddhist Woman Missionary in Hawai`i.
In Volcano, Kīlauea Military Camp became an internment camp for Japanese Americans and was the site of a recent dedication of a Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park interpretive display and program acknowledging this dark time in history.
“We remember the famed “Go for Broke” 442nd Infantry Regiment and other Nisei-only units, made up of young men, who despite seeing their friends and family members being sent off into internment camps, still stood up and volunteered to serve -- putting their lives on the line for this country. They served bravely, sacrificed greatly, and became the most highly decorated unit in all of the U.S. Army's history. We must never forget what happened at Pearl Harbor, the lessons learned, and the sacrifices of those who served. There is no question that the stories of the greatest generation will live on forever in the hearts of a grateful nation.”
On Dec. 7, Sen. Mazie Hirono introduced the Admiral Lloyd R. “Joe” Vasey Pacific War Commemorative Display Establishment Act, which would create a memorial at Pearl Harbor honoring the service of World War II veterans who served in the Pacific Theater. The bill is the Senate companion to legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep.Colleen Hanabusa.
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| Admiral Joe Vasey has pushed for decades to establish the memorial for WWII soldiers who served in the Pacific. He turned 100 years of age this year. Photo from Stars & Stripes |
Wrote Hirono, “As we mark the 76th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, we honor the brave veterans who defended our country on December 7, 1941 and all who served in World War II. Establishing a memorial to their dedicated service at Pearl Harbor is a fitting tribute to their sacrifice, and I thank Representative Hanabusa for her leadership on this issue.”
The Admiral Lloyd R. “Joe” Vasey Pacific War Commemorative Display Establishment Act directs the National Park Service and the non-profit Pacific Historic Parks to create the memorial. For many years, the memorial has been a campaign of Admiral Vasey, a World War II veteran who served in the Pacific Theater and reached his 100th birthday in January. Sen. Brian Schatz is a cosponsor of the Senate bill.
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A LAST PUSH TO SAVE NET NEUTRALITY came from Sen. Mazie Hirono on Thursday, as she and 27 other Senators urged Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai to delay the vote to roll back the nation’s net neutrality rules. In a letter, the Senators expressed concerns over reports that bots filed hundreds of thousands of comments to the FCC during the net neutrality policymaking process, and called for an investigation into the state of the record.
“Without additional information about the alleged anomalies surrounding the public record, the FCC cannot conduct a thorough and fair evaluation of the public’s views on this topic, and should not move forward with a vote on December 14, 2017,” the Senators continued.
“The FCC must invest its time and resources into obtaining a more accurate picture of the record as understanding that record is essential to reaching a defensible resolution to this proceeding,” the Senators concluded.
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| Plants are grown, seeds collected, to fit each environment. |
HAWAI`I SEED GROWERS NETWORK, a statewide group of seed producers organized and supported by The Kohala Center’s Hawai‘i Public Seed Initiative program, officially launched its online store this week. Customers can pre-order 2018 seed varieties at hawaiiseedgrowersnetwork.
com/shop.
com/shop.
With orders shipping in late December. HSGN currently offers locally adapted, selectively bred seeds including beans, flowers, fruits, greens, herbs, and peppers. HSGN is comprised of artisanal farmers that have worked together for more than five years to grow, develop, and provide high-quality local seeds to Hawai‘i’s gardeners and market farmers. Members commit to growing seed crops on a small scale to maintain close connections with their products, carefully observing, selecting, and harvesting from only the hardiest plants. Their goal is to contribute to resilient local food systems by offering seeds selectively bred and produced in Hawai‘i for the islands’ diverse soils and microclimates.
“Restarting a local seed industry in Hawai’i is a slow and ongoing process,” said Lyn Howe, director of The Kohala Center’s Hawai‘i Public Seed Initiative. “It takes many generations of growing and selecting varieties to produce quality seed with consistent, desired agricultural and culinary traits. But when you’re 2,300 miles from the nearest seed source, we think it’s a wise idea and worth the effort.”
Prior to the launch of HSGN’s online seed marketplace, the University of Hawai‘i at
Mānoa’s Seed Lab was the only local seed producer. Hawai‘i’s gardeners have relied heavily on seeds imported from the continental United States, despite the fact that many are not properly adapted to Hawai‘i’s tropical and sub-tropical conditions, soil composition, pests, and plant diseases.
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| The Public Seed Initiative grows seeds adapted for of the micro climates and conditions on the island. Photo from Hawai`i Public Seed Initiative |
The Kohala Center, a nonprofit organization based on Hawai‘i Island, started the Hawai‘i Public Seed Initiative in 2009 as part of its goal to reduce Hawai‘i’s dependence on imported food. Participants in the Initiative began to grow and share plant varieties that thrived in their own gardens and fields. By saving and sharing the best seeds and re-growing them in other local microclimates, producers were able to evaluate seed performance under various environmental conditions.
The Center secured funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, and Ceres Trust to help train and support HSGN producers, conduct seed trials, selectively breed and produce seeds, and develop the online marketplace. The Hawai‘i Island Seed Bank, the only facility in the Hawaiian Islands that stores native, conservation, and agricultural seeds, provides storage services for seeds sold through the marketplace. Additional seed varieties will be offered in 2018.
See Hawai‘i Public Seed Initiative: kohalacenter.org/hpsi and Hawai‘i Seed Growers Network: hawaiiseedgrowersnetwork.com
FLIGHTS TO MANAGE NATURAL RESOURCES in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park are announced for December:
December 12, between 7:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., supplies and crews will be flown for petrel monitoring from the Kīlauea helipad at 4,000’ elevation to Mauna Loa at 9,000 feet and back.
December 14, between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., flights will will be for invasive fountain grass surveys and control, from Kīlauea helipad to the southwest boundary and to Keauhou below 2,500’ elevation.
December 19 and 20, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. both days, flights will transport crew from Kīlauea helipad to upper Kahuku Unit at the 8,000-ft. elevation for an anthropological study.
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| Fountain grass creeps into the largest petroglyph field in Hawai`i where visitors walk and also remote places where Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park will conduct flights this month. NPS Photo by Jay Robinson |
The statement from HVNP says, "The park regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain backcountry facilities."
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SUNDAY CHILDREN'S LEARNING CENTER is a new educational service provided at Ocean View Community Center. The federally funded activity is free from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. every Sunday and is run by Rodney DuCossin.
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Soccer: Saturday, Dec. 9, Makua Lani @ Ka‘ū.
Boys Basketball: Fri and Saturday, Dec. 8 and 9, Maui Tournament.
Swimming: Sat, Dec. 9 @ Konawaena.
Girls Basketball: Monday, Dec. 11, Kamehameha @ Ka‘ū.
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ALOHA FRIDAY: LEI MAKING WITH RANDY LEE is Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Volcano Art Center Gallery Porch in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Make lei from a variety of natural materials from the forest. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-7565 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN OCEAN VIEW HOSTS ITS KEIKI CHRISTMAS PARTY Saturday, Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in their lower parking lot. Each child receives two books at Rudolph’s Reading Room, a stocking from Santa, and a cookie and punch from Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen. All are welcome. For more, visit stjudeshawaii.org or call 939-7000.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER is Saturday, Dec. 9, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more, call 939-7033.
SOFT PASTEL STILL LIFE WITH PATTI PEASE JOHNSON class is the Saturday, Dec. 9, from 9 a.m. to noon. Instruction and materials provided. Beginners to intermediate artists welcome. $50 per non-member, $45 per VAC member, plus $10 supply fee per person. For more, call 967-7565 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
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. 9, 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. It will also take place on Dec. 30.
ANNUAL PĀHALA CHRISTMAS PARADE starts at 1 p.m. at Pāhala Armory and ends at Holy Rosary Church on Sunday, Dec. 10. Contact Andrade family at 928-0808 to participate or for more details, no entry fees.
LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE OF ‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. The guided hike takes place Sunday, Dec. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/havo.
A MĀLAMA MARKET TOWN HALL MEETING is Monday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033.
PACIFIC ISLANDS AS MODELS FOR CULTURE, AGRICULTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY is the After Dark in the Park talk that has been announced for Tuesday, Dec. 12, starting at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn how the innovative agricultural systems of pre-contact Hawai‘i connect to Pacific societies in the past, present and future and how Hawai‘i and other Polynesian islands are used as models for living more sustainably. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more see nps.gov/HAVO.DISCOVERY HARBOUR/NĀ‘ĀLEHU COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM meets Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Discovery Harbour Community Hall. The public is invited to come see what C.E.R.T. is about as well as participate in training scenarios. For more, contact Dina Shisler by emailing dinashisler24@yahoo.com or calling 410-935-8087.
REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, UNTIL TUESDAY, Dec. 12, for a Hanging Santa Craft Class that takes place Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. For more or to register, call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-5, UNTIL WEDNESDAY, Dec. 13, for the Annual Christmas Coloring Contest that takes place Thursday, Dec. 14, starting at 5 p.m., at Ka‘ū District Gym. For more or to register, call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
HAWAIIAN HERBAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER KA‘OHU MONFORT demonstrates the power of local plants to nourish and heal on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. The program, Lā‘au Lapa‘au, takes place on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. See and touch a variety of traditional medicinal plants. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more visit nps.gov/HAVO.
CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION OFFERS 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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