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| Rep. Richard Creagan listens to residents in Ocean View. Photo by Ann Bosted |
Creagan, a physician, weighed in on rat lungworm disease “It is a problem for human health, agriculture, and tourism,” said Creagan. He proposes to “provide substantial funding to University of Hawai‘i’s Hilo School of Pharmacy and the Jarvi Lab for rat lungworm research.” He said he will introduce legislation.
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| Rep. Richard Creagan Photo by Ann Bosted |
Creagan pointed out that “animal welfare is now part of the agriculture committee.” He said he hopes to fund a study of rat lungworm in pets, particularly dogs and horses. “They are dying from this and we need diagnosis and treatment." Reinstating a position for a Public Health Veterinarian in the state Department of Health who can work with zoonoses (animal diseases that affect people) like leptospirosis, brucellosis, toxoplasmosis and rat lungworm is another aim of Creagan. “I have a bill for this,” he said.
Also regarding the state Department of Health, Creagan said it would be best to require the Neighbor Island County District Health Officers to be physicians. He pointed out that Health Officers on Maui and Kaua‘i are physicians, but not on Hawai‘i Island. He said the County Council supports this requirement. “We need a physician District Health Officer to stand up for the people of the Big Island against the O‘ahu centric Health Department. I have a bill for this as well.”
Creagan has long campaigned for a new hospital in Kona. “We badly need a new West Hawai‘i Hospital to replace Kona Hospital. I have proposed a University affiliated teaching hospital in West Hawai‘i in conjunction with Palamanui Community College. We have $500,000 for a feasibility study.”
He said he advocates for training health care providers on island. “If you train physicians, nurses, nurse-practitioners and physician assistant on the Big Island, they will stay on the Big Island." He said the Palamanui college campus in Kona can have training for health care careers such as imaging technicians, respiratory therapists and physical therapists. Training for primary care specialties could
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| Rep. Richard Creagan wants the state to ban chlorpyrifos, which the EPA was planning to ban, but the Trump administration rescinded the order. Image from draxe.com |
Concerning health and the environment, Creagan called for better control of restricted use pesticides and banning chlorpyrifos. “There is no way to use it safely. Banned in Europe, banned for indoor use since 2002 in the U.S.,” he pointed out. He said the EPA planned to ban chlorpyrifos for all food use in 2017. “Scott Pruitt, Trump’s appointee, reversed the decision.
California plans to severely limit use of chlorpyrifos and we need to end all use on Jan. 1, 2019,” said Creagan.
Concerning farming, Creagan said, “We need to increase availability of land, water and loans to small farmers and young farmers.” He also called for establishing two positions in the state Department of Agriculture for ag. theft investigators.
Regarding marijuana, he called for “marijuana decriminalization and possible legalization on a county level.”
Creagan said he is a supporter of "Death with Dignity" legislation and hopes to bring it to a full House vote. The Senate passed it overwhelmingly last year.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Ka\wachi at 937-4773.
California plans to severely limit use of chlorpyrifos and we need to end all use on Jan. 1, 2019,” said Creagan.
Concerning farming, Creagan said, “We need to increase availability of land, water and loans to small farmers and young farmers.” He also called for establishing two positions in the state Department of Agriculture for ag. theft investigators.
Regarding marijuana, he called for “marijuana decriminalization and possible legalization on a county level.”
Creagan said he is a supporter of "Death with Dignity" legislation and hopes to bring it to a full House vote. The Senate passed it overwhelmingly last year.
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.
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| 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.
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.
BUY TICKETS FOR DISCOVERY HARBOUR'S NEW YEAR'S PARTY by Thursday, Dec. 28. The party will be held in Discovery Harbour Community Center (Kahiki & Makali‘i Streets) on Sunday, Dec. 31, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. (or later for those who wish to stay). A potluck dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. for those who wish to participate.
The Robert Thomas Band Trio will entertain from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Pre-sold tickets are $15 per person. Seating is limited to 72 persons; first come, first serve. To purchase tickets or for more information call Elaine at (805) 479-6266 or Sue at (310) 770-9644. The event is B.Y.O.B.
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.
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.
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.
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| The concurrent Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition continues through Sunday, Dec. 31, in Volcano. See event details below. Photo from Volcano Art Center |
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.
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| Photo from wikipedia.com |
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.
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.
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| Toast to New Year on Dec. 31 in Volcano. See event details at left. Photo from wikipedia.com |
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.
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| Ka‘ū coffee blossoms. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
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 Ka\wachi at 937-4773.
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.
