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Teach for America staff and teachers traveled to Wood Valley to work at a Native Hawaiian mamaki tea farm with
`Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i and met at Pahala Plantation House on Saturday to learn Hawaiian culture
and teaching techniques. See story below. Photo by Julia Neal |
OPPOSING PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION DIRECTIVES, Hawa`i's Attorney General and Hawai`i's Governor have come out with statements. Attorney General Doug Chin signed on with 17 other state Attorney Generals on Sunday to say, "As the chief legal officers for over 131 million Americans and foreign residents of our states, we condemn President Trump's unconstitutional, un-American and unlawful Executive Order and will work together to ensure the federal government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants, and does not unlawfully target anyone because of their national origin or faith.
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Hawai`i Attorney General Doug Chin joined 17 other
state Attorney Generals on Saturday, signing a letter
in objection to President Donald Trump's ban on
residents of seven Moslem-majority countries from
travel to the U.S. Photo from AG office |
"Religous liberty has been, and always will be a bedrock principle of our country and no president can change that truth.Yesterday, multiple federal courts ordered a stay of the Administration’s dangerous Executive Order. We applaud those decisions and will use all of the tools of our offices to fight this unconstitutional order and preserve our nation’s national security and core values. We are confident that the Executive Order will ultimately be struck down by the courts. In the meantime, we are committed to working to ensure that as few people as possible suffer from the chaotic situation that it has created.”
Gov. Daivd Ige's statement said, "I have been in contact with Attorney General Doug Chin regarding several orders issued by the federal courts in the last 24 hours. We believe these orders apply to all U.S. international airports, including those in Honolulu and Kona, and expect legal travelers to this country to be welcomed in Hawai'i without being detained unlawfully by the federal government.
"Refugees entering the United States are screened by the National Counterterrorism Center, FBI, Defense and State departments, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Refugees fleeing from war and persecution seek, simply a better life. Hawai'i has a proud history as a place immigrants of diverse backgrounds can achieve their dreams through hard work. Many of our people also know all too well the consequences of giving in to fear of newcomers. The remains of the (World War II Japanese) internment camp at Honouliuli (on O`ahu) are a sad testament to that fear. We must remain true to our values and be vigilant where we see the worst part of history about to be repeated," said Hawai`i's governor.
The AG and Governor were responding to Trump's ban on travel from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.
TEACH FOR AMERICA, which provides instructors in public schools in Ka`u and other districts in Hawai`i, brought more than 30 teachers working on the Big Island to Pahala on Saturday to learn about Hawaiian culture and the Ka`u agricultural community. The state Department of Education and Teach for America partnered with Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i, the Pahala-based non-profit for youth. Uhane leaders Kawehi and Debbie Ryder led Teach for America staff to help on a mamaki farm in Wood Valley. The organization also prepared an imu for the group and gathered at Pahala Plantation House.The teachers participated in a program called Ha: Breath, inspired by an area school superintendent, Suzanne Mulcahy, who said, "When I walk into a Hawai`i public school, I want to close my eyes and know that I am in a school in Hawai`i...and not somewhere else."
The program included an overview of Hawaiian island life for the new teachers: "What makes Hawai`i, Hawai`i- a place unlike anywhere else - are unique values and qualities of the indigenous language and culture. `O Hawai`i ke kahua o ka ho`ona`auao. Hawai`i is the foundation of our learning." Teachers learned about expected outcomes from their students: "Na Hopena A`o, are rooted in Hawai`i, and we become a reflections of this special place." The program teaches six outcomes for students to help them in education and personal growth: Strengthened Sense of Belonging; Strengthened Sense of Responsibility; Strengthened Sense of Excellence; Strengthened Sense of Aloha; Strengthened Sense of Total Well-being and Strengthened Sense of Hawai`i."
"Underlying the outcomes is the belief that students need both social and emotional learning skills and academic mindsets to succeed in college, careers and communities locally and globally. When taken together, these outcomes become the core breath that can be drawn on for strength and stability throughout school and beyond."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar.
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The first Ka`u Farm School class was held on Sunday at Earth Matters Farm.
Photo by Raina Whiting |
THE FIRST KA`U FARM SCHOOL CLASS was held on Sunday at Earth Matters Farm near Kama`oa and South Point Roads. One of the organizers Raina Whiting said the first session was on Propagation and Seed collection. She explained that "Community organizers, teachers and farmers have teamed together in Ka'u to create the Ka'u Farm School. The school is starting small with a series of day classes open to the Ka'u community. The sessions will be workshop style with a focus on hands-on experiences on the farm that pertain to growing food in Ka'u. All ages and backgrounds are welcome."
The next class is on Sunday, Feb. 26 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit Facebook.com/KauFarmSchool, call 808-721-6977 or email kaufarmschool@gmail.com.
KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE has two new chairs, a new
secretary and treasurer.
At the
annual meeting on Thursday, Allan Humble and Alan Stafford were elected
co-chairs, Kathy Leach was made secretary and Lee McIntosh will be
treasurer.
Babette and Rich Morrow
are now board members.
Lee
McIntosh was the Scholarship Chair, and he will be looking for someone to take
over those duties.
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Alan Humble is a new co-director of
Ka`u Chamber of Commerce.
Photo by Ann Bosted |
According to the Chamber’s website, the organization began
as the Ocean View Business Association in 1992. At the time, the main issues were
bringing telephone and power to Ocean View, the roads and water. It became the Ocean View Chamber of Commerce
in 1996, and then in 2007 it became the Ka’u Chamber of Commerce. It publishes The Directory each year, which promotes progress and business
development in all of Ka’u and serves as a community phone book and resource guide for businesses, non-profits and government agencies and raises money for scholarships for higher education.
The Chamber also raises funds for scholarships which range
from $250 to $1,000. The deadline
for applications is May 1, 2017. The Chamber also organizes the annual art show each fall. The winning image from the show graces the cover of the next Directory.
The Ka’u Scenic Byways is a Ka’u Chamber committee. It installed signage along Highway 11
in Ka’u and an educational kiosk in Na’alehu. It was also responsible for the interpretive displays at the
Ocean View Scenic Overlook.
CHRIS YEATON IS BACK IN TOWN. His Friday slack-key guitar performance at Hana Hou Restaurant was like a home-coming. The well-known Ka’u musician, who last
played at the Na’alehu restaurant about six years ago, will once again be a
fixture, playing there on the last Friday of each month.
“I can’t think of any other
restaurant I’d rather play,” said Yeaton, who entertained a packed restaurant
on Friday.
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Chris Yeaton will play at Hanna Hou on the last
Friday of the month. Photo by Ann Bosted |
Yeaton, a former Ocean View
resident and business owner, now lives in Kona, but still visits his Ka’u cabin
at weekends with his growing family. He founded a catchment tank and swimming pool service in the district in
approximately 2004. When the
business grew too big for one person, Yeaton brought in his brother, Corey
Yeaton, who eventually went on to purchase Pacific Blue Catchment. Chris now works exclusively with his Kona
swimming pool business,
Yeaton’s passion for slack key guitar music began when he heard Keola Beamer play, and he was determined to learn to play in that style. Beamer is a Hawaiian slack-key guitar master, best known as the composer of Honolulu City Lights and an innovative musician who fused Hawaiian roots and contemporary music. Yeaton bought all Beamer’s instructional books and videos, and taught himself the basics. Then in 2002 he was able to attend a music camp with the Beamer family, where he honed his skills.
KA`U FARM BUREAU has set its first meeting of 2017 for Feb. 15 at the auxiliary room at the new gymnasium in Pahala at 6 p.m. Election of new officer elections is planned for the meeting, said Ka`u Farm Bureau President Brenda Iokepa-Moses. She is currently attening the National Association of Conservation Districts meeting in Denver until Feb. 1, representing the state of Hawai`i.
AN UPDATE ON MAUNA LOA ACTIVITY AND MONITORING EFFORTS will he held on Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. at Kilauea Visitor Center in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park as the wrap-up of Volcano Awareness Month. The presentation is by USGS hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist Ingrd Johanson. Free; park entrance fees apply.
KA`U FOOD PANTRY TUESDAY, JAN. 31 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Judes Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
