Ka`u News Briefs Monday, Feb. 20, 2017

Most of the debris picked up off the Ka`u Coast by such volunteers as these from University of Hawai`i and Hilo Community
College, is made of plastic. Now Hawai`i Wildlife Fund is asking Ka`u residents to support a bill in the
County Council to reduce styrofoam on the island. Photo by Dr. Drew Kapp

FOR PRESIDENTS' DAY, Feb. 20, President Donald Trump released the following tweet: "Happy Presidents' Day - Make America Great Again!"
     Hawai`i Gov. David Ige released the following statement:
     "Today we celebrate the birth of some of our country's most influential leaders: Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Both men stood tall during pivotal times in American history and helped shape this country into the land of opportunity it is today.

Image courtesgy of Gov. David Ige

    "Washington and Lincoln served their country with distinction during times of incredible strife and division. They chose to walk paths fraught with peril, but which were ultimately in the best interests of our great nation.
     "It was Washington who commanded the Continental Army against the tyranny of the British and won the Revolutionary War. Lincoln freed the slaves with his signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, reinforcing the notion that all citizens deserve equal treatment under the law.

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     "Each of these acts took a man with strong moral character and the will to see the changes necessary to make this country great. These two pillars of American leadership are the standard to which all elected leaders should hold themselves, which is why we recognize these men today.
     "Despite the incredible freedoms and rights that\ Washington and Lincoln worked to secure, we know that many citizens still struggle to find shelter and provide for their families here in our state.
   "On President's Day, let's honor these great men in words, but also in action. As your governor, I vow to continue fighting for the citizens of Hawai'i so that we may all fulfill the freedom of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness which these men considered to be self-evident."

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THE PRESIDENT'S DAY TWEET FROM REP. TULSI GABBARD is, "I hope you have a safe and restful Presidents' Day Today," followed by: "In Hawai`i veterans have gone a year with no permanent VA Director for health services," and "I introduced legislation - leaders need to be held accountable."

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A BILL TO BAN POLYSTYRENE FOAM will be heard by the County Council's Committee on Environmental Management on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The Hawai`i Wildlife Fund is urging supportive testimony for Bill 13 to be provided before or during the meeting at 1:30 p.m. at the Kona Council Chambers at West Hawai`i Civic Center or by videoconference from Ka`u at the old courthouse in Na`alehu. Testimony can also be submitted electronically by emailing counciltestimony@hawaiicounty.gov.   
     The bill is the resurrection by Puna County Council member Eileen O'Hara of an old polystyrene foam measure, Bill 140,
     "Do you cringe each time you see lunch being served on a foam clamshell? We do too!" says a statement from Hawai`i Wildlife Fund, referring to what is commonly called styrofoam, the substance targeted in the legislation.
      The organization also reports that other statewide initiatives in 2017 include Senate Bill 1109 and House Bill 1545 in the Hawai`i Legislature and Agenda Item 16-204 for Maui County Council.
      Hawai`i Wildlife Fund suggests a template for testimony: "I support the initiative proposed by Councilwoman O'Hara to reduce the amount of polystyrene foam food containers and food service ware on Hawai'i Island starting on July 1st, 2018. It is important for us to make decisions that promote the health and wellness of our island communities and native wildlife. Bill 13 is one of such crucial steps in the right direction, and will lead us on a pathway towards a zero-waste and sustainability for our island home."
      Hawai`i Wildlife Fund also recommends supporting foam free businesses and has compiled a list of 135 restaurants on Hawai`i Island, including Volcano House, Cafe Ono and Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck in Volcano and Coffee Grinds and Kalae Coffee in Ka`u. For the complete list, see goo.gl/tia7Rd

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A BOOK SIGNING AT NA`ALEU LIBRARY ON WEDNESDAY, FEB. 22 AT 2:30 p.m. will feature Emily Rodavich, author of Mystical Interludes: An Ordinary Person's Extraordinary Experiences. The event is free to the public.

Weave a Tī Leaf Lei, Wed, Feb 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association instruct and provide materials. Free; park entrance fees apply.

Ocean View Community Development Corp. meeting, Fri, Feb 24, 5 p.m., Hawaiian Ranchos office.

Sanctuary Ocean Count, Sat, Feb 25, 8 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., various coastal locations, several in Ka`u. Participants count humpback whales and record their behaviors. Registration required. hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov or 725-5923.

SOIL AND COMPOSTING is the topic at the next Ka`u Farm School session to be held on Sunday, Feb. 26 at Earth Matters Farm on the corner of South Point Road and Kama`oa Road. Time is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Special guests will include Rep. Richard Creagan, Chair of the Agriculture Committee of the state House of Representatives and Melanie Willich, Director of the Young Farmers Program at Kohala Center. The class is free, sponsored by Kohala Center and Hawai`i Farmers Union United. Donations accepted. RSVP to kaufarmschool@gmail.com or call 808-721-6977.

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Ka`u Hospital Community Input Meeting, Sat, Feb 25, 1:30 p.m. at the hospital. Kurt Corbin, Chair of the East Hawai`i Regional Board of the Hawai`i Hospital System Corp, which oversees the hospital and clinic operations, said that "Personal conversations and dialogue with our community stakeholders are absolutely essential in helping guide the decisions that the Regional Board must make."
     Board members and administrators will be on hand and a financial overview and future outlook will be presented. For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Secretary at 932-3103.

Love the Arts: Singin’ in the Rainforest, Sat, Feb 25, 5 – 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. The annual fundraiser features one-of-a-kind umbrellas painted by Hawai‘i Island artists. Fine wine, a luxurious gourmet buffet, spirited Hawaiian music and live and silent auctions. 967-8222

Palm Trail Hike, Sun, Feb 26, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop trail provides one of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov

HOVE Road Maintenance board of directors meeting, Tue, Feb 28, 10 a.m., St. Jude’s Church. 929-9910

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue, Feb 28, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

www.kaucalendar.com