Monday, July 31, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Monday, July 31, 2017

Summertime activities are ending, like weeks of fishing at South Point, as students head back to school in Ka`u next week.
See stories below. One of the classic Ka`u photos by Peter Anderson
ITS FIRST ANNUAL FESTIVAL FOR KEIKI IN KA`U was announced today by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi. The non-profit will host Mālama Nā Keiki Festival at Na'ālehu Park on Saturday, Aug. 26. The Mālama Nā Keiki Festival promotes prenatal, children’s, and family health by providing a festival of health education, community resources, and interactive keiki activities. The festival is free and open to the public, aiming to serve expecting and first-time mothers, women considering pregnancy, young families, and supporting ‘ohana from across the county.
     Hawai’i Island family health agencies will participate in the event to share about their services. Participants will have the chance to learn about local prenatal, postnatal, and keiki health services available to their families. Clinical health screenings will a be offered, including hearing screenings and vision tests, along with immunization information and prenatal education. It will be a family fun day with keiki activities and local healthy food available to all participants.
     The Mālama Nā Keiki Festival will launch an island-wide Healthy Hapai prenatal cohort program. Each prenatal cohort will meet monthly in their regional area with a Hui Mālama health educator, for hands-on learning about maternity health and wellness practices. Interested women can sign up for the cohorts at the festival.
     The festival is made possible through support of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. "Hui Mālama strives to help participants develop a strong network of prenatal and postnatal support, and learn best practices to prevent potential health problems, raise healthy happy children, strengthen family, and fulfill OHA and Hui Mālama's shared goal of a strong and healthy Hawaiian nation," says a statement from the organization.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Raina Whiting has been selected for the
Rural School Leadership Academy.
NA`ALEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KINDERGARTEN TEACHER Raina Whiting has been accepted to a national program to support emerging teacher leaders who teach in rural schools. The 2017-2018 Rural School Leadership Academy consists of 39 Teach For America alumni across the country who teach in or are leaders of rural schools.
     The goal of the program is to train emerging school leaders by preparing them to lead schools as a principals or vice principals or to participate in chartering new schools. The cohort of 39 spent this past week in New Mexico focusing on leadership skill building, relationship building and learning from current school leaders.
     Whiting will attend leadership summits in several rural locations over the next year. Whiting joins educators from Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, North Carolina, Louisiana, Hawai'i, Idaho, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Washington, West Virginia and other parts of the U.S. that are considered rural regions.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA`U SCHOOLS LAUNCH THE FALL SEMESTER next week, with the following schedule:
     Ka`u High & Elementary School will have a Back-to-School Kick Off this Friday, Aug. 4 from 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at the gym for families and students to meet the faculty, with a spaghetti dinner to follow.
     Ka`u Learning Academy Charter School starts classes on Monday, Aug. 7.
     Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences Charter School starts for new students on Monday, Aug. 7 and for continuing students on Tuesday Aug. 8.Na`alehu Elementary School starts classes on Tuesday, Aug. 8 for grades first through sixth and pre-kindergarten. Kindergarten starts on Aug. 9 and 10.
     Ka`u High & Elementary School starts the fall semester with a transition day Wednesday, Aug. 9 for orientation for Pre-K through sixth grade as well as seventh and ninth grade students. All students start school on Thursday, Aug. 10.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

KA'U HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR Kalei Namohala has announced the following opportunities for student athletes and prospective staff from the following coaches:
     Football with Coach Duwayne Ke: Started July 17 with Eight-Man Football practices Monday through Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Coach Tammy picks up students who are interested at Hele On Park and Ride at 1:15 p.m. in Ocean View and 1:30 p.m. at 76 Gas Station in Na`alehu until start of school.
     Girls Volleyball with Coach Joshua Ortega: Starts Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Ka'u District Gym, 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Coach Tammy picks up students who are interested at Hele On Park and Ride 1:15 p.m. in Ocean View and 1:30 p.m. at 76 Gas Station in Na`alehu until start of school.
Ka`u High School's Athletic Director
Kalei Namohala
     Bowling with Coach Hiilani Lapera: Starts Tuesday Aug. 22. Sign up with Athletic Director Kalei Namohala, once school starts, from Aug. 9 to Aug. 18.
     Cross Country with Coach Erin Cole: Starts Aug. 14. Sign up with Athletic Director Kalei Namohala, once school starts, from Aug. 9 to Aug. 18.
     Cheerleading with Coach Jessica Carroll: See Coach Carroll first day of school to sign up.
     In order to participate, all students 9th to 12th grade must have a current physical and participation on file with Athletic Trainer Moses Whitcomb. For more information or questions contact the Athletic Director.
     Coaching Position Openings: Ka'u High is seeking head coaches for varsity boys and girls Swimming, varsity Baseball, varsity Softball and varsity Tennis.
    Seeking Assistant Cross Country Coach - works under the supervision of the Head Varsity Boys / Girls Cross Country Coach Erin Cole.
     Positions will include staffing the varsity and junior varsity programs. Applicants for coaching must have prior high school or college coaching experience. College diploma is recommended and must clear D.O.E. background check. Email resumes with at least three references to Athletic Director Kalei_Namohala@notes.k12.hi.us or fill coaches application form in school office. 

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A MULTI-STATE CYBERSECURITY COMPACT was signed by Gov. David Ige today, as Hawai‘i joins 3 other states to enhance state cybersecurity and develop the cyber workforce. The Compact to Improve State Cybersecurity is part of the National Governors Association’s Meet the Threat: States Confront the Cyber Challenge initiative. The compact makes recommendations to better secure states’ cyber infrastructure by building cybersecurity governance, preparing and defending the state from cybersecurity events, and growing the nation’s cybersecurity workforce, said a statement from the governor.
A reminder image from the state Office of Enterprise Technology Services.
   “The top priority of any governor is the public’s welfare and safety, which now includes protecting citizens from cyber threats,” Ige said. “I am proud to join my fellow governors in signing this compact and committing to its recommendations.”
      The compact specifically recognizes that a “competent and plentiful workforce” is critical to successful cybersecurity policy.
      “Hawai`i has already taken proactive steps toward the compacts goals,” said state Chief Information Officer Todd Nacapuy, who leads the Office of Enterprise Technology Services, the agency responsible for securing state government information resources and infrastructure. “These include establishing a state chief information security officer, reclassifying IT security positions to align with modern industry best practices, offering cyber internship opportunities, and supporting programs such as SANS Institute’s CyberStart program that encourages high school and college students to explore careers in cybersecurity.”
      Read the full Compact to Improve State Cybersecurity here:

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Association Meeting, Tue, Aug 1, 6 – 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

Blue Zones Project Gardening Demo, Wed, Aug 2, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Pāhala Community Center. RSVP at jadeiokepa@healthways.com

Open Mic Night, Wed, Aug 2, 6 – 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up and for more details. Open to authorized and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8371