The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island: Aug 17, 2017

Volcano Rain Forest Runners get ready with packet pick-up and late registration Friday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
at Cooper Center. The races take place on Saturday. See below. Photo from Sharon Faff

IN VIOLATION OF FIRST AMENDMENT privacy protections afforded under the Constitution is how Rep. Tulsi Gabbard characterized the Department of Justice's recent request for a search warrant for IP addresses and personal information stored on the server of a private company who helped organize protests during President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The search warrant, filed by the federal government in the D.C. Superior Court, is trying to force DreamHost to provide the DOJ with the user information for anyone who visited their site in an effort to identify anyone involved in Inauguration Day protests.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and the Fourth Amendment
Caucus. Photo from Tulsi Gabbard

Said Gabbard, in a statement released tonight, “The Justice Department’s politically motivated probe to collect personal information on its own citizens exercising their legal right to express dissenting political views is nothing short of a constitutional violation and is wholly un-American. It reeks of actions that Presidents Nixon and Johnson took against Americans protesting the war in Vietnam. Our country was founded on the rule of law which protects our right to free speech and prohibits the government from violating our personal privacy with baseless warrants. These fundamental rights and protections separate our democracy from dictators around the world who seek to silence and intimidate their political opponents to maintain power. The Justice Department’s witch hunt serves as a reminder that we must take a stand to defend our constitutional rights and ensure our government is not allowed to violate our constitutional rights and civil liberties."

Gabbard has advocated for reforms that address the government's responsibility to protect civil liberties. She is a founding member of the Fourth Amendment Caucus and has been a champion for strengthening privacy and civil liberties protections in the digital age. She has introduced legislation to strengthen the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board and cosponsored legislation like the Electronic Communications Privacy Amendments Act and Email Privacy Act to modernize electronic privacy laws.

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MUMPS INFECTIONS have been confirmed among students at Na`alehu School. According to a release from the state Department of Health, there is an increasing number of cases of mumps statewide. The disease has been confirmed in children and adults both vaccinated and unvaccinated. Approximately half the cases have been in adults aged 18 years and older. Since the beginning of the year, 257 cases have been confirmed in Hawai`i, with five on the Big Island, one on Maui, 22 on Kaua`i and 229 on O`ahu.
The Department of Health recommends the following to help prevent the spread of mumps in the community:
Ensure family members are fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. According to DOH, all children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine which protects against three diseases: measles, mumps, and rubella. The first dose is given at age 12–15 months and the second dose routinely at four to six years of age. However, due to the continued circulation of mumps in Hawai`i, DOH recommends that children between one and four years of age should receive their second dose a minimum of four weeks after the first dose.

For adults, the health department recom-mends that all born in or after 1957, without evidence of immunity to mumps, who cannot verify previous MMR vac-cination, should receive one MMR dose. "Indi-viduals with only one documented MMR dose, are strongly encouraged to consider receiving a second MMR vaccine dose," says a DOH statement. "In general, although it is not ideal, receiving extra doses of vaccine poses no medical problem. Patients suspected or diagnosed with mumps should self-isolate and avoid going out and exposing others for nine days after onset of parotitis (swelling of the salivary glands).
"People who have been exposed to mumps and are not vaccinated should not attend school, work or travel from day 12 through day 25 after exposure." says the DOH statement.
Symptoms include: fever, headache, muscle aches, tiredness, loss of appetite, swollen and tender salivary glands under the ears on one or both sides.

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KUPU INTERNS WORKING WITH AMERICORPS gain a meaningful service opportunity and education that "benefits our `aina and Hawai`i's native plants and animals," said Sen. Mazie Hirono on Thursday when she met with KUPU interns and leaders. She encouraged them to "continue their good work, serving their communities through conservation."

KUPU, an AmeriCorps program, provides young people with service learning and educational opportunities through maintaining and preserving Hawai`i’s natural resources.

“I continue to advocate for AmeriCorps funding that supports programs like KUPU that help train Hawai`i’s workforce and provide career pathways for young conservationists,” Hirono said.

“For the past decade, KUPU has helped develop the next generation of Hawai'i's environmental leaders,” said John Leon, Chief Executive Officer of KUPU. “AmeriCorps funding ensures that Hawai'i's youth can pursue careers in conservation and sustainability, allowing them to play a vital role in protecting Hawai'i's fragile environment. I'm honored to join with Senator Hirono and the rest of the Hawai‘i congressional delegation to support programs that help Hawai‘i's youth discover their strengths and allows them to give back to a cause greater than themselves while pursuing career pathways to propel them forward in life.”

Suzanne Case, chair of the state Department of Land & Natural Resource, said that “Building a bridge for Hawai`i’s future conservation workforce, the KUPU internship program trains our youth to become environmental stewards and connects them to future job opportunities at DLNR and across the state.”

Logo and t-shirt art for Volcano Rain Forest Runs is
by local artist Dietrich Varez.

In June, Senator Hirono announced that Hawaii had received $4.2 million in AmeriCorps funding from the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering and service programs. Earlier this year, Senator Hirono cosponsored S.Res.86, a bipartisan resolution recognizing the contributions of AmeriCorps members and alumni and the significant impact their efforts have on our lands and natural resources The Senate passed this resolution on March 9, 2017, during national AmeriCorps Week.

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KA`U HIGH BEAT KEA`AU on Wednesday
night in girls volleyball at Ka`u District Gym, under Coach Josh Ortega. Ka`u JV's won with 26-24 and 25-20. Ka`u Trojans also took the varsity win with 26-24, 16-25, 25-19 and 25-20.

Volcano Rain Forest Runs Packet Pick-up & Late Registration, Fri, Aug 18, 1 – 5 p.m., Cooper Center in Volcano.

Eighth Annual Volcano Rain Forest Runs, Sat, Aug 19, 7 a.m., Cooper Center in Volcano. Staggered starts for Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. Zero-mile event, keiki runs, entertainment, food & crafts follow. Register at volcanorainforestruns.com.

Pick up the August edition of The Ka`u Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka`u, from Miloli`i
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at www.kaucalendar.com

Recycling at Nā‘ālehu School, Sat, Aug 19, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Nā‘ālehu School Gym. Redeem your HI-5 sorted by type; receive 5 cents per container and additional 20 cents per pound on all aluminum. Atlas Recycling donates 20 cents per pound on all aluminum redeemed to the school. 939-2413, ext. 230

Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sat, Aug 19, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū on this free, moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike to the top.

Kahuku ‘Ohana Day: Lei Making, Sat, Aug 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Cultural practitioner and teacher Aolani Ka‘ilihou teaches the traditional art of Hawaiian lei making. Ascend Pu‘u o Lokuana and learn about the history of the Ka‘ū lands seen from the top. Kids 17 and under and their families sign up by Fri, Aug 11 at 985-6019.

Hula Performance, Sat, Aug 19, 10:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Nā Kumu hula Liana Aveiro & Keikilani Curnan with Hālau Waiau. Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu & ‘ohana, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., gallery porch.

Ka‘ū High School Potluck Reunion, Sat, Aug 19, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Everyone is invited.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Extreme high tides like this one reaching high into the skeleton of the old Honu`apo Pier, are expected
to continue through the weekend and the National Weather Service has issued a warning.
Photo by Ron Johnson

NINE YEARS OF WORKING ON THE KA`U COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN has led to its presentation to the County Council Planning Committee for its review before going to the full council and Mayor Harry Kim for his signature.
County Planning Director Michael Yee told the Council Planning Committee in a presentation on Tuesday that Ka`u residents have shown a "lot of dedication, tenacity, resilience to push this forward and they had a very diverse group of folks working on this and I am very proud of the piece of work that they put forward to you."

The Ka`i Community Development Plan recommends a quarter mile
setback for development on the coast.

Yee told the County Council Planning Committee that he personally has a love for community engagement. Concerning the Ka`u Community Development Plan, he said, "There is a question over what's the intent and what's the implications and I understand that and we have to work in those parameters; but in the end this is the dreams and wishes of a group of folks that have really poured their heart and soul into this over many, many years. And it is our job to try to make it real for them. "Whether or not that takes a little more work, or not, I'm not sure, but I would hope that you would take into account that there has been a lot of work from a lot folks to get to this point to present it to you today," said the Planning Director who has been learning about Ka`u since he was appointed during the current term of Mayor Harry Kim.
Planner Ron Whitmore, who has worked on the project for nine years and is now working for the county Department of Research & Development, made the presentation. He said the Ka`u community was "incredibly involved" in the crafting of the plan.
He explained the evolution of County of Hawai`i community planning. He said there were general plans in the past but that the General Plan in 2005 called for "a meaningful public role in planning." He said the scope involves three pillars of sustainability, covering "Protecting Natural & Cultural Resources, Strengthening Infrastructure & Services, Building a Resilient Local Economy and Directing Land Use - zoning, growth, development and design.

Specific Regional Actions to implement goals of the General Plan are also included the the Ka`u Community Development Plan, said Whitmore.
During the nine year process, community Steering Committee members representing Ocean View were Patti Barry, Bob DaMate and Loren Heck; Ka`ma`oa to Waiohinu - Leina`ala Enos, Puna`lu`u - Ron Ebert, and Pahala - Simon Torres, Jr. and Marino Ramones. The non-voting member was John Cross.
Whitmore said the plan attempts to balance three critical perspectives: "Local knowledge, in all its diversity - keep it grounded. Local planner and developer knowledge- keep it practical; and best practices - use the planner's toolbox."
Whitmore said that to stay anchored in an open process, the approach was that "the community is more than meetings; to focus on objective analysis; and understand that there's an element of truth in every perspective, so everyone wears a learner's hat."
Recommendations in the CDP include a Ka`u Land Use Policy Map with Urban Growth Boundaries; a Shoreline Setback Policy and Scenic Impact Anaylsis and Mitigation."
Whitmore showed a photo of the shoreline looking toward Kamehame - the hawskbill turtle preserve, and said " if you haven't spent much time in Ka`u, it's hard to understand how important open space, natural resources, cultural resources, and in particular the shoreline is for the people of Ka`u, for the psyche of Ka`u, for the way of life.

"It was absolutely critical from the community's perspective that development be set back from the shoreline. For students of land use law, that's a difficult thing to do. We grappled with different ways to do it, tried not to supersede the authority of the director, the commission or the council, as the case may be, to establish those setbacks while at the same time being very clear about the need to keep structures away from the shoreline. There are very few structures on Ka`u's 80-mile shoreline that are anywhere near the shoreline. There's just a few exceptions and the community thinks it is very important for a number of cultural and natural resource management perspectives as well as just general way of life to keep it that way."
He noted that preserving the shoreline is very much an economic issue for the people of Ka`u. He said that Steering Committee member Michelle Galimba pointed out during deliberations that "while a house near the shoreline in Ka`u provides next to zero economic benefit to the community, the open shoreline provides tremendous economic benefit, in terms of the draw for tourism, the subsistence access for people to fishing, for gathering, to name just a few. They really see this not just as a preservation strategy but as an economic development strategy," said Whitmore.
The Ka`u Community Development Plan recommends a quarter mile (1,320 feet) development setback from the coast.
See the presentation at www.bigislandvideonews.com. Also see http://www.hawaiicountycdp.info/kau-cdp to read the entire document and prepare comments for the County Council.

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KING TIDES ARE EXPECTED OVER THE WEEKEND, according to the National Weather Service, which issued a coastal flood warning. “The greatest potential for coastal flooding impacts will be during the peak daily high tide, which will occur during the mid- to late-afternoon hours the next several days.”

“Impacts may include flooding of beach areas that are normally dry, salt water inundation of typically vulnerable low-lying roads, docks, boat ramps and other coastal infrastructure. The potential for coastal flooding will diminish early next week as the peak daily tides diminish,” said the statement from NWS.

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Volcano Rain Forest Runs Packet Pick-up & Late Registration, Fri, Aug 18, 1 – 5 p.m., Cooper Center in Volcano.

Eighth Annual Volcano Rain Forest Runs, Sat, Aug 19, 7 a.m., Cooper Center in Volcano. Staggered starts for Half Marathon, 10K & 5K. Zero-mile event, keiki runs, entertainment, food & crafts follow. Register at volcanorainforestruns.com.

Ka‘ū High School Potluck Reunion, Sat, Aug 19, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Everyone is invited.

http://kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2017

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Aug 16, 2017