Friday, September 08, 2017

Ka'ū News Briefs Friday, September 8, 2017

The Birth of Kahuku, a hike into the geologic history of this Ka'ū unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
is this Sunday. See story below. Photo by Janice Wei/NPS


OVER FIFTEEN BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL AID for victims of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma and other extreme weather events got the yes vote today from Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. Funding for FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Administration, which was running out of money, supports immediate emergency response and relief and longer-term recovery efforts. The bill also extends the federal debt limit and ensures that the government remains open and able to deliver services until December 8, she said.
     “National tragedies like Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma test our country’s resolve. With today’s funding bill, Congress came together, putting the American people before partisanship and politics, to support the emergency response and recovery efforts serving the people most affected by these disasters. Since Hurricane Harvey hit, we have seen the aloha spirit coming from people all across the country who have turned out to support those struggling in the wake of this disaster. We are reminded that when one part of the country faces adversity, our nation comes together and perseveres. In the last week, we have witnessed compassion from neighbors, bravery from first responders, and responsiveness from public institutions. As communities in Texas and Louisiana begin the process of recovery and renewal, the entire country sends its thoughts, prayers, and support
to the people of the Caribbean and Florida who are dealing with Hurricane Irma,” said Gabbard.

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PROTECTING HAWAI'I FROM NORTH KOREA was the aim of Sen. Mazie Hirono, when she met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford to reaffirm his commitment to continuing strong support for Hawai'i’s military resources ahead of his confirmation hearing. She said the General also provided an update on his recent visits to China, Japan, and South Korea.
      “Through recent meetings with the leaders of China, Japan, and South Korea, General Dunford has taken an important step to develop a unified diplomatic and economic response, as well as a strong military deterrent, to ongoing challenges in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” said Hirono.  “I look forward to continuing our dialogue as the Senate moves forward to address military priorities for Hawai'i and the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono said that Gen. Joseph Dunford has recommited his
commitment to protect Hawai'i from North Korean threats.
Photo from Office of Sen. Mazie Hirono
     Hirono said that during a personal meeting, she questioned Dunford on efforts to improve military readiness and prevent future incidents such as the recent tragic Naval collisions in the region and the Army Black Hawk helicopter crash off of Keana Point, Hawai'i. They also discussed the administration’s commitment to placing an advanced defense radar in Hawai'i.
    Hirono will have further opportunity to question Dunford at his confirmation hearing expected later this month. Dunford was first nominated to the position by President Obama and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate in July 2015. If reconfirmed, he would serve a second two-year term.

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Federal District Judge Derrick Kahala Watson and
Hawai'i Attorney General Doug Chin
AFFIRMATION OF THE HAWAI'I DISTRICT COURT'S DECISION in the travel ban case came Thursday from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The July 13, 2017, Hawai'i district court order in Hawai'i v. Trump, allows the entry to the United States of close family members and refugees with formal assurances from a United States resettlement agency. 
     On June 26, 2017, the United States Supreme Court issued an order in this case that the travel ban could not be enforced against foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States, including those with a “close familial relationship.” The same standard applies with respect to refugee admissions. The federal government subsequently issued guidance that such “close familial relationships” did not include grandparents, grandchildren, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins of people currently living in the United States. 
Pick up the September edition of The Ka'ū Calendar delivered
free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka'ū, from Miloli`i 
through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout
the district. See it online at kaucalendar.com.
     Hawai'i Attorney General Chin said, “Today’s decision by the 9th Circuit keeps families together. It gives vetted refugees a second chance. The Trump administration keeps taking actions with no legal basis. We will keep fighting back.” 
     Gov. David Ige weighed in today, saying "The 9th Circuit agreed with our position that kupuna – grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins – are close family and deserve to remain connected with their loved ones. We look forward to presenting our arguments on the merits of this case before the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 10."

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THE POLYSTYRENE FOAM REDUCTION BILL passed first reading during yesterday's County Council meeting in Hilo. It would  limit the use of styrofoam on the island.
     Big Island Video News reported that, "The proposed law has been floating around for years but the council has not had the votes to approve it. Puna councilwoman Eileen O’Hara took the lead in recent months to resurrect the bill."  Ka`u's County Council member Maile David voted yes along with six other council members. The two Hilo council members, Aaron Chung and Sue Lee Loy, voted against the measure.
     The County Council agenda described Bill 13 as follows: “Prohibits food vendors from dispensing prepared food in disposable polystyrene food service ware effective July 1, 2019. Exempts ice chest and coolers; packaging for raw meat, fish, and eggs that have not been further processed; County facility users and food vendors with approval by the Environmental Management Director; and County facility users and food vendors procuring supplies during an event declared as an emergency by the Mayor.”
    See the film on the council meeting at Big Island Video NewsSee testimony supporting the bill from Megan Lamson of Hawai`i Wildlife Fund in yesterday's Ka`u News Briefs.

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'Ōhi'a Lehua Blossom. Photo from TNC
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER DAY at its Kona Hema Preserve in South Kona on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. TNC Hawai'i Island Program Coordinator Linda Schubert says, "We will be spending the day reinforcing a fence to help protect our forest [from potential pig damage], and enjoying the cool mountain air of Kona Hema Preserve. It is a unique opportunity to see a corner of Hawai'i few get to see!"
     Participants will need; long pants, protective shoes (boots preferred), lunch and water. Schubert says, "everyone should be ready for a variety of weather conditions, from sun, rain, to cool temperatures."
Volunteers reinforcing TNC preserve fences.
Photo from TNC
     Space is limited so those wanting to volunteer must contact Schubert in advance to reserve a spot on one of the trucks. The event is sponsored in part by the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. For more, contact Schubert at lschubert@tnc.org or call 443-5401.

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OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION IS PARTNERING WITH MATSON for an Ocean View Deep Clean Project to remove and haul away "the big stuff"(mattresses, appliances, furniture, etc.) at unofficial dump sites in Ocean View. The OVCA Newsletter, Ocean Views And News!, states, "Matson will bring a dumpster to a location in Ocean View; volunteers will load the big stuff in the dumpster; then follow it to the Hilo Land Fill to empty it. Volunteers who have pickups and will haul the trash will be paid for their gas." Volunteers are needed. A date and time for the event are yet to be announced. For more, call 939-7033.

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WILL PONC FUND WAIKAPUNA PURCHASE? Waikapuna, a coastal property located below Nā'ālehu, is on the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission list. It may receive a resolution from County Council member Maile David, asking for the county to help fund the purchase of the property, during PONC's upcoming meeting. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 11, at West Hawai‘i Civic Center, at the conference room in Building G. See the full story in the September print issue of The Ka’ū Calendar or read the Ka'ū News Briefs from August 23, 2017.

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                                    UPCOMING EVENTS FOR FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Eight-Man Football: tomorrow, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Lana'i, away game.
Cross Country: tomorrow, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Kamehameha, away game.
Bowling: tomorrow, Sept. 9, Ka'ū vs. Hilo & Konawaena at Kona Bowl.
Girls Volleyball: Wednesday, Sept. 13, Kamehameha vs. Ka'ū, home game.
Competitive Cheerleading: Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Hilo.

Register by Sept. 11, 2017 to avoid higher entry fees.
For more details, see the Ka'ū News Briefs from Aug. 30, 2017.
PANCAKE BREAKFAST AT OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER is scheduled for tomorrow, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details, call 939-7033.

ATLAS RECYCLING WILL COLLECTING AT SOUTH POINT U-CART tomorrow, Sept. 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU a free hike within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered tomorrow, Sept. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. Learn about the Hawaiian hotspot and the creation of Kahuku. Visit nps.gov/HAVO for more details.

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT PLAYERS, DRUMMERS, SINGERS AND DANCERS ARE WELCOMED for Kanikapila, tomorrow, Sept. 9, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. For more call Desmond at 937-6305.

LEARN ABOUT THE VITAL ROLE OF ‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA, in native Hawaiian forests, the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on a free, easy, one-mile walk within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Sunday, Sept 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details visit nps.gov/havo.

SENIOR I.D.'s for people aged 60 and older will be issued on Monday, Sept. 11, at Pāhala Senior Housing Center, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and at Nā‘ālehu Community Center from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  For more information, call 928-3100.

Example of tree of life thumbprint art from
pinterest.com
IMUA KA'Ū WORKSHOP will be held at Ocean View Community Center on Monday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Imua Ka'ū is a group dedicated to improving the well being of the Ka'ū community and residents. For more details, call 939-7033.

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR ART CLASSES IN PĀHALA.
     Tree of Life Thumbprint Art: register until Sept. 12. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 3p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 928-3102.
     Tissue Art: register Sept. 11 until Sept. 19. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 20, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 928-3102.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LEGAL SERVICES will be available at Ocean View Community Center on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more details, call 939-7033.

RED CROSS VOLUNTEERS MEET THURSDAY, Sept. 14, at 7 p.m., in the HOVE Road maintenance Corp. office. The meeting is meant for volunteers and those interested in becoming volunteers. For more, call Hannah Uribes at 929-9953.

REGISTER KEIKI FOR SUNFLOWER CRAFT until Sept. 15. The craft class, for keiki ages 6 to 14, will take place on Monday, Sept. 18, at Kahuku Park from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Call 929-9113 for more.

REGISTER 5TH GRADE GIRLS FOR GEMS BY SEPT. 15. Ka‘ū fifth grade girls are invited to start registering for GEMS, Girls Exploring Math and Science. The annual all day event has been set for the Crown Marriot King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel for Nov. 9.
     Registration is on a first come, first served basis, and space is limited. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need.
     All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawai‘i School complex in public, private, or home-schooled are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS, to sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Remember GEMS registration form must be postmarked by 9-15-17. See more details on Ka'ū News Briefs from August 15, 2017.