Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Ka'ū News Briefs Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Dave Parker wound up at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park yesterday to complete his goal of
visiting all 59 National Parks in the U.S. He received a 59ers Certificate of Achievement today.
Photo by Janice Wei/ NPS
COMPLETING HIS MISSION TO VISIT ALL 59 NATIONAL PARKS in the U.S., Dave Parker entered Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Tuesday night. He accomplished his lifelong dream and said, “To see Kīlauea erupt is indescribable and it’s just spectacular to see. It’s the reason we came here."
     On Wednesday, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park surprised Parker with a 59ers Certificate of Achievement, signed by National Park Service Acting Director, Mike Reynolds. Acting Superintendent and Chief Ranger John Broward made the presentation and congratulated Parker in front of visitors and staff at Kīlauea Visitor Center. 
     “It’s uplifting that Mr. Parker made it a priority to see all 59 of the iconic national parks,” Broward said. “Park visitors help steward our public lands, and by appreciating them, they protect them. And Dave Parker, you couldn’t have a better last name.” 
Elizabeth Fien, Executive Director of Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes
National
Park; Dave Parker "59er";  Margot Griffith, Executive
Director of Hawai‘i 
Pacific Parks Association; and Hawai'i
 Volcanoes' Acting Superintendent 
and Chief Ranger John
 Broward at Kīlauea Visitor Center. 
Photo by Janice Wei/NPS 
      Parker’s love for national parks blossomed at the tender age of 14, when his parents took him to his first parks, Yellowstone and Grand Teton. His family camped, rode horses, hiked the trails and watched Yellowstone’s famous geyser, Old Faithful, erupt. Now 77, Parker, his wife Carol, and friends Red and Sheri Cavaney, will spend a few nights at Volcano House and explore the eruptions of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa. They enjoyed a ranger talk about the volcanic origins of the Hawaiian Islands, and a guided tour with the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
        The Friends and another non-profit supporting partner, Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, presented the Parkers and their friends with commemorative items including ball caps, T-shirts, pins, a gift certificate for The Rim restaurant, and mementos and educational items to help them enjoy and discover the park.
      “There are many ways to support your parks,” Parker said. “All parks have organizations that support them that you can donate to. You can volunteer and give back with your time. It’s an important investment to make for the survival of public lands and our future generations."
      The auspicious visit was Parker’s fifth time to Hawai‘i, and his first to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. During his early career working for the Dept. of Commerce in Washington, D.C., he helped promote travel to the U.S., and had close ties to the Hawai‘i visitor industry. He and his wife live in McLean, VA.
     According to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park staff, the National Park Service has more than 20,000 National Park Service employees who care for 417 sites in the National Park System and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

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BREAKING THE NATIONAL DEPENDENCE ON FOSSIL FUELS "that degrade and destroy our environment," is the aim of legislation that U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has introduced into Congress. She issued a statement today, saying that her Off Fossil Fuels for a Better Future Act sets an ambitious goal of achieving 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 with an interim benchmark of 80 percent renewable energy by 2027. "It removes the tax giveaways for the oil industry, and provides transition assistance for workers through a Center for Clean Energy and Workforce Development as we move away from a fossil fuel economy to a clean energy economy. My bill also acknowledges the consequences of climate change that already disproportionately affect minority and tribal communities," said Gabbard.
     Gabbard noted that Hawai‘i has already passed legislation pledging to achieve 100 percent renewable energy "and is already making great progress towards this goal. This was done in no small part due to our geographic vulnerability and need for energy security, as well as the precious environment which makes our state so beautiful and special. Warming oceans have bleached our coral reefs, impacted marine life, and begun to erode our world renowned beaches, flooding roads and high tide and imperiling our fragile infrastructure."
     The Congresswoman said: "In recognizing the risks posed by continuing our reliance on fossil fuels and moving to address them, Hawai‘i has seen a boom in solar energy and other renewable energy sources that allow our citizens greater energy independence while advancing new technologies and creating sustainable jobs for our economy."
      Gabbard asks contituents to "Imagine a country without oil spills, with pristine water free of trash and pollution. Low income areas and communities of color without the disproportionate effects of respiratory illnesses because of nearby chemical and fossil fuel plants polluting the air. It is not too late to restore and preserve our natural environment, but we must act now.
     "Natural disasters of increasing scope and frequency have rocked the world over the past several weeks. Atlantic Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose, Katia, and Maria, flooding in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Nigeria, mudslides in Sierra Leone, and more events have claimed lives, ravaged communities, and wrought billions of dollars in damage that can never fully be repaired. These weather systems will only grow more extreme if we fail to act now.
    She contends that "The OFF Act is the next step to create a clean energy economy that puts our people and planet before corporate profits." She urges her constituents to become citizen cosponsors of the OFF Act and "commit to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035" by signing on as a citizen cosponsor of the OFF Act. 

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RECENT COLLISIONS AND SERIOUS INCIDENTS involving ships in the Seventh Fleet are being investigated by Sen. Mazie K. Hirono. Yesterday, she questioned top Navy officials. In 2017, four Navy ships have been involved in incidents, including two major collisions, resulting in the loss of life of 17 service members.
      Said Hirono, “While we still haven’t received the final reports into what caused these tragic incidents, it’s clear that prioritizing deployment over safety and training played a role. There is no excuse for neglecting readiness, training, and the safety of our service members, and we will continue our oversight role as the Navy moves forward to take action to prevent these tragedies from happening again.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono questions Navy brass about recent accidents.
Photo from Office of Sen. Mazie Hirono
     At a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Hirono questioned Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral John Richardson, and Government Accountability Office Director John Pendleton. She asked how an optimized fleet response plan for forward deployed ships could help to improve schedule certainty and increase the fleet’s ability to train and maintain ships in order to prevent these types of accidents. 

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THE FOOD BASKET AND KTA roll out the DA BUX today, Wednesday, Sept. 20, at KTA's in Hilo. The Double UP Food Bucks program is an incentive for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -  SNAP – EBT cardholders. DA BUX doubles the purchase of Hawai'i Island grown produce while supporting local farmers through an incentivized dollar for dollar match. A separate program rolls out at Volcano Farmers Market, starting Oct. 15.
     Da Bux is supported by a $500,000 United States Department of Agriculture Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive grant, which was awarded to The Food Basket to aid healthy food access.
    "DA BUX is not simply free food. It is a driver for economic development for our island," said Chelsea Takahashi, DA BUX Coordinator. "I believe infusing hundreds of thousands of dollars directly into our island's agriculture industry can make a difference in terms of sustaining and growing small farm revenue. It also ensures more of our federal money stays circulating in our local economy."
    SNAP customers at KTA Super Stores' Puainako and Downtown locations can purchase up to $20 in participating Hawai'i Island grown produce and receive an equivalent amount of participating produce for free through an at-register rebate. The program will run at these KTA Super Stores locations for one week a month in 2017, beginning on the third Wednesday: Sept. 20-26, Oct. 18-24, Nov. 15-21, and Dec. 20-26.
     Beyond the KTA Super Stores Puainako and Downtown Hilo pilot, The Food Basket has implemented DA BUX with its own Community Supported Agriculture program, providing SNAP customers with a buy one, get one free weekly subscription. Customers may purchase a four-week month of boxes for the payment of two weeks.
     The DA BUX incentive is available at The Food Basket in 2017 through Dec. 22.
    Through the support of Ka'ū's County Council members Maile David, along with council members Eileen O'hara, Jen Ruggles and Dru Kanuha, DA BUX has rolled out at Maku'u Farmers Market, Volcano Farmers Market, Keauhou Farmers Market, and Kona Sunset Farmers Market.

    Each farmers market is limited to $10 in matching dollars and is implemented based on the market's SNAP payment system. Check with your local participating farmers market's cashier office for more information.
    Maku'u Farmers Market and Volcano Farmers Market will implement the DA BUX incentive on the third Sunday of the month for 2017: Oct. 15, Nov.  19, and Dec. 17. The DA BUX incentive is available at Kona Sunset Farmers Market on the third Wednesday of the month for 2017: Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 15, and Dec. 20. At the Keauhou Farmers Market, the DA BUX incentive will take place on the third Saturday of the month for 2017: Oct. 21, Nov. 18, and Dec. 16. 2018 DA BUX incentive offerings are to be determined.
    For more information on DA BUX, visit HawaiiFoodBasket.org. For questions about DA BOX and SNAP sign-ups, contact Haunani by calling 933-6030. The mission of The Food Basket is to end hunger in Hawai'i County.

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KA'Ū FOOD PANTRY'S next distribution is Tuesday, Sept. 26 at St. Jude's Episcopal Church on Paradise Circle-Mauka in Ocean View, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. "We ask all of our participants to respect the grounds where this will be held. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on that Tuesday," says a statement from the organizers.

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REGISTER ONLINE TO VOTE says the giant card sent this week to every mailbox in Ka'ū and beyond. The Hawai'i Votes program, of the state Office of Elections, is getting ahead of next year's Primary on Aug. 11, 2018, and the General Election on Nov. 6, 2018.
     In five languages, the mailer refers prospective voters to elections.hawaii.gov, 1-800-442-VOTE and elections@hawaii.gov. "Register to Vote. Request to Vote by Mail. Update your Registration," advises the Office of Elections. To use the online system, one needs a current Hawai'i Driver's License or Hawai'i Statde ID card and a Social Security Number.

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KA'Ū HIGH GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAMS came home this week after defeating Makualani. Trojan varsity girls won in four sets, 25-10, 23-25, 25-18 and 25-20. Trojan JV won in two sets, 25-11 and 25-15, under coach Joshua Ortega.

A VOLLEYBALL CLINIC for five to 14 year-old youth, co-sponsored by the Hawai'i Police Department, will be held at Ka'ū District Gym from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25. The instructor will be Ka'ū High School girls volleyball coach Joshua Ortega and coaching staff, assisted by the Ka'ū High School Girls Volleyball team. Gym or court shoes required. Participants must turn in a signed registration waiver form. For more information, and to register, call Ka'ū District Gym at 928-3102.

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

UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball
Wednesday, Sept. 20, Ka'ū vs. Konawaena, away.
Friday, Sept. 22, Ka'ū vs. Christian Liberty, home.

Eight-Man Football
 Thursday, Sept. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, away game at Kea'au Field.
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pahoa, home.

Cross Country
 Saturday, Sept. 23, Ka'ū vs. Hawai'i Prep, away.

Bowling
 Saturday, Sept. 23, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe at Kona Bowl.

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LAST DAY TO REGISTER ONLINE FOR KA'Ū COFFEE TRAIL RUN pre-race fees is tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 21. This Saturday, Sept. 23rd, the Ka'ū Coffee Trail Run starts with staggered gun at 7 a.m. with all races beginning and finishing at Ka'ū Coffee Mill. Runners receive a race goodie bag, including a T-shirt and more. Each registered participant is entered into a door prize drawing valued at $700.
     Trail terrains var: 5K is a family-friendly, run/walk trail through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields; 10K is a moderate run through macadamia nut groves and coffee fields; Half Marathon follows the 5K & 10K course, rising to an elevation of 3,100 feet.

Register online by Sept. 21.
For more details, see the Ka'ū News Briefs from Aug. 30, 2017.
    Through midnight tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 21, runners can register online at webscorer.com/
register?raceid=94997 with the following prices: 5K/$55, 10K/$65, and HM/$75. Race day registration ends at 6:30 a.m., fees subject to change for race day registration.
     Free music and entertainment along with post-race massages, for $1.00/minute, will be available at the event.
     For more details about the event visit okaukakou.org/kau-coffee-trail-run/.

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HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA'Ū meets tomorrow, Sept. 21, at 5:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Methodist Church. The new President is Berkeley Yoshida. For more details, call Blossom DeSilva at 929-9731.

FREE CAR SEAT CHECKS checks at Pāhala Community Center will be this Friday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon. Partners for Safe Keiki and Hawai’i County Fire Department co-sponsor the event. All are welcome.
     Those with recalled or structurally unsound car seats will receive a free new car seat, acquired through grant funding from the Department of Transportation. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call or text 808-896-1336. For information about Child Passenger Safety, visit safekids.org.

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.
Kona Hema where volunteers are invited this Saturday.
Space limited. Photo from The Nature Conservancy
     Space is limited so those wanting to volunteer must contact Linda Schubert in advance to reserve a spot on one of the trucks. For more, read the Ka'ū News Briefs from September 8. To contact Schubert, email lschubert@tnc.org or call 443-5401.

HAWAI’I SEED FEST: LOCAL SEEDS FOR LOCAL NEEDS, sponsored by The Kohala Center and Hawai’i Seed Growers Network, is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon in Pāhoa and Honalõ. Attendance is free but space is limited. Reserve online at localseeds.eventbrite.com or call The Kohala Center at 808-887-6411. Visit Hawai'i Seed Growers Network.

NATURE & CULTURE: AN UNSEVERABLE RELATIONSHIP, a moderate hike approximately 2 miles takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Palm Trail hikers visit a place where catastrophic change (hulihia) and subsequent restoration (kulia) can be observed as the land transitions from the 1868 lava flow with its pioneer plants to deeper soil with more diverse and older flora. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture. Free. Visit nps.gov/havo for more.

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENT PLAYERS, DRUMMERS, SINGERS AND DANCERS ARE WELCOMED for Kanikapila on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church Hall. For more, call Desmond at 937-6305.

THE KOHALA CENTER’S DEMONSTRATION FARM HOSTS A FIELD DAY on Saturday, Sept. 23, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (45-434 Lehua St, Honoka’a).  This event is open to the public, with high school students and teachers encouraged to learn about the upcoming fall High School Sustainable Agriculture Program.
      Contact Dave Sansone at sansone@kohalacenter.org or 808-887-6411 for more information.

JOIN A GUIDED HIKE ALONG THE PALM TRAIL on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. within the Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. This moderately difficult 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. Free. Visit nps.gov/havo for more.

REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR ART: For Metal Stamped Bracelets, register until Sept. 26. The art class will take place at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, Sept. 27 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more, call 928-3102.

ART ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED ON MONDAY, SEPT. 25 for the Ka'ū Chamber of Commerce's Annual Art Show. The art show will be open for public viewing from Tuesday, Sept. 26, to Friday, Sept. 29, in the CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union Annex Building in Nā'ālehu, during normal credit union business hours.
   An Artist Reception for distribution of prizes and art pickup will be the morning of Saturday, Sept. 30.
     Categories include: painting, graphics, photography, craft, lei, weaving, jewelry, quilting, sculpture, and woodworking. There will also be categories for Youth and Keiki entries, for which the entry fee is $1 per artwork - CU Hawai'i has offered to sponsor any and all keiki who ask.
     The winning popular vote piece will be displayed on the cover of The Directory 2018, according to new Chamber co-chairs Alan Stafford and Allen Humble who describe the annual art show as a fundraiser for the Ka'ū Chamber of Commerce scholarship program. For more details, visit the Chamber website at kauchamber.org or call 936-5288.

HOVE ROAD MAINTENANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS meet Tuesday, Sept. 26, starting at 10 a.m. at St. Jude's Episcopal Church. For more, call 929-9910.

KA'Ū FOOD PANTRY OFFERS FREE FOOD FOR THOSE IN NEED on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

TELEHEALTH FOR VETS, who along with the public, are invited Thursday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon to Ocean View Community Center. Kona Veterans Administration Community Based Outreach Center will demonstrate increased care for veterans. View telehealth equipment, observe demonstrations and speak with VA providers.  Telehealth equipment was donated by GlobalMed Telemedicine. The VA has targeted November 1 to launch the system. "Veterans will be able to have real time visits with a Kona VA doctor without traveling to Kona," said Ocean View Community Association President Ron Gall.
     For more information, Call David Willard at 329-0574 or Ron Gall at 939-7033.

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