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Monday, October 02, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Monday, October 2, 2017

Hula dancers from Japan, Okinawa, Mexico, the mainland, Ka`u and other Hawaiian islands are coming
to Ho`okupu Hula O Ka`u on Nov. 4. To volunteer for the event or to sponsor a booth, attend
the Wednesday organization meeting at Pahala Community Center at 6:30 p.m.
See more below. Photo by Julia Neal
WITH LOCAL RESIDENTS OF KA`U and the rest of the state enjoying such a close relationship with the city of Las Vegas, often called the Ninth Island, Gov. David Ige’s support team issued a statement today. It addresses the loan gunman who employed rapid firing rifles from a perch in a skyscraper to shoot into an outdoor concert of 22,000 persons, killing at least 59 with more than 500 injured. The statement says:

Hawai`i has an A-minus score, issued by Law Center to Prevent
 Gun Violence. Nevada earns a C -. 
See the analysis as www.smartgunlaws.org
     “We at Team David Ige were deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic news of the senseless mass murder in Las Vegas. 
Hawai’i has always been at the forefront of sensible gun laws, making us the state with the lowest gun death rate in the country.
     "Under Governor Ige’s leadership, Hawai'i became the first state to ensure that the authorities are notified when a prohibited person tries to buy a gun -- a measure that will undoubtedly save lives. 

As needless violence erupts in schools, movie theaters, and even music festivals across our great nation, Hawai`i's gun laws are common sense solutions to a fixable problem. 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this preventable tragedy, with a shared resolve that we must all work together for a safer and more peaceful future for all Americans.”
     The governor said that Las Vegas is called “The Ninth Island because we have so many family and friends living there, and most of us have visited the city for entertainment or business purposes. Today, we grieve with those who have lost loved ones and pray for the injured.”
     Las Vegas is the chosen site for annual reunions of the Ka`u High School alumni and for vacations for many local families.

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FEMA UPDATED SEN. MAZIE HIRONO today on its hurricane disaster work in Puerto Rico. She visited the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters for a report on the Trump administration's response to helping Puerto Ricans recovering from Hurricane Maria. Hirono heard from FEMA Acting Deputy Administrator Daniel Kaniewski and other top Administration officials on the status of federal disaster relief efforts.
Senators Mazie Hirono, Elizabeth Warren and Richard
Blumenthal went to FEMA today for an update
on conditions in hurricane ravished Puerto Rico.
Photo from Office of Mazie Hirono
          After the meeting, she said, "President Trump's consistent and repeated failure to recognize the full scope of the devastation in Puerto Rico has resulted in legitimate criticism of the administration's response to the crisis there. The Commonwealth's 3.5 million American citizens have every right to be frustrated. Today's briefing focused on the major logistical challenges Puerto Rico still faces. Progress is being made, but as long as people there do not have food, water, and electricity, the administration is not doing enough. That is the bottom line."
     Hirono, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Elizabeth Warren requested the briefing following media reports of the administration's "lackluster response to helping the people of Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria," said a statement from Hirono's office.
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IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN VETS'  Leadership in Government Award went to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard last week. The award was presented at the first annual IAVA Salutes event that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated leadership and courage while advocating on behalf of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Martha Raddatz of ABC News was recognized for Leadership in Journalism.
Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO of IAVA, said, "Gabbard consistently has the backs of IAVA members through her work in Congress, and is a steadfast advocate for national defense issues." He called her "an example of what our generation of veteran leaders can accomplish. She has been a critical leader in IAVA’s fight for increased recognition and services for women veterans, including serving as an original co-sponsor of the Deborah Sampson Act."
Deborah Sampson, the first woman to receive a
military pension after the Revolutionary War.
       The Deborah Sampson Act is named after a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and one of the first known women who fought in uniform for this country. Sampson disguised herself as a man and joined the Patriot forces and was the only woman to earn a military pension for her participation in the fight for American independence.
    The Deborah Sampson Bill asks the Veterans Administration to change its noninclusive motto and to address gender disparities at the VA to ensure women vets receive equitable care.
     Gabbard said, “As we observed the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks earlier this month, I was once again reminded how that fateful day changed our country and our lives. During my deployment to Iraq where I served in a medical unit, I questioned whether leaders in Washington truly understood the cost of war, and if they ever thought about those who truly pay the price. One of the major motivations for me to serve in Congress came from my experiences being deployed, and wanting to be in a position to make critical decisions regarding when to go to war, and just as importantly, when not to go to war, and to ensure the promise our country made to our veterans is upheld and honored. I am humbled to receive the IAVA Salutes Award, and I will continue to do my best to honor the service and sacrifices of my brothers and sisters in arms and their families."

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Rep. Tulsi Gabbard invites Ka`u residents to a
Telephone Town Hall on immigration this Wednesday.
Photo from Office of Tulsi Gabbard
A TELEPHONE TOWN HALL FOCUSED ON IMMIGRATION will be hosted this Wednesday, Oct. 4, by Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard at 4 p.m. On the phone will be local and national immigration experts from the ACLU Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Coalition, and National Immigration Law Center. The call will provide an update on immigration issues including DACA and federal immigration reform, give constituents an overview of resources the Congresswoman's office can help with including Social Security, immigration and naturalization applications, passports and visas, and provide constituents an opportunity to ask questions related to immigration, says a statement from Gabbard's office.
     The statement says that "To protect each individual's privacy, constituents living in Hawaiʻi's Second Congressional District with questions regarding a personal claim or casework should contact Gabbard's office directly at (808) 541-1986 or TulsiOffice@mail.house.gov."
     To participate in the Telephone Town Hall, call in live at the time of the event to 888-476-4187 at 4 p.m. HST on Wednesday, Oct. 4. To receive a pre-call reminder to join this event: Text "TULSI" to 828282, or go to vekeo.com/reptulsigabbard and enter name, phone number and email. Click "Verify" in the confirmation email in order to complete the registration.

INSPIRATION FOR WINNING ART is explained by Meliha Corcoran, of Ocean View, describing her Pele & Friends mixed media art that won the cover competition for the Ka‘ū publication, The Directory 2018. She won the popular vote during last week's Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce Art Show held at CU Hawai‘i Federal Credit Union in Nā‘ālehu.
Meliha Corcoran with her Pele & Friends
art that won the popular vote last week.
     Corcoran, who has lived in Ka‘ū for about a decade, said this morning that her passion for art started around the age of 13. She has extensive experience in numerous mediums, including pottery, painting with oil, watercolors, pastels, and many other art forms and crafts.
     "This piece was made with marbling and quilling as a mixed medium, which due to the details took 70 hours to create," she said. She explained that her reverence for Pele was the original inspiration for this craft. "It features Pele, the Big Island and her native species friends from a Ka‘ū perspective," said Corcoran.
    Corcoran also explained the process of paper marbling as "a method of aqueous surface design, which can produce patterns similar to smooth marble or other kinds of stone. The patterns are the result of color floated on either plain water or a viscous solution known as size, and then carefully transferred to an absorbent surface, such as paper or fabric."
     "Also known as paper filigree, quilling is an art form that involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. Quilling starts with rolling a strip of paper into a coil and then pinching the coil into shapes that can be glued together."
Corcoran offers the Art Express class through the Discovery Harbour Community Association, once a month as a volunteer instructor.

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Pick up the October 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 now at kaucalendar.com

UPCOMING FALL TROJAN SPORTS:

Girls Volleyball
Friday, Oct. 6, Ka'ū vs. Kealakehe, home.
Wednesday, Oct. 11, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, away.
Friday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. Honoka'a, home.

Eight-Man Football

Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kohala, home.
Saturday, Oct. 21, Ka'ū vs. Pāhoa, home.

Cross Country
Saturday, Oct. 7, Ka'ū vs. Kea'au, away.
Saturday, Oct. 13, Ka'ū vs. BIIF, away.

Cheerleading
Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Konawaena.
Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Kamehameha.

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REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 FOR AN ART CLASS until tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 3. The class, Cupcake Liner Owl, takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 4, at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102.

REGISTER AGES 6-12 THROUGH FRIDAY, Oct. 6, for Relay Races scheduled to take place at Kahuku Park on Monday, Oct. 9, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. For more, call 929-9113.

Karen Masaki begins her Dance Imagined classes tomorrow at
Volcano Art Center. Photo by Ken Goodrich
A STORY TIME EVENT IS OFFERED AT PĀHALA PUBLIC LIBRARY on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool staff will read a book aloud to keiki of all ages, with "a fun activity and snack provided following the story,” according to the event flier issued by Hawai‘i State Public Library System. Story Time is free to attend.
     For more information call Pāhala Public Library at 928-2015. For more library events, visit librarieshawaii.org/events.

DANCE IMAGINED, a class lead by Karen Masaki that “encourages exploration and builds strength and fluidity for pure exhilaration of movement,” will be held on Tuesdays this month: Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31. The classes will take place at the Volcano Art Center from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and incur a fee of $20 non-members and $15 for Volcano Art Center members or $50 for the entire series. For more, call 967-8222.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS Tuesday, Oct. 3, and Wednesday, Oct. 4. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

HO‘OKUPU HULA NO KA‘Ū CULTURAL FESTIVAL organizing meeting will be this Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Pāhala Community Center at 6:30 p.m. for those who would like to volunteer and support the Nov. 4. event.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Oct. 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Pāhala Community Center.

NATIONAL COFFEE WITH A COP DAY takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 4. All are welcome to celebrate with Ka‘ū police officers from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Ka‘ū District Gymnasium Conference Room in Pāhala. The event is a casual talk-story opportunity with no agenda, where attendees can meet local police officers. Coffee and pastries will be available at no cost.

OPEN MIC NIGHT AT KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP’S LAVA LOUNGE, in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m.
to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more details, call 967-8371.

HULA VOICES takes place on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates this free event, with Kumu Hula Iwalani Kalima of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E presenting her hula experiences. Park entrance fees apply.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS THURSDAY, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Ocean View Community Center.

LEARN THE ART OF TROPICAL FLOWER ARRANGING at Volcano Art Center on Friday, Oct. 6, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Kaipo Ah Chong will provide cleaned tropical flowers. The class is $45 plus $20 supply fee. For more, call 967-8222.

A PARK CLEANUP AT KAHUKU COUNTY PARK takes place Friday, Oct. 6, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Those interested in joining must register through Oct 5. Call 929-9113 for more details.


TAI CHI QIGONG DEMONSTRATION SESSIONS will be given by Dr. Myrtle Miyamura, a certified Tai Chi for Health Institute Instructor. The new Ka‘ū Gym in Pāhala is the venue on Fridays, Oct. 6, 13 and 20 from 10 a.m. to noon.
     The tai chi instructions include movement for injury and arthritis management and prevention. According to the state Department of Health, injury prevention information online, Tai Chi for Health "is an evidence-based program endorsed by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention."
     The classes are cosponsored by Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association and the county Department of Parks & Recreation, Call KRHCA executive director Jessie Marques at 928-0101.
     See Ka‘ū Rural Health Community Association.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST IS SET FOR SATURDAY, Oct. 7 (moved from Oct. 14), at the Ocean View Community Center from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. For more details, call 939-7033.

BUCKETS FOR BOOKS VSAS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT is Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ka‘ū District Gym. Volcano School of Arts & Sciences raises funds and offers games for all ages. See friendsofvolcanoschool.org for rules and fees. Email gotwill@gmail.com or call 626-5130 for more.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE PLANT SPECIES that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Stewardship at the Summit event will take place four times in October - Saturdays, Oct. 7 & 21, and Fridays, Oct. 13 & 27, at 9 a.m.
     To join the efforts, meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. on any of the aforementioned dates. Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants and bring a hat, rain-gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools will be provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm.

COMMUNITY CUP FUNDRAISER takes place Sunday, Oct. 8, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Volcano Art Center. The event features hand-thrown teacups and bowls by local Big Island potters, as well as samples of fine Hawaiʻi-grown teas, demonstrations, exhibits and more. The entrance fee is $25 in advance or $30 at the door and includes a choice of one tea bowl, plus tea samples. Call 967-8222 for more.

SENIOR ID'S FOR AGES 60 AND UP WILL BE ISSUED MONDAY, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Jude’s Church in Ocean View. For more, call 928-3100.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENROLL NOW in the The Kohala Center’s High School Sustainable Agriculture Program. The next session is at TKC's Demonstration Farm in Honoka’a, Oct. 9 to 13, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Kohala Center's Rural and Cooperative Business Development Services says, “The weeklong program features hands-on training in sustainable agriculture practices and visits to important traditional Hawaiian agricultural sites and farms. Students will also learn about opportunities in farming and supporting Hawai'i's food security. Contact Dave Sansone at 808-887-6411 or dsansone@kohalacenter.org for more information.”