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Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Pig hunting in Ka‘ū is a long-standing multicultural and multigenerational event. See story below.
Photo by Julia Neal
FILIPINO VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II FINALLY RECEIVED CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDALS, a few in person, most posthumously. Wednesday's presentation ceremony was the culmination of Sen. Mazie Hirono and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard’s years-long effort to recognize Filipino World War II veterans with the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest civilian honor.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, Major General (Retired) Tony Taguba, and Hawai‘i
attendees at Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in Washington, D.C.
    “Presenting the Congressional Gold Medal to our Filipino World War II veterans is a long overdue honor for hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families,” said Hirono. “Last Veterans Day, Filipino World War II veteran Domingo Los Banos urged me to make sure our Congressional Gold Medal bill was passed that year. I hope that today’s ceremony conveyed to Domingo and every other veteran our gratitude for their service during the war and recognition of the hardship they face in receiving the benefits they earned.”
     Gabbard said, “The United States is forever grateful for the service, bravery, and perseverance of the more than 200,000 Filipino and Filipino American soldiers that served our country during World War II. These loyal and courageous soldiers suffered hardships, fought bravely, and sacrificed greatly, with many giving up their lives alongside their American counterparts throughout the war, yet their service was left unrecognized in the United States for decades. Today, these brave soldiers are finally receiving the recognition they earned and deserve, and join the ranks of heroic units like the Tuskegee Airmen and Hawai‘i’s own 442nd/100th Infantry Battalion as we honor them with the Congressional Gold Medal—our nation’s highest civilian honor.
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard addresses Congressional Gold Medal
Ceremony along with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs David Shulkin, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi joined Hirono and Gabbard in presenting the medal, along with Speaker of the House Paul Ryan.
     The Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act (Public Law 114-265), was signed into law by President Obama and awarded the medal collectively to the over 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who responded to President Roosevelt’s call-to-duty and fought under the American flag during World War II.

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Weigh-in will be at Wai‘õhinu Park.
Photo by Julia Neal
KA‘Ū MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY HAS ANNOUNCED ITS INAUGURAL PIG HUNTING TOURNAMENT to be held on Saturday, Nov. 18, with weigh-in at Waiʻōhinu Park. Hunting is islandwide.
     Three-person teams are invited to enter for a registration fee of $55 per team. Registration forms must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 13, or hand delivered to Kalani Vierra in Pāhala no later than Friday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m. Categories include heaviest boar (lahoʻole), biggest tusk, heaviest sow, heaviest overall. Scales will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hunting will only be allowed with dogs and no guns and at least one teammate must have a hunting license.
     Team registration forms are available in Kaʻū at ACE Hardware, Wikiwiki Mart, Ka‘ū Gas, R&G Mini Mart, Kaʻū Business Services LLP, Kahuku Gifts and Garden Shop; in Hilo at Delʻs Feed Store, Miranda's and Hilo Surplus Store; in Mountain View at Aloha Gas; in Kurtistown at J. Hara's Store Inc.; and in Kona at Pearl's, Oshima's, Mauka Napa, Lako St. Chevron, Fujihara's Store and Paul's Place.
     The day will also feature a smoke meat contest with judging to start at 10 a.m. Meat should be prepped, cooked and ready to eat. A packing contest (80 to 100-lb) will also be held. Registration for these contests will take place on the event day at the Waiʻōhinu Park Pavilion. Fee is $20 per person. For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740; Kalani Vierra at 938-2005; or Liz K. at 339-0289.

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Register keiki ages 11-13 for a stained glass workshop in
Volcano. See story. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org
KEIKI, AGES 11-13, ARE ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER for a Keiki Stained Glass beginners workshop taking place at the Volcano Art Center Saturday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Oct. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon.
    Glass artist Lois Pollock shares "her expertise and knowledge, teaching students the skills involved in working safely with stained glass and creating a beautiful, sturdy piece of art," says the class volcanoartcenter.org. Students will complete "a simple, 5-peice pumpkin design that can be hung in a window or made into a candle holder - just in time for Halloween! The glass will be precut and will then be completed using the copper foil solder method of stained glass construction, which includes foiling, soldering, finishing, and decorating. Glass cutting and grinding will be demonstrated."
description found at
    Class fee is $50 for VAC members, $55 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. Space limited to 4 children accompanied by a parent. Attendees are asked to wear long pants, snug fitting gloves, covered shoes and safety glasses. For more info or to register, call 967-8222.

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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 
KA‘Ū FOOD PANTRY gives food to those in need on Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

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SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN hosts a Town Hall Meeting at Volcano Art Center's campus on Wednesday, Oct. 25, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 19-4074 Old Volcano Road. A statement from the state Senator says it will be "An evening of legislative discussion and insight. Take advantage of this opportunity to weigh in on the 2018 Legislative Session. Additional information will be provided about participating directly in the legislative process."

VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE DUE FRIDAY, OCT. 27, for community members interested in hosting a booth at the Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival on Saturday, Nov. 4, at Pāhala Community Center, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event is sponsored by Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai'i, Inc., the festival is directed by Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, who teaches hula on Wednesday evenings to all ages at Pāhala Community Center.
     There are openings for craft vendors, food vendors, informational booths, and game vendors for children. Craft vendors fee is $50.00. Food vendors fee is $75.00. Game Vendors fee is $50.00. Informational booths are free. Call 649-9334 for an application.

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 occur on Friday, Oct. 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.

COFFEE TALK in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National park takes place Friday, Oct. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join rangers and other community members in an informal conversation on a wide variety of topics. Ka‘ū coffee, tea and pastries available for purchase. Free.

OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP. meets Friday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. in Hawaiian Ranchos office.

A HALLOWEEN PARTY FOR ADULTS is offered at Kīlauea Military Camp’s Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Friday, Oct. 27, from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Attendees must be 21 years and older and must pay a cover charge of $5 per person. The event is open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8365 after 4 p.m.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY is accepting reservations for a volunteer day at the Ka‘ū Preserve for Saturday, Oct. 28, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reserving a spot in advance to go to the remote location in The Nature Conservancy's trucks is necessary. Anyone interested in more information, and/or to reserve a spot can contact Linda Schubert at lschubert@tnc.org, or call 443-5401.
     The following volunteer workday will be Saturday, Nov. 18. Details to come.

HIKE TO THE TOP OF THE GRASSY CINDER CONE PU‘U O LOKUANA from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, with a ranger in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The hike is a short 0.4 miles. Learn about the formation and various uses of this hill over time and enjoy a breathtaking view of lower Ka‘ū. This hike will also take place on Nov. 5.

JOIN RANGERS FOR A GUIDED HIKE, REALMS AND DIVISIONS OF KAHUKU, on Sunday, Oct. 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Experience the sense of place that evolves at the intersection of nature and culture on this moderately difficult two-mile, two-hour guided hike on the Kahuku Unit’s newest trail, Pu‘u Kahuku. Explore the realms and divisions of the traditional Hawaiian classification system at Kahuku. Bring a snack for the “talk story” segment of this hike. The event will also be offered Nov. 11 and Dec. 16.

NĀ‘ĀLEHU PUBLIC LIBRARY HOSTS A FALL COSTUME PIZZA PARTY on Halloween Day, Tuesday, Oct. 31, starting at 3 p.m.
     A Hawai‘i State Public Library System issued flyer states, "join us for fun, food and prizes at our annual Fall Costume Party - and this year it's a pizza party! Come in costume for an extra chance to win a prize!" The prize drawing will take place at 4 p.m.
    The event is free and open to all, though young children should be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.
    For more details, call 939-2442.

KA‘Ū STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY until Friday, Nov. 3, for funding from The Nature Conservancy to support student projects that develop nature-based, green infrastructure solutions to an environmental challenge in the community.
     Applications are open for public and charter schools to build or maintain a Nature Works Everywhere school garden, greenspace or green infrastructure project. Up to sixty (60) grants will be given in the amount of $2000 during the 2017 - 2018 school year.
     For full details on requirements, eligibility, and how to apply go to NatureWorksEverywhere.org/#grants.

CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IS OFFERING EMPLOYMENT as a Member Service Representative in Nā‘ālehu. CU Hawai‘i seeks energetic individuals for full time positions who enjoy working with people and can provide professional, courteous and efficient service to valued members.
     The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
     Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.