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| Ka‘ū's own queen of paniolo parades and rodeos, Lorilee Lorenzo, heads to the Pana‘ewa Stampede Rodeo onSaturday, Sunday, and Monday. Photo by Chuck McKeand |
Said a statement from the governor's office: "This action is a mark of respect for the victims of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida."
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| Candlelight vigil in honor of those killed and wounded during the Feb. 14 school shooting in Florida. |
Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted, "It is one of the great moral failures of American society that we allow kids to get killed in schools. No one thing can fix this, but doing absolutely nothing makes it worse."
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Onishi worked for the County of Hawai‘i for 29 years, including eight years on the Hawai‘i County Council. From 2008 to 2016, Onishi served as chair of the council's Committee on Environmental Management; chair of the Committee on Governmental Relations and Economic Development; and Vice Chair of the Committee on Public Works and Parks and Recreation.
Onishi has also worked for the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties, and most recently as interim president and chief professional officer of the Hawai‘i Island United Way.
"Fresh was born and raised in Hilo and has spent most of his life serving the people of Hawai‘i Island. I know that he will continue his exemplary service through the Office of the Governor," said Ige.
"I will always work hard for the people to make the Big Island a better place to live," Onishi said. Onishi is a graduate of Hilo High School and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
A BILL THAT REP. TULSI GABBARD DESCRIBES AS UNDERMINING THE AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT received her no vote on Thursday in Congress. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed with bipartisan support and signed by Pres. George H. W. Bush in 1990. The new measure, HR620, would place "burdensome requirements on individuals with disabilities, making it
more difficult for them to access equal rights protections," said Gabbard. Nevertheless, HR620 passed the House by a vote of 225-192.
According to the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, 15 percent of Hawai‘i residents are disabled - higher than the national average. The National Federation for the Blind of Hawai‘i also reported that Hawai‘i is home to roughly 22,700 people with a visual disability.
Gabbard said, "For more than 25 years, the American Disabilities Act has been instrumental in expanding and protecting fair, equal opportunities for disabled Americans. HR620 unravels this progress, making it easier for employers to skirt around discrimination laws and requiring people with disabilities to jump through hoops for the equal access protections to which they are entitled. I've heard from many community organizations in Hawai‘i that shared how this legislation would hurt our more than 210,000 disabled residents. I stand with them in strong opposition to this harmful legislation."
National Federation of the Blind of Hawai‘i issued a statement saying the bill would "diminish the rights of blind people by eroding the foundation of the ADA ." The ADA assures that all Americans with disabilities "have the right to live free from exclusion and discrimination in any way in American society. The ADA ensures that anyone with a disability can enjoy the benefits of living in our free and open state and country alongside all other citizens. In short, the ADA is the persons with disabilities equality act, which must not be diminished in either its force or effect. We call upon everyone in Hawai‘i and throughout the U. S. to join us in opposing HR620, which is a deceptive attempt to repeal the ADA."
Aloha State Association of the Deaf issued a statement saying it "strongly opposes this bill because it will affect Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing citizens of Hawai‘i."
Special Olympics Hawai‘i issued a statement, saying that it "strongly supports legislation that guarantees the rights, full participation, and integration of people with intellectual disabilities. We appreciate the progress that has been made towards eliminating the stigma, stereotypes, isolation, and discrimination that people with intellectual disabilities face - most importantly around access to sport, health, and education. We ask Congress to remain vigilant against any erosion of any provisions that have made a substantial difference in the lives of people with disabilities."
HR620 is opposed by numerous civil rights, disability rights, and other organizations including AARP, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, NAACP, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Association of Justice, ACLU, AFSCME, National Disability Rights Network, American Association of People with Disabilities, National Council of Disability, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Easterseals, National Foundation of the Blind, and United Cerebral Palsy.
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MEASURES BEFORE THE U.S. SENATE TO PROTECT DREAMers, young working and student immigrants brought illegally to the U.S. as children, failed on Thursday. Sen. Mazie Hirono released a statement explaining her votes to help prevent their deportation. "I have consistently supported a clean DREAM Act, and voted in favor of the Coons-McCain amendment today that came very close to it. And while it earned the support of a bipartisan group of 52 senators, the vast majority of Republicans blocked this effort."
When Coons-McCain failed, she voted for another measure, the Rounds-King amendment, which included DREAMer protection, but also funding for Pres. Donald Trump's wall. Said Hirono, "We were left with only one option to protect the 800,000 current" - recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals - "DACA recipients and an additional one million DREAMers who the President has threatened with deportation. It's for them that I voted for the Rounds-King amendment." Hirono said she voted aye, even though it includes provisions she strongly opposes, including $25 billion for Trump's wall.
"The Republicans also sought to dismantle our legal, family-based immigration system," said Hirono. "Democrats fought hard to limit the damage. President Trump created this crisis when he cancelled DACA and threw 800,000 young people under the bus. And with his recent veto threat, he has made it abundantly clear that protecting Dreamers is the farthest thing from his mind."
Two other immigration measures also failed to pass on Thursday. The deadline imposed for replacing DACA is March 5.
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DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI will become the governor's liaison for East Hawaiʻi beginning Friday. Gov. David Ige announced the appointment on Thursday.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono spoke on the Senate floor , urging passage of measures to protect DREAMers. |
"The Republicans also sought to dismantle our legal, family-based immigration system," said Hirono. "Democrats fought hard to limit the damage. President Trump created this crisis when he cancelled DACA and threw 800,000 young people under the bus. And with his recent veto threat, he has made it abundantly clear that protecting Dreamers is the farthest thing from his mind."
Two other immigration measures also failed to pass on Thursday. The deadline imposed for replacing DACA is March 5.
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DENNIS "FRESH" ONISHI will become the governor's liaison for East Hawaiʻi beginning Friday. Gov. David Ige announced the appointment on Thursday.
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| Fresh Onishi is Gov. David Ige's new liaison for East Hawaiʻi, which includes Volcano, Pāhala, and Punaluʻu to Honuʻapo. |
Onishi has also worked for the Hawai‘i State Association of Counties, and most recently as interim president and chief professional officer of the Hawai‘i Island United Way.
"Fresh was born and raised in Hilo and has spent most of his life serving the people of Hawai‘i Island. I know that he will continue his exemplary service through the Office of the Governor," said Ige.
"I will always work hard for the people to make the Big Island a better place to live," Onishi said. Onishi is a graduate of Hilo High School and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
A BILL THAT REP. TULSI GABBARD DESCRIBES AS UNDERMINING THE AMERICAN DISABILITIES ACT received her no vote on Thursday in Congress. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed with bipartisan support and signed by Pres. George H. W. Bush in 1990. The new measure, HR620, would place "burdensome requirements on individuals with disabilities, making it
According to the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, 15 percent of Hawai‘i residents are disabled - higher than the national average. The National Federation for the Blind of Hawai‘i also reported that Hawai‘i is home to roughly 22,700 people with a visual disability.
Gabbard said, "For more than 25 years, the American Disabilities Act has been instrumental in expanding and protecting fair, equal opportunities for disabled Americans. HR620 unravels this progress, making it easier for employers to skirt around discrimination laws and requiring people with disabilities to jump through hoops for the equal access protections to which they are entitled. I've heard from many community organizations in Hawai‘i that shared how this legislation would hurt our more than 210,000 disabled residents. I stand with them in strong opposition to this harmful legislation."
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| Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, speaking on HR620, which she voted against on Feb. 15. |
Aloha State Association of the Deaf issued a statement saying it "strongly opposes this bill because it will affect Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and Hard of Hearing citizens of Hawai‘i."
HR620 is opposed by numerous civil rights, disability rights, and other organizations including AARP, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, NAACP, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, American Association of Justice, ACLU, AFSCME, National Disability Rights Network, American Association of People with Disabilities, National Council of Disability, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Easterseals, National Foundation of the Blind, and United Cerebral Palsy.
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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/februarycommunity.html.
February print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano. Also available free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.
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CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DOG on a Mandarin-language, easy, guided, two-mile round trip, Chinese New Year hike, with Volunteer Janice Wei. The free hike is offered Friday, Feb. 16, and Sunday, Feb. 18, from
MARDI GRAS AT ST. JUDE 'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH hosted Friday, Feb. 16; doors at 5:30 p.m. , dinner 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets at the door: $8/person, $15/two, $20/family - 939-7555.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON RAISING THE STATE SALES TAX TO 4.5 PERCENT Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., at Volcano Cooper Center. The increase would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019 and sunset Dec. 31, 2030, be collected by the State of Hawaiʻi, and turned over to the County of Hawaiʻi - to be used for transportation only.
PUBLIC HEARINGS ON RAISING THE STATE SALES TAX TO 4.5 PERCENT Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., at Volcano Cooper Center. The increase would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2019 and sunset Dec. 31, 2030, be collected by the State of Hawaiʻi, and turned over to the County of Hawaiʻi - to be used for transportation only.
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| Hele On buses would be upgraded with new tax hike. See details on public hearing tomorrow, left. |
STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM, with Paul and Jane Field, Sat., Feb. 17 and Mon., Feb. 19, 8:45 a.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.
LA‘AU LAPA‘AU, BEGINNER LEVEL CLASS, at Ka‘ū District Gym, 9 a.m. to noon , Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24. Free; to register or for more details, call 969-9220 and ask for the Traditional Health team - hmono.org to learn more about the organization.
TĪ AND SEAS, NEW ART EXHIBIT at Volcano Art Center Gallery featuring oil paintings by Pāhoa resident Steve Irvine, opens to the public Sat., Feb. 17 to Sun., Mar. 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , daily. Irvine shares his inspirations and techniques at an opening reception on Sat., Feb. 17, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.
CELEBRATIONS HONOR HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA AT PUNALU‘U. Bell ringing ceremony and gathering at Hokuloa Chapel at10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17. A Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 a.m. , also at the tiny chapel above the sea.
CELEBRATIONS HONOR HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA AT PUNALU‘U. Bell ringing ceremony and gathering at Hokuloa Chapel at
ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, with Sensei Bill Newton, Volcano Garden Arts, Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24. $36 per person per class, space is limited - 985-8979 or volcanogardenarts.com.
OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM meets Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m , Ocean View Community Center
PANIOLO FROM KA‘Ū HEAD TO PANA‘EWA for annual Stampede Rodeo, Feb. 17, 18, and 19. Rodeo Grounds open at
Stampede.com.
A MONGOLIAN BBQ at Crater Rim Café, Sat., Feb. 17, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests; park entrance fees apply - 967-8356 or kilaueamilitary
camp.com.
camp.com.
BUNCO & POTLUCK, Sat., Feb. 17, 6 p.m. Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Bring a dish to share - call Margie Hack at 541-954-8297.
SUNDAY, FEB. 18
PEOPLE & LAND OF KAHUKU FREE, GUIDED HIKE, Sun., Feb. 18, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. , within Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA WILL BE HONORED SUNDAY AT PUNALU‘U. The Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at10 a.m. at the tiny Hokuloa chapel above the sea. The service will replace the regular worship service in the Wai‘ohinu church. An additional commemoration service will be held Sunday, Feb. 18, at 9:30 a.m. , at Kahikolu Congregational Church on Napo ‘opo‘o Rd., where his body was reinterred in 1993.
CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DOG on a free, Mandarin-language, easy, guided, two-mile round trip, Chinese New Year hike, with Volunteer Janice Wei, through Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) to the edge of Kīlauea Caldera at Akanikōlea (Steaming Bluff). Sunday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to noon, starting at Kīlauea Visitor Center - nps.gov/HAVO.
SUMMIT Kīlauea Visitor Center 8:45 a.m. Mon., Feb. 19. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/HAVO.
DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meets Monday, Feb. 19, from5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. , in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Call 929-9576 or visit discoveryharbour.net.
REGISTER KEIKI GRADES K-8 BY FEB. 20 FOR A PRESIDENT'S DAY STAR HANGING arts and crafts activity, Wed., Feb. 21, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Free; call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.
REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY PAPER FLOWER CLASS from Feb. 20 to 27, for keiki grades K-8 Wed., Feb. 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102. For more about these and other recreation programs: hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL COMMITTEES MEET TUESDAY, FEB. 20, with a full Council meeting taking place the following day on Wednesday, Feb. 21. Both meetings occur in Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.
KA‘Ū COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S COUNCIL meets at Punalu‘u Bake Shop Thurs., Feb. 22, from noon to 1 p.m. The council meets on the fourth Thursday of each month - ccco.k12.hi.us.
HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA WILL BE HONORED SUNDAY AT PUNALU‘U. The Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at
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| People & Land of Kahuku hike. Photo by Dave Boyle, National Park Service |
CELEBRATE THE YEAR OF THE DOG on a free, Mandarin-language, easy, guided, two-mile round trip, Chinese New Year hike, with Volunteer Janice Wei, through Ha‘akulamanu (Sulphur Banks) to the edge of Kīlauea Caldera at Akanikōlea (Steaming Bluff). Sunday, Feb. 18, 11 a.m. to noon, starting at Kīlauea Visitor Center - nps.gov/HAVO.
MONDAY, FEB. 19
STEWARDSHIP AT THE DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meets Monday, Feb. 19, from
TUESDAY, FEB. 20
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| Photo from wikihow |
REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY PAPER FLOWER CLASS from Feb. 20 to 27, for keiki grades K-8 Wed., Feb. 28, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102. For more about these and other recreation programs: hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.
THURSDAY, FEB. 22
UPCOMING
SUPPORT BOYS & GIRLS CLUB locations at Pāhala and Ocean View by purchasing tickets and sponsoring persons to attend the annual Youth of the Year celebration, Friday, Mar. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, in the Moku Ola Ballroom. For 66 years, its outreach to the
To purchase tickets, contact Ka‘ū Boardmember Julia Neal at 928-9811 or mahalo@aloha.net. To purchase an ad in the Gala program, become a Gala sponsor, make a financial donation, or to donate an auction item, contact Gail Hamasu at 961-5536 or gail@bgcbi.org.
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