Ka‘ū News Briefs Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Learn the at of making Lei Haku at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. See story below. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO IS URGING THE VA TO PAY for veteran's emergency medical costs at non-VA hospitals, as ordered by the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Hirono said in a statement Tuesday that 46,000 veterans in Hawaiʻi could be affected. She and her colleague Jon Tester, both serving on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, wrote a letter to VA administrator David Shulkin.
     On Jan. 9, the VA announced its refusal to retroactively reimburse veterans for emergency treatment - despite the court ruling that the VA is responsible for emergency medical costs at private, non-VA hospitals, when veterans are not otherwise insured.

     The senators wrote to the VA saying, "Between 2010 and April 16, 2016, the VA erroneously denied thousands of veterans' claims for emergency treatment. With the VA's recent interpretation of this ruling, veterans who filed claims before April 16, 2016, would see no relief from the VA's wrongful application of the law and would be stuck paying medical bills that Congress intended that the VA pay. We ask that the VA include those veterans whose claims were decided before April 16, 2016, so that all veterans can fully take advantage of a benefit Congress intended they receive."

VA Hospital on Oʻahu. Photo from hawaii.va.gov

     The Expansion of Veteran Eligibility for Reimbursement Act, of 2010, directed the VA to pay for veteran's emergency treatment at non-VA facilities, unless the veteran has another form of insurance that entirely covers their medical costs. Since 2010, the VA has denied thousands of claims because a veteran's other insurance partially paid for their treatment, leaving veterans to cover the difference for costly emergency care, said the statement from Hirono.

     The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, on April 16, 2016, ordered the VA to begin paying the claims. "Despite that, the VA has chosen not to pay veterans who filed before the 2016 court ruling," the senators state.

     Hirono also worked to lessen red tape for veteran health care, by waiving a requirement that only allowed veterans reimbursement for non-VA emergency care if they had received VA care in the past 24 months.

     Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI.), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Patty Murray (D-WA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Steve Daines (R-MT) also signed the letter. Read the full letter here.

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‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU IS ACCEPTING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS for school year 2018-2019. Scholarships are available to high school or home-schooled graduating seniors and to undergraduate college students. March 1 deadline, application form at www.okaukakou.org. Questions? Call Babette Morrow at 929-8076.

Miloli‘i-Ka‘ū Volleyball Tournament saw the 14u first place go to Ho‘opa; 14u second place to Cuzins; 
16u first place to Cuzins; 16u second place to Cuzins; 10u first place Miloli‘i-Ka‘ū; 
12u first place Cuzins; and 12u second place Nawahi Na‘auao. 

Taylor does a jump serve.

THE SECOND ANNUAL MILOLI‘I-KA‘Ū VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT drew 12 teams and local spectators each day to the Ka‘ū District Gym last weekend. They traveled to Pāhala from afar. Teams included Miloli‘i-Ka‘ū, Keaukaha Cuzins, Hoopa, KS Southside, Mauloa, Nawahi Na‘auao, Yosh, Big Island Boys, Nawahi Hanohano, and Hi-Intensity.

     Miloli‘i-Ka‘ū, which hosted the tournament, won first place in the 10u.

     The big winner was Keaukaha Cuzins club, winning first and second place in the 16u, second place in the 14u, first place in the 12u, and second place in the 10u. Playing together for many years, the team is called Cuzins because all the players are family from Keaukaha.

     First place for 14u, long-time team Ho‘opa from Kona, is under the direction of coach Ainsley, who also coaches the girls at Konawaena high school.

Taylor from 16u passes a ball.

     Second place 12u was Nawahi from Hilo, coached by Kamalei, with coach Aoloa. The Nawahi team comes from the Hawaiian immersion school Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u, where there are many teams, all coached in the Hawaiian language.

     Tournament coaches include Ka‘imi Kaupiko, Auntie Tene Kaupu, Auntie Carol, Auntie Shonda, April Pana, Ainsley, Aoloa, Kamalei, Erica, and Darion.

     Kaupiko, who organized the event, wrote: "Mahalo and thank you to all those who came and supported our second annual tournament. The funds will help us as we travel this summer to Kaua‘i and Anaheim, CA." Plans are to have another tournament in April; dates coming soon. Food concessions both days supported the effort.

Miloli‘i-Ka‘ū 10u and Cuzins 10u slap their hands to 

begin championship games. 

     Organizers Yolanda Kuahuia and Kaupiko give the history of the Miloli‘i-Ka‘ū team that, "began five years ago. Our history in volleyball is long and extensive - we all grew up playing on a concrete court in the hot sun, but it has been a favorite pastime throughout the years in Miloli‘i." After making the team official, the team played Parks & Recreation games with Ka‘ū and Pāhala, and through that connection, "we started to practice at the Nā‘ālehu elementary gym. Many of the ‘ohana from Ka‘ū wanted to join our club, as they saw our little village kids play volleyball at a high level. We invited and encouraged them to team up with us.

     "Throughout the past three years, we have grown and built our club from its humble beginnings. We have participated and won numerous tournaments from the annual Haili tournament in the spring, the Moku o Keawe regionals, and tournaments in Maui and Kaua‘i. Last year we took our girls to play in the Anaheim volleyball tournament in which we placed 10th in the 12U in a tournament with over 400 teams."

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AG DAY AT THE CAPITOL, this Thursday, Feb. 15, will see Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm representing Ka‘ū. Phil and Merle Becker have been showing and serving their Ka‘ū Coffee at the Capitol Since Ag Day began.
     The event, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., is cosponsored by west Ka‘ū's state House of Representatives member Dr. Richard Creagan, who chairs the House Ag Committee.

NATIONAL FARMERS UNION'S BEGINNING FARMER INSTITUTE program applications are available, reports Hawai‘i Farmers Union United. Those selected to participate travel to the Mainland three times, to three sessions. One will be in September in Washington, D.C.; another in November in Northern California; and the third in March 2019, outside of Seattle.

     Most of the travel, lodging, and meals are covered for those selected.
     The Farmers Union expectation is for institute graduates become an inspiration and mentor new farmers at home, and to become candidates for local boards and other community positions. The Farmers Union provides ongoing support to participants after they return to their farms.
     "National Farmers Union's ability to reach out to a broad cross section of farmers makes it different than other organizations. They teach at a level that opens eyes to a broader picture of where our farm fits into agriculture," says Erin, an NFU BFI alum, who is quoted on the application available here. "It's the content of their classes, the small group in a close-knit setting, visiting innovative farmers, talking with experts and learning from my peers from a diverse variety of farms across the country that gives me the opportunity to learn different solutions. The NFU Institute makes a person think beyond his or her own farm. The NFU Institute is where 'top down and bottom up' come together. It’s a powerful experience."
     The program is sponsored by the National Farmers Union Foundation, Farm Credit, FUI Foundation, CoBank, Farm Aid, and CHS Foundation.

Lei Haku. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO

     Deadline to apply is April 30. Eligible are: persons age 18 or older, who are currently or plan to start farming within the next year, of any operation size or type - ownership not necessary - who reside in any of the 50 US states, D.C., or Puerto Rico. Classes will be announced by May 31. Application and more info here.

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LEARN LEI HAKU, lei making that involves braiding materials into a base of leaves. The workshop is sponsored by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as part of the ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work."  The free demonstration takes place on Wednesday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

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‘ULU MAKUAKANE's HULA WERK! CLASS runs Mondays from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ka‘ū District Gym. Makuakane employs hula, Tahitian, Samoan, and Hip Hop dance moves for the workout.
     Makuakane was the first Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, served as Miss Hawaiian Islands representing Hawai‘i in the Miss South Pacific Pageant, and moved back to Ka‘ū last year.
     Makuakane recommends that participants dress comfortably, bring a pareo (sarong), water, and shoes. Participants need to sign a release form before joining the class. Class is free but donations are accepted - 640-9694.

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WEDNESDAY, FEB. 14

AUNTY EDNA BALDAD EXPLAINS ‘AI PONO, how to eat and live healthier with native Hawaiian foods like kalo (taro), ‘uala (sweet potato) and ulu (breadfruit). Free program offered Wed., Feb. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai - nps.gov/HAVO.

VALENTINE'S DAY BUFFET, Wed., Feb. 14, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Crater Rim Café. $28.00/adult and $14.50/child (6-11 years old). KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests - kilaueamilitarycamp.com or 967-8356.

DENNIS & CHRISTY SOARES AT LAVA LOUNGE Wednesday, Feb, 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., free. Award-winning singer-songwriters perform contemporary Hawaiian music, folk, and slack-key, on Valentine's evening - kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

THURSDAY, FEB. 15

KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS SUMMER INNOVATIONS ACADEMY Hālau Kupukupu applications due by Thursday, Feb. 15, for summer program 2018, June 14 to July 12. Students can apply and find the course catalog online at ksbe.edu/admissions or call 982-0033 for more info.

STEWARDSHIP OF KĪPUKAPUAULU Thursdays, Feb. 15 and 22, at 9:30 a.m., at Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11. Remove invasives; bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat, water, closed-toe shoes - clothing could be permanently stained by morning glory sap. New volunteers, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com - nps.gov/HAVO for more.

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.

STORY TIME WITH AUNTIE LINDA FROM TŪTŪ & ME Thurs., Feb. 15, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library - 929-8571.

WEST HAWAI‘I FISHERY COUNCIL PUBLIC MEETING at Puka‘ana Church, Thurs., Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Meetings happen third Thursday each month - West Hawai‘i Fishery Council website.

PUBLIC HEARING ON HIKING THE STATE SALES TAX TO 4.5 PERCENT Thurs., Feb. 15, 6 p.m., at Nāʻālehu Community Hall and Friday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., at Volcano Cooper Center. The hike 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.

FAMILY READING hosted at Ocean View Community Center Thurs., Feb. 15, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. - 939-7033 or ovcahi.org.

HAWAIIAN CIVIC CLUB OF KA‘Ū meets Thurs., Feb. 15, 6:30 p.m., at United Methodist Church in Nā‘ālehu - Pres. Berkley Yoshida at 747-0197.

LITTLE FIRE ANT PRESENTATION WITH BIG ISLAND INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE, Volcano Art Center, Thurs., Feb. 15, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free, suggested donation $5 - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.

FRIDAY, FEB. 16

FREE LOMILOMI DEMONSTRATION AT KAHUKU from master practitioner, Fri., Feb. 16, 10 a.m. to noon. Entrance to the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, near mile marker 70.5 on Hwy 11 - nps.gov/HAVO.

HULA & OLI WITH KAHO‘OKELE CRABBE hosted on the porch of Volcano Art Center Gallery, Fri., Feb. 16, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - volcanoartcenter.org.

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 11 a.m. to noon, starting at Kīlauea Visitor Center - nps.gov/HAVO.

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 HEARING 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.

                                           SATURDAY, FEB. 17
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.

Henry ʻOpukahaʻia

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 at 10 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. 

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. 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. Call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

PANIOLO FROM KA‘Ū HEAD TO PANA‘EWA for annual Stampede Rodeo, Feb. 17, 18 and 19. Rodeo Grounds open at noon on Saturday, 11 a.m. on Sunday and Monday. Buster Barton is the announcer and Rodeo Clown JJ Harrison will protect the paniolo and entertain - HawaiiRodeoStampede.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 kilaueamilitarycamp.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. 2.5-mile, moderately difficult, hike over rugged terrain, focusing on the area's human history - nps.gov/HAVO.

HENRY ‘OPUKAHA‘IA WILL BE HONORED SUNDAY AT PUNALU‘U. The Remembrance Service will be Sunday, Feb. 18, at 10 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.

TUESDAY, FEB. 20

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.

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 Island has provided a safe and educational place for children after school.

    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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