 |
| Paʻu rider Kaluhea Salmo graced the Independence Day Parade in Nāʻālehu on Saturday. She represented Lanaʻi, wearing orange. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
 |
| Alohalyn Beck, in green, represented Molokaʻi. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
In the Nāʻālehu parade, Lorilee Lorenzo represented the island of Hawaiʻi, wearing red. Alohalyn Beck wore green to represent Molokaʻi. Raylyn Goveia, in purple, represented Kaua‘i. Kaluhea Salmo represented Lanaʻi, wearing orange. Merle Beck, in gray, represented Kahoʻolawe. Elaine Togami represented Ni‘ihau, its color white, dresses in the color of Ni‘ihau shells. Kircia Derasin, in yellow, represented O‘ahu. Kehani Souza, in pink, represented Maui.
The parade was sponsored by O Ka‘ū Kakou, followed by entertainment and bingo at the park and community center.
On July 4th, a community parade will be held in Volcano Village. See more on the parade in Sunday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
 |
| Raylynne Welker, in purple, represented Kauaʻi. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
IN SUPPORT OF THE .25 PERCENT SURCHARGE ON THE 4 PERCENT GENERAL EXCISE TAX, Mayor Harry Kim spoke at the County Council meeting on Friday
before the measure passed. It goes into effect Jan. 1 and lasts through the end of 2020.
Kim told the County Council that he wished that the increase would be .5 percent "so we could make further strides." He said .25 percent surcharge will help the county maintain and increase services in the wake of the volcanic disaster that has destroyed at least 668 homes and many farms. Not only does the county need to help these people with homes and their businesses, he said, the county faces the loss of tax income from the lands where houses and businesses were destroyed.
 |
| Merle Becker, in gray, represented Kahoʻolawe. Photo by Kehau Ke |
He said he wants to help homeless people, and he addressed the loss to business in Volcano, where the economy is dependent on visitors to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Most of the park is shut down, and Volcano Village businesses have suffered up to 50, 80, and 90 percent losses in income, he said.
The mayor also addressed criticism that hiking the taxes would hurt the poor more than others. He said that people with money pay much more in taxes than poor people and that much of the money collected is directed at programs for the poor.
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.
MICROHOMES FOR DISPLACED LOWER PUNA RESIDENTS were blessed today in Pāhoa. The micro-homes project was constructed in 30 days, through the support of the community, county, state, and National Guard, noted Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who attended the opening.
 |
| Elaine Togami represented Niʻihau, in the color of Niʻihau shells. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
In her comments, the congresswoman recognized Gilbert Aguinaldo who came up with the idea, former county Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira who helped with the logistics, Brandee Menino of Hope Services Hawaiʻi, and the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard 230th Engineer Company. She praised the businesses, workers, and volunteers "who came together in the spirit of aloha" to build the project. The congresswoman also visited a future transitional housing site for families being organized by Ikaika Marzo, which aims to start by constructing 50 temporary units.
 |
| Lorilee Lorenzo represented the island of Hawaiʻi, wearing red. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
"WE CAN'T BE LOCKING UP CHILDREN AND SEPARATING FAMILIES," said Sen. Mazie Hirono today, when she joined hundreds of activists at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol to protest the Trump administration’s family separation and detention policies. The rally was one of over 700 held across the country.
“Today, people are coming together all across the country to say that we can’t be locking up children and separating families,” Hirono said. “Donald Trump created this crisis through his own actions, blamed others for what’s happening, and used the ensuing chaos to demand a legislative solution that harms even more people. It’s up to each of us, and to the millions of Americans outraged by his actions to stand up, fight back, and demand action.”
 |
| Kircia Derasin, in yellow, represented Oʻahu. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
Hirono is an original cosponsor of Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s Keep Families Together Act, to prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from separating immigrant families. Earlier this year, Hirono introduced the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act, which would provide unaccompanied children with access to legal representation when they appear in removal proceedings before an immigration judge.
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.
THE PUBLIC SERVICE FREEDOM TO NEGOTIATE ACT was introduced this week, after the Supreme Court ruling that could threaten membership of public unions. A statement from 50 Democrat and Republican U.S. Senate and House of Representative members, said, "The Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act will ensure public sector employees across the country have the legal right to form and join a union and to bargain collectively through representatives of their own choosing over wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. Public employers are also required to recognize their employees’ union and to commit to any agreements in a written contract. The bill reaffirms that it is the policy of the United States to encourage collective bargaining as a way of promoting stable, cooperative relationships between public employees and their employers."
 |
| Kehani Souza, in pink, represented Maui. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie |
Hirono wrote, “The Supreme Court’s decision in Janus is just the latest blow in a decades-long attack on unions and their ability to lift American families into the middle class. Far-right groups like the Koch Brothers will continue this assault because they know that when public-sector employees are able to organize, they stand as a powerful force to fight for American workers. We need to pass the Public Service Freedom to Negotiate Act to protect and strengthen the fundamental the ability of unions to organize and collectively bargain for fair wages and working conditions that are critical to public-sector employees.”
 |
| See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on
|
SUNDAY, JULY 1
Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sun, July 1, 9:30 - 11 a.m. , Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun, July 1, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park
or sites.google.com/view/southhawaii
ares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058
or sites.google.com/view/southhawaii
ares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058
‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, every Sat and Sun in July: 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29; 12:30pm , Kahuku Unit of Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Hawaiian cultural demonstrations and hands-on activities. Free. Check nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/cultural-programs.htm for details.
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Ka‘ū Estuary Restoration Workday, Mon, July 2, contact in advance for meet-up time. Requires a short hike to access site. Pending volcanic activity/air quality. Space limited. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups
@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org
@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co-op Group, Mon, July 2, 16, and 30, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
TUESDAY, JULY 3
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Meeting, Tue, July 3, 4-6pm, July 17, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue, July 3, 6-8pm , Pāhala Community Center
WEDNESDAY, JULY 4
4th of July Parade, Craft Fair, Wed, July 4, 9-1:30pm , Volcano Village Old Volcano Rd , ends at Cooper Center Cooper Center Volcanoes National Park 8-5pm ) or email idoaloha@gmail.com. thecoopercenter.org
Hula Voices w/Kumu Manaiakalani Kalua, Thu, July 5, 5-6pm , Volcano Art Center Volcano Village
Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu, July 5, 6-7pm , Ocean View Community Center
FRIDAY, JULY 6
Spaghetti Dinner, Fri, July 6, 5:30pm , St. Jude’s Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Single plate, $8, 2 for $15, family for $20. Tickets available at door. 939-7555, stjudeshawaii.org
SATURDAY, JULY 7
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Pā‘ula Cleanup Event w/Ala Kahakai Trails Association and friends, Sat, July 7. Contact in advance for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park
Art in the Everyday Community Quilt Project - Assembly Workshop, Sat, July 7, 10-4pm , Volcano Art Center Volcano Village Rogers hopes to construct monumental sculptural quilt built of round wood 5” pieces - each blank and designed by community participants. Pick up blank piece and packet at Volcano Art Center Wailoa Art Center
ONGOING
Paid Intern sought by The Nature Conservancy, to work from October 2018 through August 2019 with their Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which has native forest preserves located in Ka‘ū and South Kona.
Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receive an entry-level conservation career experience.
Applicants must be at least 17 years old by the program start date, October 2018, and possess or be working towards a high school diploma or equivalent. Applications must also have their own housing and transportation, a drivers license, and be able to pass a criminal history check.
Disaster Recovery Center, jointly operated by Hawaiʻi County, the State of Hawaiʻi , and FEMA, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Keaʻau High School Gym. Buses run from 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. to and from Keaʻau Armory every 20 minutes and Pāhoa Community Center Shelter every hour. See the full bus schedule on the Civil Defense Website at HawaiiCounty.gov/Active-Alerts. For a list of the information applicants need to bring to the DRC, or to register online, go to DisasterAssistance.gov.
Libraries Rock Summer Reading Program: Hawai‘i State Public Library System, through Saturday, July 14, statewide and online. Register and log reading at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org or at a local library. Free. Reading rewards, activities, and programs for children, teens, and adults. 2018 participants have a chance to win a Roundtrip for four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park invites kamaʻaina and tourist alike to visit the Kahuku Unit. There are no entry fees, and all programs are free of charge. In addition to regularly scheduled Guided Hikes and the monthly Coffee Talk, Kahuku Unit has added daily Ranger Talks, and cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.
Visitor Contact Station hosts Ike Hana Noe ʻAu, Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, at 12:30 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in June and July, made possible by Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association. June 30, Hū: make a traditional Hawaiian spinning top with kukui nut, a favorite of nā keiki (children). July 1, ‘Ulana Niu; weave fun, whimsical items from coconut palm leaves.
Visitor Contact Station hosts Ranger Talks on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at Guided Hikes begin at
In the Visitor Contact Station, Coffee Talk, a monthly, casual get together, is held the last Friday of the month, 9:30-11 a.m . On June 29, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund will present Removing Trash, Restoring Habitat. On July 27,
See the Kahuku Unit Rangers, The Kahuku Cowgirls, in the Nā ͑ālehu 4th of July Parade Saturday, June 30, beginning at Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.
Park Rangers invite the public to downtown Hilo to learn about the volcanic activity, to get their NPS Passport Book stamped, and to experience the Hawaiian cultural connection to volcanoes. Rangers are providing programs at the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center at 76 Kamehameha Avenue, Tuesday through Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Two Park Rangers are stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., every Sunday and Monday, in the Willie K Crown Room - as long as nothing else is scheduled in the space. The rangers will be doing daily talks at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. about the eruption. They will show the park film that is normally available to visitors to see at the Kilauea Visitor’s Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Kona Vet Center visits to Ocean View Community Center are Suspended until further notice. Veterans may call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org
Tūtū and Me Offers Home Visits to those with keiki zero to five years old: home visits to aid with helpful parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Home visits are free, last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, for a total of 12 visits, and snacks are provided. For info and to register, call Linda Bong 464-9634.
5th annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run registration open. Race day Sat, Sept 22,
Volcano Forest Runs Registration Open through Friday, August 17, at 6 p.m. Half marathon $85, 10K $45, 5K $30. Registration increases August 1: half marathon to $95, 10K to $55, and 5K to $35. Race is run from Cooper Center on Wright Road in Volcano Village on Saturday, August 18.
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.
