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| Practitioners of Okinawan Taiko drumming came to Punaluʻu on Saturday for the Floating Lantern Celebration and lent their bachi - drumsticks - to keiki. See more, below. Photo from Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association |
COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER MAILE DAVID is nominated to continue as Chair of the Hawaiʻi County Council Finance Committee. Reelected in the August primary, David would be assisted by Vice Chair council member Tim Richards, the veterinarian from Waimea.
The proposed slate of council member assignments, released today, also includes the following: For the Planning Committee, Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz; Vice Chair Sue Lee Loy; for the Parks & Recreation Committee, Chair Valerie Poindexter; Vice Chair Rebecca Villegas; for the Public Works and Mass Transit Committee, Chair Sue Lee Loy; Vice Chair Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder; for the new Environmental Resiliency and Management Committee, Chair Herbert M. "Tim" Richards III, DVM; Vice Chair Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder; for the Public Safety Committee, Chair Rebecca Villegas; Vice Chair Karen Eoff; for the Governmental Relations and Economic Development Committee, Chair Ashley Kierkiewicz; Vice Chair Sue Lee Loy; and Council Chair Aaron Chung.
The proposal also suggests that Deputy County Clerk Jon Henricks becomeCounty Clerk
The full County Council will vote on the slate to make it official.
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| County Council member Maile David Photo by Annie Bosted |
The proposal also suggests that Deputy County Clerk Jon Henricks become
The full County Council will vote on the slate to make it official.
THE FALSE INCOMING MISSLE ALERT THAT TERRIFIED KAʻŪ RESIDENTS and people around the state on Jan. 13 of this year is the subject of a just-released report from the Inspector General of the U.S. The false alert, which came across as warning of an inbound nuclear warhead from North Korea, sent people into hiding, fleeing, and telling each other goodbye. It was carried for more than a half an hour before most people found out it was an error.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was one of the first government officials to take to social media to identify the warning as erroneous.
After the false alert, in response to a request by Sen. Mazie Hirono, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General, reviewed Federal Emergency Management Agency's role.
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| Hawaiʻi News Now and many other news networks received the false message from Hawaiʻi Civil Defense, which also turned on warning sirens and sent alerts through cell phones. |
The report examined whether FEMA exercises appropriate oversight of the Integrated Public Alert Warning System, the messaging platform through which the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency sent the false missile alert. The report identified concerns, including FEMA not requiring that alert software have the ability to preview or cancel alerts. FEMA only recommends that software include these functions as "best practices." The report also noted software vendors are not required to provide training to authorities on how to use their software.
While the report states that Hawaiʻi's false missile alert did not result from these concerns, the OIG recommended staff training and the inclusion of safeguard capabilities in emergency alert software, as alerting authorities may continue to face challenges without them. FEMA concurred with the recommendations and estimated that both recommendations would be implemented by Oct. 31, 2019.
"I thank the DHS Inspector General for providing much needed answers on FEMA's role in the false missile alert sent to Hawaiʻi residents and the overall management of the alert system it oversees," said Hirono. "The inadequate safeguards found in the report are unacceptable and I will closely monitor FEMA's progress in implementing the Inspector General's recommendations to ensure such an incident never happens again in Hawaiʻi, or in any other state that utilizes an emergency alert system."
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| Rep. Tulsi Gabbard was one of the first to send out the fact that the missile alert was false. |
Following January's false missile alert, Hirono, as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, secured a commitment from Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen to strengthen federal-state cooperation on emergency alerts, assess potential human and systemic failures, and improve overall readiness in Hawaiʻi and across our country.
Hirono co-sponsored Sen. Brian Schatz's Authenticating Local Emergencies and Real Threats Act, which would give the federal government the primary responsibility of alerting the public of a missile threat, and require FEMA to recommend best practices to local officials on initiating, modifying, and canceling alerts. The ALERT Act unanimously passed the Senate on June 28, and is pending action by the U.S. House of Representatives. Click here to read the full report.
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.
OKINAWAN STYLE TAIKO DRUMMING came to Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach Park on Saturday as part of the eighth annual Floating Lantern Celebration to remember loved ones. Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko from Hilo drew many beach goers as rhythms filled Punaluʻu Bay.
The event was sponsored by Jessie Marques and Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association, with funding by County Council member Maile David.
Hui Okinawa players brought with them their Odaiko - big fat drums - on wheels for easy movement given their very heavy weight.
Hui Okinawa and Puna Tako, which often perform in Kaʻū, are expected on stage at the Big Island Taiko Festival next year on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, at University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo. For updates and tickets, see artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/big-island-taiko-festival-2019.
Taiko drumming classes are offered at Pāhala Hongwanji, through Puna Taiko, which performed at last month's Veterans Day Celebration in Nāʻālehu, sponsored by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou.
All of the Taiko drumming organizations offer classes to people of all ages, religions, cultures, and races.
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 NATURE CONSERVANCY, which stewards pristine forests and the hawksbill turtle nesting site of Kamehame in Kaʻū, announced today that Cara Mazzei joined the statewide organization's fundraising team as senior associate Director of Philanthropy. Mazzei comes from Honolulu Museum of Art, where she directed the events team for all fundraising and stewardship events. She has also worked at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation as senior development officer handling the Foundation's prospect management, and at the Pacific Buddhist Academy, where she was director of community relations and development, and a member of the capital campaign and strategic planning team.
"Cara has a well-rounded background in fundraising that includes non-profits, government, cultural organizations, and businesses," said Lori Admiral, director of Philanthropy for The Nature Conservancy's Hawaiʻi and Palmyra programs. "She brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our team."
Mazzei will manage a portfolio that includes individual donors, corporations, and foundations. "I was looking for an opportunity to focus on creative strategies in an organization with an inspiring mission," she said. "I think I've come to the right place."
The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi is a private non-profit conservation organization dedicated to preservation of lands and waters upon which all life depends. The non-profit has helped protect more than 200,000 acres of natural lands in Hawaiʻi and Palmyra Atoll. It manages 40,000 acres in 13 nature preserves and works in more than 30 coastal communities to help protect the near-shore reefs, waters, and fisheries of the main Hawaiian Islands. The Nature Conservancy forges partnerships with government, private parties, and communities, to protect forests and coral reefs for their ecological values and the many benefits they provide to people.
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| Woman Okinawan Taiko drummer sounds out her rhythms on the shores of Punaluʻu. Photo from Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association |
The event was sponsored by Jessie Marques and Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association, with funding by County Council member Maile David.
Hui Okinawa players brought with them their Odaiko - big fat drums - on wheels for easy movement given their very heavy weight.
Hui Okinawa and Puna Tako, which often perform in Kaʻū, are expected on stage at the Big Island Taiko Festival next year on Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, at University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo. For updates and tickets, see artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/big-island-taiko-festival-2019.
Taiko drumming classes are offered at Pāhala Hongwanji, through Puna Taiko, which performed at last month's Veterans Day Celebration in Nāʻālehu, sponsored by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou.
All of the Taiko drumming organizations offer classes to people of all ages, religions, cultures, and races.
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 NATURE CONSERVANCY, which stewards pristine forests and the hawksbill turtle nesting site of Kamehame in Kaʻū, announced today that Cara Mazzei joined the statewide organization's fundraising team as senior associate Director of Philanthropy. Mazzei comes from Honolulu Museum of Art, where she directed the events team for all fundraising and stewardship events. She has also worked at the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation as senior development officer handling the Foundation's prospect management, and at the Pacific Buddhist Academy, where she was director of community relations and development, and a member of the capital campaign and strategic planning team.
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| Cara Mazzei is the new senior associate Director of Philanthropy at The Nature Conservancy in Hawaiʻi. Photo from TNC-H |
Mazzei will manage a portfolio that includes individual donors, corporations, and foundations. "I was looking for an opportunity to focus on creative strategies in an organization with an inspiring mission," she said. "I think I've come to the right place."
The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi is a private non-profit conservation organization dedicated to preservation of lands and waters upon which all life depends. The non-profit has helped protect more than 200,000 acres of natural lands in Hawaiʻi and Palmyra Atoll. It manages 40,000 acres in 13 nature preserves and works in more than 30 coastal communities to help protect the near-shore reefs, waters, and fisheries of the main Hawaiian Islands. The Nature Conservancy forges partnerships with government, private parties, and communities, to protect forests and coral reefs for their ecological values and the many benefits they provide to people.
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.
ST. JUDE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH SERVED UP THANKSGIVING for folks who regularly come to the church to shower and enjoy hot soup. Talk Story, St. Jude's monthly newsletter magazine, reports today that lead volunteers Steve Stigall and Dan Garrett shared their community Thanksgiving feast during Shower Saturday with about 150 people. More than 20 volunteers, including the Rev. Constant Garrett and Marie Lewis, helped out.
"The Thanksgiving Feast is a vivid example of how St. Jude's members focus on abundance in the midst of poverty. And how impactful an army of volunteers can be in a community," states Talk Story.
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.
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| About 125 people received a Thanksgiving Dinner at St. Jude's in Ocean View. Photo from Talk Story |
"The Thanksgiving Feast is a vivid example of how St. Jude's members focus on abundance in the midst of poverty. And how impactful an army of volunteers can be in a community," states Talk Story.
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.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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through end of 2018
Girls Basketball:
Dec. 3, Mon., @Konawaena, 6pm
Dec. 5, Wed., @Waiakea, 6pm
Dec. 15, Sat., host Laupāhoehoe, 2pm
Dec. 17, Mon., host HPA, 6pm
Dec. 19, Wed., host Kohala, 6pm
Dec. 22, Sat., @Parker, 4:30pm
Boys Basketball:
Dec. 5, Wed., @Waiakea, 6pm
Dec. 15, Sat., host Laupāhoehoe, 2pm
Dec. 17, Mon., host HPA, 6pm
Dec. 19, Wed., host Kohala, 6pm
Dec. 22, Sat., @Parker, 4:30pm
Boys Basketball:
Nov. 28-Dec. 1, Wed.-Sat., Waiakea and Keaʻau Preseason Tourney, Varsity
Dec. 15, Sat., host Pāhoa
Dec. 18, Tue., @Keaʻau
Dec. 27., Thu., @Kealakehe
Wrestling:
Dec. 15, Sat., host Pāhoa
Dec. 18, Tue., @Keaʻau
Dec. 27., Thu., @Kealakehe
Wrestling:
Dec. 1, Sat., @Hilo
Dec. 8, Sat., @Waiakea
Dec. 15, Sat., @Oʻahu
Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu
Soccer:
Dec. 8, Sat., @Waiakea
Dec. 15, Sat., @Oʻahu
Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu
Soccer:
Nov. 28, Thu., Girls host Kealakehe, Boys host MLA
Dec. 1, Sat., @Honokaʻa
Dec. 3, Mon., host Kamehameha
Dec. 5, Wed., host Pāhoa
Dec. 8, Sat., Boys host Kohala
Dec., 11, Tue., @Kamehameha
Dec., 13, Thu., Girls host Makualani
Dec. 19, Wed., host HPA
Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea
Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona
Swimming:
Dec. 1, Sat., @Honokaʻa
Dec. 3, Mon., host Kamehameha
Dec. 5, Wed., host Pāhoa
Dec. 8, Sat., Boys host KohalaDec., 11, Tue., @Kamehameha
Dec., 13, Thu., Girls host Makualani
Dec. 19, Wed., host HPA
Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea
Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona
Swimming:
Dec. 8, Sat., @HPA, 10am
Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am
Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am
NEW and UPCOMING
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.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Registration for Christmas Cards & Ornaments open Nov. 27-30, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Program, for ages 5-12, held Dec. 1 and 8. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Nov. 27, 11:30-1pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Angel Ornament, Wed., Nov. 28, 3:30-5pm, Ka‘ū District Gym multi-purpose room, Pāhala. For grades K-8. Register Nov. 19 to 27. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Nov. 28, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu., Nov. 29, 12-1:30pm, Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Monthly meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Nov. 29, 4-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home - for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Coffee Talk: Little Fire Ants in Ka‘ū, Fri., Nov. 30, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Join the talk story with rangers and other park visitors. Ka‘ū coffee, tea, and pastries available for purchase. Free. nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes
Multi Family Yard Sale, Sat., Dec. 1, 9-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033
Palm Trail, Sat., Dec. 1, 9:30-12:30pm, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop. nps.gov/havo
Art Express, Sat., Dec. 1, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Monthly. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express
Disney Sing-Along, Sat., Dec. 1, 2:30-3:30pm, Ka‘ū District Gym multi-purpose room. For ages 5-8. Open registration. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Keiki Jump Rope for Fitness, Sat., Dec. 1, 4-4:30pm, Ka‘ū District Gym multi-purpose room. For ages 5-14. Open registration. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2
Hi‘iaka & Pele, Sun., Dec. 2, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit. Free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Dec. 2, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Monthly. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Net Patrol along Wai‘ōhinu Coastline, Mon., Dec. 3, 17, and 27, contact for meet up time at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Limited seats available for all three days. BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call 769-7629 for more.
Spay and Neutering Clinic, Monday, Dec. 3, 7:30-4pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View.
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Dec. 3, 17, and 31, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon., Dec. 3, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
ONGOING
Christmas in the Country and 19th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition are open at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Christmas in the Country runs thro ugh Wednesday, Dec. 26. Enjoy an abundance of art and aloha as VAC creates a merry scene of an old-fashioned Christmas inside its 1877 historic building. In addition to artwork, find unique holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments, and decorations made by Hawai‘i Island artists, including VAC exclusives.
The Wreath Exhibition is available through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
The Wreath Exhibition is availabl
Basic Stretch and Strengthening Exercise Class, sponsored by Hui Mālama Ola Nū ʻŌiwi, happens Wednesdays at Nāʻālehu Community Center and Thursdays at
Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers, towel laundry, alter guild, and for the computer lab. Volunteers do not have to be members of the church. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.
Tūtū and Me tuition-free traveling preschool, for keiki birth to five years old and their caregivers, has twice a week meeting in Pāhala, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center, and in Nāʻālehu at Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu, Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m.
To enroll in either free program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 929-8571, or Betty Clark at 464-9634 or eclark@pidfountation.org.
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.