Ka‘ū News Briefs Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Free cat spay and neuter services are available in Ka‘ū on Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Ocean View Community Center by AdvoCATS, Inc. 
On advocatshawaii.org the clinic states, "All cats deserve nine lives not nine litters." 

THE KAʻŪ LEARNING ACADEMY PUBLIC MEETING WAS SHUT DOWN by Hawaiʻi State Charter Schools Commission Executive Director Sione Thompson on Monday, Jan. 29, before most people could be heard. The well-attended gathering at Discovery Harbour Community Association Assembly Hall, regarding the commission's threat to pull the charter from Ka‘ū Learning Academy, drew retirees, parents, school staff, families, and concerned community members. Only three persons were allowed to speak before everyone was asked to leave.

Community residents raised their hands to give over their two minutes
to Kaʻū Learning Academy's Executive Director Kathryn Tydlacka.

     The meeting was called by the Commission after it issued a notice of possible charter revocation, which could lead to KLA shutting down. The commission quoted an independent audit that pointed to accounting practices. Ahead of the meeting, KLA administrators and auditors said the practices employed when starting up the school could be repaired. The reason for the audit was to identify problems and fix them, said school representatives.

     The public meeting devolved into verbal chaos shortly after the state Charter School Executive Director's presentation on how charter schools work. When Thompson began the public input period, he said attendees could ask questions, but he could not answer them. He said he would hear objections to removal of the charter and closure of KLA. He then stated each speaker would have two minutes, saying there was quite a bit of time for public input.

Tommy Akin said Discovery Harbour, where KLA is located, is a retirement community.

  Tommy Akin was chosen by Thompson to speak first, over objections that KLA representatives wanted to lead off the public input. Akin said children deserve a good education, and the charter school is a good idea, but doesn't belong in Discovery Harbour. He pointed out that the goal of KLA's board and administrators is to eventually build a school in Ocean View.
  Akin claimed the school was only supposed to be in Discovery Harbour a year or two. He described Discovery Harbour as mainly a retirement community, a characterization met with dessention from several of the attendees. He complained of noise and traffic, said there is no school signage, claimed sex offenders live within one mile of the school, and that there was drug use and sale at the school - to which one man spoke up to say there was no proof of that.

     Another man spoke next, asking for clarity on whether the Charter School Commission was having this meeting due primarily to the accounting issues. Thompson responded that the minutes of the meeting where the Commission decided to threaten to revoke the school's charter were available on the Hawai‘i State Charter School Commission's website.

Monique Wilson said she was there for
her daughter, a student at the school.
Film clips from KLA

     Kathryn Tydlacka, founder and Executive Director Kaʻū Learning Academy, was allowed to speak. She said she was concerned about baseless allegations of drug use and abuse, and stated the community was not a retirement community. She did say there were errors made in the formation and running of the young school, which were described in the audit, but that there was no misappropriation, no embezzlement, and that the auditing firm had stated it was a clean audit with clean findings. The clerical errors, she said, were being corrected, with the help of a CPA.

     Tydlacka said she sent several emails to Thompson, which explained the clerical errors that were found in the audit. She said it is difficult to communicate with the commission and that the KLA is required to travel to Oʻahu once a month, but is only allowed to talk for two minutes, which are timed by the Charter School Commission.

     The statewide Charter School Executive Director interrupted her, saying that she reminded him of the two minute limit. He told her to stop talking. A man spoke up, saying hers was the other side of the story, and that the Hawaiʻi Attorney General pointed out that the Commission presented a one-sided narrative when deciding to threaten to revoke the school's charter. Attendees spoke up, saying they wanted to hear Tydlack, with some volunteering their minutes so she could speak.

     It was at this time, with attendees asking to hear Tydlacka speak, that Thompson tried to shut the meeting down. Monique Wilson spoke up, saying she was there for her daughter, not for the politics of the situation. She attempted to continue, saying she did not like what was going on. Thompson cut her off and tried to shut the meeting down again.

     One more man spoke up, asking why the audit process was done during the school year instead of in summer when there is more time to review. He was answered by Thompson, who stated that the Commission did not do the audit, that it was done by a third party.

     The mother of the student again objected to stopping the meeting, saying the Commission did not understand the situation of the community, that KLA was helping people. Thompson shut the meeting down for a third and final time, ten minutes after the public input period began.

     KLA has requested a more formal public hearing in its effort to defend its charter.

     See video posted by the school at youtube.com/watch?v=yCobDUaAy2Y. View most of the meeting at facebook.com/krwhit/videos/884834285027859/ - however, volume is an issue.
     See the Commission's site, with the minutes of the above-referenced meeting, at chartercommission.hawaii.gov/kau-info.

     Read more on page 18 of the January edition of the Ka‘ū Calendar.

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Senator Mazie Hirono

A NATIONWIDE BAN ON ABORTIONS OF FETUSES 20 WEEKS AND OLDER is proposed by Pres. Donald Trump's administration. Currently, abortions are legal nationally but are restricted in various ways by individual states. Kaʻū's U.S. Senator, Mazie Hirono, spoke on the Senate floor on Monday, Jan. 29, on what she called "the latest attack on reproductive rights by the Trump administration: a 20-week abortion ban."
     "Nearly 50 years ago," said Hirono, "I wrote my first letter to Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation in support of legalizing abortion. Choices about our bodies are ours to make, but now the Trump administration wants to undermine that freedom." She said, "I always speak out and fight for a woman's right to choose what's best for her and her family." She also asked for her constituents in Kaʻū and around the state to share how they feel about the proposal, by responding through this link.

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A FULL LUNAR ECLIPSE IS TUESDAY NIGHT, Jan. 30, and The Ka‘ū Calendar's astronomy writer Lew Cook offers an explanation:

     Did you know that the Earth - the entire Earth we live on - casts a shadow into space? We are in that shadow every 24 hours. When this happens, we call it "NIGHT." This shadow continues out into space, well past the moon. Sometimes it actually hits the moon - or rather, the moon passes through our shadow. This is an eclipse.

Here's a NASA diagram of the eclipse: the red
 circle shows where no light directly from the sun shines
 in, only that which is scattered through our atmosphere.

     You can witness the passage of the moon through this shadow - our earth's shadow - on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, Jan. 30/31. This is the second full moon of January 2018, and is called by some the "Blue moon." This "Blue moon" will turn RED in color. How red? Anywhere from orange through as red as the reddest sunset you've ever seen - or almost as dark as an unlit piece of charcoal.

     If you look at the full moon in the very early hours of Wednesday, Jan. 31, it will begin to look strange at about a quarter before 2 a.m. (Tuesday night/Wednesday morning). As the night goes on, the full moon will appear as if a demon is eating it like a cookie - but you can still see the part of it that has been eaten; the whole, full moon will be visible throughout the eclipse.

     The moon will be fully immersed in the shadow beginning at 2:52 a.m. Expect the bottom portion of the moon to be brighter than the rest of the moon at maximum eclipse, which occurs at 3:30 a.m. Then, the northern part comes very close to the center of the shadow, so that part should be darkest. The total eclipse ends at 4:08 a.m., but the moon won't return to its full brightness until an hour later. However, like during the first hour, you won't notice it much.
     See Lew Cook's monthly column in The Kaʻū Calendar Newspaper online at kaucalendar.com.

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THREE, FREE, ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR COUNTY PARKS IN KA‘Ū this Valentine's Day on Wednesday, Feb. 14.

     In Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Valentine's Day Card takes place from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., at Kahuku Park. The program is open to keiki ages 6 to 12 years. Register Feb. 7 through 13. For more, call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113.
     In Nā‘ālehu, Valentine's Day Card Making takes place from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., at Nā‘ālehu Community Center. The program is open to keiki ages 5 to 12 years. Register Feb. 1 through 9. For more, call Richard Karasuda at 939-2510.
     In Pāhala, Valentine's Day Flower & Bear Craft takes place from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. The programs is open to keiki in grades K to 8. Register Feb. 5 through 13. For more, call Nona Makuakane or Elijah Navarro at 928-3102.
     For more about these programs and others at the county parks, visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.

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THE NATURE CONSERVANCY ANNOUNCES IT WILL HOST ITS FIRST VOLUNTEER WORKDAY of 2018 at on Friday, Feb. 9, at their Kaʻū Preserve, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     The focus of the day will be to clear vegetation from the TNC's preserve fenceline. Tools, gloves, and "spectacular views' will be provided, states the event flyer.
     Space is limited. For more details or to reserve a spot, contact Linda Schubert at 443-5401 or lschubert@tnc.org. The following Volunteer Day will take place on Friday, Mar. 23, at TNC's Kona Hema Preserve.

Kalei Namohala, Clifton Johnson
and June Domondon with the
OKK Half Court Shot.

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TŪTŪ AND ME IS HIRING two "very special" people. Due to the growth of both Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu, there are now two openings - one full-time, one part-time on-call - for teachers to join the team. The minimum qualifications include: High school diploma; ECE or related course work and/or experience working with children; vehicle with extended coverage. See pidfoundation.org/emploment for more details. To apply, email resumé to HR@pidfoundation.org or fax to 440-6619.

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FREE CAT SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES IN KA‘Ū HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED by AdvoCATS, Inc., available at Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. 5 p.m. For more, call 895-9283.

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CLIFTON JOHNSON OF LPCS, THE JAN. 6 WINNER OF ‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU'S Half Court Shot - the first one this year - received the prize from June Domondon, of OKK, and Trojans Athletic Director Kalei Namohala. Following tradition, Johnson donated the entire $250 of his winnings to Ka‘ū Athletics, which supports Trojan sports.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at 

 kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januaryevents.html. 

See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, weekly events at 
kaucalendar.com/janfebmar/januarycommunity.html.
January 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.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE

Boys Basketball: Wednesday, Jan. 31, Kealakehe @ Ka‘ū.
     Saturday, Feb. 3, @ Kamehameha.

Wrestling: Saturday, Feb. 3 @ Kealakehe.

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HULA VOICES, WITH KUMU HULA STEPHANIE APOLO and Desiree Moana Cruz moderating, takes place Thursday, Feb. 1, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The free, educational event occurs the first Thursday of each month - excluding April and December for 2018. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETS Thursday, Feb. 1, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU'S SENIOR CITIZEN SURVEYs are due Thursday, Feb. 1. Senior citizens over the age of 62, who are interested in the Nā‘ālehu Senior Housing Project, are asked to fill out a quick five-question survey to help OKK gather general data essential to the planning of the project. To get a survey or for more information, contact Raylene Moses at 365-3788, or Nadine Ebert at 938-5124 or ebertn004@hawaii.rr.com.

‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU MEETS Thursday, Feb. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Aspin Institute Building near Punalu‘u Black Sands Beach Park. For more, contact Secretary Nadine Ebert at okk-secretary@okaukaou.org.

A FUNDRAISING DINNER FOR KĪLAUEA DRAMA AND ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK is hosted at Almafatano's Italian Restaurant on Friday, Feb. 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event, KDENte, offers a buffet dinner and music entertainment. Tickets are $20 at the door. Call KDEN for reservations, 928-7344.

FOOD FROM WOOD:GROWING EDIBLE & MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS ON LOGS, STUMPS, AND WOOD CHIPS Workshop takes place at Volcano Art Center on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon. Zach Mermel teaches the basics of mushroom cultivation using locally sourced, undesirable exotic trees. The class fee, $50 per VAC member and $55 per non-member, includes one shiitake mushroom log kit and one King Stropharia mushroom kit. Pre-registration is required. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

DISCOVER THE HAWAIIAN GODDESSES, HI‘IAKA & PELE, and the natural phenomena they represent on a free, moderate, one-mile walk in Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

LA‘AU LAPA‘AU, A BEGINNER LEVEL CLASS, meets three times in Pāhala at Ka‘ū District Gym in February. The class is held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday - Feb. 3, 17 and 24. Po‘okela Ikaika Dombrigues of Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi leads and shares traditional health at this free class. To register or for more details, call 969-9220 and ask for the Traditional Health team. Visit hmono.org to learn more about the organization.

Palila from an original watercolor on silk by Gwendolyn O‘Connor. Learn how
to professionally document art for galleries and competitions on Feb. 3.
Event details at left. Image taken from gwendolynoconnor.com

A PROFESSIONAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ARTISTS WORKSHOP is hosted at Volcano Art Center, from 9 a.m. to noon, on Saturday, Feb. 3. Class fee is $35 per VAC member and $40 per non-member. Artist Gwendolyn O'Connor shows how to professionally prepare art for galleries and competitions. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT PROGRAM on Saturday, Feb. 3, and help native plants grow by removing non-native plant species from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO. This event will be offered again on Feb. 9, 17 and 19.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, BY FEB. 6, FOR A "YEAR OF THE DOG" WALL HANGING arts and crafts class that takes place Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, for more.

SOUTH POINT AMATEUR RADIO CLUB AND AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY SERVICE sponsor a Ham Radio Potluck Picnic on Sunday, Feb. 4, from noon to 2 p.m., at Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. For more, call Rick Ward at 938-3058, or visit sites.google.com/site/southpointartc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home.

LEARN ABOUT NATIVE PLANTS THAT PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN HAWAIIAN CULTURE in a free, moderate, guided hike along the Palm Trail - approx. 2 miles - on Sunday, Feb. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The hike, Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, takes place in the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Observe the catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

Learn about growing mushrooms in Hawai‘i using locally sourced, undesirable exotic trees on
Feb. 3, and take home two mushroom kits. See event details above. Photo from wikipedia.com

A SUPER BOWL EVENT, WITH QUARTERLY PRIZES, IS OFFERED AT Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Sunday, Feb. 4. Doors open at 11 a.m. and kick-off is at 1:30 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Call 967-8365 after 4:00 p.m. for more details. Open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETS on Monday, Feb. 5, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. For more, call 939-7033 or visit ovcahi.org.

HEATHER METTLER'S GLASSWORK - handblown, chiseled, and etched - is showcased in a new Volcano Art Center Gallery Exhibit: Passage and Place. The display will continue to be shown until Sunday, Feb. 11, during normal gallery hours - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily. Mettler's unique collection of glass explores the themes of migration, navigation, and immigration - how plants, animals, and people find their way to Hawai‘i. Free; park entrance fees apply.

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