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Tuesday, February 06, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Tuesday February 6, 2018

Learn about the vital role of ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and the many forms the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower,
 on an easy walk. See event details below. Photo from nps.gov/HAVO
IN RESPONSE TO THE FALSE BALLISTIC MISSLE ALERT sent out across Hawaiʻi on Jan. 13, U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard introduced the Civil Defense Accountability Act of 2018 on Tuesday. A statement from her office says that it would: "Address the vulnerabilities that allowed the false alert to go out to more than a million people across the state and go uncorrected for 38 minutes; ensure transparent investigations into the incident through online public disclosure requirements; establish best practices to strengthen state and national preparedness and disaster communications plans; and valuate and strengthen preparedness nationwide to respond to biological,
 chemical, radiological, or nuclear attacks to the United States." Hawaiʻi Rep. Colleen Hanabusa and Alaska Rep. Don Young are original cosponsors.
     The Civil Defense Accountability Act of 2018 would require the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Defense, and Federal Communications Commission to publicly disclose incident and recommendation reports about the Jan. 13 false alert. It would also compel ballistic missile civil defense agencies to review the current notification protocols for ballistic missile threats, and study the best practices regarding civil defense emergencies to prevent a similar catastrophic mistake. In addition, the bill would instruct the Department of Health and Human Services to publicly detail the ability of HHS and health care providers to respond to a biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear weapons attack.

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THREE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE DEATHS OCCURRED IN THE LAST DOZEN DAYS, one in the ocean off South Point Landing, another in fumes from a lava flow, and the third at a waterfall. At South Point Landing, on Monday, a man in his 20s died after trying to help his female companion make it back to shore in rough waters with a strong current. She was assisted by a fishermen who tossed her a cooler to keep her afloat.
     Hawaiʻi Fire Department responded to an alarm at 1:59 p.m. and reached South Point Landing at 2:28 p.m., finding the woman with mild injuries on the shore, according to the report by Capt. J. Souza. A helicopter, fire engine and medic unit responded, along with four police officers.
South Point Landing boat ramp, near the site of the drowning on Monday. 
     A fisherman helped the rescue personnel to find the last place where the man surfaced in the water. A rescue free-diver recovered the body in 50 feet of water.
     In the waterfall incident, the county called off a search for missing traveling nurse, Kelly Mrowinski, who was swept down Wailuku River Jan. 26. "The helicopter was used today to do a final aerial search of the shoreline and Wailuku River," said Hawai‘i Fire Chief Darren Rosario on Monday. Mrowinski's body was not recovered.
     In a third tragedy, photographer and tour guide Sean King's body was recovered Thursday, Feb. 1. He was apparently overcome by volcanic fumes after a heavy rain, while leading visitors through Kalapana lava viewing area, near Royal Gardens. 
     
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KUPUNA CAREGIVERS BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY MONDAY, in a joint hearing of the state Senate Committees on Human Services, and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health. Senate Bill 2988 would fund the program at $4 million for the coming year. Introduced Jan. 24, the bill now goes to the Senate Ways and Means Committee for a hearing.
     Kupuna Caregivers was launched in 2017, providing caregivers with up to $70 a day to take care of elder family members in their homes. The funding is provided to people who are already working and need to take care of kupuna. The Hawaiʻi program attracted the attention of The New York Times. Read the story and see the video.
The New York Times featured a story on the Kupuna Caregiver movement in Hawaiʻi. See the story and video.
 Photo from The New York Times

     Sen. Josh Green, who represents west Ka‘ū and is Chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, wrote, "Funding Kupuna Caregivers will help our families all across the state. It's so much better for us to provide support to help people stay in their homes, rather than seeing people move to nursing homes." 
     Testimony from dozens of community members bolstered the approval. Hawai‘i Advocacy Director Pedro Haro said, "Kupuna Caregivers has been remarkably popular since enrollment began in December, and we are counting on the legislature to fund the program at a level that meets the demonstrated need in our communities."
     Lead sponsor of the bill, and vice chair of the Consumer Protection and Health Committee, Sen. Jill Tokuda, stated, "It's essential that we build on the momentum that was created last year when Hawai‘i was the first state in the nation to put in place real support for caregivers." The bill is also supported by Rosalyn BakerStanley ChangKalani EnglishBreene HarimotoLes IharaGil Keith-Agaran, and Karl Rhoads.
     Follow the progress  and read the bill.

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HAWAI‘I FARMERS UNION UNITED SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE AND ORGANIC AG at the 2018 Hawai‘i Legislature. Senate Bill 2075 would fund a University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources program. The bill's language points to "nontraditional education" in the agricultural community; $250,000 would fund three new full-time "equivalent" agricultural extension officers for the Big Island, O‘ahu, Maui, and Kaua‘i. A statement from HFUU says the bill would provide more "readily available advice and lead to research that will benefit our members who practice sustainable and organic agriculture. It will also benefit our more conventional farmers to enable them to incorporate more sustainable practices on their farms if they so desire. We believe these practices will reduce costs of all farmers and lead to better economic results."
     HFUU represents more than 1,300 family farmers through 14 Chapters in Hawai‘i. Ka‘ū Chapter President is Kyle Studer, Secretary/Treasurer is Raina Whiting. For more info, or to support the 501(c)3 organization, go to https://hfuuhi.org/.

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VOLCANO ART CENTER ANNOUNCES TWO JAZZ IN THE FOREST PERFORMANCES for Saturday, Feb. 10, with Fuego!, and Jean Pierre Thoma and the Jazztones.
Photo from Volcano Art Center
     Fuego! is a Latin dance band featuring lots of percussion with trumpet and sax/flute rhythms.
     Jean Pierre Thoma is a world traveled professional musician on flute, saxophone, clarinet, and piano, with experience throughout America, France, Japan, India, and Israel. He holds two masters degrees in music, and has been a public and private school teacher, as well as a member of numerous jazz and classical ensembles, such as the Maui and Marin Symphonies. Thoma's experience includes leading The Jazztones; Raga Jazz with Sarangi, synth guitar and bass; a member of Royal Kona Harp Ensemble with three harps, two flutes and winds; Volcano Trio with two flutes and piano; a performer at Holy Cross Church in choir and as an instrumentalist; and a pianist at restaurants, and charity performances at
Jean Pierre Thoma
Hospice and Life Care Centers. Now a music teacher in Hilo at The Pacific Academy of Music, and the Kukuau Studio, he lives in Hilo.
     The Wine and Beer Room will be open for attendees to enjoy before and after the concert. An area has been set aside for dancing.
     A matinee begins at 4:30 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $18 per VAC member and $20 per non-member. Ticket holders will be able to purchase Volcano Red Ale and Mauna Kea Pale Ale from Mehana Brewing Company, as well as wine, before each performance. Pupu by ʻŌhelo Café will also be available for purchase.
     Tickets are available for sale online at volcanoartcenter.org until Friday, Feb. 9. Tickets are also available at VAC's Administration Office in Volcano Village and VAC Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Tickets will be sold at the door if the show isn't sold out. Tickets will be held at Will Call on the day of the show or can be picked up any day before the show at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN FOR KAMEHAMEHA SCHOOLS' HAWAIʻI CAMPUS summer innovations academy. Hālau Kupukupu is for students entering grades K–12, including current Kamehameha Schools students, and students attending the State of Hawaiʻi DOE, public charter schools, and other private institutions. The campus is located in Keaʻau.
Read Hālau Kupukupu Innovations Academy 2018 Summer Catalogue.
Deadline to apply is Thursday, Feb. 15.
     Elementary courses are full-day experiences. Middle School programs include morning and full-day options. High School courses include morning, afternoon, or full-day sessions. Class sizes are limited to ensure optimal teacher-to-student ratios.
     The program offers credit advancement for high school students seeking to earn required and/or elective credit(s) for the 2018-2019 school year. KS also offers college courses that will allow high school students the opportunity to earn both college and high school credits simultaneously. It is recommended that students obtain pre-approval for course credits from their home schools before registering for KS summer classes, to ensure acceptance of credit(s) earned.
     An integral part of Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi, the summer academy promises to ignite passion for learning, curiosity, innovative thinking, and ʻōiwi Hawaiʻi consciousness. In collaboration with local and global industry leaders, community practitioners, scientists, engineers, and artists, a team of educators "is re-imagining, researching, and designing incredible learning opportunities for students in grades K-12," says a statement from Kamehameha Schools.
     The program will run from June 14 to July 12. Applications are due by Thursday, Feb. 15. Students can apply and find the course catalog online at www.ksbe.edu/admissions or call (808) 982-0033 for more information.

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HAWAIʻI YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS SUMMER PROGRAM KUPU is open to young adults 17 and up, who are interested in an outdoor field experience in environmental work and education. Youth Conservation Corps interns are often placed in Ka‘ū, leading to college education and employment. Deadline to apply is Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Julia Espaniola, a Ka‘ū High School graduate, landed an internship with KUPU 
and works in Ka‘ū with The Nature Conservancy. Photo by Shaylan Crysdale
      "Established in 2007, Kupu empowers future generations to create a more sustainable, pono Hawai‘i. We provide hands-on training programs that educate and mentor youth to become stewards of our culture and environment, helping them develop a strong connection to the place in which we live," says the Kupu website. "In doing so, we strive to fulfill our mission to empower youth to serve their communities through character-building, service-learning, and environmental stewardship opportunities that encourage pono (integrity) with Ke Akua (God), self, and others."
     The program lasts seven weeks, during June and July, is 40 hours per week, and gives participants an opportunity to earn college credits through UH Mānoa, or earn a monetary volunteer award or an AmeriCorps educational award. Qualifications include being able to perform physically demanding work, providing own housing and transportation, being drink/drug/tobacco-free, and being able to supply two non-relative references. For more info and to apply, go to http://www.kupuhawaii.org/hycc-summer/.

Albert Salmo, with Trojans Athletic Director Kalei Namohala
 and June Domondon of OKK. Photo from Ka‘ū Athletics
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ALBERT SALMO, JAN. 31 WINNER OF ‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU'S Half Court Shot, received his prize from June Domondon, of OKK, and Trojans Athletic Director Kalei Namohala. Following tradition, the $250 was donated by Salmo to Ka‘ū Athletics, which supports Trojan sports.

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TŪTŪ AND ME OFFERS HOME VISITS. Tūtū and Me provides caregiver support 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 646-9634.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.htmlSee 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.
HFS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS OPEN to Big Island High School Seniors seeking a two or four-year degree at a College, University, or Vocational-Technical school in the 2018-19 academic year. Qualifications include: HFS member (in good standing), minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, full-time school schedule, and financial need. Applications due Wed., Feb. 28, available at hfsfcu.org/news/2018Scholarship or at any branch location: Kea‘au, Hilo, and Kona.

HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7, in Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. The Council will meet again on Tuesday, Feb. 20 (committees), and Wednesday, Feb. 21 (Council), in Kona. Agendas can be found at hawaiicounty.gov.

ADVOCATS, INC., comes to Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., to perform free cat spay and neuter services. For more, call 895-9283.

KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S LAVA LOUNGE HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHT on Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. KMC is located inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Singers, Bands, Comedians, etc. Call 967-8365 after 4 p.m. to sign up. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests 21 years and older. Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

ABSTRACTS AND PROPOSALS ARE DUE FRIDAY, FEB. 9, for symposia, forums, workshops, trainings, and individual oral or poster presentations, for 2018 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference in July. For more, visit hawaiiconservation.org.

SECOND ANNUAL MAULI OLA FESTIVAL at Wood Valley Farm will be a leave-no-trace event beginning Friday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m., with activities scheduled 5 p.m. Friday until early morning Sunday. Campers will be allowed to stay until 2 p.m.
     Music, workshops, and other activities, including keiki-friendly activities. Eco-friendly toilets, showers/hand and dishwashing stations (bring only all natural, eco-friendly soap), and limited cooking space available. Spring water and various food options, including vendors offering "locally crafted organic, locally grown food and of course, award-winning ethical coffee," available. Camping alternatives include nearby bed and breakfasts, and vacation rentals.
     Tickets for one day are $30, $60 for two days, and camping passes are $10, which includes hot showers. Organizers suggest bringing warm clothing for nighttime, layers for daytime. Vendor spaces are still open. Sponsors are welcome. Kids under 12 are free. Purchase tickets, see the schedule, and get more info at http://mauliolafestival.com/.

MAKE A VALENTINE FOR YOUR VALENTINE! at Nā‘ālehu Public Library on Friday, Feb. 9, starting at 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Free. For more details, call 939-2442.

JOIN PAUL AND JANE FIELD IN VOLUNTEERING FOR STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT on Friday, Feb. 9, and remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO. This event will also be held Feb. 17 and 19.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER WORKDAY on Friday, Feb. 9, at their Ka‘ū Preserve (located between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu), from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
     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.

A PERFORMANCE OF NORA EPHRON'S LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, at 7:30 p.m., at Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, to raise funds for Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. The play is based on a best-selling book by Ilene Beckerman. Tickets are $20 per person. For reservations or more info, call 982-7344.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT BONSAI AND HOW TO GROW THEM, a workshop by Bonsai Sensei Bill Newton, is Saturday, Feb. 10, 17, and 24, at Volcano Garden Arts. Sign up for all three classes and receive a complimentary meal at Café Ono. Space is limited. For more, call 985-8979 or visit volcanogardenarts.com.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HAWAIIAN HOSPOT AND CREATION OF KAHUKU on a hike, Birth of Kahuku, on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., in Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike that traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations. For more, see nps.gov/HAVO.

KĀWĀ VOLUNTEER DAY, arranged by Mā Mamo o Kāwā, invites the public to help out, Saturday, Feb. 10, starting at 9:30 a.m. Sign up with James Akau by emailing namamookawa@gmail.com or calling 430-3058.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST AND A RAFFLE are offered by Ocean View Community Association at Ocean View Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. To volunteer, call 939-7033. Visit ovcahi.org for more.

LEARN SOMETHING NEW OR WORK ON A FORGOTTEN PROJECT at The Art Express on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Instructions will be on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. For more, contact Meliha Corcoran at 319-8989 or himeliha@yahoo.com. See discoveryharbour.net/art-express for future dates.

ZENTANGLE: THE ELEGANCE OF LIMITS, is offered Saturday, Feb. 10, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Volcano Art Center. Learn how to use tangles for boarders, and how to create elegant frames to hold Zentangle art, with Lois and Earl Stokes. Zentagle Basics is recommended but not required. All art supplies provided. Class fees are $30 for VAC members and $35 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. Bring a light refreshment to share. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org.

THE VITAL ROLE OF ‘ŌHI‘A LEHUA in native Hawaiian forests, and the many forms of the ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower, are presented on a free, easy, one-mile, guided walk on Sunday, Feb. 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

From volcanoartcenter.org
PAINTING WITH PEGGY, an acrylic painting class with Margaret "Peggy" Stanton, is offered on Monday, Feb. 12, from noon to 3 p.m., at Volcano Art Center. The class is part of an ongoing series of workshops for artists of all levels and is offered again on Feb. 26. Class fees are $15 per VAC member and $20 per non-member, per session. Email questions to peggystanton007@yahoo.com. Register online at volcanoartcenter.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.

Cheryl Gansecki leads the Friends walk on Sunday, Feb. 11.
Photo from HFVNP

JOIN VOLCANOLOGIST CHERYL GANSECKI for a Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Sunday Walk-in-the-Park event, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     This moderate three-mile hike explores the Mauna Ulu area. Due to the fragile nature of this significant cultural area, space is limited to 15 people, and reservations are required. The hike is free for, but restricted to, members of Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. If you are not a member, you can join at https://www.fhvnp.org/become-a-member/join-or-renew/. Call 985-7373 or visit their website to reserve a spot.

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K THROUGH 8, BY FEB. 13, FOR A VALENTINE'S DAY FLOWER & BEAR CRAFT class held on Wednesday, Feb. 14, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Free. Call Nona Makuakane/Elijah Navarro at 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.

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