Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Rapid Ohia Death, which destroys native forest and the watershed, is the subject of two reports
to the public in March. See flyer below. Photo from The Nature Conservancy
DEATH WITH DIGNITY BILLS ARE MOVING THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE. Gov. David Ige sent a statement to a public hearing on Monday, urging lawmakers to pass House Bill 2739. At least 30 states have either enacted or considered enacting similar Death with Dignity bills.
     Two physicians who represent Ka‘ū in the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Sen. Josh Green and Rep. Richard Creagan, both support the measures. According to a Medscape survey, physician's opinions on the matter rose from 46 percent in favor in 2010 to 57 percent in 2016. Last year, the Senate Health Committee, chaired by Green - an ER doctor - passed the measure, and it passed the Senate. Green was quoted as saying, "This is landmark legislation." As of 2017, polls showed the number of residents in favor of the bill is near 80 percent.
Gov. David Ige
     This year, Creagan introduced House Bill 2218, with Hawai‘i Island Rep. Cindy Evans and 14 House members. Creagan estimated about 75 percent of the House supports medical aid in dying, and that there is about an 80 percent chance of the bill passing this year.
     "This isn't suicide," Creagan told Civil Beat. "This is wanting to leave this Earth peacefully. We don't want to make people shoot themselves if they want to die."
     The governor said, "It's time for this bill to become law. Mentally competent, terminally ill people who are in pain and who are suffering should be given the choice to end their lives with grace, dignity, and peace. I would be proud and honored to sign this bill into law if our state legislators pass this measure this session.
     Ige explained that "the bill establishes a regulatory process under which mentally competent adults with medically confirmed terminal illnesses with less than six months to live, may choose to obtain a prescription for medication to end the patient's life. The measure also makes it a criminal offense to tamper with a patient's request for a prescription or to coerce a patient to request a prescription."
     The Administrative Director of the governor's office, Ford Fuchigam, testified at the legislature on behalf of Ige: "The Governor's Office believes this bill is important to allow terminally ill patients to decide for themselves when and how their lives should end. We believe HB 2739 is well drafted in a context of a robust continuum of palliative and hospice care, and provides sufficient safe-guards for both patients and doctors to minimize abuse."
     Testimony from the Feb. 26 hearing can be read here, where more than 1300 testimonies are logged.

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Dr. Josh Green, state Senator and
candidate for Lt. Governor.
SEN. JOSH GREEN SUPPORTS STATE-SUPPORTED HEALTH CARE AND REGULATIONS to offset anticipated federal cutbacks in health funding. Senate Bill 2340 is cosponsored by Green and the Women's Legislative Caucus. Green, who has represented Ka‘ū and Kona since 2008, also works as an ER doctor, and is running for Lt. Governor. Affordable healthcare is one of ten goals he lists to strengthen and support Hawai‘i families.
     SB 2340: "Ensures certain benefits under the federal Affordable Care Act are preserved under Hawai‘i law, including: extending dependent coverage for adult children up to 26 years of age; prohibiting health insurance entities from imposing a preexisting condition exclusion; and prohibiting health insurance entities from using an individual's gender to determine premiums or contributions," according to the description of the bill on the legislature's portal.
     The Senate bill was heard on Jan. 31, passing with amendments. On Feb. 23 it passed the Ways and Means Committee with zero 'no' votes. Its sister bill, HB2126, cosponsored by Rep. Cindy Evans, is also progressing.
     Links to testimony from both hearings can be found here. Green can be followed on his Facebook and at joshgreen.org.

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HAWAI‘I RESIDENTS PAY THE LOWEST PROPERTY TAXES in the United States, according to a recent WalletHub study. The average Hawai‘i household pays $1,459 in real estate property taxes. The average
American household spends $2,197 on real-estate property taxes, plus an additional $436 per household in 27 states with vehicle property taxes. There are no vehicle property taxes in Hawai‘i.
     More than $14 billion in property taxes nationwide go unpaid every year, according to the National Tax Lien Association.
     To determine who pays the least, relative to the state, WalletHub released its 2018 Property Taxes by State report, which compares home and vehicle taxes across the nation, and features insights from a panel of experts.
     For the full report, visit: wallethub.com/edu/states-with-the-highest-and-lowest-property-taxes/11585/

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Rebecca Folsom will perform Saturday, March 10,
at Volcano Art Center. Photo from Folsom
REBECCA FOLSOM TEACHES THE ART OF VOCAL FREEDOM WORKSHOP, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Sunday, Mar. 11, announces Volcano Art Center. The workshop will merge art (either collage, drawing, or painting), singing, and writing prose. Attendees will be able to work/play with all three artistic mediums at the same time. It is open to all levels of singers.
     In the workshop participants will "learn to sing and express authentically with ease and flow tapping your own personal vocal freedom! We will uncover and polish the beauty and power of your individual authentic voice. Our bodies are powerful instruments of personal expression, the starting point where we shape the creative masterpiece of our lives. We will play with and practice simple exercises to enable your natural voice to shine through," suggests the event description.
     The class is experiential, and weaves a blend of traditional and non-traditional vocal technique, martial arts, yogic posture, Toltec, and Taoist exercises. Effective for singers and non-singers alike, participants will learn to relax physical strain, learn to flow with the rush of adrenaline, strengthen underdeveloped potential, and feel the freedom of liberating release. The event description states these techniques "are easy to learn, powerfully affect confidence, ease, and personal presence, and greatly impact your ability to connect and engage in dynamic flow with yourself and the world around you."
     The event description continues that participants will "practice within a loving environment releasing into the authentic voice you always knew you had within you. Practical, surprisingly transformational, and fun!"
Rebecca Folsom leads a vocal freedom
class at Volcano Art Center Sunday,
March 11. Photo from Folsom
     Participants are asked to bring one song to sing - a cappella, self-accompanied, or with a basic chart to be accompanied by Folsom. The class fee is $50 plus a $10 supply fee. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.
     Folsom also gives a live performance the night before, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. She says working with students makes touring a much more rich affair. "The whole experience got deeper, because rather than just showing up in a town, we are immersed in the community," she said.

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ZENTANGLE: HALF PAST PAIZLEY, a workshop with Lydia Meneses, takes place on Saturday, Mar. 10, announces Volcano Art Center. The class, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., incorporates the paisley motif as a Zentangle string, using a mixture of Zentangle's official & non-official tangles to fill paisley artwork.
     Paisley pattern is a droplet-shaped vegetable motif of Persian origin. Sometimes resembling a twisted teardrop or fig shape, its western name derives from the town of Paisley, in West Scotland.
     The paisley artwork will be created on three different sizes of Zentangle's tiles. Students will receive a customized paisley stencil, designed especially for the class by Julie Evans, CZT, of Kala Creations, and a couple of pastel chalk pencils from General Pencils.
Learn the art of Zentangle, and how to incorporate the 
paisley motif. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org
     The class, open to all levels, will be guided with Zentangle's traditional ceremony and method: gratitude, appreciation, relaxation, mindfulness, and awareness. "We encourage guests to bring and share their Zentangle tiles or Zentangle-inspired creations, and have them displayed in da 'Z' Gallery area," says VAC's event description.
     The workshop fee is $30 for VAC members/$35 for non-members, plus a $10 supply fee. No Zentangle or art experience necessary. Participants are welcome to bring their favorite drawing tools. Very light refreshment will be served. Register by visiting volcanoartcenter.org or calling 967-8222.

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.
After walking 100 miles, OKK President Wayne Kawachi
 continues to raise money for senior housing in Nāʻālehu,
 with the group selling corned beef and cabbage lunches at
Nāʻālehu Methodist Church on St. Patrick's Day,
Saturday, March 17. Photo from OKK

‘O KA‘Ū KĀKOU BINGO, SENIOR HOUSING, AND VOLUNTEERS are on the agenda in March and April. OKK continues to collect donations to help purchase land for new senior independent living housing in Nā‘ālehu.
     OKK will sell corned beef and cabbage lunches in front of Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church on St. Patrick's Day, Saturday, March 17, with all proceeds going to the senior housing project.
     OKK is collecting more surveys, to find out who would be interested in living in senior housing within the next five years. Anyone who will be 62 years or older within the next five years is welcome to fill out the survey. "We need your support!" said OKK President Wayne Kawachi.
     ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou will sponsor a Senior Bingo day on Wednesday, March 21, at Pāhala Senior Center. Kupuna are invited to have a free lunch at 11 a.m., and free bingo from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Everyone wins a prize at OKK bingo days.
     Those who would like to volunteer with OKK to help out keiki and kupuna are welcome to attend OKK's next meeting on Thursday, April 5, at 6:30 p.m., at the Aspen Center in Punalu‘u.

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.

See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.html. See Ka‘ū exercise, meditation, daily, 
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.
KUPU, HAWAIʻI YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS SUMMER PROGRAM deadline to apply is tomorrow, Wed., Feb. 28. Open to young adults 17 and up. Kupu program lasts seven weeks, during June and July, and is 40 hours per week. For info and to apply: http://www.kupuhawaii.org/hycc-summer/2018Scholarship

HFS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM open to Big Island seniors planning for a two or four-year degree at a College, University, or Vocational-Technical school in the 2018-19 academic year. Applications due tomorrow, Wed., Feb. 28, available at hfsfcu.org/news/2018Scholarship or at any branch location: Kea‘au, Hilo, and Kona.

NOMINATIONS FOR COUNTY ACQUISITION OF PROPERTY - through the Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission - are due tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 28, no later than 4:30 p.m. Download application here, then email to the Commission Secretary, Maxine Cutler, at maxine.cutler@hawaiicounty.gov.

‘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 is the deadline. See the application form at www.okaukakou.org. Questions? Call Babette Morrow at 929-8076.

REGISTER FOR GIRL'S DAY HEADBANDS CLASS until Mar. 1, for keiki ages 6 to 12 years, for Fri., Mar. 2, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Girls Day, also called Hinamatsurin, is on March 3, a traditional Japanese day to celebrate the healthy growth and happiness of girls, with making headbands and specila foods, and displaying Japansese dolls. Call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. For more about these and other recreation programs: hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

KAHA KIʻI CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION is open to high school students. Digital files of 2D artwork due by March 5 at haearts@gmail.com. More info at: gabbard.house.gov
/serving-you/student-resources/art-competition

MY HAWAI‘I 2018 CREATIVE WRITING CONTEST is open to all 6th through 8th grade students in the state. Submit story or poem that addresses the theme, "Ulu ka lālā i ke kumu: From a strong foundation grows an abundant future," to align with the 2018 Hawai‘i Conservation Conference. Submit online at hawaiiconservation
.org/my-hawaii/my-hawaii-story-project-2018 by 5:00 p.m., March 9. Email questions to myhawaiistory@gmail.com.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 28
FREE LEGAL SERVICES available for those 60+ through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i's Kōkua Kupuna Project, at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Wed., Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Contact Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626, Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., to obtain a referral. All others seeking free legal services, call 1-800-499-4302 (O‘ahu), Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. More info, email tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org or 329-3910 ext. 925.

LEI HAKU, a method of lei making that involves braiding materials into a base of leaves, has been announced by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park as part of the ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. 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

THURSDAY, MARCH 1
HAWAI‘I DISABILITY LEGAL SERVICES, Thu, Mar 1, 8:30 - noon, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com.

VETERAN'S CENTER AND VA MEDICAL SERVICES, Thurs., March 1 & 15, 8:30 a.m. to noon, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit with VA counselor and benefit specialist. Contact Matthew at 329-0574 - ovcahi.org

STEWARDSHIP OF KῙPUKAPUAULU takes place every Thursday in March: 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Participants meet at Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11, at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers should bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat and water; wear closed-toe shoes. Clothing may be permanently stained by morning glory sap. New volunteers, contact Marilyn Nicholson at nickem@hawaii.rr.com.

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meeting, Thu, Mar 1, 6 - 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

HULA VOICES with Kumu Hula Kainani Kahauhaele, Thu, Mar 1, 7 - 8 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates event. Free, educational event occurring on the first Thursday of each month (excluding Apr. and Dec. 2018).

FRIDAY, MARCH 2
KAʻŪ'S BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS NEED SUPPORT; purchase tickets and sponsor persons to attend the annual Youth of the Year celebration, Fri., Mar. 2, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, in the Moku Ola Ballroom. The evening includes a banquet-style meal, youth led entertainment, silent and live auctions, guest speakers, and honors will be presented. Learn more about helping to create great futures at bgca.org.
     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.

SATURDAY, MARCH 3
SECOND ANNUAL RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH SYMPOSIUM-WEST, Sat, Mar 3, 8:30 - noon, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, County Council Chambers. Register at www.RapidOhiaDeath.org

HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND VOLUNTEER BEACH CLEAN UP, Sat., Mar. 3, 8:45 a.m., meet at Wai‘ōhinu Park. Help clean up trash and debris washed up on the shore at Kamilo on the Ka‘ū Coast below Nā‘ālehu. Reserve a spot in a 4WD vehicle with HWF in advance. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, wildhawaii.org

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT, Mar. 3, 9, 16, 23 & 31, 8:45 a.m. Meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing. Free; park entrance fees apply - nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit
/summit_stewardship.htm

INTRODUCTION TO OIL PAINTING WITH STEVE IRVINE, Sat., Mar. 3, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Class fee $55 for VAC members, $60 for non-members. Class supplies not provided; receive a full list upon registration. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

HI‘IAKA & PELE, Sat., Mar. 3, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

ZENTANGLE: BASICS, Sat., Mar. 3, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Learn the foundations of Zentangle art form and the philosophy behind it from Certified Zentangle Teacher Dina Wood Kageler. All art supplies provided. $30/VAC members, $35/non-members, plus $10 supply fee. Bring a light refreshment to share. Register online, volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, MARCH 4
HAWAI‘I WILDLIFE FUND NEEDS VOLUNTEERS TO HELP LOAD NETS - previously collected from the coast - into a container at Wai‘ōhinu Transfer Station on Sunday, March 4, starting at 9 a.m. Bring personal drinking water. To sign-up, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

HAM RADIO POTLUCK PICNIC, Sun., Mar. 4, noon to 2 p.m., Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. Sponsored by South Point Amatueur Radio Club and Amateur Radio Emergency Service. View sites.google.com/site/southpointartc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058.

MONDAY, MARCH 5
OCEAN VIEW VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETING, Mon, Mar 5, 4 - 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org





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