Sunday, March 18, 2018

Ka‘ū News Briefs Sunday, March 18, 2018

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund volunteers in front of the Matson container used to haul out 11.6 tons of marine debris on March 4. Photos from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund
MORE THAN ELEVEN TONS OF MARINE DEBRIS were loaded in a single day by local Environmental groups, states a release from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund:
Up-close photo of the marine debris, showing
JD Services LLC heavy equipment help.
     On the morning of Sunday, March 4, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and volunteers donned gloves and began hauling derelict fishing nets, ropes, and other plastic marine debris collected from the shores of Kaʻū. With a volunteer heavy equipment operator from JD Services LLC, the team loaded the 11.6 tons of marine debris into a 40 ft. Matson container, making this effort the single largest container load. Recently, HWF has had to increase efforts to keep up with the barrage of marine debris washing up along the Kaʻū shoreline, as this year has already seen record amounts.
     "We have our work cut out for us as these large derelict fishing net bundles continue to wash up along our shores. Net and rope bundles present special entanglement hazards for our native wildlife, including protected species like the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and humpback whale. HWF and volunteers removed 66,235 lbs. of marine debris from Hawaiʻi Island in 2017, plus another 10,060 lbs. on Maui, of which 43% by weight were derelict fishing nets," says Megan Lamson, HWF Program Director.
Panoramic photo of volunteers loading the marine debris.
     Since 2005, HWF and volunteers have loaded over 106,000 lbs. of plastic marine debris into containers bound for O‘ahu in the Hawai‘i Nets-To-Energy program. Once on O‘ahu, the nets will be transported to Schnitzer Steel Industries, where they will be chopped into pieces suitable for combustion at the City and County of Honolulu's H-Power energy waste facility, run by Covanta Energy; transport and other services are donated free of charge. The combustion process drives steam-powered turbines to produce electricity. The Nets-To-Energy Program, organized by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is a multi-organizational marine debris partnership between local nonprofit community groups and private businesses.
Volunteer, pictured with some of the 11 tons of marine debris.
     HWF is a small nonprofit conservation organization, founded in 1996, to conserve native wildlife. During its 22-year existence, HWF and volunteers have removed a total of 260 tons of marine debris from the shores of Hawaiʻi Island (86% by weight), Maui, Midway, and the French Frigate Shoals. In 2017 alone, HWF and volunteers have removed 60,838 lbs. of marine debris from Hawaiꞌi Island and Maui. The majority of HWF's marine debris removal work is conducted by volunteer labor, with financial support from the federal government - grants from the NOAA's Marine Debris Program and Kona Brewers Festival; local businesses - Matson Navigation's Ka Ipu ʻĀina and Kona Surf Film Festival; and private donations from around the world.
     If you would like more information on the project or how to get involved with HWF, please contact them at kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or at 808-769-7629, or check the HWF website at www.wildhawaii.org.

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A TOP SCORE ON NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION'S LEGISLATIVE REPORT CARD has been issued to Senator Maize Hirono, for strong and consistent leadership on behalf of public school students and teachers.
     "Senator Hirono has a very strong record of supporting and protecting Hawaii’s public schools, students, and educators. The HSTA is grateful to her for always fighting at the federal level for improvements to public education," Corey Rosenlee, President of the Hawaii State Teachers Association said.
     "We applaud Senator Hirono for her tireless support for public education and the important issues facing public schools," National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen García said. "Students should have the opportunity for a fulfilling education experience. We know that public education has always been the great equalizer; and we must do everything we can to keep it that way and give every child growing up in America the ability to succeed and be the best they can be. In recognizing Public Schools Week, we acknowledge the combined efforts of educators, families, communities, businesses, and services to come together and support public schools."
     Hirono was recognized for her strong support of legislation to increase federal funding for school infrastructure projects, support rural schools, provide working families with affordable child care, increase the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2024, and renew the Children’s Health Insurance Program, among other important priorities. Last year, the Senator strongly opposed the confirmation of now-Education Secretary Betsy DeVos because of her "lack of experience and questionable commitment to our nation’s public school educators and students," and she is fighting the Trump administration’s efforts to "undermine public education" during National Public Schools Week.
     "Our nation's public schools are foundational to the success of millions of students in Hawaii and across the country," Hirono said. "At a time when Betsy DeVos and Donald Trump are working to dismantle our public school system and attack teachers, I will continue to fight on behalf of our keiki and our educators."

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SIXTEEN NEW FIREFIGHTERS JOINED THE DEPARTMENT with the recent commencement of the 45th recruit class at Sangha Hall in Hilo . New firefighters are: Marcus Hoeflinger, Dayne Kato, Kiley Kawazoe, Chase Komatsu, Brock Miller, Aaron Moniz, Michael Presiados, Tysen Pasco-Brown, Stephen Shirk, Jacob Smith, Keoni Soares, Sean Soriano, William Spain, Adam Veloria, Jordan Victorine, and Brian Wilson.
     Hawai‘i Fire Department issued an announcement, describing training the new firefighters received in order to graduate: "The class underwent months of intensive instruction/classroom exercises and fieldwork. These included fire and rescue training that included a nationally recognized fire science curriculum, wildland fire training, rescue operations familiarization, aquatics competency certification, hazardous materials response, and driver training.
45th Fire Fighter Recruit Class on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at Sangha Hall in Hilo. Photo from HFD
     "The ending of their Fire Fighter Recruit training was spent at the Emergency Medical Services Training Center where the fire fighters earned their Emergency Medical Technicians Basic certification. The entire Emergency Medical Technician program was approximately 10 weeks long, and included four weeks on clinical rotations on Hawai‘i Fire Department and American Medical Response ambulance units around the island, as well as at the Emergency Room, Obstetrics, and Intensive Care Units at Hilo Medical Center and Kona Hospital.
     "The recruits also went through 80-100 hours of live burn training at the Hawai‘i Fire Departments burn trailer - simulating smoked out, limited to no visibility conditions, with intense heat, trying to prepare them as best as possible for being inside of a live structure fire."
     Guest speakers at the commencement included Hawai‘i County Fire Commissioner Robert Becker, Hawai‘i Fire Fighter Association Hawai‘i Island Representative Charles Spain, Fire Chief Darren Rosario, Assistant Fire Chief of Support Services Lance Uchida, Training Captains, Recruit Training Officers, and class President Sean Soriano.
     "The most beautiful aspect was watching a group of individuals mold into a team of one. 16 strangers progressed to 16 friends and eventually 16 brothers at the end of class. Bond became stronger each day and while as a class we faced many challenges, fears and anxieties – we all helped each other through tough times," said Soriano.

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MAKER FAIR SPRING SPREE celebrates handcrafted art on Mother's Day weekend in Volcano Village: Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at The Cooper Center. The all-handcrafted artisan shopping market features unique items from only local makers.
     Get to the Maker Fair early to receive a free shopping tote, distributed to the first 50 adult shoppers. Both adults and kids can get crafty at free make-and-take project booths. Kids will also love the scavenger hunt with treats. Bring the whole family and capture the memories with a free professional Mother's Day photo taken by Spark Productions. The Maker Fair is always free to attend.
     More details and artisan applications are online at makerfair.org. Contact Sara Krosch at contactmakerfair@gmail.com, 520-389-0620, or facebook.com/MakerFair.

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MARCH BILL ROUND-UP: below, see the updates of bills featured recently at the Hawai`i Legislature, with hearings this week. Testimonies can be submitted for any bill with a scheduled hearing.
SB2928SD2, FARM to SCHOOL - Next Hearing: Monday, March 19
Local Sponsor(s): Sen. Kai Kahele
Establishes and appropriates funds for a farm to school grant pilot program within the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture to provide grants to schools, early care and education centers, nonprofits, soil and water conservation districts, and food producers participating in the Hawai‘i farm to school program. Requires the Hawai‘i farm to school coordinator to submit a report to the legislature. Makes appropriations to continue the Hawai‘i farm to school program and coordinator position and to assist farmers and ranchers achieve Good Agricultural Practices Certification from the United States
Department of Agriculture.

SB2563SD1 HD1, AG WORK DEVELOPMENT - Next Hearing: Monday, March 19
Appropriates funds to the department of labor and industrial relations for the K-12 agriculture workforce development pipeline initiative.

HB2115HD1, AG WORK DEVELOPMENT - Next Hearing: Monday, March 19
Companion bill to SB2563 SD1 HD1

SB1235SD2, CARDIAC CARE - Next Hearing: Tuesday, March 20
Local Sponsor(s): Sen. Josh Green, Sen. Russell Ruderman
Appropriates funds to improve the health care services related to cardiac care at Hilo Medical Center.
SB2340SD2 HD1, HEALTH INSURANCE - Next Hearing: Tuesday, March 20
Local Sponsor(s): Sen. Josh Green, Sen. Kai Kahele
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. Clarifies that benefits extended by this measure do not apply to limited benefit health insurance.

SB2328SD2, OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES - Next Hearing: Tuesday, March 20. Local Sponsor(s): Sen. Kai Kahele
Establishes the University of Hawai‘i open educational resources task force to conduct a comprehensive analysis and evaluation on all general education courses and high attendance courses taught at the University of Hawai‘i system to identify open educational resources for those courses. Establishes and appropriates funds for an open educational resources pilot project grant program to incentivize faculty that adopt, develop, and implement open educational resources.

SB2329SD2, UH TUITION - Next Hearing: Tuesday, March 20
Local Sponsor(s): Sen. Kai Kahele
Caps increases in tuition for the University of Hawai‘i based on the change in the State's median household income.

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See public Ka‘ū events, meetings, entertainment at kaucalendar.com
/janfebmar/februaryevents.htmlSee 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.

KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Girls Softball: Monday, Mar 19, KSH @ Ka‘ū
   Thursday, Mar 22, @ Hilo
   Saturday, M
ar 24 @ Kealakehe
   Saturday, Mar 31 @ Honoka‘a
   Monday, Apr 2, @ Kohala
   Saturday, Apr 7, Hawai‘i Prep @ Ka‘ū
   Monday, Apr 9, @ Pāhoa
   Wednesday, Apr 11 @ KSH
   Saturday, Apr 14, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
Boys Volleyball: Monday, Mar 19 @ KSH
   Friday, Mar 23 Pāhoa @ Ka‘ū
   Tuesday, Apr 3, @ Waiakea
   Wednesday, Apr 11, Kea‘au @ Ka‘ū
   Friday, Apr 13, Honoka‘a @ Ka‘ū
   Monday, Apr 16, @ Hilo
   Friday, Apr 20, Parker @ Ka‘ū

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MONDAY, MARCH 19
DISCOVERY HARBOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING, Mon, Mar 19, 5 - 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, MARCH 20
WALK INTO THE PAST WITH DR. THOMAS A. JAGGAR, Tuesdays, Mar 20 and 27, at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m., at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Each performance lasts about an hour. To find out more about this living history program, visit the park website: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/walk_into_the
_past.htm

THE WONDERFUL WORD OF WINE AND WATERCOLOR, Tue, Mar 20, 4 - 7 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Artist Nancy DeLucrezia shows how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and introduces basic techniques in watercolor painting. Sampling of several wines from wine store "Grapes" in Hilo. $30 VAC members/$35 non-members, plus $17 supply fee. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPT. Meeting, Tue, Mar 20, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21
OVCA BOARD MEETING, Wed, Mar 21, 12 - 1 p.m.Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SENIOR BINGO DAY, Wed, Mar 21, free lunch 11 a.m., free bingo 1 - 2:30 p.m.Pāhala Community Center. Prizes for all. ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, okaukakou.org

THURSDAY, MARCH 22
STEWARDSHIP OF KῙPUKAPUAULU takes place every Thursday in March: 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.

KA‘Ū COMMUNITY CHILDREN'S COUNCIL, Thu, Mar 22, noon - 1 p.m., Punalu‘u Bake Shop. 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, omingoc1975@yahoo.comccco.k12.hi.us

FRIDAY, MARCH 23
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HOSTS A VOLUNTEER WORKDAY on Friday, March 23, at its Kona Hema Preserve Honomolino (located across Hwy 11 from Miloli‘i), from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Space is limited. Linda Schubert at 443-5401 or lschubert@tnc.org.

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT Fri., March 23. Participants meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants, and bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental or guardian accompaniment, or written consent, required for volunteers under 18. Visit park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit
_stewardship.htm.

ARTS & CRAFTS: SPRING FLOWER COLLAGE, Fri, Mar 23, 2:45 - 3:45 p.m., Kahuku Park, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. For ages 6 - 12 years. Free. Register Mar 19 - 22. Teresa Anderson, 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

SATURDAY, MARCH 24
EDIBLE WILD PLANTS: A Hands-On Foray for Foragers and Foodies, Sat, Mar 24, 8 a.m. to noon, meet at Volcano Art Center. Hands-on immersion and discovery. $30 per VAC member and $40 per non-member, plus a $15 transportation fee. Pre-registration required; class size limited. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

KAIKI STAINED GLASS, Sat & Sun, Mar 24 & 25, 9 a.m. to noon, Volcano Art Center. Beginners workshop for keiki ages 11 & up - must be accompanied by an adult. Register in advance; class limited to 6 children. $50 per VAC member and $55 per non-member, plus $10 supply fee. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

MONGOLIAN BBQ, Sat, Mar 24, 5 - 8 p.m. Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. $0.85/ounce - choice of 13 veggies, 4 meats, sauces, chow mein, and beverage. Park entrance fees apply. KMC is open to all authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

WRITING FOR INNER EXPLORATION AND LIFE REFLECTION, Sat, Mar 24, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.Volcano Art Center. No previous writing experience necessary. $65 per VAC member and $75 per non-member. Bring lunch and pictures of parent/parents. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222.

ONGOING
KDEN HOW THE OTHER HALF LOVES - March 9 through 24. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 2:30 p.m, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network performance. KMC open to authorized KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call KDEN for ticket info, 982-7344.

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 646-9634.


TĪ AND SEAS ART EXHIBIT at Volcano Art Center Gallery, featuring oil paintings by Pāhoa resident Steve Irvine, is open to the public through Sun, Mar 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily - volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222.

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