Monday, April 02, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Monday, April 2, 2018

Learn about the conservation practices, successes and challenges, of restoring the dry forests  with Division of 
Forestry and Wildlife Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Coordinator Elliot Parsons Tuesday, April 10, 
at After Dark in the Park. See story below. Photo by Elliot Parsons
MAZIE HIRONO OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES HER 2018 REELECTION CAMPAIGN for U.S. Senate Wednesday, April 4, at 10:30 a.m., at the State Office Tower on O‘ahu After filing her nomination papers, Hirono and supporters will speak about her advocacy on behalf of Hawai‘i families, states the announcement.
     Hirono's early endorsers for her 2018 reelection include the Hawai‘i State AFL-CIO, the Hawai‘i Democratic Party LGBT and Labor Caucuses, International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Local 142, EMILY's List, Americans for Democratic Action, Democracy for America, the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund, MoveOn Political Action, the Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund, the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, and End Citizens United.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, who will submit
reelection papers on Wednesday.
     "In Congress, Mazie has been a leading voice for immigration policies that keep families together; health care as a right and not a privilege; preserving the programs our kupuna rely on; and increasing access to quality, affordable education. She is running for reelection to the U.S. Senate to continue her fight for Hawai‘i families and people across the country whose voices are often not heard loud enough in Congress," states the release.

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THE LAST HUMPBACK WHALE COUNT of the season, Saturday, drew more than 442 volunteers statewide to the shores: from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to Punaluʻu, South Point and Miloliʻi, all the way up the chain of inhabited Hawaiian Islands. It was the final of three events of the 2018 Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count.
     Volunteers collected data from 43 sites statewide on March 31. A total of 34 whale sightings were recorded during the 11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day's count. Conditions were great for viewing whales on Hawaiʻi island, but poor for Oʻahu and Maui due to inclement weather and resulting poor visibility; many of those sites cancelled their counts.
     Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales, the sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities. The sanctuary holds Ocean Count three times each year during peak whale season. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whale activity from the shoreline.
The last NOAA whale count of  the season was Saturday, and mother 
humpbacks and calves will soon be heading north for the summer. 
Photo from NOAA
     Preliminary data detailing whale sightings by site location are available at http://www.
sanctuaryoceancount.
org/resources/. Additional information is available on the sanctuary's website at http://hawaii
humpbackwhale.noaa.gov.
     The sanctuary, which is administered by NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, protects humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaiian waters where they migrate each winter to mate, calve, and nurse their young.
     NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources. See NOAA's TwitterFacebookInstagram, and
 other social media channels.

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TEMPORARY CLOSURE OF MAUNA LOA STRIP ROAD, due to 55th Annual Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, through April 8. The road in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will be restricted to hiking, biking, and official motor vehicle traffic only.

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FUNDS TO OPERATE HAWAI‘I ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS, groups that maintain and protects the natural resources of the islands, are being requested in a bill that goes to hearing in front of the Senate Ways and Means Committee Wednesday, April 4, at 10:30 a.m.
     HB2101: "Makes an appropriation to the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the operational expenses and staffing costs of the Hawaii Association of Conservation Districts."
     Hawai‘i Farmers Union United urges residents to submit testimony in support of the bill.

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SCHOOL NEWSLETTER FOR KA‘Ū HIGH announces the Hawai‘i National Guard Youth Challenge Recruiter will be on campus Tuesday, April 3 to speak with students who are interested in learning about and possibly participating in the program. Signing  up with Ms. Strand in room 28 is required.
     Ka‘ū High Senior fundraising with Krispy Kreme started March 30, and continue through Friday, April 13.

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PU‘UWA‘AWA‘A AHUPUA‘A: SUCCESSES & CHALLENGES OF RESTORING DRY FORESTS OF KONA, with Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a Coordinator Elliott Parsons from the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is the presentation on Tuesday, April 10, at After Dark in the Park in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     Parsons reviews threats to the endangered lowland dry forests and how new technology is being used to mitigate those threats. The public is invited to learn more about the area’s rich biological diversity and how they can help conserve Pu‘uwa‘awa‘a for future generations.
     The After Dark in the Park presentation, held in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, begins at 7 p.m. Free; suggested $2 donation helps support park programs. Program co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

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KA‘Ū GIRLS SOFTBALL was highlighted in the Hawai‘i Tribune Herald last week, with an article about pitcher Silva-Kamei, whom coach Donovan Emmsley credited for the March 22 win. Silva-Kamei the Tribune Herald reporter that favorite moment is when the Trojans accomplished the win against Hilo, 22 to 11.
     March 27 saw another big victory for the Ka‘ū team, taking Pāhoa down 20 to 0.
     March 29, a game against Kealakehe, was not a win, but Ka‘ū made a good effort with 14 to 4. Same with the March 31 game against Honoka‘a, at 10 to 4.

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Print edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 
throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com.
KA‘Ū TROJANS SPORTS SCHEDULE
Girls Softball: 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: 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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TUESDAY, APRIL 3
SPECIAL MERRIE MONARCH FESTIVAL EVENTS, Tue, Wed, Thu, Apr 3, 4 & 5, 11 - 1 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Honoring 55th Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. Hawaiian cultural demonstrations, live music. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

DISCOVERY HARBOUR VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT MEETINGS & TRAININGS, Tue, Apr 3 & 24, 4 - 6 p.m., Apr 17, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

KAʻŪ COFFEE GROWERS MEETING, Tue, Apr 3, 6 - 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

HOW THE PACIFIC TSUNAMI 
WARNING CENTER WORKS, Tue, Apr 3, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Dr. Nathan Becker, Senior Oceanographer describes PTWC operations. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4
ADVOCATS, Wed, Apr 4, 7 a.m. - 5 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283

OPEN MIC NIGHT, Wed, Apr 4, 6 - 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge in 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. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 5
VETERAN'S CENTER & VA MEDICAL SERVICES, Apr 5 & 19, Thu, 8:30 - noon, Ocean View Community Center. No appointment needed to visit w/ VA counselor & benefit specialist. Matthew, 329-0574, ovcahi.org

OCEAN VIEW NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING, Thu, Apr 5, 6 - 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, APRIL 6
FROM SAND TO SNOW - PATCH class, Fri, Apr 6, 8 - 11 am, P.A.R.E.N.T.S., Inc., office in Nā‘ālehu. Learn about sensory activities for toddlers and preschoolers. Class for adults only. No childcare provided. $5 refundable registration deposit fee. Sign-up in advance with PATCH, Rochelle Hall 238-3472. patchhawaii.org

CREATING SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENTS II - PATCH class, Fri, Apr 6, noon - 3 pm, P.A.R.E.N.T.S., Inc., office in Nā‘ālehu. Learn about developing strategies that support children’s positive social behavior. Class for adults only. No childcare provided. $5 refundable registration deposit fee. Sign-up in advance with PATCH, Rochelle Hall 238-3472. patchhawaii.org

SATURDAY, APRIL 7
OCEAN VIEW C.E.R.T. TRAINING, Sat, Apr 7, 14, 21 & 28, 8:15 - 5 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Hawai’i County Civil Defense Agency Community Emergency Response Team training. Free, limited seating, open to public. Bill Hanson, 937-2181. Pre-register online, certkau.eventbrite.com

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT, Apr 7, 13, 21 (fee-free day), & 27, 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. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

HI‘IAKA & PELE, Sat, Apr 7, 9:30 - 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

HAWAI‘I DEMOCRATIC PRE-CONVENTION MEETING, Sat, Apr 7, 11 - 3 p.m., Waimea Elementary School cafeteria. hawaiidemocrats.org

SUNDAY, APRIL 8
PALM TRAIL, Sun, Apr 8, 9:30 - 12:30 p.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderately difficult, 2.6-mile loop traverses scenic pastures along an ancient cinder cone, with some of the best panoramic views Kahuku has to offer. nps.gov/HAVO

HAM RADIO POTLUCK PICNIC, Sun, Apr 8, noon - 2 p.m., Manukā State Park. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointartc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MASS TRANSIT MASTER PLAN PUBLIC HEARING, Sun, Apr 8, 3 - 5 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Meeting regarding public transit and paratransit system on the Big Island. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

ONGOING
ONE COMMUNITY AND ONE PARENT REPRESENTATIVE are sought by Nāʻālehu Elementary School Community Council. Nominations will be accepted from April 2 through April 16 at 3 p.m. The community representative will serve a two-year term for school year 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. The parent representative will serve a one-year term for school year 2018-19. The parent rep cannot be a Nāʻālehu Elementary School employee.
     The campaign for the positions starts April 16. Voting is April 30 through May 11. Those interested, contact Leilani Rodrigues at 313-4020 or pcnc@naalehu.org, or name and number at the main office line, by calling 313-4000.

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.

VOLCANO ART CENTER GALLERY PRESENTS HO’OKU’I I NĀ KIKO, Connecting the Dots, by Natalie Mahina Jensen and Lucia Tarall. "A curated collection of photographs, paintings, sculptures, and feather work items deliver a sublime message, connecting the viewer artistically with the provenance of the design." Daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from Saturday, Mar. 31, to Sunday, May 6. volcanoartcenter.org or 967-8222

KAʻŪ COFFEE RECIPE CONTEST registration open through Friday, April 20, limit one entry per category, per contestant. Recipes will be judged Sunday, April 29, 11 a.m., at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Youth and adult submissions judged separately. Categories are pūpū, entrée, and dessert; all recipes must be made with (any) Ka‘ū Coffee. Entry info at kaucoffeemill.com or kaucoffeefestival.com, or call 808-928-0550. Entry forms can also be found at Ka‘ū Coffee Mill or Mizuno Market; forms below. Email for info/questions sales@kaucoffeemill.com. Click on forms below to make larger and print.

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