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Friday, April 06, 2018

Ka‘ū News Brief Friday, April 6, 2018

The late Sen. Dan Akaka, who died today, became the first recipient of the Aloha Award of Merit in 2013, congratulated by
then-Gov. Neil Abercrombie. See story below. Photo by Shane Tegarden
BRENDA FORD WILL RUN FOR STATE SENATE AND REP. RICHARD CREAGAN WILL RUN FOR REELECTION, the two announced today. They seek to represent west Kaʻū into Kona as a team at the legislature. Previously, Ford said she would seek the House seat, and Creagan the Senate.
     The two issued statements today explaining the change. Ford said that Creagan "maintaining his House seat is best for all of us as it will allow him to continue his important legislative work. I have deep respect for Rep. Creagan, who previously endorsed me for Representative; however, it does not serve the public well to have two candidates with similar viewpoints running against each other. That is the reason I've decided to enter the Senate race."
Brenda Ford will run for state Senate.
     Senate District 3, encompassing most of Kailua-Kona through Nāʻālehu to Honuʻapo, is currently represented by Sen. Josh Green, who is running for Lt. Governor and unable to run for reelection.
     Ford previously served as a County Council member, reaching the maximum number of terms, and states, "Having worked as a Council member for eight years, I know how to research, draft, and pass legislation, and I understand how government works. I know the needs of our district, and people are comfortable in calling me to let me know of any issues that should be addressed. I believe my years of experience will help me succeed in assisting the people of my district and the Big Island. West Hawaiʻi needs experienced, hardworking, strong, and proven leaders in both House and Senate seats to maintain the continuity of support, protection, and leadership for the people.
     "Many problems face our island and I will work on solutions," Ford says. "I will fight for a $15 minimum wage, permanent low-income rental housing, protection of our heritage coffee, maximum funding for studies of Rat Lungworm Disease, faster State responses to medical emergencies like Dengue Fever, a new South Kona Police Station, and a state-of-the-art hospital near the Kona Airport to serve West Hawaiʻi."
     Ford and her husband, Larry, have been married for 26 years and have three grown children. They own a small farm in Captain Cook where Larry grows lychee, papaya, bananas, and a little coffee for personal use. They have lived on the Big Island for 23 years. Ford has a long history of community involvement, having volunteered for many years as a member and Director of the Citizens for Equitable & Responsible Government, and the nonprofit environmental group Plan To Protect. She is a Volunteer Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, and volunteer with the South Kona Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).
Brenda Ford served Volcano, Kaʻū into Kona as a County Council member, seen
here riding in a Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade. Photo by Julia Neal
     Ford's accomplishments on the Hawaiʻi County Council include helping fund the West Hawaiʻi Community Health Center Keiki Dental Clinic, helping fund the battered women's shelter, funding training for teens to recognize and avoid teen dating violence, helping start Ke Kama Pono (Boy's Safe House in Captain Cook), voting for a bond to build the West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, and purchasing land for a new South Kona Police Station. She continued the work of previous Council Members to get the Laʻaloa Street extension completed. She filed a redistricting lawsuit in 2001, which resulted in a fourth State Senator for Hawaiʻi Island in 2011.
     More information can be found at votebrendaford.com and facebook.com/VoteBrendaFord.

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"KEEP A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE" IS DR. RICHARD CREAGAN'S headline announcing he will seek reelection to the state House of Representatives. He writes:
Rep. Richard Creagan seeks relection.
     "After careful deliberation with my colleague Brenda Ford, I have decided to ask your support to keep me in my House seat. At the time I made my decision to run for the Senate seat being left vacant by Dr. Josh Green, there were good reasons to do so."
     Creagan explains that a power struggle in the House, following his and other Neighbor Island Reps' opposition to a tax requiring Neighbor Islanders to help pay for the rail in Honolulu, drew him to conclude that a fresh start in the Senate would be the best for his community. "I asked Brenda Ford who had represented me for eight years on the Hawai'i County Council to consider running for my House seat and she enthusiastically joined that race.
     "Brenda has always been viewed by her constituents, including me, as honest, ethical and hard-working. She did not shrink from a fight for what she tenaciously believed. She had been a proud union member and union steward in her work on the mainland and has continued to support hard working union families in Hawaiʻi, as I proudly have." She also "understands, as I do, the rewards and challenges of being farmers."
     Creagan writes that he has been able to keep his position as Chair of Agriculture in the House and is "nearing the end of a successful legislative session. We worked with House leadership to pass a House bill to greatly increase the Neighbor Isles' share of the TAT tax. As a physician, I supported the Our Care, Our Choice Act, helped remove the roadblocks that had stalled that legislation last year, and I was at our governor's side when he signed that bill into law yesterday."
Rep. Richard Creagan wants to remain the Doctor in the House of Representatives, 
seen here in a Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade. Photo by Julia Neal
     Creagan talks about other likely success during this session. "We are hopeful that we will make our environment and our food safer by banning and phasing out the use of a toxic and unsafe pesticide, chlorpyrifos, that the EPA was poised to ban until President Trump appointed Scott Pruitt. The bill to do that will pass out of the House this week and will cross over to the Senate next week where we expect it will pass. I met with the governor yesterday and am very hopeful he will sign that bill into law when it reaches his desk.
     "Rat lungworm disease is another challenging issue that is threatening our health and our small farmers," proclaimed Creagan. "This legislative session I employed, part-time, a recovering victim of that illness to help me build a data base of rat lungworm research. I feel confident that at long last the legislature will provide substantial funding to Dr. Susan Jarvi and her colleagues at UH Hilo to allow them to continue their rat lungworm research."
     Creagan observes that the "turmoil in the House has abated, and I anticipate if reelected to be able to continue to fight for small farmers as Chair of Agriculture. As a physician I will also continue my fight for a new teaching hospital and medical center in West Hawaiʻi.
     "It would be irresponsible, given the new realities, for me to leave my strong position in the House at this time. Brenda Ford and I hope to gain your support to work as a team to improve our agriculture, our health care, our educational systems, and economic opportunities for House District 5 and Senate District 3."

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Sen. Dan Akaka, who passed away
 today at 93. Photo by Julia Neal
ALOHA IS THE WORD USED MOST TO DESCRIBE SEN. DANIEL KAHIKINA AKAKA as news of his passing rippled through the state today. The 93-year old Democrat, who retired from the U.S. Senate in 2013, was famous for his slogan, "The World Really Needs Aloha." Akaka was the only Native Hawaiian to have served in the U.S. Senate. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools and a World War II veteran, he received a masters degree in education from University of Hawaiʻi. Akaka served as a teacher, principal and Department of Education programs administrator.
     In 1976, he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served for 13 years before becoming a U.S. Senator. In Congress, Akaka led a successful campaign which drew an official apology from the U.S. President for the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by the U.S. government. He was known for the Akaka Bill, which he first introduced in the year 2000, for federal recognition of Native Hawaiians, similar to status given to Indian tribes. He brought the bill back to the Senate time and again. It never passed. He was also known for fighting for more services for veterans.
     After learning of Akaka's death, Gov. David Ige ordered U.S. and Hawaiian flags to fly half-staff immediately at all state facilities until sunset on the day of Akaka's interment. Said Ige, "Our beloved Sen. Akaka lived a life of service and aloha, and each of us in Hawaiʻi has benefited in countless ways. Our state mourns the loss of this man of upright character. While we celebrate his military service and dedication to our nation's veterans, his advocacy of the Hawaiian language and culture, and his work in Congress to recognize Filipino veterans, he was first and foremost a family man. Dawn and I send our condolences to Auntie Millie and the entire Akaka ʻOhana. A hui hou, Sen. Akaka."
     Lt. Gov. Doug Chin wrote: "Akaka epitomized the true meaning of aloha. He treated everyone with genuine kindness, grace and compassion."
Sen. Dan Akaka at a Hilo Bandstand rally for Democrats. Photo by Julia Neal
     Sen. Mazie Hirono wrote that Akaka "embodied the Aloha Spirit. He dedicated his life to serving the people of Hawaiʻi as an educator, and in the U.S. Army, state government, the U.S. House, and the U.S. Senate. In Congress, Sen. Akaka's care, empathy, and collegiality served as an example for us all. It's an honor to sit at his desk in the Senate chamber, and we continue his work to improve the lives of veterans and the Native Hawaiian community. As he so often said, mahalo nui loa, my friend."
     Rep. Tulsi Gabbard released this statement: "My heart is heavy today as we remember my dear friend and mentor, Sen. Daniel K. Akaka. With a servant's heart full of aloha, Sen. Akaka dedicated his life to serving the people and our nation, in the U.S. Army, as a public school teacher, in the U.S. House of Representatives, and in the U.S. Senate. I am grateful to have worked with and known Sen. Akaka over the years, and to have witnessed firsthand how he truly embodied the aloha spirit - treating all with kindness, respect, and love. His legacy of service and aloha will continue to inspire each of us to live aloha every day - serving others, protecting our planet, and fighting for justice, equality, and peace."
     Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted, "Daniel K. Akaka was beloved by everyone in Hawaii, and his colleagues of both parties in Washington DC. A pure heart, a determined warrior for native Hawaiians, and a true public servant. We will miss you, Senator Akaka. Aloha."
     Services are pending.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, who has made a
call to action for the Mueller 

investigation into Pres. Trump's 
campaign. Photo from civil.services 
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CONTINUATION OF SPECIAL COUNSEL ROBERT MUELLER'S INVESTIGATION INTO PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S activities during his presidential campaign is of concern to Sen. Mazie Hirono. In a release, Hirono stated: "Everyone should be alarmed by what Donald Trump is doing to undermine Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation.
     "Mueller is investigating Russia’s interference in our democracy and the Trump campaign's ties to that effort. Instead of allowing the investigation to proceed without interference, Trump has continued attacking the Special Counsel and his investigation, and many fear he is planning to fire Mueller.
     "The American people deserve the truth, and I will not sit idly by while the Trump administration seeks to silence and distract us. Add your name to send a message to the White House: We must protect Robert Mueller and his investigation.
     "Mahalo for helping hold the Trump administration accountable," stated the Senator.

Hoʻaikane is headliner band for the Kaʻū
 Coffee Festival. Photo from Hoʻaikane
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HOʻAIKANE WILL RIDE THE HŌKŪʻLEA FLOAT IN THE MERRIE MONARCH PARADE on Saturday in Hilo. The band will play its music for the crowds and the original crew of the Polynesian Voyaging Society's Hōkūleʻa sailing canoe, which is now in Hilo for community education.
     Hoʻaikane is the headliner band for the Kaʻū Coffee Festival Hoʻolaulea on Saturday, May 5, at Pāhala Community Center. In the Merrie Monarch Parade, the Kaʻū Coffee industry will be represented by the Miss Kaʻū Coffee Scholarship Pageant contenders, who are looking forward to their Saturday, April 21, event at Kaʻū District Gym. Riding for Kaʻū in the parade will be paniolo Kehau Ke and her attendants on horseback.

Kaʻū Hospital clerk Kegan Grace.
Photo from Kaʻū Hospital
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KA‘Ū HOSPITAL SPOTLIGHTS CLERK KEGAN GRACE IN THEIR APRIL NEWSLETTER: "Grace has been employed by the hospital as a clerk in the Nursing Department for many years, and has demonstrated natural skills towards nursing. She is a full-time mother of two girls, is a full-time hospital employee, and attends Hawai‘i Community College in Hilo part-time, completing her pre-requisite courses for her R.N."
     Grace says, "It's been a challenge to juggle work, school, and being a mommy but I know this hard work will be all worth it in the end."

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Attend a Lau Hala Demonstration in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National
 Park on April 11. Photo by Janice Wei, National Park Service
LEARN TO WEAVE LEAVES FROM THE HALA TREE (Pandanus) into many useful and beautiful items on Wednesday, April 11, during a Lau Hala Demonstration, announces Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The event, part of the park's ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops, takes place from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

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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: Monday, Apr 9, Christian Liberty @ Ka‘ū
  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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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

TUESDAY, APRIL 10
HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL Meetings, Tue/Wed, Apr 10 (Committees)/11 (Council), & Tue/Wed, Apr 24 (Committees)/25 (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

REGISTER KEIKI, GRADES K-8, THROUGH APRIL 10, FOR SILLY SNAKE, an Arts & Crafts activity at Pāhala Community Center. The program takes place Wed, April 11, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. For more, contact Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue, Apr 10, 4 - 6 p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Public invited to see what Community Emergency Response Team is about, and participate in training scenarios. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

PROPOSED NĀ‘ĀLEHU WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TALK STORY, Tue, Wed, Thu, Apr 10, 11 & 12, 6 - 7:30 p.m., Nā‘ālehu Community Center. County asks those planning to attend contact Berna Cabacungan of Earthplan, eplan1@aol.com, Mary Fujio at Department of Environmental Management, 961-8083, or Iris Cober at Brown and Caldwell, Maui office, (808) 442-3300.

DIRTY CELLO IN CONCERT, Tue, Apr 10, 7 - 9 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Unique spin on blues and bluegrass. $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. Tickets: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

PU‘UWA‘AWA‘A AHUPUA‘A: Successes & Challenges of Restoring Endangered Dry Forests of Kona, Tue, Apr 10, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Elliott Parsons, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, discusses ongoing conservation efforts and lessons learned. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11
LAU HALA DEMONSTRATION, Wed, Apr 11, 10 - noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn to weave leaves from the hala tree into many useful and beautiful items. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau "Experience the Skillful Work" workshops. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/HAVO

THURSDAY, APRIL 12
DISABILITY LEGAL SERVICES, Thu, Apr 12, 9:30 - 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Provided by Paula Boyer of Big Island Disability. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

FRIDAY, APRIL 13
KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM BASKETBALL CLINIC Sat, April 14; register through Friday, April 13. 9 to 11 a.m., registered keiki in ages groups 11-12 years old, 13-14 years old and those in high school are welcome. Three on three basketball will be taught to keiki in age groups 5-6 years old, 7-8 years old, and 9-10 years old, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more, contact Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for more county park programs.

PĀHALA PUBLIC AND SCHOOL LIBRARY 55th Anniversary Celebration, Fri, Apr 13, 2 - 4 p.m. The event offers music, food, games and prizes. librarieshawaii.org/events

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., through 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
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