Kaʻū News Briefs Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Lonoikamakahiki ceremony at the Kahua ‘Olohu, Kaunamano, on the Makahiki Grounds. A $58,600 grant
for Ho‘omalu Ka‘ū to steward the land is up for final approval at the County Council tomorrow.
See story, below. Photo from Nohea Ka‘awa

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO VIEWS JUDGE BRETT KAVANAUGH AS "A THREAT to the constitutional rights of millions of Americans," according to statements she made at the opening of his U.S. Supreme Court nomination hearings today. Hirono, a Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, said she would forcefully outline "what's at stake" in the fight for the future of the Supreme Court.

     Said Hirono, "Before Justice Kennedy retired, so many important Constitutional rights were hanging in the balance, decided on narrow grounds by 5-4 votes. And now that Justice Kennedy has left the Court, the forces opposed to workers' rights, women's rights, LGBTQ rights, voting rights, civil rights of all kinds, and environmental protections are eager to secure a solid majority on the Court to support their right-wing views.

Sen. Hirono, speaking against the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh
to the U.S. Supreme Court. Photo from Hirono's office

     "These ultra-right-wing forces have been working for decades to prepare for this moment because they know that a single vote from one justice is all it would take to radically change the direction of our country. It could take just one vote on the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, and deny women control over their reproductive rights. It could take just one vote to declare the Affordable Care Act's preexisting condition protections unconstitutional. It could take just one vote to dismantle environmental protections that keep our air safe to breathe and our water clean to drink. It could take just one vote to dismantle common sense gun safety laws that keep our communities safe. And it could take just one vote to further erode protections for working people and unions.

     "Since this nomination was announced, I have been asked many times why the Democrats would even bother going through the motions, when we know that our Republican colleagues will do anything to support this Administration's judicial nominees. There are battles worth fighting regardless of the outcome. A lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court who will provide the 5th vote on issues impacting the lives of every working American is a battle worth fighting."
     See her entire statement at youtube.com/watch?v=mAGGw6K2R7I.

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.

FINAL APPROVAL FOR HO‘OMALU KA‘Ū to receive a $58,600 grant is expected at the County Council meeting tomorrow. The purpose is to protect, preserve, and restore Kahuā Olohu, Kaunamano. The property, known as the Makahiki Grounds, was purchased with the county's Open Space funds and is owned by the county. It is located makai of Hwy 11 between Honuʻapo and the Nāʻālehu Police Station. Kaʻū's County Council member Maile David introduced the bill for the stewardship funding.

Kahua ‘Olohu, Kaunamano; the Makahiki Grounds. Map from County of Hawai‘i

     Part of the funding would be used for immediate clearing, mowing, fencing, and removal of invasive species, said board members of the organization. Board of Directors for Hoʻomalu are: Wendy Scott-Vance, President; Charmaine Keanu, Vice President; Keoni Fox, Secretary/Treasurer; Blossom DeSilva, Director; Willy Iaukea, Director; and Lehua Lopez-Mau, Director. A committee for the Makahiki Grounds includes: Aiana Akamu, Noehea Kaʻawa, Trice Davis, Leilani Rodrigues.

     While the ownership of the Makahiki Grounds will remain with Hawaiʻi County, Hoʻomalu Kaʻū also owns and stewards 15 acres of native dryland forest near Ocean View just off Hwy. 11.
     Testimony can be submitted tomorrow in person in Hilo, or via remote video at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building, 95-5669 Māmalahoa Highway, at 9 a.m.
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.

100 PERCENT DISABLED VETS WILL HAVE ZERO PROPERTY TAXES, if a measure proposed by County Council member Dru Kanuha passes. The measure would replace the phrase "totally disabled" with "100 percent disabled or 100 percent unemployable, or both." It would exempt disabled or unemployable veterans from all real property tax, where "totally disabled" veterans are currently subject to the minimum tax.

Manuel Nunes, who came to Hawaiʻi in
1879, is credited with helping to introduce
the ʻukulele to Hawaiian culture.
Photo from Wikipedia

FUNDING FOR COMMEMORATION OF THE 140TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PORTUGUESE ARRIVAL TO HAWAIʻI goes for final approval to the County Council on Wednesday. The money would go to the Hawaiʻi Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce Cultural and Educational Center. Introduced by Council member Maile David, the appropriation totals $2,000.

     The Portuguese first arrived to the Hawaiian Islands in 1878. They sailed in family groups, with more than 16,000 individuals arriving through 1911. They worked in the plantations, often becoming field bosses or "luna" and mill department managers. Some received land from the plantations. Many homesteaded, becoming farmers and ranchers. The U.S. offered them citizenship in 1898 when Hawaiʻi become a territory. Many of them came from Medeiros and Azores, Portuguese islands where they lived in agricultural communities.

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.

MORE MONEY TO FIGHT AGRICULTURAL CRIMES will go to the county Prosecuting Attorney's office from federal grants. The County Council plans to add the funds to the county operating budged, with a total appropriation of $198,789 to protect farmers and ranchers and prosecuted thieves. The Council is accepted to the funding at Wednesday's meeting.

Money lost by the disaster in lower Puna, once earmarked for
mass transit, is planned to be replaced and increased by money
from the .5 percent Hawaiʻi County tax increase.
See stories, right and below.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL IS FACING A SHORTFALL IN EXPECTED INCOME from property taxes in areas destroyed and isolated by recent lava flows and related fires. The County Council will vote tomorrow on a plan for reduce expected revenues in the county's Real Property Taxes account by $3.9 million. The reduction in tax income is related to devaluation of properties destroyed or rendered inaccessible by the 2018 Kīlauea lava flow. The shortfalls will reduce expenditures by the Public Access Open Space Preservation Fund (-$78,000), Public Access Open Space Preservation Maintenance Fund (-$9,750); Information Technology (-$10,105), Planning (-$30,000), Business Development-Research and Development (-$10,000), Mass Transit (-$2,712,145), and Mass Transit Equipment (-$1,050,000).

WITH THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX GOING UP by .5 PERCENT in Hawaiʻi County, the County expects extra income of $10 million. The County Council is expected tomorrow to establish two new General Excise Tax Surcharge Mass Transit expenditure accounts, as follows: Other Current Expenses ($4,412,145) and Equipment ($3,587,855). The remaining $2 million is appropriated to the Transfer to Capital Projects Fund expenditure account to be used for bus shelters and road improvement projects.

Map of the lower East Rift Zone lava flows, since May. $225,000 is
expected to be used for a new volcanic risk and vulnerability assessment
for Hawaiʻi County. Map from USGS

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.

FEDERAL FUNDING OF $225,000 IS GOING TO HAWAIʻI COUNTY for a Risk and Vulnerability Assessment – Volcanic Hazard. Funds will be used by the county Department of Research and Development to update the volcanic risk and vulnerability assessment of the Hawai‘i County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The County Council is expected to approve its funding at its meeting Wednesday.

A NEW ETHICS BILL FOR OFFICERS AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES goes before the County Council Wednesday for first reading. It would require that County representatives provide accurate and factual information to the public to the best of each officer's or employee's abilities and knowledge. The measure was up for first reading and proceeds to second and final reading at a future council meeting.

HAWAIʻI ISLAND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BOARD could receive funding from the County Council Wednesday for $4,063 to "engage with the private sector to identify employment and training needs."

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.

Image from prh.noaa.gov/cphc

HIGH SURF FROM HURRICANE NORMAN is forecast to affect southeast and windward shores of Hawaiʻi Island. East swells tonight are expected at 5 feet, going up to 9 feet by tomorrow night. A small craft advisory is set through Friday morning for southeast and windward waters. Civil Defense says boat owners and oceanfront residents are urged to be on alert for high and dangerous surf conditions, complete preparations before nightfall, and be prepared as conditions can change rapidly. More information on hurricane preparedness can be found at hawaiicounty.gov/emergency-preparedness.

     As of 5 p.m. today, Category 1 Hurricane Norman was 625 miles east of Hilo, moving at 12 miles per hour, with winds at 80 mph.  While Norman was moving west toward Hawai`i, it was expected to head west-northwest tomorrow, then northwest on Thursday, avoiding the islands but remaining at hurricane strength into Thursday.

     Category 3 Major Hurricane Olivia, more than 2,000 miles east of Hawaiʻi, is still headed west, traveling 12 mph as of 5 p.m., with winds at 125 mph. 

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.

APPLYING FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE from FEMA or for a low-interest disaster loan application to the Small Business Administration both have a deadline of Wednesday, Sept. 12. This is specific to those seeking aid for the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano eruption and earthquakes disaster. Apply for assistance from FEMA at disasterassistance.gov. Apply for an SBA at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

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 Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

KAʻŪ TROJANS FALL SPORTS SCHEDULE

Football:

   Thu., Sept. 6, 6pm, @ Pāhoa
   Sat., Sept. 15, 1pm, @ Kohala
   Sat., Sept. 22, 3:30pm, host Lanai @ Keaʻau
   Sat., Sept. 29, 11am, host Pāhoa

   Sat, Oct 6, 12pm, host Kohala

Girls Volleyball:
   Wed., Sept. 5, 6pm, host Pāhoa
   Wed., Sept. 12, 6pm, @ Christian Liberty
   Fri., Sept. 14, @ Kamehameha
   Mon., Sept. 17, 6pm, host Lapahoehoe
   Wed., Sept. 19, 6pm, host Kohala
   Thu., Sept. 20, 6pm, @ Honokaʻa
   Tue., Sept. 25, 6pm, @ HPA
   Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
   Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS

   Tues, Oct 2, 6pm, @ Kealakehe

   Fri, Oct 5, 6pm, host Keaʻau

Cross Country:

   Sat., Sept. 8, 10am, @ Kamehameha
   Sat., Sept. 15, 10am, Keaʻau
   Sat., Sept. 22, 9am, @ HPA
   Fri., Sept. 28, 6pm, host Kona
   Mon., Oct. 1, 6pm, host HAAS

   Sat, Oct 6, 2pm, @ Kealakehe

NEW and UPCOMING

Join Volcano Art Center's new weekly 

series, Aloha Wednesday Art Classes, 

starting tomorrow. 

Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

VOLCANO ART CENTER OPENS A NEW WEEKLY ART CLASS SERIES, Aloha Wednesday, focusing on visual arts, starting Wednesday, Sept. 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at their Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. The event description posted on volcanoartcenter.org, states the classes will include a wide range of arts, such as botanical sketching, ‘ohe kāpala (bamboo stamping), lauhala weaving, lei making, fabric dying, mosaic design, and more.

     The September classes - Sept. 5, 12, 19, and 26 - focus on lauhala weaving. The class subjects will vary as well as materials and supply fees needed. For more, call 967-8222. See volcanoartcenter.org.

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.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 5

Family Yoga Class, Wed., Sept. 5, 3-4pm, PARENTS, Inc., Nāʻālehu. Wonderful way to embody connection. 3-12 years old and caregivers. All levels welcome. Wear comfortable clothes; bring a mat, if can, as supplies are limited. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Hawaiʻi Parents Meeting, Wed., Sept. 5, 5:30-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org/calendar, 939-7033

Arts and Crafts Activity: Craft Stick Puzzle Hanging (Grandparents Day Craft), Wed., Sept. 5, 3:30-5pm, Pāhala Community Center. For keiki in grades K-8. Register through Sept. 4. Free. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, 928-3102

THURSDAY, SEPT. 6

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu., Sept. 6, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Volleyball Clinic, Thu., Sept. 6, 6-8pm, Kaʻū District Gym. For keiki in 3rd through 12th grade. Register through Sept. 5. Covered shoes necessary. hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation, 928-3102

FRIDAY, SEPT. 7

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Meeting, Fri., Sept. 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

SATURDAY, SEPT. 8

Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Sat., Sept. 8, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Kāwā Community Workday, Sat., Sept. 8. Meet at 9:30am at Northern Gate, Kāwā. Sign up with James Akau, Nā Mamo o Kāwā, at namamookawa@gmail.com, jakau@nmok.org, or 561-9111. nmok.org

Hiʻiaka and Pele, Sat., Sept. 8, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Discover Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena they represent on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

Zentangle: Fancy Fiddles w/Dina Wood Kageler, Sat., Sept. 8, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, Volcano Village. Celebrates Volcano's Hāpuʻu tree ferns. Loaner supplies available. Zentangle Basics and watercolor experience helpful but not required. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Bring light refreshment to share. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

SUNDAY, SEPT. 9

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua, Sun., Sept. 9, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ʻōhiʻa lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ʻōhiʻa tree and its flower, on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/HAVO

5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival, Sun., Sept. 9, 4-7pm, Volcano Winery. Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine, and raffle. $40/adult (21+). Purchase tickets in advance. 967-7772, volcanowinery.com

MONDAY, SEPT. 10

Kaʻū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Sept. 10 and 24, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. A parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Kaʻū. Contact prior to attending to confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

TUESDAY, SEPT. 11

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nāʻālehu, Tue., Sept. 11, 4-6pm, 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

ONGOING

5th Annual Volcano Winery Harvest Festival tickets on sale for event on Sun., Sept. 9. Benefit for Volcano School of Arts and Sciences. Music, food, wine, and raffle. $40/adult (21+). 967-7772, volcanowinery.com

5th Annual Kaʻū Coffee Trail Run Registration Open, online at webscorer.com/register?raceid=128145. Fees through Sept. 10: 5K, $35/person; 10K, $45/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $55/person. Fees Sept. 11-20:  5K, $55/person; 10K, $65/person; and 1/2 Marathon, $75/person. On Race Day, $75 per person, any race. Race Day is Sat., Sept. 22, 7 a.m.; begins and ends at Kaʻū Coffee Mill, kaucoffeemill.com. Event organizers: ʻO Kaʻū Kākou, okaukakou.org.

Activities at Kahuku Park - within Hawaiian Ocean View Estates - over the next two months, include two physical activities, three arts and crafts activities, and a Park Beautification Day.
     For all ages:

     - Friendship Bracelets: Wed., Sept. 19, 3 to 4 p.m. Registration open Sept. 10 through 14.
     - Park Beautification Day: Fri., Sept. 28, 1:30 to 4 p.m. Registration open Sept. 19 through 26.
     Activities are free to attend. For more, call Teresa Anderson at 929-9113 or visit the park during business hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 12:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.

Free Arts and Crafts Activities at Pāhala Comunity Center happen on Wednesdays in September, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., through the end of Sept., for keiki in Kindergarten through 8th grade.

     - Sept. 12: Dove Foldable For Peace. Register through Sept. 11.
     - Sept. 19: Handprint Tree Art. Register Sept. 13 through 18.
     - Sept. 26: Beaded Wind Chime. Register Sept. 19 through 25.
     For more, call 928-3102 or visit the community center during business hours: Monday-Thursday and Saturday, from noon to 8 p.m., or Friday, from 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/.

Tūtū and Me Traveling Preschool’s Temporary Nāʻālehu Location is Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu. Meeting days and times remain the same: Mondays and Wednesdays, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. Pāhala site program meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
     Tūtū and Me also offers home visits to those with keiki zero to five years old, to aid with parenting tips and strategies, educational resources, and a compassionate listening ear. Free. Visits last 1.5 hours, two to four times a month, total of 12 visits. Snacks are provided.
     To enroll in either program, fill out enrollment forms found at pidf.org/programs/tutu_and_me/enrollment_forms, or call Linda Bong at 464-9634. Questions: Clark at 929-8571 or eclark@pidfountation.org.

Volunteers Needed by St. Jude's Episcopal Church for community outreach, especially soup cooks and shower organizers, towel laundry, alter guild, and for the computer lab. Volunteers do not have to be members of the church. "Volunteering for St. Jude's Saturday Shower and Soup ministry is an opportunity to serve God in a powerful way," states St. Jude's. Contact Dave Breskin, 319-8333.

Ocean View Vet Center Visits Suspended until further notice. Veterans, call 329-0574 for VA benefit information. ovcahi.org

Harmony Educational Services, Home Based Educational Programs - Open Enrollment through Oct 15; harmonyed.com/hawaii. Partnered with four local public charter schools, Harmony offers benefits of homeschooling with resources available to public schools. Interested families can also contact Rayna Williams at rwilliams@harmonyed.com or 430-9798.

Disaster Recovery Center open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Pāhoa Neighborhood Center at 15-3022 Kauhale St. See information applicants need to bring, or register online, at fema.gov/disaster/4366. If you are a survivor who has left the area, call 800-621-3362. Salvation Army distribution center at Pāhoa Community Center on Tue, Thu, and Sat, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. To donate, contact 756-0306.

Find Your Park, invites Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, to kamaʻaina and tourist alike. Experience authentic Hawaiian cultural programs, guided hikes, After Dark events, and more from Kaʻū to Volcano to Hilo, while the partial closure of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park continues.

     Free of charge, with no entry fees, rangers offer new and familiar programs at Kahuku Unit, Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus, and Mokupāpapa Discovery Center and Prince Kūhio Plaza in Hilo.

Kahuku Unit

     Kahuku events are posted to the park website, nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/kahuku-hikes.htm.

     Regularly scheduled Guided Hikes, monthly Coffee Talk, daily Ranger Talks, with cultural demonstrations and activities on weekends.

     Guided Hikes on Saturdays and Sundays begin at 9:30 a.m. Meet the ranger at the welcome tent. Can't make a guided hike but want to get to know Kahuku better? The Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will tailor a customized trek just for you. Contact Friends through their website. Proceeds support Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

     Coffee Talk, held the last Friday of the month, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station. Dr. Frank Bonaccorsoreveals "A Day in the Life of ʻŌpeʻapeʻa - the Hawaiian Hoary Bat," and shares a 24-hour cycle of the only land mammal native to Hawaiʻi on Fri., Aug. 31.

     Ranger Talks introduce the natural, cultural and historic attributes of Kahuku on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     ʻIke Hana No ʻEau: Experience the Skillful Work Cultural Demonstrations and Activities, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., at the Visitor Contact Station.

     Picnic in the Park: Join Kahuku for Hawaiian music and hula. Bring a picnic lunch or opt to buy lunch from food trucks on this family-friendly day. Supported by the Friends of Hawaiʻi VolcanoesNational Park. Sun., Sept. 16, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus

     Find Park Rangers in Volcano Village daily, at the Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus at 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd. Rangers are there 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide talks and answer questions about the current eruption.

     After Dark Near the Park at the Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus. Each event will have a different subject matter.

Mokupāpapa Discovery Center

     Find Park Rangers in downtown Hilo, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rangers provide daily eruption updates. At 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., they give a talk about all five of Hawaiʻi Island's volcanoes, including Kīlauea. Get NPS Passport Books stamped. Located at 76 Kamehameha Ave., Hilo.

Prince Kūhio Plaza

     Find Park Rangers alongside the park's non-profit partner, Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association, at their brand new mall store.

Grand Naniloa Hotel

     Find Park Rangers stationed at the Grand Naniloa Hotel in downtown Hilo on Sundays and Mondays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rangers provide eruption updates at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The park film that is normally available to visitors at Kīlauea Visitor Center at the Summit, Born of Fire, Born in the Sea, is shown every half-hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

     Park rangers also greet incoming arrivals at the Hilo International Airport, welcome cruise ship passengers as they disembark at the Port of Hilo, and inform visitors at ʻImiloa Astronomy Center most Sundays.

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.