Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, January 7, 2019

The old Nāʻālehu Fruit Stand property was cleared late last year in hopes of providing a site for senior housing in
 Nāʻālehu. A meeting on the subject will be held Sunday, Jan 27, at 4 p.m., at Nāʻālehu Community Center, 
sponsored by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Photo by Nalani Parlin

SENIOR HOUSING FOR NĀʻĀLEHU is the subject of a Special Meeting called by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou at Nāʻālehu Community Center for Sunday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m. A flyer distributed throughout the community promises an "Update on the Fruit Stand Project property. We would like input from all of our local residents. Please try to attend. We need our communities' voice regarding this project."

     OKK has been negotiating the purchase of the old Nāʻālehu Fruit Stand property mauka of Hwy 11 in Nāʻālehu in order to build senior housing. Many volunteers have provided labor and equipment for clearing the 1.9 acres, including during a cleanup today. A fundraiser with OKK Pres. Wayne Kawachi walking 100 miles – in his slippahs – last January to raise money for the project brought in $55,000. Additional money has been donated since his walk, some through fundraisers like a spaghetti dinner at St. Jude's Church.

Wayne Kawachi and his support crew at Mile 7 along his 100-mile walk last 

January to raise money to build senior housing in Nā‘ālehu. Photo from OKK

     Should there be the need for the housing, OKK would aim to purchase the land from Asha Mallick, who is offering to sell it at a discount for the project. Once in possession of the property, OKK would build some 25 to 30 housing units for seniors, cooperating with government and other nonprofit organizations.

     Kawachi said at the beginning of his campaign that there are so few housing locations in Ka‘ū, he is worried that some seniors will have nowhere to live.

     See okaukakou.org or call Kawachi 937-4773  for more.

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.

ELECTRICITY FROM SOLAR, to be generated on the west side of the island, is promised at a lower cost than power from Hū Honua bioenergy north of Hilo, which would burn eucalyptus grown in Kaʻū and elsewhere. The large solar farms would also produce power at lower cost than proposed industrial solar installations planned for lots in Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos, according to filings with the state Public Utilities Commission.

     In their proposals before the PUC, AES Distributed Energy promises 30 megawatts with battery storage on 200 acres southeast of Waikola Village to sell to Hawaiʻi Electric Light Co. at 8 cents per kilowatt hour. Innergex proposes to produce 30 megawatts with battery storage at Hale Kuawehi on 300 Parker Ranch acres near the intersection of old Saddle Road and Māmalahoa Highway. The cost to HELCO would be 9 cents per kilowatt hour.

Objections to solar installations in Hawaiian Ocean View
Ranchos range from the high cost to unsightly security
fences in residential neighborhoods. Photo by Annie Bosted

     Those producing the westside solar projects, according to HELCO's new rules, are required to interact with communities that would be affected by the location of the solar farms. Meetings have been held at Waikoloa.

     Developers of the solar proposals claim their projects could cut an average household electric bill by about $7 per month by 2023, assuming they go online in 2022. The savings could help offset the proposed HELCO rate hike of 3.4 percent, which would hike the average family electric bill by $8.25 a month.

     In a press release, Hawaiian Electric, parent company of HELCO, says that seven solar projects statewide "will help stabilize customer costs while reducing our reliance on imported fossil fuel and cutting greenhouse gas emissions."

     The cost of producing electricity using fossil fuel on this island is about 15 cents per kilowatt hour, the company states.

     The Hū Honua project promises to produce electricity at a cost of 22.1 cents per kilowatt hour to HELCO. SPI Energy, which proposes the Ranchos solar farms, would receive 23 cents per kilowatt hour from HELCO under the Feed in Tariff program, if a key component of the project is approved by the PUC.

     The Feed in Tariff program was launched in 2008 to wean Hawaiʻi from fossil fuels for electric power. The plan was for 32 small projects, each around 250 kilowatts, around the island so that farmers and ranchers could use fallow agricultural land to produce solar power. The rates were set at a level generous to attract them.

Industrial solar farms are incentivized by federal and state tax credits, but proposed installations will cost consumers 

less per kilowatt hour than other installations proposed in recent years. Photo by Annie Bosted

     One developer gained permission to develop 26 Feed Tariff projects. The investor purchased three-acre house sites in Ranchos neighborhoods and planned mini solar farms for each of them. Combined, they would create an industrial-scale project of 6.5 megawatts.

     With the small lots the developer would be paid a higher price for "small scale" production than it from one big solar farm. The project completion date was set for September, 2012. Two Ranchos residents filed a complaint with the PUC on Sept. 16, 2016. As a result of that complaint, an application by HELCO for a key overhead transmission line was put on hold by the PUC, effectively stalling the project to this day.

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.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, speaking at a meeting of NORML,
a group working to reform marijuana laws.
Photo from Gabbard's Flickr

ENDING MARIJUANA PROHIBITION is a goal of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who said in a message to her constituents yesterday:

     "America's federal marijuana prohibition affects people from every community in our country. Medical patients, veterans, low-income, and minority communities bear the brunt of the impact of our draconian drug policies. The drug war is used as an excuse to militarize the border and increase our country's prison population -- the largest in the world. Instead of reigning in the reckless greed of Big Pharma and the drug lobby, our policies addict and then punish Americans who can least afford it."

     Gabbard asks the public to add their name to a petition to end marijuana prohibition. She says the focus of Congress members should be ending federal marijuana prohibition, expunging the records for people with nonviolent marijuana offenses, and passing a bill for the President to sign.

Marijuana prohibition reform in on the mind of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. 

She is asking the public to sign a petition, urging Congress to 

address the issue of changing the federal legal status of marijuana. 

Photo from Gabbard's Facebook

     "Last Congress, I introduced the Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act," writes Gabbard. "We have even more momentum to pass it in this 116th Congress. Marijuana is listed as a Schedule I drug by the Federal Controlled Substances Act -- the same as heroin and other deadly narcotics. Yet a former Speaker of the House sits on the advisory board of a cannabis company and tobacco companies are investing in cannabis. If we don't take a stand now to put people first, the profiteers will continue to rig the system to their benefit.

     "Federal law is in conflict with the laws of states across our country that have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use. It's time to stop the drug war for a substance that medical professionals, veterans groups, and public servants on both sides of the aisle agree is painfully over-regulated."

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.

RAISING KIDS IN HAWAIʻI IS SAFER than in almost any other state, according to a report from SafeHome.org. Four broad categories were used to assess safety.

     Hawaiʻi ranks second safest, after New Hampshire. Hawaiʻi ranks as second lowest in childhood poverty, 11th lowest in child abuse, 24th lowest in youth murders, and 23rd lowest in school shootings.

     The study says there is "no broad national definition of what is considered child abuse." The national data covers medical neglect, physical abuse, psychological maltreatment, sexual abuse, and other forms of abuse perpetrated against children by caregivers. But, the report says, many states do not report some forms of abuse to federal databases: in 2016, only 40 states reported medical neglect.

     "Neglect is by far the most common type of child abuse reported in the U.S., and in 2016, it accounted for nearly 65 percent of child abuse cases," says the report.

     Hawaiʻi ranks in the top 5 for each category, meaning it has relatively low rates of child abuse across all the areas reported.

     A report of child abuse is made every 10 seconds in the United States, and the U.S. has among the worst child abuse and neglect records in the industrialized world, says the report. "Child abuse and neglect have long-term consequences, with the emotional and psychological scars lasting long after bruises have healed. Studies have repeatedly tied traumatic childhood events (abuse, incarceration of a parent or mental illness and addiction in the family, among others), to poor adult health and even premature death.

     "If you see something, say something." Report suspicious behavior to police, local agencies, or call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. Learn more about the signs of child abuse at usa.gov/crimes-against-children#item-36422.

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 High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, Fri., host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm

Jan. 21, Mon., @Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 23, Wed., @Laupāhoehoe, 6pm, Varsity

Wrestling:

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Jan. 19, Sat., @Keaʻau

Soccer:

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Jan. 18, Fri., Boys host Pāhoa

Jan. 21, Mon., Girls BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Jan. 22, Tue., Boys @Kohala

Jan. 23, Wed., Girls BIIF Div. II Finals

Swimming:

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 19, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

INTRODUCTION TO ZENTANGLE WITH ELLEN O'DUNN, at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village, takes place Saturday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
     The Zentangle method is an "easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Almost anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense of personal well-being. The Zentangle Method is enjoyed all over the world, across a wide range of skills, interests, and ages. We believe that life is an art form and that our Zentangle Method is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life," states the event description on volcanoartcenter.org.

     The class provides a background in the history of Zentangle, introducing participants to the basic steps of the method, and exposing students to the associated vocabulary and tools used. Participants will create Zentangle tiles using five elemental strokes, the repetitive nature of the process bringing "a state of relaxed focus that some call meditation. The Zentangle Method, developed by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, will fuel your creativity as you discover that 'Anything is possible – one stroke at a time,'" states the description.
     Principles of the Zentangle method, as stated by volcanoartcenter.org are: there is no up or down; there is no left or right; it's non-representational; strokes are deliberate; there are no mistakes; and it is fun and relaxing. Benefits of a Zentangle practice, as stated by volcanoartcenter.org are: confidence, empowerment, focus, inspiration, relaxation, and increased awareness.
     A Certified Zentangle Teacher (CZT) has been trained by Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts to guide students in the mindful, meditative practice of the Zentangle method. During the class, she will demonstrate the tangle patterns and techniques in a supportive, encouraging, and caring environment. "The method can be used to conquer your stress and relax your mind. It has been described as yoga for the brain," states the description.

     To join the three hour class, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org to register. The class fee is $30 per Volcano Art Center member, or $35 per non-member, plus a $10 supply fee. All supplies are included. Participants are asked to bring a light refreshment to share.
     It is recommended, but not required, that students attend a Basics class, such as this, before taking other Zentangle classes.

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.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue., Jan. 8 (Committees), Wed., Jan. 9, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Jan. 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tue., Jan. 8, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

CANCELLED: After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tue., Jan. 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. USGS HVO geologist Carolyn Parcheta presents. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9

Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits. Dental, Wed., Jan. 9, 8-5pm. Medical, Thu., Jan. 31, 1-5pm. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Wed., Jan. 9, 16, and 31, 9:30-10:30am, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. All ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign up. Free; donations accepted.

Lau Hala - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau - Experience the Skillful Work - Wed., Jan. 9, 10-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Jan. 9 and 23, 2-3:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly. Free. Pre-registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10

Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Thu., Jan. 10, 17, & 31, 9:30-10:30am, Pāhala Senior Center. All ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign up. Free; donations accepted.

Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Jan. 10, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Papa ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i: Beginning Hawaiian Language Classes w/ Kaliko Trapp, Thu., Jan. 10, Part V, 5-6:30pm, Part VIII, 6:30-8pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. 8 week sessions focusing on expanding simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. Some (basic for Part V) Hawaiian language experience preferred. $80/VAC member, $90/non-member. Required workbook for both sessions: Nā Kai ‘Ewalu, available at UH Hilo Bookstore. Hawaiian language dictionary suggested. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Jan. 10, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

STOKE Screening, Thu., Jan. 10, 7-9pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Film follows Jane, a struggling tourist, who hires two wannabe tour guides to take her to an active volcano. 90 min. narrative feature shot on Hawai‘i Island in 2017. Rated R for language and brief nudity. Directors in attendance for brief Q&A. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11

PATCH Class #701, Creating Supportive Environments I, Fri., Jan. 11, 8-11am, back pavilion, Punalu‘u Bakery, Nā‘ālehu. Making connection between the environment, social-emotional development, and challenging behaviors - specifically relating to pre-school, home day care, etc. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.or

PATCH Class #219, Building Relationships, Fri., Jan. 11, noon-3pm, back pavilion, Punalu‘u Bakery, Nā‘ālehu. Making connection between social and emotional development and challenging behaviors - specifically relating to pre-school, home day care, etc. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

Free Artist in Residence Lecture and Concert w/Celebrated Composer Glenn McClure, Fri., Jan. 11, 6pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center. McClure is a composer, educator, and data scientist. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Free Community Dance, Fri., Jan. 11, 7-10pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Coffee, tea, water, and snack provided. Free; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat., Jan. 12, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Stained Glass Basics II: Fan Lamp Project, Sat. & Sun., Jan. 12, 13, 19 and 20, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Claudia McCall provides patterns to create a finished lamp or light catcher at end of 4-session workshop. $90/VAC member, $100/non-member, plus $30 supply fee/person. Additional $20 supply fee for lamp base and bulb. Limited space, pre-registration required. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Jan. 12, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org, facebook.com/namamo.kawa

Introduction to Zentangle w/Ellen O'Dunn, Sat., Jan. 12, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Supplies included, no experience necessary. Bring light refreshment to share. $30, plus $10 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hawai‘i Health Systems Corp.'s East Hawai‘i Region Annual Public Mtg. and Forum, Sat., Jan. 12, 1:30-2:30pm, Ka‘ū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, 1 Kamani Street, Pāhala. Terry Larson, Regional Board Executive Assistant, 315-7558

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13

A Celebration of Life and Art: Honoring the Legacy of Dietrich Varez, Sun., Jan. 13, 1-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

MONDAY, JANUARY 14
Free STD Testing, Mon., Jan. 14, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. 2nd Monday, monthly. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927

ONGOING
The Public is Invited to Speak Up on Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, health needs, and health care planning for Kaʻū. Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp.'s East Hawaiʻi Region annual public meeting and forum will take place Saturday, Jan. 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kaʻū Hospital, 1 Kamani Street, in Pāhala.

     An overview of the operations and financial condition of all facilities, including Kaʻū and Hilo hospitals, as well as a view toward the future, will be presented. Ample time will be available for community members to share their perspectives and concerns regarding access to health care services, said a statement from Hawaiʻi Health Systems.

     Dr. Daniel Belcher, Chair of the East Hawaiʻi Regional Board of HHSC, said, "I would like to encourage everyone who has an interest in our hospitals and regional health system to bring your questions and concerns to this meeting."

     For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Executive Assistant at 315-7558.

Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.

Registration for P&R Boys & Girls, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball League open through Jan. 16, Kahuku Park, H.OV.E. For ages 5-8. Programs run Jan. 22-Apr. 18, game and practice times tba. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Overflow 2019: Uleashing Your Untapped Potential, seven days of prayer and fasting hosted by Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God's Senior Pastor Rev. Kevin T. Brown and Pastor Rick Eilerman, takes place daily at 6 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 13, with a special presentation on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 9:45 a.m., at Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God, 95-5678 Māmalahoa Highway.
     The event features five guest speakers: Pastor Mat Torres of Zion's House of Praise, Pastor Mark Parra of The House Hilo, Pastor Troy Gacayan of River of Life Assembly of God in Pāhala, and Rev. Ken Gaub of Ken Gaub Ministries.
     Ola Shaw of Kona and special guest musician Ricky "RNB" Brown of San Jose, CA, provide music for the event.
     For more, call 929-7278 or see naalehuag.org.

Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.

Applications for a Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are being accepted. The year-long, full-time position is in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona.

     Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.

     Applicants must be at least 17 years old, and possess or be working towards a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must also have their own housing and transportation, a driver's license, and be able to pass a criminal history check.

     The internship is offered through Kupu Hawai‘i. Those interested are asked to fill out an application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation under Conservation Leaders Program as soon as possible. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes in January include Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) in Ka‘ū on Wednesdays, from Jan. 16 through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.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.