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Saturday, January 19, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, January 19, 2019

A keiki full of kindness met the Kaʻū Voices group at the Women's Wave March in Hilo today.
See more below. Photo by Laurie Boyle
PRES. DONALD TRUMP'S SPEECH TO THE NATION ON THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN drew a response from Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, following his talk that was broadcast from the White House today. Said Hirono, "This is yet another bogus offer from a president who changes his mind on a whim and can't be trusted. Instead of succumbing to the president's strategy of negotiating through hostage taking, Mitch McConnell should bring the House passed bills to the floor of the Senate for a vote and end this shutdown."
     Hirono referred to bills to reopen the federal government that already passed the U.S. House of Representatives but are held up by Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell, who could put them to a vote in the Senate and reopen the government. In a letter to constituents, Hirono said that Trump
"negotiates through hostage-taking, which hurts federal workers, contractors, and their families. House Democrats have taken the responsible course of action and passed numerous bills to reopen the government. If the president's 'hostage-taking' negotiations are successful, he will resort to this tactic again and again. We need to send a clear message this tactic is not only unacceptable, but unconscionable. That's why it's beyond time Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stop hiding and continuing to enable the president to wreak havoc on millions of families, our economy, and our country." She asks for constituents to sign a petition to help bring the House-passed legislation to end the shutdown up for a vote in the Senate immediately.

     Instead, McConnell announced that he would put Trump's plan before the Senate. The plan calls for $800 million in urgent humanitarian assistance; $805 million for drug detection technology to help secure ports of entry; an additional 2,750 border agents and law enforcement professionals; and 75 new immigration judge teams to reduce the court backlog of 900,000 cases.
     The president said that in order to build trust and goodwill, he proposes three years of legislative relief for 700,000 DACA recipients brought here unlawfully by their parents at a young age - many years ago. The extension would give them access for work permits and social security numbers, and protection from deportation. Trump said he would also give a three-year extension of temporary protective status - affecting 300,000 immigrants whose protective status is facing expiration. He said the extensions would give time to come up with a larger immigration policy.
     Trump's plans still includes $5.7 billion for a wall to block immigrants from coming across the Mexican border. He also refrained from promising to reopen the government.
The Coast Guard, on Friday, became
 the first branch of the military to go
without paychecks during a
government shutdown.
     Critics said the president failed to mention the federal workers suffering from the shutdown - accusing Trump of holding them hostage until he receives his wall money. Democrats said they would refrain from negotiating on immigration until he reopens the government.
     Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted, "There are three separate and coequal branches of government and there is no stunt, press conference, or tweet that will change that." House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi called Trump's plan a "not starter."
     In the meantime military insurance giant USAA and other financial institutions are offering government employees delayed insurance payments and other services until their income is restored. USAA also provided a donation to the U.S. Coast Guard, where more than 40,000 service members went without a paycheck on Friday, becoming the first military branch to go unpaid during a government shutdown.

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.

NOVA WILL PROFILE THE 2108 ERUPTION ON THIS ISLAND in a new PBS documentary—Kīlauea: Hawaiʻi on Fire — premiering this Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 9 p.m. It will also stream on NOVA's websiteThe documentary includes interviews of Volcano residents Tom Peeks and Catherine RobbinsPeeks said, "While the documentary, like other NOVA programs, will focus on the scientific aspects of the eruption, it will also likely include discussion of its human impact and cultural and socio-political aspects, topics we discussed on camera as Volcano residents and former eruption rangers at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Hawaiʻi On Fire is the PBS NOVA documentary, profiling the 2018 eruption. It airs this Wednesday, 
Jan. 23, at 9 p.m.  Image from NOVA/PBS
     "We have not seen the film yet, but based on the questions we were asked by the filmmakers during the early stages of the eruption, we are hopeful that its rendering of this life-changing Big Island event will be probing and respectful. We'll see on Wednesday," Peeks said.
     Peeks, author of Daughters of Fire and other works, will host a workshop, Writing for Inner Exploration and Life Reflection, Saturday, March 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Volcano Art Center's Niaulani Campus. To register, contact the Art Center at 808-967-8222.

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.

STORIES FROM THE SUMMIT will feature ten Volcano-area residents sharing personal, sometimes harrowing, stories of the 2018 summit eruption with its explosions, earthquakes, ashfalls, and collapsing caldera. The presentation is this Thursday, Jan. 24, at 6:30 p.m., in the Dietrich Varez Hall at Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus. Tom Peek will emcee the event.

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.

Kaʻū Voices: Melissa Tveter, Missi Wheeler, Linda Berry, Larry Jonas, and visitor at the Women's Wave March in Hilo.
Photo by Laurie Boyle
KAʻŪ VOICES group registered voters today at the Women's Wave March in Hilo. Signs posted at the booth included Medicare for All; Invoke the 25th Revoke #45; Rise Above Fear, Inequality and Complacency; and Liar Liar (with drawing of pants on fire.)
Laurie Boyle and Judy Knapp
Meliha Corcoran and
Linda Morgan from
Kaʻū.
    Today was the third march in three years. Among the group's chants: "This is what Democracy Looks Like."
    Marches took place in Kona, Washington, D.C. and many cities and towns across Hawaiʻi and the country.

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.

ROOFTOP SOLAR IN HAWAIʻI INCREASED BY 5.3 PERCENT from 2017 to 2018, reports Hawaiʻi Electric Light. Hawai‘i is first in the nation in private rooftop solar, at 18 percent, with Hawaiʻi Island increasing from 15 percent to 16 percent from 2017 to 2018.
Rooftop solar produces 63 megawatts on Hawaiʻi Island.
Photo by Annie Bosted
     Statewide, nearly 4,000 new systems came online in 2018, supporting the drive to reach the state's next milestone of 30 percent renewable energy by 2020. Hawai‘i's percentage is more than double that of Connecticut, which is second at 6.8%. Hawaiʻi Island produces 63 megawatts from rooftop solar.
     Hawaiian Electric senior vice president of customer service Jim Alberts said, "We are extremely proud of the progress we've made as a company and as a state to build steady growth in residential rooftop solar. Rooftop solar is a critical piece of the renewable mix that will move the state toward a 100 percent clean energy future, and we're excited to see the numbers increase year after year."

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.

FREE CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS happen in Pāhala on Tuesday. Jan. 22, and Waiʻōhinu on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program is sponsored by Partners for Safe Keiki, Tūtū and Me, and Hawaiʻi County Fire Department, a coalition of Partners of Keiki, and Safe Grant Hawaiʻi.
     "Three of four car seats are not installed correctly," say the sponsors. "Feel free to post, share and circulate to help us to reach as many Kaʻū residents as possible. There is no eligibility requirement for these inspections. Just come with your vehicle, keiki and car seat(s)!" To make an appointment, call 896-1336.

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.

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
Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball:
Jan. 25, Fri., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Jan. 26, Sat., BIIF Div. II Finals
Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA
Boys Basketball:
Jan. 21, Mon., @Hilo6pm
Jan. 23, Wed., @Laupāhoehoe, 6pm, Varsity
Jan. 28, Mon. host Kanu, 6pm, Varsity
Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals
Wrestling:
Jan. 26, Sat., @HPA
Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo
Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau
Soccer:
Jan. 21, Mon., Girls BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Jan. 22, Tue., Boys @Kohala
Jan. 23, Wed., Girls BIIF Div. II Finals
Jan. 28, Mon., Boys BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Jan. 30, Wed., Boys BIIF Div. II Finals
Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA
Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA
Swimming:
Jan. 25, Fri., BIIF Trials @KCAC, 3:30pm
Jan. 26, Sat., BIIF Finals @KCAC, 1pm
Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA
Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING
PARKS AND RECREATION TRACK AND FIELD PRACTICE, for keiki ages 6 to 14, continues at Kahuku Park on Fridays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., through Feb. 22. Athletic shoes are required. Open registration.
     For more, contact Recreation Technician Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. Kahuku Park is located at 92-8607 Paradise Circle Mauka, Ocean View. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/ for hours.

OUTDOOR PLAY EQUIPMENT - volleyball, basketball, dodge ball, football, jump rope, hula hoop - free for keiki ages 6 to 14 to use at Kahuku Park on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
     For more, contact Recreation Technician Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. Kahuku Park is located at 92-8607 Paradise Circle Mauka, Ocean View. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/ for hours of operation.

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.

MONDAY, JANUARY 21
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Mon., Jan. 21, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tue., Jan. 22 (Committees), Wed., Jan. 23, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tue., Jan. 22, 10am, HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com

The Wonderful World of Wine and Watercolor, Tue., Jan. 22, 4-7pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Nancy DeLucrezia shows how to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper and introduces basic techniques. Participants enjoy a sampling of several wines from Grapes store in Hilo. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $17 supply fee/person. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

The following event is cancelled due to partial government shutdown: After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - What Happened at the Summit of Kīlauea in 2018?, Tue., Jan. 22, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. USGS geophysicist Kyle Anderson presents. Free; donations accepted. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23
Lei - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau - Experience the Skillful Work, will take place, despite partial government shutdown on Wed., Jan. 23, 10-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu., Jan. 24, 12-1:30pm, Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Monthly 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, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us


Thursday Night at the Center: Stories from the Summit, Thu., Jan. 24, 6:30-8:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. An evening of personal accounts by Volcano residents from the 90 consecutive days of earthquakes this past summer. Hosted by Volcano novelist Tom Peek. Includes tales from USGS HVO Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal and others living and working at Kīlauea's summit. Free, $5 donation suggested. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
Human Trafficking Workshop, Fri., Jan. 25, 9:30-12:30pm, PARENTS, Inc. Office, Nā‘ālehu. Conducted by Melody Stone. Open to interested educators and community leaders: non-profit organizations, police dept., etc. Pre-registration appreciated. 430-5710



SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
Kīlauea Crisis Support Group Mtg., Sat., Jan. 26, 10-11am, Ocean View Community Center. Drinks and snacks provided. Last Saturday, monthly. Sponsored by CARE Hawai‘i, Inc. - Team Ahā, Crisis Counseling Program. 329-4817

Kula Kai View Estates Annual Mtg., Sat., Jan. 26, 10-11am, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

Mixed Media Encaustic w/Mary Milelzcik, Sat. Jan. 26, 10-2:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member, plus $25 supply fee/person. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Mo‘olelo - Stories - of Volcano, Sat., Jan. 26, 11-2pm, Volcano Garden Arts, 19-3834 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Village. Hawaiian historian and storyteller Kepa Maly shares traditions and history of Kīlauea and the lands upon which Pele dances in the Pu‘ulena wind. $35/person, lunch included. Limited space. Register w/Volcano Community Foundation, volcanocommunity@gmail.com, 885-1011


ONGOING
Applications for the first annual Acton Children's Business Fair in Pāhala are open through Friday, Jan. 25. The fair, on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., aims to inspire children to "discover their inner entrepreneur," states childrensbusinessfair.org. "The largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America, this one-day market gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses."
     Planned for keiki ages 7 to 18 from all over the island, the event is hosted at River of Life Assembly of God, 96-2345 Paʻauau St., Pāhala.
     The flyer for the event says, "Whether an entrepreneur is famous like Elon Musk or Oprah Winfrey, or they are one of the thousands of unsung business owners across the country, these are the people who make sacrifices to innovate, create jobs, and serve their communities. We want to encourage our youth to reach whatever goals they may have in owning their own businesses. This event gives them the experience at doing so."
     The application asks kids to think through elements of their business: What product or service do you plan to sell? What price will you charge for each product/service? How much will each product/service cost you? How will you pay for your startup costs? If someone is helping you with your startup costs, how will you pay that person back? How will you advertise/market your business before the fair? At the end of the fair, how will you determine if your business was a success?
     Up to 15 businesses will be accepted to show their business at the fair. Up to three children are allowed per business. A donation of $5 per business is required. Booths will not have electricity. Parents are not allowed to sell or promote a child's product or service, though parents of younger children may sit in the booth so long as the child is responsible for set up, customer interactions, and sales. Parents may help their child fill out the application; however, the child should do as much as possible by themselves.
     To submit an application, visit childrensbuisnessfair.org/pahala. For more details, contact Regina Walker at 400-4722 or email pahalacbf@gmail.com.
     The Pāhala event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, Wiki Wiki Mart, KRW Enterprises, and individual donors and volunteers. "We all believe that principled entrepreneurs are heroes and role models for the next generation," states the website.

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.

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

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.

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.