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| Kaʻū District Gym's electric vehicle charging station, open Mondays through Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m. and Fridays, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. State Sen. Russell Ruderman, who represents the district where the station is located, opposes charging more to register electric and other alternative vehicles. Photo from bigislandev.org |
Senate Bill 409 SD2, which passed the Senate in spite of Ruderman's negative testimony, would add $15 to the $45 annual registration fee for "electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, and hybrid vehicles, to be deposited into the state highway fund." The measure goes before the state House of Representatives this week. Only Ruderman and Sen. Donna Mercado Kim voted against it.
Ruderman said
Hawaiʻi "has a special role to play in the establishment of electric
vehicles, because we have shorter distances to drive. We have solar all year so that we can charge our cars. We can get electricity to the grid without fossil
fuels. We're the richest state in the richest country.
"But now, we're going to
put the brakes on supporting the transition, now that 2.5 percent of
our cars are electric vehicles and almost four percent are hybrids. We're going put on the brakes because road fees are more important than climate change?"
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| Electric vehicle charging station location at Kaʻū District Gym near Pikake and Kamani Streets. Image from www.bigislandev.org |
According to Ruderman,
"It's been said that electric vehicles need to pay their fair share
because they're so heavy and they do damage to the roads. An electric vehicle
is lighter than the average SUV. It's much lighter than an empty pickup truck.
Road damage has an exponential relationship to the weight of a vehicle. Ninety percent of the damage to roads comes from the heaviest truck.... nine percent comes from the second heaviest vehicle.... one percent comes from all the other vehicles put together. It's not a good
reason to do this."
See the bill and testimony, and submit testimony to the House, at capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=409&year=2019.
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TWO WEEKS OF SIMULATING LIFE ON MARS AND THE MOON ended last Wednesday on Mauna Loa at the Hawaiʻi Space Exploration Analog and Simulation habitat. University of Hawaiʻi organized the HI-SEAS mission with a six-person, international crew. Two more missions are planned for this year.
Geology students Annelotte Weert and Sebastian Mulder mapped for fresh pahoehoe lava flows and lava tubes. They used drone footage, imagery and 3-D mapping in their studies. The surfaces of the Moon and Mars are similar to Hawaiʻi Island. The study of lava flows can help scientists understand what to expect on the moon and Mars. A statement from U.H. noted that lava tubes on the moon could become shelters while habitats are built for humans.
Nityaporn Sirikan, crew engineer for the mission and European Space Agency systems engineer, completed work to enhance space suits and other technologies at the HI-SEAS station. Her efforts "will set a new standard for future missions at the station and feedback from the crew will allow for upgrades to be performed before another mission," said the U.H. statement.
Other crew activities included outreach education by anthropology researcher Benjamin Pothier, journalist Josh Burstein, and crew commander Michaela Musilova of UH Mānoa.
Musilova is chief investigator for HI-SEAS and the International Moonbase Alliance. She organized a Mission to Mars competition last year in Slovakia, which encouraged high school students to design a research experiment for a simulated mission to the Moon or Mars. The winning experiment involved collecting hair from the crew members, dissolving it, and using it as fertilizer to simulate growing plants on the Moon.
Musilova said crew members "participated in all mission research projects and duties. Collectively, we were able to complete the mission and all of our goals." She said she was pleased by "everyone's can-do attitude and teamwork. We got along very well and together we made this mission fulfilling."
Crew activities and research projects were monitored by researchers and engineers at mission control center, based at the Blue Planet Research laboratory, owned by International Moonbase Alliance founder Henk Rogers on Hawaiʻi Island. Bernard Foing, of Eurpoean Space Agency and executive director of International Lunar Exploration Working Group, was main space-crew communicator at mission control throughout the mission.
The mission is under the EuroMoonMars initiative, led by the International Lunar Exploration Working Group of Eurpoean Space Agency, in collaboration with the International Moonbase Alliance, European Space Research and Technology Centre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and HI-SEAS. It is part of a series of projects led by the International Moonbase Alliance, which is planning on building a base on the Moon and a prototype moonbase on Hawaiʻi Island.
Musilova said the team plans similar missions with Eurpoean Space Agency, International Lunar Exploration Working Group, and Vrije Universiteit with two more this year. "One of our main goals is to get students and researchers from UH and the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems engaged in our future missions. We are also working on proposals for future missions with the NASA's Johnson Space Center, University of South Florida, and companies such as SIFT and Ketone Technologies."
For more on HI-SEAS and its missions, see hi-seas.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.
A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING FOR PĀHALA -- the first in may years -- will be tomorrow, Monday, March 11 at 5 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House at the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. Community Police Officer for Kaʻū, Shawn Ibarra, said he plans future meetings monthly at either Pāhala Community Center or the activity room at Kaʻū District gym. The public is invited to Monday's event.
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| The HI-SEAS habitat on Mauna Loa, with a space-suited member of the crew exploring outside. Photo from UH |
Geology students Annelotte Weert and Sebastian Mulder mapped for fresh pahoehoe lava flows and lava tubes. They used drone footage, imagery and 3-D mapping in their studies. The surfaces of the Moon and Mars are similar to Hawaiʻi Island. The study of lava flows can help scientists understand what to expect on the moon and Mars. A statement from U.H. noted that lava tubes on the moon could become shelters while habitats are built for humans.
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| The six-person international crew, celebrating moments after exiting the HI-SEAS habitat. Photo from UH |
Other crew activities included outreach education by anthropology researcher Benjamin Pothier, journalist Josh Burstein, and crew commander Michaela Musilova of UH Mānoa.
Musilova is chief investigator for HI-SEAS and the International Moonbase Alliance. She organized a Mission to Mars competition last year in Slovakia, which encouraged high school students to design a research experiment for a simulated mission to the Moon or Mars. The winning experiment involved collecting hair from the crew members, dissolving it, and using it as fertilizer to simulate growing plants on the Moon.
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| HI-SEAS crew members collect samples outside the habitat, wearing full space suits to simulate being on the moon or Mars. Photo from UH |
Crew activities and research projects were monitored by researchers and engineers at mission control center, based at the Blue Planet Research laboratory, owned by International Moonbase Alliance founder Henk Rogers on Hawaiʻi Island. Bernard Foing, of Eurpoean Space Agency and executive director of International Lunar Exploration Working Group, was main space-crew communicator at mission control throughout the mission.
The mission is under the EuroMoonMars initiative, led by the International Lunar Exploration Working Group of Eurpoean Space Agency, in collaboration with the International Moonbase Alliance, European Space Research and Technology Centre, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and HI-SEAS. It is part of a series of projects led by the International Moonbase Alliance, which is planning on building a base on the Moon and a prototype moonbase on Hawaiʻi Island.
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| The HI-SEAS habitat on Mauna Loa. Photo from UH |
For more on HI-SEAS and its missions, see hi-seas.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.
A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING FOR PĀHALA -- the first in may years -- will be tomorrow, Monday, March 11 at 5 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House at the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. Community Police Officer for Kaʻū, Shawn Ibarra, said he plans future meetings monthly at either Pāhala Community Center or the activity room at Kaʻū District gym. The public is invited to Monday's 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.
A HIGH SURF ADVISORY for all east-facing shores is in effect
for Hawaiʻi Island through Tuesday morning at 6
a.m. , reports the National Weather Service. Surf heights of 6 to 9
feet are expected through Monday night.
Said the National
Weather Service: "Surf will hold at advisory levels along exposed north
and west facing shores through the morning hours, then drop below this
afternoon as the northwest swell eases. Rough surf along east facing shores due
to the strong trades in place will continue through Monday night.
Forecasters warn of
strong breaking waves, shore break, and strong longshore and rip currents
making swimming difficult and dangerous. "Beachgoers, swimmers, and
surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise
caution."
The "first
south swell of the season" peaked today, and is expected to gradually
lower through Tuesday.
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 TROJANS BOYS BASEBALL WON THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON on Saturday against Kohala. Kaʻū scoed 5 against Kohala at 3.
KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS BASEBALL WON THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON on Saturday against Kohala. Kaʻū scoed 5 against Kohala at 3.
See more hosted games of Boys Baseball, Girls Softball, and Boys Volleyball; schedule, below.
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.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
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
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Kaʻū Trojans Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Sat., March 16, 1 p.m. , host Keaʻau
Thu., March 21, 3 p.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., March 23, 1 p.m. , host Honokaʻa
Thu., March 28, 3 p.m. , @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 1 p.m. , @Konawaena
Tue., April 2, 3 p.m. , @HPA
Softball:
Mon., March 11, host Kamehameha
Wed., March 13, 5:30 p.m. , host Pāhoa
Sat., March 16, 11 a.m. , host Keaʻau
Wed., March 20, @Waiakea
Sat., March 23, 11 a.m. , host Honokaʻa
Wed., March 27, @Kohala
Sat., March 30, 11 a.m. , @Konawaena
Wed., April 3, host Waiakea
Boys Volleyball:
Tue., March 12, 6 p.m. , @Makualani, Varsity
Fri., March 15, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Tue., March 19, 6 p.m. , @Kealakehe
Wed., March 27, 6 p.m. , host Kohala, Varsity
Fri., March 29, 6 p.m. , @HPA
Wed., April 3, 6 p.m. , host Ehunui
Track:
Sat., March 16, 2 p.m. , @Konawaena
Sat., March 23, 9 a.m. , @Waiakea
Sat., March 30, 3 p.m. , @Keaʻau
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.
UPCOMING
MONDAY, MARCH 11
Free STD Testing, Monday, March 11 – 2nd Monday, monthly – 9 a.m. to noon, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927
Medicine for the Mind: Teachings in the Tibetan Buddhist Tradition, Monday, March 11 – 2nd Sunday, monthly – 3 p.m. to 5p.m., Volcano Art Center. Free; calabash donations welcome. Dress warmly. Patty Johnson, 345-1527
La Réunion: Our Sister Park in the Indian Ocean, a special After Dark in the Park presentation, happens Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. Réunion National Park and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park are World Heritage Sites and became sister parks in 2015. The parks are oceans apart, but share many similarities: active shield volcanoes, endangered species, fascinating biodiversity, and environmental threats. Meet students and educators from La Réunion, who traveled to Hawai‘iIsland and are staying in Pāhala and Kīlauea Military Camp.
La Réunion: Our Sister Park in the Indian Ocean, a special After Dark in the Park presentation, happens Monday, March 11 at 7 p.m. Réunion National Park and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park are World Heritage Sites and became sister parks in 2015. The parks are oceans apart, but share many similarities: active shield volcanoes, endangered species, fascinating biodiversity, and environmental threats. Meet students and educators from La Réunion, who traveled to Hawai‘i
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, March 12 (Committees), Wednesday, March 13, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Spring Wreath Making - Adults, Tuesday, March 12, 10 a.m. to noon, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Ages 18+. Register March 4-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tuesday, March 12, 4 p.m. to 6p.m., Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087
The Wonderful World of Wine and Watercolor, Tuesday, March 12, 4 p.m. to 7p.m., Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $17 supply fee. Enjoy a sampling of several wines from Grapes, Hilo, during class. Register: volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
After Dark in the Park: Pahu Manamana o ‘Umi - Ancestral Brilliance, Tuesday, March 12, 7p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Pualani Kanahele of the Edith Kanaka‘ole Foundation takes audience on a virtual visit to Pahu Manamana o ‘Umi, a stellar instrument positioned 7,752 feet up on the southwest slope of Mauna Loa. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
Hawai‘i County Council Mtg., Wednesday, March 13, Council, Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit; Dental, Wednesday, March 13, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Medical, Thursday, March 28, 1-5p.m. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org
Lomilomi Demonstration, Wednesday, March 13, 10 a.m. to noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Michelle Wall-O'Connor demonstrates the spiritual components of lomilomi, massage that incorporates Hawaiian concept of aloha to promote personal harmony. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo
Arts and Crafts Activity: Spring Flower Collage, Wednesday, March 13, 2:45 p.m. to 3:30p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. For keiki ages 6-12. Register March 4-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Arts and Crafts Activity: St. Patrick's Day Rainbow, Wednesday, March 13, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 March 4-13. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thursday, March 14, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thursday, March 14, 6:30p.m., United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197
FRIDAY, MARCH 15
Final Day to Apply to Kamehameha Schools Summer Kilohana Program, Friday, March 15. Innovative four- and five-week Hawaiian culture-based math and literacy programs. Grade and residency requirements vary by program. ksbe.edu/summer
PATCH Class #110: Understanding Social and Emotional Development of Infants/Toddlers, Friday, March 15, 8 a.m. to 11a.m., PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register: 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org
Forest Restoration Project - Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Friday, March 15, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., RSVP by Monday, March 11. Volunteers age 13+. Patty Kupchak, 352-1402, forest@fhvnp.org, fhvnp.org
PATCH Class #619: Temperament and Secure Relationships, Friday, March 15, noon to 3p.m., PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register: 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org
Arts and Crafts Activity: Charades, Friday, March 15, 2 p.m. to 3p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 March 11-15. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
St. Patrick's Day Buffet, Friday, March 15, 5 p.m. to 8p.m., Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Corned beef and cabbage, lamb stew, shepherd's pie, and all the fixings. $19.95/adult, $10.95/child, ages 6-11. Irish ale available for purchase from Lava Lounge. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Community Cleanup, Saturday, March 16, contact in advance for meet-up details. Space may be available; BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call 769-7629.
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Intimate Acoustic Concert with Rebecca Folsom, Saturday, March 16, 5:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Fee tba. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
SUNDAY, MARCH 17
The Art of Vocal Freedom Workshop with Rebecca Folsom, Sunday, March 17, Volcano Art Center. Fee tba. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
ONGOING
Kauahaʻao Congregational Church Fundraising Bazaar, Saturday, March 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. , just above Wong Yuen Store in Waiʻōhinu. Bazaar vendor spaces on the church lawn are $10 for 10' X 10'. Vendors are responsible for bringing all supplies, including electricity. Church members will sell kalua pig and cabbage bowls, and roast chicken with gravy bowls, as well as baked goods, produce, and crafts. Submit application with fee by Sunday, March 10; call Debbie or Walter, 928-8039, for application.
Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through Friday, March 15. Full-time 11.5-month commitment from
Niuhi-Shark Fine Art Exhibit iPreschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before Friday, 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.
Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications open through Monday, April 15. Free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture." Applications at nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute.
Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208 , Pāhala , HI 96777
Applications for Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are open. Year-long, full-time position in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona. $1,600 monthly living allowance, before taxes; a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefit, if eligible; and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience. Application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation. For more, call The Nature Conservancy, 443-5401, or call Kupu Hawai‘i, 808-735-1221.
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