Monday, May 13, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, May 13, 2019

Officers handle a folded American flag during a ceremony at Hilo police station to today. In observance of Police Week, 
they honor officers who have fallen or been disabled in the line of duty. Photo from Big Island Video News
POLICE WEEK HONORS FALLEN AND DISABLED OFFICERS starting today through Friday, May 17. A ceremony was held at Hilo police station this morning. Ka Malu Aloha Peace reads the wall where the name of fallen Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa was added today. This is the first Police Week since Kaliloa was killed by gunshot on July 18, 2018.
     Kona police station hosts a ceremony tomorrow, Tuesday, May 14 at 10 a.m. The ceremony will include pre-ceremony entertainment and a tribute to Hawaiʻi County officers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
     Hawaiʻi County station tours are offered to the public for all districts. Hilo Police station tours happen Friday, May 17 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call Sergeant Jason Grouns at (808) 961-2269 to schedule an appointment.
Fallen Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa. 
Photo from odmp.org 
     Also remembered were Officer Manuel Cadinha, who gave his life in the line of duty in 1918; Officer William "Red" Oili, who gave his life in the line of duty in 1936; Officer Ronald "Shige" Jitchaku, who gave his life in the line of duty in 1990; Officer Kenneth Keliʻipio, who gave his life in the line of duty in 1997; and Park Ranger Steve Makuakane-Jarrell, who gave his life in the line of duty in 1999.
     HPD Chief Paul Ferreira spoke at the Hilo ceremony: "Sadly for the Hawaiʻi Police Department, this year, in addition to the names of our fallen brethren that have been recognized during ceremonies in previous years, we pay special tribute to our brother Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa."
     He said HPD sent officers to the National Police Week ceremonies at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C. Said Ferreira, "That memorial honors all of America's federal, state, and local law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, dating back to the first known law enforcement officer's death in 1792.
     "During the ceremony in Washington D.C., Officer Kaliloa's name will be unveiled on the blue-gray marble walls of the memorial, which now displays 21,910 names of law enforcement officials that paid the ultimate price, while upholding the laws created to protect all people. With the addition of Officer Kaliloa, there are now the names of 56 officers from the State of Hawaiʻi who are memorialized on the National Law Enforcement Memorial.
    "For us here on Hawaiʻi Island, the names of our fallen heroes are etched onto the Hawaiʻi Police Department's law enforcement memorial, Ka Malu Aloha. With the tragic loss of Officer Bronson Kaimana Kaliloa last year, his name has been memorialized on our wall through the unselfish donation of Mr. Michael Sasaki, who also donated his talents during the building of our Memorial."
Hawaiʻi Police Chief Paul Ferreira, right, salutes a fellow officer during 
today's ceremony at Hilo police station. Photo from Big Island Video News
     Police Week is a nationally recognized week of activities in support of police work. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed every May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day; this year, it falls in National Police Week.

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DISTRACTED DRIVER ENFORCEMENT on Hawaiʻi Island has increased in 2019, according to a Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald article today by John Burnett. Hawaiʻi Police Department officers conducted "distracted driving projects," specifically looking for drivers using electronic devices, about every other day so far this year. In 2018, they conducted those tests about every three days, Burnett reports.
     The projects involve an officer spotter, watching for drivers using cell phones while driving, or breaking any other driving law, such as not wearing a seat belt. The officer then radios to a colleague, and the second officer pulls the driver over to issue a citation.
     Torey Keltner, program manager for HPD Traffic Services Division, told the Tribune Herald that during Distracted Driving Month in April 2019, HPD "stepped up enforcement of the distracted driving statute." Grants funded police offers to work extra hours on distracted driving.
     Through the state Department of Transportation, the National Highway Safety Administration provided $57,430 for the distracted driving program. "Highly visible and sustained enforcement remains the most effective countermeasure in reducing distracted driving-related crashes and fatalities," according to the project statement. HPD predicted that "approximately 450 citations for cellphone/electronic device use and other citations" would be issued per year.
Police are making an extra effort to enforce distracted driving laws to change public behavior.
Image from imgrumweb.com
     Last year, during the distracted driver program, officers pulled over 1,381 drivers and issued 1,390 citations, reports Burnett. HPD issued 714 electronic device violations, 288 seat belt violations, nine child safety seat violations, reports Burnett, and 379 various traffic violations, such as driving without insurance or a license, or having expired safety inspection tags.
     So far this year, reports Burnett, HPD has stopped 418 drivers and issued 530 citations: 243 electronic device violations, 126 seat belt violations, two child safety seat violations, and 159 various traffic violations.
     Illegal use of an electronic device while driving garners a fine of $297 – $347 in a school zone – and seatbelt and child seat violations garner a $102 fine.
     Keltner told the Tribune Herald that the number of citations for distracted driving is expected to decease as as drivers' habits change. "The goal of the projects is to influence drivers to operate the vehicles more safely even when they don't see law enforcement officers. If drivers know that they will receive a citation if they are observed using an electronic device, I believe they are less likely to commit the violation.
     "It only takes a fraction of a second to alter or end a life forever. Officers are out on patrol and at special projects performing duties to keep the people of Hawaiʻi Island safe. It is all of our responsibility to drive safely, wear our seat belts, don't drink and drive, don't drive distracted – which especially includes not using a cellphone," Keltner told the Tribune Herald. See the story in the Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald.

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Civilian Conservation Corps at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photo from HVNP archives
ROOSEVELT'S TREE ARMY: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Hawai‘i is the subject of May's Coffee Talk at Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Friday, May 31, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Visitor Contact Station. Dr. Jadelyn Moniz Nakamura will present the story of how, during the Great Depression, Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps, a program to get unemployed young men back to work in agricultural and conservation projects.
     The National Park Service used the men on projects from fire prevention, to erosion and insect control, trash cleanup, reforestation, landscape maintenance, and construction jobs. They were responsible for building or reinforcing much of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's infrastructure of the time, says the event announcement, and were instrumental in completing emergency war projects in the early 40s.
Civilian Conservation Corps worked on Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
National Park roads. Photo form HVNP archives
     Nakamura is a Hilo native and UH-Mānoa graduate. She began her career with the US Army Garrison Hawai‘i, as the archeologist at the Pōhakuloa Training Area where she developed the Cultural Resources Program in the new Environmental Office. She has worked extensively across disciplines, has experience in both natural and cultural resources, and is currently the Research Coordinator to the Hawaiʻi Pacific Islands Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit.
     Coffee Talk at Kahuku is an opportunity to get to know the Park and neighbors, and join an informal setting on a different topic on the last Friday of each month. BYOC – Bring Your Own Cuppa. The entrance is just south of mile marker 70.5, on the mauka side of Hwy 11.

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AERIAL INSPECTION OVERFLIGHTS of Hawai‘i Electric Light's major overhead transmission lines happen Monday, May 20 to Friday, May 24, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., dependent on weather.
     Inspections will be conducted in a Manuiwa Airways helicopter and require the aircraft to fly low and slow, which may cause some noise disturbances. Hawai‘i Electric Light apologizes for any disruption this may cause and sincerely thanks the community for their cooperation and understanding.
     Call 969-6666 with questions or concerns.

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PAVING WORK ON SOUTH POINT ROAD CONTINUES daily, weather permitting, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through this Thursday. Tomorrow's paving will be the south bound lane of Hwy 11 to Kamāʻoa Road. On Wednesday and Thursday, the north bound lane will be paved, according to a statement form the County of Hawai’i Department of Public Works Highway Maintenance Division.
     All vehicles needing access must take a detour from Hwy 11 to Kamā‘oa Rd. South Point Road will be open to local traffic only. Traffic pattern may change depending on conditions.
     Motorists are advised to drive with caution as heavy vehicles will be in the work zone. Signs will be posted on Highway 11 advising motorists of the roadwork and traffic control personnel will be posted in the area to facilitate traffic movement. 
     The County of Hawai‘i Department of Public Works apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks the community for their patience and understanding. If there are any questions or concerns, please call the Highway Maintenance Division at 961-8349.

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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
REMINDER
LAST CHANCE TO SEE NĀ WAI CHAMBER CHOIR on Hawaiʻi Island during their Kauwela Tour is tomorrow night, Tuesday, May 14, 7 p.m., at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. The Moʻolelo of Mana Wāhine is a concert from the Honolulu-based professional vocal ensemble, which preserves, propagates, and innovates the legacy of Hawaiian choral music. Hilo native Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan leads the ensemble. Free; donations welcome. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

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UPCOMING
TUESDAY, MAY 14
Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Tuesday, May 14, 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Low income pet parents and those with limited transportation qualify for mobile spay/neuter service. Free. Surgery by phone appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, hihs.org, 796-0107

Wonderful World of Wine & Watercolor, Tuesday, May 14, 4 p.m. – 7pm, Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC members, $35/non-member, plus $17 supply fee.Learn to transfer a photo onto watercolor paper while sampling several wines from Grapes in Hilo. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

After Dark in the Park – Kauwela Tour, The Mo‘olelo of Mana Wāhine – Nā Wai Chamber Choir Concert, Tuesday, May 14, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Musical journey that honors the music of both historic and modern-day mana wāhine. Honolulu-based Nā Wai Chamber Choir is a professional vocal ensemble that preserves, propagates, and innovates the legacy of Hawaiian choral music. Hilo native Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan leads ensemble on annual kauwela tour. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, MAY 15
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, May 15, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Instructional Tennis, Wednesday, May 15-June 19, 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12, May 6-10. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Arts and Crafts Activity: Watercolor Painting, Wednesday, May 15, 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m., multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Register keiki grades K-6, May 9-14. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, MAY 16
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū and Me, Thursday, May 16, 10:30 a.m. – noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free; includes craft activity. 929-8571

Family Reading Night, Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Volcano School of Arts and Sciences Middle School Theater Night, Thursday, May 16, 6 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Each grade will perform a one-act murder mystery. Free admission, donations welcome. Park entrance fees may apply. volcanoschool.net

SATURDAY, MAY 18
Stained Glass Basics I, Saturday and Sunday, May 18, 25, and June 1 and 2, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $90/VAC member, $100/non-member, plus $15 supply fee. Advanced registration required. Limited to 6 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko – Kumu Hula Wahineaukai Mercado with haumana (students) of Ke Ana La‘ahana Public Charter School, Saturday, May 18, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/Wes Awana, Saturday, May 18, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Arts & Tea Culture Workshop Series #1, Saturday, May 18, noon – 5 p.m., Volcano Art Center. Hand-build porcelain ceramic tea bowls with Volcano artist and tea farmer Chiu Leong. Includes history of tea bowl culture and brief overview of local tea farming by Eva Lee. Focused cupping, tasting and education on Hawaii grown white teas. Pre-event for A Taste of Tea Pottery Fundraiser on August 25. Workshops designed to be attended as a series; #2 set for May 18, #3 set for July 27. No experience necessary. $60/VAC member, $75/non-member for series. Individual workshop, $25 each. Registration limited. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, May 18, 2 p.m. – 3 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

SUNDAY, MAY 19
Ka‘ū Little League Benefit Concert, Sunday, May 19, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., The Terraces, 92-1885 Princess Ka‘iulani Blvd., Ocean View. Lopaka Rootz and D-Tech Solutions, live. Tickets, $10 in advance, $15 at the door, plus can of food at entry. Sponsored by Criminal Justice Solutions and Kahuku Park Block Watch. Gabe Morales, gcmorales2020@gmail.com, Kathi Griffeth, kathiegriffeth@gmail.com

MONDAY, MAY 20
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Monday, May 20 (Committees), Tuesday, May 21, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Summer Musical Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song Auditions, Monday, May 20, and Tuesday, May 21, Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. Parts for all ages and ability. Cold readings. Dress comfortably to move on stage, be prepared to sign a song that best shows vocal range. Show to run July 12-28. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com

ONGOING
Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.
     Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.

Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bag and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.

Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade happens Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. The parade route begins at the Nāʻālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nāʻālehu Hongwanji Mission. To participate, call Debra McIntosh, 929-9872.
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A CONCERT TO RAISE MONEY FOR STEWARDSHIP OF THE KAʻŪ COAST will be held on Saturday, May 25, 6 p.m. at Pāhala Plantation House on the corner of Maile and Pikake Streets. The concert is one in a series of performances during the Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, in its third season in the islands. The series is called Of Water.
Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy
Shoremount-Obra. HIMF photo
2018 International Bach Competition
Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenbaum.
HIMF photo
     The recital features internationally acclaimed artists Metropolitan Opera Soprano Amy Shoremount-Obra and 2018 International Bach Competition Prize Winning Pianist Andrew Rosenblum. They will perform works by Turina, Mahler, Fauré, Rachmaninoff, Duke, and more.
     Donations accepted at the event go to Kaʻū Coast non-profit stewardship organizations, including Nā Mamo O Kāwā, nmok.org; Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo, honuapopark.org; Ala Kahakai Trail Association, alakahakaitrail.org; Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, wildhawaii.org; and Hoʻomalu Kaʻū, hoomalukau@gmail.com.
     In addition to the opportunity to donate to coastal stewardships, an opportunity to support Hawaiʻi International Music Festival is available by reserving best seats for $25 each. They are available at recitalpahala.bpt.me and at the door – cash or check only. See the concert schedule for other islands at himusicfestival.com. For overnight accommodations, contact Pāhala Plantation Cottages at 928-9811.
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