Thursday, July 18, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, July 18, 2019

Kupuna held a press conference on Thursday, objecting to Gov. David Ige's emergency proclamation. They said their
protest is peaceful and calls for hoʻoponopono instead of calling in the National Guard, as they block
 the access road to Mauna Kea where construction is scheduled for the Thirty Meter Telescope.
 Photo by Big Island Video News
A MORATORIUM ON THIRTY METER TELESCOPE CONSTRUCTION is the request from state Sen. Kai Kahele, of Hilo whose family roots are in the Hawaiian village of Miloliʻi. Kahele said he would ask Gov. David Ige for a 60-day cooling off period and hoʻoponopono (coming together and mediation). He told the Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald, "I think it's time to have meaningful conversations for the future of Mauna Kea. And I think it's time for people cool off, both sides, before things get out of control."
     Kahele's remarks came after a full day Thursday without arrests and without a strong law enforcement presence at the intersection of Daniel K. Inouye Highway and the Mauna Kea Access Road where up to 1,000 people have gathered to object to the construction of the most powerful telescope in history. They call the construction a desecration of a sacred place. Telescope supporters call the construction an investment in knowledge.
        Kahele objected to Gov. David Ige issuing an Emergency Proclamation on Wednesday, following the arrests of 34 people blocking access to the construction site for the telescope and peacefully submitting to being taken into custody. Kupuna, who were arrested and released, held a press conference Wednesday morning calling for peaceful negotiations and objecting to any state of emergency proclaimed by government.
     Kahele told the Tribune Herald,  "I don't think it warrants a state of emergency. I think it warrants an opportunity for us to have meaningful conversation about how we moved forward."
     He contended that "Declaring a state of emergency only escalates the situation. If you bring in the National Guard, I'm in the National Guard. These are my brothers and sisters who I stand side by side in uniform with. They're not prepared for this. They haven’t gone through the training that local law enforcement has gone through. They’re your friends and your neighbors, just like our police officers are, many of whom were emotionally affected (when arrests were carried out) because they were just doing their job."
      Kahele pointed to the arrests of some of the elder Protectors of Mauna Kea, whom he described as "revered leaders in our community who have given so much to our community and our culture." He said the Mauna Kea issue "is going to tear this community and these islands apart if we don't pivot in another direction." He suggested using "the words the kiaʻi (guardians, protectors) have been using, to move forward in Kapu Aloha," reported the Tribune Herald.  See much more on the Kahele story at Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald.
       In the meantime, flag and sign waiving events sprang up around the islands on Thursday, with one planned in Nāʻālehu for tomorrow.

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VIRTUAL DOCTOR VISITS are available in Kaʻū and throughout the state. The parent company of Longs Drugs, CVS Health, announced that people with "minor illnesses and injuries, skin conditions, and other wellness needs can now seek care" with MinuteClinic Video Visits. A telehealth offering, the service will provide patients in Hawaiʻi, residents or visitors, with 24-hour access to care from a mobile device or computer.
     A MinuteClinic Video Visit costs $59, which is only payable by credit, debit, FSA, and HSA cards. Insurance coverage will be added to the experience in the coming months, states CVS. 
     A CVS Health study found that 95 percent of telehealth pilot patients were "highly satisfied" with the quality of care, with the convenience, and with the overall telehealth experience. Since MinuteClinic Video Visits launched in August 2018, thousands of Video Visits have been conducted in 18 states and WashingtonD.C., with more than half taking place outside of traditional clinic hours.
     Video visits can be used to provide care for patients ages two years and older. Each patient will complete a health questionnaire and be matched to a board-certified health care provider licensed in their state, who will review the completed questionnaire with the patient's medical history, assess the patient's condition, and determine appropriate treatment. Necessary prescriptions are submitted to the patient's preferred pharmacy. If a patient should be seen in person for follow-up care or testing, the provider will recommend the patient visit a local health care provider.
     Sharon Vitti, President of MinuteClinic, said, "We're excited to continue to expand the availability of MinuteClinic Video Visits across eight additional states," totaling 26. She said the expansion of the service enables CVS to "provide even more people with access to an innovative, on-demand health care option and demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality care when and where our patients need it, at prices they can afford."
     Sign up for a virtual visit at cvs.com/minuteclinic.

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LEGISLATION TO FUND EDUCATION FOR NURSES passed the Energy and Commerce Committee yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard applauded the passage of H.R.728, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act. It would provide the largest source of federal funding for financial support for nursing education programs, students, and nurses.
   For five decades, these programs have helped build the supply and distribution of qualified nurses in all health care settings, from entry-level preparation through graduate study. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, these programs provided loans, scholarships, and programmatic support to over 450,000 nursing students and nurses between FY 2006 and 2012 alone.
     Said Gabbard, "Our nation is in dire need of nurses who, every day, serve as the heart of our healthcare system, providing care to those who need it most. Rural and underserved communities, like those in my district and across the country, are hardest hit by the national nursing shortage.
     "As a co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, passage of our bipartisan bill, the Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act, by the Energy and Commerce Committee is the first step toward the urgent action Congress must take to ensure we build a 21st Century nursing workforce that will serve the needs of all our people." 
   Dr. Ann Cary, Chair of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Board of Directors, said, "Without a strong nursing workforce, our country cannot realize the goals of increasing access and improving quality in our healthcare system. I commend our nursing champions¸ including Congresswoman Gabbard our House Nursing Caucus Co-Chair, for advancing this legislation to the House floor."
     Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AACN, said, "We applaud the work of our nursing champions to advance Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization. Nurses are an integral part of our healthcare system, and this legislation is vital to the continued health of our profession."
     Gabbard is the co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus and introduced the bipartisan H.R.728, the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act with caucus co-chair Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14). She works toward improved workplace safety and standards for nurses. She fought for the Safe Staffing for Nurse and Patient Safety Act of 2018, the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act, and hosted a Congressional briefing focused on the severe shortage of nurses in Hawai‘i and across the country.
     She recently joined her colleagues in introducing the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act, which would set minimum nurse-to-patient staffing requirements for direct-care registered nurses, requires a study of staffing requirements for direct care licensed practice nurses, and provides whistleblower protections.

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THE ART OF TAIKO: ENERGY WITH KENNY ENDO presentation happens at Pāhala Public & School Library tomorrow, Friday, July 19 from 1:30 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. The event is free.
     The Taiko Ensemble will perform contemporary pieces such as Soaring, Jugoya (Crystal Clear Moon), Moonwind (Backside of the Moon), and Winds of Change.
The 45-minute presentation is suitable for all ages. Young children must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver.
     "Like all phenomena in this universe, taiko, Japanese drumming, is a result of forces interacting and affecting one another. Master taiko artist Endo has been inspired by space, the heavens, and universal energy in his original compositions," says a statement from the library.
      Sponsored by Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i and the 2019 Summer Reading Sponsors, the program is a production of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Outreach College's Statewide Cultural Extension Program, with funding and support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, and UH-Mānoa.
     For a list of upcoming library events, visit librarieshawaii.org/branch/pahala-public-and-school-library or call 808-928-2015.

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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
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through August
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.

Football, Division II:
Mon., July 22, first day Full Pads, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Mon., July 29, 3 to 5 p.m., first day practice
Tue., Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Hilo
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala

Cross Country:
Mon., Aug. 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m., first day practice
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty

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UPCOMING
FRIDAY, JULY 19
Hawai‘i State Little League Tournament, Friday through Tuesday, July 19-23, first game at 11:30a.m., second game at 2:30p.m. Nā‘ālehu Community Center Ball Field, Hwy 11. Winners go to regionals. Concessions available. No admission charged. Josh Crook, 345-0511

Taiko Drumming Presentation by Kenny Endo, Friday, July 19, 1:30-2:15p.m, Pāhala Public & School Library. Suitable for all ages. Young children must be accompanied by parent or adult caregiver. Free. Carol Dodd, 928-2015, librarieshawaii.org

SATURDAY, JULY 20
Free Haircuts, Saturday, July 20, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Kady and Drew Foster. Sign-up sheet on church bulletin board. stjudeshawaii.org

Giving Tree, Saturday, July 20, lower parking lot, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Free clothing and self care items. stjudeshawaii.org

Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Data Survey and Clean-up at Kamilo, Saturday, July 20. Free; donations appreciated. Full - waitlist only. RSVP required. 769-7629, kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com

Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Saturday, July 20, 7:30a.m.-4p.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, 796-0107, hihs.org

3rd Annual Ka‘ū Multicultural Society Pig Hunt, Saturday, July 20, weigh-in open 10 a.m.-5p.m., parking lot adjacent to 96-3258 Maile Street, Pāhala, near old Radio Station Building. Food booths and variety of contest categories. Kalani Vierra, 938-2005, Darlyne Vierra, 6408740, or Liz Kuluwaimaka, 339-0289

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, July 20, 10a.m.-1p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Beginner & Intermediate Mixed Media Encaustic with Mary Milelzcik, Saturday, July 20, 10a.m.-2p.m., Volcano Art Center. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member, plus $25 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Hālauolaokalani, Saturday, July 20, 10:30-11:30a.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 with Kumu Loke Kamanu & ‘Ohana, Saturday, July 20, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, July 20, 2-3p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Sounds at the Summit, Desiree Moana Cruz & the Bill Nobel Quintet performance, Saturday, July 20, 5:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Be-bop, swing, bosanova, salsa, and smooth-jazz-funk. $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. Tickets available for purchase online. Beer, wine, and pupu available for purchase at event. volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, JULY 21
Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce Mtg., Sunday, July 21, 4-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, JULY 23
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, July 23 (Committees), Wednesday, July 24, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, July 23, 10a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com, hoveroad.com

After Dark in the Park - A Rock in the Park: Tale of the Wanderer, Tuesday, July 23, 7p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Join historian Hugh Montgomery and actor Dick Hershberger in a two-man play that brings the epic tale of a rediscovered rock within the Park and the voyages of Benjamin Boyd to life. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24
Kāhili Demonstration, Wednesday, July 24, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Create a small kāhili pa‘a lima, a handheld feather standard. Free; park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, JULY 25
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, July 25, 3-4p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. 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

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, July 25, 4-6p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

ONGOING
ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash happens Saturday, July 27 in Volcano Village, It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register before Thursday, July 25 for lower entry fees. See ohialehuahalf.com.

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's Summer Musical: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., through July 28 at Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Tickets are available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, Basically Books, The Most Irresistible Shop, and at door. $20/general admission, $15/student or over 60, $12/age 12 and under. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com, kden.org

Enroll at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences for the 2019-2020 school year, which starts Aug. 5; orientation for new students is Aug. 2. Spaces are available in 1st through 8th grades of the expanding Kula ‘Amakihi Community-Based Education (CBE) Program; the school may also have space or short wait lists for certain grades in the regular on-campus programs. Contact 808-985-9800 or email enrollment@volcanoschool.net to enroll.

Exhibit -The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily through Sunday, Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Enroll in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Orientation for enrolled families begins Aug. 5 & 6, with programs continuing following week in Nā‘ālehu on Monday & Wednesday, 8:45-10:45am, and Pāhala, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30-10:30am. Space is limited. pidfoundation.org

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.orgkaucoffeemill.com

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