Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Tulsi Gabbard asked Elizabeth Warren to commit to ending endless regime change wars when they
debated tonight in the fourth Democratic National Committee debate leading up to the primary
election for President of the United States. Photo from CNN
THE ONGOING CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY TO IMPEACH PRES. DONALD TRUMP received support from Kaʻū's congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and the other 11 candidates on the the Democratic debate stage tonight. They talked about the U.S. losing credibility through Trump's backing out of the Paris climate change agreement, the nuclear deal with Iran, and by abandoning the Kurds in Syria.
     Gabbard warned, however, that should the U.S. House of Representatives impeach Trump and the Senate doesn't, the President will feel exonerated, further deepening the divides in the country.
    Concerning the Trump administration's recent abandonment of the Kurdish people who have backed the U.S. in the war in Syria, Gabbard said, "Donald Trump has the blood of the Kurds on his hands, but so do many of the politicians in our country from both parties who have supported this ongoing regime change war in Syria that started in 2011." She said that "many in the mainstream media" have been "championing and cheerleading this regime change war." She said the U.S. should withdraw in an organized way.
     Mayor Pete Buttigieg, who like Gabbard is a veteran of middle eastern war, disagreed with pulling out of Syria and abandoning the Kurds who have supported the U.S., lost lives and suffered injuries. He said that he is hearing from U.S. troops in Afghanistan as well, that they are ashamed they are abandoning those they promised to help. Buttigieg said it would be hard to look these people in the eye.
The fourth DNC debate for President featured Ka`u's congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on right and the
11 other candidates who all supported the impeachment inquiry for Pres. Donald Drump. Image from CNN
     Gabbard asked Buttigieg whether he wants to keep soldiers indefinitely, in endless war? He replied, no, but cautioned against abandoning allies like the Kurds. He  said that Trump's actions are taking away the honor of U.S. troops and that Trump's actions betray American credibility.
     Gabbard also asked Elizabeth Warrren to join her opposition to endless regime change wars.
    Before the debate Gabbard released a statement saying, "I'm running for President for a simple reason: because I love my country, and our people. It's the same reason I put on the uniform 16 years ago, the same reason I decided to run for Congress seven years ago, and the reason I'm proud to represent your voice on the debate stage tonight.
      "But make no mistake: Tonight's stage is set against us. The DNC has hijacked the primary process to take power away from the American voter. The 'neutral' media hosts of the debate have spent the past few days smearing our campaign, misrepresenting my record and message, daring to question my loyalty to the very country I joined my brothers and sisters in uniform to serve and defend against all enemies — foreign and domestic.
     "This is what always happens when you dare to go up against the establishment. When you are not afraid to speak the truth. When you side with the people and speak out against the military and prison industrial complex, the foreign policy establishment, the corporate media, Big Pharma, the chickenhawk leaders who drag us from one regime change war to the next and who are bringing us closer to nuclear war with Russia and China... and all those who profit from this corruption and greed.
     "I'm the first female combat veteran to run for president and I'm undaunted by the fight tonight, and the fight ahead. Nothing will stop me from fighting for a country truly of, by and for the people."
       The 12 contenders on the debate stage were: Gabbard, former Vice-President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Sen. Kamala Harris of California, Businessman Andrew Yang of New York, Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas, Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, former HUD Secretary and San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro of Texas and businessman Tom Steyer of California.
      See the full debate at CNN.com.
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PLASTICS AND MOST PAPER WILL NO LONGER BE RECYCLED. They will go straight into the general garbage shoot at all county transfer stations, starting Wednesday, Oct. 16. A statement from the county says, "Due to significant decreases in the global market for recyclables the County of Hawai‘i will no longer accept some of the types of materials collected in the Two-Bin Recycling Program at the Recycling & Transfer Stations. However, the County will continue its ongoing efforts to evaluate potential alternatives to remain environmentally and economically responsible."
Plastics and most paper products will go down the garbage shoot at
Pahala and other transfer stations.
      Starting October 16, the Two-Bin Recycling Program will be downsized to collect only corrugated cardboard that is clean with no food or other contamination (e.g. pizza boxes) and brown kraft paper bags (e.g. paper shopping bags). Glass bottles and jars will continue to be collected in a separate glass bin (clean non-HI-5 containers such as wine bottles, pickle jars, cosmetic jars). No caps, covers or lids.
     Small clean metal cans (e.g. soup, canned meat & vegetables, pet food) will no longer be allowed in the Two-Bin Recycling Program; they may be recycled in the scrap metal bins at select Recycling & Transfer Stations. These changes do not affect the State of Hawai‘i's HI-5 Redemption Program.

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SWITCHING FROM HERBICIDES TO CLEAN COUNTY ROADS, sidewalks, trails, bikeways, drainageways and waterways passed the County Council's Committee on Agricultural, Water, Energy and Environmental Management today. With the 7-0 vote, the bill moves to the full County Council. It was introduced by Kona councilwoman Rebecca Villegas and supported by Greener Hawai`i and the Sierra Club.
      The bill calls for a four year transition to move county landscaping practices away from the use of Roundup and other herbicides. A Vegetation Management Transition Commission would guide the county. The bill would exempt the county's land that is leased out for agriculture.
     A statement from the two organizations says that "The safety of glyphosate herbicides (one common brand name is Roundup) and others used by the county became a much-discussed topic after a visit to Hawai‘i in June by Dewayne 'Lee' Johnson, who won the first lawsuit against Monsanto after contracting non-Hodgkins lymphoma from exposure to glyphosate as a school groundskeeper. He spoke at a community meeting in O‘ahu voicing concerns about the use of herbicides and pesticides by the DOE. Afterwards, Board of Education Superintendent Christina Kishimoto announced an immediate halt to use of chemical pesticides and herbicides on Hawai‘i school campuses."

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HOMELESS PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE ISLAND are welcome to find help at the Old Hilo Memorial Hospital, which is being renovated to serve them through $2.5 million in ʻOhana Zone funds from the state.  The Keolahou Shelter and Assessment Center held a soft opening, Monday, Oct. 7, and a formal opening and blessing is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8. When the facility is fully operational, it will offer emergency shelter beds, case management and other resources, with the goal of improving access to needed services for those experiencing homelessness. It is a collaboration between the state, the County of Hawaiʻi, HOPE Services Hawaiʻi and other community partners.
     "Each person experiencing homelessness has specific needs, and this center is providing individual assistance to those who seek help," said Gov. David Ige. "Partnerships like this one allow us to improve the health and well-being of our community's most vulnerable members."
      There are 25 emergency shelter beds available in the initial phase. At full operation, the shelter will provide 50 emergency shelter beds for single men. The assessment center will allow individuals to connect with a case manager and other services. Individuals will be able to stay for up to 90 days.
Hilo Memorial Hospital is open as a homeless shelter for people from around the island.

     In 2018, state legislators appropriated $30 million to establish at least three ʻOhana Zone sites on Oʻahu, and one each on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui and Kauaʻi.
     The law requires that ʻOhana Zones be placed on state and county land and that those spaces provide services to assist homeless individuals and families to access permanent housing. Also, the state has prioritized sites that have existing facilities and infrastructure in place that can be paired with funding to address the needs of chronically homeless individuals and families.
   "We're very grateful for the assistance of the state government, whose 'Ohana Zone funding is making Keolahou a reality," said Mayor Harry Kim. "I am so proud and grateful to everybody who have worked so hard to make this comprehensive program a reality, with involvement from the faith community, nonprofits, county departments and the private sector.
    "This program will hopefully be duplicated in Kona, pending environmental review. Both the Hilo and proposed Kona facilities would provide an assessment center to bring the homeless off the streets, an emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing and support services. We are truly grateful to all of our partners," Kim said.
     HOPE Services Hawaiʻi is working with community partners such the Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, Project Vision, Bay Clinic, Hawaiʻi Island HIV/AIDS Foundation, the Food Basket Inc., Arc of Hilo, Hawaiian Community Assets, and Legal Aid Society of Hawaiʻi.
     "We are honored to be working with visionary community partners, who will offer life-changing services for the men staying at Keolahou," said Brandee Menino, chief executive officer of HOPE Services Hawaiʻi. "We are also grateful to the state and County of Hawaiʻi, particularly Sharon Hirota of the mayor's office, for paving the way for the first ʻOhana Zone on Hawaiʻi Island to become a reality."
     Other projects addressing homelessness are also in the pipeline for Hawaiʻi County. An assessment center at the Na Kahua Hale o Ulu Wini housing complex is expected to open by the end of the year, and the Village 9 affordable housing project and 20 units of permanent supportive housing at Keolahou are scheduled to welcome residents in spring 2020.

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
KA`U BEAT CHRISTIAN LIBERTY in the first round of BIIF Division  II girls volleyball playoffs Monday night. The Trojans hosted the Christian Liberty Academy at Kaʻū District Gym. Kaʻū took the first two sets, 25-12 and 26-24, while Christian Liberty won the third and fourth 25-15 and 25-23. Trojans wrapped up the match in the fifth set 15-6.

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2019 Kaʻū High School Fall Athletics Schedule
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates

Football, Division II:
Sat., Oct. 19, 11 a.m., Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa
Sat., Oct. 26, 1 p.m., Kohala hosts Kaʻū
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 1 and 2, Div II BIIF Championship
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 15 and 16, HHSAA Div II Semifinals
Fri., Nov. 29, HHSAA Div II Championship

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Wed., Oct. 16, 4 p.m., BIIF Div II Finals at Keaʻau
Wed.-Sat., Oct. 23-26, HHSAA DII Tournament, Oʻahu

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See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.

UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 16
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 12:30-1:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Nāʻālehu School Family Reading Night, Wednesday, Oct. 16 at Nāʻālehu School Cafeteria, 6-7p.m. Family reading, make & take activities, and snacks provided. Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

THURSDAY, OCT. 17
Nāʻālehu School Family Reading Night, Thursday, Oct. 17, Ocean View Community Center. 6-7p.m. Family reading, make & take activities, and snacks provided. Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, OCT. 18
Forest Restoration Project, Friday, Oct. 18, 8:30a.m.-3p.m., HVNP. 12+; under 18 require adult co-signature. Pre-registration required - include first and last names, email address, and phone number of each participant. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Patty Kupchak, 352-1402, forest@fhvnp.orgfhvnp.org

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Guided Cultural Tour of the Ni‘aulani Forest, Friday, Oct. 18, 9:30-11a.m., Volcano Art Center. Kumu Hula Ryan McCormack leads. Tour focuses on Hawaiian protocol, traditional chants, history, and lifeways, as they relate to the native forest ecosystem. Free; open to public. Spaced is limited, reservations suggested. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Dances of Universal Peace, Friday, Oct. 18, 6-7:30p.m., Methodist Church hall, across from Nā‘ālehu Post Office. Fun, easy to learn dances from many traditions evoking peace. Donations welcome. No registration necessary. 939-9461, hualaniom2@yahoo.com

SATURDAY, OCT. 19
Food from Wood: Growing Edible & Medicinal Mushrooms on Logs, Stumps & Wood Chips, Saturday, Oct. 19, 9a.m.-2:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member; includes shiitake mushroom log kit and King Stropharia mushroom kit. Pre-registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Free Haircut Day, Saturday, Oct. 19, 9a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church. Kady and Drew Foster. 12 slots available. Also, Free Shower Day and The Big Island Giving Tree to hand out clothes and various items like razors and toothbrushes. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org

Birth of Kahuku, Saturday, Oct. 19, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy-to-moderate hike. nps.gov/havo/

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, Oct. 19, 10a.m.-1p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Manaiakalani Kalua with AKAUNU, Saturday, Oct. 19, 10:30-11:30a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.comvolcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula with Loke Kamanu and ‘ohana, Saturday, Oct. 19, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.comvolcanoartcenter.org

Ka‘ū Skate Club Fundraiser for Kahuku Roller Rink in Ocean View: Dave Lawrence & Green Machines Concert, Saturday, Oct. 19, 4p.m., Tiki Mama's, Ocean View. Suggested donation of $15 per person for Ka‘ū Skate Club, plus one can of food for Hawai‘i Island Food Bank. Ka‘ū Skate Club President Lzena Barrett, 747-1147

Oktoberfest, Saturday, Oct. 19, live music, pretzels and beer from 4p.m., dinner served 5-7p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Brats, sauerkraut, German potato salad and more. Bring Cooper Center mug for $1 off beer; purchase one for $10. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

Pupule Papales Band performance, Saturday, Oct. 19, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. Open to eligible patrons; certain Terms of Service. Free; park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, OCT. 20
Pu‘u Lokuana, Sunday, Oct. 20, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, short, moderately difficult, 0.4 mile hike. nps.gov/havo/

45th Anniversary: Party Like It's 1974, Sunday, Oct. 20, 3-5p.m., Volcano Art Center. More details to be announced. Details to be announced. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

TUESDAY, OCT. 22
Birding at Kīpukapuaulu, Tuesday, Oct. 22, 8-10a.m., Kīpukapuaulu - Bird Park - Parking Lot, HVNP. Led by retired USGS Biologist Nic Sherma. 2 hour birding tour. $40/person. Register online. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.orgfhvnp.org

H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. Board Mtg., Tuesday, Oct. 22, 10a.m., H.O.V.E. RMC office, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. 929-9910, hoveroad.com

ONGOING
Help Shape Hawaiʻi Island at upcoming SpeakOuts and workshops on the General Plan. The community is encouraged to "come share your manaʻo," opinion.
     SpeakOut meetings will be held in Capt. Cook, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pukaʻana United Church of Christ; and Waikaloa, Thursday, Oct. 246 p.m. to 8 p.m., Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School.
     Topic Workshops will be held in Kona at West Hawaiʻi Civic Center Council Chambers on Saturday, Oct. 19 on Infrastructure from 9 a.m. to noon and Natural Resources from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m; and Hilo at County of Hawaiʻi Office of Aging on Saturday, Oct. 26, on Infrastructure from 9 a.m. to noon and Natural Resources from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
     Submit feedback online by Thursday, Oct. 31. See more Info on the Draft General Plan at hiplanningdept.com/general-plan/.


Trunk or Treat at Kaʻū District Gym will be held Thursday, Oct. 315:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Organized by Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary school, the free event offers a haunted house, healthy recipes, a family-friendly atmosphere, and Trunk or Treat, where keiki and youth go from parked car to car, asking for treats.
     For those interested in participating in Trunk or Treat, distributing goodies, prizes will be awarded for the best decorated car: Most Beautiful, Most Original, Spookiest, and a special awards for teachers or staff who decorate; decoration not required. Contact Nona at 928-3102 or Angie Miyashiro at 313-4100.

Nationwide 2019 Congressional App Challenge submissions from middle and high schoolers are open through Friday, Nov. 1. Submit to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, CongressionalAppChallenge.us, apps "designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science." All skill levels, all devices and platforms, and all programming languages, accepted.

Hoʻokupu Hula No Kaʻū Cultural Festival Booths can be reserved. The free event on Saturday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center, will feature cultural practitioners and demonstrators; workshops; crafts; food; music and entertainment from artists such as Bali Hai from Mexico, Vero Cruz Folklore Dancers, taiko drummers, UH-Hilo Filipino/Samoan dancers; and hula from Mexico, Japan, Virginia, ʻOahu, and Hawaiʻi Island. Interested vendors can apply for food, craft, or information booths. Email leionalani47@hotmail.com or call 808-649-9334. See hookupukau.com.

Tiny Treasure Invitational Exhibit at Volcano Art Center gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park runs through Sunday, Nov. 3. Open to the public, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free; Park entrance fees apply. The exhibition also celebrates VAC's 45th anniversary, Oct. 21.
     Artists include Daniel Rokovitz, Stone O'Daugherty, Kristin Mitsu Shiga, Pat Pearlman, and Amy Flanders, Karen and Mark Stebbins. Also on display, small works from the annual Volcano Art Collaboration from June, featuring Rose Adare, Nash Adams-Pruitt, Lisa Louise Adams, Ed Clapp, Amy Flanders, Bill Hamilton, Liz Miller, Joe Laceby, and Erik Wold. volcanoartcenter.org

Vendor Booth Space is Available for the Kamahalo Craft Fair. The 12th annual event will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, Nov. 299 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center. Booths are open for crafters with quality homemade and homegrown products. Food vendors must prepare all food items in a certified kitchen and must have a Department of Health permit displayed prominently at their booth. Application online at thecoopercenter.org. Direct questions to 936-9705 or kilaueatutu@gmail.com.

King Cab 2016 Nissan Frontier for Sale by Holy Rosary Church of Pāhala and the Sacred Heart Church of Nāʻālehu. The parishes are selling the truck to raise funds to benefit both churches. The truck is a great 6 cylinder, 2WD automobile. The churches are asking for $21K or best offer. Only cash or cashier's check will be accepted. Anyone interested should contact the parish secretary Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at 928-8208.

Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call Tata Compehos and Melody Espejo at 808-938-1088.

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