Friday, December 13, 2019

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, December 13, 2019

Keiki presented their annual Winter Celebration program to family and the community at Pāhala Elementary this evening.
See more photos, and find out what the children presented, below. Photo by Katie Graham
NĀʻĀLEHU THEATRE MAY BE DONATED TO THE COUNTY, according to today's Baltimore Sun, the newspaper of the hometown of the Weinberg Foundation, which owns the property.
     The historic theater has been the effort of numerous attempts for community members to lease or buy and restore the building. The adjacent Nāʻālehu Shopping Center was recently purchased by Duane Kurisu, who said he supported renovation and preservation of the theater.
     Baltimore Sun writer Hallie Miller reports Craig Demchack, Weinberg director of marketing and communications, saying, "The Weinberg Foundation is now in the process of gifting the theater to the county, which it hopes to complete by the end of 2019." Demchak said discussions about the theater began with Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim in 2018.
     He told Baltimore Sun, "It was clear to the Weinberg Foundation that the community would benefit from and prefer to have ownership of — and therefore control over — Nāʻālehu Theatre and its future. The Foundation is eager to execute the necessary documents with the County to complete this transaction ... [and] is pleased to resolve this real estate matter in a manner that wholly benefits the local community and puts the community in control of the building.
The county may soon have control over the historic Nāʻālehu Theatre. Photo by Peter Anderson
     "The Theater represents a place in time — a vibrant center of a former plantation town — that has the potential to reinvigorate the town today."
     Baltimore Sun reported that Weinberg issues $12 million in grants per year in Hawaiʻi and has given more than $350 million to nonprofits in Hawaiʻi over the last 30 years.
     A fact sheet, given to the Baltimore Sun, states that Weinberg, "regularly reexamines and realigns its investment portfolio, including real estate holdings (located primarily in Hawaiʻi and to a lesser extent in the Baltimore region) and is proud of its long history in Hawaiʻi and is deeply committed to serving the community with warmest aloha for many years to come."
     Baltimore Sun explains, "The foundation's Hawaiian footprint began after Weinberg traveled to the state in the 1950s and recognized its potential for tourism... He purchased properties throughout the islands and, later, transit companies.
     "According to the obituary, Weinberg was criticized as a callous landlord who neglected his properties in Baltimore and elsewhere. He shocked those critical of him when, toward the end of his 90 years, he announced he would bequeath most of his fortune, roughly $900 million, to his foundation's charitable trust."
     Weinberg bought the theater in 1979, when it was already known as one of the state's most endangered historic sites. However, according to the article, the county would not necessarily restore or rebuild it, and still would have to accept the gift.
     Diane Ley, director of the county's department of research and development, told The Baltimore Sun that "Renovating a building that size would prove costly, potentially hazardous, and time consuming. I'm not familiar with why the foundation bought it and let it go. It may have just fallen off their radar. It's a very small community with limited resources, and that creates a challenge as well."
Some of the roof damage to Nāʻālehu Theatre can be seen in this photo.
Photo by Peter Anderson
     Ley told the reporter that she is unsure of the purpose the building would serve in today's Nāʻālehu but hopes the county can engage with the community to determine what might benefit the area most.
     Said Ley, "People are generally not building theaters these days, people watch Netflix. And again, it's a very small community. To put together a theater of that size is probably not feasible."
     Ley said the county "can't just automatically accept things," and that accepting ownership of the theater would require administrative and legislative review. She said no action has been taken, that the county has others priorities, and that the process will probably not be completed in 2019. Demchak said the foundation hasn't been told of any delays.
     Nāʻālehu resident Glen Winterbottom told the Baltimore Sun, "We don't have any other old plantation memorials that have survived."
     The theater has had an opportunity to be placed on the Hawaiʻi Register of Historic Places, according to a resolution sponsored by state Rep. Richard Creagan last year that asked the county use eminent domain to preserve its legacy. Mayor Kim's office and members of the Hawaiʻi House of Representatives sent letters to the foundation in March 2018. The mayor asked what Weinberg's plans were for the theater and other property in Nāʻālehu "relative to the Foundation's mission to assist low-income and vulnerable families." The representatives asked Weinberg to work with the community to help preserve the theater.
     The theater has been listed on historichawaii.org/ since 2010. It is considered "threatened" by the Historic Hawaiʻi Foundation. Its website states that "due to its decline, the State Historic Preservation Division has determined it is now too damaged for the registry. As the structure's decline continues, there is the potential that the building could be declared a public safety hazard forcing the owners to decide between repair or demolition."

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Bamboo rhythms and hula from Pāhala children. Photo by Katie Graham
PĀHALA ELEMENTARY STUDENTS presented their annual Winter Celebration program tonight in the historic school gym. Kumu hula Debbie Ryder choreographed and led the students with assistance of musicians Demetrius Oliviera and Gene Back. During the program, the preschool students presented C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S; kindergarten, Christmas Island; first grade, O Holy Night; second grade, Kana Kaloka; third grade, Hawaiian Santa; fourth grade, Taro Patch Christmas; fifth grade, Kani Kani Pele; and sixth grade, Hoʻonani I Ka Hale.
     Also helping to produce and sponsor the event were the pre-k to sixth grade faculty, Principal Sharon Beck, Vice Principal Jason Britt, Student Activities Coordinator Trixy Grace, and the school's custodial staff.

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Debbie Ryder and Demetrius Oliviera accompany the children.
Photo by Julia Neal
MAYOR HARRY KIM VETOED A BAN ON HERBICIDE USE ON COUNTY LANDS this week. Hawaiʻi County Council can override the veto with six votes.
     In a letter to the council, Kim said he has "regulatory, operational, and other concerns" about the ban, which would bar use of 23 herbicides, including Roundup, in Hawaiʻi County parks, roads, bikeways, sidewalks, trails, drainageways, and waterways. He said the county "does not have the level of expertise to identify herbicides as causing 'high risk of exposure,' as “dangerous chemicals,' or as 'harmful chemicals.' In 2017, said Kim, the Environmental Protection Agency evaluated the cancer risk of glyphosate – one of the proposed banned herbicides – to humans as "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans" when used according to the labels.
     Kim said the EPA is responsible for regulating pesticides at the national level, that the Department of Agriculture regulates and enforces pesticide licensing, sale, and use at the State level, and that the bill "disregards" those regulations "in place to ensure the safety of people who use herbicides and well as those who work and play in areas where herbicides are used."
Hawaiian Santa in the third graders presentation. Photo by Julia Neal
     The mayor objected to the requirement for 24-hour notices to be posted before application of any of the banned herbicides, should they need to be used, recommended drying times, and how long the public would be banned from areas sprayed. Other concerns of the mayor include terms like "public park" not being defined.
     The mayor closed with a pledge to form a committee to "guide County operations in identifying and using best practices for the management of vegetation on County property, with the goal of reducing the use of herbicides. The function of this Committee is critical to the success of a program that ensures the continued protection of the community from exposure to handful chemicals… and doing our job of controlling invasive species."
     See more details on the proposed ban on the Nov. 23 Kaʻū News Briefs.

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EXTENDING DEADLINES TO ENROLL IN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID is the aim of Sen. Mazie Hirono. She and two Alaskan senators ask for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to extend the Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment deadline for 2020 by two hours, to accommodate residents of Hawaiʻi and Alaska. It would allow residents of all 50 states the same deadline of Dec. 15.
     Open Enrollment closes at 3 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on Dec. 16, which is 10 p.m. Hawaiʻi Standard Time and 11 p.m. Alaska Time on Dec. 15. The senators wrote that the timing of the deadline "is not prominently advertised on HealthCare.gov, leaving residents in Alaska and Hawaiʻi to falsely assume they can enroll in health coverage through the end of the day on Dec. 15, resulting in a misleading deadline for the residents of these two states," said Hirono.
Elementary students present their Christmas program to community.
Photo by Katie Graham
     "Data from past open enrollment periods indicate that many people put off enrolling in health coverage until the last minute. Last year, about half of sign-ups occurred in the last week and the final day of Open Enrollment is the busiest, particularly the final hours. Given how many mainland consumers sign up in the final hours of Open Enrollment, it is clear that consumers assume that midnight is the deadline. It is unacceptable to take away this valuable window of time away from people simply because they live in a different state.
      "It is absolutely vital that the residents of Hawaiʻi and Alaska be given an equal opportunity to that of the rest of the country to enroll through midnight local time on Dec. 15. It is our understanding that keeping the Marketplace open for an additional two hours does not require significant infrastructure changes or staffing changes, and is a policy that should have been implemented years ago."

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IMPROVING THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM, cracking down on child pornography, paid parental leave for federal workers, and protecting military bases from extreme weather events are pieces of legislation set to become law. They are authored by Sen. Brian Schatz and will be included in the annual National Defense Authorization Act. Each provision was introduced as an individual bill and incorporated into the bipartisan NDAA package.
     Paid Parental Leave for Federal Workers: This bill would provide two million federal workers with 12 weeks of paid leave to care for a new child after birth, adoption, or the initiation of foster care. Although the current Family and Medical Leave Act allows employees to take 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care of a new child, it does not provide any paid leave.
Sen. Brian Schatz. Photo from flickr
     A statement from Schatz's office states that studies show that providing paid leave for federal employees "would save the government at least $50 million annually in turnover and replacement costs. Federal agencies are already struggling to recruit and retain young talent. Just six percent of the federal workforce is under the age of 30, while roughly 40 percent of the workforce is eligible to retire within the next three years.
     The Authenticating Local Emergencies and Real Threats Act: Introduced by Senator Schatz following the false emergency alert that went out across Hawai‘i in January 2018, the ALERT Act would improve the emergency alert system and give the federal government the primary responsibility of alerting the public of a missile threat.
     A statement from Schatz's office states the system for alerting the public of threats from natural disasters and severe weather "has relied on an inconsistent patchwork of technologies and procedures established by each agency. The false alarm in Hawai‘i highlighted some of the weaknesses in the state's emergency alert system." Schatz's office states the state system "had a poorly designed user interface and did not have a sufficient verification system or computer redundancies to help prevent mistakes. The incident made clear the need for federal standards in the system and called into question the state's responsibility to issue a missile alert."
     The End National Defense Network Abuse Act: Peer-to-peer file trading of child pornography on the Defense Department's network ranks 19th out of 2,891 networks nationwide, says a statement from Schatz's office. The END Act would help the Pentagon stop the viewing, possession, trade, procurement, and production of child pornography on the DOD's network upgrade the training and technical capacity of military criminal investigative organizations to confront the misuse. It would also require the DOD to enter into collaborative agreements with appropriate federal, state and local law enforcement entities, child protection organizations, trauma informed health care providers, and targeted social services.
     The Requiring Every American Defense Installation to Nullify Environmental Stresses for Security Act: Protecting military bases from extreme weather events by requiring them to prepare for potential disasters and other risks posed by severe changes in environmental conditions is the goal of the READINESS Act. It would require that all DOD bases have plans that include current risks, threats to military resilience resulting from extreme weather events, changes in sea level, flooding, and wildfires. The Act would also include the future risks and threats to bases during their 50-year lifespans, using projections from recognized governmental and scientific entities, such as the National Academies of Sciences, U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. Global Change Research Office.

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ADDITIONAL FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDING to help Hawaiʻi recover from natural disasters of 2018 – April storms, Hurricane Lane, and the eruption of Kilauea – was issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Fund. The $26 million adds to the $71 million issued earlier this year from the same source. Hawaiʻi has been issued more than $612.7 million in federal disaster relief funding, to help state and local governments rebuild impacted communities, especially in low- and moderate-income areas, and provide resources to help businesses recover.
The Senate Committee on the Climate Crisis, chaired by Sen. Schatz, held a 
hearing on how to help communities rebuild after severe weather. 
To watch the hearing, click here. Photo from Schatz's office
     Sen. Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, worked with federal agencies and state and county officials to ensure Hawai‘i submitted a strong application to receive the maximum amount of funding, says a statement from his office. The new funding allocation was part of the $1.7 billion housing disaster recovery package Congress passed last year.
     Other sources of funding include:
     Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - $15.3 million of individual assistance to help people who have lost their home, and $205 million of public assistance to help local and state governments clean up and repair public infrastructure such as facilities, parks, and water lines;
     Department of Transportation - $93.1 million to help rebuild roads and highways;
     Department of the Interior - $80 million to help repair damages at the Hawai‘i Volcanoes Observatory and the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge;
     Department of Housing & Urban Development - $71 million for housing and community development;
     Small Business Administration - $47.2 million in subsidized loans to help individuals and businesses pay for repairs not covered by insurance;
     Department of Labor in Disaster Unemployment Insurance - $4 million to help those who lost their job temporarily or permanently because of a disaster and are not eligible for regular unemployment benefits; and
     Economic Development Administration - $187,000 to provide technical assistance for economic development activities in disaster impacted areas.

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ENJOY SEASONAL EVENTS TOMORROW, SATURDAY, Dec. 14 all over Kaʻū:
     Ocean View Keiki Christmas with St. Jude's Christmas Celebration: 10 a.m to 2 p.m., at Kahuku Park, 92-8607 Paradise Circle Mauka, and at St. Jude's lower parking lot, across the street. The free joint event will feature two tents from the church: Santa's Reading Room, where keiki receive books, and the North Pole, where keiki receive Christmas stockings and other gifts. Santa will hold court in the park, and there will be other treats on offer.
     Holidays at Kahuku: Hawaiian-Made Craft Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park in Ka‘ū. The Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park invites everyone to the second annual, free, family-friendly event featuring local crafters selling jewelry, pottery, holiday decorations, and more. Live music includes performances by rock ‘n rollers Shootz, the "Queen of Opera" D’Andrea Pelletier, and a surprise guest performing Hawaiian music. Volcano House will provide food for purchase, and Friends will sell shave ice, drinks, chips, and logo merchandise. Books, native species plush toys, and other park-related items will be for sale in the Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association store. All proceeds from this event support park projects and educational programs.  nps.gov/havo
     Jazz in the Forest: Christmas Jazz at 5:30p.m.Volcano Art Center. The annual performance will feature Jean Pierre Thoma & the Jazztones with Jeannine Guillory-Kane, performing classics of the holiday season. Ticket are $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. Purchase tickets online through Dec. 13, or at the VAC Admin Office or VAC Gallery. Pūpū, wine, and beer available for purchase. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
     Nāʻālehu Christmas Lighting Parade: Beginning at 6 p.m., the second annual parade will run along Hwy. 11, from Nā‘ālehu Elementary School to Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Refreshments will follow at Nāʻālehu Community Center. Sponsored by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association which also hosts local rodeos and takes care of Nāʻālehu Rodeo Grounds., the nighttime parade features marching units, floats, trucks, and ATVs, and will add riders on horses this year. Parade line-up starts at 5:30 p.m. Those interested in participating in the parade are asked to sign a waiver and meet at the school by 5 p.m.
     Soul Town BandKīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge in the Park will host the performance from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $5 cover charge. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
     The Wonder of Christmas: The 26th Annual Winter Concert Presented by Volcano Festival Chorus will be held at 7:30 p.m. in KMC's Kilauea Theater. The 25-member chorus is under the direction of Roch Jones, with accompaniment by Melanie Oldfather. Also joining the chorus will be Cheryl Shine on flute.
     This year's concert features both sacred and secular music. Many of the chorus' favorites are being performed. The Carols of Gathering by Joseph Martin will open the program, which is varied and includes a number of tunes with classical music themes, as well as variations on familiar Christmas carols. Popular carols Do You Hear What I Hear?, Have You Heard The News, and a medley of songs about angels titled Angels Sing Glory! are featured. The choir will perform some of their past favorites: African Alleluia, Ding, Dong! Merrily on High, and the politically incorrect version of Baby, It's Cold Outside. An audience sing-along is included.
     The chorus, started 1994 by renowned music director Camille Almy, is now sponsored by the Kilauea Drama & Entertainment Network. This is the 26th concert that is presented as a gift to the Volcano community as a mahalo for their support of KDEN.
     Admission is free; however, donations will be gratefully accepted. Park entrance fees may apply. For more information, call 982-7344.

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

2019-2020 Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball
Mon., Dec. 16 host Pāhoa JV/Christian Liberty
Tue., Jan. 7 @Kohala

Boys Basketball
Wed., Dec. 18 host Keaʻau
Sat., Dec. 21 @St. Joseph
Sat., Dec. 28 host Kohala
Fri., Jan. 3 host HPA
Sat., Jan. 4 host Pāhoa

Wrestling
Sat., Dec. 14 @Hilo
Sat., Jan. 4 @Waiakea

Soccer
Sat., Dec. 14 Boys @Makualani
Mon., Dec. 16 Girls host HPA, 3pm
Wed., Dec. 18, @Keaʻau
Sat., Dec. 21 Boys host Christian Liberty, 3pm
Mon., Dec. 23 Boys host Kohala, 3pm
Sat., Jan. 4 Girls host Honokaʻa, 3pm
Mon., Jan. 6 @HPA

Swimming
Sat., Dec. 14 @Kona Community Aquatic Center
Sat., Jan. 4 @Kamehameha

UPCOMING
SATURDAY, DEC. 14
Nā Mamo o Kāwā Community Access Day, Saturday, Dec. 14, gates open 6a.m.-6p.m., Kāwā. All cars must park at end of road fronting Kāwā Flats. Dogs must be on leash. No driving through fish pond. 557-1433, nmok.orgfacebook.com/NMOK.Hawaii

Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Saturday, Dec. 14, 8-11a.m., Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Guided Hike On A 60 Year Old Lava Lake, Saturday, Dec. 14, 10a.m.-2p.m.Kīlauea Iki Overlook, HVNP. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate to challenging 2.4 mile (one way) hike. $80/person. Register online. Park entrance fees may apply. 985-7373, admin@fhvnp.orgfhvnp.org

Holidays at Kahuku: Hawaiian-Made Craft Fair, Saturday, Dec. 14, 10a.m.-3p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free entry. Entertainment, food, shave ice. nps.gov/havo

Ocean View Keiki Christmas with St. Jude's Christmas Celebration, Saturday, Dec. 14, 10a.m-2p.m., Kahuku Park and lower parking lot of St. Jude's.

Zentangle Artist Inspired Workshop with Lydia Meneses, Saturday, Dec. 14, 10a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. Creative tangle techniques inspired by Gustav Klimt and Keith Haring. Art supplies provided. Open to all levels. No experience required. Potluck, bring snack to share. $30/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $15 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Kapuaikapoliopele Ka‘au‘a with Unuokeahi and Unuiti, Saturday, Dec. 14, 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 Kumu Hula Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe, Saturday, Dec. 14, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.comvolcanoartcenter.org

Jazz in the Forest: Christmas Jazz, Saturday, Dec. 14, 5:30p.m.Volcano Art Center. Featuring Jean Pierre Thoma & the Jazztones with Jeannine Guillory-Kane performing classics of the holiday season. Ticket are $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. Purchase tickets online through Jan. 13, VAC Admin Office or VAC Gallery. Pūpū, wine, and beer available for purchase. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Christmas Lighting Parade, Saturday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m., along Hwy. 11, from Nā‘ālehu Elementary School to Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Refreshments to follow at Community Center. Ka‘ū Roping & Riding Association. Participants sign waiver by 5p.m. at school.

Soul Town Band, Saturday, Dec. 14, 7-10p.m.Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Volcano Chorus: 25th Annual Holiday Concert, Saturday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m.Kīlauea Military Camp's Theater, in HVNP. Free; donations accepted. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com

SUNDAY, DEC. 15
3rd Annual Hawai‘i Bird Conservation Marathon, Sunday, Dec. 15, Volcano Golf and Country Club to Boy Scouts' Kīlauea Camp. Funds raised support endemic birds of Hawai‘i through the Hawai‘i Forest Institute for the Keauhou Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest in Volcano. Race registration closed. Donations welcome; donors of over $100 invited to behind the scene tour of Keauhou Bird Conservation Center Discovery Forest, 10a.m.-noon, Saturday, Dec. 14. hawaiiforestinstitute.kindful.com

‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sunday, Dec. 15, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, easy one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

TUESDAY, DEC. 17
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Dec. 17 (Committees), Wednesday, Dec. 18, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Ti Leaf Lei Making with Jelena Clay, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 11a.m.-1p.m.Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

After Dark in the Park: Holiday Concert, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 7-8p.m.Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Acclaimed Hawai‘i musician and recording artist Randy Lorenzo and upcoming vocalist Jennie Kaneshiro. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 18
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 12:30-1:30p.m.Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Family Reading Night, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6-7p.m.,Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Cafeteria. Family reading time plus make and take activities; snacks provided.

THURSDAY, DEC. 19
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Dec. 19, 4-6p.m.Cooper CenterVolcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

Nāʻālehu School Family Reading Night, Thursday, Dec. 19, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Family reading, make & take activities, and snacks provided. Free. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, DEC. 20
Dances of Universal Peace, Friday, Dec. 20, 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

ONGOING
Holiday Ornament Registration, through Dec. 16, Kahuku Park. Program takes place Wednesday, Dec. 18, 3-4p.m. Ages 6-14. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation

Christmas in the Country featuring 20th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, daily, through Dec. 31, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511

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 808-938-1088.

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