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| A typical Kaʻū backyard fireworks display on a farm in Wood Valley on New Years Eve. See more photos, below. Photo by Michael Worthington |
A FEDERAL WORKERS UNION SUES OVER SHUTDOWN: As the partial
federal government closure, starting Dec. 22, pressured Hawaiʻi
Volcanoes National Park and other federal entities to shutter facilities and programs,
the American Federation of Government Employees sued. Lead attorney Heidi Burakiewicz filed suit on New Years Eve for employees labeled "essential" and "expected" who work during the
shutdown without pay. They include those critical for security and infrastructure. Among those who could be covered by the suit are federal
firefighters and law enforcement officers at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
Burakiewicz told The
Washington Post reporter Deanna Paul, "It's outrageous the government
expects them to work without knowing when they'll get their next
paycheck."
She said that nationwide, essential and expected federal employees face workplaces understaffed and unfair costs, like commuting to work, gas, and child care. "They may be paycheck to paycheck,
have cellphone bills, mortgages...It's unacceptable for any employer, but
especially for the U.S.
government." She told The Washington Post that timing of the closure already qualified some employees to sue and that many more, some 420,000 across
the country, would be eligible if the shutdown goes beyond the next pay
cycle that ends midnight Saturday, Jan. 5.
In addition to those in the
National Park Service, the suit covers employees in the
Departments of Transportation, Forest Service, Housing and Urban Development,
Commerce, and IRS. Those who work in border patrol and federal prison guards are
included.
The American Federation of Government Employees filing the suit is the largest union representing federal government workers.
The American Federation of Government Employees filing the suit is the largest union representing federal government workers.
In the meantime, Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation
promised to fight to fund the government and to break the standoff with Pres. Donald Trump who is holding up government funding until he receives money to build a wall along the southern mainland border of the country to keep out immigrants.
Nationwide, some 800,000 government employees were without paychecks at the beginning of 2019 and many may never see a dime for time they were involuntarily furloughed. Sen. Mazie Hirono vowed to work with congress to pay them, and offered
her own pay during the shutdown to Hawaiʻi's food banks.
As the shutdown continues, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes keeps its main gate open, without admission fees. Non-profits and Park business partners step up to help visitors.
Should the shutdown roll through weeks in January, it would be difficult to keep the park open without funding, said park officials. However, just before the New Year, Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaiʻi County were expecting to commit money to assist Hawai`i Volcanoes. The state and its Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority also considered assisting, as it did for the Arizona Memorial on Oʻahu.
Nationwide, some 800,000 government employees were without paychecks at the beginning of 2019 and many may never see a dime for time they were involuntarily furloughed. Sen. Mazie Hirono vowed to work with congress to pay them, and offered
her own pay during the shutdown to Hawaiʻi's food banks.As the shutdown continues, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes keeps its main gate open, without admission fees. Non-profits and Park business partners step up to help visitors.
Should the shutdown roll through weeks in January, it would be difficult to keep the park open without funding, said park officials. However, just before the New Year, Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaiʻi County were expecting to commit money to assist Hawai`i Volcanoes. The state and its Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority also considered assisting, as it did for the Arizona Memorial on Oʻahu.
Open at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are: Volcano Art Center Gallery; Volcano House
hotel, restaurants, and stores; Kīlauea Theatre; KMC accommodations,
restaurant, store, and lounge; and Kīlauea
Visitor Center Visitor
Center 9 .am . to 5 p.m.
every day.
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| Aerial fireworks displays over homes in Pāhalaon New Years Eve. Photo by Michael Worthington |
The rest of the
park is closed, including the Kahuku Unit near Ocean View, Chain of Craters Road,
Escape Road , all
campgrounds, and all backcountry areas.
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see Facebook. Follow us
on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our
latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
NWS issued this
warning, "Expect 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. Boaters should expect recreational surfers and body boarders utilizing
harbor channels to access surfing areas."
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| Many fire works displays sent lights, smoke, booms and bangs into the air across Kaʻū on New Years Eve. Photo by Michael Worthington |
NEW YEAR WISHES FROM Gov, David Ige and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
were posted to social media today. Ige's message
was, "A dawn of a new year. Let us move forward together and make 2019 our
best year yet. HAPPY NEW YEAR!"
Gabbard posted:
"As we begin this New Year, let us do our best to #livealoha, and
commit to bringing the light of love, care and compassion into a world that so
desperately needs it. Only light can drive out darkness; only love can drive
out hate. #MLK #NewYearsDay."
She also posted: "Aloha is deep love & respect for one another that
transcends any differences. Aloha inspires us to take action - to serve, to
care for, & protect others. Service before self. On this New Years, share
examples of aloha in your own life & how you share aloha with others #LiveAloha."
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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 High Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball:
Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo , 6pm
Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm
Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm
Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm
Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau
Boys Basketball:
Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm
Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm
Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm
Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm
Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm
Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm
Wrestling:
Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea
Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha
Soccer:
Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA
Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe
Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo
Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau
Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa
Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani
Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona
Swimming:
Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am
Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am
NEW and UPCOMING
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USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist monitors Kīlauea Volcano's
Lower East Rift Zone lava flow on June 25. Photo from USGS |
The May through August, 2018, lower East Rift Zone eruption resulted in numerous new insights into how Kīlauea Volcano works and provided scientists new opportunities to improve their understanding of volcanic hazards. Matt Patrick, a geologist with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, describes the expected and unexpected aspects of the eruption and discusses how the activity might be used to improve his and other scientists’ ability to forecast future hazards on Kīlauea.
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.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
Hula Voices w/Kumu Hula Leilehua Yuen, Wed., Jan. 2, 5-6:30pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free, monthly. 967-7565
Open Mic Night, Wed., Jan. 2, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign-up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
THURSDAY, JANUARY 3
Women's Support Group, Thu., Jan. 3 and 17, 3-4:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 1st and 3rd Thu. of every month thereafter. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460
Open Mic Night, Wed., Jan. 2, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign-up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Women's Support Group, Thu., Jan. 3 and 17, 3-4:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 1st and 3rd Thu. of every month thereafter. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460
Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu., Jan. 3, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Thu., Jan. 3, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4
‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Thu., Jan. 3, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org
FRIDAY, JANUARY 4
Story Time with Lindsey Miller - PARENTS, Inc., Fri., Jan. 4, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5
Big Island Road Runners Hilo to Volcano 50 Kilometer Ultra Marathon and Team Relay, Sat., Jan. 5, 6am, Moku Ola (Coconut Island) parking area to Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Race Director David Cotter, 339-7210, bigislandroadrunners.org
EXHIBIT: From the Slopes Of Two Mountains, daily, Sat., Jan. 5 - Sun., Feb. 10, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Features glass works of Michael Mortara, Misato Mochizuki Mortara, W. Chris Lowry and Marianne J. Lowry. Opening reception with artists Jan. 5, 5-7pm. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org
Art Express, Sat., Jan. 5 and Feb. 2, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express
Keiki Science Class, Sat., Jan. 5, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. First Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com
Spiritual Healing, Sat., Jan. 5, 3-4:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Led by Debra Zager. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
SUNDAY, JANUARY 6
SATURDAY, JANUARY 5
Big Island Road Runners Hilo to Volcano 50 Kilometer Ultra Marathon and Team Relay, Sat., Jan. 5, 6am, Moku Ola (Coconut Island) parking area to Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Race Director David Cotter, 339-7210, bigislandroadrunners.org
Art Express, Sat., Jan. 5 and Feb. 2, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express
Keiki Science Class, Sat., Jan. 5, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. First Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com
Spiritual Healing, Sat., Jan. 5, 3-4:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Led by Debra Zager. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Sunday Clay - High Fire (new sessions), Sun., Jan. 6-Mar. 3 (no class Jan. 20), morning session 11:30-2:30pm, afternoon session 2:45-5:45pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. 8 week session w/Erik Wold on potters wheel (7 slots open per session) or hand-building (2 slots open per session) techniques. Beginners and continuing students welcome. $180/VAC member, $200/non-member, plus $15 materials fee for 6 lbs clay, including glazes and firing for that material. Additional clay available for purchase. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Jan. 6, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Monthly. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058
Overflow 2019: Unleashing Your Untapped Potential, Sun., Jan. 6, through Sat., Jan. 16, 6 p.m., and Sun., Jan. 13, 9:45 a.m., Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God. Seven days of prayer and fasting. Music by Ola Shaw. Special Guest Musician Ricky "RNB" Brown. Event features five guest speakers. 929-7278, naalehuag.org
MONDAY, JANUARY 7
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Jan. 6, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Monthly. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058
MONDAY, JANUARY 7
Painting w/Peggy, Mon., Jan. 7, noon-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Three hour Acrylic Painting Session for artists of all levels with Margaret "Peggy" Stanton. No pervious experience needed. Students bring own supplies and easels - suggested material list at margaretstantonart.com. $15/VAC member, $20 per non-member. Register at volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222. Questions, email peggystanton007@yahoo.com
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Jan. 7 and 21, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon., Jan. 7, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Jan. 7 and 21, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue., Jan. 8 (Committees), Wed., Jan. 9, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Jan. 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team in and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087
Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue., Jan. 8, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.
After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tue., Jan. 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta presents. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Jan. 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team in and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087
After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tue., Jan. 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta presents. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
ONGOING
Registration for P&R Boys & Girls, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball League open through Jan. 16, Kahuku Park, H.OV.E. For ages 5-8. Programs run Jan. 22-Apr. 18, game and practice times tba. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.
Applications for a Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are being accepted. The year-long, full-time position is in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona .
Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.
Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.
Applications for a Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are being accepted. The year-long, full-time position is in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and 
Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.
Applicants must be at least 17 years old, and possess or be working towards a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must also have their own housing and transportation, a driver's license, and be able to pass a criminal history check.
The internship is offered through Kupu Hawai‘i. Those interested are asked to fill out an application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation under Conservation Leaders Program as soon as possible. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.
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