Sunday, January 06, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, January 6, 2019

"Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is of great cultural significance to the Native Hawaiian community
and houses important marine ecosystems that the Department of Commerce is committed to protecting for
future generations," said former Dept. of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker in 2017. Photo from UNESCO
THE FORMER SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR, whose agency oversees 500 million acres of land, including Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, "told the Associated Press he's lived up to the conservation ideals of Theodore Roosevelt." The AP story released today said Ryan Zinke stated, "Teddy Roosevellt said conservation is as much development as it is preservation. Much of our work returned the American conservation ethic to bet science, best practices... rather than an elites view of non-management that lets nature take its course."
     AP writer Matthew Brown, quoting historian Patricia Limerick, pointed out that Zinke's idea "to reduce the size of national monuments in the West and elsewhere was in direct contrast to Roosevelt's embrace of the law that allowed their creation, the Antiquities Act of 1906."
     One of the monuments studied for reduction in size is the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, which covers 583,000 square miles acres of ocean, which includes the Northwest Hawaiian Islands, ten islands and atolls. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Due to the government shutdown, the website about the monument, papahanaumokuakea.gov, is unavailable.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument could be opened to commercial fishing, according to recommendations 
by former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zenke. Map from Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
     In August of 2017, Zinke provided a report reviewing the status of 27 National Monuments to Pres. Donald Trump which, according to The Washington Post, calls for the possible overturning of fishing and hunting bans within National Monuments. It also calls for considering reduction in sizes of National Monuments. Papahānaumokuākea, which expanded during the presidency of Barack Obama to become the largest marine preserve in the world, is one National Monument suggested for downsizing.
     The Washington Post story by Juliet Eilperin and Darry Fears quotes Conservation International Center for Oceans. Its senior Vice President Aulani Wilhelm was Papahānaumokuākea's first superintendent. Eilperin and Fears report Wilhem saying Papahānaumokuākea is the world's largest gathering spot for seabirds and is home for a myriad of endangered species that have proven largely resilient despite climate change. "There's a need to have areas in the ocean not only to understand the changes underway but to protect functioning systems as a hedge against those changes," Wilhelm told The Washington Post.
"The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are home to one of the
most diverse and threatened ecosystems on the planet and a
sacred place for the Native Hawaiian community," said
former Sec. of Interior Sally Jewell in 2017. 

Photo from UNESCO
     Also in the article, The Washington Post reports long-line fishery groups in Hawaiʻi have "argued that the expansion of Papahānaumokuākea's boundaries… impedes its catch."
     In regards to the requested report, Zinke wrote, "No President should use the authority under the Antiquities Act to restrict public access, prevent hunting and fishing, burden private land, or eliminate traditional land uses, unless such action is needed to protect the object." He said the recommendations he sent to Trump will provide "a much needed change for the local communities who border and rely on these lands for hunting and fishing, economic development, traditional uses, and recreation."
     According to The New York Times, Robert D. Rosenbaum, who serves as counsel to the National Parks Conservation Association, said no president has sought to shrink a monument's boundaries in the past four decades: "If the president attempts unilaterally to take adverse action on any of the monuments under review, he would be on very shaky legal ground, and we expect the action would be challenged in federal court."

The Hawaiian monk seal is at home in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine
National Monument
. It is one of the most critically endangered marine
mammals in the United States. Photo by James Watt/
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
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THE AFTER DARK IN THE PARK TALK BY CAROLYN PARCHETA from U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory for Tuesday, Jan. 8, is cancelled, USGS Scientist in Charge at HVO Tina Neal told The Kaʻū Calendar.
     "We will make decisions on remaining USGS talks depending on a return to operation," says the scientist. "Talks by non-USGS scientists at UH Hilo and Lyman Museum later in the month are unaffected. Apologies for the inconvenience. We will try to reschedule missed talks when possible."
     This comes on day 16 of a partial government shutdown, affecting Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to the point where even funds donated by Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiʻi County will only keep parts of the Park operational through Wednesday, Jan., 9. See yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs for more.
Websites like NOAA's Papahānaumokuākea site are unavailable
during the partial government shutdown.
     President Donald Trump is still refusing to sign any bill to reopen the government that does not include $5.7 billion to fund a southern mainland U.S. border wall, which he promised during his campaign. He said Mexico would pay for it.
     Trump has threatened to keep refusing bills "for months or even years," though the U.S. House approved a bill on Thursday to fund the government, without border wall money. The Senate passed a similar bill in late December. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the House's bill was "political theater," and has said he would not bring any bill before the Senate that Trump won't sign. Trump has also threatened to declare a national emergency in order to use the military to build the wall.
     Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted a number of effects of the shutdown. He said "some National Parks are entirely closed. Others that are allowing people in need their maintenance crews on the job, at least to clean the bathrooms."
     He predicted that tax refunds will be late. He said that government funds to help Hawaiʻi recover from recent disasters will be delayed. Thousands of people who are not receiving their government pay "are late with rents and mortgages," he said. "America is being harmed by the American President."
     Schatz tweeted, "FBI agents not getting paid. E-verify not working. Courts shut down. National Parks sullied." He said, "Contractors not getting paid. This shutdown is stupid for America and it's about to get way worse, quickly.
Sen. Brian Schatz promises to work on a bill to
protect federal employees and contracted workers
from future shutdowns. Photo from Schatz's Flickr
     "The authority to declare a national emergency gives POTUS extraordinary powers for real emergencies. It is not for a POTUS who isn't getting his way. Imagine the freakout if a D declared an emergency for something other than an attack on homeland or a massive natural disaster.
     "The next President should have more sympathy for tenants than landlords. The next President should know regular people. The next President should know what the government does.
     "If Trump doesn't open the government soon hundreds of thousands of American public servants will have to go 30 full days without pay. We should just pass the bill we already passed and end this shameful episode."
     Schatz also retweeted, from @HannahMiyamoto, "Congress should pass a law protecting federal employees and contracted workers from civil proceedings during and as a result of any #shutdown, similar to the Service Members Civil Relief Act. Make corporations and banks share the pain of federal workers." He tweeted "This is a good idea and I have my legislative team working on it over the weekend."
Food security for 98,000 Hawaiian households hangs
in the balance as the government shutdown continues.
     Upcoming effects from a continued shutdown include SNAP (food stamps) benefits being cut, and places like airports unable to process travelers as more and more TSA agents, forced to work more than two weeks without pay, say they will not show up for work, according to their unions, because they can no longer afford transportation. This will, in turn, affect tourism numbers, and food security for the 98,000 households in Hawaiʻi that receive SNAP benefits.

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GROUND PENETRATING RADAR will map the condition of Hwy 11 in the Volcano area from tomorrow, Monday, Jan. 7, through Friday, Jan. 16. The state Department of Transportation will carry out the subterranean survey work. The vehicle with ground-penetrating radar will travel along Māmalahoa Highway between mile markers 28 and 32. The road in the Volcano area suffered severe damage and undermining during the daily earthquakes during Kīlauea's eruption last year.

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A LARGE EARTHQUAKE SOUTH OF THE PHILIPPINES TODAY, registering 6.6 on the Richter Scale, does not put Hawaiʻi in danger of a tsunami, reports the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The quake struck at 7:27 a.m. in the Molucca Sea, south of the Philippine island Mindanao, where Davao City is, and between the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi and North Maluku.
The 6.6 earthquake today near the Philippines did not generate a tsunami threat for Hawaiʻi.
Map from earthquake.usgs.gov

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KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL team played an away game against Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy. Kaʻū scored 38, while their opponents scored 60.
     Trojans Boys Soccer hosted Kealakehe the same day, ending TKO with Kaʻū at 0, Kealakeha with 9.
     See the schedule of upcoming home games for all Trojans Winter sports, below, for a chance to root for the home team.

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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
Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball:
Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm
Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm
Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm
Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau
Boys Basketball:
Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm
Jan. 11, Fri., host Konawaena, 6pm
Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm
Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm
Jan. 21, Mon., @Hilo6pm
Wrestling:
Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha
Jan. 19, Sat., @Keaʻau
Soccer:
Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo
Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau
Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa
Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani
Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona
Jan. 18, Fri., Boys host Pāhoa
Jan. 21, Mon., Girls BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Jan. 22, Tue., Boys @Kohala
Swimming:
Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am
Jan. 19, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING
New Stained Glass Open Studio Sessions on Monday
evenings available at Volcano Art Center.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org
VOLCANO ART CENTER OFFERS NEW STAINED GLASS OPEN STUDIO SESSIONS on Monday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at their Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.
     Studio drop-ins are available for artists with some experience in Copper Foil Stained Glass who wish to use the equipment, hand tools and facilities independently. There will be a resource person for project help and questions. Fees are $10 per session or $40 for four sessions which includes a grinder bit. All other materials and supplies are not included in the fee.
     If special project help is required, notify Volcano Art Center prior to Open Studio. Pre-registration is required. To register, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

A FREE COMMUNITY DANCE AT THE COOPER CENTER IN VOLCANO VILLAGE, is hosted on Friday, Jan. 11, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering a variety of music. Coffee, tea, water and snack provided. Free admission; donations appreciated. It is an alcohol-free event. Minors are allowed with supervision only. For more, call 967-7800, or visit thecoopercenter.org.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 7
Painting w/Peggy, Mon., Jan. 7, noon-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Monthly acrylic painting session, artists of all levels. Students bring own supplies and easels - suggested material list at margaretstantonart.com. $15/VAC member, $20/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 and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Mon., Jan. 7, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

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 info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tue., Jan. 8, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

CANCELLED: 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. USGS HVO geologist Carolyn Parcheta presents. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits. Dental, Wed., Jan. 9, 8-5pm. Medical, Thu., Jan. 31, 1-5pm. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Wed., Jan. 9, 16, and 31, 9:30-10:30am, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. All ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign up. Free; donations accepted.

Lau Hala - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau - Experience the Skillful Work - Wed., Jan. 9, 10-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Jan. 9 and 23, 2-3:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly. Free. Pre-registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10
Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Thu., Jan. 10, 17, & 31, 9:30-10:30am, Pāhala Senior Center. All ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign up. Free; donations accepted.

Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Jan. 10, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Papa ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i: Beginning Hawaiian Language Classes w/ Kaliko Trapp, Thu., Jan. 10, Part V, 5-6:30pm, Part VIII, 6:30-8pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. 8 week sessions focusing on expanding simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. Some (basic for Part V) Hawaiian language experience preferred. $80/VAC member, $90/non-member. Required workbook for both sessions: Nā Kai ‘Ewalu, available at UH Hilo Bookstore. Hawaiian language dictionary suggested. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Jan. 10, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

STOKE Screening, Thu., Jan. 10, 7-9pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Film follows Jane, a struggling tourist, who hires two wannabe tour guides to take her to an active volcano. 90 min. narrative feature shot on Hawai‘i Island in 2017. Rated R for language and brief nudity. Directors in attendance for brief Q&A. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11
PATCH Class #701, Creating Supportive Environments I, Fri., Jan. 11, 8-11am, back pavilion, Punalu‘u Bakery, Nā‘ālehu. Making connection between the environment, social-emotional development, and challenging behaviors - specifically relating to pre-school, home day care, etc. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #219, Building Relationships, Fri., Jan. 11, noon-3pm, back pavilion, Punalu‘u Bakery, Nā‘ālehu. Making connection between social and emotional development and challenging behaviors - specifically relating to pre-school, home day care, etc. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

Free Artist in Residence Lecture and Concert w/Celebrated Composer Glenn McClure, Fri., Jan. 11, 6pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center. McClure is a composer, educator, and data scientist. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Free Community Dance, Fri., Jan. 11, 7-10pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Coffee, tea, water, and snack provided. Free; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, JANUARY 12
Pancake Breakfast & Raffle, Sat., Jan. 12, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Stained Glass Basics II: Fan Lamp Project, Sat. & Sun., Jan. 12, 13, 19 and 20, 9-noon, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Claudia McCall provides patterns to create a finished lamp or light catcher at end of 4-session workshop. $90/VAC member, $100/non-member, plus $30 supply fee/person. Additional $20 supply fee for lamp base and bulb. Limited space, pre-registration required. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222



Nā Mamo o Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Jan. 12, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org, facebook.com/namamo.kawa

Introduction to Zentangle w/Ellen O'Dunn, Sat., Jan. 12, 10-1pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Supplies included, no experience necessary. Bring light refreshment to share. $30, plus $10 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hawai‘i Health Systems Corp.'s East Hawai‘i Region Annual Public Mtg. and Forum, Sat., Jan. 12, 1:30-2:30pm, Ka‘ū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, 1 Kamani Street, Pāhala. Terry Larson, Regional Board Executive Assistant, 315-7558

SUNDAY, JANUARY 13
A Celebration of Life and Art: Honoring the Legacy of Dietrich Varez, Sun., Jan. 13, 1-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

ONGOING
The Public is Invited to Speak Up on Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, health needs, and health care planning for Kaʻū. Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp.'s East Hawaiʻi Region annual public meeting and forum will take place Saturday, Jan. 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kaʻū Hospital, 1 Kamani Street, in Pāhala.
     An overview of the operations and financial condition of all facilities, including Kaʻū and Hilo hospitals, as well as a view toward the future, will be presented. Ample time will be available for community members to share their perspectives and concerns regarding access to health care services, said a statement from Hawaiʻi Health Systems.
     Dr. Daniel Belcher, Chair of the East Hawaiʻi Regional Board of HHSC, said, "I would like to encourage everyone who has an interest in our hospitals and regional health system to bring your questions and concerns to this meeting."
     For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Executive Assistant at 315-7558.

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

Overflow 2019: Uleashing Your Untapped Potential, seven days of prayer and fasting hosted by Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God's Senior Pastor Rev. Kevin T. Brown and Pastor Rick Eilerman, takes place Sunday, Jan. 6, through Sunday, Jan. 13. The event features five guest speakers: Pastor Mat Torres of Zion's House of Praise, Pastor Mark Parra of The House Hilo, Pastor Troy Gacayan of River of Life Assembly of God in Pāhala, and Rev. Ken Gaub of Ken Gaub Ministries.
     Ola Shaw of Kona and special guest musician Ricky "RNB" Brown of San Jose, CA, provide music for the event.
     Presentations are at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, through Sat, Jan. 13, and Sunday, Jan. 6 and 13 at 9:45 a.m., at Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God, 95-5678 Māmalahoa Highway. For more, call 929-7278. See naalehuag.org.

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.
     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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