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| Experience Volcano invites area residents and business representatives to a forum on Thursday, Jan. 24 to discuss the challenges of recovering from the 2018 eruption and earthquakes and new vacation rental laws and rules. See story, below. Photo from experiencevolcano.com |
Jones called the veteran of Middle East wars and Hawaiʻi Congresswoman "a tough soldier," "a soldier for peace," and "a hawk on terrorism but a dove on regime change wars." She explained there is a "vast distinction.... We have to make sure we defeat those threats" from terrorists. However, "My opposition to regime change wars comes from not only my personal experience but looking throughout history at what the consequences of those wars are.
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| Gabbard revealed her candidacy for President on the Van Jones show on CNN yesterday. See the entire interview. |
Jones said he thinks Gabbard sees things differently because "you have done things differently. You are a veteran of this most recent round of wars. I think the wisdom of veterans of your generation is something we're going to need, maybe in much higher office."
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KAʻŪ HOSPITAL IS IN BETTER FINANCIAL SHAPE with a bright future, according to a presentation by its board and executives on Saturday. The annual community meeting at the hospital, held by the East Hawaiʻi Regional Board of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp., which manages the hospital and its rural health clinic, drew community health advocates.
Regional Health Executive Officer Dan Brinkman explained Kaʻū's special position as a Critical Care Access Hospital. The federal designation not only allows insurance to pay more for care here, it allows Kaʻū to reach out to other rural communities. Under Kaʻū's designation, new clinics can be opened in Puna and even more urban Hilo to provide medical care for the underserved. With new clinics comes more staff, which can help stabilize the staffing at Kaʻū and the entire region.
The partnership of Kaʻū with other clinics and Hilo Hospital benefits this area with more specialists on staff at Hilo, including cardiologists and orthopedic surgeons. New cardiology capabilities at Hilo will soon make it less likely for heart attack victims to be airlifted to Honolulu. Life saving treatment will be carried out more quickly here, said Brinkman. He also said more specialists in dermatology, endocrinology, and other fields will be available through telemedicine.
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| The regional board for Kaʻū Hospital met with the community yesterday to take input and assure residents that the hospital and clinic are on better financial footings with more sophisticated health care planned. Photo by Julia Neal |
Jessie Marques, founder and executive director of Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association, urged the hospital and its clinic to coordinate with her organization in the use of its HMSA telemed kiosk at its facility on Puahala Street in Pāhala.
She also asked whether patients can receive same-day appointments at the Kaʻū Hospital Rural Health Clinic. Hospital Administrator Merilyn Harris said the clinic makes every effort to make same day appointments. Depending on the patient's insurance, referrals from such providers as Bay Clinic may be needed for the hospital to be compensated for the visit. However, the clinic will not turn away patients, she said.
Making it easier for veterans to see doctors locally was another topic. One physician clarified that veterans in Kaʻū, who live far from the veterans clinics in Hilo and Kona, can apply through the Veterans Administration to choose a local primary physician. The vet would still go once a year to Hilo or Kona for a checkup at the VA clinic. Marques said she is working with veterans to establish regular telemedicine in Ocean View.
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THE FUTURE OF VOLCANO VILLAGE and its extended community is the topic of a forum at Cooper Center, Thursday, Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. The public and county, state, and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park officials are invited to attend and answer resident's questions, says a statement from Experience Volcano Hawaiʻi. The group formed last May to face challenges of recovering from the 2018 volcanic eruption, "its accompanying earthquakes and its devastating effects on the local tourism industry. We're very proud of the low-impact model that we've evolved as a gateway community, serving thousands of national park visitors annually by integrating restaurants, galleries, and lodging into the community and its upland rainforest environment."
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| Many opportunities for cultural and art experiences are available in the area, including those at Volcano Art Center. Photo from experiencevolcano.com |
Experience Volcano points out that Volcano is different than the visitor industry "resort node" model. "The community needs to keep that model and build on it, but faces upcoming hurdles as the park rebuilds it infrastructure."
One of the challenges, says the statement, are new "state and country regulations such as County Council Bill 108." The bill passed the County Council and the county Planning Department is finalizing regulations to regulate vacation rentals. The statement says the bill threatens "vacation rentals on which Volcano has built its success. Many folks in our community may be confused about how these changes may affect all of us."
Experience Volcano is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization of Volcano-area businesses and community members "dedicated to sharing the Village's special brand of aloha with the world. The group's mission includes promoting the Volcano area in a sustainable way through social media platforms, print media, and media tours."
Since launching last May, Experience Volcano has printed and distributed 5,000 brochures promoting the area as a destination and has "helped Volcano businesses to develop a unified voice and to pursue common goals. Forums such as this one give the Volcano community a change to refine its vision and mission."
Cooper Center is on Wright Road in Volcano. For more information, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com. See experiencevolcano.com and Facebook.
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.
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| Kīlauea Visitor Center is open thanks to Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, which continue to provide donations and manpower to keep it running. Photo from InspiredImperfection.com |
Areas accessible to park visitors include: Kīlauea Visitor Center, exhibits, picnic tables, and restrooms; Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association store in Kīlauea Visitor Center; Crater Rim Drive from the park entrance to Kīlauea Military Camp; Crater Rim Drive from the park entrance to the intersection at Devastation Trail Parking Lot; Crater Rim Drive to viewpoints of Halema‘uma‘u near Keanakāko‘i (pedestrians/bicyclists only), and Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and Kīlauea Military Camp.
Also open are Volcano House lodging, gift stores and restaurants; Kīlauea Military Camp; Volcano Art Center Gallery; Steam Vents and Sulfur Banks; Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu (vehicles not permitted past the gate at Kīpukapuaulu); Mauna Loa Road to Mauna Loa Lookout – pedestrians and bicyclists only; Kīpukapuaulu day use picnic area; Kīpukapuaulu and trail; Ka‘ū Desert Trail to the new Footprints exhibit; Escape Road from Highway 11 to Crater Rim Drive (no vehicles); and Namakanipaio Campground
The rest of the park is closed, including Chain of Craters Road, Kulanaokuaiki Campground, all backcountry areas, and Kahuku.
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| Backcountry spaces of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, like Halapē on the coast, remain closed until the partial federal government shutdown is resolved. Photo from HVNP |
Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park continues to provide donations to bring in park interpreters, natural resource protection and monitoring to keep areas of the park and Kīlauea Visitor Center open. Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association provides volunteers and staff.
"Since Jan. 1, 2019, Friends has given the park $114,000.00. This is a clear part of our mission, as we are the official Philanthropic Partner to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park," said Elizabeth Fien, President and CEO of Friends.
During the partial shutdown, park entrance stations are open to provide safety and information protection messages to arriving visitors, but entrance fees and camping fees are not collected.
"Since Jan. 1, 2019, Friends has given the park $114,000.00. This is a clear part of our mission, as we are the official Philanthropic Partner to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park," said Elizabeth Fien, President and CEO of Friends.
During the partial shutdown, park entrance stations are open to provide safety and information protection messages to arriving visitors, but entrance fees and camping fees are not collected.
"We greatly appreciate the generous contributions of park partners, especially Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes Lodge Company, Volcano Art Center, and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association who have provided tens of thousands of dollars in financial and in-kind donations during the lapse in appropriations," said park superintendent Cindy Orlando. "Their efforts have contributed significantly to our ability to provide access and basic services to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park."
While basic visitor services continue, other services may be limited or unavailable during the lapse in appropriations, including special events, ranger talks, and programs. Additional information is available at nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes. For updates on the shutdown, visit doi.gov/shutdown.
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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. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm
Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau
Jan. 25, Fri., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Jan. 26, Sat., BIIF Div. II Finals
Boys Basketball:
Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm
Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm
Jan. 21, Mon., @Hilo 6pm
Jan. 23, Wed., @Laupāhoehoe, 6pm , Varsity
Jan. 28, Mon. host Kanu, 6pm , Varsity
Wrestling:
Jan. 19, Sat., @Keaʻau
Jan. 26, Sat., @HPA
Soccer:
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
Jan. 22, Tue., Boys @Kohala
Jan. 23, Wed., Girls BIIF Div. II Finals
Swimming:
Jan. 19, Sat., @KCAC, 10am
Jan. 25, Fri., BIIF Trials @KCAC, 3:30pm
Jan. 26, Sat., BIIF Finals @KCAC, 1pm
NEW and UPCOMING
INTERESTED EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS - such as non-profit organizations, police, emergency response members, and more - are invited to register for a Human Trafficking Workshop conducted by Melody Stone on Friday, Jan. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the PARENTS, Inc. office in Nā‘ālehu. Advance registration is required to participate. Call 430-5710.
INTERESTED EDUCATORS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS - such as non-profit organizations, police, emergency response members, and more - are invited to register for a Human Trafficking Workshop conducted by Melody Stone on Friday, Jan. 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the PARENTS, Inc. office in Nā‘ālehu. Advance registration is required to participate. Call 430-5710.
MONDAY, JANUARY 14
Free STD Testing, Mon., Jan. 14, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. 2nd Monday, monthly. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927
TUESDAY, JANUARY 15
Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Tue., Jan. 15, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net
After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - New Insights from Kīlauea's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tue., Jan. 15, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. USGS HVO geologist Matt Patrick presents. Free; donations accepted. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu., Jan. 17, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033
Hui ‘Ohana Parenting Education and Skills for Life Class, Thu., Jan. 17, 10-noon, Ocean View Community Center. Meets every Thursday. Free. Register w/ Lindsey Miller, 333-3460.
Family Reading Night, Thu., Jan. 17, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Hawai‘i's White Terns - Manu-o-Ku - an Urban Seabird by Susan Scott, Book Release and Presentation, Thu., Jan. 17, 6:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Free, $5 donation suggested. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222
Lamb of God Baptist Church Revival, Thu, Fri., & Sat., Jan. 17-19, 7-9pm, Ocean View Community Association. All welcome. 939-7033, ovcahi.orgSATURDAY, JANUARY 19
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Community Clean-Up at Kamilo, Sat., Jan. 19, contact in advance for meet up details. Space may be available; BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call 769-7629.
Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Sat., Jan. 19, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Ocean View Community Association Annual Members Mtg., Sat., Jan. 19, 12:30-1:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Ham Radio Mtg., Sat., Jan. 19, 2-3pm, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org
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
Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.
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.
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.
Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes in January include Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) in Ka‘ū on Wednesdays, from Jan. 16 through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org.
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