Thursday, January 31, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, January 31, 2019

Experience Volcano Hawaiʻi reaches out to visitors and locals to draw them to culture, art, and
 nature experiences in and around Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photo from Experience Volcano
EXPERIENCE VOLCANO HAWAIʻI held a meeting last week at Cooper Center to bring out ideas on rebuilding the economy after last year's volcanic eruption and earthquake disaster. Representatives from the County administration and County Council attended. Big Island Video News recorded the meeting.
     Artist and Volcano Garden Arts owner Ira Ono noted that "Our beloved Volcano National Park was closed indefinitely. Our village economy was decimated and where do we go from here? Our unique community of 
Volcano Art Center Executive Director Mike Nelson
Photo from Big Island Video News
scientists, bird people, geologists, artists, and business people inspired the creation of Experience Volcano Hawaʻi. We are a gateway community to the number one visitor destination in the state, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The visitors we host in our vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and other venues, come here in search of an authentic experience and that is what we offer."
     One woman asked, "But what can we do to keep people up in this area and spending money up here and supporting this area, supporting our artists, supporting our restaurants, and supporting all of the people who make those things function?"
     Volcano Art Center Executive Director Mike Nelson said one need is a "Welcome to Volcano Sign. Turn here folks. This is the place to be." He said land has been identified to place the sign.
     Nelson said, "We are a community of artists, a community of persons who have been in a position of withdrawal because all we heard about was how bad things were and things were going down the road and it was not what we really wanted to be. The key area that we're working on right now is just to get the people to know that Volcano is here. We are a great thriving artist community and we have food and beverage, restaurants, hospitality, and accommodations."
Council member Maile David
Photo from Big Island Video News
     County Council member Maile David said she would like to see more organizations to come together to work on planning the future, including community policing organizations. "They have a lot to do with this community." She called the Experience Volcano meeting 'a good start.'
     Said David, "Being a generational native, my suggestion would be that in addition to the art focus, that you include some of the native and spiritual community that have so much information about this area which is basically very important. If you are going to educate people who are going to come here, it's a lot more than arts and forest. The important part about this place as far as I can remember as a child was this was a spiritual area and I would like to see that continue and incorporated into this whole brand new idea. This is a new time in our lives and I think we need to move forward with that in mind."
     County Research & Development Director Diane Ley, herself a Volcano resident, talked about resources being brought to the Volcano community and the entire island affected by the eruption and earthquakes. She said there is much help from state and federal partners. She mentioned University of Hawaiʻi research and marketing. She said a disaster risk assessment could help the community to plan for the future. "We're here for you. We care for you," she said.
     See www.experiencevolcano.com for more on the organization's outreach.

County Research & Economic Development Director Diane Ley offered assistance in marketing and research.
Photo from Big Island Video News
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FRED KOREMATSU, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE WHO RESISTED JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT during World War II, will likely receive the Medal of Honor. On what would have been his 100th birthday on Wednesday, U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono, Lisa Murkowski, Chris Coons, and Cory Gardner, along with Rep. Mark Takano, introduced bicameral legislation to posthumously honor Korematsu.
     Said Hirono, "Fred Korematsu stood up for the rights of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, and continued his fight for decades to expand civil rights and overturn his own false criminal conviction. Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest civilian honor, to Fred Korematsu is a fitting tribute to his lifelong pursuit of justice and equality."
     Murkowski said, "The placement of Japanese Americans in internment camps during WWII is a reprehensible part of our nation's history, and the bravery demonstrated by Fred Korematsu in the defense of freedom is something that all Americans should aspire to... Korematsu's legacy is an inspiration for all who believe our nation is stronger because of our diversity."
     Karen Korematsu, founder and executive director of the Fred Korematsu Institute, said her father "dedicated his life to 'stand up for what is right,' and he worked to ensure what happened to him and other Japanese Americans will never happen again to any other minority group."
     In 1942, at the age of 23, Korematsu was arrested for refusing to enter the internment camps for Japanese Americans. After his arrest, he appealed his case all the way to the Supreme Court, which upheld Executive Order 9066 based on military necessity. After 40 years, on November 10, 1983, Korematsu's criminal conviction was overturned in a federal court in San Francisco. Korematsu remained a civil rights advocate throughout his life and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President Bill Clinton in 1998. He passed away on March 30, 2005, at the age of 86.

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FoodCorps position at Pāhala Elementary School, applications open through March 15.
Photos from FoodCorps
A JOB TO HELP KIDS WITH HEALTHY EATING AND LIVING IN KAʻŪ is available through FoodCorps Applications are being accepted through March 15 to work for a year at Pāhala Elementary School. FoodCorps "connects kids to real food and helps them grow up healthy" in schools across the country, says the job description. AmeriCorps service members who serve with FoodCorps in Hawaiʻi are "emerging leaders" who dedicate one year to full-time service in public schools where they expand hands-on nutrition education programs, build, and tend school gardens, support schoolwide wellness initiatives, and serve as positive role models in the school lunchroom and community.
     Service Member position is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020. Applicants must be 18 years or older by Aug. 1; hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent; be a legal, permanent resident of the United States. Service members should have passion for building a healthier future for school children; commitment to working hard in service of local communities; demonstrated leadership ability; motivation to serve full-time in a limited resource community; perseverance in the face of challenges and creativity in finding solutions; respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background; experience working in or studying food systems, agriculture, public health, education, community organizing, or public service; experience working or volunteering in education, youth development, or other teaching setting; knowledge of the culture, history, and/or language of the community served; desire to gain hands-on experience.
     In exchange for service, members receive: $22,000 living stipend paid bi-weekly over the 11.5-month term; $6,095 AmeriCorps Segal education award upon successful completion of service; Student loan deferral or forbearance, if eligible; partial childcare reimbursement, if eligible; Health insurance; Ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development.
     To supplement their income, service members can hold part-time jobs outside of their service hours, or apply for SNAP benefits, which is usually around $340 per month.
     Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

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Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser
HAWAIʻI BOARD OF AGRICULTURE ACTING CHAIR is Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser. Gov. David Ige made the designation after Denise Albano resigned for personal reasons on Jan. 29. Albano was the governor's nominee for Board of Agriculture chairperson. She would have replaced long time Chair Scott Enright.
     Under HRS 26-33, Shimabukuro-Geiser will serve in this position for up to 60 days from the date of vacancy or until the position is filled.
     Shimabukuro-Geiser has served as deputy to the chairperson since 2015. She was also recently re-appointed to the position. The governor's statement says that Shimabukuro-Geiser is a long-time agriculture advocate who was previously employed at Mikilua Poultry Farm, Inc. in Waiʻanae where she served as vice president and administrative fiscal assistant. She was also vice president at Associated Producers Corp. in Honolulu.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD STATE PLAN 2019-2024 launched yesterday with agreement between state government leaders to work together. The plan aims to guide public and private efforts to improve lives of keiki and their families, said an announcement from Gov. David Ige.
     The plan helped the state secure a $1 million Preschool Development Grant - Birth through Five, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Education. The grant will help ensure implementation of the state plan.
     The Executive Office on Early Learning – the lead state agency charged with overseeing the development of a statewide early-childhood learning system – will continue to facilitate the five-year plan along with the Early Learning Board and stakeholders across the state.
Executive Office on Early Learning Director 
Lauren Moriguchi
Photo from earlylearning.hawaii.gov
     The plan sets foundation for a statewide early-childhood system for pre-natal through age 8 that goes beyond academics to include children's health, safety, and well-being; family partnerships and support; and early care and learning.
     The plan starts with: the approximately 154,000 children under the age of eight who reside in Hawai‘i; some 17,500 annual births; the 40 percent of four-year-olds not served by any early learning programs; about 109,000 keiki under age six with working parents and who need care; and 1,622 homeless kids under age five, whom in 2017, received shelter and outreach services.
     Ige said, "Starting with prenatal care, we are setting the foundation to ensure that all keiki develop to their fullest potential and with them, our communities. I am excited that this new plan will drive collective action to improve the lives of our children, their families, and our communities by preparing our keiki for their future and the 21st century workforce."
     Early Learning Director Lauren Moriguchi said, "We position our young children and Hawai‘i for success when we leverage and invest our resources in them wisely, ensuring that public and private communities coordinate and collaborate with each other. To make a difference for our keiki, we need a support system that addresses their holistic needs. It must start from the earliest years and continue throughout a child's educational career."

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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:
Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA
Boys Basketball:
Feb. 1, Fri., hosting St. Joseph, 7pm
Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals
Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals
Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA
Wrestling:
Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo
Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau
Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA
Soccer:
Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA
Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA
Swimming:
Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA
Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING
SUPER BOWL PARTY at Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge kicks off Sun., Feb. 3. Doors open at 11 a.m., games starts at 1:30 p.m. Food and beverages available for purchase. 967-8365 after 4 p.m. for more. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Story Time with Lindsey Miller - PARENTS, Inc., Fri., Feb. 1, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

KDENte Fundraising Dinner at Amalfatano's Italian Restaurant in Hilo happens Friday. Feb. 1, 6-8pm. $20 for all-you-can-eat buffet to support Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. Call 982-7344 for more.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Abstract Painting Workshop w/Darcy Gray, Sat., Feb. 2, 10-2pm, Volcano Art Center. For those with basic painting background. Supplies provided. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee for 5 sheets 300 lb. 18"x24" watercolor paper, pre-gessoed. Advance registration required. Limited to 8 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Art Express, Sat., Feb. 2, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 1st Saturday 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., Feb. 2, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. 1st Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Super Bowl Sunday Party, Sun., Feb. 3, doors open 11am, kick-off 1:30pm, Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. Food and beverages available for purchase. 967-8365 after 4pm for more. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Feb. 3, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. 1st Sunday, 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, FEBRUARY 4
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Mon., Feb. 4 (Committees), Kona and Tue., Feb. 5, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Feb. 4, 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., Feb. 4, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
AdvoCATS, Tue., Feb. 5, 7-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tue., Feb. 5, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Arts & Crafts Activity: Mardi Gras, Wed., Feb. 6, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 through Feb. 5. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Hula Voices, Wed., Feb. 6, 5:30-6:30pm, 1st Wed. monthly, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free, 967-7565

Open Mic Night, Wed., Feb. 6, 6-10pm, Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. 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, FEBRUARY 7
Women's Support Group, Thu., Feb. 7 and 21, 3-4:30pm, 1st and 3rd Thursday monthly. PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org.

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

ONGOING
A Lifeguard Training Course is offered at Pāhala Pool Feb. 4 through 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the county Department of Parks and Recreation, Aquatics Section, and the American Red Cross, the course fee is $75.
     Participants are required to pass a prerequisite test at Pāhala Pool, scheduled by contacting 928-8177. The course fee and registration forms, available at Pāhala Pool, are due immediately following completion of the test. The test includes: 300-yard continuous swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both; two minutes treading water, without using hands; and completion of a timed event in 1 minute 40 seconds. The timed event is: Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, retrieve a 10-pound brick from the deep end, return the brick to the starting point, and exit the water.
    Participants are responsible for providing their own supplies, including CPR mask, swim suit, goggles, towel, American Red Cross Lifeguard Manual, etc. The manual can be downloaded for free at redcross.org/take-a-class/lifeguarding/lifeguard-preparation/lifeguard-manual.
     For more information about becoming a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard, contact the nearest county swimming pool, or the Parks and Recreation Aquatics Specialist at 961-8694.

 Money is Needed to Travel to State Championships for Kaʻū Trojans Girls Basketball Team. To donate, call Kaʻū High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 808-313-4100 or send a check to Kaʻū High School at 96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777, with the notation "Girls Basketball."
     The Trojans Girls basketball team will fly to Honolulu for the tournament, Feb. 6-9.

 Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. Harry McKee Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors invites college bound high school seniors and current college students to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.
     The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.
     The website says that Harry McKee "left a legacy of commitment to the youth of Kaʻū. His foundation exists to give students an opportunity for higher education. Harry was a musician, a gardener, a WWII decorated veteran, an outdoorsman, and an active civic leader. Harry was well known for reaching out to local youth to support their education goals, and to encourage young people to share aloha and celebrate ʻohana." See more about the foundation at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes offered in Ka‘ū include:
     Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org.
     Diabetes Management Classes on Mondays in February. Sign up by calling 969-9220 or online at hmono.org/classes.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. Sought by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Friends of Midway Atoll NWR, the volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, according to Wayne Sentman, President of Friends of Midway Atoll. The position begins on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28.
     While USFWS is seeking a volunteer for six months, there is potential to be extended to a full year--at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. The mission is to upstart and sustain implementation of social media postings and website updates while assisting with development of internal refuge reporting.
     For more information, and instructions on how to apply, visit fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/
Zone_1/Midway_Atoll/Sections/What_We_Do/Get_Involved/MANWR_Volunteer_COMMS_Announcment
_12_11_2019.pdf. See Friends of Midway Atoll NWR for news from the Refuge, updates on projects, and photos that tell the story of life on Midway Atoll NWR. Follow on Instagram at @FriendsofMidwayNWR.

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.

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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