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| Derek Higashi took third place for Largest Hinale‘a at last Saturday's 11th annual ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Keiki Fishing Tournament. See the winners of all five categories, below. Photo by Lee McIntosh |
House
Bill 96 would allow counties to determine a higher minimum wage
than the state minimum wage. A hearing is also scheduled for Friday, Feb. 22,
12:30 p.m. , with the House Financial
Committee.
Senate
Bil 789 would increase the minimum wage to $12 by 2022. The bill has
been referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. No hearing is
scheduled, so no testimony is being accepted at this time.
Testimony for all bills is due 24 hours before
each hearing. Click on the above links to read more about them and to read and submit testimony.
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TESTIFY ON A BILL TO PROTECT SHARKS AND MANTA, EAGLE, AND
STING RAYS by 9 a.m. tomorrow, Feb.
21. The measure, co-sponsored by east Kaʻū Sen. Russell Ruderman, received much
favorable testimony from Hawaiʻi Island residents at the Hawaiʻi Legislature in
early February. Students from University
of Hawaiʻi-Hilo Honolulu
to share the connection of these marine animals with Hawaiian culture and the
environment.
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| Sharks, like this blue shark, and all three types of rays, would be protected under legislation being heard this week. Testify via the link, Senate Bill 489. NOAA photo |
Senate
Bill 489, which will be heard Friday, Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. , "establishes an offense of knowingly,
capturing, taking possessing, abusing, entangling, or killing" sharks and
all three rays types found in Hawaiian waters. The bill passed the Committee on
Water and Land, chaired by Sen. Kai Kahele. An amendment makes it clear that persons
defending themselves, such as during a shark attack, would not be prosecuted if
the shark is killed or injured.
See more on Feb. 3 Kaʻū News Briefs. Read more and send testimony through the link.
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| Largest Kupipi. Photos by Lee McIntosh |
RESULTS OF THE 11TH O.K.K. KEIKI FISHING TOURNAMENT ARE RELEASED. The annual event saw hundreds of keiki flock to the coast at Punaluʻu on Saturday, Feb. 16. ‘O
Ka‘ū Kākou sponsors the catch-and-release
tourney and canned food drive, open to keiki one to 14 years old - with
keiki fishing and parents assisting.
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| Largest Aholehole. Photos by Lee McIntosh |
‘O Ka‘ū Kakou reported 275 participants. A free lunch for all attendees, with shave ice, was offered along with live music, a fish quiz, and informational vendor booths. See Feb. 16 and Feb. 17 Kaʻū News Briefs for more.
Every participant at the event received a participation prize. ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou supplied volunteers and provided fisherkeiki with bamboo hand poles, barbless hooks, lines, sinkers, wheels, and buckets, donated by S. Tokunaga Store, Inc. Keiki were allowed to use their own hand pole rods as long as they used barbless hooks. The event was also supported by a grant from
Visit okaukakou.org to learn more.
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| Largest Po‘opa‘a. Photos by Lee McIntosh |
A HIGH SURF ADVISORY is in place for all east-facing shores,
reports the National Weather Service says. An east swell built this morning,
peaked this afternoon, and will decline into the weekend, NWS says, and oceanfront
residents should exercise caution on shorelines exposed to the swell.
A High Wind Warning is in effect for Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea summits. Winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour,
with localized gusts to 75 mph, say forecasters, "will produce difficult
driving conditions, especially for high profile vehicles." Travel to the
mountain summits should be delayed until the winds subside.
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| Largest Hinale‘a, first and second place. Photos by Lee McIntosh |
HOW TO RESTORE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY is the focus of a new report
issued by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi. The report urges "building
out" to ease the housing crisis and faults artificial land scarcity
for high Hawaiʻi home prices:
Hawaiʻi has the
least affordable housing of any state in the nation, and that is almost wholly
because of government land-use regulations that have in effect limited housing
development to just 5 percent of the state, according to a new report issued by
the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi.
The report, "Build up or build out? How to make housing more affordable", was written by Grassroot Scholar and national land-use expert Randal O'Toole, who found that areas with housing affordability problems almost always have strict "growth management" land-use restrictions.
The report, "Build up or build out? How to make housing more affordable", was written by Grassroot Scholar and national land-use expert Randal O'Toole, who found that areas with housing affordability problems almost always have strict "growth management" land-use restrictions.
Keliʻi Akina, Grassroot Institute of
Hawaiʻi president, said, "One main reason Hawaiʻi residents leave is the
state's lack of available homes and high housing costs. The housing crisis, in
turn, is the result of state and county regulations that hinder reasonable
residential development."
In his report, O'Toole writes there
are two strategies urban planners have to restore housing affordability:
"Build up" and "build out."
Building up calls for creating mid- and high-rise multifamily housing inside current urban footprints. Building out involves construction of low-rise, mostly single-family homes outside of existing urban areas.
O'Toole's findings suggest that housing can be made affordable only through the build-out strategy, mainly because land is cheaper outside of urban zones. Construction costs also are generally lower, compared to the mid- and high-rise condominiums built in urban cores.
According to O'Toole, increasing home affordability is desirable because unaffordable housing slows economic growth, exacerbates problems with homelessness and reduces the quality of life for eventually most people in a region. It also promotes wealth inequality, transferring wealth from the poor to the rich, the young to the old, and from newcomers to existing homeowners. Other effects include high costs of retail, commercial and other kinds of developments.
O'Toole writes, "Nowhere in the United States , not even Hawaiʻi, is there a physical shortage of land. But there are shortages of land for housing due to government regulation or ownership of lands that could potentially be used for housing, causing the undesirable affordability issues. The solution is to build out, not up."
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| Most Fish Caught. Photos by Lee McIntosh |
Building up calls for creating mid- and high-rise multifamily housing inside current urban footprints. Building out involves construction of low-rise, mostly single-family homes outside of existing urban areas.
O'Toole's findings suggest that housing can be made affordable only through the build-out strategy, mainly because land is cheaper outside of urban zones. Construction costs also are generally lower, compared to the mid- and high-rise condominiums built in urban cores.
According to O'Toole, increasing home affordability is desirable because unaffordable housing slows economic growth, exacerbates problems with homelessness and reduces the quality of life for eventually most people in a region. It also promotes wealth inequality, transferring wealth from the poor to the rich, the young to the old, and from newcomers to existing homeowners. Other effects include high costs of retail, commercial and other kinds of developments.
Akina added, "There's more than
enough land to satisfy Hawaiʻi's housing needs while protecting the environment
and the beauty of nature. Currently, Hawaiʻi residents can develop homes on
only 5 percent of Hawaiʻi's land mass. If we opened up just 1 or 2 percent more
land, we could increase the supply and make homes more affordable."
O'Toole's full report is available
on the Grassroot Institute of Hawaiʻi website at grassrootinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/OToole_Build-up-or-build-out_full-report.pdf.
Other writings by O'Toole include
the book The American Nightmare: How Government Undermines the Dream of Home
Ownership (2012), and the more recent policy analysis The New Feudalism:
Why States Must Repeal Growth-Management Laws (2016).
O'Toole will discuss details of his new report at a luncheon meeting in downtownHonolulu on
Monday, Feb. 25.
O'Toole said repeated surveys show
that most people these days — including millennials — would like to live in
single-family homes in suburban settings, but they can't because of
restrictions on land development.O'Toole will discuss details of his new report at a luncheon meeting in downtown
FIRE ANTS AWARENESS COMMUNITY MEETING happens at Discovery
Harbour Community Hall Friday, March 29, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Big Island
Invasive Species Committee, sponsored by Hawaiʻi Tourism and Change Happens
Foundation, will cover how to combat LFA, including how biology and behavior affects
treatment, how to distinguish between products, how to use products most effectively, and how
to work with neighbors for long-term control and prevention. BIISC will also
cover how to receive a free demo day with pesticide application for a neighborhood.
Franny Kinslow Brewer, 933-3340, biisc@hawaii.edu
FEDERAL DISASTER LOAN APPLICATION DEADLINE is Thursday, March 14, for economic injury to small businesses caused by
Director Tanya N.
Garfield of U.S. Small Business Administration's Disaster Field Operations
Center-West states small nonfarm businesses, small agricultural cooperatives,
small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit
organizations of any size may apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans of up to
$2 million to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.
Said Garfield ,
"Economic Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll,
accounts payable, and other bills that cannot be paid because of the disaster's
impact. Economic injury assistance is available regardless of whether the
applicant suffered any property damage.
These low-interest
federal disaster loans are available only in Hawaiʻi County. The interest rate
is 3.61 percent for businesses and 2.5 percent for private nonprofit
organizations with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by
SBA and are based on each applicant's financial condition.
Applicants may
apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information, and download
applications at disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.
Applicants may also call SBA's Customer
Service Center Disbursement Center 14925 Kingsport Road , Fort Worth ,
TX 76155
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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
Boys Basketball:
Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA
Wrestling:
Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA
NEW and UPCOMING
For more, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours of operation.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu., Feb. 21, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Family Reading Night, Thu., Feb. 21, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Paint Nite II, Thu., Feb. 21, 6-8pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Open to adults. Register through Feb. 20. Supply fee. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Count Humpback Whales - Sanctuary Ocean Count, Sat., Feb. 23, 8-noon, Ka‘ū locations: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘uBlack Sand Beach Park
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tue., Feb. 26, 10am, HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Feb. 26, 11:30-1pm, last Tuesday monthly, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Feb. 27, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Last Wednesday monthly. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org
Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Card, Wed., Feb. 27, 2:45-3:30pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 Feb. 19-25. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Arts & Crafts Activity: Group Art Project, Wed., Feb. 27, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 19-26. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu., Feb. 21, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Paint Nite II, Thu., Feb. 21, 6-8pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala. Open to adults. Register through Feb. 20. Supply fee. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Honuʻea: The Endangered Hawksbill Turtle of Hawaiʻi Island will be presented by Lauren Kurpita, director of Hawaiʻi Island Hawksbill Recovery Project. This year's first Coffee Talk at Kahuku happens Friday, Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. , at Kahuku Unit's Visitor Center
Get to know the Park and neighbors at monthly Coffee Talk events, an informal conversation on a variety of topics. Kaʻū coffee, tea, and pastries are available for purchase. Entrance south of 70.5 mile marker on mauka side of Hwy 11.
Count Humpback Whales - Sanctuary Ocean Count, Sat., Feb. 23, 8-noon, Ka‘ū locations: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tue., Feb. 26, 10am, HOVE Road Maintenance office. hoveroad.com, 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Feb. 26, 11:30-1pm, last Tuesday monthly, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.
Talk Story about Proposed Nāʻālehu Wastewater Treatment
Plant Tuesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
at Nāʻālehu Community Center, 75-5635 Mamalahoa Hwy. Nāʻālehu residents are
invited to hear progress and changes that have been made to the project, and an
outline the next steps of the environmental review process, and to share
thoughts and ideas. RSVP to Brena Cabacungan Senelly at eplan1@aol.com, Mary Fujio at 808-961-8030, or
Iris Cober at 808-442-3300.
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Feb. 27, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Last Wednesday monthly. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required, 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org
Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Card, Wed., Feb. 27, 2:45-3:30pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 Feb. 19-25. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Arts & Crafts Activity: Group Art Project, Wed., Feb. 27, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 19-26. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant will accept applicants through Feb. 28. The pageant will be held again at the Ka‘ū District Gym on Saturday, April 27,
The community can support the pageant through purchasing tickets, volunteering, and providing scholarships.
Girls three to 24 years of age are encouraged to enter the pageant. Talents often include hula and singing. Competitive categories include Talent, Gown, Photogenic, Career-Interview, Characters Outfit, and Swimsuit for Miss Kaʻū Coffee. Pageant hopefuls contend for titles of Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee, Miss Kaʻū Peaberry, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower.
Girls three to 24 years of age are encouraged to enter the pageant. Talents often include hula and singing. Competitive categories include Talent, Gown, Photogenic, Career-Interview, Characters Outfit, and Swimsuit for Miss Kaʻū Coffee. Pageant hopefuls contend for titles of Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee, Miss Kaʻū Peaberry, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower.
Nāʻālehu Celebrates Craft Month with open crafting for all ages, while supplies last. Crafting starts off at 3 p.m. each Thursday in February. Free. Contact Sara Kamibayashi at (808) 939-2442 for more.
Kauahaʻao Congregational Church Fundraising Bazaar,
Saturday, March 16, 9-2 pm , just
above the Wong Yuen Store in Waiʻōhinu. Bazaar vendor spaces, located on the
church lawn, are $10 for a 10' X 10' space. Vendors are responsible for
bringing their own tent, table and chairs, and if power is needed,
generator. Vendors can sell anything except hot foods or plate lunches. Submit
vendor application with $10 fee by Sunday, March 10. Call Debbie at
928-8039 for application. Church members will sell kalua pig and cabbage bowls,
and roast chicken with gravy bowls, as well as baked goods, produce, and crafts. Walter
or Debbie, 928-8039.
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.
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.
Niuhi-Shark Fine Art Exhibit is open daily through March 24 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to hear different perspectives on the life of Kamehameha the Great and experience a visual experience of important events in Kamehameha's life from the perspective of two styles of art. The exhibit and supporting events promise paint, prose, protocol, and conversations providing cultural, historical, and educational experiences, with original paintings by Carl F. K. Pao, paired with selections from the book Kamehameha–The Rise of a King by David Kāwika Eyre, with illustrations by Brook Parker. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
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.
Niuhi-Shark Fine Art Exhibit iPreschool 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.
Five Scholarships are available from American
Association of University Women-Kona.
Three $2000
scholarships will go to female college-bound Kaʻū High
School and
Two $1,000
scholarships will go to any female high school graduate or women returning to
school from home or workplace who are attending a two-year vocational program
leading to a marketable skill at Palamanui Campus,
73-4225 Ane Keohokalole Hwy , Kona. Application
packets are available on the AAUW Kona website at kona-hi.aauw.net and must be postmarked
by Wednesday, April 10.
AAUW promotes equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.
Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications are open through April 15. BFI is a free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture," says the release from Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. A quote from a former student says, "In our time together, we became more than just farmers and friends – we became a family. NFU's Beginning Farmer Institute is a truly valuable experience that you will not forget."
AAUW promotes equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, and research. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.
Beginning Farmer Institute Cohort Applications are open through April 15. BFI is a free training program which "prepares new producers of any age or operation type for a successful future in agriculture," says the release from Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United. A quote from a former student says, "In our time together, we became more than just farmers and friends – we became a family. NFU's Beginning Farmer Institute is a truly valuable experience that you will not forget."
Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. Campaign and other political displays are not invited. Fifty percent discounts are provided to bona fide non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Each vendor is responsible for a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each, to be displayed at each booth.
Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208 , Pāhala , HI 96777
Application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.
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