Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is seeking applicants for its advisory council.
Photo from NOAA
ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HUMPBACK Whale National Marine Sanctuary are sought. The sanctuary will review applications to represent the Native Hawaiian community, Ocean Recreation, Tourism and Commercial Shipping. It also seeks  a Molokaʻi Island Representative and an alternative volunteer to represent Ocean Recreation. The council ensures public participation in sanctuary matters and provides advice to sanctuary management. The sanctuary conducts the annual whale count in whats off Kaʻū and elsewhere along Hawaiʻi's coasts. with many educational, research, and protection programs.
     Nancy Daschbach, sanctuary acting-superintendent, said, "The members of our sanctuary advisory council represent extremely important elements of our community. We rely on their input, experience, and expertise to assist us in making informed and timely decisions on how best to protect and conserve our humpback whales, and important cultural and natural resources."
     Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and
management of marine resources. Applicants who are chosen as primary or alternate members should expect to serve a three-year term.
     Applications are due by Friday, June 21. To receive an application kit, or for further information, contact Cindy Among-Serrao at Cindy.Among-Serrao@noaa.gov or 808-725-5923, or visit the sanctuary website at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov/
council/council_app_accepting.html.
     The sanctuary, administered by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, protects humpback whales and their habitat in Hawaiian waters, where they migrate each winter to mate, calve, and nurse their young.
     A statement from NOAA says its mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and to conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. See TwitterFacebookInstagram, and other social media channels for National Marine Sanctuaries.

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"MARSHALLESE FACE DIFFICULTIES obtaining the identification they need to get a job, go to school, or travel," according to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who charged in a letter today that the federal Department of Homeland Security rules "contradict existing law, and must immediately be corrected."
     The Marshallese and others migrants covered by the Compact of Freely Associated States face "an urgent situation impacting thousands of people who have legally come to the United States and are suffering the consequences of this bureaucratic mishap," she wrote in a letter co-signed by colleagues in Congress. She said Department of Homeland Security administrative rules place undue constraints of Compact of Freely Associated States migrants seeking to obtain REAL IDs and that agreements the United States made through the Compact of Free Association are being undermined by current Department of Homeland Security rules.
     Gabbard pointed to bill, H.R. 3398, which was previously signed into law and designed to correct an "egregious oversight" which prevented citizens of the Freely Associated States from obtaining anything more than a temporary ID or driver's license.
     Said Alaska Congressman Don Young, who co-authored the bill with Gabbard, "As a practical matter, this can hurt their ability to maintain long-term employment or engage in other lawful activities where they legally reside." He said that recent guidance put into place by the Department of Homeland Security has imposed additional burdens on these citizens. "Free Associated States citizens who reside here are proud to call the United States and its territories home, and it is my hope that DHS will work with us to find a long-term solution for them in line with the intent of Congress."
     Said Congressman Ed Case, "Our Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republics of Palau and the Marshall Islands, are of key importance to all of our countries. The Compacts permit citizens of the Freely Associated States to live and work in our country with a valid unexpired passport and documentation that they entered under the Compacts. It is directly contrary to the Compacts to impose onerous additional requirements that make it very difficult for them to access the basics of everyday life like driving and working."
     The April 2019 DHS guidance requires COFA migrants to produce documents not required by their migration status in order to obtain their REAL IDs. REAL IDs are necessary for a range of things which have significant impact on the day-to-day lives of individuals, including employment, travel, participation in federal programs, and entry to federal buildings.
     For more on the Marshallese, see Monday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

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TRAINING TO GROW FOOD SAFELY is a workshop for fruit and vegetable growers on Friday, May 31 from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. at the Komohana Research & Extension Center in Hilo. The full day will cover seven hours of instruction in Produce Safety; Worker Health; Hygiene and Training; Soil Amendments; Wildlife, Domesticated Animals and Land Use; Agricultural Water; Postharvest
Handling and Sanitation; and How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan.
     The training helps to meet federal food safety requirements. Cost is $150, with some scholarships available. It is sponsored by the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension and The Kohala Center, as well as County of Hawaiʻi.

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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UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, MAY 29
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wednesday, May 29 – last Wednesday, monthly – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years and 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

THURSDAY, MAY 30
Summer Keiki Learn-to-Swim Registration, Thursday, May 30, and Friday, May 31, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., Pāhala Swimming Pool, Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary School Campus. $15 per session; cash or check accepted. Payable to County Director of Finance. 928-8177, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-aquatics

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, May 30, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

FRIDAY, MAY 31
Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Roosevelt's Tree Army: Civilian Conservation Corps in Hawai‘i, Friday, May 31, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Talk story with Dr. Jadelyn Moniz Nakamura. "Bring your own cuppa." Free. nps.gov/havo

SATURDAY, JUNE 1
Summer Reading Program: A Universe of Stories, June 1-July 13, all Hawai‘i Public Libraries including Nā‘ālehu and Pāhala. Starting June 1, sign-in and register at librarieshawaii.beanstack.org for free reading rewards, activities and programs for all ages and a chance to win a round trip for Four to anywhere Alaska Airlines flies.

Edible Wild Plants: A Hands-On Foray for Foragers and Foodies with Zach Mermel of Ola Design Group, Saturday, June 1, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Volcano Art Center. $30/VAC member, $40/non-member, plus $15 transportation fee. Class size limited. Register early. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Lā‘au Lapa‘āu Workshop, Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Kaʻū District Gym. Free workshop open to the public from Hui Mālama Ola Nā ‘Ōiwi Traditional Health team. 969-9220, hmono.org

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, June 1 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m. to noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

Andy McKee Plays in Volcano at Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater, Saturday, June 1. Show begins at 7:45 p.m. A Park entrance fee may apply if arriving before 7:30 p.m. McKee is an acoustic guitar "virtuoso, a master practitioner" of folk, blues, bluegrass, and other musical genres. Information or purchase tickets, $48, at (808) 896-4845, kilaueamilitarycamp.com, or bluesbearhawaii.com.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, June 2 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m., Manukā State Park. 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, JUNE 3
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Monday, June 3 (Committees), Tuesday, June 4 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

LIHEAP Energy Assistance Program Applications, Monday, June 3, 10, 17, or 24, Tuesday, June 4, 11, 18 or 25, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Green Room, Ocean View Community Center. See hceoc.net/programs/energy for full list of requirements and to download forms.

Mr. Kneel Public Speaker and Professional Beatboxer, Monday, June 3, 2:30 p.m., Pāhala Public and School Library. Features math, reading, Dr. Seuss, and family friendly humor. 928-2015

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Monday, June 3 and July 1, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, JUNE 4
Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, June 4, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

ONGOING
Summer Programs for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary registrations are open.
     Uplink All-Stars runs Friday, June 7 through Friday, June 28 for students in grades 6, 7, and 8.
     Algebra camp is also open to students in grades 6, 7, and 8 from Monday, June 10 through Friday, June 21.
     Early College, for high school students, runs from Wednesday, June 12 through Thursday, July 11.
     All three programs require registration by calling 313-4100.
     Seamless Summer Program, open to all people under age 18, no registration required, offers free breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m., and free lunch from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., on weekdays , June 7 through July 11, except June 11 and July 4, in the school cafeteria.

Exhibit – Hulihia, A Complete Change: The Hawai‘i Nei Invitational Exhibition, runs through Sunday, June 16, daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Gallery. Multi-media exhibition of seven artists. Free; National Park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā‘ālehu Independence Day Parade Sign-Up Open until Thursday, June 20. Parade happens Saturday, June 29 at 11 a.m. The parade route begins at the Nāʻālehu Elementary School and ends at the Nāʻālehu Hongwanji Mission. To participate, call Debra McIntosh, 929-9872.

Full-Time Teaching Assistant Sought by Tūtū & Me to implement curriculum for caregivers and keiki in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool in Kaʻū. Competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, drug, and vision; flexible spending plan; 403b retirement plan; vacation, sick days, and 14 paid days off; and more.
     Minimum requirement is a high school diploma. Early Childhood Education, related coursework, and/or experience working children preferred. For more, visit pidf.org/about/careers. Apply by emailing resume and cover letter to hr@pidfoundation.org or fax to 808-440-6619.

Hi-Employment Seeks Student Employees to work in a macadamia nut orchard on weekends and holidays. Duties include hand-harvesting macadamia nuts, filling and transporting nut bag and buckets, loading 25-plus pound bags into truck beds, and possible clearing of brush and branches. Applicants must be at least 15 years old, have a work permit, two forms of ID, and transportation to "Panaʻewa Stretch." Call for more details, 238-3741, hi-employment.com.

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