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Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Rendering of the Thirty Meter Telescope for which construction has been delayed, as protesters
continue to gather near the access road. Image from TMT
OPERATORS OF TELESCOPES ON MAUNA KEA sent home their staff today, stating there were safety concerns as the gathering of those opposing the new Thirty Meter Telescope continued near the access road. A group of protesters blocked the access road to Mauna Kea for a short time. Law enforcement officers led the astronomy crew down the access road to leave Mauna Kea. The astronomers said they would work offsite and that the lack of crew at the telescopes sets back research.
     Former Gov. Neil Abercrombie said he hopes that the opponents will respect the court decisions that are allowing the project to proceed. There were no arrests of protesters who continue to gather near the access road, some of them camping overnight. See Sunday and Monday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard
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CONDEMNING COMMENTS BY PRES. DONALD TRUMP AS RACIST, KAʻŪ 'S REPRESENTATIVE IN THE U.S. CONGRESS, Tulsi Gabbard, voted yes on the resolution that passed the U.S. House of Representatives today. The resolution, which said Trump's recent comments "have legitimized increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color," followed tweets from the President, saying four congresswomen should go back to the countries where they came from. They are Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts. Three of them were born in the U.S.
     While Gabbard voted for the resolution, she told news outlets that she remains firm in her opposition to impeaching the President. She said that the next election should take care of who becomes the next President.
     The resolution that passed Congress today states:
Whereas the Founders conceived America as a haven
of refuge for people fleeing from religious and political persecution, and Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison all emphasized that the Nation gained as it attracted new people in search of freedom and livelihood for their families;
     Whereas the Declaration of Independence defined America as a covenant based on equality, the unalienable Rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and government by the consent of the people;
     Whereas Benjamin Franklin said at the Constitutional convention, “When foreigners after looking about for some other Country in which they can obtain more happiness, give a preference to ours, it is a proof of attachment which ought to excite our confidence and affection”;
     Whereas President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists”;
     Whereas immigration of people from all over the Earth has defined every stage of American history and propelled our social, economic, political, scientific, cultural, artistic, and technological progress as a people, and all Americans, except for the descendants of Native people and enslaved African Americans, are immigrants or descendants of immigrants;
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
     Whereas the commitment to immigration and asylum has been not a partisan cause but a powerful national value that has infused the work of many Presidents;
     Whereas American patriotism is defined not by race or ethnicity but by devotion to the Constitutional ideals of equality, liberty, inclusion, and democracy and by service to our communities and struggle for the common good;
     Whereas President John F. Kennedy, whose family came to the United States from Ireland, stated in his 1958 book A Nation of Immigrants that “The contribution of immigrants can be seen in every aspect of our national life. We see it in religion, in politics, in business, in the arts, in education, even in athletics and entertainment. There is no part of our nation that has not been touched by our immigrant background. Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life.”;
     Whereas President Ronald Reagan in his last speech as President conveyed “An observation about a country which I love”;
     Whereas as President Reagan observed, the torch of Lady Liberty symbolizes our freedom and represents our heritage, the compact with our parents, our grandparents, and our ancestors, and it is the Statue of Liberty and its values that give us our great and special place in the world;
     Whereas other countries may seek to compete with us, but in one vital area, as “a beacon of freedom and opportunity that draws the people of the world, no country on Earth comes close”;
     Whereas it is the great life force of “each generation of new Americans that guarantees that America’s triumph shall continue unsurpassed” through the 21st century and beyond and is part of the “magical, intoxicating power of America”;
     Whereas this is “one of the most important sources of America’s greatness: we lead the world because, unique among nations, we draw our people — our strength — from every country and every corner of the world, and by doing so we continuously renew and enrich our nation”;
     Whereas “thanks to each wave of new arrivals to this land of opportunity, we’re a nation forever young, forever bursting with energy and new ideas, and always on the cutting edge”, always leading the world to the next frontier;
     Whereas this openness is vital to our future as a Nation, and “if we ever closed the door to new Americans, our leadership in the world would soon be lost”; and
Rep. Illhan Omar
     Whereas President Donald Trump’s racist comments have legitimized fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
     (1) believes that immigrants and their descendants have made America stronger, and that those who take the oath of citizenship are every bit as American as those whose families have lived in the United States for many generations; 
     (2) is committed to keeping America open to those lawfully seeking refuge and asylum from violence and oppression, and those who are willing to work hard to live the American Dream, no matter their race, ethnicity, faith, or country of origin; and
     (3) strongly condemns President Donald Trump’s racist comments that have legitimized and increased fear and hatred of new Americans and people of color by saying that our fellow Americans who are immigrants, and those who may look to the President like immigrants, should “go back” to other countries, by referring to immigrants and asylum seekers as “invaders,” and by saying that Members of Congress who are immigrants (or those of our colleagues who are wrongly assumed to be immigrants) do not belong in Congress or in the United States of America.
     Among Trump's recent tweets that led to the congressional condemnation was the following: "'Progressive' Democrat Congresswomen, who originally came from countries whose governments are a complete and total catastrophe, the worst, most corrupt and inept anywhere in the world (if they even have a functioning government at all), now loudly and viciously telling the people of the United States, the greatest and most powerful Nation on earth, how our government is to be run."
     Trump also tweeted that the congresswomen should "go back and help fix the totally broken and crime infested places from which they came."
     Further tweets from Trump called the four congresswomen "a bunch of Communists, they hate Israel, they hate our own Country," and referred to them as "Anti-Semitic," "Anti-Israel," "Anti-America," "Pro-terrorist," and as "spewing some of the most vile, hateful, and disgusting things ever said by a politician in the House or Senate."
Rep. Rashida Tlaib
     The resolution condemning Trump passed the House today with a vote of 240-187. Four "for" votes were from Republicans, one from an independent who recently left the Republican Party.
     Kaʻū's congresswoman commented: "Yet another example of Trump's ignorance & disdain for the values that truly make America great. His comments that 4 US citizen Members of Congress should 'go back' to the countries they came from is further evidence he does not belong in the White House."
     Gabbard charged that "Trump's comments were made to foment racism and bigotry, to further divide our country for his own political gain, and put his own interests ahead of the interests of our country. Trump telling Americans who disagree with or even criticize the President that they should 'go back to where they came from' undermines the rights and freedoms that I and my brothers and sisters in uniform have served and sacrificed to protect. Our freedom of speech and right to dissent are the most fundamentally American values that we must all stand up for and protect."
     Sen. Mazie Hirono had a direct message: "14 members of Congress are immigrants. No matter what @realDonaldTrump says, we aren't going back where we came from. We're going to stay right here, to fight this racist president and his silent Republican enablers."
     Sen. Brian Schatz responded: "I was around 16 when I first heard a version of 'go back to your country.' A drunk white guy screaming at an elderly Filipino lady, saying all kinds of foul stuff. Everyone at that bus stop told him to cut it out and he slinked away. We have to be the people at the bus stop."
     Schatz said Trumps comments are "not secretly strategic," but "overtly racist, and it is up to us to make sure it doesn't work."
Rep. Ayanna Pressley
     Schatz, who is of the Jewish faith, also commented on Trump's remarks about Jews. "I have been pretty polite about this and so have other American Jews. But you really have to leave us out of your racist talking points. You are not helping us, you are not helping society, you are not helping Israel. Your racism is your thing and we are not your shield. Don't use Israel politics to obscure or excuse racism.
     "Almost every day feels like history is watching - like you have to a pick a side - the past vs the future - racism vs decency - white nationalism vs forming a more perfect union."
     Schatz urged listening to what Ocasio-Cortez said: "I want to tell children across this country... that no matter what the president says, this country belongs to you, and it belongs to everyone, and today, that notion – that very notion – was challenged."
     Trump's response to the backlash: "Those Tweets were NOT Racist. I don't have a Racist bone in my body! The so-called vote… is a Democrat con game. Republicans should not show 'weakness' and fall into their trap. This should be a vote on the filthy language, statements and lies told by the Democrat Congresswomen, who I truly believe, based on their actions, hate our Country."

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CONCERN OVER SHORTER-TERM CLIMATE MODELS used by the U.S. Geological Survey inspired Sen. Mazie Hirono and 21 of her colleagues to send a letter to USGS Director, Dr. James Reilly, last week. Their concern is over recent reports that USGS will only use climate models that project climate change effects through 2040. USGS has historically used models that projected anticipated climate change impact through the end of the century.
     USGS data is used as the basis for many planning decisions made by local, state, and federal governments. In their letter, the Senators raised their concern that these actions appear to be in line with politically motivated moves within the Department of the Interior, and more broadly across the Trump administration, to suppress climate change science. They warned of the dangers of putting science through political filters, which would hinder the United States' ability to understand and address environmental and public health threats.
     The Senators wrote that "hiding this information from the American public… paralyzes" informed decision-making to reduce future emissions impacts now. They said they were concerned about "the administration's intent to leave the 'worst case scenario' out of future assessments and their attempt to discredit this scenario" in the Fourth National Climate Assessment. "This is particularly concerning given how our current emissions pathway most closely follows the 'worst case scenario' and that if, as the NCA4 warns, fossil fuel use continues unrestrained, 'the earth's atmosphere could warm by as much as eight degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the century,' which would result in catastrophic societal issues that include decreasing food production and negative impacts on public health."
     Hirono has repeatedly called for investigations into the Trump administration's "attempts to suppress scientific data across several federal agencies," says a release from her office. In June, Hirono sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Inspector General Phyllis K. Fong, to request an investigation into potential instances of suppression and alteration of scientific reports, documents, or communications produced by USDA. In April, Hirono also sent a letter to then-DOI Deputy Inspector General Mary L. Kendall to request she investigate the suppression of a Fish and Wildlife Service Biological Opinion, that was due to be completed and released in December 2017. The letter specifically called into question actions taken by Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt to suppress scientific data, actions that had drawn concerns in September 2018 from Hirono and her colleagues.
     The full text of the letter to Director Reilly is available here.

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"DRIVE WITH ALOHA FOR ALL PEOPLE," is the message from the Hawaiʻi Police Department in a recent release. This weekend, HPD will send officers to patrol across Hawaiʻi Island to look for aggressive drivers.
     Intentionally driving with disregard for other people or property is aggressive driving. In Hawaiʻi, said the release, it likely would be defined as "Reckless Driving" and against the law.
     In Hawaiʻi, aggressive driving is a major concern that threatens the safety of many travelers on the roadway, states HPD. A recent AAA Foundation survey showed that 9 out of 10 drivers believed that aggressive driving was a "somewhat" or "very serious" threat to their safety. The same survey showed that many drivers admitted to engaging in aggressive driving themselves. Some of these driving behaviors are excessive speeding, reckless overtaking, tail gating, and failing to obey traffic signs and signals.
     Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

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THE 2019-2020 SCHOOL YEAR IS CREEPING UP FAST, with public schools beginning classes at the beginning of August.
     At Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School, Kindergarten through 7th grade and 9th grade begin classes Tuesday, Aug. 6. 8th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders begin Wednesday, Aug. 7. Uniform orders are open for pick up as early as Saturday, July 27. Standard school supplies are provided, except a 3.5mm aux connection pair of earbuds or headphones, and a backpack. For 7th grade and up, additional supplies needed are listed on course syllabi. See khpes.org.
     Volcano School of Arts and Sciences classes start Monday, Aug. 5; orientation for new students is Friday, Aug. 2. Spaces are available in 1st through 8th grades of the expanding Kula ‘Amakihi Community-Based Education Program. There may be space or short wait lists for certain grades in the regular on-campus programs. Contact 808-985-9800 or email enrollment@volcanoschool.net to enroll. See volcanoschool.net.
     Nāʻālehu Elementary School is slated to begin Tuesday, Aug. 6. Call 808-939-2413 for more.

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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
2019 Kaʻū High School Athletics Schedule through August
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates; Bowling TBA.

Football, Division II:
Mon., July 22, first day Full Pads, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Mon., July 29, 3 to 5 p.m., first day practice
Tue., Aug. 20, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Hilo
Fri., Aug. 23, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts St. Joseph
Wed., Aug. 28, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kohala

Cross Country:
Mon., Aug. 5, 2:30 to 4 p.m., first day practice
Sat., Aug. 31, 10 a.m., @Christian Liberty

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.

UPCOMING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 17
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wednesday, July 17, 12:30-1:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Learn About Water Law and how to advocate for water at a Dept. of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries meeting at Pāhala Community Center on Wednesday, July 17, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ka Huli Alo will provide a brief overview of Hawaiʻi legal framework governing water resource management. It will be followed by a discussion on "how homestead communities can advocate for pono, righteous, use and protection of wai, water," says the announcement.
     The session is free and open to all DHHL beneficiaries. RSVP by Sunday, July 14 to Tereariʻi at 808-956-4025 or nhlawctr@hawaii.edu. Include community name in RSVP. Dinner and refreshments are provided for those who RSVP.

FRIDAY, JULY 19
Hawai‘i State Little League Tournament, Friday through Tuesday, July 19-23, first game at 11:30a.m., second game at 2:30p.m. Nā‘ālehu Community Center Ball Field, Hwy 11. Winners go to regionals. Concessions available. No admission charged. Josh Crook, 345-0511

Taiko Drumming Presentation by Kenny Endo, Friday, July 19, 1:30-2:15p.m, Pāhala Public & School Library. Suitable for all ages. Young children must be accompanied by parent or adult caregiver. Free. Carol Dodd, 928-2015, librarieshawaii.org

SATURDAY, JULY 20
Free Haircuts, Saturday, July 20, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Kady and Drew Foster. Sign-up sheet on church bulletin board. stjudeshawaii.org

Giving Tree, Saturday, July 20, lower parking lot, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Free clothing and self care items. stjudeshawaii.org

Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Data Survey and Clean-up at Kamilo, Saturday, July 20. Free; donations appreciated. Full - waitlist only. RSVP required. 769-7629, kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com

Mobile Spay & Neuter Waggin', Saturday, July 20, 7:30a.m.-4p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Low income pet parents and those with limited transportation qualify for mobile spay/neuter service. Free. Surgery by phone appointment only. Hawai‘i Island Humane Society, 796-0107, hihs.org

3rd Annual Ka‘ū Multicultural Society Pig Hunt, Saturday, July 20, weigh-in open 10 a.m.-5p.m., parking lot adjacent to 96-3258 Maile Street, Pāhala, near old Radio Station Building. Food booths and variety of contest categories. Kalani Vierra, 938-2005, Darlyne Vierra, 6408740, or Liz Kuluwaimaka, 339-0289

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, July 20, 10a.m.-1p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Beginner & Intermediate Mixed Media Encaustic with Mary Milelzcik, Saturday, July 20, 10a.m.-2p.m., Volcano Art Center. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member, plus $25 supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Moses Kaho‘okele Crabbe with Hālauolaokalani, Saturday, July 20, 10:30-11:30a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula with Kumu Loke Kamanu & ‘Ohana, Saturday, July 20, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org


Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, July 20, 2-3p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org
Sounds at the Summit, Desiree Moana Cruz & the Bill Nobel Quintet performance, Saturday, July 20, 5:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Be-bop, swing, bosanova, salsa, and smooth-jazz-funk. $20/VAC member, $25/non-member. Tickets available for purchase online. Beer, wine, and pupu available for purchase at event. volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, JULY 21
Ka‘ū Chamber of Commerce Mtg., Sunday, July 21, 4-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, JULY 23
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, July 23 (Committees), Wednesday, July 24, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

HOVE Road Maintenance Board Mtg., Tuesday, July 23, 10a.m., HOVE Road Maintenance office. 929-9910, gm@hoveroad.com, hoveroad.com

After Dark in the Park - A Rock in the Park: Tale of the Wanderer, Tuesday, July 23, 7p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Join historian Hugh Montgomery and actor Dick Hershberger in a two-man play that brings the epic tale of a rediscovered rock within the Park and the voyages of Benjamin Boyd to life. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

ONGOING
Experience Volcano Festival is still looking for vendors. Booths for the event are $25 per day for Saturday, July 27, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, July 28, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event is coordinated with the new ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash on the 27th. Apply at experiencevolcano.com/vendor-application.
     Experience Volcano is a group of businesses and residents helping to rebuild the economy of Volcano, following last year's volcanic disaster that shut down Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and drastically reduced the visitor county which is now recovering.

ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 5K, and Keiki Dash happens Saturday, July 27 in Volcano Village, It replaces the Volcano Rain Forest Runs. Register at ohialehuahalf.com.

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's Summer Musical: Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m., through July 28 at Kīlauea Military Camp's Kīlauea Theater. Tickets are available at Kīlauea General Store, Kea‘au Natural Foods, Basically Books, The Most Irresistible Shop, and at door. $20/general admission, $15/student or over 60, $12/age 12 and under. Park entrance fees may apply. 982-7344, kden73@aol.com, kden.org

Enroll at Volcano School of Arts and Sciences for the 2019-2020 school year, which starts Aug. 5; orientation for new students is Aug. 2. Spaces are available in 1st through 8th grades of the expanding Kula ‘Amakihi Community-Based Education (CBE) Program; the school may also have space or short wait lists for certain grades in the regular on-campus programs. Contact 808-985-9800 or email enrollment@volcanoschool.net to enroll.

Exhibit -The Joy of the Brush: Paintings by Linda J. Varez, daily through Sunday, Aug. 4, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees may apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Enroll in Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Orientation for enrolled families begins Aug. 5 & 6, with programs continuing following week in Nā‘ālehu on Monday & Wednesday, 8:45-10:45am, and Pāhala, Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30-10:30am. Space is limited. pidfoundation.org

6th Annual Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run Registration, webscorer.com/register?raceid=166020. 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon races through mac nut and coffee fields along slopes of Ka‘ū starting at 7a.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Ka‘ū Coffee Mill. Sponsored by Ka‘ū Coffee Mill and ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Prices increase after July 9. okaukakou.orgkaucoffeemill.com

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