Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Experience Volcano offered many venues around the village last weekend to bring new attention to the culture,
art, cuisine, winery, and places to visit. See more below. Photo from Experience Volcano
KAʻŪ REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS, TULSI GABBARD, TOOK ON KAMALA HARRIS' SOCIAL JUSTICE RECORD in tonight's presidential debate between Democratic candidates, moderated by CNN. She said "I'm concerned about this record of Senator Harris'. She put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana violations and laughed about it when she was asked if she ever smoked marijuana."
     Harris defended her record, without addressing the marijuana convictions. She noted she opposed the death penalty and took on the tough work to reform the criminal justice system when she was California's Attorney General, heading the second largest criminal justice department in the country, following the U.S. Department of Justice.
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard during the second round of Democrat
presidential debates. Photo from CNN
     Gabbard took on the issue of health care: "Unfortunately, we don't have healthcare in this country – we have sick care. We've created a massive for-profit entity incentivized to keep people sick and on drugs. As president, I will work to build a healthcare system incentivized to increase health and prevent and heal disease."
     Concerning the war in the Middle East, Gabbard said, "14,000 service members are deployed to Afghanistan right now. This is about leadership – the leadership I will bring to do the right thing, to bring our troops home, within the first year in office."
     When questioned about her visit with the Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad during her trip to the Middle East, after he was accused of using nerve gas on his own people, Gabbard referenced the complexity of finding out who is responsible for inhumane acts during war. She hearkened back to Iraq. "We were all lied to. We were told that Saddam had WMD, was working with Al Qaeda, and that this posed a threat to the American people. But not only have we not gone after Al Qaeda, they are stronger than they were on 9/11."
     Regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the trade agreement of Pres. Barack Obama, abandoned by Pres. Donald Trump, Gabbard said, "TPP gave away our sovereignty to a panel of international corps whose rulings would supersede our laws. This goes against our values as a country, would have a negative impact on domestic jobs and lacked clear environmental protections."
     In assessing the current president, Gabbard said "Donald Trump is not a patriot," and pointed to her years in the National Guard. She said, "Trump and warmongering politicians have failed us. They continue to escalate tensions with other nuclear armed countries pushing us closer and closer to the brink of nuclear catastrophe. As president, I will end this insanity."
     Gabbard's Twitter feed showed a Google Trends accounting of most searched Democratic presidential candidates during tonight's debate. It reported Gabbard first, Kamala Harris second, Cory Booker third, Joe Biden fourth, Andrew Yang fifth, Kirsten Gillibrand sixth, Jay Inslee seventh, Bill de Blasio eighth, Julián Castro ninth, and Michael Bennet tenth.

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Erick approaching the Hawaiian Islands. Flossie is hot on his heels. Image from nhc.noaa.gov
IN PREPARATION FOR HURRICANE ERICK, Hawaiʻi County closed South Point Road, and Punaluʻu and Whittington Beach Parks, today. Residents of South Point Road and Punaluʻu will be allowed to proceed to their homes. Camping permits and pavilion rentals will not be useable until further notice at both beach parks. With an expectation of increasing winds, Civil Defense Chief Talmadge Magno urged area residents and business owners to secure loose items and canopy tents on their properties.
     A High Surf warning is issued for east and south facing shores of Hawaiʻi Island. A Flash Flood Watch is forecast for east and south districts of Hawaiʻi Island for tomorrow.
    Erick, with winds of 105 mph, was located 480 from South Point at 5 p.m., moving at 14 mph. The projected path will take Erick south of South Point early Friday. However, winds and rain are expected early tomorrow. Erick is expected to be downgraded to a tropical storm before passing the islands.
     Tropical Storm Flossie – 1,800 miles from South Point, traveling at 16 mph, with 65 mph winds – is predicted to hit Hawaiʻi Island on Monday. Earlier forecasts predicted that Floose would maintain a powerful hurricane strength through the weekend. However, she diminished to a tropical storm, and is expected to return to hurricane strength and die back down to a tropical storm before reaching Hawaiʻi and passing north of the islands.
Image from nhc.noaa.gov
     Officials and forecasters remind the public that tropical storms can cause wind, rain, and surf damage, and to be prepared.

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USING SANDBAGS AGAINST FLOODING is one way to prepare for oncoming storms in Hawaiʻi County. In a release today, Department of Public Works said the county is "susceptible to flooding from hurricanes and heavy rain events during which streams, rivers, and drainage channels can flood quickly with little warning. The best way to protect yourself from flooding is to be prepared."
     The release states the county "generally does not provide sandbags to the public," and that placing sandbags before flooding is important. Sandbags, says the release, can help direct water away from a structure, but should be used in tandem with plastic sheeting or tarps. Sandbags should weigh about 35-40 pounds, be half filled with sand or soil, to allow them to lie flat, says DPW. They recommend placing sandbags like bricks, closely together, limiting height to 3 layers.
     Learn more at hawaiicounty.gov/pw-flood.

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Volcano Art Center's educational campus was one of many Experience Volcano venues.
Photo form Experience Volcano
THE FIRST EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL brought crowds numbering about 3,000 and a boost of continuing revitalization to Volcano Village on July 27 and 28. Never giving up, the residents and businesses of the Volcano Village gateway community to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park want the place known for more than its proximity to the now-gone lava lake at Halemaʻumaʻu. Despite the tough economic times brought on by last year's eruption, when there were air quality concerns and constant earthquakes, the community pulled together to invite visitors to come back and see Volcano through the eyes of the people who live there.
     Jesse Tunison, one of the organizers, said today that Experience Volcano will likely continue in 2020.
Hula at the Lava Rock Café in Volcano Village.
Photo from Experience Volcano
     Saturday and Sunday showed off the eclectic and creative community's talents, from one end of the village to the other. Art, food, music, and performances spanned the whole of the Volcano Village area, from Akatsuka Orchid Gardens to Volcano Winery, with a concentration of activities in the heart of the historic village. Organizers plan to hold a second event in July of 2020.
     Restaurants – like ʻŌhelo Café, Lava Rock Café, Aunty Pon's Thia Food Truck, Kīlauea Lodge, Café Ono, Lava Lounge, Chicken N' Ribs at Volcano Art Center, and Tuk Tuk Thai Food Truck – featured special menus.
     A variety of musical performances were offered: Lauren Elle Broido, Veronica Rose, The Brown Boys, Makana Kamahele, William Kauhane, Grand Slam Band, Lito Arkangel, Loyd Longakit & Doug Espejo, Randy Lorenzo, Loren & Lauren, Keoki Kahumoku, Ola Tripp Jr., and Rupert Tripp Jr.
     Keiki could enjoy Kids Activity Corner and Keiki & ʻOhana Time Activities, as well as Lili Farm House Petting Zoo.
     Hawaiian culture activities include an opening oli, chant, both days at 9 a.m., ʻukulele lessons, hula performances, and lei making.
Volcano enthusiasts went from one location to another to enjoy the
diversity of the village. Photo from Experience Volcano
     Winery and orchid tours were offered each day. Those who came to visit Volcano Garden Arts could get their hands dirty with make-and-take projects. Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus featured art demonstrations all day, both days. Workshops and demonstrations focused on tea, quilting, ceramics, pottery, orchids, batik, bansai, raku, wine, and more. Walks to learn about Volcano Village's Historic Homes or the surrounding rainforest were open to all.

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RATIFICATION OF THE LAW OF THE SEA was requested by Sen. Mazie Hirono last week during the 25th anniversary of the U.S signing of the treaty, but not fully adopting it.
     U.S. Senate Resolution 284 calls on the U.S. Senate to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. UNCLOS has been ratified by 167 nations and the European Union. It lays out the rights and responsibilities of countries, relating to the world's oceans, including guidelines for businesses and the management of marine natural resources. Similar legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in June.
     Said Hirono, "The United States and our allies face aggressive and often hostile threats to international freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, the South China Sea, the Arctic, and the Black Sea, among many other regions of the world. This is why it is so important for the United States to become party to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which
provides a legal framework enshrining rights key to our nation's maritime interests. Becoming party to UNCLOS protects our right of free passage through territorial seas and ensures we have a seat at the table on decisions impacting Hawaiʻi and the ocean around us. I am proud to join Senator Murkowski in calling for the long-overdue ratification of UNCLOS."
      The Nature Conservancy Vice President for Public Policy and Government Relations Lynn Scarlett said, "Ratification ensures that the United States may fully engage with other countries and international organizations on the many issues addressed by UNCLOS that are critical to U.S. interests, positions and expertise, including protecting the health and biodiversity of the world's oceans."
Law of the Sea gives geographic guidelines for ocean management. Image from Law of the Sea
     Ralph Cossa, Pacific Forum President Emeritus, said, "Tensions are rising in hotspots like the South China Sea as a result of China's increased assertiveness. This treaty is critical to ensuring freedom of navigation, peacefully resolving disputes, and upholding the international rules-based order that has contributed not only to our national security but to Hawaiʻi's security given our state's reliance on open maritime commerce and ocean resources. U.S. ratification is long-overdue. Failure to ratify puts us at a disadvantage when promoting our vital national security interests."
     Originally adopted in 1982, UNCLOS was further revised by a 1994 agreement to modify provisions related to seabed mining and has been in force ever since. The United States signed the 1994 agreement, which was subsequently transmitted to the U.S. Senate for its advice and consent. The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted in support of ratifying the agreement in 2004 and in 2007. However, a U.S. Senate floor vote has yet to take place. Support for UNCLOS ratification comes from a wide range of environmental, scientific, labor, and industry organizations.
     The full text of the U.S. Senate resolution is available here.

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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS happen 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 3 at the Francis Wong Baseball Stadium Parking Lot (entry via Manono Street) and Saturday, August 10 at the Kealakehe High School Parking Lot (entry via Pū‘ohulihuli Street).
     County of Hawaiʻi's Department of Environmental Management holds these regular collection events, at no charge to the public, so households can conveniently dispose of acceptable household hazardous waste in a manner that protects both public health and the environment.
     These events are for household-generated and self-hauled waste only. Business, government agency, non-profit agency, or farm wastes are not allowed. No latex paint, no electronic waste, and no tires will be accepted. Acceptable household hazardous waste includes automotive fluids, used batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and pesticides. Reusable latex paint will be not be accepted. For a more complete list of acceptable or unacceptable household hazardous waste, see hawaiizerowaste.org /recycle/household-hazardous-waste. The website includes other useful information on solid waste diversion and recycling. The next collection events will be in February 2020.
     Contact Chris Chin-Chance, Recycling Specialist with the Department of Environmental Management, at 961-8554 recycle3@hawaiicounty.gov with questions.

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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:
Sat., Aug. 24, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Kamehameha

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
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
THURSDAY, AUG. 1
Volcano Winery's Annual Fundraising Harvest Festival tickets go on sale Aug. 1 at volcanowinery.com or (808) 967-7772. Proceeds benefit Volcano School of Arts & Sciences; last year's event sold out. This sixth festive evening of live music, food, wines and craft beers under the stars happens Sunday, Sept. 8, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The $50 per person tickets include live music entertainment by Young Brothers; delicious food and drink from local restaurants; award-winning wines and teas from the Volcano Winery; tours of the vineyards and a huge raffle.

Women's Expression Group, Thursday, Aug. 1 – 1st Thursday monthly – 3-4:30p.m., PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Mayor Kim & Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thursday, Aug. 1, 6-7p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thursday, Aug. 1, 6:30-8:30p.m.Aspen Centerokaukakou.org

Registration Open: Sunflower Craft, through Monday, Aug. 5, Kahuku ParkHawaiian Ocean View Estates. Program for ages 6-12 takes place Tuesday, Aug. 6, 12:45-3:30p.m. Free. 939-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Registration Open: Shrink Art Keychain, through Tuesday, Aug. 6, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8 takes place, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 3:30-5p.m. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

FRIDAY, AUG. 2
Stewardship at the Summit, Aug. 2, 10, 16, 24, and 28, 8:45a.m.-noonKīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers remove invasive, non-native plants. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves/tools provided. Parental/guardian accompaniment or written consent required for those under 18. Free; park entrance fees apply. Paul and Jane Field, field@hawaii.edu, nps.gov/havo

SATURDAY, AUG. 3
Edible Landscaping for Backyards and Beyond with Zach Mermel of Ola Design Group, Saturday, Aug. 3, 9a.m.-2:30p.m.Volcano Art Center. Learn how to transform lanai and lawn, field, and fence into an abundant oasis of edible and multifunctional plants. $30/VAC member, $40/non-member, plus $15 materials fee. Class size limited; register early. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Keiki Science Class, Saturday, Aug. 3 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m.-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com

Flameworking - An Introductory Class with Nash Adams-Pruitt, Saturday, Aug. 3, and Sunday, Aug. 4, 2-4:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. $155/VAC member, $160/non-member, plus $40 supply fee. Class size limited; advanced registration required. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, AUG. 4
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, Aug. 4 – 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/viewith southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

MONDAY, AUG. 5
Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool Accepting Enrollment Applications - orientation for enrolled families begins Aug. 5 and 6, with programs in Nā‘ālehu/Wai‘ōhinu at Kauaha‘ao Church on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:45-10:45a.m., and Pāhala Community Center on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30-10:30a.m. Limited space. 939-8573, pidfoundation.org

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Monday, Aug. 5 and Sept. 2, 4-6p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, AUG. 6
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Aug. 6 (Committees), Wednesday, Aug. 7 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

AdvoCATS, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7a.m.-4:30p.m.Ocean View Community Center. Free spay/neuter for cats. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, Aug. 6, 6-8p.m.Pāhala Community Center.

Paniolo: Hawaiian Cowboys, After Dark in the Park, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 7p.m.Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Dr. Billy Bergin, local author and expert on Hawaiian ranching and all things paniolo, presents. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 7
Registration Open: Instructional Volleyball (8+, 10+, 12+, 14+), Aug. 7-15, Ka‘ū District Gym. Program takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays, Aug. 20-Oct. 17, 6-7:30p.m. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Hula Voices with Kumu Hula Kimo Awai, Wednesday, Aug. 7 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30-7p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā‘ālehu Elementary School Kindergarten Registration, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 9a.m.-5p.m, Ocean View Community Centerovcahi.org

ONGOING
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.

Talk Action, Take Action: surveys available through Aug. 4recovery.hawaiicounty.gov/connect/impact-status-survey-suite. The surveys focus on different areas of recovery after the 2018 Kīlauea eruption: households, businesses, and community.

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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