Sunday, August 11, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Sunday, August 11, 2019

Kamala Harris, left, as Tulsi Gabbard calls her out on marijuana prosecutions and withholding DNA evidence in a
murder case. Read the Rolling Stone view on the aftermath smearing of Gabbard to protect Harris.
Photo from CNN
WHO'S AFRAID OF TULSI GABBARD? is the headline in a Rolling Stone story and podcast released on Friday. The Matt Taibbi story leads with Gabbard, a candidate for President, and Kaʻū's representative in the U.S. House, saying, "It just goes to show, that launching a smear campaign is the only response to the truth." According to the story, she was referring to a smear campaign that followed her interaction with candidate for president Kamala Harris during the July 31 debate for candidates vying to become the Democratic Party nominee.
     "The 'smear campaign,'" states Taibbi, "refers to the bizarre avalanche of negative press that ensued, as reporters seemed to circle wagons around Harris, a party favorite.
     "The Gabbard-Harris exchange was brief but revealing, as a window into a schism in the Democractic Party. Harris was elected Attorney General of California in 2010. She frequently sought moderate or even conservative positions on issues like criminal sentencing, drug enforcement, and prison labor. These stances were standard among Democrats back when being 'tough on crime' was considered an essential component of the 'electability' argument."
     The Rolling Stone writer states that the Democratic electorate has become especially concerned about mass incarceration but "the party has not quite caught up. Gabbard exposed these divisions" during the debate, saying Harris "put over 1,500 people in jail for marijuana and then laughed about it when asked if she ever smoked marijuana." The Rolling Stone writer notes that the debate audience cheered with Gabbard, continuing to talk about Harris blocking introduction of DNA evidence in a murder case. Harris reacted "like someone had dented her car."
     Taibbi writes that, "Having wounded a presumptive frontrunner backed by nearly $25 million in campaign funds, Gabbard instantly became the subject of a slew of negative leaks, tweets, and press reports. Many of these continued the appalling recent Democratic Party tradition of denouncing anything it doesn't like as treasonous aid to foreign enemies."
     The Rolling Stone story points to the press chair for Harris tweeting, "Yo, you love Assad," referencing  Gabbard's visit with Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian dictator. The Harris press chair also tweeted a link to a story speculating that Russian bots help Gabbard's campaign.
Tulsi Gabbard with writers from Rolling Stone magazine.
Photo from Rolling Stone
     The Rolling Stone story also points to Politico characterizing Gabbard followers to those in a "Star Wars bar scene," and the New York Times writing that she believes the U.S. "wrought horror on the world," referring to her stance against anti-regime change wars. The story points out that Barrack Obama, during a 2007 presidential debate, said he would talk to leaders of Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, and North Korea. "It is a disgrace that we have not spoken to them," said Obama. He called ridiculous, "the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment."
     The writer concludes that Gabbard is "not an isolationist. She's simply opposed to bombing the crap out of, and occupying, foreign countries for no apparent positive strategic objective, beyond enriching contractors. She is like many soldiers (and embedded reporters for that matter) who returned disillusioned from the Middle Eastern theatre. Of concern: the extreme loss of life among both Americans and resident populations, and the outrageous profiteering amid abuse of foreign contract workers who are used to staff and service American bases."

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GAME MANAGEMENT FOR HAWAIʻI ISLAND LOOKS LIKE A LOST CAUSE, according to the opinion of Game Management Advisory Commissioner Naniloa Pogline. On July 30, she told the commission that the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife – DOFAW, under the Department of Land and Natural Resources – will not produce the game management plan that hunters envision. DOFAW will come up with a "hunting program," she said.
     Pogline contended that the hunting program would "entail expanding hunting opportunity and reducing bag limits. Consideration for game count, rest, reproductive season, or refuge will be
Hunters and the state both want plans and regulations
to define hunting rules. Photo from PTA
minimal. A hunting program, rather than a conventional game management plan, removes DOFAW from liabilities and pressure from environmental communities and agencies representing endangered species. So, it's about removing liability for them."
     Pogline said the hunters could "get together to educate and agree upon an informal game management plan of their own," but that officials warned that "any such practices may result in pressure on DOFAW for more eradication of game species, if any of the opponents [of a game plan] got wind that the hunters were actually practicing a game management plan.
     "DOFAW has made some efforts in tracking game count and maintaining access," said Pogline, "but while hunter participation and help is encouraged – and needed in analyzing game populations – the complaint is that the public too often injects what is considered unwanted personal opinions and uneducated conclusions. This makes cooperative management difficult as the validity of information coming from hunters is often perceived invalid."
     Said Pogline, "Changing rules, mandates, regulations, and statutes to accommodate game and hunter is still far off. Even acquiring an incidental take license would allow our game to coexist with endangered species to a degree. But they said this cannot be obtained without the completion of the long, nearly 20-years stalled, habitat conservation plan." The next GMAC meeting is scheduled to take place in late August.
     The Hawaiʻi County Game Management Advisory Commission – selected by the mayor and confirmed by the County Council – is comprised of Pogline, Stanley Mendes, Kean Umeda, James O'Keefe, Abraham Antonio, Grayson Hashida, Bronsten-Glenn "Kalei" Kossow, Teresa Nakama, and George Donev.

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Craig Nakahara and his winning staff who won a national award on Friday for helping legislators and the public
interact and to research bills and provide testimony. Photo from state House of Representatives
PAPERLESS TESTIMONY, EASY ACCESS TO INFORMATION USED TO MAKE DECISIONS, and the redesign of the state House of Representatives internal website portal earned the House tech support team the Legislative Staff Achievement Award from the National Association of Legislative Information Technology. The award was presented on Friday at the National Conference of State Legislatures Summit in Nashville.
     "IT Director Craig Nakahara and his hard-working staff continually come up with creative and
innovative solutions which improve the way legislators and their staffs operate," said Hawaiʻi House Speaker Scott K. Saiki. "This team is doing great work and deserve this recognition."
     Members of the House Tech Support team are Craig Nakahara, Gail Iseri, Josette Friedl, Nhuc Chau, Royce Fukumoto, Matthew Kanda, Thai Nguyen, Kai Lau, and Robyn Araki.
Download the draft.
     Criteria for the NALIT Legislative Staff Achievement Award include: Helping to improve the effectiveness of the legislative institution; supporting the legislative process and the mission of the legislature; exhibiting a high degree of professionalism, competence, and integrity in serving the legislature and the public; contributing to the work of the National Conference of State Legislatures; contributing to the National Association of Legislative Information Technology; and contributing to existing knowledge and demonstrating expertise in a particular field.
     The NCSL is a bipartisan organization serving the 7,382 state lawmakers and legislative staff of the states, commonwealths, and territories. It provides research, technical assistance, and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues, and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
     Hawaiʻi, with constiuents living on islands and unable to travel easily to the Capitol for legislative sessions, is known for its easy to use website to give testimony, do research, craft legislation, and to keep up with elected officials.

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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:
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
MONDAY, AUG. 12
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26, 1p.m., contact for location. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

TUESDAY, AUG. 13
Virtual Advisory Council Mtg. for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, Tuesday, August 13, 9a.m.-1p.m. Open to the public. Updates on education and outreach, resource protection, science, and Navy research. Public comment begins at 12:20 p.m. Join audio conference line at 1-866-813-9056, passcode: 1392550#. Visual presentation via Blue Jeans:
https://bluejeans.com/986204292, meeting ID: 986 204 292. More info or mtg. agenda, contact Cindy Among-Serrao,
808-725-5923 or Cindy.Among-Serrao@noaa.gov.
hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov,
facebook.com/hawaiihumpbackwhale,
sanctuaries.noaa.govdlnr.hawaii.gov

Registration Open: Butterfly Magnets Craft, Tuesday, Aug. 13-19, Kahuku ParkHawaiian Ocean View Estates. Program for ages 6-12 takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 12:45-3:30p.m. Free. 939-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 14
Lā‘āu Lāpa‘au Demonstration, Wednesday, Aug. 14, 10a.m.-noonKīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Hawaiian herbal medicine practitioner Ka‘ohu Monfort demonstrates. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, AUG. 15
Private Guided Hike: Kīlauea Iki Crater, Thursday, Aug. 15, 10a.m.-2p.m.Kīlauea Iki Overlook, HVNP. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate to challenging 2.4 mile (one way) hike. $80/person. Park entrance fees may apply. 985-7373, fhvnp.org

Registration Open: Beaded Bracelet, Aug. 15-20, Ka‘ū District Gym multipurpose room. Program for grades K-8, takes place Wednesday, Aug. 21, 3:30-5p.m. Free.928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

FRIDAY, AUG. 16
Hawai‘i Statehood Day

SATURDAY, AUG. 17
Taking the Pamphlet Stitch on a Romp – bookbinding workshop with Charlene Asato, Saturday, Aug. 17, 9a.m.-noonVolcano Art Center. No experience necessary. $32/VAC member, $35/non-member, plus $10 supply fee. Supply list online. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Volunteer Fountain Grass Removal, Saturday, Aug. 17, 9a.m.-3p.m., meet at Ocean ViewCommunity Center parking lot. Bring lunch, water, hat, and sunscreen. ovcahi.org

Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat., Aug. 17, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit , HVNP. Free, moderate hike, approx. 2 miles. nps.gov/havo

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Saturday, Aug. 17, 10a.m.-1p.m.Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Iwalani Kalima with Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani ‘E, Saturday, Aug. 17, 10:30-11:30a.m., hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Hula performance. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.comvolcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula with Wes Awana, Saturday, Aug. 17, 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.comvolcanoartcenter.org

Ham Radio Mtg., Saturday, Aug. 17, 2-3p.m.Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Pāhala Hongwanji Bon Dance, Saturday, Aug. 17, 4-10:30p.m. Sponsored by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Food, dancing, fun, Taiko drums. All are welcome. Free. OKK President Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773

50th Anniversary of Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū, Kanani aʻo Kaʻū, Aug. 17, PāhalaCommunity Center5-10p.m. History, food, and music. General admission is $20; kupuna are $10; keiki ages 6 to 17 are $8; keiki 5 and under are free. For more, email hawaiiancivicclubkau@gmail.com or call 808-747-0197.

SUNDAY, AUG. 18
Pu‘u o Lokuana, Sun., Aug. 18, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, short, moderately difficult, 0.4-mile hike. nps.gov/havo

Private Excursion: Trail Less Traveled, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2p.m.-4p.m., Devastation Trail Parking Lot, HVNP. Moderate 2 mile hike. $40/person. Park entrance fees may apply. Organized by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 985-7373, fhvnp.org

ONGOING
Volcano Winery's Annual Fundraising Harvest Festival Tickets are on sale 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. 84-7p.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.

Exhibit - Nani Ka ‘Ikena by Volcano local photographer Jesse Tunison, daily through Sept. 15, 9a.m.-5p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Nani Ka ʻIkena, that which is seen is beautiful, features vibrant colors and crisp, wide vistas which highlight the character and drama of Hawaiʻi Island’s landscape. The collection of ten photographs were captured over the past decade by Tunison and also document the dynamic changes which have occurred in such a short period of time. "While the landscape has changed the beauty has endured." Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.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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