Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, September 25, 2019


Volcano Art Center, which hosts cultural events, such as hula on a traditional dance platform, will receive funds from 
Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority's Aloha ʻĀina program. See story below. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org
NEW HAWAIʻI, WESTERN PACIFIC, AND AMERICAN SAMOA DIRECTOR FOR USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT is Brenda Iokepa-Moses. She assumes the position on Monday, with the federal Department of Agriculture, following decades of her hands-on work with Kaʻū farmers and ranchers in soil and water, horticultural practices, land lease, and purchasing negotiations. Her planning and operations employment with owners of rural land in Hawaiʻi, where real estate is dear, has provided her with experience in establishing common ground between farmers and property owners, to benefit the future of agriculture, she says.
Brenda Iokepa-Moses. Photo from USDA
     Iokepa-Moses says she plans to bring her interpersonal skills to the job, stemming from her involvement with business, the nonprofit organizations where she volunteers, and in working with ranchers, farmers, and their cooperative organizations on many issues, including farmland security.
     As a land manager in Kaʻū, Iokepa-Moses has overseen daily more than 60 independent farmers on hundreds of acres leased to them, as well as thousands of acres leased to cattlemen, while carrying out improvement projects, with responsibility for bidding and completion. She credits more than 20 years of military service in the Army Reserves for training in time management and project completion skills.
     Married with three children, Iokepa-Moses is a resident of Pāhala. She serves as a co-organizer of the Kaʻū Coffee Festival, which helps to market one of the most important crops of the region. She also volunteers for the service organization ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Since 2013, she has served as President of the Hawaiʻi Association of Conservation Districts, with its members in 16 Districts across the state, assisting with public affairs and management. She also chairs the Kaʻū Soil & Water Conservation District and is secretary and past president of the Kaʻū Farm Bureau. She served on the Department of Water Supply Board from 2012 to 2017.
     Iokepa-Moses's education spans from military training to a paralegal degree, from studying business at University of Hawaiʻi to courses in real estate, construction engineering, and leadership development.
     Directors of USDA Rural Development are tasked with helping to improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. The agency offers loans, grants, and loan guarantees to help create jobs and support economic development and essential services, such a housing, health care, first responder services and equipment, and water, electricity, and communication infrastructure. Rural development supports loans to businesses through banks, credit unions, and community-managed lending pools. It offers technical assistance and information to help agricultural producers and cooperatives get started and improve effectiveness of their operations. It also helps communities undertake empowerment programs, helping rural residents to buy or rent safe, affordable housing and make health and safety repairs to their homes.
     Iokepa-Moses' office will be in the Federal Building in downtown Hilo. For more on Hawaiʻi programs see rd.usda.gov/hi.

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NATURAL RESOURCES GRANTS FROM HAWAIʻI TOURISM AUTHORITY will flow to non profits and government organizations on Hawaiʻi Island. The Aloha ʻĀina program funds community-based nonprofit and government programs helping to manage and protect Hawaiʻi's natural resources. "The Hawaiian proverb, 'He aliʻi ka ʻāina, he kauwā ke kanaka,' means 'the land is a chief, man is its servant,' and therefore if we care for our natural resources, they will care for us," says an HTA statement released today.
Aloha ʻĀina will issue funds to the Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Seed Banking Initiative 2020. Photos from laukahi.org
     HTA issued a request for proposals on May 2 with the deadline of July 5 to submit applications. HTA staff held informational briefings about the submission process on all six islands during the month of May.
     "Our Aloha ʻĀina program is focused on the lasting value of stewardship by responsible, community-based entities with an emphasis on ʻāina-kanaka (land-human) relationships and knowledge. The collective objective is to reinvest tourism dollars to manage, conserve, and revitalize Hawaiʻi's natural resources," said Kalani Kaʻanaʻana, HTA's Director of Hawaiian Cultural Affairs.
     HTA is also providing funding through its Kukulu Ola program to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture. The Kukulu Ola awardees for 2020 will be announced soon.
     Full List of the 95 HTA 2020 Aloha ʻĀina Awardees can be found at governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/latest-news/hta-awards-funding-to-support-community-events-and-programs/.
     Statewide, HTA awarded funds to DLNR – Division of Forestry and Wildlife; Mokuhaliʻi: Covering the Islands in the Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Outreach Network; Hawaiian Islands Land Trust; Cultural & Ecological Restoration Program; Kupu; Hawaiʻi Youth Conservation Corps; University of Hawaiʻi; Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Seed Banking Initiative 2020.
The Coral Reef Alliance, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, is one of the Aloha ʻĀina programs funded.
Image from coral.org
     Hawaiʻi Island: Coral Reef Alliance; Hawaiʻi Wai Ola; Edith K. Kanakaole Foundation; Makawalu a Kanaloa; Hawaiʻi Forest Institute; Restoration and Education at Palamanui and Lai Opua Dry Forest Preserves; Pohaha I Ka Lani; Liko No Ka Lama; The Kohala Center, Inc.; Malama Kahaluʻu: Restoring Our Coral Reef Ecosystem; Volcano Art Center; and Niʻaulani Rainforest Preservation & Education Program.
     Funding comes from the portion of Transient Accommodations Tax income of the state, which is collected from vacation rentals, hotel rooms, and other accommodations operators.

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VOICES OF SCIENCE, a new series of audio stories, released six episodes in September. This new podcast series takes listeners on an acoustic voyage to discover tales of extinction, invasion, volcanic eruptions, and ancient navigation through national parks in Hawai‘i. "Natural sounds bring to life these stories, and the urgent conservation challenges of these tropical and isolated islands," states a release from to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     The six-part series transports listeners to Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park. The subjects are varied: traditional navigation by the stars, the survival of bird species, the invasion of a loud frog, coral bleaching, and threats to native methods of fishing. The series culminates in the sound of lava and gases roiling within the former lava lake of Kīlauea volcano's summit crater, and surface lava flows making their way to the ocean.
     "Both the people and the natural areas of Hawai‘i are in a constant state of change, adapting to invasive species and cultural shifts, among other factors," states the release. Staff from the National Park Service and Montana State University's Acoustic Atlas program traveled to Hawai‘i Island in search of these stories to share with the rest of Hawai‘i and the world.
Preserving dark night skies is one goal of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo
     One of those stories is shared through the deafening cacophony of invasive coqui frogs, that are not only changing the natural soundscape of Hawai‘i, but are a serious threat to native insects and arthropods like the endemic happyface spider. NPS "coquistador," biological resources technician Kim Dillman, is passionate about evicting coqui from Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     Said Dillman, "I'm trying to protect this legacy for the people who appreciate it, or who haven't been able to experience it yet. I want them to be able to experience as much of it in a natural state as possible. A native, natural state."
     National Park Service staff work rigorously to address these pressing ecological challenges, states the release. The recordings in this collection share the processes and methods that natural resource experts use to conserve Hawaiʻi's national parks.
     Listen to the Voices of Science podcast at go.nps.gov/vos.

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CALLS TO IMPEACH PRES. DONALD TRUMP continued today. Three of four of Hawaiʻi's legislators commented on the issue. Today, the White House issued summary of a transcript of the phone call from Trump to Ukranian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25. A whistleblower had alleged Trump asked Zelensky to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, in exchange for releasing U.S. funds promised to the Udraine.
     Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted, "'I would like you to do us a favor though.' No reasonable person could portray that conversation as innocent. This is not a President talking about national security issues, it's @realDonaldTrump pushing to get a personal political benefit."
     Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted, "I don't think it's tenable to have this complaint remain in the sole possession of the Intel Committees. Congress must view it, and so must the American people. "Can't wait for the argument for mainstream republicans to be 'yeah, he's reckless and uniquely corrupt and incompetent but the opposition wants too much healthcare and to take care of the planet, so...'"
     Rep. Ed Case posted, "Can we all agree that no President should urge a foreign government to launch an investigation for purposes of influencing a political campaign back home? Here is the White House memorandum of the President's July 25th conversation with Ukraine's President… Read for yourself; did our President do so?" Read the transcript here: https://bit.ly/2mIONZA
     According to CNN, 216 House Representatives have called for an impeachment inquiry into Trump, two short of the number needed to impeach him in the House. Hawaiʻi Rep. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who represents Kaʻū, is against an inquiry, until the public and Congress have reviewed the full transcripts of the call.

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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 Fall Athletics Schedule
See khpes.org/athletics-home for details and updates

Football, Division II:
Thu., Oct. 3, 7 p.m. Kamehameha hosts Kaʻū
Sat., Oct. 12, 1 p.m., Kaʻū hosts HPA
Sat., Oct. 19, 11 a.m., Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa
Sat., Oct. 26, 1 p.m., Kohala hosts Kaʻū
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 1 and 2, Div II BIIF Championship
Fri. and Sat., Nov. 15 and 16, HHSAA Div II Semifinals
Fri., Nov. 29, HHSAA Div II Championship

Girls Volleyball, Kaʻū District Gym:
Fri., Sept. 27, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts HPA
Wed., Oct. 2, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Pāhoa
Fri., Oct. 4, 6 p.m., Parker hosts Kaʻū
Tue., Oct. 8, 6 p.m., Kaʻū hosts Ehunui
Thu., Oct. 10, 6 p.m., Konawaena hosts Kaʻū
Mon., Oct. 14, 6 p.m., BIIF Div II First Round at Keaʻau
Tue., Oct. 15, 2:30 p.m., BIIF Div II Semifinals at Keaʻau
Wed., Oct. 16, 4 p.m., BIIF Div II Finals at Keaʻau
Wed.-Sat., Oct. 23-26, HHSAA DII Tournament, Oʻahu

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See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.

UPCOMING
THURSDAY, SEPT. 26
Ka‘ū Food Basket, Thursday, Sept. 26, 11a.m.-noon, multipurpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym, Pāhala.

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, Sept. 26, 3-4p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues to benefit students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Sept. 26, 4-6p.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, SEPT. 27
Coffee Talk at Kahuku, Friday, Sept. 27, 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo

SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
Fee-Free Day: National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 28. Park entrance is free. neefusa.org

National Public Lands Day Volunteering, Saturday, Sept. 28, 8:45a.m.-noon, meet at Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent required for under 18. No advance registration required. Volunteers receive pass to return and enjoy park fee-free another day. No entrance fees. nps.gov/havo

Nature & Culture, Saturday, Sept. 28, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderate hike, approx. 2 miles. nps.gov/havo

SUNDAY, SEPT. 29
Realms and Divisions, Sunday, Sept. 29, 9:30-11:30a.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, moderately difficult, two-mile, hike. Bring snack. nps.gov/havo

TUESDAY, OCT. 1
E māka‘ika‘i iā Ka‘auea: Explore the Summit, daily (beginning Oct. 1), 11-11:45a.m., in front of Kīlauea Visitor Center. New ranger guided walk exploring geologic features of Kīlauea and their deep connections to Hawaiian history and culture. All ages. Free; park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo/

Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tuesday, Oct. 1 (Committees), Wednesday, Oct. 2 (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday, Oct. 1, 6-8p.m., Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 2
Hula Voices with Practitioner Randy Lee, Wednesday, Oct. 2 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30-7p.m., Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565, volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING
Nationwide 2019 Congressional App Challenge submissions from middle and high schoolers are open through Friday, Nov. 1. Submit to Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, CongressionalAppChallenge.us, apps "designed to promote innovation and engagement in computer science." All skill levels, all devices and platforms, and all programming languages, accepted.

Tiny Treasure Invitational Exhibit at Volcano Art Center gallery in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park runs through Sunday, Nov. 3. Open to the public, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Free; Park entrance fees apply. The exhibition also celebrates VAC's 45th anniversary, Oct. 21.
     Artists include Daniel Rokovitz, Stone O'Daugherty, Kristin Mitsu Shiga, Pat Pearlman, and Amy Flanders, Karen and Mark Stebbins. Also on display, small works from the annual Volcano Art Collaboration from June, featuring Rose Adare, Nash Adams-Pruitt, Lisa Louise Adams, Ed Clapp, Amy Flanders, Bill Hamilton, Liz Miller, Joe Laceby, and Erik Wold. volcanoartcenter.org

Tutoring for Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary is Available to All Students of the school, from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Grades Kindergarten-2nd will be in room 3; grades 3-6 will be in room 6 on Mondays, room 11 on Tuesdays through Thursdays; middle school students, will be in building Q; and high school students will be in room M-101 in the science building. Contact khpes.org or 808-313-4100 for more.

Vendor Booth Space is Available for the Kamahalo Craft Fair. The 12th annual event will be held Thanksgiving weekend, Friday, Nov. 29, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Cooper Center. Booths are open for crafters with quality homemade and homegrown products. Food vendors must prepare all food items in a certified kitchen and must have a Department of Health permit displayed prominently at their booth. Application online at thecoopercenter.org. Direct questions to 936-9705 or kilaueatutu@gmail.com.

Girls Exploring Math and Science Registration is open to Kaʻū students The annual event for fifth graders will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. The mission of the American Association of University Women is to advance equity for women and girls though advocacy, education, and research.
     "First Come, First Served" registration forms were mailed to all West Hawaiʻi and Kaʻū schools on Sept. 9. Registration fee is $20 and scholarships are available. No girl will be turned away because of financial need. Once the 336 available spots are filled, no registrations will be accepted.
     All fifth grade girls residing in the West Hawaiʻi School complex and Kaʻū who attend public, private, or home schools are welcome. Sponsorship of girls by individuals or businesses will be accepted. For more information about GEMS, to volunteer or sponsor a girl, or to request a registration packet, contact Cindy Armer, GEMS chairperson at cbarmer@hotmail.com or 808-896-7180. Applications are also available at Kona-hi.aauw.net.

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