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| The impeachment trial of U.S. Pres. Donald Trump takes place in the U.S. Senate, where it was voted today to disallow witnesses in proceedings which are expected to conclude by next Wednesday. Photo from PBS |
REACTIONS TO FRIDAY'S U.S. SENATE VOTE TO EXCLUDE WITNESSES from next week's impeachment trial of Pres. Donald Trump sparked reactions from Hawaiʻi's senators.
Sen. Mazie Hirono said, "We are witnessing the coronation of @realDonaldTrump, with Mitch McConnell holding the crown and Republicans holding his train. Our country is in great danger. @realDonaldTrump already had few constraints on his behavior and now there will be even fewer. He's been let off the hook by Republicans. But he's not going to be set free by the American people." She said Trump is "focusing on: attacking immigrants, cutting Social Security, [and] getting rid of protections for those with pre-existing conditions. Stay tuned as he becomes more emboldened than ever."
Sen. Brian Schatz said, "No witnesses means no exoneration. If John Bolton has something to say it needs to be said before Wednesday at 4 p.m., when Republicans vote to acquit the President without conducting a trial."
Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, but the trial to remove him is conducted in the U.S. Senate, with the Supreme Court Chief Justice overseeing the procedure. With Republicans dominating the Senate, the vote is expected to leave Trump in office. with the decision on whether to keep him in office left up to voters in the 2020 election.
Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives, but the trial to remove him is conducted in the U.S. Senate, with the Supreme Court Chief Justice overseeing the procedure. With Republicans dominating the Senate, the vote is expected to leave Trump in office. with the decision on whether to keep him in office left up to voters in the 2020 election.
Rep. Gregg Takayama, House co-convener of the Kūpuna Caucus, said, "These measures are aimed at meeting the increased needs of our seniors, who this year comprise fully one-fifth of our state population. We're also concerned about a seeming increase in crimes against senior citizens, the most vulnerable members in our community."
Sen. Sharon Moriwaki, Senate co-convener of the Kūpuna Caucus, said, "Our package, while continuing to support programs to keep our kūpuna healthy and aging in their own homes, also aims at helping our most vulnerable – caring for those with dementia, supporting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman serving 15,000 elders in long term care facilities, and stiffening penalties for those who would attack or exploit our seniors."
Kūpuna Caucus measures can be read through links below with opportunities to submit testimony:
HB 1874, SB 2334 - Increases penalties for violent and financial crimes against elderly. Standardizes definition of elderly as age 60.
HB 1873, SB 2340 - Establishes outreach program to inform medical professionals that care planning services for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias is a covered benefit under Medicare.
HB 1865, SB 2339 - Requires Health Department to establish an Alzheimer's disease and related dementias training program for care workers who deal with patients and clients.
HB 1866, SB 2335 - Requests $550,000 to continue the Health Aging Partnership program to improve the health and well-being of kūpuna.
HB 1867, SB 2342 - Requests $2 million to continue implementation of the Kūpuna Caregivers program to assist working family caregivers.
HB 1868, SB 2338 - Lowers the age a person can be exempt from jury duty from 80 years of age to 75.
HB 1869, SB 2341 - Allows a disability parking permit for persons with a disability that requires special accommodations to enter and exit their vehicle but does not impair the ability to walk.
HB 1870, SB 2336 - Requires the 30-day lapse or termination notices for long-term care policies to be sent by certified mail or commercial delivery service instead of first-class mail.
HB 1872, SB 2337 - Requests funds for the office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for six full-time specialists; two each on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi, and one each on Kauaʻi and Maui.
HB 1871, SB 2333 - Requests $100,000 to update the five-year comprehensive long-term care plan issued in 2012.
Read the Kūpuna Caucus Package Report. See State Executive Office on Aging. Connect with the Hawai`i State Health Insurance Program that helps people with Medicare.
Sen. Sharon Moriwaki, Senate co-convener of the Kūpuna Caucus, said, "Our package, while continuing to support programs to keep our kūpuna healthy and aging in their own homes, also aims at helping our most vulnerable – caring for those with dementia, supporting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman serving 15,000 elders in long term care facilities, and stiffening penalties for those who would attack or exploit our seniors."
Kūpuna Caucus measures can be read through links below with opportunities to submit testimony:
HB 1874, SB 2334 - Increases penalties for violent and financial crimes against elderly. Standardizes definition of elderly as age 60.
HB 1865, SB 2339 - Requires Health Department to establish an Alzheimer's disease and related dementias training program for care workers who deal with patients and clients.
HB 1866, SB 2335 - Requests $550,000 to continue the Health Aging Partnership program to improve the health and well-being of kūpuna.
HB 1867, SB 2342 - Requests $2 million to continue implementation of the Kūpuna Caregivers program to assist working family caregivers.
HB 1868, SB 2338 - Lowers the age a person can be exempt from jury duty from 80 years of age to 75.
HB 1869, SB 2341 - Allows a disability parking permit for persons with a disability that requires special accommodations to enter and exit their vehicle but does not impair the ability to walk.
HB 1870, SB 2336 - Requires the 30-day lapse or termination notices for long-term care policies to be sent by certified mail or commercial delivery service instead of first-class mail.
HB 1872, SB 2337 - Requests funds for the office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman for six full-time specialists; two each on Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi, and one each on Kauaʻi and Maui.
HB 1871, SB 2333 - Requests $100,000 to update the five-year comprehensive long-term care plan issued in 2012.
Read the Kūpuna Caucus Package Report. See State Executive Office on Aging. Connect with the Hawai`i State Health Insurance Program that helps people with Medicare.
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.
HAWAIʻI INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL will be held Sunday
March 8, 6:30 p.m. at Pāhala
Plantation House. The concert will feature music that celebrates native
plants of the Kaʻū Dryland Forest and will raise funds for Hoʻomalu Kaʻū , an
organization dedicated to "perpetuating, protecting, and conserving the
lands, health, knowledge, culture, and history of Kaʻū and its people."
Performers will
include: Maya Hoover , Hawaiʻi based
Mezzo-Soprano at Professor at University
of Hawaiʻi
RURAL HOMEOWNERS are encouraged to apply to Habitat for
Hawaiʻi Island for home repairs or improvements. The non-profit was awarded
funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Services
through the 2019 Housing Preservation Grant. Habitat Hawaiʻi Island will use
funds to remove health or safety barriers, perform critical home repairs,
and/or improve accessibility for a family member with a dis
Habitat for
Humanity Hawaiʻi Island, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, is
an equal opportunity housing provider and employer.
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.
STEAM VENTS IN HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES will be without a parking lot Monday, Feb. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon for little fire ant treatment. Only the Steam Vents parking lot and the trail from the parking lot to Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) will be closed; Wahinekapu and Crater Rim Trail will remain open. If it rains, a backup date is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 5 at the same time.
LFA detections have decreased by at least 99 percent at Steam Vents since the park began treating the area in February 2019. In 2018, LFA were abundant and readily observed on vegetation and along the edge of the parking lot. In September 2019, park pest control workers found LFA on just 0.1 percent of bait stations.
Park Ecologist David Benitez said, "We are making great progress, and only small, isolated LFA populations remain. Our work will continue until LFA are no longer found, and we will continue to monitor this and other high risk sites throughout the park to detect and remove newly arrived LFA before they spread. We are thankful for the public's support, and remind visitors to help by checking their gear and vehicles for LFA before coming to the park."
Pest control workers will treat Steam Vents every four to six weeks and the park will announce the temporary closures in news releases, on the park website, nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes, and via social media. The goal is to completely eliminate the ants from the area. This will be the ninth treatment cycle at Steam Vents.
For more information on LFA, how to control them and how to prevent spreading them, visit littlefireants.com.
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.
See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.
UPCOMING
SUNDAY, FEB. 2
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5
OKK Farmers Market in Nāʻālehu, Wednesdays beginning Feb. 5, 8a.m.-2p.m. at the future Nāʻālehu Senior Housing Site. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374.
ONGOING
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
STEAM VENTS IN HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES will be without a parking lot Monday, Feb. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon for little fire ant treatment. Only the Steam Vents parking lot and the trail from the parking lot to Wahinekapu (Steaming Bluff) will be closed; Wahinekapu and Crater Rim Trail will remain open. If it rains, a backup date is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 5 at the same time.
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| Invasive Little Fire Ants are on their way to being eradicated from Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo |
Park Ecologist David Benitez said, "We are making great progress, and only small, isolated LFA populations remain. Our work will continue until LFA are no longer found, and we will continue to monitor this and other high risk sites throughout the park to detect and remove newly arrived LFA before they spread. We are thankful for the public's support, and remind visitors to help by checking their gear and vehicles for LFA before coming to the park."
Pest control workers will treat Steam Vents every four to six weeks and the park will announce the temporary closures in news releases, on the park website, nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes, and via social media. The goal is to completely eliminate the ants from the area. This will be the ninth treatment cycle at Steam Vents.
For more information on LFA, how to control them and how to prevent spreading them, visit littlefireants.com.
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.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
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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Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball
Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 HHSAA on Oʻahu
Boys Basketball
Tue. and Wed., Feb. 4 and 5 BIIF @ Kealakehe
Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 HHSAA on Oʻahu
Soccer
Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 Girls HHSAA on Oʻahu
Sat., Feb. 1 and 8 Boys BIIF
Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 Boys HHSAA on Oʻahu
Wrestling
Sat., Feb. 1 @Hilo
Sat., Feb. 8 BIIF @Konawaena
Fri. and Sat., Feb. 21 and 22 HHSAA
Swimming
Sat., Feb. 1 BIIF @Kamehameha
Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui
SATURDAY, FEB. 1
Stewardship at the Summit
Indigo Fundamentals Workshop, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 12:30p.m. Indigo dyeing with Wai‘ala Ahn and Justin Tripp. volcanoartcenter.org
Forest Work Day and Plant Identification Training with Tim Tunison, Saturday, Feb. 1, 1-3p.m. Learn some native plants, help restore a beautiful rainforest, and get some exercise. volcanoartcenter.org
Super Bowl Party, Sunday, Feb. 2, Lava Lounge at Kīlauea Military Camp. Doors open at 11a.m. with kick-off at 1:30p.m. , 'til pau. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more information call 967-8365 after 4 p.m.
TUESDAY, FEB. 4
Spotlight on Artist Diana Miller, Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center
OKK Farmers Market in Nāʻālehu, Wednesdays beginning Feb. 5, 8a.m.-2p.m. at the future Nāʻālehu Senior Housing Site. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374.
THURSDAY, FEB. 6
Hula Voices, Thursday, Feb. 6, 5:30-7p.m. Presents an engaging, intimate talk story session with Hawai‘i Island kumu hula and features Volcano musician Joe Camacho. volcanoartcenter.org
FRIDAY, FEB. 7
Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū - Community Mtg. andMembership Drive 6:30p.m. at the Nāʻālehu Community Center. Topics include revival of annual Prince Kūhio Day Hoʻolauleʻa, to be held Saturday, March 28 at Nāʻālehu Park, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature music and hula, food, arts and crafts, and Hawaiian cultural activities. Anyone wanting to be a vendor, host a booth, and become a member should also come to the meeting. The annual membership dues are $10 per person or organization. Contact Terry-Lee Shibuya at terrylshibuya@gmail.com or treasurer Kehau Ke at hunneygurl15@gmail.com.
Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū - Community Mtg. and
Apply for Mosaics of Science by Monday, Feb. 3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's 12-week paid summer internship position is designed to engage university students and recent graduates with on-the-ground work experience in the National Park Service. A $4,800 stipend, and all travel costs are covered, including a week-long career workshop in Washington , D.C.
Beginning Improv for Adults, Thursday, through Feb. 13, 1-3p.m. "Learn to live more in the moment, think on your feet, let go of self-judgment, bring more joy in your life, and recapture your playful spirit in the 6-week workshop series with improv legend Keli Semelsberger." Attendance to all 6 classes is not required – classes may be attended individually. No prior experience is necessary. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū, Thursday afternoons, 1-3:30p.m. , through Feb 20, Kaʻū Resource Center, 96-3126 Puahala St. in Pāhala. The free class series on Chronic Kidney Disease lead by retired kidney doctor Ramona Wong. Bring a pen and whomever cares/cooks/shops for the person(s) with CKD. See alohakidney.com. Call (808) 585-8404 to enroll.
Clay – High Fire!, Sunday, through Feb. 23, 11:30a.m.-2:30p.m. or 2:45-5:45p.m. 8-week morning or afternoon pottery series with Erik Wold. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment, features classes on block printing, lauhala weaving, ti leaf lei making, and more. A free guided Cultural Forest Tour, and a Mele and Hula ‘Auana performance are also slated. Visit the website events calendar for the full lineup. volcanoartcenter.org
T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511
The internship is open to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents ages 18-30, and to military veterans up to age 35. Funding is provided under a cooperative agreement for youth conservation activities as part of the Public Lands Corps program, which mandates that these age ranges are followed.
The selected intern will assist with the development of education curriculum for Kīpukapuaulu and Pu‘u Loa trails in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.
For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.
Sharp Turns – The Creative Art of Woodturning, Volcano Art Center Gallery exhibit, featuring the works of Aaron Hammer and Mark and Karen Stebbins, continues daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , through Feb. 16. A live woodturning demonstration at VAC will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.
Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, Sunday March 8, 6:30 p.m. , Pāhala Plantation House. The concert will feature music that will celebrate native plants of the Kaʻū Dryland Forest and will raise funds for Hoʻomalu Kaʻū. Performers will include: Maya Hoover, Hawaiʻi based Mezzo-Soprano from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty; Jonathan Korth, Hawaiʻi based pianist from UH-Mānoa; Joshua Nakazawa, Cellist from Hawaiʻi Symphony. They will be joined by the three HIMF co-founders: Amy Shoremount-Obra, Soprano with the Metropolitan Opera; Virutuoso Violinist Eric Silberger; and Carlin Ma, Pianist. Tickets will be available soon and information on tickets will soon be found on the HIMF website: himusicfestival.com.
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
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.
