Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, January 25, 2020

Learning to Grow, a program of University of Hawaiʻi, is also the name of an agency, proposed at the Hawaiʻi Legislature this year. It would replace the Executive Office on Early Learning, transferring it from Department of Education to Department of Human Services. See more below. Photo from Learning to Grow.

REAL ECONOMIC BENEFIT FOR WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES and individuals is the aim of eight bills in the 2020 state Senate and House of Representatives' joint legislative package. They were introduced yesterday with details provided:
     HB2541 and SB3102 seek to help working families. The legislation would make the state earned income tax credit refundable and permanent, and increase and amend the refundable food/excise tax credit by basing the amount of the credit on a taxpayer's Hawaiʻi earned income, rather than federal adjusted gross income. The bills would Increase the minimum wage rate to $11 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2021, $12 beginning Jan. 1, 2022, $12.50 beginning Jan. 1, 2023, and $13 beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Read details at HB2541 and SB3102.
     HB2542 and SB3104 relate to land development. They would authorize the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corp. to lease real property for a period not to exceed 99 years for the development of projects that include affordable housing. They would require HHFDC to submit a report to the legislature that identifies all state lands that may be developed for multi-unit dwellings.
     The legislation would authorize issuing $75 million in general obligation bonds, with proceeds used for affordable housing infrastructure in Hawaiʻi County and other counties with a resident population of 500,000 or less. The bills would authorizes a state or county department or agency to petition the appropriate county land use decision-making authority, rather than the Land Use Commission, for a change in the boundary of a district involving land areas between 15 acres and 25 acres where the majority of the development would be for affordable housing. Read the details at HB2542 and SB3104.
     The bills would also authorize the state Historic Preservation Division to delegate responsibility of historic preservation project reviews to the impacted county. The bills would establish the Office of the Housing Ombudsman. The bills would also remove the existing statutory cap on the amount of conveyance tax revenues that are deposited into the rental housing revolving fund each fiscal year.
     HB2543 and SB3101 relate to access to learning. The bills would transfer the Executive Office on Early Learning from the Department of Education to the Department of Human Services and rename it Learning to Grow Agency. The legislation would focus the jurisdiction of the agency to children who are 3 to 4 years old, or who will be eligible for kindergarten within two years, with access to learning through an early learning program by the year 2030. Funding would be appropriated. Read more at HB2543 and SB3101.

     HB2543 and SB3101 would create a School Facilities Agency to be responsible for all public school development, planning, and construction, related to capital improvement projects assigned by the Legislature, Governor, or Board of Education. The bills would transfer statutes pertaining to the Hawaiʻi 3R's and 3T's programs to a new School Facilities Agency statutory subpart. The legislation would place management of school impact fees with the agency. Appropriates funds. Learn more at HB2543 and SB3101.
     The links above also provide a portal for citizens to submit testimony.

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TULSI GABBARD RANKS IN TOP FIVE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE POLLS among Democrat candidates for President, states her campaign staff. Her staff announced today that it calls for CNN to invite Gabbard to one of its televised New Hampshire Town Hall Meetings, since other candidates who rank lower than Gabbard are scheduled.
     On Friday, CNN announced candidates invited for Wednesday, Feb. 4: Former Vice President Joe Biden, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, businessman Andrew Yang, and businessman Tom Steyer.

     For Thursday, Feb. 6, candidates invited are: Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders; former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.
     Gabbard's campaign statement says, "Here are the facts: Our campaign in New Hampshire is stronger than ever, and now the establishment media is going to extreme lengths to shut Tulsi out. First they ignore us, then they smear us as Russian assets and bots, and now CNN is flat-out denying Tulsi a New Hampshire Presidential Town Hall despite her polling among the top five in the state."
     The Gabbard campaign message states that those invited include Steyer, "the billionaire spending more than all the other candidates combined on early state ads, and Deval Patrick, both of whom are polling 5-7 points lower than Tulsi."

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Foster Hair Design owner Kady Foster applies highlights to a client's hair. 

Foster Hair Design is an Aveda-exclusive salon and retailer.
Photo from the Fosters

FOSTER HAIR DESIGN in Nāʻālehu moved to a larger location in the Kaʻū Realty Building. Kady and Drew Foster opened their shop in October 2018. Kady, a hairdresser since 2013, mentor her husband as he works as her apprentice; he expects to be licensed in March or April.
     Drew is offering $10 men's and boy's haircuts throughout February. The couple has provided free haircuts to those in need at St. Jude's every six weeks for the past year.

     The Fosters moved to Ocean View in February 2018. Drew's family has been in Ocean View since 1997. Drew graduated from Konawaena High School and University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. He spent almost ten years as a newspaper reporter and editor in Wyoming, Washington state and Asia. He owned and operated a small marketing and writing business from home for the past few years, and has decided to move on to barbering.

     From Long Beach, Washington, Kady graduated from Stylemasters with a certificate in cosmetology in 2013. She worked at Azure Salon in Ilwaco, WA, for five years. Her continuing education includes L'Oréal Professional Expert Network program; balayage certifications; and Aveda color and product education courses.

     The Fosters offer men's, women's and children's haircuts; hair coloring; smoothing treatment; beard trims; up-dos; blow-dry styling; and wash-blowdry styling. Kady is available Saturdays through Tuesdays. Drew is available Saturdays through Mondays. They run an Aveda-exclusive salon and barbershop, using and selling products by Aveda, "an environmentally- and socially-focused company that makes very high-quality hair products," states Kady. Book online at FosterHair.com.

Rayco Nielsen, 13 years old, gets his hair cut 

by Drew Foster. Photo from the Fosters 

     Kady told The Kaʻū Calendar, "I've loved every minute of living in Kaʻū. I have a ton of gratitude for the acceptance I've received from the community and the friendships I am making. I enjoy my job quite a lot. I find much joy in providing a service that allows me to be creative and makes people happy. Hair has been a passion of mine since I was a teenager. I did all my friends' hair in high school, and I remember my hairdresser telling me I'd be a hairdresser one day. My dad taught me, 'If you love what you do you will never work a day in your life.' I think he was on to something. My husband and I had our first baby a few months ago. As we prepared for our daughter's arrival in November I can't even begin to explain the generosity and love we received from my clients and the Kaʻū Realty team. Both my husband and I look forward to expanding our volunteer services and diving deeper into our communities. We're having a lot of fun."

     Drew told The Kaʻū Calendar, "I'd been working from home for several years and I liked the ease and lifestyle, but I missed being in the community and getting to know people. I wanted to get out of the office, out from behind the computer. I was considering going back to school and learning a trade when Kady proposed a barbering apprenticeship. The idea grew on me – we could work together, I wouldn't have to go back to school, I could operate my old business while I learned to cut hair. Now it's all coming together. I spent most of my professional life as a newspaper journalist, and the thing I miss most is talking to people about their lives, their journeys, their plans, their families, their history. Now, as a barber, I get to do that all day long, and I don't have to worry about taking notes or turning around an article. It's good. It's exciting. I've met many wonderful people in the Kaʻū community since joining Kady and I'll get to meet many more."

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KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP activities for February have been announced. 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.:

     Grand Slam Band, Saturday, Feb. 1, Lava Lounge, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $5.00 cover charge.

     Super Bowl Party, Sunday, Feb. 2, Lava Lounge. Doors open at 11 a.m. with kick-off at 1:30 p.m., 'til pau. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

     Soul Town Band, Saturday, Feb. 8, Lava Lounge, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $5.00 cover charge.

     Valentine's Day Buffet, Friday, Feb. 14, Crater Rim Café, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Main entrees are Prime Rib Au Jus, Lemon Butter Fish with Tropical Salsa and Vegetable Alfredo Pasta Bake. Adults $35.95, $17.95 children 6 to 11 years old. Military ID card holders and in-house guests: Adults $28.76, $14.36 children 6 to 11 years old. No reservations required. 

     Pupule Papales Band, Saturday, Feb. 15, Lava Lounge, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. No cover charge.

     Blue Tattoo Band, Saturday, Feb. 22, Lava Lounge, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. $5.00 cover charge.

     Blackwater Railroad Company, Saturday, Feb. 29, Lava Lounge, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. No cover charge.

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VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL traveled to the other side of the island to play against Parker yesterday. Kaʻū fought hard, scoring 32. The Bulls took the game with 39 points.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

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

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

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

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball

Tue. and Wed., Jan. 28 and 29 BIIF @Civic

Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 HHSAA on Oʻahu

Boys Basketball

Mon., Jan. 27 @Kamehameha

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

Fri., Jan. 31 and Sat., Feb. 1 BIIF @Kamehameha

Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui

UPCOMING

MONDAY, JAN. 27

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Kapa Aloha ʻĀina, the fabric of Hawaiʻi with Puakea Forester, Monday, Jan. 27 – fourth Monday, monthly – 2:30-4:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

TUESDAY, JAN. 28

After Dark in the Park – Seismicity of the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 7-8p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. HVO seismologist Brian Shiro recounts the 2018 earthquake story, including how HVO adapted its techniques to monitor the events, and describes current levels of seismicity and HVO’s ongoing efforts to improve seismic monitoring. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. Board Mtg., Tuesday, Jan. 28 – last Tuesday, monthly – 10a.m., H.O.V.E. RMC office, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. 929-9910, hoveroad.com

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, Jan. 28 – last Tuesday, monthly – 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

Public Information Mtg. by County of Hawai‘i Department of Environmental Management's Solid Waste Division, Wednesday, Jan. 29 at Nā‘ālehu Clubhouse, 95-5635 Māmalahoa Hwy, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend and give input. The Solid Waste Division will be discussing the facilities' operating days and the possibility of modifying the current schedule for transfer stations. Visit hawaiizerowaste.org or call the Solid Waste Division Office at 961-8270 for more.

Lava Tubes of Ocean View, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Presented by Peter and Annie Bosted, it will include presentation of images of the underground in the Ocean View area – especially an extensive system in the Kahuku Unit of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which abuts HOVE – and Hawaiian lava tubes in general. Those who want to know more about what's going on under their feet, and those curious about lava tubes are invited to the free presentation, along with family and friends, said the Bosteds.

THURSDAY, JAN. 30

Ka‘ū Food Basket, Thursday, Jan. 30 – last Thursday, monthly – 11a.m.-noon, Pāhala Community Center. 928-3102

The Next Mauna Loa Eruption and the 2018 Kīlauea Eruption talk, Thursday, Jan. 30, 6p.m., Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle. To close out 11th annual Volcano Awareness month, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno will talk about the current status of Mauna Loa, hazards of future eruptions, experiences from Kīlauea 2018 eruption, preparing for next Mauna Loa eruption, and how communities can stay informed. The meeting is free and open to public. More info at "HVO News" at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/, (808) 967-8844, or askHVO@usgs.gov.

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Jan. 30 – last Thursday, monthly – 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, JAN. 31
Kahuku Coffee Talk – Makahiki: A Celebrated Season, Friday, Jan. 31 – last Friday, monthly – 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo

SATURDAY, FEB. 1

Stewardship at the Summit, Saturday, Feb. 1 and 15 and Friday, Feb. 7, 21, and 28. Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required. Free; Park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

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

ONGOING

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. to meet with NPS managers.

     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.

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

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.

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