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Monday, February 03, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, February 3, 2020

See the drone footage taken by University of Hawaiʻi researchers with a permit from NOAA, showing a humpback 
whale calf shortly after birth. Video from University of Hawaiʻi.
AN ABUNDANCE OF HUMPBACK WHALE MOTHERS AND CALVES in Hawaiian nearshore waters was reported today by Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, which notified ocean users to keep a safe distance.
     Humpback whale season in Hawaiʻi runs from about November through May, although whales may be encountered in limited numbers during other months. Thousands of humpback whales return to Hawaiian waters each year to breed, give birth, and nurse their young.
     With recent reports of multiple mother/calf pairs in Hawaiʻi, ocean users are reminded to keep a safe distance from these annual visitors. Collisions with vessels are a risk to both the animals and humans.
     Boaters are reminded to post a lookout at all times throughout the year, not just when whales are visiting Hawaiian waters. An extra set of eyes scanning the waters ahead and to the side of a boat can prevent collisions with marine life, obstructions, divers, and other vessels. Slower speeds may also reduce the risk of collisions with the animals.
Humpback mother and calf within 20 minutes of birth last year, as
captured by a crew from University of Hawaiʻi.
Photo from University of Hawaiʻi
     Humpback whales are protected in Hawaiʻi. Federal regulations prohibit approaching within 100 yards of whales when on the water, and 1,000 feet when operating an aircraft. These and other regulations apply to all ocean users, including vessel operators, kayakers, paddle boarders, windsurfers, swimmers, and divers throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
     Ed Lyman, Natural Resources Specialist for Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, said, "Ocean users are a great resource in helping monitor the humpback whales in the sanctuary and nearby waters. By locating distressed animals, reporting, and providing the initial documentation and assessment on the animal, ocean users are the foundation of our conservation efforts."
     The National Marine Sanctuary staff urges those who come across an injured or entangled marine mammal to maintain the required safe distance and call the NOAA Marine Mammal Hotline at 1-888-256-9840 immediately, or the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16. If reporting a suspected approach zone violation, call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at 1-800-853-1964. Additional guidelines and safety tips can be found at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov.
     The sanctuary is administered by a partnership of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the State of Hawaiʻi through the Division of Aquatic Resources. The sanctuary works to protect humpback whales through research, education, conservation and stewardship. See Facebook.

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Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will receive a half million dollar upgrade in
its air cleaning, cooling, and heating system, with installation from March into summer. NPS photo
CLIMATE CONTROL FOR Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will be improved, the project running from March into summer. The $571,450 contract, with funding from entrance fees, is awarded to Regal Service Co. It includes a major air conditioning system installation to improve the comfort and safety of visitors and employees inside the busiest facility in the park.
Work on the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) project is scheduled to start in early March with a completion date in summer 2020, although dates are subject to change. Visitors and tour operators will
experience some disruption in services, but Kīlauea Visitor Center will remain open, and the Park and its non-profit partner, Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, are working to minimize impacts.
     Tentative dates are below with updates on the park website:
     March 4 – 25, 2020: The Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association park store in Kīlauea Visitor Center will close and relocate to an alternate location nearby. Details such as location and operating hours will be shared once they are finalized.
     March 16 – 20: New front doors will be installed, visitors may be directed to enter and exit Kīlauea Visitor Center through the auditorium door.
     March 26 – June 30: The auditorium will be closed, but the visitor center will remain open. Park films, including Born of Fire, Born of the Sea, will not be shown. A popular seven-and-a-half minute 2018 eruption video will continue to be shown on a television in the exhibits area, and is available online for free download. Some After Dark in the Park and other special auditorium programs will be rescheduled, or relocated to Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus.
     In addition to providing a comfortable temperature in the most-visited facility in the park, the new HVAC system will be equipped with air purifiers that reduce sulfur dioxide and other harmful volcanic gases when Kīlauea erupts again.

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Infographic from ballbearingsmag.com
ADDRESSING THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF BULLYING by servicing needs of the homeless and LGBTQIA+ communities is the focus of three bills introduced into the 2020 Hawai‘i Legislature. Rep. Ryan Yamane introduced the following:
     HB2038 would establishes a two-year mobile facilities pilot program for the Department of Human Services to purchase, staff, and operate mobile facilities on Department of Education property to provide services including laundry, showers, oral hygiene, and food for homeless children and their family members. The bill passed the House Human Services & Homelessness and Lower & Higher Education committees last Thursday.
     HB2483 is about bullying and requires all entities that provide educational or recreational activities to youths to establish, maintain, and enforce written policies and procedures on bullying, harassment, and retaliation, and provide staff with appropriate annual training, regardless of whether the entity receives any government funding. The bill passed the House Human Services & Homelessness and Lower & Higher Education committees last Thursday.
     HB2037 establishes the Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission and the Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Plus Commission Trust Fund. The bill passed the House Committee on Human Services & Homelessness on Wednesday.
     Yamane said, "My commitment to tackling the issue of bullying has led me to discover that the two groups most frequently targeted in these acts are members of the homeless population and of the LGBTQ+ community. We have talked to students and community members who share our deep concerns of the impact of bullying on our children. I hope these measures will help ensure our children have a safe place to learn, play, and grow.
     Michael Golojuch, Jr., Chair of the LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, said, "Far too often when people look at bullying it is only addressed after the fact but with these bills they look at how to try to stop bullying before it starts and address the causes. They address the needs of Hawaiʻi's most vulnerable community the homeless to LGBTQIA+ community. We at the LGBT Caucus are really appreciative of Representative Yamane's leadership in introducing these bills."

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The inaugural Volcano's Ōhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon donated a potion of its proceeds to research on Rapid Ōhiʻa Death
and The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Photo from Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon
REGISTRATION FOR VOLCANO'S ʻŌHIʻA LEHUA HALF MARATHON and shorter races is open. Competitors can sign up online through Wednesday, July 22. The second annual event will be held on Saturday, July 25. Added to the half are a 10K, 5K, and Keiki Dash. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to University of Hawaiʻi for furthering research of Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death and The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences.
     The Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m., with the other distances to follow shortly after. The Keiki Dash will begin at 10 a.m. on the grounds where the other races begin. The race cut-off time for the Half Marathon is four hours. The races will begin and end in Volcano Village at The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences. Run through a beautiful ‘ōhiʻa forest with scenic views of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
     Race Shirts will be included for Half Marathon and 10K participants only. For all other participants, shirts are available to purchase online.
Baby ʻōhiʻa were given as prizes to overall and age group winners at
last year's race. Photo from Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon
     Late registration is only available at packet pickup or race day morning. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registration. Half Marathon registration is $70 through May 24, $80 May 25 through July 22, and $90 for late registration. Registration for the 10K is $50 through May 24, $55 May 25 through Jul 22, and $60 for late registration. Registration for the 5K is $35 through May 24, $40 May 25 through July 22, and $45 for late registration. Keiki Dash registration is $10.
     All registrations are non-transferable and non-refundable.
     Packet pick-up is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 in Hilo; Friday, July 26 in Volcano; and Saturday, July 27, 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. at the race start.
     Last year, overall and age group winners won baby ʻōhiʻa trees as their prizes.
     See webscorer.com/register?raceid=206844&fbclid=IwAR3oW9xsDz-C-e9yba1vSHNLczaaL86d2osh__CkWrJKdGnCkc5piQEL2kU to register.
     The race is held the same weekend as the second annual Experience Volcano Festival, which hosts an array of events spanning the whole of Volcano Area, from Akatsuka Orchid Gardens to the Volcano Winery, with a concentration of activities in the heart of historic Volcano Village. Experience art, nature, food, music, and more. See experiencevolcano.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.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes 
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.

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. 8 BIIF @Konawaena
Fri. and Sat., Feb. 21 and 22 HHSAA

Swimming
Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui

UPCOMING
TUESDAY, FEB. 4
Spotlight on Artist Diana Miller, Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. This program will highlight the works of local artist and part-time park
ranger, Diana Miller. From her early days as an art major, to her career with the U.S. Air Force painting nose-art on aircraft, to her works celebrating native Hawai‘i, learn what inspires this local artist. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 5
OKK Farmers Market in Nāʻālehu, Wednesdays beginning Feb. 5, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., mauka on Hwy 11 at the old Nāʻālehu Fruit Stand and future home of the Nāʻālehu Senior Housing Site. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374.

THURSDAY, FEB. 6
Hula Voices, Thursday, Feb. 6, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.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. and Membership Drive, Friday, Feb. 7, 6:30 p.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.

SATURDAY, FEB. 8
16th Annual Love the Arts Volcano Arts Center Fundraiser Gala, Saturday, Feb. 8, p.m. to 9 p.m. Theme is The Roaring 2020s, highlighted by unique decorations, decadent food, fine wines and beer, and dancing. Features appearances by members of Harmony on Tap and opera singer D'Andrea Pelletier. Live and silent auctions: bid on artwork, jewelry, hotel stays, restaurants, local products, services, and gift certificates to businesses and attractions. Tickets $70, $65 VAC Members. Purchase at VAC's Niʻaulani Campus in the village or Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, online at volcanoartcenter.org/classes-and-workshops/purchase-tickets-to-vac-events, or (808) 967-8222. Gala tickets provide free admission to LTA Valentine's Day Dance on Saturday, Feb. 15. volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, FEB. 9
Kaʻū Clean-Up with Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, Sunday, Feb. 9, and Saturday, March 21. Volunteer spaces limited. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com.

ONGOING
Beginning Improv for Adults, Thursday, through Feb. 13, p.m. to 3 p.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

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. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū, Thursday afternoons, p.m. to 3:30 p.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.

Register for a Free CERT Basic Training Course, four Saturdays starting Feb. 22 through March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team encourages community participation and provides support to emergency response organizations when the need arises. Four consecutive classes are a 27-hour FEMA certification course. Sign up by emailing hawaiicert@gmail.com. Bill Hanson, 808-937-2181, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/hawai-i-county-cert.

Register for ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's 12th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive through Wednesday, Feb. 19 at noon. Event takes place Saturday, Feb.
22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Poles, gear, and bait, and lunch for all, provided. Each child receives a prize, chosen during registration, in the order they register; register early. Keiki one to 14 years old register online at okaukakou.org, or pick up form at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, Nāʻālehu Ace Hardware, PāhalaElementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nāʻālehu, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Bring one can per person for food drive. For more information, contact Guy Enriques at 808-217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 808-937-4773. okaukakou.org

Clay – High Fire!, Sunday, through Feb. 23, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.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.

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 at Professor at Universityof Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; Jonathan Korth, Hawaiʻi based Pianist and Professor at UH-Mānoa; and Joshua Nakazawa, Cellist from Hawaiʻi Symphony. They will be joined by the three HIMF co-founders: Amy Shoremount-Obra, Internationally Acclaimed Metropolitan Opera Soprano; Eric Silberger, Internationally Acclaimed Prize-Winning Virutuoso Violinist; and Carlin Ma, Multi-Media Artist and Pianist.
     Tickets are $30 and are available at kauconcert.bpt.me. See himusicfestival.com for more.

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 p.m. to 4:30 pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.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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