Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, February 10, 2020

A bill to ensure that milk products are labeled to prevent sellers from indicating they are produced in
Hawaiʻi instead ofthe mainland go to public hearing tomorrow. Above is a photo of Lani Moo, the character who represented the dairies that Meadow Golf formerly operated in Hawaiʻi. See more below. Photo by Peter Young

ADDING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND URGENT CARE AT KAʻŪ HOSPITAL's Rural Health Clinic is the aim of  a bill coming up for hearing in the state Senate this Wednesday, Feb. 12. The medical facility is asking for help with testimony from the public. Senate Bill 2617 asks for up to $700,000 for fiscal year 2020-2021 "to provide support for the expansion of the Kaʻū Rural Health Clinic to improve access to urgent care and outpatient behavior health services, thereby reducing the
need for emergency services." Use of the funds would be overseen by the non-profit group that oversees both Hilo and Kaʻū Hosptials, Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp.

Kaʻū Hospital could be open for urgent care and offer
behavioral health services if proposed funding wins
approval. Photo from Kaʻū Hospital Foundation

     Both Senators Dru Kanuha, who represents West Kaʻū, and Kai Kahele, who is a candidate for the congressional seat to represent Kaʻū were among the introducers of the bill in the legislature.
     To read the bill and submit testimony, go to SB2617 on the Hawaiʻi State Legislature website.
     The Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection will also hear testimony on expanding cardiology services at Kaʻū's sister facility Hilo Medical Center, with a second cardiac catheter lab, and to help with loan repayment for healthcare professionals.
See sample testimony supporting SB 2814 to fund the second cardiac cath lab bill. See a YouTube video making the case of the second cath lab.

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A TRUTH IN LABELING BILL CONCERNING MILK will go to hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 11 in the state House of Representatives. Introduced by Chair of the Health Committee John Mizuno, House Bill 1663 would require any processed milk or milk product to be entirely produced in Hawaiʻi in order to label it "with any item or slogan that might imply that the milk or milk products are produced locally."

     The bill follows the state Health Department, in 2017, temporarily ordering Meadow Gold to cease sales of its two percent reduced fat milk shipped from the mainland after recording coliform levels nearing 15 times the allowed maximum. According to Meadow Gold, the milk was safe to drink but could have spoiled faster with the higher coliform count.
     The measure would also require "all United States mainland milk shipped to and sold in Hawaiʻi to be single pasteurized only and comply with all handling, transportation, and distribution requirements of the federal Food Safety Modernization Act, including handling procedures, temperature verifications, and proper refrigerated transportation of all perishable foods." Read more and testify online.

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Land in yellow would be transferred to the Department of Agriculture, a measure opposed by
the Department of Land & Natural Resources, which now manages the leases to Kaʻū
ranchers. Map from DLNR

KEEPING PASTURE LANDS OWNED BY THE STATE under management of the state Department of Land & Natural Resources is the aim of testimony from the DLNR chief. Suzanne Case, who chairs the Board of Land & Natural Resources and heads up DLNR, gave testimony to the state Senate last week regarding Senate Bill 2812, which would transfer management of 93,000 acres
of state owned lands leased for pasture to the state Department of Agriculture. More than a third of that land is in Kaʻū. Deadline for DLNR to transfer the lands to Department of Agriculture would be June 30, 2021.
     The bill would also add the "care and production of pasture lands" to the state law's definition of agricultural activities. Agriculture would be defined as "care and production of livestock,  pasture lands, livestock products, poultry, or poultry products, or apiary, horticultural, or floricultural products, or the planting, cultivating, and harvesting of crops or trees, including tree farms." 
     Case writes that DLNR desires to keep the leases "because of the high natural resource value of certain pasture lands. Some pasture lands are remnant native forests that have never been plowed and contain native and endangered plants and wildlife. They adjoin or are near forest reserves and, as a result, have great potential for reforestation, and/or are important in providing access to other public lands for management, traditional gathering, and public recreation including hunting and trails."
     She includes a flyer entitled Importance of Pasture Lands to DLNR’s Mission and says that a separate piece of legislation, Senate Bill 2914, could relieve concerns of local ranchers who assess that they could better negotiate their leases with the Department of Agriculture. The legislation would give the DLNR more latitude in negotiating new leases with existing ranchers.

     In her quest to keep the leases with DLNR, Case writes, "Positive advancement in carbon sequestration challenges, wildlife management, wildfire protection and forest health concerns can be best managed by the Department  (DLNR) through mutually beneficial practices with ranching, wildlife protection, and native forest restoration. Mandating the transfer of these lands to DOA for pasture purposes will severely undermine the potential for reforestation and other natural resource protection uses of the land. For these reasons, the Department respectfully urges the Legislature not to pass this bill, and instead support Senate Bill 2914 and House Bill 2358 and allow the select pasture leases to remain under the Department’s management."
     The Chair of the Board of Agriculture, Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, testified that she supports the bill to transfer pasture lands to the Department of Agriculture.
     SB 2812 passed two Senate Committees last Friday and a companion bill is not yet scheduled for a hearing in the House. However, the Senate bill is expected to pass over and to be considered. See the SB 2812. See its companion, House Bill 2577.
     See more in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs and in the Feb. 9 Kaʻū News Briefs.

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CHILDCARE AND EDUCATION FOR KEIKI OF KAʻŪ COFFEE PICKERS will be the topic of a meeting of Keiki O Palehua ʻOhana on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 4 p.m., at Kaʻū District Gym Multipurpose Room at 96-1219 Kamani St. in Pāhala. Organizer Laura Diaz said special guests aiming to help with the project will be Glenn Sako of county Department of Research & Development and Daniel Goya, of Partners in Development Foundation.
     Diaz said, "We need your input, ideas, and support to move forward with this program ; we're ready to open doors but need everyone's cooperation to do it."
     Keiki O Palehua ʻOhana is designed to help the Marshallese community care for young children while working on Kaʻū Coffee farms.

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Image from National Weather Service

MOST OF KAʻŪ IS UNDER A FLOOD ADVISORY through this evening, Monday, Feb. 10,  according to the National Weather Service. Rain rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour, moving onto leeward slopes in fast moving showers, are forecast to continue through the evening. NWS urges the public to stay away from streams, drainage ditches, and low lying areas prone to flooding. Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility, and poor braking action, states NWS. "Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don't drown."

     A small craft advisory is in effect for all Hawaiian waters. Kaʻū's west-facing shores are also under a high surf warning.

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A DOWNED POWER LINE CLOSED HIGHWAY 11 this morning near the 62 mile marker, close to Nāʻālehu Police Station. Both lanes were closed to traffic for about two hours, as was the station. Motorists were advised to use Kaʻalaiki Rd. as an alternate route.
     Another shutdown of Hwy 11 in Kaʻū today was caused by a fallen tree.

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CONSERVATION COUNCIL FOR HAWAIʻI has welcomed Moana Bjur as its new Executive Director. She took the helm of Hawaiʻi's oldest wildlife conservation organization in early February and will lead the organization "as it confronts the many challenges facing Hawaʻi's native wildlife and the ecosystems they depend upon," says the announcement.

Jonee Peters, Operations and Events Director; Les Welsh, 

National Wildlife Federation Associate Director for 

the Pacific and Director of Conservation Partnerships; 

and Moana Bjur, Executive Director.

     A Native Hawaiian descendant of Kawaihapai on the North Shore of Oʻahu, Bjur has more than 20 years of experience working across public, private and non-profit organizations developing and implementing conservation, environmental, education and community engagement programs for participants in school, camp, conference and professional settings in Hawaiʻi. Before joining CCH, she served as the Assistant Executive Director at Waimea Valley, an educational non-profit with a mission to preserve and perpetuate human, cultural and natural resources of Waimea Valley on Oʻahu.
     Dr. Rachel Sprague, Conservation Council's Board President, said, "CCH has a long-standing history as a voice for our imperiled native species, and we look forward to Moana leading our important work ahead in protecting and restoring Hawaiʻi's native wildlife and wild places for future generations."
     Conservation Council for Hawaiʻi, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1950 is dedicated to protecting native Hawaiian plants, animals, and ecosystems for future generations. See  conservehi.org.

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See Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. See Kaʻū exercise,
meditation, daily, bi-weekly, and weekly recurring events. 

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

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

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

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Boys Basketball

Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 HHSAA on Oʻahu

Wrestling

Fri., Feb. 21 HHSAA

Swimming

Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui

Kaʻū Spring Sports Schedule

Girls Softball

Saturday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m., JV Jamboree at Konawaena

Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m., @Waiakea

Boys Baseball

Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m., host HPA

Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m.. @Waiakea

Boys Volleyball

Friday, Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m., Preseason at Christian Liberty

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m., host Christian Liberty

Judo

Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m., @Kealakehe

Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m.. @Kealakehe

Track

Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m., @Waiakea

Saturday, March 21, 2 p.m., @Konawaena

UPCOMING

TUESDAY, FEB. 11

Music in the American Wild, Tuesday, Feb. 11; seating begins at 6:30 p.m., concert starts at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. The American Wild Ensemble was formed to celebrate and tour America's national parks. They've performed in unconventional venues, from caves to mountaintops, commissioning new works and performing them in site-inspired and site-specific locations. Attend an evening concert with ensemble directors Emlyn Johnson (flute) and Daniel Ketter (cello) as they present a contemporary classical program featuring new works by Hawai‘i resident and Hawai‘i-born composers. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ongoing After Dark in the Park series. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 12

Ki‘i Carving Demonstration, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10 a.m. to noon at Kīlauea Visitor Center lanai. Hawaiians carved ki‘i (statues) to represent forces of nature, gods, guardians and the spirit world. Acclaimed artist James Kanani Kaulukukui, Jr. will share his expertise and the essential role these ki‘i played in Hawaiian society. With a carrot, you'll learn how to make your own ki‘i. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

FRIDAY, FEB. 14 – Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day Buffet, Friday, Feb. 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Crater Rim Café at Kīlauea Military Camp. 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. 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.

Community Dance, Friday, Feb. 14, 7-10p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pūpū welcome. Free. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, FEB. 15

Paint Your Own Silk Scarf with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Enrolling a loved one in the class or the finished scarf, created in class, makes a great Valentine's Day gift, suggests the announcement. volcanoartcenter.org

Zentangle: Basics with Ellen O'Dunn, Saturday, Feb. 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. volcanoartcenter.org

Valentine's Dance, Saturday, Feb. 15, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Roaring 2020’s Dance featuring the Tin Pan Alley Cats Quintet and dance lessons.Learn the Charleston, the Lindy Hop, and more. volcanoartcenter.org

Panaʻewa Stampede, Saturday through Monday, Feb. 15, 16, and 17. Rodeo begins at noon on Saturday, 11 a.m. on Sunday and Monday. Cowboy Church held 9 a.m. Sunday. Horse Races held 9 a.m. Monday. Panaʻewa Equestrian Center just outside of Hilo. Rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. Tickets are $8 pre-sale, $10 at the gate, free for keiki 12 and under. HawaiiRodeoStampede.com

SUNDAY, FEB. 16
RSVP for the Bicentennial celebration of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church, Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Henry ‘Opukahaʻia Memorial Chapel, Hokuloa Church, Punaluʻu. Celebration begins at 10 a.m.; pot-luck fellowship at 11:30 a.m. in large pavilion at Punaluʻu Black Sands Beach Park. For more information and to RSVP with the number of people attending, contact Debbie Wong Yuen, Kahu at Kauahaʻao Church, at 808-928-8039.

MONDAY, FEB. 17 – President's Day

AdvoCATS, Monday, Feb. 17, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Free spay/neuter for cats. Reserve spot in advance. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

ONGOING

Beginning Improv for Adults, Thursday, through Feb. 13, 1 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

Fill Out the Survey for Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020, from Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense, by Friday, Feb. 14. The survey is anonymous and will be used to develop portions of the plan, which is the County's hazard and risk assessment for natural disasters. The Plan will include proposed projects to mitigate potential loss of life and property. Fill out the survey at  surveymonkey.com/r/HawaiiCountyHMP. Learn more at hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/multi-hazard-mitigation-plan-2020. For further information, call the Civil Defense Agency at 935-0031.

RSVP for the Bicentennial Celebration of Kauahaʻao Congregational Church, Sunday, Feb. 16 at the Henry ‘Opukahaʻia Memorial Chapel, Hokuloa Church, in Punaluʻu. Celebration begins at 10 a.m., followed by pot-luck fellowship at 11:30 a.m. in the large pavilion at Punaluʻu Black Sands Beach Park. For more information and to RSVP With the number of people attending, contact Debbie Wong Yuen, Kahu at Kauahaʻao Church, at 808-928-8039.

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, 1 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

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.

Sign Up to Vend at the New ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Nāʻālehu Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the site of the old Fruit Stand, mauka of Hwy 11 in Nāʻālehu. Vending focuses on Kaʻū products, including mushrooms from the new farm in Nāʻālehu, fresh breads, vegetables, fruits, and other products. The market may offer music in the future, and there are plans to acquire picnic tables for market goers. Call Manager Sue Barnett at 345-9374 to sign up.

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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