Thursday, February 27, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, February 27, 2020

Hunnay Demello, performing hula as part of her efforts to help promote fundraising for the Nā‘ālehu senior housing 
project. She will appear on Little Big Shots this Sunday att 7 p.m.. See details, below. Photo by Dennis Fujimoto
TESTING FOR THE NEW CORONAVIRUS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE in Hawaiʻi, possibly within a week, reports the state Department of Health. The federal government has given state government laboratories permission to conduct tests developed by its Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The green light comes after the origin of a case in California could not be tracked down. Test kits from CDC are expected to arrive in Hawaiʻi soon.
An electron microscope image of COVID-19. Image from NPR
     Gov. David Ige made a $7 million request to the Hawaiʻi Legislature to combat COVID-19, should it circulate here. The governor's budget was approved today by the state Senate Ways and Means Committee. It includes funding for public education and extra assistance for dealing with the virus, should it spread into the Neighbor Islands. The state Dept. of Health has given early encouragement for households to keep 14 days of food supply on hand, ahead of the summer and fall hurricane season. The stored food would be used should shipping into Hawaiʻi be disrupted by circulation of coronavirus.

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YOUNG AMBASSADOR FOR NĀʻĀLEHU SENIOR HOUSING WILL BE ON LITTLE BIG SHOTS this Sunday, according to the promotion for the NBC television show. Ocean View's tiny hula dancer, "Hunnay" Rhyan Faith Anoʻi Demello, traveled to Los Angeles earlier this year to film the show, with host Melissa McCarthy. It features talented young children, many of them with a special focus on helping other people. The show with Hunnay will be aired in Hawaiʻi this Sunday at 7 p.m.  on NBC.
     Hunnay was a star at ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's Nāʻālehu Market on Wednesday and attends when she can, to bring attention for the need for senior housing, planned for the land where the market is open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Donate to her GoFundMe at hunnay039s-campaign-for-community.

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NĀʻĀLEHU MARKET, the outdoor venture sponsored by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou community organization, has expanded its days. The market will be open on Mondays and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., starting next week. The Wednesday market was such a success, days are being added, said OKK Vice President Nadene Ebert. To become a vendor of food and other items, contact Sue Barnett at 808-345-9374.
Pukana Lā Farms' booth at the new location of the Nāʻālehu Farmers Market, now open Mondays and Wednesdays. 
Photo by Rocky DʻAmore, owner of Blazing Shades

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MORE THAN 100 MEASURES PASSED THE STATE HOUSE of Representatives today, including bills on gun violence prevention, family issues and education. They move to the Senate for consideration. More than a dozen police officers and members of Mother's Demanding Action attended today's session to support gun violence prevention bills. Members of the Hawaiʻi Firearms Coalition attended the session in opposition.
     Gun Violence Prevention Bills that passed onto the Senate: HB2736 HD1 would require the licensing of sellers of ammunition, and for the identification and proper permitting of purchasers or
possessors of ammunition. Regulates ammunition in the same manner that firearms are regulated.
     HB 1902 HD2 would extend the prohibition for large capacity magazines to all firearms, rather than just pistols. It would provides an exception to the prohibition for law enforcement agencies and duly authorized officers. It would prohibit from owning firearms those who: as a minor, were diagnosed with behavioral, emotional, or mental disorders, unless the person has been medically documented to be no longer either adversely affected by the behavioral, emotional, or mental disorder or deemed a danger to themselves or others; and those were adjudicated by the family court to have committed a certain number of crimes of violence. It would require records of these diagnoses or adjudications to be made available to law enforcement officials.
     HB 2744 would establish the gun violence and violent crimes commission, with reports to the Legislature. It would make it a class C felony to purchase, manufacture, or otherwise obtain firearm parts for the purpose of assembling a firearm having no serial number. It would amends requirements relating to firearms registration.
     HB 2709 relates to the Uniform Probate Code. It would require a personal representative of a decedent appointed under the Uniform Probate Code to notify the police department of the appropriate county of any and all firearms in an estate. Requires the police department to certify that all firearms in an estate are properly transferred or disposed of before the estate may close.
A bill that passed the state House today would help college students in 
health care, teaching, engineering, and social work pay for cost of living 
while finishing their education, if they commit to work in Hawaiʻi 
for three years. Photo from University of Hawaiʻi
     Family Issue Bills that passed on to the Senate: HB2060 HD1, relating to domestic abuse, would provide that family courts may withhold from public inspection any record of a denied temporary restraining order or denied protective order; provided that these records shall remain accessible to law enforcement without a court order. HB2425 HD1 would amend the definition of "domestic abuse" under Hawaiʻi's insurance laws and laws relating to domestic abuse protective orders to include coercive control between family or household members. It also would define "coercive control."
     Equal Pay Bill that passed onto the Senate: HB1701 HD1 would conform statutory prohibitions against wage discrimination with other prohibitions on employment discrimination. It would clarify allowable justifications for compensation differentials and remedies for pay disparity. It would require employers to disclose wage ranges to employees and prospective employees.
     Higher Education Bill that passed onto the Senate: HB2250 HD1, relating to the University of Hawaiʻi Promise Program Plus, would provide scholarships for the unmet direct cost needs of qualified students enrolled in bachelor's degree programs in teaching, health care, social work, or engineering at the University of Hawaiʻi who commit to work for at least three years in Hawaiʻi. It would appropriate funds to establish, implement, and manage the program.
     Capital Improvement Project Funding that passed onto the Senate: HB2725 HD1, including all means of financing, would approve CIP projects for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 totaling more than $4.9 billion to be spent statewide.
The first industrial hemp harvested in 2018 under laws that aim to help
 develop the industry, with new legislation passing the House today.
Photo from Rep. Chris Lee 
     Hemp Product Bills that passed onto the Senate: HB2102 HD1 would require labels on hemp products. It would prohibit unwarranted health-related statements about hemp products. It would establish standards for hemp product manufacturers. It would prohibit manufacture or sale of any food into which a hemp product has been added. It would prohibit sale of hemp products designed to appeal to children.
     The bill also would establish that a product shall not be considered adulterated or misbranded solely by the inclusion of hemp with certain exceptions. It would clarify that a licensed medical cannabis dispensary is not prohibited from manufacturing, distributing, or selling products that contain hemp, or cannabinoids, extracts, or derivatives from hemp, subject to certain conditions. It would prohibit sale of hemp products to persons under 21 years of age and would require the state Department of Health to report on hemp to the legislature.
     See all 2019 and 2020 House bills that have crossed over to the Senate this session here.

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MAUNA LOA VOLCANO is not erupting. The mauna's Volcano Alert Level is ADVISORY, Aviation Code is YELLOW. Rates of deformation and seismicity have not changed significantly over the past week and remain above long-term background levels.
     During the past week, HVO seismometers recorded about 80 small-magnitude earthquakes beneath the volcano's upper elevations. The strongest was a magnitude-2.9 event beneath the summit region in the early morning hours of February 27. Most events occurred at shallow depths of less than 5 kilometers (~3 miles) beneath the surface of the summit and upper flanks of the volcano.
Global Positioning System measurements show continued slow summit inflation, consistent with magma supply to the volcano's shallow storage system.
     Gas concentrations at the Sulphur Cone monitoring site on the Southwest Rift Zone remain stable. Fumarole temperatures as measured at both Sulphur Cone and the summit have not changed significantly.
     For more information on current monitoring of Mauna Loa Volcano, see volcanoes.usgs.gov/volcanoes/mauna_loa/monitoring_summary.html.
Mauna Loa remains quiet. USGS photo/J.D. Griggs
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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 Spring Sports Schedule
Girls Softball
Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m., @Waiakea
Wednesday, March 11, 3 p.m., @Konawaena
Saturday, March 14, 11 a.m., host Kealakehe
Tuesday, March 17, 3 p.m., host Pāhoa
Saturday, March 21, 11 a.m., @Keaʻau
Boys Baseball
Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m., host HPA
Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m.. @Waiakea
Tuesday, March 10, 1 p.m., @Konawaena
Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m., host Kealakehe
Wednesday, March 18, 3 p.m., @Pāhoa
Saturday, March 21, 1 p.m., @Keaʻau
Boys Volleyball
Wednesday, March, 6 p.m., @Hilo
Tuesday, March 10, 6 p.m., host Makualani
Friday, March 13, 6 p.m., host Konawaena
Judo
Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m., @Kealakehe
Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m.. @Kealakehe
Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m., @Hilo
Saturday, March 21, 10:30 a.m., @Konawaena
Track
Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m., @Waiakea
Saturday, March 21, 2 p.m., @Konawaena

UPCOMING
FRIDAY, FEB. 28
Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association Annual Health Conference, Friday, Feb. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Register in advance: 808-928-0101.

TRAILBLAZERS: BUFFALO SOLDIERS IN HAWAIʻI will be the subject discussed at this month's Coffee Talk at the Visitor Center of Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Friday, Feb. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.


Mardi Gras Dinner Fundraiser for St. Jude's Episcopal ChurchFriday, Feb. 28 at the church, 92-8660 Paradise Circle, Ocean View. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tickets are $8 per person, $15 per couple, and $20 per family, for jambalaya, red beans and rice, cornbread, drink, and dessert. Pre-purchase from Thom White, Beverly Nelson, or Cordelia Burt. Questions? Call 808-939-7555 and leave a message.

SATURDAY, FEB. 29
Hawaiian Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count, Saturday, Feb. 29 and March 28, 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., orientation included. Register at oceancount.org. Locations in Kaʻū are: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whale activity from the shoreline.

MONDAY, MARCH 2
Girl's Day Headband Craft Registration Deadline, Monday, March 2. Program Tuesday, March 3, 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Kahuku Park in HOVE. Ages 6 to 12. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Hour-Long Lomilomi Massage, Mondays, March 2, 9, 16, and 23, 8:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Hawaiʻi County Economic Opportunity Council, 95-5635 Māmalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi offers sliding-fee payment scale sessions with experienced Licensed Massage Therapist and lomilomi practitioner Lehua Hobbs. "Improve circulation, alleviate muscle pain, and improve your overall well-being." Call for appointment, 808-969-9220.

TUESDAY, MARCH 3
Butterfly Art Project Registration Deadline, Tuesday, March 3. Program Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Kaʻū District Gym. Ages 5 to 12. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Byron Haynie Live Country Music, Tuesday, March 3, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. No cover charge. KMC open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com, 967-8365

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4
Registration for Fundamental Baseball, through March 4 at Nāʻālehu Community Center, 95-5635 Mamālahoa Hwy. Ages 5 to 8. Program runs Thursday, March 5, 12, and 19, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Shoes, gloves, and protective cups required. Richard Karasuda, 939-2510, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

OKK Farmers Market in Nāʻālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the future Nāʻālehu Senior Housing Site. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374.

Wonders of Watercolor Workshop Series with Nancy DeLucrezia, Wednesdays, March 4 through April 22, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Eight-week course designed for artists already working in watercolor who want to benefit from constructive feedback, and sharing of ideas and information, provided by group classes, to take work to a new level. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

THURSDAY, MARCH 5
Register for Free PETFIX Spay and Neuter 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.

Hula Voices, Thursday, March 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., VAC Gallery. Presents engaging, intimate "talk story" session with Hawai‘i Island kumu hula. Features Noe Noe Kekaualua. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Mixed Media Photo Encaustic with Mary Milelzcik, Saturday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m. The class is slated for beginner to intermediate students. volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING
OKK Farmers Market in Nāʻālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the future Nāʻālehu Senior Housing Site. Contact Sue Barnett for vending, 808-345-9374.

Purchase Tickets for 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. Tickets are $30, available at kauconcert.bpt.me. See himusicfestival.com for more.
     Performers are Maya Hoover, Hawaiʻi based Mezzo-Soprano at Professor at University of 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.

Sign Up to Be a Vendor at the Kauahaʻao Congregational Church Fundraising Bazaar by Wednesday, March 18. The annual event will be held Saturday, March 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The church is located on the corner of Mamalahoa HwyKamaoa Road, and Pinao Street, just above the Wong Yuen Store in Waiʻōhinu.
     Individuals, schools, clubs, and sports/athletic groups are invited to be vendors at the "flea market" that will be located on the church lawn. The charge for a 10' X 10' space is $10. Vendors are responsible for bringing their own tent, table and chairs, and if power is needed, generator. Vendors can sell anything except hot foods or plate lunches.  
     Vendors must fill out and submit a Vendor Application with the $10 fee by Wednesday, March 18. Call Debbie Wong Yuen at 928-8039 for the application.
     The Church members will sell kalua pig and cabbage bowls, and smoked meat bowls, as well as baked goods, produce, and crafts.
     For more information, call 928-8039.

Sign Up Keiki for the Second Annual Kaʻū Children's Business Fair, to be held Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to noon at Pāhala Community Center. Open to young entrepreneurs ages seven and 18 to share their talents by selling handmade items and services. One application may be submitted for each business. Children can sign up for booth space at no charge. Children working as a group submit one application that includes each child's information; no more than three children per business.
     Kaʻū Children's Business Fair guidelines are designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. Parents of younger children (under eight years old) may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales. Parents may aid a child, but the child runs the business.
    Learn more about participating at childrensbusinessfair.org/pahala. Visit Kaʻū Children's Business Fair's Facebook event page facebook.com/KAUCBF/. RSVP to the event at facebook.com/events/925342784527676/. Text KAUKIDSFAIR to 31996 for updates and information (message and data fees may apply).

Register for Ocean View Classic Car & Bike Show, Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Owners of classic cars and bikes are encouraged to register early, as space is limited.
     This second annual event, a fundraiser for Ocean View Community Association, will also feature food and live music, and prizes for the most impressive cars and bikes. Contact organizers Dennis Custard at 831-234-7143 or Ron Gall at 808-217-7982 to register or for more info.

Sign Up to Vend at the New ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Nāʻālehu Farmers Market, Mondays and 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.

Register for Volcano's ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, and Keiki Dash by Wednesday, July 22. The second annual event will be held on Saturday, July 25. 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. See webscorer.com to register.
     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.
     Late registration is only available at packet pickup or race day morning. Shirts are not guaranteed for late registration.  Race Shirts will be included for Half Marathon and 10K participants only. For all other participants, shirts are available to purchase online.
     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.
     Half Marathon will start at 7 a.m. Other distances follow shortly after. Keiki Dash will begin at 10 a.m. on VSAS grounds. Race cut-off time for the Half Marathon is four hours. The races will begin and end in Volcano Village at VSAS.

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

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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