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| Hikers on the 1868 Mauna Loa lava flow in Kahuku. With more than 1.2 million visitors coming to the Kīlauea entrance of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park last year, the park encourages visitation to less busy locations. NPS Photo by Janice Wei |
Visitation at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National in 2021 increased 114% from 2020 when 589,775 people came during the first year of the pandemic.
The statement pointed out that "While most visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park limit their visit to the often-crowded summit of Kīlauea hoping to witness an eruption, the volatile history of Mauna Loa volcano is revealed in the park's uncrowded Kahuku Unit, located in Kaʻū."
The Kahuku entrance is an hour drive south of the park's main entrance, with eight hiking trails, a deep pit crater enrobed in native plants, and a 150-year ranching history. Rolling green puʻu (hills) intersect
with lava from the 1868 eruption of Mauna Loa, "one of the most profound natural disasters in Hawaiian history. It is a captivating landscape, and one that most visitors miss on their way to Kīlauea," says the park statement.
The park suggests additional less visited sites: "Another 'must-go' park, located about 100 miles from the main entrance of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, is Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site in Kawaihae. The massive heiau (temple) built by Kamehameha the First, his warriors and other kāne (men) is a monument to the beginning stages of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This is where Kamehameha sealed the fate of his Kaʻū cousin, Keōua Kūʻahuʻula, ending a bloody civil war. It is also where blacktip reef sharks cruise over a submerged heiau. A scenic stretch of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail starts just south of the heiau."
Kahuku and Puʻukoholā Heiau do not charge entrance fees. The $55 Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Pass provides access to three fee-charging parks in Hawaiʻi: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park and Haleakalā National Park on Maui. The tri-park pass is available at the participating parks' entrance stations and is valid for one year from the purchase date.
National Park Service 2021 visitation statistics for all parks are available on the NPS Visitor Use Statistics website. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 421 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
The statement pointed out that "While most visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park limit their visit to the often-crowded summit of Kīlauea hoping to witness an eruption, the volatile history of Mauna Loa volcano is revealed in the park's uncrowded Kahuku Unit, located in Kaʻū."
The Kahuku entrance is an hour drive south of the park's main entrance, with eight hiking trails, a deep pit crater enrobed in native plants, and a 150-year ranching history. Rolling green puʻu (hills) intersect
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| Kahuku VSC and ranch house from Puu o Lokuana. NPS Photo by B.Hayes |
The park suggests additional less visited sites: "Another 'must-go' park, located about 100 miles from the main entrance of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, is Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site in Kawaihae. The massive heiau (temple) built by Kamehameha the First, his warriors and other kāne (men) is a monument to the beginning stages of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This is where Kamehameha sealed the fate of his Kaʻū cousin, Keōua Kūʻahuʻula, ending a bloody civil war. It is also where blacktip reef sharks cruise over a submerged heiau. A scenic stretch of the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail starts just south of the heiau."
Kahuku and Puʻukoholā Heiau do not charge entrance fees. The $55 Hawaiʻi Tri-Park Pass provides access to three fee-charging parks in Hawaiʻi: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park and Haleakalā National Park on Maui. The tri-park pass is available at the participating parks' entrance stations and is valid for one year from the purchase date.
National Park Service 2021 visitation statistics for all parks are available on the NPS Visitor Use Statistics website. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 421 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html.
TULSI GABBARD IS BACK ON THE POLITICAL STAGE, named as a speaker at the next Conservative Political Action Conference, which starts Wednesday in Orlando, FL. CPAC is largely Republican and friendly to Pres. Donald Trump. Gabbard is a Democrat.
Gabbard served as a Representative in U.S Congress for Kaʻū and all of rural Hawai'i from 2013, after winning the seat left open by Mazie Hirono who won a seat in the U.S. Senate.
After the election, Gabbard took a job with the National Guard. She had risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel in Hawai'i Army National Guard, enlisting in 2003 and serving two terms in the Middle East.
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| Tulsi Gabbard (center) met with Kaʻū Coffee farmers John Ah San, Gloria Camba, Efren Abellera and Kili Matsui at Ka'u Coffee Mill during her tenure representing Kaʻū and all of rural Hawai'i from 2013 to 2021 in the U.S. Congress. Gabbard left her post in the U.S. House, ran for President, frequented Fox News as a commentator, and is considered a possible candidate for President or VP. She will speak at this week's Conservative Political Action Conference in Florida. Photo by Julia Neal |
TULSI GABBARD IS BACK ON THE POLITICAL STAGE, named as a speaker at the next Conservative Political Action Conference, which starts Wednesday in Orlando, FL. CPAC is largely Republican and friendly to Pres. Donald Trump. Gabbard is a Democrat.
During Gabbard's four terms in Congress, she was known for her work with veterans, peacekeeping, agriculture and the environment. She gave a Veterans Day address and a Memorial Day address at Kilauea Military Camp.
She was known for coming to Kaʻū to work on issues with agriculture. She was a keynote speaker at a statewide annual meeting of Hawai'i Farmers Union United. She was considered progressive and pro-environment. She was seen particularly connected to the ocean as a surfer.
Gabbard decided to refrain from running for reelection in 2020. Instead, she ran for President in the last election to become the nominee for the Democratic Party. She participated in Presidential Debates, running on a peace platform, and said Donald Trump was unfit for a second term as President. Ultimately Pres. Joe Biden won the nomination. Gabbard endorsed Biden and he beat Trump.
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U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard in 2013, with Kīlauea Military Camp director Randy Hart and Capt. and Mrs. Justin Montgomery. Gabbard gave the keynote address on Memorial Day. Photo by David Howard Donald |
After the 2020 election, Gabbard also became a regular commentator on Fox News. Recently, she has become a more frequent critic of Vice President Kamala Harris and Biden in their attempts to avert war in Ukraine.
On her twitter account this week, Gabbard said: "A Russia-US/Ukraine conflict will quickly go cyber with mutual attacks on communication/ information assets, which will blind both sides to the other’s plans, actions & intentions, increasing the likelihood of miscalculation & misunderstanding, thereby drastically increasing the likelihood of the conflict going nuclear (accidentally or intentionally). And what for?"
She said, "Confrontation/war with Russia is and will be very costly to the American people, beginning with increased inflation, making it harder for us to afford gas, food, and other necessities of life."
Gabbard is scheduled to speak at CPAC's Ronald Reagan Dinner on Saturday evening, leading up to Keynote Speaker Glenn Beck.
Gabbard, now 40 years of age, is considered a possibility for another run for President, or perhaps Vice President.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html.
A FEDERAL JUDGE SENTENCED STACY HIGA TO 46 MONTHS IN PRISON today. Higa is a former Hawai'i County Councilman, former candidate for mayor and former
CEO of Na Leo TV, which provides community television for this island. He was punished for bribery in connection with Covid grant money and for embezzling more than $38,000 in AmeriCorps funding. He admitted to the crimes last October. See the story at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2021_10_
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| Stacy Higa received a sentence of almost four years in prison. |
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In addition to almost four years of incarceration, Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered three years of supervised release for Higa and repayment of $38,642 in restitution and an identical amount in a forfeiture money judgment. Higa will be required to perform 200 hours of community service.
The Inspector General of AmeriCorps, Deborah Jeffrey, said, "Stacy Higa exploited his position of trust to steal AmeriCorps funds from vulnerable communities and schemed to deny his neighbors money needed for pandemic relief.”
In addition to almost four years of incarceration, Judge Reggie B. Walton ordered three years of supervised release for Higa and repayment of $38,642 in restitution and an identical amount in a forfeiture money judgment. Higa will be required to perform 200 hours of community service.
The Inspector General of AmeriCorps, Deborah Jeffrey, said, "Stacy Higa exploited his position of trust to steal AmeriCorps funds from vulnerable communities and schemed to deny his neighbors money needed for pandemic relief.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Merrill said, “The citizens of Hawaiʻi deserve a government free of corruption. Stacy Higa’s actions undermine the respect and reputation of all public officials who have the responsibility to uphold the public’s trust. Today’s sentencing reflects the ongoing commitment and dedication of the FBI to work with our partners to identify, investigate, and prosecute those who abuse their authorities and hold them accountable.”
The investigation of Higa was punctuated by the FBI raiding Na Leo headquarters in Hilo.
See the complete U.S. Department of Justice statement on the sentencing: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/former-hawaii-official-sentenced-46-months-prison-embezzling-americorps-and-offering.
VIRTUAL PUBLIC MEETING on Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park's Disaster Recovery Project. Thursday, Feb. 24, 12 - 1 p.m. and 6 - 7 p.m. To join the 12 p.m. meeting: https://swca.zoom.us/j/91430664015. Those without internet access can join by phone: (888) 475-4499 US Toll-free; Meeting ID: 914 3066 4015. To join the 6 p.m. meeting: https://swca.zoom.us/j/97252271515. Those without internet access can join by phone: (888) 475-4499 US Toll-free; Meeting ID: 972 5227 1515.
COVID-19 PFIZER VACCINE/BOOSTER CLINIC at Ocean View Community Center. Saturday, Feb. 26, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Open to ages 5 and up. Home test kits will be available while supplies last. Walk-ins and uninsured are welcome. Bring ID. Contact (808) 932-4205 for any questions.
MILOLIʻI ʻOHANA FUNDRAISER at Park Halau in Miloliʻi. Saturday, Feb. 26 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Food, crafts, music, silent auction, and more. For more information, contact (808) 937-1310 or visit www.Kalanihale.com.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html.
COOPER CENTER COMMUNITY PANTRY FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Wednesday, Feb. 23, 9:30 - 11 a.m. Located at 19- 4030 Wright Road in Volcano. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
SACRED HEART: LOAVES AND FISHES FOOD DISTRIBUTION, Thursday, Feb. 24, 9 - 11 a.m. Located at 95-5558 Mamalahoa Hwy in Nāʻālehu. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
KUPUNA FOOD BASKET, Thursday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Located at Kaʻū District Gym in Pāhala. Sponsored by Hawaiʻi Island Food Basket.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events and Kaʻū Calendar newspaper sponsors at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/02/events-of-february-2022.html.
COVID-19 PFIZER VACCINE/BOOSTER CLINIC at Ocean View Community Center. Saturday, Feb. 26, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Open to ages 5 and up. Home test kits will be available while supplies last. Walk-ins and uninsured are welcome. Bring ID. Contact (808) 932-4205 for any questions.
MILOLIʻI ʻOHANA FUNDRAISER at Park Halau in Miloliʻi. Saturday, Feb. 26 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Food, crafts, music, silent auction, and more. For more information, contact (808) 937-1310 or visit www.Kalanihale.com.
SEE MORE CALENDAR OF EVENTS & SPONSORS
See the February Print Edition of The Kaʻū Calendar at www.kaucalendar.com
