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Thursday, June 30, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, June 30, 2022

 

This image from University of Hawaiʻi indicates the impacts of Climate Change.
Illustration from U.H.

THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION ON THURSDAY TO LIMIT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IN ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE has drawn concern from Hawaiʻi Gov. David Ige and Board of Land & Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case. Case is also Hawai‘i Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Commission co-chair. She said:
    “It’s unfortunate that this ruling limits the federal government's ability to act strongly on climate change. We have a moral imperative to address climate change due to impacts we already see to natural resources. Sea level rise is eroding our beaches and shorelines. Coral bleaching is damaging our reefs. Warmer temperatures are forcing disease-carrying mosquitoes into higher elevations where the avian malaria they infect native birds with, is on the verge of causing the extinction of two honeycreeper species in as little as two years. Right now, we are experiencing the impacts of drought statewide, and this has already caused more frequent and more intense wildfires.
    “As Gov. Ige said, Hawai‘i has shown great progress and leadership in addressing both the causes and impacts of climate change and we will continue to work with other leaders at all levels of government who remain committed to addressing what is the greatest existential threat facing the planet.”
  Case said that the Climate Commission sees this ruling as reaffirming the need for climate action at the state level. Climate Commission Co-Chair Mary Alice Evans said, “Just as we did in 2017, when the federal government withdrew from global leadership, Hawai‘i, in partnership with other states will step forward to lead on climate action.” Evans emphasized the importance of mitigation and adaptation actions locally, “as we are already experiencing droughts, flooding, and heat stress.”
    The Land Board statement says, "The Climate Commission promotes ambitious, climate-neutral, culturally responsive strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation, in a manner that is clean, equitable, and resilient." The Climate Commission was created by Act 32 in 2017. The commission is administratively attached to Department of Land & Natural Resources. 
    Learn about the Climate Commission at https://climate.hawaii.gov/hi-commission/
    The governor said, “Hawaiʻi has long led the nation in response to the existential threat of climate change, and we will continue to do so. This ruling is another reminder that government action at all levels is needed, and Hawaiʻi has shown that it is possible. We will continue our work with other governors and local leaders to enact priority policies and take high-impact actions to help lead the world to a better place.”  
    The vote on the Supreme Court was three to three and is seen as supporting a return to mining coal for energy. The case involves West Virginia vs the EPA. It is also involves the view that the EPA has too much administrative power.

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm

HAWAIʻI POLICE DEPARTMENT'S 95TH Police Recruit Class Recognition Ceremony was held on Thursday, at Hilo Hawaiian Hotel in Hilo. This was an invite-only ceremony limited to police personnel, guest speakers, and family members of the recruits. The public was able to view the ceremony live by visiting the Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Facebook page.
    The 95th Police Recruit Class began training on December 16, 2021. The recruits started off as strangers who had come together from a variety of backgrounds and previous career paths. In the end, after six and a half months of intensive training, they graduated with a class of nine police recruits.
Hawai‘i Police Department's 95th Recruit Class: Left to Right: Collin
 Roberts, Melani Cline, Grant Kunihiro, Rylan Fujii, Derek Okabayashi,
 Mikhail Watkins, Troyson Reilly, Marcus Sosa, Edward Petrie.
Photo from HPD
    Class Officers are: Officer Edward Petrie, Class President; Officer Collin Roberts, Vice President; Officer Melani Cline, Secretary; and Officer Troyson Reilly, Treasurer.
    Other members of the class are Rylan Fujii, Grant Kunihiro, Derek Okabayashi, Marcus Sosa, and Mikhail Watkins.
    Special recognition was given to those recruit officers who achieved outstanding performance during the course of academic training. The Academic Award was awarded to Officer Edward Petrie who attained and upheld the highest grade point average on weekly and certification examinations.
Officer Collin Roberts was presented with the Firearms Award for his interest and proficiency in the use of firearms and for attaining the highest rating in firearms training. Recipients of the academic and firearms awards will have their names engraved on a perpetual plaque, which is displayed in the department's training room.
    Officer Grant Kunihiro was recognized with the Physical Fitness Award for excelling and maintaining his level of physical conditioning. Officer Collin Roberts received the Overall Outstanding Recruit Award for his performance and motivational qualities.
    The newly graduated officers will undergo four months of on-the-job field training with veteran police officers before they are qualified to work alone.
 
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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm

Fencing to keep ungulates out of native forests in Hawaiʻi
Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo
FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK are set for July:
    July 6 and 7 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. to support vegetation monitoring between 6,000-ft and 8,000-ft. elevation in the Kahuku Unit.
    July 13 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. to support vegetation monitoring between 6,000-ft and 8,000-ft. elevation on Mauna Loa.
    July 18 between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for sling loads of fence material and gear to the Koa Unit of ʻŌlaʻa, between 3,500- and 4,000-ft. elevation.
    July 19 between 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for ungulate survey in Kahuku between 4,000- and 6,000-ft. elevation.
    July 19 and July 21 between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. for Hawaiian petrel monitoring on Mauna Loa between 8,000- and 9,000-ft. elevation. July 20 and 21 between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. to support vegetation monitoring between 6,000- and 8,000-ft. elevation on Mauna Loa.
    July 21 between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. for survey and control of invasive guinea grass in the coastal Keauhou area, between sea level and 2,500-ft. elevation.
  July 22 between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for sling loads of fence material and gear to the Koa Unit of ʻŌlaʻa, between 3,500- and 4,000-ft. elevation.
    In addition, USGS will start a schedule of low-level helicopter flights in early July that will cover Kīlauea volcano over a three-week period. (Visit the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website for more information). The USGS may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
     The statement from the Park says it "regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. Management of the park requires the use of aircraft to monitor and research volcanic activity, conduct search-and-rescue missions and law enforcement operations, support management of natural and cultural resources, and to maintain back-country facilities."

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm


VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE welcomes walking and riding groups and individuals. It is sponsored by Volcano Community Association in Volcano Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The Monday, July 4 parade starts at the Post Office at 9 a.m. and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd., followed by Cooper Center's Independence Day celebration packed with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, keiki games and a large silent auction from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parking maps can be found at
www.thecoopercenter.org. (No parking at 
Cooper Center except handicap permitted 
vehicles with prior reservation.)

SPONSOR A BUCKLE, VOTE FOR RODEO QUEEN ahead of the Saturday, July 9 Rodeo organized by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Event to be held on the rodeo grounds behind Nāʻālehu Park. Call 808-854-7917.

BECOME A SPONSOR AT THE 3RD ANNUAL EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Last year, over 2,500 visitors attended and over 40 events were featured during the EVH festival. Sign up as a sponsor at experiencevolcano.com
If you have questions, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com. All vendor locations are taken.

SIGN UP FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNS with a change of date from July 3 to Sept. 17. Registration deadline for the annual event is Sept. 14. Organized by Hawaiʻi Island Racers, the 50K begins at 6 a.m., Half Marathon at 7 a.m., and 5K at 7:15 a.m., all starting from Kaʻū Coffee Mill at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road in Pāhala. Proceeds go to support ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. For more details on the event and registration fees, visit https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/.




Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, June 29, 2022

Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade travels down Hwy 11 this Saturday, July 2 beginning  at 11 a.m., followed by a
gathering at Nāʻālehu Park with pizza, shave ice, watermelon, water slide, bounce house, senior bingo and lunch. 
It is sponsored by OKK. Photo by Ron Johnson

HAWAIʻI RANKS 18TH IN STATES NEEDING EMPLOYEES, according to a WalletHub study released on Wednesday. According to WalletHub, "Lots of businesses are struggling to hire enough workers, which has sometimes led to delays in services and reduced business hours. In fact, the labor force participation rate has experienced the slowest recovery of any recession since World War II. Some businesses aren’t even able to keep the employees they already have – as Americans are quitting their jobs at record rates in what's been dubbed the Great Resignation."
    In order to see where employers are struggling the most in hiring, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on the rate of job openings for both the latest month and the last 12 months.
    States struggling the most to find and keep employees include Alaska, ranking number one, followed by Kentucky, Georgia, Montana, Iowa and West Virginia. The places with the fewest problems in keeping jobs filled are New York, D.C., Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Washington. See the full report at https://wallethub.com/edu/states-employers-hiring/101730.

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm

"Honoring people who have come before us is an important
practice," and is captured in the painting by Kamehameha
 School's Luluka Brown Spielman, said Congressman Kai
As winner of the Congressional Art Competition, the
painting is on display in the U.S. Capitol for 11 months.
HUMANS HONORING THEIR ANCESTORS is the theme of a painting by an artist and student at Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi. The art, which is on display for 11 months in the U.S. Capitol, is by Luluka Brown-Spielman, a junior at Kamehameha. 
    She won first place for Hawaiʻi's Second Congressional District in the Congressional Institute's nationwide, annual high school art competition. Every spring, it recognizes and encourages artistic talent in each congressional district across the nation. Since the Artistic Discovery competition began in 1982, more than 650,000 high school students have participated.
    “Luluka has had a pretty stellar year with her arts. This is her second juried show that she has been accepted into this year! The first was at Kahilu Theatre/Gallery in Waimea," said KS Hawaiʻi art kumu Carl Pao. “So joyous for all of her hard work and dedication to recognized both locally, and now, D.C.!”
    Congressman Kaialiʻi Kahele announced the winner on Wednesday. "On behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi, I want to offer a big congratulations to Luluka on being this year's winner of the Congressional Art Competition. In Hawaiian culture, honoring those who have come before us is an important practice, and Luluka's beautiful piece captures that relationship. I am especially proud that her artwork will be displayed in our nation's Capitol Building to represent the Aloha State. Mahalo to all of the extremely talented artists
from our district who submitted their work in this year's competition."
    The paintings by winning student artists from congressional districts throughout the country are displayed in the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol.

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.htm

JESUS SANCHEZ HAS BEEN LOCATED. Hawai‘i Island police report that the 39-year-old, who was reported as missing, was located on Tuesday, June 28, in good health. He was known to have frequented Volcano, Pāhala and Ocean View and had been last seen near a hunting station.

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 at 


VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE welcomes walking and riding groups and individuals. It is sponsored by Volcano Community Association in Volcano Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. The Monday, July 4 parade starts at the Post Office at 9 a.m. and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd., followed by Cooper Center's Independence Day celebration packed with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, keiki games and a large silent auction from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parking maps can be found at www.thecoopercenter.org. (No parking at Cooper Center except handicap permitted vehicles with prior reservation.)

SPONSOR A BUCKLE, VOTE FOR RODEO QUEEN ahead of the Saturday, July 9 Rodeo organized by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Event to be held on the rodeo grounds behind Nāʻālehu Park. Call 808-854-7917.

BECOME A SPONSOR AT THE 3RD ANNUAL EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Last year, over 2,500 visitors attended and over 40 events were featured during the EVH festival. Sign up as a sponsor at experiencevolcano.com. If you have questions, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com
All vendor locations are taken.

SIGN UP FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNS with a change of date from July 3 to Sept. 17. Registration deadline for the annual event is Sept. 14. Organized by Hawaiʻi Island Racers, the 50K begins at 6 a.m., Half Marathon at 7 a.m., and 5K at 7:15 a.m., all starting from Kaʻū Coffee Mill at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road in Pāhala. Proceeds go to support ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. For more details on the event and registration fees, visit https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/.

SEE EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR
at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

See The Kaʻū Calendar June edition at www.kaucalendar.com.

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday June 28, 2022

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park reports its 1.3 million visitors in 2021 spent $117 million in local communities,
supporting 1,220 local jobs and generating a total benefit to the island of $154 million. NPS Photo
HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK DREW 1.3 MILLION VISITORS in 2021, says the latest National Park Service report, which notes that those coming to the park spent an estimated $117 million in local communities. "That local spending supported 1,220 jobs, mostly in recreation, lodging and transportation, with a total benefit to the island of Hawaiʻi of $154 million," says the Park statement released on Tuesday.
    "Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is a World Heritage Site cherished by visitors and our community who come to discover the active volcanoes of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa, and the incredible natural and cultural resources that extend from sea level to summit," said Superintendent Rhonda Loh. "Visitor spending benefits the island economy, and visitors who recreate responsibly, plan ahead and respect this sacred Hawaiian landscape also benefit the national park."
    The report on Hawaiʻi Volcanoes comes from the 2021 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report,  an annual peer-reviewed economics report prepared by economists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service. It includes information by parks and by states on visitor spending, the number of jobs supported by visitor spending and other statistics.
    Across the nation, visitor spending in communities near national parks resulted in a $42.5 billion benefit to the nation's economy and supported 322,600 mostly local jobs, according to the report.
    The eight national park units in Hawaiʻi welcomed 3.9 million visitors in 2021 who spent an estimated $438 million in local gateway communities. This spending supported a total of 4,610 jobs, and had a cumulative benefit to the state of Hawaiʻi of $607 million, the report states.
     The statement recommends that the public "Find out more about Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and how to plan like a park ranger during the busy summer months by visiting the park website. The current eruption from Kīlauea volcano continues to attract thousands of visitors each day. A massive lava lake within the summit crater, Halemaʻumaʻu, can be viewed from a safe distance from numerous vantage points along the crater rim. Parking lots and overlooks often fill up during peak hours of 10 a.m. to 8 p.m." See www.nps.gov/havo.

    About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 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,
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes reported on its economic
impact to the community this week.
NPS photo
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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

TWO FULL TIME POSITIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK.
One job is with the Natural and Cultural Resources Management programs which seeks a permanent full-time Budget Technician. Go to USAJobs.gov for the details, the application closing date is 7/2/22:
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/661802400
    The Park is also seeking a permanent full-time permanent Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor. Visit this link on USAJobs.gov for more information:
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/661202400
    USAJobs.gov is the official employment website of the federal government. Other jobs within the park and other National Park Service locations are also listed on this site.

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

Congressman Kai Kahele talks with Kaʻū Coffee farmer
 Joan Obra on Pāhala Plantation House lānai where
 he will hold a talk story for his campaign for governor
on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Photo by Julia Neal
KAI KAHELE WILL VISIT KAʻŪ ON FRIDAY with the public invited to a talk story session at Pāhala Plantation House lanai from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.. Kahele, who is Kaʻū's congressman and is running for governor, visited Pāhala several times to meet with coffee farmers about their quest to purchase their coffee farms which were subdivided. Coffee farmers also asked the congressman for help with controlling pests that threaten the production of coffee here. 
    Kahele also recently attended a virtual meeting discussing life on family farms in Kaʻū and gave a talk at the Hawaiʻi Coffee Association annual conference where he noted the work of Kaʻū Coffee Growers Cooperative President Gloria Camba. Coffee farmers are expected to give an update to Kahele on purchasing of their farms and their challenges with production and marketing. 
    Patrons of libraries in Kaʻū are expected to ask how Kai Kahele will continue the legacy of this father, the late state Sen. Gil Kahele, in saving rural libraries like those in Kaʻū from shutting down and improving their service to the community.
     Kahele said he invites people to give their input on his race for governor and wants to learn more about needs and issues in Kaʻū, from housing to health, education, infrastructure and environment to economic development. Spearheading the talk story is former west Kaʻū state legislator, Dr. Richard Creagan.

Coffee farmer John Ah San talked to Congressman Kai Kahele about the Kaʻū Coffee
farmers' quest for land security. Many of the farmers recently purchased their lands.
Photo by Hanale Lee Loy
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see
See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at

 
THE TRANSFER OF STEWARDSHIP OF MAUNAKEA 
from University of Hawaiʻi to a new authority will happen, according to a U.H. statement on Tuesday, which notes that Gov. David Ige did not put the measure passed by the 2022 Hawaiʻi Legislature on his veto list. The U.H. statement says:
    "On Monday, June 27 Governor Ige released the list of bills he intends to veto, HB 2024 was not on that list. This means HB 2024, which would transfer stewardship and management of Maunakea from the University of Hawaiʻi to a new authority, will pass into law. 
U.H. says it will cooperate in transferring its Mauna Kea stewardship
to a new authority. Photo from U.H. by Andrew Hara
    "The University of Hawaiʻi is committed to working collaboratively with the new authority, created by the legislation, to ensure a smooth transition of all stewardship responsibilities. An internal analysis is currently underway to determine how to best transfer UH’s complex long-term obligations to the new management entity including leases, easements, subleases, permits, etc. 
    "Some of this transition work was laid out in the university’s letter to the Chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (PDF) on May 30, 2022. The university will also provide information and support to transition the many stewardship programs currently caring for the natural and cultural resources and ensuring safe public access to the mauna, including the critically important work being performed by the Maunakea Rangers. Until the transition occurs, the university is committed to responsible stewardship of Maunakea."

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

THE SEARCH IS ON FOR JESUS SANCHEZ and Hawai‘i Island police are requesting the public's
Jesus Sanchez is missing.
assistance in finding the 39-year-old who was reported missing by his family. Sanchez was last seen in the area of the Ola‘a Forest Reserve hunter station near the Volcano transfer station on Monday, June 27, 2022, wearing a hoodie and shorts.
    He is 5 feet 6 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, 180 to 185 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
    Sanchez is also known to frequent the Volcano, Pāhala, and Hawaiian Ocean View Estate areas.
    Police ask anyone with information on his whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311, attention Officer Kenneth Ishii.

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 at

POLICE ARRESTED 18 MOTORISTS FOR DUI during the week of June 20 through June 26. Hawaiʻi Island police arrested them for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Three of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. One was under the age of 21. 
    So far this year, there have been 511 DUI arrests compared with 578 during the same period last year, a
decrease of 11.6 percent.
    There have been 375 major accidents so far this year compared with 382 during the same period last year, a decrease of 1.8 percent.
    To date, there were 18 fatal crashes (one fatal crash reclassified on 5/30/22 due to a medical condition) resulting in 20 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one of which was reclassified due to a medical condition), compared with 12 fatal crashes, resulting in 12 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents is an increase of 50 percent for fatal crashes, and 66.7 percent for fatalities.
    The police department promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE welcomes walking and riding groups and individuals. It is sponsored by Volcano Community Association in Volcano Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Monday, July 4 parade starts at the Post Office at 9 a.m. and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd., followed by Cooper Center's Independence Day celebration packed with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, keiki games and a large silent auction from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parking maps can be found at www.thecoopercenter.org. (No parking at Cooper Center except handicap permitted vehicles with prior reservation.)

SPONSOR A BUCKLE, VOTE FOR RODEO QUEEN ahead of the Saturday, July 9 Rodeo organized by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Event to be held on the rodeo grounds behind Nāʻālehu Park. Call 808-854-7917.   

BECOME A SPONSOR AT THE 3RD ANNUAL EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Last year, over 2,500 visitors attended and over 40 events were featured during the EVH festival. Sign up as a sponsor at experiencevolcano.com. If you have questions, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com. All vendor locations are taken.

SIGN UP FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNS with a change of date from July 3 to Sept. 17. Registration deadline for the annual event is Sept. 14. Organized by Hawaiʻi Island Racers, the 50K begins at 6 a.m., Half Marathon at 7 a.m., and 5K at 7:15 a.m., all starting from Kaʻū Coffee Mill at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road in Pāhala. Proceeds go to support ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. For more details on the event and registration fees, visit https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/.


LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR

Monday, June 27, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, June 27, 2022

Malama Pono Punalu'u Invites More Volunteers
A few Malama Pono Punalu'u volunteers gathered for orientation last Friday. They man a daily watch until sundown, after the lifeguards leave Punalu'u, to ensure that beachgoers keep their distance from green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles. Green sea turtles live at the beach and are a big attraction for tourists to take their photos. Hawksbill turtles come in periodically to nest. Anyone interested in joining Malama Pono Punalu'u, call organizer Guy Enriques at 808-217-2253 or email enriques@hawaii.rr.com. See story: http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/search?q=Malama+Pono+Punalu%27u
Photo from Malama Pono Punalu'u

MICHAEL LAST, LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE TO REPRESENT ALL OF KAʻŪ IN THE STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, has released a statement on his propositions and endorsements:
    He said he wants mandatory term limits for Representatives and Senators in the Hawaiʻi State Legislature. "Such term limits should be as agreed to by the members of the legislature. They should be equal to those already in place for the other elected positions within the state- such as, but not limited to Governor, Lieutenant Governor, County Council, County Mayors."
    Last said he "will not now, nor ever solicit or accept contributions to further my campaign. To believe in myself and what I can do for the people of Hawaiʻi is enough motivation for me. I think that it is not the job of anyone else to ensure my success, aside from their voting for me. I never will be, 'The best politician money can buy!'"
    Last promised to "never accept bribes, regardless of what it is called. It is illegal. Just ask Senator English or Representative Cullen (among former public officials.)"
    Last denounced the practice of legislators voting "Yes, with reservations." He called it "just a ploy to ensure that they always have an 'out.' If a vote is passed, they say, 'See, I voted for it.' And if it is voted down, 'I voted with reservations.'"  
    Last noted that Hawaiʻi is the only state with this means of voting among all the legislatures in the U.S..
  "State government must cut regulations that impede economic growth," said Last.  He said that the Jones
Michael Last in a previous July 4 parade
 when he ran for state Senate. Now he is
 running for House. Photo by Julia Neal
Act, which requires ships going from U.S. port to port to be built and largely manned by U.S. citizens, "falls under this type of regulation. Eliminate it, along with other requirements that effect how our citizens live and prosper." The Jones Act is blamed for making good more expensive in Hawaiʻi by increasing the cost of shipping.
   Last recommends that Hawaiʻi legalize all forms of gambling, "Period! I and no one else should dictate how another person spends their money, or not. It might be against someone's better judgment, however that doesn't mean you have a right to tell others how to live. Unless gambling and other 'vices' have a negative impact on non-participants, what is the problem? Just to make things clear as to where I stand on this issue- I don't partake in any form of gambling. Maybe that is why so many others go to Las Vegas for the same reason I do... the food! And never the games of chance."
      Those with comments or questions about where the Libertarian candidate stands, "or anything else-please call me," said Last. "My home telephone number is 808-929-8422."

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

Gov. David Ige announced Monday his intent to veto 30 bills that passed the 2022
 Hawaiʻi Legislature
. Photo from Office of the Governor
GOV. DAVID IGE INTENDS TO VETO 30 of 340  BILLS PASSED BY THE 2022 HAWAIʻI LEGISLATURE. He issued his intend to veto list on Monday, to include:
 
   HB1705 – RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PARK LEASES. It allows the Department of Agriculture to extend the agricultural park lease of any lessee who holds a lease with a remaining term of 15 years or less, provided that the land covered by the lease is 25 acres or less and located in a county with a population of less than 500,000.
    The governor said, "The agricultural park program is meant to be a start-up program for new farmers and other small farm operations to become commercially established. This program is not meant to be a permanent space for lessees but rather a temporary environment to support new and expanding businesses. Many of the current lessees have had leases for close to 55 years, and there is a current wait list of over 200 applicants for new leases. This bill extends old leases by another 30 years and that extension can be repeated indefinitely. The largest hurdle that young farmers face is access to available and appropriately sized agricultural lands. Expanding opportunities for more farmers is important for our food security and allowing them equal access to this agricultural park program is one of the critical ways we can ensure
growth in the agricultural industry."
    HB1567 – RELATING TO CRIMINAL PRETRIAL REFORM. It eliminates  the use of monetary bail and requires defendants to be released on their own recognizance for certain nonviolent offenses, subject to certain exclusions. Requires the department of public safety to take steps to provide videoconferencing to a defendant who chooses to participate in a bail report interview via video conference.
 The governor said: "There has not been sufficient time since the Legislature made changes to the State's criminal pre-trial system by Act 179, Session Laws of Hawaiʻi 2019, to fully assess the effect of the changes. The bill does not adequately address several important issues, including the need to secure the appearance of defendants and it deprives judges of the ability to exercise discretion on a case-by-case basis. The bill would mandate the automatic release of defendants that are charged with class C felonies that pose significant risks to public safety, such as felon in possession (firearm), burglaries in the second degree, arson in the third degree, riot, cruelty to animals, promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, and extortion in the second degree."
    HB1570 – RELATING TO THE YOUTH VAPING EPIDEMIC. It bans the sale of certain flavored tobacco products and mislabeled e-liquid products and establishes fines.
     The governor said, "There was a late amendment to the definition of 'flavored tobacco product' in this bill which exempted certain FDA approved tobacco products. This amendment essentially renders the bill ineffective since very few products would actually be included in this ban. In addition, the bill contains subjects that may go beyond its title in violation of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution."
    HB1980 – RELATING TO TELEPHONIC SERVICES.  The bill permits, but does not require or
prohibit, Medicaid, health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to cover telephonic behavioral health services under certain circumstances. Clarifies that telephonic services do not constitute telehealth.
    The governor said, "While the intent of this bill is appreciated, its wording is vague and may allow insurance providers to restrict access to telephonic services. The vague wording can be construed to either restrict when a health plan may voluntarily provide coverage or provide purely permissive authority for health plans to provide coverage. This may prompt health insurance plans to restrict or exclude coverage for telephonic services due to concerns of compliance with this bill. This could especially impact patients in rural and underserved areas, those with limited digital skills, or those with limited access to reliable internet service."
    SB2142 – RELATING TO COMPUTER SCIENCE: It allows Department of Education students to fulfill graduation requirements by taking world language, fine arts, career and technical education, or computer science courses. Establishes a scholarship at the University of Hawaiʻi to encourage students majoring in education to take a computer science course. Requires the University of Hawaiʻi to establish computer science pathways for students majoring in education. Requires teacher licensing and certification to include computer science. It also appropriates funds.
    The governor said: "This bill diminishes the power of the Board of Education to formulate statewide educational policy, as established by Section 3 of Article X of the Hawaiʻi State Constitution. While adding Computer Science as a graduation requirement is a good idea, it is a decision best left to the expertise and constitutional authority of the Board of Education. More concerning is the additional admissions requirements for the University of Hawai‘i system, which would be applicable to all campuses. Community colleges have an open admissions policy and do not have academic-based admissions requirements. This bill could result in barriers to education that would impact non-traditional and disadvantaged people who seek higher education."
     

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

See The Kaʻū Calendar June edition at www.kaucalendar.com.

VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE welcomes walking and riding groups and individuals. It is sponsored by Volcano Community Association in Volcano Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Monday, July 4 parade starts at the Post Office at 9 a.m. and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd., followed by Cooper Center's Independence Day celebration packed with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, keiki games and a large silent auction from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Parking maps can be found at www.thecoopercenter.org. (No parking at Cooper Center except handicap permitted vehicles with prior reservation.)

SPONSOR A BUCKLE, VOTE FOR RODEO QUEEN ahead of the Saturday, July 9 Rodeo organized by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Event to be held on the rodeo grounds behind Nāʻālehu Park. Call 808-854-7917.   

BECOME A SPONSOR AT THE 3RD ANNUAL EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Last year, over 2,500 visitors attended and over 40 events were featured during the EVH festival. Sign up as a sponsor at experiencevolcano.com. If you have questions, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com. All vendor locations are taken.

SIGN UP FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNS with a change of date from July 3 to Sept. 17. Registration deadline for the annual event is Sept. 14. Organized by Hawaiʻi Island Racers, the 50K begins at 6 a.m., Half Marathon at 7 a.m., and 5K at 7:15 a.m., all starting from Kaʻū Coffee Mill at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road in Pāhala. Proceeds go to support ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. For more details on the event and registration fees, visit https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/.

SEE EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR
at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

Sunday, June 26, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, June 26, 2022

Kelis and Elzhi Santos with their Keiki Booth of cookies, chips and candies at the Ocean View Keiki Market. See more below.
 Photo by Hillary Spencer

"WE NEED REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE," said west Kaʻū's legislator in the state House of Representatives. Jeanné Kapela released this statement Sunday: "The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and eviscerated 50 years of precedent supporting a woman's right to abortion care. In so doing, the Court undermined generations of progress in privacy rights and left thousands of people at risk of injury, imprisonment, and death. 
     "Yet, women's existence cannot be overturned. As the Court's conservative majority sets our country on
Jeanné Kapela is drafting proposals "to make Hawaiʻi 
a sanctuary state for abortion providers and their patients."
a path toward tyranny, we must not be silent in the face of oppression. Abortion care is essential to freedom and liberty. We must organize to take back our society from those who are trying to erase not just our rights, but the citizenship of our neighbors and our children. 
     "I am dedicated to strengthening the right to reproductive care in our islands. As soon as the Court's ruling was announced, my office began drafting proposals to make Hawaiʻi a sanctuary state for abortion providers and their patients. 
     "Additionally, we are planning to sponsor legislation that will preserve access to medically-accurate information for abortion patients, increase funds for service providers and their clients, and maintain a diverse workforce of reproductive care specialists to deliver services in underserved areas. 
     "This fight is far from over. While abortion rights remain intact in Hawaiʻi, we will nonetheless be impacted by this week's decision."
    Kapela recommended donating to the National Network for Abortion Funds at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fundabortionnow
     "Women's rights are human rights. As your representative, I will always fight for a future in which reproductive care is safe, legal, and available on demand," said Kapela.

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html.

Feather Works by Luka is the enterprise of Luka Doherty of Ocean View who joined in the Ocean View
Keiki Market on Sunday. Photo by Hillary Spencer

Panika Brightwater holds her puppy and looks over her
 collection of DVD's for sale at the Ocean View Keiki Market
 on Sunday. Photo by Hillary Spencer

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS IN OCEAN VIEW took to selling their products and their creations, food and drinks on Sunday in an event sponsored by Ocean View Community Market at Highway 11 and Kona Drive. Called Ocean View Keiki Market, the special day drew some 14 keiki vendors from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
     Nya Harnage sold slimes and glow sticks. Steller Robson sold waffles. Theron Harnage sold shakes and coffee, while Noa and Naia Stephens sold sweets and treats. Izzy and Justice Young sponsored a booth called Gone Fishing, with their art and other items. Imani Harnage sold hand sewn merchandise and John Grant sold his hydro dipped birdhouses. 
    Aspyn Estrada sold ice lemonade. Adrian, Addison, Adian and Ariel Richmond sold Value Bites Hotdogs, drinks and snacks. Kayana Cohen sold bath bombs and Panika Bridgewater sold DVD's. Heather Mcnish and Evalyn Grace sold baked goods. Luka Doherty sold her her Feather Works creations.
Value Bites, a hot dog, drink and snacks stand by the Richmond
 family, with young entrepreneurs Adrian, Addison, Adian and Ariel.
Photo by Hillary Spencer
    Several of the young vendors said they are looking for more events and markets where they can grow their businesses.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see
See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com

KAUKAU 4 KEIKI KICKED OFF FRIDAY in Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Ocean View and runs through July 29 with a free bag of food each Friday for all those who signed up.
    At Pāhala Hongwanji, Kaukau 4 Keiki's coordinator Katie Graham and volunteers handed out a package of fresh farmed food, frozen kalo from the Ulu Cooperative and a gift certificate for Malama market to a driver delivering to a family with children.
    The program is run by The Food Basket with funding from County of Hawaiʻi to help feed children who are away from school where they receive free breakfasts and lunches. Fresh produce was purchased from Kaʻū farmers Marlene and Rodney Freitas, Annie Ridgely, Riley Farm and Cody Wortman.

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 at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html. 

Kaʻū Captain for Kaukau 4 Keiki giving out a package with kalo, fresh produce from Kaʻū and a
Malama Market certificate to a driver taking it to a family with children. Photo by Julia Neal

See The Kaʻū Calendar June edition at www.kaucalendar.com.

VOLCANO VILLAGE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE welcomes walking and riding groups and individuals. It is sponsored by Volcano Community Association in Volcano Village from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Monday, July 4 parade starts at the Post Office at 9 a.m. and ends at Cooper Center on Wright Rd., followed by Cooper Center’s Independence Day celebration packed with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, keiki games and a large silent auction from 9 a.m.to 11:30 a.m. Parking maps can be found at www.thecoopercenter.org. (No parking at Cooper Center except handicap permitted vehicles with prior reservation.)

SPONSOR A BUCKLE, VOTE FOR RODEO QUEEN ahead of the Saturday, July 9 Rodeo organized by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association and ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. Event to be held on the rodeo grounds behind Nāʻālehu Park. Call 808-854-7917.   

BECOME A SPONSOR AT THE 3RD ANNUAL EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Last year, over 2,500 visitors attended and over 40 events were featured during the EVH festival. Sign up as a sponsor at experiencevolcano.com. If you have questions, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com. All vendor locations are taken.

SIGN UP FOR KAʻŪ COFFEE TRAIL RUNS with a change of date from July 3 to Sept. 17. Registration deadline for the annual event is Sept. 14. Organized by Hawaiʻi Island Racers, the 50K begins at 6 a.m., Half Marathon at 7 a.m., and 5K at 7:15 a.m., all starting from Kaʻū Coffee Mill at 96-2696 Wood Valley Road in Pāhala. Proceeds go to support ʻO Kaʻū Kākou. For more details on the event and registration fees, visit https://www.kaucoffeetrailruns.com/.

SEE EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR
at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html