Sunday, July 03, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Sunday, July 3, 2022

 
Parading Comes Back After Covid Down Time
Leading the parade through Nāʻālehu on Saturday, the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou banner celebrates Independence. See the photos below, including winner of Most Patriotic, and know that the Volcano 4th of July Parade begins on Monday at 9 a.m. on Old Volcano Hwy and Wright Road, followed by festivities at Cooper Center.  Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses
HAWAIʻI HAS THE LOWEST GUN MORTALITY RATE IN THE COUNTRY but Hawaiʻi County Prosecutor Kelden Waltjen and other prosecutors, corporation counsels and police chiefs around the state are worried about pressure to allow the public to openly carry handguns in public places.
The bald eagle marches ahead of baseball players.
Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses
    The concern comes in the wake of a Supreme Court decision last week that points to gun laws in Hawaiʻi, California, New Jersey and Maryland, suggesting they are too restrictive and should be reviewed. Last week the Supreme Court overturned a New York law requiring a person wanting to carry a handgun to prove a special need, "a proper cause."
     Hawaiʻi's law is similar to New York's and police chiefs here have issued only four permits to carry a gun in public in 22 years. The Supreme Court decision takes away the discretion of the police chiefs.
     On Sunday, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser published a statement from the state Attorney General's office that says, "The Department of the Attorney General had a productive initial meeting with the counties … and looks forward to further discussing with them how to best ensure the safety of the community, while responding to the recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion. Determining the
Thy Word Ministries takes first in the parade entries as Most Patriotic.
Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses
best way to respond to the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling while ensuring the protection of public safety is a complex undertaking. The department is committed to working with all stakeholders in the coming months to address these issues.”
      The meeting last Thursday involved police chiefs, prosecutors and other public officials statewide. According to the Advertiser story, the Hawaiʻi County Prosecuting Attorney, said, that he "plans to meet with Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance and Hawaiʻi Police Department Chief Paul Ferreira to discuss how the county 'will be addressing any appropriate changes to application processes and enforcement,' in consultation with the AG’s office."
    The Advertiser also reported that "from 2010 to 2019, Hawaiʻi County had the highest gun death rate, followed by Kauaʻi County. Honolulu had the lowest gun death rate during that period, followed by Maui County."

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Kaʻū Auto Repair carries a crashed car to warn of the dangers of drinking and driving.
Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses

THE LEGALITY OF AERIAL AND OTHER FIREWORKS has drawn a statement from the Hawaiʻi Police Department. Hawaiʻi Island police issued a statement saying the department "is concerned about illegal aerial fireworks" and is "reminding the public about the rules governing the use of fireworks so they may enjoy a safe Fourth of July."
Ocean View Auto Parts rolls with a bold logo design.
Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses
    Hawaiʻi state law dictates that anyone purchasing, possessing, storing, setting off, igniting or discharging aerial devices, display fireworks or articles pyrotechnic without a valid pyrotechnic permit may face Class C felony charges resulting in a five-year term of imprisonment if convicted.
    "Please remember that anyone igniting aerial pyrotechnic displays risk not only their life but also the lives of loved ones nearby and potentially neighbors as well," says the HPD statement.
    Legal fireworks are permitted from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday, July 4. Residents who want to set off fireworks must have paid a permit fee of $25, available from the Hawai‘i Fire Department, which allows an adult to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers."
Kaʻū Baseball is back, and marching in the parade in Nāʻālehu. Photo by Lina Kolosov

    Common fireworks allowed without a permit include: Cylindrical fountains; Cone fountains; Wheels;
Illuminating torches and colored fire; Dipped sticks; Sparklers; and Salutes.

Miranda Farms celebrates independence, its owners successful refugees from El Salvador, creating Kaʻū Coffee farms.
Photo by Lina Kolosov
     Fireworks are prohibited at any time outside the specified time period on the Fourth of July;
in any school building or on any school grounds without authorization from school officials, within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, church where services are held, and zoo, animal hospital or shelter.
Hawai'ʻi County Band is a regular at the Independence Day Parade. Photo by Lina Kolosov
   Prohibited fireworks include: Jumping jacks; Flying pigs; Rockets; Helicopters; Satellites; Roman candles; Mines; Shells; and Aerial luminary devices, also known as sky lanterns.
Friends of Kaʻū Libraries has been integral in keeping libraries
 open to the public in Kaʻū. Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses
 Hawai‘i Police Department reminds residents that it’s also illegal to: Extract the explosive or pyrotechnic contents from any fireworks; and to throw ignited fireworks at, into, or from a moving vehicle.
   It is illegal for anyone under the age of 18 purchase, possess or ignite any fireworks unless they are under the immediate supervision and control of their parents or an authorized adult.
    HPD also issued Fireworks Safety Tips for Pets from the County of Hawai‘i Animal Control Services: Keep pet secured inside. Pets tied up outside can panic due to the loud noise and may break their tie-out or jump over a fence to escape the noise. Make sure  pet is microchipped and the current owner information is updated, to help increase the chances of reunification.
First responders roll through Nāʻālehu, supporting the Independence Day Parade. Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses
    Go to Foundanimals.org to register pet’s microchip. Thunder shirts, favorite treats, and crating, are all ways to help keep pets calm. Check with veterinarian about anxiety medications for dogs. Check  yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets to explore the area.
   HPD also asks the public “to please kokua by following the rules regarding fireworks to reduce the risk of injuries to people and pets alike.” Police say officers “will be enforcing the fireworks law and looking for violators. Violators are subject to a fine of up to $500.”

Firefighter and medic Jack Moses of the Pāhala Engine Co. II.
Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses
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.

ENJOY 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. See experiencevolcano.com. With questions, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com. 
All vendor locations are taken.
"Your Life Will Never Be the Same,"  are the words from 
Nāʻālehu Assembly of God. Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses

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
OKK sponsored a fun site for keiki and bingo for seniors at Nāʻālehu Ballpark and Community Center
after the Independence Day Parade. Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses

After the Parade
Thy Word Ministries takes first in the competition during the Independence Day Parade,
sponsored by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou in Nāʻālehu on July 2. Photo by Lee McIntosh
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