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Wednesday, May 04, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, May 4, 2022

Mildred Andrade is 101. She is a resident in the long-term care unit of Kaʻū Hospital where staff recently held
a birthday celebration for her. Photo from Kaʻū Hospital

MILDRED ANDRADE IS 101. This week, Kaʻū Hospital announced the celebration of her 101st
birthday. "Mildred has been with us since July of 2011, that’s 11 years! She used to live in Nāʻālehu and had two daughters, Merle and Dale. She enjoys doing puzzles and looking at food magazines. Everyone knows her as the lady who is always dolled up with hair accessories and jewelry when she goes out to the dayroom for activities. Mildred loves eating cone sushi and mochi. For a 101 year old, she is still rocking it. We all so dearly love her and want to see her celebrate another year. So, please send her well wishes for this to happen," says the statement from the staff of Kaʻū Hospital.

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HAWAI'I HAS THE FEWEST OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS ISSUED per 100 persons of all the 50 states and Washington, D.C., according to a WalletHub study released this week, which is National Prevention Week. The study shows 80 prescriptions per 100 Alabama residents, the state with the most, and 27 per 100 residents in Hawai'i.
    Nationwide, the number of annual drug overdose deaths in the U.S. has topped 100,000. The study compares the 50 states and the District in terms of 21 key metrics, ranging from arrest and overdose rates to opioid prescriptions and employee drug testing laws.
     The study states that Hawai'i has the second lowest percentage of adults with unmet drug treatment needs. It also states that Hawai'i has one of the highest number of substance abuse treatment facilities per 100,000 drug users. See the entire report at https://wallethub.com/edu/drug-use-by-state/35150

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.

Rep. Richard Onishi negotiated
 higher wages in Hawai'i
MINIMUM WAGE WILL GO UP from $10.10 an hour to $12 an hour in October, according to an agreement reached by the state House and Senate. The hike would continue to $14 an hour in 2024, $16 in 2026 and $18 in 2028.
    Richard Onishi, the East Kaʻū and Volcano Representative in the State House, introduced the original bill and served as negotiator for amendments during discussions back and forth between House and Senate. The final draft of the measure would allow a tip credit against the wages, aimed at reducing the impact of the wage increase to owners of restaurants.

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-

HAWAI'I COUNTY COUNCIL TURNED DOWN AN EFFORT TO LOWER THE FUEL TAX this week. The vote was tied at four to four, with the ninth council member not present. Those against lowering the county fuel tax said the money is needed for repairs and maintenance of county roads.

THE RISING COSTS OF BASIC NECESSITIES "is a top issue for people in our County and District right now, especially for those who were already on a tight budget." These are the words from Michelle Galimba, who is running for County Council for the district stretching from Volcano into South Kona. She said, "One way that we can help our community is to donate to service organizations like the Nāʻālehu Resilience Hub."
    Galimba said the community can help keep Nāʻālehu Resilience Hub going strong by giving food items or by a monetary donation. Open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., the Hub is located at Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, 95-5695 Hawaiʻi Belt Road.
County Council candidate Michelle Galimba
advocates for Na'alehu Resilience Hub.
  Galimba noted that The Hub provides free meals and pantry items, internet and laptop access, help with accessing resources and information, as well as a space of community and caring. It started in 2020, initially providing help to local residents affected by the shut-down of the economy due to COVID19. "The Hub continues to help Kaʻū residents to make ends meet during this time of rising prices."
    The candidate was one of the organizers of The Hub and noted that it is supported by grant funding and monetary donations, as well as "generous donations of produce, meat, and fish by local farmers, ranchers and fishermen." The community farm at Kaʻū Valley Farm and the Global Learning Lab at Kaʻū High School donate produce regularly. "Recently, local fishermen John and Jason Masters provided the Hub with freshly caught marlin, while farm produce and avocados were donated by Brian Blackburn and Michael Crohn of Avoland. Local ranchers also provide local grass-fed beef regularly," said Galimba.
    Staffed by Christine Alley, Marcia Masters, Shauna Ferguson, and Jason Masters, the Hub gets volunteer help from Lynn Kohara, Debbie Boardman, Stephanie Ueda, Dolly Kaʻiliawa, and John and Velvet Replogle. Wayne Kawachi, Nadine Ebert, and Glenn Okamura of 'O Kaʻū Kākou, as well as Masako Sakata of Nāʻālehu Hongwanji, Janice Ikeda of Vibrant Hawaiʻi and Kendis Kado of Honu'apo Foundation have provided ongoing support to the Hub as representatives of their organizations. Galimba said that monetary donations can be dropped off at the Hub while it is open, or by mail to: 'O Kaʻū Kākou, PO Box 365, Pāhala HI 96777.

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WRITTEN TESTIMONY IS DUE FRIDAY FOR MILOLIʻI COMMUNITY-BASED SUBSISTENCE FISHING AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN. By the end of May 6, submit testimony to state Division of Aquatic Resources, 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 330, Honolulu, HI 96813. Email DLNR.Aquatics@hawaii.gov. All interested persons may submit testimony. To view the online Public Hearing held on April 20, go to: www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGVbR8IMi1hnPksQeSVUZA. Also see The Kaʻū Calendar story at 



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THE DEADLINE TO APPLY TO RUN TO BECOME A DEMOCRATIC PARTY OFFICIAL is this Saturday, May 7. The election will be during the statewide convention is May 27-29.
      A statement from Hawai'i County Democratic Party says, 
"Electing Party Officials is one of the many things we do at the DPH State Convention. The deadline to file to run is this Saturday, May 7th at 11:59 PM. Information to run for Party Chair or State Central Committee Senate Representative is found on the Democratic Party website along with forms to register as a delegate and for committee membership and other positions." See https://www.dphconvention.com/how-to

KIRK CALDWELL HAS WITHDRAWN FROM THE GOVERNOR'S RACE. The former Honolulu mayor had noted his rural ties. He grew up in Hilo, son of the late Paul Caldwell, an obstetrician treating sugar plantation families on the eastside of Hawai'i Island for 30 years. 
    In the Democratic primary, major candidates include Lt. Gov. Josh Green and the possibility of Congressman Kai Kalehe. Also running on the Democratic ticket is former first lady and businesswoman Vicky Cayetano.
 
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.

LEI LAʻI WORKSHOP at Kahuku Visitor Contact Station  in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is on Friday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m. Learn to wili (twist) a ti leaf lei. Materials provided. This workshop is part of ʻIke Hana Noʻeau (a Hawaiian skills program) on the first Friday of every month.

CINCO DE MAYO DINNER at St. Jude’s Episcopal Church is on Friday, May 6. Doors open at 4 p.m. Dinner includes enchilada, Spanish rice, refried beans, and dessert. Dine in or take out. From Hwy 11 turn mauka on Donola Dr to Paradise Pkwy. Turn right to the church.

TI LEAF LEI MAKING WORKSHOP WITH KAIPO AH CHONG on Saturday, May 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus. Kaipo will teach the making of basic ti rope and inserts to create a full leafy beautiful lei. The class fee is $20/$15 for VAC members plus a $10 supply fee. Pre-registration is required. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org/events/.

SEE MORE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO
See The Ka'ū Calendar May edition at
www.kaucalendar.com, on newsstands and in the mail.