The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island: Jun 1, 2022

Wednesday, June 01, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, June 1, 2022

June 1 marks the beginning of Wildfire & Drought Lookout season. In this photo, firefighters tackle the Keauhou Ranch wildfire, reportedly sparked by repairs to a bulldozer in August 2018. The fire burned more than 3,200 acres in and around Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. NPS photo/D.Benitez

THE 2022 WILDFIRE & DROUGHT LOOKOUT was launched Wednesday. The annual statewide wildfire awareness and preparedness campaign is the product of 35 Hawai'i-based agencies and diverse entities, including all the fire departments in the state.
Their statement says, "In the past decade, wildfires across Hawaii have been increasing in frequency, size, and impacts. This season is no exception, as we have already seen fires begin to occur across the state

and anticipate fire danger to worsen in the coming months. We are writing now to invite you to help get critical wildfire preparedness information to your colleagues, stakeholders, friends, neighbors, and constituents. We are aiming for a wildfire-aware and wildfire-prepared Hawaii. #wildfirereadyHI."
Resources can be found on the main campaign webpage at www.hawaiiwildfire.org/lookout.

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 tml

AULANI FREITAS IS HAWAI'I ISLAND'S NEW FILM COMMISSIONER. Hawaiʻi County named her to the position within the Department of Research & Development. A statement from the county on Wednesday says Mayor Mitch Roth made the appointment. "Commissioner Freitas brings nearly two decades of television and film industry experience to her new role, having most recently worked on shows such as American Idol and Magnum P.I. She has also worked within the State of Hawaiʻi Creative Industries Division."
Her appointment begins June 16. Freitas said she is energized by the opportunities that exist for film and creative industries on Hawaiʻi Island. "We are a huge island and could accommodate a large commercial structure to house a future film studio and creatives to create better-paying positions on Hawaiʻi Island."

Aulani Freitas is Hawai'i Island's new film commissioner. She
will work within the county Office of Research & Development.
Photo from County of Hawai'i

The mayor said, "We are excited to have a highly experienced, Native Hawaiian woman driving the film industry here on Hawaiʻi Island. The film industry's future here begins and ends with thoughtfulness and respect. We are confident that Aulani will bring that attitude to the table while elevating Hawaiʻi Island as the best place to film blockbuster feature films, documentaries, and everything in between."
Freitas said her favorite movie is Field of Dreams. The county statement says she often quotes from the film, "If you build it, they will come," and that she will work "to create positions in all facets of production. She has a big vision and is excited to bring sustainable jobs to Hawaiʻi Island workers while helping film and creative industries diversify our island's economy."

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 tml

MAHALO FROM THE HPD for help in locating a person wanted for questioning in connection with an arson investigation in Nāʻālehu is the message released Wednesday. "Hawai‘i Island police would like to thank the public for their assistance in locating Brenda Kekoa, who was wanted for questioning in connection with an arson investigation.

On Monday, May 9, 2022, around 11:30 p.m., Ka‘ū patrol officers responded to a structure fire on the 95-1200 block of Ohai Road in Nā‘ālehu. Prior to arrival, the fire had spread to a neighboring residence, creating a second structure fire. No one was seriously injured during this incident. In the course of their investigation, detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section determined that the fire was intentionally set and that Kekoa was responsible for the fire.
On Tuesday, May 31, 2022, with assistance from Ka‘ū patrol, detectives located and arrested Kekoa at a residence in Nā‘ālehu. After conferring with the County Prosecutor’s Office, police charged Kekoa with two counts of arson in the first degree. Her bail was set at $20,000. Kekoa made her initial court appearance on Wednesday, June 1, at Kona District Court. Anyone with information on this arson investigation is encouraged to contact Detective Anson Caceres at (808) 326-4646 Ext. 225; or via email at anson.caceres@hawaiicounty.gov. Also contact the Hawaii Police Department’s non-eemergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.

FINDING PILINA IS KU'IKAHI'S TOPIC FOR FINDING SOLUTIONS, GROWING PEACE, at noon, the third Thursday of this month, June 16, through its Brown Bag Lunch Series. Effective Communication Through Relationship Building is the title for event available via zoom.

Troy Andrade teaches finding pilina -peace, and heads
Ulu Lehua Scholars Program at U.H. William C.
Richardson Law School. He is featured in this month's
Ku'ikahi's June 16, monthly Brown Bag Lunch event.

This month’s speakers include Troy J.H. Andrade, is a law professor and Director of the Ulu Lehua Scholars Program at the William S. Richardson School of Law. Another is Charles Crumpton, who was a civil litigation attorney from 1978-2014 and since 1985 is a mediator and arbitrator who teaches collaborative leadership and conflict resolution. Also speaking is Elizabeth Kent, J.D., who formerly practiced commercial law and currently is a mediator and meeting facilitator who also teaches conflict resolution.
Andrade said, “One important, and often underutilized, tool of effective communication is to find and build pilina--strong relationships based on mutual respect and understanding."
In this conversation, panelists will discuss tips to create connections among participants in a mediation, classroom, or gathering, to ensure connectedness that could lead to better outcomes.
Ku'ikahi’s Brown Bag Lunch Series is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to enjoy an informal and educational talk-story session and connect with others interested in Finding Solutions, Growing Peace.
To get the Zoom link, register online at https://freebrownbagtalk.eventbrite.com.For more information, contact Ku‘ikahi Mediation Center at (808) 935-7844 or info@hawaiimediation.org. Or visit www.hawaiimediation.org.
This lunch-and-learn series is made possible in part to funding from County of Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Island United Way.