Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023

Gov. Josh Green promised $100 million toward climate initiatives and promised more renewable
energy like Tawhiri windmills at South Point. Photo by Peter Anderson

GOV. JOSH GREEN'S MAJOR CLIMATE SPEECH, on Monday, included his vision for renewable energy and climate action in Hawai'i. "To rescue what's dear to us, to preserve our way of life — we need bold action. And Hawaiʻi is poised to lead the globe on clean energy and climate issues — boldly, into the future." Green announced a slew of major climate policy initiatives including a recommitment to the U.S. Climate Alliance, and the establishment of a Climate Advisory Panel.

See www.usclimatealliance.org

    U.S. Climate Alliance Executive Director, Casey Katims, commented "We welcome Hawaiʻi's continued membership in our climate action coalition and are proud to partner with Governor Green, a longtime champion of renewable energy and clean transportation. Under the Governor's leadership, we know Hawaiʻi will continue to boldly confront the climate crisis and set an example across the country, throughout the Pacific, and globally."
    U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Hawaiʻi is the only Pacific Island member of the coalition.
    The Governor has also assembled a small panel of local climate, business, energy, and community leaders to help formulate goals and responsibilities of a cabinet-level senior climate advisor position and to support the recruitment of candidates for the Governor's consideration over the next month.

He said that the leader in this new climate position will work to foster collaboration on climate initiatives across departments; accelerate the adoption of climate and clean energy policies; and coordinate implementation of and funding for clean energy, climate, and resiliency initiatives. The position will also help align and leverage broader public and private community interests with the bold, rapid changes we need to make.

Dawn Chang, nominated by Gov. Josh Green to Chair DLNR, speaks
 out on Climate Change. Read her interview on Hawai'i Public Radio at 
https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conversation/2023-01-06/gov-greens-
nomination-to-lead-dept-of-land-and-natural-resources-on-facing-
opposition?fbclid=IwAR0AJPwHeWd0a66m99vFqUdr80ttzN9OO0SUNF_
9pGgPWRJUgZG5a7o6xDE. Photo from Hawai'i Public Radio

    Chairing the Climate Advisory Panel will be Dawn Lippert, CEO of Elemental Excelerator, and Chris Benjamin, CEO of Alexander & Baldwin, who will be working with the climate leaders on the Governor's cabinet.
    Other climate and energy announcements include the pursuit of major federal and private investments into the state for solar, energy efficiency, and energy storage technologies to reduce costs and create healthier communities, and a commitment of no less than $100 million to a climate impact fund to fight climate change and preserve the state's natural resources.
     Monday was Climate Action Day in Hawaiʻi and marked the beginning of Hawaiʻi Climate Week. Other events held during Climate Week include a Youth Summit, Science Summit, a discussion on Pacific Island Women at the United Nations climate change conference known as COP27, and an Energy Policy Forum.

Scott Glenn, new Director of Office of Planning & Sustainable Development.
See https://planning.hawaii.gov/

    State Department of Land & Natural Resources Chair Dawn Chang said, “Successful mitigation and adaptation require both comprehensive education and action. We’re stepping up to the challenge of leading the world with our response to climate change.”
    “We can already see the impacts of climate change on our lands, ocean, economy, and livelihoods. This means impacted communities need a place at the table. Events like Climate Action Day provide an important opportunity for this to occur,” said Scott Glenn, Director of the State Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, and Commission Co-Chair.

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FREE FOOD

St. Jude's Hot Meals are free to those in need on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until food runs out, no later than noon. Volunteers from the community are welcome to help and can contact Karen at pooch53@gmail.com. Location is 96-8606 Paradise Circle Drive in Ocean View.  Those in need can also take hot showers from 9 a.m. to noon and use the computer lab from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Masks and social distancing required.

Free Meals Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are served from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Nā'ālehu Hongwanji. Volunteers prepare the food provided by 'O Ka'ū Kākou with fresh produce from its gardens on the farm of Eva Liu, who supports the project. Other community members also make donations and approximately 150 meals are served each day, according to OKK President Wayne Kawachi.

OUTDOOR MARKETS

Volcano Evening Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See facebook.com.

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.

'O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner of Kona Drive and Highway 11, where Thai Grindz is located. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no reservations needed. Parking in the upper lot only. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.

Ocean View Swap Meet at Ocean View makai shopping center, near Mālama Market. Hours for patrons are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Vendor set-up time is 5 a.m. Masks required.

The Book Shack is open every Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Kauaha'ao Congregational Church grounds at 95-1642 Pinao St. in Wai'ōhinu.