Sunday, July 02, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, July 1, 2023

The Color Guard for the Independence Day Parade in Nāʻālehu on Saturday, Makana Gravela and Dedrick Souza.
  Photo by Lee McIntosh

Lei for horse and pāpale for paniolo, a street-length gown to the road for Princess
 London Dacalio and Justin Amarillo, Jr., representing Ni'ihau with the color
white and adornment, the pūpū shell. Photo by Lee McIntosh
NĀ'ĀLEHU INDEPENDENCE DAY  PARADE DREW REVELERS on horseback, classic vehicles, floats and on foot this Saturday. It is the first parade of the season, the next in Volcano July 4.
      Mayor Mitch Roth walked with the carriers of the banner beneath the shade of tree lined streets of the village of Nāʻālehu. Also coming to Kaʻū was the Hawai'i County Band.
      Live music came from a lone bagpipe player, the county band and church singers. 
    The winning float was Thy Word Ministries, the Christian church that meets Sundays at the Buddhist Nāʻālehu Hongwanji.
Kaua'i color is purple, its plant the mokihana berry, presented by Richard
 and Tiana Souza. Photo by Lee McIntosh
    Pā'u riders with princesses and escorts represented the colors and flowers of each island, their horses bedecked with giant lei.
    There were more than 20 groups participating in the parade, from Hawaiian Civic Club of Kaʻū to Kaʻū Multicultural Society, Kahuku Unit of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Friends of Kaʻū Libraries and Nāʻālehu Assembly of God to Kaʻū Baseball and Kaʻū High & Pahala Elementary School.
    Volunteer, County of Hawai'i and National Park fire departments joined the parade.
    Businesses on parade included Kaʻū Auto Repair and Ocean View Auto Parts,
    The non-profit 'O Kaʻū Kakou community organization and its President Wayne Kawachi put on the parade each year, followed by food, bingo and activities for children at Nāʻālehu Community Center and field. See more in Sunday's Kaʻū News Briefs.
Lana'i  color orange and its plant the Kaunaoa, presented by
Richard Souza III and Laina Souza. Photo by Lee McIntosh
O'ahu color is yellow, its flower ilima, presented by Mckella and Graydon Akana.
 Photo by Lee McIntosh

FLIGHT OPERATIONS FOR HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK are announced for July. On Tuesday, July 11 between 6:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Hawai'i Volcanoes will send up a crew via helicopter for ungulate survey at Kahuku between 4,000-ft. and 6,000-ft. elevation.
    In addition, the U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory will conduct numerous helicopter flights in the park:
Maui color is pink, its flower Lokelani rose, presented by Lily Dacalio
 and Mauka Balucan. Photo by Lee McIntosh

.   Between July 14 and 31, near-daily flights are planned by USGS to deploy and retrieve temporary magnetotellurics instruments across the entire Kīlauea volcano, from sea level to 3,300-ft. elevation. The flights will occur within and outside Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
    USGS HVO may conduct additional flight operations over Kīlauea and Mauna Loa to assess volcanic activity and maintain instrumentation.
    The park sent out a statement saying it regrets any noise impact to residents and park visitors. Dates and times are subject to change based on aircraft availability and weather. The statement also says that 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 backcountry facilities.

Moloka'i color is green, its flower from the kukui nut tree, presented by Jen Caruthers and Pua Calicdan.
Photo by June Domondon


Kaho'olawe color is gray, its plant Hinahina, presented by Lorilee Lorenzo and Ikaika Grace. Photo by Lee McIntosh
Hawai'i Island color is red the flower ohia lehua, presented by Nova Lorenzo and Frank Lorenzo, Jr. Photo by Lee McIntosh
Mayor Mitch Roth walks with the Nāʻālehu Independence Day Parade banner. Earlier this week, he urged local families to
 enroll their keiki in the free pre-kindergarten classes at Nāʻālehu Elementary. Photo by Lee McIntosh

NĀ'ĀLEHU ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WILL OFFER FREE PRE-KINDERGARTEN in the coming school year.  Sponsored by the state Executive Office on Early Learning, the program serves three and four-year old children who are in the two years prior to kindergarten entry.
    Children must be born on or between August 1, 2018 –July 31, 2020 and be three or four years old on or before July 31, 2023.
    Priority is provided for children whose situations include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:
    Children who are eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and whose Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) is determined as general education.
Children in foster care.
    Children who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.
    Children who are dual or multi-language learners.
    Children whose family’s income is no more than 300 percent of the federal poverty level.
    Children who are experiencing at-risk situations which may impact their development and learning.
    Mayor Mitch Roth's office issued a statement in late June, urging families to sign up the keiki. "The County of Hawaiʻi is excited to announce the availability of free, high-quality pre-kindergarten programs through the State's Public Pre-kindergarten Program. Designed to provide valuable learning experiences, this program is open to all 3- and 4-year-old keiki on the island. With a commitment to inclusive education, the program accepts up to 20 keiki per classroom, including those with special needs.'
    The Mayor said, "We are thrilled that our keiki here on Hawaiʻi Island will be provided more options to access high-quality early education, setting them up for lifelong success. We understand the immense impact of early exposure to education on students' academic journey, which is why I urge all parents of young keiki to seriously consider applying for this invaluable free opportunity. By nurturing educated and culturally grounded keiki, we are building a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island where our children can flourish and thrive, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come."
   There are currently 32 sites statewide that have been running for a few years, and as part of the Lieutenant Governor's Ready Keiki Plan, the EOEL is opening another 11 sites this August.
    Parents and families interested in enrolling their keiki can apply now. To learn more about the program and to submit an application, visit readykeiki.org.  To apply for the 2023-2024 school year, download an application packet at EOEL-Public-Pre-K-Program-Complete-Application-Packet-SY-23-24-2023-05-26.pdf or pick one up at Nāʻālehu Elementary.     
    The Executive Office on Early Learning  oversees the Public Pre-kindergarten Program and can be contacted at (808) 784-5350 or via email at eoel.info@eoel.hawaii.gov.



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