Thursday, February 02, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, Feb.2, 2023

Kaʻū's famous night skies, along with all the starry skies above this island, are protected with rules on lighting, but there
 is little enforcement that could lead up to $500 in fines. Photo by Jefferey Beach

This island has the darkest
skies in the U.S., with brilliant stars.
Photo by Jefferey Beach
THERE IS VERY LITTLE, PERHAPS NO ENFORCEMENT OF LIGHTING REGULATIONS that protect Hawai'i's night skies, which are famous for having the best stargazing in the U.S. and one of the best in the world, said University of Hawai'i astronomer Richard Wainscoat. He noted that enforcement could bring fines up to $500. He spoke at a lighting seminar on O'ahu on Wednesday and Michael Bretovansky wrote the story in Hawai'i Tribune Herald.
    During the seminar, Grason Ghen, Hawai'i Island manager for Hawai'i Energy, the non profit associated with the Public Utilities Commission, said this island has the most protective lighting ordinances for night skies in the entire state. He mentioned that local regulations require all outdoor lighting to produce less than 2 percent blue light. The blue light looks brighter and travels through the atmosphere more effectively than other parts of the light spectrum.            Ghen recommended using dimmable or shielded lighting that only lights essential areas when people are there.

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The Patsy Mink Quarter will be issued in 2024.
She was the first woman in Congress from Hawai'i and
led the fight for Title IX to give women equal
rights in education and sports. 


A PATSY MINK QUARTER WILL BE CIRCULATED BY THE U.S. MINT beginning in 2024. Mink was the first woman to represent Hawai'i in the U.S. Congress and the first woman of color to serve in Congress. U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) noted this week that the Mink quarter will be one in the Mint's American Women Quarters collection. Hirono sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in 2021 urging the Mint to include the late Mink in the American Women Quarters Program, as well as Edith Kanakaole, whose commemorative quarter is scheduled to be put into circulation later this year.
    "Patsy Mink was a champion for social justice, equality, and civil rights—she was a trailblazer in every sense of the word," said Hirono. "As the first woman of color to serve in Congress and a lead author of Title IX, Congresswoman Mink worked to ensure that all women in our country have every opportunity men have. I'm glad to see the Mint honoring Rep. Mink as part of the American Women Quarters Program so that people all across our country can learn more about her immeasurable contributions to Hawaii and our nation."
     Authorized by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, the American Women Quarters
The Edith Kanaka'ole coin
will be issued this year.
Photo from U.S. Mint

Program features coins with designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of prominent American women. Contributions come from a wide spectrum of fields including, but not limited to, suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The women honored come from ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds. As required by the law, no living person will be featured in the coin designs, and thus all the women honored must be deceased. The Mint is issuing five coins with different reverse designs annually for the American Women Quarters Program over the four-year period from 2022 through 2025.

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WHAT LAWYERS THINK AND CARE ABOUT IN MEDIATION is the subject of the free talk on Thursday, Feb. 16, sponsored on zoom by non-profit Ku'ikahi Mediation Center. It's part of the Finding Solutions, Growing Peace Brown Bag Lunch Series on third Thursdays from noon to 1 pm.
This month's speaker is Lincoln S.T. Ashida. "How can we approach settlement that is in the best interest
of our clients?" says Ashida. "Let's explore how to utilize the mediation process--including practicing active listening and seeing from another's perspective--to achieve a positive outcome for clients."
    In this talk, learn how lawyers can prepare themselves and their clients for mediation, including ethical issues, settlement options, and managing expectations.
    Ashida is a Director at Torkildson Katz, A Law Corporation, practicing in the areas of business, corporate, and labor/employment law. He is County of Hawai'i's longest serving Corporation Counsel (2000-2014) and was a County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. A graduate of Hilo High, University of Michigan, and Creighton University School of Law, Lincoln is an instructor in political science and administration of justice at University of Hawai'i Hilo.
    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, by funding from the County of Hawai'i and Hawai'i Island United Way.

Tanaiyah Hall, of OV, remains missing
since October. Photo from HPD
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SEVENTEEN-YEAR OLD TANAIYAH HA-O KALLIO, OF OCEAN VIEW remains mission. Hawai'i Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in locating the 17-year-old, who was reported as a runaway.
    Hao-Kallio was last seen on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, near the intersection of Makala Boulevard and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona. She is 5 feet 9 inches tall, 140 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
    Police ask anyone with information on Hao-Kallio’s whereabouts to call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or contact Officer Jeremiah Hull of the Area II Juvenile Aid Section at 808-326-4646, ext. 302.

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Electronics Recycling Collection Events in Hilo and Kona drew over a thousand people, reports Hawai'i County. A new state
law requires manufacturers TVs, monitors, computers and printers to provide at least monthly collections in Kona and Hilo.
Photo from County of Hawai'i 

A HIGH TURNOUT FOR RECYCLING ELECTRONICS is reported for both County of Hawai'i's Electronics Recycling Collection Events in Hilo and Kona in December and January."The public once again came out in droves to properly dispose of their junk TVs, monitors, computers, and printers," says the statement from the County of Hawai'i.
    The collection events were sponsored by the County and state Department of Health. "Well over a thousand customers were served and more than 160,000 pounds of electronics were collected and are being transported to certified electronics recyclers on the mainland. The County would like to thank the residents of Hawai‘i Island and our contractor Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption Center for making these events safe and successful. We appreciate the public’s patience and kōkua during these events."
    A new state law, Act 151 (2022) requires the manufacturers of TVs, monitors, computers, and printers to provide at least monthly collections of these electronics in Hilo and Kona. Mr. K’s Recycle & Redemption Center, Inc. is the current registered participating collection drop-off company on Hawai‘i Island. For more information on Mr. K’s electronics collections in Hilo and Kona, visit https://www.mrksrecyclehawaii.com/electronic-waste.html or call 808-969-1222.
    “This Extended Producer Responsibility law gives residents and businesses a convenient opportunity to clean out their homes and offices of electronics, and the knowledge that it is being recycled safely and properly to protect the ‘āina and our drinking water,” said Craig Kawaguchi, Recycling Coordinator for the County of Hawai‘i.
    Also visit the state Department of Health’s electronics recycling website https://health.hawaii.gov/ewaste/ for more information on manufacturer-sponsored electronics recycling and the new law. Visit the County’s recycling website, www.hawaiizerowaste.org, for other types of recycling information, announcements of upcoming events, and to register for Solid Waste Notifications via email or text.

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HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENTS will be held between 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4, at West Hawai'i Civic Center Parking Lot (entry via 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway).
    Another Household Hazardous Waste Collection will be held Saturday, Feb. 11 at Waiākea High School Parking Lot B (entry via Po'okela Parkway, upper driveway off W. Kāwili Street).
    County of Department of Environmental Management holds these regular collection events, at no charge to the public, so households can conveniently dispose of acceptable household hazardous waste in a manner that protects both public health and the environment.
    Acceptable household hazardous waste includes automotive fluids, used batteries, fluorescent bulbs, and pesticides. For a more complete list of acceptable or unacceptable household hazardous waste, please visit our website at https://www.hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste/. The website includes other useful information on solid waste diversion and recycling.
    These events are for household-generated and self-hauled waste only. Business, government agency, non-profit agency, or farm wastes are prohibited by law. No latex paint, no electronic waste, and no tires will be accepted.

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HAWAIIAN ELECTRIC WILL CONDUCT QUARTERLY AERIAL INSPECTIONS of its major overhead transmission lines from Tuesday, Feb. 7, to Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.
    The islandwide inspections are scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, exact times and routes will depend on weather conditions. Inspections will be conducted in a Manuiwa Airways helicopter and require the aircraft to fly low and slow which may cause some noise disturbances.
    Hawaiian Electric announced that he thanks the community for their patience and understanding. If there are any questions or concerns, call (808) 969-6666.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.