About The Kaʻū Calendar

Saturday, November 04, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023

Dr. Angie Miyashiro, left, with the HOSA-Future Health Professionals at Kaʻū High School after traveling to Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy on Saturday and winning invitations to state conference competition in Honolulu in January.  
Photo from Kaʻū High School HOSA

THE HOSA FUTURE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS organization drew Kaʻū High School students to regional competition this Saturday at the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy in Hilo. The students qualified for state competition in four divisions: Medical Spelling, Medical Photography, Nutrition, and Health Career Display Presentation,  highlighting Optometry and Travel Nursing. 
    The state conference will be held in Honolulu, Jan. 29-31 at Hawai‘i Convention Center. The local HOSA chapter planning to travel there is mentored by Dr. Angie Miyashiro, a health teacher at Kaʻū High, who said, "We are putting Kaʻū on the map!" HOSA students are: Janeea Bonoan, Nyori Soriano, Alajshae Barrios, Aubrey-Ann Delos Santos Graig, Colleen Ramos, Maryland Amon, Rojelin Capueta, Tina Joel, Anastasia Kovalik and Herika Lokot
    HOSA, formerly known as Health Occupations Students of America, is an international student-led
A health education and health career class at Kaʻū High School. Photo by Julia Neal

organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education division of the Association for Career & Technical Education. HOSA's mission is to promote career opportunities in the healthcare industry and to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare to all people.
    HOSA provides leadership development, motivation, and recognition for middle school, secondary, postsecondary, adult, and collegiate students enrolled in health science education and biomedical science programs or who have an interest in pursuing careers in health professions. 
    "HOSA is 100% health care! HOSA is not a club to which a few students in school join. Rather, HOSA is a powerful instructional tool that works best when it is integrated into the HSE and health science-related curriculum and classroom," says the HOSA website. "Health Science Education instructors are committed to the development of the total person. Those who join the HSE-HOSA Partnership recognize the importance of providing students with training far beyond the basic technical skills needed for entry into the healthcare field. The rapidly changing healthcare system needs dedicated workers who, in addition to their technical skills, are people-oriented and capable of playing a leadership or followership role as a member of a healthcare team.
   "HOSA's mission is especially critical when considering the acute shortage of qualified workers for the healthcare industry."


Hula Dancers from Mexico's Bali Hai halau graced Ke Ola Pu‘uhonua in Nāʻālehu on Saturday. Photos by Brenda Iokepa Moses

Emcees Alaka'i Paleka and Makana
HO‘OKUPU HULA NO KAʻŪ GOES INTERNATIONAL FOR MAIN EVENT. The cultural exchange program of Ho‘okupu Hula No Kaʻū went to the public stage on Saturday in Nāʻālehu with hula from dancers of Hawai‘i, Japan, Mexico, the mainland and Hālau Hula O Leionālani of Pāhala.
    Held on the grounds of Ke Ola Pu‘uhonua, the event produced by Kumu Debbie Ryder featured the voices of emcees Alaka'i Paleka and Kaʻū's own Makana, plus numerous cultural demonstrations, music and dance. See photos below and more in Sunday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

A RED FLAG WARNING WAS ISSUED FOR KAʻŪ AND THE WESTSIDE OF THE ISLAND by the National Weather Service at 5 p.m. Saturday, due to expected windy conditions and wildfire threats. One of the restrictions issued by Civil Defense is no parking of vehicles on dry grass following travel.
    The following emergency measures go into effect at midnight and run through Tuesday at 6 a.m., as issued by County of Hawai‘i Civil Defense:
Potential Camping Permit Cancellation: All camping permits for Sunday and Monday within the affected Beach Parks have the potential to be canceled. These are Punalu‘u Beach Park, Whittington Beach Park, Ho‘okena Beach Park, Kohanaiki Beach Park, Spencer Beach Park and Mahukona Beach Park. "Campers will be notified promptly if conditions are conducive to cancellation," says the County statement.
Hālau Hula O Leionālani joined international dance troupes at Ke Ola Pu‘uhonua.
Prohibition of Outdoor Burning: All outdoor burning will be strictly prohibited from Kaʻū through North Kohala from 12 a.m. on Sunday through 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Prohibition of Outdoor Open Flame Activities: Outdoor activities involving open flames, such as outdoor cooking, welding, and grinding metal, will be prohibited from 12 a.m. on Sunday, through 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
Vehicle Parking Prohibition: Parking vehicles on dry grass after travel is prohibited prohibited from 12 a.m. on Sunday through 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
Kaneohe halau of Ho‘omaika‘i Hula Studio led by Kumu Shona Lam Ho (left) joined the cultural festival in Nāʻālehu on Saturday.
 
Property Fire Safety Measures: Property owners are urged to secure outdoor items and implement necessary fire safety precautions on their premises.
    County of Hawai‘i Parks & Recreation is authorized to adjust the opening and closing of County Parks  to camping and other use permits if warranted.
Young ladies of Halau Hula O Leionalani
   Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth and Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno issued a statement saying the County's Emergency Operation Center will be activated throughout the duration of the event.
The Red Flag Warning covers all leeward areas of Hawaiʻi Island, from Kaʻū up the west side of the island to North Kohala, as well as the interior communities along the way.
"Conditions in these areas will lead to drier weather, significantly affecting Hawaiʻi Island on Sunday and Monday," says the County statement.
A Red Flag Warning is issued when the combination of dry vegetation and weather conditions creates an extremely high fire risk. "These conditions are conducive to the rapid spread of wildfires, creating difficulties for containment."
The Mayor said, "We're asking our residents to protect each other by being cautious and remaining mindful in their actions. We've seen these conditions lead to multiple fires along our leeward coast in the past, and we want to ensure we do all we can to prevent them to the best of our ability. These fires can potentially put our firefighters and communities at large in harm's way. By remaining mindful and refraining from potentially risky behaviors, we can significantly reduce the chances of large brushfires this time around."
Residents are also encouraged to visit the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization's official website at https://www.hawaiiwildfire.org/home for valuable information on wildfire prevention and safety measures.
The statement says, "The County of Hawaiʻi assures residents that any updates or changes in conditions will be promptly communicated. Safety remains the top priority, and the cooperation of all residents is crucial to mitigate the risks posed by the prevailing fire weather conditions."
 

SIGN UP FOR PĀHALA TOWN LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE. Committee Chair Shai Lopez-Castenada noted that the parade honors Eddie Andrade who has retired from hosting the renowned Pāhala Christmas Parade with his family for more than 40 years. 

    The new parade will be in the evening on Saturday, Dec. 9, starting at 6 p.m., followed by picture taking with Santa and his Buddies, some arts and crafts and light refreshments until 8:30 p.m. at Pāhala  Community Center. It is co-hosted by County Department of Parks & Recreation.
    "We are calling all businesses, farmers, agencies, clubs and individuals to join in the parade, said Lopez-Castenada. 
    Parade participants will be entered in a drawing for a Two Guest Deluxe Snorkel & Dolphin Watch, sponsored by Body Glove in Kailua-Kona. 
    Those who would like to enter the parade can call Shai Lopez-Castaneda at (808)345-0649 or email him at pahalalightedchristmasparade@gmail.com.