Kaʻū News Briefs Sept. 25, 2024

Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary is now the location of the 44th Peace Pole in the state.
Photo by Jennifer Makuakane

KAʻŪ IS THE LOCATION OF THE FIRST PEACE POLE AT A PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUS IN HAWAI'I. A Peace Pole was dedicated Wednesday on the grounds of Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School.
    Rotary Club of Volcano, Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, and the County of Hawaiʻi collaborated to install the KHPES Peace Pole. It is the 44th installed in the state.

The new Peace Pole at the entrance to Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary.
Photo by Jennifer Makuakane

    Mayor Mitch Roth and state Rep. Jeanne Kapela were on hand to share messages about peace. Members of the Rotary club also shared the history of the Peace Pole project, and provided a lesson about Sadako's Cranes, a well-known story of hope during the atomic bombing of Japan.
    David Santos, a Kaʻū High School social studies teacher, shared a passage from his high school Rotary Club Oratory about Peace. Santos is known for his students winning the national Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Poem contests.
    During the dedication ceremony, Principal Sharon Beck said, "The Peace Pole at the entrance to our campus is a daily reminder that together we can create a safe and welcoming campus where everyone is included and loved."

Aunty Jesse Ke provided the Hawaiian blessing at the installation
of the Peace Pole on Wednesday. Photo by Jennifer Makuakane

    Aunty Jesse Ke provided the Hawaiian blessing and several staff attended from Kaʻū Hospital, where another Peace Pole was previously installed. Kaʻū High organizers said they would like to thank Aunty Jesse Marques of Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association for helping to spearhead the Peace Pole project.

    The Rotary Club of Volcano sates, "A Peace Pole is an internationally-recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth. Each Peace Pole bears the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in different languages on each of its four or six sides. There are estimated over 250,000 Peace Poles in every country in the world," including one outside the Volcano Art Center and one outside Kaʻū Hospital. "Planting a Peace Pole is a way of bringing people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness the world over. Take a look at it the next time you are in Pāhala town."

Students and enthusiasts of the Peace Pole installation at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary on 
Wednesday, including Mayor Mitch Roth and state Rep. Jeanne Kapela. Photo by Jennifer Makuakane

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

COUNTY OF HAWAI'I ENCOURAGES CONTINUED DISPOSAL OF TIRES, in the wake of last weekend's successful community effort that took in approximately 5,000 tires from 472 vehicles, filling 23 roll-off containers—all in just five hours. That event took place in Puna and Deputy Director of Department of Environmental Services Brenda Iokepa-Moses said an event could be planned for Kaʻū in the future.

    Until then, "We encourage everyone to utilize existing tire disposal programs. State law requires tire retailers to accept used motor vehicle tires for recycling or disposal when you purchase new tires. This means you should turn in your old tires right at the point of sale, avoiding the need to store them at home. Turning in your tires when you buy new ones is the best way to keep them out of our landfills and our environment," says a statement from the county.

Last weekend's Toss Your Tires event.
Photo from County of Hawai'i

    Regarding last weekend's event, the county announcement stated, "This massive effort is a huge step in keeping our island clean and protecting our environment from potential hazards like mosquito breeding and illegal dumping. The recycled tires are being repurposed into useful products and fuel for energy production outside Hawaiʻi."
    Mayor Mitch Roth said, "Sustainability on our island depends on each of us playing a role in caring for our ʻāina, our community, and our invaluable natural and cultural resources. 

    "We are deeply encouraged by the community members who responsibly disposed of their tires this past weekend. Their actions have contributed to making our island cleaner, healthier, and more resilient."

     Partners in the event were: Department of Environmental Management, Recycling and Solid Waste,  Department of Health, Lex Brodie's Tires, Kea'au Middle School's Greenwaves group, and Big Island Scrap Metal.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies in the mail and on stands.

NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY is this Saturday, Sept. 28 with a fee-free day to celebrate at all fee-charging national parks, including Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
    A special Stewardship at the Summit volunteer event will  help restore native rainforest and provide volunteers with a free pass to use at any national park. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, rain gear, day pack, snack and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required. No advance registration is required, but space is limited to the first 25 participants. The volunteer event is from 8:45 am. to noon. Meet Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center.

A park ranger leads volunteers into the rainforest for a restoration mission. NPS photo by Janice Wei

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com.

September 2024, 5,000 in the mail, 2,500 on the streets.