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| Friends of the Ka`u Libraries help raise money for the operation of the Pahala and Na`alehu Libraries. Photo by Julia Neal |
COMMUNITY & GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATIONS in Ka`u have been marching in parades, today in Volcano and last Saturday in Na`alehu, promoting their good works from cleaning up debris from the Ka`u Coast to encouraging reading and the continuing services of local libraries and fighting fires.
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HIGHLIGHTING COLLABORATION BETWEEN the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government, Gov. Neil Abercrombie this week signed House Bill 2490 (Act 201) into law. This measure aims to reduce Hawai`i’s secure juvenile facility population by half over the next five years and directs investment in community supervision and treatment programs that will be more effective at steering troubled youth toward productive, law-abiding lives.
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| Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park provides an honor guard, a banner and flags in the annual parades in Ka`u. Photo by Julia Neal |
“This legislation is the result of extensive research, collaboration and consensus by stakeholders and policymakers across Hawai`i,” Abercrombie said. “By using our resources more effectively, we will be able to reduce juvenile crime and achieve better outcomes for youth, families and communities across our islands.”
In 2013, the state spent $199,000 a year for each bed at Hawai`i Youth Correctional Facility, yet 75 percent of youth released from HYCF were re-adjudicated or convicted as an adult within three years. To improve those results, Abercrombie, Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, House Speaker Joseph Souki and Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald last year launched a bipartisan, inter-branch working group that analyzed the Hawai`i’s juvenile justice system and recommended the policy reforms contained in this legislation.
In 2013, the state spent $199,000 a year for each bed at Hawai`i Youth Correctional Facility, yet 75 percent of youth released from HYCF were re-adjudicated or convicted as an adult within three years. To improve those results, Abercrombie, Senate President Donna Mercado Kim, House Speaker Joseph Souki and Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald last year launched a bipartisan, inter-branch working group that analyzed the Hawai`i’s juvenile justice system and recommended the policy reforms contained in this legislation.
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| Hawai`i Pacific Parks has offices in Volcano and supports many programs in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Photo by Julia Neal |
Hawai`i County Prosecutor Mitch Roth was a member of the working group. “A lot of times, you can put juveniles in prison and they come out a lot worse,” Roth told John Burnett, of Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. “If we can have the outside services — on our island, things like the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA, all of our youth organizations, and strengthen those, then we can reduce recidivism.
“With this law, probation (officers) and judges have an option to send kids to better treatment facilities — or to treatment facilities in the first place, drug treatment facilities, mental health facilities,” Roth said. “Getting any services for our kids is a huge problem in our state, especially here on our neighbor islands.
“We’re hoping this will reduce recidivism, keeping kids from going through the revolving door as an adult through the system.”
In conjunction with enactment of HB2490, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention announced a partnership with Hawai`i to support implementation of the new policies.
“With this law, probation (officers) and judges have an option to send kids to better treatment facilities — or to treatment facilities in the first place, drug treatment facilities, mental health facilities,” Roth said. “Getting any services for our kids is a huge problem in our state, especially here on our neighbor islands.
“We’re hoping this will reduce recidivism, keeping kids from going through the revolving door as an adult through the system.”
In conjunction with enactment of HB2490, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention announced a partnership with Hawai`i to support implementation of the new policies.
OJJDP will fund a technical assistance team over the next year to provide wide-ranging training, planning activities, education, assessment assistance and other tools for the state in recognition of Hawai`i’s forward-thinking adoption of this new law. The partnership is expected to begin this fall.
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| Classic Hawai`i County fire truck, ready for the hot summer in Ka`u where a range fire has already burned more than 1,000 acres. Photo by Julia |
HAWAI`I WILL RECEIVE TWO GRANTS TOTALING $1,752,905 from the U.S. Department of Labor to help unemployed individuals train for and transition to new employment. Hawai`i will receive $897,420 through the Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program to train unemployed workers for jobs in high-demand industries and $855,485 through the Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment Program grant to help Unemployment Insurance claimants return to work quickly.
“The best way to help those who are unemployed is to help them get back to work,” U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said. “These funds support Hawai`i’s job centers and help those who are unemployed with the job training and services they need to find a good paying job.”
The Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program expands employer occupational training partnerships that result in an industry-recognized credential, such as on-the-job training or registered apprenticeships. Funding from this grant will also be used for career coaching and job placement.
“The best way to help those who are unemployed is to help them get back to work,” U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said. “These funds support Hawai`i’s job centers and help those who are unemployed with the job training and services they need to find a good paying job.”
The Job-Driven National Emergency Grant program expands employer occupational training partnerships that result in an industry-recognized credential, such as on-the-job training or registered apprenticeships. Funding from this grant will also be used for career coaching and job placement.
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| Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka`u walked in the Na`alehu parade last weekend. Photo by Julia Neal |
The Reemployment and Eligibility Assessment Program grant will be used to conduct in-person assessments at American Job Centers that assist unemployed individuals in the creation of reemployment plans based on their skills and the job market. These assessments also help evaluate Unemployment Insurance benefits and provide job training services. Since the initiative began in March 2005, Hawai`i has assisted more than 36,000 UI claimants with their reemployment efforts.
One of eight American Job Centers in the state is located at Big Island Workplace Connection, 1990 Kino`ole Street in Hilo. Call 981-2860 for more information.
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| Hawai`i Wildlife Fund teams up with state Division of Forestry & Wildlife to promote clean beaches and volunteerism to pick up trash. Photo by Julia Neal |
ARMY OFFICIALS ARE OPENING SEVERAL TRAINING AREAS at Pohakula for bow hunting tomorrow and Sunday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Training areas One through Four will be open for bow hunting of mammals only. Hunters are allowed one pig, one goat and one sheep, per day, in keeping with state bag limits. Shooting sheep with blue collars is not permitted.
Keamuku Training Area will be open for bow hunting of goats only. Hunting of sheep is not permitted there this weekend.
All hunters must check in and check out at one of the following hunter’s check-in stations: Kilohana, located on Saddle Road between mile markers 43 and 44; Pu`u Huluhulu, located at the intersection of Mauna Kea Access Road and Saddle Road near mile marker 28; or or Pu`u Anahulu on Hwy 190 across from mile marker 15. Checkout time is no later than 7:30 p.m. each day.
Hunting passes will be provided today after 5 p.m. These passes must be signed and placed on the vehicle’s dashboard.
Firearms, alcoholic beverages, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and/or recreational vehicles are not allowed in the training and hunting areas.
For more information, call PTA’s Hunters’ Hotline at 969-3474, see garrison.hawaii.army.mil/pta and click on the Hunting tab or refer to instructions on the hunting pass.
Keamuku Training Area will be open for bow hunting of goats only. Hunting of sheep is not permitted there this weekend.
All hunters must check in and check out at one of the following hunter’s check-in stations: Kilohana, located on Saddle Road between mile markers 43 and 44; Pu`u Huluhulu, located at the intersection of Mauna Kea Access Road and Saddle Road near mile marker 28; or or Pu`u Anahulu on Hwy 190 across from mile marker 15. Checkout time is no later than 7:30 p.m. each day.
Hunting passes will be provided today after 5 p.m. These passes must be signed and placed on the vehicle’s dashboard.
Firearms, alcoholic beverages, all-terrain vehicles, dirt bikes and/or recreational vehicles are not allowed in the training and hunting areas.
For more information, call PTA’s Hunters’ Hotline at 969-3474, see garrison.hawaii.army.mil/pta and click on the Hunting tab or refer to instructions on the hunting pass.
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| Hawai`i Wildlife Fund seeks volunteers for its Ka`u Coast Cleanup Sunday, July 13. Photo from HWF |
HAWAI`I WILDLIFE FUND STAFF MEMBERS wish Ka`u a happy Fourth of July. They invite residents to take the Plastic-Free July Challenge and also volunteer for this month’s Ka`u Coast Cleanup.
“The challenge is quite simple,” HWF staff member Megan Lamson. “Attempt to refuse single-use plastic during July. ‘Single-use’ includes plastic shopping bags, plastic cups, straws, plastic packaging – basically anything that’s intended only to be used once and then discarded. If refusing all single-use plastic sounds too daunting this time, try the TOP FOUR challenge – straws, plastic bags, plastic bottles and coffee cup lids.
“The challenge is quite simple,” HWF staff member Megan Lamson. “Attempt to refuse single-use plastic during July. ‘Single-use’ includes plastic shopping bags, plastic cups, straws, plastic packaging – basically anything that’s intended only to be used once and then discarded. If refusing all single-use plastic sounds too daunting this time, try the TOP FOUR challenge – straws, plastic bags, plastic bottles and coffee cup lids.
Lamson also suggests collecting any unavoidable single-use plastic you buy and keeping it in a “dilemma bag and share it with us at the end of the challenge.
“It’s up to you regarding how long you participate. You might decide to go plastic-free for a day, a week, a month or longer. However long you choose will still make a contribution.”
“It’s up to you regarding how long you participate. You might decide to go plastic-free for a day, a week, a month or longer. However long you choose will still make a contribution.”
Sign up at plasticfreejuly.org and use the hashtag #plasticfreehawaii on related Facebook and Instagram posts. Follow HWF on Twitter at @wildhawaii.
Another Ka`u Coast Cleanup takes place Sunday, July 13. Participants meet at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool and caravan to Kamilo Point. Call 769-7629, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or see facebook.com/events/1514410668782953 for details and to sign up.
Another Ka`u Coast Cleanup takes place Sunday, July 13. Participants meet at Wai`ohinu Park to carpool and caravan to Kamilo Point. Call 769-7629, email kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or see facebook.com/events/1514410668782953 for details and to sign up.
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| Pacific Quest, with its Ka`u facilities at the old Shirakawa Motel and a farm between Pahala and Na`alehu, employs many young professionals to counsel teens, most of them coming from urban environments. Photo by Julia Neal |
KA`U ROPING & RIDING ASSOCIATION’S annual Fourth of July Rodeo takes place tomorrow and Sunday at Na`alehu Rodeo Grounds. Events include Open Dally, Team 90s, Double Mugging, Ranch Mugging and Wahine Mugging.
KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK presents its fifth Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera Ruddigore, or The Witch’s Curse, starting next Friday, July 11 and running through Sunday, July 27. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays at Kilauea Militar Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Tickets are $15 general, $12 for students and seniors over 60 and $10 for children 12 and under. They may be purchased at Kilauea General Store in Volcano, Kea`au Natural Foods and The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo.
KILAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK presents its fifth Gilbert and Sullivan comic opera Ruddigore, or The Witch’s Curse, starting next Friday, July 11 and running through Sunday, July 27. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. on Sundays at Kilauea Militar Camp Theater in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park.
Tickets are $15 general, $12 for students and seniors over 60 and $10 for children 12 and under. They may be purchased at Kilauea General Store in Volcano, Kea`au Natural Foods and The Most Irresistible Shop in Hilo.
Reservations can be made by calling 982-7344. For more information, call this number, email kden73@aol.com or visit KDEN’s Facebook page.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
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