Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, January 22, 2020

The State of the State, presented in the Hawaiʻi Capitol on Tuesday. See story below and in
Tuesday's Kaʻū News Briefs. Photo from Hawaiʻi House of Representatives

A FLU VACCINATION IS MORE IMPORTANT THIS YEAR with the threat of the novel coronavirus (2019nCOV), according to the state Department of Health. DOH issued a statement today, advising physicians statewide to be alert for patients who traveled from Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. DOH provided a detailed medical advisory to healthcare providers on reporting, testing, specimen collection, and interim healthcare infection control recommendations. DOH advised providers to notify DOH Disease Outbreak Control Division immediately if a patient meets the case criteria.

Coronavirus advisory was issued today by the state Department
of Health. Photo from WebMd

     DOH advises everyone (six months and older), especially those who travel, to receive a flu vaccination. Dr. Sarah Park, state epidemiologist, said, “With the current flu activity, there will likely be crossover in clinical presentation so the more people vaccinated against flu, the more helpful that will be.”
    DOH promised to closely monitor the outbreak of 2019-nCoV in China and to regularly coordinate with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition to issuing the Medical Advisory, DOH is coordinating with Emergency Medical Service personnel/first responders, the Department of Transportation, and infection control partners in medical facilities throughout the state. DOH is also monitoring its respiratory surveillance network which reviews flu activity in the state. Online resources for the 2019-nCoV are posted at health.hawaii.gov/prepare/cdc-issues-warning-about-pneumonia-cases-in-wuhan-china-caused-by-novel-coronavirus/.
     The outbreak of a 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China has been developing since December 2019. At lease 300 confirmed infections and several deaths in China are confirmed along with cases in Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and U.S. with one case in Washington state. While human-to-human transmission appears limited, the situation

New Conovirus spread from China to Thailand, Korea, Japan,
and U.S. State Department of Health recommends the flu shot.
Map from Center for Disease Control

continues to evolve. Nearly all travelers from China enter the state from other U.S. or international ports of entry that are being monitored, stated the DOH statement.
     DOH recommends for anyone who traveled to Wuhan and feels sick: Seek medical care right away. Before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and report recent travel and symptoms. Stay home. Except for seeking medical care, avoid contact with others. Do not travel while sick. Cover your mouth and nose with tissue or sleeve (not hands) when coughing or sneezing.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
     For more information, including information for clinicians and public health professionals, please go to the following CDC and WHO webpages:
wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/novel-coronavirus-china
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/novel-coronavirus-2019.html
www.who.int/csr/don/05-january-2020-pneumonia-of-unkown-cause-china/en/

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

AGRICULTURE AND SELF SUFFICIENCY were addressed by Gov. David Ige in Tuesday's State of the State. He gave special recognition to Kaʻū's members of the state House of Representatives - Rep. Richard Creagan, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee, and Rep. Richard Onishi, who serves on it.
     Ige said, "Perhaps the longest transition we have experienced recently has been the transformation of our agricultural industry from large-scale farming to more diversified farms. But there is one important difference in today's efforts from yesterday's, and that's technology. As in other fields, we have seen the rise of technology change the face of everything in society. In agriculture, it too has been a game changer. It has enabled farmers to produce higher yields in the field and more precise targeting strategies in the marketplace. Consequently, we are seeing a greater willingness to invest in local agricultural endeavors."

Rep. Richard Onishi serves east
Kaʻū and on the Agriculture
Committee. Photo from Onishi

     The governor pointed to recent agricultural start-ups. "Mahi Pono, which bought 41,000 acres of former sugar cane land, is raising potatoes in central Maui. And they want to plant another 120 acres of citrus trees and 20 acres of non-GMO papayas. Their plans also include growing avocados, bell peppers, guava, lilikoi, oranges, lemons and limes.
     "Sensei Farms is transforming agriculture on Lanaʻi by using a mix of proven and innovative technology to power its hydroponic greenhouses on former pineapple fields. This mix of traditional farming and new technology is the wave of the future for agriculture throughout the state." En Young of Sensei Farms attended the State of the State with recognition from Ige.
     Ige contended that "More than at any other time in our history, local farmers have it within their grasp to make a difference in our drive toward self-sufficiency."
     Sustaining the economy and lifestyle was another topic in the governor's address: "You know, we can initiate a host of activities to encourage local food production, stimulate our economy, and protect our environment. But the key has always been whether we are able to keep those initiatives going. And so sustainability has been an integral part of our efforts.
    "How do we sustain our economy, our lifestyle and our natural environment? We do it first by developing clean energy sources. With a flurry of commercial solar projects in the pipeline and local homeowners' enthusiasm for residential solar power, we will meet our 2020 energy goal of attaining 30 percent of our energy needs from renewable sources."

Dr. Richard Creagan serves
West Kaʻū, leads Committee
on Agriculture.

     The governor insisted that "The significance of this initial pivot to clean and renewable energy cannot be overstated. We have become a leader in this effort, and our actions have inspired other states to follow. Since we set a goal to become carbon negative by 2045, four other states have followed our lead. So far, we have successfully reduced our greenhouse gas emissions and will meet our goal for 2020. And our utilities are meeting our clean electricity goals faster and at record low prices.
     He gave some examples: "Today, 37 percent of Oʻahu's single-family residences have rooftop solar. On certain days, Kauaʻi is already achieving 100 percent of electricity from clean energy sources, decades ahead of when we thought this would be possible.
     "We will continue to aggressively engage in actions that will continue to de-carbonize our economy and make our environment whole.
     "Sustaining our economy has replaced the old mantra of growing the economy," proclaimed the governor.  He pointed to a "shift in focus in our biggest industry. In 2019, the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority shifted its priorities from increasing visitor arrivals to improving the visitor experience, while supporting the quality of life for residents. Through HTA's Aloha ʻĀina program, 28 nonprofit and government agencies were given funding for programs to help protect Hawaiʻi's natural resources.
     "For example, the authority is working to repair and improve hiking trails like those at Mānoa Falls. Through its Kūkula Ola program, the authority has funded 28 programs this year and committed to fund 43 more programs in 2020 that perpetuate Hawaiian culture. The beneficiaries are programs and groups like the Lānaʻi Culture & Heritage Center, Hula Hālau O Molokai, Hana Arts, the Edith K. Kanakaʻole Foundation, the Kalihi-Palama Culture & Arts Society, and so many more."

The governor said that small diverse farming is more likely now than
ever and praised Mahi Pono, which delivered 30,000 pounds of
potatoes grown in Hawaiʻi to the Food Bank this month.
Photo from Food Bank

     The governor also gave his latest view on Maunakea. "While we are on the subject of Native Hawaiian culture, let me digress for just a moment and speak on the Thirty Meter Telescope and Mauna Kea. Emotions have run high on both sides. The arguments are strong on both sides, and that's what makes the situation so difficult. There is no easy answer or quick solution. We will have to work hard if we want to resolve this conflict. But I truly believe it can be resolved, if we put our heads and our hearts together.
     "There are some who have encouraged me to take strong measures against those who are protesting on Mauna Kea. That would have been the easier course. But it is not just the authority of the law that is at stake. It is much more than that.
     "What is also at risk is the glue that has always bound us together: our sense of aloha. It is the thing that underpins our laws and gives them meaning and an ethical foundation. That trust in each other is also sacred. And I will not break that bond, no matter how convenient or easy.
     "At the heart of our dilemma is both the history of wayfinding and discovery and the future of wayfinding and discovery. If we have lost our way, we must find our way back."

     "To do this, we must be open hearted, as well as open minded. We must listen, as well as speak with conviction, and we must have aloha for each other, in spite of our differences. I am of that mind, and I ask all to join me in continuing to look for a way forward. I stand ready to work with any and everyone who refuses to let this issue divide us. Let us together find a way forward," said the governor in concluding his speech.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Group shot of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park volunteers and supervisors taken Jan. 22. NPS photo/Janice Wei

VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE MISSION OF HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK; the Park would have a tough time fulfilling its mission without its corps of dedicated volunteers, says a statement released today.

     Last year, 651 park volunteers contributed 27,568 hours of their time helping the Park. They worked in museum collections and archives, led hikes and answered countless visitor questions, monitored the backcountry, restored native forest, maintained trails, helped save native animals like honu‘ea (hawksbill turtles) and other endangered species, and so much more. Their invaluable effort is equal to 13.25 full-time equivalent employees working 40 hours a week, or $701,000, according to Park estimates.

Kupono McDaniel
Photo by Julia Neal

     On Wednesday, the park and its non-profit partners, the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association, hosted a lunch and appreciation party for the volunteers. Volunteer coordinator Kūpono McDaniel told volunteers that the park could not fulfill its mission without their invaluable efforts. 

     McDaniel said, "On behalf of the entire park, we are deeply humbled by all that you do. When more than 600 people are willing to do my job for free, I am reminded how powerful and far-reaching our work really is. Volunteers are the true philanthropists, the people who give their most valuable commodity, their time, to ensure our parks are here for the next generation."

     The mission of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is to protect, conserve, and study the volcanic landscapes, and associated natural and cultural resources and processes, and to facilitate safe public access to active volcanism, diverse geographic settings, and wilderness for public education and enjoyment.  

     Anyone interested in volunteering at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park can visit volunteer.gov/gov, or contact Kūpono McDaniel at (808) 985-6015 or kupono_mcdaniel@nps.gov. 

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

TROJANS TASTED VICTORY on Monday during both Junior Varsity and Varsity games. The Boys Basketball teams traveled to Honokaʻa, where JV scored 68 points over the Dragons' 35. In the Varsity game, the Trojans scored just once more point over Honokaʻa, ending the game 56 to 55.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball

Tue. and Wed., Jan. 28 and 29 BIIF @Civic

Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 HHSAA on Oʻahu

Boys Basketball

Mon., Jan. 27 @Kamehameha

Tue. and Wed., Feb. 4 and 5 BIIF @ Kealakehe

Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 HHSAA on Oʻahu

Soccer

Sat., Jan. 25 Girls BIIF

Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 Girls HHSAA on Oʻahu

Sat., Feb. 1 and 8 Boys BIIF

Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 Boys HHSAA on Oʻahu

Wrestling

Sat., Jan. 25 @Kamehameha

Sat., Feb. 1 @Hilo

Sat., Feb. 8 BIIF @Konawaena

Fri. and Sat., Feb. 21 and 22 HHSAA

Swimming

Sat., Jan. 25 @Kona Community Aquatic Center

Fri., Jan. 31 and Sat., Feb. 1 BIIF @Kamehameha

Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui

UPCOMING

THURSDAY, JAN. 23

PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, Jan. 23 and 24, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, Jan. 23, 3-4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for community members. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584 or domingoc1975@yahoo.com.

Ka‘ū Farmers United meeting at Pahala Plantation House, 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23.

FRIDAY, JAN. 24

Old Style Pau Hana Mele & Hula ‘Auana, Friday, Jan. 24 – fourth Friday, monthly – 4-5:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Held outdoors, weather permitting. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

SATURDAY, JAN. 25

Palm Trail, Saturday, Jan. 25, 9:30-12:30p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, relatively difficult, 2.6-mile, hike. Bring snack and water. nps.gov/havo

Sounds at the Summit: Hilo Jazz Orchestra Frank Zappa Tribute, Saturday, Jan. 25, 5:30-7:30p.m. Hawaiʻi Island musician and composer Trever Veilleux, director. Annual concert tends to sell out. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Blue Tattoo Band, Saturday, Jan. 25, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge, free to in-house guests. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

MONDAY, JAN. 27

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Kapa Aloha ʻĀina, the fabric of Hawaiʻi with Puakea Forester, Monday, Jan. 27 – fourth Monday, monthly – 2:30-4:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

TUESDAY, JAN. 28

After Dark in the Park – Seismicity of the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 7-8p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. HVO seismologist Brian Shiro recounts the 2018 earthquake story, including how HVO adapted its techniques to monitor the events, and describes current levels of seismicity and HVO’s ongoing efforts to improve seismic monitoring. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. Board Mtg., Tuesday, Jan. 28 – last Tuesday, monthly – 10a.m., H.O.V.E. RMC office, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. 929-9910, hoveroad.com

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, Jan. 28 – last Tuesday, monthly – 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

Lava Tubes of Ocean View, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Presented by Peter and Annie Bosted, it will include presentation of images of the underground in the Ocean View area – especially an extensive system in the Kahuku Unit of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which abuts HOVE – and Hawaiian lava tubes in general. Those who want to know more about what's going on under their feet, and those curious about lava tubes are invited to the free presentation, along with family and friends, said the Bosteds.

THURSDAY, JAN. 30

Ka‘ū Food Basket, Thursday, Jan. 30 – last Thursday, monthly – 11a.m.-noon, Pāhala Community Center. 928-3102

The Next Mauna Loa Eruption and the 2018 Kīlauea Eruption talk, Thursday, Jan. 30, 6p.m., Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle. To close out 11th annual Volcano Awareness month, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno will talk about the current status of Mauna Loa, hazards of future eruptions, experiences from Kīlauea 2018 eruption, preparing for next Mauna Loa eruption, and how communities can stay informed. The meeting is free and open to public. More info at "HVO News" at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/, (808) 967-8844, or askHVO@usgs.gov.

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Jan. 30 – last Thursday, monthly – 4-6p.m., Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

ONGOING

Apply for Mosaics of Science by Monday, Feb. 3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's 12-week paid summer internship position is designed to engage university students and recent graduates with on-the-ground work experience in the National Park Service. A $4,800 stipend, and all travel costs are covered, including a week-long career workshop in Washington,  D.C. to meet with NPS managers.

     The internship is open to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents ages 18-30, and to military veterans up to age 35. Funding is provided under a cooperative agreement for youth conservation activities as part of the Public Lands Corps program, which mandates that these age ranges are followed. 

     The selected intern will assist with the development of education curriculum for Kīpukapuaulu and Pu‘u Loa trails in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.

T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511

Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

   

    

Ka‘ū News Briefs,Tuesday, January 21, 2020

KUPU, which has offered numerous youth training and stewardship programs involving Kaʻū, received
special recognition in Gov. David Ige's State of the State address today. Photo from KUPU

"A NEW URGENCY FOR THE ʻĀINA" was proclaimed today by Gov. David Ige in his State of the State address. "Like our host culture, we sustain our environment by protecting it," said the governor, speaking at the state Capitol. More from his speech:
     "Stewardship of the ʻāina has always been a central part of public policy here in Hawaiʻi. It is embedded in our state motto and in the awareness of our children from an early age. The life of our lands has always depended on right thinking and a love of this place we call home.
     "But there is a new danger threatening the ʻāina, and it comes from climate change. No one need tell us how global warming is directly impacting our lives or the lives of: Families who live along the North Shore of Oʻahu, or those who suffered from recent historic storms on Kauaʻi, or the people of West Maui, who were affected by unprecedented high tides, or those affected by devastating wildfires on The Valley Isle."
     Ige pointed out that "recently, Time Magazine named Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg its Person of the Year for 2019. She is a passionate and compelling youngster who believes we all have a part to play in preventing climate change. She sets an example for all of us. "
     Ige challenged "our own young students to think about Greta's message to us. The adults in this room often talk about sustainability and the future. But for those under 21, it is more about your future than ours. It is never too early to take ownership of it.
     "Because it's as much about everyday activities as it is about large or sweeping public policy. We can work with the Legislature to permanently set aside 10,000 acres in conservation under the State's Legacy Land program, as we have over the last year and a half. We can mandate 100-percent clean energy usage by 2045. But without your involvement, public policy is just that: a policy written on a piece of paper. It is your support and daily participation that transforms those policies into meaningful actions.

The state's Legacy Land Conservation Program, which has helped to conserve many thousands of acres in Kaʻū,
 was mentioned by Gov. David Ige today as he declared, "A New Urgency for the ʻĀina."
Image from Legacy Land Conservation Program

     The governor gave the example of KUPU, the nonprofit youth organization "dedicated to making a difference in their communities," which has participated in many land and ocean stewardship projects in Kaʻū. He thanked John Leong, Director of KUPU, and asked a group from KUPU to
"stand and be recognized for their contributions to making a difference in Hawaiʻi."
     He said the KUPU volunteers "are only a few years older than those of you who are still in school. The future will be here faster than you think. But you don't have to wait for that day to come. These young folks have shown how you can make a difference right now."
     The governor began his speech by reminding everyone that on Jan. 1, "We welcomed the dawn of not only a new year, but a new decade. For those under 30, that may not seem like a big deal. But for those who grew up without the internet — when The Lord of the Rings was a book you read and not a movie you watched — time has a way of sneaking up on us.
     "Could any of us have imagined the changes and discoveries that have already taken place in this century? Smart phones, 3-D printers, Facebook, and self-driving cars. And it seems that each year, change happens faster and faster.

The transition from sugar to small farms in Hawaiʻi received mention in the State of the State
address today. This Kaʻū Coffee Farm was started by local coffee pioneers Francis and
Trinidad Marques. Photo by Julia Neal

     "How do you keep up with it all? If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit, we can't. We go along with the flow and hang on for dear life.
     "But the issues that concern our families haven't changed for as long as I can remember: Finding a job that pays the bills, dealing with Hawaiʻi's high cost of living, and taking care of our family."
     The governor praised ALICE, the study sponsored by the Aloha United Way, which reported that a family of four in Hawaiʻi needs a combined annual income of $77,000 "just to survive... to pay for food, housing, health care, childcare, and taxes.
     "If you asked working families in Hawaiʻi whether they make $77,000 a year, many would answer, 'no.' If you asked families who made $77,000 whether that was enough, I suspect the answer would still be, 'no,'" said Ige.
     The governor detailed the 2020 Hawaiʻi Legislature package of bills that is based on the ALICE Report. See yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs for the story.
     The governor cautioned, however, that "Great things do not happen overnight. To paraphrase Robert Kennedy, they begin with a vision to see things, not as they are, but as they might be."
     He talked about transformation of agriculture in Hawaiʻi, saying that "large plantations that exported sugar and pineapple to smaller more diversified farms that grow food for local consumption is such a vision. But it has taken a while.
     "The transition of our visitor industry from a sector that focuses on growth to one that embraces sustainability is just beginning. It, too, will take time. In fact, the shift to sustainability in many of the things we pursue—including energy, economic development, and the environment—will continue long after we are gone. That is why we cannot lose sight of those broader goals, no matter the obstacles, changes in administration, or how long the process."
     See more on the State of the State in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Veteran farmers marketer Millie Akau, who sells at the Ace Hardware site until the end of January.
Photo by Julia Neal

ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU WILL HOST A FARMERS MARKET on Wednesdays in Nāʻālehu, beginning Feb. 5,  on its open land on the mauka side of Hwy 11 that formerly hosted Nāʻālehu Fruit Stand. The operation will be managed by Sue Barnett. The purpose of the farmers market, according to OKK, is to provide a large space for the community to sell and buy produce and to help raise money for the planned senior housing at the location. The start-up of the new farmers market will follow the closure of the market at the Ace Hardware location in Nāʻālehu at the end of January.

     Contact Barnett at kaufarmer@aol.com of 808-345-9374.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball

Wed., Jan. 22 @HPA

Tue. and Wed., Jan. 28 and 29 BIIF @Civic

Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 HHSAA on Oʻahu

Boys Basketball

Mon., Jan. 27 @Kamehameha

Tue. and Wed., Feb. 4 and 5 BIIF @ Kealakehe

Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 HHSAA on Oʻahu

Soccer

Wed., Jan. 22 and Sat., Jan. 25 Girls BIIF

Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 Girls HHSAA on Oʻahu

Sat., Feb. 1 and 8 Boys BIIF

Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 Boys HHSAA on Oʻahu

Wrestling

Sat., Jan. 25 @Kamehameha

Sat., Feb. 1 @Hilo

Sat., Feb. 8 BIIF @Konawaena

Fri. and Sat., Feb. 21 and 22 HHSAA

Swimming

Sat., Jan. 25 @Kona Community Aquatic Center

Fri., Jan. 31 and Sat., Feb. 1 BIIF @Kamehameha

Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui

UPCOMING

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22

Kuʻi Kalo: Pound Poi, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lanai, HVNP. Make poi, the staple food of the Hawaiian diet. The root of the kalo plant is cooked and ku‘i (pounded) to create this classic Hawaiian dish. Join Ranger Keoni Kaholo‘a‘a as he shares his knowledge of kalo. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops. Free; Park entrance fess apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, JAN. 23
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, Jan. 23 and 24, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, Jan. 23, 3-4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for community members. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584 or domingoc1975@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY, JAN. 24

Old Style Pau Hana Mele & Hula ‘Auana, Friday, Jan. 24 – fourth Friday, monthly – 4-5:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Held outdoors, weather permitting. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

SATURDAY, JAN. 25

Palm Trail, Saturday, Jan. 25, 9:30-12:30p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, relatively difficult, 2.6-mile, hike. Bring snack and water. nps.gov/havo

Sounds at the Summit: Hilo Jazz Orchestra Frank Zappa Tribute, Saturday, Jan. 25, 5:30-7:30p.m. Hawaiʻi Island musician and composer Trever Veilleux, director. Annual concert tends to sell out. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Blue Tattoo Band, Saturday, Jan. 25, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge, free to in-house guests. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

MONDAY, JAN. 27

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Kapa Aloha ʻĀina, the fabric of Hawaiʻi with Puakea Forester, Monday, Jan. 27 – fourth Monday, monthly – 2:30-4:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

TUESDAY, JAN. 28

After Dark in the Park – Seismicity of the 2018 Kīlauea Volcano Eruption, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 7-8p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. HVO seismologist Brian Shiro recounts the 2018 earthquake story, including how HVO adapted its techniques to monitor the events, and describes current levels of seismicity and HVO’s ongoing efforts to improve seismic monitoring. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

H.O.V.E. Road Maintenance Corp. Board Mtg., Tuesday, Jan. 28 – last Tuesday, monthly – 10a.m., H.O.V.E. RMC office, 92-8979 Lehua Lane, Ocean View. 929-9910, hoveroad.com

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tuesday, Jan. 28 – last Tuesday, monthly – 11:30a.m.-1p.m., St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View. Volunteers welcome. Dave Breskin, 319-8333

Lava Tubes of Ocean View, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Presented by Peter and Annie Bosted, it will include presentation of images of the underground in the Ocean View area – especially an extensive system in the Kahuku Unit of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which abuts HOVE – and Hawaiian lava tubes in general. Those who want to know more about what's going on under their feet, and those curious about lava tubes are invited to the free presentation, along with family and friends, said the Bosteds.

ONGOING

Apply for Mosaics of Science by Monday, Feb. 3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's 12-week paid summer internship position is designed to engage university students and recent graduates with on-the-ground work experience in the National Park Service. A $4,800 stipend, and all travel costs are covered, including a week-long career workshop in Washington,  D.C. to meet with NPS managers.

     The internship is open to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents ages 18-30, and to military veterans up to age 35. Funding is provided under a cooperative agreement for youth conservation activities as part of the Public Lands Corps program, which mandates that these age ranges are followed. 

     The selected intern will assist with the development of education curriculum for Kīpukapuaulu and Pu‘u Loa trails in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.

T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511

Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

   

    

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Monday, January 20, 2020

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's annual Keiki Fishing Tournament will be open for registration this Wednesday, Jan. 22. The annual
event takes place this year at Punaluʻu on  Saturday, Feb. 22. See okaukakou.org and the
organization's Facebook page. See more details below. Photo by Nalani Parlin

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY drew a message today from Kaʻū's congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard: "Today is, in many ways, the most important of our nation's cherished holidays. Martin Luther King Jr. Day represents who we aspire to be rather than simply celebrating who we are or what we've been. On this day, we celebrate Dr. King's legacy — the values of freedom, liberty, and justice for all.

     "Dr. King's legacy is one of love. Through his life, he showed us all by his example how, even in our darkest of days, we can choose love. His example has inspired me from a very young age, where I personally experienced that I was happiest when serving God, working for the wellbeing of others and the planet. It's what has motivated me throughout my life, serving in public office, and serving our nation in uniform.
     "Today I stood at the state house in Columbia, South Carolina to honor Dr. King's legacy, to remember Ms. Septima Clark of Charlestown who Dr. King called the 'Mother of the Movement,' and to reflect on today's importance to our nation, to all its people, to me:

Kaʻū's Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard at Martin Luther King celebration in Columbia, South Carolina today.
Photo from Gabbard

Click here to watch full speech from today's MLK Day event.
     "Ultimately, the legacy of Dr. King is one of peace and freedom. He understood that the road to peace, freedom, and justice requires that we stand up to violence, injustice and fear without doing greater violence, inflicting greater injustice or instilling greater fear. He understood that if we are serious about being a force for good in the world, a force for God's love, we must proceed from a place of love for all of God's children.
     "Dr. King opposed the Vietnam War, because he saw the connection between the fact that our government spent '$35 billion a year' to fight in Vietnam, but would not spend '$44 million to get rid of the rats' in impoverished American communities.
     "Today, our leaders waste trillions of dollars on the new cold war and wasteful regime change wars that haven't made us any safer, and then they tell us we can't afford healthcare and education."
     Gabbard wrote that if she should become U.S. President, she would "uphold Dr. King's legacy by taking the trillions of dollars we are now wasting to enact death and destruction, and investing it in the cause of life and renewal here in the United States of America."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us
on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

STRONG ECONOMIC MEASURES are promised by the 2020 Hawaiʻi Legislature, which is underway. The House of Representatives, Senate, and Gov. David Ige issued a joint statement, as House Speaker Scott Saiki announced a package of bills to tackle issues highlighted in Aloha United Way's 2017 report called ALICE: A Study of Financial Hardship in Hawaiʻi. 

      The ALICE Report sponsors are Kamehameha Schools, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, and Bank of Hawaiʻi. ALICE - Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed - describes economic hardships of many working individuals and families in Hawaiʻi. After paying for expenses such as housing, child care, food, taxes, health care, and transportation, a family of four needs to earn roughly $77,000 a year simply to survive, according to ALICE.

     The Speaker said the aim is to address the high cost of living in Hawaiʻi by directly supporting "individuals and families who are struggling the most to make ends meet. Every dollar counts when you are trying to stretch each paycheck just to meet basic needs. By increasing wages and tax benefits, investing in child care, and creating more affordable housing units, the Legislature, together with public and private partners, is working to end the cycle of poverty."
     This is the first joint House and Senate legislative bill package since 2004 and it has the backing of the Governor. Saiki called it "an example of innovative reforms and targeted investments to help ensure a better future for residents and the state."

ALICE is the inspiration for a package of proposals in
the 2020 Hawaiʻi Legislature that seek to reduce poverty,
raise income and housing opportunities, and improve
education. Image from The ALICE Report

     Senate Pres. Ron Koichi said, "In these divisive times, this collaborative package is the result of the hard work done over the interim months by House and Senate leaders, with input from stakeholders and administrative departments, that strikes an optimistic tone in addressing these issues. We are aware that this is a good first step toward making a difference and hopefully, with continued cooperation from all parties, we will continue to invest in Hawaiʻi and in our youth."
     Ige said it provides a blueprint for changes for generations to come, to better the lives of Hawaiʻi's people and make the islands a place that future generations will be able afford to call home. "Many of our families are living paycheck to paycheck, and this proposed package of bills is designed to ease the burden on those struggling to stay afloat and provide a more stable future for the next generation."
     The legislative economic package targets tax relief for working class families and individuals; increases the minimum wage, develops leasehold housing for the working class; provides tax exemptions for developers to build below market priced homes; provides infrastructure for developments at or near rail stations; expands childcare options for parents near their work places, creates a new Schools Facilities Agency and allows the state Department of Education to focus on education.
     Rep. Sylvia Luke, Chair of the House Finance Committee pointed to the ALICE report, saying it "shows that large cost drivers, primarily taxes, housing, and childcare, coupled with relatively low income levels make cost of living a challenge for too many Hawaiʻi families. Instead of trying to resolve these issues in silos, we, along with community members, came together and decided, 'Let's help our working people.' That's why what we have is not just about wages, and not just about affordability of housing, and not just about childcare needs. It's about raising up that entire group of our population."
     Ways and Means Committee Chair Donovn Dele Cruz said, "This joint House, Senate, Governor effort is a real integrated approach to help working families with increasing their take home pay amounts, providing pre-school for their children, and increasing housing supply." A joint press release from the House, Senate and Governor describes programs:

Reducing Income Inequality: "To put money back into the pockets of residents, one measure will provide tax relief for working families by making the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) refundable and permanent. That means qualified families can get a cash refund of up to $380 through this tax credit. For many people, earning minimum wage is not enough to provide enough to live on. This package includes a bill that will provide incremental increases in the minimum wage bringing it to $13 an hour by 2024. But raising the minimum wage alone is not a solution to providing economic stability."
     Rep. Aaron Ling Johanson, Chair of the Labor and Public Employment Committee, said, "The $75 million in tax relief is some of the largest "for working class folks that the Legislature has made in the last few decades. By coupling a minimum wage increase with the tax relief, we're ensuring that working class families and individuals not only increase their income, but also offset any increased taxes from those wage gains."
     Senate Labor, Culture, and the Arts Chair Brian T. Taniguchi said, "I like the idea of a joint Senate-House-Governor proposal for a package that addresses income inequality by providing relief for the working poor. Although the increases to the minimum wage may seem modest, the proposal must be seen in its overall positive impact and in its embrace of the 'aloha spirit' toward those that are struggling in our society."
     Norm Baker, chief operating officer at Aloha United Way, said, "The Alice Report showed us that 47 percent of our households are barely able to provide for the five basic essentials of housing, childcare, food, transportation, and healthcare. These families are left vulnerable as their budget – $28,296 for a single adult and $77,052 for a family of four – does not allow for savings and unexpected expenses. It could take just one incident for these households to fall into a crisis. We have to do better for our families. We are grateful that our lawmakers are working on a legislative package and partnering with nonprofits and the private sector to create solutions that will help lift our ALICE households."

Increasing Affordable Housing: The proposal states that the ability to buy a home is part of the American dream but many in Hawaiʻi cannot compete with outside investors to purchase homes and condos beyond their economic reach. To address this issue, the state will identify publicly-owned properties that can be used to develop 99-year leasehold units. Half of those homes will be reserved for working-class families earning up to 140 percent of the area median income (AMI).

     Rep. Tom Brower, Chair of the House Housing Committee, said, "Leasehold sales will ensure that the homes will be reserved for local residents because the investment market is not interested in leasehold. And leasehold will keep the prices down well below the median therefore making it affordable."
     According to the plan, the state will also invest $200 million in General Obligation Bonds to defray infrastructure costs for developers willing to build around the first open rail stations in West Oahu and offer a General Excise Tax exemption for projects that meet the goal of 140 percent AMI or below. "The goal is to build 10,000 units," said Brower. "Developers say the cost of infrastructure makes projects cost prohibitive. This provides a great incentive and will jumpstart construction and expand the number of affordable, available homes on the market."

Fifty-five percent of Hawaiʻi Island residents are below the
ALICE Threshold. Image from ALICE

Access to Learning for all 3- and 4-year-olds: The proposal states that all families want the best for their children and studies have shown that an early education contributes significantly to how well a student does in school. But finding affordable child care that is also convenient to homes or business is often difficult.
     The proposal says: "The lack of affordable child care serves as a major barrier for families trying to better their economic circumstance. Many families are forced to forgo child care and early learning for their children and those who do budget for child care spend about one-third of their incomes on it. Lawmakers have been struggling to expand public early learning facilities for decades."

     To solve this problem, this package contains a bill to create a public-private model to increase the capacity at existing private childcare facilities supported with public funds and also develop new facilities for early learning programs for 3- and 4-year-old children where they are needed.
     State-owned sites including all the university campuses will provide space to incorporate early learning centers near where people work. Learning centers will also be developed on state properties on the neighbor islands.
     Rep. Justin H. Woodson, Chair of the Lower & Higher Education Committee, said, "The best way to do something about childcare is to provide early learning. Providing many more early learning centers across the state will help 3-, 4-, and early 5-year-old children the chance to truly be ready for kindergarten."

Seventy-seven percent of Kaʻū residents are below the ALICE Threshold.
Image from ALICE

     Senate Vice President Michelle N. Kidani said, "The Learning To Grow legislation will expand access to early learning opportunities to keiki across our state. It is well documented that early learning has a substantial positive effect on long-term academic success, and we owe it to our keiki to give them the best possible chance at success that we can.
     "The action to move school facilities out of the Department Education is not intended to be punitive in nature; this is simply an acknowledgement that proper and appropriate facilities management requires a different skillset from education. This new School Construction Authority will have the ability to redevelop our campuses and transform our schools into 21st Century learning centers for our students."
     Micah Kane, board member of Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative and CEO and president of Hawaiʻi Community Foundation, said, "Our state is at a crossroads – people we love are leaving Hawaiʻi not because they want to, but because they have to. They can no longer afford to live here. Two of the primary cost drivers are the lack of affordable housing and childcare options. Addressing these challenges will not be easy, however, I do believe it can be done through our collective effort. Our public-private partnership with the state, legislature, nonprofits, and the private sector gives me hope that together, we will solve these issues for our families. If we are so lucky, our families will stay home and come home."
Building Educational Results: In order to allow the Department of Education "to closely focus on its primary purpose of teaching our children, the legislature proposes to create a new Schools Facilities Agency to oversee major construction and repair projects in our schools," says the proposal.
     The governor will appoint an executive director for the new agency which will be responsible for all public school construction except for repair and maintenance projects that cost $100,000 or less.
"This new agency will focus on the construction of major building projects at existing and new schools," said Luke. "This proposal will ensure that school construction is done in a timely manner with public input and strong oversight. This will enhance the learning experience and give all students a better chance for success."
      The statement from the 2020 Hawaiʻi Legislature and governor points to Hawaiʻi Business Magazine's article Half of Hawaiʻi Barely Gets By. Read here. Read the ALICE Report.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us
on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

Bamboo poles are provided for the hundreds of keiki participants every year at the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Fishing Tournament. 

Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU'S 12TH ANNUAL KEIKI FISHING TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION opens Wednesday, Jan. 22, through Wednesday, Feb. 19 at noon. The tournament, held each year at Punaluʻu, is a huge draw for Kaʻū

Even the smallest of fisherpeople catch something during 

the OKK Keiki Fishing Tournament. OKK photo

residents. Whole families make a day of it. Keiki as young as one year old up to age 14 can register online at okaukakou.org, or pick up a registration form at local stores, to be announced.

     Last year's tournament had over 275 keiki entrants, and the shores held almost 1,000 participants and volunteers. Those fishing in the ocean catch, measure, and release their catches. Poles, hooks, buckets, and bait are provided.

     Every participant receives a prize. Special prizes are awarded to the top three largest catch in each of five categories: Largest Kupipi, Largest Po‘opa‘a, Largest Hinalea, Largest Āholehole, and Most Caught.

     Last year's event boasted free chili, hot dogs, rice, brownies, shave ice, and water for everyone. For fisherpersons under age four, a little plastic pool was provided, filled with rubber duckies for them to fish for – with magnets, not hooks. Tents let people relax out of the sun. Keiki could participate in a fish quiz for prizes. There was also a raffle drawing which included fishing poles,

The fun isn't all in the water. Keiki answer the fish quiz, 

win a prize, and they're hooked! OKK photo

gift cards, mini drones, and electric scooter prizes, and live music to entertain. There were also booths at the event: PARENTS, Inc., Department of Land & Natural Resources, Barbless Circle Hooks Project, United Health Care Community Plan, and the American Red Cross.

     OKK' s website states: "Since 2007, OKK has sponsored a fishing tournament for hundreds of area children and their families. The tournament continues to be a huge success! Local families are treated to a day of fishing, a chance to win numerous goodies in a random drawing, there's free food for everyone, and every kid goes home with a prize of their choice."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.

See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. 

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events. 

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes 

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on 

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

See monthly and weekly Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, and Meditation at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball

Wed., Jan. 22 @HPA

Tue. and Wed., Jan. 28 and 29 BIIF @Civic

Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 HHSAA on Oʻahu

Boys Basketball

Mon., Jan. 20 @Honokaʻa

Mon., Jan. 27 @Kamehameha

Tue. and Wed., Feb. 4 and 5 BIIF @ Kealakehe

Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 HHSAA on Oʻahu

Soccer

Wed., Jan. 22 and Sat., Jan. 25 Girls BIIF

Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 Girls HHSAA on Oʻahu

Sat., Feb. 1 and 8 Boys BIIF

Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 Boys HHSAA on Oʻahu

Wrestling

Sat., Jan. 25 @Kamehameha

Sat., Feb. 1 @Hilo

Sat., Feb. 8 BIIF @Konawaena

Fri. and Sat., Feb. 21 and 22 HHSAA

Swimming

Sat., Jan. 25 @Kona Community Aquatic Center

Fri., Jan. 31 and Sat., Feb. 1 BIIF @Kamehameha

Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui

UPCOMING

MONDAY, JAN. 20

Fee Free Day at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Monday, Jan. 20, midnight-11:59p.m. Park entrance fees waived for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

AdvoCATS, Monday, Jan. 20, 7a.m.-4:30p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Free spay/neuter for cats. 895-9283, advocatshawaii.org

TUESDAY, JAN. 21

Cultural Understanding through Art & the Environment: Ti Leaf Lei Making with Jelena Clay, Tuesday, Jan. 21 – third Tuesday, Monthly – 11a.m.-1p.m., Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

After Dark in the Park – Kīlauea Lower East Rift Zone 2019: Quiet But Insightful, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 7-8p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Why did the fissures erupt along a linear pattern?  How long will it take for the lava to solidify? Why is vegetation still dying in the area? Join USGS HVO geologist Carolyn Parcheta as she explores these and other queries, and shares recent observations and findings by HVO scientists. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6101, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 22

Kuʻi Kalo: Pound Poi, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 10a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lanai, HVNP. Make poi, the staple food of the Hawaiian diet. The root of the kalo plant is cooked and ku‘i (pounded) to create this classic Hawaiian dish. Join Ranger Keoni Kaholo‘a‘a as he shares his knowledge of kalo. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops. Free; Park entrance fess apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, JAN. 23
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, Jan. 23 and 24, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thursday, Jan. 23, 3-4 p.m., Classroom 35, Building F, Nā‘ālehu Elementary School. Provides local forum for community members. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP to Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584 or domingoc1975@yahoo.com.

FRIDAY, JAN. 24

Old Style Pau Hana Mele & Hula ‘Auana, Friday, Jan. 24 – fourth Friday, monthly – 4-5:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Held outdoors, weather permitting. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

SATURDAY, JAN. 25

Palm Trail, Saturday, Jan. 25, 9:30-12:30p.m., Kahuku Unit, HVNP. Free, relatively difficult, 2.6-mile, hike. Bring snack and water. nps.gov/havo

Sounds at the Summit: Hilo Jazz Orchestra Frank Zappa Tribute, Saturday, Jan. 25, 5:30-7:30p.m. Hawaiʻi Island musician and composer Trever Veilleux, director. Annual concert tends to sell out. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Blue Tattoo Band, Saturday, Jan. 25, 7-10p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge, in HVNP. $5 cover charge, free to in-house guests. Open to authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

MONDAY, JAN. 27

Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment: Kapa Aloha ʻĀina, the fabric of Hawaiʻi with Puakea Forester, Monday, Jan. 27 – fourth Monday, monthly – 2:30-4:30p.m., Volcano Art Center. Pre-registration required; class size limited. $10 per person supply fee. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING

Apply for Mosaics of Science by Monday, Feb. 3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's 12-week paid summer internship position is designed to engage university students and recent graduates with on-the-ground work experience in the National Park Service. A $4,800 stipend, and all travel costs are covered, including a week-long career workshop in Washington,  D.C. to meet with NPS managers.

     The internship is open to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents ages 18-30, and to military veterans up to age 35. Funding is provided under a cooperative agreement for youth conservation activities as part of the Public Lands Corps program, which mandates that these age ranges are followed. 

     The selected intern will assist with the development of education curriculum for Kīpukapuaulu and Pu‘u Loa trails in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
     For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.

T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511

Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.