The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Friday, May 27, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, May 27, 2022

Kanikapila Sunday in Nāʻālehu with Keoki Sereno's 'Ukulele Class

The concert will be on Sunday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at the Outdoor Pavilion behind United Methodist Church in

Nāʻālehu. Students from Keoki Sereno's free 'ukulele classes will perform. Refreshments to follow.

Photo by Julia Neal

BAY CLINIC, THE COUNTY AND WEST HAWAI'I HEALTH CLINIC AIM TO TACKLE FENTANYL, and formed a Task Force to fight it. They announced on Friday that Hawai'i Island is experiencing an increase in Fentanyl overdoses. "Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. The dangerous drug is mixed into fake pain pills and other drugs, such as Xanax, without the users' knowledge. A tiny amount can be fatal."

Bay Clinic's Dr. Kimo Alameda leads the new task force to educate
the public on he dangers of fentanyl. Photo from Bay Clinic

The task force is led by Dr. Kimo Alameda, of Bay Clinic, to bring widespread awareness and knowledge of the dangers of fentanyl. Mayor Mitch Roth said, "We're partnering with these health centers to help prevent overdose deaths in our community, The most powerful weapon against any epidemic is education, and we are committed to educating our residents so that they can make informed choices to keep themselves and their loved ones safe."
Addiction medicine specialist Dr. Kevin Kunz said, "Fentanyl is the most addictive and potent opioid and the deadliest drug America has ever known. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, this synthetic opioid is 50 to 100 times stronger than any other opioid out there. It's more potent than cyanide." According to Kunz, data from CDC and the National Center for Health Statistics indicate that the leading

The one-time Heisman Trophy hopeful and University of
Hawai'i U. Hawai'i football star Colt Brennan died
last year with fentanyl in his blood.

cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45 is

overdose. One recent tragic death was that of 37-year-old former University of Hawaiʻi football star Colt Brennan, who was found to have a combination of ice, alcohol, and fentanyl in his system.
Jane Clement, Mayor's Executive Assistant, said, "We are planning to bring up-to-date information on the facts, prevention, and treatment to residents utilizing virtual and in-person presentations. Our local experts have organized a 30-minute presentation targeting all ages about the dangers of initiating drug use, addiction, and fentanyl poisoning." Anyone interested in an in-person viewing, contact Alameda at deskoftheceo@bayclinic.org. Seating is limited.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html tml

KAʻŪ'S CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE SIGNED ON FOR FOR GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION LEGISLATION on Friday, following this week's killing of 19 elementary school students and two teachers in Texas. A letter from Kahele and colleagues says,
"The time to act is now. The American people and President Biden are demanding that Congress act before more lives are needlessly lost to gun violence. We can and must continue to work in the House to tackle the gun violence crisis in this country even though we know that Senate Republicans will continue to use the filibuster to block any meaningful reforms. The fact is, there are numerous pieces of gun violence prevention legislation still pending in the House that have the support of the majority of Americans."
The letter underscores the number of lives lost in recent years directly due to gun violence and highlights the mass shootings in New York and Texas that took place earlier this month: "More than 240,000 Americans have lost their lives to gun violence ... In the last two weeks alone, we've lost 31 innocent lives to mass shootings in Buffalo and now Texas." Kahele pointed out that on Wednesday night in Honolulu, a shooting near the Blaisdell Arena occurred.

The letter notes that next month will mark the six-year anniversary of the first sit-in on the US> House of Representatives floor to protest "the Republican majority's unwillingness to consider any gun safety measures following the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando. At the time, we were in the minority and we had no other tool left at our disposal than to bring Congress to a grinding halt. Two years later, we won back the majority in the House with the promise to deliver on gun safety legislation and ever since we have had the votes to pass common sense gun violence prevention legislation in the House."

Among the proposals are H.R.8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act to implement universal background checks and H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Check Act to close the "Charleston loophole." The letter explains that "Republicans have used the filibuster to block those bills from even being considered by the Senate. Although the filibuster continues to be an enormous obstacle, we believe the House has an obligation to continue to bring up and pass gun violence prevention legislation."
It states that from Uvalde to Buffalo to Parkland to Sandy Hook, "there isn't a city, town or neighborhood in this country that hasn't been impacted by gun violence. It is an epidemic in the United States, and a public health crisis. It's not just the mass shootings that are an issue, but also the day-to-day gun violence affecting people in cities like Chicago, New York, Houston, and Baltimore. Every day parents all across this country send their kids off to school or out to play, or drop them off at the mall or the movie theater, and fear that that might be the last time they see their child."
The letter quotes Pres. Joe Biden's talk to the nation on Tuesday night, ".....these kinds of mass shootings rarely happen anywhere else in the world. Why? They have mental health problems. They have domestic disputes in other countries. They have people who are lost. But these kinds of mass shootings never happen with the kind of frequency that they happen in America. Why? Why are we willing to live with this carnage? Why do we keep letting this happen? Where in God's name is our backbone to have the courage to deal with it and stand up to the lobbies? It's time to turn this pain into action."
The letter sates that the caucus working on gun law reform is often reminded of President Abraham Lincoln's famous quote, "with public sentiment, nothing can fail...without it nothing can succeed." The letter states that the majority of Americans are asking us, begging us, to do something about gun violence before more innocent lives are lost. We came here to take on the tough fights and let the chips fall where they may. We believe this is something worth fighting for, no matter the political consequences. We urge you to bring any gun violence prevention legislation when it has been approved by the Judiciary Committee to the House floor immediately for a vote."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html tml

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR

at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, May 26, 2022

May Day Goes Live for Junior High in Pāhala
A May Day program for middle school students, with families invited, recently graced the grounds of Kaʻū High
& Pāhala Elementary School, under the direction of Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder. May Day has been an annual tradition for
the historic school campus where the school year ends on Friday. Photo by Otis Salmo

Members of the May Day Court at the junior high at Kaʻū High
& Pāhala Elementary. Photo by Otis Salmo

LOUIS DANIELE IS THE NEW COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSIONER covering Kaʻū, a post formerly held by John Replogle. The other Planning Commissioner from Kaʻū is Michelle Galimba, its Vice-Chair who serves at large.
Daniele, who lives in Ocean View, is General Manager of Olson Trust's Kaʻū Coffee Mill, having begun with the company picking coffee, working his way up through sales. He has also represented Ka'u Coffee at Specialty Coffee Association conventions around the country and has served on the board of Hawai'i Coffee Association.
He was appointed to the Windward Planning Commission and confirmed by the County Council in April.
Daniele was raised in New England, attending St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont, class of 1984, and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Hartford Art School at the University of Hartford Connecticut, class of 1988. He worked in Hartford for an advertising firm until 1991 when he moved to Maui. For the first year on Maui, Daniele spent his time doing pastel landscapes of his new home with famed Maui artist Richard Letney. During his early years in the Islands, Daniele worked with Maui sculptor Tom Faugh.

New Planning Commissioner Louis Daniele,

representing Kaʻū Coffee at the Hawai' Coffee

Association booth in Boston this Year.

While on Maui, Daniele became involved with Campaign Recycle Maui. He recalls its mission was twofold: "Educating the public and businesses on diverting green waste from the county land fill waste stream and to grind up the green waste and wind row the material until it became rich soil for sale back to the community." Daniele worked as the nursery manager for Haiku Farms Nursery and Landscape Co., on Maui, learning of the flora of Hawai'i. In 2004 he moved to the Big Island, settling in Ocean View two years later where he lives with his wife Kalikoweo Keolanui, Assistant Manager of Kaʻū Coffee Mill.
He said that Kaʻū Coast preservation is very important to him, along with policies that encourage economic development of the area and create more employment, particularly in the agricultural sector.

THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS HAVE THE HIGHEST NEW CASE RATE FOR COVID IN THE COUNTRY, according to The New York Times Covid tracker, which shows 86 new cases a day per 100,000 people in its May 27 report, a 56 percent increase in the last two weeks. The Hawai' County rate reported is 78 new cases per 100,000 people, a 53 percent increase.

The state reports about 1,260 new cases a day throughout the islands, not including unreported home tests, which are widely used in this state. It also reports the presence of new strains from South Africa, including one case on this island. The strains are reported to be more transmissible than previous strains.
Dr. Josh Green, the Lieutenant Governor, said in his update on Wednesday that lots of people are contracting Covid but the illness is less severe than in previous surges. He called it more "like a subacute illness like a cold or a flu." He recommended masking "if you are vulnerable" and noted that very few people are hospitalized with Covid, with nine statewide in the ICU. "Not many people are in the hospital. You have been fighting this off very well."
CDC recommends staying home for five days after the onset of symptoms, or if testing positive but asymptomatic. Dr. Scott Miscovich, who is known for running Covid tests on Hawai'i Island and throughout the state, said five days is not long enough, and recommended a negative antigen test before interacting with people after testing positive.

The CDC and state Department of Health recently recommended COVID-19 boosters for keiki five to 11 years of age and second boosters for those 50 and older, as well as younger folks who are immunocompromised. State Department of Health Director Elizabeth Char, MD said, “It’s exciting that children 5 to 11 years of age can now get added protection from a booster shot. This is especially important at a time when COVID-19 case counts are increasing across the state.”
COVID shots and boosters are available at the Longs/CVS pharmacy in Pāhala and through Bay Clinic in Nāʻālehu and Ka'u Hospital & Rural Health Clinic in Pāhala.

THE LIFT THE BAR ACT IS NEW LEGISLATION aiming to reinstate access to federal benefits for immigrants, who must wait five years after entering the country before becoming eligible. Sen. Mazie Hirono, who introduced the legislation this week, said the delay in federal benefits to immigrants is "due to unjust policy enacted nearly 30 years ago. In 1996, Congress passed restrictive welfare and immigration legislation that created unnecessary barriers, including an arbitrary five-year waiting period, that delay access to crucial benefits and services for millions of immigrants."
The Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration Act would remove these barriers and restore access to public programs including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program,

and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for lawfully present immigrants, enabling them "to access the benefits they need and deserve," said Hirono. Rep. Pramilla Jayapal (D-WA) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Hirono noted that "Immigrants have kept us healthy, safe, and fed on the frontlines of this pandemic—highlighting just how critical they are to our communities, while also bearing the brunt of this crisis. Despite the vital role they play, unjust policy enacted nearly 30 years ago prevents tax-paying immigrants, including women and their children, from accessing critical services and programs, including health care, food and housing assistance, and more. As we work to build a more equitable society, the LIFT the BAR Act will help end decades of injustice and strengthen our entire economy by removing these arbitrary barriers and allowing millions of immigrants to live healthier, safer and more economically secure lives," said Hirono.

"The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep inequities and made clear that our communities are stronger and healthier when all of us have access to services that meet our basic needs," said Marielena Hincapie, Executive Director of the National Immigration Law Center. "For 25 years, millions of people in the United States have been denied access to care and economic supports because of their immigration status. We are proud to support the LIFT the BAR Act, which would rectify a decades-old injustice and take a major step forward in addressing racial, wealth, and health disparities in this country."

A FREE KANAKAPILA CONCERT on Sunday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at the Outdoor Pavilion behind United Methodist Church in Nāʻālehu. Students from Keoki Sereno's free ukulele classes will be performing. Refreshments to follow.

Become a Vendor at the 3rd Annual Experience Volcano Festival

The festival will be on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, July 31st from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Last year, over 2,500 visitors attended and over 40 events were featuring during the EVH festival. All vendor spaces are $50 for both days of the festival. Sign up as a vendor or sponsor at experiencevolcano.com. With questions, contact experiencevolcano@gmail.com.

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR

at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Summer Fun Program Still Open for Registration Until Enrollment is Full
County of Hawai'i Parks & Recreation Summer Fun will be from June 6 till July 15, Monday through Friday
from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Kaʻū District Gym and Nāʻālehu Community Center. Open to keiki in grades K through 6.
Registration packets can be picked up at both facilities during working hours. For more info, contact Nona
Makuakane at (808) 928-3102. Also of note, OKK's Independence Day Parade returns to Nāʻālehu on July 2.
Photo by Julia Neal

WITH ITS SECURITY BUDGET STRETCHED TO OVER $1 MILLION, County of Hawai'i Department of Parks & Recreation is asking for public assistance to notify law enforcement immediately when seeing "active vandalism or theft at any County park and/or beach." Parks & Recreation Director Maurice Messina urged, "If damage or vandalism is found at any County park and/or beach, please inform Parks & Recreation as soon as possible at (808) 961-8311.

“We are in constant struggle with people who do not respect our public facilities and feel that vandalizing County vehicles to steal gas or breaking into our maintenance supply rooms to rip off cleaning supplies has no consequences. Every time we have to repair a vandalized facility or replace stolen

equipment, it costs public tax dollars which should be used in other areas like programs and services,” said Messina.

The plea came as Mayor Mitch Roth condemned the actions of arsonists responsible for destruction of four County of Hawaiʻi vehicles serving the Elderly Activities Division of Department of Parks & Recreation. The vehicles were stored at the Kamana Senior Center in Hilo and destroyed by fire last Sunday, May 22. The damage estimate is about $100,000.

The mayor, who perviously held the post of County Prosecuting Attorney, said, “It’s a shame to think that there are folks in our community who would intentionally destroy vehicles that are specifically meant to serve our kupuna. We urge anyone who sees or hears of this type of activity to report it directly to the police. We will not stand for it and will ensure that any individual who attempts this type of egregious action is punished to the fullest extent of the law."

“These vehicles were used for elderly transportation services and meal deliveries to home-bound seniors, so the idea of someone setting them on fire is senseless to me,” said the Director of Parks & Recreation. “

To report information about the vehicle fires at the Kamana Senior Center, contact the Police nonemergency number at 935-3311. ###

Arsonists set these vehicles on fire. They provided transportation and meal deliveries for seniors.
Photo from County of Hawai'i

NUMEROUS COMMENTS ON THE CLOSING OF PĀHALA POOL have come to The Ka'u Calendar newspaper. Jo Barnard said, "I spent so many hours in that pool, it’s so sad to hear it’s not open for kids." Irene Perrigo Eklund said, ..."no pool for the kids and families? Our elected officials need to get with it, we deserve better." Bob Bouffiou asked, "A machine issue should take two weeks to fix at most. What's the issue? And why is is taking all summer?" Annie Ridgely said, "Keiki need to learn to swim. This should be a priority. Open the job up for outside contractors to fix." Dave Shaffer said, "I am a certified pool technician. I'll be happy to look at it for ya!"

Rosa Stewart said, "Aww so sad...I learned to swim there." Dawn Liza said, "I had so much childhood memories swimming in that pool. So sad it is closed." Josh-Elizabeth Crook said, "third year without swim team. So sad because the kids loved it and were doing so well." Chelsae-Lynn Rosario Kobzi said, "That was the one thing I looked forward to during the summer as a kid. That's sad."

Megan Denny said, "It was such a blessing to this community... literally was so important to my kids' growth and learning. A huge part of their life. (And our memories) This little town needs that pool greatly."

The message on the pool's phone says, "We are currently closed. Possible reopening of the pool may take up to eight to 12 months due to ongoing mechanical issues. All keiki Learn to Swim Summer Classes will be cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience." Messages can be left at 808-928-8177. The pool is operated by the County of Hawai'i Department of Parks & Recreation's Aquatics Division.

An empty and closed Pāhala Pool with some portable equipment and repair time estimate of eight months to a year.

Photo by Julia Neal

EXPERIENCE VOLCANO FESTIVAL, coming up July 30 and 31, is open to volunteers and those wanting to show and sell their arts and crafts and services. The vendor deadline is July 11, noon.

Organizers report that last year more than 2,500 attended the festival with venues dispersed throughout the Volcano Village area. There were 36 vendors and more than 40 events.
This year Experience Volcano Festival continues to partner with previous host locations that included Volcano Garden Arts, Lava Rock Cafe, Kilauea Lodge, Volcano Winery, and the Volcano Art Center - all of the providing locations for vendors. See vendor application and more at

www.experiencevolcano.com/experiencevolcanofestival

VIBRANT HAWAIʻI MICRO-INVESTMENT DEADLINE TO APPLY is Thursday, May 26 at 11:59 p.m. Micro-investments are intended to support quick action to demonstrate the feasibility of solutions and are available in amounts up to $2, 500. Investments should be spent within a 3-6 month time period. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in mid-June. This opportunity is open to all Hawaiʻi Island residents, businesses, nonprofits, associations, and civic groups. To apply, visit https://www.vibranthawaii.org/economy.

NATURE & ART AS THERAPY: WINDS & CHIMES is a free workshop offered by Root & Rise Hawaiʻi on Friday, May 27 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at Root & Rise Outdoor Studio in South Kona. This FREE program is open to anyone seeking mental health support, family/friends of those with mental challenges, social service & mental health professionals, and interested community members. The goal of the program is to reduce stress, improve mood, and restore hope. Space is limited, so please call 617-543-8065 to reserve a spot and for more information.

KANAKAPILA CONCERT on Sunday, May 29 at 11 a.m. at the Outdoor Pavilion behind United Methodist Church in Nāʻālehu. Students from Keoki Sereno's free ukulele classes will be performing. Refreshments to follow.

SEE MORE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR

at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, May 27, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, May 27, 2022

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, May 26, 2022

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, May 25, 2022