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Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary Principal Sharon Beck wins the 2023 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership
Award at the Public Schools of Hawai'i event last Thursday. She is flanked at left by Hawai'i Superintendent of Schools
Keith Hayashi and at right by Island Insurance Foundation Chair Tyler Tokioka.

EXCELLENCE IN SCHOOL LEADERSHIP is the award bestowed upon Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary School Principal Sharon Beck. The 2023 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award was delivered at the Public Schools of Hawai‘i Foundation annual dinner last Thursday. 
    “This tremendous recognition of Principal Sharon Beck is a recognition of her leadership at Ka‘ū High & Pāhala Elementary,” said state Superintendent of Schools Keith Hayashi. “It’s her ability to bring the community together, all in the spirit of helping not only students, but their families and the overall Ka‘ū community.”
    Public Schools of Hawai'i Foundation Trustee and Island Insurance Foundation Chairman Tyler Tokioka said, “Principal Sharon Beck rose to the top primarily because we were amazed by what she’s been able to accomplish given the area that her school is located in. The location creates challenges that other principals may not face… the size of the area that she serves and the economic issues that the area can create logistical challenges, resource challenges, in addition to the normal learning challenges that all principals face.”

    Beck was awarded $25,000 – a $10,000 personal cash award and $15,000 toward a school project of her choice. Beck hopes to use the school award money toward bluetooth devices that would provide students with access to learning in remote areas that may not have WiFi access.
“This award, to me, is a team recognition,” Beck said. “I couldn’t do this alone. It is the faculty, the staff — everyone at school that puts their heart and soul into our students.”

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF HAWAI'I FOUNDATION offers Good Idea mini grants to school teachers throughout the state. Deadline to apply is June 5, with awardees notified by July 24. The aim of the Foundation's Good Idea Grants Program is to enhance innovation in the classroom and empower teachers to bring their good ideas to life. Mini-grants of up to $3,000 provide public school teachers needed financial resources not available through usual government channels. See https://pshf.org/


MEMBERS OF HAWAI'I'S TEACHERS UNION voted overwhelmingly Wednesday afternoon to ratify a new four-year contract. Hawaiʻi State Teachers Association announced that Hawai'i Teachers Association Bargaining Unit 05 employees of the state Department of Education and public charter schools cast almost 7,000 ballots. Ninety-two percent approved the contract that will take effect July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2027. About 8% voted against the contract. For the first time since 2017, members voted in person at 31 polling sites across the state.
    HSTA President Osa Tui, Jr. said, “HSTA thanks bargaining unit members who came out today to ratify

a new four-year contract which will help to recruit and retain teachers and give further stability for our keiki to have highly qualified teachers in their classrooms."
    Gov. Josh Green said, "We have a deep appreciation for Hawai'i's teachers and and this contract was meant to demonstrate that. By raising starting salaries to $50,000, we hope more of Hawai'i's young men and women will aspire to become teachers,. Higher salaries and bonuses for veteran teachers will also improve teacher retention and reduce teacher shortages. Good public education remains one of our top priorities."
    To help offset Hawaiʻi's cost of living, employer contributions to teachers' health insurance premiums will also increase in the new contract.
    Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi said, "We're happy to see the overwhelming support from teachers for this contract that all sides worked diligently on, to elevate the teaching profession in our public schools. The Department appreciates the collaborative effort with HSTA, Governor Green, and his administration."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

A MAGNITUDE 4.2 EARTHQUAKE off the Ka‘ū Coast, followed by a Magnitude 3.9 quake on land near Honaunau shook the island Wednesday afternoon and evening. The Ka‘ū quake, 7.5 miles East-
Southeast of Pāhala, rocked at 4:31 p.m. USGS reported: “The earthquake was widely felt on the Island of Hawaiʻi, with 89 felt reports in the first half-hour. Reported shaking intensity was very light (V on the Modified Mercalli scale) and little or no damage is expected.” HVO scientists characterized the earthquake as one in the seismic swarm under the Pāhala area, ongoing since 2019. Honaunau's quake happened at 7:21 p.m. 8 miles from Capt. Cook and 8 miles from Honaunau, drawing many more reports of shaking in the more populated district.


CASHLESS ENTRY FEES & PASSES AT HAWAI'I VOLCANOES begins Friday, May 26. Those planning to visit Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park this summer are advised, "Don't bring cash." Starting Friday, May 26, ahead of Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial kickoff to summer, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park will no longer accept cash for entrance fees or passes. Only credit or debit cards and
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park will only accept credit and
 debit cards starting May 26. NPS Photo/J.Wei
digital site passes will be accepted.
    A statement from the Park says, "Entrance fees are an important source of revenue used to improve the visitor experience in national parks, including road and facility repairs and maintenance, trail improvements, visitor and resource protection services and more. Moving to a cashless system allows parks to be better stewards of visitor dollars by reducing the amount of time park staff spend managing cash, increasing the amount of fee revenue available to support critical projects and visitor services, and improving accountability and reducing risk."

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

KAʻŪ'S CONGRESSWOMAN PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON MASS SHOOTINGS across the country in a message on Tuesday. Jill Tokuda wrote: "There have already been at least 160 mass shootings in the
United States. That's more shootings than days this year. It's tragic, and it's past time we end this madness. We can't be complacent and shouldn't have to live with this violence in our communities, schools, churches, or workplaces."
    She said, "I stand with the majority of Americans that are demanding comon-sense solutions." She published a poster saying: "Here are just a few of the reforms that I am fighting for," and listed the following: 
    Conduct Universal Background Checks on all Gun Sales;
    Combat Gun Trafficking and the Spread of Illegal Guns;
    Ban Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines; and
    Allow Victim's Families and Survivors of Gun Violence to Hold Gun Sellers and Manufacturers Accountable. 
    Tokuda pointed to culture wars, saying that "more than 40,000 Americans die yearly from gun violence. Enough with banning books, bullying trans children, taking away reproductive health care, and making it harder to vote... let's tackle a real problem, the leading cause of death of adolescents in the USA."
    She said she joined the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force in Congress "so that I can continue working on commonsense legislation and advocate for life-saving gun safety measures." She also pointed to the 2024 election, saying that by "electing more members of Congress committed to gun reform, we can start passing reforms to create a safer and more peaceful country for all of us."


South Korea's Consul General for
Hawai'i Hong Seok-In
FORGING GREATER TIES WITH KOREA was on U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono's agenda Wednesday. As South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol marked his first visit to the U.S. and met with Pres. Joe Biden, Hirono introduced bicameral legislation to build on the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement. The measure encourages greater ties between American and Korean businesses. Called the Partner with Korea Act, it was also introduced in the House of Representatives.
    Hirono said, “The United States’ partnership with South Korea is critical to both of our countries and economies. Expanding the E nonimmigrant visa category will help further strengthen trade between our nations while increasing the number of qualified workers in the U.S."
   The Partner with Korea Act would create an allotment of 15,000 E-4 highly skilled work visas for Korean nationals with specialized education and expertise, provided that potential employers can ensure the visa holders are not hired for positions that American workers could fill. Similar visa allotments were created following U.S. free trade agreements with other countries, including Australia and Singapore.
    South Korea maintains a diplomatic presence in Hawai'i. The Consul General is Hong Seok-In. See https://www.consularcorpshawaii.org/korea.


POLICE ARRESTED 13 FOR DUI April 17 through April 23. Hawai'i Island police made the arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Nine of the drivers were involved in a traffic collision. None were under 21.
    So far this year, there have been 317 DUI arrests compared with 339 during the same period last year, a decrease of 6.5 percent.
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 284 major crashes so far this year compared with 233 during the same period last year, an increase of 21.9 percent.
    To date, there have been seven fatal crashes, resulting in eight fatalities, compared with last year's 10 fatal crashes, resulting in 12 fatalities. One crash led to multiple deaths. This represents a decrease of 30 percent for fatal crashes, and 33.3 percent for fatalities. Police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.


Posted by at

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Kircia Derasin is the winner of an O Kaʻū Kākou scholarship for her first year in college this fall.
The Kamehameha School senior enjoys rodeo and wants to become a pediatrician. 
 
O KAʻŪ KĀKOU HAS NAMED TWO SCHOLARS FROM KAʻŪ TO RECEIVE FUNDING to further their education. The nonprofit service organization gives out scholarships annually.
    Kircia Derasin is a graduating senior at Kamehameha Schools. She has been on the Principal's List and Headmaster's List for the last two years and maintains a 3.733 GPA. She has participated in the Hawai'i High School Rodeo, Kaʻū High School All Stars Program, Girls' Cross Country and Koa Club. 
    Derasin plans to attend University of Hawai'i Hilo to pursue her life-long desire to become a Pediatrician. She said she loves "the idea of taking care of the youth, and being able to guide them through both their health and mentality," She said she believes that "kids are a big part of the future, so we need to take them into consideration." Her $1,000 scholarship fro 'O Kaʻū Kākou is for the 2023-2024 school year.
Leinaia Andrade receives an OKK scholarship
 and studies to become a dental hygienist. She is
a Kamehameha School graduate.
    Lenaia Andrade graduated Kamehameha Schools and attends Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA, as an undergraduate student with a 3.83 GPA. She will graduate this spring and receive her AA in Arts and Sciences.  
    Andrade was recently been accepted into the Dental Hygiene Program at Columbia Basin College and will spend the next two years pursuing her Bachelor of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene.  
    She said she feels that "giving back to my community is important," Andrade has volunteered with the National Honor Society and participated in food drives, clean-up campaigns, speak-outs, family nights and sports activities for schools. 
    "My volunteer experience helped drive my want and need to help people. When I see the happiness and joy that I'm able to bring to people, it makes me feel good inside and encourages me to believe that I can really make a difference among my community."
    Upon earning her degree, Andrade plans to return to Hawai'i so she can "help people feel healthy and confident in their smiles because a smile is such a big and beautiful feature that we have".  
   Her  $2,000 scholarship from 'O Kaʻū Kākou is for the 2023-2024 school year.
   See more on OKK's history, ongoing projects and events at www.okaukakou.org/


Youth Ranger Interns graduate from training in preparation for becoming Youth Rangers this
summer. Photo by Lynette Smith/ Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

THE YOUTH RANGER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, with sponsorship by Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, trained 37 young people from Kaʻū and Puna this Spring. They graduated on April 14 and plan to work this summer as Youth Rangers. The Youth Ranger Internship Program provides career preparation to youth in rural East Hawai'i.
    See more on Friends of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, its staff, programs, events and Youth Ranger Internship at https://www.fhvnp.org/


A SCHOLARSHIP FOR TRAINING IN GRANT WRITING FOR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT is available from Ulupono Initiative and the Hawai'i Good Food Alliance. The funding is for the Grantsmanship Center's professional grant writing program for those working in Hawai'i local food system development with the goal of increasing available funding to food system enterprises and services.
See https://www.tgci.com/training/grantsmanship-training-program-5-day
       Tuition for an individual's five-day training is $1,195 (with a $100 early-bird discount). Ten scholarships of $1,095 will be awarded with the understanding that the recipient or his/her/their organization will cover the tuition balance of $100 and provide the time for seminar attendance virtually or in person.
     Awardees will be selected by HGFA and Ulupono staff with consideration of the applicant's prior experience in the field, organizational need, and commitment to continued grant writing efforts. The participant or her/his organization would cover the cost of the tuition upfront and then be reimbursed once proof of program completion is submitted to HGFA.
    Recipients are required to complete the Grantsmanship training by Nov. 30. Direct completed applications and any questions about this opportunity to Betsy Cole, cole@kohalacenter.org. Deadline for submission is May 15.

A FOOD HUB PILOT PROGRAM is sought by the state Department of Agriculture. The agency will
administer a competitive request for proposal process to award general funds for proposals that support the establishment and growth of food hubs on a scale that meets demand by state institutions such as schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities. Visit Hawai'i Awards and Notices Data System HANDS at https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/ for more information.


CHILDREN OF FILIPINO WORLD WAR II VETERANS would enjoy speedier visa processing for coming to the U.S. under the  Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act. The legislation has been introduced into Congress numerous times and was reintroduced on Tuesday by Hawai'i U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono and Hawai'i Congressman Ed Case, along with colleagues from other states.
    Hirono said, “Filipino soldiers served our country with honor and bravery during World War II. But for too long, they’ve been denied many of the rights and benefits they deserve, including the ability to reunify with their families in the U.S. I’m proud to reintroduce the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act to reunite these veterans with their loved ones. I will continue working to support Filipino veterans, their families, and all veterans in Hawaii and across our country.”
A visa backlog has made some children of Filipino WWII vets wait nearly 20 years
 for their visa applications to be considered. Only about 1000 of these vets remain alive.
    
    Case said, “More than 250,000 Filipino service members who fought valiantly alongside us in World War Two were promised the opportunity to immigrate to our country and did, becoming proud and productive American citizens. But our visa caps and backlog have delayed their families joining them for decades, at a time when our Filipino WWII veterans have needed them the most. I’m honored to reintroduce this bipartisan, bicameral bill to do the right thing and allow those few remaining veterans to be reunited with their families in their country.

    More than 260,000 Filipino soldiers followed America’s call to fight under the American flag in World War II, but there are only a few thousand of these veterans still alive.
    Despite their heroic service, Congress passed the Rescission Acts of 1946 which made Filipinos ineligible for benefits granted to other World War II veterans. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush granted U.S. citizenship to about 26,000 Filipino nationals in recognition of their service to the United States during World War II. However, the 1990 law did not confer citizenship or residency to the veterans’ children, who remained separated from their parents. Due to a visa backlog, some Filipino applicants must wait nearly 20 years before their applications are considered.
    In 2016, after years of advocacy by Hirono, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began implementation of the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole program to reunite veterans and their surviving spouses with adult children and certain other relatives. However, the program is limited and provides no guarantee that these veterans can reunite with their loved ones.
    In 2019, the Trump Administration announced its intention to terminate FWVP and in December 2020, published final steps to end this program in the Federal Register.
    Case led a bicameral, bipartisan letter signed by Hirono and 30 of their House and Senate colleagues to President Biden in February 2021, urging the new administration to rescind the termination efforts and renew FWVP, and DHS has since reversed its 2019 announcement.

Filipino WWII veterans years ago, waiting for legislation
that would allow their children to more easily come to U.S.
     The Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act would provide a permanent solution by amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from global limits the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the 1990 law or other specified laws.
    The bill is endorsed by Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, Church World Service, Filipino Bar Association of Northern California, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, National Immigration Forum, and National Federation of Filipino American Associations.
    Since 2013, Hirono has led the introduction of the bipartisan Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act. Following years of advocacy from Hirono and the Hawaii Congressional Delegation, in October 2017, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the Filipino Veterans of World War II. Hirono also leads the introduction of the Filipino American History Month Resolution, which recognizes October as Filipino American History month and celebrates the history and culture of Filipino Americans.

Dylan Alcain 
Leilani Alcain
THE COUPLE WHO FLED FROM KONA THROUGH KAʻŪ TO VOLCANO WHERE THEY WERE ARRESTED last Thursday, after an alleged crime spree, pleaded not guilty to a slew of offenses on Monday.
    Twenty-seven year old Dyland Alcain was charged with attempted murder after shots were fired from their vehicle and hit police cars as they escaped. He was also charged with robbery, terroristic threatening, carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on public highways and other offenses. His bail is set at $700,00.
    Thirty-five year old Leilani Alcain, formerly Leilani Parent, was charged with robbery, carrying or possessing a loaded firearm on public highways and other charges. Her bail is set at $145,000.  See http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2023_04_20_archive.html


FINDING JUSTINA ALVES OF OCEAN VIEW is a quest of Hawai‘i Island police, with a renewed request for the public’s assistance. The 33-year-old is wanted for an outstanding bench warrant and for questioning in other criminal investigations. She is known to frequent the South Kona and Ocean View areas.
   Alves is described as 5 feet 8 inches tall, 125 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. She has a tattoo on her left neck area that reads “Ronald”.
HPD asks for the public's
help in finding Justina Alverez.
    A previous media release requesting assistance in locating Alves also included two other Ocean View residents, 42-year-old Ronald Patrick Keahonui Kahihikolo, and 38-year old Hubert Kekahuna-Kekona. Both men have since been located.
    Hawai‘i Police Department would like to remind the public that harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed against the person who harbors or conceals the wanted person.
    Anyone with information on Alves’ whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118, or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
    Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can submit a tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to caller ID.


OUTDOOR MARKETS

Volcano Thursday Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See Volcano Evening Market facebook. 

Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.

Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.                                                                  

O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.












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Monday, April 24, 2023

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, April 24, 2023

'Io, the native Hawaiian hawk, which was listed as Endangered between 1967 and 2020 has recovered and is the topic at After Dark in the Park on Tuesday evening. See more below. Also see story by Puanani Fernandez-Akamine and many action and resting 'io photos by Brett Nainoa Mossman in the Office of Hawaiian Affairs publication Ka Wai Loa at 
https://kawaiola.news/cover/the-bird-that-soars-in-the-heavenly-space/.  Photo by Brett Nainoa Mossman

COUNTY CALLS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH $18 MILLION IN FUNDING. Mayor Mitch Roth made the announcement on Monday that $18 million will soon be available to qualified applicants working to increase, support, or sustain the availability of affordable housing in Hawaiʻi County. 
    Hawaiʻi County, through its Office of Housing & Community Development, has announced that it will request proposals for Affordable Housing Production Program funds from eligible developers, non-profit and for-profit organizations, public agencies, and community land trusts starting May 1. Deadline to apply this year is June 30.
   The Mayor said, "We're proud to build on our commitment of fostering a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island where our keiki can raise their keiki for generations by helping organizations to bolster affordable housing developments on our island. We're committed to getting local families into homes, and this is just one way we're working to ensure that we realize that commitment."
County Housing Administrator Susan Kunz.
    
    The County statement describes the funding as "an unprecedented investment in the Hawai'i Island community." It was made possible through Ordinance 22-77, passed by the County Council in June 2022, and signed into law the Mayor. The law appropriates a minimum of $5 million per year to the Office of Housing and Community Development to facilitate programs that support affordable housing production in Hawaiʻi County.
    A statement from the County says, "The need for affordable housing on Hawaiʻi Island is dire, and increasing the availability and accessibility of affordable housing remains the administration's top priority. Per the 2019 Hawaiʻi Housing Planning Study, Hawaiʻi County needed to add 10,796 affordable housing units by 2025 to meet the community's needs. That makes public-private partnerships like those that will be fostered by the Affordable Housing Production Program critical to ensuring local families can thrive here for generations to come.
    County Housing Administrator Susan Kunz said, "To support and build a sustainable Hawaiʻi Island, we must address the availability and quality of housing. This unprecedented investment in the community reflects the administration's continued commitment to prioritizing affordable housing development and increasing the number of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing units available to our 'ohana. The Hawaiʻi County Office of Housing and Community Development is pleased to administer the Affordable Housing Production Program and looks forward to partnering with qualified developers, organizations, agencies, and land trusts to support the development and preservation of much-needed affordable housing to ensure the viability of our communities."
    The $18 million available for the current request for proposals combines funding from fiscal year 2022-23 and anticipated funding for fiscal year 2023-24. For the current fiscal year, 2022-23, OHCD received $9 million. At least $9 million is anticipated for fiscal year 2023-24, which begins July 1.
    Proposals for program funds must meet the primary objective of the Affordable Housing Production Program to support, increase, and sustain the supply of affordable rental and owner-occupied housing on Hawai'i Island and other requirements.
    A variety of activities may qualify for funding via the Affordable Housing Production Program, including:
    Acquisition of real property for the development of affordable housing;
    Planning, design, or construction of affordable rental or owner-occupied housing;
    Rehabilitation of housing to be utilized as affordable housing;
    Providing affordable housing for elderly, persons with special housing needs, and homeless residents lacking a permanent home;
    Investment in infrastructure in connection with the development of affordable housing projects; and
    Other activities that support, increase, and sustain affordable housing production in Hawai'i County.
    Proposals must be submitted electronically only through an online application platform that will be available on the OHCD website, www.hawaiicounty.gov/ahp, starting May 1, 2023. Proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. June 30.
    Eligible non-profit and for-profit organizations, public agencies and community land trusts considering proposal submissions and interested community members are encouraged to take part in one of two virtual information sessions via Zoom. 
    To register for the first session at 1:30 p.m. May 4, visit tinyurl.com/386ce4xb. The second session will be held at 9:30 a.m. May 9, 2023, visit tinyurl.com/4tjcr58d to register.
    For more information on the upcoming request for proposals for Affordable Housing Production Program funds, or to obtain a copy of the proposal guide, visit www.hawaiicounty.gov/ahp or email ohcd.ahp@hawaiicounty.gov.
    The Hawai'i County Office of Housing & Community Development is responsible for the planning, administration, and operation of all County of Hawai'i housing programs. Its mission is to provide for the development of viable communities through decent housing, suitable living environments and expanded economic opportunities.   

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.

MANAGING A SHORELINE SETBACK OF 40 FEET is before the County of Hawai'i's Planning Commissions. The aim, required by state law, is to prepare for sea level rise, protect the coast and prevent construction of buildings that could be damaged and destroyed as the shoreline moves inland over time. The County is required by an act passed by the Hawai'i Legislature in 2020 to adjust its dealings with shoreline setback. The legislation requires counties to come up with their own detailed regulations to comply with the state law. That includes requiring all new development to be inland 40 feet or more from the shoreline, which is defined as the highest reach of the ocean along the shore during the highest tide of the year, including during storms.    
    Existing structures closer than 40 feet to the shore are grandfathered in but would require county variances to be enlarged, rebuilt or replaced. Repairs would be allowed without variances.
Attend After Dark in the Park at Kīlauea Visitor Center
on Tuesday at 7 p.m. for a presentation on the Hawaiian
Hawk 'io by wildlife biologist Dr. Kristina Paxton.
NPS photo
        Last week, both Hawai'i County Leeward and Windward Planning Commissions held a joint meeting and discussed such details as definitions of beach, the shoreline itself, and consideration of archaeological sites and cultural resources along the shore along with the scope of dealing with requests for variances. Another meeting on the subject is set for Friday, June 2.
    Learn more about shoreline regulations and setback on the state website at https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/czm/program/sma/FAQ-SMA-OP.pdf. Also see the County of Hawai'i website on coastal zone management at https://www.planning.hawaiicounty.gov/resources/special-management-area-sma.


'IO, THE HAWAIIAN HAWK is topic of After Dark in the Park this Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
    ʻIo are found only on the Island of Hawaiʻi and thrive in a variety of habitats from urban environments to agricultural and forested landscapes. The bird was on the Endangered Species list beginning in 1967, but the population has recovered and 'io was delisted in 2020.
Trojan Steven Adler in the 100 meter.
    National Park Service wildlife biologist Dr. Kristina Paxton will share new research that reveals how ʻio move across their island home. 
    The presentation is one in a series produced by Hawai‘i Volcanoes’ ongoing After Dark in the Park programs and sponsored by the Friends of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free, but park entrance fees apply.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands. 

THE TROJAN TRACK TEAM AT KEA`AU on Saturday in an islandwide Big Island Interscholastic Federation meet saw Isaiah Manila Louis take second overall in the sophomore freshman division of the long jump with 18 ft and 5.25 inches. Louis also took fourth overall in the freshman sophomore 300 meter hurdles finishing in 50.86 seconds. He took fifth in the 100 meter in 12:55 seconds, a personal best for him.
Track coaches Jacob Davenport and Tolu Rasmussen with
Cheska Aurelio and Kalia Grace.
     Cheska Aurelio finished sixth in the 800 meter in 2:56:37. Stephen Adler finished the 100 meter varsity run in 13.31 seconds.
     This weekend Trojan Track heads to Kea'au for the BIFF finals on Friday at 2 p.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands. 

OUTDOOR MARKETS

Volcano Thursday Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village, Thursdays, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., with live music, artisan crafts, ono grinds, and fresh produce. See Volcano Evening Market facebook. 
Volcano Swap Meet, fourth Saturday of the month from 8 a.m. to noon. Large variety of vendors with numerous products. Tools, clothes, books, toys, local made healing extract and creams, antiques, jewelry, gemstones, crystals, food, music, plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also offered are cakes, coffee, and shave ice. Live music.
Isaiah Manila Louis takes second in long jump.  Photos from Coach Tolu Rasmussen


Cheska Aurelio out front in the 800 meter.
Volcano Farmers Market, Cooper Center, Volcano Village on Sundays, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., with local produce, baked goods, food to go, island beef and Ka'ū Coffee. EBT is used for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly Food Stamps. Call 808-967-7800.                                                                    O Ka'ū Kākou Market, Nā'ālehu, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.
Ocean View Community Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays, 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., corner Kona Dr. Drive and Hwy 11, near Thai Grindz. Masks mandatory. 100-person limit, social distancing required. Gate unlocked for vendors at 5:30 a.m., $15 dollars, no rez needed. Parking in the upper lot. Vendors must provide their own sanitizer. Food vendor permits required. Carpooling is encouraged.










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