The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs June 26, 2024

The word Aloha is created by sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) as they arrive to Hawai'i, standing on the flight deck for Exercise Rim of the Pacific which begins Thursday. Photo from U.S. Navy

RIMPAC, THE WAR GAMES, ARE DRAWING 25,000 MILITARY PARTICIPANTS FROM 29 COUNTRIES TO HAWAIIAN WATERS and land, starting Thursday. They will carry out their war games at such places as nearshore waters and Pohakuloa Military Training Area on this island. They will transport their vehicles and weaponry on some state, federal and Hawai'i County roads.

Getting ready for RIMPAC at Pearl Harbor
U.S. Navy Photo

The facebook for Commander, U.S. Third Fleet posts: "The 29th biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific kicks off June 27th in and around the Hawaiian Islands. RIMPAC, the world's premier multinational maritime exercise, is a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans."

A RIMPAC 2024 Teaser Trailer film shows ships, planes, helicopters, firing of missiles and more.
Several groups that oppose RIMPAC have called for it to stop. The national democracy group for the Philippines, Anakabyan Hawai'i, is one of them. One of its leaders, Misty Pegram, said, "The coalition that is currently being built is kind of a continuation of the decades of work that has already been done by Kānaka Maoli activists, folks who stand in solidarity against the military occupation in Hawaiʻi."
Pegram said, "The goal in this campaign to cancel RIMPAC. We see it as a manifestation of the U.S. militaries who want to know this idea of constantly being ready for war, and where their idea of a free and open Indo-Pacific is not aligned with what a free and open Indo-Pacific actually is."

USS Lincoln is one of the warships participating in RIMPAC starting Thursday. through Aug. 1. U.S. Navy photo.

U.S. Pacific Fleet made the RIMPAC announcement, saying, "Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface

ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel
will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise series that began in 1971. As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC combines force capabilities in a dynamic maritime environment to demonstrate enduring interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations."
The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” To promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, Exercise RIMPAC "is the premier joint and combined maritime exercise, utilizing and preserving a world class maritime training environment. With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters multi-national cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated, prepared, coalition partners."

RIMPAC 2024 welcomes forces from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2024 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as the Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, will serve as deputy commander of the CTF. Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will serve as vice commander. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Kristjan Monaghan of Canada, who will command the maritime component, and Air Commodore Louise Desjardins of Australia, who will command the air component.

The statement says that during RIMPAC, "integrated and prepared partners train and operate together in order to strengthen our collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2024 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict."

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PHOTOGRAPHS OF KAʻŪ'S OCEAN SEASCAPES, ABOVE AND UNDERWATER, can be submitted to the 2024 Get Into Your Sanctuary Photo Contest. Submissions are accepted until Sept. 2 and can be taken in Kaʻū and beyond. Qualifying photographs could include images of stewardship activities in Kaʻū and elsewhere.
Other categories largely focus on Marine Sanctuaries nationwide, including the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. Here are the categories:
Sanctuary Views: Share photos of beautiful sunsets or scenic shots of a favorite national marine sanctuary.
Sanctuary Life: Send best photos of sanctuary inhabitants like fish, birds, marine mammals, and other amazing ocean creatures.

Sanctuary Recreation: Enter best images of people responsibly enjoying national marine sanctuaries, whether they're boating, kayaking, diving, swimming, conducting research, or just hanging out on the beach.
Sanctuaries at Home: Illustrate connecting National Marine Sanctuary System from home. Submissions to this category must follow the guidance of Sanctuary Recreation, Sanctuary Life, and Sanctuary Views, but can also include photos of stewardship activities from home or neighborhood, or sanctuary-related artwork.
Sanctuaries Around the World: Ocean connection can happen anywhere, not just in the National Marine Sanctuary System. Following the guidance of Sanctuary Recreation, Sanctuary Life, and Sanctuary Views, show connections to the ocean by submitting photos from anywhere in the world, to the category Sanctuaries Around the World. Submissions can include photos taken in the United States, but outside of a national marine sanctuary, as well as photos taken outside of the United States.
Organizers of the contest said, "We recommend that these images consist of photos taken in the wild of marine life or bodies of water close to you. Submissions of photos from zoos, aquariums, or other indoor establishments are not encouraged."
Winning photographs will be announced in October 2024.
Each photographer may submit up to 10 photos total (minimum of 1200 pixels on long edge). To clarify, this means 10 photos per person, not 10 photos per category. Photographers may submit photos to all categories, as long as their submissions do not exceed 10 photos total. Additional photos will be disqualified if photographer submits more than 10 images.
Fill out the entry forms at https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/photo-contest.html...

Two of the candidates shown here at the Grand Rally in 2016 are still in office, Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono.

Photo by Julia Neal

A CLASSIC GRAND RALLY IN THE OLD HILO BANDSTAND ahead of this year's primary election has been set for Friday, July 19 in Hilo. Candidates aiming to represent Kaʻū and beyond, who are members of the Democratic Party, are expected to give speeches in the Mo'oheau Bandstand at 329 Kamehameha Ave. in downtown Hilo. It's the 63rd Annual Primary Grand Rally to get out the vote.

A statement from the Hawai'i Democratic Party says, "Longtime popular Master of Ceremonies Andy Kahili will kick off the event and County Party Chair Pono Kekela will introduce Hui Okinawa Kobudo Taiko for a traditional taiko drum performance. There is no charge to attend, and everyone is welcome.

"Started in 1954, the Hawai'i County Democratic Party's Grand Rally has seldom missed a beat through the decades. It went virtual in 2020 because of the pandemic but returned in person in 2022 and continues to be the Big Island's signature political event, recognized statewide. The Democratic Party of Hawai'i is especially excited to welcome all the young voters casting their ballots for the first time this year."
The Grand Rally, historically held the Friday night before the primary election, now takes place a few weeks earlier so voters can hear from candidates just as their ballots are arriving in the mail. It's also a great opportunity for candidates and voters to get better acquainted. Ballots should arrive in mailboxes in the days after July 23rd, to be returned and counted by August 10th.
Those wishing to vote can still sign up for the Primary and the General Elections. See https://elections.hawaii.gov/register-to-vote/.

'OIWI, AN EVENT PRODUCED BY WAI'OHINU'S OWN PUMEHANA WONG YUEN, is open for Ka’ū crafters to join in to sell their creations on Saturday, July 6 at the Pana'ewa Haili Tent from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wong Yuen said she invites the Ka’ū public to attend the 'Oiwi Pana'aewa event, which is designed to "showcase the handmade crafters." While completely organized and produced by Wong Yuen, it is sponsored by Big Island Delights and KWXX radio. It features the Uncle Boddy Durham Country Band and help is provided by Men of Pa'a.
Wong Yuen created 'Oiwi, which she says is a nonprofit that promotes locally made crafts. She is also owner of Pumehana Designs, which is popular at many venues. She specializes in lei makig and floral arrangements, and crafting Hawaiian jewelry, Kamani hair piks, magnets and mini throw nets.
See https://www.facebook.com/groups/1029007884708499/
Born and raised in Wai'ohinu, Wong Yuen is the daughter of the late Walter Wong Yuen, Sr. who was known for his volunteer service for many years at Kauaha'ao Congregational Church. Pumehana is daughter of the late Annie Wong Yuen, who was a pastor at the church.
To become a vendor at 'Oiwi, contact pumehanamomi@aol.com Text 808-990-7281.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs June 25, 2024

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park staff raises the flag at Kīlauea Visitor Center which is expected to close for up to two years
for renovations, as early as September. NPS Photo

KĪLAUEA VISITOR CENTER COULD CLOSE AND AFTER DARK IN THE PARK SUSPENDED AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER. The purpose is renovations and expansion at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Parking adjacent to the Visitor Center will be limited during construction.
According the the Park, the project contract is expected to go out for bid in July, and if awarded next month, construction could begin in September. Once awarded, the contract is expected to take up to two years to complete.
What this means for visitors is the complete closure of Kīlauea Visitor Center, including the restrooms, water station, and sidewalks around the building. Visitors should expect limited parking at KVC, along Crater Rim Drive West and reduced services. Once KVC closes, programs such as After Dark in the Park and Nā Leo Manu will be suspended until KVC reopens.
Limited visitor services and the Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store will relocate to a temporary visitor contact station adjacent to the historic ball field near Kīlauea Military Camp.
Volcano House and the Volcano Art Center Gallery will remain open during the project.
Park managers will share details of the renovation and expansion at an After Dark in the Park program August 20 at 7 p.m. in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium.

Kīlauea Visitor Center East sign. The facility will close for up to two
years for renovations. NPS photo by Jessica Ferracane

Renovations planned for Kīlauea Visitor Center include:
The addition of a covered hālau (pavilion) on the western end of the building;
Restrooms relocated to the eastern end of the building;
Full accessibility;
Interior will be expanded by converting office space into visitor-use space;
Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store will shift into a larger interior space, and
New bilingual exhibits in English and ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi.
Although September is the soonest the visitor center would close, a delayed start date is possible, according to the Park. Hawai'i Volcanoes staff says the Park will continue to notify the public through news releases, social media and its website. Construction closures and delays are regularly updated on the park’s construction webpage: https://ow.ly/nw5o50SpJ9H.

Janeea Bonoan

O KAʻŪ KĀKOU HAS ANNOUNCED SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS FOR 2024. The non-profit community service group gives scholarships annually and this year selected the following:

Janeea Bonoan graduated from Ka’ū High School in May and gave the commencement speech. She is enrolled in University of Hawai’i Hilo this fall to pursue a medical career as a pediatrician or nurse. The OKK announcement says, "Janeea is passionate about children’s health and dreams of returning to Ka’ū frequently to hold free health check up clinics for kids. She feels that participating in volunteer community services made her realize how important it is to connect and reconnect with people in the

Leinaia Andrade

community. She says 'It doesn’t matter if it’s big or small, as long as you find a ways to give back to your community.'”
Lenaia Andrade graduated from Kamehameha Schools and is entering her third year at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA. She is pursuing her education to become a dental hygienist. She told OKK that she plans to return to Ka’u “to be able to give people amazing care and experiences just as my dentist and orthodontist did for me”. Andrade has participated in many volunteer activities and reprted to OKK that her “volunteer experiences helped drive my passion for helping and aiding others in the community.” OKK reports that she "wants to be able to give back to her community because they have instilled so

Nalani Blanco-Louis

many important values in her that created the strong and industrious individual she is today."
Nalani Blanco-Louis graduated from Ka’ū High School in May. OKK reports that "She has a passion for animals because she grew up in Ka’ū participating in ranching, hunting and fishing. She will be attending Hawai’i Community College in Hilo this fall and has plans to pursue a degree in Veterinary Medicine. Her career intentions are to open a veterinary clinic to service Ka’ū District ranchers and clients. She has been a volunteer to help restore Honu'apo Beach and states 'It felt good because I was not doing it just for anyone, I did it for the ‘aina,' She feels that her “community has given me so much that I need to give back something.'”
See more on OKK, its President Wayne Kawahi and boardmembers at https://www.facebook.com/okaukakou/ and www.okaukakou.org. In addition to the organization's continuous volunteer work from Food Bank to helping with Ka’ū Coffee Festival, upcoming events include the Independence Day Parade on June 29 in Nāʻālehu and the Ka’ū Coffee Trail Run on Sept. 24.

Monday, June 24, 2024

Kaʻū News Briefs June 24, 2024

Ashley Oyama is a Republican challenging Democratic candidate and incumbent Jeanne Kapela in the race for the seat in the state House of Representatives, serving Kaʻū and beyond.

ASHLEY OYAMA IS RUNNING AS A REPUBLICAN AGAINST DEMOCRAT JEANNE KAPELA, the incumbent in the race for the state House of Representatives District 5. The territory covers all of Ka'u and extends toward Kona to a portion of Kea'au and toward Kona to north of Ho'okena. Oyama is expected to appear in the Fourth of July Parade in Na'alehu this Saturday, July 29 at 11 a.m. Oyama's campaign website www.ahleyoyama.com says she is "a devoted wife, proud mother, teacher, and small business owner of Kūpa‘a Homeschool Academy. During the Covid pandemic, Oyama was named Teacher of the Year for West Hawai'i while she was teaching at Konawaena High School.

Ashley Oyama, candidate for state House of Representatives was named West
Hawai'i Teacher of the year when serving at Konawaena High School

Oyama is quoted as saying, "Our community thrives on values like respect and aloha. Driven by a profound sense of duty, I step forward as a candidate for State House District 5. I'm not seeking merely a title but rather an opportunity to revive the essence of our community. As your voice, I pledge to uphold the values that have defined us, fostering a return to the unity and compassion we once shared.
"Iʻve lived in District 5 since I was four years old and am blessed to raise my family here. As the 2021 West Hawaii Teacher of the Year, Iʻve seen the need for change within the public school system. I will work for accountability, transparency, and fairness for students and families within the school system. I stand for parental rights and believe that students and families deserve to be a part of educational decisions that impact them.
"I envision communities where families are respected and supported when it comes to their decisions on education and parental rights, food sustainability, and community and land preservation. I believe that proper maintenance of public roadways and community infrastructures have been overlooked and needs immediate attention. We need to take care of the families who are fighting to keep Hawaiʻi as their home. We need to invest in our people now so that there is a future to look forward to."

Those wishing to vote can still sign up for the Primary and the General Elections. See https://elections.hawaii.gov/register-to-vote/.

TWO NEW JOB POSTINGS AT HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK:

The Museum Technician for Historic Image Collection Digitization will assist the Park in preserving history by digitizing the park collection. This job will close when Hawai'i Volcanoes receive 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Visit USAJobs to apply and learn more https://www.usajobs.gov/job/796887300
The Conservation Legacy Intern will help document the cultural landscape of the Kahuku ahupuaʻa (land-division). "It's a unique chance to contribute to our understanding and preservation efforts," says the Park message. Visit Conservation Legacy to apply and learn more: https://jobs.silkroad.com/ConservationL.../Careers/jobs/5311
For more information on how to get involved with the national park, visit the Park website.