The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Friday, November 03, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Friday, November 3, 2017

Longline fishing boats provide most of Hawai‘i's sashimi tuna. Hawai‘i's Congressional Delegation introduced a
bill on Friday that would address the working condition and foreign worker status in the industry.
Photo from Hawai‘i Seafood Council

THE SUSTAINABLE FISHING WORKFORCE PROTECTION ACT has been introduced by the Hawai‘i Congressional Delegation to provide nonimmigrant work visas for the longline fishing industry, to promote transparency in compensation, workplace safety and clarity in federal enforcement and oversight. “This bill provides necessary protections for foreign fishermen and ensures the continued viability of Hawai‘i’s longline fishing fleet, which is important to our culture,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono.

Hawai‘i Longline Fishing. Drawing by Les Hata/Hawai‘i Seafood Council

The longline fishing industry began in Hawai‘i with flagline fishing by Japanese immigrants, starting in 1917. They built their own wooden boats and headed out to sea, with opelu for bait, small fish caught by native Hawaiians. The fleet became more modern in recent years and the name changed to longline. It is the main source of sashimi tuna and many other fish in Hawai‘i, including swordfish. According to the Hawai‘i Seafood Council, "The Hawai‘i longline fishery is one of the most intensively studied, monitored and best managed fisheries in the world. It has achieved a high level of compliance (94 percent) with the global standard, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries."
Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said, “The Sustainable Fishing Workforce Protection Act addresses longstanding allegations in the Hawai‘i fishing industry regarding the treatment of foreign workers on longline commercial fishing vessels homeported in Hawai‘i. I am optimistic this legislative framework will allow Congress to better define the employer-employee relationship between boat owners and foreign fisherman such that each side understands their rights and obligations."

Longline tuna sells at fish auctions. Photo from NOAA

Sen. Brian Schatz said, “This legislation is about providing safety, protecting human rights, and restoring dignity to the foreign crewmen working in Hawai‘i’s fishing fleet."

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said, “For years, disjointed laws have left foreign fishermen working off our shores without federal protections or status, and at risk for inhumane conditions and human rights abuses. This legislation will increase employer accountability, strengthen federal oversight, and improve working conditions for these workers that contribute to our local economy.”

The Sustainable Fishing Workforce Protection Act would: provide foreign fishermen in the Hawai‘i fleet with visas that will allow them to transit to and from and work legally in the U.S.; establish a baseline of responsibilities for employers by outlining the components of labor agreements that they and the foreign workers must agree to governing wages and other compensation; require that the terms of those agreements be enforceable in U.S. court or by voluntary arbitration; and require that signed copies of the agreements be kept on file at relevant federal and state agencies.

The legislation would also clarify oversight responsibilities of federal agencies with respect to health and safety issues for the Hawai‘i fishing fleet.

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The late George Na‘ope, upper right, was mentor to Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder

who founded Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival.

HULA DANCERS, MUSICIANS AND CULTURAL PRACTITIONERS from Japan, to Mexico, Lana‘i and West Virginia, descended on Pāhala this week, preparing for workshops on Friday and the Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
On Friday, the public and the hālau hula enjoyed a free hula workshop with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, as well as classes in lei making, and lau hala and coconut weaving.
The Saturday Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival begins at 10 a.m. with an opening pule, address by Kawehi Ryder, Ho‘okupu, and Kaulana Na Pua by Hālau Hula O Leionalani.
Musicians for the day include Wailau Ryder, Steven Sioloa, Keiawa and Kaleo Maoli, with the Inoue ‘Ohana from Japan and headliner Raiatea Helm. Emcees for the day are Skylark Rossetti and Makana Kamahele. The event is dedicated, in part to the late George Na‘ope, the mentor of Ryder who founded the festival.
At 11 a.m. will be the music of Kaleo Maoli. At 11:30 a.m., Ho‘onani Komohana from Osaka, Japan and special guests from Lana‘i, Pekelo and Kazumi Palisbo, will perform. At noon, Yoko Sensei from Sendai, Japan will perform Kauluwehi O Ke Kai. From Mexico City, Aloha Pumehana with instructor Veror Ramirez will dance, followed by Yoko Sensei offering Pua Lililehua and Aloha Nua‘uanu.
From West Virginia, Hālau Hula Kahanuola will dance to Hanalei Moon.

Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder draws dancers from Japan, O‘ahu, Mexico and

West Virgina to her Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festivals. Hālau

enjoy dancing at Punalu‘u and the main festival all day Saturday at

Pāhala Community Center. Photo by Julia Neal

At 1 p.m., Filipino dancers take the stage - the Bayanihan Club of University of Hawai‘i- Hilo. At 2 p.m. the Puna Taiko Drummers perform. At 2:30 p.m. it's Lorilei's Hula Studio.
Famed vocalist of Moloka‘i, Raiatea Helm, performs from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by the
Back Yahd Boyz. On stage from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. is the Inoue ‘Ohana from Japan.
At 5:15 p.m., instructor Laura Plata from Mexico performs hula numbers. At 5:30 p.m. Mexican Folklore dancers take the stage. At 5:45 p.m., its Hālau Hula O Leionalani; Kahiko; Ho‘opuka; Ka piko; Holo ana Ho‘i; and O‘ahu ladies- Oli Kilauea.
At 6 p.m., a Remembering Our Ancestors - Kukui Celebration will be held.
At 6:30 p.m., Hālau Hula O Leionalani will wrap up the day of dance, with hula sisters from Pāhala, O‘ahu and Japan. The evening music concludes with Keaiwa beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The music and entertainment are free and vendor booths offer crafts, food, games and information.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

A HOLIDAY AFFAIR is set for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. The art sale also offers maps to Ka‘ū galleries for attendees to continue their Ka‘ū art exploration. Gift wrapping and/or boxing for easy mailing will be available for items sold. To reserve a booth or space call Mars Cavers at 938-9760 or email starmars@mac.com. For more about the event, see Ka‘ū News Briefs from Sunday, Oct. 22.

A GILLIGAN'S NIGHT to raise funds for Ka‘ū Learning Academy is Saturday, Nov. 4, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Gilligan's Restaurant former sitem, which is now the charter school in Discovery Harbour. It is the first in a series of Ka‘ū Learning Academy fundraisers with music and food.

Foggy will play from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Solomon and Tiger will play from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. The food will feature pizza, pasta, lasagna, salads, desserts and chicken parmesan. Beer and wine will be served.See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Monday, Oct. 23.

HAM RADIO OPERATORS HOST A POTLUCK PICNIC Sunday, Nov. 5, at Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. For more, call Dennis Smith at 989-3028.

PU‘U O LOKUANA, a free moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike, takes visitors to the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered Sunday, Nov. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn about the formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view from the top of lower Ka‘ū.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Nov. 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.

RETURN TO THE WILD: AN UPDATE ON THE ‘ALALĀ RELEASE is the Tuesday, Nov. 7, After Dark in the Park topic in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, at 7 p.m. ‘Alalā Project staff Jackie Gaudiso-Levita and Rachel Kingsley present and update on the most recent reintroduction efforts to establish a wild population of ‘alalā, the endangered Hawaiian crow. Paul Banko (USGS) and Donna Ball (USFWS) will share past experiences. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

Pick up the November edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar,

free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i

through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout

the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com

REGISTER KEIKI GRADE K-8 FOR PAPER FALL FLOWER CRAFT by Tuesday, Nov. 7, for the class which takes place Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

DISCOVER THE SKILL OF WEAVING LAU HALA with ‘Aha Pūhala o Puna on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon on the Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The event is free, though park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UPS are offered at Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will occur again on Tuesday, Nov. 14. For more, call 939-7033.

THE PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM AT THE STATE CAPITOL is offering citizens training to help them interact with government, especially leading up to the 2018 Hawai‘i Legislature.

Several opportunities to learn learn about the legislative process and how to participate will be provided at the Your Voice workshop on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i training room near the Kona Airport, and on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Hawai‘i Community College Manoa Campus Building 379, Room 1 in Hilo. Both events are free to attend.

The workshop is designed to be helpful to newcomers and seasoned advocates alike.

For additional information, contact the Public Access Room (PAR):
phone (808)587-0478, email par@capitol.hawaii.gov, or visit LRBhawaii.org/PAR. Read the Ka‘ū News Briefs for Thursday, Oct. 26 for more.

SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LEGAL AID will be provided on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 1: 30 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. The event offers free social security, veterans information and legal advice. For more call 939-7033.

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CU HAWAI‘I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION IS OFFERING EMPLOYMENT as a Member Service Representative in Nā‘ālehu. CU Hawai‘i seeks energetic individuals for full time positions who enjoy working with people and can provide professional, courteous and efficient service to valued members.
The ideal candidate must be service oriented and possess good communication and computer skills. Cash handling and customer service experience is preferred. Must be able to work Saturdays. CU Hawai‘i offers medical, drug, dental, vision and retirement benefits.
Email, mail or fax application to: Attn: Human Resources, 476 Hinano Street Hilo, HI 96720, Fax: (808) 935-7793. Applications can be found online at cuhawaii.com/careers.html.

kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Thursday, November 02, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, November 2, 2017

Julia Espaniola, a Ka‘ū High School graduate and former intern at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park,
is The Nature Conservancy's new KUPU Conservation Leadership Development Program intern.
She stops to takein the view from TNC's Ka'ū Preserve. See story below. Photo by Shalan Crysdale

OPENING UP THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE TO OIL AND GAS development brought on opposition from Sen. Mazie Hirono during a U.S. Senate hearing Thursday. She said oil and gas development would "fulfill a mandate in the Republican tax and budget plan that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee raise $1 billion in new revenue to pay for tax cuts to corporations and the wealthiest Americans by November 13."

Sen. Mazie Hirono testifies against opening the Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge for oil and gas exploration.

Hirono questioned U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Principal Deputy Director Greg Sheehan on the Trump administration’s actions to "pave the way to begin drilling operations," said a statement from her office.

Hirono testified, “This hearing is all a piece to support the Republican budget and tax proposal that cuts $1.5 trillion from Medicare and Medicaid and imposes massive reductions in funds for education and affordable housing, among other things. All to benefit huge corporations and the wealthy.

“The decades-long debate over the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a highly controversial issue that has come to represent a fight between protecting pristine ecosystems versus continuing our reliance on fossil fuels. We should not be considering whether to exploit national treasures like the Arctic Refuge to pay for tax cuts for the rich."

Nohoanu, a native Hawaiian geranium. The
plant grows at high elevations at Kūlani and
at Kahuku. Photo by Julia Espaniola

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THE NATURE CONSERVANCY HAWAI‘I ISLAND PROGRAM terrestrial team has hired Julia Espaniola as its KUPU Conservation Leadership Development Program Intern for 2017-2018.
Espaniola was born in Hilo, raised in Pāhala, and graduated from Ka'ū High School in 2013. She said her "passion for the environment stems from home, and the rawness and richness within it." Her supervisor, Lester Gebin, says she is "extremely motivated to learn and... will be a great addition to the team."

Espaniola has worked in the Youth Internship Program at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park as a Park Guide in the Kahuku Unit. She was responsible for checking people in at the gate and giving scheduled tours to visitors. She also served as a youth ambassador from Volcanoes to Bio Blitz in Washington, D.C.
Concerning her new internship with TNC in Ka‘ū, she said, "I am very grateful to be learning more about this place, learning from it, and the people who work here."

Julia Espaniola visits Kane Po at the American Indian Museum
in Washington, D.C., as a youth ambassador for Hawai‘i
Volcanoes National Park. She recently became an intern with
The Nature Conservancy. Kane Po is a culturally significant
stone from Ka‘ū, with stories, history and genealogy.

In her fourth week working for The Nature Conservancy, Espaniola said she is "amazed at the places she has been to so far. It's so beautiful," and added that she is "learning a lot. I'm writing things down every day." She said that she is surprised by how small the staff is to manage such large portions of land, and how much they accomplish each day. She said she is inspired by their passion. "They each have their own expertise."
Upon completion of her one-year internship, KUPU will reward Espaniola with an educational award, which she intends to use at University of Hawai‘i Hilo to earn a degree in conservation.

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PROTECTING SENIORS' ACCESS TO MEDICARE ACT OF 2017 received the yes vote from Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard on Thursday. She explained that the bipartisan legislation would take Medicare authority away from the Independent Payment Advisory Board, an independent board of 15 unelected, unaccountable members given largely unchecked authority to make sweeping cuts to Medicare spending. With no nominees presently on the board, current law could give the Secretary of Health and Human Services unilateral power to make changes to Medicare, bypassing congressional legislative authority. The bill passed the House by a vote of 307-111.

Health Care organizations, including American Hospital Association and
American Medical Association, lobbied for the legislation to end the
authority of a board that could make cuts to Medicare.
Image from Kaiser Permanente

Ending the IPAB is supported by a coalition of medical organizations representing 450,000 physicians and the patients they serve, including the American Hospital Association and the American Medical Association, along with the Hawaiʻi Medical Association, Epilepsy Foundation of Hawaiʻi, National Kidney Foundation Hawaiʻi Chapter, among others.

Gabbard said that “Leaders on both sides of the aisle have long agreed that the IPAB is the wrong way to address Medicare costs. Along with placing seniors’ healthcare into the hands of unelected government bureaucrats, or even worse, a single cabinet secretary, the structure of the IPAB allows for sweeping cuts without taking into account the quality of care. Rather than finding ways to pinch pennies on the backs of our kūpuna, we need to focus on the root of the problem and enact real reforms to our broken healthcare system.

Christopher D. Flanders, DO, Executive Director of the Hawaiʻi Medical Association, said,

“IPAB is a flawed policy that the Hawaiʻi Medical Association has been advocating for the repeal of since the Affordable Care Act was passed. It would put significant health care payment and policy decisions in the hands of an independent body of individuals with far too little accountability. Additionally, IPAB’s arbitrary, annual cost-cutting targets would lead to short term strategies that would threaten access to care for Medicare patients across Hawaiʻi, but would be most harmful to Hawai‘i's kūpuna in the underserved areas and neighbor islands.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Pick up the November edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar delivered

free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i

through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout

the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com

SEVERE SHORTAGE OF NURSES IN HAWAI‘I AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY was a topic of a briefing Thursday, hosted by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, co-chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus, The event, held in Washington, D.C., featured a panel discussion with nursing leaders and fellow lawmakers.

Defining HOPE, a documentary that follows patients with life-threatening illnesses as they make choices about how they want to live, how much medical technology they can accept, what they hope for and how that hope evolves when life is threatened, was shown. The Defining HOPE film trailer is also available online.

Said Gabbard, “Nurses and caregivers are the heart of our healthcare system. Day in and day out, they provide life-saving care with empathy and compassion in the most trying and stressful situations. Yet across the country, we continue to see nursing workforce shortages, especially in our rural and underserved communities, like those in my home state of Hawai‘i."

Gabbard said that passing the Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act, which she introduced, would help address the shortage. "This legislation would reauthorize federal funding for nursing and education programs to help grow and support the nursing workforce across the country, and expand access to quality healthcare for our keiki, veterans, kūpuna, and others in need.”

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

HEALTH INSURANCE SIGN-UPS are offered at Ocean View Community Center on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The event will occur again on Tuesday, Nov. 14. For more, call 939-703.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

NATURE WORKS EVERYWHERE GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE is Friday, Nov. 3. Applications are open for public/charter schools to build or maintain a Nature Works Everywhere school garden, greenspace or green infrastructure project. For more, visit NatureWorksEverywhere.org/#grants.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Sept. 14.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE PLANTS that prevent native plans from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This Stewardship at the Summit event is Friday, Nov. 3, at 8:45 a.m.
To join the effort, meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants and bring a hat, rain-gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools will be provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/plan
yourvisit/summit_stewardship.
htm. More events are planned for Nov. 11 (fee-free day), 18 and 25.

A FUNDRAISER FOR KĪLAUEA DRAMA & ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, which is in production for A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol, will be at Amalfatano's Italian Restaurant in Waiakea Villas in Hilo this Friday, Nov. 3, starting at 6 p.m. Featured menu includes a pasta dish, eggplant parmesan, lasagna, pizza, and an Italian salad. Ice tea is included in the meal. The cost is $20. Diners are welcome to bring a bottle of wine or other beverages to consume.

Reservations for the fundraiser are not necessary, but suggested. Call KDEN at 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com to make a reservation or for more information on A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Oct. 26.

A THREE-DAY WORKSHOP, MANDALA MOSAIC, teaches basic glass cutting techniques as well as specialized pattern-cutting skills with Volcano Art Center guest artist Mark Brody. The program takes place Friday, Nov. 3, through Sunday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village.
Class limited to 10 people, 15 years +. $225/$200 VAC members, plus $25 material fee. All students receive free $25 valued substrate at workshops end. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

A HEALTH FAIR will take place at Discovery Harbour Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. along with exercise demonstration - Yoga, hula, pilates, Tai Chi, and Qigong - the fair will also offer healthy cooking demonstrations, flu shots, massages and health presentations from various organizations, including Unsafe at Any Meal author Dr. Renee Dufault. For more, visit discoveryharbor.net or call 929-9576. See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Sunday, Oct. 1.

A HOLIDAY AFFAIR is set for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. The art sale also offers maps to Ka‘ū galleries for attendees to continue their Ka‘ū art exploration. Gift wrapping and/or boxing for easy mailing will be available for items sold. To reserve a booth or space call Mars Cavers at 938-9760 or email starmars@mac.com. For more about the event, see Ka‘ū News Briefs from Sunday, Oct. 22.

JOIN RAIATEA HELM WITH SONG, HULA AND MUSIC at Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Enjoy the free music and entertainment and visit vendor booths offering crafts, food, games and information. Halau hula are ariving from Japan, Mexico, West Virginia and other Hawaiian Islands. For more details see Ka‘ū News Briefs published Wednesday, Oct. 18, or contact Kumu Debbie Ryder at 649-9334.

A GILLIGAN'S NIGHT to raise funds for Ka‘ū Learning Academy is Saturday, Nov. 4, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Gilligan's Restaurant former site in Discovery Harbour, which is now KLA.
It is the first in a series of charter school fundraisers with music and food.

Foggy will play from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Solomon and Tiger will play from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. The food will feature pizza, pasta, lasagna, salads, desserts and chicken parmesan. Beer and wine will
be served.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Monday, Oct. 23.

FREE HEPATITIS C TESTING IS AVAILABLE on Sunday, Nov. 5, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 a.m., at Volcano Farmers Market on Wright Rd in Volcano. Volcano Community Association, the organization hosting the event, says that one in 30 baby boomers have Hep. C and most don’t event know it. For more details visit Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Oct. 12, or email vcainfo@yahoo.com.

HAM RADIO OPERATORS HOST A POTLUCK PICNIC Sunday, Nov. 5, at Manukā Park. All American Radio Emergency Service members, anyone interested in learning how to operate a ham radio and families are invited to attend. For more, call Dennis Smith at 989-3028.

PU‘U O LOKUANA, a free moderately difficult 0.4-mile hike, takes visitors to the Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is offered Sunday, Nov. 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Learn about the formation and various uses of this grassy cinder cone and enjoy a breathtaking view from the top of lower Ka‘ū.

KA‘Ū COFFEE GROWERS MEET TUESDAY, Nov. 7, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center.

RETURN TO THE WILD: AN UPDATE ON THE ‘ALALĀ RELEASE is the Tuesday, Nov. 7, After Dark in the Park topic in the Kīlauea Visitor Center auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, at 7 p.m. ‘Alalā Project staff Jackie Gaudiso-Levita and Rachel Kingsley present and update on the most recent reintroduction efforts to establish a wild population of ‘alalā, the endangered Hawaiian crow. Paul Banko (USGS) and Donna Ball (USFWS) will share past experiences. Free, park entrance fees apply. For more, visit nps.gov/HAVO.

REGISTER KEIKI GRADE K-8 FOR PAPER FALL FLOWER CRAFT by Tuesday, Nov. 7, for the class which takes place Wednesday, Nov. 8, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Pāhala Community Center. For more, call 928-3102 or visit hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation.

THE PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM AT THE STATE CAPITOL is offering citizens training to help them interact with government, especially leading up to the 2018 Hawai‘i Legislature.

The workshop is designed to be helpful to newcomers and seasoned advocates alike.

“Moonlight Violets” oil and watercolor

monoprint by Lisa Louise Adams.

Photo from Volcano Village Artists Hui

MEET ARTISTS, VIEW AND PURCHASE A WIDE VARIETY OF ARTWORK by Volcano Village Artists Hui over Thanksgiving weekend during the 31st Art Studio Tour & Sale scheduled for Friday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Artwork media ranges from paintings, prints and photography to hand blown glass, metal and wood sculpture, pottery, jewelry, fiber art and more.
This years participating Hui members: Erik Wold, Ira Ono, Misato & Michael Mortara, Elizabeth Miller, Zeke Israel, Emily Herb, Pam Barton, Margaret Barnaby and Lisa Louise Adams, along with guest artists Joan Yoshioka, Randy Sutton, Ricia Shema, Scott Pincus, Tim Freeman, Charlotte Forbes Perry and Nash Adams-Pruitt.
A special drawing for artwork contributed by each of the artists will be held at the end of the sale. For more information, call 987-3472. Maps to the six artists' studios will be available at local businesses and galleries in Volcano Village and at: VolcanoVillageArtistsHui.com.

kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

Wednesday, November 01, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard at the 2017 Hawai‘i Farmers Union United Convention. On Wednesday, Gabbard, Rep. Colleen
Hanabusa and Sen. Mazie Hirono were named top advocates for improving the nation's food system.
See story below.

SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES were questioned by Sen. Mazie Hirono on Tuesday, during a Judiciary Subcommittee hearing in the U.S. Senate regarding Extremist Content and Russian Disinformation Online: Working with Tech to Find Solutions. Hirono told executives from Google, Facebook and Twitter that she couldn't understand if they couldn't understand that misuse of their social media platforms affected the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.

Hirono pressed them on whether authenticity of content is a commitment in their business practices. She asked, could they prevent the "use of your platforms from fomenting of discord?"

Sen. Mazie Hirono questioned Twitter, Google and Facebook.
Image form Big Island Video News

Colin Stretch, Facebook's general counsel, replied, "Our mission, is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. Our policies prohibit hate speech, as well as all kinds of bullying and harassment." He said that the company wants "to make sure that people, when they come to Facebook, they can trust the content they see and it is our responsibility to make sure we are enforcing that by policing bad actors who are using unauthentic accounts."

Sean Edgett, acting general counsel for Twitter, said one of Twitter's missions is "to unite - a forum." He said the Russian activity "is intended to divide." He said Twitter has "a policy around anonymity, to allow free speech and expression to enable political dissidents or embedded journalists or human rights activists to take on a different persona to speak truth to powerful individuals. We are always trying to balance that with the ability to make sure that we are not trying to divide through state sponsored acts."

Colin Stretch, Facebook's general counsel, responding to Sen.
Mazie Hirono's questions on authenticity.
Image from Big Island Video News

Richard Salgado, information security director from Google, said that Google has thousands of people who look at content reported as inappropriate and that the company "is wanting to do better in this area."

Hirono said that aside from terrorists using the platforms to bring in supporters, the meddling with elections and democracy "is a whole new area of misuse of your platform."

See a film of the hearing at bigislandvideonews.com.

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FOOD POLICY ACTION named Sen. Mazie Hirono, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, on Wednesday, as top advocates for improving the nation’s food system. The release of its 2017 National Food Policy Scorecard recognized all three with scores of 100 percent.
Hirono was commended for voting no on the Scott Pruitt selection to head the EPA and for cosponsoring the Raise the Wage Act, Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017 and the Healthy Families Act and more. See more on the analysis of Hirono.
Gabbard was commended for co-sponsoring the Preservation of Antibiotics for Medical Treatment Act of 2017, the Raise the Wage Act, and the Healthy Families Act and more. See more on the analysis of Gabbard.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard points out that

Hawai‘i's Congressional delegation is diverse,

herself a Hindu, Sen. Mazie Hirono and Rep.

Colleen Hanabusa are Buddhist and Sen. Brian

Schatz is Jewish. Photo by Marco Garcia of Gabbard's

Hindu wedding to Abraham Williams.

Hanabusa was commended for co-sponsoring the Pesticide Proteciton Act of 2017, Closing the Meal Gap Acto of 2017, the Miliary Hunger Prevention Act and more. See more on the analysis of Hanabusa.

Said Gabbard, “Food security is a critical issue for the American people, and especially the people of Hawaiʻi. Hawaiʻi can serve as a shining example for the country with strong food policy. We must continue the progress we’ve made to strengthen our food security, increase sustainable, traditional and organic farming practices, and empower our local farmers and communities through locally grown agriculture.”

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THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLE OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN THE U.S. is the focus of Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's essay released this week. Called My Spiritiual Journey, it recounts her thoughts and feelings about religion and community service from her time growing up in Hawai‘i, through her county and state political career, the military and serving in Congress. Sharing details of her multi-faith upbringing, Gabbard ties the U.S. commitment to religious liberty to the aloha spirit that "makes Hawai‘i and our country strong," she says. Her essay

in part:

Sen. Brian Schatz is Jewish, speaking
at Temple Emanu-El in Honolulu.
Photo from Temple Emanu-El

"At a time of growing divisiveness in America, where too many are “other-izing” those who may look different, worship different, or hold different political views, it is more important than ever to live aloha, to love and treat all others with respect, to be inclusive rather than exclusive. The divisiveness that threatens the fabric of our nation — whether due to race, religion, political ideology, gender, sexual orientation, or other — must end," writes Gabbard.
"One reason I’m grateful to call Hawaiʻi home is that the people of these islands embrace diversity and celebrate the colorful fabric of race, ethnicity, and religion that make up our people, place, and culture."
Gabbard points out that Hawai‘i has elected the most diverse congressional delegation in the country. She is a Vaishnava Hindu. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa is Buddhist. Sen. Mazie Hirono is Buddhist and Sen. Brian Schatz is of the Jewish faith. Writes Gabbard, "This speaks volumes about
the people of Hawaiʻi, where people live aloha and the dream of Martin Luther King — where a person is judged not by the color of her skin, ethnicity, or religion, but by her character."
She writes that she grew up in a multi-faith household, "happily oblivious to sectarianism or the idea of having to choose one religious 'team' over another. Her father, state Senator Mike Gabbard, was a Catholic who practiced yoga meditation and karma yoga. Her mother was a practicing Hindu. "My earliest memories are of the bright colors, beautiful sounds, and fragrant aromas of both Christian and Hindu celebrations. My siblings and I grew up studying from both the Bhagavad-Gita and the Bible; going to Mass, and then coming home to a yoga kirtan."

Rep. Colleen Hanabusa at a Buddhist Temple in
Bon Dance attire. Photo from Rep. Hanabusa

Gabbard writes that her upbringing taught her that "true happiness can only be found in dedicating one’s life in the loving service of God and His children. She said this view inspired her environmental activism as a teenager, as well as my service in the military, in local, state, and now federal office, and pursuit of peace, equality, and justice.
"Our nation was founded by people fleeing religious persecution, risking everything for the freedoms that form our foundation and seeking a place to be free to worship as they chose or to not worship at all. It is a freedom enshrined in our Constitution, and that every member of Congress takes an oath to protect — a freedom that many heroes have given their lives to defend. Nothing is more important to our democracy than this freedom.
"Our history has been shaped by leaders like James Madison, a faithful Episcopalian, John F. Kennedy, a practicing Catholic, and many others shaped and motivated by their personal faith and spirituality, but equally vigilant to uphold the constitutional separation between church and state.

Sen. Mazie Hirono, (left), a Buddhist, attending ceremonies
dedicating a Japanese internment camp from WWII, with
a Native Hawaiian blessing. Photo from Hawai‘i Herald

"Today the United States is home to more than five million Jews, three million Muslims, and three million Hindus. Nearly 23% of Americans don’t identify with any spiritual path or religion. At a time when some Americans are fueling extreme divisions of “us vs. them” hate-filled rhetoric, bigotry, and even violence, we cannot afford to stay silent. We must push back against those who perpetrate such bigotry and embrace the freedom
and diversity that makes our country great.

"It’s up to each of us to change the narrative, to speak out against those who are trying to worsen the fear and divisiveness that is pervading our country. It is up to each of us to treat all people with aloha and respect, to protect the freedoms in this country that ensure people can live their lives as they please without fear that their religion or spiritual path, or lack thereof, will be held against them," said Gabbard. Read the entire essay.

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HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL MEETS on Thursday, Nov. 2. Participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

HULA VOICES, moderated by Desiree Moana Cruz is this Thursday. Nov. 2 fro 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Kumu hula Iwalani Kalmia, of Hula Hālau O Kou Lima Nani E, presents her hula experiences. The event takes place at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. For more, visit volcanoartcenter.org.

THE NEXT OCEAN VIEW BLOCK WATCH MEETING will be Thursday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. All are invited and the organization will entertain nominations and elect officers. For more, call 939-7033.

Pick up the November edition of The Ka‘ū Calendar delivered

free to 5,500 mailboxes throughout Ka‘ū, from Miloli‘i

through Volcano. Also available on stands throughout

the district. See it online now at kaucalendar.com

NATURE WORKS EVERYWHERE GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE is Friday, Nov. 3. Applications are open for public/charter schools to build or maintain a Nature Works Everywhere school garden, greenspace or green infrastructure project. For more, visit NatureWorksEverywhere.org/#grants.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Thursday, Sept. 14.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED TO HELP REMOVE INVASIVE, NON-NATIVE PLANTS that prevent native plans from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. This Stewardship at the Summit event is Friday, Nov. 3, at 8:45 a.m.
To join the effort, meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers should wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants and bring a hat, rain-gear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools will be provided. No advance registration is required, and there is no cost to participate, but park entrance fees apply. Visit the park website for additional planning details: nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit
_stewardship.htm. More events are planned for Nov. 11 (fee-free day), 18 and 25.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU, a guided easy-to-moderate hike, traverses the vast 1868 lava flow, with different volcano features and formations as hikers explore the rich geologic history of Kahuku. The free hike is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

A HOLIDAY AFFAIR is set for Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Ocean View Community Center. The art sale also offers maps to Ka‘ū galleries for attendees to continue their Ka‘ū art exploration. Gift wrapping and/or boxing for easy mailing will be available for items sold. To reserve a booth or space call Mars Cavers at 938-9760 or email starmars@mac.com. For more about the event, see Ka‘ū News Briefs from Sunday, Oct. 22.

JOIN RAIATEA HELM WITH HULA AND MUSIC ARTISTS FOR THE Ho‘okupu Hula No Ka‘ū Cultural Festival on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center. Enjoy free music and entertainment and visit vendor booths offering crafts, food, games and information. For more details see Ka‘ū News Briefs published Wednesday, Oct. 18, or contact Kumu Debbie Ryder at 649-9334.

Foggy will play from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Solomon and Tiger will play from 6 p.m to 9 p.m. The food will feature pizza, pasta, lasagna, salads, desserts and chicken parmesan.
See Ka‘ū News Briefs from Monday, Oct. 23.

kaucalendar.com/TheDirectory_2017

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Friday, November 03, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Friday, November 3, 2017

Thursday, November 02, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Thursday, November 2, 2017

Wednesday, November 01, 2017

Ka‘ū News Briefs Wednesday, November 1, 2017