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The endemic Hawaiian Hoary Bat depends on dryland forests
for survival. Read about the upcoming
Nahelehele Dryland Forest Symposium,
below. Photo from drylandforest.org
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The new site is in the mauka end of Kahlilipalinui ahupuaʻa, 2.5 miles from the shoreline. It would be located within more than 2,000 acres in Kahilipalinui and Kahilipaliʻikii being purchased for conservation through the county Two Per Cent Land Fund and state Legacy Land Fund. Both county and state recently gave permission to remove the 30 acres from the conservation zone, in order to use it for the treatment facility, which would protect the Waikapuna shoreline from untreated sewage coming from the town. It would become the property of the county. The rest of the land would be owned and stewarded by the Ala Kahakai Trail Association.
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| Wastewater treatment engineer Michelle Sorensen goes over the plan with a Nāʻālehu property owner. Photo by Julia Neal |
During Tuesday night's meeting, some people said they worried that the cost of the treatment plant, estimated at some $40 million, could be too much of a financial burden on residents of the town and give developers the opportunity to bring in too much growth at the expense of local people. Representatives of the county explained that the cost of the new sewer system is borne by the entire county, not the Nāʻālehu community alone. Loans pay for it and the county pays off the loans over time, keeping the sewage fees the same islandwide.
While the sewage treatment plant would have the capacity to grow, growth of the town would be determined in the future with input from the townspeople, said county representatives. The obligation of the county is to retire the town's large capacity gang cesspools which are illegal under federal law but serve 163 houses in the old sugar camp in Nāʻālehu. The EPA has promised fines of more than $30,000 per day per large capacity cesspool, should the county be unable to shut them down and provide a legal alternative in the near future.
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Some 90 people attended last night's meeting on the proposed
Nāʻālehu wastewater system. Photo by Julia Neal
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The treatment facility would help protect the ocean, groundwater and health from sewage that is now going into the ground untreated, noted the engineer. She showed on maps that the treatment plant would be miles from the coast and that no ocean outfall is in the planning.
See more in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.
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| View, this morning, into Halemaʻumaʻu, from the caldera rim. USGS photo |
Reports volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo,
"Following the dramatic events of 2018, Kīlauea is
now relatively quiet. But it remains an active volcano that will erupt again,
so it is wise to stay informed about its status, along with other active
Hawaiian volcanoes.
"However, the
deepest part of crater is not visible from this vantage point. Because this is
a temporary installation, the view angle can slightly change whenever the
camera is serviced."
Halemaʻumaʻu is
approximately 1 km, or 0.6 miles, wide. USGS says the depth of the crater in
the visible image from the rim is several hundred meters. HVO hopes to install
a permanent webcam at this site in the coming months.
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| Map from drylandforest.org |
The symposium is
open to the public. Early registration is available for $75 per person until
March 15; after March 15 registration is $90 per person. The Hawai‘i Forest
Industry Association, Mary Begier Realty and the State Division of Forestry and
Wildlife are sponsoring discounts for students with valid ID. Student
registration is $40 before March 15 or $55 after. Registration fees include
lunch. More information and registration are available online at eventbrite.com/e/2019-nahelehele-dryland-forest-symposium-tickets-55807951084
or by contacting Ron Terry at symposium@drylandforest.org or (808) 969-7090.
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| Dryland forest native ʻŌkaʻi caterpillar depends on dryland forests for survival. Photo by Yvonne Yarber Carter |
Says the release about
the symposium: "The dryland forests of Hawai‘i are fragile habitats that
are home to many of the rarest plants in the world. Dryland forests were once
considered to be the most diverse forest ecosystems in the Hawaiian
Islands but have suffered decades of deforestation and degradation.
Only remnant patches of these habitats of highly diverse communities of plants
and animals remain today. The Dryland Forest Symposium provides a forum to
discuss recent developments in dryland forest conservation and restoration, and
an opportunity to interact with others interested in dryland forest ecology.
"At this
year's symposium we are honored to have Hālau ‘Ōhi‘a open the event with a
kīpaepae to help establish and strengthen our specific intentions as we engage
in this symposium meant to help conserve a resource with profound biocultural
significance. Keynote speaker Dr. Jennifer Powers from the University
of Minnesota Costa Rica
since 1994. She investigates the relationships among ecological processes, the
patterns they generate, and the effects of anthropogenic environmental changes
across a range of spatial and temporal scales.
"Other presenters include Dr.
Natalie Kurashima of Kamehameha Schools, Jen Lawson of the Waikoloa Dry Forest
Initiative, Dr. Patrick Hart of UH-Hilo, Pablo Beimler and Elizabeth Pickett of
the Hawai‘i Wildfire Management Organization, the team of botany and
traditional ecology expert Bobby Camara and horticulturalist Kathy Kawakami,
Dr. Christian Giardina of the USDA's Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry,
Philipp Lahaela-Walter of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and Dr. Chris
Balzotti."
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| Invasive Fireweed negatively affects dryland forest. Photo from drylandforest.org |
Nahelehele
Dryland Forest Symposium is a project of Ka‘ahahui ‘O Ka Nahelehele, drylandforest.org, a nonprofit
organization dedicated to dry forest advocacy and partnerships. Symposium
sponsors include the Hawai‘i Forest Industry Association, Mary Begier Realty,
and the State of Hawai ‘i Division
of Forestry and Wildlife. Organizations and individuals interested in
sponsoring the symposium or contributing to student scholarships may contact
Ron Terry at symposium@drylandforest.org or (808) 969-7090.
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Said Hirono, "Child care is foundational for future academic and social success, yet remains unaffordable and unavailable for many working and middle class families in Hawaiʻi – who face the highest cost of living in the country. At nearly $700 per month, child care is the second highest household expense after housing for most families – surpassing the amount they spend on food, utilities, transportation, or health care. The Child Care for Working Families Act represents a long-term investment in our keiki to ensure that every family can access high-quality, affordable early learning and child care programs."
The bill also increases funding for Head Start in order to promote universal access to high-quality preschool programs, and improves compensation and training for child care workers to give teachers and caregivers full and fair compensation, as well as the support they need to ensure that the children they are caring for can thrive.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE PAGEANT APPLICATION DEADLINE is tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 28. The pageant is held at Ka‘ū District Gym, Saturday, April 27,6 p.m. Miss Kaʻū Coffee and her court will represent the Kaʻū Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond. Girls three to 24 years of age are encouraged to enter the pageant. Competitive categories include Talent, Gown, Photogenic, Career-Interview, Characters Outfit, and Swimsuit for Miss Kaʻū Coffee. Pageant hopefuls contend for titles of Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee, Miss Kaʻū Peaberry, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower. Email tmarques@yahoo.com.
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CHILD CARE FOR WORKING FAMILIES was reintroduced to the U.S. Senate this week by Mazie Hirono and 32 colleagues. Parents and child care educators and advocates support the bill, which "seeks to expand access to high-quality, affordable early childhood programs for working and middle class families" states a release from Hirono's office. 98 U.S. House representatives introduced a companion bill.
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| Sen. Mazie Hirono. Photo from Hirono's office |
Bobby Scott, Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor, said, "The high cost of child care is a heavy burden that falls on children, families, and our economy as a whole. Children are too often denied the foundation they need to reach their potential, parents are forced to choose between child care and work, and these challenges have both short- and long-term consequences for our economy. The Child Care for Working Families Act addresses this national crisis by ensuring that all families can afford to send their children to a quality child care program that will support them through a critical stage in their lives."
For families in Hawaiʻi, says Hirono, child care expenses have increased, on average, by 24 percent over the last decade, with many families expected to pay over $8,000 for child care every year. According to a 2018 report by Child Care Aware of America, nearly half of Hawaiʻi's children under the age of six lack access to child care, resulting in a shortage of 30,000 certified child care slots in the state. The Child Care for Working Families Act represents a long-term investment in child care to ensure that no family making 150 percent of state median income or less has to contribute more than seven percent of their income toward child care, regardless of the number of children they have.
The bill also increases funding for Head Start in order to promote universal access to high-quality preschool programs, and improves compensation and training for child care workers to give teachers and caregivers full and fair compensation, as well as the support they need to ensure that the children they are caring for can thrive.
According to the Center for American Progress, investing in the Child Care for Working Families Act would generate 2.3 million new jobs as a result of parents joining the workforce, as well as the expansion of child care and early education sector jobs. As a result of an investment in child care and early education, the report stated it expects the Child Care for Working Families Act would lift one million families out of poverty, which would substantially improve a child’s social and academic development.
Hirono previously co-introduced the Child Care for Working Families Act in September 2017. In 2018, Senator Hirono advocated for and helped secure funding for the Preschool Development Grant program, Head Start, Early Head Start, the Preschool Development Grant Birth Through Five program, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant.
Legislative text of the Child Care for Working Families Act can be found here. A fact sheet on the Child Care for Working Families Act can be found here.
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KAʻŪ HIGH BASEBALL, coached by Greg Rush, started the season yesterday with a game that took them all the way north. Honokaʻa hosted
the Trojans. Kaʻū got skunked as they lost 0 to 15.
See, below,
upcoming Spring sports dates, including Softball, coached by Donovan Emmsley; Track,
coached Hiʻilani Lapera; and Boys Volleyball, coached by Joshua Ortega.
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MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE PAGEANT APPLICATION DEADLINE is tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 28. The pageant is held at Ka‘ū District Gym, Saturday, April 27,
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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Kaʻū Trojans Spring Sports Schedule
Baseball:
Thu., Feb. 28, 3p.m. , @HPA
Mon., March 4, 3p.m. , host Konawaena
Wed., March 6, 3p.m. , @Kamehameha
Sat., March 9, 1p.m. , host Kohala
Sat., March 16, 1p.m. , host Keaʻau
Thu., March 21, 3 p.m. ,
@Waiakea
Sat., March 23, 1 p.m. ,
host Honokaʻa
Softball:
Tue., March 5, host Konawaena
Thu., March 7, @Kamehameha
Sat., March 9, 11 a.m. , host Kohala
Mon., March 11, host Kemehameha
Wed., March 13, 5:30 p.m. , host Pāhoa
Sat., March 16, 11 a.m. , host Keaʻau
Wed., March 20, @Waiakea
Sat., March 23, 11 a.m. ,
host Honokaʻa
Boys Volleyball:
Fri., March 1, 6 p.m. , host Pāhoa
Fri., March 8, 6 p.m. , @Kealakehe
Tue., March 12, 6 p.m. , @Makualani, Varsity
Fri., March 15, 6 p.m. , host Waiakea
Tue., March 19, 6 p.m. ,
@Kealakehe
Track:
Sat., March 2, 9 a.m. , @HPA
Sat., March 9, 2 p.m. , @Keaʻau
Sat., March 16, 2 p.m. , @Konawaena
Sat., March 23, 9 a.m. ,
@Waiakea
PĀHALA RECYCLING & TRANSFER STATION'S FUTURE will be
discussed at a community meeting on Tuesday, March 19, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community
Center
KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM HOSTS A ST. PATRICK'S DAY RAINBOW ARTS AND CRAFT ACTIVITY, for keiki 5 to 12 years old, on Wednesday, Mar. 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the multi-purpose room. Registration begins Monday, Mar. 4. Free.
For more, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28Craft Class, Thu., Feb. 28, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org
Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu., Feb. 28, 12-1:30pm, Punalu‘u Bake Shop. 4th Thursday monthly. Provides local forum for community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Feb. 28, 4-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
Paint Your Own Silk Scarf with Patti Pease Johnson, Saturday, March 2, 9a.m.-12:30p.m. , Volcano Art Center
SUNDAY, MARCH 3
Free Vision Screening for All Ages, Monday, March 4, 9:30-11:30a.m. , Kauahaʻao Church in Waiʻōhinu. All ages receive screening for near and far vision. Keiki are screened for color deficiencies, adults for eye diseases. Keiki receive free sunglasses, adults free reading glasses. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me and Project Vision Hawaiʻi, projectvisionhawaii.org, 808-282-2265.
Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tuesday,
SATURDAY, MARCH 2
Exploring Tunnel Books - Bookbinding Workshop, Saturday, March 2, 9a.m. -noon , Volcano Art Center
Stewardship at the Summit, Saturday, March 2, 9, and 16, Friday, March 22 and 29, 8:45a.m.-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers remove invasive, non-native plants. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves/tools provided. Parental/guardian accompaniment or written consent required for those under 18. Free; park entrance fees apply. Paul and Jane Field, field@hawaii.edu, nps.gov/havo
Keiki Science Class, Saturday, March 2 – 1st Saturday, monthly – 11a.m. -noon , Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. acehardware.com
Dispose of Hazardous Household Waste, Sunday, March 3, 8:30a.m.-3:30p.m. , Pāhoa Recycling and Transfer Station. See complete list of acceptable or unacceptable household hazardous waste at hawaiizerowaste.org/recycle/household-hazardous-waste. Contact Chris Chin-Chance at 961-8554 or recycle3@hawaiicounty.gov.
Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sunday, March 3 – 1st Sunday, monthly – noon-2p.m., Manukā State Park
MONDAY, MARCH 4
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Net Patrol, Monday, March 4. Register in advance. Free; donations appreciated. kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com, 769-7629
Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Monday, March 4 and 18, 1p.m., Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351
Ocean View Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Monday, March 4, 4-6p.m. , Ocean View Community Center
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
Free Vision Screening for All Ages, Tuesday, March 5, 9-11a.m. , Pāhala Community Center
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
Ash Wednesday Service, Wednesday, March 6, 3p.m. , St. Jude's Episcopal Church. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org
Arts and Crafts Activity: Tissue Paper Butterfly, Wednesday, March 6, 3:30-5p.m. , multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 through March 5. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation
Hula Voices with Kumu Hula Ka‘ea Lyons and Lily Lyons, Wednesday, March 6 – 1st Wednesday, monthly – 5:30-7p.m. , Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free. 967-7565
Open Mic Night, Wednesday, March 6, 6-10p.m. , Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. Call 967-8365 after 4p.m. to sign up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests, 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com
Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications due by tomorrow, Thursday, Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.
Nāʻālehu Celebrates Craft Month with open crafting for all ages, while supplies last. Crafting starts off at3 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday in February. Free. Contact Sara Kamibayashi at (808) 939-2442 for more.
Kauahaʻao Congregational Church Fundraising Bazaar, Saturday, March 16,9-2 pm , just above Wong Yuen Store in Waiʻōhinu. Bazaar vendor spaces on the church lawn are $10 for 10' X 10'. Vendors are responsible for bringing all supplies, including electricity. Church members will sell kalua pig and cabbage bowls, and roast chicken with gravy bowls, as well as baked goods, produce, and crafts. Submit application with fee by Sunday, March 10; call Debbie or Walter, 928-8039, for application.
Nāʻālehu Celebrates Craft Month with open crafting for all ages, while supplies last. Crafting starts off at
Kauahaʻao Congregational Church Fundraising Bazaar, Saturday, March 16,
Niuhi-Shark Fine Art Exhibit is open daily through Sunday, March 24 at Volcano Art Center Gallery. The public is invited to hear different perspectives on the life of Kamehameha the Great and experience a visual experience of important events in Kamehameha's life from the perspective of two styles of art. The exhibit and supporting events promise paint, prose, protocol, and conversations providing cultural, historical, and educational experiences, with original paintings by Carl F. K. Pao, paired with selections from the book Kamehameha–The Rise of a King by David Kāwika Eyre, with illustrations by Brook Parker. Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.
Five Scholarships are available from American Association of University Women-Kona: Three $2000 scholarships will go to female college-bound Kaʻū High School and West Hawaiʻi high school students. Applications must be postmarked by Monday, April 1. Two $1,000 scholarships will go to any female high school graduate or older women attending a two-year vocational program leading to a marketable skill at Palamanui Campus . Applications must be postmarked by Wednesday, April 10. Application packets available at kona-hi.aauw.net. Contact sharonnind@aol.com.
Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers. See
Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. No campaign and other political displays. Fifty percent discounts for non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each and a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses, P.O. Box 208 , Pāhala , HI 96777
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