The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Wednesday, November 09, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022

The name of the late Mayor Billy Kenoi was enshrined in the new title for a county park on Wednesday. The new name for
Pāhoa District Park is William "Billy" Kenoi Park. Above are Kenoi's son Justin, wife Takako and daughter Mahina.
Photo by Tim Wright

BILLY KENOI'S NAME GRACES A COUNTY PARK. The ceremony on Wednesday, the same day as the late Kenoi's birthday, drew his wife, children and other dignitaries to honor William "Billy" Punapaia'alaikahala Kenoi, former Hawai'i County Mayor, public servant, lawyer, teacher, coach, and Ironman finisher.
A statement from Mayor Mitch Roth's office said, "One of Mayor Kenoi's greatest achievements is the development and enhancement of County parks throughout Hawai'i Island. He saw parks as the heart of the community, a space to immerse oneself in and reconnect with 'āina, as well as an opportunity to bring keiki, kupuna, and families together for active living and to create happy memories. This is the first asset

Dedicating the William "Billy" Kenoi Park on Wednesday: Kaua'i Mayor
Derek Kawakami, Kaua'i County Council member and former Mayor
Bernard Carvalho, Maui Mayor Michael Victorino and Hawai'i
Island Mayor Mitch Roth. Photo by Tim Wright

on Hawai'i Island to be named after Mayor Kenoi." Kenoi's name is now enshrined in the name for Pāhoa District Park.

Kenoi was known in Kaʻū for coming to the community centers at Pāhala, Nāʻālehu and Ocean View to meet in open sessions with community members, often bringing along county department chiefs to interact with the public.

During Wednesday's dedication, Lei Ilae-Kaleimamahu led an aha, ceremony, to ground the experience, followed by a program featuring pule by students from Kua O Ka Lā. Remarks came from Bernard Carvalho (former Kaua'i Mayor and current Kaua'i Council Member); Rob Iopa (WCIT Architecture); Janice Ikeda (Vibrant Hawai'i); John DeFries (Hawai'i Tourism Authority); and Ashley Kierkiewicz (Hawai'i County Council Member).

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KAʻŪ 'S CONGRESSMAN KAI KAHELE WILL BE THE FIRST MEMBER OF CONGRESS to preside over the U.S. House of Representatives since the 2022 election. On Thursday, Kahele will lead the House Pro Forma Session at 7 a.m. Hawai'i Time, as Speaker Pro-Tempore. Viewers can watch Congressman Kahele on the House floor at the U.S. Capitol by going to https://live.house.gov/.

"It is my distinct honor to lead these proceedings as this year's election concludes," said Kahele. "This

Congressman Kai Kahele

election has come at a monumental time in our nation's history and demonstrates that every vote plays a part in shaping our nation's future."
Thursday marks the last legislative day before Veterans Day, "a day to commemorate and thank all service members and their families," said Kahele. On Wednesday, Kahele visited Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and will attend Friday's Vietnam Veterans Memorial Reading honoring Hawaiʻi veterans who served and sacrificed their lives during the Vietnam War.
"To all my fellow veterans, thank you for your courage and sacrifice," Kahele added. "Our nation is stronger and safer thanks to the bravery and service of our armed forces and it is our duty to ensure veterans have access to the support they deserve when they come home."

VETERANS DAY AT NĀ'ĀLEHU HONGWANJI is this Friday, Nov. 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. offers free chili rice and

hotdogs, shave ice and cookies. There will be music and the honoring of veterans by the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou community organization.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE VETERANS DAY BUFFET at Kīlauea Military Camp from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 808-967-8333 or 808-967-8371 to place reservations. Also email marketing@kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

Cost is $10 per veteran, $28.95 for non-Veteran adults and $15.95 for children.

VETERANS DAY MEANS FREE ENTRY to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park this Friday, Nov. 11. A new Veterans and Gold Star Family Interagency Lifetime Pass will be available at park entrances starting Veterans Day, with lifetime access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas.

TWENTY SIX MOTORISTS WERE ARRESTED FOR DUI during the week of Oct. 31through Nov. 6. Hawai‘i Island police made the arrests for or driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Seven of the drivers were involved in a traffic accident. Two of the drivers were under the age of 21.

So far this year, there have been 846 DUI arrests compared with 919 during the same period last year, a decrease of 7.9 percent.
There have been 700 major accidents so far this year compared with 684 during the same period last year, an increase of 2.3 percent.
To date, there have been 31 fatal crashes (one fatal crash reclassified on 5/30/22 due to a medical condition) resulting in 33 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths, and one reclassified due to a medical condition), compared with 22 fatal crashes, resulting in 22 fatalities for the same time last year. This represents an increase of 40.9 percent for fatal crashes, and 50 percent for fatalities.
Hawai'i Police Department promises that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

A native plants nursery at Hawai'i Volcanoes
National Park. Volunteer opportunities abound.
Photo from HVNP

TWO MORE VOLUNTEER DAYS TO HELP NATIVE PLANTS THRIVE have been announced by Ke Ēweiēwe – Plant Restoration at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The first event is Wednesday, Dec 7 for planting on Mauna Loa Road. The second is Monday, Dec. 12 for assistance spreading a biocontrol for Strawberry Guava.
Eric Hamren, Director of Nursery Operations at Hawai'i Volcanoes, said, "So far in October and November, we have planted nearly 1000 keiki plants and cleared over a quarter acre of invasive plants! Mahalo nui everyone for all of your help!"
To join the Volunteer Opportunities, sign up at https://forms.office.com/g/KEe2kBh7RH. For more, call Hamren at (808) 985-6195 or email eric_hamren@nps.gov.

THE HOLIDAY CONCERT WILL RETURN TO KMC: Volcano Festival Chorus and Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network have announced the return of the annual A Gift for Our Community Holiday Concert. The musical performance is on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. Due to ongoing remodeling of Kīlauea Theater, the concert will be located in the Lehua Room of the Kīlauea Military Camp.
"After a two-year hiatus the chorus, made up of community members who love to sing, is delighted to be singing again," says a statement from the Chorus. Director is Roch Jones with Melanie Oldfather accompanying and Cheryl Shine on the flute. The concert will be a mixture of both sacred and secular selections. There will be a sing-along where everyone gets to join the festivities.
As always, admission is free, donations will be gratefully accepted. The public is invited to join in to celebrate the season. For additional information, contact KDEN at 808-982-7344.

Tuesday, November 08, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022

The full eclipse of the moon as seen from Kaʻū on Monday night, with its show of red on election eve.
Photo by Richard Taylor

JOSHUA BOOTH GREEN BECAME GOVEOR ELECT OF HAWAI'I on Tuesday and is set to take the oath on Dec. 5. The physician began his medical career in Hawai'i by coming to Kaʻū to work in a clinic and hospital here, living at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach. He later became a member of the state House of Representatives and Senate before landing his current job as Lieutenant Governor.

To open his acceptance speech, Green referred to the Democratic Party and the election results for Hawai'i's congressional delegation. "We're dominating!" he said, congratulating incumbent Ed Case and first-time congresswoman Jill Tokuda who won their House of Representatives seats, and Sen. Brian Schatz who was reelected.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green was elected Tuesday to become Hawai'i's
next governor. Photo from Green for Hawai'i

In his mahalo talk, Green first thanked his wife Jaime Ushiroda Green. "Without you, there is no way I would be standing here tonight. Let's make this for Jaime. I love you for Jaime," he said, noting that she gives him "moral clarity." Green thanked many people gathered in the room for the celebration, from campaign workers to his security team and "Dr. Scottie" Miscovich, with whom Green worked in leading Hawai'i's Covid response.
Green addressed Lt. Gov. elect Sylvia Luke as "A great friend, more than just a Lt. Gov. who will be my partner as we go forward." He also thanked Gov. David and First Lady Dawn Ige, who promised to help Green with the transition.
Green thanked Republican gubernatorial competitor Duke Aiona and his running mate Seaolua Jr. Tupai for running a civil campaign, noting that the election in Hawai'i was "not like some other places," where there was less civility.
"Tonight is about renewal," said Green. He said it's about change and a new era. Green promised to "do things that make a difference in your life," with "an optimistic vision." The governor-elect said, "We will take on the problems that seemed too difficult to solve." The first issue he mentioned is affordable housing and he gave examples of working people unable to afford to buy a house. He vowed to work on homelessness and mentioned a single working mother. He pointed to a father who can't afford to send kids to college and people who grew up in Hawai'i and have to leave to afford a home and a job that supports their families.

Green promised to work with the new lieutenant governor "to deliver on that promise and that hope" for some 28,000 native Hawaiians and their families who are on the on waiting list for Department of Hawaiian Home Lands housing.

Green addressed the public saying "Tonight is all about you," and promised, "I will serve as your governor with everything I have." He addressed those who voted for his opponents, saying he "will work to heal wounds," and "lead as one 'ohana."

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke elect campaigning Tuesday.
Photo from Sylvia Luke for Hawai'i

In his concession speech, gubernatorial candidate Duke Aiona thanked the Lord and Jesus Christ. He said the campaign, one of three bids for governor, "was the best campaign I have ever been involved in. The results are one thing but its the relationships we have formed... the work we have done together...There are no losers. We're all winners in this....Hold your head up high."

LT. GOV. ELECT SYLVIA LUKE said it is very important for the Hawai'i governor and cabinet and the congressional delegation to be aligned and work together, in light of Republicans picking up seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

ELECTION RESULTS AFFECTING KAʻŪ on Tuesday night include the reelection of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, who will continue to serve with Sen. Mazie Hirono whose term continues. The results also include the election of Jill Takuda, of Kaneohe, to replace outgoing Congressman Kai Kahele to cover Kaʻū and all of rural Hawai'i in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Jill Tokuda campaigning Tuesday. The Kaneohe resident
will represent Kaʻū and all of rural Hawai'i in Congress.
Photo from Jill Tokuda

In the election for the Hawai'i Legislature, State Sen. Dru Kanuha, who will will serve all of Kaʻū and into Volcano and and Kona, was reelected in the Primary Election. Incumbent House of Representative member Jeanne Kapela who will serve all of Kaʻū into Volcano and Kona, was reelected in the General Election on Tuesday.

ONLY ONE COUNTY COUNCIL SEAT WAS DETERMINED for Hawai'i Island by Tuesday's Election. The others were decided in the nonpartisan Primary Election in August. Jennifer Kagiwada will represent downtown Hilo, after defeating Matthias Kusch in District 2 on Tuesday. Kaʻū's next County Council member was determined in the Primary Election. She is rancher Michelle Galimba.

In the mail and on stands from Volcano through Kaʻū.

Monday, November 07, 2022

Kaʻū News Briefs, Monday, Nov. 7, 2022

On Monday, Hawai'i Wildlife Fund helped to bring a couple of international researchers and island resident kiaʻi loko (pool caretakers) to several pool complexes in Kaʻū to learn more about the water chemistry and small critters that live in the sediment, and to remove some mosquitofish from these fragile ecosystems in order to protect native pool fauna, like the pool shrimp.

Photo from Hawai'i Wildlife Fund

MORE FROM THE ANCHIALINE ECOSYSTEM CONFERENCE last weekend is available on https://www.facebook.com/hianchialine/?ref=py_c. A statement from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund says the organization "was proud to host this multi-agency, non-government organization, and community collaborative event focusing on anchialine ecosystems that linked scientists, students, managers and caretakers from around Hawaiʻi, Oʻahu, Texas, Maui, Florida, Croatia, Italy, Washington, Oregon, California, Kauaʻi, New York, Massachusetts, Mexico and Canada.
Hawai'i Wildlife Fund President Megan Lamson said, "Anchialine pools are home to a wide variety of native and endemic wildlife, including the 'charismatic minifauna' of the Hawaiian anchialine pool, the ʻōpaeʻula, or little red pool shrimp, and seven other species of shrimp (including two endangered species), plus damselflies, isopods, snails, and more. In addition, these ecosystems include unique microbial

Hawai'i has one of the largest collections of anchialine
ponds in the world with some 600 on this island alone.
Photo by Barbara Siedel, The Nature Conservancy

communities and oftentimes distinct cyanobacterial mats and/ or an aquatic plant, Ruppia maritima. The flora and fauna and waters of these pools in term provide critical resources for migratory shorebirds and resident waterbirds."

"Anchialine pools are threatened by coastal development, changes to subterranean groundwater, overharvest, and especially from invasive species including fish like tilapia, guppies, mosquitofish, and plants like pickleweed, seashore paspalum, mangroves, and kiawe.

Hawai'i Wildlife Fund is one of many organizations within the Hui Loko network, a group of fishpond and anchialine pool caretakers on Hawaiʻi Island coordinated by The Nature Conservancy, that is looking to restore these anchialine habitats across the island, to improve wildlife habitat and perpetuate traditions connecting people to these special ʻloko waikai' or brackish-water ponds."
Folks can find more info or request educational resources / follow-up at hianchialine@gmail.com.

MAYOR MITCH ROTH IS ASKING THE PUBLIC TO TAKE A SURVEY to prepare for the 2022 Hawai'i Sustainability Summit, which will be held Wednesday, Nov. 30 through Saturday, Dec. 3. The survey can be taken at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/3d3c47aab0804350a1a575cb83a6d09f.

"This year, the Summit has evolved into a four-day, in-person, by invitation only event bringing together leaders from across our community to focus on building a set of policy priorities, structured around six key areas shared with Hawaiʻi Green Growth’s Aloha+ Challenge: natural resource management, local food, smart sustainable communities, clean energy transformation, solid waste reduction, and green workforce and education."

With his invitation to invite community members to take the survey, the mayor stated: "The Hawaiʻi that we know and love is quickly slipping away from us. Rising coastal conditions, a lack of economic diversification, the dispersion of our young and bright minds, an increasing lack of genuinely affordable housing units, aging infrastructure, and so much more is making it harder and harder for our local residents to make a living and raise their families here.

Public input for the 2022 Hawai'i Sustainability Summit is sought at
https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/3d3c47aab0804350a1a575cb83a6d09f

"Decades of inaction have led us to a tipping point, which has only been exacerbated by a global pandemic, growing instability in the world’s political climate, and scathing public unrest caused by grave inequity - both globally and locally.
"However, I am hopeful that a new Hawaiʻi is upon us — a better Hawaiʻi.
"To attain that Hawaiʻi, we must act. As leaders, community organizers, and island-based organizations with a heart for Hawaiʻi, we have a profound opportunity to come together to tackle the most challenging issues of our time. Together, we can set the foundation for change. But, it will take courage, audacity, and the willingness to put aside our individual interests to achieve a grander vision.
"The 2022 Hawaiʻi Sustainability Summit will aim to do just that. To break down silos and drive shared priority agreements that catalyze sweeping policy shifts for all Hawaiʻi. It will be on the backs of our collective advocacy efforts that we truly begin a path for a sustainable island home.
"The time to act is now — for our keiki and theirs.

See more on the Hawai'i Sustainability Summit at https://hisustainabilitysummit.com/.

Six areas of focus for the Hawai'i Sustainability Summit, Nov. 30 - Dec. 3.

ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, Nov. 8. In Kaʻū, ballots can be cast until 7 p.m. at Nāʻālehu Police Station: 95-5355 Māmalahoa Hwy, Nāʻālehu, HI 96772

In addition, there are eight more drop box locations around the island:
  Laupahoehoe Police Station: Puʻualaea Homestead Rd, Laupahoehoe HI 96764.
  Hilo County Building: 25 Aupuni St, Hilo HI 96720
  Pāhoa Police Station: 15-2615 Keaʻau-Pāhoa Rd, Pāhoa HI 96778
  Rodney Yano Memorial Hall: 82-6156 Māmalahoa Hwy, Captain Cook HI 96704
  West Hawaiʻi Civic Center: 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy, Kailua Kona HI 96740
  Waikoloa Village Association: 68-1792 Melia St, Waikoloa Village, HI 96738
  Waimea Police Station: 67-5185 Kamamalu St, Waimea HI 96743
  North Kohala Police Station: 54-3900 Akoni Pule Hwy, Kapaʻau HI 96755

In addition to the drop boxes, ballots may be brought to the Voter Service Centers in Hilo at County of Hawai‘i Aupuni Center, Conference Room, 101 Pauahi St. Suite 1, and in Kona at West Hawai‘i Civic Center, Community Room (Building G), 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Hwy until 7 p.m. Election Day, Nov. 8.
A statement from the County of Hawai'i Elections Division says, "Ballots must be in drop boxes in possession of the Elections Division by 7 p.m. on Election Day! Drop Boxes will be locked at exactly 7:00pm, so get your ballot in ASAP!"