Kaʻū News Briefs Friday, Nov. 18, 2016

 Protection of Hawksbill sea turtle nests, archaeological and cultural sites, caves, ponds
and other features will be planned along with providing public access to the lands
 newly acquired by HawaiʻiCounty at Kahuku makai. Photo from County of Hawaiʻi

PLANNING FOR KAHUKU MAKAI LANDS CONSERVATION AND PUBLIC ACCESS begins. An onsite meeting will be held in December with representatives of new owner County of Hawaiʻi and other partners to research and discuss managing the future of the 3,128 acres with more than a mile of Kaʻū Coast. It is located along the Road to the Sea, makai of Ocean View. It includes the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail and the massive Kanohina Flow from a Mauna Loa eruption.

Planning to protect the endangered Hawksbill sea
turtle hatchlings while providing public access to
the public lands makai of Ocean View will be studied
as the county makes its plan.
Photo by Jay Robinson

       It is the County’s largest acquisition to date using its Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund - the “Two Percent” income from property taxes for conserving special properties. With cooperative funding from federal, state, county and private donors, more than 4,000 acres along the Kaʻū Coast have been purchased for preservation since 2006. 

     Trust for Public Land helped with negotiations for most of the properties and nominated the Kahuku makai lands to the county Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission. The County put in $764,745 toward the purchase. The balance of the $2.6 million was funded through a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Recovery Land Acquisition Grant and state Legacy Land Conservation money.
       The County plans to work with stakeholders in the community to come up with a management plan not only for the care of the land, its shoreline with Hawksbill sea turtle nesting sites, its anchialine ponds, geologic features, cave network and archaeological and cultural sites. The management team and community will come up with a plan to locate and steward public access for fishing, hiking and other recreational uses. Access will include the unpaved, high-clearance, four-wheel drive Road to the Sea, which extends to the ocean, bordering the property.

        Comments coming into The Kaʻū Calendar Facebook page have supported the purchase: Jamie Sing Kawauchi wrote: “Mahalo nui loa to Deborah Ward, Tanya Masaniai Ibarra, many other Kaʻū communities members, islandwide supporters from beyond our boundaries, Hawaiʻi County Property Management team, Kamana Ventura and Alexandra Kelepolo and the Mayor, for all their kokua in making this happen!!!”

Wall of a lava canyon running mauka to makai on the
Kahuku property. Photo by Ann Bosted

      Some wrote with concerns about public access. Jeff Purser commented: “My point is the use of the term ‘public access’ is misleading. If it is going to be restricted access, then say so. If the state and county are going to be stewards of the land and resources then they have a responsibility to take whatever measures necessary to do that. If ‘protection’ is the top priority, then block all access without special permits or make reasonable access available to everyone, including senior citizens with passenger vehicles. I’ve seen the effects of limiting access in coastal areas to four-wheel drive vehicles and the segment of the population using those vehicles can be pretty messy and destructive, too. Public money has been used to acquire the property and the public, all of the public, have the right to enjoy the benefits of that expenditure. It won’t happen, but it should.” 

     Keoni Fox replied: “If the road is improved, how do we mitigate the impacts of increased use on cultural and natural resources? Dumping of trash and abandoned vehicles is already an issue.”
   See more at Kaʻū News Briefs Nov. 15 edition. 

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

U.S. SEN. MAZIE HIRONO IS AUDITING PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP’S MOVES as he makes plans toward keeping his campaign promises and selecting his cabinet and advisors. Yesterday, Hirono denounced a Trump surrogate’s suggestion that Japanese American internment during World War II set a precedent for establishing a Muslim registry to help find terrorists in today’s America.

Sen. Mazie Hirono condemns Japanese American internment
in World War II and opposes the idea that it set a precedent
for keeping a watch list of American Muslims today.
Above she unveils the new museum in Honolulu honoring
Japanese American WW II veterans.
Photo from the office of Sen. Mazie Hirono

     Said Hirono, “The internment that  Japanese-Americans during World War II was a historic injustice and nothing like it should ever happen again. The protection of our Constitution is not conditional; it applies to all of us. We cannot allow hate speech, racism, and anti-immigrant sentiment to become the new norm in our country, and we must continue to speak out against hate and prejudice. An inclusive and vibrant America is worth fighting for.” The reference to Japanese internment came from Trump advisor Carl Higbie, a former Navy SEAL who was spokesman for the pro-Trump Great America PAC.

     In October, Hirono unveiled a new exhibit on Oʻahu honoring Japanese American World War II veterans, saying, “millions of people who pass through Honolulu International Airport each year will have the opportunity to learn more about the heroism and service of Japanese American World War II veterans, who bravely fought for the United States even as their loyalty was questioned at home.” In 2010, Hirono championed successful legislation to award Japanese American World War II veterans the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. These men included Kaʻū 442nd veteran Iwao Yonemitsu, of Na‘alehu.

     Earlier this week, Hirono called on Trump to fire one of his chief strategists, the chair of Breitbart News, Steve Bannon. Said Hirono, “What Steve Bannon believes is not a mystery. He has demeaned women, advocated for white supremacy, and promoted anti-Semitism. In addition to saying that immigrants spread disease, (on his website Breitbart.com) he  has advocated a religious test for immigration. As an immigrant and a religious minority, this isn’t a test that I would have passed. Quite frankly, it’s sad that we are having a debate about whether a white supremacist should serve as a senior counselor to the President-elect,” stated Hirono. 

      Hirono is the only immigrant and only woman of color serving in the U.S. Senate. To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

FINAL VOTING AT THE BEAUTY OF KAʻŪ ART SHOW takes place today at Naʻalehu Hongwanji. The popular vote determines the cover for The Directory, the 2017 Kaʻū Chamber of Commerce business and community resource guide. Keiki and Youth can still enter art through this afternoon. The kids can use the coloring table here to make a picture to enter or they can bring something from home as long as it was done this year. Vote until 6 p.m.

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY begins today, Friday, Nov. 18 and runs through New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily, at  Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The holiday event kicks off with a members-only reception, 5:30 p.m., opening day. Featured at Christmas in the Country is the 17th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, with prizes awarded for the best wreaths. To participate, contact Emily Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org. Free; park entrance fees apply.

HORN OF PLENTY, today, Friday, Nov. 18, from 1 – 2 p.m., Kahuku County Park. Children ages 6 – 12 can enjoy arts & crafts at the park. Registration closes Thursday, Nov. 17. Call the Kahuku County Park at 929-9113.

THE FIRST OFFICIAL SPORTS TOURNAMENT IN THE NEW KAʻŪ GYM begins today at 5:15 p.m. and continues tomorrow is at least one can of food. The food drive is an annual event for the Kaʻū High School girls basketball team. The tournament is an invitational with visiting teams from Keaʻau, Pahoa and Kealakehe. Big Island Interscholastic Federation competition begins at the gym in December.

HIʻIAKA & PELE, Saturday, Nov. 19 from  9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The famous myth of the volcano goddess Pele and her companion Hiʻiaka is the focus of this free, moderate, one-mile walk. Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena that reveal their story on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

FOOTAGE OF THE ʻALALA, endangered Hawaiian crows recently release from captivity into the forest near Volcano, will be shown on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Mokupāpapa Discovery Center in Hilo with a celebration for the entire family from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

CENTENNIAL WALK: ‘Ōhi‘a Wing – Our New Museum, Saturday, Nov. 19 at 10 a.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National.Following up on her After Dark in the Park talk on Tuesday, Nov. 15, Chief of Cultural Resources Laura Carter Schuster is leading an easy walk from Kīlauea Visitor Center to the park’s new museum site. She’ll reveal the history and highlights of the park’s original 1932 park Administration Building and share exhibit plans that will highlight the park’s museum collection

RAINFOREST MELE, Sat, Nov 19, 4:30 and  7:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Funk band Bump City Hawaiʻi performs in the tradition of Tower of Power, Average White Band, James Brown and more. 967-8222

MONGOLIAN BBQ, Sat, Nov 19 from 5p.m. to 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The cost is only $.85 per ounce for a self-cooked Mongolian BBQ plate dinner with your choice of protein, veggies, rice & beverage. Open to all authorized patrons & sponsored guests. 967-8356

PEOPLE & LANDS OF KAHUKU, Sun, Nov 20, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history. Learn about emerging native forests, pastures, lava fields, and other sites that today hold clues about ways people have lived and worked on the vast Kahuku lands – from the earliest Hawaiians, through generations of ranching families, to the current staff and volunteers of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. nps.gov/havo


SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

Kaʻū News Briefs Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016

Enjoying the lava lake? So are endangered nēnē. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park reminds drivers to slow down, and watch out
 for nēnē when traveling to and from favorite lava-viewing sites. Nēnē pairs are preparing to nest and females are frantically
 feeding, even at night. NPS Photo/Janice Wei.

KEAUHOU AND KĪLAEUA LAND GIVEN BY PRINCESS RUTH KEʻELIKŌLANI to Kamehameha Schools in 1883 is proposed for a Safe Harbor endangered species protection program. The plan was presented at a state Department of Land & Natural Resources public hearing in Volcano last night. Kamehameha Schools representatives and state Department of Land and Natural Resources officials gave the details.

Wildlife that would be supported by the Safe Harbor program on 32,800 acres on
Mauna Loa near Volcano. Photos from Kamehameha Schools

      The 32,800 acres near Volcano border Kapapala Forest Reserve, Hawaʻi Volcanoes National Park, Puʻu Makaʻala Nautral Area Reserve, Mauna Loa Forest Reserve and Kipuka Ainahou Nene Sanctuary. The land would become the largest Safe Harbor for endangered species in the United States, if approved by DLNR and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which would help Kamehameha Schools with the conservation management.
     In its proposal, Kamehameha Schools touts its conservation management and stewardship practices that “have contributed to preserving some of the last remaining intact native forests in Hawaiʻi.” Much of the Safe Harbor management style is already underway at Keauhou Forest and portions of Kīlauea Forest owned by KS. “The Kīlauea forest portion has never been logged and has retained intact high quality habitat through fencing and ungulate removal efforts implemented by KS and partners.”
     The area is already under protection and restoration through a KS Natural Resources Management Plan. KS points out that it also “continues to provide educational opportunities through interactions with healthy native ecosystems now and for future generations.”

The blue surrounds Kamehameha Schools land proposed for Safe Harbor. The green
 surrounds Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and te yellow surrounds state forest.
Map from Kamehameha Schools

    Even with the care already provided, KS reports: “Only a small portion of the original Hawaiian avifauna known before human settlement have survived, and at least 13 historically known species that could have occurred in the Keauhou-Kīlauea region are now either extinct or have been extirpated from the area. The result is that only nine forest birds—ʻIo, Hawaiʻi ʻElepaio, ʻŌmaʻo, Hawaiʻi ʻAmakihi, ʻAkiapōlāʻau, Hawaiʻi Creeper, Hawaiʻi ʻĀkepa, ʻIʻiwi, and ʻApapane – persist in the Keauhou-Kīlauea region. The ʻŌpeʻapeʻa, or Hawaiian Hoary Bat, which is the only native terrestrial mammal present in the Hawaiian Islands, is also found at Keauhou from 4,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation.
      Vegetation zones with endangered species include Montane Wet at 3,000 to 6,000 feet, with more than 75 inches of rain a year, featuring ʻōhiʻa and hapuʻu forest and tall koa and ʻōhiʻa forest; Montaine Mesic, between 3,000 and 6,000 feet with 50 to 75 inches of rain a year, featuring tall koa and ʻōhiʻa forest, with separate ʻōhiʻa forest with understory native trees and other plants. It also includes a Subalpine zone, from 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet with pioneer vegetation on younger lava flows, dry native shrub with scattered ʻōhiʻa, forested kipuka and dry ʻōhiʻa forest.
     Care of the land will include forest restoration, involving out-planting of common native and rare species and improvement of exiting forested areas to increase biodiversity and native forest cover. Predator control will reduce impacts of feral cats, mongooses and rats on the endangered Hawaiian crow, if necessary. Feral dogs will be removed to protect nēnē and other species covered by the agreement.

The Safe Harbor near Volcano would include bare lava (in red), forest
with closed canopy (dark green), forest with open canopy
 (light green), scattered trees (mustard) and very scattered
 trees (yellow). Map from Kamehameha Schools

     Koa silviculture will create new forest in formerly logged areas and degraded pastures, increase soil-water retention capacity and provide nesting and foraging habitat for Hawaiian forest birds, the Hawaiian Hawk and the Hawaiian Hoary Bat.
     To keep out pigs, goats and sheep, KS will maintain fence lines in Keauhou and Kīlauea. The KS fencelines were designed for zero tolerance of feral ungulates. A weed control program will suppress faya, ginger, strawberry guava, Himalayan rasberry and other invasives. A program to prevent rapid ʻōhiʻa death from destroying trees will continue.
     See more of the plan at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/files/2013/10/ks-sha.pdf. Comments can be sent to katherine.cullison@hawaii.gov by Dec. 22.


VOTE TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY FOR THE DIRECTORY COVER IMAGE for the 2017 business and resource guide, published by the Kaʻū Chamber of Commerce. The annual Beauty of Kaʻū Art Show is open to the public at  through this Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Naʻalehu Hongwanji Breezeway.  A popular vote will determine the cover of The Directory. All entries are eligible to win the popular vote (the cover) including youth and keiki art, with the exception of previous cover winners for The Directory. Prizes will be given for: photography, sculpture, woodworking, quilting, jewelry, lei, graphics, painting and weaving.
    During the show, works of art for sale are priced on a list available from art show volunteers. The results of judging and the selection for The Directory cover will be announced this Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. at Naʻalehu Hongwanji, with artists invited to a reception and awards ceremony. The Directory is published in January.

Christmas in the Country begins this Friday, Nov. 18 at 

Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. 

Volcano Arts Center photo

CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY begins this Friday, Nov. 18 – Jan 1 from  9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at  Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The holiday event kicks off with a members-only reception, 5:30 p.m., opening day. Featured at Christmas in the Country is the 17th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, with prizes awarded for the best wreaths. To participate, contact Emily Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org. Free; park entrance fees apply.

A FOOD DRIVE AND TROJAN BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT begins at 5:15 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 18. To enter the first official high school competition played at the new Kaʻū District Gym, bring canned food instead of money. At least one can of food required to enter. After three games on Friday, Trojan wahine play again on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. The tournament is expected to last all day against Keaʻau, Pahoa and Kealakehe high schools. Big Island Interscholastic competition begins at the gym in December.

HIʻIAKA & PELE, Saturday, Nov. 19, 9:30 – 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The famous myth of the volcano goddess Pele and her companion Hiʻiaka is the focus of this free, moderate, one-mile walk. Participants discover the Hawaiian goddesses and the natural phenomena that reveal their story on this free, moderate, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

CENTENNIAL WALK: ‘Ōhi‘a Wing – Our New Museum, Saturday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Following up on her After Dark in the Park talk given on Tuesday, Nov. 15, Chief of Cultural Resources Laura Carter Schuster is leading an easy walk from Kīlauea Visitor Center to the park’s new museum site. She’ll reveal the history and highlights of the park’s original 1932 park Administration Building and share exhibit plans that will highlight the park’s museum collection

RAINFOREST MELE, Sat, Nov 19, 4:30 & 7:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Funk band Bump City Hawaiʻi performs in the tradition of Tower of Power, Average White Band, James Brown and more. 967-8222

MONGOLIAN BBQ, Sat, Nov 19, 5 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Military Camp’s Crater Rim Café in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The cost is only $.85 per ounce for a Mongolian BBQ plate dinner with your choice of protein, veggies, rice & beverage. Open to all authorized patrons & sponsored guests. 967-8356

PEOPLE & LANDS OF KAHUKU, Sun, Nov 20, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s Kahuku Unit. This free, guided, 2.5-mile, moderately difficult hike over rugged terrain focuses on the area’s human history. Learn about emerging native forests, pastures, lava fields, and other sites that today hold clues about ways people have lived and worked on the vast Kahuku lands – from the earliest Hawaiians, through generations of ranching families, to the current staff and volunteers of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. nps.gov/havo


SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

.

Ka`u News Briefs, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016

State Rep. Clift Tsuji, a friend to Kaʻū Coffee farmers and other local agriculturalists, died unexpectedly yesterday.
Photo from Big island Video News

         A PUBLIC HEARING TONIGHT ON PRESERVING ENDANGERED SPECIES near Volcano, through a Safe Harbor agreement between Kamehameha Schools, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the state Department of Land & Natural Resources, will be held at Volcano School of the Arts and Sciences at 6 p.m.

ʻAlalā or Hawaiian Crow is one of the species to be
protected by the Safe Harbor agreement.
Photo from San Diego Zoo program at Volcano

      The agreement involves 32,280 acres owned by Kamehameha Schools near Volcano Village, bordering Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park, Kapapala Forest Reserve, Kipuka Ainahou Nēnē Sanctuary and Pu`u Maka`ala Natural Area Reserve.

      Volcano School is located at 19-4024 Haunani Road. The hearing concerns approval from the DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, for a 50-year Incidental Take License, part of the Safe Harbor agreement.     

      The safe harbor agreement is voluntary, intended to promote recovery of endangered species. It covers eight animal and 25 plant species. Included are the endangered Hawaiʻi Creeper (Loxops mana), Hawaiʻi ʻĀkepa (Loxops coccineus), ʻAkiapōlāʻau (Hemignathus wilsoni), ʻIʻiwi (Vestiaria coccinea), ʻIo or Hawaiian Hawk (Buteo solitarius), Nēnē or Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis), ʻAlalā or Hawaiian Crow (Corvus hawaiiensis), and ʻŌpeʻapeʻa or Hawaiian Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus semotus). Comments can be sent to katherine.cullison@hawaii.gov by Dec. 22. Copies of the safe harbor agreement will be available at the public hearing and http://oeqc.doh.hawaii.gov/Shared%20Documents/Environmental_Notice/Archives/2010s/2016-10-23.pdf.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MEMBER CLIFT TSUJI DIED YESTERDAY. Tsuji, 75, chaired the House Agriculture Committee. While he represented Keaukaha, Hilo, Panaewa, and Waiakea, he supported numerous aspects of Kaʻū agriculture. Tsuji was a keynote speaker at the Kaʻū Farm Bureau annual meeting in 2012. In the same year, he proposed funding for dogs to be trained to sniff out invasive species coming to Hawaiʻi in air and ocean shipments.

Clift Tsuji (left) visits a new Hawaiʻi Island dairy.
Photo from state House of Representatives blog

     Tsuji came to Kaʻū numerous times. Over the years, he supported coffee industry initiatives to fight the coffee berry borer. In September of 2015, Tsuji attended a meeting on Kaʻū Coffee farmer land security, listening to a proposal for the state to buy their land that was being sold to a real estate investment company, the state proposing to lease it back to farmers at low rates. He said he would support farmer land security.
    In 2014 Tsuji supported state legislation to prevent the counties from banning the growing of GMOs – Genetically Modified Organisms. In 2015, Tsuji opposed legislation that would allow the planting of industrial hemp in Hawaiʻi. He also opposed pesticide buffer zones around schools. He was named Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year.

    In her message yesterday, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard called Tusji a “dedicated public servant,” and said he “helped champion legislation to fight invasive species and strengthen our biosecurity.” U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono wrote, “his drive to build a

Rep. Clift Tsuji

better future was evident by his actions. Clift brought a wealth of experience and over 30 years of business acumen to the Hawaiʻi State House of Representatives. His voice on behalf of agriculture across the state will be missed.” 

     Gov. David Ige said Tsuji “was a quiet man with a big heart and had the courage to stand for his convictions.” State Sen. Kaiali`i Kahele wrote that Tsuji “proudly wore our nation’s uniform in the 442nd Infantry and was recognized as the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau’s Legislator of the Year in 2015.” Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui called Tsuji a “staunch advocate for Hawaiʻi’s agriculture community.”

      Tsuji served with the U.S. Army Reserve, 442nd Infantry, Company B, Hilo, from 1959 to 1965. He was a speaker at the Kīlauea Military Camp Memorial Day services in 2011.
     Tsuji was born in Papaikou. He graduated from Hilo High School and the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa where he earned a degree in communications. He studied banking and economics at the University of Washington. For 34 years, he worked as a banker at Central Pacific Bank. A Democrat, he served in the state House of Representatives for more than a dozen years. After his reelection in the August primary with a wide margin, Tsuji planned once again to chair the House Agriculture Committee. The governor will appoint his replacement. Services are pending.

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

Federal money funded during Republican and Democratic presidencies and
Congresses helped increase conservation of large swaths of Kaʻū land, such
as Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.
  NPS Photo by Jessica Ferracane

HAWAIʻI UNDER TRUMP: U.S. Sen. “Dan Inouye is dead, Barack Obama is on his way out and Donald Trump will be our next president.” That’s how Civil Beat reporter Nick Grube introduced his story yesterday on potential political clout for Hawaiʻi under a Donald Trump presidency.
    “Add to that a Republican-controlled House and Senate and things sure don’t look good for Hawaiʻi’s left-leaning congressional delegation,” Grube writes.
     He quotes Colin Moore, a University of Hawaiʻi political science professor and director of the school’s Public Policy Center, who said: “I don’t think Hawaiʻi can expect any favors from the federal government anytime soon. We have a liberal, junior delegation that will be in Congress with a Republican president and a Republican Congress. They’re not going to have a lot of influence.
     “Hawaiʻi’s congressional clout has been fading ever since Inouye’s death in December 2012. Inouye was the most senior member of the U.S. Senate when he died, and was chairman of the powerful Appropriations Committee, which dishes out federal dollars,” Grube reminds the readers.

The new Kaʻū District Gym & Shelter received federal construction
funding for its role as a regional disaster shelter. Photo by Julia Neal

     In remote Kaʻū however, under both Republican and Democratic presidencies and U.S. Congresses, millions of dollars from the federal government increased the size of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park by a third and helped purchase coastal lands to place in the stewardship of the County of Hawaiʻi and community groups. Sen. Mazie Hirono continues to reach across the aisle, successfully advocating for preservation of lands around the Great Crack and Pohue Bay.
      Offshore to the north, the signature of Pres. George W. Bush established Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Under Barack Obama, its size increased, making it the world’s second largest protected area.
    The new Kaʻū District Gym & Shelter received federal funding. Highways and roads throughout Kaʻū are improved with federal money.
    The jobs of many scientists at the National Park, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and the weather station on Mauna Loa are
dependent on federal funding. The weather station, NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory, located at 3,392 meters above sea level (11,129 feet), was one of the first places on the planet to register climate changes that led to identifying global warming. However, President-elect Trump has questioned whether climate change and global warming are real.

Federally funded Mauna Loa Observatory, in Ka`u, recorded the
evidence of climate change and global warming.
Photo from NOAA

     The Civil Beat writer declares that “it’s a new world under President-elect Trump, who doesn’t have many connections to the island outside of having his name stamped on a 38-story luxury hotel and condominium building in Waikīkī.”
    Grube points out that “Obama’s presidency brought additional standing to the Aloha State, however, if only because he’s from here and has a better understanding of Hawaiʻi’s issues than many politicians in Washington. Under his administration, the U.S. Department of Interior laid out a pathway for government-to-government relations with Native Hawaiians and quadrupled the size of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. Honolulu also hosted the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, which brought global attention to the islands as Obama laid out his vision for a U.S. pivot to Asia.”
     Grube notes that Trump “claimed to believe, until recently, that Obama had lied about being born in Hawaiʻi."
     Grube does write that Trump appears to be softening on some campaign promises like “deporting millions of undocumented workers, dismantling Obamacare, revamping America’s infrastructure and building a wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border and making our southern neighbor pay for it.”

 

Coastal lands from Honuʻapo to Punaluʻu are in public stewardship with the
help of federal government funding. Photo by Julia Neal

    He concludes, however, that “there seems to be little common ground between Trump and deep-blue, multicultural Hawaiʻi, where Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton won 61 percent of the vote compared to Trump’s 29 percent.”
     One area of possible federal funding stability that Grube thinks likely is the military: “One thing Hawaiʻi has going for it is its geographical importance to the U.S. military. That means federal dollars should continue to flow, especially if Trump follows through on his promises to boost military spending.” See more at www.civilbeat.org.

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

VOTE TODAY THROUGH FRIDAY FOR THE DIRECTORY COVER IMAGE for the 2017 business and resource guide, published by the Kaʻū Chamber of Commerce. The annual Beauty of Kaʻū Art Show is open to the public at  through this Friday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Naʻalehu Hongwanji Breezeway.

     A popular vote will determine the cover of The Directory. All entries are eligible to win the popular vote (the cover) including youth and keiki art, with the exception of previous cover winners for The Directory. Prizes will be given for: photography, sculpture, woodworking, quilting, jewelry, lei, graphics, painting and weaving.

    During the show, works of art for sale are priced on a list available from art show volunteers. The results of judging and the selection for The Directory cover will be announced this Saturday, Nov. 19 at 11 a.m. at Naʻalehu Hongwanji, with artists invited to a reception and awards ceremony. The Directory is published in January.

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

JUMP ROPE CHALLENGE, today, Wednesday, Nov. 16,  from 2:15 to  3:15 p.m. at Kahuku County Park. Children ages 6 – 12 are invited to take part. 929-9113

Shai Lopez-Castaneda helped with the food
drive in 2013. Trojans girls basketball
 team hosts it again this weekend.
Photo by Julia Neal

HALAU O AKAUNU PRESENTS HULA tonight, Wednesday, Nov. 16 from 6:30 – 8 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ancient traditionscome to life through chant and dance of Hālau o Akaunu. Hailing from Hilo, Hawai‘i, and under the instruction of Mānaiakalani Kalua, Akaunu strives to perpetuate the ‘aiha‘a style of hula borne of this volcanic landscape. Free; park entrance fees apply.

 CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY begins this Friday, Nov. 18 – Jan 1, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., at  Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. The holiday event kicks off with a members-only reception, 5:30 p.m., opening day. Featured at Christmas in the Country is the 17th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibit, with prizes awarded for the best wreaths. To participate, contact Emily Weiss at 967-8222 or gallery@volcanoartcenter.org. Free; park entrance fees apply.

A FOOD DRIVE AND TROJAN BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT begins at 5:15 p.m. this Friday, Nov. 18. To enter the first official high school competition played at the new Kaʻū District Gym, bring canned food instead of money. At least one can of food required to enter. After three games on Friday, Trojan wahine play again on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. The tournament is expected to last all day against Keaʻau, Pahoa and Kealakehe high schools. Big Island Interscholastic competition begins at the gym in December.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.