Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017

OHA is a new co-trustee of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, with ten islands and atolls
and 583,000 square miles of ocean waters.  It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Photo from UNESCO

OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS is the new co-trustee of Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.  Gov. David Ige announced today that OHA, the State of Hawai`i,  and the U.S. Secretaries of Interior and Commerce have signed an updated Memorandum of Agreement adding OHA as a co-trustee. 

“This historic action rightfully places the Native Hawaiian voice at
the highest levels of decision making for this culturally and
spiritually significant wahi pana (sacred place) and will help
 advance our people’s understanding of the deep connection of
 our entire paeʻaina (archipelago)," said Kamana`opon Crabb,
OHA's CEO. Photo from UNESCO

     Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is the largest, contiguous, fully protected conservation area in the U.S. and encompasses 583,000 square miles of ocean waters, including ten islands and atolls in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Papahānaumokuākea is rich in history and cultural significance. In 2010, UNESCO inscribed the area as the nation’s first mixed (natural and cultural) World Heritage Site. The Big Island hosts a Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument visitor center in Hilo.

      The refuge is managed by a partnership of co-trustee agencies: the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the Interior Department's Fish & Wildlife Service; the state Department of Land & Natural Resources and Office of Hawaiian Affairs. OHA has been one of seven collaborating agencies for Papahānaumokuākea, including NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and National Marine Fisheries Service; the Fish & Wildlife Service’s Ecological Services & Refuges, and the DLNR Divisions of Aquatic Resources & Forestry and Wildlife. 

     Said the Governor, “Honoring, respecting and perpetuating the Native Hawaiian culture and sustainability are among my administration’s top priorities. OHA has participated in the decision making process since the monument was first designated by President Bush more than ten years ago, and previously, when the area was managed as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve. The monument is world renowned for both its natural and cultural attributes and OHA’s co-trustee role will ensure the protection of Native Hawaiian cultural features and provide a critical cultural sensitivity to every decision that is made to protect this unique place.”
     DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, “We fully support and embrace OHA as a co-trustee of the monument. It is impossible to separate decisions about nature from cultural considerations. OHA’s elevated voice and input will inform management actions on a broad scale.” 

     U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker said: "Over the past ten years, we have forged a strong partnership with the State of Hawai‘i and we look forward to collaborating with the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on our continued efforts to preserve this unique environment."

"Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is of great cultural significance to the Native Hawaiian community and houses important marine ecosystems that the Department of Commerce is committed to protecting for future generations," said Dept. of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. Photo from UNESCO

     U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell said, “The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are home to one of the most diverse and threatened ecosystems on the planet and a sacred place for the Native Hawaiian community. By including OHA as a co-trustee for Papahānaumokuākea, we are highlighting not only the protection of natural treasures like the pristine coral reefs and deep sea marine habitats, but also the significant cultural and historic resources of the area that will be preserved for current and future generations.”
     OHA Chair Rowena Akana said, “We thank President Barack Obama and our partners and supporters for making this a reality. Since our community’s first involvement in the management of these kūpuna island more than a decade ago, the goal has been to get Native Hawaiians a seat at the decision-making table. We understand the challenges ahead and are firmly committed to fulfilling our kuleana to this place and our beneficiaries.” 

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are home to one of the most diverse and
threatened ecosystems on the planet and a sacred place for the Native Hawaiian
 community," said Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell. Photo from UNESCO

     Kamana`opono Crabbe, OHA’s chief executive officer, said: “This historic action rightfully places the Native Hawaiian voice at the highest levels of decision making for this culturally and spiritually significant wahi pana (sacred place) and will help advance our people’s understanding of the deep connection of our entire paeʻaina (archipelago). We look forward to serving in our new role, in partnership with our co-trustees, to develop and implement a resource management structure that integrates the best of conventional science and traditional practices. We hope that Papahānaumokuākea will demonstrate to the world that integrating science and indigenous knowledge is the best management model to sustain our fragile global environment.”
     OHA is a constitutionally established body, set as a separate state entity independent of the executive branch of the State of Hawai‘i. Its primary responsibility is representing the interests of the Native Hawaiian community, including in the monument, through the perpetuation of Hawaiian cultural resources. This includes the customary and traditional rights and practices of Native Hawaiians that are exercised for subsistence, cultural and religious purposes under the Hawai‘i Constitution.
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HOSPITALS, HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES AND NONPROFITS are bracing for changes in health care delivery as the new Congress and President-elect Donald Trump and his team proceed with their attempts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. According to a news release today from the Democration Party:

Sen. Mazie Hirono posted a Make America Sick Again
poster on her Facebook page.

     "Late last night, at around 1 a.m. ET, Senate Republicans voted to move forward with repealing the Affordable Care Act with no plan to replace it. They also blocked Democratic attempts to protect important provisions like ensuring coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and letting young people stay on their parents' insurance."
     Sen Mazie Hirono said that Medicare and Medicaid are also involved: "Last night, Senate Republicans voted to deprive 30 million people of health care to #MakeAmeriocaSickAgain.  Going against protocol, which allows for saying only "yes" or "no" during the roll call vote, Hirono stated: "On behalf of the 200,000 Hawai`i seniors who depend on Medicare, I voted no."
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A VOTE AGAINST SEN. JEFF SESSION'S bid to become U.S. Attorney General is what Sen. Mazie Hirono plans. Hirono, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said today: “Over the past two months, I’ve heard from hundreds of my constituents and a number of prominent civil rights organizations – including a number who testified yesterday – on this issue. I will vote against the nomination of Jeff Sessions to serve as Attorney General because I am deeply concerned about how he would use his prosecutorial discretion to uphold voting rights, protect civil rights, and protect a woman’s right to choose.

   "I’ve served with Jeff Sessions throughout my time in the Senate and respect him as a colleague. But I have deep concerns about how Sen. Sessions would use his prosecutorial discretion as Attorney General to address a number of critical issues. During his confirmation hearing, I pressed Sen. Sessions for a commitment to vigorously protect every citizen’s right to vote, particularly with regard to Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act – which safeguards Americans from discriminatory voting laws.He did not give me a satisfactory answer that he would scrutinize voting laws for discriminatory effect.
     "I also asked Sen. Sessions whether he would honor the Department of Justice’s consent decrees that address police misconduct and enhance accountability. Sen. Sessions did not adequately assure me that his Department would uphold these agreements without revisiting or renegotiating these agreements.
     "I pressed Sen. Sessions for a commitment to defend Roe v. Wade in federal court and to enforce laws that guarantee the constitutionally-protected right to choose. Senator Sessions did not disavow his past comments that Roe v. Wade was one of the worst Supreme Court cases ever decided. Should the Supreme Court be presented with a case that provides them the opportunity to overturn Roe v. Wade, I asked him what he would direct his Solicitor General to do. He said this was hypothetical and didn’t respond."

A header gets a goal for Kyle Calumpit. Photo by Pam Taylor

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KA`U HIGH TROJANS CONTINUE TO WIN IN SOCCER, taking Pahoa on its home turf on Tuesday. Final score was Ka`u 2 and Pahoa nothing. Kyle Calumpit socred the first point during the second half with a header and Trevor Taylor scored the second goal for Ka`u with just under eight minutes remaining in the game. Trojan goalie Ryan Ah Yee earns the shut out accolade.
     Head Coach is Crystalee Mandaguit.

     

Trevor Taylor scored the second and final goal when
Ka`u beat Pahoa on Tuesday. Photo by Pam Taylor

ART LOVERS AND GARDEN ENTHUSIASTS will come together for the first annual Banyan Drive Art Stroll on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Sponsored by Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens, it will be held on Banyan Drive in Hilo.
     The main feature is a juried art exhibit of local art on the theme Celebrate Lili’uokalani - The Queen and her legacy."There will be other Art exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment, and pupus at five venues on Banyan Drive.
     It has attracted more than 70 works of art in several media and 90 photographic images for a calendar competition, many of which will be displayed at four locations on Banyan Drive.
      This year 2017 marks the hundredth anniversary of the beginning of construction on the famed Japanese gardens, named for Queen Lili`uokalani, who gifted the first five. Today the gardens cover about 25 acres.
      “This is the first event of 2017, kicking off a three-year centennial celebration,” said Friends of Lili`uokalani Gardens President K.T. Cannon-Eger. “Construction began on the gardens in the fall of 1917, continued through 1918, and the
gardens were opened to the public in 1919.”
      The event is free and open to the public. It includes plein air painting and gyotaku (fish printing) demonstrations, live entertainment and exhibits of 85 works by local artists. Most of the art will be available for sale. It will be held in several venues in and near Lili`uokalani Gardens. Complimentary art stroll maps are available at Banyan Gallery, 71 Banyan Drive.

      “We really appreciate the time, effort, and expertise that it takes to create a beautiful work of art,” said Bonnie Sol of the Banyan Drive Art Stroll committee. “The great number of entries challenged the jurors of both the Banyan Drive Art Stroll and photographers’ calendar contest.”
      Art works created by Christine Ahia, Vivian Ursula Bratton, K.T. Cannon-Eger, Ken Charon, Faith Cloud, Alaina deHavillan, Yumi Doi, Bill Eger, Mary Goodrich, Bonnie Sol Hahn, Christa Kadarvsman, Alan Lakritz, Marilyn Montgomery, Valentina Montoya, Patti Pease-Johnson, Jeffrey Pietrzak, Diane Renchler, Kornelius Schorle, Sunny Seal-LaPlante, Sakiko Shinkai, Diane Thornton, Robert Weiss, and William Wingert  gardens were opened to the public in 1919.”

   The event is free and open to the public. It includes plein air painting and gyotaku (fish printing) demonstrations, live entertainment and exhibits of 85 works by local artists. Most of the art will be available for sale. It will be held in several venues in and near Lili`uokalani Gardens. Complimentary art stroll maps are available at Banyan Gallery, 71 Banyan Drive.
      “We really appreciate the time, effort, and expertise that it takes to create a beautiful work of art,” said Bonnie Sol of the Banyan Drive Art Stroll committee. “The great number of entries challenged the jurors of both the Banyan Drive Art Stroll and photographers’ calendar contest.”
      Art works created by Christine Ahia, Vivian Ursula Bratton, K.T. Cannon-Eger, Ken Charon, Faith Cloud, Alaina deHavillan, Yumi Doi, Bill Eger, Mary Goodrich, Bonnie Sol Hahn, Christa Kadarvsman, Alan Lakritz, Marilyn Montgomery, Valentina Montoya, Patti Pease-Johnson, Jeffrey Pietrzak, Diane Renchler, Kornelius Schorle, Sunny Seal-LaPlante, Sakiko Shinkai, Diane Thornton, Robert Weiss, and William Wingert  

will be displayed in the Palm Room of the Grand Naniloa Hotel, a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at 93 Banyan Drive. Members of the public are invited to vote for one of these art works. The piece that attracts the most votes will win the “People’s Choice Award”.
     Art by Rose Adare, Alan Fine, Carol Froysland, Peter Heineman, Vijay Karai, Kristen Luning, Maria Macias, Peggy McKinsey, Sakiko Shinkai, and William Wingert will be displayed in the Wai `Oli Lounge at Castle Hilo Hawaiian Hotel at 71 Banyan Drive.
    Photographs by Paul Miyasaki, K.T. Cannon Eger, Kornelius Schorle, Steve Godzsak, Alan Lakritz, Kenneth Jackson, Toby Hazel, Debra L Newbery, Steve Pollard, Alan Lakritz, Kenneth Jackson, Valerie A. Victorine and Vernon L. Enriques will be displayed at the Banyan Gallery at 71 Banyan Drive.
      For further information on this and other events scheduled to celebrate the centennial of Lili`uokalani Gardens, contact K.T. Cannon-Eger of Friends of Lili’uokalani Gardens at kteger@hawaii.rr.com or telephone (808) 895-8130.

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THE NEW TELEHEALTH KIOSK FOR KA`U WILL BE UNVEILED FRIDAY, Jan. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc.'s buiilding in Pahala. The public is invited to check out telemedicine available at the Ka`u Resource and Distance Learning Center at 96-3126 Pauhala Street. The kiosk is cosponsored by HMSA, KRHCAI and American Well.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST, Saturday, Jan. 14, 8 a.m. - 11. a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU hike, Saturday, Jan. 14 hike from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY will be celebrated in Kona and Hilo. In Kona, the 36th Anniversary Birthday Commemoration of the civil rights leader will be Sunday, Jan. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Old Kona Airport Beach Park, Makaeo Pavillion. Art, songs, music by local schools and the community will be featured. In Hilo, it will take place Monday, Jan. 16 at the recently rernovated Mo`oheau Bandstand from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with performers, speakers and artists commemorating MLK.

Ka`u News Briefs Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017

Stewarding Kawa, from its archaeolgical to surfing sites, is the aim of four non-profit organizations. See story below.
 Photo by Julia Neal

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO MEETS WITH THREE NOMINEES FOR PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S CABINET on Thursday. First, Hirono interviews Trump's Secretary of Energy nominee, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 10 a.m. Hirono meets with Trump's Small Business Administrator nominee Linda Mcmahon at noon and Trump's Secretary of the Interior nominee Ryan Zinke at 2:30 p.m. All of the meetings will be at the Hart Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. Hirono will be able to question these cabinet nominations, as she has served on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee since 2015. 

     In regard to the Secretary of the Interior nominee, Hirono has been instrumental in federal funding for the operation of parklands and acquisition of preserves acquired in the last decade by the federal government, the state and county in Ka`u.

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THE NEW TELEHEALTH KIOSK FOR KA`U WILL BE UNVEILED FRIDAY, Jan. 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ka`u Rural Health Community Association, Inc.'s buiilding in Pahala. "KRHCAI's board of directors is excited and eager to promote the use of the telehealth kiosk in our rural medically underserved community because many who don't have medical insurance, primary care, or access to specialists often wind up in the emergency room or are hospitalized, which adds to the high cost of health care,” said Jessie Marques, KRHCAI executive director. “When residents talk with a doctor through the telehealth kiosk, they’ll receive timely care and assistance that they otherwise would not have had access to. And they’ll avoid unnecessary emergency room visits or hospitalization."

TeleHealth will be offered at a kiosk at Ka`u Rural Health
Community Association's building, starting on Friday.
Photo from KRHCA

   American Well, a leading national telehealth technology company, and Hawai‘i Medical Service Association are collaborating to bring telehealth visits with doctors to residents of the Ka‘u community.
    The companies donated a kiosk for HMSA’s Online Care® for video doctor visits at the Ka‘u Rural Health Community Association’s Resource and Distance Learning Center on Puahala Street. This donation makes the KRHCAI’s Resource and Distance Learning Center a new and important destination for convenient health care services, says a statement from the hui.
      In addition to providing additional access to care, the kiosk will establish a new internship for clinical support staff (certified nurses aides, community health workers, and practical nurses) on how to educate others in underserved areas on the benefits of telemedicine technology.
      The KRHCAI mission is to improve the lives of underserved community members through programs and outreach focused on health, education, research opportunities, and economic sustainability. Its Ka‘u Rural Health Academy serves University of Hawai‘i at Hilo students for whom the kiosk internship will serve as an opportunity to learn and then educate remote communities in critical need of health care access.
      “Serving the Ka‘u community has been HMSA’s privilege for generations,” said HMSA President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Stollar. “We deeply appreciate our partnership with the Ka’u Rural Health Community Association to connect residents with doctors on Hawai`i Island and with specialists on O`ahu, Maui, and Kaua`i through HMSA’s Online Care. These innovations are part our Māhie 2020 vision to improve the health and well-being of everyone in the state of Hawai`i.”
      Danielle Russella, President of Consumer solutions at American Well, noted, “American Well has always believed that we could use the power of technology to deliver care further into communities – particularly if access is a real barrier – and where it’s most needed.”
      “We have the unique advantage to take what we’ve developed and use it to make a profound impact on people’s lives. With our longtime partner HMSA and through their relationship with the Ka’u Rural Health Community Association, we’re contributing to healthier living by making care easier and more accessible.”

Jessie Marques, (second from left) is founder and Executive Director of Ka`u Rural
 HealthCommunity Association, which opens a Telehealth Kiosk in Pahala on Friday.
Photo from KHRCA

     American Well makes video doctor visits accessible to consumers with simple health issues like cold, flu or infection and streamlines follow-up visits helping patients and doctors manage more complex healthcare issues like diabetes, asthma or behavioral health. American Well bring online healthcare into people’s homes and workplaces through working with HMSA and other health plans, health systems and employers, as well as a consumer telehealth app, Amwell. A patient using Amwell can connect to a board-certified doctor of their choosing in just minutes for a live video visit carried out over smartphone app, tablet, kiosk, phone, or web.
      For more information on Ka’u Rural Community Health Association, visit krhcai.com.
     To learn more about HMSA’s telehealth approach, visit hmsaonlinecare.com. For more about American Well, its telemedicine kiosk services and technology, visit americanwell.com
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FOUR NON-PROFITS WANT TO STEWARD Kāwā and other lands in the 784-acre, county-owned, oceanfront property between Punalu`u and Honu`apo. The four are competing for County Stewardship Grants and permission to care for the area. Charmaine L. Kamaka, Director of the County Department of Parks & Recreation, reviewed the four applications, recommending one for funding, gave no opinion on two, and said she is unable to recommend the fourth one.
     The Stewardship Grants receive money from the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Commission, which also helps to purchase land for perpetual conservation, using the Two Percent Fund, so named because two percent of all Hawai`i Island property taxes are disbursed to it.

Protecting nature and cultural sites while respecting the surfing tradition at Kāwā.
Photo by Julia Neal

    Kāwā is a rich archeological site, a nesting beach for endangered turtles, and is popular with surfers and fishermen. The Kāwā properties were acquired by the County of Hawai‘i, using monies from the Two Percent Fund in addition to funding from state and federal grants. Initially 234 acres were bought in January 2008, and in November 2011 three additional parcels totaling 550 acres were acquired for conservation and open space preservation.
     In 2012 Hawai’i County voters approved a Quarter Percent Fund to maintain properties acquired through the Two Percent Fund.
     Non-profit organizations must apply to the Department of Parks & Recreation for PONC Stewardship Grants to conserve and manage the County’s open spaces. The applications are initially reviewed by PONC, which makes funding recommendations to P&R. P&R also reviews the applications and PONC’s recommendations, then makes recommendations. P&R’s recommendations go before the Count Council's Finance Committee, which makes its recommendations to the County Council. The County Council makes the final decisions. The PONC Maintenance Fund had a balance of $1,882,099 as of December 1, 2016.
     In 2016, P&R received grant applications from five non-profits, of which four were proposing to use the funds in Kāwā - the other was for Waipi`o.  Kamaka wrote a six-page evaluation of the four Kāwā applications.
     She reported that the first applicant, Na Mamo O Kāwā. is requesting $48,850 to “restore the property and its significant features including a freshwater spring, a heiau (temple) and other features. It would implement a native revegetation plan, create and initiate a cultural site monitoring plan and maintain safe and secure access to the property.

Kāwā is known for its springs, estuaries and brackish waters, a nursery for fish.
Photo by Julia Neal

   “Na Mamo O Kāwā describes itself as a Hawaiian organization comprised of life-long residents, Hawaiian cultural practitioners, academics, ecologists, educators and natural resource managers,” wrote Kamaka. “Since Na Mamo O Kāwā did not identify its members or their qualification for implementing this grant request, I am unable to provide a recommendation regarding its ability to complete this project according to the project plan,” she concluded.
     Kamaka’s evaluation of the second application by Hawai`i Wildlife Fund for $13,200 reads: “Hawai`i Wildlife Fund proposes to continue its ongoing work restoring the estuary and fishpond located at the southern end of the property . . . members and community volunteers have been working on the natural features monthly since October 2014, during which time they have performed 23 workdays and removed 3,725 cubic feet of invasive species that are harmful to water bodies.” She also discusses youth groups, educational benefits, and the applicant’s proposed partners.
     Kamaka concludes her appraisal of the application: “Given its ongoing work on the estuary and fishpond, collaboration with industry experts and narrow scope of its project, . . . I recommend this applicant”.
     Regarding the third applicant, The Honu Project, with a request for $24,665, she writes that it “Proposes to monitor and protect Hawksbill sea turtles and their nesting habitat within the subject property . . . protect identified nests and hatchlings, collect data on the turtle population, control non-invasive species, and promote public stewardship of the area through education outreach. “Its narrow focus and scope increases the chances of successful completion. However, a lack of details relating to the specific skills of the individuals, including the project coordinator, leave me uncertain about recommending this applicant’s ability to complete the project”.

Kāwā and its springs have been a busy place for campers in the past.
Photo by Julia Neal

     Kamaka’s evaluation of the fourth Kāwā application for $354,190 reads: “Team Hawai’i International Athletics was created mainly to offer sports to the youth in and around Pana`ewa community of Hilo. The groupis seeking to steward the subject land actually is Hui Nohana Hawai’i, which the application describes as a social club under Team Hawai’i International Athletics. Hui Nohana Hawai’i states its members “have close ties to the Kāwā Bay” and are very knowledgeable about Ka`u.
     Hui Nohana Hawai`i proposes to build bathrooms and showers, designate an area for a lifeguard stand, and plan for other improvements. This would conflict with Hawai`i County Charter, which states, ‘Moneys in the maintenance fund shall not be used for planning, design, development or construction of new buildings, facilities, or infrastructure . . . . Hui Nohana Hawai`i is seeking $160,000 for two Ford F350 diesel trucks. Due to the vagueness of its application, the group’s background and the high cost of its proposal, I cannot recommend Hui Nohana Hawai`i has the ability to complete its project”.
     The PONC Stewardship Grant program was criticized in 2015 when no applications were approved, although the fund had $1.1 million. (See Ka’u Calendar Newsbriefs of 7/4/2015). The first and only Stewardship Grant was awarded in 2016 to Pohaha I Ka Lani for Waipi’o Lookout, Hamakua District.
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MATS FOGELVIK, THE AWARD-WINNING KA`U WOODWORKER, will display a hall table and coffee table at the annual Hawai’i Wood Guild Invitational Masters Show, which begins this Saturday, Jan. 14. While the show will not be juried this year, members of the public can choose the winner of the Peoples’ Choice award by voting for pieces they consider the best of the 55 entries.

      The attention-grabbing coffee table was created by Fogelvik using veneered Carpathian Elm burl on the surface of the table top. He used veneered curly Koa, on the edge and the legs. The dazzlingly shiny and durable surface was done with epoxy and polyurethane clear coat, which should make the table last for generations.    

Mats Fogelvik and his tables will be at the annual Hawai`i
Wood guild Invitational Masters Show.
Photo by Ann Bosted

     Fogelvik, a native of Sweden and resident of Ocean View, is a fixture on the exclusive Hawaiian woodworking circuit. He is featured in several coffee table books, has entered the show since he moved to the Big Island, and has served the Hawai`i Woodworkers Guild as a volunteer and board member. Collaboration New Zealand invited him on an expenses-paid trip to New Zealand this spring to collaborate with woodworkers and other artists on the other end of the Polynesian Triangle.

      The hugely popular wood show has been organized and presented by volunteer members of the Hawai`i Wood Guild. This will be the seventh show at Isaacs Art Center, and the 31st annually by the non-profit organization for professional woodworkers from around the island.

     Since entries to the show will no longer be juried, participation is now by invitation. Nineteen award-winning woodworkers were invited to display pieces, such as furniture, wood sculptures and other unique creations. The Isaacs Art Center is a gallery staffed largely by volunteers in Waimea. All the unique hand-crafted pieces are for sale. The gallery also displays additional outstanding Hawaiian art.    

      The show opens on Saturday with an artists’ reception from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and continues through Feb. 24.  It is sponsored by the Hawai`i Wood Guild, the Hawaii Forest Industry Association and the Isaacs Art Center. Proceeds from sales at the show will support scholarships for students of the Hawai’i Preparatory Academy.

      When not creating award-winning pieces of furniture, Fogelvik is the President of the Hawai’i Ranchos Road Maintenance Corp. and daddy to Koa, the dog.
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RED CROSS VOLUNTEER  meeting, Thursday, Jan. 12. at 7 p.m.,  HOVE Road Maintenance Corp. office. New volunteers welcomed. 929-9953.

THE SCULPTURE GARDEN at Volcano Art Center will welcome visitors to  a talk in the moonlight by sculptors Henry Biachini and Liz Miller, 7 p.m. at the Art Center in Volcano Village on Thursday, Jan. 12.

Volcano Art Center's Sculpture Garden offers a moonlight sculpture tour and talk
on Thursday, 7 p.m. Image from Volcano Art Center

PANCAKE BREAKFAST, Saturday, Jan. 14,  8 a.m. - 11. a.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033.

BIRTH OF KAHUKU hike, Saturday, Jan. 14 hike form 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., Kahuku Unit of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY will be celebrated in Kona and Hilo. In Kona, the 36th Anniversary Birthday Commemoration of the civil rights leader will be Sunday, Jan. 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Old Kona Airport Beach Park, Makaeo Pavillion. Art, songs, music by local schools and the community will be featured. In Hilo,  it will take place Monday, Jan. 16 at the recently rernovated Mo`oheau Bandstand from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. with performers, speakers and artists commemorating MLK.

THE WOMEN'S MARCH ON WASHINGTON organizers will hold marches for women, men and children on Saturday, Jan. 21 in Kona and Hilo. In Kona the march goes from Queen Ka`ahumanuHwy, south of Henry Street, followed by a Rally for Common Ground from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Edible World Institute at 75-5699 Kopilo Street in Kailua-Kona. The purpose, according to a statement from organizers is to "unifiy around common ground, resist threats to our rights and environment, and to celebrate work for equality, solidarity and stewardship. Entertainment, food and booths staffed by various organization wiill be on hand.

     The Hilo March and following gathering will be held at the Mo`oheau Bandstand from 10 a.m.  to 3 p.m.. The Hawai`i County Democratic Party will have a booth at each event.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE's annual meeting is set for Discovery Harbour Community Center on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m. Bring a dish to share. Find out how to be a part of the Ka`u Chamber. RSVP at 443-3127.

NEW HULA CLASSES ARE STARTING UP IN PAHALA, under Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder. They will be held on Wednesdays at Pahala Community Center, with registration on Feb. 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The classes are sponsored by Uhane Pohaku Na Moku O Hawai`i. Classes are traditional and modern, Kahiko and `Auana.
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www.kaucalendar.com

Ka`u News Briefs Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017

Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Hirono, and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) at Senator Mazie Hirono’s press conference
yesterday as she attempted to protect Medicare and Medicaid. Photo from Office of Sen. Mazie Hirono

  

ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE JEFF SESSIONS, the U.S. Senator from Alabama, was the target of questions from Sen. Mazie Hirono concerning his views on immigration, civil rights, and abortion rights today. There were ten hours of grilling during the first day of his confirmation hearing, which continues on Wednesday. The following are some of Hirono's remarks directed to President-elect Donald Trump's nominee:

Sen. Jeff Sessions, Trump nominee
for U.S. Attorney General

     “You probably know Senator Sessions that I am an immigrant," said Hirono, who was born in Japan. "And you indicated in one response that you would want immigration reform to center around skills-based immigration reform. And if that were the case, my mother who brought me to the country to escape an abusive marriage would not have been able to come to this country.
     “I’ve heard from immigrants, LGBT Americans, women, and religious minorities who are terrified that they have no place in President-elect Trump’s vision of America. And based on what I’ve heard since the election, I am deeply concerned their fears are well-founded. I’m hoping you can address some of these concerns.”
     Hirono also pressed Sessions on his long anti-choice record, and tried to secure a commitment from Sessions to uphold Roe v. Wade. In Hirono's view, Sessions dodged the question and she told him: "I think most of us know that the next opportunity for the Supreme Court to weigh in on whether or not to change Roe v. Wade would be a close decision and likely possibly a 5-4 decision and it is not just a hypothetical, but a real concern to a lot of people.”
     She also questioned Sessions’ record on voter protection: “We know that since the Supreme Court's decision that did away with major parts of the Voting Rights Act, that numerous states, 13 states, have enacted laws that are contrary to the Voting Rights Act. So I hope that as Attorney General, you would vigorously review those kinds of laws and to prosecute and to seek to overturn those state laws just as your predecessors have done.”
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KEEP UP THE FIGHT TO PROTECT MEDICARE AND MEDICAID was the battle cry of Sen. Mazie Hirono yesterday after all but two Republican Senators voted against her amendment to prevent any changes to either program without a supermajority in the Senate. The proposal was co-sponsored by Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, where Vice President-elect Mike Pence served as governor.

     Said Hirono, “During the campaign, President-elect Trump promised not to cut Medicare and Medicaid. Senate Republicans broke this promise tonight and demonstrated that they are willing to sell-out seniors and working families in their crusade to repeal Obamacare. But tonight’s vote has not dimmed my resolve. I will do everything in my power to protect Medicare and Medicaid for families in Hawai`i and across the country.”

     A wide range of organizations supported the amendment, including AARP, AFL-CIO, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Service Employees International Union, National Education Association, Healthcare Association of Hawai`i, Hawaii Public Health Association, and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.

     After hosting a press conference with Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Hirono took to the floor to share the story of Anne and Lanny Bruder from Kaua`i who depend on Medicare to treat Anne’s glaucoma and Lanny’s heart condition.  “Like many of our kupuna living on a fixed income, they simply could not afford the extra $6,000 a year they would be forced to pay if Republicans succeed in their effort to privatize and voucherize Medicare,” Hirono said. 

     The Hirono-Donnelly amendment would have created a budget point of order to prevent changes to Medicare that raise the eligibility age, change eligibility requirements, or privatize and voucherize the program. The amendment would also prevent changes to Medicaid that reduce state funding from current levels. Any changes to either program would require a supermajority in Congress.

    The Hirono-Donnelly amendment has 29 co-sponsors, including Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Tom Carper (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Christopher Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
       Hirono pointed out that nearly one in three Americans depend on Medicare and Medicaid for their health needs.
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Affordable Airbnb accommodations are found in Na`alehu and throughout Ka`u,
Volcano and Miloli`i.  Photo form Airbnb

AIRBNB HAS LITTLE IMPACT on housing in Hawai`i, according to a report in this afternoon’s Pacific Business News. PBN writes about a study done by housing analyst Ricky Cassiday which says that Airbnb is found in 1.53 percent of the statewide housing stock. It is the third largest vacation rental company in Hawai`i and brings an average additional income of $9,000 a year to each host. The year long study analyzed 8,134 listings and found that 88 percent of them were booked less than half the year, indicating that most of the time the houses are used by owners. 

       “It is important to note that this activity serves as a vital economic lifeline for many hosts while also providing substantial economic benefits to local businesses and Hawai`i’s overall economy,” stated Cassiday,
     PBN also reports on a 2016 Hospitality Advisors LLC analysis, stating that Airbnb contributed $353 million to Hawai`i’s economy in 2015.
   PBN wrote that “Cassiday notes that housing availability and affordability are not impacted by the number of short-term rentals, but instead by complex housing market regulations, zoning laws, mainland and foreign direct investment, limited supply, lack of public investment, policy, economic opportunity, lack of infrastructure, cost of production, and other dynamics.”
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THE IDENTITY OF AN OCEAN VIEW WOMAN KILLED IN A CAR CRASH has been released. Thirty-four year old Mona Yoshitaro, a member of the Marshallese community, died following a two-vehicle crash Friday, Jan. 6 on Highway 11 just north of the 96-mile marker.
     Responding to a 7:18 p.m. call Friday, police determined that a 2003 Kia four-door sedan operated by Yoshitaro had been traveling north on Highway 11 near the 96-mile marker when it crossed left of center on the roadway and collided head-on with a 2003 Nissan pickup truck that was traveling south.
     The occupants of the Nissan, a 66-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman, both of Ocean View, were taken to Kona Community Hospital for treatment of their injuries. Yoshitaro was also taken to Kona Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 11:55 p.m. Friday. Police believe speed and inattention were factors in the crash. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
     The Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and is asking for anyone who may have witnessed the accident to call Officer Christopher Kapua-Allison at 326-4646, extension 229. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo. This is the second traffic fatality this year compared with none at this time last year.
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Brennen Nishimura scored the first point of the soccer season for the Trojans during the opener for the Ka`u Trojans.
Photo by Pam Taylor

KA`U TROJANS WON THEIR FIRST SOCCER GAME OF THE SEASON. The battle against Christian Liberty ended this past weekend at Pahala County Ball Park with the Trojans on top. The final score was 3 to 1. Brennen Nishimura won the first point of the soccer season for the Trojans.

`UKULELE MAKING DEMONSTRATION, Wednesday, Jan. 11  from 10 a.m. to noon. Kilauea Visitor Center lana`i in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Oral Abihai shares his skills in making the instruments from local and exotic woods. Free; park entrance fees apply.

MAKE A BEADED PEACE SIGN, Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. For children grades K-8 at Pahala Community Center. Call 928-3102.

KA`U CHAMBER OF COMMERCE annual meeting is set for Discovery Harbour Community Center on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6 p.m.
Bring a dish to share. Find out how to be a part of the Ka`u Chamber. RSVP at 443-3127.