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| Big signage and bright white crosswalks are being painted by the county road crew this week in Pāhala. The corner of Pikake and Kamani Streets are the busiest in the village, with entrances to school, shopping center and a bus stop. Photo by Julia Neal |
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| Green Sands, Mahana Bay, is a popular place for both locals and tourists. Photo from DHHL |
THE ANNUAL HOMELESS POINT IN TIME COUNT will be conducted in Kaʻū and across the nation. It is the census of people experiencing homelessness on a given night. This week, volunteers will canvas local parks, beaches, parking lots, and other areas individuals and families are believed to be living. Volunteers will ask, "Where did you sleep on January 26th?" The survey, which is federally mandated, requires that anyone who slept on the street, in a car, or in other substandard conditions, be counted.
On Hawaiʻi Island, HOPE Services has taken the lead in facilitating Point In Time Count. Last year's count found 690 people experiencing homelessness on Hawaiʻi Island, down 50 percent from 1,394 in 2016. "While there are fewer people on the street, we have more and more people becoming homeless for the first time every year," says Brandee Menino, CEO of HOPE Services. While the count provides insight into the enormity of the problem, the agencies working to end homelessness face an uphill battle, she said.
"Rents are rising but wages are stagnant," said Menino. "The minimum wage is $10.10 per hour, but you'd need to work 103 hours a week at that wage to afford a 2 bedroom apartment on Hawaiʻi Island. Unless we see major shifts in prioritizing affordable housing, the number of people entering homelessness is expected to grow."
While the count comes short of capturing every person experiencing homelessness, it does provide a one-night snapshot of the greater picture of homelessness. The data collected provides a benchmark that can be compared county to county and year to year, which can help illustrate the effectiveness of homeless services, or explain the impact of events such as the Kīlauea eruption. Ensuring accuracy is important, as it helps communities advocate for state and federal resources, Menino explained.
The surveys include demographic data, which also helps service providers to decide how to focus resources in order to most effectively serve the population, said Menino.
"Rents are rising but wages are stagnant," said Menino. "The minimum wage is $10.10 per hour, but you'd need to work 103 hours a week at that wage to afford a 2 bedroom apartment on Hawaiʻi Island. Unless we see major shifts in prioritizing affordable housing, the number of people entering homelessness is expected to grow."
While the count comes short of capturing every person experiencing homelessness, it does provide a one-night snapshot of the greater picture of homelessness. The data collected provides a benchmark that can be compared county to county and year to year, which can help illustrate the effectiveness of homeless services, or explain the impact of events such as the Kīlauea eruption. Ensuring accuracy is important, as it helps communities advocate for state and federal resources, Menino explained.
The surveys include demographic data, which also helps service providers to decide how to focus resources in order to most effectively serve the population, said Menino.
Menino said that homeowners can help end homelessness by offering rental housing, including bedrooms and studios, or by participating in HOPE's new Master Leasing program, where HOPE pays 100 percent of fair market value rent, and assumes liability for tenants. To inquire about this program, call Taylor Quanan at 808-765-8655 (West Hawaiʻi) or Kehau Fontes at 808-936-8705 (East Hawaiʻi), or email info@hopeserviceshawaii.org.
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| Many homeless people live away from towns on Hawaiʻi Island. Volunteers organized by Hope Services will try to count them and ask them where they slept on Jan. 26 to estimate a census of the number of homeless on this island. It's called the Point in Time Count. Photo from Hope Services |
JOIN THE 2020 U.S. CENSUS TEAM. A hiring workshop will be held at Pāhala Gym Multipurpose room on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Dinner and light refreshments will be provided. Census takers will be paid $20 per hour, and gas is reimbursable. Eligible applicants will be at least 18 years old, have a valid Social Security Number, and pass a criminal and background check. Those with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits will not have their Census income counted as exempt. See https://2020census.gov/en/jobs.html for more and to apply.
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HANA LAULIMA LĀHUI O KAʻŪ, a grassroots non-profit, plans to revive its Prince Kūhio Day Hoʻolauleʻa, beginning this March 28. The group invites the community to attend its next membership drive and informational meeting on Friday, Feb. 7,
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| Prince Kūhio will be honored by a Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, March 28. |
Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū was first established in the 1990's by husband and wife team Terry-Lee and Dane Shibuya, Sr. and other community members to create a Hawaiian cultural center for Kaʻū. Hana Laulima hosted five successful hoʻolauleʻa, with the last one held in the early 2000s. The organization was on the cusp of making the cultural center a reality, with architectural plans and environmental assessments in place, before unforeseen circumstances put their dream on an indefinite hold.
However, as Hana Laulima Lāhui O Kaʻū president, Terry-Lee Shibuya, told The Kaʻū Calendar, "Imua Kaʻū! The waʻa is moving forward again," referring to the cultural center plans. "Hana Laulima is focused on the upcoming generation, and supporting the development of a new economic base for Kaʻū, while preserving Kaʻū's rich cultural heritage and respect for the ʻāina (land).
"Please come out, get involved and make a difference for our Kaʻū keiki's future, which is really everybody's future. We must stand together as one Kaʻū ʻohana for the future generations of Kaʻū," said Shibuya.
For more information on membership, contact Shibuya at terrylshibuya@gmail.com or treasurer Kehau Ke at hunneygurl15@gmail.com.
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AN UNPAVED EMERGENCY ROUTE IS CLOSED in Hawaiʻi
Volcanoes National Park for two to four weeks, starting today. The closure on Escape
Road between Highway 11 and the comfort station at
Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube) is to repair a faulty electrical line. The
replacement line will be placed underground after the area is trenched. Most
visitors will not notice the closure, which is necessary to complete the last
big step towards the reopening of Nāhuku, stated the announcement from the Park.
Although there
isn't an exact date, the Park is making steady progress to reopen the popular
lava tube in the next few weeks, barring any unforeseen circumstances, stated
the announcement.
Nāhuku has been
closed since May 2018 due to hazards caused by the destructive Kīlauea
eruption and summit collapse that include loose rocks and new cracks in the
cave's ceiling. Since its closure, NPS geomorphologists and engineers have
surveyed the lava tube, installed crack monitors, and removed loose rocks. Park
staff have improved standing water issues by rerouting drainage and adding
gravel to the cave floor, and overgrown vegetation and downed branches along
the trail will be cleared by opening day.
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With an endorsement from New Politics come strategic advising and training in all aspects of a
candidate's campaign, such as fundraising, communications, organizing, hiring,
and team building. In 2018, New Politics helped raise over $7M for its chosen candidates.
Emily Cherniack,
Executive Director and Founder of New Politics, said , "From the Air
National Guard to the state Senate, Sen. Kahele has dedicated his life to
public service and to putting Hawaii
and our country first. We are proud to endorse him because he embodies the
service values we need in our politics, and we can't wait to see him bring the
Aloha spirit to Congress."
Kahele is a commercial pilot, 18-year combat
veteran, and a commissioned officer in the Hawaiʻi Air National Guard, where he
still serves as a Lieutenant Colonel. Kahele previously served as executive
director for a non-profit that served rural native Hawaiian families at Miloli`i.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
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| Sulphur Cone at Mauna Loa. USGS photo |
Details are
posted on the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website – in the "HVO News"
corner – at https://volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/.
For more information, email askHVO@usgs.gov or call 808-967-8844.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition at kaucalendar.com.
See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.
UPCOMING
Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thursday, Jan. 30 – last Thursday, monthly – 4-6p.m. , Cooper Center Volcano Village
FRIDAY, JAN. 31
Kahuku Coffee Talk – Makahiki: A Celebrated Season, Friday, Jan. 31 – last Friday, monthly – 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo
Indigo Fundamentals Workshop, Saturday, Feb. 1 at 12:30p.m. Indigo dyeing with Wai‘ala Ahn and Justin Tripp. volcanoartcenter.org
ONGOING
Tūtū & Me Home Visiting Program is a free service to Pāhala families with keiki, birth to five years old. This caregiver support program offers those taking care of young keiki "a compassionate listening ear, helpful parenting tips and strategies, fun and exciting activities, and wonderful educational resources" from Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. Home visits are one hour in length, two to four times per month, for 12 to 15 visits. Snacks are provided. See pidfoundation.org or call 808-938-1088.
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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.
Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes
throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on
stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com
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Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule
Girls Basketball
Wed. Jan. 29 BIIF @Civic
Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 HHSAA on Oʻahu
Boys Basketball
Tue. and Wed., Feb. 4 and 5 BIIF @ Kealakehe
Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 HHSAA on Oʻahu
Soccer
Wed. thru Sat., Feb. 5-8 Girls HHSAA on Oʻahu
Sat., Feb. 1 and 8 Boys BIIF
Thu. thru Sat., Feb. 13-15 Boys HHSAA on Oʻahu
Wrestling
Sat., Feb. 1 @Hilo
Sat., Feb. 8 BIIF @Konawaena
Fri. and Sat., Feb. 21 and 22 HHSAA
Swimming
Fri., Jan. 31 and Sat., Feb. 1 BIIF @Kamehameha
Fri. and Sat., Feb. 14 and 15 on Maui
THURSDAY, JAN. 30
Ka‘ū Food Basket, Thursday, Jan. 30 – last Thursday, monthly – 11a.m. -noon , Pāhala Community Center
The Next Mauna Loa Eruption and the 2018 Kīlauea Eruption talk, Thursday, Jan. 30, 6p.m. , Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle . To close out 11th annual Volcano Awareness month, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge Tina Neal and Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Administrator Talmadge Magno will talk about the current status of Mauna Loa, hazards of future eruptions, experiences from Kīlauea 2018 eruption, preparing for next Mauna Loa eruption, and how communities can stay informed. The meeting is free and open to public. More info at "HVO News" at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo/, (808) 967-8844, or askHVO@usgs.gov.
FRIDAY, JAN. 31
Kahuku Coffee Talk – Makahiki: A Celebrated Season, Friday, Jan. 31 – last Friday, monthly – 9:30-11a.m., Kahuku Unit Visitor Contact Station. Free. nps.gov/havo
SATURDAY, FEB. 1
Nāʻālehu Farmers Market, Saturdays and Wednesdays beginning Feb. 1, 7a.m. at the future Nāʻālehu Senior Housing Site.
Stewardship at the Summit
Forest Work Day and Plant Identification Training with Tim Tunison, Saturday, Feb. 1, 1-3p.m. Learn some native plants, help restore a beautiful rainforest, and get some exercise. volcanoartcenter.org
SUNDAY, FEB. 2
Super Bowl Party, Sunday, Feb. 2, Lava Lounge at Kīlauea Military Camp. Doors open at 11a.m. with kick-off at 1:30p.m. , 'til pau. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Located in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more information call 967-8365 after 4 p.m.
TUESDAY, FEB. 4
Spotlight on Artist Diana Miller, Tuesday, Feb. 4 at 7p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center
Apply for Mosaics of Science by Monday, Feb. 3. Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's 12-week paid summer internship position is designed to engage university students and recent graduates with on-the-ground work experience in the National Park Service. A $4,800 stipend, and all travel costs are covered, including a week-long career workshop in Washington , D.C.
Beginning Improv for Adults, Thursday, through Feb. 13, 1-3p.m. "Learn to live more in the moment, think on your feet, let go of self-judgment, bring more joy in your life, and recapture your playful spirit in the 6-week workshop series with improv legend Keli Semelsberger." Attendance to all 6 classes is not required – classes may be attended individually. No prior experience is necessary. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū, Thursday afternoons, 1-3:30p.m. , through Feb 20, Kaʻū Resource Center, 96-3126 Puahala St. in Pāhala. The free class series on Chronic Kidney Disease lead by retired kidney doctor Ramona Wong. Bring a pen and whomever cares/cooks/shops for the person(s) with CKD. See alohakidney.com. Call (808) 585-8404 to enroll.
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.
Cultural Understanding Through Art & the Environment, features classes on block printing, lauhala weaving, ti leaf lei making, and more. A free guided Cultural Forest Tour, and a Mele and Hula ‘Auana performance are also slated. Visit the website events calendar for the full lineup. volcanoartcenter.org
T-Ball and Coach Pitch Baseball League: Ocean View Team - Mondays and Wednesdays, Kahuku Park. Nā‘ālehu Team - Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nā‘ālehu Park. Pāhala Team (seeking coaches) - attend Nā‘ālehu practice. T-Ball, 3:30-4:30pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30-6p.m., ages 7-8. Programs take place through April 16. Wear cleats or tennis shoes, bring a glove if possible. Extras gloves available for use. All skills and genders welcome. $35 per teammate. See Ka‘ū Youth Baseball on Facebook. Josh or Elizabeth Crook, 345-0511
The internship is open to U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents ages 18-30, and to military veterans up to age 35. Funding is provided under a cooperative agreement for youth conservation activities as part of the Public Lands Corps program, which mandates that these age ranges are followed.
The selected intern will assist with the development of education curriculum for Kīpukapuaulu and Pu‘u Loa trails in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.
For more information, contact Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park Education Specialist Jody Anastasio by email at jody_anastasio@nps.gov. To apply go to go.nps.gov/mosaics or mosaicsinscience.org.
Sharp Turns – The Creative Art of Woodturning, Volcano Art Center Gallery exhibit, featuring the works of Aaron Hammer and Mark and Karen Stebbins, continues daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , through Feb. 16. A live woodturning demonstration at VAC will be held on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
Clay – High Fire!, Sunday, through Feb. 23, 11:30a.m.-2:30p.m. or 2:45-5:45p.m. 8-week morning or afternoon pottery series with Erik Wold. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org
PETFIX Spay and Neuter Free Clinic for Cats and Dogs, Thursday and Friday, March 5 and 6, Ocean View Ranchos. Registration: contact Bridget at (808)990-3548 or petfixbigisland@gmail.com.
Hawaiʻi International Music Festival, Sunday March 8, 6:30 p.m. , Pāhala Plantation House. The concert will feature music that will celebrate native plants of the Kaʻū Dryland Forest and will raise funds for Hoʻomalu Kaʻū. Performers will include: Maya Hoover, Hawaiʻi based Mezzo-Soprano from University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty; Jonathan Korth, Hawaiʻi based pianist from UH-Mānoa; Joshua Nakazawa, Cellist from Hawaiʻi Symphony. They will be joined by the three HIMF co-founders: Amy Shoremount-Obra, Soprano with the Metropolitan Opera; Virutuoso Violinist Eric Silberger; and Carlin Ma, Pianist. Tickets will be available soon and information on tickets will soon be found on the HIMF website: himusicfestival.com.
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