The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, February 20, 2020

Learn advanced means of keeping bees at a workshop this weekend. See details below. Photo by Julia Neal

A BILL TO ALLOW LARGER GREENHOUSES AND SHADE HOUSES, without building permits, passed the state House of Representatives this week. HB 2192 HD1, introduced by Hawaiʻi Island Rep. David Tarnas, proposes to increase the maximum area, from 20,000 to 60,000 square feet, for each agricultural shade cloth structure, cold frame, or greenhouse that is qualified for an exemption from building permit and building code requirements.
"This bill supports Hawaiʻi's local food production and sustainability goals by making it easier for local farmers to build modern greenhouses without having to go through a lengthy and costly permitting process," said Tarnas.

Kaʻū Valley Farms nursery greenhouse above Na`alehu.

.Photo by Lee Neal

HB2192 received public support from the Department of Agriculture, Hawaiʻi County Councilman Tim Richards, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Ulupono Initiative, Hawaiʻi Farming LLC, Big Island Produce Asset Holdings LLC, Hawaiʻi Aquaculture & Aquaponics Association, and one individual.

Testifiers in support of HB2192 stated that the bill is necessary to support local producers to make farming more profitable and productive across Hawaiʻi. "We believe that opening the door to new investments in agricultural infrastructure will directly support more local food production and an economically robust homegrown agriculture industry, which strengthens our community with fresh, healthy food," said Amy Hennessey, Senior Vice President of Communications and External Affairs at Ulupono Initiative.

HB2192 House Draft 1 is the first of Rep. Tarnas' 2020 bills to pass Third Reading in the House this session. HB2192 now crosses over for consideration in the Senate.

To see Tarnas' bills go to capitol.hawaii.gov/advreports/advreport.aspx?report=intro&year=2020&leg=Tarnas&rpt_type=first_pri.

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.

AFTER WEDNESDAY'S DEMOCRATIC DEBATE WITHOUT TULSI GABBARD, and without her receiving invitations to CNN Town Hall meetings, her presidential campaign released a statement: "Despite complete media blackouts and DNC bias, Tulsi is still climbing in the polls."
The statement contends that Gabbard is beating a billionaire, "who is quite literally outspending us 16 to one. Not only are we beating him in the polls, but we're also outraising him 12 to one on grassroots donations." The Tulsi 2020 group also states that "nearly half of primary voters" still haven't decided who they want to vote for. Her campaign message is that "the establishment elite and its allies in the media have been trying to count us out — by ignoring us, attacking us, and moving the goalposts — since the very moment we launched. They feel threatened by Tulsi, whose support cannot be bought and whose message cannot be influenced... Can you imagine what this election would look like for Tulsi if she was given anything close to the kind of media treatment that's been handed to candidates favored by the establishment? Or if she had even a small fraction of the hundreds of millions already spent by the billionaire candidates?

"We don't have to imagine, we know from our own work on the ground that when voters from all parties learn about Tulsi and hear her message for the people, they get it. They see someone with integrity, honesty and a new hopeful vision for the country we all love. A candidate with the firsthand experience necessary to be commander in chief on Day One."

The Emerson College poll, Feb. 16 to 18, presented by the Gabbard campaign, shows Gabbard in seventh among sampling of primary and caucus voters, with Bernie Sanders in the lead, Joe Biden second, followed by Michael Bloomberg, Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, and Amy Klobuchar.

"Would you vote for your candidate or is there a chance you would vote for someone else?" The poll showed more than 50 percent undecided.

The billionaire in third place is Michael Bloomberg and the billionaire behind Gabbard in this poll is Tom Steyer.

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.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY WILL HOLD A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY VOTE AMONG ITS MEMBERS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4 to determine assignment of delegates to the National Convention where the Democratic candidate for President will be named.
Those who want to participate must be registered to vote in the state of Hawaiʻi and registered with the Democratic Party by Sunday, March 8 to vote by mail. Those who join the party between Monday, March 9 through April 4 can vote at polling stations on April 4. The Kaʻū polling station for Democrats will be at Ocean View Community Center at 92-8924 Leilani Circle. Other locations around Hawaiʻi Island are at Keaʻau Elementary School, Hilo Intermediate School, Kealakehe High School , or Waimea Elementary School. The polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All ballots for the primary should be mailed by Saturday, March 28 to assure delivery to the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi's Honolulu post office box on or before April 4 at 3 p.m.

To register to vote online, see olvr.hawaii.gov/register.aspx. To register to be a member of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i online or print and mail in an application, see hawaiidemocrats.org/join.
The Democratic Party has decided to put its delegates behind presidential candidates through a process called rank choice voting. Voters select a first, second, and third favorite candidate.
A candidate must receive at least 15 percent of the votes to earn a delegate.

When the ballots are tabulated, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated. The second choices of those who voted for the first eliminated candidate are added to the remaining candidates' vote totals. Then, the candidate with the fewest votes after that second tabulation is eliminated. The next choice of those who voted for the second eliminated candidate are then added to the remaining candidates' vote totals and the candidate with the fewest votes after that third tabulation is eliminated.

The ranked choice tabulation and elimination rounds continue until all the remaining candidates have at least 15 percent of the votes. Delegates to the Democratic National Convention are then awarded to the remaining candidates proportionally to their final vote tally. Learn more at hawaiiRCV2020.org.

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.

KUPU CARE PALLIATIVE PROGRAM RECEIVED A $25,000 GRANT from the Max and Yetta Karasik Family Foundation. Serving East Kaʻū from Volcano to South Point, and all of East Hawaiʻi, the program is run by Hawaiʻi Care Choices, formerly Hospice of Hilo.
In an announcement, Development Manager Keith Greer said, "Since 2012, Kupu Care has set a strong foundation for palliative care in East Hawaiʻi and this grant, combined with a new partnership with United Health Care, will help reinvigorate this program.

"Palliative Care is an emerging medical specialty and many people don't know if it is right for their loved one; if they see their family member becoming less responsive, difficulty getting in and out of the bed or wheelchair, or they are visiting the emergency room more frequently, Palliative Care may be able to help."

Patients remain under the care of their own physicians in Kupu Care, and get an extra layer of support from the Kupu Care team. Hawaiʻi Care Choices provides Palliative, Hospice, and Bereavement Care services to all of East Hawaiʻi from Laupāhoehoe Point to South Point.

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.

AN ADVANCED BEEKEEPING CLASS will be held Saturday, Feb. 22 and March 21 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Hilo. The address will be provided upon registration. Experienced beekeepers are invited to participate in this workshop series about apiary expansion and management. Presented by Bee Love Apiaries, there is no cost to attend; however, registration is required in advance due to limited space. RSVP by contacting Jen Rasmussen at 808-640-0278 or jennyabach@gmail.com.

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 Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. See Kaʻū exercise,
meditation, daily, bi-weekly, and weekly recurring events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Wrestling

Fri., Feb. 21 HHSAA

Kaʻū Spring Sports Schedule

Girls Softball

Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m., @Waiakea

Wednesday, March 11, 3 p.m., @Konawaena

Saturday, March 14, 11 a.m., host Kealakehe

Boys Baseball

Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m., host HPA

Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m.. @Waiakea

Tuesday, March 10, 1 p.m., @Konawaena

Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m., host Kealakehe

Boys Volleyball

Friday, Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m., Preseason at Christian Liberty

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m., host Christian Liberty

Wednesday, March, 6 p.m., @Hilo

Judo

Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m., @Kealakehe

Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m.. @Kealakehe

Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m., @Hilo

Track

Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m., @Waiakea

UPCOMING

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

Mardi Gras Dinner Fundraiser for St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Friday, Feb. 21, Paradise Circle-Mauka. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dinner includes Jambalaya, Red Beans and Rice, Cornbread, Drink, and Dessert. Tickets at the door, $8 per person, $15 for two, and $20 for family.

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

Free CERT Basic Training, four Saturdays starting Feb. 22 through March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team encourages community participation and provides support to emergency response organizations when the need arises. Four consecutive classes are a 27-hour FEMA certification course. Sign up by emailing hawaiicert@gmail.com. Bill Hanson, 808-937-2181, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/hawai-i-county-cert.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's 12th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive, Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration closed Wednesday, Feb. 19. Poles, gear, and bait, and lunch for all, provided. Each child receives a prize, chosen during registration, in the order they register; register early. Keiki one to 14 years old register online at okaukakou.org, or pick up form at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, Nāʻālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nāʻālehu, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Bring one can per person for food drive. For more information, contact Guy Enriques at 808-217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 808-937-4773. okaukakou.org

Fused Glass Basics Workshop with Claudia McCall, Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, FEB. 23
Kaʻū Portuguese Exhibit, Sunday, Feb. 23 at Carvalho Park in Hilo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Exhibit by Kaʻū Multicultural Society.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26

Hū (Kukui Nut Top) Demonstration, Wednesday, Feb. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon at Kīlauea Visitor Center lanai. Early Hawaiians devoted much of their time to games, amusements and relaxing. Top spinning was an absorbing activity for children and making hū (kukui-nut top) was equally engaging. Join rangers and staff from Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association as they share their knowledge and love of one of the most popular traditional arts of Hawai‘i. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes' ‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops.

Visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm for additional planning details. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Ash Wednesday Service at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m.

ONGOING

Register for a Free CERT Basic Training Course, four Saturdays starting Feb. 22 through March 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team encourages community participation and provides support to emergency response organizations when the need arises. Four consecutive classes are a 27-hour FEMA certification course. Sign up by emailing hawaiicert@gmail.com. Bill Hanson, 808-937-2181, hawaiicounty.gov/departments/civil-defense/hawai-i-county-cert.

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 are Maya Hoover, Hawaiʻi based Mezzo-Soprano at Professor at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; Jonathan Korth, Hawaiʻi based Pianist and Professor at UH-Mānoa; and Joshua Nakazawa, Cellist from Hawaiʻi Symphony. They will be joined by the three HIMF co-founders: Amy Shoremount-Obra, Internationally Acclaimed Metropolitan Opera Soprano; Eric Silberger, Internationally Acclaimed Prize-Winning Virutuoso Violinist; and Carlin Ma, Multi-Media Artist and Pianist.

Tickets are $30, available at kauconcert.bpt.me. See himusicfestival.com for more.

Register for Ocean View Classic Car & Bike Show, Saturday, March 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Owners of classic cars and bikes are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. This second annual event, a fundraiser for Ocean View Community Association, will also feature food and live music, and prizes for the most impressive cars and bikes. Contact organizers Dennis Custard at 831-234-7143 or Ron Gall at 808-217-7982 to register or for more info.

Sign Up to Vend at the New ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Nāʻālehu Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the site of the old Fruit Stand, mauka of Hwy 11 in Nāʻālehu. Vending focuses on Kaʻū products, including mushrooms from the new farm in Nāʻālehu, fresh breads, vegetables, fruits, and other products. The market may offer music in the future, and there are plans to acquire picnic tables for market goers. Call Manager Sue Barnett at 345-9374 to sign up.

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 p.m. to 4:30 pm, ages 5-6. Coach Pitch, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.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

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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Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Keiki can sign up for the Kaʻū Children's Business Fair, to be held in March. See more below. Above, Alysha Gacayan
offered her photos last year, featuring images of Kaʻū. The Avenue family purchased a turtle image.
Photo by Julia Neal

EXPANDING EARLY EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES for three and four year olds is the goal of bill in the state House of Representatives. The House Committee on Lower & Higher Education and the Committee on Finance heard testimony on Tuesday from groups and individuals in a joint hearing on HB 2543 HD 1. The bill would increase funding for early learning schools and expand the number of school facilities "in areas they are needed the most," says a statement from the House.
Higher & Lower Education Chair Justin H. Woodson said the early education bill is part of a joint economic package introduced by the House and Senate, and supported by Gov. David Ige 's Administration to address Hawaiʻi's cost of living obstacles. The joint working class economic
package is designed to tackle the issues highlighted in the Aloha United Way sponsored
report, ALICE: A Study of Financial Hardship in Hawaiʻi.
Finance Committee Chair Sylvia Luke said most of the testimony is in support with families in desperate need of more early education availability. Luke said providing expanded early education for young children can reduce the cycle of poverty for parents who cannot work because they must stay home to care for their young children. Subsequently, those children don't get the early learning they
need to become better educated citizens, she said. The bill includes:
Requiring Department of Education to adopt a standardized assessment model for all kindergarten students. It would require parents or guardians of public school kindergarten students to disclose information on the child's prior child care program or prekindergarten attendance to determine areas
with the highest need for prekindergarten and child care programs;
Expanding the Preschool Open Doors Program eligibility from four-year-old children to all children who are three to four years old or will not be at least five years old on or before July 31 of the current school year. It also would establish the Preschool Open Doors Trust Fund with annual reporting regarding the revenues and expenditures of the fund;

Early education can break the cycle of poverty, according to ALICE:
A Study of Financial Hardship in Hawaii.

Establishing a program in the Department of Human Services to award grants for preschools and to fund positions for the Preschool Open Doors Program. It would appropriate funds for the Department of Human Services to expand its information technology system for the purpose of managing information on prekindergarten attendance and child care need and to contract for and operate preschool and child care programs;
Establishing the Early Learning Coordinator position within the Office of the Governor. The Early Learning Coordinator would have the responsibility of reaching the goal of providing all children who are 3 to 4 years old, or will not be at least five years old on or before July 31 of the current school year, with enrollment in a preschool program by the year 2030;
Appropriating funds for the University of Hawaiʻi's ʻImiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo to build classrooms for Hawaiian language immersion pre-kindergarten programs. The bill would appropriate funds for building early learning services classrooms on public library property.
Committee members will review the testimony and return for decision making at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 25.

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.

SIGN UP KEIKI FOR KAʻŪ CHILDREN'S BUSINESS FAIR, to be held Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m. to noon at Pāhala Community Center. This second annual event features young entrepreneurs between the ages of seven and 18. They share their talents by selling handmade items and services. One application may be submitted for each business. Children can sign up for booth space at no charge. Children working as a group submit one application that includes each child's information; no more than three children per business.

Addy Jensen, last year, offered photographs of flowers grown at Hawaiian

Flowers on South Point Road. Photo by Julia Neal

The fair started as Acton Children's Business Fair last year in Kaʻū; it "inspires children to discover their inner entrepreneur." It is "the largest entrepreneurship event for kids in North America," according to promoters, and the one-day market "gives children the opportunity to showcase their very own businesses."
Last year, Kaʻū saw keiki participate, with offerings from hand made signage, photography of nature and greenhouse flowers, to jewelry, variously decorated brands of "slime," food and drink, cookies, and sweet and sour libations. The venue was River of Life Church in Pāhala. The program was open to everyone of all faiths. Children who presented their products came from home schooling, Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, and public schools. Students ran their own booths, booths, accepting money, with some using Square to take credit cards. They explained their ideas, and their execution and pricing, to customers.

Eli Crook makes specialty signs as his business start-up last year.
Photo by Julia Neal

The Kaʻū Children's Business Fair guidelines are designed to give children the experience of selling a product or service. Parents of younger children (under eight years old) may sit in the booth, but the children should be responsible for set up, customer interaction, and sales. Parents may aid a child, but the child runs the business.
The original Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin Texas in 2007 was founded by Jeff and Laura Sandefer, and other families who wanted to spark a sense of wonder and entrepreneurship in their children. Seven youth entrepreneurs hosted around 25 attendees. The event grew over the years to 115 entrepreneurs and 1,500 attendees at the Acton Children's Business Fair in Austin.
Learn more about participating at childrensbusinessfair.org/pahala. Visit Kaʻū Children's Business Fair's Facebook event page facebook.com/KAUCBF/. RSVP to the event at facebook.com/events/925342784527676/. Text KAUKIDSFAIR to 31996 for updates and information (message and data fees may apply).

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.

URGING PEOPLE TO COME TO A PĀHALA MEETING ABOUT THE UPCOMING CENSUS COUNT, the County of Hawaiʻi sent out a message today. The 2020 Kick-Off Event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon next Wednesday, Feb. 26 at Pāhala Community Center.

"The public is invited to learn about Census 2020 at this free event hosted by the County of
Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development." Doors open at 9 a.m. The program begins at 9:30 a.m., with a County Proclamation followed by a presentation by Hawaiʻi Island's Census Representative. A question and answer period will round out the meeting, which ends at noon.
"Census results have an impact on planning and funding for health clinics and highways, fire departments and disaster response, education programs such as Head Start and college tuition assistance, and so much more.," says the County statement. "The 2020 Census is more than a population count. It's an opportunity to shape the future of your community."

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.

KAI KAEHELE won the endorsement of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC. The political arm of the Congressional Progressive Caucus announced its endorsement today. The state Senator is running for Tulsi Gabbard's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. She announced earlier that she will not run, as she if focusing on her campaign for U.S. President. The congressional district serves Kaʻū and all of rural Hawaiʻi.
"On behalf of the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, I am proud to announce our endorsement of Sen. Kai Kahele," said Congressman Mark Pocan, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC Co-Chair. "We believe in Kai; his values, vision, talent, enthusiasm, and character. We have no doubt that he will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the people of Hawaiʻi's Second Congressional District and be a true champion of progressive values here in Congress."

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 Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. See Kaʻū exercise,
meditation, daily, bi-weekly, and weekly recurring events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Wrestling

Fri., Feb. 21 HHSAA

Kaʻū Spring Sports Schedule

Girls Softball

Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m., @Waiakea

Wednesday, March 11, 3 p.m., @Konawaena

Saturday, March 14, 11 a.m., host Kealakehe

Boys Baseball

Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m., host HPA

Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m.. @Waiakea

Tuesday, March 10, 1 p.m., @Konawaena

Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m., host Kealakehe

Boys Volleyball

Friday, Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m., Preseason at Christian Liberty

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m., host Christian Liberty

Wednesday, March, 6 p.m., @Hilo

Tuesday, March 10, 6 p.m., host Makualani

Friday, March 13, 6 p.m., host Konawaena

Judo

Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m., @Kealakehe

Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m.. @Kealakehe

Saturday, March 14, 10:30 a.m., @Hilo

Track

Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m., @Waiakea

UPCOMING

THURSDAY, FEB. 20

2020 U.S. Census Workshop, Thursday, Feb. 20, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Pāhala Gym Multipurpose room. Dinner and light refreshments will be provided. Census takers pay is $20/hour. 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 have their Census income counted as exempt. See 2020census.gov/en/jobs.html for more and to apply.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's 12th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive, Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration closed today at noon. Poles, gear, and bait, and lunch for all, provided. Each child receives a prize, chosen during registration, in the order they register; register early. Keiki one to 14 years old register online at okaukakou.org, or pick up form at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, Nāʻālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nāʻālehu, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Bring one can per person for food drive. For more information, contact Guy Enriques at 808-217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 808-937-4773. okaukakou.org

Fused Glass Basics Workshop with Claudia McCall, Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, FEB. 23
Kaʻū Portuguese Exhibit, Sunday, Feb. 23 at Carvalho Park in Hilo from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Exhibit by Kaʻū Multicultural Society.

ONGOING

Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū, Thursday afternoons, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.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.

Tickets are $30, available at kauconcert.bpt.me. See himusicfestival.com for more.

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.

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Hawaiian monk seal pupping season approaches. See guidelines and information about how best to help protect one of
Hawaiʻi's endangered, endemic mammals, below. Photo from Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response

SEN. MAZIE HIRONO CALLED FOR U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM BARR TO RESIGN today. She and other Senators accused him of being involved in an "ongoing campaign to erode the independence of immigration courts," including changing court rules to allow more political influence over decisions and promoting partisan judges to the Board of Immigration Appeals. The Senators' letter reads: "The administration's gross mismanagement of these courts" will do "lasting damage to public confidence in the immigration court system."
In addition, more than 2,000 former Justice Department officials have also called on Barr to resign. Hirono said, "The President and his handmaiden Bill Barr are politicizing the Justice Department to go after his enemies. To watch my Republican colleagues twist themselves into a pretzel to lend cover to @realDonaldTrump is showing the American people how bankrupt the Republican party is.

"Serving as Attorney General of the United States is a sacred trust and Bill Barr has repeatedly betrayed that trust by politicizing the Department of Justice in service of Donald Trump. It is long past time for his resignation.

"Immigration judges should be allowed to be fair and independent, not instruments of @realDonaldTrump's cruel, anti-immigrant campaign. The Trump administration's assault on immigration courts undermines the ability of asylum seekers and immigrants to get a fair hearing.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr.
Photo from ABC

"Since I called for AG Barr to resign in 2019, he's shown no sign of independence as he continues to act as the attorney for @realDonaldTrump, not the people. With this administration it seems the rule of law, our independent judiciary, and checks and balances are out the window."

Last week, Pres. Donald Trump tweeted complaints about U.S. Prosecutors' recommendation for a seven to nine year sentence for his longtime adviser Roger Stone. Stone was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering, and obstructing a congressional investigation. Trump Called it "a horrible and very unfair situation. The real crimes were on the other side, as nothing happens to them. Cannot allow this miscarriage of justice!"

After the tweet, the U.S. Attorney's Office filed for a shorter sentence, stating the original sentence "does not accurately reflect the Department of Justice's position on what would be a reasonable sentence in this matter." After the filing, all four prosecutors on the Stone case withdrew from the case, and the Washington, D.C., Assistant U.S. Attorney, resigned.
Afterward, Trump tweeted that Barr took charge of a case "that was totally out of control and perhaps should not have even been brought." Barr said Trump's tweets about DOJ "make it impossible for me to do my job and to assure the courts and the prosecutors in the department that we're doing our work with integrity."

Hawaiʻi Sen. Brian Schatz said, "We need to hear from the Attorney General. This scandal grows. The DOJ itself appears to have been corrupted by a President who rewards his friends and punishes his enemies. Media should treat this like a potentially explosive abuse of power even if this takes more than ten seconds to explain.

"It is nearly impossible to find a benign explanation for this. The DOJ [Investigator General] needs to investigate, and the House and Senate should conduct hearings to find the paper trail and hear from the AG under oath.

"So for those of you who with a day job, here's what happened: Roger Stone gets recommended for 7-9 years for his crimes. Trump tweets that it's unfair. DOJ then intervenes to reduce the prison term, something that is literally never done. 3 prosecutors just resigned in protest.

"Bill Barr is demonstrating his independence just like the Astros learned their lesson, and just like Republicans will protect pre-existing conditions," said Schatz.

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COVID-19 coronavirus is seen in yellow, emerging from cells (in blue and pink) cultured in the lab. This image is from

a scanning electron microscope at National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases-Rocky Mountain Laboratories.

TO CONTAIN CORONAVIRUS, MORE COORDINATION OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES IS NEEDED, said Sen. Brian Schatz today. Interviewed on MSNBC, he gave examples of the federal administration having difficulty steering the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. He characterized the go-between individuals in the Trump administration as "bumbling incompetents."

Schatz talked about Hawaiʻi specifically, as a place where people were destined for quarantine after exposure to the virus overseas. He talked about planes with these people in the air with no firm destination for a quarantine center. Hawaiʻi officials also had no idea how many planes were headed to Hawaiʻi or when they were arriving, nor how many people to expect. First, they were told to place quarantines in the civilian population, to which Hawaiʻi Attorney General Claire Connors said, "No way," Schatz related. Then, quarantinees were to be taken to a secure facility at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, but the Department of Defense said "No," said Schatz. He said that in the few hours they had to make arrangements, it was "nuts."

Schatz said the Trump administration is "incompetent" and that state governments like Hawaiʻi "are cleaning up the mess." He said the good news is that "on the ground, things are safe in Hawaiʻi and elsewhere across the country, but it's not because of anything the Trump Administration has done – it's been in spite of it."

This image from a scanning electron microscope shows, in orange, the

coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19. The virus was isolated

from a patient in the U.S. and is seen here emerging from the surface

of cells — in gray — cultured in the lab. Image from NIAID-RML

Schatz said the Trump administration "doesn't much care about science" or governing, and that they find such subjects "boring." He said this has led to the defunding of programs that are supposed to help prevent a global pandemic, such as the nine percent cut to funding for the Centers for Disease Control, and the Trump budget that would halve the U.S.'s funding of the World Health Organization. He also brought up that the top global health position on the National Security Council was vacant for about two years before the position was "cut."

Schatz is in a group of U.S. Senators, including Mazie Hirono, working to clearly establish the process for states to receive federal reimbursement for costs from COVID-19 containment efforts.

The number of cases in the U.S. of the virus is still 15. There are more than 72,500 cases of COVID-19 in China. More than two dozen other countries also have confirmed cases. The death toll is nearly 2,000 people, mostly in China.

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IN LOSS OF POPULATION, HAWAIʻI ranks fifth in the nation, according to the career website Zippia. It recently named the top ten states for 2017-2018, for percentage of residents who moved to another state. New York ranked first in population loss, losing 307,000 residents - 1.57 percent in a year - followed by New Jersey, West Virginia, and Louisiana.

Hawaiʻi ranked fifth with a loss of 7,047 residents, with 0.5 percent of the population leaving the islands. According to Zippia, Hawaiʻi residents headed out for California, Texas, Nevada, Washington, and North Carolina.
The fastest-growing state is Arizona, which gained 155,376 residents a 2.17 percent population increase in 2017-2018. See Zippia.com.

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A Hawaiian monk seal pup, left, and its mom bask in the sun on the sand on a Hawaiian shore. The endangered,
endemic mammals' pupping season will begin soon. Photo from Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response

HAWAIIAN MONK SEAL PUPPING SEASON is coming up. Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response asks the public to watch for the endangered mammals and document their activities. National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration states that, while Hawaiian monk seals can give birth at any time of year, many pups in the past three or four years have been born during the spring and summer.

Hawaiʻi Marine Marine Animal Response gives an overview:

Monk seals are born weighing about 25-35 pounds, are black in color, and nurse on land for about five to seven weeks. During that time, it is important to minimize disturbance as much as possible to ensure the mother remains with her pup and the animals develop a normal mom-pup relationship. This ensures the pup gets the nutrition it needs to fuel proper development and is given the best chance at long-term survival.
Only about 300 Hawaiian monk seals remain in the main Hawaiian Islands, so every pup is important. Giving mom-pup pairs space can help support population recovery for Hawaiian monk seals.

A young pup is held close by its mom on the sand. Hawaiian monk seals,
one of only two endemic mammals in Hawaiʻi - both are endangered - need
protection from harm and disturbances in order to survive and thrive
as a species. Photo from Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response

It is very important to never feed a Hawaiian monk seal. After five to seven weeks, the mom leaves the pup on its own. If young monk seals are fed by humans during this time, they may not learn how to hunt for themselves. This lowers the animals' chance of survival.
Mother seals can be very protective of their young and are more likely to exhibit territorial behavior with a pup. For both animal and human safety, humans are asked to stay at least 150 feet away from Hawaiian monk seals, to stay behind any fencing or signs, and to listen carefully to the instructions of HMAR personnel on sites. This helps keep the seals wild.

To minimize traffic and potential disturbances at pupping sites, specific pupping locations are typically not announced by HMAR or NOAA.
If a mom and pup are seen on a beach with no signage, fencing, or HMAR personnel present, please call the HMAR hotline immediately at (888) 256-9840. This number is also used to report any monk seal sightings, and for turtles, dolphins, or whales that may be in distress. To report seabirds in distress please call (808) 687-7900.

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See Christy Lasseter & Friends tomorrow night at Kīlauea Visitor Center
Auditorium. Courtesy photo

ATTEND THE NĀ LEO MANU (HEAVENLY VOICES) HAWAIIAN MUSIC CONCERT with Christy Lassiter & Friends tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 19 at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in HawaiʻVolcanoes National Park. Seating begins at 6:30 p.m., concert starts at 7 p.m. The Park announcement states: "This talented trio plays traditional Hawaiian music and have performed together for several years. They are devoted to the perpetuation of the old Hawaiian songs they grew up hearing in their homes. The use of guitar, ‘ukulele, bass and three-part harmonies create a memorable and enjoyable musical experience. Free; Park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

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A WIND ADVISORY is in effect for Kaʻū and most of Hawaiʻi Island through Thursday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. according to the National Weather Service. The public should expect northeast winds of 20 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts over 50 mph.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense said today that the public: should secure outdoor items such as tents and outdoor furniture. Motorists, especially in high profile vehicles, are urged to drive with caution. Be aware of downed trees, utility disruptions, and that road closures may occur without notice. Stay clear of downed utility lines and report any to authorities.

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See Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment. See Kaʻū exercise,
meditation, daily, bi-weekly, and weekly recurring events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 6,250 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

See daily, weekly, and monthly recurring Kaʻū and Volcano Events, Meetings, Entertainment, Exercise, Meditation, and more at kaucalendar.com.

Kaʻū Winter Sports Schedule

Wrestling

Fri., Feb. 21 HHSAA

Kaʻū Spring Sports Schedule

Girls Softball

Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m., @Waiakea

Wednesday, March 11, 3 p.m., @Konawaena

Boys Baseball

Wednesday, March 4, 3 p.m., host HPA

Saturday, March 7, 1 p.m.. @Waiakea

Boys Volleyball

Friday, Feb. 21, 4:30 p.m., Preseason at Christian Liberty

Wednesday, Feb. 26, 6 p.m., host Christian Liberty

Judo

Saturday, Feb. 29, 10:30 a.m., @Kealakehe

Saturday, March 7, 10:30 a.m.. @Kealakehe

Track

Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m., @Waiakea

Saturday, March 21, 2 p.m., @Konawaena

UPCOMING

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19

Concert with Christy Lassiter & Friends, Wednesday, Feb. 19; seating begins at 6:30 p.m., concert starts at 7 p.m. at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. Part of the Nā Leo Manu (Heavenly Voices) Hawaiian music concert program. Free; Park entrance fees apply. nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, FEB. 20
2020 U.S. Census Workshop, Thursday, Feb. 20, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., Pāhala Gym Multipurpose room. Dinner and light refreshments will be provided. Census takers pay is $20/hour. 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 have their Census income counted as exempt. See 2020census.gov/en/jobs.html for more and to apply.

FRIDAY, FEB. 21

SATURDAY, FEB. 22

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's 12th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive, Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration open through Wednesday, Feb. 19 at noon. Poles, gear, and bait, and lunch for all, provided. Each child receives a prize, chosen during registration, in the order they register; register early. Keiki one to 14 years old register online at okaukakou.org, or pick up form at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, Nāʻālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nāʻālehu, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Bring one can per person for food drive. For more information, contact Guy Enriques at 808-217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 808-937-4773. okaukakou.org

Fused Glass Basics Workshop with Claudia McCall, Saturday, Feb. 22, 11 a.m. volcanoartcenter.org

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26

Visit nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/summit_stewardship.htm for additional planning details. Free; Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Ash Wednesday Service at St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, FEB. 28

Kaʻū Rural Health Community Association Annual Health Conference, Friday, Feb. 28, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Pāhala Community Center. Register in advance: 808-928-0101.

SATURDAY, FEB. 29

Hawaiian Humpback Whale Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count, Saturday, Feb. 29 and March 28, 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., orientation included. Register at oceancount.org. Locations in Kaʻū are: Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach Park. Participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whale activity from the shoreline.

Mixed Media Photo Encaustic with Mary Milelzcik, Saturday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m. The class is slated for beginner to intermediate students. volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING

Aloha Kidney in Kaʻū, Thursday afternoons, 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.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.

Register for ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's 12th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament and Canned Food Drive through Wednesday, Feb. 19 at noon. Event takes place Saturday, Feb. 22, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Poles, gear, and bait, and lunch for all, provided. Each child receives a prize, chosen during registration, in the order they register; register early. Keiki one to 14 years old register online at okaukakou.org, or pick up form at Nāʻālehu Elementary School, Nāʻālehu Ace Hardware, PāhalaElementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nāʻālehu, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Bring one can per person for food drive. For more information, contact Guy Enriques at 808-217-2253 or Wayne Kawachi at 808-937-4773. okaukakou.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.

Performers will include: Maya Hoover, Hawaiʻi based Mezzo-Soprano at Professor at Universityof Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; Jonathan Korth, Hawaiʻi based Pianist and Professor at UH-Mānoa; and Joshua Nakazawa, Cellist from Hawaiʻi Symphony. They will be joined by the three HIMF co-founders: Amy Shoremount-Obra, Internationally Acclaimed Metropolitan Opera Soprano; Eric Silberger, Internationally Acclaimed Prize-Winning Virutuoso Violinist; and Carlin Ma, Multi-Media Artist and Pianist.

Tickets are $30 and are available at kauconcert.bpt.me. See himusicfestival.com for more.

Sign Up to Vend at the New ʻO Kaʻū Kākou Nāʻālehu Farmers Market, Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the site of the old Fruit Stand, mauka of Hwy 11 in Nāʻālehu. Vending focuses on Kaʻū products, including mushrooms from the new farm in Nāʻālehu, fresh breads, vegetables, fruits, and other products. The market may offer music in the future, and there are plans to acquire picnic tables for market goers. Call Manager Sue Barnett at 345-9374 to sign up.

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About The Kaʻū Calendar

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, February 20, 2020

Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Tuesday, February 18, 2020