The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, May 21, 2022

Hauling Away a Raft of Floating Invasives

Volunteers and staff of Black Sand Beach, LLC pull and push invasive aquatic plants to the shore of Punalu'u Black Sand Beach Pond for disposal in a green waste site, in cooperation with the ʻO Kaʻū Kākou community group on Saturday. Photo by Julia Neal

NA'ALEHU ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL DARLENE JAVAR was honored Friday night at the Kaʻū High School graduation ceremonies. Kaʻū High Principal Sharon Beck noted that many of the graduates were with Javar at Nāʻālehu before coming to the Kaʻū High campus. Javar, who will retire soon, is an alumna of Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary and has worked in the DOE for 32 years. Beck noted that Javar served 19 years at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary as a teacher, technology coordinator, teacher coach and Vice Principal. She served one year as Vice Principal at Keaau High School and Nāʻālehu School and has been Principal at Nāʻālehu Elementary for 11 years. "Darlene we thank for your service and love for the students of Kaʻū. Darlene will be retiring this year and I would like all of us graduates and families to show our appreciation to Darlene as she moves into her well deserved retirement! We wish you the best!"

Principal Darlene Javar, who is retiring from Nāʻālehu Elementary School; Wilma Roddy,

the next Principal at Nāʻālehu; Complex Area Superintendent Stacey Bello and Kaʻū

High & Pāhala Elementary Principal Sharon Beck.

Beck announced that Wilma Roddy, also an alumna of Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary will become Nāʻālehu Principal. Roddy has been with DOE for 19 years. She served nine years teaching at Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary, one year TA VP at Mountain View, three years Vice Principal at Kaʻū and six years Principal at Mountain View Elementary. "I am proud to share that Wilma Roddy will be slipping into Darlene’s shoes as Nāʻālehu Elementary Principal. Wilma, welcome back to the Kaʻū Complex," said Beck.
Beck also noted that the Interim Complex Area Superintendent Stacey Bello was the Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary Vice Principal ten years ago. "Thank you CAS Bello, for taking on the huge responsibility to lead our complex." Beck gave these examples as people who grew up here and continue to work and serve the community. "Remember you will always have a connection with Kaʻū," Beck told the Class of 2022.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/. See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

HOPE SERVICES ISSUED A STATEMENT ON HOMELESSNESS on this island Saturday. CEO Brandee Menino said, "County data shows that 96 percent of people who received homeless services last

year were Hawai'i locals. We're talking people born and raised here, and long term residents. I've run into old friends who are living in their cars." Menino said, "People are starting to realize the problem isn't houseless people flying in from outside, it's housing speculation from outside. That's what's pricing locals out and pushing them to the streets."

Hope CEO Brandy Menino

The statement from Hope Services says that "42 percent of all homes sold in Hawaiʻi County from 2017 to 2020 were purchased by out–of-state investors, the highest rate among the counties, according to the Hawaiʻi Budget and Policy Center." The Center also reported that "52 percent of out-of-state owners left their units unoccupied when they or their friends were not using them."
The Hope CEO said, "We do what we can, but as a private organization dependent on government funding and donations, we don't have the authority to regulate the housing market." She gave credit to the County of Hawai'i for a recent commitment to allocate additional funding to county sponsored homeless programs and affordable housing. "We hope we'll see a commitment to responsibly funding evidence-based programs that successfully get people into permanent housing. We'd love to see our county move away from expecting police to handle houselessness, and instead invest in expanding the number of trained social services staff who can assist people on the streets."
Hope Outreach Team Lead Carrie Hoʻopiʻi said, "Most of the people we help are our neighbors, born and raised here. Instead of

Carrie Ho'opi'i, Outreach Team Lead

pushing them from place to place on the streets, we should work together to get them back into housing."
This week, Ho'opi'i worked with a team to bring some 20 houseless people into housing with running water and safety in Kona, following a sweep by the county at the Old Kona Airport Park. The people who left the park had pitched tents next to the Kona Community Aquatic Center, drawing many phone calls to her agency, the county and others. On Thursday, six employees from the County of Hawai'i, two outreach workers from CARE Hawai'i, three community policing officers, and longtime volunteer Linda Vandervoort joined Hope Services to spend the day assisting with intakes and move-ins. By the end of Friday, all 20 residents had moved into 18 free-standing microshelters at Ka Lamakū in Kona and into West Hawai'i Emergency Housing, both operated by Hope Services.
Those wanting to help people on their journey out of homelessness, volunteer or make a donation at www.hopeserviceshawaii.org. Follow Hope Services on Facebook and Instagram @hopeserviceshawaii.

HAWAI'I'S NURSERY, FLORICULTURE AND CACAO AGRICULTURALISTS are the aim of two new bills in Congress introduced this week by Representatives Kai Kahele and Ed Case. H.R.7812, the Floriculture and Nursery Health Initiative Act, and H.R.7813, the Cacao Tree Health Initiative Act would fund research and development of tools to address plant pest threats. In 2020, nurseries and floriculture in rural Hawai'i generated more than $81 million in revenue on 2,324 acres creating thousands of jobs.

A statement from the Congressmen says, "Hawaiʻi’s emerging cacao industry is rapidly expanding with more than 36,700 trees across 300 acres generating nearly $1.5 million a year in farm gate revenue."

Kahele said, “Diversifying Hawaiʻi’s economy starts with protecting our existing agricultural commodities and opening the door to new competitive goods. Distinctive Hawaiʻi floral and nursery characteristics in turn will help our island growers build wealth and command premium prices in markets throughout the United States." He said that growing cacao in Hawaiʻi has "enormous growth potential as a global source in the industry. These bills support a comprehensive federal legislative package which will elevate Hawaiʻi to compete in the world’s agricultural economy.”

Will Lydgate, President, Hawaiʻi Chocolate & Cacao Association: “We applaud the efforts of Rep. Kahele to help give our industry a much-needed boost. The United States is the most exciting new player in the cacao growing and specialty chocolate world. Here in Hawaiʻi, chocolate is serious business.”

Eric Tanouye, President, Hawaiʻi Floriculture and Nursery Association said, “We are very grateful for Congressman Kahele’s leadership on this measure. We greatly appreciate this vital and timely Floriculture and Nursery Health Initiative Act of 2022. Science is essential to our resiliency in this age of climate change.”

Kahele previously led Hawaiʻi’s Congressional Delegation to introduce bicameral legislation to enable research funding to address current and emerging threats to the United States coffee and macadamia nut industries. The Coffee Plant Health Initiative Amendments Act and Macadamia Tree Health Initiative Amendments Act would remove existing restrictions on the limited scope of research and grant funding for the coffee plant and macadamia tree.

AUDITIONS FOR THE MIKADO are being held on 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 23 and Tuesday, May 24 at Kīlauea Theater within Kīlauea Military Camp in Volcano. The show is being put on by Kīlauea Drama

& Entertainment Network. All ages and ability are welcome to audition. Auditioneers should be prepared to sing a song that best shows their vocal range and dress comfortably to move on the stage. There will be cold readings as well. For more information call 982-7344 or email kden73@aol.com.

MEMORIAL DAY LEI for keiki ages 5 to 12 years old on Tuesday, May 24 from 2:30 - 4 p.m. at Kahuku Park in Ocean View. Registration is open from May 13 - 20. To register, contact Recreation Technician III, Teresa Anderson, at (808) 938-4875.

MEMORIAL DAY CRAFT for keiki in grades K-6th on Tuesday, May 24 from 3 - 4:30 p.m. at Kaʻū District Gym & Pāhala Community Center. Registration is open from May 16 - 20. To register, contact Recreation Director II, Nona Makuakane, at (808) 928-3102.

‘O KA’Ū KĀKOU MARKET, in Nāʻālehu, open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Nadine Ebert at 808-938-5124 or June Domondon 808-938-4875. See facebook.com/OKauKakouMarket.

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR

at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

See The Ka'ū Calendar May edition at

www.kaucalendar.com, on newsstands and in the mail.

Friday, May 20, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, May 20, 2022

Leo Norberte and his JN Coffee took first place for the Kaʻū Coffee Region and third in the state, in the 13th Annual
Hawai'i Coffee Association Cupping Contest, the winners announced on Friday. He is partner in preparing the Bourbon
Fruit-Dried entry with Miguel Mesa. Also working with Norberte is his wife Herme. Photo by Julia Neal

LEO AND HERME NORBERTE AND MIGUEL MESA WON TOP KAʻŪ COFFEE in the 13th Annual Hawai'i Coffee Association's Cupping Contest on Friday. Three Kaʻū Coffees scored in the top ten from throughout Hawai'i. Norberte's JN Red Bourbon Fruit- Dried entry scored 86.90, the third highest score in the state. Rusty's Hawaiian Bourbon Fruit-Dried came in second for Kaʻū, with a score of 86.48, the
eighth highest score in the state. Third in Kaʻū is Karina and Armando Rodrigues' Casablanca Farms, LLC with their Typica & Pacamara Fruit-Dried entry, with a score of 86.35, the ninth highest score in the state.

Lorie Obra and Rusty's Hawaiian took second in Kaʻū with a

Bourbon Fruit-Dried entry. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Festival

Kaʻū Coffee represented over 30 percent of the 70 top scoring coffees from throughout the Islands. Statewide, Miranda Farms scored 14th with 85.95. Casablanca took 16th with 85.50. Zanadu took 19th with 85.19. Miranda took 20th with 85.19. Miles Mayne with his Silver Cloud Coffee took 22nd with 84.60. Delvin and Shawnette Navarro with their Navarro Farms took 22nd with 84.60. JN Farms took 31st with 83.75. Casablanca and Navarro tied for 33rd with 83.65. Rusty's Hawaiian took 34th with 83.60. Widow Martinez with his Widow Coffee and Miranda tied for 35th with 83.55. Silver Could took 41st with 83.15. Willie Tabios with his Rising Sun took 42nd with 83.10. Widow took 44th with 83.05. Gloria Camba and Bong Aquino's R&G Farm Kaʻū Royal Coffee took 48th with 82.70. JN Farms took 51st with 82.50. Joseph Castenada's Kaʻū Rapas took 54th with 82.05. R&G took 56th with 81.85. Kaʻū Coffee Mill took 56th with 81.85. and 58th with 81.70. Silver Cloud took 66th with 81.06. Navarro Farms took 68th with 80.90. The Hawai'i Coffee Association annual conference continues Saturday. See the events and all the cupping scores: https://hawaiicoffeeassoc.org/page-1771671.

For the second year in a row, Armanda and Karina Rodrigues placed in the top three in the annual Kaʻū regional competition

during the Hawai'i Coffee Association Cupping Contest. Photo from the Rodrigues

Co-Valedictorian Morgan Pierpont, of Ocean View, leaves for
the U.S. Army in ten days where she will be an IT specialist.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 2022 graduated Friday with 56 receiving diplomas. The ceremony was held in the Robert Herkes Kaʻū District Gym. Immediate family members were allowed to attend inside the gym this year, while throngs of well wishers gathered around Pāhala Community Center down the road to welcome the graduates with lei and gifts as they paraded through town.
The class sang its song Today My Life Begins by Bruno Mars. The class showed its colors of Navy blue and gold, and its class flower, the bird of paradise.
Graduates are: Alazaeh Abellera, Aleia Adam, Cody Ah Yee, Elaina Akiu, Floree Lei Alejo, Raiden Auwae, Collin Ray Barbadillo, Alize Beck-Chong, Johah Beck, Ethan Gabriel Biason, Kevin Bivings, Cherrisse Althea Calumpit, Alohilani Camelo, Desirell Candaroma, Michal Cuison, Shayne Davis, Jasmine del Rosario, Caddy Devera, Shemaya Doi, Cyrus Eder, Brandon Enoch, Michal Espejo, Keahionalani Forcum, Kelson Gallano, Jaisen-Zion Garcia, Jezekial Jara, Trinity Kaawa, Calaysa Koi, Akela Kuahiwinui, Zachary Kuluwaimaka, Johnny Langley, Arniel Libunao, Jr., Kennedy Manthei, Charlane Marquez, Chelstin-Noah Medeiros, Pu'umakaniokamakahea'ananui Millers-Kalhuna, Timothy Moskalenko, Jocyiah Mukini, Shannon Pacheco-Kamali'i, Morgan Pierpont, Ruth Abigail Ramirez-Martinez, David Zachary Ramos, Christopher Ratz Grissom, Jr., Kealiikoa Reyes-Nalu, Trina J. Samuel, Desiree Mae Sembran, Helbina Silk, Grace Smith, Erica Tabilin, Keenan Troiano, Kamalani Tuifagu, Amelia Uribe-Bounos, Mark Angelo Velasco, Heidi Vidal, Lewai Waiwaiole and Caitlynn Wooten.
Co-Valedictorians are Mark Angelo Velasco and Morgan Pierpont. Class President is Cyrus Eder, Vice President is Erica Tabilin, Secretary is Amelia Uribe-Bounos.
Salute to Graduates Award Recipients are: Mark Angelo Velasco for Scholastics, Jasmine del Rosario for Leadership, Morgan Pierpont for Literary & Artistic Performance, David Zachary Ramos for Information Technology and Kelson Gallano for Athletics. A number of the graduates recently received college credits at a graduation ceremony for Hawai'i Community College.

The Espejo family honoring the graduation of Micah Espejo, draped in lei. His mom, Cassie Espejo, to his left, flew in in from Lakeland, Washington for the Friday ceremony. Michah plans to attend Hawai'i Community College in Hilo to become a diesel mechanic. Photo by Julia Neal

PRINCIPAL SHARON BECK UNDERSCORED THE DIVERSITY OF KAʻŪ HIGH SCHOOL during her commencement address on Friday. She said, "Each class that comes through our school develops its own identity. These students come from very diverse backgrounds, have different interests and this class has demonstrated how to work together and accept each other for who they are. This class has been a role model for underclassmen on how to get along, work together, and have fun! You are an amazing class. As members of our school community, our graduates have made significant contributions throughout the year. I like to highlight these contributions.

As ceremonies took place indoors, a group of Marshallese women, speaking in their native
tongue, waited outside to congratulate Ka'u High 2022 Marshallese graduates Trina Samuel,
Brandon Enoch, Caddy Devera, Helbina Silk, and Johnny Langley. Left to right are well
wishers Naynay Hezkeia, who flew in from Salt Lake City where she works in a bank;
KTA Jay, who lives and works in Kona; Mali A, as well as Mayomi Harry, and Matilda
Jeik, who all live in Ocean View. Photo by Julia Neal

"At Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary School we strive to provide opportunities for students to be college, career, and community ready. Career and Technology Education is a program that gives students real world 21st century skills in health and human services, arts and communication, industrial and engineering technology and natural resources. The state Department of Education goal is to have 61% of our graduates to be CTE completers. This class has surpassed that goal and 74% of our students completed their program of study with one student receiving CTE Honors and STEM honors."
She noted the school's partnership with Hawai'i Community College to offer dual credit through the Early College program where students earn college credits while still in high school. "We have graduates earning between 18 and 30 college credits. I would like to give a huge shout out to six of our seniors who were the first Kaʻū High students to participate in the Hawai'i Community College Commencement last week and received college certificates in Agriculture." Beck also pointed to Advance Placement courses that provide a rigorous curriculum for students which allows students to earn college credits. She applauded ten of the graduates who are members of the National Honor Society, which recognizes outstanding high school students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of academics, service, and character.

Grandpa Dane Sesson, center back, celebrates graduation of his granddaughter Alazaeh Abellera and graduate Jezekiel Jara. Photo by Julia Neal

She noted the ten members of Health Occupation Students of America, the nationwide student-led organization endorsed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Health Science Education of the Association for Career and Technical Education. The ten senior member students of HOSA competed at the district level.

"In athletics, our students learn teamwork, goal setting, and time management to ensure they are keeping their grades in good standing. Thirty of our seniors are student athletes," said Beck.

The principal also applauded "an amazing partnership with Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. They continue to recruit, train and hire juniors and seniors to work summer jobs at the various park locations. We have five of our seniors ready to work at the park this summer."

The principal noted that the Class of 2022 is launching graduates ready to attend four-year colleges, two-year colleges, trade schools and the military. "Graduates, we are proud of you and your service to our school and community. As you leave tonight, remember where you are from and maintain the values you have strengthened here." Beck ended her speech with a quote from Kerry Washington, “Your life is your story, and the adventure ahead of you is the journey to fulfill your own purpose and potential.”

A PUBLIC VOLUNTEER CLEANUP OF PUNALU'U BLACK SAND BEACH POND will be sponsored this Saturday, May 21 by the O Ka'ū Kakou community group and Black Sand Beach, LLC. The cleanup is from 7:30 a.m. to noon, with a free lunch for volunteers, including pizza from Black Sand Beach, LLC's food truck and fresh salad from OKK, grown at Ulu Ka'ū Farm. Also volunteering are some of the homeowners at Colony I at Punalu'u. The public is invited.

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR

at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

See The Ka'ū Calendar May edition at

www.kaucalendar.com, on newsstands and in the mail.

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, May 19, 2022

Cobra comes to Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences as a detector of Covid-19. She was first trained at Florida International University to detect a disease killing avocado trees in southern Florida and Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawai'i.
Photo from The Volcano School of the Arts & Sciences

THE COVID-19 DETECTOR DOG COBRA IS ON THE SCENE AT VOLCANO SCHOOL OF THE ARTS & SCIENCES and two additional public charter schools on Hawaiʻi Island. They are participating in a COVID-19 Detector Dog project as part of a Hawaiʻi PK-12 Research & Development Consortium curriculum development and citizen science project.

Over an eight-week period, students at The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences, at Innovations in Kailua-Kona and at Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo in Keaukaha receive mask screenings for COVID-19 by the scent-detection dog. Some students learn about canine scent detection science, detector dog handling and training,

Cobra checks out student masks for Covid-19 at Volcano
School. Photo from Volcano School

emotional intelligence and empathy, and animal career opportunities.
Cobra, the eight-year-old Belgian Malinois from Innovation Detection Concepts of Redland Ahead, Inc., is conducting weekly on-campus screenings and demonstrations in May at Volcano School and the other charter schools.
Cobra started her career detecting the Laurel Wilt disease that was killing avocado trees in Southern Florida. She is also trained to detect Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawai'i. When the pandemic hit, Cobra was trained to detect COVID-19 on an exhaled breath method developed to 98 percent accuracy by Florida International University’s International Forensic Research Institute.
Volcano School fifth-grade teacher Kris Wolfgang, a Hawaiʻi PK-12 Research & Development Consortium Curriculum Team member, said VSAS students are engaged in interactive citizen science using canine scent-detection for COVID-19; some are even serving as animal handler assistants.
Kalima Kinney, Volcano School Principal, said that in addition to screening for COVID-19, the intent of this project is to improve student engagement and learning outcomes via education about working dog capabilities and the science behind working dogs. “We also hope the project will stimulate expanded use of canine detection for human, animal, and plant disease in Hawaiʻi for both prevention and management, and even lead to future job development opportunities for local youth, particularly Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders,” she said.
Demonstrations and presentations may be available to other schools and venues; call VSAS at (808) 985-9800.
Funding sources and key partners are: the Governor David Ige GEER Innovation Award, The Volcano School of Arts & Sciences Public Charter School, Innovative Detection Concepts, Redland Ahead, Inc., Florida International University, Akaka Foundation for Tropical Forests, Ka ʻUmeke Kāʻeo Public Charter School in Keaukaha, Innovations Public Charter School in Kailua-Kona, and Mt. View Elementary. School.

A KITV SOCIAL MEDIA "POLL" ON GUBERNATORIAL RACE PREFERENCES has been taken off KITV's internet sites. On May 16, The Ka'u Calendar News Briefs reported on the KITV "May 7-8 "poll," which stated that responders supported Kai Kahele by 41.3 percent, Josh Green by 28.2 percent, undecided 24.5 percent, and Vicky Cayetano 6 percent for the Democratic Party ticket.

KITV News Director Janice Gin explained. She said the day that Kai Kahele announced his candidacy, the early morning KITV anchor invited the audience to make their choices for the Democratic nominee for governor on twitter and instagram. Results were presented as a "poll." The News Director said that KITV took down the results soon after presenting them because they are unscientific. The question was not asked by an independent polling organization and responses represented those people watching KITV at the time, who were willing to go onto instagram and twitter to state their preferences. She said it was an error to raise the question about the governor's race, without engaging in a scientific polling process.

The question of the accuracy of the "poll" was brought to the attention of The Ka'u Calendar by the Green campaign staff.

THE JOSH GREEN CAMPAIGN, THURSDAY, ANNOUNCED AN ENDORSEMENT FOR HIS RUN FOR GOVERNOR. The endorsement comes from the AFL-CIO's Operating Engineers Local 3, a trade union founded in 1939 with members in Hawai'i, Nevada, California and Utah.

The statement from Green's campaign team notes that Operating Engineers Local 3 is the largest construction trades local in the United States. It says the organization has more than 37,000 members in Hawai'i, California, Nevada and Utah. Most are heavy equipment operators, mechanics, surveyors, construction inspectors, highway maintenance workers, police officers, and more than 6,800 workers employed by cities, counties, and special government districts in the four states.

Green said, "I am proud to receive this endorsement from the men and women of Operating Engineers Local 3. Every day, members of Local 3 are building our future — constructing new infrastructure to keep our communities connected, maintaining our highways, and working to keep our cities, counties, people, and economy moving." Green said, "They help make progress possible in Hawai'i." The union's slogan is, "We Make Progress Possible."

Ana Tuiasosopo, District Representative for Local 3, said Green provides consistent support of working people. "Operating Engineers Local 3 endorses and supports Josh Green for Governor because he

Ana Tuiasosopo is the District Representative for Operating
Engineers Local 3 of the AFL-CIO, which endorsed Josh
Green for Governor. Photo from Hawai'i Building &
Construction Trades Council

believes in organized labor and the benefits it brings to the working families of Hawai'i. He has a plan to address Hawai'i's housing crisis, which includes streamlining development and working with construction industry stakeholders to aid in that effort. Dr. Green has the compassion and leadership skills required to lead Hawaii forward and be our next Governor."
Green said, "For more than 75 years, Operating Engineers Local 3 has been standing up for the rights of workers, and if elected Governor, I will continue to support Hawai'i's working men and women as we take on our biggest challenges, including access to healthcare, quality education for our keiki, and the need for more affordable housing across our state so our next generation can have a future here."

THE KAI KAHELE CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED THURSDAY: "LET'S GET IT STRAIGHT! KAI IS A UNION MEMBER!" The Kahele campaign statement said, "We want to make it absolutely clear that we are not against organized labor. We are, however, against the special interests and big money that some organizations pour into Hawaiʻi politics to control our voting block and marginalize our working class.

The Kai Kahele campaign noted its endorsement from the Ironworkers Union Local
625, with (left) Joseph O'Donnell, Jr., and Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 630
with (right) Peter Iriarte. Photo from Kahele campaign

"That is why Kai is running. He's running to make this election about people and hard-working families. About our working-class – our kuaʻāina – who continue to be adversely affected by big outside money and their agenda. Organized labor was conceived to give a voice to the average worker. To ensure that they were protected and compensated in such a way that they could care for their 'ohana."
The Kahele campaign stated that "Kai was born into a union. His mother was a union flight attendant. His wife is now a union flight attendant. And he is a proud union pilot."
The statement said that as a U.S. congressman, Kahele "fought to strengthen union protections." It said he "was a staunch advocate and champion for the PRO Act, also known as the Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2021, which expanded various labor protections related to employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace." The statement said that Kahele "knows the importance of organized labor and will always be an advocate for trade and labor unions, even getting necessary funding in the infrastructure law.
"That's why we were able to gain the support of the Ironworkers Union Local 625 and Plasterers & Cement Masons Local 630, even though we entered the race 'late.' They were waiting for a candidate who knows what it's like to fight for better wages and a safer working environment, not one who hasn't walked the line or stood up against inequality.
"Kai is different. He's not asking for a single dollar from his union supporters. All he's asking is how he can help? There is no one in this race willing to do that. No one cares more about the worker rather than the organization. That's special."

THE TEACHING ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HISTORY ACT was introduced Thursday into the U.S. Senate by Sen. Mazie Hirono, during the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month of May. She led nine of her Senate colleagues to introduce the bicameral legislation to promote teaching of Asian Pacific American history for high school students and teachers who enroll in the U.S. Department of Education's American History and Civics Academies programs.

May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month,

with introduction of legislation by Sen. Mazie Hirono to

encourage teaching the history in schools. Image from

2020 Heritage Month theme We Answered the Call!

A statement from Hirono's office contended that "Asian and Pacific Islander American individuals and communities, which includes Native Hawaiians, have largely been excluded or erased from American history for generations. This legislation would take a step towards solving that problem by requiring non-profits that receive grants through the Department of Education's American History and Civics Academies—programs that provide workshops to teachers and courses for students—to teach Asian Pacific American history as part of their curriculum. In doing so, this legislation would not only directly teach our high school students who enroll in these non-profit programs, but also encourage more K-12 teachers across the country to include APA history in their own classrooms."
Hirono said, "When it comes to teaching Asian and Pacific American history in public schools, our communities are rarely—if ever—mentioned. If not invisible, APIA groups are often pejoratively depicted as foreigners, instead of people who have lived in and positively contributed to this country for generations—fueling longstanding xenophobia and racism against our communities.

"Given the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, it is more critical than ever before that we accurately portray the many achievements and contributions of our communities, as well as the racism and prejudice that APIAs have endured for decades in schools across the country. We have a long way to go—but this bill is a step toward making APA history part of the conversation," said Hirono.

The legislation is endorsed by Stop AAPI Hate; Stop AAPI Hate Youth Campaign; National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans ; Asian American Federation; National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum; Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum; Southeast Asia Resource Action Center;

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association; OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates; Japanese American Citizens League ; Fred T. Korematsu Institute; Indian Diaspora Council; the Council of Korean Americans; the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development; Teach For America – Asian American Pacific Islander Alliances; New York Immigration Coalition; Empowering Pacific Islander Communities; and United Chinese Americans.

SEE UPCOMING EVENTS IN KAʻŪ & VOLCANO

at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/04/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.html

LEARN MORE ABOUT SPONSORS OF THE KAʻŪ CALENDAR

at http://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/05/sponsors-of-kau-calendar.html

See The Ka'ū Calendar May edition at

www.kaucalendar.com, on newsstands and in the mail.

About The Kaʻū Calendar

Saturday, May 21, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Saturday, May 21, 2022

Friday, May 20, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Friday, May 20, 2022

Thursday, May 19, 2022

Ka‘ū News Briefs, Thursday, May 19, 2022