Kaʻū News Briefs, Thursday, June 1, 2023

Roping will highlight the July 8-9 rodeo in Nā'ālehu, sponsored by Kaʻū Roping & Riding. Photo by Brenda Iokepa Moses

Lily Dacalio was 2022 Kaʻū Roping &
Riding Rodeo Queen. Search is on for
2023. Photo by Brenda Iokepa-Moses

KAʻŪ ROPING & RIDING RODEO WILL RETURN IN JULY. Rodeo will take over Kaʻū Roping & Riding Rodeo Grounds in Nā'ālehu for the weekend of July 8 and 9, to honor Fourth of July. During June, the search is on for Rodeo Queen, ages eight to 18.
    Sponsorships for belt buckles and arena advertising, as well as contributions to the nonprofit Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association, are welcomed. The group is raising money to purchase land to expand the rodeo grounds to include more parking. For more information and to nominate a young lady for Rodeo Queen, call or text Tammy Kaapana at 808-854-7917.   

    The annual rodeo starts with Slack Roping at 8 a.m. both days, with competition beginning at noon. Paniolo will vie for the titles of All Around Cowgirl and All Around Cowboy. Working and recreational paniolo from keiki to kupuna compete. 

    Events include: Open Dally, Kane-Wahine Dally, Century Team Roping, Ranch Mugging, Double Mugging, Rescue Race and Po'o Wai U, Tie Down, Wahine Breakaway and Youth Barrels. Events for keiki include: Goat undecorating and dummy roping.
    Kaʻū Roping & Riding is considered the organization that puts on one of the most traditional family style rodeo experiences in all of Hawai'i.

Po'o Wai U is a traditional Hawaiian competition that evolved from catching cattle in the wild and tying them to trees
while gathering the rest. Photo by Leilani Esperanza

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HAWAI'I SENATORS VOTED FOR THE U.S. TO PAY ITS BILLS on Thursday, lifting the nation's debt ceiling for two years. The vote among Democrats, Republicans and Independents was 63 yea and 36 nay.       Sen. Mazie Hirono said, "That America will pay its bills should not be questioned. And yet, MAGA Republicans not only questioned this constitutional responsibility, but engaged in hostage negotiations to massively cut government services seniors, keiki, and our communities rely on.

U.S. Senate passed the debt ceiling bill Thursday
evening to allow the federal government to 
pay its bills. NPR image

    "Today, I voted to avoid a default on the national debt, which would have been catastrophic for our country, the global economy, and families across Hawaii. While I appreciate President Biden rejecting Republicans' most extreme demands and preventing default, certain provisions in this bill take our country in the wrong direction, including those that increase work requirements for federal assistance and permit the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
    "The House MAGA majority's dangerous political brinksmanship shows all too clearly their willingness to hold our country hostage to advance their radical and harmful political agenda. This outrageous behavior must stop. Elections matter.
    "Now that we've avoided default, we need to act to take the threat of default off the table moving forward. We cannot continue to allow the full faith and credit of the United States to regularly be taken hostage as a political weapon. Whether through legislative action, clarification of Section 4 of the 14th Amendment, or another path, eliminating the debt limit is critical in order to prevent these MAGA-manufactured crises moving forward. I'll continue working with my colleagues to do exactly that."

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POLICE ARRESTED 22 FOR DUI during the week of May 22 through May 28. Hawai'i Police Department made the arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Three drivers were involved in a traffic collision. Three were under the age of 21. So far this year, there have been 416 DUI arrests compared with 443 during the same period last year, a decrease of 6.1 percent.
    Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section reviewed all updated crashes and found 362 major collisions so far this year compared with 317 during the same period last year, an increase of 14.2 percent. To date, there have been eight fatal crashes, resulting in nine fatalities, (one of which had multiple deaths); compared with 14 fatal crashes, resulting in 16 fatalities (one of which had multiple deaths) for the same time last year. This represents a decrease of 42.9 percent for fatal crashes, and 43.8 percent for fatalities. Police promise that DUI roadblocks and patrols will continue island wide.

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KEONI SANDERSON OF OCEAN VIEW IS WANTED ON FIVE OUTSTANDING WARRANTS and for several other criminal investigations. Hawai'i Police Department announced on Thursday that it requests public assistance in locating the 21-year old.
Known to frequent the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision, Sanderson is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall, 125 pounds, with brown hair and eyes.
    Police caution members of the public not to approach Sanderson and rather to immediately contact police at (808) 935-3311.
    HPR reminded the public that anyone determined to be harboring or concealing a wanted person could result in criminal charges being filed against the person who harbored or concealed the wanted person.
    Anyone with information on Sanderson’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov. They may also contact the Hawaii Police Department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
    Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.

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The Ka'u Calendar: 5,000 in the mail, 2,000 on stands.
Also see www.kaucalendar.com

 

Kaʻū News Briefs, Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Jessie Marques, center, founder of Ka'u Rural Health Community Association, holds a $3,000 check from CU Hawai'i Federal Credit Union. With her are CU Change Director Mark Peters (left) and Erin Santos, Naalehu Assistant Branch Manager (right) and KRHCA board members. Photo by Julia Neal

CU HAWAI'I FEDERAL CREDIT UNION HAS DONATED $3,000 TO KAʻŪ RURAL HEALTH COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION. The credit union released a statement on Wednesday saying, "CU Hawai'i continues to inspire more possibilities for Kaʻū with a recent donation to the Kaʻū Rural Heath Community Association!"
    The donation stems from CU Hawai'i offering a personal loan with a special low rate, and a pledged donation for each loan booked to go towards a local non-profit organization.

   "CU Hawai'i’s staff and management were honored to be able to promote and facilitate this amazing loan special. They are passionate about letting their hearts drive them towards opportunities that make a difference in the lives of their members and community." CU's motto is  “More Possibilities." Staff and members "are hopeful that this donation can do just that," says the CU statement.
     CU Hawai'i is a 67 year-old, member-owned not-for-profit cooperative financial institution, able to provide competitive rates, lower fees, free services and many opportunities for its membership and community. CU Hawai'i operates seven branches on the East, West and South sides of the Hawai'i Island, in addition to sponsoring a student credit union.

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KAʻŪ'S REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS JILL TUKODA VOTED to keep the federal government solvent on Wednesday night by paying its bills for money already spent. Tokuda, who represents all of rural Hawai'i, joined 314 Democrats and Republicans who voted aye to end a political battle that threatened to destroy the credit rating of the United States and to take away or cutback many federal programs. Kaʻū's former Representative, Ed Case, who now serves urban Hawai'i, voted the same. 

Tokuda met with farmers and ranchers around 
the island in mid May. Photo from Jill Tokuda

    Along with more centrist Democrats and Republicans they voted to increase the country's debt limit while 117 Democrats and Republicans voted against the measure to raise the U.S. debt ceiling. Tokuda wrote, "My constituents sent me to Congress to work for our shared priorities, to lead with aloha and strength, reach across the aisle when possible, and to help guide our nation to a more stable and healthier future. I will continue fighting for increased investments in our communities, to eliminate the debt ceiling once and for all, expand access to social safety net programs, and enhance protections for our environment." She said that after the vote Wednesday night, her work "is far from over. "I will keep fighting in Congress to get what our people and communities need." 

    She earlier wrote, "If my colleagues are serious about ensuring national, security, we must stand up against the GOP manufactured debt crises. we point a finger at foreign threats, but let's be clear: The biggest threat to our national security is holding everyday Americans hostage for political gain. We must do the right thing, invest in our country, and recognize that financial security is national security. Health security and national security. Food security is national security. Housing security is national security. Human security is national security." She said she would not lift the debt ceiling "on the backs of working families, our veterans, our seniors and our children. As Democrats, we will continue to do the right thing and put people over politics."  The debt ceiling bill is expected to pass the U.S. Senate this ahead of the deadline on Monday. It would increase the debt ceiling for two years and require some spending cuts and policy changes, including requiring recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to work, if they are under 55 years of age and not taking care of children.

     It would also change the National Environmental Policy Act in order to streamline permitting for development.

Ka'u High Athletic Director Jaime
Guerpo is looking for coaches.
Apply by June 23.

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COACHING POSITIONS FOR THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR have been announced by Kaʻū High School Athletic Director Jaime Guerpo. Deadline to apply is June 23. Open coaching positions are for: Air Riflery, boys Volleyball, Cheerleading, boys and girls Bowling, and boys and girls Cross Country. Applications are available at the Kaʻū High School office. With questions, call the AD at 808-313-4161.

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Kaʻū News Briefs, Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Caring for soil to grow food is taught in Kohala Center programs. Kohala Center will be a collaborator in the new 
 Islands & Remote Area USDA Regional Food Business Center. Photo from Kohala Center

AN ISLANDS & REMOTE AREA USDA REGIONAL FOOD BUSINESS CENTER will be established in Hawai'i. According to a USDA statement released Tuesday, the center will play a rule "in supporting indigenous farmers, ranchers, and food businesses and promoting food security in isolated islands and remote areas....The goal of these Centers is to help farmers, ranchers, and other food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources, thereby closing the gaps to success."

    To kick off the Regional Food Business Center in this area, USDA Deputy Undersecretary Mae Wu visited Hawai'i on Tuesday and announced that the organizer of the Center in these islands will be Hawai'i Good Food Center in Wai'anae. While it is based on O'ahu, it is tasked with helping to expand nutrition security throughout the islands by supporting farmers, ranchers and food businesses in the Asia American Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander community.               

    Twelve Regional Food Business Centers across the country will receive $400 million in funding and serve Hawaiʻi, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Alaska, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Hawai'i Island based collaborators with Hawai'i Good Food Center include The Kohala Center, The Food Basket and UH College of Tropical Agriculture.

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HAWAI'I-PHILIPPINES BUSINESS ECONOMIC COUNCIL reminds local farms, ranches and businesses of the workforce available from the Philippines. It will host an online session on June 7 at 4 p.m. Hawaiian time and June 8 at 10 a.m. Philippines time. It's called Workforce Recruitment Trends: How Filipinos Continue to Support the World's Labor Pool. The Council invites people to "Learn how the Filipino Diaspora came about—how a Philippine company found the right talents for global needs." It also invites listeners to learn how the Hawai'i state Department of Education has recruited Filipinos to work in Hawai'i's schools. Panelists include:
    Bennette Misalucha, Executive Director of Hawai’i’s Workforce Development Council and former state Senator. She has held executive positions in banking, marketing, public policy and community outreach sectors, often pioneering roles for women and minorities which have brought her several awards and distinction. Her work experiences include VP and Regional Director for Government & Community Relations for Actus Lend Lease, LLC, and Senior Vice President at Central Pacific Bank. Early in her

career, Misalucha was a television reporter and news producer, in Hawai’i at KHON Channel 2 News and the Philippines.
    James Urbaniak, Lead Teacher Recruiter for the Hawai’i state Department of Education. He attended Rutgers University for his undergraduate and graduate education and moved to Hawai'i in 2007 to teach middle school English. Following several years in the classroom becoming a union organizer HSTA teachers union, he transitioned to teacher recruitment and now oversees the hiring of all public-school teachers statewide. Urbaniak says he is passionate about international teacher recruitment and leads the J-1 Visa Program with Department of State Visa Sponsor Alliance Abroad Group, Inc and Foreign Cultural Exchange Consultants Inc. to recruit teachers from the Philippines

    Winnie Ferrer, a public relations consultant with PARMAN INC. a Philippine-based workforce recruiter that has sent 30,000+ Filipino workers to all corners of the world to operate cranes build bridges, dig wells, and maintain power plants--from oil rigs to hotels, skyscrapers to naval facilities. Since its inception in the 1970s the company has found the right Filipino talent to fit global needs and fomented the Filipino Diaspora. This company is a family-run business founded by her dad, Juanito N. Ferrer, a retired colonel. Ferrer began his career as Baguio’s City Engineer in 1950 and went on to become the Secretary for Public Works under the Aquino administration.
    Tim Mobley, President of Connext Global Solutions, a business process outsourcing firm. Connext was established in 2014 to address specific pain points experienced in the traditional outsourcing model. The company has grown from a local business services provider to a booming global enterprise with a growth rate exceeding 80%. Since 2019, it has doubled its growth and now support middle-market companies across the US and Europe. Its support centers are located at Angeles & Davao in the Philippines. Mobley graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point, with an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

    Register for the zoom meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsf-CtrD8pEt1gveT6STrEvDFQYETajGYo#/registration. See more on Hawai'i Philippines Business Council at hpbec.com.

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EVOLUTION OF KAPĀPALA RANCH will be the subject of a talk and slide-show presentation this month at Volcano Art Center.  It's set for Thursday, June 22 in the Art Center’s Dietrich Varez Hall. The talk is free but donations are welcome. The time is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

History of Kapapala Ranch will be the topic at
Volcano Art Center on June 22. Photo from VAC

    Lani Petrie helped to run Kapāpala Ranch with her late father and mother Gordon and Geneveve Cran under a state lease that began in 1977. She more recently took over management with her husband Bill. They will cover the ecology and history of the area, taking people on a trip through the area’s ecology and pre-history, the Great Mahele, plantation days, and more than 160 years of Kapāpala as a working ranch. Lani and Bill Petrie will also discuss the ranchʻs relationship to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, state forest reserves, Highway 11, Ohaikea, Kipuka Ki, and the recent transfer of the property to the state Department of Agriculture. 

    
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