The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

The lights of Christmas in Nāʻālehu, with Miss Kaʻū Coffee Reyshalyn Kekoa-Jara enjoying the sunset and the
holiday cheer from the community on curbside. See story and more photos, below. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

A FEDERAL HOLDING CAMP FOR TEENS SEEKING ASYLUM should be shut down, said Sen. Mazie Hirono on Saturday, standing with Texas congressman Beto O'Rourke and other members of a congressional delegation at Tornillo. They travelled to the Tornillo camp in the west Texas desert for a congressional oversight visit.
After the visit, O'Rourke called for shutting down Tornillo. He said that 2,700 kids are kept inside the camp, originally opened for 360. Some have been there since summer. There are 1,300 kids ready to leave to live with sponsors who have already been identified. But these children remain at Tornillo each day because "this administration has deliberately prolonged the process of releasing them."
He said the federal government spent $144 million to keep the kids housed in tents from June through November. O'Rourke said they are tents used for the aftermath of natural disasters, and owned by contractors. All the water and food are trucked in to the remote desert location. O'Rourke claimed the camp was placed there so the general public would not see it. "People are making a lot of money," he said. He contended that if the young people were placed with their parents or family members in the United states, it would cost the government a fraction of the money or "near zero."

Mazie Hirono, Beto O'Rourke, and other members of a congressional
delegation call for the shutdown of Tornillo camp, where teen
boys seeking asylum are kept in Texas. Photo by Rudy Gutierrez

He also reported that some undocumented family members of the young refugees came forward to offer to take care of them. Instead, their own names were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leading to arrest and deportation. See O'Rourke's summary of the visit to Tornillo.
Hirono said that on Friday, she and other members of congress visited two family detention centers in Texas – Dilley and Karnes. She said that the Department of Human Services "watched us closely throughout our tour, but what we were able to see was disturbing. They are herding families who are fleeing unspeakable violence into these internment camps.
"At the end of our visit to Dilley, we were able to speak with Patricia, who has been here with her daughter for six months – much longer than DHS is legally allowed to detain minors. They crossed the border fleeing gang violence in Honduras.
"I asked Patricia what she hoped life in the US would hold for her and her daughter. She just smiled, and that said 'everything.' Remember Patricia and her smile. This administration will continue its cruel and inhumane treatment of these families, and we have to fight back."
Sen. Jeff Markley Tweeted: "I just left the tent city at Tornillo. It is a child prison camp. They refused our request to speak with the children who are held there."
Sen. Judy Chu tweeted, "We must #shutdowntornillo– this is a child prison. Children, no matter where they're from, should not be treated this way."

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Wikiwiki takes a Christmas ride in a jeep. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

A CHRISTMAS LIGHTING PARADE FOR NĀʻĀLEHU drew community groups and businesses last night to Hwy 11 at sunset. Miss Kaʻū Coffee, WikiWiki, and a group fighting addiction, were all part of the parade. It was organized by Kaʻū Roping & Riding Association, which also hosts local rodeos and takes care of Nāʻālehu Rodeo Grounds. Spokesperson Tammy Kaapana said she hopes it will be an annual event and that riders on horseback will also become part of the Christmas parade.
Participants and fans were treated to chili at Nāʻālehu Ballpark after the parade.

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B&E Propane sends a character down Hwy 11.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

CONFLICT OVER CONTROL HAWAIIAN RANCHOS ROAD MAINTENANCE CORP. SETTLED on Saturday when more than 300 Ranchos property owners voted in yesterday's election, returning three incumbents to three positions on the board of the non-profit Hawaiian Ranchos Road Maintenance Corporation. In the past, a little over 200 votes are typically received, but yesterday an unprecedented 309 votes were cast on one issue.
The three incumbents, whose terms had expired, were re-elected. Sterling Quier, the Vice President, and Board Member, Mike Gerbo, each received 90% of the votes, while the Secretary, Linda Somers, received 87% of the votes cast. A vote to add two new gates to beef up security for the subdivision drew 185 "Yes" votes and 124 "No" votes. The Board's proposed budget and 2019 Road Work Plan were both approved, with 259 votes and 260 votes respectively.
Also on the ballot were six members who held their own unofficial election in July and proclaimed to be the "new board." They each received less than 12% of the vote. Yesterday's election supersedes the unofficial election.

Volcano celebrates recovery in Nāʻālehu Parade. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

The election was presided over by Nadine Ebert, the secretary of the non-profit volunteer support organization ‘O Kaʻū Kākoa in Pāhala. The ballots were either mailed to Ebert ahead of time, or presented at the meeting. Ebert and Somers together verified the validity of the votes and counted the votes. Ebert read the results.
The measure to install two new gates drew the closest tally of votes, with about 60% of the voters favoring the addition of two new gates. The board will authorize a gate committee and a feasibility study, the meeting was told.

President Phillis May, who ran the meeting, told the gathering of an estimated 80 members that the organization "never had such a high turnout."

Lights and people fill the street. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Owners of 1,200 three-acre lots in Ocean View found themselves without funds when Bank of Hawaiʻi froze their accounts after a group claimed to be the "new board" and demanded to be given control of the funds. See Kaʻū News Briefs, Saturday, Dec. 15.
On Dec. 2, a front page account by reporter Max Dible appeared in West Hawaiʻi Today under the headline Rough roads in Ranchos, subtitled Funds frozen as groups grapple for construction control. On Dec. 7, an op-ed piece ran, entitled Frozen bank account unfairly punishes Ranchos residents, by Annie Bosted.
Many attendees at the meeting added their signatures to a petition to the bank asking for the accounts to be unfrozen. The petition now has 108 signatures, according to Bosted.

A big crown for Kaʻū Coffee court. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

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MAKAʻALA, A MALE ʻALALĀ RELEASED IN 2017, WAS FOUND DEAD on Thursday, Dec. 6, announced the ʻAlalā Project to Facebook on Friday. The endemic Hawaiian crow – one of only 21 living in the wild and all raised in captivity – was found in the Puʻu Makaʻala Natural Area Reserve. He was under a tree root covered by vegetation, with severe wounds to his body, according to a preliminary necropsy by San Diego Zoo Global's Disease Investigations Team. The wounds may have been due to a predatory attack, followed by scavenging.

Frosty comes to Nāʻālehu. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Researchers with The ʻAlalā Project monitor the birds every day and track their location using radio transmitters. Makaʻala was last seen by staff on Dec. 5, and his radio transmitter emitted a weak signal on the morning of Dec. 6. Later that day, at 2:30 p.m., a mortality sensor on the radio transmitter was triggered, allowing staff to track the transmitter signal and find Makaʻala's body.

Rachel Kingsley, Education and Outreach Specialist for The ʻAlalā Project, said, "There is always uncertainty regarding the outcomes of any reintroduction effort. Having mortalities occur is always a challenging outcome but can be expected and is an opportunity for us to learn some lessons about the threats to these birds. This is especially true for species like ‘Alalā, that have been in captivity for longer periods of time and have no experienced wild ʻAlalā to learn from during their development."

Bryce Masuda, Program Manager from the San Diego Zoo Global's Hawai‘i Endangered Bird Conservation Program, said, "It's important that we have had such a successful conservation breeding program, because it gives us the flexibility to continue working and adapting our approaches in order to support a successful long-term recovery."

Bright lights adorn this Kaʻū Coffee Princess. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

A full necropsy is being performed to help learn any additional details about the cause of death. It is possible that there will not be a conclusion as to the species responsible for this incident. However, threats to ‘Alalā include introduced mammals like feral cats and mongoose, natural predators such as ‘Io, Hawaiʻi's only endemic Hawaiian hawk, and intra-group conflict with other released ‘Alalā.

Introduced mammals such as feral cats, mongooses, and rats are known to be direct predators of ʻAlalā, and intensive predator control of introduced predators has been conducted at the release sites and across the landscape of the reserve since 2016. Predation by ʻIo or other native aerial predators is part of the natural life cycle of Hawaiian forest bird communities.

Territoriality by other ʻAlalā may also have been a factor, as they have complex social lives. They form close bonds with some birds and defend their territories and resources from others. Alison Greggor, Postdoctoral Associate, San Diego Zoo Global, said "Like many animals, their defensive behavior can be aggressive, and can occasionally turn deadly."

In 2017, 11 ʻAlalā were reintroduced into Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve, where they have been thriving. In September and October of this year, 10 more birds – split into two smaller groups – were released from a different location within the reserve.

Kaʻū Valley Farms' lighted tractor. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

An earlier reintroduction attempt was halted in 2016 because of challenges posed by winter storms and predation on ʻAlalā by ʻIo. Since then, concerted reintroduction efforts, funded by the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, San Diego Zoo Global, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have addressed those challenges by revising the release strategy.

Jackie Gaudioso-Levita, DLNR Wildlife Biologist and ‘Alalā Project Coordinator, said, "These changes have included changing the timing of release to avoid winter storms, changing the release site locations through a site ranking process, releasing a socialized group of both sexes, and enhancing the antipredator training program to teach the released birds how to better respond to predators like ʻIo."

Although carefully designed measures were implemented to address potential threats to released birds, there are many factors involved that can affect success. Recovering the ʻAlalā in the wild will take many years and the ‘Alalā Project remains committed to a future where ʻAlalā fly freely among the forests of Hawaiʻi Island.
For more on The ʻAlalā Project visit dlnr.hawaii.gov/alalaproject.

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Nāʻālehu Ballpark was the staging and party grounds after the parade. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

OPEN ON CHRISTMAS DAY AND NEW YEARS EVE is Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. However, Kīlauea Visitor Center, which opens daily at 9 a.m., will close at 2 p.m. both days.

The Kahuku Unit will be closed on Thurs., Dec. 20. In addition, it will be closed Tues. Dec. 25, Mon., Dec. 31 and New Year's Day per its normal operating schedule. Kahuku is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Other than the Kahuku Unit, the rest of the park will be open for visitors on New Year's Day, according to a statement from the Park today.

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HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ARTIST IN RESIDENCE program will host celebrated composer, educator, and data scientist Glenn McClure. The artist will present his work during a free lecture and concert at Kīlauea Visitor Center on Friday, Jan. 11, at 6 p.m.

Originally from rural upstate New York, McClure was influenced by a wide array of musical styles, including gospel, merengue, salsa, and choir. He studied music as a child and in college, and traveled the world as a professional composer. He currently teaches Music and Humanities at Paul Smiths College in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

Speaking of his thirty-day residency, McClure said, "I will work with volcanologists, analyzing current data that describes the volcanoes, and listening to the music that emerges from the sonification process. Hiking through the park and other locations on Hawai‘i Island, and improvisation with local musicians, will generate impressions and sounds that I cannot predict. I look forward to hearing the voices of the island through its volcanoes, scientists, and musicians."

During the residency, McClure will share his creative process through blogs, videos, and more at artforbrains.com, starting in late December.

Composer Glenn McClure, listening to the song of the ice.
Photo from NPS

The park's Artist in Residence program is supported by the National Parks Arts Foundation, the National Park Service, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and other generous benefactors.
McClure's music has enjoyed international acclaim in Germany, Italy, Mexico, Nicaragua, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and beyond. In the U.S., his music has been featured at multiple concerts at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Orchestra Hall. National broadcasts of his music and artistic process include National Public Radio's All Things Considered and the CBS Christmas Special. As a scholar and educator, McClure received the Chancellors Award – the highest award given to adjunct lecturers by the State University of New York.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS HOSTED PĀHOA yesterday for Boys and Girls Basketball games. Girls Varsity wiped their opponents out, scoring 47 to Pāhoa's 15 points. Seven points were scored each by Kianie Mederios and Heidi Vidal.
Boys Varsity had a close game, scoring 51 to Pāhoa's 55. Shesley Martinez scored 18 points during the game, and Izaiah Pilanca-Emmsley scored 15.
Boys JV was also victorious, taking Pāhoa down 58 to 23. Kealiʻikoa Reyes-Nalu scored 17 points during the game, and 16 points were scored by Keenan Torianio.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High December Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:
Dec. 17, Mon., host HPA, 6pm
Dec. 19, Wed., host Kohala, 6pm
Dec. 22, Sat., host JV
Christian Liberty, 2pm

Boys Basketball:
Dec. 18, Tue., @Keaʻau
Dec. 22, Sat, host Parker
Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Wrestling:
Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu

Soccer:
Dec. 19, Wed., host HPA
Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea
Dec. 29, Sat., @Konawaena

Swimming:
Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

A COOKIE DECORATING PARTY TAKES PLACE AT NĀ‘ĀLEHU PUBLIC LIBRARY on Thursday, Dec. 20, starting at 3 p.m. The event is free for all ages. For more, call Nā‘ālehu Public Library Branch Manager Sara Kamibayashi at 939-2442.

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MONDAY, DECEMBER 17
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Mon., Dec. 17, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Dec. 18, 11:30-1pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Wed., Dec. 19, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

Ocean View Community Association Special Membership Meeting, Wed., Dec. 19, 5-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. Election of 2019 board. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu., Dec. 20, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Cookie Decorating Party, Thu., Dec. 20, 3pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free for all ages. 939-2442

Family Reading Night, Thu., Dec. 20, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Youth Group, Fri., Dec. 21, 6:30-8:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Lamb of God Baptist Church.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22
Stewardship at the Summit, Sat., Dec. 22. Meet Paul and Jane Field at 8:45am in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park at Kīlauea Visitor Center. Volunteers help remove invasive, non-native plants species that prevent native plants from growing. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring hat, rain gear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools provided. Parental/guardian accompaniment or written consent required. Free; however, park entrance fees apply. No advance registration required. nps.gov/havo

Birth of Kahuku, Sat., Dec. 22, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike. Free. nps.gov/havo

Kīlauea Crisis Support Group Meeting, Sat., Dec. 22, 10-11am, Ocean View Community Center. Drinks and snacks provided. Last Saturday, monthly. Sponsored by CARE Hawai‘i, Inc. - Team Ahā, Crisis Counseling Program. 329-4817

ONGOING

Christmas in the Country runs through Wednesday, Dec. 26. Enjoy an abundance of art and aloha as VAC creates a merry scene of an old-fashioned Christmas inside its 1877 historic building. In addition to artwork, find unique holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments, and decorations made by Hawai‘i Island artists, including VAC exclusives.
The Wreath Exhibition is available through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

Kīlauea Military Camp's Holiday Challenge is open for viewing through Monday, Dec. 31. The event features a row of cottages along the front of the camp decorated in with various characters and Christmas decor - with Kīlauea Military Camp employees responsible and competing for a popularity vote. The public is invited to admire the decorations and vote for their favorite decorated cottage. Kīlauea Military Camp is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for additional information. See kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

Registration for P&R Boys & Girls, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball League open through Jan. 16, Kahuku Park, H.OV.E. For ages 5-8. Programs run Jan. 22-Apr. 18, game and practice times tba. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

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Hawaiian Hawskbill Sea Turtle Project Coordinator, Lauren Kurpita (right), and a volunteer, helped hawksbill hatchlings from
under the sand to the ocean yesterday at Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach. See story, below. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

REDUCING THE TWO PERCENT OF PROPERTY TAXES THAT PAY FOR BUYING PROPERTIES FOR PRESERVATION ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND is likely to become a question on the next election ballot. The proposal to reduce Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Commission funds to 1 percent of property taxes taken in by Hawaiʻi County received an 8 to 1 vote at the Dec. 14 County Charter Commission meeting. The only nay vote came from Kaʻū's Charter Commissioner and state Board of Agriculture member Michelle Galimba.

Volunteers help dig down to hawksbill hatchlings in a nest at Punaluʻu
yesterday. A crowd gathered to watch their efforts. Photo by Julia Neal

Nancy Cook Lauer covered the story in West Hawaiʻi Today this morning. She quoted Galimba, saying, "We all want what's best for Hawaiʻi Island. The really important part of the PONC fund is it leverages other funds. I support making it as strong as possible because it's our legacy for our grandchildren and our great-great grandchildren."
Much shoreline is preserved in Kaʻū as the result of PONC funding. Hawaiʻi Island has a total of 4,450.8655 acres preserved through PONC. Kaʻū properties already preserved through PONC are Kahua Olohu in Nā‘ālehu, and Kahuku Coastal and Kāwā oceanfront parcels. Funding has also been approved for 2,013 acres at Waikapuna, including the ahupuaʻa of Kahilipali Iki and Kahilipali Nui.
West Hawaiʻi Today also quoted PONC Commissioner Rick Warshauer, of Volcano, who testified as a private citizen. He called the proposed cut in funding "a poisonous arrow aimed at the heart of the people's PONC program."

Lauren Kurpita, helping a tiny hatchling to the water at sunset.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

The Charter Amendment would also remove a .25 percent maintenance fund, collected from property taxes as well, and allow the County Council to suspend the PONC fund entirely during emergencies. The proposal would also allow for a cap to be placed on the amount of money collected through the property taxes. The County Council, with a two-thirds vote, would be able to suspend PONC funding if the finance director were to deem it "necessary to prevent a reduction in the level of public services," states the proposal.

The proposal would also change the rules and allow the county to sell or donate property purchased through PONC.

Mayor Harry Kim testified in support of the changes. "The hardest thing to do of any kind is to raise property tax. With limited revenues and growing expenses, it's not easy. Yes, I do support the reduction… I think 2 percent is just too much on our limited funds."

Lauren Kurpita, tells the crowd about endangered Honuʻea,
hawksbill turtles. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

County Council Chairman Aaron Chung contended that PONC "is wreaking havoc on our county budget. It will also at some point result in a tax increase. If you like tax increases, then keep it at 2 percent."

Commissioner Christopher Roehrig said, "It's up to the council if they want to appropriate more – they're not locked into doing one percent… If they saw this great piece of property and they wanted to buy it, they can buy it… Nothing is stopping them."
The next steps for the proposed Charter Amendment is a first reading and vote before the commission, a public hearing, a second commission reading, and consideration by the County Council. The council can offer alternatives, but can't stop the measure from proceeding.

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Whoops! Newly hatched hawksbill turtles make their uncoordinated but determined way to the water as soon as
they surface from under the sand. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

BABY HAWKSBILL TURTLES LEFT THEIR NESTS AT PUNALUʻU BLACK SAND BEACH yesterday and headed out to sea. Those who survive will come back to Punaluʻu in 20 to 30 years, when females will lay their first eggs. These Honuʻea will return time after time during their reproductive lives.
While 45 hatchlings received guidance to the Punaluʻu shore on Sunday, Lauren Kurpita, coordinator for the Hawksbill Recovery Project, said only one in 1,000 will make it to adulthood. She told locals and visitors who gathered to watch the event that tiny turtles need help to reach the ocean to avoid predators and other risks while they scurry across the beach. People can step on them. In the water, fish eat them.
The nest - carefully fenced off, guarded, and dug out by volunteers to lift little turtles onto the beach - was located under the Punaluʻu lifeguard stand.

Hatchlings heading into sea foam. Photo by Julia Neal

Kurpita said that hawksbill sea turtles are listed as endangered by the federal government. Their population plummeted during the days of harvesting them for their shells. Recovery has been minimal, perhaps due to their delayed age in achieving reproduction. Only 20 to 25 hawkbills nest each year in Hawaiʻi.
In contrast, the more abundant green sea turtle population increased substantially with protection, with 500 to 800 laying eggs each year. Many of the green sea turtles live at Punaluʻu and other spots along the Kaʻū Coast, but they lay their eggs on remote islands, mostly in French Frigate Shoals.
Only the hawksbills nest here, including places like Kāwā, and spend the rest of their lives out at sea. Even with low numbers, each hawksbill female can lay over 200 eggs - the largest clutches laid by any sea turtle, according to conserveturtles.org. Hawksbills need a healthy ocean for food, dining on sponges, invertebrates like crabs, and algae. Kurpita talked about the tragedy of plastics filling up the oceans further endangering hawksbills and other marine animals, as well as human beings.

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Don Elwing shares his love with elementary students for protecting the ocean and upcycling marine debris
to make art. See story, below. Photo by Nalani Parlin

GOV. DAVID IGE'S PROPOSED STATE BUDGET FOR 2019-2021 went public today during his press conference. The proposed operating budget is $150.47 billion for 2019-2020 and $150.7 billion for 2020-2021. He is requesting the legislature for General Funds of $8.046 billion for 2019-2020 and $8.295 billion for 2020-2021. His Capital Budget is $2.92 billion for 2019-2020 and $1.48 billion for 2020-2021.

Students learn about the precious environment.
Photo by Nalani Parlin

In his speech, the governor focused on "public education for our children and the University of Hawaiʻi, affordable housing and homelessness, our sustainable Hawaiʻi initiative, which really commits to transforming our economy and protecting the natural environments that are so important to all of us in the Islands."

He said there will be significant investments "to support our economy, especially through our Capital Improvement projects budget, because we know it creates jobs for our community."

He promised to invest in pensions and health fund payments to ensure all pubic servants "will receive the benefits they counted on while working and serving the public - in their retirement."

Ige said early childhood education can head off many problems. The governor said studies show "investments in early education exceed the actual cost. If you reach students when they are younger, we can avoid them being criminals and other activities that take value from our community." He said that state plans to add 22 classrooms to schools for early childhood services, through building new ones or renovating existing spaces.

Nāʻālehu students partner in creating marine debris art.
Photo by Sheilah Okimoto

See more on the budget in Tuesday's Kaʻū News Briefs.

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MARINE DEBRIS CREATIONS were center stage at Nā’ālehu Elementary today. Ocean View artist Don Elwing shared his art pieces made from the marine debris, which he collects by the bagful from nearby Kamilo.
Elwing's art is meant to bring awareness to the extreme amount of plastic showing up in the oceans and harming wildlife, such as the Lasayan albatross. His visit wrapped up the third grade's place-based science unit, planned in partnership with Kamehameha Schools' Kealapono kumu, focusing on the impact of marine debris and its impact on the local environment.

Elwing helps a third grader to create art from
marine debris. Photo by Sheilah Okimoto

Students then worked with Elwing to complete a collective art piece. Kindergarteners in Kealapono's ‘Ike Hawai‘i program, which partners with the specials teachers, had the opportunity to visit Elwing's gallery and learn about turning a plastic eyesore into eye-pleasing art.

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MAUNA LOA ROAD IS CLOSED until further notice due to very high fire danger, announced the National Park Service today. Park officials have closed the road at the gate near Kīpukapuaulu parking area. Non-motorized day use such as hiking and bicycling will be permitted, and backcountry camping on Mauna Loa is allowed with a permit.

Open fires, including charcoal cooking fires, are prohibited at the Kīpukapuaulu picnic area, and at Kīlauea Military Camp. Propane or gas cooking stoves are permitted.

Fire Management Officer Greg Funderburk said in the release, "The strong winds and dry weather over the past week has led to a rapid escalation of fire danger on Mauna Loa, and fire danger indexes have reached critical thresholds at the Mauna Loa weather station."

Eyesores into art.
Photo by Sheilah Okimoto

The release states that hot components on motor vehicles have historically contributed to the increased risk of fire. By reducing the number of vehicles in high-risk areas, the park can mitigate the potential for a catastrophic event, says the release.

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THE HOLIDAY SCHEDULE FOR HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK COULD CHANGE DRASTICALLY, if the federal government partially shuts down. Pres. Donald Trump threatens the shutdown on Friday if congress refuses to fund his wall to keep out asylum seekers and others coming over the border.

Even a partial federal closure could shut down the Park, which was forced to close for months this year during continuous earthquakes and eruptions. The federal government partially shut down Jan. 20 through 22, also closing the Park.

A partial shutdown would also affect other federal agencies, such as transportation, agriculture, the FDA, EPA, and more.

Read more on the developments of the shutdown, and how that will affect Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, in future Kaʻū News Briefs.
The holiday schedule for Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park is: open Christmas Eve and Day, and New Years Eve and Day. However, Kīlauea Visitor Center, which opens daily at 9 a.m., will close at 2 p.m.on Christmas Day and New Years Eve. Kahuku Unit will be closed on Thurs., Dec. 20. In addition, it will be closed Monday, Dec. 24, Tuesday, Dec. 25, Monday, Dec. 31, and Tuesday, Jan. 1, per its normal operating schedule. Kahuku is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule thru Jan. 11

Girls Basketball:

Dec. 17, Mon., host PA, 6pm

Dec. 19, Wed., host Kohala, 6pm

Dec. 22, Sat., host JV Christian Liberty, 2pm

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 18, Tue., @Keaʻau

Dec. 22, Sat, host Parker

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Wrestling:

Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Soccer:

Dec. 19, Wed., host HPA

Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

A FIRST ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, hosted by the teachers and keiki of Harmony Options Day in Ocean View, welcomes homeschooling families and those interested in homeschooling their kids in the Ka‘ū community to the Ocean View Community Center to learn more about the Harmony Options Day program. The event takes place on Friday, December 21, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m, at Ocean View Community Center, 92-8924 Leilani Circle, Ocean View. "There will be music, prizes and refreshments!" states the event flyer. Laura Roberts, one of the events coordinators, says there will also be "a performance by our keiki!"

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, DECEMBER 18

Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Dec. 18, 11:30-1pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Wed., Dec. 19, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

Ocean View Community Association Special Membership Meeting, Wed., Dec. 19, 5-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. Election of 2019 board. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu., Dec. 20, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Cookie Decorating Party, Thu., Dec. 20, 3pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free for all ages. 939-2442

Family Reading Night, Thu., Dec. 20, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

First Annual Christmas Program, hosted by the teachers and keiki of Harmony Options Day in Ocean View, welcomes homeschooling families and those interested in homeschooling in the Ka‘ū community. Ocean View Community Center on Friday, Dec. 21, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Music, prizes, refreshments, and "a performance by our keiki!"

Youth Group, Fri., Dec. 21, 6:30-8:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Lamb of God Baptist Church.

ONGOING

Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.

Christmas in the Country and 19th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition are open at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Christmas in the Country runs through Wednesday, Dec. 26. Enjoy an abundance of art and aloha as VAC creates a merry scene of an old-fashioned Christmas inside its 1877 historic building. In addition to artwork, find unique holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments, and decorations made by Hawai‘i Island artists, including VAC exclusives.
The Wreath Exhibition is available through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

Registration for P&R Boys & Girls, T-Ball/Coach Pitch Baseball League open through Jan. 16, Kahuku Park, H.OV.E. For ages 5-8. Programs run

Jan. 22-Apr. 18, game and practice times tba. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

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.

Members of Lori Lei's Hula Studio, with dancers from Ka‘ū to Hilo, shared talent and aloha with those attending
Holidays at Kahuku, sponsored by Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, on Sunday. See story and more photos below.
Photos by Geneveve Fyvie

CAREGIVERS APPLYING TO TAKE IN IMMIGRANT CHILDREN HELD IN TENT CITIES LIKE TORNILLO will no longer be fingerprinted. Sen Maize Hirono said, "Last weekend, I visited Tornillo – a tent city housing 2,700 unaccompanied children from across the southern border. I saw how the Trump administration made a dire situation even worse by requiring fingerprinting of every adult in the household of potential sponsors before these incarcerated children could be released. This requirement was not only unnecessary, but had a chilling effect by instilling a fear of deportation in mixed-status sponsor households.

"Thousands of children have been incarcerated for months as they wait for sponsors to be cleared. Mental health experts have repeatedly warned that the longer children are kept in these situations, the more emotional damage occurs. Thus, our goal regarding unaccompanied minors must be to place these minors with appropriate sponsors as quickly as possible.

"Today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced with little fanfare that it was changing this damaging fingerprinting policy. I welcome today's announcement. Sadly, this policy – now thankfully changed – is just one of the many assaults on immigrants perpetrated by the Trump administration. We must continue to shine a light on Donald Trump's destructive immigration policies, and I will continue to do so."

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GOV. DAVID IGE'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS EDUCATION, HOUSING, SUSTAINABILITY. He presented the budget yesterday and focused on the following:

A member of the audience gave a surprise hula performance as the
Kipapa sistersserenaded the crowd during Sunday's
Holidays at Kahuku. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

EDUCATION: Three million dollars $3M for fiscal years 2020 and 2121 for the School Innovation Fund under the Weighted Student Formula; $6M (FY 20 & 21) for school facility repair and maintenance contracts; more than $400M in the fiscal biennium for public school infrastructure improvements such as expanding capacity schools, and compliance with equity, health, and safety requirements; $200,000 for additional staff and facilities to expand and support the Early Learning Program; and $14.3M in capital funds for renovations for pre-kindergarten classrooms, statewide. See his statements in yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs regarding early education.

Justine Dennis spins cotton grown in Hawaiʻi
on her spinning wheel. Dennis and fellow
volunteers weave, knit, and sell a variety of
hats, scarves, and other crafts to raise funds
for Kaʻū Food Bank. Photo by Annie Bosted

HIGHER EDUCATION programs to make it more affordable through Early College and Hawai‘i Promise programs with $1.5 million for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 $1.5M to support Early College; $19M (FY 20 & 21) to expand the Hawai‘i Promise program to all UH four-year institutions; $700,000 (FY 20 & 21) to expand Hawai‘i Promise within the community college system; $2.1M (FY 20) and $2.2M (FY 21) for graduate assistant stipend increases; $128M in capital funding over two years to renew, improve and modernize facilities, statewide; and $14.5M (FY 21) for capital renewal and deferred maintenance at community colleges, statewide.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING with $315 million spent over the next two years: $50M (FY 20) and $25 (FY21) for the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund; $100M (in both FY 20 & 21) for the Rental Housing Revolving Fund; $20M (in both FY 20 & 21) for Dept. of Hawaiian Homelands lot development projects, statewide.
HOMELESSNESS with $35 million in state funds over two years for homelessness programs: $1.9M over the next two years for housing subsidies to keep families from falling into homelessness; $3.75M (FY 20 & 21) for Housing First – including mental health and addiction services; $3.75M (FY 20 & 21) to move families out of shelters; $510,000 over two years for permanent deputy sheriff positions for security support in homeless operations; and $5M for (FY 20 & 21) for homeless property storage.

Thomas King with Park Ranger Keola Awong.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

SUSTAINABLE HAWAI‘I with $3.9 million in general funds over two years for Sustainable Hawai‘i initiatives: $103,908 (FY 20) and $207,816 (FY 21) – four positions – Hawai‘i Interagency Biosecurity Plan; $1M (in both FY 20 & 21) for the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council. $7.5M (FY 20) and $5M (FY 21) Agricultural Loan Revolving Fund; $5.5M (FY 20) and $4.9M (FY 21) for watershed protection and $13.1M over two years for irrigation system improvements.

All-wood furniture by Honuʻapo

resident Thomas King. See his work

at kiawekingrustic.com.

Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

The budget will go before the state legislature for discussion, adjustments and voting. Said Ige, "This budget aligns our values and priorities with action – doing things the right way to achieve the best outcome. I expect my proposed budget to be fully debated, and through this process we will achieve the best outcome for the people of Hawai‘i."

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TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND, which has helped conserve coastal lands in Kaʻū, and public lands nationwide, sent out an end-of-year message. "Everyone who cares about public lands and access to the outdoors has been dealt a blow when Congress failed to renew the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The Fund has supported the protection of millions of acres of precious lands over half a century."

Yolanda Morales offers pareo and other creations at the Holidays
at Kahuku event. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

TPL noted that the funding was available "without costing tax payers a dime." It was established by an Act of Congress in 1965 and received money from fees paid to the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement from companies drilling offshore for oil and gas. It provided funds and matching grants for acquisition of land and water, and easements on land and water, for the benefit of all Americans.
Some of that funding helped to purchase thousands of acres in Kaʻū, such as Honuʻapo and Kāwā, which belong to the county, and the Great Crack area, which belongs to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

The Kipapa sisters kicked off the entertainment for
Holidays at Kahuku. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

TPL noted that the Land and Water Conservation Fund expired. "Congress could have acted to protect even more parks, forests, beaches, and trails by reauthorizing the LWCF, but instead they cast it aside and allowed this essential program for public lands to expire completely. This is an outrage. We are facing an uphill battle against some members of congress and their allies, who don't see the value in the LWCF. We need to keep the pressure on and fight tooth and nail to get the LWCF reestablished, because if we don't, the future of spectacular landscapes and parks will remain at risk."
The LWCF issue is expected to come up with the new congress in January.
See TPL's Hawaiʻi website for more on land conservation.

Kahuku Mauka Boyz closed out Holidays at Kahuku.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

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.

Ocean View Knitwits knit, weave, and quilt, with proceeds
donated to Ka‘ū Food Bank. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

HOLIDAYS AT KAHUKU in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on Sunday celebrated the season with hula, music, crafts, and education. Four hundred eighty-nine people came to the Kahuku Unit of the Park under clear skies. Though the day was hot, steady breezes cooled the crowd.
The Kipapa sisters kicked off the entertainment with a surprise hula performance from a member of the audience. Lori Lei's Hula Studio followed, sharing several performances by keiki, juniors, and adults, including award winning kūpuna dancers from Ka‘ū. Kahuku Mauka Boyz closed out the entertainment.

Copper signs and art were available
during the Holidays at Kahuku event.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Vendors from all over Ka‘ū offered a collection of jewelry, clothing, home decor, festive decorations, signs, and art. Thomas King displayed a selection of his handmade original solid wood furniture as well as jewelry boxes. See his work at kiawekingrustic.com.

Hand carved items and etched stone tiles were available at

Sticks and Stones during the Holidays at Kahuku event.

Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park hosted a fundraising booth selling clothing branded with their logo.
Kahuku Unit invites the public to a Birth of Kahuku hike on Saturday, Dec. 22, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and an ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua walk on Sunday, Dec. 23, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. See nps.gov/havo for more.
Kahuku Unit will be closed on Thurs., Dec. 20. In addition, it will be closed Monday, Dec. 24, Tuesday, Dec. 25, Monday, Dec. 31, and Tuesday, Jan. 1. Kahuku's regular schedule is to be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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.

KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL hosted Hawaiʻi Preperatory Academy yesterday. At halftime, Kaʻū had earned 16 points, while HPA led with 20. The final score showed Kaʻū come up from behind, wimnning the game 47 to HPA's 41.
Kaʻū's top three scorers were Mei Lin Galban Kin In with 10 points, Reishalyn Jara with 9 points, and Kianie Medeiros Dancel with 8 points.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Dec. 19, Wed., host Kohala, 6pm

Dec. 22, Sat., host JV Christian Liberty, 2pm

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 22, Sat, host Parker

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Wrestling:

Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Soccer:

Dec. 19, Wed., host HPA

Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

A CHRISTMAS DAY BUFFET takes place at Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, on Tuesday, Dec. 25, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The menu includes the following entrees: Prime Rib, Roast Turkey with Stuffing, Holiday Lamb Stew. Meal tickets are $28.95 per adult or $15.95 per child, between the ages of 6 and 11 years old. Kīlauea Military Camp is open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. For more call 967-8356 or 967-8371. See kilaueamilitarycamp.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.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Wed., Dec. 19, (Council), Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

Ocean View Community Association Special Membership Meeting, Wed., Dec. 19, 5-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. Election of 2019 board. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu., Dec. 20, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Cookie Decorating Party, Thu., Dec. 20, 3pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free for all ages. 939-2442

Family Reading Night, Thu., Dec. 20, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Birth of Kahuku, Sat., Dec. 22, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike. Free. nps.gov/havo

ONGOING

Christmas in the Country and 19th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition are open at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Christmas in the Country runs through Wednesday, Dec. 26. Enjoy an abundance of art and aloha as VAC creates a merry scene of an old-fashioned Christmas inside its 1877 historic building. In addition to artwork, find unique holiday offerings of island-inspired gifts, ornaments, and decorations made by Hawai‘i Island artists, including VAC exclusives.
The Wreath Exhibition is available through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.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.

Tūtū & Me keiki serenade residents of Kaʻū Hospital today with Christmas carols. Photo by Julia Neal

HUMPBACK SEASON IS UNDERWAY, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary reminds the public to keep a safe distance from the whales.

About 12,000 humpback whales migrate from their feeding grounds off Alaskato breed, calve, and nurse their young in the warm waters of Hawaiʻi, While some whales have already arrived, the majority will be in Hawaiʻi between January and March.
There are concerns about declining numbers of humpbacks, possibly due to lowered amounts of food in the Alaskan waters they frequent during the summer. The annual humpback whale count – in Ka‘ū and elsewhere – has documented the decline, along with scientists recording fewer whale songs. Crew members on watch from ships coming in and out of Hawaiian waters report fewer sightings.

See more on the decline: Nov. 29 Kaʻū News Briefs.

Humpback mother and calf. Up to 12,000 humpbacks are expected to show
up in Hawaiian waters between now and April. Photo from NOAA

Sanctuary Ocean Count dates are the last Saturday of January, the 26th, February, the 23rd, and March, the 30th. Sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, volunteers count sightings of humpback whales - from spouting to breaching - in NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Locations in Kaʻū include Kaʻena Point in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Miloli‘i Lookout, Ka Lae Park, and Punalu‘u BlackSandBeachPark. Volunteer shifts normally last from 7:30 a.m.to 12:15 p.m., orientation included.
A new website with important information and resources, and where volunteers can register, is oceancount.org.

Humpback whales are protected by state and federal agencies. Approaching humpbacks on or in the water within 100 yards or within 1,000 feet by air is illegal.

Edward Lyman, large whale entanglement response coordinator for the sanctuary, said "Collisions between whales and vessels occur annually, presenting serious risks to boaters as well as the whales. Whale calves are particularly vulnerable because they are difficult to see and surface more often."

Humpback numbers in Hawaiian waters have declined in recent years. Scientists theorize they may be going to
other warm waters to calve and mate, due to changes in their Alaskan food supplies. Photo from NOAA

The Hawaiian Islands Large Whale Entanglement Response Network, a community-based effort led by the sanctuary, supports large whale response efforts statewide under the authorization of NOAA Fisheries. The network involves many state and federal agencies, including Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources, NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office, and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as private non-governmental organizations, fishermen, researchers, and other individuals.

Humpback whales can also get entangled in fishing gear, which can result in starvation, physical trauma and infections, and may contribute to vessel strikes since the animals are less mobile.

"If you see an injured or entangled marine mammal, keep a safe and legal distance and call NOAA's Marine Mammal Stranding and Entanglement Hotline at 888-256-9840 or the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 immediately. If you are reporting a vessel coming too close to a whale, call the NOAA Fisheries Enforcement Hotline at 800-853-1964 or email
respectwildlife@noaa.gov," says a release from NOAA. Additional guidelines and safety tips can be found at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.

Humpbacks spend several months in warm Hawaiian waters, to mate

and calve. Photo from NOAA

gov/res/ocean_etiquette.html.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is administered by a partnership of NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and the state of Hawaiʻi through the Department of Land and Natural Resources. The sanctuary works to protect humpback whales and their habitat through research, education, conservation, and stewardship.

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.

CHINESE-AMERICAN WORLD WAR II VETERANS will receive the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest civilian honor that Congress can bestow. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill today, sponsored by Sen. Mazie Hirono, to recognize contributions of more than 18,000 Chinese-American World War II vets. The Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act was introduced by Hirono and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Reps. Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Ted Lieu (D-Calif.). It passed the Senate earlier this year. The bill awaits the President's signature.

Victoria Moy's book on Chinese American
vets can be purchased on Amazon. See its
Facebook with Moy presentations.

The Chinese Americans "served our country during World War II, while also facing discrimination here at home," said Hirono. "Like other minority service members, their contributions were not appropriately recognized during or immediately after World War II. The passage of the Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Act goes a long way to right that wrong and express our gratitude for Chinese American veterans' distinguished service."

When Word War II began, there were approximately 78,000 Chinese on the Mainland and 29,000 living in the Territory of Hawaiʻi.

Davace Chin, National President of Chinese American Citizens Alliance, said, "Having Congress approve the Congressional Gold Medal for Chinese American Veterans of World War II is momentous and the timing truly historic. This month, as the nation reflects on the 75th Anniversary of the Magnuson Act, which ended 61 years of discrimination towards Chinese Americans, it is poignant and bittersweet. Tens of thousands of Chinese American men and women enlisted at a difficult juncture in American history, when the Chinese Exclusion Act was still in effect. We are grateful and appreciative for Congress's recognition of service and sacrifice made by Chinese American veterans."

Last Congress, Hirono successfully passed S.1555, the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act, which awarded the Congressional Gold Medal collectively to the over 260,000 Filipino and Filipino-American soldiers who responded to President Roosevelt's call-to-duty and fought under the American flag during World War II. Sen. Hirono, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), and Congressional leaders presented the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino World War II veterans in October, 2017.

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.

Sen. Brian Schatz
Photo from Schatz's Flickr

A BILL TO BAN CHLORPYRIFOS NATIONWIDE was introduced by Sen. Brian Schatz on Monday. West Kaʻū Rep. Richard Creagan and former West Kaʻū Sen. Josh Green, who is now Lt. Governor of Hawaiʻi, are both physicians and championed the bill at the state level. It became Hawaiʻi law when Gov. David Ige signed the measure in June. In August, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered the Environmental Protection Agency to ban chlorpyrifos nationwide. However, the EPA challenged the court, prompting Schatz to take the ban to the U.S. Senate.

Chlorpyrifos is used in agriculture and on golf courses to kill insects and worms through damaging their nervous system – the system most affected by the poison in young children. It is also used to control mosquitoes. It was introduced by Dow Chemical Co. in 1965.

Earthjustice praised the effort and described chlorpyrifos as "a dangerous pesticide known to damage our children's developing brains – and establish new, sensible safeguards that prevent the spraying of toxic pesticides near schools, while requiring transparency and notification about the use of pesticides in our communities. It's an important step forward for the health of all people, especially farmworkers and people in agricultural communities who bear the brunt of exposure to pesticide applications."

Chlorpyrifos is already banned for use in homes, since 2000. The EPA stated that children one and two years of age were exposed to chlorpyrifos at concentrations 140 times more than safe levels. Rep. Creagan, Lt. Gov. Green, Sen. Schatz, and Earthjustice all say the pesticide is hazardous to humans, particularly children.

The Prohibit Chlorpyrifos Poisoning Students Act would ban chlorpyrifos near schools in 2019 and ban all sales and distribution in 2020.

"My bill would take Hawaiʻi's state ban nationwide, so all of our children are protected no matter where they live or go to school," Sen. Schatz said.

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.

VISITS TO FARMS IMPACTED BY LITTLE FIRE ANTS can be booked through Heather Forester, Invasive Ant Extension Specialist at Hawaiʻi Ant Lab.

Little Fire Ants. Photo from littlefireants.com

"Asmannia auropunctata (the Little Fire Ant or LFA) is one of Hawaiʻi's most significant invasive invertebrate species. It has the potential to impact virtually every tropical fruit enterprise through promotion of phytophagous insects, interfering with beneficial insects, reducing pollination, stinging agricultural workers, and rejection of infested export commodities," said Forrester.
     "Nowhere is this impact more obvious than in Hawaiian tropical fruit enterprises which are comprised almost totally of specialty crops grown on small holdings." She says the east side of Hawaiʻi Island has been "struggling with LFA for some time," but that West Hawaiʻi has begun to recently experience the impacts of LFA.
     "LFA are notoriously hard to control because of their social behavior and nesting habitat," says Forester. "Colonies are small but numerous with a network of colonies all working together and sharing resources. LFA not only inhabit the ground, but are also nesting in trees." She calls treatment "a three dimensional problem."
     Hawaiʻi Ant Lab received USDA Farm Bill funding to work with tropical fruit growers (all orchard crops) and beekeepers on LFA prevention and management strategies, says Forester. For those whose farms are impacted by this invasive ant, contact to schedule a visit at (808)315-5656.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Dec. 22, Sat., host JV Christian Liberty, 2pm

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 22, Sat, host Parker

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Wrestling:

Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Jan. 19, Sat., @Keaʻau

Soccer:

Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

HOW TO MAKE HAUPIA, an ‘Ike Hana No‘eau - Experience the Skillful Work - hands-on cultural demonstration, is offered on Wednesday, Dec. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the lanai of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Haupia, a popular and authentic Hawaiian cultural dessert, is made from the pia root (arrowroot) and mixed with coconut milk or cream, then steamed, boiled, or baked into a pudding. Attendance is free; however, park entrance fees apply. The event is co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. For more, call 985-6011, or visit nps.gov/havo.

Nāʻālehu Public Library Branch Manager
Sara Kamibayashi (middle, pictured with
fellow staff) offers a free Cookie Decorating
event for all ages Thursday, Dec. 20, starting
at 3 p.m. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

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Ocean View Community Association Special Membership Meeting, Wed., Dec. 19, 5-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. Election of 2019 board. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

Hawai‘i Disability Legal Services, Thu., Dec. 20, 9-noon, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org, 939-7033, ovcahawaii@gmail.com

Cookie Decorating Party, Thu., Dec. 20, 3pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. Free for all ages. 939-2442

Family Reading Night, Thu., Dec. 20, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Coastal Clean-Up w/Hawai‘i Academy of Arts & Sciences, Fri., Dec. 21, Contact for meet up details. No seats available; BYO-4WD welcome to all current HWF volunteers. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or call 769-7629 for more.

First Annual Christmas Program, hosted by the teachers and keiki of Harmony Options Day in Ocean View, welcomes homeschooling families and those interested in homeschooling in the Ka‘ū community. Ocean View Community Center on Friday, Dec. 21, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Music, prizes, refreshments, and "a performance by our keiki!"

Youth Group, Fri., Dec. 21, 6:30-8:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Lamb of God Baptist Church.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua, Sun, Dec. 23, 9:30-11am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Learn about vital role of ‘ōhi‘a lehua in native Hawaiian forests, and many forms of ‘ōhi‘a tree and its flower on this free, easy, one-mile walk. nps.gov/havo

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve Service, Mon., Dec. 24, Christmas Carols at 5pm, Service at 6pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Aloha hour after service. Bring a dish to share. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Mon., Dec. 24, 7pm, Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church. Lessons and Carols service where Christmas story will be told, interspersed with Christmas carols. Everyone is welcome. 929-9949

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day Buffet, Tue., Dec. 25, 4-7pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Entrees: Prime Rib, Roast Turkey w/Stuffing, Holiday Lamb Stew. $28.95/Adult, $15.95/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, 967-8371

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Dec. 26, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

How to Make Haupia - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), Wed., Dec. 26, 10-2pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Made from the pia root (arrowroot) and mixed with coconut milk or cream, then steamed, boiled or baked into a pudding, haupia is a popular and authentic cultural dessert. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

ONGOING

The Wreath Exhibition is available through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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A patriotic Christmas scene at Kīlauea Military Camp, where the public is invited to vote on the best decorations.
See more on visiting and voting, below. Photo by David Berry

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY SHUT DOWN at the end of Friday, following an announcement that Pres. Donald Trump will pull the plug.
Today Trump refused to sign legislation passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate to fund the government through a continuing resolution, that left out funding for the wall. Trump said the government would shut down unless he received more than $5 billion to build a wall along the southern U.S. border. Later today, the House passed a bill with $5.7 million for the wall. The Senate votes on it tomorrow.

With House and Senate members expecting earlier today that Trump would sign the funding bill, many left Washington, D.C. for the holidays. Sen. Brian Schatz landed in Hawaiʻi and said he will return to Washington, D.C. on the red eye tonight, so he can vote again on government funding tomorrow.
Schatz tweeted: "Lots of people working without pay over Christmas while he's golfing if he follows through on this tantrum."
Should the government partially shut down, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park may close.

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POACHING OF REEF CREATURES is easier to report on the new hotline 808-NO-POACH. Collecting is prohibited from South Point, up the west Kaʻū Coast through Kona, to Upolo Point in Kohala.

Successful prosecution of a poaching case can result in a reward of up to $5,000 for those who provide the tip. The new program, announced yesterday, is supported by community organizations For the Fishes, Moana ‘Ohana, The Center for Biological Diversity, and West Hawai‘i Humane Society, along with the state Department of Land & Natural Resources.
Mike Nakachi, of Kona-based Moana ‘Ohana, explained, "We are asking for the public's kokua in reporting any suspected illegal reef wildlife collection. We continue to receive reports from concerned residents alleging illegal capture of our fragile and sacred reef animals. All aquarium fish collection off West Hawai‘i is against the law, regardless of gear type or net size."

Max Phillips, director of Center for Biological Diversity in Hawaiʻi, said, "We must all work together to ensure Hawai‘i's rich marine life are protected from illegal poaching. Court orders and regulatory rulings suspending aquarium collecting is a good start, but those laws are meaningless without proper enforcement."
DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said, "We appreciate the efforts of these organizations that are working tirelessly to support our enforcement of aquarium collection laws, and to ensure only legal and pono fishing practices are used."
Poaching can be documented through the 808-NO-POACH hotline, by calling, by texting, and by sending photos, images, and video of alleged illegal activity. DLNR's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement also takes tips through its state-wide telephone hotline, 808-643-DLNR(3567), or free application, DLNRTip.

For the Fishes states on its website that Hawaiʻi courts deemed aquarium collecting permits illegal until completion of proper environmental review. The organization states, "More than 100,000 animals are still taken and shipped out for commercial gain despite the court orders. Evidence of aquarium trade operations are seen at commercial warehouses, residential garages filled with aquariums, air cargo facilities, dive shops, where scuba tanks are filled, and boat ramps. They are also seen on the water - in vessels, underwater where divers use nets, and in tide pools where collectors grab hermit crabs."
To report suspected illegal taking of reef wildlife, call or text (including images/video): 808-NO-POACH (808-667-6224). Also, call: 808-643-DLNR (808-643-3567).

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Hū Honua bioenergy plant site at Pepeʻekeo, where wastewater was released into the ocean. Photo from 350 Hawaiʻi

A FINE OF $25K FOR DISCHARGING INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER INTO THE OCEAN was levied yesterday by the state Department of Health Clean Water Branch at Hū Honua Bioenergy. Hū Honua plans to burn eucalyptus from tree farms in Kaʻū and elsewhere, to make steam and create electricity. The biomass plant is located north of Hilo, on the coast at Pepeʻekeo.

Hū Honua processing diagram, from tree farms to electricity.
Image from Hu Honua

A statement from DOH says the Nov. 9 discharge was intentional. However, Hū Honua self-reported it to the state and said it was unauthorized.
Keith Kawaoka, deputy director of DOH Environmental Health Administration, issued a statement Wednesday saying, "Our inspectors have confirmed a worker for Hū Honua Bioenergy opened a valve on its industrial wastewater treatment tank and allowed the contents of the tank to discharge from their facility into the environment. This is a serious violation as discharges without permit authorization are strictly prohibited to protect human and environmental health from exposure to pollutants, which can cause serious and sometimes irreparable harm."
DOH reported the wastewater from Hū Honua testing and flushing its boiler amounted to 3,500 to 32,500 gallons of "fresh water, acidic metal cleaning solution, and residue from descaling of the boiler" to be discharged into the ocean.
At a November public hearing, opponents of the project called for an Environmental Impact Statement or Assessment. DOH has determined that such studies are not required by law, as no public lands or funds are used for the project. Opponents contend the shoreline and nearshore waters are public.
Hū Honua is allowed 20 days to contest the DOH fine and other requirements for it to continue its project. The company has announced it plans to be online in early 2019 to sell 30 megawatts of electricity to Hawaiʻi Electric Light Co. "Hū Honua will deliver clean renewable power to help Hawaiʻi meet its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2045," says the company website. See huhonua.com. See a Hū Honua opposition website at 350 Hawaiʻi.

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NEW BOARD DIRECTORS FOR OCEAN VIEW COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION were elected last night with the counting of ballots. Current President Dave Anderson said, although 137 ballots were sent to members via email and USPS, only 32 were received by the board. Current Secretary Ron Gall told the handful of members attending the meeting: "There are so many good people in Ocean View that you can meet while doing volunteer work here."
Along with Anderson and Gall, Gary Bailey, Tim Chace, Barbara Lewis, and Suzanne Reiter were elected.

The 2019 Ocean View Community Association's board. Standing, left to right, are Tim Chace, Ron Gall, Gary Bailey,

and Dave Anderson. Sitting, left to right, are Suzanne Reiter and Barbara Lewis. Photo by Annie Bosted

Bailey and Chace will serve their first term, while the other board members are incumbents. Paulette Frerichs stood down as her term on the board has expired.

The annual membership meeting will be Saturday, Jan. 19, start time will be posted at ovcahi.org. The meeting is open to all who would like to attend. Andersonsaid the 2019 board will meet before then to elect officers.

The board welcomes volunteers, even for a few hours, during the week to perform a wide variety of tasks. Andersonpresented a new organizational chart, which he described as a way of getting more members to volunteer for committee positions. Positions that have been filled are: By-Laws and Membership, to be headed by by Eleanor Shannon, and Programs and Activities, to be headed by Karen Powell. Volunteer positions that still need filling include: Finance, Property and Buildings, Nominating, and Administration, as well as support staff for all operations.

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Kalei Namohala, Josiah Barrios, and June

Domondon with the OKK Half Court Shot.

Photo from Kaʻū Athletics

KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL TOOK DOWN KOHALA yesterday, in both JV and Varsity games. Kaʻū hosted the north island teams.

In the JV game, Kaʻū lead every quarter but the third, scoring 8, 8, 2, and 14, to end with 32 points. Kohala scored 2, 6, 7, and 6, to end with 21. Kaohinani Grace was the standout player of the game, scoring 20.

Ms. Caldwell's class grew hydroponic
lettuce, which was sold as Doritos
Salad at last night's Girls Basketball
game. Photo from Kaʻū Athletics

Varsity led every quarter, scoring 15, 12, 14, and 6, reaching 47 points at the end of the game. Kohala scored 4 in the first quarter, 6 in each remaining quarter, reaching 22 points. Mederios-Dancel was a standout player, scoring 17 points, and Heidi Vidal stood out, scoring 12.

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou's Half Court Shot for Cash winner was Josiah Barrios, who won $250 for Kaʻū Athletics, and a gift card for himself.

During the game, hydroponic lettuce, grown by Ms. Caldwell's class, was sold as Doritos Salad.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Dec. 22, Sat., host JV Christian Liberty, 2pm

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 22, Sat, host Parker

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Wrestling:

Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Soccer:

Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING
A NEW YEAR'S DAY BRUNCH HOSTED BY KĪLAUEA MILITARY CAMP'S CRATER RIM CAFÉ is offered on Tuesday, Jan. 1, from 7 a.m. to noon. The event menu includes: Roast Pork, Chicken Picata, Omelet Station, French Toast, Breakfast Potatoes, Rice, Patties, Bacon, Fresh Fruit, Cheesecake Bar w/Toppings, Brownies, and Beverage. Meal tickets are $17.95 per adult or $9.50 per child between the ages of 6 and 11. Kīlauea Military Camp, open to all patrons and sponsored guests, is located within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8356 or 967-8371. See kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

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Birth of Kahuku, Sat., Dec. 22, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike. Free. nps.gov/havo

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Mon., Dec. 24, 7pm, Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church. Lessons and Carols service where Christmas story will be told, interspersed with Christmas carols. Everyone is welcome. 929-9949

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day Buffet, Tue., Dec. 25, 4-7pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Entrees: Prime Rib, Roast Turkey w/Stuffing, Holiday Lamb Stew. $28.95/Adult, $15.95/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, 967-8371

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Dec. 26, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

How to Make Haupia - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), Wed., Dec. 26, 10-2pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Made from the pia root (arrowroot) and mixed with coconut milk or cream, then steamed, boiled or baked into a pudding, haupia is a popular and authentic cultural dessert. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27
Craft Class, Thu., Dec. 27, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu., Dec. 27, 12-1:30pm, Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Monthly meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

ONGOING

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol runs through Dec. 23, with shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2:30pm. The show performs at Kīlauea Military Camp Theater inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Tickets are $20 per person, cash or check, available at door. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. KDEN, 982-7344

Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.

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Kīlauea Military Camp, above, welcomes guests during the partial shutdown of federal government. Volcano
House, Volcano Art Center, displays at Kīlauea Visitor Center, and Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association store are
open, along with a number of park trails and overlooks. Photo from Kīlauea Military Camp

A PARTIAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN PROMPTED A PARTIAL HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK CLOSURE this evening. "During the shutdown of the federal government due to a lapse of appropriations, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures," says a statement from the Park this evening.

Volcano House is open for dining, shopping, and lodging.
Photo from MacArthur Sotheby's Realty

Entrance fees will not be charged. Some park roads, trails, and viewpoints remain accessible to visitors, but emergency and rescue services are limited.
While the Kahuku Unit near Ocean View is closed, the public is able to enter the Volcano park gate at no charge.
Kīlauea Visitor Center exhibits and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association store will be open, though the Kīlauea Visitor Center Theatre, which shows films to visitors, is closed. Also open are Volcano Art Center Gallery, Kīlauea Military Camp, and Volcano House, with their lodging, restaurants, and stores. Kīlauea Military Camp Theatre remains open.
According to staff members at Volcano House, managers met late today to determine how to proceed with many guests checking in to accommodations and dining. They said the Park assured them the main gate to the Park will be open. Volcano House is operated by a private contractor able to pay its employees. Volcano Art Center Gallery and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association staffs work for non-profits, and KMC has separate funding. However, many National Park employees faced furloughed at 7 p.m. and will be unable to return until the government is funded.

VolcanoArtCenter Gallery is open, with its
fireplace, Christmas in the Country, and 19th
Invitational Wreath exhibits. Photo from VAC

Also open during the shutdown are Kīlauea Visitor Center picnic tables and restrooms; Crater Rim Drive from Park entrance to KMC; Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and KMC; Steam Vents and Sulfur Banks; Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu (vehicles not permitted past the gate at Kīpukapuaulu); Mauna Loa Road to Mauna Loa Lookout – pedestrians and bicyclists only; Kīpukapuaulu day use picnic area (no trash or custodial services – pack it in, pack it out only); Kīpukapuaulu and trail; and Ka‘ū Desert Trail to the Footprints shelter and exhibit.

The rest of the park is closed, including Chain of Craters Road, Escape Road, all campgrounds, and all backcountry areas.

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THE PARTIAL FEDERAL SHUTDOWN BEGAN TODAY after the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate voted to fund the government without $5 billion for Pres. Donald Trump's wall along the southern mainland border. After Trump refused to sign the legislation, the House capitulated and voted to fund the wall. The Senate refused to fund the wall and partial funding for government lapsed. House and Senate leaders entered discussions on a compromise, and are expected to vote again whenever they reach a solution and the President agrees to it.

Kīlauea Visitor Center displays and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association store remain open during the government shutdown.
Photo from KVC

Sen. Mazie Hirono remained in her office after 9 p.m. in Washington, D.C. tonight. Interviewed on MSNBC, she noted Trump said earlier that he would take responsibility for the shutdown, but has turned to blaming others. "He has to grow up," she said.

Hirono said federal workers will suffer, and noted she signed onto a bill for retroactive pay for those essential employees who work during the shutdown without paychecks, and those furloughed through no fault of their own.

She posted on her Facebook that the Senate "did the responsible thing by unanimously passing a bill to keep the government running, but the President threw a wrench in the works. There are so many negative impacts to a shutdown - and the the President didn't care." She tweeted this evening, "Donald Trump needs to face the reality that he won't get $5 billion for his wall and keep the government running." She said on MSNBC, Trump "is in meltdown mode and the only wall that's real is the one that's closing in on him."

Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted: "Let's give a shout out to our extraordinary federal workforce. They are the ones being harmed by this nonsense, not any member of Congress."

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A midwinter dawn at Halemaʻumaʻu on Kīlauea, December 2018. Steaming cracks tell of water and heat interacting

beneath the summit caldera of the volcano. In the background, the first rays of sunlight illuminate Uēkahuna Bluff.

USGS photo by E. F. Younger

A FIELD TRIP TO THE MOUNTAIN OF WATER is the subject of this week's Volcano Watch, by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates:

The field day begins with a summit weather check at first light. It is a reflective moment at 6:15 a.m. atop Kīlauea Volcano, and the fumarole cracks are steaming like the coffee from my thermos. The weather at Halemaʻumaʻu crater is cool and dry, with light trade winds from the northeast. We hope for these mornings.

I text my workmates at USGS HVO in Hilo. The plans are a "go"– our sampling crew is heading to Keller Well. My checklist for today's field work reads: water, rain jacket, extra-long tape measure…

I am one of a team of volcano scientists and technicians making this trip. Our destination is a 1,262 m (4,140 ft) deep borehole, locally called Keller Well, that is the only one of its kind on Kīlauea's summit. Since it was drilled in 1973, it has provided researchers with a view into the hydrology and history of an active volcano. Our mission today is to measure the groundwater level in the well, 506 m (1,660 ft) beneath the surface – where the groundwater level was when it was last measured 9 months ago – and to bring up a scalding hot water sample. I continue checking my list: 2 m (6 ft) metal sampler tube, clean sample bottles…

My HVO and USGSVolcanoScienceCentercolleagues and I will be accessing a restricted area of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. We check our safety gear: helmets, respirators, SO2 sensor badges, satellite tracker, and our National Park Service permit. Keller Well, located in the southern portion of the Kīlauea caldera, sits at 1,102 m (3,615 ft) above sea level. The rim of the Halemaʻumaʻu lava lake of 2008–2018 used to be about 1 km (0.62 mi) to the north.

Watch video of a drone overflight of Kīlauea Caldera after the last of the collapses. Video from USGS

Distance from rim to well narrowed dramatically during the eruption of this past summer, as caldera collapse explosions shook Halemaʻumaʻu and the lava lake drained out of sight. The steaming pit is now nearly a cubic kilometer (0.25 cu mi) larger, the rocky bottom is 500 m (1,640 ft) deeper, and the crater rim has expanded about 250 m (820 ft) toward the wellhead. Across the chasm from Keller Well, the evacuated HVO tower looms empty; a silent host of cameras keeping watch over Kīlauea. We will find out today if Keller Well has survived the 2018 eruption. Will it continue to yield data on Kīlauea's hydrothermal depths, or has the story been pinched off?

At the wellhead, a capped stub of pipe protrudes from the barren, ash-caked landscape. We set up the large tape measure reel and lower the electric continuity sensor into the well. It descends quickly as we spool out the calibrated graduations into the darkness below. Down through the porous rock, we follow the path of a fallen raindrop, moving through varied layers. Some are highly porous, while others are choked by mineralization that formed as liquid water was converted to steam by geothermal heat. Ash layers confine the free movement of the groundwater, while cracks and other voids can conduct large flows.

Suddenly, the alarm at the surface buzzes madly, signaling the tape circuit is complete. The downhole sensor has reached the water table! We have arrived at the Mountain of Water.

Hidden beneath the surface of the volcano island, this mountain within has a character all its own. Its topography is constantly changing, seeking balance between discharge and recharge, pressure and heat. Beneath Kīlauea's summit, the altitude of the water mountain is remarkably high compared to nearby areas outside the volcanic rift zones. We measure the tape, 508 m (1,667 ft) to the reference mark on the wellhead; the groundwater is 2.1m (7 ft) lower than it was in March, before the eruption of 2018.

1973 map of Kīlauea, showing (circled in red) where Keller Well
was drilled. USGS map

The Mountain of Water's composition is diverse. It is fresh and salt, liquid and steam, and it carries an abundance of dissolved chemicals. We withdraw the sampler, kettle-hot, and carefully bottle the sample for laboratory analyses of sulfate (SO4), chloride (Cl), sodium (Na), and potassium (K).

Today's field work marks one new data point in a long series of observations at Keller Well. Only time and concerted effort will reveal its context within the larger story.

Volcano Activity Updates

Kīlaueais not erupting. Rates of seismicity, deformation, and gas release have not changed significantly over the past week.

December 18, at 1:44 a.m., a magnitude-2.8 earthquake occurred 12 km (7 mi) SSE of Volcano at 3 km (2 mi) depth.

Deformation signals are consistent with refilling of the middle ERZ. Sulfur dioxide emission rates have been below detection limits in the lower ERZ since early September, though minor amounts of volcanic gas are still present. Sulfur dioxide emission rates were last measured at ~35 tonnes per day at both the summit and ERZ, consistent with the past few months of emissions from Kīlauea.

The USGS Volcano Alert level for Mauna Loa remains at NORMAL.

Visit volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvofor past Volcano Watch articles, Kīlaueaand Mauna Loa updates, volcano photos, maps, recent earthquake info, and more. Call 808-967-8862 for weekly Kīlaueaupdates. Email questions to askHVO@usgs.gov.

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CUSTOMERS WHO LEFT PAYMENTS AT HAWAI‘I ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY DROPBOX IN HILO at 1200 Kīlauea Ave. between 2:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, and 7 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17, are asked to call HELCO Customer Service at (808) 969-6999 to check payment status.

HELCO is investigating the theft of payment envelopes. Video surveillance shows a man prying the payment box open late Friday evening, Dec. 14, according to a statement from HELCO. The utility says they are working with authorities to investigate the incident.

As a reminder, customers should not place cash payments in the drop box, says the announcement.

For other payment options, visit hawaiielectriclight.com.

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Caution: Fun at the Library. Yesterday's Cookie Decorating event at Nāʻālehu Public Library - held
safely outside, away from books - was a successful afternoon of sticky fingers and creative keiki.
See more photos and story, below. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

NĀ’ĀLEHU LIBRARY'S COOKIE DECORATING EVENT on Thursday drew keiki to show some holiday creativity, smearing of icing, and layering of sprinkles.

A keiki, showing off his cookie creation
at Nāʻālehu Public Library yesterday.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

Keiki decorated a range of cookies: sugar, chocolate chip, M&M, and oatmeal raisin. Topping options included chocolate, red, blue, or white icing, and metallic, green, blue, gold, white, red, snowman, and snowflake sprinkles.

Contact Nā’ālehu Public Library Branch Manager Sara Kamibayashi, at 939-2442, for more details on next year's event.

Safety first: This keiki, garbed in an apron, just might make
it to the sprinkle stage before getting covered in frosting.
Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see Facebook. Follow us on Insta
gram
and Twitter. See our online calendars and our latest print edition
at kaucalen dar.com.

See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Dec. 17, Mon., host PA, 6pm

Dec. 19, Wed., host Kohala, 6pm

Dec. 22, Sat., host JV Christian Liberty, 2pm

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 18, Tue., @Keaʻau

Dec. 22, Sat, host Parker

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Wrestling:

Dec. 22, Sat., @Oʻahu

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Soccer:

Dec. 19, Wed., host HPA

Dec. 22, Sat., host Waiakea

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

Nā‘ālehu Tee Ball team learning and practicing new skills.

New members welcome. See story for details.

Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

NĀ‘ĀLEHU TEE BALL WILL RESUME PRACTICE IN THE NEW YEAR with a new start time of 4:30 p.m. The team is accepting players 5 or 6 years old. Practice takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays in the Nā‘ālehu Ball Park. Nā‘ālehu Coach Pitch practice to be announced - those interested may practice with the Ocean View Coach Pitch team until then.
Practice for Ocean View Tee Ball, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and Coach Pitch, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., continues through winter break on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Kahuku Park in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates. Tee Ball team is accepting 5 and 6 year olds, while the Coach Pitch team accepts 7 and 8 year olds.

Participation fees are yet to be announced. For more, contact organizers Josh and Elizabeth Crook at 345-0511. All teams will continue practice through mid-February.

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Birth of Kahuku, Sat., Dec. 22, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Explore rich geologic history of Kahuku on this easy-to-moderate hike. Free. nps.gov/havo

Christmas Eve Service, Mon., Dec. 24, Christmas Carols at 5pm, Service at 6pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Aloha hour after service. Bring a dish to share. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Mon., Dec. 24, 7pm, Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church. Lessons and Carols service where Christmas story will be told, interspersed with Christmas carols. Everyone is welcome. 929-9949

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day Buffet, Tue., Dec. 25, 4-7pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Entrees: Prime Rib, Roast Turkey w/Stuffing, Holiday Lamb Stew. $28.95/Adult, $15.95/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, 967-8371

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27
Craft Class, Thu., Dec. 27, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu., Dec. 27, 12-1:30pm, Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Monthly meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Dec. 27, 4-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home - for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28
Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat., Dec. 29, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture, and observe the catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. nps.gov/havo

ONGOING

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol runs through Dec. 23, with shows on Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, and Sunday at 2:30pm. The show performs at Kīlauea Military Camp Theater inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Tickets are $20 per person, cash or check, available at door. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. KDEN, 982-7344

Substitute School Health Assistant Positions are available. Qualifications: CPR and First Aid certifications, and a high school diploma or equivalent. Training begins in 2019. Contact Kristy Loo for more at look@hkkk.k12.hi.us.

Christmas in the Country and 19th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition are open at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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.

All are welcome to Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church on Christmas Eve, Monday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. Enjoy a Lessons and Carols
service where Christmas story will be told, interspersed with Christmas carols. Photo by Julia Neal

THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN not only affects Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, with some trails and roads, and restrooms, closed. It means that TSA workers at the airports may have delayed pay. U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Food and Drug Administration will reduce services.

USGS Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory posted on its website last night that the Volcano Hazard Program and all five U.S. Volcano Observatories will "continue to issue updates, warnings, and notifications through the usual channels, including websites, email, and social media" despite over 7,800 USGS employees standing down. HVO says volcano monitoring data on their website "will be kept up to date and all monitoring instruments will continue to be operational," while "static website content" will not be updated.

Learn more at doi.gov/shutdown.

Kahuku Unit is completely closed, with the Birth of Kahuku hike today cancelled, and the ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua walk on Sunday likely cancelled.

View this morning from the Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory tower. Webcams like this will continue to update
while government attempts to come to an agreement about funding the country. USGS image

The main part of the Park, already shut down for many months this year due to the Kīlauea eruption, has open gates during the shutdown and is collecting no fees. Restaurants, shopping, and lodging at places like Volcano House, Kīlauea Military Camp, Pacific Hawaiʻi Parks Association, and Volcano Art Center Gallery are accessible. See details of open facilities, trails, and roads in yesterday's Kaʻū NewsBriefs.

Democratic leadership in the U.S. Senate today attempted to work out an agreement with Pres. Donald Trump to fully fund government. Trump shut down the government and refused to reopen it until he receives $5.7 billion to build a wall on the southern mainland boarder of the country.

Republican House leader Mitch McConnell said he would leave it to Trump and the Senate to work it out. The House already voted to approve money for the wall. Any move in the Senate to include a wall with the funding would require 60 votes to pass a bill to reopen the government, which many view as unlikely. It would also need Trump's signature.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard tweeted this morning: "This completely preventable #shutdown has left 800,000 Federal workers furloughed or forced to work with no pay. Yet leaders in Washington who failed the American people still get paid. This is BS. I stand with our workers & won't accept pay as long as the govt is shut down."

Kahuku Unit, with its wide vistas and expanding hiking opportunities,

will remain closed until the shutdown is ended. NPS photo

About one quarter of the government shut down at 7 p.m. last night. The shutdown does not yet affect as many agencies as the first two shutdowns this year, as many are already funded through the end of the year.

This is the first time in 40 years for three government shutdowns in one year. The government shut down for three days, Jan. 20 through 22, due to disagreements on immigration, specifically DACA, which allows immigrants brought in without papers as children to stay in the U.S. and work toward citizenship. The second shutdown, on Feb. 9, was less than 24 hours.

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HELPING THE INCARCERATED TO BECOME SUCCESSFUL WHEN RELEASED is the aim of bipartisan legislation signed into law on Friday. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard co-sponsored and worked to pass the bill to empower formerly-incarcerated individuals, improve public safety, and reduce recidivism. Called the FIRST STEP Act – the Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed, Safely Transitioning Every Person –authorizes $75 million per year for five years to develop new programs—including education, vocational training, and mental health counseling—to empower prisoners for successful reentry into society and reduce rates of recidivism.

The FIRST STEP Act seeks to prepare incarcerated persons for reintegration
to society and reduce recidivism. Image from southerncoalition.org

Said Gabbard, "The consequences of decades of a failed War on Drugs and policies focused on incarceration over rehabilitation has left generations of people ill-equipped to, when they have done their time, move on with their lives. Our bill aims to curb the destructive cycle of recidivism that has plagued low-income and minority communities across our nation. It authorizes funding for educational programs, job training, and mental health counseling programs that are proven to lower recidivism rates. The FIRST STEP Act also limits mandatory minimums, fixes Good Time Credits, expands compassionate release for the elderly and terminally ill, and more.

"Today, we take the first in a long line of steps toward comprehensive criminal justice reform. Tomorrow, we must keep up the fight for greater sentencing reform and eradicate the private prison industry. There's no overnight solution to our broken criminal justice system, but this bill makes long overdue progress that will make a lasting difference for so many Americans."

FIRST STEP includes measures to:

Provide a Good Time Credit Fix to ensure that incarcerated individuals can earn the 54 days of good time credit per year that Congress intended, and not just the 47 days that BOP currently allows. It has been estimated by BOP and GAO that fixing this will lead to the release of roughly 4,000 prisoners and save $40 million the first fiscal year.

Rep. Tusli Gabbard
Photo from Gabbard's Facebook

Establish a Risk-Reduction System to match inmates to programs best-fitting their needs with the hopes of reducing recidivism over time. The program will be dynamic, statistically validated, and evaluated to ensure it doesn't result in unwanted racial disparities in order to address concerns about prisoners of color being disproportionately impacted.

Expand and Create Recidivism Risk Reduction Programming by authorizing $250 million over five years to the Federal Bureau of Prisons for development and expansion of programming focused on skill-building, education, and faith that has been shown to reduce recidivism. This program also aids in preparing prisoners for a successful and permanent transition back into their communities.

Focus Resources on High and Medium Risk Prisoners to have the greatest impact on the prisoners who are at the greatest risk of recidivating.

Incentivize Participation with No Cap on Pre-Release Credit Earned, including allowing 10 days in pre-release custody for every 30 days of successful participation, with no cap on the pre-release credit that can be earned. Beyond prerelease custody, other incentives include increased phone and visitation periods, transfer to institutions closer to one's release residence, and additional policies which can include increased commissary spending, access to email, consideration of transfer, and other incentives solicited from prisoners themselves.

Offer Prerelease Custody by requiring BOP to transfer low and minimum risk prisoners to prerelease custody. The bill also would provide a pathway to petition the warden of the prison to grant prerelease custody as earned.

Infographic from U.S. Dept. of Justice

Provide Independent and Congressional Oversight through a biannual GAO audit. It also requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on the activities implemented, the effectiveness of the programming, the recidivism rates, and savings. BOP also has Congressional oversight, specifically through the requirement to undertake significant data collection under the National Prisoner Statistics Program.

Move People Closer to Home, to within 500 driving miles of their families, when an appropriate facility is available in order to lower the burdensome and often costly journey to visit loved ones in prison and to reduce recidivism.

Ensure the Dignity for Women by instituting a ban on shackling pregnant and postpartum women, and requiring the BOP to provide sanitary napkins and tampons to incarcerated women for free.

Require Provisions of IDs to reduce the collateral consequences of incarceration by allowing a quicker integration back into society, and create significant cost savings for BOP of approximately $19 million.

Expand the Compassionate Release Program by a 10 year requirement from the elderly release pilot program created by the Second Chance Act. This reduces the minimum age of prisoner eligibility for elderly release from 65 years of age to 60 years of age, and minimum time served of prisoner eligibility for elderly release from ¾ to ⅔. It also expands the program to all prisons – not just one. Finally, it allows the prisoner to seek relief under the program directly from a court. Limits mandatory minimums by lowering the 20-year mandatory minimum to 15 years, and the current penalty for life would be reduced to 25 years.

Expand the Safety Valve to allow judges to sentence below the mandatory minimum qualified low-level nonviolent drug offenders who cooperate with the government.

Retroactive Application of Fair Sentencing Act by allowing individuals still serving sentences under the pre-FSA 100-to-1 crack-powder sentencing disparity to petition for sentence reductions.

Reform Enhanced Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Prior Drug Offenses by reducing the second strike mandatory minimum of 20 years to 15 years, and reduce the third strike mandatory minimum of life in prison to 25 years.

Eliminate 924(c) "Stacking" by prospectively clarifying that recidivist mandatory minimum enhancements for repeat offenders who use or possess a firearm during certain crimes apply only to final convictions so these enhancements cannot be "stacked"– or applied to conduct within the same indictment.

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Sen. Brian Schatz
Photo from Schatz's Flickr

LEGISLATION SUPPORTED BY SEN. BRIAN SCHATZ THAT PASSED FROM U.S. SENATE to the House of Representative in recent days includes:

The Reliable Emergency Alert Distribution Improvement (READI) Act – introduced by Schatz and Republican Senators Roger Wicker and John Thune – would give the Administrator of Federal Emergency Management Agency 180 days to provide state, tribal, and local alert organizations with "best practices" guidance and training. The purpose is to ensure more people receive relevant emergency alerts via cell phone, TV, and radio. The Act would also be used explore new alert methods, like online video or streaming services, and track and study false alerts.

Schatz commented on Facebook: "When a missile alert went out across Hawaiʻi in January, some people never got the message on their phones, while others missed it on their TVs and radios. Even though it was a false alarm, the missile alert highlighted real ways we can improve the way people receive emergency alerts. The READI Act, which unanimously passed the Senate today, fixes some of these issues, will explore new ways of alerting the public through online video and audio streaming services, and will help make sure that in an emergency, the public gets the information they need as quickly as possible."

AMBER Alert expanded to U.S. Territories Act – introduced by Schatz and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski – would extend the system's resources to alert the public about missing or abducted children, which is broadcast on cell phones, TVs, by radio, and on highway billboards.

Amber Alerts may soon be funded for U.S. Territories.

Schatz commented on Facebook: "Right now, most U.S. territories, including Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Marianas Islands, aren't given the resources to operate AMBER Alerts. These alerts have helped save hundreds of children, and there's no good reason for these territories to be excluded from the system. The good news is my bill to expand AMBER Alerts to the territories just passed the Senate. We are now one step closer to helping more children and their families quickly end the nightmare that is child abduction."

Granting Release and Compassion Effectively (GRACE) Act – introduced by Schatz – provides "clear standards and a formal timeline" to the Bureau of Prisons for determining compassionate release. This affects requests from elderly and terminally ill incarcerated persons, or those with other "extraordinary and compelling reasons," says the bill.

Schatz commented on Facebook: "Too many people who are eligible for compassionate release die in prison because the decision takes so long. And many others wait for months just to get a response. Clearly, the system is broken. Our legislation, which is now one step closer to becoming law, will create clear guidelines in the approval process so that we have more accountability in the system, and the sick and elderly who qualify for compassionate release get it."

Those bills that pass the House of Representatives will go to Pres. Donald Trump's desk for his signature.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

Learn how to make ceramic pottery
with Erik Wold.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

NEW EIGHT WEEK SESSIONS FOR SUNDAY CLAY - HIGH FIRE! WITH ERIK WOLD at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village begin Sunday, Jan. 6.
The morning session, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and afternoon session, 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., are scheduled to continue through Mar. 3, with no class taking place Jan. 20. All skill levels are welcome to join to work with stoneware clay and high-fire reduction glazes.
Teaching artist Wold provides instruction, including demonstrations of wheel throwing methods, and will be available for individualized assistance. Those new to clay will be guided step by step through the basics of using the potter's wheel or hand-building techniques. "Continuing students and those with previous experience are encouraged to develop their skills and are welcome to pursue more advanced directions with the instructor’s helpful input. Informal discussion on topics ranging from sources of creative inspiration to various pottery styles and traditions from around the world will supplement this hands-on learning experience," states the event description on volcanoartcenter.org.

Erik Wold instructs how to use the potter's wheel.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

Seven registration slots are open to wheel throwers, and two additional places will be open to hand-builders.
Cost for the morning or afternoon session is $180 per VAC member, or $200 per non-member, plus a $15 materials fee for 6 pounds of clay, which includes glazes and firing for that material. Additional clay will be available for purchase. Register online at volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222.
Open studio time will be available to registered ceramics students on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., for $10 per day, with tickets available at the Administration Office front desk during business hours.

Wold is a full time potter living in Volcano Village. He is a member of the Volcano Village Artists Hui, and sells his wares regularly at the Saturday Hilo Farmers Market, and Sunday Cooper Center Farmers Market in Volcano. Wold studied Ceramics at the University of Hawaiʻi, Hilo, graduating in 1993.

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.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve Service, Mon., Dec. 24, Christmas Carols at 5pm, Service at 6pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Aloha hour after service. Bring a dish to share. 939-7000, stjudeshawaii.org

Candlelight Christmas Eve Service, Mon., Dec. 24, 7pm, Nā‘ālehu Methodist Church. Lessons and Carols service where Christmas story will be told, interspersed with Christmas carols. Everyone is welcome. 929-9949

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day Buffet, Tue., Dec. 25, 4-7pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Entrees: Prime Rib, Roast Turkey w/Stuffing, Holiday Lamb Stew. $28.95/Adult, $15.95/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, 967-8371

ONGOING

Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network's A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol runs through tomorrow, Dec. 23, with shows today at 7:30pm and Sunday at 2:30pm, at Kīlauea Military Camp Theater inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Tickets are $20 per person, cash or check, available at door. KMC is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. KDEN, 982-7344

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.

A Mele Kalikimaka is celebrated by the crew of the Hōkūleʻa during its worldwide voyage in 2015.
Photo by Jason Patterson/Polynesian Voyaging Society

MELE KALIKIMAKA is the thing to say, on a bright, Hawaiian Christmas Day. The phrase means "Merry Christmas" in the Hawaiian language. The idea of Christmas came to Hawaiʻi through sailing ship crews and missionaries. A Mele Kalikimaka is celebrated by the Hawaiian community, including on board on the Polynesian sailing canoe Hokulea during its travels.
The phrase Mele Kalikimaka is the attempt to say "Merry Christmas" in the native language. Without letters such as "r" and "s" in the Hawaiian language, the written form became Mele Kalikimaka.

Mele Kalikimaka became popular beyond Hawaiʻi when Robert Alex Anderson put the words to music and created the song in 1949. Bing Crosby, the Andrews Sisters, Don Ho, Bette Midler, and The Beach Boys all performed this now popular Christmas song. Listen to five versions of Mele Kalikimaka, from vocals to instrumental on marimba, posted by Hawaiʻi Magazine.

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.

WHEN DID CHRISTMAS COME TO HAWAIʻI? Some of the first mentions of Christmas came from ship captains who traveled to the Hawaiian Islands after their discovery by western explorer Capt. James Cook on Jan. 18, 1778. When Capt. George Dixon anchored the ship Queen Charlotte in Hawaiian waters on Dec. 25, 1786, he ordered his cooks to prepare a Christmas dinner, with pork, a pie and a bowl of punch. They fetched a pig from shore and roasted it. They made a spiked punch with coconut milk. In some story telling, the event is called Hawaiʻi's first Christmas.
Young Hawaiian men who found work leaving Hawaiʻi on sailing ships learned about Christmas. Among them was Henry Opukahaʻia, of Punaluʻu, who traveled in 1807 to New England on the Triumph and became one of the first Hawaiians to become a Christian. He experienced Christmas on the mainland, and encouraged missionaries to move to Hawaiʻi to set up schools and churches, and to

Henry Opukakaʻia

help Hawaiians who were quickly losing their health and culture with the mercantile trading ship crews coming to the Island.
The trading ships continued to bring glimpses of Christmas to Hawaiʻi. In 1817, a Christmas dinner was offered to Hawaiian chiefs who visited a sailing ship. The English crew took the feast to the shore on Christmas Day.
In 1819, English Capt. Nathaniel Portlock wrote: "Kiana came off in a long double canoe and brought me a present of some hogs and vegetables which I received gladly, and made in a return that pleased him very much." Since there was giving back and forth, this event has been called the first exchange of Christmas gifts in Hawaiʻi.
The first American missionaries arrived to Hawaiʻi on the ship Thaddeus on March 30, 1820. Hiram and Sybil Bingla, and Asa and Lucy Thurston, brought Christmas with them. The first English missionaries arrived in 1822. More missionaries followed, setting up churches and schools.
In 1824, Queen Kaʻahumanu was baptized and Christmas celebrations slowly entered the native culture. By the 1840s, The Polynesian newspaper printed Christmas messages. Schoolmasters noted that students talked about exchanging gifts.
By 1856, King Kamehameha IV, Alex Liholiho, had traveled to Europe, where he witnessed a Christmas celebration. He declared Dec. 25, 1856, a national day of Thanksgiving in Hawaiʻi. People from many backgrounds celebrated in their own ways and together.
The first Christmas tree and Santa Claus in Hawaiʻi are reported at a Christmas Eve party for youth held by Mary Dominis at Washington Place, the Hawaiian monarch's home in Honolulu.

Fireworks were one of the mainland festivities
adopted by Hawaiians for Christmas.
Photo by Julia Neal

In 1862, King Kamehameha IV proclaimed Christmas a national holiday in Hawaiʻi. Christmas parades included torches and candles. Fireworks and champagne celebrated Christmas. Newspapers advertised the purchase of gifts to give one another.

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THE SHUTDOWN OF 25 PERCENT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT could last into January. On Fox News Sunday, Mick Mulvaney, set to become Pres. Donald Trump's Chief of Staff on Jan. 1, said, "it is very possible that the shutdown will go beyond the 28th and into the new Congress," which beings Jan. 3. He also promised that "no one is working without getting paid. Paychecks go out on the 28th. The next pay period that is impacted is January 11th."
Sen. Brian Schatz criticized the shutdown, which is a standoff between Pres. Donald Trump - to fund his proposed wall to keep out immigrants along the southern border of the U.S. mainland - and others in congress who oppose the wall.
Schatz tweeted, "All shutdowns are ridiculous, embarrassing, costly, and useless, but this is an especially stupid shutdown. It is just awful what we are doing to federal workers over Christmas. Our federal workers shouldn't suffer because the President and Republicans in Congress don't know how to govern. These workers keep our country running, and it's irresponsible and cruel to threaten their pay just before the holidays."

Kahuku Unit remains closed during the government
shutdown. NPS photo

On this island, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park shut down its Kahuku Unit near Ocean View, but the main gate to the park in Volcano remains open with no admission fee. Volcano Art Center Gallery; Volcano House hotel, restaurants, and stores; Kīlauea Theatre; KMC accommodations, restaurant, store, and lounge; and Kīlauea Visitor Center displays and its Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association book store remain open. See Friday's Kaʻū News Briefs for details of trails and roads in the park that are open and closed.
The USDA will continue providing services like food inspections; pest inspections on imports and exports; Forest Service law enforcement and emergency/natural disaster response; nutrition assistance programs like SNAP, WIC, and School Lunch; farm and farm loan payments. These and other services would "shut down in an orderly fashion" should the shutdown go beyond a week. Learn more at agriculture.com/news/business/how-does-a-government-shutdown-affect-the-usda.
The National Weather Service tweeted it "will continue to operate 24×7 through the government shutdown to provide reliable forecast and warning information. Our social media presence will remain as close to normal as possible, but posts/replies will only be directly related to forecasts and warnings." National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will provide fisheries management, nautical safety for U.S. ports, patent and trademark application processing, export enforcement, the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), and more. Learn more at commerce.gov/news/blog/2018/12/shutdown-due-lapse-congressional-appropriations.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS BASKETBALL on Saturday was a flurry of hosting two JV games against Christian Liberty Academy, and one Varsity game against Parker.
JV Girls game was a disappointment, with Kaʻū scoring 17 to CLA's 40. Jayme Kaneshiro scored 5 points for the home team.
JV Boys trounced CLA, ending at 62 to 28. Keenan Toriano scored 16 of those points and Kealikoa Reyes Nalu scored 14.
Varsity Boys played a close game with Parker, scoring 41 to 36. Izaiah Pilanca-Emmsley scored 10, while Andre Carvalho scored 9 for Kaʻū.

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See public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

JANUARY IS VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH, with US Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory geologists giving presentations throughout the month at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's After Dark in the Park program in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. On Tuesday, Jan. 8, starting at 7 p.m., USGS HVO geologist Carolyn Parcheta gives a presentation on Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption.

Kīlauea's lower East Rift Zone fissure 8 vent and lava flow on
July 13, 2018. Photo from USGS

"Kīlauea Volcano's long-lasting East Rift Zone eruption changed abruptly when the Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō crater floor collapsed on April 30, 2018, followed by an intrusion of magma downrift," states the event description on nps.gov.havo. On May 3, lava erupted in the Leilani Estates subdivision. Within two weeks, 24 fissures had opened along a 4.2-mile-long segment of the lower East Rift Zone. "Fissure 8 soon became the dominant vent, erupting a fast-moving channelized lava flow that reached the ocean, burying 13.7 square miles of land and destroying over 700 structures along the way," the description continues. Parcheta recounts the progression of this dramatic eruption and shares her experiences monitoring it during her presentation.

The free After Dark in the Park program is co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Donations help support park programs. Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 985-6011 or visit nps.gov/havo.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25
Christmas Day Buffet, Tue., Dec. 25, 4-7pm, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Entrees: Prime Rib, Roast Turkey w/Stuffing, Holiday Lamb Stew. $28.95/Adult, $15.95/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, 967-8371

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Dec. 26, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required from Hawai‘i County Office of Aging at 961-8626 for free legal services. Under 60, call 1-800-499-4302. More info: tahisha.despontes@legalaidhawaii.org, 329-3910 ext. 925. legalaidhawaii.org

How to Make Haupia - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), Wed., Dec. 26, 10-2pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Made from the pia root (arrowroot) and mixed with coconut milk or cream, then steamed, boiled or baked into a pudding, haupia is a popular and authentic cultural dessert. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

ONGOING

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Pahala staff kept Bank of Hawaii in Pahala open until 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve and wishes everyone a Happy Holidays.
The bank reopens on Wednesday. Photo by Michael Worthington

FEWER BIRTHS, AN OLDER CITIZENRY, AND PEOPLE LEAVING Hawaiʻi led to a population decrease for two years in a row, according to a report released last week by the federal government. It marks the first time since the 1959 year of statehood that consecutive years saw a population numbers decrease in the Islands.
Will a population decrease lead to an ease in the affordable housing crisis? Will it decrease the labor force further, putting more strain on employers who already face a 2 percent unemployment rate?
Associated Press is carrying the story nationally about Hawaiʻi and quotes economist Eugene Tan, of the state Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. He told AP that fewer residents "will reduce economic growth," since "70 percent of gross domestic product is due to consumer spending."
From July 2016 to July 2017, the state's population decreased by 3,800. From July 2017 to July 2018, the population dropped by 3,712. Some 12,430 residents left for the mainland, decreasing the population by ten people a day. The U.S. Census Bureau reported 17,326 births, 12,660 deaths, and 4,075 people migrating to the islands from foreign countries. In-migration and births failed to overcome loss of population.
The birth rate consistently decreased during the last decade. With Hawaiʻi being the seventh oldest state - with 17.8 percent of the population at lease 65 years of age - there are more deaths each year.

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The Christmas Comet shines blue in a radio image and green in an optical image.
Images from ALMA (ESO/NAOJ/NRAO), M. Cordiner, NASA/CUA; Derek Demeter, Emil Buehler Planetarium

AN OBSERVATORY ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND HAS CAPTURED THE CHRISTMAS COMET. "Just in time for Christmas, the latest apparition of a comet shines like a beautiful ornament in the sky — a delightful green-shrouded treat for amateurs and scientists alike," reports space.com. "Comet 46P/Wirtanen made its closest approach to Earth in more than 20 years... At the W.M. Keck Observatory in Hawaiʻi, a group of scientists led by Boncho Bonev - a physicist at American University - were giddy with anticipation."
Bonev said, "It is very exciting because the comet is so close and sufficiently bright for detailed astronomical studies. Comet Wirtanen is only 30 lunar distances from our planet, meaning that it is about 30 times the distance to the moon. That is nothing compared to the vast distances astronomers typically work with."

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Kahina Tayamen prepares to slide a spear at the Makahiki games station.

Photo by Nalani Parlin

HAWAIIAN CULTURAL ACTIVITIES and knowledge filled a morning at Nāʻālehu Elementary School in December when some 25 Office of Hawaiian Education kūpuna and staff and DOE complex-area representatives gathered for a day of professional development.
OHE staff came from around the island and Oʻahu to join Kaʻū kumu to teach the children, as well as learn from each other. "Did you know are at the southernmost school in the whole United States. You should be proud!" Kumu Kimo Awai, coordinator of the PD day, told keiki.
Kumu Leialoha Roy-DeAguira, from the west side of the island, shared that kūpuna program staff strive to learn place-based info from kūpuna of those areas and visit areas of significance to that place. She emphasized the importance of experiencing a place. "When you watch video, it's not the same as feeling the wind and touching the waters. How else are you going to know? When you experience it yourself, you can relay it to the next generation."

Students rotated through stations focusing on moʻolelo, hula, mele, waʻa, lei making and Makahiki games.

OHE Hawaiian Studies kumu Maile Tavares, new to Nāʻālehu since last year, said, "We are super blessed to have them all come and share."

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Iwao and Alice Yonemitsu sponsored the new lectern.
Photo by Nalani Parlin

A NEW LECTERN, made of Koa and other local woods, was installed at Nāʻālehu School last week.

Vice-principal Christina

Juan announces the winter

program commencement

following lectern dedication.

Photo by Nalani Parlin

The artist and woodworker who designed and built the lectern is Thomas King, of Honuʻapo. The sponsors of the lectern are Alice and Iwao Yonemitsu of Nāʻālehu.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

VOLCANO ART CENTER HOSTS A MOVIE SCREENING NIGHT FOR STOKE - a 90 minute narrative that was shot on the island in 2017 - on Thursday, Jan. 10, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The feature film follows Jane, a struggling tourist who hires two wannabe tour guides to take her to an active volcano - rated R for language and brief nudity. The film's directors will be in attendance to answer questions.
The films synopsis as described on volcanoartcenter.org reads: "A year after the sudden death of her fiancé, Los Angeles litigator Jane is stuck, unable to let go and move forward. Searching for clarity and closure, she makes a spontaneous trip to the Big Island of Hawai‘i to visit an active volcano.
"Upon arrival, Jane enlists the help of Dusty and Po, two locals pretending to run an adventure tour company. As the trio drive across the island en route to the volcano, an unexpected detour takes the group in a new direction as the story explores love, loss, and lava."
Stoke is the fourth film from Larkin Pictures, an award-winning production company located on Hawai‘i Island. Stoke is currently playing at film festivals and will be released in early 2019. For more, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Dec. 27, 4-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home - for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28
Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat., Dec. 29, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture, and observe the catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. nps.gov/havo

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1
New Year's Day Brunch, Tue., Jan. 1, 7-noon, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Menu includes: Roast Pork, Chicken Picata, Omelet Station, French Toast, Breakfast Potatoes, Rice, Patties, Bacon, Fresh Fruit, Cheesecake Bar w/Toppings, Brownies and Beverage. $17.95/Adult, $9.50/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

ONGOING

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A traditional Christmas Eve service last night at Nāʻālehu Methodist Church. Photo by Julia Neal

PEOPLE WORKING IN THE MILITARY AND PARTIALLY CLOSED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT and those who lost jobs won the focus of Rep. Tusli Gabbard's Christmas message. "This time of year is so special to me as we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, and his timeless message of love for God and love for one another. We experience the joy and happiness found when we love and care for each other.

Christmas moon. Photo by Julia Neal

"My heart is with my brothers and sisters in uniform who are away from their loved ones today. We miss you and pray for your quick and safe return home. You are warriors, motivated by love, who put service above self, willing to sacrifice all in service to our people and our country. You are the perfect example of what it means to be an American, and the spirit of service and love that make our country great.

"'John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.'

"There is no force more powerful than love," wrote Gabbard, promising to fight for an end to "our country's unnecessary wars," and to care for veterans.

Gabbard reached out to government workers and their families, "struggling this Christmas – some not knowing when their next paycheck will come in because of a government shutdown that could have been avoided," and others also under financial stress "because they've recently been laid off due to corporate greed. People are suffering because self-serving leaders in positions of power, driven by a desire for money, power, and fame, sacrifice the well-being of the people for their own selfish gain. They dishonor our veterans and those who have sacrificed all in service to our people and our country, undermining the very values and principles they have fought to uphold and protect. They deserve better. You deserve better. We deserve servant leaders who will put the needs of the people and our country before their own.

"The challenges we face are great. Darkness, divisiveness, and hatred surround us. But I am hopeful. Because I know that when we stand together, united by our love for each other and for our country, there is no challenge we cannot overcome.

"'1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.'"

She asked the public to sign a card to the troops "as we wish them well, and work to bring them home."

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WITH YESTERDAY'S WORST DROP IN THE STOCK MARKET ON A CHRISTMAS EVE, EVER, Hawaiʻi Sen. Brian Schatz tweeted his concerns after the Dow closed down more than 650 points, losing 4,000 points in three weeks. The S&P 500 dropped more than 20 percent from a recent high, indicating the possible transition from a bull to a bear market. The Nasdaq fell 2.2 percent and bonds rose.

Schatz retweeted an NBC news report that "The plummet followed a tumultuous few days in Washington, amid reports that Trump was discussing how to remove Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell," who recently raised interest rates.

Democratic leaders Chuck Schumer and Nancy Pelosi released a statement: "It's Christmas Eve and President Trump is plunging the country into chaos. The stock market is tanking and the president is waging a personal war on the Federal Reserve — after he just fired the Secretary of Defense."

A hibernating bear stock market may overtake the aggressive bull market, both represented in these creations
in front of the stock market in Germany. Photo from Wikipedia

Schatz tweeted: "I am not an economist but I believe markets do not like the idea that an angry President might fire the fed chair." Schatz also wrote, "The stock market goes up and down and the market is not the economy. But it is, for many people, their retirement or their college savings plan. And a lot of wealth has been wiped out because of the trade war, the tax cuts, and volatility not in the market but in the Oval Office."

Numerous retirees responded to Schatz, with such tweets as "Trying to live on social security and savings in 401K which is crap now. Trump has made my life so much worse. No winning here at my house." Another said, "Lost most of our 401K in '09. built it up a bit since, now watching it shrink again. No time to rebuild - we are 63 and 64."

Said another, "I am one of those retirees whose 403 (b) and after-tax stock investments have been decimated by Trump's actions. If he wants to take (undue) credit for the rise, he owns the crash as well."

The New York Times reported today, "For anyone closely watching the financial markets, the calm of Christmas on Tuesday was infused with anxiety. Traders were bracing for the possibility of bad news on Wednesday... stocks fell for four consecutive days through Monday... Investors have looked past evidence of economic strength, however, and toward a potential slowdown in 2019."
In international markets, the dollar weakened and gold climbed to a six month high.

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Fireworks permits become available tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 26, and are good through 1 a.m. on
New Year's Eve. Photo by Julia Neal

FIREWORKS AND FIREWORKS PERMITS go on sale tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 26. Firework and permit sales end midnight, Monday, Dec. 31.

Setting off of fireworks for New Year celebrations is allowed between 9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, and 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. Permits should be visibly displayed at the site of use during the time of firing.

Each permit costs $25 and will entitle the holder to purchase 5,000 individual firecrackers - multiple permit purchases are authorized. Permits will only be issued to persons 18 years or older, and are non-transferable and non-refundable.

Permits are available at:

•Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 28

•Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Building E, second floor, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 26 through 30

•Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court, Kamuela, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 31

Permits are also available at the following firecracker vending outlets, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 31:

•J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy, Kurtistown

•KTA Puainako,

50 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•TNT Tent Hilo, 381 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 325 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 111 E. Puainako St.

•Long's Puainako,

111 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd.

•Pacific Fireworks, 75-1022 Henry St., Kona

•Phantom Tent Kona, 74-5454 Makala Blvd.

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In the street and in the air, fireworks will light up the sky, celebrated with
sound and explosions on the streets and yards throughout Ka‘ū,
starting just after sunset on New Year's Eve. Photo by Julia Neal

HAWAIʻI COUNTY FIRE CHIEF DARREN ROSARIO issued a statement to remind the public of rules regarding fireworks:

It is illegal for anyone to remove the powder or pyrotechnic contents from any firework, or to throw fireworks from, at, or into any vehicle. Fireworks must only be set off between 9 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, and 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1.
It is also illegal to set off any fireworks within 1,000 feet of any hospital, convalescent home, care home for the elderly, zoo, animal hospital or shelter, or church while services are held: set off any fireworks on any school property without authorization from said school official(s); set off any fireworks on any public way, such as a highway, alley, street, sidewalk, or park.
Offering for sale, selling, or giving any fireworks to minors is illegal, as is possession, purchase, selling, setting off, igniting, or otherwise causing to explode any fireworks, except under the immediate supervision of an adult. Setting off any aerial luminary devices – commonly called Sky Lanterns or Hawaiʻi Lanterns – or any other aerial devices – such as bottle rockets, skyrockets, roman candles, cakes, mortars, or shells – is also illegal.

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Firework displays have toned down in Kaʻū since more than a thousand people came to Pāhala to see the spectacular

Rodney Freitas show in 2009. However, lots of backyard and street action is expected in all the villages on Dec. 31,

and Hawaiʻi Fire Department warns everyone to be careful. Photo by Kris Bakken

FIREWORK SAFETY IS ON THE MIND of Hawaiʻi Fire Department, which asks "everyone to please Kokua" in helping to prevent fires and avoid unnecessary injuries caused by fireworks each year:

•Use extreme care when setting off fireworks. Children interacting with or near fireworks should be under a sober adult's close supervision at all times. Even the smallest of fireworks can cause severe injuries that will quickly ruin the holidays.

•Fireworks should be set off in an area well away from dry grass or flammable materials.

•Fireworks should be completely extinguished and cool before being disposed of.

•Have a fire extinguisher and/or a water hose ready to use. Be sure water can reach all areas fireworks activities and around any buildings. Wetting down any dry, grassy areas before and after setting off fireworks is recommended. Preparing will verify water can reach any places necessary in case of an unexpected fire.

For more information on purchasing fireworks permits, or the use of fireworks, call the Fire Prevention Bureau at 932-2911 (Hilo) or 323-4760 (Kona).

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APPLICATIONS FOR A PAID INTERNSHIP IN KAʻŪ for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are being accepted. The year-long, full-time position is in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona.

Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.

Applicants must be at least 17 years old, and possess or be working towards a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must also have their own housing and transportation, a driver's license, and be able to pass a criminal history check.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

LEARN TO WEAVE LAU HALA WITH LEAVES FROM THE ‘AHA PŪHALA O PUNA weaving club on Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon, on the Kīlauea Visitor Center Lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
"Hawaiians have used the hala (pandanus) tree to create many useful and beautiful items for centuries. Come create, and take home your own small piece of lau hala art," states the event description on nps.gov/havo. Attendance to the ‘Ike Hana No‘eau - Experience the Skillful Work event is free; however, park entrance fees 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.

ONGOING

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Mats Fogelvik's entry to the Invitational Masters Show of the Hawaiʻi Wood Guild.
See story, below. Photo from fogelvik.com

THE CHRISTMAS EVE STOCK MARKET PLUNGE that worried Sen. Brian Schatz and people relying on retirement funds - see yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs - wildly reversed today, with the largest single-day gain in history. Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by more than 1,000 points – 4.98 percent; the S&P rose 500 - 4.96 percent - and Nasdaq 5.8 percent. That left the stock market down 7.4 percent for the year.

According to a National Public Radio story today, the extreme rise and fall could be attributed to the partial federal government shutdown, resignation of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis, rumors of Pres. Donald Trump wanting to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powellover, a recent U.S. Central Bank interest rate hike, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin's response to the unsteady market numbers of last week.

Mnuchin, who spoke with CEOs of the six largest U.S.banks on Sunday, made public comments via social media: "The banks all confirmed ample liquidity is available for lending to consumer and business markets." NPR reported that his statements may have encouraged the market drop on Monday.

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GRANTS IN AID APPLICATIONS for 2019 are available from the Hawaiʻi State Legislature for funds to operate programs and Capital Improvement Projects, such as constructing and repairing buildings and other facilities.

Grants in 2018 included funding to build early learning center classrooms for VolcanoSchool of Arts & Sciences; building funds for Miloliʻi Community Enrichment and HistoricalCenter; and affordable housing funds for Habitat for Humanity in West Hawaiʻi.

Operating funds in 2018 included $280K for Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaiʻi, $100K for Family Support Services of West Hawaiʻi, and $100K for After-School All-Stars Hawaiʻi.

Deadline to submit applications is Friday, Jan. 18, at 4:30 p.m. The grants are funded by the state, under Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes, Chapter 42F, capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol01_Ch0001-0042F/HRS0042F/. Get an application at capitol.hawaii.gov/GIA/2019GIAInstructionsApplicationandFAQ.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2EATdyAIFTm9rUAgdSpRRaDAjlr_uiA_H1eJmqQXRl2dZUeTH9ycU0yEM. Learn more at labor.hawaii.gov/ocs/service-programs-index/gia/.

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Sen. Russell Ruderman

STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN'S SERVICE ANIMAL LAW goes into effect Jan. 1. It sets up fines for those who falsely claim that an ordinary pet or emotional support animal is a service animal with special privileges in public places. Misrepresentation of a service animal will be punishable by a fine of between $100 and $250 for the first offense, and at least $500 for subsequent offenses.

Ruderman told Michael Brestovansky of Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald that the law "will be very difficult to enforce and will instead largely serve as a deterrent." The story, carried today, quoted Ruderman saying it's "like a littering law. I don't know if we've charged anyone with littering all year. It doesn't get used a lot, but it still changes people's perceptions... It's just another one of the tools that businesses can now use."

The law was created to try to curb people taking pets into public places with "No Animals" policies. A service dog, for instance, assisting a person in managing a disability, is trained to behave differently from a normal pet or emotional support animal. This can lead to untrained animals causing problems in public places, and exposing service animals and their users to unnecessary interactions with untrained animals.

Ruderman told the Tribune-Herald the law "likely will only be enforced if the offending behavior raises complaints from other people," or if the offender is charged with other offenses. "Say there's someone who refuses to leave," posited Ruderman to Brestovansky. "That way, the person could be charged with trespassing, and while they're at it, they could be charged for misrepresenting a service animal."

Executive director of Hawaiʻi Fi-Do - an Oʻahu nonprofit that provides people with service dogs - Jim Kennedy, told Brestovansky he hopes the law will serve to remind animal owners that even a seemingly harmless act, such as bringing a dog to a public place under the guise of a service animal, has harmful consequences.

Kennedy told Tribune-Heraldthat due to people bringing untrained animals into public places, businesses might "not trust any purported service animal," and legitimate service dogs and their owners might be "placed under unfair scrutiny." He also said untrained animals might cause service animals to lose focus, interfering with their work, or might behave aggressively toward a service dog – even attack them – and that "the trauma of an attack might force the dog to retire from service."

Kennedy told Brestovansky that service animals and emotional support animals are not the same. "I'm not naïve - people will try to fake it anyway. But if people realize that it's wrong, then I think some people might decide not to do it." See the story at Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald.

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Mats Fogelvik's signature, logo table, designed after a bridge. See his entry to the Invitational Masters Show
of the Hawaiʻi Wood Guild (above). Photo from fogelvik.com

KAʻŪ WOODWORKER MATS FOGELVIK is chosen to present his art in the 2019 Invitational Masters Show of the Hawaiʻi Wood Guild. Fogelvik, who lives and works in Hawaiian Ocean View Ranchos, completed his new creation this week, a koa table. See photo, at top.

Mats Fogelvik of Hawaiian Ranchos is

chosen to participate in the Invitational

Masters Show of Hawai`i Wood Guild.

Hawaiʻi Wood Guild's show runs Saturday, Jan. 12, through Friday, Feb. 22, at Isaacs Art Center, 64-1268 Kawaihae Rd., Kamuela. The opening reception is from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Jan. 12. The show is viewable Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 885-5884 for more.

Fogelvik, a custom woodworker and artist, has won many prizes, including the Marian Yasuda Award for First Place Furniture at the 2018 Hawaiʻi's Woodshow.

Fogelvik, originally from Sweden, moved to Maui in 1991 and then to Hawaiʻi Island in 2010. On his website, he says, "My goal is to create pieces with a 'one of a kind quality,' and at the same time the customer will be able to recognize and connect with the piece, on a very emotional level. I believe wood is a living material, and I am excited about bringing out the soul within, to make the wood express itself to you. Listen carefully, and you will hear my furniture speak to you!"

See his creations on his website at fogelvik.com and his Facebook. Also see his work at Volcano Art Center Gallery.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Dec. 27, Thu., @Kealakehe

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

A FREE LECTURE AND CONCERT FROM GLENN MCCLURE, A CELEBRATED COMPOSER and Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park's next Artist in Residence, is offered on Friday, Jan. 11, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
McClure is also an educator and data scientist.
Originally from rural upstate New York, McClure was influenced by a wide array of musical styles, including gospel, merengue, salsa, and choir. He studied music as a child and in college, and traveled the world as a professional composer. He currently teaches Music and Humanities at Paul Smiths College in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.
The event is sponsored by National Parks Arts Foundation, Art Works, and Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Park entrance fees apply. For more, email info@nationalparksartsfoundation.org or visit nationalparksartsfoundation.org or nps.gov/havo.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27

Craft Class, Thu., Dec. 27, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Ka‘ū Community Children's Council, Thu., Dec. 27, 12-1:30pm, Punalu‘u Bake Shop. Monthly meeting provides local forum for all community members to come together as equal partners to discuss and positively affect multiple systems' issues for the benefit of all students, families, and communities. Chad Domingo, text 808-381-2584, domingoc1975@yahoo.com, ccco.k12.hi.us

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Dec. 27, 4-6pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Free community dinner for all. Additional packaged goods to take home - for those in need. Donations and volunteers encouraged. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28
Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat., Dec. 29, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture, and observe the catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. nps.gov/havo

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1
New Year's Day Brunch, Tue., Jan. 1, 7-noon, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Menu includes: Roast Pork, Chicken Picata, Omelet Station, French Toast, Breakfast Potatoes, Rice, Patties, Bacon, Fresh Fruit, Cheesecake Bar w/Toppings, Brownies and Beverage. $17.95/Adult, $9.50/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
Open Mic Night, Wed., Jan. 2, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign-up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

ONGOING

Fireworks and Fireworks Permits are on Sale through Monday, Dec. 31 at midnight.

Permits are available at:

•Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 28

•Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Building E, second floor, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 26 through 30

•Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court, Kamuela, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 31

Permits are also available at the following firecracker vending outlets, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 31:

•J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy, Kurtistown

•KTA Puainako,

50 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•TNT Tent Hilo, 381 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 325 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 111 E. Puainako St.

•Long's Puainako,

111 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd.

•Pacific Fireworks, 75-1022 Henry St., Kona

•Phantom Tent Kona, 74-5454 Makala Blvd.

Kīlauea Military Camp's Holiday Challenge is open for viewing through Monday, Dec. 31. The event features a row of cottages along the front of the camp decorated in with various characters and Christmas decor - with Kīlauea Military Camp employees responsible and competing for a popularity vote. The public is invited to admire the decorations and vote for their favorite decorated cottage. Kīlauea Military Camp is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for additional information. See kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

19th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition is open at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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A wee view of acres of Christmas lights and scenes at the corner of Lehua and Palm in Ocean View. With donations
from neighbors, the Houvener family expands its show each year. See story, below. Photo by Peter Bosted

SUZANNE CASE IS REAPPOINTED TO CHAIR THE STATE BOARD OF LAND & NATURAL RESOURCES and to run the Department of Land & Natural Resources, the office of Gov. David Ige announced today. The appointment is subject to state Senate confirmation.

Case is former executive director of The Nature Conservancy Hawaiʻi Program, which overseas Kamehame hawskbill turtle preserve and numerous native forest preserves in Kaʻū. TNC, with partners, has protected some 200,000 acres statewide. Case served as Western and Asia/Pacific regional counsel for The Nature Conservancy. She practiced real estate transactions law at the law firm of Pettit & Martin in San Francisco. Case attended Williams College and Stanford University, where she graduated with a B.A. in History. She received her law degree from Hastings College of the Law, University of California, San Francisco.

Suzanne Case won a reappointment from Gov. David Ige to chair the
state Board of Land & Natural Resources and to manage the DLNR.
Photo from the Governor's Office

Ige first appointed Case to run DLNR and chair BLNR in April 2015. "In this role she has focused on good government, inclusion, and implementation of Gov. Ige's Sustainable Hawaiʻi Initiative," said the statement from the governor's office.

Said Case, "I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve with Gov. Ige and DLNR staff to protect Hawaiʻi's natural and cultural resources for all of Hawaiʻi. Together we have accomplished a lot these past four years, and we have a clear path forward to take the next important steps for our sustainability into the future, doing our job, the right way, and inclusively," said Case.

Robert Masuda.
Photo from the Governor's Office

Ige also re-appointed Robert K. Masuda to be First Deputy Director at DLNR. Masuda assumed the position in August 2017. He also held the job from May 2005 to May 2007. Masuda served as senior advisor for special programs development at the USDA's U.S. Forest Service' Institute for Pacific Islands Forestry. Masuda holds a B.S. in applied behavioral science and group work education from George Williams College, and an Executive M.B.A. from the University of Hawai‘i.

"I'm delighted to continue to serve with Gov. Ige and Chair Case as I agree very much with their commitment to Hawaiʻi's leadership in global sustainability through proper stewardship of our natural and cultural resources. The governor's respect and appreciation of native Hawaiian values and stewardship of our legacy resources is a reflection of his leadership and character, both much needed in today's world," said Masuda. Masuda's appointment is also subject to senate confirmation.

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HAWAIʻI WILDLIFE FUND'S ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM reached more than 2,544 classroom students, according to a report from the nonprofit, issued today.
Since 2014, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund mentors have taken unique classroom lessons and hands-on activities to students at schools across this island. The two main programs are Marine Debris Keiki Education and Outreach and Hawaiian Coastal Ecosystem. The report says that both have "considerable momentum."

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund reached more than 2,544 classroom students.
Photo from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund

The schedule of classroom visits and field trips is filling up with both repeat teachers and new interests. "We are also excited to share that we are in the process of creating a new lesson on hawksbill sea turtles and a formal high school internship program" for juniors and seniors over the coming months, the report advises. For more, contact the Education Coordinator at Kallie.HWF@gmail.com.
During 2018, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund hosted 60 cleanup efforts that amounted in over 53,172 lbs. of plastics and nets removed from the natural environment. "Mahalo to the 881 volunteers that helped to make 2018 another successful year of beach cleanups on Hawai‘i Island and Maui," states the report.
To volunteer, visit the calendar at wildhawaii.org for upcoming cleanup events. "We are proud to say that the new custom dump bed has now been installed and with your help, is already working to rid beaches of plastic!"

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Applications for the 11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament - to take place Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019- will be available

mid-January. Photo from ‘O Ka‘ū Kakou

SIGN-UPS FOR THE 11TH ANNUAL KEIKI FISHING TOURNAMENT, scheduled for mid February, will begin mid-January, says Julie Enriques, of ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou. Applications will be distributed to schools and other locations throughout Ka‘ū.

Those interested can pick up and drop off applications before the event at Nā‘ālehu Elementary School, Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Pāhala Elementary School, Mizuno Superette in Pāhala, Pāhala Gas Station, Wiki Wiki Mart in Nā‘ālehu, Ka‘ū Learning Academy, Kahuku Country Market in Ocean View, or Ocean View Auto Parts.

The tournament will tentatively take place on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 9 a.m.to 2 p.m., at the Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. Registration at the event will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.Keiki, ages 1 to 14 years old, can fish until noonand then join in the free lunch and prizes. Every participant gets a prize. For more information, call Guy Enriques, 217-2253, or Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773. See okaukakou.org.

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SERIOUSLY SHOPPING AFTER CHRISTMAS, to amplify the celebration in his community, is the mission of Kaider Houvener, of Ocean View. His budget is cash from a grateful community that makes donations to help expand Houvener's famed display of Christmas decorations on the corner of Lehua and Palm.

Kaider Houvener works at South Point U Cart and lives
off grid but lights up Ocean View with acres of
Christmas scenes each year. Photo by Annie Bosted

Houvener, whose day job is running South Point U Cart, and his wife, Michelle, have an increasingly important Christmas role in the community. In their yard, they create the jaw-dropping display of all the Christmas motifs from a nativity scene through candy and nutcrackers, to stars, Santas, and lights, lights, lights.

Houvener told The Kaʻū Calendar that they began their traffic-stopping decorations 12 years ago, and each year they add more and more. Recently, a neighbor built a donation box so their neighbors can show their appreciation with spare change. The box is always well stuffed with generous contributions from the crowds that make the Houvener yard a Christmas destination.

The day after Christmas, Houvener collects up the cash, which may amount to hundreds of dollars, and, taking advantage of post-Christmas sales, he scours the stores for the best deals and buys what ever it takes to make next year's display even more astounding.

Their reward? Seeing smiles on the faces of the keiki. As parents of seven children, the Houveners know exactly what makes kids, and their families, love Christmas, as evidenced by the hundreds of cars that stop by each December.

Houvener quit counting the number of lights he displays on strings when he passed 10,000. He has never counted all the lights on the reindeer, the 15-foot star, or other Christmas wonders. He has 27 blow-ups and a Santa performing hula on demand. Each season, he judiciously arranges and juggles his vast collection to make the most of every square foot in his one-acre yard. Living off the grid, he is rapidly reaching the limit of how much electricity he can produce to power the dazzling display, so a bigger generator is on his wish list.

Houvener also told The Kaʻū Calendar that it takes him about four weeks to set up. He turns on the lights the day after Thanksgiving. It will take him and his 13-year-old daughter about four weeks to take down all the decorations that the Houveners display.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

TWO PATCH CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED IN NĀ‘ĀLEHU on Friday, Jan. 11, at Punalu‘u Bake Shop's back pavilion.
PATCH Class #701, Creating Supportive Environments I - making the connection between the environment, social-emotional development, and challenging behaviors - takes place from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
PATCH Class # 219, Building Relationships - making the connection between social and emotional development and challenging behaviors - takes place from noon to 3 p.m.
Both classes are sponsored by Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool and relate to child educators evaluating children in early learning environments, such as pre-school, home day care, etc. They are not PATCH's classes specifically designed for parents. No childcare provided. For more or to register, call 238-3472, or email rhall@patch-hi.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.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28
MAY BE CANCELLED DUE TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN - Nature & Culture: An Unseverable Relationship, Sat., Dec. 29, 9:30-11:30am, Kahuku Unit of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Moderate guided hike along the Palm Trail, approx. 2 miles. Learn about native plants that play a vital role in Hawaiian culture, and observe the catastrophic change and restoration of the land as it transitions from the 1868 lava flow to deeper soils with more diversity and older flora. Free. nps.gov/havo

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1
New Year's Day Brunch, Tue., Jan. 1, 7-noon, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Menu includes: Roast Pork, Chicken Picata, Omelet Station, French Toast, Breakfast Potatoes, Rice, Patties, Bacon, Fresh Fruit, Cheesecake Bar w/Toppings, Brownies and Beverage. $17.95/Adult, $9.50/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
Open Mic Night, Wed., Jan. 2, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign-up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3
Women's Support Group, Thu., Jan. 3 and 17, 3-4:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 1st and 3rd Thu. of every month thereafter. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu., Jan. 3, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Thu., Jan. 3, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

Hula Voices, Thu., Jan. 3, 7-9pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free, monthly. 967-7565

ONGOING
Fireworks and Fireworks Permits are on Sale through Monday, Dec. 31 at midnight.

Permits are available at:

•Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 28

•Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Building E, second floor, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 26 through 30

•Parker Ranch Shopping Center Food Court, Kamuela, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 31
Permits are also available at the following firecracker vending outlets, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 31:

•J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy, Kurtistown

•KTA Puainako,

50 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•TNT Tent Hilo, 381 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 325 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 111 E. Puainako St.
•Long's Puainako,

111 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd.

•Pacific Fireworks, 75-1022 Henry St., Kona

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.

Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park remains closed until the partial government shutdown is
resolved. However, many facilities are open in the Volcano Unit - fee free. Photo from NPS

THE PARTIAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN is starting to have more effects, with loss of income at the gate to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park as the days of free entry roll by. Also in effect is the complete closure of the Kahuku Unit of the Park near Ocean View.
Approval of funding to reopen closed parts of government, including sending Park staff back to work, is expected after Jan. 3, when new members of Congress take their seats. The standoff is between Pres. Donald Trump and Congress. Trump insists on assurance of funding for a wall along the southern border of the U.S. mainland to keep out immigrants. He not only threatened to refrain

Despite the partial shutdown, Volcano Art
Center Gallery is open with such events as the
kick off of the 2019 Hula Voices series,
beginning Wednesday Jan. 2. with Leilehua
Yuen and Desiree Moana Cruz. See events,
below. Photo from Volcano Art Center

from signing a congressional funding bill for government without the wall funding; he said he may shut down the entire southern border of the U.S.
The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives voted to fund government without money for the wall. After Trump protested, the House voted for funding for the wall, but the Senate declined to follow.
Sen. Brian Schatz predicted that on Jan. 3, the new House, which will be dominated by Democrats, "will pass a bill to reopen government. Then it's up to (Senate Majority Leader Mitch) McConnell and Trump."
With staff on furlough, U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory suspended its weekly Volcano Watcharticles. One of them would have been carried in this publication today.
HVO will continue to issue updates, warnings, and notifications of volcanic activity through their website, Volcano Notification Service email, and social media. Volcano monitoring data on HVO's website will be kept up to date and critical monitoring instruments will be maintained. Static website content will not be updated until further notice and information may be outdated.

While the Volcano unit of the Park is open without the staff of rangers for interpretation and collecting fees, enterprises located inside the Park remain open: Volcano Art Center Gallery; Volcano House hotel, restaurants, and stores; Kīlauea Theatre; KMC accommodations, restaurant, store, and lounge; and Kīlauea Visitor Center displays and its Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association book store. See last Friday, Dec. 12, Kaʻū News Briefs for details of trails and roads in the park that are open and closed.
Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association is also offering interpretation. The Park announced that its "nonprofit partner since 1933 has stepped in to help keep KīlaueaVisitorCenteropen daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m." HPPA staff members are "providing a starting point to a safe and enjoyable visit to the park, sharing information about open and closed areas, and offering visitors the chance to shop for national park merchandise in the HPPA park store."

Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association staff, working to keep
Kīlauea VisitorCenteropen while Park Rangers are on furlough.

Photo from Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association Facebook

Sen. Mazie Hirono tweeted yesterday: "More than 2,500 federal workers in Hawaiʻi are either furloughed or working without pay during the #TrumpShutdown. As long as Donald Trump refuses to re-open the government, I will be donating my salary to Hawaiʻi's food banks – who serve nearly 1 in 8 Hawaiʻi residents in need."

Schatz retweeted a post from the U.S. Office of Personal Management, @USOPM, addressed to federal workers. It offers a link to "sample letters you may use as a guide when working with your creditors during this furlough. If you need legal advice please consult with your personal attorney."

Schatz also commented on the "Roughly 42,000 service members who... will not receive their next paycheck," according to an article on rollcall.com. "This is not a game. Don't think of it like a game. Don't play it like it's a game. Don't cover it like it's a game."

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DAVAO DEL SUR IN THE PHILIPPINESSHOOK DURING A 6.9-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE today at 5:39 p.m. The epicenter was about 37 miles deep, about 51 miles southeast of DavaoCity. The PacificTsunamiWarningCentersays Hawaiʻi is in no tsunami danger, but that Philippinesand Indonesiamay see increase in waves of up to one foot. There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

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An Alaska Aerospace launch from Kodiak Island. The company wants to expand to Hawaiʻi Island.
See akaeerospace.com. Photo from Alaska Aerospace

ANOTHER SPACEPORT PROPOSAL eyes Hawaiʻi Island. Big Island Video News broke the story on Thursday, noting that first choice is the Keaʻau area, and that the state legislature, state administration, Hawaiʻi Island Economic Development Board, and University of Hawaiʻi have been involved for years, appropriating research, advice, and funds toward the plan by Alaska Aerospace.
Alaska Aerospace operates a launch site on Kodiak Island and looks to expand to Hawaiʻi.

Big Island Video News reports that "An Alaska-based corporation is looking to site a commercial spaceport in East Hawaiʻi, although Hawaiʻi County Mayor Harry Kim is advising that consideration and engagement should be targeted with the residents living in the area."

According to Big Island Video News, after the company sent the idea to the County in November, the mayor wrote back that the County "encourages the identification of opportunities to build upon a fully integrated economy that benefits a diversity of local businesses, residents and the environment." The mayor also wrote, "a full and careful review of its impact to this community is required."
Kim wrote that "A full discussion of the size, activities, specific type of payloads including any payloads that would serve as a red flag such as nuclear fuels, wastes or related component parts. Careful consideration and engagement should be targeted with the residents of East Hawaiʻi and in particular residents of the Panaʻewa Homesteads as to any potential impacts and planned mitigation actions. Discussion should include noise, lights, safe disposal of any by-products, handling and spills associated with rocket fuels and/or hazardous waste and accompanying robust mitigation strategies."
He said that also to be considered are "adjacent visitor destinations, agricultural and fisheries operations and valued astronomy facilities atop Mauna Kea."
The mayor showed concern about garbage in space: "Impact and mitigation strategies may also include the growing amount of trash accumulating in space including that within Earth's orbit."
Big Island Video News reached out to the spaceport developer, Alaska Aerospace. On Thursday, Dec. 27, Alaska Aerospace president Mark D. Lester confirmed his group is "at the initial stages of considering a commercial spaceport for the Island of Hawaiʻi—Keaʻau area," and that the "facility will support low-inclination and equatorial launches of small rockets placing small satellites into orbit."

Launch storage on Kodiak Island for Alaska Aerospace, which is working with the state and University of
Hawaiʻi to come here. Photo from Alaska Aerospace. See akaeerospace.com.

Big Island Video News notes that a January, 2016, KHON2 News report said that a commercial launch site was under consideration for private land near the "Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut farms in Hilo."
Big Island Video News also points to a 2017 travel expense report showing that Alaska Aerospace Corp. executives met with the "East Hawaiʻi launch site planning team and consultant" in Honolulu and Hilo between May 8 and May 11, 2017. The report also shows an FAA East Hawaiʻi environmental kick-off meeting was held in June of that year. In October 2017, executives participated in a University of Hawaiʻi 2017 Future Focus forum and visited the Hilo launch site.
Big Island Video News points to an Alaska Aerospace Corp. 2017 Year In Review document: "In support of the East Hawaiʻi location, Alaska Aerospace is teamed with the University of Hawaiʻi, Spaceflight Laboratory, the Hawaiʻi Island Economic Development Board, and the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) in evaluating the potential for development of a launch facility that could support both liquid and solid fuel small and ultra-small commercial launch vehicles.
"The Hawaiʻi Legislature appropriated $250,000 in SFY 2018 to support the evaluation of a potential location in East Hawaiʻi for a small lift facility. By mid-year, an environmental firm was selected and the formal Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Environmental Assessment (EA) process was initiated. Alaska Aerospace is supporting the project by providing engineering design and technical support in facility layout for the EA. Alaska Aerospace will also be responsible for applying to the FAA for the commercial spaceport site operator license under FAA Application Procedures described in 14 CFR Part 420, should the environmental process advance successfully."

View of Alaska Aerospace on Kodiak Island. Mayor Harry Kim asks the company to interact with
the local community before expanding to Hawaiʻi Island. Photo from Alaska Aerospace. See akaeerospace.com.

According to Big Island Video News, "Minutes from a February 2018 meeting of the Alaska Aerospace Corp. Board of Directors show that earlier this year, East Hawaiʻi and a location in Saipan were both under consideration as a possible equatorial launch site." At that time, minutes say, "it appeared as if Saipan was going to be the better choice, they could build fast and meet the emerging market. Hawaiʻi has a better industrial base and is closer to the mainland. Although Hawaiʻi is great, it may not happen. That was confirmed when the Hawaiʻi legislature was asked to appropriate $100K for a site evaluation and they removed it from the budget last year."
Big Island Video News reports that February minutes document that University of Hawaiʻi was "moving forward with an environmental assessment of the proposed site. AAC is an advisor on the technical aspects. Hawaiʻi money, not Alaska Aerospace money, is being used to fund the Environmental Assessment. UH Space Flight Laboratory hired KFS, an environmental firm from Huntsville, AL, as they have done a number of environmental projects at Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Hawaiʻi and are familiar with rocket launch issues."
The minutes say a Kick-Off Meeting and Public Scoping Meetings were conducted Jan. 15 and 16 in Hilo. "We expect the first public meeting in April," the minutes stated. "AAC will be the operator of the Hawaiʻi spaceport and will secure the spaceport license and market both the Alaska and Hawaiʻi locations as 'Pacific Spaceport Complex' with two launch locations, one equatorial and one polar. There will be more polar requirements for the small satellites than equatorial. If a company like Rocket Lab has a site in New Zealand but they also need equatorial and the US Government wants to do it – they could bring their polar and equatorial needs to Alaska and Hawaiʻi. The market value is to capture those that would probably be split between two different companies, two different locations, two different procedures, two different contracts."
By June of 2018, minutes show, a launch site design was submitted for the Environmental Assessment, and "the development team has designed the site for two separate launch pads within the desired 15 acres for both liquid and solid propellants."

An Alaska Aerospace mobile monitoring station. Photo from Alaska Aerospace. See akaeerospace.com.

"AAC is currently awaiting permission from local government agencies to clear an access road to the site to conduct the environmental and archeological assessments," the June minutes read. "After that the environmental team will finalize their environmental assessment and move to public scoping."
In the minutes from the September 2018 Board of Directors meeting, it was stated that Alaska Aerospace Corporation "continues to work with KFS on the Environmental Assessment submittal and public hearings. AAC will initiate the FAA Launch Site Operators License process after the public scoping process provides assurances that the site is viable for development."
Big Island Video News states "space launch proposals have not been well received by the residents of Hawaiʻi Island over the years. Most recently, the experimental SpinLaunch, Inc. satellite launch system – which considered a possible spot near Pohue Bay in the Ka‘u District – got slammed during a heated public meeting held to share information on the project."
See more on the project at kaeerospace.com.

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STATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTORS won reappointment from Gov. David Ige, his office announced yesterday. "The health and wellbeing of Hawaiʻi's people and natural resources are in good hands with this team of directors and deputies. Their commitment to the people, place, and culture of Hawaiʻi will carry us forward to an increasingly healthy and sustainable future," Ige said.

Bruce Anderson, Ph.D.

Bruce Anderson, Ph.D., has served as DOH director since June 2018. He served as director of the department from 1999 to 2002 and as deputy director of environmental health from 1987 to 1998, and, earlier, as state epidemiologist. He also served as president and chief executive officer of the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation. Andersongraduated from ColoradoCollegeand received a master's degree in public health from YaleUniversity and a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the University of Hawaiʻi.

Andersonsaid, "I am delighted to have the chance to continue to work with Gov. Ige, his team, and the dedicated staff at the Department of Health. It has been six months since I returned to the department, and I am still very excited about opportunities to improve the health and environment of the people of Hawaiʻi. I feel at home." His appointment is subject to senate confirmation.

Pankaj Bhanot has served as director of Department of Human Services since August 2016. He is an attorney by training who has dedicated his professional life to human rights and human services. He held positions within DHS including deputy director, division administrator, employment and child care program administrator, and food stamp employment and training program specialist. Bhanot earned a B.A. in political science from HinduCollege, University of Delhi, a J.D. from the Law Centre-I, University of Delhi, and an LL.M. in international human rights law from CornellLawSchool.

Dir. Bhanot and his wife. Photo

from humanservices.hawaii.gov

Bhanot said, "I wanted to join Gov. Ige's cabinet four years ago because I believed in his goal of changing the trajectory of Hawaiʻi. The department of human services is vital to this vision. Because of the governor's leadership, we have made great strides over the last four years. I'm honored to continue this work with Gov. Ige. I look forward to spending the next four years helping families in Hawaiʻi thrive." His appointment is subject to senate confirmation.

The deputy position at DHS is appointed by the director, and Bhanot has re-appointed Cathy Betts to the position, not subject to senate confirmation.

Betts has been deputy at DHS since September 2017. She was executive director of the Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women. Betts previously practiced law in both the private and government sectors. Betts earned a B.A. in sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a J.D. from the University of Hawaiʻi William S. Richardson School of Law.

Betts said, "I am deeply honored and privileged to be reappointed to serve the people of Hawaiʻi. I have great gratitude for this position and a sincere obligation to ensure our families and children are thriving. I would like to thank Director Pankaj Bhanot and Gov. Ige for their faith in my abilities and am looking forward to the next four years of this important work."

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kona

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Swimming:

Dec. 29, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

A FREE COMMUNITY DANCE AT THE COOPER CENTER IN VOLCANO VILLAGE, is hosted on Friday, Jan. 11, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., offering a variety of music. Coffee, tea, water and snack provided. Free admission; donations appreciated. It is an alcohol-free event. Minors are allowed with supervision only. For more, call 967-7800, or visit thecoopercenter.org.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1

New Year's Day Brunch, Tue., Jan. 1, 7-noon, Kīlauea Military Camp's Crater Rim Café, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Menu includes: Roast Pork, Chicken Picata, Omelet Station, French Toast, Breakfast Potatoes, Rice, Patties, Bacon, Fresh Fruit, Cheesecake Bar w/Toppings, Brownies and Beverage. $17.95/Adult, $9.50/Child (6-11 yrs). KMC open to all patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. 967-8356, 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2
Hula Voices w/Kumu Hula Leilehua Yuen, Wed., Jan. 2, 5-6:30pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free, monthly. 967-7565

Open Mic Night, Wed., Jan. 2, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign-up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3
Women's Support Group, Thu., Jan. 3 and 17, 3-4:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 1st and 3rd Thu. of every month thereafter. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu., Jan. 3, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Thu., Jan. 3, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4

Story Time with Lindsey Miller - PARENTS, Inc., Fri., Jan. 4, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

ONGOING
Fireworks and Fireworks Permits are on Sale through Monday, Dec. 31 at midnight.

Permits are available at:

•Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 28

•Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Building E, second floor, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 26 through 30

•J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy, Kurtistown

•KTA Puainako,

50 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•TNT Tent Hilo, 381 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 325 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 111 E. Puainako St.

•Long's Puainako,

111 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd.

•Pacific Fireworks, 75-1022 Henry St., Kona

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.

Neighborhood fireworks on streets and in yards are popular in Kaʻū. See the rules, below, with locations
to buy permits and legal fireworks. Photo by Julia Neal

RECENT DEATHS OF TWO GUATEMALAN CHILDREN IN U.S. BORDER CONTROL CUSTODY drew a tweet from POTUS Donald Trump today, and response from both of Hawaiʻi 's Senators. Tweeted Trump, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can't. If we had a Wall, they wouldn't even try! The two..... ...children in question were very sick before they were given over to Border Patrol. The father of the young girl said it was not their fault, he hadn't given her water in days. Border Patrol needs the Wall and it will all end. They are working so hard & getting so little credit!"

After visiting the Tornillo camp for migrant children in
early December, Sen. Mazie Hirono responded to Pres.
Donald Trump's tweet today regarding the recent deaths
of two children held by Border Patrol.
Image from Hirono's Facebook

Hirono tweeted "Obviously nothing is too low or cruel for you. A collective New Year's wish: For the sake of our country, you can stop now."

Schatz responded to Trump: "The next President should take personal and professional responsibility for bad things that happen in the executive branch." Schatz tweeted: "Being President requires an extraordinary combination of moral clarity, the ability to persuade people, and administrative competence." and "We should do five billion dollars worth of solar panels. Or school renovation. Or harbor maintenance. Or National Institute of Health research. Or pay increases for the troops. Or housing for the elderly. Or health care on native lands. Or money for the state department."

Schatz also commented, "The President of the United States is responsible for what happens in the federal government," and "I don't get it. Most politicians crave authority and they guard it jealously. That can be quite a bad thing sometimes, and so we have checks and balances. But this President seems to not want to be in charge of anything difficult, even if it is squarely his job."

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KEEPING DIGITAL INFORMATION SAFER is the goal of a new bill Sen. Brian Schatz introduced in the U.S. Senate. According to SC Source, a cybersecurity journal, personal information "would be protected from being sold or disclosed in any manner unless the end user agrees.While a specific dollar penalty is not listed in the bill for companies who violate the act, there is a formula in place to derive a civil financial punishment." See the in depth story at SC Media, The Cybersecurity Source.

A story in Mother Jones presents the Schatz view. The Data Care Act would attempt to make sure companies collecting private consumer data "not to utilize that data to the detriment of the user," said Schatz during an interview with Ali Breland of Mother Jones.
Schatz told Breland: "We want to establish a statutory framework where there are three main duties, the duty of care, which is essentially cybersecurity, to secure the data, and to inform people if there are breaches, a duty of loyalty. Loyalty, in my view, is the most important and foundational aspect of the bill, which is to say that whatever the circumstances are, the data being collected online, whether it’s through the Internet of Things, or through a social network, or from the cable company or whatever, whomever collects the data has a duty not to utilize that data to the detriment of the user. Third, is the duty of confidentiality, which essentially attaches the first two duties to any partners or third-party providers that may have a relationship with the company that originally collected the data."

Schatz told Mother Jones, "There's an opportunity to do something big and bipartisan on privacy." He said that "these companies are not going to voluntarily behave. They lack the will. And I think they’re not even sure what they would do if they could conjure the will. They need to be overseen by federal agencies with real authority to make rules and levy fines."
Read the whole interview here.

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FEMA WILL ISSUE $66.1 MILLION TOWARD KĪLAUEA ERUPTION AND HURRICANE

LANE RECOVERY FUNDS to Hawaiʻi County. The money is expected to cover three-fourths of the repairs. Hawaiʻi County will be responsible for the remaining expense.

About $49 million will go to repairing damage from Hurricane Lane– Hawaiʻi County will pay $12 million of that, according to Bill 8. Nearly $33 million will be appropriated for "Lava Flow Projects"– Hawaiʻi County paying $8.2 million, according to Bill 10.

Big Island Video News reported a $250,000 award to the county from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. The funds "will be used to create an economic recovery plan to provide, relief, recovery and relocation strategies for the recent Kilauea eruption," Hawaiʻi County Finance Director Deanna Sako wrote to Hawaiʻi County Council.

All three funding items are on the Jan. 9 County Council Agenda to expedite receipt of the money.

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THE PUBLIC ACCESS ROOM of the state Legislature is geared up to help the citizenry follow elected officials and legislation through the 2019 session. It begins on January 16 at 10 a.m, as mandated by the State of Hawaiʻi Constitution. Here are some important dates after the opening of the 2019 Hawaiʻi State Legislature:

Jan. 18 is the last date to introduce non-administrative bill packages. Bills are bundled together by common interest groups and accepted and labeled as a package by the clerks. View the packages of legislation by clicking on the "Reports and Lists" button on capitol.hawaii.gov.

Jan 18 is also the last day for organizations to submit grant and subsidy requests. It's the deadline for Grant-in-Aid applications. Grants may be appropriated to nonprofit and other organizations for various public purposes that are recognized as priorities and are seen as complimentary to state government functions. Applications, information, and more specifics regarding the deadline appear under "Legislative Information" on capitol.hawaii.gov.

Virginia Beck and Keanu Young are the lead staff at
Public Access Room, and are available to help
citizens follow legislation, write testimony, and
introduce legislation. Photo from PAR

Jan. 22 is the day for the State of the State Address by the governor before the joint legislature. Gov. David Ige will report on affairs of state, and put forth recommendations and initiatives. Many visitors come to the Capitol to hear the Governor's speech and witness the proceedings from the gallery. It is also the last day for submission of the Governor's Package of Bills. These are bills prepared by executive branch agencies for consideration by the legislature, and are introduced on behalf of the executive branch by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. View the package of legislation by clicking on the "Reports and Lists" button on capitol.hawaii.gov.

Jan. 24 is the day for the State of the Judiciary Address from the Chief Justice of the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court before the assembled joint legislature.

Jan. 24 is also the last day to introduce bills by filing them with the House or Senate Clerk. See more on the 2019 Session Calendar, which lists all the deadlines that will govern the action this session.

A publication entitled Which Deadlines Apply to Your Bill? is particularly helpful to follow bills and submit testimony, particularly when they are referred to committees.

The lead staff members at Public Access Room are Virginia Beck, Public Access Coordinator, and Keanu Young, Assistant Public Access Coordinator. PAR gave a presentation at Ocean View Community Center to help the citizenry get ready for the session. PAR staff can be reached by calling 808-587-0478 or emailing par@capitol.hawaii.gov. Their website is lrbhawaii.org/par.

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KAʻŪ TROJANS BOYS BASKETBALL fought hard for a win Friday, Dec. 27, against Kealakehe. After traveling north, the Kaʻū boys Varsity team took the court, 45 to 43. Kaʻū Athletics tweeted, "Omg good game."

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Swimming:

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

A NEW EXHIBIT, FROM THE SLOPES OF TWO MOUNTAINS, featuring the glass works of Michael Mortara, Misato Mochizuki Mortara, W. Chris Lowry, and Marianne J. Lowry, opens to the public on Saturday, Jan. 5, through Sunday, Feb. 10, daily, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Viewing the gallery is free to all; however, park entrance fees apply.

Original glass work will be displayed in a new exhibit at
Volcano Art Center Gallery starting Jan. 5.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

An opening reception with the artists will be held on Saturday, Jan. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
"The exhibit showcases contemporary and traditional glass techniques created on and inspired by two of Hawai‘i’s most prominent Volcanoes: Kīlauea and Haleakalā. Michael and Misato Mortara work from and own the glass studio 2400 Fahrenheit in Volcano on Hawai‘i Island while Chris and Marianne Lowry create from and co-own Hot Island Glass located in Makawao on Maui Island. Both studios are located in high elevation locations and all four artists cite the unique environments in which they work as a source of inspiration," states the event description on volcanoartcenter.org.
The Mortaras have been making glass together for over 20 years. Originally from Oahu, they opened their studio in Volcano on the Big Island in 2000. Their work is found in private collections worldwide, as well as the collections of the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, The Contemporary Museum of Honolulu, The Four Seasons Hotel, Hilton Hotels, and the National Park Service.
"There is something both dramatic and dynamic about the manipulation of a molten mass of glass, such that the process has almost as much appeal for me as the product," says Mike Mortara. "Hot glass is a medium in constant motion where balance, timing and rhythm are the essential tools in the process. Once you start, you can’t stop until it’s done. After more than 30 years in glass, I’ve conceded that it is the glass that is really in control, however much I would like to think otherwise.” To that sentiment, the Mortaras have stated that many of the works in this exhibition are a reflection of being in East Hawai‘i during this year’s past eruption events.

From the Slopes of Two Mountains, a new
exhibit at Volcano Art Center Gallery,
features glass work from two studios in
Hawai‘i. Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

Misato Mortara says, “Like no other before it in our time, its effects were so far reaching and life changing. The dichotomy of the destruction and creation was an emotional roller coaster, life and landscape forever altered. It took going back to the familiar places to bring it full circle and to realize that once we accept the way things are, it makes it that much easier to find its new beauty and inspiration.”
The Lowrys have been creating work together for 9 years. "Travel has exposed them both to exciting new experiences but in the end brought them together," states the description. They have studied glass in Japan, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark, and US states Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, New York and Massachusetts. In their short career together their work has traveled with collectors across the world. Here in Hawai‘i they have pieces in the collections of Hawai‘i State Foundation on culture and the arts and The Honolulu Museum of Art.
Nature has a strong theme in the Lowrys work, showing up in clean and organic forms or as complex natural patterns. In his words, Chris Lowry states, "My work has a strong personality. A piece should grab your attention and then be able to keep it." Growing up in his father’s glass shop on the Northern Oregon Coast, Chris Lowry became "serious about his art at age 18 when he moved to O‘ahu," states the description. His first job was working as an assistant teacher at Punahou School with Hugh Jenkins. Feeling more like a student himself, Chris Lowry credits Jenkins as being his first real teacher, "Hugh taught me that fundamentals are essential in every art form and if you don’t have those fundamentals you limit your capabilities."

Marianne Lowry started her glass exploration in the functional world, studying in the world renown Kosta Boda Glass Factory, but she now finds sculptural glass to have more freedom. "In my latest work I’m trying to reproduce the feelings I get from the natural surroundings. I love the colors, reflections, and movements you get from the ocean and the creatures in it. Glass is the perfect material to represent this beauty because of its transparent qualities," says Marianne Lowry.
Volcano Art Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization created in 1974. Volcano Art Center's mission is to promote, develop and perpetuate the artistic, cultural and environmental heritage of Hawai‘i through arts and education. See more at volcanoartcenter.org.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 1

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3
Women's Support Group, Thu., Jan. 3 and 17, 3-4:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 1st and 3rd Thu. of every month thereafter. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

EXHIBIT: From the Slopes Of Two Mountains, daily, Sat., Jan. 5 - Sun., Feb. 10, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Features glass works of Michael Mortara, Misato Mochizuki Mortara, W. Chris Lowry and Marianne J. Lowry. Opening reception with artists Jan. 5, 5-7pm. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

Art Express, Sat., Jan. 5 and Feb. 2, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express

Keiki Science Class, Sat., Jan. 5, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. First Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

Spiritual Healing, Sat., Jan. 5, 3-4:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Led by Debra Zager. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

ONGOING
Fireworks and Fireworks Permits are on Sale through Monday, Dec. 31 at midnight.

Permits are available at:

•Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 28

•Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Building E, second floor, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 26 through 30

•J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy, Kurtistown

•KTA Puainako,

50 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•TNT Tent Hilo, 381 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 325 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 111 E. Puainako St.
•Long's Puainako,

111 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd.

•Pacific Fireworks, 75-1022 Henry St., Kona

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.

Mauna Kea Visitor Information Station takes in some $1.2 million in retail sales annually, collected on ceded lands,
owned by the Native Hawaiian Community. Sen, Kai Kahele asks University of Hawaiʻi whether it pays a share
to Hawaiians, through Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Photo from University of Hawaiʻi

THE STATE'S OBLIGATION TO PAY A PERCENTAGE OF REVENUE EARNED ON HAWAIIAN CEDED LANDS TO THE BENEFIT OF NATIVE HAWAIIANS will be a hot topic at the 2019 Hawaiʻi Legislature. State Senate committees heard reports on the issue last week.
Revenues from such ceded lands as the top of Mauna Kea, where $1.2 million in retail sales is collected at Mauna KeaVisitor Information Center annually, came up at the state capitol on Thursday.
Big Island Video News reports that the Senate Committee on Ways & Means, which includes Hawaiʻi Island Senators Kaiali‘i Kahele and Dru Kanuha, and the Committee on Water & Land, chaired by Kahele, received "an update on the status of agency transfers and report of Public Land Trust receipts."
One example: Kahele asked, "At the Mauna Kea Visitor Center, there are Public Land Trust receipts, and University of Hawaiʻi's internal audit noted $1.2 million in retail sales. Do you pay public land trust receipts on that?"

UH president David Lassner responded, "We do not. Those retail sales, in general, are part of the overall MKSS – Mauna Kea Support Services – function, which is a cost center not a revenue center." The revenues pass through the Research Corporation of UH, reports BIVN.

Sen. Kai Kahele, asking University of Hawaiʻi administrators
questions about monies collected from Mauna Kea
Visitor Center. Big Island Video News photo

Kahele questioned money collected at other University of Hawaiʻi facilities on ceded lands. "UH reports receipts from parking, faculty, housing, non-student rentals, vending machines, and certain bookstore items. But in my interpretation of [Act] 178, it specifically requires the reporting of all receipts.

Lassner said UH does not report on the these receipts. He said the policy is based on guidance from the Attorney General.

BIVN reports Kahele remarking, "I think what we're gonna do is look at requesting a state auditor to look at the overall process – this legislative session – of how we manage the ceded land inventories as required by the Public Land Trust and how we actually define proceeds, revenues, and receipts, and how to best manage those trust resources."

According to Act 178, Hawaiʻi state is required to transfer 20 percent of revenue generated from ceded lands to Office of Hawaiian Affairs, although any amount over $15.1 million must go into a holding account.
Big Island Video News reports Office of Hawaiian Affairs public policy manager Jocelyn Doane saying the law "also requires agencies to report all revenue, regardless if they are subject to OHA's pro rata share or not.

Sen. Dru Kanuha heard comments from
UH and others on Public Land Trust
receipts. Photo from Kanuha's Facebook

"From our opinion there are three main, outstanding issues as it relates to all this, pro rata share of the Public Land Trust," said Doane. "The first is agencies substantially under-report what's generated. Number two, agencies substantially under transfer what they should be transferring. And finally, the amount that OHA receives – $15.1 million – which… was meant to be temporary, is outdated.

"In crafting the legislation that would grant Hawaiʻi statehood, Congress specifically required the state to hold the former crown and government loans of the Kingdom – to which Native Hawaiians had never been compensated for – in trust. One of the named beneficiaries were Native Hawaiians. I think that's really important context when we are talking about the purpose for which the state is meant to hold these lands and who is meant to benefit. Accordingly, Hawaiʻi's Constitution created OHA and then authorized our trustees specifically to manage those funds, specifically for our beneficiaries."

Hawaiʻi Attorney General Russell Suzuki responded, "Act 178 requires the executive branch to come up with $15.1 million dollars annually to give to OHA… to fulfill our obligations in the Constitution."

Read the audit report.

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REMINDERS FOR COFFEE GROWERS from University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources were released in a recent newsletter, written by Extension Agent Andrea Kawabata. Recommendations for taking care of coffee trees, now through February, include:

Desuckering coffee trees. Photo from UH CTAHR

Strip-pick all remaining green to raisin (dried) co

ffee as soon as possible following the end of harvest. Destroy and discard what is not processed to kill CBB within the berries. Visit hawaiicoffeeed.com/field-sanitation.html for additional field sanitation information.

If using traps, set them after harvest is completed for the season. Remove traps from the field as the new crop develops on the trees and control CBB with pesticides labeled for use on coffee in Hawaii such as BotaniGard and Mycotrol. Sign-up and apply with HDOA to receive 50 percent off Beauveria product costs. See Beauveria subsidy program information below.

Soil and leaf sampling should be done at least annually at the onset of coffee flowering to determine soil pH and tree nutritional needs. Visit bit.ly/2KMWtSz for sampling instructions.

Desuckering of excess verticals, laterals and watershoots (suckers on verticals) can take place through the winter, but please wait to prune until late Jan to Feb. Pruning too early, especially when dry, could result in tree death or stunting of new growth. The presence of coffee root-knot nematode in fields planted with seedling trees could intensify tree stress following the harvest and during dry years. Consider leaving nurse verticals if stump pruning or choosing a less severe approach to pruning such as the Kona-style particularly with older and non-grafted trees.

Wait until early spring to apply granular or other topical fertilizers as rain is needed to move fertilizers into the soil and to plant roots.

Learn more at hawaiicoffeeed.com.

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COMMUNITY EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM TRAINING for East Hawaiʻi is held in Hiloon four Saturdays to kick off 2019: January 12, 19, and 26, and February 9. The free classes run from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the AupuniConferenceCenter, 101 Pauahi St.

CERT provides trainees with "knowledge and skills to prepare for and properly respond to an emergency impacting yourself, your family, and your community," says the flyer posted on Mayor Harry Kim's Facebook.

The four-week training course is a "comprehensive program," covering subjects such as: emergency preparedness; fire; emergency medical; light search and rescue; incident command organization; disaster psychology; emergency communications; CERT & terrorism; classroom and hands-on experience.

To reserve a space or ask questions, email hawaiicert@gmail.com. For more info, ready.gov/community-emergency-response-team.

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KAʻŪ GIRLS AND BOYS SOCCER at Konawaena on Saturday, Dec. 27, was TKO: Kaʻū scored no points in either game. Konawaena Girls scored 12, Boys 8.

With 14 games coming up in January, the Trojans soccer teams have plenty more opportunities to run the field. See upcoming game dates and times, below.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Jan. 19, Sat., @Keaʻau

Soccer:

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Jan. 18, Fri., Boys host Pāhoa

Swimming:

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Learn to make a stained glass fan lamp with
Claudia McCall at Volcano Art Center January 2019.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

Jan. 19, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

STAINED GLASS BASICS II: FAN LAMP PROJECT, a four session workshop taught by Claudia McCall, is offered Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 12, 13, 19 and 20, from 9 a.m. to noon, at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Students complete the workshop with a finished fan lamp, a revival of a popular Victorian parlor piece, and the knowledge, experience and basic skills to continue working with stained glass.
McCall provides several patterns from which students may choose - participants are welcome to bring their own ideas. During this workshop, students may opt to create a light catcher instead of a fan lamp. The class fee is $90 per Volcano Art Center member, $100 per non-member, plus a $30 supply fee. An additional $20 supply fee for the lamp base and bulb will be charged for students who wish to create the fan lamp. Anyone with prior copper foil stained glass experience is welcome to enroll. The workshop is limited to six adults. Advanced registration is required. Call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

Attendees are asked to wear long pants, snug fitting gloves, covered shoes and safety glasses. Students are asked to bring a glass cutter and soldering iron if available.
McCall "started working in stained glass in 2006, when a friend gifted her with a piece. She loved the way the sunlight played through the different types of glass, and wanted to explore the possibilities of interpreting the natural world, and interest spurred by her mother's love of art and her grandmother’s love of birding. Her goal is to interpret Hawai‘i's unique environment through the stylized lens of stained glass," states the event description on volcanoartcenter.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.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1

Keiki Science Class, Sat., Jan. 5, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. First Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

Spiritual Healing, Sat., Jan. 5, 3-4:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Led by Debra Zager. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Jan. 6, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Monthly. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

Overflow 2019: Unleashing Your Untapped Potential, Sun., Jan. 6, through Sat., Jan. 16, 6 p.m., and Sun., Jan. 13, 9:45 a.m., Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God. Seven days of prayer and fasting. Music by Ola Shaw. Special Guest Musician Ricky "RNB" Brown. Event features five guest speakers. 929-7278, naalehuag.org

ONGOING
Fireworks and Fireworks Permits are on Sale through tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 31, at midnight.

Permits are available at:

•Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 28

•Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Building E, second floor, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 26 through 30

•J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy, Kurtistown

•KTA Puainako,

50 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•TNT Tent Hilo, 381 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 325 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 111 E. Puainako St.
•Long's Puainako,

111 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd.

•Pacific Fireworks, 75-1022 Henry St., Kona

•Phantom Tent Kona, 74-5454 Makala Blvd.

Kīlauea Military Camp's Holiday Challenge is open for viewing through tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 31. The event features a row of cottages along the front of the camp decorated in with various characters and Christmas decor - with Kīlauea Military Camp employees responsible and competing for a popularity vote. The public is invited to admire the decorations and vote for their favorite decorated cottage. Kīlauea Military Camp is open to all authorized patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees apply. Call 967-8371 for additional information. See kilaueamilitarycamp.com.

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Early morning view of Kīlauea Caldera from Volcano House, which remains open during the partial federal government
shutdown. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is open, with no admission fees. In this photo taken Nov. 23, see

evidence of the volcano and magma that lies below the surface in the steam that rises from the crater.
NPS Photo/Janice Wei

HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK REMAINS OPEN, as the partial shutdown of the federal government wears on. The Park is keeping its main gate open, without admission fees, as non-profits and Park business partners step up to help visitors.

Should the shutdown continue weeks into January, it would be difficult to keep the park open without funding, said park officials. Just before the New Year, Mayor Harry Kim and HawaiʻiCounty talked about committing money to assist the park. The state and its Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority were also considering assistance for Hawaiʻi Volcanoes, as it did with the Arizona Memorial on Oʻahu.

Kīlauea Military Camp, hosting a New Year's Day Brunch
tomorrow, is open in the Park during the partial shutdown.

In the meantime, park rangers remained on furlough and Hawaiʻi's Congressional delegation promised to fight hard to reopen the 25 percent of the government that is shuttered. Nationwide some 800,000 government employees were without paychecks and many of them may never see a dime for the time they were involuntarily off work. Sen. Mazie Hirono vowed to work with congress to pay them.

Open inside Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are: Volcano Art Center Gallery; Volcano House hotel, restaurants, and stores; Kīlauea Theatre; KMC accommodations, restaurant, store, and lounge; and KīlaueaVisitorCenterdisplays and its Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association bookstore. Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks are taking the place of park employees, keeping the VisitorCenter open 9 .am. to 5 p.m.every day.

The rest of the park is closed, including the Kahuku Unit near Ocean View, Chain of Craters Road, Escape Road, all campgrounds, and all backcountry areas.

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.

NEW LAWS GO INTO EFFECT TOMORROW, Tuesday, Jan. 1. Some laws that could impact Kaʻū residents include:

The total ban of pesticides containing the chemical chlorpyrifos, which has been linked to developmental delays in children. The law banning the chemical also includes other restrictions on pesticide use. The bill was championed by Rep. Richard Creagan and Sen. Russell Ruderman in the Hawaiʻi legislature, and a similar bill to ban the pesticide has been submitted to the U.S. Senate by Sen. Brian Schatz. Learn more here.

Job applicants can no longer be asked for their salary history. Answers can be used to determine what a new hire would earn. The new law was passed to address pay inequities, specifically by advocates for women and minorities, some of whom say salary history requests influence the wage gap, where women in Hawaiʻi earn 84 cents on the dollar, compared to pay for men. Learn more here.

Motorcyclists will soon have permission, in certain areas,
to drive on the shoulder. Photo from driving.ca

Death with Dignity, or medical aid in dying, under the Our Care, Our Choice Act, will allow terminally ill adult patients to acquire a life-ending prescription medication. There are strict regulations around the practice. Learn more here.

Motorcyclists may, in certain areas, drive on the shoulder of the road. The law was passed without the governor's signature. Designated areas have not yet been defined by Department of Transportation, so Hawaiʻi Island may not be much affected by the law. Learn more here.

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HAWAIʻI POLICE DEPARTMENT sent out a release, warning of the dangers of drug-impaired driving. "If you feel different, you drive different," is the message.

Drug-impaired driving, is a "problem on America's highways, even on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi." Like drunk driving, drugged driving is impaired driving, "which means it is dangerous and illegal" in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., says the police statement.

"Whether the drug is legally prescribed or an illegal drug, driving while drug-impaired poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers, and other road users. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 2015, of the drivers who were killed in vehicle crashes 42 percent tested positive for drugs."

HPD "wants to spread the word about drug-impaired driving and to remind all drivers: If you are impaired by drugs and thinking of driving, pass your keys to a sober driver. Don't be the reason someone doesn't make it home for the holidays. If you are caught driving under the influence, you will be arrested and you and you will go to jail. Drive sober or you will get pulled over."

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Swimming:

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND ART: HONORING THE LEGACY OF DIETRICH VAREZ will be held Saturday, Jan. 13, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Volcano Art Center with all welcome to attend. The event description on volcanoartcenter.org says Varez "carved a deep appreciation and understanding of Hawaiian values and lifestyle through his art." For more information call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

HULA VOICES FEATURING KUMU HULA LEILEHUA YUEN, with moderator Desiree Moana Cruz, takes place on Wednesday, Jan. 2, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

Kumu Hula Leilehua Yuen.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

Hula Voices is an oral history project, presenting an engaging, intimate talk story session with Hawai‘i Island's hula practitioners, as they share their hula genealogy, traditions, protocols and experiences. These free, educational offerings will occur regularly on the first Wednesday of each month. Free; however, park entrance fees may apply.
Kumu Hula Yuen's hula lineage is rooted in her grandmother’s teachings, and her studies with legendary expert on all things Hawaiiana, Auntie Nona Beamer. The powerful natural forces of the island are where Yuen draws much of her artistic inspiration. Yuen and her partner Manu Josiah, are known for their informances, in which they blend storytelling, science, chant, and hula to create a journey through Hawaiian history and culture. They live in her family home in Hilo, restoring the medicinal garden that her grandfather tended.
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, the County of Hawaiʻi Department of Research and Development and individual funding from members of the Volcano Art Center's ʻohana. For more call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.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.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 1

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Meeting, Thu., Jan. 3, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Meeting, Thu., Jan. 3, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4

Exhibit: From the Slopes Of Two Mountains, daily, Sat., Jan. 5 - Sun., Feb. 10, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Features glass works of Michael Mortara, Misato Mochizuki Mortara, W. Chris Lowry and Marianne J. Lowry. Opening reception with artists Jan. 5, 5-7pm. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

Art Express, Sat., Jan. 5 and Feb. 2, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express

Keiki Science Class, Sat., Jan. 5, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. First Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

Spiritual Healing, Sat., Jan. 5, 3-4:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Led by Debra Zager. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

Sunday Clay - High Fire (new sessions), Sun., Jan. 6-Mar. 3 (no class Jan. 20), morning session 11:30-2:30pm, afternoon session 2:45-5:45pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. 8 week session w/Erik Wold on potters wheel (7 slots open per session) or hand-building (2 slots open per session) techniques. Beginners and continuing students welcome. $180/VAC member, $200/non-member, plus $15 materials fee for 6 lbs clay, including glazes and firing for that material. Additional clay available for purchase. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Jan. 6, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. Monthly. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

Overflow 2019: Unleashing Your Untapped Potential, Sun., Jan. 6, through Sat., Jan. 16, 6 p.m., and Sun., Jan. 13, 9:45 a.m., Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God. Seven days of prayer and fasting. Music by Ola Shaw. Special Guest Musician Ricky "RNB" Brown. Event features five guest speakers. 929-7278, naalehuag.org

ONGOING
Fireworks and Fireworks Permits are on Sale through tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 31, at midnight.

Permits are available at:

•Fire Administration Office, Hilo County Building, 25 Aupuni St., Suite 2501, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Dec. 26 through 28

•Kona Fire Prevention Office, West Hawaiʻi Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy, Building E, second floor, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dec. 26 through 30

•J. Hara Store, 17-343 Volcano Hwy, Kurtistown

•KTA Puainako,

50 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•TNT Tent Hilo, 381 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 325 E. Makaʻala St.

•Phantom Tent Hilo, 111 E. Puainako St.
•Long's Puainako,

111 E. Puainako St., Hilo

•KTA Kona, Kona Coast Shopping Center, 74-5594 Palani Rd.

•Pacific Fireworks, 75-1022 Henry St., Kona

•Phantom Tent Kona, 74-5454 Makala Blvd.

19th Annual Invitational Wreath Exhibition is open at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, through tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 1. The exhibition presents one-of-a-kind wreaths in a variety of imaginative media, techniques, and styles, from the whimsical to the traditional, with this year's theme of Home for the Holidays - inspired by the four month closure of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.
Admission is free; Park entrance fees apply. For more, call 967-8222, or visit volcanoartcenter.org.

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A typical Kaʻū backyard fireworks display on a farm in Wood Valley on New Years Eve. See more photos, below.
Photo by Michael Worthington

A FEDERAL WORKERS UNION SUES OVER SHUTDOWN: As the partial federal government closure, starting Dec. 22, pressured Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and other federal entities to shutter facilities and programs, the American Federation of Government Employees sued. Lead attorney Heidi Burakiewicz filed suit on New Years Eve for employees labeled "essential" and "expected" who work during the shutdown without pay. They include those critical for security and infrastructure. Among those who could be covered by the suit are federal firefighters and law enforcement officers at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

Burakiewicz told The Washington Post reporter Deanna Paul, "It's outrageous the government expects them to work without knowing when they'll get their next paycheck."

She said that nationwide, essential and expected federal employees face workplaces understaffed and unfair costs, like commuting to work, gas, and child care. "They may be paycheck to paycheck, have cellphone bills, mortgages...It's unacceptable for any employer, but especially for the U.S.government." She told The Washington Post that timing of the closure already qualified some employees to sue and that many more, some 420,000 across the country, would be eligible if the shutdown goes beyond the next pay cycle that ends midnight Saturday, Jan. 5.

In addition to those in the National Park Service, the suit covers employees in the Departments of Transportation, Forest Service, Housing and Urban Development, Commerce, and IRS. Those who work in border patrol and federal prison guards are included.
The American Federation of Government Employees filing the suit is the largest union representing federal government workers.

In the meantime, Hawaiʻi's congressional delegation promised to fight to fund the government and to break the standoff with Pres. Donald Trump who is holding up government funding until he receives money to build a wall along the southern mainland border of the country to keep out immigrants.

Nationwide, some 800,000 government employees were without paychecks at the beginning of 2019 and many may never see a dime for time they were involuntarily furloughed. Sen. Mazie Hirono vowed to work with congress to pay them, and offered her own pay during the shutdown to Hawaiʻi's food banks.
As the shutdown continues, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes keeps its main gate open, without admission fees. Non-profits and Park business partners step up to help visitors.
Should the shutdown roll through weeks in January, it would be difficult to keep the park open without funding, said park officials. However, just before the New Year, Mayor Harry Kim and Hawaiʻi County were expecting to commit money to assist Hawai`i Volcanoes. The state and its Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority also considered assisting, as it did for the Arizona Memorial on Oʻahu.

Open at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park are: Volcano Art Center Gallery; Volcano House hotel, restaurants, and stores; Kīlauea Theatre; KMC accommodations, restaurant, store, and lounge; and KīlaueaVisitorCenterdisplays and its Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association bookstore. Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks staff members keep the VisitorCenter open 9 .am. to 5 p.m.every day.

Aerial fireworks displays over homes in Pāhalaon New Years Eve.
Photo by Michael Worthington

Also open are Kīlauea Visitor Center picnic tables and restrooms; Crater Rim Drive from Park entrance to KMC; Crater Rim Trail between Volcano House and KMC; Steam Vents and Sulfur Banks; Mauna Loa Road to Kīpukapuaulu (vehicles not permitted past the gate at Kīpukapuaulu); Mauna Loa Road to Mauna Loa Lookout – pedestrians and bicyclists only; Kīpukapuaulu day use picnic area (no trash or custodial services – pack it in, pack it out only); Kīpukapuaulu and trail; and Ka‘ū Desert Trail to the Footprints shelter and exhibit.

The rest of the park is closed, including the Kahuku Unit near Ocean View, Chain of Craters Road, Escape Road, all campgrounds, and all backcountry areas.

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HIGHSURFADVISORYFORWINDWARDFACINGSHORESon Hawaiʻi Island is in effect through the morning of Thursday, Jan. 3. The National Weather Service reports surf heights will build tonight, peak Wednesday at 8 to 10 feet along east-facing shores, then begin to subside.

The high surf, according to NWS, is produced by a northwest swell and waves "driven by strong, easterly trade winds."

NWS issued this warning, "Expect strong breaking waves, shore break, and strong longshore and rip currents making swimming difficult and dangerous. Beachgoers, swimmers, and surfers should heed all advice given by ocean safety officials and exercise caution. Boaters should expect recreational surfers and body boarders utilizing harbor channels to access surfing areas."

Many fire works displays sent lights, smoke, booms and bangs into the air
across Kaʻū on New Years Eve. Photo by Michael Worthington

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NEW YEAR WISHES FROM Gov, David Ige and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard were posted to social media today. Ige's message was, "A dawn of a new year. Let us move forward together and make 2019 our best year yet. HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Gabbard posted: "As we begin this New Year, let us do our best to #livealoha, and commit to bringing the light of love, care and compassion into a world that so desperately needs it. Only light can drive out darkness; only love can drive out hate. #MLK #NewYearsDay." She also posted: "Aloha is deep love & respect for one another that transcends any differences. Aloha inspires us to take action - to serve, to care for, & protect others. Service before self. On this New Years, share examples of aloha in your own life & how you share aloha with others #LiveAloha."

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Swimming:

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientist monitors Kīlauea Volcano's
Lower East Rift Zone lava flow on June 25. Photo from USGS

VOLCANO AWARENESS MONTH CONTINUES WITH A SECOND AFTER DARK IN THE PARK presentation taking place on Tuesday. Jan. 15, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., in the Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium on Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park with the title New Insights From Kīlauea's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption.
The May through August, 2018, lower East Rift Zone eruption resulted in numerous new insights into how Kīlauea Volcano works and provided scientists new opportunities to improve their understanding of volcanic hazards. Matt Patrick, a geologist with the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, describes the expected and unexpected aspects of the eruption and discusses how the activity might be used to improve his and other scientists’ ability to forecast future hazards on Kīlauea.

For more, see nps.gov/HAVO. Free event; however, park entrance fees apply. Donation helps support park programs.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2

Hula Voices w/Kumu Hula Leilehua Yuen, Wed., Jan. 2, 5-6:30pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free, monthly. 967-7565

Open Mic Night, Wed., Jan. 2, 6-10pm, Kīlauea Military Camp inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Call 967-8365 after 4pm to sign-up and for more details. Park entrance fees may apply. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests 21+. 967-8371, kilaueamilitarycamp.com

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

Overflow 2019: Unleashing Your Untapped Potential, Sun., Jan. 6, through Sat., Jan. 16, 6 p.m., and Sun., Jan. 13, 9:45 a.m., Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God. Seven days of prayer and fasting. Music by Ola Shaw. Special Guest Musician Ricky "RNB" Brown. Event features five guest speakers. 929-7278, naalehuag.org

MONDAY, JANUARY 7

Painting w/Peggy, Mon., Jan. 7, noon-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Three hour Acrylic Painting Session for artists of all levels with Margaret "Peggy" Stanton. No pervious experience needed. Students bring own supplies and easels - suggested material list at margaretstantonart.com. $15/VAC member, $20 per non-member. Register at volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222. Questions, email peggystanton007@yahoo.com

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Jan. 7 and 21, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon., Jan. 7, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue., Jan. 8, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tue., Jan. 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta presents. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

ONGOING

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Lava and Steam: The Great 2018 Eruption of Kīlauea is a presentation by Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory geologist
Rick Hazlett. He will share his experience at the Waimea Ocean Film Festival this Sunday at Hualalai Resort.
See story, below. Photo by Rick Hazlett

CHAIR AND DIRECTOR JOBIE MASAGATANI, AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR WILLIAM AILĀ, won reappointments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission and Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, announced Gov. David Ige today. Both reappointments require Senate confirmation.

Jodie Masagatani

Masagatani has served as chair director since May 2012. Prior to her appointment at DHHL, Masagatani was special assistant to the chief executive officer at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. Before serving at OHA, she owned a small consulting practice and was also an assistant to the President and CEO of The Queen's Health Systems, where her area of focus was Native Hawaiian health. Masagatani previously served at DHHL as the Deputy to the Chairman from 1995 to 2002, and served as a Land Investment Analyst for Kamehameha Schools.
She earned a master's degree in public affairs/urban and regional planning from Princeton University and holds a B.S. degree in education from Northwestern University.
Ailā has been Deputy Director since 2014. He is the former chair of Department of Land and Natural Resources, and served as the Harbor Agent for the Waiʻanae Boat Harbor from 1987-2010. Ailā has participated on several boards and task forces centered around native Hawaiian rights and natural resource management including the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, Mohala I Ka Wai, Hui Mālama ʻO Makua, and others. Ailā holds a B.S. degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Ige praised Masagatani and Ailā: "This leadership team has made significant progress in awarding homesteads by embracing a combination of traditional lot development and pilot programs that provide alternatives such as rent-to-own projects and subsistence agricultural homesteads. They are committed to completing and awarding 374 lots in 2019 and 1,300 additional lots currently in the pipeline to be developed over the next five years."

William Ailā

Masagatani said, "I am very appreciative of the governor's support, and I look forward to continuing the positive steps we have taken at DHHL to achieve Prince Kuhio's vision of ʻĀina Hoʻopulapula and to advance our mission to manage the Hawaiian home lands trust effectively and to develop and deliver land to native Hawaiians."
Ailā said, "I am proud of the work Chair Masagatani and I have been able to accomplish these past years, and we have much to look forward to as we continue to advance new projects for our homesteaders and applicants."

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THE STATE OFFICE OF ENTERPRISE TECHNOLOGY WILL likely see the return of its leader Douglas G. Murdock, whose reappointment was announced today by Gov. David Ige.

Murdock returns to the role of Chief Information Officer, Office of Enterprise Technology Services. He previously served as state comptroller and director of the Department of Accounting and General Services, and as vice president, Administrative and Fiscal Affairs for the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority. Before joining HTA, he was in private practice with local law firm Alston Hunt Floyd and Ing. Prior to that, he served in the Air Force for 25 years as a Judge Advocate (attorney) and attained the rank of

Douglas G. Murdock

Colonel. Murdock has a B.S. degree in economics, an M.S. in public administration and a J.D. from the University of Washington. Murdock's appointment is subject to senate confirmation.
The governor said, "Doug has an outstanding grasp of the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning state government to secure, efficient IT systems. We are dedicating significant resources to this task, and I'm confident that he will work with all stakeholders to develop sound solutions."
Said Murdock, "I am honored to be selected by Gov. Ige as the state's chief information officer. I look forward to working with Gov. Ige on his priority of effective, efficient, and open government. Together we will continue the outstanding work done by outgoing CIO Todd Nacapuy and the state's digital workforce by blending innovative technology with well-engineered business processes to deliver and support excellent

Cathy Ross

programs and outcomes for our citizens," said Murdock.

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THE NEW FIRST DEPUTY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH will be Cathy Ross, Gov. David Ige announced today. She served as deputy director for administration in the Department of Public Safety during Ige's first term. She also served in the Department of Health, where she previously held several positions before moving to Public Safety in 2012. Cathy earned three degrees at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa – a B.A. in psychology, M.P.H. in public health, and an M.B.A. from the Shidler College of Business Executive MBA program. Ross' appointment is subject to senate confirmation.

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The Ocean Film Festival runs through
Jan. 9. See the full program.

THE WAIMEA OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL will feature a presentation concerning this side of the island. Called Lava and Steam: The Great 2018 Eruption of Kīlauea, the session will include discussion of the mechanics of the recent eruption, while sharing behind-the-scene stories. The presentation will be this Sunday, Jan. 6, at the Four Seasons Hualalai Ballroom at 4:15 p.m. Dr. Rick Hazlett, an associate researcher for the U.S.G.S. Hawaiian Volcano Observatory and faculty member at University of Hawaiʻi- Hilo, presents.
Hazlett authored such publications as Roadside Geology of Hawaiʻi and Explore the Geology of Kīlauea Volcano. Hazlett formed part of the team of USGS volcanologists called in from all over the country when Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption began May 3, to assist current HVO and National Park Service staff in monitoring and understanding the eruption.
See waimeaoceanfilm.org and the full program.

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ENVIRONMENT HAWAIʻI will feature a presentation on Friday, Jan. 18, regarding mining some of the most pristine ocean floor southeast of Hawaiʻi to Mexico. Dr. Craig Smith, a biological oceanographer with University of Hawai‘i's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences and Technology, will give his talk at the annual dinner of Environment Hawaiʻi. See environment-hawaii.org for reservations and Hilo location.

Some of the most pristine environments could be on the deep sea floor
from southeast of Hawaiʻi Island to Mexico.
Photo from Environment Hawaiʻi

In its January edition, Environment Hawaiʻi publishes a story, Treasures of Pristine Ocean Ecosystems Could be Lost to Mining for Metal Nodules.

The article says that Smith has been studying the deep sea floor for four decades. "Most recently, he has been investigating life in what might be the planet's most pristine, untouched environments: the abyssal plains of the eastern Clarion-Clipperton zone, an ocean region stretching from southeast of Hawai‘i to nearly the coast of Mexico. That area has a high abundance of polymetallic nodules (also called manganese nodules) resting on the sea floor, which has caused it to be targeted for mining."

Read the full interview with Smith, including a description of rare marine life living in the deep sea, at environment-hawaii.org.

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INPUT ON THE FUTURE OF KAʻŪ HOSPITAL is invited when the East Hawaiʻi Regional Board of Directors of the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation hosts its annual community meeting on Saturday, Jan. 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kaʻū Hospital, located at 1 Kamani Street in Pāhala. All residents are invited and encouraged to attend.

An overview of the operations and financial condition of all facilities, as well as a view toward the future, will be presented. Ample time will be available for community members to share their perspectives and concerns regarding access to health care services.

Dr. Daniel Belcher, Chair of the East Hawaiʻi Regional Board of HHSC, said, "I would like to encourage everyone who has an interest in our hospitals and regional health system to bring your questions and concerns to this meeting."

For more information contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Executive Assistant, at 315-7558.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 3, Thu., host Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Jan. 3, Thu., Girls @HPA

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Swimming:

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

A BOOK RELEASE AND PRESENTATION FOR SUSAN SCOTT'S LATEST BOOK, Hawai‘i's White Terns, Manu-o-Ku, an Urban Seabird takes place Thursday, Jan. 17, at 7 p.m., at Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village.
In 1961, a pair of white terns laid an egg and raised O‘ahu's first white tern chick near Hanauma Bay. Since then, the birds' numbers in Honolulu have steadily increased. In 2007, the white tern, also known by its Hawaiian name, Manu o Kū, was designated the official bird of the City and County of Honolulu.
Today, white terns are a common sight in Honolulu and the photogenic birds are gaining in popularity as their range increases. "In bringing together data about White Terns from here and abroad, marine biologist Susan Scott has crafted a reliable, informative resource filled with remarkable photographs for anyone curious about Manu o Kū," states the event description on volcanoartcenter.org.

Author Susan Scott.
Photo from volcanoartcenter.org

During the evening, Scotts presentation, It Takes a Hui, tells a story of how citizen scientists, researchers, government employees, educators, wildlife groups, writers, photographers, tree trimmers, birders, office workers, condo dwellers, and others have come together to help Hawai‘i's white terns. Scott is donating all royalties from the book to the Hawai‘i Audubon Society, where she has been a member since 1988.
The event is free; however, a $5 donation to Volcano Art Center is suggested. For more information, call 967-8222 or visit volcanoartcenter.org.
The event is part of a once-a-month Thursday night series at the Volcano Art Center, focusing on art, Hawaiian culture and the environment. The series is intended to inspire and enhance appreciation of art and life experience, while fostering community connections.

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.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Jan. 7 and 21, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity/social group building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon., Jan. 7, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Jan. 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team in and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue., Jan. 8, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tue., Jan. 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta presents. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8

Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Wed., Jan. 9, 16, and 31, 9:30-10:30am, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Designed for all ages.; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign-up. Free; donations accepted.

Lau Hala - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), Wed., Jan. 9, 10-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Jan. 9 and 23, 2-3:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 2nd and last Wed., monthly. Free. Pre-registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

ONGOING

Applications for a Paid Internship in Kaʻū for Kupu Hawai‘i and The Nature Conservancy are being accepted. The year-long, full-time position is in TNC's Hawai‘i Island Terrestrial Program, which stewards native forest preserves in Ka‘ū and South Kona.
Benefits offered include: a $1,600 monthly living allowance (before taxes); a $5,920 education award towards higher education; health care and childcare benefits (if eligible); and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.

The internship is offered through Kupu Hawai‘i. Those interested are asked to fill out an application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation under Conservation Leaders Program as soon as possible. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.

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Sen. Mazie Hirono was sworn in today to start her second term as Kaʻū and rural Hawaiʻi's U.S. Senator.
Photo from Sen. Hirono's Facebook.

NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS OF HAWAIʻI'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION took their oaths today as the 2019 U.S. Congress began its work. The House of Representatives voted to fund the government and end the partial shutdown, but faces opposition from Pres. Donald Trump who wants money to build a wall across the southern mainland border of the U.S.
Hirono tweeted: "Honored to be sworn into my second term in the U.S. Senate with @PattyMurray at my side. The fight continues." Patty Murray is a Senator from Washington state who often works on issues with Hirono.
Sen. Brian Schatz is in the middle of his term, and not required to take the oath again.

New diversity and more women in Congress took office today, as shown
by this Vanity Fair photo tweeted this morning by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard retweeted a photo from newly elected Rep. Alexandia Ocasio-Cortez, an image from Vanity Fair magazine showing the diversity of women in Congress. Gabbard tweeted, "Aloha! I look forward to working with you all and want to welcome you to Washington."
Gabbard also posted to Facebook "It was a privilege to be back at Honolulu Hale, where I had the honor of serving on the City Council, to deliver a Message of Aloha at the council's inauguration. As we begin this new year, may we find inspiration, strength, compassion, and courage in the spirit of aloha which lies within each of our hearts, and share that aloha with others. #LiveAloha"

Rep. Ed Case is formerly the U.S. Representative for Kaʻū and rural Hawaiʻi and was known for visiting often and helping to save the Kaʻū Coast. Last November, he won the urban Hawaiʻi seat and took the oath of office today in Washington, D.C. A staff member said he will "serve all of Hawaiʻi."

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Clare Connors

CLARE CONNORS IS THE NEW ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE FOR HAWAIʻI. Gov. David Ige made announcement today. Her confirmation is subject to senate approval.
Connors is an experienced criminal and civil litigator who is leaving the law firm of Davis Levin Livingston, where she has represented clients since October 2011. She began her legal career in Hawaiʻi as a law clerk for federal District Judge David Ezra and was an Assistant United States Attorney in the District of Hawaiʻi from 2004 to March 2011. She served in the Attorney General's Honors program with the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., and worked as a trial attorney for the Department of Justice Tax Division. Connors holds two B.A. degrees from Yale College, one in ethics, politics, and economics, and the other in international studies. She earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School.
Said the Governor, "Clare is an accomplished attorney who has experience with both criminal and civil litigation. She has the skills to defend the state in legal proceedings, provide outstanding legal advice and counsel, and manage the largest law firm in the state. She will be a tremendous asset as the chief legal officer and chief law enforcement officer of the State of Hawaiʻi."
Said Connors, "I am humbled by Gov. Ige's nomination and honored to serve the people of the State of Hawai`i. I look forward to joining the Deputy Attorney Generals and professional staff and to contributing to the important work of the office."

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Microplastics on a Hawaiian beach are the target of an engineering
project at Sherbrooke Universityin Quebec. See story, below.
Photo by Megan Lamson / Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund

MICROPLASTICS THAT WASH UP ON KAʻŪ BEACHES may be sucked away by a new machine under development. Twelve engineering students from University of Sherbrooke in Quebec, Canada, are working with Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund to design and construct a prototype machine to remove small pieces of plastic. Their invention is called HoolaOne, and they are raising money to bring it to Kaʻū in late January and to test it in February.

Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund and volunteers have cleaned the coastline near Kamilo Point for 15 years by hand, recently achieving a milestone of recovering 500,000 pounds of plastic, including bundles of nets and line. It is impossible to collect everything and plastic never goes away; it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces. Microplastic debris is the most difficult to collect and remove from the beach because it takes so much time.

Bill Gilmartin, of Volcano, is Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund's Research Director. He said that two years ago, the engineering students "approached us and asked what they might do to help with our marine debris recovery work. I suggested they tackle the problem of removing small plastic pieces from beach sand and they took on the challenge as a class project."

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund sent the students pictures of the problem and shipped them boxes of plastic-laden beach sand, and they went to work. "We discussed as many of the potential problems as we could think of, like rocks and pieces of wood in the sand, access to cleanup sites, and the varied slopes of beaches," Gilmartin said. The students' invention, HoolaOne, is designed to separate very small microplastic pieces - up to two inches in diameter - from beach sand.

For their work on recovering microplastics, the engineering students received awards from Canadian groups and were featured in numerous media events.

Gilmartin reports: "We just heard from the students that the prototype is ready for shipping and field testing at Kamilo. And, ideally, some of the engineering students would come to Hawai‘i Island in February to work with HWF team members to field test the prototype and make any adjustments or modifications needed to fine tune and ensure the machine's highest performance."

The students have raised over $70,000 in Canadian dollars to design and build HoolaOne. Now, Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund plans to raise about $15,000 to bring the machine and students to Hawaiʻi. "We are seeking donations from individuals and local business throughout Hawai‘i to support this final push to bring this microplastics beach cleanup machine to Hawai‘i in January," said Gilmartin.

HoolaOne invention to clean up microplastics is the project of engineering students at Sherbrooke University
in Canada. Photo from the HoolaOne team of Sherbrooke University

He urges the public to make a tax-deductible contribution to Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund. "Let us know that you support these University of Sherbrooke students and you want to be part of the solution to recover plastics from our beaches to protect native wildlife."

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund issued a statement saying the team hopes "future models can be used to clean beaches around the world to reduce wildlife losses to plastic ingestion."

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund also suggests helping by choosing to reduce the amount of single-use plastic items consumed and disposed of of daily. More info a is available at wildhawaii.org.

More information and a video of the Sherbrooke effort are available at hoolaone.ageg.ca

and facebook.com/ProjetHoolaOne.

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New land for The Nature Conservancy preserve lies between Hwy 11 and Kona Hema South Kona Forest Reserve,
and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Map from TNC

A DONATION OF 135 ACRES FOR PRESERVATION has been made to The Nature Conservancy north of Ocean View. The gift, announced today, comes from retired Hawaiian physician Charman J. Akina, who lives in Hilo and Honolulu.

Located just below the Conservancy's 8,081-acre Kona Hema Preserve and the state's South Kona Forest Reserve, the new parcel provides habitat for rare native wildlife and plants.

Dr. Charman Akina donated land north of Ocean view to
The Nature Conservancy. Photo from TNC

"The Nature Conservancy of Hawai‘i is grateful to work with wonderful supporters like Dr. Akina, who understand the vast majority of Hawai‘i's native species are found nowhere else in the world," said TNC Hawaiʽi Executive Director Ulalia Woodside. "This gift will provide a home and refuge for native plants and animals for future generations."

The land is the second of two properties Akina has given to TNC. He donated a 37-acre neighboring parcel in 2014. He first became interested in the two South Kona parcels in the early 1970s when the land was being sub-divided for sale. "I went down there and found these properties that had beautiful trees on them along with young forest," he said. "When I found out they would be sold for development, I stepped in and bought them. I wanted to save them from the bulldozer."

After TNC acquired 4,000 acres next door at Honomalino in 1999—the first of three adjoining parcels that make up its Kona Hema Preserve—Akina decided that one day he would donate the land to TNC.

Flueggea neowawraea) was historically found on the parcel, which is also in the very limited habitat range for the tallest species of Hawaiian fan palm, or loulu (Pritchardia schattaueri). Both were likely found on the parcel prior to the 1926 lava flow. Surveys have also located native lacewings and Kamehameha butterflies on the property.

A native amakihi songbird, found in the forest donated by
a Hawaiian physician to The Nature Conservancy.
Photo from TNC

The 135-acre parcel is a section of the 1926 Ho‘opuloa lava flow. Along the flow edges, it contains native plants such as māmane, ‘iliahi, pāwale, ferns and the rare mēhamehame tree.

Native songbird species such as the ʻapapane, ʻiʻiwi, ʻelepaio, and ʻamakihi are found throughout this area as they pass through the protected corridor of South Kona properties. The area also provides much needed habitat for the endangered ‘io (Hawaiian hawk) and the ‘ōpe‘ape‘a (Hawaiian hoary bat), which likely utilizes the property for foraging. The National Audubon Society rates Kona forests as A-1 Globally Significant Important Bird Areas.

Akina, 85, is a graduate of Punahou School and Stanford University. He worked for more than 30 years at the Honolulu Medical Group, specializing in internal medicine, before serving the native Hawaiian community for 12 years at the Waimanalo Health Center. He now divides his time between homes in Honolulu and the Hilo area of the Big Island.

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HIGH SURF ADVISORY for Hawaiʻi Island is extended by the National Weather Service to include almost all shores. A "reinforcing northwest swell," says NWS, will bring an increase in surf today, and stay elevated through this evening, gradually beginning to decrease late tonight.

Elevated surf of 5 to 8 feet along east-facing shores, and 6 to 10 feet along exposed west facing shores, continues through the weekend. The high surf advisory will likely be extended, says NWS.

A Gale Watch for the Alenuihaha Channel between Hawaiʻi Island and Mauiis also in effect. NWS says east winds will be 25 to 35 knots, and seas will be 8 to 12 feet.

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Jan. 18, Fri., Boys host Pāhoa

Swimming:

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

Aerial view of Kīlauea's summit on July 13, 2018. Photo from USGS

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE SUMMIT OF KĪLAUEA IN 2018? is the subject of a third and final After Dark in the Park program to take place at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park during Volcano Awareness Month in January. The event takes place Tuesday, Jan. 22, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium.
"In early May, 2018, as the lava lake within Halemaʻumaʻu dropped, concern grew that explosive eruptions at the summit of Kīlauea, like those in 1924, could occur. Some explosions did occur, sending plumes of ash high into the air. But what followed was even more dramatic: the largest summit collapse since at least 1800, accompanied by thousands of earthquakes that caused extensive damage to HVO’s building and National Park infrastructure," states the event description on nps.gov/HAVO.

Along with colleagues, USGS geophysicist Kyle Anderson closely monitored the summit activity as it unfolded, creating models to understand what was happening - and what might happen next. Anderson will recount the extraordinary events that took place at Kīlauea's summit this summer and how those events have helped scientists better understand Kīlauea and other volcanoes around the world.

The event is free; however, park entrance fees apply. Donations helps support park programs.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4

Story Time with Lindsey Miller - PARENTS, Inc., Fri., Jan. 4, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5
Big Island Road Runners Hilo to Volcano 50 Kilometer Ultra Marathon and Team Relay, Sat., Jan. 5, 6am, Moku Ola (Coconut Island) parking area to Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Race Director David Cotter, 339-7210, bigislandroadrunners.org

EXHIBIT: From the Slopes Of Two Mountains, daily, Sat., Jan. 5 - Sun., Feb. 10, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Features glass works of Michael Mortara, Misato Mochizuki Mortara, W. Chris Lowry and Marianne J. Lowry. Opening reception with artists Jan. 5, 5-7pm. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

Art Express, Sat., Jan. 5 and Feb. 2, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Classes held once monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express

Keiki Science Class, Sat., Jan. 5, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. First Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

Spiritual Healing, Sat., Jan. 5, 3-4:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Led by Debra Zager. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Meeting, Mon., Jan. 7, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Tue., Jan. 8 (Committees), Wed., Jan. 9, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Jan. 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team in and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Meeting, Tue., Jan. 8, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tue., Jan. 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory geologist Carolyn Parcheta presents. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8

Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits: Dental, Wed., Jan. 9, 8-5pm; Medical, Thu., Jan. 31, 1-5pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appointment. thecoopercenter.org

Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Wed., Jan. 9, 16, and 31, 9:30-10:30am, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. Designed for all ages.; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign-up. Free; donations accepted.

Lau Hala - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau (Experience the Skillful Work), Wed., Jan. 9, 10-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Jan. 9 and 23, 2-3:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 2nd and last Wed., monthly. Free. Pre-registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10

Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Thu., Jan. 10, 17, & 31, 9:30-10:30am, Pāhala Senior Center. Designed for all ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign-up. Free; donations accepted.

Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Jan. 10, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Papa ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i: Beginning Hawaiian Language Classes w/ Kaliko Trapp, Thu., Jan. 10, Part V, 5-6:30pm, Part VIII, 6:30-8pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. 8 week sessions focussing on expanding simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. Some (basic for Part V) Hawaiian language experience preferred. $80/VAC member, $90/non-member. Required workbook for both sessions: Nā Kai ‘Ewalu, available at UH Hilo Bookstore. Hawaiian language dictionary suggested for Part V. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Jan. 10, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

STOKE Screening, Thu., Jan. 10, 7-9pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Film follows Jane, a struggling tourist, who hires two wannabe tour guides to take her to an active volcano. 90 min. narrative feature shot on Hawai‘i Island in 2017. Rated R for language and brief nudity. Directors in attendance for brief Q&A. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

ONGOING
The Public is Invited to Speak Up on Kaʻū Hospital & Rural Health Clinic, health needs, and health care planning for Kaʻū. Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp.'s East Hawaiʻi Region annual public meeting and forum will take place Saturday, Jan. 12, from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Kaʻū Hospital, 1 Kamani Street, in Pāhala.

An overview of the operations and financial condition of all facilities, including Kaʻū and Hilo hospitals, as well as a view toward the future, will be presented. Ample time will be available for community members to share their perspectives and concerns regarding access to health care services, said a statement from Hawaiʻi Health Systems.

For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Executive Assistant at 315-7558.

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About 90 percent of terrestrial snails described in Hawaiʻi have gone extinct. See the Snail Extinction Prevention Program
at dlnr.hawaii.gov/ecosystems/hip/sep. See story, below. Photos from DLNR

ARBITRARY DETENTION AND DEPORTATION "of many long-term U.S. residents from Southeast Asia, including those who fled war and genocide," is the target of an inquest by Sen. Mazie Hirono and California Sen. Kamala Harris. They led 13 senators in urging Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen to reexamine the policy and said they are particularly concerned with "the Trump

Vietnamese boat people were among the
refugees taken in by the United States.
The Trump administration seeks to change
the refugee agreements and deport many
refugees from Laos, Cambodia,
and Vietnam. Photo from Wikipedia

Administration's targeting of Vietnamese refugees who arrived in the country prior to the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam in 1995." The Senators contend that the detention and deportation of those who sought refuge in the U.S. "violates a 2008 repatriation agreement between the two countries. The agreement provided legal protection for hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees who fled to the United States following the Vietnam War."

A letter from Hirono, Harris, and colleagues to the Homeland Security Secretary says that "In Fiscal Year 2018, there was an increase in deportations of Southeast Asian immigrants with more than 350 Laotian, Cambodian, and Vietnamese immigrants who were ordered to be deported. Those processed for deportation by the Trump administration's recent, aggressive deportation efforts include legal permanent residents who have lived in the United States for decades after fleeing violence and genocide in their home countries. We urge you to reexamine policies on the arbitrary detention and deportation of Southeast Asian immigrants who prove no threat to public safety, are interwoven into our communities, and support United States citizen families."

Several leading justice and advocacy groups have spoken out against the Trump Administration's actions, including the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, Vietnamese Anti-Deportation Network, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, AAJC Atlanta, and AAJC Chicago. Hawaiʻi is home to more than 140,000 foreign born residents from Southeast Asia, Hirono noted.

The full text of the letter is available here.

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THE PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IS AFFECTING HAWAIʻI more than most other states, says a recent report from WalletHub. Hawaiʻi is the fourth hardest hit. It is first in affecting federal jobs, ninth in affecting access to National Parks, seventeenth in affecting income from real estate as a percentage of Gross State Product, and twenty-ninth in affecting families receiving SNAP (Food Stamps).
This shutdown, into its fifteenth day, is the twenty-first time the federal government has shut down, the third time during the Trump presidency. The longest shutdown was 21 days.
When the government shuts down, certain federal employees work without pay. Others are off work - on furlough, explains WalletHub. Among those off work nationwide are 41,000 law enforcement officers, 52,000 IRS workers, and 96 percent of NASA employees. "Non-essential" government services also remain inactive and certain benefits are liable to run out of funding, says WalletHub.
At Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, volunteer groups such as Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association are raising money to keep the park open. See more in tomorrow's Kaʻū News Briefs.
Read WalletHub's report.

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KAHULI - HAWAIIAN TREE SNAIL - GEORGE, the last known Achatinella apexfulva, died on New Year's Day. The state Department of Land & Natural Resources released this story:

George, the last Hawaiian tree snail of his
species died on New Years Day, but his
tissue remains in deep freeze for a possible
revival in the future. DLNR photo

George was approximately 14 years old and his name was derived from the Pinta Island Galapagos tortoise, "Lonesome George," also the last of his species.
The Achatinella apexfulva was the first of over 750 species of land snails from the Hawaiian Islands described in western science. The first mention dates back to at least 1787, when Captain George Dixon was docked on O‘ahu and was given a shell on a lei. These snails were once common on O‘ahu in the Ko‘olau Mountains and were used heavily for lei making as access to them was much easier at lower elevations.

In 1997, the last ten known Achatinella apexfulva were brought to a laboratory at the University of Hawai‘i for captive rearing. Some additional offspring were produced but later all the Achatinella apexfulva died, except for George.

A two-millimeter snippet of George's foot was collected in 2017 for research purposes and the living tissue remains alive in a deep freeze container at San Diego's Frozen Zoo.
George's passing is a significant loss to locals as he was featured in numerous articles and hundreds of school children have viewed him over the years.
The remaining land snails in Hawai‘i face imminent extinction threats from invasive species and climate change. The Snail Extinction Prevention Program is featured prominently in the upcoming television documentary, Forests for Life, which chronicles the vital importance of Hawai‘i's native forests to all life in Hawai‘i. The hour-long special, considered the most comprehensive look at all the benefits native forests provide and the threats they face, debuts on KFVE-TV (K5), at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, with a repeat on Monday, Jan. 21, at 8 p.m.

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APPLICATIONS FOR AKAMAI SUMMER INTERNSHIPS are open, with Twenty Meter Telescope sponsors providing $320,000 in funding for the 2019 STEM Internsip Program. A statement from TMT says, "The Akamai Workforce Initiative (is) a program that seeks to develop a skilled STEM workforce to meet the needs of Hawai‘i's growing high tech industry." The program offers college students from Hawai‘i an opportunity to gain summer work experience at an observatory, company, or scientific/technical facility on Hawai‘i Island and Maui for an eight-week program from Sunday, June 16, through Friday, Aug. 16.
TMT is the primary funder of the Akamai Internship Program and provides staff in Hilo and Pasadena, CA, to mentor interns. TMT has supported the Akamai Internship Program since 2009 and contributed a total of nearly $1,000,000 towards developing a skilled Hawai‘i STEM workforce.

TMT mentors Amir Sadjadpour, Hiroshi Terada, and Magnolia Ycasas; 2014 Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama graduate Keoki Massad; 2016 Waiakea High School valedictorian Olivia Murray; 2017 Kihei Charter High School graduate Erica Sawczynec; John Miles, TMT mentor;and Warren Skidmore, TMT Scientist together at the TMT Project Office in Pasadena. Photo from TMT

The Hawai‘i Community Foundation Career Connected Learning program - TMT's THINK Fund at HCF is a major contributor to the Career Connected Learning Program - the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, and the Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope on Maui also provide financial support to the program. Canada-France Hawai‘i Telescope and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo also provide in-kind support.
According to the TMT statement, "The Akamai Workforce Initiative premise is that Hawai‘i's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) workforce needs are attainable through a modest increase in retaining STEM undergraduates and broadening participation to include more Native Hawaiians, women, and other underrepresented groups in STEM."

Local students work with mentors who are top in their
fields. Photo from TMT

Upon acceptance, Akamai interns are matched with a project, and a mentor who will supervise them throughout the project and integrate the intern into the work environment. All Akamai interns complete a one-week intensive residency preparatory course in Hilo where they gain the skills needed to be successful in the workplace and meet other interns, along with Akamai staff and mentors. Throughout the program, interns get coaching on communication skills. They do a presentation of their project at the end of the summer at a public symposium. Interns receive credit from UH Hilo.
Interns are paid a $3,200 stipend and are provided with housing, if needed, and travel to and from their home island to an internship site. Interns complete projects with a mentor at a company or observatory on Maui, Hawai‘i Island, or with the Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory at their headquarters in Pasadena, or with one of TMT's instrument teams, such as the Wide-Field Optical Spectrograph at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Rendition of the Thirty Meter Telescope planned for
Mauna Kea. Image from TMT

Interns in recent years have been placed at many Hawai‘i Island firms including Akabotics, Big Island Abalone, Canada-France-Hawai‘i Telescope, Cellana, Hawai‘i Electric Light Company, Gemini North Observatory, Liquid Robotics, Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i Authority, Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, Smithsonian Submillimeter Array, Academia Sinica Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Subaru Telescope, UH Hilo, UH Institute for Astronomy Hilo, and W. M. Keck Observatory.
To learn more about the Akamai internship program, go to akamaihawaii.org Applications are due by February 14, with applications available at akamaihawaii.org/interning/application.

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Sen. Russell Ruderman

FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION RENOVATIONS AT KAʻŪ HOSPITAL in the amount of $144,000 have been released by the state. Sen. Russell Ruderman applied for the Capital Improvement Project funds.

Ruderman posted to his Facebook: "Great news! We have been informed that funds have been released for the renovations at Kaʻū Hospital."

A letter from Gov. David Ige about the funds confirmation says, "Mahalo for your work on behalf of the resident of your district to secure these funds. Projects such as these are critical components of the public infrastructure and contribute to building a better home for our kupuna, keiki, and all the residents of Hawaiʻi… By working collaboratively, we can climb the mountains of challenges that face Hawaiʻi."

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 public Kaʻū events, meetings, entertainment.

See Kaʻū exercise, meditation, daily, and weekly events.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,500 mailboxes

throughout Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi through Volcano, and free on

stands throughout the district. Read online at kaucalendar.com

and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Jan. 4, Fri., host Hilo, 6pm

Jan. 7, Mon., @Honokaʻa, 6pm

Jan. 9, Wed., @Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 14, Mon., host Kealakehe, 6pm

Jan. 17, Thu., host Keaʻau

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 5, Sat., @HPA, 6pm

Jan. 8, Tue., host Kamehameha, 6pm

Jan. 11, Fri., host Konawaena, 6pm

Jan. 16, Wed., host Waiakea, 6pm

Jan. 18, Fri., @Kohala, 6pm

Wrestling:

Jan. 5, Sat., @Waiakea

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kealakeha

Soccer:

Jan. 5, Sat., Boys host Kealakehe

Jan. 7, Mon., @Hilo

Jan. 9, Wed., @Keaʻau

Jan. 12, Sat., host Honokaʻa

Jan. 14, Mon., @Makualani

Jan. 16, Wed., Boys host Kona

Jan. 18, Fri., Boys host Pāhoa

Swimming:

Jan. 5, Sat., @KCAC, 10am

Jan. 12, Sat., @Kamehameha, 10am

NEW and UPCOMING

HUI MĀLAMA OLA NĀ ʻŌIWI classes in January include Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) in Ka‘ū on Wednesdays, from Jan. 16 through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.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.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5

Big Island Road Runners Hilo to Volcano 50 Kilometer Ultra Marathon and Team Relay, Sat., Jan. 5, 6am, Moku Ola - Coconut Island, Hilo - parking area to Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Race Director David Cotter, 339-7210, bigislandroadrunners.org

Exhibit: From the Slopes of Two Mountains, daily, Sat., Jan. 5 - Sun., Feb. 10, 9-5pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Features glass works of Michael Mortara, Misato Mochizuki Mortara, W. Chris Lowry and Marianne J. Lowry. Opening reception with artists Jan. 5, 5-7pm. Free; park entrance fees apply. volcanoartcenter.org

Art Express, Sat., Jan. 5, 10-3pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 1st Saturday, monthly. Learn something new or work on a forgotten project. Instructions on oil, acrylic, watercolor, and other mediums. Class size limited to 25. Meliha Corcoran 319-8989, himeliha@yahoo.com, discoveryharbour.net/art-express

Keiki Science Class, Sat., Jan. 5, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. 1st Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

Spiritual Healing, Sat., Jan. 5, 3-4:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. Led by Debra Zager. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6

Sunday Clay - High Fire!, new sessions, Sundays, Jan. 6 - Mar. 3, no class Jan. 20. Morning session 11:30-2:30pm, afternoon session 2:45-5:45pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. 8 week session w/Erik Wold on potters wheel - 7 slots open per session - or hand-building - 2 slots open per session - techniques. Beginners and continuing students welcome. $180/VAC member, $200/non-member, plus $15 materials fee for 6 lbs. clay, including glazes and firing. Additional clay available for purchase. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Jan. 6, noon-2pm, Manukā State Park. 1st Sunday, monthly. Anyone interested in learning about ham radio is welcome to attend. View sites.google.com/site/southpointarc or sites.google.com/view/southhawaiiares/home. Rick Ward, 938-3058

Overflow 2019: Unleashing Your Untapped Potential, Sun., Jan. 6, through Sat., Jan. 16, 6 p.m., and Sun, Jan, 13, 9:45 a.m., Nā‘ālehu Assembly of God. Seven days of prayer and fasting. Music by Ola Shaw. Special Guest Musician Ricky "RNB" Brown. Event features five guest speakers. 929-7278, naalehuag.org

MONDAY, JANUARY 7

Painting w/Peggy, Mon., Jan. 7, noon-3pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. Monthly acrylic painting session, artists of all levels. Students bring own supplies and easels - suggested material list at margaretstantonart.com. $15/VAC member, $20/non-member. Register at volcanoartcenter.org or call 967-8222. Questions, email peggystanton007@yahoo.com

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Jan. 7 and 21, 1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Parent-led homeschool activity and social group, building community in Ka‘ū. Confirm location in case of field trip. Laura Roberts, 406-249-3351

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Mon., Jan. 7, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Jan. 8, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tue., Jan. 8, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

After Dark in the Park: Volcano Awareness Month - Kīlauea Volcano's 2018 Lower East Rift Zone Eruption, Tue., Jan. 8, 7pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium. USGS HVO geologist Carolyn Parcheta presents. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9

Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visits. Dental, Wed., Jan. 9, 8-5pm. Medical, Thu., Jan. 31, 1-5pm. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Wed., Jan. 9, 16, and 31, 9:30-10:30am, Nā‘ālehu Community Center. All ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign up. Free; donations accepted.

Lau Hala - ‘Ike Hana No‘eau - Experience the Skillful Work - Wed., Jan. 9, 10-noon, Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai. Free; park entrance fees apply. Co-sponsored by Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Jan. 9 and 23, 2-3:30pm, PARENTS Inc., Nā‘ālehu. 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly. Free. Pre-registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10

Basic Stretch & Strengthening Exercise Class, Thu., Jan. 10, 17, & 31, 9:30-10:30am, Pāhala Senior Center. All ages; geared toward those needing to maintain or increase mobility, and those wanting a gentle stretch. Call 969-9220 to sign up. Free; donations accepted.

Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Jan. 10, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Papa ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i: Beginning Hawaiian Language Classes w/ Kaliko Trapp, Thu., Jan. 10, Part V, 5-6:30pm, Part VIII, 6:30-8pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. 8 week sessions focusing on expanding simple vocabulary, conversation, grammar, and sentence structure. Some (basic for Part V) Hawaiian language experience preferred. $80/VAC member, $90/non-member. Required workbook for both sessions: Nā Kai ‘Ewalu, available at UH Hilo Bookstore. Hawaiian language dictionary suggested. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Jan. 10, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

STOKE Screening, Thu., Jan. 10, 7-9pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus in Volcano Village. Film follows Jane, a struggling tourist, who hires two wannabe tour guides to take her to an active volcano. 90 min. narrative feature shot on Hawai‘i Island in 2017. Rated R for language and brief nudity. Directors in attendance for brief Q&A. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11

PATCH Class #701, Creating Supportive Environments I, Fri., Jan. 11, 8-11am, back pavilion, Punalu‘u Bakery, Nā‘ālehu. Making connection between the environment, social-emotional development, and challenging behaviors - specifically relating to pre-school, home day care, etc. Sponsored by Tūtū & Me Traveling Preschool. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #219, Building Relationships, Fri., Jan. 11, noon-3pm, back pavilion, Punalu‘u Bakery, Nā‘ālehu. Making connection between social and emotional development and challenging behaviors - specifically relating to pre-school, home day care, etc. No childcare provided. 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

Free Artist in Residence Lecture and Concert w/Celebrated Composer Glenn McClure, Fri., Jan. 11, 6pm, Kīlauea Visitor Center. McClure is a composer, educator, and data scientist. Park entrance fees apply. 985-6011, nps.gov/havo

Free Community Dance, Fri., Jan. 11, 7-10pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Coffee, tea, water, and snack provided. Free; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

For more information, contact Terry Larson, Regional Board Executive Assistant at 315-7558.

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