The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs, Hawaiʻi Island

ʻO Kaʻū Kākou invites local residents to attend and speak up at a meeting about the proposed senior housing project
planned for the site of the former Nāʻālehu Fruit Stand, at Nāʻālehu Community Center on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m.
Photo by Nalanu Parlin

SENDING FEDERAL WORKERS BACKPAY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE is the request in a letter tonight from Senators Brian Schatz and Mazie Hirono, and colleagues, to the federal Office of Personnel Management. Schatz tweeted that the letter is "to make sure there's not further delay in getting federal workers backpay. Every day counts." The letter comes after congress passed and Pres. Donald Trump signed legislation to reopen the federal government.

Sen. Brian Schatz

Schatz also tweeted, "I am relieved for everyone who works for the government, and everyone who depends on government services. This is not a major legislative achievement, and the President should never have inflicted pain on America for 35 days, but this is a first step."
Rep Tulsi Gabbard tweeted, "Finally - this senseless shutdown is over."
After Trump announced he would sign such legislation, Hirono responded. "Today's announcement is a welcome, albeit temporary, end to this unnecessary, unconscionable Trump shutdown. Over the past 35 days, Donald Trump took hundreds of thousands of federal workers and contractors, and indeed the entire country, hostage – all because of his obsession with building his vanity wall. It was telling that even in announcing an end to the shutdown, Donald Trump resorted to lies and distortions to justify his vanity wall in anticipation of negotiations over the next three weeks.

Sen. Mazie Hirono

"While the debate continues on border security, we need to pass a bill to fully fund all government operations through the end of the fiscal year. Come February 15th, there cannot be another government shutdown.

"Donald Trump has proven time and again that his word is no good and he changes his mind on a whim. It's up to Congress to step up to its responsibility as a separate branch of government, do its job, and keep the government open."

Pres. Donald Trump

Hirono followed up by asking constituents to sign onto a message to the president. She wrote that the deal to reopen the government for three weeks "comes on the same day that flights into three major airports were stalled due to safety concerns and lack of staff as a result of the shutdown. While this temporary deal is certainly progress, it isn't a long term solution -- and Trump just made it clear in his speech filled with fear mongering, lies, and stereotypes about immigrants that he will continue to push for his vanity wall.

"I'm relieved that federal workers and their families will be able to go back to work and receive back pay as soon as possible. Federal contractors will also go back to work but they will not be paid for the 35 days we were in a shutdown. We cannot allow Trump and the GOP to put these workers through uncertainty, stress, and turmoil again if the president doesn't get his wall by February 15.

"Join me in sending a message to the president and his party: we absolutely cannot have another government shutdown come February 15. By that time, Congress needs to enact and the president needs to sign a spending bill that keeps the government open through the end of the fiscal year."

Trump responded to critics on twitter tonight: "I wish people would read or listen to my words on the Border Wall. This was in no way a concession. It was taking care of millions of people who were getting badly hurt by the Shutdown with the understanding that in 21 days, if no deal is done, it's off to the races!"

Changes to the operating schedule of Pāhala Transfer Station,
already one of the most isolated transfer stations on Hawaiʻi
Island, are the subject of an informational community meeting
Monday, Jan. 28. Map from Hawaiʻi Dept. of Public Works

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COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER MAILE DAVID says she will be in Pāhala Monday, Jan. 28, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center, to listen to community concerns about the transfer station. The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division invites the Pāhala community and users of the Pāhala Transfer Station to attend the informational meeting. The transfer station on Maile Street is where people take their recyclables and other trash. The Solid Waste Division staff will join community members to discuss operating days and the possibility of modifying the current schedule.
"We welcome any input and participation from the community and users of this facility," said a statement from the county.

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FUNDING HIGHWAY AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS, BY HIKING FUEL TAXES AND REGISTRATION FEES, is proposed in bills before the 2019 Hawaiʻi Legislature. Gov. David Ige introduced them on Wednesday.

House Bill 1054 would raise gasoline taxes from 16 cents to 21 cents per gallon statewide, except for the higher rate of 22 cents on Oʻahu. Hawaiʻi already pays the highest gas prices in the nation, with 44 cents per gallon going to taxes, according to gasprices.aaa.com. It would increase diesel oil taxes from 1 cent to 2 cents per gallon, and double the tax on fuel used in airplanes from 1 cent to 2 cents per gallon.

Gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, vehicle registration, and vehicle weight taxes
would all increase if recent legislation from Gov. Ige passes.
Photo from gasprices.aaa.com

The bill would raise the annual vehicle registration fee from $45 to $50. It would also increase the annual state vehicle weight tax from $1.75 per pound to $2 per pound for vehicles 4,000 pounds and over.

Companion Senate Bill 1280 is identical, with both bills' descriptions reading: Increases the State Fuel Tax to generate additional revenues for the State Highway Fund by amending section 243-4, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes. Allows for increase in the state motor vehicle registration fee and deposits the money into the State Highway Fund by amending section 249-31, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes. Increases the state motor vehicle weight tax and deposits the money into the State Highway Fund by amending section 249-33, Hawaiʻi Revised Statutes.

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports the taxes are meant to collect an additional $40 million a year for road construction and maintenance.

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NEW VACATION RENTAL REGULATIONS WOULD ALLOW THE COUNTY TO FINE ILLEGAL OPERATORS UP TO $30,000. Proposed rules go to public hearings, the first on Thursday, Feb. 28, in Hilo and the second on Friday, March 1, in Kona. After public input, the rules and applications for vacation rental permits will be finalized and presented for a final public hearing on Tuesday, April 2. Meeting all requirements and applying for vacation rental certificates will be due on Sept. 28.

According to the proposed rules, short-term vacation rentals are dwelling units of no more than five bedrooms being rented for 30 days or less with no owner or operator living on the property.
All owners of non-operator occupied vacation rentals outside of Resort districts will be required to apply for a nonconforming certificate, reapply annually, and pay an annual fee of $250. All non-operator occupied vacation rental operators, in or outside of the state designated Resort District, will be required to register with the county and pay a one time $500 fee.
Vacation rentals will be allowed on property zoned resort, general commercial, village commercial, residential, and commercial districts, within the general plan resort and resort node, and condominiums within the multi-family residential district.

Rentals on agricultural land can be grandfathered in, if the lot was created before June 4, 1976. Rentals on residential property can be grandfathered in. Owners of both types of property will have to show that vacation rental and other property taxes have been paid before April 1 and that properties are compliant with building codes.
Read more in upcoming Kaʻū News Briefs.

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Image from oneequalworld.com

TRANSGENDER MILITARY PERSONNEL HAVE SUPPORT FROM REP. TULSI GABBARD, who issued this statement this week: "Less than one percent of Americans volunteer to put their lives on the line as active duty members of the U.S. military.

"When a transgender person raises their hand to put on the uniform and protect our country and its people, these are the only considerations that should matter — will they commit to uphold the Constitution? Will they defend our country? Are they capable and qualified to carry out their duties?

"That's it. To judge on any other criteria is nothing short of discrimination.

"President Trump's ban dishonors transgender service members who put on the uniform to protect our rights. Now we must protect theirs. The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision allows the ban to continue — add your name to my petition for transgender service members to be able to serve openly, without fear of repercussions for their identity.

"When President Clinton signed Don't Ask, Don't Tell in 1993, it banned every gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer service member from serving openly. President Trump's transgender ban is just as discriminatory — we cannot go backward. It's why I was an original cosigner of the letter 140 House members sent to the White House last year urging him to reverse the ban.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell was in effect from 1993 through 2011.
Photo from dont-ask-dont-tell-ammt.weebly.com

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell was wrong, and the Supreme Court's decision to let the transgender service member ban go on is equally flawed. It indulges the fear-based rhetoric of division, that some people have rights that others do not, that some people are worthy of service while others are not. That is not the America we wish to live in. Everyone is capable of being of service if they have the will.

"Last August the RAND Corporation released a health survey where 6.1% of people in the U.S. military self-identified as LGBTQ+. The real number is likely even higher. For these brave service members, patriotism and love for our country are stronger than the fear of discrimination.

"Sign my petition to show your support for transgender service members and honor the brave individuals who volunteer to defend our nation.

"Our brave service members deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, not kicked out of the military because of who they are. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to the people who raise their hand to defend our country and our freedoms, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Thank you for standing with me, and with them."

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A WIN FOR THE TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM this evening, as the Kaʻū ladies faced off with Honokaʻa in the BIIF Division II Semi-Finals at Konawaena Gym. The Trojans took the court by storm, winning 47 to 33 against Honokaʻa.

BIIF Division II Finals happen tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 26. The third place Trojan ladies challenge fourth place holder Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy.

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. 26, Sat., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 28, Mon. host Kanu, 6pm, Varsity

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Jan. 26, Sat., @HPA

Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Jan. 28, Mon., Boys BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Jan. 30, Wed., Boys BIIF Div. II Finals

Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Jan. 26, Sat., BIIF Finals @KCAC, 1pm

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM HOSTS A CHINESE NEW YEAR DRUM CRAFT EVENT, for keiki 5 to 12 years old, on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the multi-purpose room. Registration is open Tuesday, Jan. 22, through Tuesday, Jan. 29. Free.

For more, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/ for hours of operation.

OPEN GYM FOR ADULTS AT KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM, Monday through Thursday, through Mar. 28, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Open registration.

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 26
Kīlauea Crisis Support Group Mtg., Sat., Jan. 26, 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

Kula Kai View Estates Annual Mtg., Sat., Jan. 26, 10-11am, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

Mixed Media Encaustic w/Mary Milelzcik, Sat. Jan. 26, 10-2:30pm, Volcano Art Center's Ni‘aulani Campus. $55/VAC member, $60/non-member, plus $25 supply fee/person. volcanoartcenter.org, 967-8222

Mo‘olelo - Stories - of Volcano, Sat., Jan. 26, 11-2pm, Volcano Garden Arts, 19-3834 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano Village. Hawaiian historian and storyteller Kepa Maly shares traditions and history of Kīlauea and the lands upon which Pele dances in the Pu‘ulena wind. $35/person, lunch included. Limited space. Register w/Volcano Community Foundation, volcanocommunity@gmail.com, 885-1011

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
A Special Meeting for Local Residents about Senior Housing - the Fruit Stand Project - is held by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou at Nāʻālehu Community Center Sunday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28
Public Meeting on Future of Pāhala Transfer Station, where people take their recyclables and other trash, happens Monday, Jan. 28, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Pāhala Community Center.
The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division invites the Pāhala community and users of the Pāhala Transfer Station to attend the informational meeting. The Solid Waste Division will join community members to discuss operating days and the possibility of modifying the current schedule.
"We welcome any input and participation from the community and users of this facility," said a statement from the county.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Jan. 29, 11:30-1pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Jan. 30, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Monthly. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required, 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

Free Car Seat Inspections happen in Waiʻōhinu on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program is sponsored by Partners for Safe Keiki, Tūtū and Me, and Hawaiʻi County Fire Department, a coalition of Partners of Keiki, and Safe Grant Hawaiʻi.

"Three of four car seats are not installed correctly," say the sponsors. "Feel free to post, share and circulate to help us to reach as many Kaʻū residents as possible. There is no eligibility requirement for these inspections. Just come with your vehicle, keiki and car seat(s)!" To make an appointment, call 896-1336.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
Craft Class, Thu., Jan. 31, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Volcano Friends Feeding Friends, Thu., Jan. 31, 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, FEBRUARY 1

Story Time with Lindsey Miller - PARENTS, Inc., Fri., Feb. 1, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

ONGOING

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes include Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) in Ka‘ū on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org.

Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.

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.
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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Sanctuary Humpback Whale Count drew volunteers to Kaʻū Coast and beyond, today. See story below. Photo from NOAA

TESTIMONY IS DUE MONDAY FOR FUNDING TO IMPROVE HEART ATTACK OUTCOMES WITH A CATHETERIZATION LAB at Hilo Hospital. The bill will be heard by the state House of Representatives Health Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 8:30 a.m. Introduced by west Kaʻū Rep. Richard Creagan, a physician, and East Kaʻū Rep. Richard Onishi, House Bill 527 would appropriate funds to the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corp. to "establish a full-time catheterization laboratory, including the employment of staff" at Hilo Medical Center.

The improvement of cardiology services at Hilo Hospital is considered a boost to patients admitted to Kaʻū Hospital, who are frequently transferred to Hilo and then to Honolulu. Testimony for the measure states that saving time is saving lives. More patients would forgo the air time to Honolulu with treatment at a catheterization lab in Hilo.

Deadline to submit testimony is Monday, Jan. 28, at 8:30 a.m. Submit testimony online at capitol.hawaii.gov/home.aspx: register, click on the "Submit Testimony" button, enter bill HB527, then follow prompts to submit by uploading or copy/paste testimony in the text box. Testimony can also be submitted via email to HLTtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov or by fax at 808-586-6051.

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BILLS TO REGULATE COFFEE LABELING will go before legislative committees in the Hawaiʻi state Senate and House of Representatives this week.

House Bill 143, introduced by west Kaʻū Rep. Richard Creagan, and Senate Bill 894, introduced by west Kaʻū Sen. Dru Kanuha and Hilo Sen. Kai Kahele, would expand coffee labeling to include ready-to-drink beverages.

Legislators will review bills to regulate coffee labeling. Bigstock photo

HB144, introduced by Creagan, and SB888, introduced by Kanuha, would require "coffee blend labels to disclose regional origins and percent by weight of the blended coffees" and prohibit "using geographic origins of coffee in labeling or advertising for roasted or instant coffee that contains less than 51 percent coffee by weight from that geographic origin."

HB909, introduced by east Kaʻū Rep. Richard Onishi, and SB895, introduced by Kanuha and Kahele, would expand the "offense of false labeling of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee to include grade standard violations and all stages of production of Hawaiʻi-grown coffee."

SB896, introduced by Kanuha and Kahele, would require the sate Department of Agriculture to "inspect and certify all Hawaiʻi-grown green coffee beans for grade and origin, except for shipments of one hundred pounds or less."

HB143 and HB144 will be reviewed by the House Agricultural Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 30. SB894, SB888, and SB895 will be reviewed by the Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health committee. SB888 will also be reviewed by the Committee on Agriculture and Environment. SB895 will also be reviewed by the Judiciary committee. SB869 will be reviewed by the House Agricultural Committee on Thursday, Feb. 1.

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THE OCEAN WHALE COUNT drew more than 572 volunteers to the shores of Kaʻū and around the Hawaiian Islands today. It was the first of three monthly events of the 2019 Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Ocean Count. With the federal government recovering from being shut down, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is helping to coordinate Sanctuary Ocean Count events.

Combined, volunteers collected data from 51 sites across all the main islands. A total of 168 whale sightings were seen statewide, during the 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day's count.
Sanctuary Ocean Count volunteers collected data from 39 sites on the islands of Hawai‘i, O‘ahu, and Kaua‘i, with 96 whale sightings during the 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day's count.

The first whale count of the year happened today, with volunteers and the National Marine Sanctuary
Foundation helping out in the wake of the government shutdown. Photo from NOAA

On Maui, Great Whale Count volunteers collected data from 12 sites during timed intervals between 8:30 a.m. and 11:50 a.m. A total of 359 whales were seen throughout the day on Maui, with 72 whales counted during the 8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. time period, the most of any time period throughout the day's count.

According to reports from organizers, weather conditions were not ideal for whale viewing at most sites across the state due to strong winds and high surf. Those factors made visibility difficult for viewing whales. However, some sites were fortunate to have perfect whale viewing conditions with partly sunny skies. A variety of other species were also spotted during the count including sea turtles, spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, multiple sea bird species, and more.

Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities. Volunteer participants tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides a snapshot of humpback whales activity from the shorelines of O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i islands.

The annual Great Whale Count by Pacific Whale Foundation brings volunteers together on Maui to count whales from shore as part of a long-term survey of humpback whales in Hawai‘i, with 12 survey sites along the shoreline. This event provides a snapshot of trends in relative abundance of whales and is one of the world's longest-running citizen scientist projects.

Two more counts will take place during peak whale season: the last Saturdays in February and March. Preliminary data detailing Sanctuary Ocean Count whale sightings by site location will be available at: oceancount.org/resources. After recovery from the shutdown, additional information will be available on Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary's website at hawaiihumpbackwhale.noaa.gov. Pacific Whale Foundation's Great Whale Count data may be found at mauiwhalefestival.org/greatwhalecount, with additional information at pacificwhale.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.

2,209 acres east of Nāʻālehu will be preserved, with 25 acres going to a
wastewater treatment facility for the town. Image from County of Hawaiʻi

APPROVAL TO USE 25 ACRES FOR THE NĀʻĀLEHU SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT came from the state Board of Land and Natural Resources on Friday during its meeting in Honolulu. The board approve going forward with 2,209 acres being conserved with all but 25 transferred to the Ala Kahakai Trail Association. The seller is Kaʻū Mahi. The 25 acres will go to the County of Hawai‘i for the sewage treatment plant.
Hawaiʻi county will pay for its portion of the land and the rest of the purchase is supported by money collected from two percent of county property taxes, as well as state and federal sources. The purchase of the parcel for conservation is near completion but transfer of titles may be delayed to allow for the 25 acres to go to the county.
The conservation parcel includes the ancient site of Waikapuna Village, miles of Kaʻū Coast and pasture lands above it.

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TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM HEADS TO OʻAHU next month, Feb. 6 through 8, for the HHSAA Girls Division II Championship.

Yesterday, the Trojans ladies faced off with Honokaʻa in the BIIF Division II Semi-Finals, winning 47 to 33 against Honokaʻa.
The BIIF Division II Finals tonight saw the third place Trojan ladies compete for their 1st BIIF Division II Crown, challenging fourth place holder Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy. A close game ensued, with Kaʻū scoring 32 against HPA, who managed 38.

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 28, Mon. host Kanu, 6pm, Varsity

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Jan. 28, Mon., Boys BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Jan. 30, Wed., Boys BIIF Div. II Finals

Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM HOSTS PAINT NITE II, a special event for adults in the multi-purpose room, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 21. Register through Wednesday, Feb. 20. Attendees required to pay a fee to cover cost of supplies they will use.

For more, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours of operation.

KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM RECREATION ROOM-FITNESS STATION IS OPEN TO THOSE 15 YEARS OLD AND OVER, Monday through Thursday, from 2:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., through Mar. 29. Bring personal towel and drinking water. Open registration.
For more, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours of operation.

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 27
A Special Meeting for Local Residents about Senior Housing - the Fruit Stand Project - is held by ʻO Kaʻū Kākou at Nāʻālehu Community Center Sunday, Jan. 27, at 4 p.m.

Free Car Seat Inspections happen in Waiʻōhinu on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program is sponsored by Partners for Safe Keiki, Tūtū and Me, and Hawaiʻi County Fire Department, a coalition of Partners of Keiki, and Safe Grant Hawaiʻi.
"Three of four car seats are not installed correctly," say the sponsors. "Feel free to post, share and circulate to help us to reach as many Kaʻū residents as possible. There is no eligibility requirement for these inspections. Just come with your vehicle, keiki and car seat(s)!" To make an appointment, call 896-1336.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
Craft Class, Thu., Jan. 31, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

ONGOING
Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. Harry McKee Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors invites college bound high school seniors and current college students to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.
The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.
The website says that Harry McKee "left a legacy of commitment to the youth of Kaʻū. His foundation exists to give students an opportunity for higher education. Harry was a musician, a gardener, a WWII decorated veteran, an outdoorsman, and an active civic leader. Harry was well known for reaching out to local youth to support their education goals, and to encourage young people to share aloha and celebrate ʻohana." See more about the foundation at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes include Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) in Ka‘ū on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org.

Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.

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.
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.

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.

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National park will welcome visitors to more areas, with the funding of the National Park Service, after
35 days of the partial government shutdown, reversed on Friday night. Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park
helped keep parts of the park open by raising money. Photo from Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

OPENING OF MORE AREAS OF HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK is ongoing with the approval for three weeks of funding by Pres. Donald Trump and Congress on Friday night. According to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Facebook, "With the enactment of the continuing resolution, park staff will resume regular operations over the next several days. Chain of Craters Road will remain closed until staff can return to work and check for road hazards and impacts to critical resources such as nēnē, the endangered Hawaiian goose. Please visit nps.gov/hawaiivolcanoes for updated information about the park."

Elizabeth Fien, President and CEO of
Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

The Park's Facebook acknowledges community help during the shutdown: "We greatly appreciate the generous contributions of park partners, especially Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park." Friends helped to raise money to keep parts of the park open. An anonymous donation came in for $76,320. County of Hawaiʻi gave $38,160. The combined total of $114,480 funded many days of service, said Friends Executive Director Elizabeth Fien. The funding helped to pay park rangers and Friends guides to serve the public.
Fien announced today another donation of $50,000 to Friends from Hawaiian Airlines Team Kokua Giving. Hawaiian Air's Hawaiʻi Island Sales Manager Craig Shiroma nominated Friends for the funding.
Friends also announced that its new Chairman of the Board is Bernard Balsis, known in Kaʻū for his years as manager of Kaʻū Federal Credit Union. The board recently named Fien as its President and CEO. She began working with Friends seven years ago as Education and Outreach Coordinator, moving to Director of Development, Executive Director, and President and CEO. She was recently reelected to serve on the steering committee of the National Park Foundation's Friends Alliance.
Fien, a resident of Discovery Harbour, said she plans to help develop the Friends organization into a self-sustaining major partner with Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, much like the Friends organization at Yosemite.
See more about Friends of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on its website and Facebook.

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.

ELIMINATING TRAFFIC DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURIES is the goal of the formation of a Vision Zero Task Force for Hawaiʻi Island. Mayor Harry Kim will sign a proclamation Friday, Feb. 1 to create the task force, says a statement from the mayor's office.

The task force will be comprised of agencies and organizations with expertise in transportation, enforcement, education, public health, emergency response, equity, transit, biking, walking, and vehicles,. The Vision Zero initiative "focuses on thinking differently about traffic safety, to work together as a community for a truly worthy outcome: the elimination of traffic deaths and serious injuries on our streets."

Mayor Kim's Vision Zero Task Force aims to eliminate
traffic injuries and deaths. Photo from dmv.org

The statement says Hawai’i County has the highest traffic fatality rate per capita in the State. In 2018, 32 people died in traffic crashes on Hawai‘i Island. Another 1,200 people sustained serious injuries. On average, three people are treated for traffic-related injuries in Hawai‘i County every day. Every month, two die from traffic-related injuries, the statement says.

"Vision Zero recognizes that we all make mistakes, and that transportation systems should be designed to minimize the impacts of those errors. When crashes do occur, they should not result in death or serious injuries. Crashes are not accidents; they are preventable – with the right actions and commitment.

"Vision Zero is committed to reducing the severity of crashes so that crashes don't result in death or serious injuries. Everyone has the right to safely travel on our streets, no matter where they are going or how they travel.

"By committing to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries through a Vision Zero plan, we will create a safer and more vibrant island for generations to come."

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

THE SUBJECT OF RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY is taken up in an op-ed by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who represents Kaʻū in Congress and has announced her run for President of the United States. She would be the first person of the Hindu religion to be President. She is the first Hindu to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The op-ed was released today and published by Religious News Service. In a statement sent with the op-ed, she wrote, "For too long we have seen religion being used to foment hatred, bigotry and illicit fear and suspicion in people, by those who are trying to pit us against each other for their own political gain." She quoted Pres. John F. Kennedy, who said: "For while this year it may be a Catholic against whom the finger of suspicion is pointed, in other years it has been, and may someday be

Tulsi Gabbard in the Hindu wedding with her husband, documentary
film maker Abraham Williams. Photo by Marco Garcia

again, a Jew-- or a Quaker or a Unitarian or a Baptist. It was Virginia's harassment of Baptist preachers, for example, that helped lead to Jefferson's statute of religious freedom. Today I may be the victim, but tomorrow it may be you — until the whole fabric of our harmonious society is ripped at a time of great national peril."
Gabbard's op-ed stated, "Our country was established on the basis of freedom of religion, and the Constitution states there would never be any religious test for any public office. It is a freedom enshrined in our Constitution, and that every member of Congress takes an oath to protect — a freedom that many heroes have given their lives to defend. Nothing is more important to our democracy than this freedom.
"Those who are trying to foment anti-Hindu sentiment expose the dark underbelly of religious bigotry in politics, and must be called out. To advocate voting for or against someone based on their religion, race, or gender is simply un-American.
"As we stand for peace abroad, we must stand for peace and freedom here at home and recognize our interconnectedness.
"Whether it is Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian, atheist—whatever path people have chosen for their lives, it is important that everyone of us stand up, call out and condemn those who are seeking to incite bigotry based on religion and not allow them to try to use that to divide us... as Americans, that is not who we are."

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.

HAWAIʻI COUNTY SALARY COMMISSION TO DISBAND? Former Salary Commission Chairman Hugh Ono approached the commission on Thursday, suggesting the idea, according to a report from Nancy Cook Lauer of Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald.

"I'm beginning to believe the County of Hawaiʻi can do without the Salary Commission," said Ono, testifying as a member of the public, reported Lauer. "Everything is in place."

The Tribune-Heraldreported Ono said the commission has provided a process for the Department of Human Resources "to recommend salary levels, with public participation possible when the County Council sets the budget. The HR director is hired by the Merit Appeals Board, whose members are appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council, providing another layer of separation from those receiving the raises."

To disband the Salary Commission, a ballot amendment would need to pass, as it is in the county charter. On Jan. 11, the commission voted 5 to 6 against an amendment that would empowered the County Council and mayor to veto salaries submitted by the commission.

The Salary Commission was created to give the public more notice on raises for public servants. Commission members have added steps in their process to gather more information to compare salaries from the Finance Department and private-sector groups.

Former Hawaiʻi County Salary Commission Chairman Hugh Ono.
Photo from Big Island Video News

Lauer reports Commissioner Milton Pavao said, "We recently gave huge raises to catch up. I think before we give any more raises, we should really understand the county's financial situation. … It's nice to give raises and there's no question in my mind that they deserve it, but I cant see us giving raises to the detriment of the county itself."

Chairman George Campbell, reports the Tribune-Herald, said the commission will consider Ono's suggestion at a future meeting. "Although it's not required that we look at finances, we take it very seriously. That's something the commission takes very seriously as commissioners and as taxpayers."

Public testimony will be accepted at 10 a.m. on March 7 in Hilo regarding the new rules.

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 28, Mon. host Kanu, 6pm, Varsity

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Jan. 28, Mon., Boys BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Jan. 30, Wed., Boys BIIF Div. II Finals

Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM HOSTS A MARDI GRAS ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY, for keiki 5 to 12 years old, on Wednesday, Feb. 6, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the multi-purpose room. Registration is open Monday, Jan. 28, through Tuesday, Feb. 5. Free.
For more, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours of operation.

KAHUKU PARK HOSTS A VALENTINE'S DAY CARD ARTS AND CRAFT ACTIVITY, for keiki ages 6 to 12 years old, on Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration takes place Monday, Feb. 4, through Friday, Feb. 8. Free.
For more, contact Recreation Technician Teresa Anderson at 929-9113. Kahuku Park is located at 92-8607 Paradise Circle Mauka, Ocean View. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours.

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

The County of Hawaiʻi Department of Environmental Management Solid Waste Division invites the Pāhala community and users of the Pāhala Transfer Station to attend the informational meeting. The Solid Waste Division will join community members to discuss operating days and the possibility of modifying the current schedule.
"We welcome any input and participation from the community and users of this facility," said a statement from the county. County Council member Maile David will attend.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29
Ka‘ū Food Pantry, Tue., Jan. 29, 11:30-1pm, St. Jude's Episcopal Church in Ocean View.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30
Kōkua Kupuna Project, Wed., Jan. 30, 9-11am, St. Jude's Episcopal Church, Ocean View. Monthly. Seniors 60 years & older encouraged to attend, ask questions, and inquire about services offered through Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i - referral required, 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

Free Car Seat Inspections happen in Waiʻōhinu on Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The program is sponsored by Partners for Safe Keiki, Tūtū and Me, and Hawaiʻi County Fire Department, a coalition of Partners of Keiki, and Safe Grant Hawaiʻi.
"Three of four car seats are not installed correctly," say the sponsors. "Feel free to post, share and circulate to help us to reach as many Kaʻū residents as possible. There is no eligibility requirement for these inspections. Just come with your vehicle, keiki and car seat(s)!" To make an appointment, call 896-1336.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
Craft Class, Thu., Jan. 31, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

Art Express, Sat., Feb. 2, 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., Feb. 2, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. 1st Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Super Bowl Sunday Party, Sun., Feb. 3, doors open 11am, kick-off 1:30pm, Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. Food and beverages available for purchase. 967-8365 after 4pm for more. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Feb. 3, 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

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.
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.

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.

Ranger Jessica leads a hike up Pu‘u o Lokuana in Kahuku Unit of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, which reopens

Wednesday, Jan. 30, following 35 days of federal government shutdown. Photo from NPS/Janice Wei

NORMAL OPERATIONS AT HAWAI‘I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK resumed today, with the Kahuku section opening Wednesday. Following the enactment of the continuing resolution to fund the federal government, staff completed re-opening sections of the park that were closed during the government shutdown.

Chain of Craters Road, most backcountry campsites, Mauna Ulu, and other park features are now open. Mauna Loa Road remains closed to motorists due to elevated fire risk, but is open to pedestrians and bicyclists. The summit of Mauna Loa was closed today due to dangerous high wind conditions, but Red Hill Cabin is open. The collection of entrance fees has also resumed.

The Kahuku Unit will open on Wednesday, per its usual schedule, at 9 a.m. Kahuku is open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. There are no entrance fees at Kahuku.

Activities like the Park's Living History program, where visitors can "walk

back to 1912" to meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory,

Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar (as portrayed by Ka‘ū actor/director, Dick

Hershberger), can resume now that the Park has reopened.

Photo from NPS /Janice Wei

Visitors are reminded to drive cautiously, heed all posted signs, and look out for Hawaiian geese, the endangered nēnē, on park roadways. Do not feed nēnē.

A statement from the Park says that "Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park employees and volunteers are happy to be back at work, welcoming visitors from around the world and protecting the natural and cultural resources in the park, a World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve.

"The park remained partially open for visitors during the government shutdown, thanks in part to support from our non-profit partners, the Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association and the Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park."

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 employees care for America's 418 national parks, and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.

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.

SENIOR HOUSING FOR NĀʻĀLEHU remains one of the missions for ʻO Kaʻū Kākou nonprofit group. A meeting, yesterday, Jan. 27, drew a large crowd to Nāʻālehu Community Center for a wide ranging exchange of ideas.

Front and center was the campaign to raise money to finish paying $250,000 for the two-acre site on the mauka side of Hwy 11 at the former location of Nāʻālehu Fruit Stand. OKK member Nadine Ebert said that one man donated the first dollar, while others said that small donations are coming in. Suggestions abounded, from spreading the word and collecting monetary gifts at community events, to crowd funding online and selling tiles with donors' names on them. The tiles would be used in constructing the place.

Wayne Kawachi walked 100 miles to raise money for the senior housing project proposed by OKK in Nāʻālehu.
Photo from OKK

One speaker said that if only 250,000 people donated $1 each - from out there in the big world on the internet - the task would be accomplished. OKK Pres. Wayne Kawachi, who identified himself as a Viet Namveteran, said he would look into funding for veterans and from veterans groups. Another speaker said she is aware of grants for programs that support food growing and possibly housing, particularly when a percentage of the beneficiaries is native Hawaiian. Kawachi already held a fundraiser, walking 100 miles to raise money. Others who have written grants said they would help to find funding sources and apply for them.

Another goal is to identify the need for senior housing in the community. The only senior housing in all of Kaʻū is in Pāhala. Several surveys have been handed out at community meetings and through The Kaʻū Calendar newspaper, said Raylene Moses, one of the OKK enthusiasts for senior housing. She said there will be another effort to canvas the community to update the need.

There is also a need to take care of the two acres while planning and financing the project. Attendees made suggestions, such as growing food on the empty lot and selling it to raise money. Other community groups could also volunteer to help take care of the parcel.

Two acres are cleared for senior housing. ʻO Kaʻū Kākou asks
for donations, design ideas, and confirmation of need.
Photo by Julia Neal

The design of the senior housing was also discussed. Kawachi and Moses said a good example is in Hilo, senior housing connected with a nonprofit that is willing to help with the Nāʻālehu project. Decisions to be made include the level of care. Would there be apartments and also a more intensive assisted living component? Would it include a community gathering place? Would it be one story? Kawachi said he would like to determine whether the site could accommodate 70 units.

He also noted major time and equipment contributions by local companies and volunteers in clearing the lot. The lot was cleared in part with funding from the land owner, Asha Mallick who agreed to sell the land to OKK for far less than she paid for it.

Also discussed was whether the new Nāʻālehu Wastewater Treatment Center will be built and how the timing would fit with the construction of the senior housing, which could hook up to the sewaer line.

Kawachi said he is interested in talking with developers, builders, funders, and those who can help document the need for senior housing. He can be reached at 937-4773.

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.

Archaeological sites along the Kaʻū Coast have been preserved through the 2 Percent Fund.
Photo by Julia Neal

THE TWO PERCENT FUND THAT RAISES MONEY TO CONSERVE LAND faces challenges during the next election unless the County Charter Commission refrains from putting measures to reduce it on the ballot.

About 30 people gave testimony at a public hearing on Friday before the countyCharter Commission. All opposed reducing or allowing the funds to be used for other purposes. After the testimony, the Charter Commission voted 7-3 to keep the 2 Percent Land Fund in place. After more discussion, the commission reversed itself. The proposal to reduce the fund will be left for future discussion.

East Kaʻūstate Senator, Russell Ruderman told the Commission: "I usually stay out of county business, but I'm here to say that the people have voted the same way on this issue three times. The people have spoken loudly and clearly, saying that this Land Fund is important. At present, we have a crisis in faith of the government, and this effort to undo the results of three elections will only make it worse. People will start thinking 'No matter what we say or do, it's going to be undone.' Preserving open space is important – we have only one shot at it and once it's gone, it's gone. Stop subverting our democracy. Support the peoples' expressed wish," urged Ruderman.

The three proposed Charter Amendments that affect the 2 Percent Land Fund are:

Charter Amendment 9would require 2% Land Fund monies to be used to pay for a full time staff person dedicated to only administering the PONC program. For the past two years, no properties have been acquired for conservation because the county staff person responsible for this work has been assigned to other duties. The amendment received support from all testifiers.

Rare fresh water meeting the shoreline are preserved on the Kaʻū Coast through the 2 Percent Fund.
Photo by Julia Neal

Charter Amendment 7, proposed by Charter Commissioner Paul Hamano, drew opposition from all testifiers. It proposes to reduce the fund from 2% to .75%, and removes the clause that protects land bought by the county "in perpetuity."

Charter Amendment 13 was opposed by all the testifiers. It was proposed by Charter Commissioner and former County Planning Director Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd and if approved, would allow the Mayor to use money in the 2 % Land Fund to pay for disaster recovery.

Former Kaʻū and Kona County Council Member Brenda Ford, who, with Debbie Hecht, wrote the original proposal for 2 % Land Fund, testified that the fund should not be used for emergencies. She said that the real problem lay with the fact that the county's Disaster and Emergency Fund is underfunded and needs to be fixed. She recommended adding a provision to adequately maintain the fund be placed in the charter. "We get hit with every emergency, except snow. We need to have $10 million sitting there for the next emergency. You are not fixing the problem where it needs to be fixed."

Debbie Hecht, the campaign coordinator for the 2% Land Fund, pointed out that the decision to keep the Land Fund was on the ballot three times, and each time the electorate voted in favor of the fund. "Mayor Kim and (County Council) Chairman Chung are the only two people against it," she said.

Remote shorelines preserved along the Kaʻū Coast by the 2 Percent Fund.
Photo from Legacy Land Program

Deborah Ward advocated for the PONC fund, as it protects access to beaches so that people can get to the water. She testified that conservation districts don't save land in the long term, as the designations can be changed to allow mining, harbors, commercial forestry, and single family dwellings, among other uses.

Kaʻū resident Wendy Scott-Vance recalled that, in 2006, the supporters of the Land Fund collected twice as many signatures as were needed to put the measure on the ballot, as half of them were "thrown out." She recalled that County Council member Pete Hoffman's signature was disallowed because he signed "Pete," when his official name is "Peter."

"Why does the Mayor feel its OK to pillage funds?" she asked the Commission. "This fund has been taken to the people three times and it passed three times, so how can it be abrogated? A democratic government is "of the people, by the people, and for the people."

Megan Lamson, of Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund, testified that it would be better to protect lands now than wait for them to be degraded.

A story in Hawaiʻi Tribune-Herald by Nancy Cook Lauer this morning quoted Commissioner Sarah Rice: "Based on the deluge of public opposition to this, I feel this is more than I can ignore. The opposition to this charter amendment is overwhelming and I am not going to assume that I am wiser than the public. …Preservation of open spaces is critically important to the future of our children and this island."

Rare surf spot preserved along the Kaʻū Coast by the 2 Percent Fund.
Photo by Julia Neal

The 2 Percent Fund has contributed to preservation of thousands of coastal acres in Kaʻū. Another .25 percent from property taxes goes toward stewardship of the lands preserved. The fund is under the management of the Public Access Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission and the county's land management division. To date, 14 properties have been acquired in the county since 2006, while 180 properties have been proposed for acquisition.

The 2 Percent Fund was set up through a public drive to put the measure on the ballot. It first passed in 2006 with a 62% majority. Voters also approved the Land Fund in 2010, and again in 2012.

Several testifiers said that 2.25 percent of property taxes should be taken off the top and secured for the PONC fund without any other county budgetary considerations.

Shanon Rudolph testified, "We're always going to have emergencies here, but we're not always going to have this land."

The Charter Commission meets every ten years to revise the Hawaiʻi County Charter. The mayor appointed all 11 members. The next Charter Commission meeting likely to take up the issue again is on Feb. 8.

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.

USGS scientists fly an Unmanned Aircraft System (drone) along Kīlauea's

lower East Rift Zone's now inactive fissures. The UAS is barely visible in the

distance, just to the upper left of fissure 21 (larger cone at right). USGS photo

THE ROLE OF UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS DURING KĪLAUEA'S 2018 ERUPTION is the focus of a public program on Thursday, Jan. 31, in the UniversityClassroomBuilding, Room 100, on the main UH-Hilo campus at

200 W. Kawili St., Hilo

Dr. Ryan Perroy, Director of UH-Hilo's Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Laboratory, presents drone imagery and video collected by his team during Kīlauea's 2018 eruption and talks about lessons learned.

Free and open to the public. No reservations required. Details are posted on the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website HVO News corner at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo. For more information, email askHVO@usgs.gov or call 808-967-7328.

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Jan. 28, Mon. host Kanu, 6pm, Varsity

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Jan. 28, Mon., Boys BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Jan. 30, Wed., Boys BIIF Div. II Finals

Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM HOSTS A VALENTINE'S DAY LOVE BUGS ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY, for keiki 5 to 12 years old, on Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the multi-purpose room. Registration is open Monday, Feb. 4, through Tuesday, Feb. 12. Free.

For more, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours of operation.

KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM HOSTS A EAGLE HANDPRINT CRAFT ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY, for keiki 5 to 12 years old, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the multi-purpose room. Registration is open Monday, Feb. 11, through Tuesday, Feb. 19. Free.
For more, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation/ for hours of operation.

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Story Time with Lindsey Miller - PARENTS, Inc., Fri., Feb. 1, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Abstract Painting Workshop w/Darcy Gray, Sat., Feb. 2, 10-2pm, Volcano Art Center. For those with basic painting background. Supplies provided. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee for 5 sheets 300 lb. 18"x24" watercolor paper, pre-gessoed. Advance registration required. Limited to 8 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Art Express, Sat., Feb. 2, 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., Feb. 2, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. 1st Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Super Bowl Sunday Party, Sun., Feb. 3, doors open 11am, kick-off 1:30pm, Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. Food and beverages available for purchase. 967-8365 after 4pm for more. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Feb. 3, 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

Ocean View Volunteer Fire Department Mtg., Mon., Feb. 4, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

The website says that Harry McKee "left a legacy of commitment to the youth of Kaʻū. His foundation exists to give students an opportunity for higher education. Harry was a musician, a gardener, a WWII decorated veteran, an outdoorsman, and an active civic leader. Harry was well known for reaching out to local youth to support their education goals, and to encourage young people to share aloha and celebrate ʻohana." See more about the foundation at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes include Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) in Ka‘ū on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org.

Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant 2018, held for the first time at Kaʻū District Gym. The pageant is looking for young wahine,

age three to 24, to enter the annual scholarship pageant. See details, below. Photo by Julia Neal

THE CHALLENGE OF GARBAGE, and how to fund and organize recycling and disposal, was the subject of a meeting last evening at Pāhala Community Center. County representatives focused on dropping the number of days open from four to three per week at Pāhala Recycling & Transfer Station. Hours would remain from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Greg Goodale, Solid Waste Division Chief, said the county wants the community to help choose which day to close it. Several attendees suggested Sunday, saying Saturday is a popular day for home projects and yard work, with much use of the transfer station. They also asked for an explanation for reducing the number of days open.
Goodale said it is a matter of tonnage. Other communities with about the same tonnage produced in Pāhala are open three days a week. Adding a fourth day for Pāhala was a recent addition, under the mayorship of Billy Kenoi. The county needs to cut costs and one way is to reduce the days that Pāhala is open, said Goodale. He also noted that Waiʻōhinu Transfer station, about 14 miles from Pāhala, is open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Many Hawaiʻi county residents drive farther to dispose their garbage.

Pāhala Recycling & Transfer Station will be open three instead of four days a week. The county wants to
known which day should it be closed? Photo from County of Hawaiʻi Solid Waste Division

The Soild Waste Chief also spoke about planned improvements to Waiʻōhinu Recycling & Transfer Station, which could create more services and opportunities. He said that once improvements are complete, commercial disposal would be available for businesses, construction, and institutions with food service. The nearest commercial disposal place is more than a five hour round trip drive to Puʻuanahulu Landfill, near Waikoloa.
The distance makes it nearly impossible for businesses in Kaʻū to comply and for the county to charge for commercial disposal of garbage in Kaʻū. With an improved Waiʻōhinu facility, the county would be able to charge commercial users to help offset the transfer station costs.
When asked whether there is any way to create income from the transfer stations, Goodale said the thrift shop at Waiʻōhinu transfer station helps offset discarded items going into the landfill, but the venture is not profitable to the county. He said green waste mulching might be another opportunity at Waiʻōhinu. In addition, perhaps commercial garbage collection operations could be developed by private citizens in Kaʻū, once there is a centralized commercial disposal place in Waiʻōhinu.
Also being improved, said Goodale, is the design of garbage chutes, to make them easier to use. Pāhala resident Eddie Andrade said he would appreciate the improvement.

Waiʻōhinu Transfer Station, where commercial disposal is planned and enough land is available for making mulch from
green waste. Photo from County of Hawaiʻi Solid Waste Division

County Council member Maile David attended and asked the county administration to consider opening transfer stations, when possible, the day after a holiday closure. She and Goodale said they will continue to reach out to the Pāhala community regarding which day to close Pāhala Transfer Station and will hold another meeting in March.

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USGS scientists measure and document temperature, crack width, and any
visual or audible changes such as steam and water boiling
heard in the hottest cracks. USGS photo

KĪLAUEA VOLCANO REMAINS QUIET, with no major changes in the last month. The summit and south flank regions continue to experience low rates of seismicity. Inflationary tilt in the middle East Rift Zone slowed over the past week. Sulfur dioxide emission rates from the summit and Puʻu ʻŌʻō remain low.
Tuesday's update from U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory reminds residents and visitors that hazards remain, especially near recently active fissures and lava flows, and to "heed Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense and National Park warnings, and be prepared, if necessary, to self-evacuate in the unlikely event of renewed activity. Please note that Hawaiʻi County maintains a closure of the entire lava flow field and vents and prohibits access unless authorized through Civil Defense."

Through the 35-day government shutdown, USGS HVO continued monitoring Kīlauea's seismicity, deformation, and gas emissions for sign of reactivation.

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INCENTIVES TO BUY LOCALLY GROWN FOOD when using SNAP (food stamps) will be heard by the state House of Representatives' Committee on Agriculture tomorrow, Jan. 30, at 9 a.m. Introduced by west Kaʻū House Representatives Richard Creagan and east Kaʻū Rep. Richard Onishi, House Bill 262 seeks to start a dollar-for-dollar matching program for SNAP beneficiaries,

"of up to $20 per visit, per day, to be used exclusively for the purchase of Hawaiʻi-grown fresh fruits and vegetables at a farmers' market, farm stand, mobile market, community-supported agriculture site, grocery store, or other direct food retailer."

Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United urges the public to submit testimony in favor of HB262 by going to capitol.hawaii.gov, registering, entering the bill number, and filling out the testimony sheet. Testimony submitted less than 24 hours before the hearing will be marked "late," but may be considered by the reviewing committee.

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EQUAL RIGHTS is Rep. Tusli Gabbard's focus today. She spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, urging lawmakers across the country to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Hawaiʻi became the first state to ratify the ERA on March 22, 1972, following a long history of advocacy.
In 1920, the women's suffrage movement culminated in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote. The 19th reads: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex."

In 1923, a broader equal rights amendment was proposed to cover equal treatment in employment, services, and other areas, declaring that "equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or United Statesor any State on account of sex." However, it did not win congressional approval until almost 50 years later, in 1972, when it was sent to the states for ratification. By 1977, 35 states had ratified the amendment - three short of the 38 required. In 2019, only one more state is needed for ratification.

The League of Women Voters sent out mailers and set up meetings to
help make Hawaiʻi the first state to ratify the ERA in 1972. Ratification
by one more state would add it to the U.S. Constitution.

Gabbard said, "It's been nearly 100 years since women fought for and won the right to vote. Yet, we still do not have equal rights and protection under the United States Constitution. There are too many examples in our everyday lives where women still do not get equal pay for equal work and where we still face discrimination simply for being a woman.

"In 1923, the ERA was introduced to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, and was reintroduced every session until it finally passed in 1972. In the past two years, we've inched forward with successful votes in Nevadaand Illinois, and now we're just one state away from finally passing the Equal Rights Amendment.

"This is not about politics. It's about equality. It's about humanity. It's long overdue that we pass the Equal Rights Amendment and include equality between men and women in the United States Constitution." Watch her speech here.

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ENSURING BACK PAY FOR FEDERAL CONTRACT WORKERS affected by the 35-day partial shutdown of the federal government was Sen. Mazie Hirono's goal on Tuesday. She, other senators, and members of Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, held a press conference.

Hirono said, "I don't think there is anything scarier for any family than to face the prospect of not receiving a paycheck. That was happening during this totally unnecessary, unconscionable shutdown."

Sen. Mazie Hirono, speaking up for federal contract workers
affected by the recent shutdown. Photo from Hirono

She said she heard stories of people facing eviction and relying on Hawaiʻi Foodbank, where she volunteered last week. "This kind of support for our federal contractors needs to be enacted because as government privatizes jobs, every time something like this happens, more and more people are going to be harmed."

Last week, 23 senators, including Hirono, introduced the Fair Compensation for Low-Wage Contractor Employees Act, which would "provide back pay up to $600 per paycheck for federal contractor employees who were furloughed or suffered reduces hours during the government shutdown." Hirono says the bill "aims to help low-wage federal contractor employees, including janitorial, food, and security services workers."
In December, the Senate unanimously passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act which would provide back pay for federal workers affected by the shutdown. Hirono was an original cosponsor of the bill.

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Miss Kaʻū Coffee 2018, Reishalyn Jara, at one of many
community events where she represented the Kaʻū
Coffee industry. Photo from OKK

MISS KAʻŪ COFFEE PAGEANT will accept applicants through Feb. 28. The pageant will be held again at the Ka‘ū District Gym on Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee and her court will represent the Kaʻū Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond, her appearances sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust, II. Pageant Director is Trinidad Marques. Scholarship Committee Directors are Julia Neal and Gloria Camba.

The community can support the pageant through purchasing tickets, volunteering, and providing scholarships. Last year, Leahi Volleyball team provided a food concession and the Miloli‘i Volleyball team helped with tickets and other tasks on pageant day.

Girls three to 24 years of age are encouraged to enter the pageant. Talents often include hula and singing. Competitive categories include Talent, Gown, Photogenic, Career-Interview, Characters Outfit, and Swimsuit for Miss Kaʻū Coffee. Pageant hopefuls contend for titles of Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee, Miss Kaʻū Peaberry, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower.
Miss Ka‘ū Coffee 2018, Reishalyn Kekoa Jara, will crown her successor. Email tmarques@yahoo.com.

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A LIFEGUARD TRAINING COURSE is offered at Pāhala Pool Feb. 4 through 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the county Department of Parks and Recreation, Aquatics Section, and the American Red Cross, the course fee is $75.
Participants are required to pass a prerequisite test at Pāhala Pool, scheduled by contacting 928-8177. The course fee and registration forms, available at Pāhala Pool, are due immediately following completion of the test. The test includes: 300-yard continuous swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both; two minutes treading water, without using hands; and completion of a timed event in 1 minute 40 seconds. The timed event is: Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, retrieve a 10-pound brick from the deep end, return the brick to the starting point, and exit the water.

Pāhala Pool, where the county and Red Cross will host a lifeguard training course starting Feb. 4.
Photo by Julia Neal

Participants are responsible for providing their own supplies, including CPR mask, swim suit, goggles, towel, American Red Cross Lifeguard Manual, etc. The manual can be downloaded for free at redcross.org/take-a-class/lifeguarding/lifeguard-preparation/lifeguard-manual.
For more information about becoming a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard, contact the nearest county swimming pool, or the Parks and Recreation Aquatics Specialist at 961-8694.

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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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Jan. 30, Wed., Boys BIIF Div. II Finals

Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

A SURVEY ABOUT EARLY STUDENT RELEASE during Parent/Teacher conferences is being conducted by Kaʻū High & Pāhala Elementary School. The school website states, "We would like to hear your feedback, concerns, or any other recommendations you may have." Fill out the survey at docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScw9u_XSY0QMjXHIUw6Xsj9GDrdLfxsFtra816u93H250YTFA/viewform.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
Craft Class, Thu., Jan. 31, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

The Role of Unmanned Aircraft Systems During Kīlauea's 2018 Eruption is the focus of a public program on Thursday, Jan. 31, in the University Classroom Building, Room 100, on the main UH-Hilo campus at

200 W. Kawili St., Hilo

Free and open to the public. No reservations required. Details are posted on the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory website HVO News corner at volcanoes.usgs.gov/hvo. For more information, email askHVO@usgs.gov or call 808-967-7328.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Story Time with Lindsey Miller - PARENTS, Inc., Fri., Feb. 1, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Abstract Painting Workshop w/Darcy Gray, Sat., Feb. 2, 10-2pm, Volcano Art Center. For those with basic painting background. Supplies provided. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee for 5 sheets 300 lb. 18"x24" watercolor paper, pre-gessoed. Advance registration required. Limited to 8 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Art Express, Sat., Feb. 2, 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., Feb. 2, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. 1st Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Super Bowl Sunday Party, Sun., Feb. 3, doors open 11am, kick-off 1:30pm, Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. Food and beverages available for purchase. 967-8365 after 4pm for more. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. kilaueamilitarycamp.com

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Feb. 3, 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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Mon., Feb. 4 (Committees), Kona and Tue., Feb. 5, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Feb. 4, 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., Feb. 4, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
AdvoCATS, Tue., Feb. 5, 7-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tue., Feb. 5, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.
The website says that Harry McKee "left a legacy of commitment to the youth of Kaʻū. His foundation exists to give students an opportunity for higher education. Harry was a musician, a gardener, a WWII decorated veteran, an outdoorsman, and an active civic leader. Harry was well known for reaching out to local youth to support their education goals, and to encourage young people to share aloha and celebrate ʻohana." See more about the foundation at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes include Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) in Ka‘ū on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org.

Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.

A volunteer in communications for Midway Atoll is sought by Friends of Midway Atoll and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife
Service. The stint could be six months to a year for the right person, who would live at the wildlife refuge.
See more below. NOAA photo

HEARINGS ON RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE will be held in the state Senate and House of Representatives on Thursday, with several bills seeking different outcomes.

House Bill 1191 is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m. See the hearing notice, links to the bill, and links to provide testimony online. It proposes a two tiered minimum wage: $17 by 2025 for workers without employer provided health insurance and $14 by 2025 for workers with employer provided health insurance.

Senate Bill 1248 would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. Senate Bill 789 would increase the minimum wage to $12 by 2022. Some advocates are calling for a minimum wage of $17 with annual adjustments for inflation. Hawaiʻi Chamber of Commerce opposes both measures, saying they will harm small businesses and create unemployment should companies be unable to afford the increases. Their hearings are scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31, at 3 p.m. See the hearing notice, and links to read the bills and submit testimony online.

HB96, scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 31, 9:30 a.m., would allow counties to determine a higher minimum wage than the state minimum wage. Read the bill and submit testimony.

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A VOLUNTEER TO WORK ON MIDWAY ATOLL FOR SIX MONTHS is sought by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Friends of Midway Atoll NWR. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, according to Wayne Sentman, President of Friends of Midway Atoll.

While USFWS is seeking a volunteer for six months, there is potential to be extended to a full year of living at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. The mission is to upstart and sustain implementation of social media postings and website updates while assisting with development of internal refuge, reporting on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28.

For more information, and instructions on how to apply, visit this website link or go to

fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/Zone_1/Midway_Atoll/Sections/What_We_Do/Get_Involved/MANWR_Volunteer_COMMS_Announcment_12_11_2019.pdf.

See Friends of Midway Atoll NWR for news from the Refuge, updates on projects, and photos that tell the story of life on Midway Atoll NWR. Follow on Instagram at @FriendsofMidwayNWR.

Work with albatross and other endangered bird and marine life at Midway Atoll, with a volunteer position
from March through August. Photo from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

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KAʻŪ COFFEE FEST invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths to serve the public at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at PāhalaCommunity Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers.

Kaʻū Royal Coffee is one of many Kaʻū Coffee presenters at the Kaʻū

Coffee Festival Hoʻolauleʻa on May 4. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

In addition to Kaʻū Coffee Festival fees, each vendor is responsible for a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each, to be displayed at each booth.

Vendor and display booths are the responsibility of sponsors who provide their own equipment, including tents – up to 10' x 10' square – tables, chairs, signs, and other equipment. Hot food must be served under metal roofs that Kaʻū Coffee Festival provides. There is no electricity available. Generators are allowed.

Set up before 8 a.m. on May 4, day of Hoʻolaule‘a, and be ready to serve the public from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. No smoking, drugs, alcohol, propaganda, political speech, or activism allowed.

Kaʻū Coffee Festival is a Green Event. All vendors are encouraged to use biodegradable products whenever possible.
Deadline to apply is Friday, April 26. First come, first served. Find application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI96777

, email biokepamoses@gmail.com, or call 808-731-5409.

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Ed and Audrey Case during a visit to
Kaʻū where he works on Kaʻū Coast
preservation and Hawaiʻi Volcanoes
funding. Photo by Julia Neal

THE U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES is the latest appointment of U.S. Rep. Ed Case, who is back in Congress. "This critical committee has jurisdiction over public lands and natural resources, and is ground zero for our efforts in Congress to preserve the natural heritage that was gifted to us for generations to come," said Case. "It is also responsible for our national oceans policy which is becoming even more critical as the threat to our world's oceans from climate change, resources degradation, and pollution become even more acute."
Case, who worked on preserving the Kaʻū Coast during his previous term in the House, said his appointment to Natural Resources will enable him to work on key areas for Hawaiʻi within the committee's kuleana, including ocean and fisheries programs through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Parks and Monuments, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
"Our state is special and distinctive in all the world – we are lucky to live Hawaiʻi with one of the most unique natural heritages anywhere," said Case. "But our flora and fauna are also fragile – so much so that Hawaiʻi is considered by experts as the 'Endangered Species Capital of the World' - and we need constant vigilance and innovative programs to assure their survival."
Projects on which Case said he will focus include repairs at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park left severely damaged by the last year's volcanic and seismic activity, and the preservation of the 583-

Honuʻapo is one of the coastal areas preserved. Keiki learn about salinity of
water through Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund. Photo from Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund

square-mile Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Monument located in waters off the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, which Case worked to establish during his prior service in Congress.
The Committee also has jurisdiction over federal programs administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior on behalf of Native Hawaiians. "We are at an especially critical time as our Native Hawaiian community charts the best course toward establishing a direct relationship with our federal government akin to that recognized with other indigenous peoples for some 150 years now," said Case. "My role on the committee will be to oversee and support that effort in Congress in close partnership with Native Hawaiians."
Case was also recently appointed to the House committee on Appropriations, one of the U.S. House's few exclusive committees, meaning that members are not usually permitted to serve on others, but was asked by the House leadership to add Natural Resources to his portfolio. "This combination of Natural Resources and Appropriations should be especially effective for programs under Natural Resources in being able to focus not only on the programs themselves but on adequately funding them," said Case.

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Trojans Girls Basketball team, with Coach Cy Lopez and Jennifer Makuakani. Photo from Kaʻū Athletics

MONEY IS NEEDED TO TRAVEL TO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM. To donate, call Kaʻū High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 808-313-4100 or send a check to Kaʻū High School at

96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Girls Basketball."
The Trojans Girls Basketball Team will fly to Honolulu for the tournament, Feb. 6-9.

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 1, Fri., host St. Joseph, 7:30pm
Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING
PANAʻEWA STAMPED takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. See HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.

DIABETES MANAGEMENT CLASSES offered by Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi happen in Ka‘ū on Mondays, in February. "Did you know that about 13% of the adult population in Hawaiʻi have diabetes?" says the announcement on Facebook. For more information about this statistic, see diabetes.org, the American Diabetes Association. "If you have diabetes and want more info about your diagnosis, join us for Diabetes Management classes. Sign-up by calling 969-9220 or online at hmono.org/classes.

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.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31
Craft Class, Thu., Jan. 31, 9:30-10:30am, PARENTS, Inc., Nā‘ālehu. For keiki 2-12 years old and caregivers. Free. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Story Time with Lindsey Miller - PARENTS, Inc., Fri., Feb. 1, 2:30-3:15pm, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org

KDENte Fundraising Dinner at Amalfatano's Italian Restaurant in Hilo happens Friday. Feb. 1, 6-8pm. $20 for all-you-can-eat buffet to support Kīlauea Drama & Entertainment Network. Call 982-7344 for more.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Abstract Painting Workshop w/Darcy Gray, Sat., Feb. 2, 10-2pm, Volcano Art Center. For those with basic painting background. Supplies provided. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee for 5 sheets 300 lb. 18"x24" watercolor paper, pre-gessoed. Advance registration required. Limited to 8 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Art Express, Sat., Feb. 2, 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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
AdvoCATS, Tue., Feb. 5, 7-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org

ONGOING

A Lifeguard Training Course is offered at Pāhala PoolFeb. 4 through 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the county Department of Parks and Recreation, Aquatics Section, and the American Red Cross, the course fee is $75.

Participants are required to pass a prerequisite test at Pāhala Pool, scheduled by contacting 928-8177. The course fee and registration forms, available at Pāhala Pool, are due immediately following completion of the test. The test includes: 300-yard continuous swim using the front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both; two minutes treading water, without using hands; and completion of a timed event in 1 minute 40 seconds. The timed event is: Starting in the water, swim 20 yards, retrieve a 10-pound brick from the deep end, return the brick to the starting point, and exit the water.

For more information about becoming a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard, contact the nearest county swimming pool, or the Parks and Recreation Aquatics Specialist at 961-8694.

Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. Harry McKee Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors invites college bound high school seniors and current college students to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.
The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.
The website says that Harry McKee "left a legacy of commitment to the youth of Kaʻū. His foundation exists to give students an opportunity for higher education. Harry was a musician, a gardener, a WWII decorated veteran, an outdoorsman, and an active civic leader. Harry was well known for reaching out to local youth to support their education goals, and to encourage young people to share aloha and celebrate ʻohana." See more about the foundation at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com.

Experience Volcano Hawaiʻi reaches out to visitors and locals to draw them to culture, art, and
nature experiences in and around Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Photo from Experience Volcano

EXPERIENCE VOLCANO HAWAIʻI held a meeting last week at Cooper Center to bring out ideas on rebuilding the economy after last year's volcanic eruption and earthquake disaster. Representatives from the County administration and County Council attended. Big Island Video News recorded the meeting.

Artist and Volcano Garden Arts owner Ira Ono noted that "Our beloved VolcanoNational Park was closed indefinitely. Our village economy was decimated and where do we go from here? Our unique community of

Volcano Art Center Executive Director Mike Nelson
Photo from Big Island Video News

scientists, bird people, geologists, artists, and business people inspired the creation of Experience Volcano Hawaʻi. We are a gateway community to the number one visitor destination in the state, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The visitors we host in our vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and other venues, come here in search of an authentic experience and that is what we offer."

One woman asked, "But what can we do to keep people up in this area and spending money up here and supporting this area, supporting our artists, supporting our restaurants, and supporting all of the people who make those things function?"

VolcanoArtCenterExecutive Director Mike Nelson said one need is a "Welcome to Volcano Sign. Turn here folks. This is the place to be." He said land has been identified to place the sign.

Nelson said, "We are a community of artists, a community of persons who have been in a position of withdrawal because all we heard about was how bad things were and things were going down the road and it was not what we really wanted to be. The key area that we're working on right now is just to get the people to know that Volcano is here. We are a great thriving artist community and we have food and beverage, restaurants, hospitality, and accommodations."

Council member Maile David
Photo from Big Island Video News

County Council member Maile David said she would like to see more organizations to come together to work on planning the future, including community policing organizations. "They have a lot to do with this community." She called the Experience Volcano meeting 'a good start.'

Said David, "Being a generational native, my suggestion would be that in addition to the art focus, that you include some of the native and spiritual community that have so much information about this area which is basically very important. If you are going to educate people who are going to come here, it's a lot more than arts and forest. The important part about this place as far as I can remember as a child was this was a spiritual area and I would like to see that continue and incorporated into this whole brand new idea. This is a new time in our lives and I think we need to move forward with that in mind."

CountyResearch& Development Director Diane Ley, herself a Volcano resident, talked about resources being brought to the Volcano community and the entire island affected by the eruption and earthquakes. She said there is much help from state and federal partners. She mentioned University of Hawaiʻiresearch and marketing. She said a disaster risk assessment could help the community to plan for the future. "We're here for you. We care for you," she said.
See www.experiencevolcano.com for more on the organization's outreach.

County Research & Economic Development Director Diane Ley offered assistance in marketing and research.
Photo from Big Island Video News

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FRED KOREMATSU, THE CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE WHO RESISTED JAPANESE AMERICAN INTERNMENT during World War II, will likely receive the Medal of Honor. On what would have been his 100th birthday on Wednesday, U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono, Lisa Murkowski, Chris Coons, and Cory Gardner, along with Rep. Mark Takano, introduced bicameral legislation to posthumously honor Korematsu.

Said Hirono, "Fred Korematsu stood up for the rights of more than 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, and continued his fight for decades to expand civil rights and overturn his own false criminal conviction. Awarding the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress' highest civilian honor, to Fred Korematsu is a fitting tribute to his lifelong pursuit of justice and equality."

Murkowski said, "The placement of Japanese Americans in internment camps during WWII is a reprehensible part of our nation's history, and the bravery demonstrated by Fred Korematsu in the defense of freedom is something that all Americans should aspire to... Korematsu's legacy is an inspiration for all who believe our nation is stronger because of our diversity."

Karen Korematsu, founder and executive director of the Fred Korematsu Institute, said her father "dedicated his life to 'stand up for what is right,' and he worked to ensure what happened to him and other Japanese Americans will never happen again to any other minority group."

In 1942, at the age of 23, Korematsu was arrested for refusing to enter the internment camps for Japanese Americans. After his arrest, he appealed his case all the way to the Supreme Court, which upheld Executive Order 9066 based on military necessity. After 40 years, on November 10, 1983, Korematsu's criminal conviction was overturned in a federal court in San Francisco. Korematsu remained a civil rights advocate throughout his life and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, from President Bill Clinton in 1998. He passed away on March 30, 2005, at the age of 86.

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FoodCorps position at Pāhala Elementary School, applications open through March 15.
Photos from FoodCorps

A JOB TO HELP KIDS WITH HEALTHY EATING AND LIVING IN KAʻŪ is available through FoodCorps Applications are being accepted through March 15 to work for a year at Pāhala Elementary School. FoodCorps"connects kids to real food and helps them grow up healthy" in schools across the country, says the job description. AmeriCorps service members who serve with FoodCorps in Hawaiʻi are "emerging leaders" who dedicate one year to full-time service in public schools where they expand hands-on nutrition education programs, build, and tend school gardens, support schoolwide wellness initiatives, and serve as positive role models in the school lunchroom and community.

Service Member position is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020. Applicants must be 18 years or older by Aug. 1; hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent; be a legal, permanent resident of the United States. Service members should have passion for building a healthier future for school children; commitment to working hard in service of local communities; demonstrated leadership ability; motivation to serve full-time in a limited resource community; perseverance in the face of challenges and creativity in finding solutions; respect for diversity of opinion, experience, and background; experience working in or studying food systems, agriculture, public health, education, community organizing, or public service; experience working or volunteering in education, youth development, or other teaching setting; knowledge of the culture, history, and/or language of the community served; desire to gain hands-on experience.

To supplement their income, service members can hold part-time jobs outside of their service hours, or apply for SNAP benefits, which is usually around $340 per month.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

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Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser

HAWAIʻI BOARD OF AGRICULTURE ACTING CHAIR is Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser. Gov. David Ige made the designation after Denise Albano resigned for personal reasons on Jan. 29. Albano was the governor's nominee for Board of Agriculture chairperson. She would have replaced long time Chair Scott Enright.
Under HRS 26-33, Shimabukuro-Geiser will serve in this position for up to 60 days from the date of vacancy or until the position is filled.
Shimabukuro-Geiser has served as deputy to the chairperson since 2015. She was also recently re-appointed to the position. The governor's statement says that Shimabukuro-Geiser is a long-time agriculture advocate who was previously employed at Mikilua Poultry Farm, Inc. in Waiʻanae where she served as vice president and administrative fiscal assistant. She was also vice president at Associated Producers Corp. in Honolulu.

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EARLY CHILDHOOD STATE PLAN 2019-2024 launched yesterday with agreement between state government leaders to work together. The plan aims to guide public and private efforts to improve lives of keiki and their families, said an announcement from Gov. David Ige.

The plan helped the state secure a $1 million Preschool Development Grant - Birth through Five, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of Education. The grant will help ensure implementation of the state plan.

The Executive Office on Early Learning – the lead state agency charged with overseeing the development of a statewide early-childhood learning system – will continue to facilitate the five-year plan along with the Early Learning Board and stakeholders across the state.

Executive Office on Early Learning Director

Lauren Moriguchi

Photo from earlylearning.hawaii.gov

The plan sets foundation for a statewide early-childhood system for pre-natal through age 8 that goes beyond academics to include children's health, safety, and well-being; family partnerships and support; and early care and learning.

The plan starts with: the approximately 154,000 children under the age of eight who reside in Hawai‘i; some 17,500 annual births; the 40 percent of four-year-olds not served by any early learning programs; about 109,000 keiki under age six with working parents and who need care; and 1,622 homeless kids under age five, whom in 2017, received shelter and outreach services.

Ige said, "Starting with prenatal care, we are setting the foundation to ensure that all keiki develop to their fullest potential and with them, our communities. I am excited that this new plan will drive collective action to improve the lives of our children, their families, and our communities by preparing our keiki for their future and the 21st century workforce."

Early Learning Director Lauren Moriguchi said, "We position our young children and Hawai‘i for success when we leverage and invest our resources in them wisely, ensuring that public and private communities coordinate and collaborate with each other. To make a difference for our keiki, we need a support system that addresses their holistic needs. It must start from the earliest years and continue throughout a child's educational career."

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 1, Fri., hosting St. Joseph, 7pm
Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

SUPER BOWL PARTY at Kīlauea Military Camp's Lava Lounge kicks off Sun., Feb. 3. Doors open at 11 a.m., games starts at 1:30 p.m. Food and beverages available for purchase. 967-8365 after 4 p.m. for more. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. 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.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Ham Radio Potluck Picnic, Sun., Feb. 3, 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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Mon., Feb. 4 (Committees), Kona and Tue., Feb. 5, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Feb. 4, 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., Feb. 4, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
AdvoCATS, Tue., Feb. 5, 7-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Women's Support Group, Thu., Feb. 7 and 21, 3-4:30pm, 1st and 3rd Thursday monthly. PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org.

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

ONGOING

A Lifeguard Training Course is offered at Pāhala Pool Feb. 4 through 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the county Department of Parks and Recreation, Aquatics Section, and the American Red Cross, the course fee is $75.

For more information about becoming a certified American Red Cross Lifeguard, contact the nearest county swimming pool, or the Parks and Recreation Aquatics Specialist at 961-8694.

Money is Needed to Travel to State Championships for Kaʻū Trojans Girls Basketball Team. To donate, call Kaʻū High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 808-313-4100 or send a check to Kaʻū High School at

96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Girls Basketball."

The Trojans Girls basketball team will fly to Honolulu for the tournament, Feb. 6-9.

Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. Harry McKee Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors invites college bound high school seniors and current college students to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes offered in Ka‘ū include:

Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org.

Diabetes Management Classes on Mondays in February. Sign up by calling 969-9220 or online at hmono.org/classes.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. Sought by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Friends of Midway Atoll NWR, the volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, according to Wayne Sentman, President of Friends of Midway Atoll. The position begins on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28.

While USFWS is seeking a volunteer for six months, there is potential to be extended to a full year--at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. The mission is to upstart and sustain implementation of social media postings and website updates while assisting with development of internal refuge reporting.

For more information, and instructions on how to apply, visit fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/
Zone_1/Midway_Atoll/Sections/What_We_Do/Get_Involved/MANWR_Volunteer_COMMS_Announcment
_12_11_2019.pdf. See Friends of Midway Atoll NWR for news from the Refuge, updates on projects, and photos that tell the story of life on Midway Atoll NWR. Follow on Instagram at @FriendsofMidwayNWR.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō, from north rim, this morning. The weekly column Volcano Watch, back from hiatus during the government
shutdown, says the seven month quiet period "heralds the end of an era." See story, below. USGS photo

BILLS TO RAISE MINIMUM WAGE made some progress at the Hawaiʻi Legislature this week, after receiving a pushback from Hawaiʻi Chamber of Commerce. The statewide organization issued a statement: "The passage of these bills would seriously harm local businesses, the state economy, job creation and, potentially, the very employees it is trying to help."
The Balance Careers reports 29 states have a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum of $7.25, including Hawaiʻi, where the minimum is $10.10. Proposals before the state legislature would the minimum higher. One of the measures, co-introduced by west Kaʻū state Rep. Richard Creagan, House Bill 11 91, proposes $17 by 2025 for workers without employer provided health insurance and $14 by 2025 for workers with employer provided health insurance. The House Labor and Public Employment committee on Thursday recommended passing the measure, with amendments.

During hearings at the Capitol on Thursday, The Chamber asked lawmakers to consider the impact the wage hikes on local businesses' ability to continue to create jobs, survive in a high cost of living state and pay for benefits currently offered to employees. "As a direct result of the significant proposed increase in the minimum wage, some businesses may have to cut back hours, reduce benefits or limit the hiring of new employees. Increasing the minimum wage will also greatly affect job opportunities, especially for new, unskilled workers. In addition to traditional adult workers changing industries, young adult workers also often receive their initial work

Twenty-nine states have a minimum wage higher than the federal minimum of $7.25, including Hawaiʻi, where
the minimum is $10.10 and proposals before the state legislature would take it higher.
Map from The Balance Careers

experience by starting at unskilled jobs," stated Chamber testimony. Chamber testimony also requested that lawmakers consider Hawaiʻi's high mandatory health care costs under the Prepaid Health Care Act.

Senate Bill 1248 would increase the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2024. On Thursday, the Committee on Labor, Culture, and the Arts deferred the measure.

Senate Bil 789 would increase the minimum wage to $12 by 2022. On Thursday, the Committee on Labor, Culture, and the Arts recommended passage, with amendments.

House Bill 96 would allow counties to determine a higher minimum wage than the state minimum wage. On Thursday the Committee on Labor and Public Employment recommended passage with amendments.
See an overview of the minimum wage at The Balance Careers. Follow progress of the bills through their links, above.

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The Rebuild America's Schools Act would provide ten years
of grands and funding through bonds to repair and improve
schools across the country. Image from NEA

SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION GRANTS AND BONDS totaling $100 billion nationwide are proposed by U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono and colleagues. The Rebuild America's Schools Act would provide funds over the next decade to assist communities in building and renovating schools while creating an estimated 1.9 million jobs, according to a statement from Hirono:

"The considerable resources provided by this legislation would help to facilitate much needed improvements to how and where our children learn, and create high-paying jobs in our communities.

"Far too many children across the country lack access to suitable learning environments, and many attend schools that are in dire need of renovations and repairs. Although states like Hawaiʻi are working to improve learning environments for their students, more investment is needed to support current efforts that are already underway, and the federal government should play a role," wrote Hirono.

The Rebuild America's Schools Act establishes formula funds for states to award local communities with competitive grant funding for school repair, renovation, and construction projects through state matching criteria and permissible spending. By focusing on communities with the greatest financial need, schools will also have the ability to expand access to high-speed broadband in order to ensure all students have access to digital learning. The bill also provides $30 billion for Qualified School Infrastructure Bonds, $10 billion each for FY 2020 through FY 2022; invests in American jobs by requiring the use of American-made iron, steel, and manufactured products; reinstates and Expands Qualified Zone Academy Bonds for use on school construction; requires the Government Accountability Office to report on projects carried out within two years after enactment with periodic updates; and ensures a comprehensive study of the physical condition of public schools at least once every five years and provides a temporary increase of $170 million for Impact Aid construction.

The bill was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Bobby Scott, of Virginia. He chairs the Committee on Education and Labor.

American Society of Civil Engineers gave public
school buildings across the country the grade of D+.

Hirono pointed out that the American Society of Civil Engineers gave public school buildings across the country an overall grade of D+ in its 2017 report card, and according to a 2016 State of Our Schools report, the United States collectively spends $46 billion less annually on school construction and maintenance than is necessary to ensure safe and healthy public school facilities. The report also projected that between FY 2012-2024, Hawaiʻi would spend upwards $130 million on new school construction. As it currently stands, federal dollars only cover school repair costs in cases of disasters.

Hirono and colleagues also called for Pres. Donald Trump Administration to include funding for schools as part of any comprehensive bill to improve the nation's infrastructure.

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NIUHI-SHARK HONORS KAMEHAMEHA THE GREAT during the next Volcano Art Center fine art exhibit. It opens Saturday, Feb. 16 and runs daily through March 24 at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

King Kamehameha is celebrated in paint and prose with original paintings by Carl F. K. Pao, paired with selections from the book Kamehameha–The Rise of a King by David Kāwika Eyre, with illustrations by Brook Parker. An opening night reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with artist and author is preceded by a panel discussion the day before at 5:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Eyre will sign copies of his book Sunday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at VAC Gallery. The collection provides viewers a visual experience of important events in Kamehameha's life from the perspective of two styles of art.

The public is invited to hear different perspectives on the life of Kamehameha, including his complex relationship with Kaʻū chief Keōua. The exhibit and supporting events promise paint, prose, protocol, and conversations providing cultural, historical, and educational experiences.

The 200th anniversary of the death of Kamehameha the Great is May 8. His wife, Kaʻahumanu, is said to have tattooed the exact date on her arm. The year 1819 was also the time of the breaking of the ʻai kapu, which freed men and women to eat together. Later that same year, Chief Kekuaokalani, Kamehameha's nephew, fell with his wife Mānono on the battlefield at Kuamoʻo, in a last attempt to defend the kapu system.

A Volcano Art Center statement says, "Hawaiʻi Island is not only the place of Kamehameha's birth, it is also the beautiful and dramatic setting of much of his life's story, the source of his power, the home of his final days, and the hidden place of his bundled bones."

Eyre has taught Hawaiian language at Kamehameha Schools for 23 years. Kamehameha—The Rise of a King won a Palapala Poʻokela Award for excellence in Hawaiian culture, a Nēnē Book Award, a Moonbeam Children's Book Award, and a Read Aloud America selection award. Eyre is the author of seven books. The most recent is a collection of haiku poems entitled not a one.

Born and raised on the island of Oʻahu, Pao graduated from Kamehameha Schools in 1989. He earned a BFA at University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 1994, with an emphasis in Ceramics, earning an Outstanding Senior Ceramic Student Award. Pao received a Masters of Fine Arts with first-class honors in 1999 from Elam School of Fine Arts at University of Auckland, Aotearoa, New Zealand. He returned to Hawaiʻi in 2000 to take a full-time teaching position at the Kamehameha Schools in Visual Arts. In January 2018, he transferred to the Keaʻau campus. Outside of his teaching schedule, Pao continues to create his own art.

Several civic and social groups including ʻAhuʻena Inc., Hālau I Ka Leo Ola O Nā Mamo, Kamehameha Publishing, Volcano Art Center, Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi, East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center, Kohala Hawaiian Civic Club, Malu ʻĀina-Center for Non-violent Education and Action, and Puʻu Koholā National Park have joined efforts to mark the year.

Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.

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NO TSUNAMI THREAT FROM A 6.6-MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE at 6:30 a.m., 10 miles from Chipas, Mexico, near the border of Honduras, reports Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense.

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VOLCANO WATCH IS BACK, after a five-week hiatus due to the government shutdown. This week's Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates, states no lava at Puʻu ʻŌʻō for seven months heralds the end of an era:

One of the most frequent questions asked of USGS HVO scientists the last several months has been, "Is the Lower East Rift eruption over?" But the same question could – and should – be asked of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō, erupting in 1983. USGS photo

On Jan. 3, 2018, we marked the 35th anniversary of Puʻu ʻŌʻō. For the past three and a half decades, lava has erupted almost continuously from the middle East Rift Zone. Minor pauses in surface activity mostly occurred between the fountaining episodes in 1983 through 1986, and subsequently during a few episodes marked by subsidiary fissures, intrusions, or partial crater floor collapses.

Given the longevity of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption, we'd grown accustomed to the luxury of having nearly-uninterrupted access to lava. The lure of reliable lava viewing beckoned to millions of tourists around the globe.

But, I say 'nearly-uninterrupted' because there have been over one hundred brief pauses in surface activity throughout the 35-year-long event, most lasting hours to a couple days. The six longest pauses during the Puʻu ʻŌʻō activity were each 1 to 2 months long, and all occurred between fountaining episodes in the first two years.

Specifically, long pauses between fountains occurred spanning episodes 3 and 4 (65 days), episodes 32 and 33 (52 days), episodes 12 and 13 (50 days), episodes 39 and 40 (49 days), episodes 25 and 26 (43 days), and episodes 31 and 32 (38 days).

After the fountaining episodes, there were several Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption pauses lasting between one week and one month.

Watch the 2011 collapse of Puʻu ʻŌʻō's crater floor. Video from USGS

Specifically, there was a 10 day pause in February of 1992 after the Kupaianaha vent shut down, ending episode 48. A year later there was an eight day pause in February of 1993 after an uprift intrusion caused Puʻu ʻŌʻō’s crater floor to collapse. A nine day pause in February of 1996 occurred after an observed surge in effusion rate.

The longest eruption hiatus after the fountaining phase lasted 24 days following the episode 54 fissure in Nāpau Crater in February of 1997. In September 1999, there was an 11-day pause during episode 55 after a partial collapse of the Puʻu ʻŌʻō crater floor.

Most recently, there were two pauses in 2011: an 18-day-long pause after the March Kamoamoa fissure, and a six day long pause after the episode 60 west flank break out in August.

However, on April 30, 2018, everything changed. The catastrophic collapse of Puʻu ʻŌʻō has left the iconic eruption site and surrounding lava flow fields devoid of lava through the rest of 2018. December 30th marked the seven month anniversary of no surface activity at Puʻu ʻŌʻō and is effectively a concluding milestone for this long-lived event.

As a refresher from our previous article, the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program https://volcano.si.edu/ classifies the end of continuous volcanic activity based on an absence of eruptive activity over a 90 day (three month) period.

Puʻu ʻŌʻō on May 3, 2018, as viewed from a helicopter overflight. The crater
floor is collapsed, and a thin plume escapes from the gaping crater. The west
flank cracked on April 30 around 2:30 p.m. Minor amounts of lava oozed
out of the crack (line of steaming features) just before the plumbing
system catastrophically failed. USGS photo

Statistically, after a 210 day (seven month) gap in activity, it is extremely unlikely that lava will resume activity within Puʻu ʻŌʻō. Based on historical knowledge of rift zone eruptions, pauses lasting more than 3½ months have ended their respective eruption.

Given the GVP criterion, no signs of imminent unrest, and that December 30, 2018, marks seven months of no lava, then the Puʻu ʻŌʻō eruption could be considered over. The 36th anniversary of continuous eruption, on January 3, 2019, did not come to pass.

This does not mean Kīlauea Volcano is dead. New eruptions have previously begun elsewhere on Kīlauea after months to decades of quiet. Magma is being supplied to the volcano, and deformation data shows evidence for movement of molten rock through the magmatic system, refilling the middle ERZ. It's important to note that Kīlaueais still an active volcano that will erupt in the future, and associated hazards have not changed. When a new eruption does occur, ground cracking, gas emissions, seismicity, and deformation can increase rapidly.
USGS HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea Volcano through ground-based observations, helicopter overflights, and geophysical instrument networks. Significant changes will be noted in HVO's weekly updates.

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TROJANS VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL THRASHED THEIR OPPONENTS TONIGHT. Kaʻū hosted St. Joseph, which trailed behind in every quarter: 6 points to the Trojans' 10 in the first, 9 to 11 in the second, 8 to 17 in the third, and 12 to 13 in the fourth, ending with Kaʻū in triumph at 51 over St. Joseph's 35. The boys next face off at the BIIF Division II Semi-Finals on Tuesday, Feb. 5. See the remainder of the Winter sports schedule, 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.

Print edition of The Kaʻū Calendar is free to 5,000 mailboxes throughout
Kaʻū, from Miloliʻi to Ocean View, Na`alehu, Pahala and

Volcano, and free on stands throughout the district.
Read online at kaucalendar.com and facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 2, Sat., @Hilo

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Jan. 30-Feb. 2, Wed.-Sat., Girls HHSAA

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM HOSTS SECOND CHANCE PROM, for adults 21 and older, on Saturday, Mar. 23, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $30 per single, $50 per couple, includes heavy pupus and a photo.
For more info, or to volunteer, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala.

WOMEN'S WAVE meets the 2nd Sunday of the month, 2 p.m., at Punaluʻu bakery. Feb. 10 topic is expected to be comparing Women's Walk stories.

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, FEBRUARY 2

Abstract Painting Workshop w/Darcy Gray, Sat., Feb. 2, 10-2pm, Volcano Art Center. For those with basic painting background. Supplies provided. $85/VAC member, $90/non-member, plus $20 supply fee for 5 sheets 300 lb. 18"x24" watercolor paper, pre-gessoed. Advance registration required. Limited to 8 adults. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

Art Express, Sat., Feb. 2, 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., Feb. 2, 11-noon, Ace Hardware Stores islandwide; Nā‘ālehu, 929-9030 and Ocean View, 929-7315. Free. 1st Saturday, monthly. acehardware.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Hawai‘i County Council Meetings, Mon., Feb. 4 (Committees), Kona and Tue., Feb. 5, (Council), Hilo. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Ka‘ū Homeschool Co–op Group, Mon., Feb. 4, 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., Feb. 4, 4-6pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
AdvoCATS, Tue., Feb. 5, 7-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org

Hula Voices, Wed., Feb. 6, 5:30-6:30pm, 1st Wed. monthly, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free, 967-7565

Open Mic Night, Wed., Feb. 6, 6-10pm, Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. 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, FEBRUARY 7
Women's Support Group, Thu., Feb. 7 and 21, 3-4:30pm, 1st and 3rd Thursday monthly. PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org.

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8

ONGOING

A Lifeguard Training Course is offered at Pāhala Pool Feb. 4 through 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the county Department of Parks and Recreation, Aquatics Section, and the American Red Cross, the course fee is $75.

96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Girls Basketball."

The Trojans Girls basketball team will fly to Honolulu for the tournament, Feb. 6-9.

Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. Harry McKee Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors invites college bound high school seniors and current college students to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.
The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.
weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.
The website says that Harry McKee "left a legacy of commitment to the youth of Kaʻū. His foundation exists to give students an opportunity for higher education. Harry was a musician, a gardener, a WWII decorated veteran, an outdoorsman, and an active civic leader. Harry was well known for reaching out to local youth to support their education goals, and to encourage young people to share aloha and celebrate ʻohana." See more about the foundation at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant will accept applicants through Feb. 28. The pageant will be held again at the Ka‘ū District Gym on Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m.

The current court is comprised of Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower Telia Navarro, Miss Peaberry Jacellyn Kekoa Jara, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee Christina Kawehiwehi and Miss Ka‘ū Coffee Reishalyn Kekoa Jara.
Email tmarques@yahoo.com.

For more information, and instructions on how to apply, visit fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Region_1/NWRS/Zone_1/Midway_Atoll/Sections/What_We_Do/Get_Involved/MANWR_Volunteer_COMMS_Announcment _12_11_2019.pdf. See Friends of Midway Atoll NWR for news from the Refuge, updates on projects, and photos that tell the story of life on Midway Atoll NWR. Follow on Instagram at @FriendsofMidwayNWR.

To supplement their income, service members can hold part-time jobs outside of their service hours, or apply for SNAP benefits, which is usually around $340 per month.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

Kaʻū Coffee Fest invites non-profits, clubs, cooperatives, and businesses to sign up for booths to serve the public at the 11th annual Kaʻū Coffee Fest Hoʻolauleʻa on Saturday, May 4 at Pāhala Community Center. The all-day event comes with music, hula, coffee tasting, and meeting the famous Kaʻū Coffee farmers.

Set up before 8 a.m. on May 4, day of Hoʻolaule‘a, and be ready to serve the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No smoking, drugs, alcohol, propaganda, political speech, or activism allowed.

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

, email biokepamoses@gmail.com, or call 808-731-5409.

Kaʻū's Representative in the U.S. Congress officially announced her bid for the U.S. Presidency today. "We must stand
up," was her most spoken phrase, taking on war, big pharma, Wall Street, polluters, and much more.
Photo from live stream of Gabbard's speech

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED HER CANDIDACY FOR U.S. PRESIDENT TODAY in Honolulu. The 37-year old Democrat represents Kaʻū and all of rural Hawaiʻi in the U.S. House of Representatives. "We must stand up," was the most spoken phrase in her speech.
"We must stand up against bought and paid for politicians who kowtow to special interests selling their votes to the highest bidder. Instead of draining the swamp, our president has turned it into a cesspool of corruption," she said.
"We must stand up against big pharma and insurance companies who extort those who are sick, who put their profits above the health and wellbeing of our people." She advocated for Medicare for All.
"We must stand up against the big Wall Street banks who gamble with our money and our future.

Gabbard promised to reject any donations from PACS and corporations.
Photo from live stream of Gabbard speech

"Stand up against overreaching intelligence agencies and big tech companies who take away our civil liberties, privacy, and freedoms in the name of national security and corporate greed.
"We must stand up against those who pollute our land, our water, and our air.
"We must stand up against private prisons who are profiting off the backs of those who are caught up in a broken criminal justice system, a system that puts people in prison for smoking marijuana, while allowing corporations like Purdue Pharma, who are responsible for the opioid related deaths of thousands of people, to walk away scot-free with their coffer full. This so called criminal justice system, which favors the rich and powerful and punishes the poor, can not stand.
"We must join hands and stand up against those who perpetuate bigotry, hatred, and violence against our brothers and sisters because of their race, religion, or sexual orientation.
"We must stand up against this administration that claims to believe in America First but who sells our troops, our weapons, and our interest to whichever foreign country is the highest bidder.
"We must stand up to those who dishonor our troops, treating them as political pawns and mercenaries for hire in wars around the world.
"We must stand up against powerful politicians from both parties, who sit in their ivory towers thinking up new wars to wage, new places for people to die, wasting trillions of our taxpayer dollars, hundreds of thousands of lives, and undermining our economy and our security, and destroying our middle class."

Aloha was a theme of Gabbard's Presidential campaign launch today, particularly in reference to fighting religious,
racial, sexual, and political party discrimination. Photo from live stream of Gabbard's speech

Gabbard said Trump campaigned against regime change wars, "but now he bows to the wishes of the neocons who surround him, clamoring for regime change wars that he claimed to oppose - this time in Venezuela and in Iran. These powerful politicians dishonor the sacrifices made by every one of my brothers and sisters in uniform, their families, as they are the ones who pay the price for these wars. In fact, every American pays the price for these wars that have cost us trillions of dollars since 9/11. Every dollar that we spend on regime change wars, or on the new cold war and this nuclear arms race, is a dollar coming out of our pocket; dollars that should be used to address the very real, urgent needs of our people and our community right here at home."
She said there are more than 14,000 nuclear weapons in the world, some more powerful than those dropped on Hiroshima in World War II.
"We must stand united, and stand strong against those in both parties who never tire of war - Neocons and Neolibs, who drag us from one regime change war to the next, and who are exacerbating the new cold war, pushing us to the brink of nuclear war. We deserve better. Our country deserves better."
She said the nation was founded on the principle that "our government should be of the people, by the people, and for the people, where all people are treated equally and with respect in these United States of America." Today, however, she said, "that vision seems like a far off dream, while hatred
and divisiveness have cast a dark shadow across our country. We're being torn apart by powerful self-serving politicians and greedy corporations; people fomenting hatred, bigotry, and fear, inciting conflict between us because of the color of our skin, the way that we worship, or the political party that we might belong to. This corruption of spirit is driven by greed and selfishness, and its eroding the very fabric of our society and Democracy itself. This is not who we are, America...."

During the ocean front kickoff of Gabbard's Presidential campaign, she talked about standing up to polluters
of the ocean and land. Photo from livestream of Gabbard's speech

Gabbard, a Major in the Hawaiʻi National Guard, promised to "bring a soldier's principles to the White House, restoring the values of dignity and honor and respect to the Presidency, and above all, love for our people and love for our country." She said the road will not be easy, the battles tough, obstacles great, "but there is no obstacle we can't overcome."
During her speech, Gabbard stayed away from responding to criticism regarding her meeting with Syrian's dictator, considered an enemy of the U.S. She refrained from mentioning criticism of her meeting with Pres. Donald Trump, who invited her to Trump Tower when he interviewed candidates for his cabinet. During the speech, Gabbard said, "I will have the courage to meet with both friends and adversaries in the pursuit of peace and our national security... If we lack the courage to meet with those we disagree with, the only alternative is war."

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.

HAWAIʻI STATE IS SUBPOENAING AIRBNB for ten year's worth of invoices, receipts, and other records from 16,000 Hawaiʻi hosts. The home sharing and rental arrangement company is fighting the subpoena, reports Honolulu Civil Beat, with AirBnB saying the demand is a "massive intrusion" that "invades the privacy rights of Airbnb and its users on (a) massive scale."

The reasoning behind the subpoena is to verify that those who rent space are paying Transient Accommodations and General Excise taxes. Attorneys for AirBnB, reports Civil Beat, say in Hawaiʻi's case this is tantamount to "authorizing the state to go door-to-door in search of people violating the law — something that is unconstitutional."

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

FREE SOGETSU IKEBANA DEMONSTARTION by Victoria Croft happens at VolcanoArtCenter’s Ni‘aulani Campus on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ikebana is Japanese Flower Arranging. The event description says the first school was Ikenobo, where Buddhist monks and later samurai warriors used it as a form of meditation bringing nature indoors and enhancing the natural world.

Today, there are over 2000 schools. Sogetsu school, which Croft teaches and practices, was created in 1926 by Sofu Tashikahara and is one of the "modern" schools of thought. The schools philosophy comes from the belief that arrangements could and should be made from whatever materials are available around the world.

An example of Sogetsu Ikebana. Photo from VAC

Sogetsu Ikebana is learned by completing lessons in five different books, observing other students and teachers, and attending flower shows and workshops. "One does not become an expert overnight but by steady practice, observation and patience," says the description.

Arrangements are mostly created either by using a Suiban (shallow dish) or Nageire (upright container or vase). Advanced students learn to use all kinds of different containers, including creating the container. Only fresh or dried flowers and leaves are used.

Croft studied Ikebana for over 12 years before starting her work on getting her teacher's certificate. She was awarded her 4th teachers' certificate in December, 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.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
AdvoCATS, Tue., Feb. 5, 7-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tue., Feb. 5, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Arts & Crafts Activity: Mardi Gras, Wed., Feb. 6, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 through Feb. 5. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Hula Voices, Wed., Feb. 6, 5:30-6:30pm, 1st Wed. monthly, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free, 967-7565

Open Mic Night, Wed., Feb. 6, 6-10pm, Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. 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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Free Community Dance, Fri., Feb. 8, 7-10pm, Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Minors allowed with supervision only. Alcohol-free event. Variety of music. Snacks provided; additional pupus welcome. Free admission; donations appreciated. 967-7800, thecoopercenter.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Sat., Feb. 9, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Nā Mamo O Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Feb. 9, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org, facebook.com/namamo.kawa

1st Annual Acton Children's Business Fair, Sat., Feb. 9, 10-1pm, River of Life Assembly of God, 96-2345 Paauau St., Pāhala. Support young on-island entrepreneurs in this one day marketplace for keiki ages 7 to 18 and their personal businesses selling their own brands, products, or services. childrensbusinessfair.org

15th Annual Love the Arts Fundraiser, 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, Sat., Feb. 9, 5-9pm, Volcano Art Center. Funds raised support classes, exhibits, workshops, and programs at Volcano Art Center. Music, gourmet buffet, and fine wines and brews. Live and silent auctions. $55/VAC member, $65/non-member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING

A Lifeguard Training Course is offered at Pāhala Pool Feb. 4 through 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the county Department of Parks and Recreation, Aquatics Section, and the American Red Cross, the course fee is $75.

Participants are required to pass a prerequisite test at Pāhala Pool, scheduled by contacting 928-8177. The course fee and registration forms, available at Pāhala Pool, are due immediately following completion of the test. Participants are responsible for providing their own supplies, including CPR mask, swim suit, goggles, towel, American Red Cross Lifeguard Manual, etc. The manual can be downloaded for free at redcross.org/take-a-class/lifeguarding/lifeguard-preparation/lifeguard-manual.

For more info, contact the nearest county swimming pool, or the Parks and Recreation Aquatics Specialist at 961-8694.

96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Girls Basketball."

The Trojans Girls basketball team will fly to Honolulu for the tournament, Feb. 6-9.

Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. College bound high school seniors and current college students encouraged to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.
The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

Panaʻewa Stampede takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. See HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant will accept applicants through Feb. 28. The pageant will be held again at the Ka‘ū District Gym on Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m. Miss Kaʻū Coffee and her court will represent the Kaʻū Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond, her appearances sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust, II. Pageant Director is Trinidad Marques. Scholarship Committee Directors are Julia Neal and Gloria Camba.

A Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū is available through FoodCorps. Applications are open through March 15 to work for a year at Pāhala Elementary School. The position is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020.
In exchange for service, members receive: $22,000 living stipend paid bi-weekly over the 11.5-month term; $6,095 AmeriCorps Segal education award upon successful completion of service; Student loan deferral or forbearance, if eligible; partial childcare reimbursement, if eligible; Health insurance; Ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

Preschool Opens Doors Applications are open for the 2019-2020 school year. The Department of Human Services encourages families to apply before March 29. This program is for families seeking aid in paying for preschool. Applications, available at patchhawaii.org, received during this period will be considered for preschool participation during July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. For more information, visit bit.ly/2TolEOm or call 800-746-5620.

Booth fees are $100 for food vendors; $60 for non-food items and crafts, including coffee and coffee samples; and $35 for pre-approved information displays. Campaign and other political displays are not invited. Fifty percent discounts are provided to bona fide non-profit organizations and cooperatives selling food, crafts, and coffee. Each vendor is responsible for a Department of Health permit, if serving food. Call Gail Nagata 933-0918. Vendors must also obtain county vendor permits costing $30 each, to be displayed at each booth.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

, email biokepamoses@gmail.com, or call 808-731-5409.

A bill to protect eagle rays - like the spotted variation above - manta rays, sting rays, and all shark species in Hawaiʻi
last week passed the Senate Committee on Water and Land, chaired by Kai Kahele.
See story, below. Photo from KonaHonuDivers.com

THE CHARACTER OF TULSI GABBARD was the theme of her colleague's introduction to her official announcement on Saturday. Kaʻū's representative in the U.S. House of Representatives announced she will run for the U.S. Presidency.

Ryan Soon, a National Guard combat veteran, said he served under Gabbard's leadership in the MIddle East. "In all the time that I've known Tulsi, she's had this perfect balance of strength and compassion, resolve and compromise, courage and humility - all of the characteristics that just make people want to work for her; all the qualities that we need in our Commander in Chief."
He recalled a mission in Kuwait, assigned to meet with government leaders to facilitate training for local police and military forces. "Now, remember Kuwait is a very male dominated society," said Soon. "And so they couldn't possibly fathom the idea of a female leader." He said the government officials practically ignored "Tulsi because she's a woman; and we're standing there very awkwardly trying to figure out what are we going to say because our whole thing was to bring her to talk to them."

Ryan Soon introduced Rep. Tusli Gabbard and her Presidential campaign

kickoff on Saturday, with stories to illustrate his perception

of her character and qualifications to be a leader.

Photo from Gabbard's livestream

Soon contended that "Tulsi knew how to read a room. And instead of being offended or jumping in there to assert her authority, and in turn, offending the Kuwaitis, she just stepped back and she let us exchange pleasantries. And ingeniously, she started to assign tasks to individual soldiers. So quietly and out of earshot of these Kuwaitis, she would go to one soldier and assign a task and they'd move. She'd go to another solider, assign a task, and they would move. As I'm talking to these Kuwaitis, I can see it in their face, that they finally realized what was happening around them.
"Tulsi's now about six or seven soldiers in - before these Kuwaitis stopped talking to us and just ditched us to go talk to this woman who commanded such respect from the men that worked for her," said Soon.
"So, long story short, we spent the next half hour sitting in the official's office very quietly, while Tulsi and the official talked like they were best friends who haven't seen each other for years. And at the end of the day, right before we left, I watched as the Kuwaiti official excitedly just listened to Tulsi lay out her plan for the joint operation. Now I know this might not seem like that big of a big deal for some people," said Soon, "but for me it was amazing, because I got to watch a lifetime of prejudice be washed away in a matter of minutes, because of the leadership and aloha of Tulsi."

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard's speech in her official announcement for her candidacy for President can be viewed here.
Video from Gabbard's Facebook

Soon also talked about her "constant and continuous" 20-hour workdays in Congress. He said he picked her up after she flew back from D.C. and, concerned about overwork, asked her, "Tulsi, what you doing here? Is the juice really worth the squeeze?" He said that she responded with a bright smile on her face, "It depends how you define the juice." He said she told him, "I love what I do. Is it long hours? Yes. Is it hard work? Absolutely, but I love that I can make a positive impact in people's lives. Whether it's working in Hawaiʻi or in D.C., I love that one person can make a difference. I love to serve." Soon said Gabbard "can speak for people who can't speak for themselves" and "make things better for the people of Hawaiʻi, and share our values and aloha spirit with the rest of the country and make their lives better, too."
Soon called Gabbard "a soldier devoted to serving our people and our country. And her life's mission is to serve others. Every choice she's made in her life reflects it."
He reviewed her military career and public service, and said it is important to have a Commander in Chief who knows the cost of war. "Tulsi knows that cost of war and that's why she fights so hard for peace."

Gabbard embraces Ryan Soon, who served with her on two
deployments to the Middle East.
Photo from Gabbard's livestream

Gabbard was first elected to Congress in 2012. She has served on the Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees, and is a member of the House Armed Services and Financial Services Committees. Gabbard was Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee from 2013 until she resigned in 2016 to endorse Bernie Sanders in his bid for President.

She has served in the Army National Guard for nearly 15 years, deployed twice to the Middle East, and is one of the first female combat veterans ever elected to Congress. She continues to serve as a Major.

Gabbard was born in American Samoa in 1981, and is of Samoan and European descent. She is the first Samoan-American to be elected to Congress. Gabbard is also the first Hindu to be elected to Congress. She graduated from Hawaiʻi Pacific University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 2009. She is married to cinematographer and editor Abraham Williams. Her father, Mike Gabbard, serves District 20, Oʻahu, in the Hawaiʻi state Senate.

A release from her campaign states she does not accept campaign contributions from corporations, lobbyists, or political action committees.

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.

Manta rays would be protected if Senate Bill 489 passes. Photo from BigIslandDivers.com

PROTECTING SHARKS, AND MANTA, EAGLE, AND STING RAYS, received much testimony from Hawaiʻi Island residents at the Hawaiʻi Legislature last week. Students from University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo and others flew to Honolulu to share the connection of these marine animals with Hawaiian culture and the environment.

Senate Bill 489"establishes an offense of knowingly, capturing, taking possessing, abusing, entangling, or killing" sharks and all three rays types found in Hawaiian waters. The bill passed the Committee on Water and Land, chaired by Sen. Kai Kahele. An amendment makes it clear that a persons defending themselves, such as during a shark attack, would not be prosecuted, if the shark is killed or injured. One of the bill's co-sponsors is east Kaʻū's Sen. Russell Ruderman. See the testimony on Big Island Video News.

Mike Nakachi
Photo from Big Island Video News

Alohi Nakachi, a University of Hawaiʻi Phd candidate in natural resources and environmental management, talked about a new way of relating animals to Hawaiian traditions, culture, spiritual lives, and environment. She noted Hawaiian lore and moʻolelo (stories) involving sharks and rays, and their importance in the ecosystem.
While treasured throughout history, sharks and rays have no legal protection. This bill is "long overdue," said Nagachi.
She described incorporation of social-cultural knowledge into natural resources management. She explained the concept of cultural ecosystems services: "the way place-based and indigenous groups interact with their

Alohi Nakachi
Photo from Big Island Video News

surroundings to derive all forms of sustenance and maintain connection to place."
She described four subcategories of cultural ecosystem services: ike (knowledge), mana (spirituality), palina kanaka (social interactions), and ola mau (physical and mental wellness). She said "sharks and rays play a great role in ike and mana" in Hawaiian culture.

Kaikea Nakachi, a University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo graduate student, testified in favor of protection, stating his family has a responsibility that predates modern law and fishing methods, to protect sharks and rays.

Mike Nakachi, their father, testified in favor of protection, citing cultural loss due to no protections of the sharks and rays.

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

KA‘Ū DISTRICT GYM HOSTS A EAGLE HANDPRINT CRAFT ARTS AND CRAFTS ACTIVITY, for keiki 5 to 12 years old, on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., in the multi-purpose room. Registration is open Monday, Feb. 11, through Tuesday, Feb. 19. Free.
For more, contact Recreation Director Nona Makuakane at 928-3102. Ka‘ū District Gym is located on the Ka‘ū High School campus on Kamani Street in Pāhala. See hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation for hours of operation.

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.

Ka‘ū Coffee Growers Mtg., Tue., Feb. 5, 6-8pm, Pāhala Community Center.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Arts & Crafts Activity: Mardi Gras, Wed., Feb. 6, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 through Feb. 5. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

Hula Voices, Wed., Feb. 6, 5:30-6:30pm, 1st Wed. monthly, Volcano Art Center Gallery. Desiree Moana Cruz moderates the talk story session. Free, 967-7565

Open Mic Night, Wed., Feb. 6, 6-10pm, Lava Lounge, Kīlauea Military Camp. 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, FEBRUARY 7
Women's Support Group, Thu., Feb. 7 and 21, 3-4:30pm, 1st and 3rd Thursday monthly. PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Women welcome to drop in anytime. Free. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460, lindsey@hawaiiparents.org.

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Sat., Feb. 9, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Nā Mamo O Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Feb. 9, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org, facebook.com/namamo.kawa

1st Annual Acton Children's Business Fair, Sat., Feb. 9, 10-1pm, River of Life Assembly of God, 96-2345 Paauau St., Pāhala. Support young on-island entrepreneurs in this one day marketplace for keiki ages 7 to 18 and their personal businesses selling their own brands, products, or services. childrensbusinessfair.org

ONGOING

A Lifeguard Training Course is offered at Pāhala Pool Feb. 4 through 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the county Department of Parks and Recreation, Aquatics Section, and the American Red Cross, the course fee is $75.

Participants are required to pass a prerequisite test at Pāhala Pool, scheduled by contacting 928-8177. The course fee and registration forms, available at Pāhala Pool, are due immediately following completion of the test. Participants are responsible for providing their own supplies, including CPR mask, swim suit, goggles, towel, American Red Cross Lifeguard Manual, etc. The manual can be downloaded for free at redcross.org/take-a-class/lifeguarding/lifeguard-preparation/lifeguard-manual.

For more info, contact the nearest county swimming pool, or the Parks and Recreation Aquatics Specialist at 961-8694.

Money is Needed to Travel to State Championships for Kaʻū Trojans Girls Basketball Team. To donate, call Kaʻū High Athletic Director Kalei Namohala at 808-313-4100 or send a check to Kaʻū High School at

96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Girls Basketball."

The Trojans Girls basketball team will fly to Honolulu for the tournament, Feb. 6-9.

Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. College bound high school seniors and current college students encouraged to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.
The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

Hui Mālama Ola Nā ʻŌiwi classes offered in Ka‘ū include: Expanded Food and Nutrition Program (EFNEP) on Wednesdays through Feb. 19. See more at hmono.org; Diabetes Management Classes on Mondays in February. Sign up by calling 969-9220 or online at hmono.org/classes.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant will accept applicants through Feb. 28. The pageant will be held again at the Ka‘ū District Gym on Saturday, April 27, 6 p.m. Miss Kaʻū Coffee and her court will represent the Kaʻū Coffee industry throughout the year at events in the community and beyond, her appearances sponsored by the Edmund C. Olson Trust, II. Pageant Director is Trinidad Marques. Scholarship Committee Directors are Julia Neal and Gloria Camba.

The community can support the pageant through purchasing tickets, volunteering, and providing scholarships.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

, email biokepamoses@gmail.com, or call 808-731-5409.

Application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.

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.

Mayor Harry Kim traveled to Honolulu to ask the legislature for flexibility in spending the .25 percent sales tax
hike that was allowed for Hawai`i County this year. Today he asked the County Council for another .25 percent
by Jan. 1, 2020. Photo from Big Island Video News

TAKING THE EXCISE TAX UP TO 4.5 PERCENT IN HAWAI`I COUNTY got the nod from the County Council Finance Committee today. The sales tax went from 4 percent to 4.25 percent on Jan. 1 and, if approved, would go to 4.5 percent on Jan. 1, 2020. The hike that happened this year was set to sunset at the end of 2020, but the new measure would extend both this year's and next year's sales tax hikes to Dec. 31, 2030.

Councilman Tim Richards voted
against the hike and noted
the 13 percent budget increase.
Photo Big Island Video News

Like this year's hike, next year's would be tagged to transportation, paying for improved bus service islandwide, and improving and repairing roads and bridges. The combined tax hikes would bring in some $50 million a year.

County Finance Director Deanna Sato said that putting the tax increase in the sales tax rather than on property tax would have less impact on local residents. She called in "an opportunity for visitors to support the local economy."
Without hiking the sales tax, the county might be forced to hike property taxes and initiate more fees for county services. She described the tax increase as minimal at the cash register with $100 purchase being charged an additional 26 cents in sales tas.

The county administration went to the legislature last week and asked for flexibility in the rule that require it to use the additional excise tax for more than transportation. Mayor Harry Kim asked the legislators to allow as much as 50 percent of the increased tax income to go for county expenses beyond transportation.

Deanna Sato, County Finance Director, explained the need
for another .25 percent hike in the sales tax.
Photo from Big Island Video News

Ka`u's County Council member Maile David voted for the tax hike. Only Tim Richards, the Kohala County Council member, voted against it.

The mayor and finance director said that 25 to 35 percent of the sales tax collected in the county comes from expenditures by visitors.

Sato said that money is needed to fund unexpected loss in income and unexpected increases in expenses. She noted that federal funding for transportation has been reduced.

She said there is increased need for police presence and equipment, money to help solve the homeless and affordable housing. There is an increase in cost of health and other insurance covered by the county.

She noted SNAP and WIC assistance and prescription drugs are not subject to the sales tax.

The Kohala councilman said that he won't support any tax increase without understanding the budget. He noted the budget has gone from $461 million to $518 million since he took office - more than 13 percent.

See testimony on the issue at Big Island Video News.

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

THE CARDIAC CARE UNIT FUNDING for Hilo Medical Center goes to a public hearing this Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 9:30 a.m, before the state Senate Health Committee on Commerce Consumer Protection and Health. Senate Bill SB911, introduced by Sen. Kai Kahele, would appropriate funds to improve health care services related to cardiac care at Hilo Medical Center. It involves the

A catheter lab helps to prevent cardiac deaths. One is planned for
Hilo Medical Center, which receives patients from Ka`u Hospital.
Supporters encourage testimony by tomorrow to be sent
to the Hawai`i Legislature. Photo from Wikipdea

establishment of a cath lab and physisians and staffs to run it. Ka`u Hospital patients with cardiac events could be transferred there for treatment rather than experience the time-consuming flight to Honolulu or Maui. Saving time saves lives, say supporters of the funding.

Testimony can be sent in support of SB911 in the following ways:

Online via the Hawaii State Legislature website (Requires one-time registration). Click on the "Submit Testimony" button. Enter the bill name/number SB911. Follow prompts to submit testimony by uploading or copying and pasting testimony in the text box. Email the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health: CPHtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov. Fax 808-586-6071

Read a story the Hawaii Tribune-Herald's Feb. 3 story, "Support Urged for Hilo Cath Lab," and a Dec. 3 story, "Hilo Medical Expanding Cardiac Care." See the video, "Improving Cardiac Care at Hilo Medical Center."

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.

ELEVENTH ANNUAL KAʻŪ COFFEE FESTIVAL has released more details on its ten days of events from April 26 through May 5.

Kaʻū Valley Farms Tour and Lunch, on May 2, offers a visit to a plant
nursery, food farm, coffee and tea plantings, a hidden valley, and native forest.
Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Fest

The Fest begins with a free Pā‘ina & Open House on Friday, April 26 at Pāhala Plantation House, 6 p.m. Meet the

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Court

on the evening before the pageant. Enjoy live entertainment and refreshments. Call Pāhala Plantation Cottages, 928-9811.

Miss Kaʻū Coffee Pageant will be held Saturday, April 27 at the Kaʻū District Gym. For applications, to volunteer, or to give monetary support, call Pageant Director Trini Marques at 928-0606. See more in the ongoing events section, below.

Kaʻū Coffee Recipe Contest invites everyone to join in on Sunday, April 28 at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Categories are pūpū, entrée, and dessert, all recipes to be made with Ka‘ū Coffee. Youth and adult categories, no entry fee. Free tastings. Meet Miss Ka‘ū Coffee. Find contest entry info at KauCoffeeMill.com or KauCoffeeFest.com. Call 808-928-0550.

Kaʻū Mountain Hike & Lunch will be held Wednesday, May 1 starting at Kaʻū Coffee Mill. Ride through the coffee plantation, up the mountains, and into the rainforest to walk along waterways from sugar days of old. Reservations required; $45 per person. Call 928-0550.

Kaʻū Coffee Experience in PāhalaCommunity Center offers barista brewing

and tasting of Kaʻū Coffee on May 4. Photo from Kaʻū Coffee Fest

Kaʻū Valley Farms Tour & Lunch will be on Thursday, May 2, 9 a.m. to noon. Above Nā‘ālehu, visit a plant nursery, food farm, coffee and tea plantings, native forest, and hidden valley. $40 per person. Reservations required. Call 987-4229 or 731-5409.

Kaʻū Coffee & Cattle Day will be held on Friday, May 3 at Aikane Plantation Coffee Farm on

Kalaiki Road

, the old sugar cane haul road, between Pāhala and Nāʻālehu. Explore Aikane Plantation. The day includes farm tours, BBQ buffet, and hayride. Visit this historic Ka‘ū Coffee farm and ranch. Reservations required; $25 per person. Call 808-927-2252.

Kaʻū Stargazing on Friday, May 3 will take guests to the top of the sacred, flattop mountain of Makanau with a dark, new-moon sky for excellent viewing. Learn about the ancient Hawaiian temple and see the Hawaiian night sky and stars. Meet at Olson Trust building at corner of Maile and Pikake in Pāhala. Reservations required; $45 per person, includes refreshments. Call 938-0550.

Kaʻū Coffee Festival Hoʻolauleʻa will be Saturday, May 4 on the grounds and within PāhalaCommunity Center. It’s a full day of music and dance, coffee tasting, demonstrations, food, snacks, and educational booths and games. Free, no reservations required. Ho‘olaule‘a entertainment lineup to be announced. See more in the ongoing events section, below, to sign up for booths, displays. Space for booths and presentations are limited, reservations required.

Kaʻū Coffee College will be held at PāhalaCommunity Center from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, May 5, with education and demonstrations for coffee farmers and Kaʻū Coffee enthusiasts. Previous years hosted examples of coffee processing equipment from as far away as

Japan

and

Brazil

, such as roasters, pulping mills, and bean separators.

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.

See updates in future stories about the events at KauNewsBriefs.blogspot.com. Also see KauCoffeeFestival.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.

Kaʻū High Winter Sports Schedule

Girls Basketball:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

CLASSIC CAR AND BIKE SHOW, hosted and sponsored by OceanViewCommunity Center, happens Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Owners of classic cars and bikes are encouraged to register early, as space is limited. This first annual event features an open house with fun, food and music. Contact Dennis at 831-234-7143 or Ron at 808-217-7982 to register or for more info.

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
AdvoCATS, Tue., Feb. 5, 7-5pm, Ocean View Community Center. Free Cat Spay & Neuter Clinic. 895-9283. advocatshawaii.org

Ocean View Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6-7pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Free STD Testing, Mon., Feb. 11, 9-noon, 2nd Monday, monthly, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927

ONGOING

96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Girls Basketball."

The community can support the pageant through purchasing tickets, volunteering, and providing scholarships.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.

Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū is available through FoodCorps. Applications are open through March 15 to work for a year at Pāhala Elementary School. The position is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

In exchange for service, members receive: $22,000 living stipend paid bi-weekly over the 11.5-month term; $6,095 AmeriCorps Segal education award upon successful completion of service; Student loan deferral or forbearance, if eligible; partial childcare reimbursement, if eligible; Health insurance; Ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development.

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 benefit, if eligible; and receiving an entry-level conservation career experience.

Application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.

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.

Janice Wei will lead a Chinese New Year hike tomorrow at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes.

See story, below. NPS Photo/Stephen Geiger

"IT RANG HOLLOW," said Hawaiʻi Sen. Mazie Hirono, following Pres. Donald Trump's State of the Union address to the country. "We've had the reality of two year's of the Trump presidency and their misplaced priorities, the Muslim ban, the separation of children at the border, the constant attacks on immigrants, trying to eliminate the affordable care act which supports health care for millions and millions of people, and the sabotaging of the health care program. And of course, the most recent, the shutdown, which hurt 800,000 federal workers, contractors, not to mention harming our entire economy. So, we have the reality - that is the real Trump.

"So whatever he said tonight about bringing people together, in spite of that fact that he has been the most divisive President that I have experienced, it rang hollow. There is general acknowledgement that this is a President who doesn't learn, who cannot change. He can say all the nice things, but really with this President it's what he does. What he says is bad enough, but when he follows it up with what he does, then he creates chaos and harm for our country. And sadly, I don't think that's going to change."

Pres. Donald Trump with Vice Pres. Mike Pence on his left and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi to his right.

See the speech with annotations on the Hawaiʻi Public Radio website.

Watch the entire speech on PBS. Photo from PBS

She pointed out that "after all the harm chaos of the shutdown, Trump did not say that "come February 15, I will sign a bill that makes sure government shutdown will not happen. I did not hear that." She asks the public to fill out her February 2019 priorities survey and "share your thoughts with me."

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.

HAWAIʻI SENATOR BRIAN SCHATZ sent out a message and posed a question before Pres. Donald Trump's State of the Union address today.

Sen. Brian Schatz

"The State of the Union is supposed to be the President's chance to share his plans to address the challenges facing our nation with the American people. Over the course of this administration, President Trump has pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement. His last EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt, was forced to resign in scandal, and his nominated replacement is a former lobbyist for big polluters in the coal industry. He's made it no secret that he doesn't believe that climate change is a problem.
"According to a report put out by Trump's own administration, climate change is already having wide-ranging negative impacts across the country -- including on our economy, agriculture, health, and infrastructure."
Schatz asked whether constituents thought Trump would talk about Climate Change.

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 SYRIAN KURDISH LEADER WAS GUEST OF REP. TULSI GABBARD for the State of the Union speech by Pres. Donald Trump before the U.S. Congress this evening. A statement from Gabbard said the female leader, Ilham Ahmed, Co-President of the Syrian Democratic Council, "has been a vocal advocate for achieving a political solution to the ongoing civil war in Syria, and the protection of the Kurds in the region." See the story in the Feb. 5 edition of Foreign Policy, describing Ahmed's visit to Washington to ask the President to protect the Kurds as thethe U.S. withdraws from Syria.

Syrian Kurdish leader Ilham Ahmed joined Tulsi Gabbard
at the State of the Union and asks the President to protect
her people from slaughter. Photo from Foreign Policy

Gabbard said Ahmed "has been a leader in the battle against ISIS in Syria, where the Kurds have proven to be the most effective ground force, and a strong advocate for peace in Syria. We must bring our troops home from Syria, quickly and responsibly. President Trump's announced hasty withdrawal from Syria could leave the Kurds vulnerable to slaughter by Turkey's President Erdogan, who has repeatedly threatened to attack them, and invade Syrian territory long-held by Syrian Kurds."

Gabbard, who is running for President, took on Trump with the following tweets this evening:

"Trillions of dollars to pay for your endless regime-change wars, your new cold war, including your new nuclear arms race caused by your trashing the INF treaty. #SOTU... Trump promised North Korea that we will not wage regime-change war against them while we simultaneously threaten regime-change war in Venezuela and Iran. North Korea will look at Trump's actions, not his empty promises. #SOTU."

"The root cause of mass immigration on our southern border is our history of US military intervention in Latin America that left countries destroyed. Before we talk about a wall, we need to end our ongoing threats of intervention - this time in Venezuela. #SOTU"

"I applaud the president for standing up against anti-Semitism. Now we should all stand up against religious and racial bigotry of all kinds. #SOTU.... I visited the Auschwitz concentration camp and it is an experience I will never, ever forget. The world must never forget the genocide that the Jewish people suffered. Only then can we appreciate how necessarily it is to never allow such a thing to ever happen again. #SOTU"

"Trump's tax cuts have been a failure - tax giveaways to corporations, adding $1.5 trillion to the national debt and not translating to relief for working Americans or benefiting small business. #SOTU... This president is incapable of unifying our country. He is a great divider. He was elected by and governs by fomenting division amongst us. His calls for unity are hollow. This is the state of the union. #SOTU"

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CHINESE NEW YEAR 2019 USHERS IN THE YEAR OF THE PIG TODAY. Gunshots, fireworks and firecrackers were heard throughout neighborhoods in Kaʻū, a district where hunting pig is very popular.

Many ways to celebrate Chinese New Year include hiking at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park with Mandarin-speaking guide Janice Wei, starting at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 6 at KīlaueaVisitorCenter. The free hike skirts Kīlauea Caldera from Volcano House.

Chinese New Year Traditions include: setting off firecrackers; cleaning the living space; gifting young relatives with money-stuffed with li see (lucky red envelopes); "feeding" dragon or lion - dancers in an elaborate costume - money, for good luck; making special foods, such as sesame balls or mochi; visiting a temple; ringing bells; and wearing and decorating with a lot of red, which is said to bring happiness.

The Year of the Pig draws its name from the Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao, which has 12 animals, each taking over from the previous animal between Jan. 21 and Feb. 20 on the Gregorian (standard) calendar. Chinese New Year is based on lunar cycles.

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.

HAWAIʻI COUNTY VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS will be available via a self-serve kiosk at Hilo Safeway starting Thursday, Feb. 14, at 10 a.m. According to Hawai‘i County's Vehicle Registration & Licensing Division the kiosk will help shorten lines at the main office.

The kiosk will open during business hours of Safeway. The renewal process is "quick and easy, taking approximately three minutes to complete," says the announcement. Customers may bring their old registration or renewal notice, or type in the license plate number, to access their vehicle record. A new registration card and decal is issued on the spot, upon payment by credit card or debit card. Credit card users will be charged a 2.50% credit card fee. A $3.00 "convenience fee" will be added to all transactions.

Safety checks are uploaded to the County system within 48 hours, requiring time to elapse before renewing a vehicle registration at the kiosk.

Buddy Flores, winner of ‘O Ka’ū Kākou Halfcourt Shot for
Cash at Friday's Boys Basketball game, joined by OKK's June
Domondon and Ka’ū Athletics Director Kalei Namohala.

Photo from Ka’ū Athletics

A self-service kiosk opened in late January at the Kona Safeway store, and the Vehicle Registration & Licensing Division is reviewing possible future locations.
For further information, please contact the Vehicle Registration & Licensing Division at 961-8351.

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ʻO KAʻŪ KĀKOU HALFCOURT SHOT FOR CASH at Friday's Boys Basketball game was made by Kaʻū's Buddy Flores. St. Joseph, the visiting team, was soundly beaten by the Trojans. Kaʻū Athletics received another $250 from the shot, totaling $1,250 for the season. See the remainder of the Trojans' Winter Sports Schedule, 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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 5, Tue., BIIF Div. II Semi-Finals

Feb. 6, Wed., BIIF Div. II Finals

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

KEIKI KI’I PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB pilot group is showing its members' work at Nāʻālahu Public Library lanai through February. The club's organizers say it was created to introduce children in Kaʻū to photography; ki’i means picture in Hawaiian.
Twenty keiki between the ages of four and 12 took part in the six-week pilot project. The Club loosely followed a Literacy Through Photographymodel, which "encourages kids to use photography to discover more about themselves and their community, and then write about their images. For many club members, it was their first time using a digital camera. The young photographers acquired visual skills and had fun." The club also provided an after-school activity for keiki in a rural area.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6
Arts & Crafts Activity: Mardi Gras, Wed., Feb. 6, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages five through 12 through Feb. 5. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

‘O Ka‘ū Kākou Mtg., Thu., Feb. 7, 6:30pm, Aspen Center. okaukakou.org

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Nā Mamo O Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Feb. 9, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org, facebook.com/namamo.kawa

1st Annual Acton Children's Business Fair, Sat., Feb. 9, 10-1pm, River of Life Assembly of God, 96-2345 Paauau St., Pāhala. Support young on-island entrepreneurs in this one day marketplace for keiki ages 7 to 18 and their personal businesses selling their own brands, products, or services. childrensbusinessfair.org

15th Annual Love the Arts Fundraiser, 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, Sat., Feb. 9, 5-9pm, Volcano Art Center. Funds raised support classes, exhibits, workshops, and programs at Volcano Art Center. Music, gourmet buffet, and fine wines and brews. Live and silent auctions. $55/VAC member, $65/non-member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Women's Wave meets the 2nd Sunday of the month, 2 p.m., at Punaluʻu bakery. Feb. 10 topic is expected to be comparing Women's Walk stories.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Free STD Testing, Mon., Feb. 11, 9-noon, 2nd Monday, monthly, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Card, Tue., Feb. 12, 2:45-3:30pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 Feb. 4-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Feb. 12, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

ONGOING

96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Girls Basketball."

The Trojans Girls basketball team will fly to Honolulu for the tournament, Feb. 6-9.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

, email biokepamoses@gmail.com, or call 808-731-5409.

Application at kupuhawaii.org/conservation. For more, call The Nature Conservancy at 443-5401 or call Kupu Hawai‘i at 808-735-1221.

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.

"Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar," portrayed by Ka‘ū actor-director Dick Hershberger, explains his studies of Kīlaueain the

early 1900s to visitors at Hawai‘i VolcanoesNational Park. Join a free Walk into the Past event, or another

activity, at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park this month. See story, below. NPS Photo/Janice Wei

THE NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT ACT which would support volcano science, youth conservation opportunities, and land preservation in Kaʻū, received supportive testimony today on the U.S. Senate floor. Sen. Mazie Hirono urged swift passage of Senate Bill 47, a sweeping bipartisan public lands package. It includes, among Hawaiʻi priorities, a permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, legislation to expand Conservation Corps programs like KUPU, and legislation Hirono introduced in the 115th Congress to expand and improve volcano monitoring across the country. See and hear Hirono's full speech.

On the Importance of the Land and Water Conservation Fund for Hawaiʻi, Hirono testified: "The Natural Resources Management Act is a great example of what the Senate can accomplish when we come together on a bipartisan basis to get things done. Although we certainly have disagreements on energy and climate policy, a broad bipartisan consensus supports strengthening and expanding conservation programs like the Land and Water Conservation Fund – a program whose transformative impact is felt in every state in our country.

Young adults working with KUPU at Kāwā help with restoration of

rock walls along a fresh waterway. Photo from Nā Mamo O Kāwā

"Over the past 50 years, the LWCF has provided nearly $250 million in funding for Hawaiʻi to protect some of our most cherished public spaces – including Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, and the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. LWCF funding has also gone towards protecting state and private forests, as well as efforts to protect our native species and watersheds.

"The LWCF also funds the Forest Legacy Program, which helps states and private owners protect and enhance forested habitats. The program has leveraged over $22 million of federal funding for Hawaiʻi's forests over the past 50 years.

"Forestprotection and conservation is particularly important as we face the threat of catastrophic climate change. Protecting these lands and forests can help mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide, cooling the earth, and regenerating our watersheds."

On passing the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps Act, Hirono said, "The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps bill included in the Natural Resources Management Act supports programs like KUPU that seek to nurture the next generation of environmental stewards.

KUPU volunteers experience traditional Hawaiian salt gathering

from pukas in the rocks at Kāwā. Photo from Nā Mamo O Kāwā

"In testimony before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee last Congress, KUPU's CEO John Leong spoke to the transformative impact of participating in a conservation corps program. He cited two inspiring examples of Corps members who have gone on to do meaningful work in the environmental and conservation space.

"He shared the story of Jon Brito from Molokai, who was awarded the White House Champion of Change award in the years following his participation in KUPU programming and who has since chosen a career in conservation.

"Another KUPU Corps participant, Justine Espiritu, recently helped to launch Honolulu's popular and revolutionary Biki bike share.

"More young adults in Hawaiʻi and across the country will have their own transformative experiences if we pass this legislation."

On passing the National Volcano and Early Warning and Monitoring System Act, Hirono testified:

"Last year, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory was instrumental in studying and responding to the three-month-long eruption of Kīlauea.

Students build traditional shelters with KUPU. Photo from KUPU

"This eruption devastated a number of communities – destroying more than 700 homes and displacing thousands of people, including United States Geological Survey staff and scientists who operated out of the HVO facility in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park.

"Over the coming months and years, impacted homes, farms, and even the observatory will need to be rebuilt. At the same time, it will be critically important to have the most updated monitoring and communication technology to alert and protect impacted communities from future events.

"Our legislation will unify and connect the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory with the other four observatories across the country into one National Volcano Early Warning System.

"It will also create a Volcano Watch Office that will operate 24-hours a day, seven days a week, to provide continuous situational awareness of all active volcanoes in the U.S.and its territories, including Kīlauea and Mauna Loa in Hawaiʻi.

"Our legislation will also create a grant program for the research and development of emerging technologies for volcano monitoring," said Hirono.

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

THE 2019 HAWAIʻI LEGISLATURE IS CONSIDERING MORE THAN 3,000 BILLS in the House of Representatives and Senate. To review bills and testify on the Legislature's website, go to Reports and Lists page, and click on the first two links.

Hawaiʻi Legislature's website, capitol.hawaii.gov, provides each bill with its own webpage. Learn about a bill's status, history, title, any companion bill in House or Senate. Find out who introduced the bill. Check on hearing notices, reports, testimonies, and the ability to submit testimony if a hearing has been scheduled. Search for the names of Kaʻū's legislators – Sen. Dru Kanuha, Sen. Russell Ruderman, Rep. Richard Onish, and Rep. Richard Creagan – to learn about the bills they introduced and other bills they support.

Search for bills, by number, by subject, or by words in the bill. Sign up for hearing notices, ask for a hearing, and keep an eye on deadlines at capitol.hawaii.gov. Certain bills not passed this year can become "zombie bills," with another opportunity for testimony and passage next year.

Learn more at Hawai‘i Legislature's Public Access Room. PAR is open Monday through Friday, through May 1, 7:45 a.m. to 6 p.m., and offers nonpartisan support to the public.

Meet the PAR team:

- Keanu Young is in his fifth session as year-round Assistant Coordinator of PAR. He worked at the State House of Representatives and Honolulu City Council for several years beforehand. When he is not at work, said Young, he enjoys stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, and watching Korean Dramas.

Public Access Room team members: Keanu Young, Allison Chai, Olivia Perkins, and Virginia Beck. Photo from PAR

- Allison Chai is on the PAR team for the 2019 session as a Legislative Research Assistant. After completing her Bachelor's degree in Natural Science from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, she worked in the medical field as well as at a local nonprofit, assisting with Kīlauea lava recovery efforts. Chai recently moved to Oʻahu and said she enjoys the city life of Honolulu, hiking the valleys and ridges, biking through traffic, and exploring all the beaches and cheap eats.

- Olivia Peterkin joined the PAR team as a Legislative Research Assistant for the 2019 session. She grew up in Kalihi Valley before earning her bachelor's degrees in Journalism and International Peace Studies from the University of Missouri. She said she hopes to leverage her position as an assistant researcher as a way to invest in the community, teach others about the legislative process, and become a more informed citizen. Peterkin said she loves spicy food, live jazz music, and haggling at open-air markets.

- Virginia Beck said she continues to enjoy her role as the Coordinator of PAR. She's been working with the office for more than ten years after serving with various government and university offices. She earned a master's degree in public administration.

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 WEATHER ALERT FOR KAʻŪ FOR THIS WEEKEND was issued this evening by the National Weather Service. The alert includes the southern Big Island, North and East Kohala, and the interior, including Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea summits. NWS predicts "strong winds and coastal flooding" due to "a powerful low pressure system" moving toward the islands form the north. The low "will send a large swell toward the islands that will impact exposed north and west facing shores. Expect dangerously high seas and surf from late Friday through Sunday night, with the threat of significant coastal flooding and beach erosion that could damage infrastructure and property. While the details and exact timing remain uncertain, the low will bring the potential for strong and damaging north to northwest winds Friday through the weekend. These winds would be strongest over ridges and mountaintops, and where they accelerate downslope.
"If you have outdoor plans for the weekend, be prepared for very windy conditions. If your plans include marine activities, you may want to consider postponing them."

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SPEAK NOW ANTI-BULLYING MOBILE APPLICATION is available to middle and high school students at Kaʻū High and Pāhala Elementary. Hawaiʻi Department of Education introduced the app, which is a reporting tool "that will provide another mechanism for students to report incidents of bullying on DOE campuses, transportation, and during DOE-sponsored activities that they have either experienced or witnessed," says an announcement on the school's website.

"This Speak Now App does not replace the positive and trusting relationships that students have with campus educators and staff;" says the announcement. "We continue to encourage students to report bullying incidents to their teachers, counselors, and administrators."

In order to report a bullying incident on the Speak Now App, students will need to download the app from Apple iTunes or the Google Play Store. Students may also go to speaknowhidoe.com, using an internet browser to submit a tip.

A student is not required to submit any personally identifiable information in order to use Speak Now. Personally identifiable information will only be accessible through Speak Now if a student voluntarily includes it within the content of an incident report.

For instructions on how to use the Speak Now app, go to speaknowhidoe.com, and/or watch the informational video at speaknowhidoe.com/Video/media/Video.mp4.
Speak Now is just one piece of the Hawaiʻi Department of Education's anti-bullying approach: hawaiipublicschools.org/BeyondTheClassroom/SafeSchools/AntiBullyingWork/Pages/home.aspx.

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HAWAIʻI VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK continues its tradition of sharing Hawaiian culture, After Dark in the Park talks, and stewardship programs during February 2019. Visitors are encouraged to check the Park's online calendar of events, and look for program flyers posted after 9:30 a.m. on the bulletin board at Kīlauea Visitor Center.

NPS Volunteer Marius Arigot removing invasive Himalayan ginger

during a Stewardship at the Summitprogram. NPS Photo/J. Ferracane

Park programs are free, but entrance fees apply. Some programs are co-sponsored by Friends of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawai‘i Pacific Parks Association. Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:
Stewardship of Kīpukapuaulu: Help remove troublesome plants at Kīpukapuaulu, home to diverse native forest and understory plants. Bring clippers or pruners, sturdy gloves, a hat, and water. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can be permanently stained from morning glory sap. Be prepared for cool and wet, or hot and sunny, weather. New volunteer? Contact Marilyn Nicholson for more info: nickem@hawaii.rr.com. Meet at the Kīpukapuaulu parking lot, Mauna Loa Road, off Highway 11 in the Park, every Thursday at 9:30 a.m., Feb. 7, 14, 21, and 28.
Stewardship at the Summit: Volunteer to help remove invasive, non-native plant species that prevent native plants from growing in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, a World Heritage Site. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks, and water. Gloves and tools are provided. Under 18? Parental or guardian accompaniment or written consent is required. Visit the Park website for additional planning details. Meet project leaders Paul and Jane Field at Kīlauea Visitor Center in February at 8:45 a.m. on Friday 8 or 15, or Saturday 23.
A Walk into the Past with Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar: Walk back to 1912, and meet the founder of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Dr. Thomas A. Jaggar, at the edge of Kīlauea Volcano. Dressed in period costume, Ka‘ū actor-director Dick Hershberger brings the renowned geologist to life. Dr. Jaggar will lead a tour of his tiny lab located below the Volcano House to see original seismograph equipment and other early instruments.

Members of the ‘Aha Pūhala o Puna weaving club show park visitors how to weave

leaves (lau) of the pandanus plant (hala) into simple ornamental designs. NPS Photo

Learn what motivated Dr. Jaggar to dedicate his life to the study of Hawaiian volcanoes, and how his work helps save lives today. Program includes climbing stairs and entering a confined space. Supported by the Kīlauea Drama Entertainment Network (KDEN). Space is limited; pick up a free ticket at the Kīlauea Visitor Center's front desk the day of the program. Each performance is about an hour on Tuesdays: Feb. 12, 19, and 26, at 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m.
Climbing Waterfalls: Freshwater Fauna of the Pacific Islands: Learn about the unique underwater world of streams in Hawai‘i, Guam, and American Sāmoa, and the amazing animals that call them home. These animals have special adaptations that allow them to live part of their life in the ocean and even climb 400-foot waterfalls. Join Anne Farahi of the National Park Service's Inventory & Monitoring program to learn more about long-term monitoring of these important ecosystems. Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Tuesday, Feb. 12, 7 p.m.
Lau Hala Weaving Demonstration: Learn to weave lau hala with leaves (lau) from the ‘Aha Pūhala o Puna weaving club. Hawaiians have used the hala (pandanus) tree for centuries to create many useful and beautiful items. Come create and take home a small piece of lau hala art. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes'‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops. Kīlauea VisitorCenter lānai, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 10 a.m. to noon.

Making and spinning the hū, or kukui nut top,

is a popular Hawaiian pastime. NPS Photo

Volcanoes at the Movies: Join volcanologists Cheryl Gansecki and Ken Hon from the University of Hawaiʻi-Hilo as they examine - and possibly make fun of - the history of volcanoes portrayed in the movies. From The Last Days of Pompeii to Mount Doom and beyond, how realistic are cinematic volcanic eruptions? How likely is lava in Los Angeles, or New York? What is it with flaming rocks, anyway? And why do they explode? Come be entertained and learn a little more about both genuine and completely faked volcanic phenomena. Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m.
Hū (kukui nut top) Demonstration: Early Hawaiians devoted much of their time to games, amusements and relaxing. Top spinning was an absorbing activity for children and making hū was equally engaging. Join rangers and staff from Hawaiʻi Pacific Parks Association as they share their knowledge and love of this popular Hawaiian traditional art. Part of Hawai‘i Volcanoes'‘Ike Hana No‘eau, Experience the Skillful Work, workshops. Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m. to noon.

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.

MILOLIʻI-KAʻŪ JRS. VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT, to benefit Miloliʻi-Kaʻū teams, happens at Kaʻū District Gym this weekend, Feb. 9 and 10. The public is invited to show support and enjoy the play in this third annual tournament.
Teams playing are Miloliʻi-Kaʻū, Cuzins I, Cuzins II, Cuzins Girls, Cuzins Co-Ed, Mau Loa, Cuzins 14 Boys, and Cuzins 16. The tournament levels run from 10s through 16s.
Entry fees are $50 per team, slots may still be open. Contact Kaʻimi at 937-1310, Landa at 443-7133, or Tene at 333-7232.

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.

TROJAN BOYS VOLLEY BALL IS RAISING MONEY with an invitational tournament on Friday, Feb. 15. The funding will help the team fly to Maui for a preseason tournament, beginning Friday, Feb. 22.
The Feb. 15 tournament at Kaʻū District Gym will see the Trojans hosting Kamehameha teams from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island as well as teams from Kealakeke and Pāhoa High Schools.
Donations can be sent to Kaʻū High School, c/o Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777, with the notation "Boys Volleyball Tournament on Maui."

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

LEARN TO DECORATE FRESH GOURD with examples of ancient Hawaiian motif. Olivia Ling, three time recipient of Hawaiian Culture and the Arts: Artist/apprenticeship program, is offering a one-day class with instruction on how to dye fresh gourd, using island plant dyes. Limited to 5 students, call 929-8174 to reserve your spot. Class date will be either Saturday, Feb. 9 or 16. Meet in Greensand subdivision community park, 9 a.m. until pau.

Cost is $25.00 plus $10 for a "large, not quite perfect, round gourd," says Ling. "The seed and traits are very Polynesian, probably from Tahiti, so you will get good seed when pau."

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, FEBRUARY 8

15th Annual Love the Arts Fundraiser, 50th Anniversary of Woodstock, Sat., Feb. 9, 5-9pm, Volcano Art Center. Funds raised support classes, exhibits, workshops, and programs at Volcano Art Center. Music, gourmet buffet, and fine wines and brews. Live and silent auctions. $55/VAC member, $65/non-member. 967-8222, volcanoartcenter.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Women's Wave meets the 2nd Sunday of the month, 2 p.m., at Punaluʻu bakery. Feb. 10 topic is expected to be comparing Women's Walk stories.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Free STD Testing, Mon., Feb. 11, 9-noon, 2nd Monday, monthly, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Card, Tue., Feb. 12, 2:45-3:30pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 Feb. 4-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING

The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

Panaʻewa Stampede takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. See HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.

Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through March 15. The position, through FoodCorps, is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020, at Pāhala Elementary School.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

, email biokepamoses@gmail.com, or call 808-731-5409.

The many breadfruits of Polynesia, including ʻUlu of Hawaiʻi, are the subject of the creation of teaching
programs in the schools. See story below. Image from National Tropical Botanical Gardens

PROJECT FOOTPRINT is an initiative of Hawaiʻi Electric Light Co. and its sister utilities around the state. Project Footprint rewards customers for reducing their carbon footprint and helping to build a more sustainable Hawaiʿi. It also seeks to support organizations committed to preservation and sustainability, with deep ties to Kaʻū. They include: The Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, Hawaiʻi Island Land Trust, KUPU, and Polynesian Voyaging Society.

Also supported are Mālama Learning Center, Biki, and Institute for Climate and Peace.
Artists – young and old – are also invited to submit footprint artwork and share what inspires them to reduce their carbon footprint.
An announcement from the utilities, says, "The companies are committed to the state's goal of achieving 100 percent renewables by 2045 and have reduced the use of fossil fuels by 27 percent. Project Footprint encourages customers to take their own steps to help improve the environment and falls in line with the state law enacted last year that aims to make Hawaiʿi carbon neutral by 2045."

Rewards are offered for each of the program's carbon-reducing activities. They include a T-shirt made of 100 percent recycled materials, a 17-ounce double-wall stainless steel water bottle, a portable solar-powered charger with built-in flashlight and $50 worth of free charging at Hawaiian Electric Companies' vehicle charging stations. Individual customers can earn rewards for signing up for paperless billing and automatic bill payment, purchasing or leasing an electric vehicle, installing private rooftop solar, and more.

Carbon-reducing steps must be completed in 2019. For example, drivers must purchase or lease an electric vehicle this year to claim a reward for an EV purchase under Project Footprint.

To learn more, visit HawaiianElectric.com/Footprint.

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"NO ONE IN THE COUNTRY MORE THAN THE PEOPLE OF HAWAIʻI UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE THREAT COMING FROM NORTH KOREA," said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. She was interviewed on MSNBC's Morning Joe yesterday, which started off with a clip from the State of the Union, Pres. Donald Trump announcing his scheduled meeting with North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un on Feb. 26 and 27.

Gabbard stated the Jan. 13, 2018, false missile alert, broadcast to every phone, radio, and TV in the state, had "families piling their kids in to the car, driving to a cave to try to find shelter – a father who was lowering his daughter down a manhole cover to try to keep her safe, knowing that there were just minutes to live… We are at a greater risk of nuclear catastrophe today than ever before." She said that Trump should have continued negotiation efforts to denuclearize the Korean peninsula. She also noted the potential nuclear threat also comes from China and Russia.

Gabbard garnered some comments after bringing to the State of the Union female Syrian Kurdish leader Ilham Ahmed – who is also Co-President of the Syrian Democratic Council.
When asked whether the Kurdish leader approved of Gabbard's meeting with the Kurd's enemy, the leader of Syria in 2017, Gabbard said she and Ahmed agreed that it is ok to meet "with adversaries or potential adversaries – not just our friends – if we are serious about the pursuit of peace."

During the interview Wednesday, Gabbard reinforced her position that the U.S.should stay out of Syria's civil war. "Many troops I hear from express frustration at the fact that our country continues to wage senseless, costly regime-change wars followed by nation-building missions leading to situations like we see in Afghanistan. So many examples of our troops being deployed, their lives put on the line, without understanding what the clear mission or objective is and how that mission actually serves the security of the American people and the United States."

Tulsi Gabbard on Morning Joe, opposing wars that
change government regimes.
Photo from MSNBC

The United Nations reports finding evidence that Assad committed war crimes – including using chemical weapons on Syrians – during the Syrian Civil War. Assad has rejected those allegations and criticized the U.S. for attempting regime change. When asked if she believed Assad used chemical weapons, Gabbard said, "I certainly think it's possible." Gabbard met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during an unannounced trip to Syriain January, 2017.

Gabbard was asked if Assad is an adversary to the U.S."Assad is not the enemy of the United States because Syriadoes not pose a direct threat to the United States." She said it was important to look at who poses a threat to the U.S., and how interests differ from those of the U.S.When asked if she thought Assad was a good person, Gabbard said no.

She did say Russian President Vladimir Putin was an adversary to the U.S.

Gabbard said she was running for the presidency because "the American people are suffering" due to "Washington and this president's self-serving interests and corporate greed." She said she wanted to "bring those values, of service before self, of respect and integrity and honor, back to the White House."See the interview.

Ōhāhā High School Ag Program deepens connection of students
with ʻāina and local food production. Photo from Kohala Center

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A HIGH SCHOOL AGRICULTURE PROGRAM is open for applications through March 14. The koha.la/ohaha or call The Kohala Center at 808-887-6411.

KohalaCenter'sŌhāhāHigh School Ag Program is open for the Spring 2019 session. "High school students and recent grads will deepen their connection with ʻāina and local food production, learn about educational and career opportunities in agriculture, and receive a VISA gift card for up to $125 for successfully completing the program," says a notice from the Kohala Center.

DUE TO GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, U.S.D.A. FARM SERVICE AGENCY deadlines are extended for many programs. Several disaster assistance programs are affected, including the noninsured crop disaster assistance program and livestock indemnity program. Refer to the agency's recent newsletter for more information and a list of current program deadlines.

Breadfruit as part of the school lunch program.
Photo from Department of Education

HAWAI‘I FARM TO SCHOOL HUI and Hawai‘i ‘Ulu Cooperative are partnering to develop a resource packet for teachers wanting to incorporate ‘ulu (breadfruit) into their P-20 lesson plans for the garden, classroom, or cafeteria. The public is invited to share project ideas, recipes, videos, lesson plans, and curriculum by uploading them online. The deadline to respond is Feb. 15. Contact Dana Shapiro at info@eatbreadfruit.com or 808-238-8869 with questions.

SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY FOOD SYSTEMS is a new undergraduate program at West Oʻahu Community College. Undergraduates pursuing a degree in applied sciences may select to focus their studies on sustainable community food systems. Some of the required classes are offered online.

This program is designed to span traditional disciplinary boundaries through a comprehensive course of study of the ecology of the food system. Refer to the program flyer for more information, or contact Albie Miles at albie@hawaii.edu or 808-689-2376.

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Today's morning quake occurred at the base of Day Seamount,

underwater volcano, southwest of South Point.

Image from USGS

A 4.6 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE shook the ocean floor at 9:06 a.m., with an epicenter about 52 miles (84 km) southwest of South Point, at a depth of about 17 miles (27 km), at base of Day Seamount.

U.S. Geological Survey released a report, stating that the maximum intensity level IV, felt as far away as Oʻahu, was not expected to do damage to buildings. More than 90 "Did you feel it?" reports flowed into the USGS.

USGS stated the quake made no detectable changes in Kīlauea or Mauna Loa; it was likely caused by an oceanic plate bending under the weight of the Hawaiian Islands, a common cause of quakes in the region. Aftershocks, says USGS, are possible.

Comments from residents in Ocean View cropped up immediately on Facebook, with "felt here" reports, but no reports of damage.

PacificTsunamiWarningCenterreports there is no tsunami threat from the quake.

Learn more at volcanoes.usgs.gov/observatories/hvo/hvo_earthquakes.html.

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TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL team played hard in their HHSAA Division II Tournament game against University Lab last night at Kalani High's gym in Honolulu. The Trojans didn't go down without a fight: Reishalyn Jara led Kaʻū with a game-high of 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting, and grabbed six rebounds, while freshman Heidi Vidal added 12 points and nine rebounds, according Hawaiʻi Tribune Herald.

However, the Trojans suffered 29 turnovers and shot just 25 percent, reports the Tribune Herald. Halftime saw the BIIF fourth place Trojans with a solid tie, 22 to 22, but the third saw UL with an 11-point lead. UL won over Kaʻū by 14, at 54-40.

Kaʻū came back strong today. The home team took on Kamehameha Schools Hawaiʻi, which fell 44-28 to Hanalani. The Trojans ladies killed it, ending the first quarter behind by 2 points, 5 to 7, but rallying hard, leading the rest of the game, ending with 46 over Kamehameha's 35.

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

HIP HOP RETURNS TO KAʻŪ with Mr. Kneel, educational music artist and professional beat boxer, who raps about math, Dr. Seuss rhymes, and other educational material. Homeschool Co-op has invited Mr. Kneel back to entertain and educate during the group's next meeting on President's Day - a school holiday - Monday, Feb. 18 at 1 p.m., at OceanViewCommunity Center. Keiki and their families are invited to attend, whether attending private or public school, or homeschooled.
Neil McIntyre - stage name Mr. Kneel - is an awarding-winning Hip Hop musician and educator. He engages audiences with animal sounds, guessing games, plays on words, and beatboxing sounds, while encouraging dancing, Simon Says, and other interactions.

Keiki joined in a Hip Hop for Families event at Nāʻālehu

Library last September. Join Mr. Kneel on Monday,

Feb. 18. Photo by Geneveve Fyvie

According to mrkneel.com, Mr. Kneel's "work at Warren Village in Denver, Colorado, a very special inner-city school, has led to a new kind of family music: 'Golden Era Hip Hop' music that parents will love as much as their kid, if not more. With Beatbox and vocal percussion, Mr. Kneel can make magic and emotion. With words he can create and improvise well enough to be invited recently to perform at the AmericanJazzMuseum!"

He has performed at over 500 schools and venues in 43 of the United Statesand in seven provinces abroad.

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, FEBRUARY 8

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit: Dental, Wed., Feb. 13, 8-5pm. Medical, Thu., Feb. 28, 1-5pm. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Feb. 13 and 27, 2-3:30pm, 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly, PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Free. Registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Love Bugs, Wed., Feb. 13, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 4-12. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Feb. 14, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Valentine's Day Buffet, Thu., Feb. 14, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib au Jus, Lemon Butter Ono w/Tropical Salsa, and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/adult, $14.95/child, ages 6-11. No reservations required. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. 967-8356

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Feb. 14, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

ONGOING

The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament happens Saturday, Feb. 16, at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. Organized by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, the event doubles as a canned food drive.

Applications are available at the event, and 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.

Registration at the event is open from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Welcome, rules, and distribution of poles and bait from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Keiki, aged one to 14 years old, can fish from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. A free lunch for all is available at noon, then awards and prizes are distributed at 1 p.m. Every participant gets a prize. For more information, call Guy Enriques, 217-2253, or Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773. See okaukakou.org.

Panaʻewa Stampede takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, Saturday through Monday, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. See HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.

Email tmarques@yahoo.com.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.

Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through March 15. The position, through FoodCorps, is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020, at Pāhala Elementary School.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

KauCoffeeFestival.com.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

; or call 808-731-5409.

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Strong language for a strong storm headed into Hawaiʻi, as pictured above from satellite imagery. See story below.
Image from NOAA

"DON'T BE AFRAID. BE OPTIMISTIC," is Sen. Brian Schatz's message for Hawaiʻi and the United Stateson moving to 100 percent clean energy. Schatz wrote a multiple tweet thread on the subject, yesterday:

Sen. Brian Schatz

"When Hawaiʻi started its clean energy program in 1998 we had a weak but aspirational law to try to double clean energy. It was attacked by the utility and the biz community as too much too soon, and by green groups as too little. But, it was a start.

"Something pretty incredible happened. We hit our targets. We exceeded our targets. The price of electricity went down, not up. We brought in investors, & small businesses thrived. The building trades liked it. A lot. So, we got more ambitious, a plan with teeth, and bigger goal.

"Then, the same thing kept happening. Every time we raised the number, we kept exceeding the number! And prices went down, not up. So, now we've got our local biz leaders loving it, selling it, and everyone's bought in.

"A couple of years ago the legislature made a law for 100 percent clean energy generation. Even the utility company likes it, because they are transforming. What I am saying is this can be done, and it must be done. Don't be afraid. Be optimistic. Americacan figure this out."

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Rep. Richard Onishi

A BILL ON DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAXES unanimously passed the state House Committee on Tourism & International Affairs on Tuesday, Feb. 5. Rep. Richard Creagan, who represents west Kaʻū, and Rep. Richard Onishi, who represents east Kaʻū, co-sponsored the bill.

Rep. Richard Creagan

House Bill 419 states a county is eligible for funds from the state to enforce laws relating to transient accommodations and short-term vacation rentals. However, "no funds shall be released to a county until it has satisfactorily complied with specified conditions," which include counties able to submit reports about transient accommodations to the state. The bill would allow "an allocation" from TAT revenues. The bill next goes to the House

Sen. Russell Ruderman

committee on Finance.
Senate Bill 480, submitted by Sen. Russell Ruderman, along with companion bill HB642, would allow "agricultural tourism activities including short-term vacation rentals in counties with a population between 150,000 and 500,000," which would cover Hawaiʻi county. SB460, cosponsored by Ruderman, "Requires the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority to develop a list of unit addresses, including housing units and rental units marketed to the visitor industry for occupancy, and to post the list on its website."

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"HAMMAJANG," a Hawaiian Pidgin adjective meaning "in a disorderly or shambolic state," is one of more than 600 new regional words and phrases added to the Oxford English Dictionary. The Dictionary is asking the public to help it mine the regional differences of English around the world to expand its record of the language.

Last year, a collaboration between OED, the BBC, and Forward Arts Foundation to find and define local English words resulted in the expansion. OED is widening its search to English speakers around the world, with associate editor Eleanor Maier calling the early response "phenomenal."

"Regional words indicate that their users come from a particular place and often contribute to one's sense of identity," said Maier in an interview with The Guardian. "The OED aims to cover all types of English, including standard English, scientific and technical vocabulary, literary words, slang, and regionalisms. So it's important to include these words to enable us to present a picture of the English language in all its forms."

Maier wrote online that the word's origin was unknown, but it could be related to the Hawaiian word for inept, "hemahema," and possibly combined with Pidgin "junk," meaning "bad." She says the earliest example of "hammajang" was in a short story published in 1988.

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STUDYING GEOLOGY to determine the probable length of volcanic eruptions is where this week's Volcano Watch, written by U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists and affiliates, is focused:

Geology of the past, how long will the eruption last?

The 2018 lower East Rift Zone eruption of Kīlauea brought an end to the 35+ year eruption at Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō. With the draining of the summit and the collapse of Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, Puna residents were concerned that the eruption in the LERZ could be long-lived.
Fissure 8 reactivates in late May and becomes the dominant vent in the LERZ eruption.

Fissure 8 reactivates in late May and becomes the dominant vent in the LERZ eruption. USGS photo

     How could we evaluate, at that time, how long the eruption would last? Geologic investigations work under the premise that the key to the future is found in the past. By investigating past eruptions, we learn the way a volcano is likely to behave in the future.
     We looked at the geology of Kīlaueato see what we could learn about past eruptive behavior. Along the east rift zone are features, such as lava shields, that are indicative of long-lived eruptions. These include Maunaulu, Kānenuiohamo, Pu‘u ‘Ō‘ō, Kupaianaha, and Heiheiahulu (above the Black Sands subdivision). These all occur in the upper and middle parts of the East Rift Zone. Where are the lava shields in the LERZ? There are none.
     Large cones reveal past eruptions along the LERZ, but most of the eruptive vents are small and are hidden by the lush vegetation. All the cones and fissure vents erupted flows of only limited extent and are small when compared to the flow fields created by the shields.
     The limited extent of the flows infers that the eruptions lasted for a relatively short period of time – but how short? Adopting a broad perspective, we analyzed how past eruptions could guide us to estimate how long the 2018 eruption could last.
     Using historical information from LERZ eruptions in 1840, 1955, 1960, and 1961, we were able to calculate the average eruption rate (or flux) from the volume and duration. The flux values for 1840, 1955, 1960, and 1961, respectively, are 91, 12, 36, and 8 cubic meters per second. How does this information help us assess prehistoric eruption characteristics?

Puʻu ʻŌʻō from the north rim today, at about noon. USGS HVO scientists report clouds seen rising from the crater

are probably rockfall plumes. USGS photo from webcam

     For prehistoric eruptions where we lacked information on eruption rate and duration, we compiled lava flow areas. To estimate the volume of erupted material, we compiled the mappable area, estimated how much more area may have been covered by later flows, and finally multiplied the "corrected" area by an average thickness of 7 m (23 ft), based on drill hole data.
     For flow area correction, we assumed that flows 200-400 years old had 25% of the original flow buried by younger flows and that flows 400-750 years old had half – 50% – of their original surface covered.
     Why do we need the corrected volume of the prehistoric flows? We can use the volume of the prehistoric flows to provide constraints on eruption duration. To do this, we divided the correct prehistoric flow volume by a range of historic fluxes to arrive at the duration – the number of days – the prehistoric eruptions could have lasted.
     In our analyses, we threw out the high and low flux values and used the intermediate values to calculate the eruption duration. Why discard the highest and lowest effusion rates? By the time we conducted this assessment, the 2018 eruption had already been going on for almost one month and the shortest eruption (1961) lasted only one day and the highest rate resulted in duration of about 20 days. Using the flux information from the 1955 and 1960 eruptions, we calculated an eruption duration range of 51 to 155 days. The 2018 eruption lasted 124 days.

Mauna Loa's Mokuʻāweoweo Caldera, from the south rim

today, remains quiet. USGS photo from webcam

Although we could not discount that the eruption may last for years, this geologic look at prior LERZ eruptions – along with the absence of shields, the modest flow fields, and the smaller eruptive volumes of prior events – all point to activity of limited duration. By using prehistoric geologic information garnered from geologic mapping, the key to the future was to look at the past; our analysis provided a valuable guide on how long the 2018 eruption would last.

Volcano Activity Update

     Kīlaueais not erupting. Rates of seismicity, deformation, and gas release have not changed significantly over the past week.
     There were 2 events with 3 or more felt reports in the Hawaiian Islands during the past week. On Feb. 4 at 7:40 p.m., a magnitude-2.6 earthquake occurred 11 km (7 mi) northwest of VolcanoVillage at a depth of 9 km (5.8 mi) below sea level. On Feb. 7, at 9:06 a.m., a magnitude-4.6 earthquake occurred offshore 85 km (53 mi) southwest of Hawaiian Ocean View at a depth of 27 km (16.7 mi) below sea level.
     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.
      Hazardous conditions still exist at both the lower ERZ and summit. Residents in the lower Puna District and Kīlaueasummit areas on the Island of Hawai‘i should stay informed and heed Hawai‘i CountyCivil Defense closures, warnings, and messages, hawaiicounty.gov/active-alerts.
     USGS Volcano Alert level for Mauna Loa remains at NORMAL.

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VERY STRONG WINDS, AND POSSIBLE COASTAL FLOODING THIS WEEKEND, predicts the National Weather Service, which issued another statement today for the entire Kaʻū region, from the coast to the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Keavolcanoes. The alert is for much of the state:

"An unusually strong storm system will move toward the islands from the north over the weekend, bringing with it multiple weather hazards. The storm will send a powerful swell toward the islands that will impact exposed north and west facing shores with very high surf.

"Additionally, the combination of strong onshore winds and high surf will increase the potential for significant coastal flooding that could lead to property damage, road closures, and beach erosion.

"The storm system will also bring strong and potentially damaging north to northwest winds to the island chain, particularly Saturday night through Sunday evening. While these winds are expected to be strongest over ridges and mountaintops, they will also accelerate downslope, impacting heavily populated areas. In addition, intense, fast moving rain showers or squalls may bring very strong and damaging winds as the storm makes its closest approach.

"If you have outdoor plans for the weekend, be prepared for very windy conditions. If your plans include marine activities, you may want to consider postponing them."

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Trojans Girls Basketball team today at the McKinleyHigh School's

StanSheriffCenter on Oʻahu. Photo from Kaʻū Athletics

KAʻŪ TROJANS GIRLS BASKETBALL finished at the HHSAA Division II tournament today. The Trojans ladies went up against the Waipahu Mauraders in a "consolation" game, where they played hard for their 38 points. Waipahuwon at 52.

Trojans Boys Basketball travel for their HHSAA Division II tournament on MauiFeb. 21 through 23. They are fundraising with an invitation tournament Friday, Feb. 15. See below for more details.

MILOLIʻI-KAʻŪ JRS. VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT, to benefit Miloliʻi-Kaʻū teams, happens at Kaʻū District Gym tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 9 and Sunday, Feb. 10. The public is invited to show support and enjoy the play in this third annual tournament.
Teams playing are Miloliʻi-Kaʻū, Cuzins I, Cuzins II, Cuzins Girls, Cuzins Co-Ed, Mau Loa, Cuzins 14 Boys, and Cuzins 16. The tournament levels run from 10s through 16s.
Contact Kaʻimi at 937-1310, Landa at 443-7133, or Tene at 333-7232.

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:

Feb. 6-9, Wed.-Sat., HHSAA

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 9, Sat., @BIIF @Keaʻau

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

Soccer:

Feb. 7-9, Thu.-Sat., Boys HHSAA

Swimming:

Feb. 8-9, Fri.-Sat., HHSAA

Feb. 9, Sat., Oʻahu

NEW and UPCOMING

NĀʻĀLEHU CELEBRATES CRAFT MONTH with open crafting for all ages, while supplies last. Crafting starts off at 3 p.m. each Thursday in February. Free. Contact Sara Kamibayashi at (808) 939-2442 for more.

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9
Pancake Breakfast and Raffle, Sat., Feb. 9, 8-11am, Ocean View Community Center. To volunteer, call 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Nā Mamo O Kāwā ʻOhana Work Day, Sat., Feb. 9, meet 9:30am, Northern Gate, Kāwā. RSVP to James Akau, jakau@nmok.org, 561-9111. nmok.org, facebook.com/namamo.
kawa

1st Acton Children's Business Fair, Sat., Feb. 9, 10-1pm, River of Life Assembly of God, 96-2345 Paauau St., Pāhala. Support young on-island entrepreneurs in this one day marketplace for keiki ages 7 to 18 and their personal businesses selling their own brands, products, or services. childrensbusinessfair.org

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Card, Tue., Feb. 12, 2:45-3:30pm, Kahuku Park, H.O.V.E. Register keiki ages 6-12 Feb. 4-8. Free. 929-9113, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Feb. 12, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit: Dental, Wed., Feb. 13, 8-5pm. Medical, Thu., Feb. 28, 1-5pm. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Feb. 13 and 27, 2-3:30pm, 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly, PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Free. Registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Love Bugs, Wed., Feb. 13, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 4-12. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Feb. 14, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Valentine's Day Buffet, Thu., Feb. 14, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib au Jus, Lemon Butter Ono w/Tropical Salsa, and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/adult, $14.95/child, ages 6-11. No reservations required. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. 967-8356

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Feb. 14, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
PATCH Class #428, Building Emotional Literacy, Fri., Feb. 15, 8-11am, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

ONGOING

Miloliʻi-Kaʻū Jrs. Volleyball Tournament, to benefit Miloliʻi-Kaʻū teams, happens at Kaʻū District Gym this weekend, Feb. 9 and 10. The public is invited to show support and enjoy the play in this third annual tournament.
Teams playing are Miloliʻi-Kaʻū, Cuzins I, Cuzins II, Cuzins Girls, Cuzins Co-Ed, Mau Loa, Cuzins 14 Boys, and Cuzins 16. The tournament levels run from 10s through 16s. Contact Kaʻimi at 937-1310, Landa at 443-7133, or Tene at 333-7232.

Trojans Boys Volleyball is Raising Money with an invitational tournament on Friday, Feb. 15. The funding will help the team fly to Mauifor a preseason tournament, beginning Friday, Feb. 22.
The Feb. 15 tournament at Kaʻū District Gym will see the Trojans hosting Kamehameha teams from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island as well as teams from Kealakeke and PāhoaHigh Schools.

Donations can be sent to Kaʻū High School, c/o

Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Boys Volleyball Tournament on Maui."

Harry McKee Foundation Scholarships for Kaʻū Students are open through Feb. 15. College bound high school seniors and current college students encouraged to apply for a $1,000 scholarship. Students must be residents of Kaʻū District and plan to attend any accredited college, university, technical institute, or vocational school, anywhere in the U.S. Students must enroll full time in the fall of 2019.

The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament happens Saturday, Feb. 16, at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. Organized by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, the event doubles as a canned food drive.

Panaʻewa Stampede takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, Saturday through Monday, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. See HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.

The community can support the pageant through purchasing tickets, volunteering, and providing scholarships.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.

Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through March 15. The position, through FoodCorps, is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020, at Pāhala Elementary School.

KauCoffeeFestival.com.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

; or call 808-731-5409.

The killing of a False Killer Whale and serious injury of another means that the longline tuna fishing fleet in Hawaiʻi
will be banned from some 112,575 square nautical miles of ocean, called the Southern Exclusion Zone.
See story below. Photo from Marine Mammal Commission

A BILL TO REDUCE DRUNKEN DRIVING passed the Judiciary Committee of the state House of Representatives this week. West Kaʻū Rep. Richard Creagan, who is a physician, supports House Bill 703. Those convicted of Driving Under the Influence would be prohibited from purchasing alcohol and from consuming it in public for three years following conviction or license revocation. It would also define habitual DUI as two or more convictions in a decade and increase fines as well as other penalties. The bill moves to the House Finance Committee.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving supports the definition of habitual DUI and raising fines for repeat offenders. The state Office of the Public Defender opposes the three year prohibition on purchasing alcohol and drinking in public, describing the penalty as "excessive," recommending substance abuse treatment, instead of the stiffer penalty.
See the testimony and read the bill here.

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.

DANGEROUS SURF AND WIND for Hawaiʻi Island is forecast by the National Weather Service to start tomorrow and last for several days.

"Due to the unpredictable nature and extreme danger from high wind and surf," reports County of Hawaiʻi Civil Defense, the following are in effect: Secure all loose objects that may be affected by wind such as canopy tarps and yard furniture that maybe damaged or create a danger to others. Boat and aircraft owners must secure or remove all vessels. All preparations should be completed before nightfall.

Consider postponing or canceling outdoor activity. Low-lying communities such as Miloliʻi are advised to stay alert for possible run-up and coastal erosion.

The following locations are closed: All county and state beach parks and camp sites, including Punaluʻu, Honuʻapo, and Miloliʻi. Also closed are Mauna Kea Recreation Area; Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa Summit Areas; Namakani Paʻio Volcano National Park Camp Ground; Waipio Valley (open to Waipio residents only); and Bayfront Highway in Hilo.

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

THE DEATH OF A FALSE KILLER WHALE and serious injury of another put the Hawaiʻi longline fishing industry beyond the limit allowed this year by the federal government. Environment Hawaiʻi sent out an alert today, saying the National Marine Fisheries Service "determined that the Hawaiʻi deep-set longline fleet, which mainly targets bigeye tuna, killed one false killer whale and seriously injured another within federal waters in January.

False killer whales are protected from longline fishing in Hawaiʻi. Photo from Marine Mammal Commission

"Two is the maximum number of False Killer Whale mortalities or serious injuries allowed in a calendar year under rules intended to minimize the fleet's harm to the protected species." According to Environment Hawaiʻi, "Despite the rules, which were recommended by a federal False Killer Whale take reduction team several years go, the fleet has struggled to reduce its take of the whales."
The killing and the injury in January led to the fishing fleet's loss of access "to a large swath of fishing ground south of the Main Hawaiian Islands, known as the Southern Exclusion Zone, for the second year in a row." The Southern Exclusion Zone encompasses 112,575 square nautical miles.
A teleconference with False Killer whale take reduction team members will be held this Thursday, Feb. 14 to discuss the problem.

Longlines with hooks and bait catch more than tuna. The killing and
seriously injuring of such marine animals as False Killer whales
are limited. Image from hawaii-seafood.org

According to Environment Hawaiʻi, National Marine Fisheries is expected to soon publish a Federal Register notice announcing closure of the fishing grounds for the long liners and keep it closed until reopening is approved by NOAA's Assistant Administrator for Fisheries; or there are no False Killer Whale killings or injuries over the next two years in federal waters that remain open; or NOAA reduces the mortality and serious injury rate; or recent average mortality and serious injury level in the fishery within the open federal waters is determined to be below the sustainable level for the pelagic stock.

See more environmental news of the Hawaiian Islands and donate atEnvironmentHawaii.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.

Alysha Gacayan, age ten, offered her photos, many of them of Kaʻū, during the Children's Business Fair today at River
of Life Church in Pāhala. To buy photos, text Gacayan at 808-315-9800. The Avenue family, above, bought a
turtle image.Photo by Julia Neal

Eli Crook, age eight, makes specialty signs as his business start-up.
For custom signs, text Crook at 808-345-0511. Photo by Julia Neal

YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS CONVERGED ON PĀHALA today to show their stuff to consumers.

During the first Acton Children's Business Fair, products created by keiki ranged from hand made signage to photography of nature and greenhouse flowers, jewelry, variously decorated brands of "slime," and food and drink – from cookies to sweet and sour libations.

The venue was River of Life Church in Pāhala. The program was open to everyone of all faiths. Children who presented their products come from home schooling, VolcanoSchool of the Arts & Sciences, and public schools.

Addy Jensen, age seven, offers photographs of flowers grown at Hawaiian
Flowers on South Point Road., To purchase photos, text Jensen at
808-935-4805. Photo by Julia Neal

Students ran their own booths, booths, accepting money, with some using Square to take credit cards. They explained their ideas, and their execution and pricing, to customers.

The Children's Business Fair is expected to be an annual event, said organizers and parents.

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.

MILOLIʻI-KAʻŪ JRS. VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT, to benefit Miloliʻi-Kaʻū teams, continues at Kaʻū District Gym tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Teams from all over the island in 14 and 16 year old groups will play. The public is invited to show support and enjoy the second day of this third annual tournament.

Today, Miloliʻi-Kaʻū ten year old girls and boys beat Pio Pio Bears from Hilo. Twelve year old Miloliʻi-Kaʻū girls beat Mau Loa girls from Hilo.

Other teams playing included Cuzins I, Cuzins II, Cuzins Girls, and Cuzins Co-Ed.

Contact Kaʻimi at 937-1310, Landa at 443-7133, or Tene at 333-7232.

Kaʻū District Gym is filled today and tomorrow with girls and boys volleyball teams, from all over the island.
The event includes fundraising for the Miloliʻi-Kaʻū team. 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.

TROJANS BOYS VOLLEYBALL IS RAISING MONEY with an invitational tournament on Friday, Feb. 15. The funding will help the team fly to Maui for a preseason tournament beginning Friday, Feb. 22.

The Feb. 15 tournament at Kaʻū District Gym will see the Trojans host Kamehameha teams from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island as well as teams from Kealakeke and Pāhoa High Schools.

Donations can be sent to Kaʻū High School, c/o

Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Boys Volleyball Tournament on Maui."

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.

11th ANNUAL KEIKI FISHING TOURNAMENT happens Saturday, Feb. 16, at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. Organized by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, the event doubles as a canned food drive.

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

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

NEW and UPCOMING

COFFEE TALK AT KAHUKU returns Feb. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Kahuku Unit's VisitorCenter. Honuʻea: The Endangered Hawksbill Turtle of Hawaiʻi Island will be presented by Lauren Kurpita, director of Hawaiʻi Island Hawksbill Recovery Project. She will talk about the difference between hawksbill and green sea turtle species, threats hawksbills encounter, and conservation efforts.

"Honuʻea, or hawksbills, are critically endangered sea turtles, and only 165 nesting females have been documented since tagging began in 1991. Approximately 90 percent of all documented nesting activity in the state has occurred on Hawaiʻi Island," says the event description.

Kurpita started on the Project as a volunteer in 2005, became a field technician in 2010, and Project Director in 2012. She has a BS from SyracuseUniversity in biology, and an MA in secondary science education.

Get to know the Park and neighbors at monthly Coffee Talk events, an informal conversation on a variety of topics. Kaʻū coffee, tea, and pastries are available for purchase. Entrance south of 70.5 mile marker on mauka side of Hwy 11.

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.

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Feb. 13 and 27, 2-3:30pm, 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly, PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Free. Registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Love Bugs, Wed., Feb. 13, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 4-12. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Feb. 14, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Valentine's Day Buffet, Thu., Feb. 14, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib au Jus, Lemon Butter Ono w/Tropical Salsa, and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/adult, $14.95/child, ages 6-11. No reservations required. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. 967-8356

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Feb. 14, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
PATCH Class #428, Building Emotional Literacy, Fri., Feb. 15, 8-11am, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #619, Relationships w/Families in your Family-Centered Care, Fri., Feb. 15, noon-3pm, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament, Sat., Feb. 16, 9-2pm, Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. For keiki 1-14 years. Free. Event day registration open 8-10am. Pre-registration packets available at Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Mizuno Supertte, Pāhala Gas Station, Nā‘ālehu Wiki Wiki Mart, Kahuku Country Market, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Free lunch and prizes. Guy Enriques, 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773. okaukakou.org

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Keala Ching w/Nā Wai Iwi Ola, Sat., Feb. 16, 10:30-11:30am, performance at hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/Wes Awana, Sat., Feb. 16, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Panaʻewa Stampede takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, Saturday through Monday, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. See HawaiiRodeoStampede.com.

Ham Radio Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 2-3pm, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

ONGOING

The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by Feb. 15.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.

Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through March 15. The position, through FoodCorps, is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020, at Pāhala Elementary School.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

KauCoffeeFestival.com.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

; or call 808-731-5409.

Rare fresh water near the shore at Kāwā, preserved on the Kaʻū Coast through the PONC Fund.
Photo by Julia Neal

PONC FUND IS SAFE – for now. On Friday, the Hawaiʻi County Charter Commission, including Kaʻū's Michelle Galimba, voted 5 to 4 to shelve its proposal to reduce funding that conserves land. The Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resources Preservation Commission uses 2.25 percent of real property taxes collected in Hawaiʻi County to purchase and steward special lands for preservation. If the measure passed the Commission, it would have gone to a public vote on the 2020 ballot. It would have lowered PONC's income from 2.25 to one percent and allowed the fund to be suspended by a two-thirds vote of Hawaiʻi County Council.
County Charter Commissioner Paul Hamano introduced the measure, which drew support from Mayor Harry Kim, who said the money is needed for other governmental responsibilities. However, testimony from the public in January was strongly against the bill. East Kaʻū state Senator Russell Ruderman told the Commission: "The people have voted the same way on this issue three times. The people have spoken loudly and clearly, saying that this Land Fund is important… People will start thinking 'No matter what we say or do, it's going to be undone.' Preserving open space is important – we have only one shot at it and once it's gone, it's gone. Stop subverting our democracy. Support the peoples' expressed wish."
Kaʻū lands already conserved with PONC funds are Kahua Olohu in Nā‘ālehu, Kahuku Coastal and Kāwā oceanfront parcels, and 2,013 acres at Waikapuna, including the ahupuaʻa of Kahilipali Iki and Kahilipali Nui.

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.

High winds, up to 54 mph, may affect Hawaiʻi Island
through tomorrow morning. Image from NOAA

HIGH WIND WARNING, GALE WARNING, AND HIGH SURF ADVISORY remain in effect for all of Hawaiʻi Island. The National Weather Service reports onset of wind and waves this morning in some areas. Power outages occurred in Pāhala, Volcano, and other places, with Hawaiʻi Electric Light Co. responding.
The Weather Service cautions: "All persons are advised that the peak period for this storm and impacts are forecast for later tonight, into Monday morning."
Seas may get to 35 feet. All county and state beach parks and campsites remain closed, and South Point Road is closed.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense recommends the public follow these guidelines: Secure outdoor property that may be damaged or cause injury to others. Ocean front residents should be prepared for wave run up due to large surf. Complete all preparations before nightfall.
HELCO asks customers to conserve electricity, especially between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. today. Power outages may occur without warning. Treat downed utility lines as live, stay clear, and notify authorities at (808) 969-6666. Treat flashing or inoperable traffic signal lights as a four-way stop. Minimize opening of refrigerators and freezers to keep items cold. Outage notifications are posted on the company's Twitter account @HIElectric Light with the hashtag #BigIslandOutage.
If on water catchment, store extra water for domestic use and flushing toilets.

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.

Rep. John D. Dingell Jr., being sworn in by Speaker Sam Rayburn in 1955.
Photo from commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1335715

U.S. AND HAWAIʻI STATE FLAGS FLEW AT HALF STAFF through Saturday evening at the order of Gov. David Ige – under a presidential proclamation – in honor of the passing of former U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell Jr., who passed away at the age of 92 on Thursday, Feb. 7.

Dingell, of Michigan, was the longest-serving member of U.S. Congress in the country's history. The Democrat served from Dec. 13, 1955, through Jan. 3, 2015, retiring at age 89. His wife, Debbie Dingell, was elected to serve after him.

According to Wikipedia, Dingell was "instrumental in passage of the Medicare Act, the Water Quality Act of 1965, Clean Water Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the Clean Air Act of 1990, and the Affordable Care Act, among others. He was most proud of his work on the Civil Rights Act of 1964."

Learn more about his life and efforts in Congress at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dingell.

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FOOD SECURITY FOR KEIKI is a program of Boys and GirlsClub of theBigIsland. Local clubs serve Pāhala and Nāʻālehu-Ocean View, where youth receive nutritious snacks before going home for the day.

For some youth, school lunch at 11:30 a.m. may be their last, or only, meal of the day. Hawaiʻi County has the highest percentage of childhood poverty in the state, and the highest percentage of children who qualify for free and reduced school lunch programs. Islandwide, one in three youth who participate in Boys and Girls Club afterschool programs come from a situation of poverty.

Keiki line up for a hot meal. Photo from BGCBI

Boys and Girls Club has developed a support program focused on providing youth members with daily supplemental nutrition, free of charge, in addition to its other activities.
According to a statement from the Club, it costs an estimated $4,500 annually per child to provide effective after-school youth services. "Boys and Girls Club Big Island youth members receive quality enrichment services for only $10 a year. It is through community support that the most underserved community youth are provided with key, developmental opportunities."

Chief Executive Officer Chad Cabral said, "We are providing a lot of good supplemental nutrition that community kids are in need of, but a lot more is required. Only being able to offer what our finances allow as a struggling nonprofit, we need to continue building the capacity to expand our ability to offer kids in-need full hot meals after the school day is done."

More than 200,000 snacks and 28,000 meals have been provided to Boys and Girls Club Big Island youth thanks to the County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development. In 2015, the county provided funding through HUD-Community Development Block Grants, allowing Boys and Girls Club to construct and equip a certified kitchen and covered dining area in Hilo. The Club provides provides free meals after school to community youth. Cabral said, "Our 2019 goal is to build enough capacity to provide all youth members in Pāhoa, Keaʻau, and Kealakehe with daily full meals... this planned expansion will take a coordinated community effort."

Anticipation of a good meal lights up keiki faces.
Photo from BGCBI

While newer to Kaʻū, Boys and Girls Club Big Island has been serving youth development since 1967. Programs in Hilo, Keaʻau, Kealakehe, Pāhala, Pāhoa, and Naʻalehu-Ocean View "offer a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for youth to participate in activities that inspire academic success, healthy lifestyles, and leadership and character building," says the Club's statement.
Helping with the program are: Clark Realty Foundation; County of Hawaiʻi Nonprofit Grants Program; County of Hawaiʻi Office of Housing and Community Development; Enterprise Holdings Foundation; Food Basket; Kamehameha Schools; Hawaiʻi Electric Industries Charitable Foundation; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Pat Giles, Herbert M "Tim" Richards III and the Atherton Family Foundation; Rotary Club of Hilo Bay; and The Max and Yetta Karasik Family Foundation.

To help support the Daily Nutritional Supplementation Program for Youth, contact Gail Hamasu, Resource Development Director at 808-961-5536 or email gail@bgcbi.org.

Miloliʻi-Kaʻū volleyball players did well in a tournament Saturday and
Sunday, with teams from around the island. 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.

MILOLIʻI-KAʻŪ VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT wrapped up today with Miloliʻi-Kaʻū 14 year-old girls taking on the 16 year-old girls from communities afar. Miloliʻi-Kaʻū came in second after Hoʻopa of Kailua-Kona. In the 14 year-old division, Kamehameha School beat Cuzins from Keokaʻa.
See yesterday's Kaʻū News Briefs for the results of the younger team divisions.

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

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

NEW and UPCOMING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Free STD Testing, Mon., Feb. 11, 9-noon, 2nd Monday, monthly, Ocean View Community Center. Sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Health. Call for appt. on different day or time. Teenagers 14+ do not need parent/guardian consent. Always confidential. Free condoms and lube. 895-4927

Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Love Bugs, Wed., Feb. 13, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 4-12. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Feb. 14, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Valentine's Day Buffet, Thu., Feb. 14, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib au Jus, Lemon Butter Ono w/Tropical Salsa, and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/adult, $14.95/child, ages 6-11. No reservations required. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. 967-8356

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Feb. 14, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
PATCH Class #428, Building Emotional Literacy, Fri., Feb. 15, 8-11am, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #619, Relationships w/Families in your Family-Centered Care, Fri., Feb. 15, noon-3pm, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament, Sat., Feb. 16, 9-2pm, Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. For keiki 1-14 years. Free. Event day registration open 8-10am. Pre-registration packets available at Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Mizuno Supertte, Pāhala Gas Station, Nā‘ālehu Wiki Wiki Mart, Kahuku Country Market, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Free lunch and prizes. Guy Enriques, 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773. okaukakou.org

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Keala Ching w/Nā Wai Iwi Ola, Sat., Feb. 16, 10:30-11:30am, performance at hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

ONGOING

Trojans Boys Volleyball is Raising Money with an invitational tournament on Friday, Feb. 15. The funding will help the team fly to Maui for a preseason tournament, beginning Friday, Feb. 22.

The Feb. 15 tournament at Kaʻū District Gym will see the Trojans hosting Kamehameha teams from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island as well as teams from Kealakeke and Pāhoa High Schools.

Donations can be sent to Kaʻū High School, c/o

Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament happens Saturday, Feb. 16, at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. Organized by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, the event doubles as a canned food drive.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.

Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through March 15. The position, through FoodCorps, is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020, at Pāhala Elementary School.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

KauCoffeeFestival.com.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

; or call 808-731-5409.

White-trailed tropicbirds lived at Halemaʻumaʻu throughout last summer's eruption, with deep meaning for
Park Ranger Dean Gallagher who witnessed the quakes and the falling walls of the volcano.
See more below. Image by Dietrich Varez, Volcano Art Center

AN AVIATION NOISE STUDY AIMED AT HELICOPTERS AND PLANES flying over neighborhoods is the goal of Senate Bill 436, which goes to a public hearing this Wednesday, Feb. 13. Introduced by Sen. Russell Ruderman, who represents parts of Puna and Kaʻū, and cosponsored by west Kaʻū Sen. Dru Kanuha and Hilo Sen. Kai Kahele, the bill goes before the senate committee on Agriculture and Environment at 1:25 p.m. at the state Capitol. Public testimony online is welcomed.

SB436 would require the Department of Health, in collaboration with Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Transportation, "to conduct a study on the impacts of aviation noise on residents of the State." It also would provide funds to DOH to conduct the study.
In Hawaiʻi County, complaints have come from citizens in Hilo, Puna, and Kaʻū. Hawaiʻi Island Coalition Malama Pono has organized numerous meetings and campaigns to limit flightseeing to routes that stay away from houses.

Testimony can be submitted at capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=436&year=2019. Testimony received within 24 hours of the hearing will be marked as "late" but may still be reviewed.

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A HIGH SURF WARNING remains in effect for east facing shores, with a High Surf Advisory for west facing shores, reports the National Weather Service. The county Department of Parks and Recreation will keep all county beach parks and camping grounds closed as long as the surf remains a threat, reports Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense.

Winds are trending down as an area of low pressure lifts northeastward and away from the state over the next couple of days. Hawaiʻi Island is under a Wind Advisory, with High Wind Warning for Mauna Loa and Mauna Keasummits, where hurricane force winds continue. Wind speed reached 191 miles per hour on Mauna Kea on Sunday, with snowfall on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, and Haleakala on Maui. Some road closures and power outages were reported on Hawaiʻi Island.

Civil Defense says, "Be alert for poor driving conditions during your morning commute. Residents and beach-goers are advised to stay alert for dangerous ocean and wind conditions."

Call Civil Defense at 935-0031 to make a report of property damage from the wind storm.

The massive storm that brought snow to Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, as well as Haleakala on Maui, with
191 mph winds at Mauna Kea Summit. Image from NASA

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REPORT FARM PROPERTY DAMAGE from this weekend's storm to the USDA Farm Service Agency, advises Andrea Kawabata of University of Hawaiʻi College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. If home, farm, ranch, trees, crop and/or structures sustained damages from high winds and/or rain, contact home and crop insurance agents immediately. Before cleaning up, document all damages with clear, focused photos and/or video. Review inventory and take note of anything damaged or missing.
Said Kawabata, "The USDA Farm Service Agency may ask for an assessment of damages and losses from growers and ranchers, and may be able to provide support to those affected. When an announcement is made by FSA, please contact them so they can learn of the full impact of the storm and how to best assist."

Questions? Contact Kawabata at 322-4892 or andreak@hawaii.edu.

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Tina Neal offers her personal experience of the volcano undermining the foundation of her USGS research station at
Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. See her presentation at Volcano Art Center. Photo from Big Island Video News

DRAMATIC STORIES FROM THE 2018 KĪLAUEA ERUPTION are available on Big Island Video News, which documented their presentation at Volcano Art Center in January. Big Island Video News is releasing the stories one at a time, with two of them, each about six minutes long, available now.

Tina Neal. Photo from Big Island Video News

In Time to Go, Tina Neal, U.S. Geological Survey Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Scientist-in-Charge, shares her experience and her emotions as she and her crew withstood volcanic violence, eventually evacuating HVO headquarters on the rim of Kīlauea Caldera in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. "Another earthquake rumbles beneath me," she begins her story, describing the "billowing, dark ash clouds," blowing away from HVO toward Pāhala.
Neal shares thoughts and actions during earthquakes, ash rising some 15,000 feet high, and collapsing of volcanic walls, undermining the foundation of HVO and Jaggar Museum, destroying the stability of the scientists' station. The USGS does not expect to be able to go back to the iconic building.

"Deep down to me, this unfolding event is really no surprise. That it is happening now, on my watch, is truly unexpected," said Neal. See and hear Neal as she tells her story.

Dean Gallagher. Photo from Big Island Video News

Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park Ranger Dean Gallagher describes his moment with koaʻe kea, a white-tailed tropicbird, which nests in Halemaʻumaʻu Crater.
He lists off some major events of the eruption: "May 2nd, Halemaʻumaʻu is draining down the mountain. May 3rd, fissure one opens up in Leilani Estates, followed by 23 more fissures. Over 80,000 recorded earthquakes, including the 6.9."
Gallagher shares a personal story, which, he says, "resulted in me crying." He speaks of going to the very edge of the newly deepened Halemaʻumaʻu, with its 1,600-foot drop in front of him. "And then, she showed up" - the koaʻe kea. Gallager says he thought of all that humans have done to the koaʻe kea - killing the birds for their feathers to sell. He describes the look the tropicbird gave him as she flew past, the call of koaʻe kea echoing off the caldera walls, and asks the bird, "Will some part of you please remember me? We weren't all bad."See and hear Gallagher as he tells his story.

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Michelle Lazaro. Photo from
Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance

HAWAIʻI CONSERVATION CONFERENCE PROPOSALS for symposia, forums, workshops, trainings, and individual oral or poster presentations will be accepted by Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance through Feb. 28. This year's theme is He ʻaʻaliʻi kū makani au: Resilience in the Face of Change. The Conference will be held on Oʻahu at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, July 9 through 11, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. See hawaiiconservation.org/conference/2019-call-for-proposals/.

ʻŌHIʻA SEED CONSERVATION WORKSHOP happens in Hilo on Friday, Feb. 15 from 9 a.m. to noon, and Kona, Saturday, Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This workshop, organized by Hawaiʻi Conservation Alliance, is part of a free series in the Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Seed Banking Initiative, which aims to expand capacity for collection and banking of ‘ōhi‘a seeds across all islands in response to the ROD crisis. It is free and open to anyone who wants to learn how to properly collect, handle, and process ‘ōhi‘a seeds, without doing harm to trees or forests, using methods that protect seed viability and ensure conservation value for future restoration. Learn more about ROD at RapidOhiaDeath.org. RSVP required.

HAWAIʻI CONSERVATION ALLIANCE WELCOMES MICHELLE LAZARO as the new Program Manager. Before coming to the Alliance, she worked as a Natural Resources Specialist for the USDA Forest Service at the Pacific Northwest Research Station, summarizing and communicating results of forest inventories conducted in Hawaiʻi, U.S. affiliated islands in the Pacific, and urban cities. She earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, and a Project Management certificate from Portland State University. She grew up in Mililani and says she is "very excited to be back home and contributing to the Alliance's work in this new role."

See conservation news, internships, jobs, and more at ConservationConnections.org

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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

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

NEW and UPCOMING

POWERMAN HAWAIʻI happens March 23 and 24 at KealakeheHigh School. The event is a World Championship qualifier, for the race in Zofingen, Switzerland in September. Powerman races are Sprint: 2.5k run, 17k bike, 2.5k run; Short: 5k run, 28k bike, 5k run; and World Championship qualifier, Classic: 10k run, 56k bike, 10k run. Relay teams can compete in all categories. The top 3 athletes overall and in each age group will qualify for the World Championships.

Saturday morning, March 23, keiki 10 and under are invited to run 800 meters on the track, followed by a multi-loop bike path on the campus, ending with a 400m run on the track.

High School athletes are invited to compete in the Sprint event – 2.5k run, 17k bike, 2.5k run. They will be scored cross country style with 4 categories: Boys, Girls, Co-Ed, and Relay, each team consisting of three athletes. A traveling trophy will be awarded for the high school to display, to be returned each year and be defended for, in addition to individual awards for each athlete. Each school registered by March 2 will receive custom race shirts in their school colors. All high schools are invited, as are individual students.

Kenny Krell, National Events Director, said, "We want to build something for many years to come, so giving back is the foundation of this event for us. It all stays on the BigIsland. We have created this unique event not only to bring World Class racing in a low impact, spectator friendly format to Kona, but to build something the entire island can be proud of. In order to do that, it must start with the keiki, the kids.

"Our vision was to have high schools as the foundation and build from there. For this event, Kealakehe high school is the venue. We will involve every possible club, class, and group at the high school to benefit directly from this event, from photography to concessions to the art department and so on. Your entry is going to directly impact programs, students, clubs, and teams within the school. Our goal is to expand this to other schools creating an ʻOhana of races not only for veterans, elites, locals of all ages and sizes, but kids from all over.

"Athletes will be coming from all over the World as well as the mainland. Seven countries and eight states are represented as of today, with two athletes currently ranked in the top ten in the world and the potential of several others committing.

"We understand with last years cancellation/postponement really had a negative impact on the marketing for this year's event world wide, so building this now for the future is where we stand… Please help us spread the word out there with 6 weeks to go. Any and all forms via social media, word of mouth, etc."

Contact Krell for more info at kenny@3disciplines.com or 810.394.1538.

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.

C.E.R.T. Discovery Harbour/Nā‘ālehu, Tue., Feb. 12, 4-6pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. Community Emergency Response Team info and training scenarios. Public welcome. Dina Shisler, dinashisler24@yahoo.com, 410-935-8087

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Volcano Bay Clinic Mobile Health Unit Visit: Dental, Wed., Feb. 13, 8-5pm. Medical, Thu., Feb. 28, 1-5pm. Cooper Center, Volcano Village. Must be Bay Clinic, Inc. patient. 333-3600 for appt. thecoopercenter.org

Compassionate Communication Group, Wed., Feb. 13 and 27, 2-3:30pm, 2nd and last Wednesday, monthly, PARENTS Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Free. Registration required. Lindsey Miller, 333-3460

Arts & Crafts Activity: Valentine's Day Love Bugs, Wed., Feb. 13, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 4-12. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Story Time with Auntie Linda from Tūtū & Me, Thu., Feb. 14, 10:30-noon, Nā‘ālehu Public Library. 929-8571

Valentine's Day Buffet, Thu., Feb. 14, 5-8pm, Crater Rim Café, Kīlauea Military Camp. Main entrees: Prime Rib au Jus, Lemon Butter Ono w/Tropical Salsa, and Vegetable Stir Fry w/Tofu. $29.95/adult, $14.95/child, ages 6-11. No reservations required. Open to KMC patrons and sponsored guests. Park entrance fees may apply. 967-8356

Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu., Feb. 14, 6:30pm, United Methodist Church, Nā‘ālehu. Pres. Berkley Yoshida, 747-0197

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15
PATCH Class #428, Building Emotional Literacy, Fri., Feb. 15, 8-11am, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #619, Relationships w/Families in your Family-Centered Care, Fri., Feb. 15, noon-3pm, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament, Sat., Feb. 16, 9-2pm, Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. For keiki 1-14 years. Free. Event day registration open 8-10am. Pre-registration packets available at Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Mizuno Supertte, Pāhala Gas Station, Nā‘ālehu Wiki Wiki Mart, Kahuku Country Market, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Free lunch and prizes. Guy Enriques, 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773. okaukakou.org

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Keala Ching w/Nā Wai Iwi Ola, Sat., Feb. 16, 10:30-11:30am, performance at hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/Wes Awana, Sat., Feb. 16, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Panaʻewa Stampede takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. HawaiiRodeoStampede.com

Ham Radio Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 2-3pm, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Community Cleanup, Sun., Feb. 17, contact in advance for meet up details. Space may be available; BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Mon., Jan. 18, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

ONGOING

Trojans Boys Volleyball is Raising Money with an invitational tournament on Friday, Feb. 15. The funding will help the team fly to Maui for a preseason tournament, beginning Friday, Feb. 22.

The Feb. 15 tournament at Kaʻū District Gym will see the Trojans hosting Kamehameha teams from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island as well as teams from Kealakeke and Pāhoa High Schools.

Donations can be sent to Kaʻū High School, c/o

Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

Applications for a Job to Help Kids with Healthy Eating and Living in Kaʻū are open through March 15. The position, through FoodCorps, is a full-time 11.5-month commitment from August 1, 2019 through July 15, 2020, at Pāhala Elementary School.
In exchange for service, members receive: $22,000 living stipend paid bi-weekly over the 11.5-month term; $6,095 AmeriCorps Segal education award upon successful completion of service; Student loan deferral or forbearance, if eligible; partial childcare reimbursement, if eligible; Health insurance; Ongoing training, mentorship, and professional development.

KauCoffeeFestival.com.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

; or call 808-731-5409.

Taiko drummers encouraged Wayne Kawachi as he spent the first few days of 2018 walking from Honoka‘a to

Nā‘ālehu to raise money for senior housing. Find out how to help, below. Photo from OKK

SENIOR HOUSING IN NĀʻĀLEHU has the support of the Ocean View Community Association. Pres. Ron Gall is helping circulate a Kaʻū Housing Survey. He said the survey is "very brief" and that it is "important for housing to be built for seniors who are financially limited." He said he wants to help ensure the building of subsidized senior housing in Nāʻālehu.

Two acres are cleared for senior housing. ʻO Kaʻū Kākou

asks for confirmation of need by filling out a survey at

kaucalendar.com/Kau_Housing_Survey_Fillable.pdf.

Photo by Julia Neal

"Please pass it on to any

one you know who will complete the survey. If not enough surveys are received, no housing," said Gall.

The survey is available to download at kaucalendar.com/Kau_Housing _Survey
_Fillable.pdf. Fill out and email to raylenemoses@gmail.com or mail to ʻŌ Kaʻū Kākou, PO Box 365, Pāhala, HI 96777, or fill out a form in person at OVCA Community Center – call 808-939-7033 for directions if need – open 8 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.

Nonprofit ʻO Kaʻū Kākou held a meeting Jan. 27 at Nāʻālehu Community Center about the proposed senior housing project at the former location of Nāʻālehu Fruit Stand. OKK is still raising money to finish paying $250,000 for the two-acre site on the mauka side of Hwy 11.

Kawachi shows his rubber slippers
that carried him from Honoka‘a
to Nāʻālehu to raise money for
senior housing. Photo from OKK

OKK Pres. Wayne Kawachi, who held a fundraiser last year for the project by walking 100 miles in his rubber slippahs, said he would look into funding for veterans and from veterans groups. Some OKK members said small donations are coming in. Fundraising suggestions abounded, from spreading the word and collecting monetary gifts at community events, to crowd funding online and selling tiles with donors' names on them. The tiles would be used in constructing the place. One speaker said that if only 250,000 people donated $1 each - from out there in the big world on the internet - the task would be accomplished. Another speaker said she is aware of grants for programs that support food growing and possibly housing, particularly when a percentage of the beneficiaries is native Hawaiian. Others, who have written grants, said they would help to find funding sources and apply for them.

Design decisions include level of care and building design: Would there be apartments and also a more intensive assisted living component? Would it include a community gathering place? Would it be one story? Kawachi said he would like to determine whether the site could accommodate 70 units.

Kawachi said he is interested in talking with developers, builders, funders, and those who can help document the need for senior housing. He can be reached at 937-4773.

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KAʻŪ WOMEN are invited to create teams for Women Build 2019, to help Puna people affected by the lava flow last year. Women Build is an annual Habitat International program that encourages women to make a difference by volunteering on a Habitat project and fundraising for build programs in their community.

On Saturday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Puna, volunteers will be working on homes for some of the families affected by the eruption last year.

Habitat is also looking for businesses to put teams together. Teams can consist of up to ten people – men can join, too. Individuals can sign up and organizers will find a team for them to connect with at the event.

Prizes will be given to the team and individual that raises the most money. To sign up as a team or individual, go to habitathawaiiisland.org/events. "It is a fun day and you will be making a difference in someone's life in your island community!" says the release from Habitat.

If you would like to donate prizes to the event or help sponsor Women Build shirts, contact Community Relations Manager Margo Takata at margo@habitathawaiiisland.org or (808)331-8010 ext. 106.

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A GREEN NEW DEAL was introduced last week to both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives by Sen. Mazie Hirono and her colleagues. The resolution seeks to achieve "zero greenhouse gas emissions,""create millions of good, high-wage jobs and ensure prosperity and economic security for all people of the U.S.," and provide clean air and water, healthy food, access to nature, a sustainable environment, climate and community resiliency. It also proposed to "promote justice by stopping current, preventing future, and repairing historic oppression of indigenous peoples, communities of color, migrant communities, deindustrilaized communities, depopulated rural communities, the poor, low-income workers, women, the elderly, the unhoused, people with disabilities, and youth."

Said Hirono, "From committing to 100 percent renewable energy, to embracing a carbon neutral economy, Hawaiʻi has taken aggressive action to combat climate change because of the threat it poses to our way of life. Confronting the challenge of climate change requires a comprehensive approach to transforming our country in a way that prioritizes environmental health and wellness, while also expanding opportunity and creating good-paying jobs as we transition to a low carbon economy. I welcome this bold national framework that tracks so closely to what Hawaiʻi is already doing and what many of us have long advocated to enable communities, families, and individuals to thrive."

Sen. Mazie Hirono
Photo from Hirono's Twitter

The resolution states the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report and the U.S. National Climate Assessment Fourth Report found that "human activity is the dominant cause of observed climate change over the past century. A changing climate is causing sea levels to rise and an increase in wildfire, severe storms, droughts, and other extreme weather events that threaten human life, healthy communities, and critical infrastructure."
The resolution also states global warming at or above two degrees Celsius beyond pre-industrialized levels will cause the U.S. to lose "more than $500 billion" in economic output by 2100, the loss of more than 99 percent of coral reefs worldwide, excessive wildfires, 350 billion people exposed to "deadly heat stress" by 2050, up to one trillion in damages to coastal U.S. real estate and infrastructure, and mass migrations worldwide.

A copy of the resolution can be found here.

Cosponsors of the resolution are Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.).

Organizations endorsing the legislation include: Sierra Club, SEIU 1199, 32BJ, Sunrise, Justice Democrats, Working Families Party, People’s Action, Center for Popular Democracy, Justice First, Dream Corps / Green For All, 350.org, CREDO Action, Indivisible, Demos, Honor the Earth, Labor Network for Sustainability, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Organic Consumers Association, Presente.org, League of Conservation Voters (LCV), and Earthjustice.

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.

Charlotte Cable (L) admires hats crocheted by Shawn Lohay (R).

Photo by Annie Bosted

KNITWITS SUPPORT KAʻŪ FOOD BANK and other charities. The group of about a dozen women meet in Ocean View every Tuesday to enjoy two hours of knitting, crocheting, and talk story. As temperatures in Kaʻū plummet and residents pull on their woolies, this close knit group of women meet to create not only warm clothing and warm friendships, but also funds for the hungry.

The ladies knit or crochet shopping bags, hats, blankets, shawls, sweaters, and ponchos. They make such kitchen items as pot holders and woven dish towels. At craft fairs, they offer their wares, eagerly purchased by customers appreciative of hand-made items. All proceeds go to Kaʻū Food Bank or other charities.

Shelley Smith's almost complete coat-length sweater
is already keeping her warm as it drapes over her
legs while she knits. Photo by Annie Bosted

Nobody is sure when the Knitwits began meeting, but a consensus of the group puts the start at about eight years ago, when the founding members gathered at Ocean View Community Center. Stephanie McDonald, a keen knitter and author of a book on knitting, started the group, and she was soon joined by Carol Sawyer, Fran Irwin, and Robin Stratton, who are now the informal leaders.

When one of their members, and Robin's sister-in-law, Judi Stratton, became unable to reach the Community Center due to an illness, they moved their meetings to her home. Judi Stratton died in July 2016, but they still meet at the house in upper Hawaiʻi Ocean View Estates, welcomed by Judi's widower, Mike.

When asked by The Kaʻū Calendar how easy it is to sell winter woolen garments to Hawaiʻi residents, Robin Stratton explained that lots of people buy them as gifts for friends and family on the mainland. "Our towels, bags, and washcloths are very popular, and usually get snapped up by Hawaiian residents. We also sometimes knit items to donate directly to a charity. We made a lot of hats that we donated to a school in Alaska, and we also made some baby blankets for a hospital. To us, this proves how easy it is to do something to help in the community. We are all frustrated about the way things are, and we all want to do our bit to help. By knitting and donating items we can make a small difference in people's lives."

Fran Irwin, one of the original members of the Knitwits,
knits a brightly colored shawl using circular knitting
needles as, she says, she is less likely to drop stitches
than if she were to use straight needles.
Photo by Annie Bosted

In 2017 and 2018, the Knitwits sold their knitted creations at the Arc of Kona's Annual Bazaar in Kealakekua, and at the Kahuku Unit of the National Park's crafts fair. In 2017, they donated about a thousand dollars toward food for the free dinners served at Ocean View Community Center. They donated $1,222 to the Kaʻū Food Pantry in 2018.

The next craft fair for the Knitwits will be at the Arc of Kona the first week of December 2019. They already have a large tote box of items to sell and more are added each week. Sometimes items never make it into the inventory - they are sold to other Knitwits.

The Knitwits are always open to new members and they are happy to mentor beginners. Readers interested in joining Ocean View Knitwits can message the group on Facebook or contact Shawn Lohay at hayslo@me.com.

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

See 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

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

NEW and UPCOMING

DONATIONS FOR A RUMMAGE SALE to benefit the Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Department happens March 22 and 23. Donations will be received March 20 and 21, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Call for pick-up of bulky or large items. No clothing or books. Appliances and electronics must be in good working condition. Contact Tom Reid at 503-260-6187 or Ken Shisler at 410-299-5359.

NIUHI-SHARK HONORS KAMEHAMEHA THE GREAT during the fine art exhibit opening this weekend at Volcano Art Center Gallery in Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. It opens Saturday, Feb. 16 with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m and runs daily through March 24.
This Thursday, Feb. 15 the public is invited to a panel discussion at 5:30 p.m. at Volcano Art Center's Niʻaulani Campus in Volcano Village.

King Kamehameha is celebrated in paint and prose with original paintings by Carl F. K. Pao, paired with selections from the book Kamehameha–The Rise of a King by David Kāwika Eyre, with illustrations by Brook Parker. The opening night reception features artist and author. Eyre will sign copies of his book Sunday, Feb. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Art Center Gallery. The collection provides viewers a visual experience of important events in Kamehameha's life from the perspective of two styles of art.

Visit volcanoartcenter.org for more information.

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, FEBRUARY 16
11th Annual O.KK. Keiki Fishing Tournament, Sat., Feb. 16, 9-2pm, Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. For keiki 1-14 years. Free. Event day registration open 8-10am. Pre-registration packets available at Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Mizuno Supertte, Pāhala Gas Station, Nā‘ālehu Wiki Wiki Mart, Kahuku Country Market, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Free lunch and prizes. Guy Enriques, 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773. okaukakou.org

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Keala Ching w/Nā Wai Iwi Ola, Sat., Feb. 16, 10:30-11:30am, performance at hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/Wes Awana, Sat., Feb. 16, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Ham Radio Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 2-3pm, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Community Cleanup, Sun., Feb. 17, contact in advance for meet up details. Space may be available; BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Mon., Jan. 18, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tue., Jan. 19, Committees; Wed., Jan. 20, Council, Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Tue., Jan. 19, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

ONGOING

Trojans Boys Volleyball is Raising Money with an invitational tournament on Friday, Feb. 15. The funding will help the team fly to Maui for a preseason tournament, beginning Friday, Feb. 22.
The Feb. 15 tournament at Kaʻū District Gym will see the Trojans hosting Kamehameha teams from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island as well as teams from Kealakeke and Pāhoa High Schools.

Donations can be sent to Kaʻū High School, c/o

Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament happens Saturday, Feb. 16, at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. Organized by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, the event doubles as a canned food drive.

The community can support the pageant through purchasing tickets, volunteering, and providing scholarships.
Girls three to 24 years of age are encouraged to enter the pageant. Talents often include hula and singing. Competitive categories include Talent, Gown, Photogenic, Career-Interview, Characters Outfit, and Swimsuit for Miss Kaʻū Coffee. Pageant hopefuls contend for titles of Miss Ka‘ū Coffee, Jr. Miss Kaʻū Coffee, Miss Kaʻū Peaberry, and Miss Kaʻū Coffee Flower.
Email tmarques@yahoo.com.

Volunteer on Midway Atoll for Six Months. The volunteer will serve as a communication assistant out on Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, on or about March 12 through August. Applications are due by Feb. 28. Potential to be extended to a full year. Get more info and instructions on how to apply.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.

KauCoffeeFestival.com.

Apply by Friday, April 26. Application at KauCoffeeFestival.com. Email to biokepamoses@gmail.com; mail to Brenda Iokepa-Moses,

P.O. Box 208, Pāhala, HI 96777

; or call 808-731-5409.

OKK's 11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament is this Satturday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, at Punalu‘u. It's free
and open to keiki 1-14 years. Photo by Peter Anderson

IMPORTANT HAWAIʻI PRIORITIES will be secured with the bipartisan passage of the Natural Resources Management Act, according to Sen. Mazie Hirono, who champions the measure. The Act passed the U.S. Senate yesterday in a 92 to 8 vote and goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Hirono is a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and supports the Act to permanently reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund; secure resources for Volcano Warning and Monitoring; expand conservation stewardship opportunities for youth and veterans; and make Hawaiʻi eligible for WaterSMART in the 2019 Public Lands Package.

Said Hirono, "Passing the Natural Resources Management Act is a great example of what the Senate can accomplish when we come together on a bipartisan basis to get things done. As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I worked to see that this comprehensive legislation includes many priorities for Hawaiʻi – from protecting our state's watersheds and endangered species, to enhancing our ability to protect communities from volcanic eruptions, and honoring those who served and sacrificed during World War II."

Sen. Hirono meets with representatives from the Ala Kahakai Trail Association in her office in Washington, D.C.
Photo from Hirono's office

Hirono met with representatives of the Ala Kahakai Trail Association and Kupu Hawaiʻi to discuss their work and how passage of the Natural Resources Management Act would aid their conservation efforts in the state.

Last Wednesday, Hirono took to the Senate floor to argue for the impacts of the Natural Resources Management Act for Hawaiʻi. These include:

Permanently reauthorizing the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which has provided nearly $250 million to Hawaiʻi conservation efforts over the past 50 years, contributing to protection of some of Hawaiʻi's most environmentally important public lands. Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, HaleakalaNational Park, Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge, and the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail have all benefitted. It has also provided funding for the Fish and Wildlife Service's Cooperative Endangered Species Fund, which supports efforts to protect the over 500 threatened and endangered species in Hawaiʻi, as well as the Forest Legacy Program, which has protected important forests and watersheds.

Enhancing Volcano Early Warning and Monitoring, to improve the nation's capacity to monitor and respond to volcanic activity. This would unify and connect Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which was critical to studying and responding to the three month long eruption of Kīlauea last year, to the other four volcano observatories across the nation. It also creates a Volcano Watch Office that will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to provide information and awareness of all active volcanoes across the country and territories, and establishes a grant program for volcano monitoring technology research and development.

Supporting the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps, including Kupu Hawaiʻi, that educate and inspire youth and veterans to become stewards of Hawaiʻi's natural resources. While participants benefit from learning about conservation, sustainability, and responsible management, public land managers also benefit from the projects that participants undertake, which can include trail clearing, invasive species removal, or interpretation.

Making Hawaiʻi eligible to participate in the Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART Program, which allows the Bureau to work directly with states, tribes, and local organizations as they plan to address water supply issues through conservation and reuse. The WaterSMART Program includes funding for grants and projects that address water and energy efficiency as well as water reuse and recycling.

Renaming World War II Pacific Sites, to separate out and rename sites that make up the World War II Valor in the PacificNational Monument. The USS Arizona, USS Utah, USS Oklahoma, six Chief Petty Officer bungalows on FordIsland, and three mooring quays in Battleship Row would collectively be designated as Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Other components of the World War II Valor in the PacificNational Monument located outside of Hawaiʻi include TuleLakein California and multiple sites located throughout the Aleutian Islands in Alaska. This provision renames them as the TuleLakeNational Monumentand the Aleutian Islands World War II National Monument, respectively. The provision also renames the HonouliuliNational Monument as the Honouliuli National Historic Site.

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.

DISASTER EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR HOMELESSNESS was extended by Gov. David Ige. He issued a supplementary emergency proclamation that "aims to accelerate the completion of housing projects for individuals and families who are transitioning out of homelessness," says a release from Ige's office. The proclamation also expands shelter capacity and access to services, especially for unsheltered individuals.

The supplementary emergency proclamation continues until April 13, 2019, unless it is terminated by a separate proclamation.

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.

ADVOCATE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING alongside Habitat for Humanity Hawaiʻi Island's Executive Director Patrick Hurney and Board Member Bo Kahui, who are braving the cold weather at Capitol Hill in WashingotnD.C. today. They joined hundreds of other Habitat leaders across the nation to plead their case for more federal support to address the home affordability crisis across the nation.

Support affordable housing efforts by sending an email to Hawaiʻi legislators. The following template can be used: habitatforhumanityinterna tional.salsalabs.org/virtualhillday
2019email/index.html.

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.

HAWAIʻI WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION is holding a workshop on Friday, Feb. 22, 9 a.m. to noon, at Hawaiʻi Innovation Center,

117 Keawe St., Hilo

. The free workshop, Fire Follows Fuel: Vegetative Fuels Management Collaborative Action Planning, is open to "the broader community of Hawaiʻi professionals dealing with wildfire threats and impacts," such as Land and Natural Resources Management, fire and emergency response, planning, agricultural operations, and utilities.

HWMO will present islandwide maps of current management activities, and provide a facilitated conversation about next step wildfire hazard reduction priorities and projects.

RSVP requested, hawaiiwildfire.org, pablo@hawaiiwildfire.org, or 808-885-0900.

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.

KAHA KIʻI CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION, sponsored by Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, is open to all high school students in Hawaiʻi's 2nd Congressional District. The winning artwork is displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, along with winning artwork from all participating districts around the country. The winning artwork is also featured on the Congressional Art Competition page. The second-place artwork is displayed for one year in the Congresswoman's WashingtonDCoffice, and third-place in her Hawaiʻi District Office. Get information for submissions here.

The deadline to submit an entry is Friday, Feb. 22, by 6 p.m. Digital files of 2D artwork must be submitted via this new google form, 2019 Art Competition Submission Form. Only one artwork submission per student is allowed. Enter all information carefully so the correct names are on exhibit labels, certificates, and awards.

On Saturday, March 9 judging and selection of semi-finalists; teachers will be notified of the selections shortly thereafter. On Saturday, April 20 artwork delivery and exhibit installation at Hawaiʻi State Capitol. Hawaiʻi Island semi-finalists should request a prepaid shipping label by Friday, April 12 by emailing Anya at Anya.Anthony@mail.house.gov. Email must include: name of school; return address; teacher contact info – name, phone, email; weight in pounds and dimensions (L x W x H) of artwork; description, such as number of pieces inside.

2nd Congressional District winner from 2017

Art will be exhibited Monday, April 22 through Saturday, May 11 at Hawaiʻi State Capitol. The Awards Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to noon.

All entries must be: two-dimensional; no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches thick when matted/framed; no more than 15 pounds in weight when matted/framed; original in concept, design, and execution, and not violate any U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image – including a painting, graphic, or advertisement – that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted.

Work entered must be in the original medium, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing. Acceptable mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are: Paintings in oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.; Drawings in colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (it is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed); Collages - must be two dimensional; Prints - lithographs, silkscreen, block prints; Mixed Media - use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.; Computer-generated art; Photographs.

Digital Image File Specifications are that JPG files should be captured by a high-resolution camera. Each JPG file must be at least 1500 by 2100 pixels at 300 dpi. Each JPG file should be at least 1 megabyte but no greater than 10 megabytes. Save file in this formet: CON_Grade_School_Student Last Name_First Name_Media_Title.jpg

Contact Anya at Anya.Anthony@mail.house.gov or call (808) 541-1986 with questions. See also: A Guide to Copyright and Plagiarism; 2019 Rules for Students and Teachers; 2019 Student Release Form – must be completed/signed and submitted with entry; 2019 Art Competition Submission Form.

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.

UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVES will support the one in seven people entering the hospital in Hawaiʻi who will need blood, according to Blood Bank Hawaiʻi. A release from BBH says only about two percent of people donate. "Spring into action and save lives in your community by signing up to donate blood."

The general requirements to be a blood donor are be in good health; 18 years or older, 16 and 17 year old donors with signed Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi parent/legal guardian consent; weigh 110 pounds or more - additional height/weight requirements apply for female donors 16-18 years old. Bring photo ID with date of birth.

There are seven upcoming blood drives in March on Hawaiʻi Island. To schedule an appointment or verify drive information, call 848-4770 or visit BBH.org. Drives are subject to change: LDS Waimea Ward Cultrual Hall, Wednesday, March 6, 9:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.; LDS Kona Stake Center Culktural Hall, Friday, March 8, 7 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.; LDS Hilo Cultural Hall, Monday, March 18, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Aunty Sally Kaleohano's Luau Hale Main Room, Tuesday, March 19, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday, March 20, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Kamehameha Schools Band and Choral Room in Keaʻau, Thursday, March 21, 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Legacy Hilo Rehabilitation & Nursing Center Dining Rooms in Hilo, Friday, March 22, 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Follow Blood Bank of Hawaiʻi on social media for updates and info on blood drives: Facebook.com/BloodBankHawaii/, Instagram.com/BloodBankHawaii/, and Twitter.com/BloodBankHawaii.

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

Boys Basketball:

Feb. 21-23, Thu.-Sat., HHSAA

Wrestling:

Feb. 20-21, Wed.-Thu., HHSAA

NEW and UPCOMING

ZENTANGLE: MIXED PLATE happens Saturday, Feb. 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lydia Meneses will guide a mixture of Zentangle concepts during this art session. She will introduce some of the newest tangles and tile trends designed by Zentangle CZTs and Zentangle enthusiasts from around the world.

The announcement invites attendees to "enjoy a morning of creating art in 'local kine' fashion. This Zentangle session will have the feel of a 'mixed plate,' meaning a little bit of everything, along with standard tiles and pens. New Zentangle concepts are being created/born at any given time of the year, so Lydia will devote this time to introduce, but a few, of these creative ideas. To spice up your plate, you are invited to bring your favorite Zentangle tile coloring tools."

Class will be guided with Zentangle's traditional ceremony and method: Gratitude, Appreciation, Relaxation, Mindfulness, and Awareness. Class open to all levels, no Zentangle or art experience necessary. An overview of Zentangle art method will be introduced to those new to Zentangle art. Students are invited to bring snacks to share. Cost is $35, $30 VAC members, plus a $10 supply fee. See volcanoartcenter.org/events for more or to register.

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, FEBRUARY 15
PATCH Class #428, Building Emotional Literacy, Fri., Feb. 15, 8-11am, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

PATCH Class #619, Relationships w/Families in your Family-Centered Care, Fri., Feb. 15, noon-3pm, PARENTS, Inc. office, Nā‘ālehu. Sponsored by Tūtū and Me. No childcare provided. Register at 238-3472, rhall@patch-hi.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 16
11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament, Sat., Feb. 16, 9-2pm, Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. For keiki 1-14 years. Free. Event day registration open 8-10am. Pre-registration packets available at Nā‘ālehu Ace Hardware, Mizuno Supertte, Pāhala Gas Station, Nā‘ālehu Wiki Wiki Mart, Kahuku Country Market, and Ocean View Auto Parts. Free lunch and prizes. Guy Enriques, 217-2253, Wayne Kawachi, 937-4773. okaukakou.org

Ocean View C.E.R.T. Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 10-1pm, Ocean View Community Center. Community Emergency Response Team monthly meeting and training. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Hula Kahiko - Kumu Hula Keala Ching w/Nā Wai Iwi Ola, Sat., Feb. 16, 10:30-11:30am, performance at hula platform near Volcano Art Center Gallery. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com, volcanoartcenter.org

Nā Mea Hula w/Wes Awana, Sat., Feb. 16, 11-1pm, Volcano Art Center Gallery porch. Hands-on cultural demonstration. Free; park entrance fees apply. 967-8222, volcanohula@gmail.com,
volcanoartcenter.org

Panaʻewa Stampede takes place this year just outside of Hilo, the weekend of Feb. 16-18, with rodeo competitors from Kaʻū and around the island joined by rodeo clowns and other entertainers. HawaiiRodeoStam
pede.com

Ham Radio Mtg., Sat., Feb. 16, 2-3pm, Ocean View Community Center. ovcahi.org

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Hawai‘i Wildlife Fund Community Cleanup, Sun., Feb. 17, contact in advance for meet up details. Space may be available; BYO-4WD welcome. Free; donations appreciated. RSVP to kahakai.cleanups@gmail.com or 769-7629.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Discovery Harbour Neighborhood Watch Mtg., Mon., Jan. 18, 5-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Hawai‘i County Council Mtgs., Tue., Jan. 19, Committees; Wed., Jan. 20, Council, Kona. Ka‘ū residents can participate via videoconferencing at Nā‘ālehu State Office Building. Agendas at hawaiicounty.gov.

Discovery Harbour Volunteer Fire Dept. Mtg., Tue., Jan. 19, 4:30-6:30pm, Discovery Harbour Community Hall. 929-9576, discoveryharbour.net

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Ocean View Community Association Board of Directors Mtg., Wed., Feb. 20, 12:30-1:30pm, Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033, ovcahi.org

Arts & Crafts Activity: Eagle Handprint, Wed., Feb. 20, 3:30-5pm, multi-purpose room, Ka‘ū District Gym. Register keiki ages 5-12 Feb. 11-19. Free. 928-3102, hawaiicounty.gov/pr-recreation

ONGOING

Nāʻālehu Celebrates Craft Month with open crafting for all ages, while supplies last. Crafting starts off at 3 p.m. each Thursday in February. Free. Contact Sara Kamibayashi at (808) 939-2442 for more.

Trojans Boys Volleyball is Raising Money with an invitational tournament on Friday, Feb. 15. The funding will help the team fly to Maui for a preseason tournament, beginning Friday, Feb. 22.
The Feb. 15 tournament at Kaʻū District Gym will see the Trojans hosting Kamehameha teams from Oʻahu and Hawaiʻi Island as well as teams from Kealakeke and Pāhoa High Schools.

Donations can be sent to Kaʻū High School, c/o

Athletic Director Kalei Namohala 96-3150 Pikake St, Pāhala, HI, 96777

, with the notation "Boys Volleyball Tournament on Maui."

The application and more information are at mckeescholarshipfoundation.weebly.com. Applications must be mailed to the foundation office in Ocean View by February 15.

11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament happens Saturday, Feb. 16, at Punalu‘u Beach Park Pavilions. Organized by ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou, the event doubles as a canned food drive.

Apply at foodcorps.org/apply. See the service member position description for more details. Visit foodcorps.org, Facebook page, or contact seri.niimi-burch@foodcorps.org for more information.